Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Representative in Jamaica, Natacha Marzolf, has commended the Government of Jamaica for prioritising science, technology and innovation within the national development agenda. Ms. Marzolf was speaking at a Minister's Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation, at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston on Friday (February 6). She welcomed the convening of the high-level dialogue by...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is reporting a noticeable reduction in the number of motor-vehicle crashes responded to in 2025, while renewing its call for motorists to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roadways. Speaking with JIS News recently, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford, said that the Brigade responded to 947 motor-vehicle crashes in 2025, a reduction...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has reported a mixed trend in structural fires across the island for 2025, with commercial building fires showing a marginal increase, while residential fires recorded a slight decline. Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that of the 11,048 genuine fire calls received last year, 1,555 or 14 per cent were structural fires. “We responded...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean must move beyond the narrative of vulnerability and become more assertive within the global space. He argued that for far too long the region has been described primarily through a language of vulnerability, but that “vulnerability is not our destiny”. “Our region possesses...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has informed that inflows from the US$6.7 billion in development financing, designed to support Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, will be channelled through the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). The US$6.7 billion is being provided through CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Inter-American...

Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has officially proclaimed Monday, January 26, as ‘National UNDP Day’ to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office’s service to Jamaica. The Proclamation designates 2026 as a year to highlight Jamaica’s challenges and opportunities for sustainable, inclusive development, with emphasis on cooperation and partnerships....

Bushfires remained a major challenge in 2025, with the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) reporting a 26.2 per cent increase in incidents across the island. “We have seen, over time, maybe over the last four years, bushfires remaining at a consistently high level. Last year, we responded to 5,710 such incidents, and that’s a 26.2 per cent increase over the previous...