News

Heavy rains and tropical-storm-force winds are affecting eastern parishes, including Portland, St Thomas, and sections of Kingston, St Andrew, and St Catherine, as Hurricane Melissa moved closer to the island on October 26, 2025.
December 9, 2025

Eastern Jamaica feeling Hurricane Melissa’s growing fury

Jamaica has begun to experience the effects of powerful Hurricane Melissa, which strengthened overnight into a Category 4 system, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. Heavy rains…
The cone from the National Hurricane Centre contains the probable path of Hurricane Melissa's centre at 10 a.m. on October 26, 2025. It does not show the size of the storm. Hazardous conditions can occur outside of the cone.
December 9, 2025

Hurricane Melissa slows slightly as Jamaica braces for direct hit

Hurricane Melissa has slowed its crawl south of Jamaica, heightening fears of prolonged and dangerous weather conditions as the powerful Category 4 system edges closer to the island. At 10 a.m. the…
Former United States Vice President Kamala Harris greets people before she speaks on October 17, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama.
December 9, 2025

Kamala Harris leaves door open for 2028 US presidential run

(AP) - Former United States Vice President Kamala Harris is not ruling out another run for the presidency. In an interview with the BBC posted Saturday, Harris said she expects a woman will be…
In this image made from video released by the Russian Presidential Press Office on October 26, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks while visiting one of the command posts of the Joint Group of Forces.
December 9, 2025

Russia tests new nuclear-capable missile, Putin says

(AP) - Russia tested a new nuclear-capable and powered cruise missile fit to confound existing defenses, inching closer to deploying it to its military, President Vladimir Putin said Sunday. The…
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Retired) Antony Anderson
December 9, 2025

Diaspora mobilises relief plans as Hurricane Melissa nears Jamaica

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, retired Major General Anthony Anderson, is coordinating disaster preparedness efforts among members of the diaspora as Hurricane Melissa threatens to impact…
Officials of the Jamaica Public Service, Digicel, Flow, National Water Commission, and National Works Agency at a joint news conference on Hurricane Melissa on October 26, 2025.
December 9, 2025

Vaz warns of zero tolerance for utility vandalism ahead of Hurricane Melissa

Transport and Telecommunications Minister has warned that the government will pursue a zero-tolerance approach against vandalism targeting utilities, which could hinder emergency response and recovery…
Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson.
December 9, 2025

Jamaica could receive over 30 inches of rain from Hurricane Melissa - Thompson

Hurricane Melissa could dump more than 30 inches of rain on the island, roughly the height of an average car door, Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson said,…
Margaret Parkes, 62, was the sole person seated inside a Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus that had been parked in the Port Royal fishing community in Kingston for nearly two hours on October 26, 2025.
December 9, 2025

Few leaving flood-prone Port Royal, other areas as Hurricane Melissa Looms

Residents in the flood-prone coastal town of Port Royal, in Kingston, and other communities have once again ignored authorities’ attempts to relocate them ahead of Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane is…
An undated aerial view of a section of Portmore, St Catherine.
December 9, 2025

Portmore on the frontline - Storm surge from Hurricane Melissa threatens major residential hub

Jamaica’s senior meteorologist Evan Thompson says Portmore, the largest residential community in the English-speaking Caribbean, is among southern coastal areas likely to be impacted by storm surge as…