Holness reaffirms support for Wheatley as police detain Haitians and PEP results hold steady

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said on Monday that he continues to stand behind Cabinet minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley, even as Wheatley faces four criminal charges. Holness indicated he did not know the Integrity Commission was investigating the minister when he returned Wheatley to portfolio duties last year. He added that he intends to study the commission's findings and seek guidance from legal counsel.

The People's National Party Women's Movement has called on the administration to justify Jamaica's role in a United States deportation arrangement. The demand follows remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who in 2025 characterized prospective deportees as "some of the most despicable human beings." National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has insisted that Jamaica's pact to receive non-citizen deportees from the US excludes individuals with criminal convictions and other disqualifying backgrounds.

Law enforcement officers apprehended more than a dozen Haitians in West Portland on Sunday after reports that a vessel reached shore shortly after midnight. The incident comes amid heated public discussion over the government's government's pledge to temporarily host third-country nationals removed from the United States.

Education Minister Dr. Dana-Maree Dixon reported that results from this year's Primary Exit Profile Examination held firm, with the majority of pupils earning proficient or highly proficient scores. Dixon pointed to gains in mathematics and consistent performance in language arts, noting that outcomes stayed level even after Hurricane Melissa disrupted schooling in October.

Reggae Boyz forward Leon Bailey has again pledged his long-term commitment to Jamaica's senior men's programme and pressed for structural changes that would benefit younger footballers coming through the ranks.

At midday trading, the US dollar sold for J$158.20, the British pound fetched J$213.79, and the Canadian dollar traded at J$115.06. Tuesday's forecast called for largely sunny skies in the morning, with gusty conditions expected across much of the island in the afternoon.