More

There has been an increase in the incidence of diabetes in Jamaica, with over 300,000 persons living with the disease. However, almost half of the number are undiagnosed, Owen Bernard, Executive Director of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica's (DAJ) Outreach Programme has told JIS News. He said that the disease was not only on the rise in Jamaica, as more...

Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator A. J. Nicholson, has stated that the government does not support unlawful killings by the security forces and has chided human rights lobby group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), for its recent assertion that the government was covering up police killings. "The administration of which I am a member does not and will not...

Bee farmers across the island are being advised to lookout for the 'small hive beetle' or the Aethina Tumida. The pest was found in two apiaries in Mona, St. Andrew during August and September and is considered dangerous as the larvae destroys the honeycombs of the hives causing honey to be released and run free from the cells. Chief Apiculture...

The government of Jamaica has benefited from $1.1 billion (US$18 million) in grant assistance from the United States for post Hurricane Ivan recovery and reconstruction. The allocation to Jamaica is part of a package of assistance valued at US $100 million, to hurricane-affected countries in the region. Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies and United States Ambassador to Jamaica,...

In its continued effort to prepare interest groups for the implementation of the new Companies Act in January 2005, the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) will on Saturday, November 13, address lawyers at a seminar hosted by the Bar Association of Jamaica at the Shaw Park Hotel in Ocho Rios. The ORC, as the agency responsible for implementing...

Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke is urging Caribbean countries to focus on implementing strategic measures to protect the environment in order to combat the effects of natural disasters, which could have adverse effects on agricultural food production and food security. The Minister has made this appeal in light of the recent disasters, which have severely impacted the country's agricultural sector....

The Ministry of Justice wants to make it a criminal offence for Justices of the Peace (JPs) to charge or accept a fee for their services. In the meantime, a code of conduct is being developed in conjunction with the Lay Magistrates Association, which will direct and guide the action of JPs. "We are going to scour the law and...

A national forum involving environmentalists, public and private sector interest groups and government agencies was held on November 12, to discuss progress in the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA), for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States. This is being done in preparation for the International Meeting to be held in Mauritius come January 2005. The...

Minister of Industry and Tourism, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, has said that the government of Jamaica did not condone violence against any individual or group and stoutly denied that there was a systematic campaign in Jamaica against homosexuals. "I will say, bring me the proof of this. There is no move afoot to seek out and bring violence to homosexuals. I...

The National Church Service observing Local Government and Community Month takes place in Emancipation Square, Spanish Town, St. Catherine on Sunday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m., preceded by a cultural presentation. Speaking with JIS News, Regional Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Spanish Town, Enid Morrison noted that Spanish Town was chosen because of the spate of crime in...

The British Government has donated 150 physical education textbooks to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Peter Mathers, handed over the books to Assistant Chief Education Officer, Phyllis Reynolds and the Education Officer responsible for Physical Education, Dr. Joyce Graham-Royal at the High Commission on Trafalgar Road in Kingston yesterday (Nov.11). The books are...

Inflation for the second quarter of the current fiscal year was 2.8 per cent, reflecting a similar average for the September quarters of the past six years. This relatively moderate out-turn for the July to September quarter was significant in light of the continued pressure of international oil prices and the effects of two hurricanes, Bank of Jamaica Governor, Derick...