By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly news|
Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Devastation Across the Northern Caribbean
People across the northern Caribbean are beginning to recover from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has left at least 28 people dead across Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, with Haiti suffering the highest number of casualties.
On Thursday, the storm moved away from the Bahamas, heading toward Bermuda, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
In Jamaica, the rumble of heavy machinery and the buzz of chainsaws filled the air as government workers and residents worked to clear debris and reopen access to isolated communities devastated by the Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record.
Many residents were seen surveying what remained of their homes—roofs torn away, flooded rooms, and belongings scattered across waterlogged streets.
ECLAC Raises Growth Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has revised its regional growth forecast upward, estimating that GDP will grow by 2.4% in 2025, slightly easing to 2.3% in 2026.
This update represents the second consecutive upward revision since April, when growth was projected at just 2%. ECLAC noted that the region’s performance has been buoyed by improving investment trends and greater macroeconomic stability across several economies.
With the new outlook, regional growth expectations now match projections first presented in December 2024, signaling cautious optimism despite global economic uncertainties.
Trump and Xi Reach Tariff Reduction Deal in Renewed Trade Talks
In international news, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports in exchange for Beijing’s cooperation on curbing illicit fentanyl production, resuming U.S. soybean imports, and ensuring a steady supply of rare earth exports.
The face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi took place in Busan, South Korea, marking their first encounter since 2019. The discussions concluded Trump’s Asia tour, which also included trade talks with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian nations.
Trump described the meeting as “amazing,” rating it “12 out of 10,” and confirmed that tariffs would be reduced from 57% to 47%, cutting rates on certain Chinese goods by half.
The U.S. President added that China has pledged to intensify its crackdown on fentanyl, the synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths in America each year.
