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Rude awakening - Demolition crew flattens 20 squatter houses in Cooper’s Pen; remaining families uneasy

August 12, 2026 | News
WESTERN BUREAU: Residents of a section of Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, were jolted from their slumber on Tuesday morning to find a demolition crew flattening their houses in a pre-dawn operation involving bulldozers, tractors, and sledgehammers. When the hours-long exercise, carried out under the watchful eyes of a bailiff and a strong police contingent, ended, 20 predominantly concrete houses lay in ruins as their bewildered owners looked on in disbelief.
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Windward Islands Women keep Guyana winless

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC): Windward Islands Women boosted their hopes of reaching the bronze-medal match with a 15-run victory over winless Guyana Women in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship yesterday. After electing to bat first at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Windward Islands Women posted 93 for three from their 20 overs. Much of their total was aided by the 25 extras conceded by Guyana’s bowlers, including 20 wides.
Sports 4 minutes ago

NBA star not happy with FIBA rule’s impact on Jamaica

Jamaica and Chicago Bulls shooting guard Norman Powell believes a FIBA eligibility rule that prevents several top NBA talents from representing the country has put a “damper” on what Jamaica can achieve on the international stage. He says he is working with the Jamaica Basketball Association and FIBA in an effort to have the rule amended. Under FIBA regulations, a player born in another country who wishes to represent the nation of a parent or grandparent must obtain citizenship or a passport from that country before turning 18.
Sports 4 minutes ago

Lakers being sold for second time in a year

LOS ANGELES (AP): The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for the second time in a year, with businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger set to acquire the franchise for a record-breaking price. The sale agreement is worth US$12.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the terms, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity yesterday because neither side disclosed specific details of the latest dramatic development involving one of North America’s marquee sports teams.

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Dave Creary.
Published 9 minutes ago

Tremor terror

A Jamaican man who found himself caught in the grip of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia says chaos erupted in the stairwell of the 17-storey hotel where he was staying, as panicked guests rushed to the exits amid “terrifying” tremors. Dave Creary said he arrived in Medellín on Saturday for a one-week vacation and was sleeping in his room when an earthquake alert on his cell phone went off early Monday morning. He said that seconds later, at approximately 7:30 a.m., his hotel room on the 12th floor began shaking violently, causing him to run for the exit.

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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange (right), and Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts sign documents committing Jamaica to being one of four hosts of the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the ministry’s Tr
Updated 4 minutes ago

SEVEN-POINT DELAY

After months of review, the Jamaican Government has signed off on a seven-point agreement clearing the way for the country to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica. JFF President Michael Ricketts revealed that the document, which had been under consideration for months, was delayed because seven key areas had to be vetted and agreed upon. “Yesterday we signed the contract with Government for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. So Government has taken care of all of the paperwork.

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Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith
Updated 19 hours ago

‘My mother waited 100 years for this’

The official announcement that veteran guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith was being conferred with the Order of Distinction for his contribution to the music industry came on his birthday, August 6. Smith told The Gleaner that he couldn’t have asked for a better present, especially since his mother is alive and he will be dedicating it to her. “My mother wait 100 years for this to happen … yeah man,” said Smith, who is also known as Earl Flute and Melchezidek the High Priest. “My mother Maud Thompson, we call her Mama Maud, she is 100.”

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Albert Bailey CEO of Spur Tree Spices Jamaica Ltd.
Updated 19 hours ago

Can shortage stalls millions of ackee processing; more than 100 workers sent home

An industry-wide shortage of can lids has disrupted Jamaica’s ackee-processing sector during the peak harvest season, forcing lay-offs, slowing factory operations, and leaving millions of ackees awaiting processing. More than 100 workers have been sent home from Stanmark Processors Ltd as a shortage of A-2 cans – the standard 19-ounce container used to package ackee – constrains operations at the company’s three processing facilities.

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Gavia Christie is all about love and soca.
Updated 18 hours ago

Something Extra | Wednesday

Daring patrons to come “fête ready”, I Love Soca Cooler Festival brought the soca vibes to Plantation Cove on Friday night, continuing the festivities of Best Weekend Ever. Patrons obliged, stepping out in skin-baring separates, Jamaica-inspired fits, bold prints, denim and footwear suited for hours of dancing. Sponsored by Rum Stripe and Smirnoff, the high-energy event kept the soca flowing with sets from expert DJs, a live performance by soca artiste Voice, and plenty of photo-ready moments, with coolers in tow throughout the night.

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Anderson
Updated 5 minutes ago

Editorial | What NaRRA needs from Peru

The chief executive officer of the NaRRA, Ambassador Antony Anderson, is in Peru this week studying that country’s experience with reconstruction, resilient infrastructure, and large-scale project delivery. The visit, funded by the UK Government, comes at a critical moment for Jamaica.

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