Patrickoneil.com
Breaking Jamaica News
IRIE FM | Tuesday, January 27, 2026
IRIE FM family and wider media fraternity mourning death of veteran broadcaster Bob Clarke
The IRIE FM family and the wider media fraternity have been plunged into mourning, following the death of veteran broadcaster and one of IRIE FM’s founding members Bob Clarke. Mr Clarke who was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer in 2018 for decades of contribution to Jamaican media passed away early this morning. – He was 75. – Bob Clarke was a part of IRIE FM’s early management team and hosted the popular Sunday afternoon programme Memories until he left the company in 2020. That was Bob Clarke doing an outro to his programme on Sunday, January 27, 2019. He continued working in media after leaving the station. Speaking to IRIE FM News this morning Acting Managing Director of IRIE FM Brian Schmidt offered condolences to Clarke’s family and noted that he was pivotal to the creation of IRIE FM. Schmidt said he was loved throughout the company and by IRIE FM listeners. In the meantime…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Jamaica among 75 countries hit with suspension of US immigrant visa processing
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) said Wednesday it was suspending the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, including Jamaica, in President Donald Trump’s latest move against foreigners seeking to come to America. The United States has long rejected visas from people who appear likely to end up needing government welfare, but the State Department said it would now use the same authority for a blanket suspension of immigrant visas based on nationality. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be pausedwhile the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he said…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Friday, November 28, 2025
UK rejects visa for Jamaican child left homeless by Hurricane Melissa
An eight-year-old Jamaican girl living with her grandmother, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa, will not be able to join her parents in the United Kingdom (UK) after her visa application was rejected. A report from the Guardian highlighted the plight of Lati-Yana Brown, whose British father and Jamaican mother both live in the UK and have been trying to get her visa for some time. The couple wed in 2025 and saved up the £4,000 visa application fee for Lati-Yana, applying in June. Their situation became urgent on October 28 when Hurricane Melissa tore through Cash Hill, Hanover, destroying the home where Lati-Yana and her grandmother lived. The report said the grandmother is now unable to properly care for the child. The parents then appealed to the UK Home Office to expedite the child’s visa decision describing it as an emergency. However…Read More
Jamaica Star | Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Melissa death toll climbs to 45 in Jamaica
The Government is reporting that the death toll from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is now at 45. Nine additional deaths are under investigation and 15 persons are reported as missing. The highest number of deaths were recorded in St Elizabeth with 18 fatalities, followed by Westmoreland with 15. Six deaths were recorded in St James, two each in Hanover and Trelawny, and one each in St Ann and Portland. Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon, addressing a press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, said 33 post-mortems have been conducted to date. “Those are 45 families that are hurting deeply. Really, really hurting, and so, as we look at that number, we pray for those families,” Morris Dixon said. “We pray that God will comfort them. It’s a hard time to deal with the death of a family member, plus be dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane. I ask all of Jamaica to please pray for these families as they traverse this very, very, very difficult time,” she urged. “I ask all of Jamaica to please pray…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Cruise industry rallies behind Jamaica with over US$3m in hurricane relief
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Several of the world’s leading cruise companies have announced financial pledges totalling more than US$3 million in support of Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa relief efforts. Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Disney Cruise Line have each committed US$1 million in financial assistance. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has pledged up to US$100,000, with additional matched contributions from employees and passengers. Jamaican Senior Vice President for Government and Destination Affairs at Carnival Corporation, Marie McKenzie, underscored the organisation’s ongoing commitment. She noted the company’s earlier relief efforts, including the distribution of supplies during the “Carnival Horizon’s” port call in Ocho Rios, St Ann on November 4. McKenzie also highlighted Carnival’s long-standing relationship with Jamaica, including a recently signed Memorandum of…Read More
Jamaica – Star | Monday, November 3, 2025
Death toll from Hurricane Melissa rises to 32
The total deaths from Hurricane Melissa now stand at 32 but are expected to rise. Minister of Information Senator Dana Morris Dixon said at a press briefing today that there are another eight deaths, but they are waiting on the police to confirm. “The figure will change and I will give another figure tomorrow,” she said. Senator Morris-Dixon did not give a breakdown of the deaths in the various parishes. Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica just under a week ago with winds of 175 miles per hour. The hurricane left wide areas of the island devastated. Speaking about schools reopening, Senator Morris Dixon, who is also Minister of Education, said that the decision to reopen schools has been decentralized and left to rincipals and school boards. She said that they want to get children back into schools as…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Saturday, November 1, 2025
Health minister urges vigilance over food safety
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton is warning the public to be vigilant about food safety in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Dr Tufton, who was speaking at a press conference on Saturday, noted that the loss of electricity in sections of the island has significantly increased the risk of food contamination and foodborne illnesses. “During this period, when we have no electricity, the probability of food contamination and food poisoning is greatly increased. Refrigeration, which is non-existent in these areas, meat kinds and other types of foods may be contaminated either by not being refrigerated or by rodents and other such insects or otherwise that could spread diseases,” Tufton said. The health minister said…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Thursday, October 30, 2025
Over 490,000 still without electricity — Vaz
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Energy and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz provided a comprehensive update on the country’s electricity restoration efforts on Thursday, revealing that more than 490,000 customers remain without power following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. Vaz reported that 70 per cent of transmission lines are currently out of service, with 52,000 customers restored so far. This means approximately 490,380 customers, or 72 per cent of the customer base, are still without electricity. He noted that 70 per cent of the distribution network remains de-energised, with only sections of Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Thomas currently receiving power. “I just got a report that the entire parish of St Thomas is suffering from low voltage. So I asked JPS (the Jamaica Public Service Company) to look into that immediately,” he said. “The highlights, if you can…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Thursday, October 30, 2025
Some health centres reopen; hospitals in emergency mode
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) says some health centres within SERHA have reopened on Thursday. In Kingston and St Andrew, Alpha Dental, Bull Bay Health Centre, Chin Loy, Community Health & Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies, Denham Town Health Centre, East Queen Street Dental, Edna Manley Health Centre, Golden Spring Health Centre, Glen Vincent Health Centre, Harbour View Health Centre, Hagley Park Health Centre, Maxfield Park Health Centre, Nannyville Health Centre, Norman Gardens Health Centre, Oakglades Health Centre, Operation Friendship, Olympic Gardens Health Centre, Rollington Town Health Centre, Seaview Gardens Health Centre, St Margaret’s –Faith Base Organization, Slipe Pen Road Comprehensive Health Centre, Sunrise Health Centre, and Windward Road Health Centre have reopened…Read More
Jamaica Gleaner | Wednesday, October 29, 2025
US sending dozens of relief workers to help with fallout from Hurricane Melissa
The United States is deploying several dozen disaster relief workers, including urban search and rescue teams, to Caribbean island nations as they deal with devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Disaster Assistance Response Team personnel from Washington and regional hubs in Miami and Costa Rica as well as the urban search and rescue crews from Los Angeles County, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia, are en route to the region, three State Department officials said Wednesday. They are expected to arrive in the next 24 to 48 hours and join up with local staff in Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, where they will be based to offer help in neighbouring Haiti, according to the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity because the teams were not yet on the ground. Hurricane Melissa has left dozens of people dead and widespread destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. The monster storm made landfall Tuesday in Jamaica as one of…Read More
Jamaica Star | Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Battered – Melissa wreaks havoc in Jamaica
The most powerful storm in 174 years, Hurricane Melissa, unleashed its fury on Jamaica yesterday, leaving the island battered and broken. Winds exceeding 150 kilometres per hour tore through homes, ripped roofs from schools, and obliterated roadside stalls, sending debris hurtling through communities still healing from past disasters. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has declared Jamaica a ‘disaster area’, as the country reels from widespread infrastructural damage and catastrophic flooding caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa across the island. Tuesday’s decision follows advice from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and…Read More
NPR | Wednesday, October 29, 2025
How will the dismantling of USAID affect U.S. relief efforts in Jamaica?
It’s a major international disaster. And it comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the world’s largest aid agency, the United States Agency for International Development, along with the slashing of billions of dollars in foreign assistance. Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful Atlantic storm of this year, has torn through Jamaica and several other islands in the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation. With major flooding and power outages, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the country a “disaster area.” The State Department confirmed that Jamaica has formally asked for help. And President Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the U.S. will respond: “We’re watching it closely, and we’re prepared to move.” – Read More
Jamaica Star | Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Melissa death toll climbs to 45 in Jamaica
The Government is reporting that the death toll from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is now at 45. Nine additional deaths are under investigation and 15 persons are reported as missing. The highest number of deaths were recorded in St Elizabeth with 18 fatalities, followed by Westmoreland with 15. Six deaths were recorded in St James, two each in Hanover and Trelawny, and one each in St Ann and Portland. Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon, addressing a press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, said 33 post-mortems have been conducted to date. “Those are 45 families that are hurting deeply. Really, really hurting, and so, as we look at that number, we pray for those families,” Morris Dixon said. “We pray that God will comfort them. It’s a hard time to deal with the death of a family member, plus be dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane. I ask all of Jamaica to please pray for these families as they traverse this very, very, very difficult time,” she urged. “I ask all of Jamaica to please pray…Read More
Jamaica Observer | Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Jamaica among 75 countries hit with suspension of US immigrant visa processing
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) said Wednesday it was suspending the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, including Jamaica, in President Donald Trump’s latest move against foreigners seeking to come to America. The United States has long rejected visas from people who appear likely to end up needing government welfare, but the State Department said it would now use the same authority for a blanket suspension of immigrant visas based on nationality. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be pausedwhile the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he said…Read More
IRIE FM | Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Jamaica among 75 countries hit with suspension of US immigrant visa processing
The IRIE FM family and the wider media fraternity have been plunged into mourning, following the death of veteran broadcaster and one of IRIE FM’s founding members Bob Clarke. Mr Clarke who was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer in 2018 for decades of contribution to Jamaican media passed away early this morning. – He was 75. – Bob Clarke was a part of IRIE FM’s early management team and hosted the popular Sunday afternoon programme Memories until he left the company in 2020. That was Bob Clarke doing an outro to his programme on Sunday, January 27, 2019. He continued working in media after leaving the station. Speaking to IRIE FM News this morning Acting Managing Director of IRIE FM Brian Schmidt offered condolences to Clarke’s family and noted that he was pivotal to the creation of IRIE FM. Schmidt said he was loved throughout the company and by IRIE FM listeners…Read More
Why patrickoneil.com Newsrooms are Unique
Founded by our president – an experienced Radio Broadcaster and Journalist of award winning work, our news pages here at patickoneil.com connect users to continuous breaking news collated from reputable media – locally, nationally and globally. You can confidently visit our news directories often from the links under ‘more news’ to easily access our breaking news pages. You will be able to quickly read automatically updated headlines and news briefs from up to 25 media sources on each newsroom (page), designed by categories. Users may also find bargains from Ads and promotions on our site including in our soon to be launched “Bargains Shopping Directory“. Learn more also from the “Research to help Consumers” link…
Copyright © 2002-2026 Patrick O’Neil Media Network Inc. / Promotions via Internet, Print, Radio & Television. All rights reserved.