The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB) has reported that the domestic economy experienced moderated growth through August 2025, aligning closer to its medium-term potential. While tourism output slowed due to constraints in the high-value stopover segment, the cruise sector remained resilient, buoyed by robust earnings and foreign investments in onshore private destinations. However, the unemployment rate rose in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a decrease in employed individuals and an increase in labor force participation. Monetary trends for August were marked by a contraction in banking sector liquidity, as domestic credit growth outpaced deposits, and external reserves declined due to net foreign currency outflows. Tourism sector earnings also slowed compared to 2024, primarily due to accommodation capacity constraints in the stopover segment. Official data revealed a 3.3% decline in total arrivals for July 2025, with sea passengers decreasing by 3.8% and air traffic by 0.9%. The short-term vacation rental market saw a 1% increase in room nights sold, but occupancy rates declined. The average daily room rate (ADR) for entire place listings rose by 11.8%, while hotel comparable listings saw a 1.1% increase. Labor market conditions worsened in the first quarter of 2025, with the unemployment rate climbing to 10.8% and youth unemployment reaching 20.9%. External reserves decreased to $74.7 million in August, with the central bank’s net foreign currency outflow to the public sector widening. The CBB forecasts slower economic growth in 2025, driven by tourism sector performance, ongoing foreign investments, and global trade uncertainties.
标签： Jamaica
牙买加
-
Coach Daley praises players’ growth post-World Netball Youth Cup
The Young Sunshine Girls, Jamaica’s national youth netball team, are returning home after a commendable performance at the World Netball Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar. Despite falling short of their goal to secure a top-four finish, the team’s resilience and growth throughout the tournament have earned them widespread praise. Head Coach Annett Daley expressed immense pride in her squad, highlighting their potential and the valuable experience gained from competing against more seasoned teams. The tournament, held from September 23 to 28, saw the Young Sunshine Girls finish in fifth place after a series of spirited matches. Their journey began with a dominant 66-43 victory over Tonga, followed by a default win against Sri Lanka, who withdrew from the competition. They continued their strong form with a 61-43 triumph over Wales. However, their momentum was halted by a tough 33-64 loss to England in the group stage. Despite the setback, the team regrouped but faced another challenge in the quarter-finals, losing 33-85 to eventual champions Australia. The Young Sunshine Girls bounced back in the consolation rounds, defeating Cook Islands 57-47 and Scotland 53-44 to secure fifth place. Australia claimed the title with a 63-48 victory over New Zealand, while England took third place. Reflecting on the tournament, Daley emphasized the need for strategic changes before future competitions to enhance the team’s performance. She also praised Gibraltar’s welcoming atmosphere and weather, drawing parallels to Jamaica’s midland regions. The Young Sunshine Girls’ journey, marked by determination and improvement, has laid a strong foundation for their future in international netball.
-
Chelsea memories don’t ‘feed’ Mourinho after return ends in defeat
In a night filled with nostalgia and emotion, Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, only to leave disappointed as his Benfica side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Portuguese manager, who enjoyed two successful spells with Chelsea, was warmly welcomed by the home fans, who chanted his name throughout the match. However, the 62-year-old was left frustrated as Benfica failed to capitalize on a solid performance, with Richard Rios’s 18th-minute own goal proving decisive. This marked Benfica’s first loss under Mourinho’s leadership in four matches. Mourinho, the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history with seven major trophies, including three Premier League titles, acknowledged the fans’ affection but emphasized that he values victories over memories. “I don’t feed myself with these memories,” he said. “I feed myself with victories.” Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca faced further disciplinary issues as substitute Joao Pedro was sent off in stoppage time, bringing Chelsea’s tally to three red cards in four games. Despite the setback, Maresca praised his team’s resilience, calling it a crucial win after a slow start to the season. “We needed the win,” he said. “Sometimes you need to learn to win in an ugly way.”
-
WATCH: Search for missing Manchester schoolboy to continue tomorrow
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The search for Jayden Smith, a missing 12-year-old student from Manchester High, persisted into Tuesday afternoon, with a coordinated effort involving firefighters, police officers, and local volunteers. The operation focused on the Perth area of Mandeville, where teams conducted door-to-door inquiries and inspected unoccupied buildings in hopes of locating the boy. Fitzroy Donaldson, District Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade, confirmed that despite extensive efforts, no credible leads have emerged to determine Jayden’s whereabouts. The search was temporarily suspended just before 3:00 pm. Jayden has been missing since Friday when he left school. Authorities issued a high alert on Saturday, describing him as having a dark complexion, slim build, and standing approximately 152 centimetres (five feet) tall. The community remains on edge as the search is expected to intensify in the coming days.
-
WATCH: Vox pop on mental health
As Suicide Prevention Month concludes on Tuesday, Jamaicans have voiced their perspectives on the island’s approach to mental health challenges. In a series of interviews, opinions varied widely. Some individuals expressed concern that mental health issues are often overlooked until they escalate into crises, while others emphasized the need for greater support in schools to alleviate stress among students. When discussing personal coping mechanisms, many highlighted simple yet effective activities such as listening to music, journaling, gardening, and spending quality time with friends as their preferred methods of relaxation. The discussions underscore the growing recognition of mental health as a critical issue in Jamaica, though many believe more proactive measures are necessary to address it comprehensively.
-
Flow signs MoU for ICT Teacher of the Year award with gov’t support
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to enhance digital education, the Flow Foundation has partnered with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills, and Information to launch the ‘ICT Teacher of the Year’ award in 2026. The initiative, endorsed by Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, aims to recognize and reward high school educators who excel in integrating innovative information and communication technology (ICT) tools into their teaching practices. The announcement was made during the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) ICT Week 2025 Conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Minister Dixon emphasized the importance of ICT in achieving educational goals, stating, ‘This award is a meaningful way to affirm that ICT is central to helping every child reach their full potential. Stronger partnerships are essential to bridge the digital divide.’ The Flow Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) to formalize the award. The selection process will evaluate teachers across four ICT categories: innovation, equity and inclusion, resilience and resourcefulness, and community engagement. From 63 regional winners, three national awardees will be chosen, with the overall winner receiving a national trophy, a cash prize, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2026 CANTO Trade and Exhibition Conference in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the winner’s school will receive an ICT investment and be recognized as an ICT ambassador. Rhys Campbell, Director of the Flow Foundation, highlighted the initiative’s significance, stating, ‘The classroom is a launchpad for digital transformation, and we’re proud to spotlight educators who are empowering the next generation through ICT.’ Dr. Winsome Gordon, CEO of the Jamaica Teaching Council, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting its potential to motivate educators and advance ICT development in Jamaica. Applications for the award will open on World Teacher Day, October 5, 2025, with the awards ceremony scheduled for May 2026.
-
Kenne Blessin releases new song
Atlanta-based artist Kenne Blessin has transcended conventional music boundaries with his latest spiritual track, ‘God is My Strength,’ released on September 26 as part of the Blue Flame Riddim EP. The four-song project also features contributions from Anthony Malvo, Delly Ranx, and Fucha Kid, showcasing a unique blend of musical artistry. Kenne Blessin aimed to create a track that resonated deeply with listeners, emphasizing meaningful content over mere rhythmic appeal. ‘The piano and violin arrangement evokes profound emotions, delivering a message that holds significant value,’ he explained in an interview with Observer Online. Co-produced by Dacosta Music and Malvo Ent, the EP includes Malvo’s ‘Watch da Girl Deh,’ Delly Ranx’s ‘How I’m Living,’ and Fucha Kid’s ‘Big Man Cry.’ Unlike typical riddim projects that reflect the artist’s persona, Kenne Blessin focused on crafting a cohesive concept for Blue Flame. ‘I wasn’t chasing a specific sound; I wanted content that truly matters,’ he stated. Beyond this project, Kenne Blessin is also promoting his cover of Elton John’s ‘Nikita,’ inspired by Russia. Born in Kingston and raised in St. Thomas, he debuted with his first album, ‘Get Up & Go,’ in 2018, followed by his EP ‘Millions’ in 2020. Kenne Blessin continues to make waves in the music industry with his innovative and soulful creations.
-
US judge temporarily halts mass layoff of Voice of America employees
In a significant legal development, a U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s plan to terminate more than 500 employees of the Voice of America (VOA). The decision, issued on Monday by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, suspends the layoffs that were scheduled to take effect on September 30. The move comes as part of an ongoing legal battle over the administration’s efforts to restructure government-funded media. Kari Lake, a senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has been leading the charge to reduce the workforce, arguing it is a necessary step to dismantle what she describes as a ‘bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy.’ However, Judge Lamberth ruled that Lake’s actions were ‘arbitrary and capricious and not in accordance with law,’ and emphasized the need for USAGM to fulfill its statutory mandate. The court also expressed concerns that the defendants lacked a plan to comply with an earlier injunction issued in April. The USAGM, established during World War II, plays a crucial role in promoting democracy and countering propaganda through entities like VOA, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia. President Trump has frequently criticized VOA, accusing it of being overly critical of his administration and undermining its editorial independence.
-
NEPA forges partnerships for coral reef restoration
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a groundbreaking initiative to safeguard Jamaica’s coral reefs, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has introduced the first-ever ‘Coral Reef Awareness Month’ in September 2025. This campaign seeks to address the escalating threats of ocean warming, pollution, and disease, which have left the nation’s coral ecosystems—often referred to as the ‘rainforests of the sea’—in a precarious state. Without intervention, the degradation of these reefs could have catastrophic effects on Jamaica’s coastal defenses, which rely on coral to mitigate storm surges and erosion.
The initiative focuses on raising public awareness, fostering community involvement, and supporting marine restoration efforts. A key component of the campaign is a coral spawning program, designed to replenish Jamaica’s reefs and establish a spawning calendar to guide ongoing conservation efforts. This program is part of the broader CoralCarib Project, a collaborative effort led by the Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Alligator Head Foundation (AHF), which spans Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
From September 7 to 15, 2025, NEPA coordinated a coral spawning blitz, involving 30 scientists and divers from various organizations. These experts conducted nightly dives to document and collect gametes from three threatened coral species: Acropora palmata, Orbicella faveolata, and Orbicella annularis. The event was informed by a prior mapping exercise that assessed coral health within marine protected areas, providing critical data on bleaching, resilience, and restoration planning.
Chanel Raynor, NEPA’s ecosystems coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, ‘The CoralCarib Project represents a strategic, collaborative approach to coral restoration, with communities and interest groups at its core.’ Anna-Cherice Ebanks-Chin, TNC’s Marine Conservation Programme Manager, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to fast-track efforts in response to recent coral bleaching events. The initiative marks a significant step forward in Jamaica’s efforts to restore its marine ecosystems and develop sustainable policies for coral reef management.
-
Statin delays release of 2022 census results to October 15
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) has announced a two-week delay in the publication of its preliminary 2022 Population and Housing Census results. Originally slated for release on Tuesday, the findings will now be disclosed on October 15, coinciding with the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) Statistics Day. This regional event underscores the critical role of data in shaping policy and fostering development across the Caribbean. The new release date also heralds the resumption of Statin’s Quarterly Press Briefings, a platform designed to enhance public engagement, transparency, and dialogue with key stakeholders. The census data, eagerly awaited by policymakers and planners, is poised to inform Jamaica’s national planning, resource distribution, and development strategies in the years ahead. As the nation’s principal authority on economic, social, demographic, and environmental data, Statin’s findings are integral to Jamaica’s progress and decision-making processes.