The Trump administration has unveiled a new policy that will significantly increase costs for foreign tourists visiting some of the United States’ most iconic national parks. Effective from 2026, international visitors will be required to pay an additional $100 surcharge on top of the standard entry fees at 11 of the most popular parks, including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Additionally, the annual pass for non-residents, granting access to all national parks, will more than triple in price, rising from $80 to $250.
标签： Jamaica
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Hurricane damage to forests still being assessed; Forestry Dept warns of severe consequences
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaica’s forests in a state of crisis, with significant environmental repercussions anticipated, according to the Forestry Department. Initial assessments reveal that approximately 51% of the island’s forested areas, spanning 272,943.89 hectares, have been adversely affected. Ainsley Henry, CEO and conservator of forests, emphasized that all parishes have sustained damage, with St Elizabeth, Trelawny, Manchester, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and other regions bearing the brunt of the devastation. The environmental fallout is expected to include heightened risks of landslides, soil erosion, mudflows, flooding, and a decline in biodiversity. Additionally, the loss of vegetative cover is likely to exacerbate heat in certain areas and worsen mosquito-related issues due to reduced shade. In response, the Forestry Department has initiated rapid forest assessments and is scaling up nursery production to facilitate restoration efforts. The department has also secured 1,500 breadfruit seedlings from the Trees That Feed Foundation for free distribution to the most affected parishes. Reforestation will commence post-data collection, prioritizing severely impacted zones. While some tree species, such as Blue Mahoe and mahogany, may show signs of recovery within weeks to months, others could take up to 15 years to fully regenerate. Henry urged public cooperation in wildlife protection and tree care, emphasizing the importance of pruning damaged trees and replanting where necessary. Despite the challenges, Henry remains optimistic, stating, ‘Jamaica, her forests, and her people are resilient. We will rise again, and we will be stronger.’
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BOJ warns of prolonged inflation spike
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has issued a stark warning to households and businesses, urging them to prepare for a significant rise in inflation driven by the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The central bank projects that inflation will exceed its target range of four to six per cent in the near term, with price stability not expected to return until 2027. This comes despite Jamaica enjoying relatively low inflation below six per cent over the past two years, as reported by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin).
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica’s south-western coast on October 28, has caused extensive economic disruption, damaging infrastructure and disrupting productive activities. The BOJ anticipates that annual headline inflation will rise sharply from 2.9 per cent in October 2025, with core inflation—excluding volatile food and fuel prices—also breaching the target range by mid-2026. This inflationary pressure is expected to ripple across various sectors, including food, utilities, transport, and personal care services.
Early signs of inflation are already evident in the October Consumer Price Index (CPI), which recorded a 1.5 per cent increase in food prices, driven by significant surges in vegetables, tubers, and pulses. Electricity costs also rose, contributing to a 0.8 per cent increase in housing-related expenses. The government’s decision to temporarily suspend fiscal rules to fund relief and reconstruction efforts is expected to inject more money into the economy, further exacerbating inflationary pressures.
In response, the BOJ has adopted a cautious approach, maintaining its key interest rate at 5.75 per cent while implementing measures to stabilise the foreign exchange market. The central bank has already sold US$210 million to the market since the hurricane and plans to provide foreign currency directly to energy sector entities. These steps aim to prevent a depreciating Jamaican dollar from worsening inflation by increasing the cost of critical imports for reconstruction.
The BOJ remains committed to its inflation target and is prepared to adjust its monetary policy stance if inflationary risks escalate further. The next policy decision announcement is scheduled for December 18, 2025, as the central bank continues to monitor price movements closely.
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Greenwood ‘paid dearly’ for sex assault allegations, says De Zerbi
Marseille’s head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has expressed his support for Mason Greenwood as the forward prepares to face English opposition for the first time since allegations of sexual assault surfaced in 2022. Greenwood, who joined Marseille in July 2024 after a loan spell at Getafe, is set to start in the Champions League match against Newcastle on Tuesday. De Zerbi emphasized that Greenwood has ‘paid dearly’ for the accusations, which were dropped by prosecutors in February 2023, and has found a supportive environment in Marseille. ‘I regret what happened in his life because I know someone different from what’s being described, especially in England,’ De Zerbi stated. Greenwood has been in impressive form, scoring 11 goals this season and 33 overall for Marseille. De Zerbi praised his development, calling him a ‘complete player’ while urging the media to avoid excessive scrutiny. Despite his on-field success, Greenwood’s international future remains uncertain, with England manager Thomas Tuchel confirming he is not part of current plans. Teammate Angel Gomes, who played alongside Greenwood at Manchester United, noted their friendship but remained tight-lipped about Greenwood’s aspirations for an England recall. Marseille, with three points from four Champions League matches, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage, while Newcastle, sixth in the table, aim to continue their strong form.
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Golding says Opposition being excluded from national recovery process
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mark Golding, President of the People’s National Party (PNP), has publicly criticized the Jamaican Government for allegedly sidelining the parliamentary Opposition in critical decision-making processes related to national recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Golding emphasized that the exclusion of the Opposition threatens transparency and public confidence in the recovery measures. He clarified that the Opposition’s concerns are not politically motivated but aimed at improving the management and distribution of relief resources. Golding highlighted reports that government-funded and donor-funded relief supplies are being distributed through political representatives of the ruling party rather than through established legal channels. He argued that this practice lacks constitutional legitimacy and risks undermining equity in the response. Golding stressed the importance of including elected representatives in constituency-level decisions and called for collaboration across political lines to achieve effective solutions. He also revealed that repeated attempts to communicate with Prime Minister Andrew Holness regarding these issues have gone unanswered. Golding further commented on the Government’s introduction of legislation to establish the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), cautioning that bypassing normal procedures makes transparency even more critical. He expressed concern over the absence of the Opposition from all Cabinet-established committees, including those involving the private sector, and reiterated the Opposition’s willingness to contribute to the recovery process.
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Champions Holmwood Technical win double on ISSA netball resumption
ST JAMES, Jamaica—The ISSA Rural Area netball competition resumed on Tuesday with a series of thrilling matches, showcasing the dominance of double defending champions Holmwood Technical. The competition had been paused for nearly a month due to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in late October. Holmwood Technical kicked off their campaign with impressive victories in both the Junior and Senior categories, defeating Bishop Gibson High. The Junior team secured a narrow win with a score of 29-27, while the Senior team delivered a staggering 83-2 victory. Old Harbour High also emerged as double winners, triumphing over Tacky High with scores of 20-5 in the Juniors and 44-8 in the Seniors. Additionally, Old Harbour High defeated Charlemont High 18-2 in the Juniors and 44-8 in the Seniors. Kellits High and Central High exchanged victories; Kellits High won the Junior game 9-5, while Central High claimed a 24-19 win in the Seniors. In Montego Bay, Green Pond High secured two wins in the Junior competition, defeating hosts Mt Alvernia High 24-17 and Muschett High 30-9. Mt Alvernia High also achieved a decisive 36-2 victory over Muschett High. Other notable results included Iona High’s double win in the Juniors, beating St Mary Tech 19-9 and Oracabessa High 23-12, while Denbigh High defeated Glenmuir High 35-15 in the Juniors. In the Seniors, St Thomas Technical emerged victorious with a 22-9 win over Yallahs High.
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Tourism leaders unite to fast-track Jamaica’s post-Melissa recovery
OCHO RIOS, St Ann — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Jamaica is focusing on reviving its tourism sector, a critical pillar of its economy, while expressing profound gratitude for the overwhelming international aid. John Byles, Chairman of the Tourism Recovery Task Force, emphasized the urgency of restoring tourism operations to ensure economic stability and employment for locals. During a recent tour of Ocho Rios led by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Byles highlighted the sector’s resilience and unity in crisis management. ‘We are deeply thankful for the aid, but our priority is to get the tourism machinery running again so we can welcome guests as we’ve already started in some areas,’ he stated. Byles, also the executive deputy chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, praised the seamless evacuation of tourists during the hurricane and noted that Ocho Rios, largely unaffected by the storm, has reopened as a first step in recovery. Jessica Shannon, head of the Jamaica Tourism Cares Task Force, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the unprecedented collaboration across industries and sectors. ‘Hand in hand, we rebuild,’ she said, highlighting the collective effort of private and public entities, both domestic and international. Shannon, also the Chief Experience Officer for Sandals Resorts International, revealed that global partners, including hotel brands, airlines, and cruise operators, have offered extensive relief support, from supplies to housing recovery assistance. ‘The goodwill Jamaica has generated is unparalleled,’ she added, citing donations of clothing, generators, and tarpaulins. The united front displayed by Jamaica’s tourism industry underscores its commitment to recovery and its ability to leverage international partnerships in times of crisis.
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Starraura returns in style: 11-length romp wins $1.05-m Maiden Condition Race
In a spectacular display of speed and stamina, Starraura, the Jason DaCosta-trained chestnut filly, marked her return to racing with a commanding win in the $1.05-million Maiden Condition Race for native-bred three-year-old fillies on Saturday, November 22, 2025. After an eight-month hiatus, Starraura, sired by Bold Conquest and out of Little Wasp, left her competitors in the dust, securing an impressive 11-length victory over 5½ furlongs (1,100m). Ridden by jockey Robert “Hardball” Halledeen, she completed the race in a swift 1:10.0, with splits of 24.0, 49.0, and 1:02.3. Starting strong, Starraura initially settled into third place behind Money Mission (Javaniel Patterson) and Moonlight Song (Teneca Wolfe) as they approached the half-mile (800m) turn. However, she quickly caught up to Money Mission, taking the lead at the top of the straight and maintaining her dominance all the way to the finish line. Money Mission and BadBadTanesha (Richie Shakes) trailed behind, unable to challenge Starraura’s relentless pace. This victory not only highlights Starraura’s exceptional talent but also reaffirms Jason DaCosta’s prowess as a trainer and Robert Halledeen’s skill as a jockey.
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Dr Dawes questions ministry’s capacity to confirm leptospirosis cases
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dr. Alfred Dawes, the Opposition Spokesperson on Health, has expressed significant concerns regarding Jamaica’s capacity to accurately detect and monitor leptospirosis cases in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Dawes emphasized the urgent need for a robust and multifaceted approach to address the rising infections.
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Nigerian doctor invites GOJ to partner on future medical missions
FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Dr. Cliff Eke, President of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), has urged the Jamaican Government to establish long-term partnerships to improve healthcare services across the island. Leading a team of eight medical professionals on a recent mission to Jamaica, Dr. Eke emphasized ANPA’s commitment to expanding its support but stressed the need for governmental collaboration to achieve sustainable impact.