Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has officially proclaimed Monday, January 26, as ‘National UNDP Day’ to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office’s service to Jamaica. The Proclamation designates 2026 as a year to highlight Jamaica’s challenges and opportunities for sustainable, inclusive development, with emphasis on cooperation and partnerships....

Bushfires remained a major challenge in 2025, with the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) reporting a 26.2 per cent increase in incidents across the island. “We have seen, over time, maybe over the last four years, bushfires remaining at a consistently high level. Last year, we responded to 5,710 such incidents, and that’s a 26.2 per cent increase over the previous...

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, says the establishment of a National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) northeast office in St. Ann is critical to addressing substance abuse and supporting residents who need help, in a discreet and accessible setting. Speaking at the official opening in Drax Hall, St. Ann, recently, Mayor Belnavis said the office represents more...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright, says that Jamaica, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, is turning from stabilisation to rapid acceleration where growth remains the focus. Speaking at a Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) Thought Leadership Breakfast at the S Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, on January 28, Mr. Seiveright...

Miss St. Catherine Festival Queen 2025, Afiya Birch-Gentles, is set to launch a new youth empowerment initiative aimed at building self-confidence, character, and cultural pride among young girls. Dubbed ‘Beauty Beyond Brushes: Building Confidence and Character’, the project encourages girls to embrace their natural beauty, develop self-confidence and cultivate leadership skills. Speaking with JIS News about the initiative, Ms. Birch-Gentles...

The Earthquake Unit is seeking to dispel the common myth that hot temperatures or weather conditions cause earthquakes as the country prepares to close out Earthquake Awareness Month at the end of January. Addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, on Earthquake Awareness, Scientific Officer at the Earthquake Unit, Karleen Black, said seismic activity originates deep within the Earth’s crust and...

Teaching and learning at the Ena Barclay Academy of Excellence in St. Thomas has received a technological boost with the handover of six tablets and two laptops by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and the Universal Service Fund (USF). The special needs institution caters to students diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. Manager for JIS Morant Bay, Nyoka Linton, who addressed the...