The Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) is reporting a 39 percent completion rate in the implementation of the 365 recommendations contained in the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission, JETC, report.  This is just one percentage point below the projected 40 percent milestone for the first quarter of this year. The Education Ministry said this slight variance reflects the significant disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa, which damaged 693 educational institutions and displaced learning, temporarily.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has expressed hope that Jamaica's 2026 murder tally will not exceed four hundred (400). 673 murders were recorded last year, representing a 41 percent reduction when compared to 2024.  Mr. Chuck says a reduction for 2026 could be close to 50 percent.

Two people said to be a couple were shot dead in Farm, Manchester this morning. Relatives identified the deceased as Kaydene Isaacs and Rohan Bernard of the community.

The ministry of national security and peace has sought to explain comments made by portfolio minister Dr. Horace Chang about the use of body worn cameras by the police.

A man died after gunmen opened fire on the motor bus in which he was travelling along the Mandela Highway in St. Catherine, around 7 o’clock this morning.