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KINGSTON — Two new Youth Information Centres (YICs) are scheduled to be opened this year in Clarendon and St. Catherine, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The projects will be spearheaded by the National Centre for Youth Development, an agency of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry, Senator Warren Newby, made the disclosure...

KINGSTON — The Registrar General's Department (RGD) is to implement an online verification process as it looks to cut down on records fraud. The agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patricia Holness, said that the software has been written and testing is currently underway. She indicated that the necessary security features will be put in place to protect against fraud. “Our...

MONTEGO BAY — The Customs Department is reporting significant earnings for the first quarter of the 2011/2012 financial year, with the revenue target overshot by $1.4 billion. According to Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker, the increase in earnings is despite a cut in rates for the importation of motor vehicles, which he describes as a courageous move on the part...

KINGSTON — The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be conducting a National Simulation Exercise (NaSIMEX) from July 19 to 21, to test Jamaica's preparedness for a major disaster or emergency. Being undertaken at a cost of $2.1 million through funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the exercise will examine preparedness and readiness to respond...

KINGSTON — Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has extended an invitation to members of the media and advertising fraternities to partner with him in executing the I Believe Initiative, which he currently spearheads with Lady Allen. Delivering the keynote address at the Advertising Agencies Association of Jamaica's (AAAJ) annual Media of the Year awards luncheon at...

KINGSTON — A Bill to amend the Interception of Communications Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday July 13, 2011. Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, who piloted the Bill, explained that a decision was taken to amend the Act to address the absence of extraterritorial communication, to facilitate the sharing of information with a foreign state...

KINGSTON — Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has commended Jamaica's media and advertising fraternities for their contributions to nation building. Addressing the Advertising Agencies Association of Jamaica's (AAAJ) annual Media of the Year awards luncheon at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday (July13), the Governor-General said he was heartened by the work they have...

KINGSTON — Some 20 young people from 11 inner city communities in Kingston, Clarendon, and St. Catherine are to benefit from scholarships to engage in programmes in the visual and performing arts at the University of Technology (UTech). The $1,070,000 Music and Entertainment Outreach Programme, which will begin next month, is a joint initiative of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund...

The Government of Spain, through its Agency for International Development Co-operation (AECID), has donated some $11.2 million worth of medical equipment and furniture to the Spanish Town Hospital, in St. Catherine. The donation will go to the hospital’s King of Spain Wing, and include over 250 pieces of equipment, supplies and furniture for the Physiotherapy Department and the Surgical Ward....

MONTEGO BAY — Thousands of residents of six volatile communities in St. James are soon to benefit from a range of sustainable development initiatives to be undertaken through partnership between the Ministry of National Security and the Social Development Commission (SDC). The communities are Farm Heights, Rose Heights, Canterbury, Glendevon, Granville and North Gully. Already, a memorandum of understanding (MoU)...

KINGSTON — Custodes will soon operate under a more formal, standardised structure, with the passage of the Custos Rotulorum Act, 2011 on July 12, 2011 in the House of Representatives. The legislation, which makes provision for the appointment, tenure, functions, allowances and administrative arrangements for the office of custos, seeks to preserve the integrity, status, and relevance of the office....

KINGSTON — Talks on the merger between Digicel and Claro Jamaica are far advanced with the Government to announce a decision within a week or two. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said that the Government is awaiting the comments of the Spectrum Management Authority, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the Fair...