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Jamaicans Encouraged to Host Wards of the State for Christmas

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is appealing to Jamaicans to open their hearts and homes to wards of the State during the festive season. The agency’s ‘Take a Child Home for Christmas’ programme is aimed at providing children in State...

Cruise visitors take pictures after disembarking the MS Monarch, which docked at the Port of Kingston on December 6, last year. (FILE)

Kingston Being Considered for Cruise-Ship Calls Over the Next Three Years

Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Corporate Communication Unit, Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay (2nd left), addresses recent JIS ‘Think Tank’ about additional security measures to protect persons during the festive season. Others (from left) are Acting Director of Communications at the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC); Dorothy Campbell; Senior Deputy Superintendent and Public Relations Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Emilio Ebanks; and Sergeant Shaunjaye Mitchell.

Police to Increase Stop-and-Search Operations

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (2nd left), signs a copy of the Partnership for a Prosperous Jamaica agreement, during a ceremony at King’s House on Wednesday, December 7. Also signing (from left) are Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) President, O’Neil Grant, representing the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU); Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President, Paul B. Scott; and Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) Chief Executive Officer, Diana McCaulay, on behalf of civil society.

Gov’t Committed to Social Partnership – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (2nd right) and wife, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness (centre), along with Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (left), share a photo opportunity with Co-Directors of ‘I Am Bolt’, Gabe Turner (2nd left); and Benjamin Turner (right). Occasion was the Caribbean premiere of the film at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on Tuesday, December 6.

‘I Am Bolt’ a Boost for Brand Jamaica – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, emphasises a point while addressing the House of Representatives on September 13. Seated (at left) is Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson. (FILE)

9 years ago Parliament

Roads to be Patched and Repaired

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says an additional $200 million will be provided to the islandwide mitigation programme, which will go towards the patching and repairing of the road network. In a statement to the House of Representatives on December 7, the Prime Minister said the funds will be provided through the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Road...

Prime Minister the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness speaking in the House of Representatives. (FILE)

9 years ago Foreign AffairsParliamentPrime Minister

Jamaica and Cuba Pledge to Deepen Relations

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaica and Cuba have pledged to identify ways to deepen collaboration and exchanges in the areas of trade, tourism, climate change and disaster mitigation as well as culture and education. “We have affirmed the commitment to examine the possibilities at the bilateral level to improve the current state of economic relations and...

9 years ago Justice

House Passes Amendments to Children Guardianship and Custody Act

The Children (Guardianship and Custody) (Amendment) Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 6). The Bill seeks to give effect to the Government’s decision to enact legislation to implement the terms of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and to facilitate Jamaica’s accession to the agreement. The Hague Convention aims...

Chairman of the Early-Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams Singh (right), listens as Projects Manager at Sandals Foundation, Sydney Henry (left) makes a point. Occasion was the Early-Childhood Development Sector Planning Forum held recently at The Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston. Sharing in the discussion are Early-Childhood Development Services Manager at the ECC, Evelyn Walden-West; and President, Rockhouse Foundation, Peter Rose.

9 years ago Education

Stakeholders Pledge Continued Support for Early-Childhood Development

Several public- and private-sector stakeholders have given their commitment to strengthening partnerships with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) for the development of the sector. At a planning forum held recently at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, several representatives pledged to continue their support of the ECC’s mission for “an integrated and coordinated delivery of early-childhood programmes and services,...

Director of the Local Economic Development and Support Programme (LEDSP), Avril Ranger (left), presents the LEDSP award to President of the Portmore Self-Help Disability Organization, Bridgette Johnson-Beckett. Occasion was the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) seventh annual St. Catherine Community Incentives and Grants Programme Awards Ceremony at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club in the parish on December 5.

9 years ago

SDC to Carry out Interventions in St. Catherine Communities

Social Development Commission (SDC) Executive Director, Dr. Dwayne Vernon, says the agency will be carrying out community interventions in St. Catherine during the new year. He noted that areas such as Thompson Pen and March Pen in Spanish Town will be given priority. He said that a meeting will be held with residents of March Pen in late December to...

9 years ago Tourism

Tourism Minister Pleased with Arrival of Six Cruise Vessels

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica hosting six cruise vessels on December 6 is a sign of bigger things to come, and that the country is on track for a record winter season. In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Bartlett said that Jamaica would have equalled its record haul of seven ships for a day, had a...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), offers words of encouragement to Youth Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Maurice Charoo, prior to the start of a Youth Mayors’ luncheon, held at Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston on December 5.

9 years ago Local Government

Young Persons Urged to Participate in Political Process

Young persons are being encouraged to participate in the country’s political process, starting at the local government level. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the call while voicing his disappointment that Jamaica’s youth continue to shy away from this important aspect of the nation’s development. He was addressing youth mayors during a luncheon he hosted...