AGP Executive Report

West Indies vs Sri Lanka: Pacers Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph led the way as West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the opening T20I at Sabina Park, with Shai Hope making an unbeaten half-century to level the series 1-0. World Cup on TV: The BBC is keeping its World Cup studio in Salford while ITV anchors from Brooklyn, as both broadcasters share live coverage across the US, Canada and Mexico. Jamaica finance: Scotiabank has moved to take Scotia Group Jamaica private, offering minority shareholders $61.50 per share in a deal aimed at boosting capital and operational efficiency. Courts go digital: The House approved Jamaica’s Integrated Electronic Case Management System to replace paper-based court processes and modernise case handling. Business & investment: JSEZA launched an online Facilitation Tool to streamline SEZ applications, submissions and tracking for investors. Sports business: Jamaica is set to host the Made4Goal Global Sports Summit to push the country toward becoming the “sports capital of the Global South.” Crime case update: Dancehall entertainer Munga Honourable and co-accused were freed after the prosecution offered no further evidence. Housing: Rogerson Communities won ZBA approval for senior and memory care housing despite strong neighbourhood pushback.

Telecom Upgrade: Flow has switched on Jamaica’s first 5G mobile network, promising faster downloads and clearer calls, with coverage live in Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, May Pen and the North Coast; customers may need compatible phones/SIMs and, for now, postpaid accounts are prioritised. Public Safety & Crime: St Catherine North Police say an investigation is underway into alleged sustained “gun salute” gunfire during a nine-night for a constable in Ewarton, St Catherine, with viral videos drawing attention. Sports (Cricket): West Indies drew first blood in the T20 series against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park, winning by seven wickets as Shai Hope made 65* and Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph took three wickets each. Business & Finance: Jamaica’s banks ended May with more cash parked at the Bank of Jamaica, boosting liquidity as monetary base rose by nearly $31b, while public-sector deposits fell. Transport Costs: TODSS warns a diesel price hike could force some transport operators out, saying they can’t absorb fuel increases despite fare adjustments. Racing: Dream Catcher dominated the Jamaica 1000 Guineas, while Salute The Don won the 2000 Guineas on three shoes.

World Cup Kickoff: Mexico and South Africa open the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight, with South Africa under pressure after a tough warm-up run and Hugo Broos urging a quick fix ahead of the opener. FIFA & Football Business: FIFA’s latest rankings keep Argentina top and Nigeria 26th, while the tournament’s referees include Premier League standouts Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, with officials set to earn up to £75,000. Jamaica in the Spotlight: Jamaica’s tourism push gets a fresh boost with a new “Tourism 3.0” plan aimed at putting workers, training and local communities at the centre of growth. Local Culture & Diaspora: Juici Patties opens its first Georgia location in Atlanta, bringing the Jamaican patty brand to a new U.S. market. Public Safety: INDECOM says body-worn cameras weren’t used in fatal police operations that left 11 dead across several parishes. Sports & Talent: Kobe Lawrence headlines Jamaican NCAA action with a season-best shot put at Hayward Field.

JPS Blackout Update: Jamaica’s power grid is back to normal after last Friday’s all-island outage, which JPS says was triggered by severe weather and technical faults, with restoration completed by early Saturday morning. Bank of Jamaica Watch: BOJ Governor Richard Byles warned Middle East conflict risks pushing inflation above the 4–6% target range, meaning higher prices ahead. Fuel Costs: Petrojam says a revised pricing mechanism for diesel and ULSD starts Thursday, capping pass-through changes at $12.50 per litre to better handle global oil shocks. Justice Reform: Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says Jamaica will digitise court operations via the IECMS system, aiming to cut paper-based case management. Public Safety & Crime: Police released a composite sketch of two wanted men in a Manchester murder case, and say four men were shot dead at Retirement Dump, St. James, during an intelligence operation tied to scrap-trade violence. Health: NHF says services are unaffected after a cyber incident, while Ebola precautions are activated in the region. Sports & Culture: KFC signs Reggae Boyz captain Andre Blake for its World Cup campaign; and a Juneteenth programme highlights Marcus Garvey’s legacy.

World Cup Focus: Mexico host South Africa in the 2026 opener at Estadio Azteca on June 11 (3:00 PM local), with Mexico chasing a knockout return and South Africa aiming for a statement upset; broadcasters in the US include FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming via Fubo, Peacock and Tubi. Health & Safety: Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says nine travellers linked to Ebola-affected countries are under mandatory self-quarantine as a precaution, with Jamaica still disease-free and no symptoms reported. Cybersecurity: Tufton confirms hackers contacted the National Health Fund claiming access to client medical data; NHF has reported the threat to the Information Commissioner and involved MOCA. Public Service & Community: A $392,000 Cultural Welcome Center in NYC’s Chinatown is completed, adding a community arts and culture gathering space. Sports & Culture: Thievery Corporation marks 30 years with a performance at Belly Up on June 13, while Jamaica mourns late nation-builder Hugh Hart ahead of state funeral tributes. Security Update: INDECOM has launched a probe into a fatal police shooting of four men in Retirement, St James.

US Citizenship Push: The US Justice Department says it’s seeking to strip citizenship from 17 naturalised people, including a Minnesotan tied to the Feeding Our Future fraud case, arguing citizenship was obtained through fraud and misrepresentation. Local Power Crisis: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says JPS’s explanation for last week’s islandwide blackout is “inexcusable,” ordering an independent consultant to scrutinise the final report. Tourism Clash: Opposition MP Andrea Purkiss accuses Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett of “diversification myth” claims, pointing to a cruise passenger decline of 28.4% since 2019. Sports—Reggae Girlz: Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz were held 0-0 by Panama in the second friendly after a 1-0 win in the opener, with coach Hubert Busby Jr. flagging areas to improve ahead of the W Championships. Business & Markets: Kingston Wharves sets 2030 targets of $20b revenue and $5b net profit, while the local stock market fell about 5,000 points last week amid high interest rates and post-Hurricane Melissa slowdown. Community & Recovery: Catherine Hall Health Centre in St James reopens after Hurricane Melissa rehabilitation.

Women’s Cricket: Jamaica Empress officially joins the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League, moving the league to a four-team format at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown from Sept 5–17, with the Empress debut set for the fifth season. Cricket West Indies: CWI named a 15-member T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series in Jamaica (June 11–14), recalling young faces including Ackeem Auguste, Jewel Andrew and Shamar Springer, while Alzarri Joseph is rested for workload management. ODI Pressure: West Indies captain Shai Hope says the abandoned ODI series vs Sri Lanka underlined that every match matters, with the next five ODIs vs New Zealand crucial for 2027 World Cup qualification. Economy Watch: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva urged countries to strengthen global economic foundations as shocks—from disasters like Hurricane Melissa to wars—are becoming more frequent. Justice for Youth: Jamaica’s Child Diversion Programme is being used to redirect children aged 12–17 away from punishment and toward rehabilitation and positive outcomes. Sports Spotlight: South Africa coach Hugo Broos says his side will stick to the plan in a hostile atmosphere for the World Cup opener vs Mexico.

Women’s Cricket: Jamaica Empress has been named the fourth franchise in the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League, joining Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders, with the tournament set for September 5–17 at Kensington Oval, Barbados. West Indies Cricket: West Indies have called up Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste and Shamar Springer for the three-match T20I series vs Sri Lanka at Sabina Park (June 11, 13, 14), with Johnson Charles, Quentin Sampson and Jayden Seales dropped and Alzarri Joseph left out for workload management. Bafana Bafana Update: South Africa coach Hugo Broos says defender Aubrey Modiba is improving from a hamstring injury and is expected to train with the group from Tuesday, with a view to being available for the World Cup opener against Mexico on Thursday. Weather Watch: A flash flood watch is in effect for multiple parishes including Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew until Wednesday, June 10 at 5:00 pm, as heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected. Sports & Society: The murder trial of dancehall entertainer Munga Honorable and co-accused Sheridan Gordon has started in Kingston, with bail extended until Thursday after the first witness testimony.

US Citizenship Crackdown: The Trump administration says the DOJ is moving to revoke citizenship for 17 naturalised Americans accused of serious crimes and fraud, including a Jamaican-born man tied to wire fraud, as courts gear up for a major denaturalisation push. Jamaica Infrastructure: Western parishes will get most of 55 new bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, aimed at post-Hurricane Melissa recovery, with Troy Bridge opened as a $230M example. Education Tech Boost: National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang opened a new computer lab at New Roads Primary in Westmoreland, touting Starlink-enabled access to widen learning. Sports & Tourism: Sandals is investing US$200M to redesign three Jamaica resorts, while Jamaica’s World Cup spotlight continues with regional football chatter and preparations. Crime (Jamaica Estates, NY): NYPD seeks a suspect after a woman’s stolen cellphone was recovered and she was threatened with a knife in a Jamaica Estates subway station robbery.

All-Island Blackout Fallout: Opposition says Jamaica’s outage showed NWC is too dependent on the national grid, urging a faster shift to solar for water facilities after lightning triggered a “cascading effect,” leaving about 65,000 customers without water while power restoration continued. Crime and Community Impact: Superintendent Errol Adams told Jamaicans overseas that crime is now an emotional burden for families abroad, urging diaspora support to help security forces curb violent crime. Diaspora Services: Integrated Diaspora Services says it’s expanding its one-stop support for Jamaicans worldwide, appointing Jamaican-American Peter Gracey as global development representative amid rising demand. Sports—World Cup Pressure: Hugo Broos remains unhappy after Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 draw with Jamaica, warning the team can’t afford poor friendlies ahead of Mexico. Cricket—Rain Ends ODI: West Indies’ second ODI vs Sri Lanka at Sabina Park was washed out, keeping Sri Lanka 1-0 up in the series. Environment—Harbour Cleanup: Kingston Harbour Cleanup Project reports 5.5 million kilos of trash collected by booms, helping reduce pollution in the harbour. Local Safety: A fruit vendor was shot dead in Montego Bay, while an 83-year-old man died after falling from a water tank platform in Manchester.

Electricity Crisis: Jamaica’s power outage is under fresh scrutiny after JPS said lightning hit transmission lines, leaving over 10,000 customers without service; the OUR has ordered a preliminary report and demanded details on what happened and how stability will be restored. World Cup Build-Up: Bafana Bafana’s Hugo Broos admitted he was disappointed by a 1-1 friendly draw with Jamaica in Mexico, saying mentality and performance need fixing before the opener against Mexico. Local Court News: A Clarendon man accused of fatally stabbing his cousin in a Mocho dispute was granted $1M bail, with strict conditions including no contact with witnesses. Sports & Culture: Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew, Hannah Collings-Myers, was crowned at Wolmer’s, while Jamaican athletes headline Diamond League action in Stockholm. Environment: Mangrove forests are rebounding worldwide as protections and natural regrowth help them recover after decades of destruction. International Watch: A Jamaican man deported from the US for murder is facing removal again after re-entering illegally.

Power Crisis: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called Friday’s islandwide blackout “an embarrassment,” while JPS says lightning damaged key infrastructure and triggered a cascading grid failure, leaving some customers without power and water; regulators have ordered reports and restoration continues for tens of thousands still affected. Health & Food: A growing honey shortage follows Hurricane Melissa, with beekeepers and manufacturers struggling to source supply and keep prices fair; meanwhile, a health column warns Jamaica’s obesity problem is rising alongside chronic disease risks. Women’s Football: The Reggae Girlz beat Panama 1-0 in an international friendly, with Shania Hayles scoring from a free kick, setting up another match Monday. Cricket: Rain washed out West Indies’ second ODI against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park, keeping Sri Lanka 1-0 up and pushing the series decision to Monday. Community Relief: Operation Shelter Jamaica is delivering hurricane-resistant modular “tiny homes” to western Jamaica storm victims, with expansion plans using designs that can be extended. Sports Development: Jamaica’s women’s cricket success is being credited, but coaches say preparation is “watered down” without a sustained domestic programme. Local Business & Lifestyle: Yaadie Kennels highlights growth in pet care services, while DBJ’s wellness fair mixes health checks with a staff cook-off.

Power Crisis: Jamaica is scrambling to restore electricity after a rare island-wide blackout on Friday night, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “unacceptable” and ordering an emergency probe; JPS says service was restored to about 500,000 of 700,000 customers by early Saturday, with full restoration completed by 6:30 a.m. Public Safety: Police say a former JCF probationer, Sean Raby, was shot after an alleged taxi hijacking and chase in Kingston that ended in a crash on Camp Road. Road Safety: ITA reports 49 fewer road deaths up to June 5 this year versus 2025, with vulnerable road users still making up most fatalities. Weather Watch: Met Service warns a trough will bring cloudy skies, showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday, with strong winds and advice for marine interests to use extreme caution. Sports & Culture: Reggae Girlz edged Panama 1-0 in a friendly; Guinness Pull Up returns June 20 with Kraff Gad and Rajah Wild. Business & Policy: Opposition spokesman Peter Bunting wants HEART/NSTA-Trust reshaped for a fast-changing workforce.

Power Crisis: Jamaica plunged into an island-wide blackout Friday night after a system failure, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “unacceptable” and ordering a probe as JPS moves to restore electricity in phases. Sports—Cricket: West Indies coach Daren Sammy backs Shai Hope ahead of his 150th ODI at Sabina Park, while also pushing the team to improve how they handle Sri Lanka’s spin in the must-win second match. Sports—Football/World Cup: Ghana’s GFA has released Black Stars squad numbers for the 2026 World Cup, with Jordan Ayew keeping No. 9 and Lawrence Ati-Zigi taking No. 1. Business & Tourism: Afreximbank kicks off its first Jamaica roadshow to boost trade and investment links with Africa. Local Life: NCB will relocate its Falmouth branch to Champion Plaza on July 6 to improve access and service efficiency. Culture: Club MECA hosts a two-night run with Nigy Boy and Serani.

Oil Watch: Jamaica is cautiously optimistic after offshore exploratory drilling near Morant Bay, with officials saying results could shape a future energy push—though experts warn major build-out may not start until late 2027-28 and production could come in the 2030s. Disaster-Ready Buildings: The revised Building Code will require structures to withstand Category Five hurricanes, with stronger enforcement, compliance checks, and penalties for illegal construction in high-risk zones. Blue Economy Push: Jamaica is calling for more financing and technical support for SIDS to strengthen ocean governance and grow sustainable blue economies, highlighting tourism’s major role in jobs and GDP. Road Safety: The JCF and National Helmet Wearing Coalition are urging motorcyclists to use helmets that truly meet required standards, warning that “branded certified” claims can be misleading without batch and manufacture details. Crime Update: Police in Manchester identified father and son killed execution-style in New Forest, pushing parish murders higher for the year. Sports & Culture: Heineken Jamaica brought select fans to the Champions League final in Budapest, while BYD was named official car partner of CPL 2026.

World Cup Build-Up: Bafana Bafana will face Jamaica in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Pachuca’s Hidalgo Stadium on Saturday, with coach Hugo Broos keeping lineup details close as they fine-tune ahead of the June 11 opener. Disaster Preparedness: Jamaica is strengthening hurricane readiness with NSWMA emergency measures, including prepositioning staff and equipment 48 hours before storms and fuel reserves for 72 hours post-disaster. Housing After Hurricane Melissa: Another 300 container homes are expected to arrive today as part of the government’s relocation push, with more units scheduled through July. Shelter Support: The government earmarked $60 million for emergency shelter improvements, including plans for larger, energy-efficient shelters in multiple parishes. Governance & Oversight: Opposition MP Peter Bunting warned that court battles and actions against oversight bodies could hurt investor confidence, while the Integrity Commission’s FLA findings are sparking renewed calls for leadership changes. Crime & Courts: MOCA arrested and charged three more people in the $47.5 million NCB phishing scam, granting $450,000 bail each. Health & Community: Hanover churches are set to receive $8.5 million for Hurricane Melissa clean-up and restoration, and Mandeville Regional Hospital got a $1.7 million incubator boost for preemies.