A severe two-vehicle accident occurred on the Winston Jones Highway near Marshall’s Pen in Mandeville, Jamaica, early Thursday morning, leaving two individuals injured. The incident took place around 7:49 am when a Honda Vezel and a Honda Grace, traveling in opposite directions, collided. According to eyewitnesses, the Vezel was attempting to overtake other vehicles when it crashed into the Grace. The impact forced the Vezel off the road, causing it to spin out of control. A female passenger in the Grace sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention. Meanwhile, the driver of the Vezel was trapped inside his vehicle. A local resident from Marshall’s Pen intervened, using a crowbar to pry open the jammed door and free the driver. A nurse on the scene provided first aid before the driver was transported to the hospital shortly after 8:00 am. Emergency services, including police and firefighters, responded promptly to manage the situation and clear the roadway to restore normal traffic flow.
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Man hospitalised after slamming into truck on Spur Tree Hill
A severe traffic accident occurred on Spur Tree Hill in Manchester, Jamaica, late Wednesday night, leaving one driver hospitalized. According to preliminary reports, the incident involved a Toyota Wish and a sand-laden truck. The driver of the Toyota, attempting to overtake the truck on a downhill stretch, reportedly swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a collision with the back of the truck. The truck, heavily loaded with sand, did not stop at the scene. Police speculate that the truck driver may have been unaware of the crash due to the vehicle’s weight and load. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the accident.
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200 fishers trained under NFA’s Safety At Sea programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has successfully trained 200 fishers nationwide through its Safety at Sea Training Programme, a collaborative initiative launched in 2022. The programme, developed under a memorandum of understanding with the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), focuses on two critical components: safety at sea and safe diving practices. Designed to enhance the skills and resilience of fishers, the training equips participants with essential knowledge and tools to navigate the sea safely and sustainably.
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Palestinian leader tells UN no role for Hamas in state
In a significant address to the United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas unequivocally rejected any future governance role for Hamas, distancing himself from the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Speaking via video after being denied a U.S. visa to attend in person, Abbas emphasized that Hamas’s actions did not represent the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom and independence. He also condemned antisemitism, asserting that solidarity with Palestine should not be conflated with anti-Jewish sentiment. Abbas’s speech, which received applause from delegates, highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling it one of the most tragic chapters of the 20th and 21st centuries. He proposed an interim committee led by the Palestinian Authority to temporarily govern Gaza, a region controlled by Hamas since 2007. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood, despite recent recognitions by several Western powers. U.S. President Donald Trump, a staunch ally of Netanyahu, has backed Israel’s stance while engaging in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron noted alignment with the U.S. on opposing annexation, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto offered 20,000 troops to support peacekeeping efforts. Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank under the Oslo Accords, faces mounting challenges as global powers debate the path to peace.
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Meta activates Facebook ‘teen accounts’ worldwide
PARIS, France (AFP) – Meta announced on Thursday the global rollout of its enhanced “teen accounts” for Facebook and Messenger users aged 13 to 17. This initiative, initially launched in major English-speaking countries earlier this year, aims to provide additional safeguards for adolescent users. The company revealed in a blog post that hundreds of millions of teens have already been transitioned to these accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.
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Amazon reaches $2.5b settlement over Prime enrollment practices
In a landmark settlement, Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to resolve allegations brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding deceptive practices in enrolling consumers into its Prime subscription service and complicating the cancellation process. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Seattle, accused Amazon of intentionally misleading customers during checkout, making it challenging to decline the $139-per-year Prime membership while prominently featuring sign-up options. The FTC highlighted that crucial details about pricing and automatic renewals were often obscured or buried in fine print. Amazon’s internal cancellation system, nicknamed ‘Iliad’—a reference to Homer’s epic about the prolonged Trojan War—was described as deliberately convoluted. As part of the settlement, Amazon is required to overhaul its enrollment and cancellation processes, ensuring transparency and ease of use. Additionally, the company must implement new disclosure requirements before charging consumers. The court had previously ruled that Amazon Prime subscriptions fall under consumer protection laws, emphasizing that Amazon collected billing information without fully disclosing subscription terms. Amazon neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing in the settlement proposal, which was submitted before the third day of testimony in Seattle. This case is part of a broader bipartisan effort to regulate the growing influence of U.S. tech giants, marking a significant shift in government oversight.
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Kenya reiterates support for Haiti
During the United Nations General Assembly Debate on Wednesday, Kenyan President William Ruto reaffirmed his nation’s steadfast support for Haiti, hailing the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission as a significant achievement. Authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, the mission, led by Kenya, aims to bolster security and policing in the Caribbean nation. Ruto described the initiative as both a success and a cautionary tale on global security governance, emphasizing Kenya’s proactive role in addressing rampant gang violence in Port-au-Prince. However, he lamented the mission’s chronic underfunding and understaffing, operating at less than 40% of its authorized capacity. Despite these constraints, Ruto highlighted tangible progress: government institutions have been reclaimed from gangs, schools have reopened, kidnappings have decreased, and Haiti’s airport and seaport have resumed normal operations. Ruto posed a critical question: “If so much could be achieved with limited resources, what more could be accomplished with unified global solidarity?” He urged the UN Security Council to consolidate the mission’s gains as it deliberates on next steps. Haiti’s Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste echoed the urgency, describing the security crisis as a looming threat akin to the Sword of Damocles. He outlined priorities, including re-establishing social peace for safe elections and supporting government-led development programs. The UN reported that armed gangs control vast territories, with over six million Haitians in urgent need of assistance and 1.4 million displaced. Canada pledged additional support, with Foreign Minister Anita Anand announcing CAN$40 million for the MSS mission and CAN$20 million for Caribbean maritime security. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stressed that security alone is insufficient, calling for a political process, credible elections, and economic recovery. The new UN Special Representative for Haiti, Carlos Massieu Ruiz, urged swift action on the secretary-general’s proposals, emphasizing the need for political will and resolve. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Kenya’s contributions during a meeting with Ruto, underscoring the urgency of establishing a gang suppression force and a UN support office for Haiti.
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September 30 deadline to register for voters’ list
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has issued a crucial reminder to the public regarding the upcoming deadline for voter registration. Eligible individuals must submit their applications by Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to be included in the updated voters’ list, which will be published on November 30, 2025. Applications received after this date will be processed for the subsequent list scheduled for May 31, 2026. The EOJ emphasizes that individuals already registered should refrain from reapplying. To register, applicants must visit any EOJ constituency office in person during specified hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on Fridays. Applicants are advised to wear dark-colored clothing to facilitate the photograph-taking process. Following the in-office application, a residence verification team will visit the provided address to finalize the registration. The process is free of charge. Eligibility criteria require applicants to be at least 18 years old and either Jamaican citizens or Commonwealth citizens who have resided in Jamaica for at least 12 consecutive months prior to registration. Commonwealth citizens must present relevant documentation during the application process. The voters’ list is updated and published biannually on May 31 and November 30, ensuring the accuracy and inclusivity of Jamaica’s electoral system.
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NCB launches Voluntary Separation Programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has announced the introduction of a Voluntary Separation Programme (VSP) for eligible staff members across its operations and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Jamaica. The initiative, which will be available from September 23, 2025, to September 29, 2025, is entirely optional and aims to assist employees who are considering alternative career paths or opportunities outside the bank.
Participants in the VSP will be entitled to a comprehensive package of financial and transitional benefits. These include severance payments, extended health and life insurance coverage, concessions on staff loans, flexible pension options, and the continuation of existing scholarships. NCB has clarified that the programme is not a replacement for redundancy provisions and is unrelated to employee performance. Approval for participation will be contingent on the bank’s business needs.
In a statement, NCB emphasised its commitment to fairness, transparency, and respect throughout the process. ‘We deeply value the contributions of all our employees and remain dedicated to supporting our team members during this transition,’ the bank stated. The VSP reflects NCB’s proactive approach to workforce management while maintaining its focus on operational efficiency and employee welfare.
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Gyptian says ‘Hold Yuh’ was mega-hit before Nicki Minaj remix
Fifteen years after the release of his chart-topping single ‘Hold Yuh,’ internationally acclaimed artist Gyptian is clarifying the narrative surrounding the song’s global success, particularly the role of the remix featuring Nicki Minaj. In a recent interview circulating on social media, Gyptian emphasized that while Minaj’s involvement introduced the track to a broader audience, the song was already a mainstream hit before her collaboration. He asserted that ‘Hold Yuh’ played a pivotal role in elevating Minaj’s career rather than the other way around. Gyptian stated, ‘The original track was the bigger one. She got bigger from the song. Don’t make the American dream sound like it’s more when it’s really not.’ He further explained that Minaj was an artist on a mixtape at the time, and the song’s success was driven by its inherent quality, not her contribution. Gyptian also highlighted that the revenue generated from the track was not due to Minaj’s part, as her remix was not officially released. The artist, who has largely avoided industry politics, felt it was time to set the record straight after more than a decade. ‘We’re big men now, so it’s time to set it straight,’ he said. ‘In reality, the song did it for her because nobody knew her outside of New York.’ Released in 2010 by VP Records, ‘Hold Yuh’ was a monumental success, peaking at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 69 on the Canadian Hot 100. It helped reintroduce Jamaican music to the global mainstream and earned Gyptian accolades, including a Soul Train Award and a MOBO Award. The track was certified gold in the US in 2013 and double platinum in the UK in 2024. Music experts and fans have defended Gyptian’s claims, noting that ‘Hold Yuh’ was a massive hit even before Minaj’s involvement. The song’s official music video has garnered over 181 million views on YouTube, while the track boasts over 280 million plays on Spotify.