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Several events, to be hosted by Jamaican Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley and the Jamaican embassy in Washington, D.C., will be held in that city to celebrate the country's 44th anniversary of independence. Beginning tomorrow (July 28), there will be a week of theatrical performances, art exhibition, musical performances and gala receptions, culminating in a Sunday market...

Tributes have been coming in from Jamaicans in the United Kingdom (UK), on the passing of cultural icon, Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou), in Canada on July 26. Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK, Gail Mathurin said the High Commission and staff were saddened by the news of the passing of Mrs. Bennett Coverley. "We join with the Jamaican community...

Minister of Education and Youth, Maxine Henry-Wilson is imploring parents to ensure that their children are immunized in order for them to be admitted into schools come September. In an interview with JIS News, Minister Henry-Wilson said that there would be no compromise on the issue of immunization as it was a legal requirement for entry into all schools. "An...

The country's hearing impaired women are slated to benefit from a US$100,000 programme, which is designed to educate them about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The one-year HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme for Deaf Women in Jamaica, is being funded by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) as the implementing...

Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell, yesterday (July 26) launched the Jamaica Business Information Centre Project, which will provide technical expertise and business support for micro, small and medium-sized clients. The $19 million project will involve the setting up of information centres across the island, with the main hub located at the Camp Road headquarters of the...

I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of the most distinguished Jamaicans ever - The Honourable Louise Bennett Coverley, affectionately known by all Jamaicans as "Miss Lou". She was loved by all and in many ways epitomized what it means to be 'Jamaican'. Miss Lou was a cultural pioneer for this country, and having mastered her own appreciation...

Jamaica's beloved cultural icon, the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou), has died. She was 86 years old. Miss Lou passed away today (July 26) at the Scarborough Grace Hospital in Toronto, Canada, after collapsing at home early this morning. Born in Kingston on September 7, 1919, Miss Lou is Jamaica's premier folklorist, poet, entertainer and comedienne. As a cultural giant,...

Nominations are now open for the second annual Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence in Sport. Persons have until August 31 to submit their entries. The award, which is administered by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund and the National Council on Sports, grants a cash disbursement of $500,000 to Jamaican nationals between the ages of 18 and...

The Information Systems Division of the Office of the Contractor General has implemented several in-house projects to ensure the effective use of technology in carrying out the operations of the Contractor General's Department and the National Contracts Commission (NCC). As set out in the Office's annual report for 2005, which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday (July 25),...

The Technical Services Division of the Office of the Contractor General has reported a boost in its application turnaround in 2005 with the fulfillment of its mandate to expedite responses for all matters brought before the National Contracts Commission (NCC) within a 10-day period. According to the Contractor General's Report for the 2005 calendar year, which was tabled in the...

In a 29 to 17 vote in the House of Representatives, the Government on July 25 defeated the censure motion brought by Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, which called for the resignation of Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell. In calling for the resignation, Mr. Shaw cited mismanagement and dereliction of duties regarding the circumstances surrounding...

Senior Director for the Land Administration and Management Division in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Mohini Kiswani, has said that the Ministry's recently established Squatter Management Unit was making inroads in addressing the problem of informal settlements. Dr. Kiswani, who spoke to JIS News after a site visit which the Unit conducted in the Rocky Point area in Clarendon...