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Jamaica's risk communication, in relation to the current Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, has been described as one of the better performers among democratic countries with a free press, by United States' Risk Communication (RC) Consultant, Dr. Jody Lanard. "Jamaica, in my view, has been in the middle of the pack for risk communication about the pandemic among democratic countries that...

Ministers of Agriculture from across the western Hemisphere, and other stakeholders in the sector, are scheduled to meet in Montego Bay, St. James, from October 25 to 31, for the 'Week of Agriculture and Rural Life of the Americas' Meeting. The week's main activities are the meeting of the Hemispheric Forum of Ministerial Delegates of Agriculture, the Fifth Ministerial Meeting...

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has announced that Digicel is to establish a yearly internship programme for 10 persons who complete the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) programme. However, Minister Vaz expressed disappointment that only 10 per cent of the persons who registered for the CCNA...

The Government has brought forward the implementation date for reducing stamp duty and transfer tax to Saturday (August 1), in an effort to stimulate the flagging real estate market. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, told the House of Representatives Tuesday (July 28), that the move is in response to the drastic reduction in real estate...

Farmers attending the Jamaica Agricultural Society's (JAS) Denbigh Agro-Industrial Show this week-end will enjoy a number of firsts, including access to micro-financing from Jamaica National. This was announced at a JIS Think Tank Tuesday (July 28th), by outgoing President of the JAS and Chairman of the Denbigh Show Committee, Senator Norman Grant. Senator Grant said that Jamaica National, one of...

The House of Representatives began debating changes to the Holiday with Pay Act Tuesday (July 28), to increase fines for breaches by employers and allowing the Resident Magistrate's (RM) Courts to hear the cases. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, pointed out that it is imperative that workers are given adequate time for rest and rejuvenation during...

Jamaica has been commended for achieving a 22.3 per cent increase in domestic food crop production for the second quarter of 2009, by Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), Dr. Chelston Brathwaite. Last week, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, announced that the last three quarters saw consecutive periods of expansion when...

The country's business leaders are being urged to assist the process to eradicate the stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV and AIDS in the workplace. "We all have an extraordinary duty to ensure that the rights of persons living with and affected by HIV and AIDS are respected and protected," said Chairman of the Jamaica Business Council on...

Hundreds of Jamaicans and friends of the island in New York City, USA, including elected officials and community leaders, attended the Church Service of Thanksgiving to mark Jamaica's 47th year of Independence held on Sunday (July 26) at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Consul General of Jamaica in New York, Geneive Brown Metzger, delivered Prime Minister the...

Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica residing in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland in the USA, have moved into celebration mode, with a number of official events planned to mark Jamaica's 47th year of Independence. Over the next three weeks, the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington D.C., under the leadership of His Excellency, Ambassador Anthony Johnson, will be engaged in several...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding says the future of Caricom states remains, and will always be challenged by our small size. "In this chess game of international politics and diplomacy, we can no longer play the geo-political advantage. The world has changed. That is no longer a card that is of any value. It is primarily economics and politics...

Five high school science students currently on the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) Internship Programme, are spending the summer holidays toiling in university labs; and they say that they are finding it enjoyable. Selected based on their high level of participation in inter-school science activities, and the recommendations of their science teachers, the five boys are getting hands-on...