JAMA

Jamaica's Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As part of the annual gathering, the minister set out Jamaica's positions on international issues before delegates from UN member states. The speech is one of many national addresses delivered during the high-level week, when foreign ministers and heads of state take the floor to outline their governments' foreign policy priorities.

A study published in JAMA finds that pilots and flight attendants have the highest radiation-related cancer mortality among workers exposed to ionizing radiation on the job. The findings point to prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation at altitude as a significant occupational health risk for cabin crews, renewing discussion about monitoring and protection for airline staff.

Jamaica's government says an Environmental Protection Levy will be used to help finance the island's climate resilience efforts. The levy is positioned as a funding stream for measures protecting the country against climate-related threats such as hurricanes, flooding and coastal erosion. Details on rates, collection and specific programmes to be financed have not yet been widely reported, and public reaction is still limited.