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Two judges, who have been appointed to serve in the Supreme Court, were sworn into office on (Monday) January 7, at a ceremony held at King’s House. They are: Hon. Justice Vivene Juliet Harris and Hon. Justice Sonia Bertram Linton, who have been appointed to serve as Puisine Judge and Master-in-Chambers, respectively. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, has welcomed the recent re-opening of the Morant Bay courthouse in St. Thomas. Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for judges to the Supreme Court, held at King’s House on Monday (January 7), Mrs. McCalla said the re-opening of the newly constructed facility will now allow cases to be returned to that parish after more than...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) has put aside US$20 million for on-lending to investors to finance and support the construction of information and communications technology (ICT) facilities. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller made the announcement in a national broadcast on Sunday (January 6), that this has the potential to create between 7,000 and 10,000 new jobs....

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says the Government is aware that advances in socio-economic conditions must be anchored to a foundation of macro-economic stability and economic growth. “That is why we are moving apace with tax reform, public sector reform and pension reform. That is why we are making determined efforts to reduce our debt burden. We...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, has called on communities to return to traditional values, where children and the elderly receive support and protection as a cultural norm. The Minister, who has portfolio responsibility for children, noted that the modern society has departed from traditional values that once held communities together, and that many parents have left their...

The Government spent more than $1.1 billion to repair roads across the country, in 2012. This was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, during a national broadcast on January 6, under the theme - ‘Let’s Unite and Build’. The Prime Minister further informed that the Government spent $1.1 billion on special projects, including river training, repairing...

Beginning in September 2013, approximately 230,000 students will receive a breakfast supplement under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, made the announcement during a national broadcast on Sunday (January 6), in which she addressed several wide ranging topics following her first year in office. In other education related matters,...

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller has announced a number of economic initiatives that are scheduled to come on stream during 2013. In a national broadcast on Sunday (January 6), the Prime Minister cited the development of the Gordon Cay Container Trans-shipment Hub and the development of the Fort Augusta Container Terminal and logistics centre as two such...

The school feeding initiative under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) will be implemented in institutions in sections of St. Andrew this month. The initiative, being executed by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), seeks to complement the National School Feeding Programme by providing healthy juices and snacks for children utilising locally grown fruits and vegetables. Speaking to JIS News,...

A seminar on the promotion of disaster risk management for journalists, will highlight activities for this year’s observance of Earthquake Awareness Week, which will be held from January 20 to 26. In an interview with JIS News, Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, said the seminar, set for January 25, will expose...

Jamaicans are being urged to begin preparations for the dry period, by increasing water storage and conservation measures. The advice, from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), comes against the forecast for below normal rainfall for the next three months. The dry spell usually begins in January and Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson, said the public...

Effective January 7, the National Insurance wage ceiling will increase by $500,000 to $1.5 million. The wage ceiling is the basis on which individual contribution to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is calculated. Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, first made the announcement during his 2012/13 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament on July 25 and issued another reminder...