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As members of parliament (MPs) gear up to pose questions to portfolio ministers today about the Government’s $1.4-trillion Budget during a two-day meeting of Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee, two sector groups have highlighted issues they want addressed during the deliberations.
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Fiscal Commissioner Courtney Williams has raised questions about the credibility of aspects of the Government’s 2026-2027 Budget in his Economic and Fiscal Assessment Report (EFAR). In his assessment of the Government’s macroeconomic and fiscal forecasts, the career economist said Jamaica’s fiscal policy remains broadly sustainable, supported by a resilient Fiscal Responsibility Framework and significant disaster-risk financing layers.
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A prosecution witness yesterday insisted that although she and her partner witnessed parts of the fatal shooting of three men on Acadia Drive in St Andrew in 2013, and later composed a letter about the incident, some details in the document were based on her partner’s observations and not her own. The witness made the clarification as she came under intense cross-examination from defence attorney Hugh Wildman in the Home Circuit Court during the ongoing trial of six policemen charged in connection with the incident.
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Twenty-six-year-old attorney-at-law and journalist Sayeed Bernard is set to make a significant impact in Jamaica’s policy landscape after completing his Master of Laws at Queen Mary University of London. Bernard, a 2024 Chevening Scholar from Linstead, St Catherine, has overcome numerous challenges to reach this milestone while being driven by his mantra: ‘I stop at nothing’. Growing up in a single-parent household, Bernard’s determination and resilience were fuelled by his desire to create a better life for himself and his community.
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WESTERN BUREAU: Nashá Patterson, president of the Jamaica Prefects’ Association (JPA), is calling for greater attention to be paid to students who had traumatic experiences during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, to ensure they are coping well with their individual challenges.
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More Jamaicans with a criminal record will now have the opportunity for a fresh start with the enactment of the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Amendment Act, 2026. The act, which introduces sweeping reforms aimed at giving rehabilitated Jamaicans a meaningful second chance, including provisions for automatic expungement in certain cases, is now in effect. Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing held yesterday at Jamaica House in St Andrew, said the law is a critical step in giving ex-convicts a new beginning.
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Western Bureau: A personal childhood experience has come full circle for Olga Stewart-Nelson, a principal of adult education with New York City (NYC) Public Schools District 79, who recently returned to Jamaica to perform an act of goodwill. “I am here to distribute school supplies to students who are impacted by Hurricane Melissa,” Stewart-Nelson told The Gleaner, explaining that her visit was driven by both professional responsibility and deep personal history.
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A combined 200 years of service to journalism was celebrated on Tuesday as the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) honoured six long-time practitioners at its Veterans Awards Luncheon at J. Wray and Nephew in New Kingston. The ceremony, part of the PAJ’s 2025 National Journalism Week, recognised Simone Clarke, Marline Stephenson-Dalley, Pete Sankey, Rudolph Brown, Kingsley ‘Super T’ Thompson and Milton Walker for decades of service, editorial leadership, mentorship and commitment to press freedom.
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The recovery phase triggered by the devastation wrought when Hurricane Melissa ripped through western Jamaica last October is officially coming to an end, with focus now set to be shifted to reconstruction. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness made the announcement yesterday while warning that penalties will be imposed on persons who misuse government-issued hurricane housing grants. Holness’ disclosure came as he was delivering the keynote address during the official launch of the Chester Creek housing development in Chester Castle, Portmore, St Catherine.
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The majority of municipal corporations across the country are still struggling to rid themselves of a backlog of outstanding financial statements, which, in some instances, extends to more than a decade ago. However, the Manchester Municipal Corporation was acknowledged for submitting its financial statements with only the current year due. Deputy Auditor General Marlon McAdam told members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday that the local authorities had accumulated 95 outstanding financial statements up to March 2025.