KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a bold move to combat climate change, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the nation’s dedication to climate action during his address at the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York. Holness emphasized that Jamaica is intensifying its efforts to address the escalating impacts of climate change, aligning ambition with concrete action.
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UWI student’s app connects hungry people with Jamaican street food
In a bid to revolutionize the way locals and tourists experience authentic Jamaican street food, 21-year-old Somesh Sharma, a third-year medical physics student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), has developed Yaad Bites, a mobile app designed to connect users with the island’s vibrant roadside culinary scene. From sizzling jerk chicken to fresh fruit stalls, the app aims to make it easier for food enthusiasts to discover and support local vendors.
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Kimmel scores decade-high ratings amid Trump fight—Disney
HOLLYWOOD, United States (AFP)—Jimmy Kimmel, the renowned late-night host, made a dramatic comeback to U.S. television screens this week, drawing his largest audience in a decade. This resurgence followed a brief suspension triggered by pressure from Donald Trump’s administration, according to Disney, the parent company of ABC, which airs Kimmel’s show. The suspension was reportedly a response to Kimmel’s comments following the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, with government officials threatening to revoke broadcast licenses. However, widespread public backlash and criticism from even some Trump allies, who viewed the move as an attack on free speech, led to the swift reversal of the decision. Kimmel returned to the airwaves on Tuesday with a scathing monologue condemning censorship. “A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American,” Kimmel declared. He also criticized Trump for celebrating the potential loss of jobs for him and his team, stating, “Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.” Early ratings revealed that over six million viewers tuned in to the broadcast, despite the show being unavailable to nearly a quarter of American households due to a boycott by local TV station owners. This marked a significant increase from the show’s average viewership of 1.42 million during the 2024/2025 season. Additionally, 26 million people watched Kimmel’s monologue on social media, making it the show’s most successful night in a decade. Trump, who has frequently targeted Kimmel and other late-night hosts with criticism, had previously celebrated the suspension, calling it “Great news for America.” However, Kimmel quipped during his return, “He tried his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly,” to thunderous applause from the studio audience.
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Former Miss Jamaica Universe contestant found dead at home
KINGSTON, Jamaica—A tragic incident has shaken the nation as Tyra Spaulding, a former contestant in the Miss Universe Jamaica 2023 pageant, was discovered deceased at her residence on Tuesday evening. The 26-year-old was found hanging from her bed frame with a pink curtain around her neck, according to reports. The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Network (CCN) confirmed the incident occurred around 6:55 pm, and authorities are currently investigating the case as a suspected suicide. Spaulding, who was known for her advocacy in mental health and suicide prevention, leaves behind a legacy of raising awareness on critical issues. Her untimely death has sparked conversations about the importance of mental health support and the challenges faced by individuals in the public eye.
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Guyana calls for strengthening of ideals that led to formation of United Nations
In a powerful address to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called on the international community to reaffirm the principles that led to the UN’s creation eight decades ago. Speaking on Wednesday, Ali emphasized that the organization must remain steadfast against aggression and address the pressing challenges of our time. He reminded the assembly that the UN was born out of crisis, not comfort, and its mission to serve as humanity’s conscience and compass remains as urgent as ever. Ali warned that the current generation will be judged not by rhetoric but by tangible actions, particularly in addressing conflicts, human rights violations, and climate change. He highlighted the dire situations in Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti, and Sudan, urging the UN to act decisively to uphold international law and justice. Ali also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them a war crime, and reiterated Guyana’s support for a Two-State Solution. He addressed the escalating gang violence in Haiti, calling for international support to restore security and address the nation’s historical debt burdens. Additionally, Ali updated the assembly on Guyana’s ongoing border dispute with Venezuela, reaffirming his country’s commitment to international law and sovereignty. He also advocated for the lifting of the US embargo on Cuba and emphasized the need for regional cooperation against drug trafficking and illegal migration. Ali concluded by urging the UN to reflect honestly on its progress and take bold steps to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in the years to come.
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‘I had no symptoms’—Christopher Denny urges Jamaican men to take prostate cancer seriously
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.