KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has launched probes into three separate fatal shooting incidents that occurred between Wednesday and Thursday, claiming the lives of four men. These incidents have further escalated concerns over police-related fatalities in the country.
标签： Jamaica
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White House threatens mass firings as government shutdown looms
The White House has escalated tensions in a looming government shutdown crisis, instructing federal agencies to prepare for potential mass layoffs under President Donald Trump’s administration. In a memo obtained by AFP, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) warned that this shutdown would deviate from past practices of temporary furloughs, instead considering permanent staff reductions. The memo directed agencies to issue Reduction in Force (RIF) notices and submit plans for workforce cuts, particularly in departments most affected by a shutdown. This approach mirrors the Trump administration’s earlier large-scale firings under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The White House accused congressional Democrats of making “insane demands” and breaking a decade-long bipartisan tradition of avoiding shutdowns. However, the OMB expressed hope that Democrats would avert a crisis. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the threats, calling OMB chief Russ Vought a “malignant political hack” and vowing not to be intimidated. A shutdown would halt non-essential operations and leave hundreds of thousands of federal employees temporarily unpaid. The standoff stems from a funding dispute ahead of the September 30 fiscal deadline, with Democrats rejecting a stopgap bill passed by the Republican-controlled House. Trump canceled a meeting with Democratic leaders, demanding they “become realistic.” With Congress in recess and time running out, Republicans warned they would not return before the deadline, forcing the Senate to accept their proposal or face a shutdown. The bill, if passed, would only provide temporary funding until November 21. The last shutdown in March resulted from Republican refusal to negotiate over Trump’s budget cuts and layoffs.
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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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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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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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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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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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‘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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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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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.