News

Top left: The roof of the Savanna-la-Mar Police Station in Westmoreland damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
February 5, 2026 by Paul H. Williams

The disaster that erased Savanna‑la‑Mar

On October 28 last year, Black River, the capital of St Elizabeth, was almost entirely destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. The scale of the devastation left much of Jamaica stunned. For some residents,…
From left: Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism; Donovan White, director of tourism; Jackie Marks, global head of trade brands, Apple Leisure Group Vacations; and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett in conversation during a special welcome dinner for Apple
February 5, 2026 by Janet Silvera

RIU hosts 125 North American travel agents as Ja rebuilds after Melissa

WESTERN BUREAU: RIU Montego Bay hosted its largest group of international travel agents for the year last Saturday, as Jamaica’s tourism sector continues its recovery push in the aftermath of the…
Eric Hosin, acting chief executive officer of the University Hospital of the West Indies.
February 5, 2026

JMDA gives UHWI ultimatum

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) has issued an ultimatum for the management of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) to take steps to resolve a number of long-standing…
Matthew Samuda, minister of water, environment and climate change removes debris from a mangrove ecosystem in Parottee, St. Elizabeth, during clean-up activity marking World Wetlands Day on February 2.
February 5, 2026

Damaged wetlands in Parottee, St Elizabeth being restored

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, says the Government has commenced targeted clean-up and restoration of hurricane-damaged wetlands in the Parottee community in St…
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams, addressing the House of Representatives.
February 5, 2026

House approves fourth supplementary estimates

The House of Representatives has approved the Fourth Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year 2025/26, which reflects an increase in government expenditure of $14.36 billion. The estimates,…
Students at the Penlyne Castle Primary School in St Thomas.
February 5, 2026

Education Ministry urges schools to allow jackets, provide warm beverages amid cold front

The Ministry of Education says schools should allow students to wear jackets to classes amid cooler temperatures and strong winds across Jamaica due to a cold front. There has been widespread public…
Jolyan Silvera and Melissa Silvera.
February 5, 2026

Gun Court accepts Jolyan Silvera’s guilty plea, to be sentenced in March

The guilty plea entered by former Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera in connection with the death of his wife has been accepted by the Gun Court, with sentencing set for March 6. Chief Justice Bryan…
File photo.
February 5, 2026

JMDA raises staffing, pay and patient safety concerns at UHWI, issues ultimatum

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) has warned the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) that it cannot guarantee the continuation of normal operations if concerns regarding…
The Rodney Memorial Building in Spanish Town, which houses the court’s administrative operations, sustained major water damage.
February 5, 2026

Clansman Gang Trial | Proceedings adjourned after defendant falls ill

Today’s proceedings in the Clansman gang trial were adjourned after one of the defendants fell ill. In court, medical doctor Paul Robinson, who is also an accused in the matter, alerted presiding…