In case you missed it, here are OBSERVER ONLINE’s top 10 stories for today:

1. Mt Salem ZOSO extended by 60 days

Parliament has approved a request by Prime Minister Andrew Holness this afternoon to extend the zone of special operations (ZOSO) in Mount Salem, St James by another 60 days. Full story here

2. Director of Elections to know fate by end of November

Director of Elections Orette Fisher is to continue filling the post until the end of November to facilitate the hearing and determination for the application for an injunction, which seeks to bar the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) from terminating his one-year contract, which expires today. Full story here

3. 4 more J’cans plead guilty to lottery scamming in the US

Four more suspects in October either pleaded guilty or agreed to do so in a large-scale Jamaican lottery scam in the US, leaving just five of the 15 defendants still scheduled for trial in January. Full story here

4. Second cop killed in 5 days, Commissioner saddened

Commissioner of Police George Quallo is this morning expressing sadness at the killing of another policeman, the second one murdered in a five-day period. Constable Courtney Linton was gunned down shortly after midnight at a party in Orangefield, Linstead, St Catherine. Full story here

5. Unemployment falls as labour force grows 0.6% — STATIN

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting that the July 2017 labour force has increased over the corresponding period in 2016. Full story here

6. Jamaica must pass more business reforms to remain competitive — JAMPRO

JAMPRO President Diane Edwards says while Jamaica has increased the passing of business reforms, it must improve the pace to remain competitive in the global economy, as countries continue to advance reforms to boost economic growth. Full story here

7. JET calls on PM to respond to the Cockpit Country petition

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has expressed concern over the lack of response from Prime Minister Andrew Holness on its petition requesting that the Cockpit Country be closed to mining and quarrying. Full story here

8. Transport Minister asks OCG to thoroughly investigate PNP’s allegation

Transport Minister Mike Henry has instructed the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to provide the Office of the Contractor General with all the requisite information surrounding the engagement and scope of work of Millennium Security Limited (MSL). Full story here

9. Boulders block section of Bog Walk Gorge roadway

The police are advising motorists that the Bog Walk Gorge roadway in St Catherine is open to single lane traffic only. Full story here

10. Suspect kills eight in New York truck ‘act of terror’

A pickup driver killed eight people in New York on Tuesday, mowing down cyclists and pedestrians, before striking a school bus in what officials branded a “cowardly act of terror.” Full story here