KINGSTON, Jamaica — Christopher Denny’s life took an unexpected turn during his routine annual check-up in February 2022. What he anticipated as a standard health assessment revealed a concerning anomaly: his Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels were slightly elevated at 4.65. This marked the beginning of a transformative two-year journey filled with medical tests, uncertainty, and life-altering decisions.
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CARLA conference being held in Jamaica for the first time
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Latin America High Performance Computing Conference (CARLA), a pivotal event dedicated to advancing the High Performance Computing (HPC) community across Latin America and beyond, has officially commenced at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. This marks the first time the conference is being held in the Caribbean, signifying a milestone for the region’s technological and scientific landscape. Organized annually since 2014, CARLA has established itself as the premier HPC conference in Latin America, attracting leading researchers, technologists, and industry professionals. This year’s edition, running until Friday, September 26, focuses on fostering innovation and collaboration in HPC and HPC-for-AI applications. The Scientific Research Council (SRC), Jamaica’s foremost institution for science and technology development, has expressed its pride in supporting the event. In a statement, the SRC emphasized its commitment to enhancing local visibility and impact, highlighting the conference’s role in advancing computational research, building regional HPC capacity, and positioning Jamaica as a hub for innovation. The agenda includes keynote speeches by renowned experts such as Professor Felix Wolf and Kate Keahey, alongside paper presentations, poster sessions, and workshops on cutting-edge topics like DevOps for HPC, AI program development, bioinformatics, and weather forecasting. Additionally, the conference will host an open day on Thursday and Friday, inviting the public to explore the exhibition and engage with groundbreaking research.
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Jamaican Olympian Danusia Francis welcomes baby boy
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Celebrations are in order for Jamaican Olympic gymnast Danusia Francis and her husband, Elliot Reid, as they joyfully announced the arrival of their first child, a baby boy. The couple shared their exciting news on Wednesday through Francis’ Instagram stories, where she posted a heartwarming photo of their newborn accompanied by the caption, “23/09/2025 Our baby boy was born.” In a subsequent post, Francis unveiled a tender maternity photo alongside her husband, proudly introducing their son with the words, “Welcome baby boy Reid to the world.”
Danusia Francis, who represented Jamaica at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, tied the knot with Elliot Reid in 2022 in the United Kingdom. The birth of their son marks a new chapter in their lives, blending their personal joy with the pride of their growing family. Fans and well-wishers from around the globe have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating this milestone with the couple.
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UPDATE: St Catherine Parish Court cleared to resume afternoon operations
The St. Catherine Parish Court in Jamaica has returned to normal operations after a brief closure on Wednesday prompted by a bomb threat. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) swiftly responded to the situation, conducting a thorough search of the premises. Following a meticulous inspection, authorities confirmed that no explosive devices or threats were found, allowing the court to resume its afternoon sessions without further delay. The Court Administration Division (CAD) expressed gratitude to the court staff, users, and the general public for their understanding and cooperation during the temporary disruption. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance and preparedness in ensuring public safety, particularly in high-traffic institutions like courts. While the threat proved unfounded, the swift response by law enforcement underscores the effectiveness of Jamaica’s emergency protocols in handling potential security risks.
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Typhoon Ragasa slams into south China after killing 14 in Taiwan
Southern China and Taiwan faced the wrath of Typhoon Ragasa on Wednesday as the powerful storm made landfall in Guangdong province, bringing with it fierce winds, torrential rain, and rough seas. The typhoon, which had already claimed at least 14 lives in Taiwan, struck Guangdong with wind speeds reaching up to 145 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour). AFP journalists in Yangjiang, one of the hardest-hit cities, reported scenes of chaos, with debris flying through the air and gusts tearing advertisements from buildings. Earlier, the storm had swept past Hong Kong, where it was classified as the strongest typhoon in the northwestern Pacific this year by the city’s weather service. In Taiwan, the typhoon caused a decades-old barrier lake to burst in Hualien county, resulting in 14 deaths and 46 injuries. Authorities initially reported 152 people missing but later confirmed contact with over 100 of them, leaving the actual number of missing individuals still unclear. Across mainland China, businesses and schools in at least 10 southern cities were ordered to shut down, affecting tens of millions of residents. In Guangdong alone, nearly 2.2 million people were relocated by Wednesday afternoon, according to state news agency Xinhua. The storm made landfall near Yangjiang city, where ferocious winds destroyed fences, uprooted trees, and left streets deserted. Rail travel across Guangdong was suspended, and fire trucks navigated flooded streets strewn with debris. Chinese authorities have allocated approximately $49.2 million to support rescue and relief efforts in the affected regions.
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Most students involved in bus spill discharged from UHWI — Dr Bruce
In a recent update from the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), it has been confirmed that most of the students injured in a bus accident on Tuesday along the Dublin Castle main road in Gordon Town, St Andrew, have been discharged following necessary medical treatment and observation. The incident, which involved students from St Martin De Porres and Louise Bennett-Coverley Primary Schools, occurred when the bus experienced mechanical issues, leading to it overturning after multiple attempts to restart it failed. Only one child remained hospitalized as of Tuesday night. Dr. Carl Bruce, Chief Medical Officer at UHWI, highlighted the hospital’s swift response, mobilizing pediatric, emergency, surgical, and ancillary care teams to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. The hospital also offered psychosocial support to the affected students and their families, emphasizing their commitment to the children’s emotional, mental, and physical recovery. UHWI continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates to relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education, as more information becomes available.
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MoBay moves toward creating designated running routes following rise in 5K events
Montego Bay, Jamaica, is witnessing a significant rise in 5K running events, prompting local authorities to take formal steps to accommodate this growing wellness trend. Mayor Richard Vernon of the St James Municipal Corporation revealed that officials are collaborating with police and event organizers to establish designated routes. These routes aim to minimize disruptions to traffic and local businesses, which currently face challenges due to the varying courses chosen by race organizers.
‘We are exploring the possibility of designating a specific area for 5K events,’ Vernon stated. ‘Our goal is to identify a location that allows residents to engage in these activities without hindering daily operations.’
In addition to addressing the logistical challenges posed by the surge in 5K events, Montego Bay is also expanding its green spaces as part of broader urban development plans. Mayor Vernon emphasized that these initiatives will enhance air quality and bolster public health efforts.
One of the standout events this year was the MBJ Charity Run, which attracted nearly 3,000 participants and raised approximately $30 million for educational grants. The event garnered support from over 100 companies, including Caribbean Solar Life and the Airports Authority of Jamaica. Applications for grants under the MBJ Charity Run’s expanded program remain open until September 30, 2025, and can be accessed at www.mbjairport.com.
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Police probing discovery of drugs on a private island in St Vincent and the Grenadines
Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have launched a high-profile investigation on the upscale island of Mustique following the discovery of 35 packages of cocaine weighing 35 kilograms and an object suspected to be a grenade remnant. The findings, reported on Tuesday, have sent shockwaves through the exclusive enclave, renowned as a retreat for global elites, including Hollywood celebrities and British royalty. Details surrounding the incident remain scarce, as the private island maintains strict confidentiality. However, sources from the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) confirmed that explosive experts have been deployed to the scene to assess the situation. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The police have yet to release an official statement regarding the matter.
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6.2-magnitude quake shakes west Venezuela
A significant earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale jolted western and northern Venezuela on Wednesday, including the capital city of Caracas. The tremor, which originated at a depth of 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles), had its epicenter approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Mene Grande, a small oil town in the sparsely populated Zulia state. The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the details, while the Colombian Geological Survey recorded the quake at a slightly lower magnitude of 6.1, classifying it as a ‘shallow depth’ event. The seismic activity was also felt in neighboring Colombia and the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. Although Venezuela is not typically prone to strong earthquakes, the tremor caused widespread alarm in major cities such as Caracas and Maracaibo, a key petroleum hub. Residents swiftly evacuated buildings and gathered on the streets, but initial reports indicate no significant damage or injuries. The Venezuelan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Historically, Venezuela has experienced devastating earthquakes, including the 1997 Cariaco quake that claimed 73 lives and the 1967 Caracas tremor that resulted in nearly 300 fatalities and 2,000 injuries.
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Teenagers charged following motorcycle theft
In a recent incident in Westmoreland, Jamaica, two teenagers have been formally charged with simple larceny. The event unfolded on Saturday, September 13, in the Barracks Road area of Savanna-la-Mar. Authorities report that around 4:40 pm, the two individuals allegedly entered a man’s property and stole his 2016 Zamco motorcycle from his garage. The stolen vehicle is estimated to be worth approximately $260,000. Upon discovering the theft, the victim promptly reported the incident to the local police, prompting an immediate investigation. Law enforcement officials successfully apprehended the suspects during a targeted operation. The teenagers are now awaiting their court appearance, with the date currently being finalized. This case highlights ongoing concerns about youth involvement in criminal activities in the region.