Balford Henry, award-winning veteran journalist, dies at 74

Norman Manley High take control of Zone C after second Manning Cup win

Veteran journalist Balford Henry dies at 74

Veteran journalist Balford George Henry has died at age 74. Henry died in hospital on Monday afternoon following a brief illness. He had a journalism career spanning more than five decades, working with both of Jamaica’s major daily newspapers – The Gleaner and The Jamaica Observer – as well as the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

Coolie Dance rhythm returns to Billboard Hot 100 Top 10

Wellington hails ‘successful’ inaugural ISSA Super Saturday football festival

PNP urges schools to respect Black identity in grooming policies

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is urging school administrators to respect Black identities and allow students to question rules they consider problematic, amid renewed controversy over school grooming policies. Opposition Spokesperson on Education Damion Crawford and Deputy Spokesperson Senator Dr Maziki Thame addressed the issue during a press conference on Monday, with Thame arguing that critical thinking must be central to student development.

Seiveright urges firms to ‘get ready’ as JEF–YEA Business Development Centre launches

Forex: $158.70 to one US dollar

Major infrastructural redevelopment planned for Dunn’s river Falls

Dunn’s River Falls and Park, an attraction in St Ann, will undergo a major infrastructural redevelopment to transform the iconic natural wonder into a modern-day ‘Jamaican Disneyland’. The master plan, designed by the State-run Urban Development Corporation (UDC), aims to transform the world-renowned ecotourism site from a brief stopover into a comprehensive, full-day destination, shifting the island's competitive edge in global travel.

Price wants Seaga Complex to become ‘fortress’ after Tivoli’s 3-0 opening win

Concentration lapses cost Dunbeholden in 2-1 loss to Cavalier, says coach

Green: Government securing nation’s food future

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, says Jamaica is making strides in securing its place as a food-secure nation, citing strategic investments in infrastructure and innovation, stronger partnerships with tourism stakeholders, and a commitment to food safety. He noted that the country’s agricultural foundations are resilient and steadily transforming to secure the nation’s food future, proving capable of overcoming climate and economic shocks.

USF clarifies role in Tablet in Schools programme

Golding criticises Holness over outdoor learning remark, wants timelines for school repairs

Opposition Leader and People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding has described Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness’ defence of his remarks about schoolchildren learning outdoors “closure to nature”, arising from absent classrooms due to unfinished Hurricane Melissa repairs, as arrogant and inappropriate. Holness made the remark last Tuesday at the launch of the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMROCC), saying, among other things, that outdoor learning offers a different environment for students.

Jamaica’s tourism recovery gathers pace with 11,000 rooms expected to return to market

Over 736,000 cruise passengers visit Jamaica

Jamaica welcomed more than 736,000 cruise passengers from 234 ship calls during the first seven months of the year, as tourism officials move to expand both the number of vessels calling at the island and the ports they visit. Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas Phillip Rose disclosed this morning that 736,372 cruise passengers visited Jamaica between January and July. He was addressing the official opening of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

JDF soldier shot dead in Fletcher’s Land

JDF soldier shot dead in Kingston

Ja recovers 70% of tourism room stock hit by Melissa, over 11,000 more expected back by 2027

Jamaica has recovered approximately 70 per cent of its tourism room stock affected by Hurricane Melissa, with more than 11,000 rooms expected to return to service between this year and 2027. The disclosure was made this morning by Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Phillip Rose, as he addressed the official opening of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Three charged with POCA breaches over $2.6 million cash purchase of motor vehicle

The police in St Catherine have charged two persons, along with a Manchester businessman, for breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act in connection with the cash sale of a Toyota Mark X motor car. Mekicia McGill, 35, and 19-year-old Marlon McDonald are being accused of purchasing the car in cash for $2.6 million, in breach of the Act, which prohibits cash transactions over $1,000,000. Businessman Paul Hugh Davis is being accused of facilitating the transaction.

Mechanic gunned down inside Linstead home

A man was gunned down inside his home in Rosemount, Linstead, St Catherine, on Sunday. Dead is 42-year-old mechanic Rohan McLeish. The police report that about 7:30 a.m., explosions were heard in the area. The police were called to the location and, on arrival, McLeish was found suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the head. He was rushed to the Linstead Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The police say no motive has been established for the attack. The Linstead Criminal Investigation Branch is probing the matter.

Passenger arrivals down nearly 20 per cent, but tourism official says demand remains strong

Jamaica recorded a 22 per cent decline in available airline seats between January and August compared with the corresponding period last year, even as flights to the island operated at an average load factor of 85 per cent. Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas Phillip Rose disclosed the figures this morning during the official opening of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

General Accident records highest-ever revenue despite Hurricane Melissa

US Embassy lifts cellphone ban for visa applicants

Visitors to the United States Embassy in Kingston will now be allowed to take cellphones and smartwatches inside the building, reversing a previous restriction on the devices. The change was announced in a September 1 advisory on the embassy’s website outlining items that visitors may and may not take inside for their appointments. Under the new guidelines, cellphones, earbuds and smartwatches are now permitted, although visitors are required to follow signage governing the use of the devices in waiting areas.

Trinidad PM targets wealthy citizens ‘involved’ in crime

Manchester licensed firearm holder charged over alleged gun discharge in Clarendon

The police in Clarendon have charged a Manchester licensed firearm holder for allegedly discharging his weapon without lawful justification. He is 62-year-old Delroy Hepburn, a tour operator of Berrydale district in Manchester. Reports from the May Pen police are that about 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, explosions were heard in Green Park district in Sandy Bay, and a team was dispatched.

Guyana reaffirms confidence in International Court of Justice

‘I am so embarrassed’: Gabby Thomas apologises for Usain Bolt photo blunder

PNP urges gov’t to outline national industrial strategy

Ministry targets book list abuse

Ministry targets book list abuse

Gun law credited with decrease in murders, says Chuck

Gun law credited with decrease in murders, says Chuck

Double impact for I-Octane

Double impact for I-Octane

‘Dellmar’ remembered as loyal, considerate bespoke photojournalist

‘Dellmar’ remembered as loyal, considerate bespoke photojournalist

PNP staging public session of 88th annual conference in Westmoreland

PNP staging public session of 88th annual conference in Westmoreland

Renee Watkis on security, leadership, and service

Renee Watkis on security, leadership, service and the experiences that shaped two books

Llewellyn defended wedding invitation from ex-inmate in story of redemption

Former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn never expected a wedding invitation from a former inmate she had encountered as a state witness. When it came, she was surprised but accepted, despite staff members warning her not to attend. “Miss Llewellyn, you can’t go. Don’t you see he was a criminal?” she recalled them telling her. But Llewellyn had seen firsthand the power of a second chance and told them to “ calm down”.

SECOND CHANCE - Chuck urges non-prison penalties to support rehab, expungement

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says there is no longer a backlog of expungement applications following the recent amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Amendment Act (2026). Chuck made the disclosure on Sunday at the Eastern Region Assize Church Service at East Queen Street Baptist Church in downtown Kingston, marking the start of the 2026-2027 legal year. The service, attended by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and members of the legal fraternity, was held under the theme ‘Embracing Justice: Restoring Righteousness and Hope’.

THE POWER OF SECOND CHANCES - Chuck urges non-prison penalties to support rehab, expungement

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says there is no longer a backlog of expungement applications following the recent amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Amendment Act (2026). Chuck made the disclosure on Sunday at the Eastern Region Assize Church Service at East Queen Street Baptist Church in downtown Kingston, marking the start of the 2026-2027 legal year. The service, attended by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and members of the legal fraternity, was held under the theme ‘Embracing Justice: Restoring Righteousness and Hope’.

‘Never okay’ - Morris Dixon orders probe into children abandoned at hospital

Youth Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon says a probe has been launched to determine the circumstances that led to five children remaining in the care of the Spanish Town Hospital for several months after being abandoned by their families. Morris Dixon said leaving vulnerable minors in long-term institutional care without family affection is an administrative breakdown that can “never be seen as okay”. “With children, we have to be especially careful, and we have to be especially responsible,” said Morris Dixon.

Gov’t says local farmers to get first choice in supplying tourism sector

The Government is moving to have local farmers get first preference in supplying the tourism sector as the country targets 10 million visitors and US$10 billion in tourism earnings over the next decade. The move is in keeping with the tourism ministry’s Tourism 3.0 development framework, which is aimed at strengthening linkages and building capacity across local industries to ensure that more Jamaicans participate directly in the tourism value chain.

JFB sounds alarm over fire risks facing elderly

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is urging families and communities to ensure that elderly persons are not left without assistance, warning that their vulnerability during fires can have fatal consequences. This appeal comes from Assistant Superintendent of the JFB’s Portland Division, Raymond Goodlett, while delivering his report during the Portland Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting in Port Antonio last Thursday. He made the call against the backdrop of the recent death of an 89-year-old man from the Buff Bay area who sustained fatal fire-related injuries.

Multiple crises pushing many Cubans to breaking point

HAVANA (AP): Sweltering nights. Water and power shortages. Dwindling fuel and crumbling homes. Limited public transportation and weak cellphone signals. The psychological toll of daily life in Cuba is pushing many to their breaking point on the island of nearly 10 million people, with no relief in sight as a United States energy embargo persists and longtime economic and financial troubles deepen. “Before, there was hope,” Dr Yomeidis Felicó Riverón said. “Right now, what people have lost is exactly that.”

Russia hits train near Ukraine border soon after Boris Johnson, other dignitaries pass

KYIV, Ukraine (AP): A Russian drone struck a train near the Ukraine- Poland border on Sunday shortly after senior visiting officials – including the former prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Sweden – passed through, Ukraine’s state rail operator said. According to Ukrzaliznytsia, a diplomatic train carrying Boris Johnson, Carl Bildt and security advisers from several European Union states had purposely left the station at Yahodyn ahead of schedule. The visitors were on their way back from a security conference in Kyiv.

King clarifies status of Prince Harry, Meghan, after their return to UK

LONDON (AP): King Charles has reiterated that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, remain non-working members of the royal family following their return to the United Kingdom. A letter sent on behalf of the King to senior government officials said the couple will continue to refrain from using their royal titles as they have done since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020. Any charity work the couple undertakes will be carried out in a private capacity, and operational security decisions are matters for the relevant police agencies, the letter adds.

Lower your risk of dementia without a blood test

WASHINGTON (AP): New blood tests that might predict Alzheimer’s years before symptoms begin may sound tantalising for people who worry about later-in-life dementia. But doctors say they aren’t quite ready yet – and besides, you don’t need a test before trying to lower your risk.

Trespasser reported at Kamala Harris’ Malibu home

A trespasser was reported Friday night at former United States Vice President Kamala Harris’ home in Malibu, California, law enforcement officials and a Harris spokesperson said. Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies responded to her home around 10:30 p.m. after her private security detail made a “suspicious person” call, the department said. When they arrived, they made contact with the person and advised them to leave, the sheriff’s department said. The person left voluntarily without incident.

Low-fat vegan diet may help people lose weight without eating less

WASHINGTON DC (ANI): A low-fat vegan diet might support weight loss without the need to count calories, reduce portion sizes, or constantly battle hunger. In a 16-week clinical trial, participants following a diet centred on fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes consumed around 357 fewer calories per day, despite eating nearly the same amount of food overall.

UNESCO launches WINGS Caribbean to advance science, women, Caribbean transformation

The UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean launched this week WINGS Caribbean (Women Inspiring New Generations in Science), a new fellowship initiative designed to support outstanding mid-career and advanced-career women researchers and innovators whose work addresses some of the Caribbean’s most pressing development challenges and priorities. These include climate and environmental resilience, disaster risk reduction, digital innovation, applied scientific research, social development, governance, social entrepreneurship and community-based research.

JPS gives Darliston Primary temporary office for principal

Like many schools in western Jamaica, Darliston Primary School in Westmoreland suffered significant damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa. For months after the storm, the principal was running the school from her car, which served as her makeshift office.

Trump’s childhood home sells for US$2 million

NEW YORK (AP): Donald Trump’s childhood home has sold for nearly US$2 million after a renovation transformed the New York City residence from a mold-ridden cat den to a modern abode. The president lived at the Tudor-style Queens estate until age four. His father, developer Fred Trump, built the home in the affluent Jamaica Estates neighborhood in 1940. The family hasn’t owned it in years. The sale price, US$1.93 million, appeared last Friday on real estate websites after a buyer, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, entered into a contract in July.