By: Antonio Dey | HGP Regional News |
Regional and international developments dominated Tuesday’s regional news, with concerns over rising electricity costs in Jamaica, a deadly aviation incident in Mexico, and mixed signals from the United States labour market.
Jamaica: Pushback Against Electricity Rate Increase
In Jamaica, President of the Small Businesses Association of Jamaica, Garnet Reid, is urging citizens to strongly oppose a recently approved seven percent increase in electricity rates by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) for the Jamaica Public Service (JPS).
Reid warned that if the increase is implemented, Jamaicans across the island should voice their objections through peaceful demonstrations, arguing that higher electricity costs will further burden small businesses and households already facing economic strain.
Adding to the concerns, President of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica, Colonel William Graham, described the proposed hike as deeply troubling, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the island. Graham stressed that citizens deserve relief, not additional financial pressure, as the country works to recover from the Category Five storm.
Mexico: Fatal Plane Crash Under Investigation
In Mexico, at least seven people were killed when a small aircraft crashed in central Mexico while attempting an emergency landing on Monday.
According to Mexico State Civil Protection Coordinator Agelán Hernández, the crash occurred in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial area approximately three miles from Toluca International Airport and about 31 miles west of Mexico City. The aircraft had departed from Acapulco, along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Officials said the private jet was registered with eight passengers and two crew members. However, hours after the incident, only seven bodies had been recovered. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft attempted to land on a soccer field but struck the metal roof of a nearby business, triggering a large fire. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
United States: Job Growth Rebounds Amid Uncertainty
In international news, U.S. job growth rebounded in November following a decline in October linked to government spending cuts. Despite the improvement, the unemployment rate stood at 4.6 percent, reflecting signs of a weakening labour market amid broader economic uncertainty.
Analysts note that the labour market continues to be affected by instability tied to President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies. The delayed employment report, released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, did not include key October household data due to a 43-day government shutdown, which disrupted data collection.
While job gains offered some optimism, economists caution that uncertainty remains a defining feature of the current economic outlook.
