Embrace ‘One Health’ Medical experts are calling for stronger adherence to the global One Health mandate by Jamaican authorities, citing the outbreak of leptospirosis following Hurricane Melissa a month ago as a clear indication of why such a move is pivotal. One Health, as outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), speaks to an integrated, unifying approach that aims to balance and optimise the sustainable health of people, animals, and ecosystems. “It recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, and plants is closely linked and interdependent,” states the WHO.
National Prayer Vigil Committee sees Jamaicans returning to God Jamaicans are re-embracing Christianity to navigate the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa as they seek spiritual reassurance and a source of comfort to deal with the trauma of the Category 5 storm. This is the assertion from Reverend Errol Rattray, chairman of the National Prayer Vigil, who said it was the prayer of Christians that protected Jamaica from being in an even worse state.
Official funeral for Jimmy Cliff set for next week Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has announced that the official funeral for the late Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff will take place next Wednesday, December 17, at the National Indoor Sports Centre, beginning at 10 a.m. Cliff passed away on November 24 at age 81. He is being accorded an official funeral by the Government “for his immense contribution to Jamaican culture and entertainment”, said Grange.
All schools to reopen early January At least 160 schools remain closed for teaching and learning weeks after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. These schools are expected to reopen on January 6, 2026, according to Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams. Of the 160 schools not yet reopened, 100 have been impacted by the Category 5 storm. Responding to questions during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, Williams said 59 of the schools are serving as shelters for persons displaced by the hurricane.
60 homes in 30 days WESTERN BUREAU: A crippled man in Hertford, Westmoreland, a father and his two sons in Black River, St Elizabeth, and a woman living in the open air in Petersfield are among the first recipients of the studio homes being built under the S for Shelters project, an initiative of S Hotel Montego Bay.
Gov’t targets craft sector as new pillar of creative economy WESTERN BUREAU: State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright has declared that Jamaica’s craft sector is poised for a sweeping overhaul as the Government moves to reposition craft not as an afterthought but as a central pillar of the island’s creative economy. Seiveright, who has been meeting with stakeholders across the island, said the Government is activating a coordinated national effort to modernise the industry, expand income opportunities for artisans, and raise the global profile of authentic Jamaican craft.
‘Knockout blow’ The Supreme Court has thrown out an application brought by the People’s National Party’s Paul Buchanan to overturn the results of the St Andrew West Central general election which he lost to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness. Buchanan, who was the Opposition Party’s candidate, filed an application for permission to seek judicial review of the decision of the Constituted Authority not to apply to the Election Court to void the results of the September 3 poll.
Kingston Tech principal suspended Principal of Kingston Technical High School Maulton Campbell has been suspended from the institution following an audit report, concerns over a hiring decision, and a formal complaint submitted by a board member. Campbell was suspended effective immediately on November 26, pending the outcome of further investigations.
‘Serious mistake’ The Court of Appeal says it overturned an ex-policeman’s 2021 murder conviction after finding that his claim of self-defence was not properly addressed during the trial, a lapse that undermined the fairness of the proceedings. The written reasons, handed down last Friday, follow orders, made on June 27, setting aside Oshane Thompson’s life sentence for the shooting death of Kriston Pearson at a party in Port Maria, St Mary, in May 2017. It ordered a retrial.
Union Acres homeowners threaten legal action over hurricane losses Homeowners in Union Acres, St James, whose newly built properties were torn up by Hurricane Melissa in October, have served notice that they will use litigation in an effort to force the developer to pay for the catastrophic losses they sustained. The National Housing Trust (NHT) has confirmed that approximately 40 of the 144 two-bedroom houses sustained “varying degrees of damage”.