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KINGSTON — Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, faced his final day of cross-examination on Friday (April 1), as the curtain started descending on the Commission of Enquiry into the extradition of Christopher Coke, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. Cross examined by attorney-at-law, Patrick Atkinson, representing former National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, the Prime Minister said that...

KINGSTON — Anthony Hutchinson has been an accountant and a farmer for the past 26 years but, despite his skills, he is facing eviction from his 15-acre property, because of his inability to pay off a debt of over $12 million triggered by the 1990s financial meltdown. Mr. Hutchinson says that, after running into problems with repayment of his 1995...

TORONTO — Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte, took time out during an official visit to Canada, recently, to pay tribute to Jamaica’s cultural icon, the late Hon Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou). The Minister, accompanied by Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Sheila Sealy Monteith, and Consul General Seth...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says after three years of the abolition of user fees policy, significant reductions have been seen in the percentage of Jamaicans who are now citing cost as a reason for not seeking health care. “One cannot view the benefit of the policy purely through the lens of the health sector. Despite the fact that...

KINGSTON — The Senate stamped its seal of approval on the monumental Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Bill on Friday April 1, after two days of meetings at Gordon House. The Upper Chamber followed the trend set by the Lower House last week, with all members present, Government and Opposition, voting in favour of the provisions of the Charter,...

Director General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Sonia Jackson, says the agency is  ready to undertake the 2011 Population and Housing Census (Census 2011), slated to officially get underway on Tuesday, April 5. Ms. Jackson tells JIS News that virtually all of the requisite activities necessary to carry out the data collection exercise have been completed. “It’s all...

MONTEGO BAY – Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has emphasized that the opening of the newly refurbished Falmouth Hospital Maternity Ward forms part of government’s commitment to significantly improving maternal and child health across the country. “I am, indeed, pleased to be here to officially open the newly refurbished maternity ward at the Falmouth Hospital. This is in keeping...

TORONTO – Ontario's Minister of Health Promotion and Sport, Hon Margarett Best, has congratulated Jamaica's Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte, on the positive things she witnessed on a recent trip to the island. Minister Best, who is originally from May Pen, Clarendon, said that during her four-day trip, March...

KINGSTON – Child Protection Specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Jamaica, Jennifer Cupidon Quallo, says the Ministry of Education is moving to mandatory development and implementation of emergency preparedness and response plans by schools. Speaking at a grief and trauma workshop hosted by the Child Development Agency (CDA) at the Alhambra Inn, Kingston, on Thursday March 31,...

KINGSTON – Twenty-seven residents of Portmore Gardens, St. Catherine, on March 30 became proud landowners, when they were issued with certificates of title to the property they now occupy. The titles, which were handed out at a ceremony held at the Church of God of Prophecy in the community, were prepared by the Ministry of Water and Housing in keeping...

PORT ANTONIO – Four-H clubbites from schools and community groups across St. Mary will come together to show off their skills in a number of competitive areas, at the annual Parish Achievement Day slated for Thursday, April 7 at the Llandromney Estate near Port Maria. All 69 clubs in the parish are expected to participate in the day’s activities, which...

KINGSTON – Debate on the long awaited Charter of Fundamental Rights which began in the Senate on Thursday March 31 is expected to close this afternoon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who is piloting the legislation, has explained that the Bill will replace Chapter Three of the Jamaican Constitution, noting that it was a “truly a...