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Strands of change

April 12, 2026 | News
A quiet shift is under way in some Jamaican schools, where long-standing rules governing how boys – especially those of African descent – wear their hair are being tested, stretched, and, in some cases, rewritten. For decades, school grooming policies have enforced a narrow standard, particularly for boys. While girls have gradually been granted more flexibility – through allowances for natural styles and, in some schools, extensions that match their hair – boys have remained tightly regulated. Now, that imbalance is drawing scrutiny from students, parents, and some educators.
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Nation not surprised by World Cup nod

Oshane Nation, Jamaica’s top referee, has described his appointment by FIFA to officiate at this year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup as timely, noting that he was not surprised by his selection. Nation, along with Trinidad and Tobago’s Caleb Wales, has been named to the record-breaking ‘FIFA Team One’ for the sport’s biggest global showpiece. The tournament, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
Sports 6 hours ago

Verdict almost in

Head coach of the Jamaica national football team Rodolph Speid and his assistant Miguel Coley are expected to be reappointed to their respective positions by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) this week. The Gleaner has been reliably informed that both men are set to resume their roles following a meeting of the JFF’s technical committee, which is scheduled for April 19.

We Jammin grinds Prince Consort Stakes field into the ground

SALUTE THE DON paid the price of trying to escape WE JAMMIN in yesterday’s Prince Consort Stakes, losing what would have been a safe runner-up spot to 19-1 outsider DASHALLDAY, who he had beaten by 10 lengths in last month’s Sir Howard Stakes. Totally unperturbed with allowing 3-2 favourite SALUTE THE DON seven pounds after beating his rival by five lengths in December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile, WE JAMMIN won the seven-furlong 2000 Guineas prep in workmanlike fashion, six and a quarter lengths clear of DASHALLDAY.
With hair of varying styles and lengths, Jamaica College students celebrating their victory in the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ Athletics Championships last month.
Published 7 hours ago

Strands of change

A quiet shift is under way in some Jamaican schools, where long-standing rules governing how boys – especially those of African descent – wear their hair are being tested, stretched, and, in some cases, rewritten. For decades, school grooming policies have enforced a narrow standard, particularly for boys. While girls have gradually been granted more flexibility – through allowances for natural styles and, in some schools, extensions that match their hair – boys have remained tightly regulated. Now, that imbalance is drawing scrutiny from students, parents, and some educators.

Sports

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Miguel Coley
Updated 6 hours ago

Verdict almost in

Head coach of the Jamaica national football team Rodolph Speid and his assistant Miguel Coley are expected to be reappointed to their respective positions by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) this week. The Gleaner has been reliably informed that both men are set to resume their roles following a meeting of the JFF’s technical committee, which is scheduled for April 19.

Entertainment

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Soca artiste Machel Montano (centre) and the Monk Dancers keep the energy high at I Love Soca Jamaica on Friday morning.
April 11, 2026

I Love Soca delivers non-stop fête energy

On Thursday night, just days before the upcoming road march celebrations, locals and foreigners alike made their way to the National Heroes Circle in Kingston and joined long lines with coolers in tow to embark on an electrifying journey with the highly anticipated event of the carnival season, I Love Soca.

Business

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Tank-Weld CEO Christopher Bicknell.
April 11, 2026

Tankweld secures further court win as FTC report set aside

Tank-Weld Metals Limited has secured another legal victory against the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), with the Supreme Court agreeing to hear the company's challenge to a disputed report while barring the regulator from using or acting on it in the meantime. “The courts have found Tank Weld’s challenges to the FTC’s process to be serious and deserving of full examination,” said Tank Weld CEO Christopher Bicknell.

Lifestyle

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Olivia Sinclair brings her Every Body Plays Mas initiative to life in 2024.
Updated 5 hours ago

Olivia Sinclair is making carnival coverage more inclusive

For a while, Olivia Sinclair watched Jamaica’s carnival from the sidelines – not for a lack of love for soca or the season of events, but because she didn’t see her body type reflected in media coverage. When she looked at the content capturing the spirit of the road, it felt exclusive to certain body types.

Commentary

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Former Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J. Patterson
Published 7 hours ago

Editorial | Patterson’s prescriptions

P.J. Patterson’s seminal intervention on the state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) accords with this newspaper’s vision for the institution and the regional integration project.

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