TCN CAUTION The arrival of 22 Latin American and European migrants at Norman Manley International Airport under the controversial third county nationals agreement (TCN) has triggered a warning from one political analyst that Jamaica could face legal liabilities. University of the West Indies lecturer in the Department of Government Damion Gordon said the Holness administration must ensure openness, and evaluate its responsibilities regarding the agreement.
Panton urges new KCs to help end Jamaica’s reliance on Privy Council Former president of the Court of Appeal Justice (Ret’d) Seymour Panton has challenged Jamaica’s newly appointed King’s Counsel to use their influence to advance the country’s long-running effort to replace the United Kingdom-based Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final appellate court.
Three called to Inner Bar as Chief Justice urges leadership, service Three members of Jamaica’s legal profession – Deputy Solicitor General Lisa White, Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson and veteran attorney Oswest Senior-Smith – have been called to the Inner Bar, with Chief Justice Bryan Sykes urging them to use their elevation to strengthen the justice system and uphold the rule of law. Addressing the ceremony on Tuesday morning, Sykes reminded the newly appointed King’s Counsel (KC) that the honour was not simply a reward for past achievements but an obligation to serve the courts, the legal profession, and the country.
JHTA fears winter season gridlock as MoBay roadworks lag WESTERN BUREAU: The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is warning that worsening traffic congestion in Montego Bay threatens to disrupt the winter tourist season as major roadworks remain unfinished. JHTA Area Chapter Chairman Kerry-Ann Quallo-Casserly has expressed growing frustration over delays in completing Phase One of the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project, which was originally scheduled for completion in June, subsequently pushed back to September, and remains unfinished in October.
Video shows Ruddock taking responsibility for Pathways killing Murder accused Andre Ruddock had expressed regret in a video-recorded caution statement to police, admitting he was guilty of killing fellow church member Taneka Gardner and that it was something he should not have done. “I am guilty of it. I have to take full responsibility. I am guilty, although I was command to do it. It is something I shouldn’t have done,” Ruddock said in the statement recorded on October 18, 2021, a day after Gardner’s throat was slashed during a bizarre series of events at the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in St James.
KSAMC demands proof of source for water parties The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has moved to block events involving the recreational use of National Water Commission (NWC)-supplied water as drought conditions persist and government-imposed restrictions on non-essential water use remain in effect. The move comes amid a prolonged dry spell that has left water-storage facilities at significantly reduced levels, prompting the Government to impose prohibition orders and the NWC to maintain regulated supply schedules in affected communities.
IC wants probe of single-source contracts Declaring that competition was the exception in the awarding of government contracts last year, Kevon Stephenson, director of investigation at the Integrity Commission, says in 2025, single-source procurement, including emergency contracting, accounted for 69.2 per cent of contracts by number and 27.3 per cent by value. By contrast, open competitive bidding accounted for 4.1 per cent of contracts by number. In a special report to Parliament, Stephenson highlighted that single-source procurement has accounted for about two-thirds of contracts in every year since 2017.
Cards of crime - Customs cracks down on new strategy used by scammers, others to smuggle proceeds of illicit activities into island Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) Kirk Benjamin has revealed that the state body has seized 195 international credit and debit cards sent to Jamaica from overseas between January and August this year. The Customs boss contended that many persons allegedly involved in illegal activities sent back the proceeds of crime loaded on international credit and debit cards. He told The Gleaner the cards that have been confiscated by Customs seldom have owners, as no one turns up to collect them.
Bad roads help cops nab suspected poker box thieves WESTERN BUREAU: Four men suspected of being behind a spate of poker box thefts in Hanover are now in custody after pieces of gaming equipment were found in their possession during a police operation in Ramble. Superintendent Andrew Nish, the police commander for Hanover, told last week’s monthly meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation that an Intratec submachine gun with four rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operation.
Constable Joel Robinson named top cop Constable Joel Robinson of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) St Catherine North Division walked away with the Chairman’s Award in the the 2026 LASCO, JCF Saluting Our Heroes Awards. Robinson, a school resource officer in the JCF’s Community Safety and Security Unit, emerged from a field of six finalists recognised for their contributions to policing and public service. His achievement also earned him a promotion to corporal, announced by Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake.