Lead Stories

Michael’s hand shows the lingering effects of chemical overexposure, even after the worst of the flare-up has subsided.
February 21, 2026 by Mickalia Kington

Expert warns misuse of bleach can damage skin, cause fatal poisoning

For many Jamaicans, bleach is a trusted household staple used to clean kitchens, disinfect surfaces, and even treat water in times of emergency. But improper use, especially without correct dilution…
Nickeisha Black before she was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
February 21, 2026 by Christopher Thomas

Mom of 3 battles cancer and impact of Melissa

WESTERN BUREAU: Nickeisha Black, a 34-year-old mother of three young children, who resides in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, has been fighting a hard battle with Stage-3 colorectal cancer since 2024, and…
February 21, 2026 by Tanesha Mundle

Babymother denies Allen, friends were gunmen, gangsters

The mother of Mark Allen’s daughter yesterday firmly denied that he and one of his friends, who were killed alongside him in January 2013, were gunmen, rejecting defence suggestions that they were…
Ramon Small-Ferguson.
February 21, 2026 by Edmond Campbell

Opposition wants timeline for phasing out asset tax

Senators on both sides of the political divide yesterday locked horns over a timeline for eliminating the asset tax paid by financial institutions, which should have been phased out about a decade…
Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security, addressing beneficiaries under the Restoration of Owners or Occupants Family Shelter programme at Sean Lavery Faith hall in Savann-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Thursday.
February 21, 2026

Common-law couples cautioned against duplicate hurricane claims within households

WESTERN BUREAU: Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security, is cautioning residents against submitting multiple hurricane relief applications from the same household, warning that the…
Moses Chybar, president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
February 21, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Westmoreland Chamber urges balance on proposed digital, sin taxes

WESTERN BUREAU: Moses Chybar, the president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, is urging the Government to strike a careful balance as it moves to impose new taxes on digital services, alcohol,…
First-time parents, Natasha McKenzie Petgrave and her husband, Jovain Petgrave, cradling their baby boy, who was born on New Year’s Day.
February 21, 2026 by Mickalia Kington

Settling into motherhood

Western Bureau: For many young Jamaicans, the decision to start a family is becoming increasingly complex. The cost of living continues to rise, some young couples have limited support systems and…
Reverend Claude Ellis, principal of the St Andrew-based Pembroke Hall High School.
February 20, 2026 by Kimone Francis

LITERACY SOS

Pembroke Hall High School Principal Reverend Claude Ellis is calling on the Government to redirect its resources into the primary and early childhood sectors to address educational gaps being…
Former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
February 20, 2026 by Janet Silvera

Former CARICOM leaders urge repeal of US exec order targeting Cuba’s fuel supply

WESTERN BUREAU: Caribbean former heads of government have issued an extraordinary joint appeal condemning what they describe as a “catastrophic fuel blockade” against Cuba, warning that the island’s…