May 15 briefing: ODPEM defends hurricane fund spending, Saint Lucia tightens port checks, Reggae Girls face Panama

Friday, May 15, 2026 — A roundup of the day’s leading stories covers disaster preparedness in Jamaica, regional public-health controls, business and markets, and national football.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has defended the slow rate of spending from Jamaica’s hurricane fund. Officials addressed concerns that disbursement has lagged, maintaining that the pace reflects how the money is being managed rather than inaction ahead of the hurricane season.

In business coverage, outlets carried the latest corporate and economic developments alongside routine market updates. No single transaction or policy shift dominated the segment; the focus remained on ongoing commercial activity and trading conditions.

Across the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia has intensified surveillance at its ports in response to hantavirus risk. Authorities are screening arrivals and strengthening port-side controls to limit the chance of the rodent-borne virus entering through maritime traffic.

On the pitch, Jamaica’s senior women’s team, the Reggae Girls, are set for friendly matches against Panama. The fixtures come as preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying, which is scheduled for November.

Together, the items sketch a day shaped by storm-readiness funding debate at home, tighter regional health checks, steady business reporting, and the national women’s programme turning toward competitive fixtures before the qualifier window opens.