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  • Gas prices down $2.60, diesel down $0.54

    Gas prices down $2.60, diesel down $0.54

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a welcome development for motorists, fuel prices across Jamaica are set to experience a notable decline starting Thursday, September 25. This adjustment follows the latest ex-refinery pricing data released by Petrojam, the nation’s leading oil refinery. The price of 90-octane gasoline will drop by $2.60, bringing it to $165.82 per litre, while 87-octane gasoline will also see a reduction of $2.60, settling at $158.81 per litre. Automotive diesel fuel will decrease by $0.54, priced at $167.47 per litre, and ultra-low sulphur diesel will see a $0.63 reduction, costing $173.73 per litre. Additionally, kerosene prices will fall by $0.54, making it available at $152.01 per litre. This price adjustment is expected to provide relief to consumers and businesses alike, easing the financial burden of transportation and energy costs.

  • Rihanna welcomes baby girl

    Rihanna welcomes baby girl

    Global music icon and entrepreneur Rihanna has announced the birth of her third child, a baby girl named Rocki Irish Mayers. The Barbadian superstar shared the joyous news with her millions of followers via an Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that her daughter was born on Saturday, September 13. This marks the first daughter for Rihanna and her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, adding to their growing family. The couple previously welcomed their first son, RZA Athelston Mayers, in May 2022, followed by their second son, Riot Rose, in August 2023. The arrival of Rocki Irish Mayers completes their family of five, sparking widespread celebration among fans and well-wishers worldwide.

  • FOREX: $161.04 to one US dollar

    FOREX: $161.04 to one US dollar

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The US dollar demonstrated a slight upward trend against the Jamaican dollar on Wednesday, September 24, closing at $161.04, marking an increase of 12 cents, as reported by the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary. This marginal rise reflects ongoing fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. In contrast, the Canadian dollar experienced a decline, ending the day at $115.52, down from its previous close of $117.50. Similarly, the British pound saw a minor dip, settling at $216.12 compared to $216.90 the day before. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of global currency markets, influenced by a range of economic factors and international trade dynamics.

  • Holness meets with new Canadian PM

    Holness meets with new Canadian PM

    Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has emphasized the enduring partnership between Jamaica and Canada following a productive bilateral meeting with Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney. The discussions, held recently, centered on enhancing collaboration in critical areas such as security, regional affairs, education, and training. Holness shared insights from the meeting via an Instagram post, highlighting the mutual commitment to fortifying the longstanding ties between the two nations. He underscored the shared history of friendship, respect, and close cooperation between Jamaica and Canada, expressing optimism about advancing joint objectives in sustainable development, economic prosperity, and regional stability. Mark Carney, who assumed office as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister earlier this year, leads the Liberal Party of Canada and has been instrumental in fostering international partnerships since his appointment.

  • Bowl & Spoon opens new location at UWI, Mona

    Bowl & Spoon opens new location at UWI, Mona

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, has unveiled a groundbreaking dining experience with the launch of Bowl & Spoon, a new eatery dedicated to providing healthy, convenient, and enjoyable meal options for students and staff. This initiative aims to transform campus dining by addressing the persistent challenge of limited nutritious choices during hectic school days.

    PJ Wright, Director of Bowl & Spoon, emphasized the restaurant’s mission to make healthy eating both accessible and enjoyable. ‘Our goal is to ensure that no one on campus has to compromise between convenience and health,’ Wright stated. He highlighted the common issue of students and staff skipping meals or resorting to fast food due to long queues or lack of variety, a problem Bowl & Spoon seeks to resolve.

    Early feedback from the campus community has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have praised the meals for being quick, satisfying, and nourishing, while staff members have lauded the balance of convenience, freshness, and quality. The restaurant’s innovative approach has already made a significant impact on campus dining culture.

    Bowl & Spoon’s launch at UWI Mona marks the first of three planned locations. The next outlet is set to open in New Kingston on Grenada Crescent, with a third location to follow shortly. The company has also announced two key initiatives to enhance the dining experience: a loyalty program to reward frequent diners with exclusive perks and an on-campus delivery service, a pioneering effort to bring meals directly to residences, classrooms, offices, and study areas.

    This initiative underscores Bowl & Spoon’s commitment to improving the overall well-being of the campus community by prioritizing health, convenience, and quality in every meal.

  • Family Life Commission urges parishioners to recognize clergy on World Priest Day

    Family Life Commission urges parishioners to recognize clergy on World Priest Day

    As World Priest Day approaches on Sunday, September 28, the Family Life Commission of the Diocese of Roseau is urging parishioners and the broader community to honor and celebrate the contributions of priests and deacons. This annual event, observed globally on the last Sunday of September for the past 24 years, is being celebrated for the first time within the Diocese of Roseau, according to a press release from the commission. The occasion holds special significance this year as the diocese marks 175 years of evangelization, providing a poignant backdrop for the jubilee celebrations. The Family Life Commission encourages the community to express heartfelt appreciation for the clergy in meaningful and personal ways, highlighting their indispensable role in fostering faith and community life. The release emphasized the profound connection between families and priests, stating that without families, there would be no priests, and without priests, the celebration of Mass and the sustenance of faith would not be possible. The commission extended its gratitude to all priests and deacons, both current and former, for their dedication and service, urging the community to affirm and appreciate their clergy like never before.

  • Free course on ‘Designing policy frameworks for agricultural carbon markets’ now open for registration

    Free course on ‘Designing policy frameworks for agricultural carbon markets’ now open for registration

    A groundbreaking initiative titled ‘Designing Policy Frameworks for Agricultural Carbon Markets’ has been launched to promote sustainable agricultural practices across Latin America and the Caribbean. This innovative program, developed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), represents the first of its kind in the region, focusing on the critical intersection of agriculture and climate policy. The course is designed as a flexible, self-paced online program, available free of charge in both Spanish and English. It aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of government officials, advisors, and regulatory bodies by equipping them with in-depth knowledge of agricultural carbon markets and their role in achieving national climate goals. Participants will learn to develop robust regulatory frameworks that ensure integrity and credibility, fostering private investment without imposing financial strain on governments. The curriculum also highlights the importance of social safeguards and inclusivity, ensuring that small and medium-sized farmers can actively participate in and benefit from these emerging markets. Registration for the course is now open, with links provided for both English and Spanish speakers.

  • Dominican Founders Abroad: We don’t just pitch, we export power

    Dominican Founders Abroad: We don’t just pitch, we export power

    Dominican startups have long been active participants in regional pitch events across Latin America, from Bogotá to Antigua. While these platforms have provided visibility, they have also perpetuated a narrative of Dominican entrepreneurs as guests rather than leaders in the innovation economy. However, a new wave of Dominican ventures is redefining this dynamic, focusing on leverage, infrastructure, and long-term exportability rather than mere visibility.

    Take Extinguisher360, a Dominican startup co-founded by Jonathan Bournigal-Read, which recently earned a spot at Guatemala’s Volcano Summit’s Startup Avenue. While such achievements are commendable, the emerging class of Dominican entrepreneurs is charting a different course. These founders are not just seeking applause; they are architecting systems designed to attract capital, shape policy, and influence markets.

    The traditional pitch circuit, while valuable, has become a treadmill—a system that often filters rather than funds, extracts novelty rather than elevates innovation, and trains startups to seek approval abroad rather than build local ecosystems. This approach, akin to outsourcing, does little to foster sovereign economies.

    The future of Dominican tech lies in ventures that prioritize cross-border monetization, interface with regulation, and collaborate with ministries rather than just mentors. These startups are not just pitching; they are hosting summits, attracting capital, and commanding global attention.

    Three key indicators distinguish these power-building ventures: they raise capital before seeking visibility, shape market behavior rather than merely participate in panels, and create products that fundamentally alter how people spend, earn, or move. When competitors begin to study their models, it’s a sign that these startups have stopped playing the game and started writing the rules.

    As Dominican innovation matures, some startups will continue to tour Latin America’s pitch festivals, while others will focus on building exportable infrastructure that invites the world in rather than begs to be let out. By 2026, the world will fly in to witness what Dominican entrepreneurs have built, marking the transition from guest to host in the global innovation economy.

  • Suriname’s President Criticizes UN’s effectiveness amid ongoing wars

    Suriname’s President Criticizes UN’s effectiveness amid ongoing wars

    In a powerful address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, New York, Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons delivered a scathing critique of the UN’s inability to uphold its foundational mission of maintaining global peace and security. Against the backdrop of escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Geerlings-Simons highlighted the organization’s repeated failures to prevent wars, human rights violations, and widespread suffering. She pointed to the ongoing devastation in Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion and the persistent violence between Hamas and Israel, which has displaced millions and exacerbated humanitarian crises. The president also expressed concern over the Caribbean’s growing instability, particularly in Haiti, which she described as enduring a ‘perfect storm of suffering.’ Geerlings-Simons emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve conflicts and called for a reevaluation of the UN’s role and effectiveness over the next 80 years. She stressed that the organization’s success hinges on the commitment of all nations to implement agreed-upon resolutions and uphold their responsibilities. Additionally, she noted the shifting global landscape since the UN’s inception in 1945, asserting that poorer nations have now emerged as influential powers that can no longer be overlooked.

  • Three women charged in RAM Supermarket larceny case

    Three women charged in RAM Supermarket larceny case

    In a significant development in St. Kitts, three women have been formally charged in connection with a larceny incident at the renowned RAM’s Supermarket in Frigate Bay. The alleged thefts occurred on September 13 and 14, 2025, though specific details of the stolen items remain undisclosed by authorities. The arrests unfolded over several days, beginning with Althea France of Bird Rock, who was apprehended on September 17 and charged with two counts of larceny at the Basseterre Police Station. Marsha Graham of Shadwell was arrested on September 18 and later charged for her involvement in the September 14 incident. Shermain Paul of Spooners, Cayon, was arrested on September 19 and faced four charges—two for larceny and two for receiving stolen goods. Police investigations are ongoing, with further updates expected as the case progresses.