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The House of Representatives yesterday (Dec. 7) gave its unanimous support of proposed amendments to the Domestic Violence Act. National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, who tabled the Bill, said that, "the amendments reflected an awareness by the government of the increased incidents of acts of domestic violence within the household setting and the need to ensure that all victims...

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has said that Jamaica was firmly committed to the integration process, and had taken the legislative and administrative steps to ensure that the country's obligations under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) were met in full and on time. Mr. Patterson pointed out that the Caribbean Single Market would be launched in January by...

The House of Representatives yesterday (Dec. 7) passed two companion Bills aimed at further preparing Jamaica to participate in the single market aspect of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), slated for implementation come January 1, 2005. The Bills are the Caribbean Community Establishment, Services, Capital and Movement of Community Nationals Act 2004 and the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges...

A comprehensive report prepared by the Education Task Force is expected to be approved by Cabinet next Monday (December 13), after which it will be tabled in Parliament. Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman made this disclosure at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday (December 6). The Minister explained that the report "seeks to do what the terms...

The government of Jamaica has entered into an agreement with a Brazilian company, to rehabilitate an idle ethanol-producing plant located at Petrojam's premises on Marcus Garvey Drive, at a cost of US$7.34 million. The terms of the three-year agreement (with the option to extend to an additional two years) stipulate that the company, Coimex, will provide the raw material required...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Child Development Agency (CDA), Alison Anderson, has said that agency would increase its focus on preventive work, and place more emphasis on family based programming and more effective collaboration between service partners. She informed that the creation of the CDA, coupled with the promulgation of the Child Care and Protection Act, had finally provided...

Jamaica's Consul General to New York, Dr. Basil K. Bryan, was among a distinguished group of six individuals and businesses honoured for outstanding community service by the Children Of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Incorporated, at the organisation's 10th anniversary charity gala held on December 4 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York. Air Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), TransContinental...

Dr. Mavis Burke, Founder of Women for PACE (Canada), has been awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class). Jamaica's High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Carl Marshall, presented the award to her on behalf of Governor General, Sir Howard Cooke, at the offices of the Jamaican Consulate General in Toronto, Canada on December 2. Dr. Burke, who received the national...

Persons mailing greeting cards to loved ones overseas can do so at discounted rates this Christmas, as the Postal Corporation of Jamaica has introduced reduced rates for the holiday season. In an interview with JIS News, Deputy Postmaster General, Michael Gentles advised that the cost reduction in postage for overseas mail was a measure the company usually implemented at Christmas...

The Clarendon Parish Council, bothered by the increased disregard for the parish's building regulations, has launched an enforcement drive, which will among other things, see legal action taken against persons building without the proper approvals. Mayor of May Pen, Councillor Milton Brown, told JIS News yesterday (Dec. 6), that developers were flouting the building regulations and the compliance rate was...

A two-day intellectual property rights (IPR) workshop targeted at authors, musicians, manufacturers among other groups, got underway yesterday (Dec. 6) at the Hilton Kingston Hotel. Through the event, organised by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), providers of goods and services will receive first-hand information on issues such as Copyright protection,...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has signed a contract valued at $4.1 million, for the expansion of the Joyland Basic School in St. Elizabeth. Speaking at the recent signing ceremony, JSIF Operations Manager, Omar Sweeney pointed out that the contract had been awarded to Garan-Tee Construction Company and was expected to be completed in about four months. "The JSIF...