分类： society

The Jamaica Meteorological Service has prolonged its flash flood alert for vulnerable regions, including St Thomas, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover, until 8:00 am on Monday. Meanwhile, the warning has been lifted for other parishes with immediate effect. The adverse weather conditions are attributed to a trough generated by Tropical Depression Nine, currently situated near The Bahamas, which has triggered widespread instability across the island. Satellite imagery, radar data, and automated rainfall reports confirm that moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms have impacted southern parishes and Hanover from Saturday night into Sunday morning. The forecast predicts continued periods of intense showers and thunderstorms, particularly in southern regions, extending into Monday. This persistent rainfall has saturated the soil, heightening the risk of flooding and landslides. Fishermen operating near cays and banks are advised to exercise extreme caution due to deteriorating sea conditions caused by thunderstorms and strong winds. A flash flood warning indicates that flooding is either occurring or imminent. Authorities urge motorists and pedestrians to avoid flooded roadways and low-lying areas due to dangerous currents. Residents in flood-prone zones are encouraged to remain vigilant and prepare for swift relocation to higher ground. The Met Service will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The untimely death of Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, has reignited conversations about mental health awareness and the role of social media in identifying and addressing mental health crises. Spaulding, a 26-year-old accountant, was found dead in her home under circumstances that suggest suicide. Her passing has left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the broader community, particularly Dr. Saphire Longmore, a consultant psychiatrist and former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, who expressed deep regret over not recognizing the warning signs in Spaulding’s social media posts.

FBI Director Kash Patel has urged Americans not to mourn the death of Assata Shakur, a prominent figure in the Black Liberation Army, whom he branded a ‘terrorist.’ Shakur, also known as JoAnne Chesimard, passed away last week in Havana, Cuba, where she had lived in exile for decades. She was convicted in the 1973 killing of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a shootout at a routine traffic stop. Despite her claims of innocence, she was sentenced to life in prison in 1977 but escaped in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she remained until her death at 78. In 2013, she was added to the FBI’s list of most wanted terrorists, with a $1 million reward offered for her capture. Patel criticized those mourning her, stating that doing so dishonors the memory of fallen officers. While Shakur is celebrated by some as a freedom fighter, Patel emphasized her criminal past and escape from justice.

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon near the St Toolies River, close to the Manchester/Clarendon border in Jamaica, where a young man was fatally shot by an unknown assailant. Authorities were swiftly dispatched to the scene, but the victim’s identity remains unconfirmed. Preliminary investigations suggest the man, believed to be in his early 20s, was visiting the area when he was pursued and attacked by the shooter. Local residents, deeply unsettled by the event, voiced their concerns, emphasizing that such violence starkly contrasts with the typically tranquil nature of their community. The incident has sparked unease among the populace, raising questions about safety in the region. Police are actively investigating the case, though no arrests have been made yet.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Trafalgar Park resident, Nadine Thompson, is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding that has left her home uninhabitable for the second time in just over a week. The latest deluge occurred on Saturday night, following torrential rains that battered the Corporate Area. Thompson recounted waking up around midnight to find her house inundated with water. ‘When I got up, I stepped in a pool of water off the bed,’ she told Observer Online. Her tenant, residing in a two-bedroom section of the property, was also forced to evacuate with his two children after their living space was flooded once again. Thompson reached out to the police for assistance but received no response. This incident follows a similar flooding event on September 19, which prompted local representatives, including Member of Parliament Julian Robinson and Councillor Jesse Clarke, to visit the area and assist with cleanup efforts. Despite these measures, Thompson’s home was overwhelmed by floodwaters again. She expressed uncertainty about her living arrangements, as her closest relative resides in Manchester. ‘I don’t know where I’m going to go. Nobody asked me where I’m going. I can’t go back in there,’ she lamented. Robinson, who revisited the community, identified a blockage in the gully behind the premises as a contributing factor to the repeated flooding. ‘We have identified where the blockage in the gully is so that the blockage can be cleared, allowing the water to flow freely and ensuring that the residents can return to their homes. That is our immediate priority,’ Robinson stated. The situation underscores the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters on vulnerable communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Kingston has been selected as one of 13 cities worldwide to participate in the Carter Center’s Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign. This global initiative seeks to enhance women’s access to government information and essential city services, fostering gender equity and transparency. Mayor Andrew Swaby hailed the inclusion as a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing efforts to empower women and promote inclusivity. He emphasized that the campaign aligns with Kingston’s broader objectives, including the potential adoption of frameworks like CEDAW, which would further solidify the city’s commitment to gender equality. The initiative will provide Kingston with resources to implement activities such as media outreach, community programs, government training, and public art installations, while also facilitating knowledge-sharing among participating cities. Now in its fourth phase, the campaign spans 48 cities across five continents, impacting over 255 million people. Kingston joins a diverse group of cities, including Abuja, Cardiff, Guadalajara, Karachi, and Toronto. The launch coincides with the International Day of Universal Access to Information, highlighting the campaign’s focus on transparency and the fundamental right to information. For further details, visit www.informwomen.org.