In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations, US forces have reportedly conducted another strike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, bringing the total death toll in the contentious campaign to 80. According to US media reports on Thursday, the latest strike marks the 20th such operation in international waters since Washington initiated the campaign in early September. The exact timing of the strike remains unclear, with conflicting reports from CBS and the New York Times citing unnamed Pentagon officials. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the matter. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, recently called for an investigation into the legality of these strikes, labeling them as potential ‘extrajudicial killings.’ However, the US Justice Department maintains that the operations comply with the law of armed conflict, signaling no intention to halt the campaign. Meanwhile, tensions in the region have intensified with the arrival of a US aircraft carrier off the coast of Latin America, prompting Venezuela to announce a ‘massive’ retaliatory deployment. On Thursday, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth unveiled ‘Operation Southern Spear,’ a new phase of the mission aimed at ‘removing narco-terrorists,’ though details of the operation remain undisclosed.
标签： Jamaica
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MoBay christmas tree-lighting ceremony to be scaled down
Montego Bay, Jamaica, will host a more subdued Christmas tree-lighting ceremony this year as the city continues its recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Mayor Richard Vernon announced the decision during the monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation on Thursday. While the traditional event will proceed, it will be significantly scaled back, reflecting the parish’s focus on rebuilding and supporting affected communities.
Mayor Vernon emphasized that the usual festive concert will not take place this year. Instead, the ceremony will feature a solemn lighting and prayer vigil at Sam Sharpe Square. The event will also serve as a moment to honor those impacted by the hurricane and to celebrate the resilience of the community.
The mayor highlighted the municipality’s ongoing recovery initiatives, including the activation of a multi-agency task force dedicated to assisting vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the homeless, and those in shelters. He noted that targeted support, outreach, and aid distribution are being prioritized to ensure no one is left behind.
Additionally, Mayor Vernon outlined operational efforts, such as night clean-up operations supported by the Jamaica Defence Force and the St James Municipal Corporation. He praised the resilience of Montego Bay’s residents, stating, ‘Hurricane Melissa has tested our resolve, but Montego Bay is not broken. Our municipality is battered, but still beautiful.’
Concluding his remarks, the mayor called for unity and determination, urging the community to transform the devastation into a collective effort to build a stronger, safer, and more united city. ‘Let this season of light begin with remembrance, power, and action,’ he said.
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The Weeknd donates US$350,000 to hurricane relief effort in Jamaica
Canadian music icon The Weeknd has contributed $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund to support relief operations in Jamaica, which was severely affected by Hurricane Melissa. The World Food Program (WFP) confirmed the donation in a press release on November 13, highlighting its critical role in scaling up efforts to assist approximately 200,000 Jamaicans in their recovery from the disaster. Barron Segar, President and CEO of World Food Program USA, expressed gratitude for The Weeknd’s generosity, emphasizing that the donation will provide essential comfort and resilience to those impacted. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck the Caribbean in late October, affecting nearly six million people, with Jamaica experiencing the most severe consequences. The WFP has collaborated with the Jamaican government to deliver food kits containing rice, lentils, canned fish, meat, and vegetable oil to over 9,000 individuals. Across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, the WFP has distributed emergency food supplies to 254,000 people, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian response.
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Traffic pile-up on Kendal main road after crash
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A significant traffic disruption has gripped the Kendal main road in Manchester following a collision between two heavy-duty vehicles on Friday. The accident took place near a sharp curve on the road, involving a truck and a trailer that was carrying a tractor at the time of the crash. The Kendal Road, known for its winding path, is currently serving as an alternative route due to the inaccessibility of the Content main road. The Content road has been submerged by groundwater that surged after the impact of Category Five Hurricane Melissa, exacerbating the transportation challenges in the area. Authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution and seek alternate routes to avoid further congestion.
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RACING BACK ON TRACK
Live racing is poised to make a triumphant return to Caymanas Park this Saturday, November 15, following a three-week suspension caused by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on western Jamaica. The event, eagerly awaited by enthusiasts, marks the first race meeting since October 25. Solomon Sharpe, Executive Chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), expressed his enthusiasm for the revival, highlighting the sport’s vital role in supporting the local community, including trainers, jockeys, and thousands of others dependent on it for their livelihoods. The resumption of live racing is expected to fill a significant void and provide a much-needed economic boost. Despite structural damage to five stables and the replacement of damaged rails, repairs are well underway. Over 300 horses have consistently completed their workouts, signaling readiness for the event. However, the financial toll has been severe, with estimated losses of $100 million due to the suspension of live racing and simulcast services. The hurricane also disrupted operations at over 100 Offtrack Betting Parlours (OTBs), with 40% temporarily out of service. SVREL is committed to aiding national recovery efforts by revitalizing Caymanas Park and stimulating business across Jamaica. The racing community has responded positively, with 103 horses nominated for nine races on Saturday and over 100 horses entered in 10 races on Sunday, including the prestigious Grade One Jamaica Cup and Port Royal Sprint, whose winners will qualify for the Mouttet Mile in December.
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Singapore charges Australian man after Ariana Grande incident
Singapore authorities have formally charged an Australian man, Johnson Wen, 26, for causing a disturbance at the Asia premiere of the film “Wicked: For Good” in Universal Studios Singapore. The incident occurred on Thursday night when Wen breached security barricades and rushed towards pop star Ariana Grande, who was attending the event alongside her co-stars. Viral video footage captured the moment Wen wrapped his arm around a visibly shocked Grande before being swiftly apprehended by security personnel and escorted away. Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, immediately stepped in to defend her. Wen, who represented himself in court, indicated his intention to plead guilty to the charge of “being a public nuisance.” He faces potential penalties of a $1,500 fine, up to three months in jail, or both. The incident did not disrupt the premiere, as the cast regrouped and continued with the event. Grande, a former Broadway star turned global pop sensation, has faced public trauma before, notably surviving the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which left her with PTSD. The case has sparked outrage among fans, who are demanding strict action against Wen.
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HerRelief to provide sustainable healthcare, supplies to Hurricane Melissa victims
In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, HerRelief Jamaica has announced a robust initiative to deliver urgent medical care to the most affected parishes. Founded by pharmaceutical executive and philanthropist Theresa White, in collaboration with Dr. Kerone Thomas, the organization is mobilizing a team of Jamaican-born female medical professionals to address the pressing healthcare needs of devastated communities. The initiative aims to provide coordinated, compassionate, and sustained medical support, reflecting the founders’ commitment to leveraging their expertise and resources for national recovery. The team, based across the United States, will commence operations on November 21, with Westmoreland being the first stop to assess and plan for residents’ needs. Beyond healthcare, HerRelief Jamaica will also distribute essential supplies such as water tanks, Starlink internet, and generators to parishes including Trelawny and St James. The organization will collaborate with established partners to ensure the efficient collection and shipment of critical relief supplies. Theresa White emphasized the dual focus of the initiative: providing immediate crisis-level medical care and establishing a long-term support framework for underserved and displaced individuals. HerRelief Jamaica will offer a wide array of services, including primary and acute medical care, mental health support, dental services, medication distribution, emergency interventions, and care for chronic illnesses and displaced patients. Through ongoing missions, the organization aims to restore access to essential healthcare services, strengthen community health, and rebuild medical capacity in the affected areas.
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JBG CRISIS DEEPENS
Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) has reported a staggering $7.2 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending May 3, 2025, following the discovery of significant accounting irregularities in its US operations. The irregularities necessitated a restatement of prior financial results, leading to a massive write-down of intangible assets, goodwill, and biological assets, which severely impacted the company’s equity. The restatement erased billions from the company’s stated equity, resulting in a consolidated group loss despite a $2.5 billion net profit from its core Jamaican operations, which include the Best Dressed Chicken and Hi-Pro Ace brands. The US subsidiaries, however, reported a net loss of $9.1 billion, completely offsetting the gains from Jamaica. The financial turmoil triggered a breach of the company’s debt covenants, prompting its auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), to highlight a ‘material uncertainty’ about the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated balance sheet now shows liabilities exceeding assets, with negative equity of $10.03 billion and total borrowings of $42.5 billion. The company’s directors have implemented a survival plan, including detailed cash flow forecasting and cost control measures, while engaging in ongoing discussions with financial institutions. The scandal, centered on inflated asset values and hidden debts in the US operations, led to the departure of the entire US management team, including Stephen Levy, the brother of Group President and CEO Christopher Levy. PwC issued a qualified opinion on the financial statements, citing insufficient evidence regarding the completeness of the accounting irregularities. The restatement erased $22 billion from the company’s historical profits, revealing that the previously reported earnings never existed. The company’s liquidity position is precarious, with current liabilities of $63 billion significantly exceeding current assets of $28.5 billion. Despite the crisis, the core Jamaican operations remain profitable, with a 33% rise in operating profit to $2.12 billion in the latest quarter. However, the impending $40 billion restatement looms over the company’s future. The scandal has severely impacted investor confidence, with the stock price plummeting 35.75% since the start of the year. The company’s ability to renegotiate terms with lenders and stabilize its US operations will determine its survival.
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Bert’s Auto Parts Foundation commits $20 million to Hurricane Melissa relief effort
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to bolster national recovery efforts, Bert’s Auto Parts Foundation has pledged a substantial $20 million donation. This contribution is earmarked for critical relief initiatives, including roof repairs, building materials, and food packages, particularly targeting the hardest-hit regions of western Jamaica.
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Suspect in murder of two cops surrenders to police
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Marcarius “Macky” Monroe, the primary suspect in the fatal shooting of two police officers on Thursday evening along Waltham Park Road in St Andrew, has voluntarily surrendered to authorities. Monroe, a resident of Ricketts Crescent in Kingston 13, turned himself in at the Hunts Bay Police Station on Friday afternoon.