News

A section of Duke Street in downtown Kingston was yesterday impassable as a result of a downed tree blocking the road.
December 9, 2025 by Corey Robinson

Kingston spared

Had Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital and most populated city, the effects of the Category 5 disaster would have been far more cataclysmic, structural and environmental…
An elderly woman was seen sheltering beneath the eave of a business place along East Street in Kingston during the passage of Hurricane Melissa. ‘Empress’, as she introduced herself, said she was barred from entering a shelter with her dog. Instead of
December 9, 2025 by Andre Williams

Empress braves Melissa with ‘Police’ after shelter says ‘No Pets Allowed’

They say a dog is man’s best friend but, if 76-year-old ‘Empress’ had her way, she would not only change that saying to a human’s best friend, but would also ask that humans be kinder to her…
Roofs damaged by Hurricane Gilbert on September 12, 1988.
December 9, 2025 by Paul H Williams

1500s-1700s a tale of destruction

THE HISTORY of tropical storms and hurricanes in Jamaica is a history of destruction. The island’s geographic allocation in the north Caribbean Sea makes it a prime target for these natural phenomena…
This NOAA graphic shows the projected path of Tropical Storm Melissa in the Central Caribbean Sea.
December 9, 2025

Conditions deteriorate across Jamaica as Melissa heads for the island

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica says Doppler radar and satellite images show that the outer bands of Hurricane Melissa cover most of Jamaica, and have been producing moderate to heavy rainfall…
File photo
December 9, 2025

Police thwart attempted robbery of wholesale in Montego Bay

The St James police on Monday thwarted an attempted robbery of a wholesale on Church Street in Montego Bay. The police say there was a shoot-out, and the men fled the scene, leaving behind two guns.…
Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Phillip Davis.
December 9, 2025

Bahamas gov't issues evacuation notice for some areas amid threat of Hurricane Melissa

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas government Monday issued a formal evacuation notice for residents of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island ahead of the passage of Hurricane…
Hegseth posted footage of the strikes to social media.
December 9, 2025

Hegseth says US carried out three strikes on alleged drug-running boats in eastern Pacific, killing 14

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US military carried out three strikes Monday in the waters of the Eastern Pacific against boats suspected of carrying drugs, killing…
File photo
December 9, 2025

240,000 JPS customers now without electricity, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Hanover and St James most affected

With Jamaica now feeling the worsening effects of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that approximately 240,000, or 35% of its customers, are now…
Evan Thompson, principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica.
December 9, 2025

Hurricane Melissa now to make landfall in St Elizabeth

Senior Meteorologist Evan Thompson says Hurricane Melissa has strengthened and is expected to make direct impact in western St Elizabeth over the next few hours. Thompson gave the update at a press…