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The Senate on Friday (May 8) adopted the Report of a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, which reviewed legislation for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate complaints of abuses by the security forces. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, said the Committee, after hearing submissions from stakeholders, felt that the Commission should be...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service - the Honourable Audley Shaw, along with Minister of National Security - Senator the Honourable Dwight Nelson, Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Pearnel Charles and Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator the Honourable Arthur Williams, met with the chairmen of the following Associations: Assistant Commandant...

The Ministry of Education, frustrated with the increased incidents of violence in schools, has partnered with Peace and Love in Society (PALS) to implement a five-year behaviour modification programme, aimed at reducing anti-social and disruptive behaviours. The Ministry will provide $7 million for the first phase of the project, which will run from May to December, and will involve 90...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, said he has directed the Attorney General to prepare a submission for Cabinet that will seek to put the role, function and authority of Custodes within a statutary framework. Mr. Golding, who was addressing a ceremony held yesterday (May 7) in Lucea to install medical doctor, David Stair, as Custos of Hanover, said the aim is...

Buoyed by the prospects of the dialogue, networking and experience-sharing opportunities with regional and international Local Government interests, Jamaica's delegation leaves the island on Sunday (May 10) to participate in the 4th Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) in the Bahamas. The four-day international conference is being held under the theme: 'Improving Local Government: the Commonwealth Vision'. It is being held...

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague, has urged Jamaicans to clear homes of garbage and other debris, in order to minimise damage during a hurricane or other natural disaster. "We need to look around our homes.many of us, during these trying times, don't want to throw away this...

The St. James Parish Council is staging its third annual Disaster Education Awareness competition, which will see some 21 schools and members of the public competing for attractive prizes, while learning about disaster preparedness and mitigation. Held under the theme: 'The more I know, the more I am prepared' the competition, which comprises a quiz and poster segment, is being...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has told the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the Lord Bishop of Jamaica, Alfred Reid that his government is open to having Churches manage public schools and select their own teaching staff. He was receiving the churchmen who visited him this morning (May 8) at Jamaica House. The Prime Minister, a confirmed Anglican who was...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has outlined plans to review the roles of Custodes and Justices of the Peace in order that these offices can contribute more to the functioning of the justice system. He said government intended to increase the duties of JPs and that the Attorney General had been directed to prepare a Cabinet submission that would seek to...

An interesting feature of rural life is the simple, unspoiled existence of persons who have come to devise creative ways of surviving under challenging circumstances. For the farmers of Duff House and New Forest, in South Manchester, farming has long been their main economic activity. This area, bordering the bread basket parish of St. Elizabeth, is traditionally known for the...

The West Midlands Caribbean Parents and Friends Association in Wolverhampton is celebrating its Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of serving the needs of people of Caribbean descent, who have settled in that part of the United Kingston (UK). One of the oldest Caribbean organisations in the UK, the Association was established in 1959 by a group of concerned individuals, many...

Minister of Labour and Social Security Hon. Pearnel Charles, has said that his Ministry is moving to the stage where strikes will not be necessary in Jamaica to resolve industrial disputes. "One of the aims of my Ministry is to remove the need to strike. We want to strengthen the process to support production , and we will be examining...