The Government has increased benefit levels for the elderly under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) by some 67 per cent. The boost in benefits, which took effect on August 15, will also see an increase of 15 per cent for all other categories of beneficiaries. Speaking at a special Back-to-School press briefing at the Office of...

Twenty retrofitted wheelchairs have been procured by the Ministry of Education for the 2013/14 academic year, to assist physically challenged students in special education facilities island-wide. This disclosure was made by Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Grace McLean, at a Think Tank held recently, at the Jamaica Information Service’s (JIS) head office in Kingston. Mrs. McLean said there has...

Jamaica has been selected by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to host the Intellectual Property and Creative Industry conference in mid-November, at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. Biennially, various countries bid to become the host country of the conference and this year, the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) bid was deemed successful. “Jamaica is highly regarded...

Over 500 children and parents from Sandy Bay, Montpelier and adjoining communities of eastern Hanover, were hosted at back-to-school treats and health fairs last weekend on the grounds of the Fletcher’s Grove and Montpelier Baptist churches. The students benefited from medical/dental examinations and were presented with books and other school supplies. They also enjoyed games such as football, a bounce house,...

Upgrading of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, including international training certification, and establishing its headquarters in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, are on track, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott. Mr. Arscott, who spoke at the dedication ceremony for the Freeport Fire Station, in Montego Bay, St. James, on August 28, said the international accreditation will ensure...

For a few brief hours, businessman Hugh Graham of Paramount Chemicals knew what it felt like to be an international celebrity. Mr. Graham, who was one of several businessmen accompanying Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller on her recent visit to Beijing, China, found himself surrounded by quite a large group of friendly Chinese, in the middle of...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, has assured that Jamaican workers will be employed in significant numbers in the Global Logistics Hub Initiative. Addressing journalists at a press briefing held on August 30, at the Ministry’s St. Lucia Avenue offices, Mr. Hylton said there should be no fear that local workers will be displaced by foreigners. He...