The Morning Three: Early Answers, Cooler Heads, Finished Deals

Friday, 6 November 2026. Today’s stories come from a health survey in Fiji, a heated night in Jamaica’s Parliament and the island’s renewable power plans. Each is about facing hard things early, then finishing the job.

Life: Find Out Early, Then Act Without Fear

What happened: Fiji’s 2025 STEPS survey found that 16.5 per cent of adults have diabetes and 28.6 per cent have pre-diabetes, yet only 46.5 per cent of people with diabetes knew they had it, PACNEWS reported via Islands Business on 5 November. President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu urged early screening as a national campaign began ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, saying a diagnosis must never become “a sentence of despair”.

The lesson: In our view, the striking number is how many people do not know. Fear of bad news can stop us checking, yet a problem found early usually leaves more choices. Knowing is the start of acting, not the end of hope.

Try today: Ask a parent, sibling or older relative whether diabetes runs in your family. Write the answer in your phone’s notes so you can mention it at your next medical appointment.

Source: PACNEWS via Islands Business, “PACNEWS TWO, 05 November 2026”, item “Fiji President warns of diabetes risk, urges early screening” (5 November 2026)

Leadership: Agree the Rules Before Tempers Rise

What happened: Two senior MPs, Mikael Phillips and Desmond McKenzie, had to be separated in Jamaica’s House of Representatives on the night of 3 November after a tense debate about the Government’s abstention in a UN vote on the US embargo on Cuba, the Jamaica Observer reported. Former MPs from both main parties, Maxine Henry-Wilson and Othneil Lawrence, urged civility. Henry-Wilson suggested both sides’ leaders of House business meet to set ground rules.

The lesson: One way to read this: strong disagreement is healthy, but it needs shared rules set in calm moments, not invented mid-argument. Both former MPs focused on habits, not on who was right. Boards, teams and families can do the same.

Try today: Write two ground rules for your next difficult meeting or family conversation, such as “one person speaks at a time” and “challenge ideas, not people”. Share them today with one person who will be there.

Source: Jamaica Observer, “Lower the temperature!” (5 November 2026)

Solutions: Settle the Hard Questions Before You Invite Bids

What happened: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz told Parliament on 3 November that Jamaica’s next renewable energy tender, for about 300 megawatts of generation plus 150 megawatts of battery storage, could launch by the end of 2026, The Gleaner reported on 5 November.

What worked: The previous competitive tender, issued in 2023, sought 100 megawatts and drew 12 proposals totalling 482 megawatts, nearly five times the amount sought. Two 50-megawatt solar contracts were awarded in November 2024. Strong investor interest is a demonstrated result.

The tradeoff: Two years on, the power purchase agreements are still unsigned, held up mainly by grid integration, battery storage requirements and contract terms. Building storage into the new tender may help; that is a promising step, not yet a result.

The lesson: Competition creates choices, but delays often come from questions left open at the start. The same applies to hiring, church building projects and supplier contracts.

Try today: Pick one job you plan to get quotes for, such as a repair or a new supplier. Write down the three terms that matter most to you, so every quote has to answer them.

Source: The Gleaner, “Push for power” (5 November 2026)

Your Three for Today

Choose three priorities and give each a time:

• Move something forward: the one task that would make the biggest difference today.
• Support someone: who needs your attention, encouragement or a decision?
• Invest in yourself: one thing for your health, learning or wellbeing.

For example: list the must-have terms for a contract by 10:00, call an older relative about family health history at 13:00, and read for 15 minutes before bed at 21:30. Your three will differ, and that is fine.

Today’s Question

What have you been avoiding finding out, and what might change if you knew this week?

This briefing was prepared with AI research and writing assistance under Colin Beharie’s editorial direction. Every fact links to its original source. Spot an error? See our Sources & Corrections policy.