In a significant move to address Haiti’s ongoing public health challenges, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) have inked a three-year Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) with the Caribbean nation. This groundbreaking agreement, spanning 2026 to 2028, marks the first of its kind between PAHO/WHO and a French-speaking member of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). The signing ceremony, held during the 62nd Directing Council of PAHO, was attended by PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa and Haiti’s Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Bertrand Sinal. Dr. Barbosa emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, ‘This strategy represents a pivotal step in our joint efforts to tackle Haiti’s public health crisis and enhance access to care amidst complex humanitarian and security challenges.’ The CCS outlines a focused framework for PAHO’s technical cooperation in Haiti, tailored to the country’s evolving needs and aligned with its national health priorities. The strategy aims to bolster Haiti’s health system, ensure universal access to quality healthcare, and improve the prevention and management of major health issues. It also emphasizes strengthening emergency preparedness and response through a NEXUS Approach, which integrates humanitarian aid, development efforts, and peacebuilding to sustainably meet population needs. The CCS was developed through extensive consultations with Haiti’s Ministry of Health, civil society, and development partners, reflecting the country’s unique health priorities and the necessity for coordinated action. PAHO/WHO reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Haiti to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases, enhance emergency response capabilities, and promote health equity and universal health coverage. ‘At its core, this strategy seeks to advance health equity, achieve universal health coverage, and improve the well-being of all Haitians,’ PAHO stated.
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Two dead, three wounded in UK synagogue attack
A violent attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Thursday left two people dead and three critically injured, as the Jewish community observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The assailant, who reportedly used both a car and a knife in the assault, was shot and killed by police officers responding to the scene. The incident, which occurred in the Crumpsall neighborhood, prompted the activation of a national terrorism-response protocol and was declared a “major incident” by Greater Manchester Police. Authorities reported that the suspect had suspicious items on his person, necessitating the presence of a bomb disposal unit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack as “horrific” and announced heightened security measures for synagogues across the UK. King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their shock and sadness, emphasizing the significance of the day for the Jewish community. The attack comes just days before the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, raids on Israel, which have heightened tensions globally. Manchester, home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities, has a history of tragic terror attacks, including the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The Community Security Trust, a Jewish charity, is collaborating with police to support the affected community. Local officials urged the public to avoid speculation on social media and emphasized the strong inter-community relations in the area.
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Slight increase in Caribbean tourism arrivals amidst softening demand from North America
The Caribbean tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first half of 2025, with tourist arrivals increasing by nearly 2% despite a decline in demand from North America. According to Paul Garnes, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) database administrator, the region welcomed 18.5 million visitors during this period, marking a 1.9% year-on-year increase and a 6.1% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. These figures were shared at the 2025 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Barbados.
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Jamaican woman faces 13 felony charges in US over car theft scheme
In a startling case of insider involvement in organized crime, a 24-year-old Jamaican woman, Savannah Harsha Phillips, is confronting 13 felony charges for her alleged role in a car theft ring targeting Hertz vehicles at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Phillips, who previously worked as a security guard at the airport’s car rental center, is accused of conspiring with three men to steal a dozen vehicles from Hertz.
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Heat-related deaths in Spain up 88 per cent from last year
Spain has witnessed a staggering 87.6% increase in heat-related fatalities between May 16 and September 30, with the health ministry reporting 3,832 deaths. This sharp rise, compared to the same period in 2024, underscores the devastating impact of extreme temperatures on vulnerable populations. Nearly two-thirds of the victims were aged over 85, while almost 96% were above 65, highlighting the heightened risk for older adults. The figures, derived from Spain’s Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), utilize statistical models to estimate deaths linked to heatwaves. MoMo tracks daily mortality trends and incorporates external factors, such as weather data from the national meteorological agency AEMET, to identify potential causes of mortality spikes. Although MoMo cannot definitively attribute deaths to heat, it provides the most reliable approximation of fatalities where high temperatures likely played a decisive role. This year, Spain endured its hottest summer since records began in 1961, with an average temperature of 24.2°C. Heatwaves persisted for 33 of the 90 summer days, including a 16-day event in August that triggered wildfires, claiming four lives and devastating vast areas of land. Scientists have repeatedly warned that human-induced climate change is intensifying global weather extremes. Notably, nine of Spain’s 10 hottest summers since 1961 have occurred in the 21st century. Similar trends were observed in Britain, Japan, and South Korea, which also experienced their hottest summers on record this year.
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International city planner Brent Toderian to deliver 2025 Maurice Facey Lecture
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Renowned urban planner Brent Toderian, celebrated for his transformative work in sustainable city planning, will headline the fifth annual Honourable Maurice Facey Lecture on October 9. The event, themed “Where the City Meets the Sea: Unlocking Downtown Waterfront as a Public Space and Economic Asset,” will take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre starting at 4:00 pm. Admission is free and open to the public.
Toderian, former chief city planner of Vancouver, Canada, brings a wealth of global experience, having advised cities like Sydney, Auckland, Medellín, Oslo, Helsinki, and Paris through his consultancy, Toderian UrbanWORKS Inc. His contributions to Vancouver’s downtown and waterfront development, as well as his role in the 2010 Winter Olympics, have earned him recognition as one of the “100 Most Influential Global Urbanists in History” by Planetizen.
Stephen Facey, chairman of the Pan Jamaica Group and the CB Facey Foundation, emphasized the lecture’s goal of fostering meaningful dialogue on Jamaica’s urban future. “Brent’s expertise will help us envision how Jamaica’s cities can adapt to contemporary challenges and opportunities,” he remarked.
Gayon Douglas, executive director of the CB Facey Foundation, noted that Toderian will conduct a firsthand assessment of Kingston’s waterfront and downtown areas prior to the event. This on-the-ground evaluation will enable him to provide tailored recommendations for Jamaica’s unique urban landscape.
The Maurice Facey Lecture Series, established in 2019, honors the legacy of Maurice Facey, founder of the Pan Jamaica Group, who was deeply committed to Jamaica’s development. The series convenes global thought leaders to explore sustainable and equitable urban solutions. The Pan Jamaica Group, a Caribbean-based multinational, has been a driving force in Jamaica’s built environment for over six decades, with projects like the ROK Hotel & Residences on Kingston’s waterfront.
The lecture will be available for later viewing on the CB Facey Foundation’s YouTube channel. Interested participants can register for the event online.
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Fast-Tracking digital inclusion critical to vision 2030 goals, says FLOW
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s digital transformation must be expedited to align with the ambitious Vision 2030 objectives, emphasizing affordability, accessibility, and digital literacy, according to Stephen Price, Vice President and General Manager of Flow. Speaking at the Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Price underscored the urgency of fostering a digitally literate population to support the nation’s technological aspirations. ‘We have five years to act swiftly and decisively to achieve our goal of becoming a technology-enabled society,’ he stated. Flow, a subsidiary of Liberty Caribbean and a key sponsor of the event, has significantly expanded its digital infrastructure since the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly doubling its fibre optic coverage to 760,000 homes and extending mobile services to 98% of the population. Additionally, the company has deployed six new cell sites to enhance coverage in underserved areas such as Runaway Bay and Ocean Heights. Beyond infrastructure, Flow’s JUMP programme provides vulnerable families with devices, subsidized internet access, and digital literacy training to promote inclusivity. The call for digital inclusion was reinforced by other panellists, including Elona Cela, Senior Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation, who emphasized the need to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. ‘Children in rural communities must have equal access to broadband to unlock their full potential,’ she asserted. Charlton McFarlane, CEO of the Universal Service Fund, highlighted the impact of Jamaica’s 400 community Wi-Fi hotspots, which serve nearly 200,000 users monthly, supporting education and micro-entrepreneurship. Senator Dana Morris-Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, reiterated the government’s commitment to public-private collaboration, stating, ‘Connectivity is not a luxury but a lifeline to better healthcare, education, and civic participation.’ While acknowledging progress, Price identified systemic challenges, including infrastructure theft and vandalism, and called for stricter penalties and more competitive spectrum rates to accelerate Jamaica’s digital evolution.
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Deepfake political scam ads surge on Meta platforms, watchdog says
A recent investigation by the nonprofit Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has revealed that scammers are leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create deepfake videos of prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump, to deceive users on Meta’s platforms. These fraudulent advertisers have collectively spent $49 million on Facebook and Instagram, targeting vulnerable demographics, particularly seniors, with ads promoting fake government benefits such as stimulus checks, healthcare payments, and spending cards. The ads have reached tens of thousands of users, exploiting public confusion about social safety net programs and Meta’s content moderation gaps. Despite Meta’s policies prohibiting scams and its claims of investing in scam prevention, the report highlights that 63 scam advertisers ran over 150,600 political ads in the past year, with nearly half continuing to operate as of Tuesday. Meta has disabled 35 ad accounts, but only after they had run hundreds of ads, with six accounts spending over $1 million before being shut down. One notable example involved a deepfake video of Trump falsely promising stimulus checks, directing users to a fraudulent website. The report underscores the growing sophistication of online fraud and the challenges platforms face in combating it. Surveys indicate a significant rise in internet scams, with older adults increasingly falling victim to impersonation attacks, often losing substantial sums of money.
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Norbrook man dies in suspected suicide
Authorities in St Andrew North are currently probing the suspected suicide of a 30-year-old man in the affluent Norbrook neighborhood. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through the quiet community. The deceased, identified as James Todd of Norbrook Drive, Kingston 8, reportedly exhibited unusual behavior prior to the tragic event. Loud explosions were heard emanating from his bedroom, prompting his parents to investigate. Upon entering, they discovered Todd lying on the floor with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. A Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and two magazines were found beside him. Todd was immediately transported to Andrew’s Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Law enforcement officials seized the 9mm pistol, along with a Beretta shotgun stored in a safe within the residence, as part of their ongoing investigation. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under scrutiny, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to Todd’s death.
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Christiana High, Alphansus Davis book spots in D’Cup Round of 32
In a thrilling display of football prowess, Christiana High and Alphansus Davis High secured their spots in the Round of 32 of the ISSA daCosta Cup competition. The matches, held on Wednesday, saw Christiana High triumph over Knox College with a 2-1 victory at the Kirkvine Sports Club. This win marked their second consecutive victory against Knox College, following a 2-0 win in the first round, and propelled them to a total of 21 points. Meanwhile, Alphansus Davis High avenged their earlier loss to Holmwood Technical with a commanding 3-1 win, boosting their tally to 19 points. These results leave Knox College and Holmwood Technical to vie for the remaining qualifying spot in Zone G.
With these victories, Christiana High and Alphansus Davis High join the ranks of ten schools that have already secured their places in the second round. The list includes Cornwall College, Manning’s School, Cedric Titus, William Knibb Memorial, Manchester High, Central High, Clarendon College, and Ocho Rios High.
In other matches on Wednesday, Zone E play-offs saw both games end in 1-1 draws. BB Coke High, the leaders, were held by Lacovia High, while St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), playing with 10 men after Kenoy Banton’s dismissal, relinquished a first-half lead to draw with Maggotty High. Kimmari Roach, a converted goalkeeper who had previously scored two goals against Sydney Pagon, gave STETHS the lead in the 42nd minute. However, Andre Philpotts equalized for Maggotty High in the 84th minute.
Wednesday’s results also included victories for Little London, Spot Valley, and Foga Road High, while Mt St Joseph Catholic and deCarteret College played to a 2-2 draw.