Nepal flood death toll rises as rescuers scour tunnels

Two traditions, one future

Two traditions, one future

Jahshii to embark on islandwide tour; aims to reconnect with his fans

Jahshii to embark on islandwide tour; aims to reconnect with his fans

CPL Hall of Fame award named in honour of Sir Garfield Sobers

CPL Hall of Fame award named in honour of Sir Garfield Sobers

Wedding, Fashion & Interior Design

Wedding, Fashion Interior Design

COOPERS PEN SCHOOL BLUES

WESTERN BUREAU: Of the 25 school-age children whose homes were bulldozed during a recent demolition exercise in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, only seven ventured out for the start of the new school year on Monday, as displaced families struggled to prepare them for classes. When The Gleaner visited the community on Monday morning, residents said 18 of the children who would normally have returned to school had been relocated to stay with relatives in other areas, creating uncertainty about when – or whether – they will be able to resume classes.

COOPERS PEN SCHOOL BLUES - Majority of 25 displaced children miss first day of new academic year

WESTERN BUREAU: Of the 25 school-age children whose homes were bulldozed during a recent demolition exercise in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, only seven ventured out for the start of the new school year on Monday, as displaced families struggled to prepare them for classes. When The Gleaner visited the community on Monday morning, residents said 18 of the children who would normally have returned to school had been relocated to stay with relatives in other areas, creating uncertainty about when – or whether – they will be able to resume classes.

A new dawn - Hopes high as Hydel Cumberland High embarks on win-win mission

Principal of the newly created Hydel Cumberland High School in St Catherine, Carlon Pitt, said the institution is already seeing the benefits of the merger, and is focused on moving forward as it enters the new academic year. The two St Catherine-based high schools, Hydel and Cumberland, were merged over the summer holidays to consolidate resources in what stakeholders have labelled as a win-win for both schools.

Two primary schools merged, 3 closed

The Government is exploring closing and merging more schools across Jamaica as a means of maximising resources and infrastructure, Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon has indicated. “We have to look at it holistically across the country. There are many schools where we have low populations, and many communities where there are less students than the school can accommodate,” she told The Gleaner at the merger ceremony of St Catherine-based high schools Hydel and Cumberland.

Western schools reopen as rehab work continues

WESTERN BUREAU: Schools across western Jamaica reopened on Monday for the 2026-2027 academic year despite some still needing extensive repairs to restore their hurricane-ravaged compounds. Dr Lavern Stewart, the newly installed principal at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay, St James, told The Gleaner that a special effort was made to ensure that the school would be ready on Monday. Having been heavily impacted by Hurricane Melissa last October, 18 of its classrooms and its canteen and tuck shop are still undergoing repairs.

NET rebuilding schools for future resilience

The National Education Trust is pressing ahead with plans to rebuild schools hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa, and it wants the work to go beyond simple repairs. Its Build Back Better programme, which runs through 2030, is meant to make school facilities structurally stronger while improving how education is delivered. Executive director Latoya Harris-Ghartey said the pledge covers comprehensive infrastructure support for school environments. The trust says it recognises the unease still felt in the communities the storm hit hardest.

STETHS built to bounce back

To reopen after the devastation to its infrastructure almost a year ago as a result of Hurricane Melissa is a tale that reflects the adopted theme of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). “We’re never beaten until the end of the game,” says principal Keith Wellington. The school sports teams’ tagline is also a mark of resilience that reflects the very character of the institution, he says, and one that has increasingly been embraced over the years by the various stakeholders.

Schools must follow repair protocols – education minister

Education Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon is urging schools not to undertake repairs outside the Ministry of Education’s established protocols as the ministry awaits a second report on the condition of Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School in Kingston. Morris Dixon said the reports are needed to properly assess the school’s condition before any repair work is authorised. The minister was responding to questions from reporters yesterday after unveiling a monument to twin Hydel and Cumberland high schools in Portmore, St Catherine.

JP Farms extends education support to Coleraine Pines students

JP Farms has expanded its longstanding educational support programme beyond the children of its employees, awarding grants to three students from the neighbouring Coleraine Pines community as they prepare to begin their secondary-school journey. The inaugural Coleraine Pines Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Grant Presentation was held on August 27, with the initiative marking a further extension of the company’s relationship with the community closest to its operations.

J$1.5m lifeline for children of tourism workers

WESTERN BUREAU: As thousands of children returned to classrooms across Jamaica yesterday, some sons and daughters of tourism workers were doing so against a very different backdrop – their parents remain off the job months after Hurricane Melissa. The S Hotel Foundation has stepped in with a J$1.5-million back-to-school grant programme targeting children of tourism workers whose properties remain closed and who have been without their regular salaries.

Growth & Jobs | JBDC urges MSMEs to build export-ready systems

As Jamaica seeks to strengthen export performance, local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to focus not only on obtaining certifications for overseas markets but also on building the systems needed to remain competitive once they enter. The call comes as Jamaica earned US$547.4 million from exports between January and April 2026, compared with US$2.50 billion spent on imports during the same period.

Bath Primary principal helps three mothers pass CSEC English

Three mothers in the quiet community of Bath, St Thomas are celebrating academic success after passing this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English A examination under the guidance of the principal of their children’s school. The women were coached by Bath Primary School Principal Devmarie Blake-Brown, who provided free lessons and secured sponsorship to cover their examination fees. All three earned passing grades, securing grades 1, 2, and 3, and say the achievement will serve as a springboard to further academic and personal growth.

IDT orders Rubis tanker drivers to return to work Tuesday

S Hotel Foundation pumps $1.5 million in grants for children of tourism workers

S Hotel commits $1.5 m in back-to-school grants for children of displaced tourism workers

99.7 % of schools open on first day as new academic year starts smoothly

For New York's Haitian community, annual West Indian American Day Parade means more in trying times

NEW YORK (AP) – Steel drums, flag-draped floats, and the smell of jerk chicken filled Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway on Monday, as hundreds of thousands turned out for the West Indian American Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Caribbean culture in the country.

Jamaica Food & Drink Festival takes on the Big Apple with ‘Kuyah NY’

Jamaican leaders condemn violence at West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn

Jamaican community leaders in New York are condemning the violence that marred this year’s West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, while calling for collective action to ensure the major Caribbean cultural celebration remains safe. Dr Karren Dunkley, co-founder and president of the Jamaica Rising Day Parade, says Caribbean people must be able to gather, celebrate and enjoy themselves without fear that someone will be injured or lose their life because another person chooses violence.

Second-hand smoke causes nearly 1.7M deaths globally — study

A new study attributes nearly 1.7 million deaths worldwide to second-hand smoke. The estimate counts non-smokers who die after exposure to other people's smoke, a toll that places passive smoking among the largest preventable health risks on the planet. The authors hope the numbers will push governments toward stricter smoke-free rules.

Documentary on James Bond creator Ian Fleming to premiere at GoldenEye

A documentary about Ian Fleming, the author who created James Bond, is set to premiere at GoldenEye. The Jamaican estate was Fleming's home during the years he wrote most of the 007 novels. Screening the film there ties the story straight back to the place where Bond first took shape on the page.

Case against captain of MV Barima further adjourned

Only the headline 'Case against captain of MV Barima further adjourned' came through. The item carried no article text, so the reason for the delay and the court involved are not stated. More of the original report would be needed for details.

Daley concerned as staffing shortages reportedly force school for blind to turn away students

Daley has voiced concern over reports that a school for blind students is turning away applicants. Staffing shortages are said to be the reason, leaving the school without enough people to cover its places. The reports have raised questions about how such a specialized service is being resourced. For families who depend on the school, the shortfall means real uncertainty.

Rybakina tops Osaka, sets US Open quarter-final clash with Zheng

Shootings, stabbings mar Brooklyn West Indian Day Parade

The annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn was marred by a series of shootings and stabbings on Monday, despite heightened security measures deployed by the New York Police Department. Three people were shot in two separate incidents near the parade route in Crown Heights shortly after 4:00 pm. Police say a 24-year-old man was shot in the buttocks near Nostrand Avenue and St John’s Place. A person was taken into custody and a firearm recovered. The victim was hospitalised and is expected to recover.

Education ministry to review textbook lists amid cost concerns

Forex: $158.96 to one US dollar

Hurricane warning issued for westernmost Hawaiian islands

A hurricane warning has been issued for the westernmost Hawaiian islands, putting residents and travelers on alert. A warning at this level means hurricane conditions are considered likely, so people in the affected areas are urged to wrap up preparations before conditions worsen. Details about timing and the storm's expected strength were not immediately available.

Flight data recorders recovered from Amazon cargo plane crash

Holness urges community members not to accommodate criminals

Zheng shocks Swiatek in another incredible US Open comeback

Transport minister says bus flow was smooth for start of school year

Gov’t has money but it’s not reaching those in need, says Robinson

Seville and Tina Clayton lead J’can to Ultimate Champs

Caricom urges closer collaboration with Africa

Antigua introduces universal free education

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda Education Minister Daryll Matthew has described as “historic” the decision to provide “universal free education from early childhood to university” as the new school term got under way on Monday. Matthew said that universal free education is “a deliberate policy taken by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to ensure that finances and resources are no longer a limitation to access to education here”.

Two injured in shooting along Constant Spring Road — reports

Cuba denounces ‘record’ economic damage from US embargo

Panama Canal says not ruling out new transit restrictions due to El Nino

King Charles classes Harry and Meghan as ‘private citizens’

Windsor Wellness, Biovanta Labs launch Jamaica’s first at-home prostate screening kit

Flow customers plan home improvements with million-dollar wins

St Mary security guard charged over imitation gun, fake firearm ID

A St Mary man who is a security guard has been charged for allegedly being in possession of an imitation gun and a fake firearm holder's identification card. He is 36-year-old Nickson Hamilton of Frazerwood in Highgate, who is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, possession of a forged document and uttering a forged document. Hamilton was arrested and charged on Saturday, September 5.

St Mary security guard held after fake FLA ID, ammo and homemade gun seized

UK govt rules out slavery reparations as Jamaica presses issue