The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising that arising from the current fire at the Riverton Dump, a thick smoke cover is being experienced in sections of the Corporate Area, with significant impact being reported in parts of Portmore. While the fire has been contained, an increase in the volume of smoke permeating the general environment...

Effective May 1, phablets, which are a cross between a Smartphone and a tablet, will be reclassified and no longer attract customs duties. This was announced by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips while opening the 2014/15 Budget Debate in Parliament on April 17. The Minister explained that because the characteristics of phablets were not distinguishable...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says he is in support of the decriminalisation of marijuana from a point of view of justice, but not of health. “I don’t support the smoking of marijuana, just as I don’t support the smoking of tobacco.... Our position is very clear, there are some cannabinoids which is part of the constituent elements...

The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) has implemented several measures aimed at promoting the island’s museums, enabling easier access to, and encouraging greater appreciation of Jamaica’s heritage. These include opening museums to the public on Saturdays, to allow more people to view the large collections of artefacts and art treasures. Effective May 3, the Institute’s East Street, Kingston complex will be...

Government is working to conclude by June 2014, arrangements regarding the registration and certification procedures for businesses that will access the Productive Input Relief (PIR) component of the new Omnibus Tax Incentive regime. Under this aspect of the regime, provision is made for a reduction of the tax related cost of productivity inputs by providing tax relief on imported operating...

Nursing student by day, volunteer by night and a full time mother, that is life for 21-year-old Seidg Rowe, the Prime Minister’s Youth Awardee for Excellence in Youth Service. The single mother and final year nursing student at the International University of the Caribbean (IUC), has for the past ten years devoted herself to serving others. “I’m in love with volunteering…I don’t see the change overnight but I know there are youths that look up...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is stepping up its drive for farmers to register with the Agricultural Business Information System (ABIS) as it continues efforts to tackle praedial larceny. The Authority is reporting that there are currently over 167,278 registered farmers across Jamaica, and it has embarked on a campaign to get even more to get on board.​ Registration of farmers began in the late 1990s through ABIS, which is the official means...