FEBRUARY 2026
BRAND NEW JAZZ FESTIVAL TO HIT BIRMINGHAM
St. Kitts & Nevis to take over
St. Kitts & Nevis to take over
Bulls in the City raises £241k for Birmingham Hospice
Jersey branch president
Small and medium-sized enterprises contribute nearly one-third of Mauritius’ gross value added and employ close to half of the national workforce At the same time, Mauritius is gaining momentum as a regional centre for wealth creation, with its millionaire population expected to nearlydoubleby2033
The framework is designed to strengthen the Council’s ability to ensure the continuity of examinations and operations in affectedterritories
Therecoveryprotocolfollowsa
six-step process, beginning with an official statement of support and the initiation of a response by CXC The Council then coordinates directly with Ministries of Education to assess recovery efforts and consults with a broad range of stakeholders, including parents, teachers,andemployers
Following these consultations, CXC management drafts recommendations for approval by the council’s board For candidates currently affected in Jamaica, Dr Wesley confirmed that several special provisions havealreadybeenapproved
These measures include modifications and adjustments to School-Based Assessments (SBAs) and an extension of the submission timeline for those most affected Furthermore, CXC has accommodated late registration for students in impacted schools without requiring the payment of late fees
Birch Hill Dog Rescue was announced as the winner at the Worcester Cathedral ChristmasTree Festival 2025 after more than 200 schools, charities, businesses and organisations took part in what was the biggest festivalyet
The dog rescue charity, based in Cleobury Mortimer, rescues and rehomes dogs in need displayed a beautiful tree positioned in the Cathedral cloisters, adorned with dogs and paw print baubles and featuring a kennel housing two stuffed toy dogs wearing Santa outfits It won the hearts of the people, with comments on Facebook including: “A beautiful tree with charming detailing, especially the kennel with the two little dogsinside
“We have been running for 30 years - 30 years of saving dogs, so this is a wonderful celebration of that milestone” Birch Hill was closely followed by last year’s People’s Choice winner, Halesowen-based metal fabricator Jason Saunders of Wise Fabrication Ltd, with his handmade forged steelChristmastree
In third place was Worcestershire Neonatal Unit, fourth Nick Taylor Plumbing and in fifth place National Grid The Cathedral’s Events Director, Sam Poursain, said: “Every year we are blown away by the imagination and creativity that goes into the Christmas trees displayed aroundtheCathedral
“The standard seems to rise every year, with the top five trees showing a lovely mix of welldeserved charities, groups, individuals and businesses. Huge congratulations to Birch Hill Dog Rescue - a beautiful tree and very worthywinner.”
The winner of the People’s Choice vote will be given a free spot at next year’s Festival and presented with a certificate in recognition oftheirachievement
Keeping Dreams Alive!
Jamaican Students Pursuing University Education
"There's a perception that once a child's adopted, they'll livehappilyeverafter,andthereisnoplatformtocomplain or to even have your voice," Mina says The local authority which placed Leighton for adoption did not respond to a requestforcomment
The lies and blame within the UK's adoption system Some adoptive parents say they’ve been given so little support that they’ve been forced to return their children back into care Children's charity Coram - one of several organisations to call for greater support for adoptive families or to raise concerns about the blaming of parents in response to our story - says the adoption system is "underexceptionalstrain"
CEO Dr Carol Homden said: "It's shocking to discover again that adoptive parents, are experiencing blame as the firstresponsewhentheyseekhelp
“That should never be the case" She says "adoption remainsanextremelyimportantpartofourcaresystemand highly successful for the majority of children" but when children have been removed from their birth families for their own protection, "we need to recognise that they will need potential support for life and ensure that our services are there in a timely and sufficient way" Coram also runs the largest body representing children's social workers, CoramBAAF, which has joined the call for a review of adoption support, saying: "We must get this right for the childrenattheheartofthis"
Abandoned baby Elsa now adopted - and regularly see two siblings
