Clyde McKenzie has always been passionate about music. In fact, he will tell you that “music is in my blood.” “Music was always something that was around me in a very serious way. It is a passion of mine, I love it, and get excited about it,” he tells JIS NEWS. He says it was his father, Joscelyn McKenzie, who...

Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said the Government is committed to the free flow of information to the public and to provide channels for citizens to openly share their views and concerns. “As a Government, we are the servants of the people. We want to make sure that what we are doing is in the...

The West Kingston Incursion Victim Compensation Committee has been given a one-month extension to complete its work. Making the disclosure at yesterday’s (September 13) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said Cabinet has approved payment of a balance of $23.9 million to the Chairman and Commissioners of the Committee....

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has condemned the attacks in Clarendon in which it’s been reported that two children and two women were killed. Minister Grange said that there could be “no justification for the cold, calculated and despicable attacks” which took place within a 24-hour period in the communities of Race Course...

Ninety-eight immigration officers are now better equipped to carry out their duties having successfully completed a border protection training course. The course, held from May 1-13, was the second phase of a training programme organised by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) in collaboration with the British High Commission and the United States Embassy. Areas covered include human trafficking,...

A short while ago there were reports emerging in the media that there was an incident at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) where a bag exploded in the terminal. Speaking with JIS News, Alfred McDonald, Senior Director, Commercial Development and Planning said that “as part of an exercise to test the emergency response mechanism of the airport, the Jamaica...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has highlighted the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection to national development. He noted that IP remains the pillar for providing equitable reward for creators and those who invest in, distribute and manage these innovations. Senator Reid said that having a robust IP framework in place will help to...

The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) has endorsed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2017 declaration against the use of tobacco, which it regards as a threat to development. Coalition board member and Heart Foundation of Jamaica Executive Director, Deborah Chen, notes “clear signs” suggesting that sustainable development, targeting the promotion of prosperity and economic opportunity, enhanced social well-being and...

Government Senator, Don Wehby, has proposed a comprehensive review of Jamaica’s compliance rate with international standards in all areas where adoption and implementation procedures are required. This, he said, in order to determine whether these procedures need to be strengthened, thereby ensuring that Jamaica is fulfilling its international obligations. “We need to do more to ensure that we meet implementation...