By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Tuesday’s Regional News Recap: Murders Down in Jamaica, Bird Flu Halts Brazil’s Poultry Exports to EU, and Heavy Casualties in Gaza
Good evening and welcome to Tuesday’s edition of the Regional News. I’m Antonio Dey. Here are the top stories making headlines across the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East:
Jamaica Records Over 40% Drop in Murders
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reporting a significant 41.5% decline in murders since the start of 2025.
- 257 homicides have been recorded up to May 17, compared to 439 in the same period last year.
- St. Andrew South remains the most affected police division with 35 cases, showing only a 2.8% decline.
- The biggest improvement came from Hanover, which recorded just 5 murders, a 75% decrease from the 20 reported last year.
The downward trend is seen as a positive sign amid continued efforts to combat violent crime.
Bird Flu Halts Brazil’s Poultry Exports to EU
Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, has been banned from exporting poultry products to the European Union following confirmation of a bird flu outbreak at a commercial farm.
- The European Commission imposed the ban following the outbreak confirmed on Friday.
- Top buyers like China, Japan, and South Korea are also enforcing import restrictions under pre-existing protocols.
- Brazil accounted for 32% of all EU poultry imports in 2024, though most EU consumption is supplied locally.
The restriction is expected to disrupt global supply chains and raise poultry prices in some regions.
At Least 38 Killed in Overnight Israeli Strikes on Gaza
In the Middle East, Palestinian health officials report that at least 38 people were killed during a 30-minute wave of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.
- Targets included a school in eastern Gaza City and an abandoned fuel station in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
- The strikes follow a sweeping evacuation order by Israel ahead of what it described as an “unprecedented attack.”
- Hamas-run civil defense teams say rescue efforts are severely hampered due to equipment shortages and ongoing bombardments.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as the conflict escalates.
