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Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says there is no start date yet for the arrival of migrants under the Third Country National (TCN) agreement signed with the United States earlier this year.

The Ministry of Security and Peace in a statement says the Government has finalised operating procedures related to the agreement.

It states that the finalization of the guardrails and parameters underpinning the agreement, followed internal consultations and thoughtful negotiations between both governments.

The Ministry reiterates that the arrangement will not be funded by Jamaica and no third country national with criminal antecedents will transit through the island.

Speaking at the Post Cabinet Press Briefing this morning, Mrs. Johnson Smith said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is conducting its own assessment before a start date is set.

She stated that the TCN Agreement Memorandum of Understanding will not be released because the U.S. Government has not agreed to its publication.

The Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) is urging anyone with information or a video recording of this morning’s fatal shooting at Red Hills Road to share it with the Commission.

The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Shane Casinore.

Residents mounted fiery roadblocks in protest over the incident ; the blockades were later removed.

Reports indicate that the man was killed by the police during a planned operation.

According to lawmen, a firearm was recovered.

Commissioner of INDECOM Hugh Faulkner says all officers involved in the incident have been interviewed and their accounts have been documented.

He adds that residents are insisting that the man was gravely ill and under medical care.

Two hundred and 56 teachers resigned between July and August this year, representing a decline of 51 resignations for the same period last year.

State Minister for Education Rhoda Moy Crawford provided the update, as she hit back at suggestions on social media that teacher migration spiked over the summer holiday period.

Speaking at the ceremonial opening of schools for 2026 at the Devon Primary and Infant School in Manchester on Monday, Ms. Crawford noted that many countries who recruit the island’s educators are also facing issues with shortage of teachers.

She explained that despite these resignations locally, a number of recent graduates are available to be employed as teachers.

Meanwhile, Ms. Crawford called on Jamaicans to push back against misinformation being pushed on social media about the country.

110 roads under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme have been fully paved.

Works Minister Robert Morgan gave the update during this morning’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

Mr. Morgan said another 225 roads are now in the process of being paved.

He said between now and November, work will commence on eight of the main roads under the SPARK Programme.

The Education Ministry has established a Hurricane Melissa School Infrastructure Recovery and Resilience Oversight Committee.

Portfolio Minister, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon made the announcement at Jamaica House this morning.

She said the Committee will help with accountability, quality assurance and transparency, regarding the repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction of public education facilities affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The Minister said the Committee will start providing oversight for the 300 schools deemed severely damage by the hurricane.

She added that the Committee has also been tasked with identifying delays, defects, capacity constraints and any unresolved approval in many of the schools.

Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is seeking clarity from the Government about the classification of the new security correctional facility, following a  renewed commitment for it’s construction. 

State Minister for National Security and Peace, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, confirmed that a site has been identified in St. Catherine and a special committee has been established to advance the project for a state-of-the-art maximum security correctional facility. 

The JFJ, which says it welcomes the renewed interest in advancing the project, has long called for new facilities, together with sentencing reform, more non-custodial options, and upgrades to existing plants. 

JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson states that there is need for classification of prisoners to determine those who are of greater threat based on their charges. 

She also outlines that majority of those held at the existing correctional facilities have not been convicted for the more serious crimes. 

Ms. Jackson says there is need for an assessment to be done to aid with classification. 

Opposition Spokesman on Education Damion Crawford has urged the Government to allocate funds to all members of Parliament specifically for providing water to schools.

This as several school administrators have reported experiencing challenges with access to a reliable supply of potable water.

Crawford made the suggestion while responding to questions about the ongoing drought and the impact it has been having on schools while at a People’s National Party press conference on Monday.

He argued that a specific allocation would help improve the situation at drought-impacted schools.

He said that while the Government has allocated $200 million to Members of Parliament to respond to the drought, the amount is not enough to cater to schools, residents and hospitals.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has indicated that Jamaica is transitioning from resilience to resurgence, as efforts continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Melissa.

Dr. Holness was addressing the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum, underway in Florida, United States of America.

He delivered a keynote presentation on Jamaica’s national response to the storm and the country’s efforts to build more resilient, future-focused infrastructure across energy, transport, connectivity and public services.

Dr. Holness noted that Hurricane Melissa tested Jamaica, affecting homes and infrastructure, with many people still rebuilding their lives.

He said the Government’s responsibility now is to rebuild with purpose, restore what was damaged and strengthen infrastructure to ensure that what is rebuilt is better prepared for future storms.

Dr. Holness added that the recovery must create opportunities for businesses, workers and communities.

He said reconstruction must strengthen capacity and help to drive investment, jobs and economic growth.

He pointed out that the process requires discipline, accountability and the determination of Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora.

As plans remain in high gear for the re-development of the National Stadium facility, newly appointed Chairman of Independence Park Limited (IPL), David Shirley says the aim of the organisation is ideally to give, athletes, sporting organisations, promoters and the general public a better experience going forward.

The IPL are the sole operators of the facility, and Shirley indicated that the main focus remain making the venue financially viable while ensuring that all stakeholders who may wish to use the facility will get a fair chance to do so.

Shirley who was Deputy Chairman of the IPL for eight years was officially appointed Chairman recently replacing the Honorable Mike Fennel who remains a Board of Directors member.

Recently the IPL struck a deal with the Professional Football Association limited for the staging of Jamaica Premier League matches this season on a shared cost arrangement, and Shirley added that accessibility for users of facility remains a natural purpose.

Shirley gave an update on the plans for the National Stadium re-development.

While building for the future, respecting the history of the identity of the National Stadium will be maintained, and Shirley also indicated that Stadium East will also be upgraded into a modern 4000 seat venue

Opposition Spokesman on Education, Damion Crawford, is calling for a safety officer to be employed permanently at schools still undergoing repairs.

He made the statement at a People’s National Party press conference yesterday.

According to Mr. Crawford, as he toured schools which are undergoing repairs at the start of the new academic year last week, he realised that it is necessary for safety to be prioritised.

He said the safety officer would ensure that yeast and mould testing is done among other safety measures and to also guarantee that these measures are aligned with international standards.

He also wants the publishing of information in relation to the tests so that parents and guardians can feel confident in having their children at these schools.