News

December 9, 2025

McKenzie urges construction sites, billboards, and used cars to be secured ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie is urging all construction sites across Jamaica to remove loose materials immediately, warning that they could block drains and cause devastating damage…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (left) and Opposition Leader Mark Golding.
December 9, 2025

Holness, Golding to meet as Jamaica prepares for Hurricane Melissa

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says he has been in communication with Opposition Leader Mark Golding and that the two are scheduled to meet today as Hurricane Melissa churns toward Jamaica. …
The cone of the probable path of Hurricane Melissa, provided by the United States' National Hurricane Center at 1 p.m. on October 25, 2025.
December 9, 2025

Melissa strengthens into Category 1 hurricane

Tropical Storm Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, Principal Director of the Meteorological Service, Jamaica, Evan Thompson, confirmed. The system, at the southeast of Kingston…
File photo.
December 9, 2025

Social media claims of national power cut are fake - JPS

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) says claims circulating on social media that electricity would be shut off on Saturday due to the approaching Hurricane Melissa are fake. “There is no such…
December 9, 2025

ODPEM activates full emergency operations as Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has fully activated the National Emergency Operations Centre as Hurricane Melissa is projected to rapidly intensifies into a major…
Undated photo of a section of the undated) photo : Jackson Bay Beach in Portland Cottage in southern Clarendon.
December 9, 2025

Portland Cottage on edge as Hurricane Melissa looms

Residents of Portland Cottage in Clarendon - a small fishing community - are on edge as Hurricane Melissa looms. They say fear has again gripped the area, as memories of the devastation caused by…
Flooding along Morrison Street in Spanish Town, St Catherine following torrential rains in July 2024.
December 9, 2025

St Catherine business group wants urgent drain cleaning in Spanish Town ahead of Hurricane Melissa

As Hurricane Melissa approaches, St Catherine Chamber president Dennis Robotham is urging urgent drain cleaning in Spanish Town to help prevent flooding. "Sections of the town, Wellington…
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro points at a map of the Americas during a new conference in Caracas, Venezuela on September 15, 2025.
December 9, 2025

Maduro says the US 'fabricating a war' as warship moves closer to Venezuela

(AP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said the United States government is forging a war against him as the world's biggest warship approached the South American country. The vessel can…
Photo of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James
December 9, 2025

UPDATE|Sangster International Airport in MoBay to close midday Sunday - AAJ

Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James is to close at midday Sunday as Hurricane Melissa slowly approaches Jamaica, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds. …