Education Funding Boost: Jamaica’s public schools get an extra $757.5m for 2026/27, with the Education Minister saying the increase is highest for primary and special needs, and that grants are consolidated into an operational grant with set spending targets. School Repair Pressure: Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon admits frustration over slow repairs to Hurricane Melissa-damaged schools, saying the ministry has not handled assessments and timelines as well as it should. Health System Rebuild: Health Ministry engineers are finalising renovation costings for hurricane-hit health centres, prioritising about 100 facilities across the worst-affected parishes. Public Safety Measures: A 48-hour curfew has been extended in St Andrew North, and another 48-hour curfew imposed in Kingston Eastern, with residents ordered to stay indoors unless authorised. Transport & Governance: The Island Traffic Authority appoints JDF Lt Col Sheldon Bryan as Director General effective Sept 1, tasked with demerit points rollout and modernisation. Utility Watch: NWC tops the OUR 2025 Mystery Shopping Study for customer experience, while inflation data shows June CPI rising to 6.7% driven by transport and food costs. Cost of Living: Petrojam announces fuel increases effective July 16, including gasoline up $3.06 and diesel up $12.50. Justice Update: Omar Collymore’s murder-related trial process is set to restart with a fresh trial on an unrelated charge, after the Crown sought more time. Crime & Courts: Police charge a musician with multiple sex-related offences, and a St Catherine man is fined nearly $160,000 after admitting attempted bribery during a traffic stop. Regional & International Links: Jamaica welcomes the inaugural LIAT Air flight from Guadeloupe to Montego Bay, and CARICOM disaster responders train for “last mile” relief distribution. Culture & Loss: Reggae artist Fantan Mojah dies at 49, prompting tributes from across Jamaica’s creative and political circles.