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

The cruise ship ‘Monarch’, which is operated by Royal Caribbean, is considering Kingston as one of its ports of call on its itinerary for the next three years. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure on December 6,...
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.
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.
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.
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)
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)

Roads to be Patched and Repaired

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

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...
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Cruise visitors disembark the MS Monarch, which docked at the Port of Kingston this morning (December 6) with 2,700 passengers on board. The MS Monarch, operated by Royal Caribbean’s Pullmantur Brand, is the largest cruise ship to call at the port. The passengers will be visiting locations in and around Kingston including Port Royal, Devon House and Bob Marley Museum, Emancipation Park, the craft market, and the National Gallery of Jamaica. Visits have also been planned for Spanish Town, St. Catherine and Dunn’s River Falls in St. Ann before the ship departs later in the day.
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...
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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.
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...
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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange
Entertainment

Minister Grange Hails Reggae Grammy Nominees

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has welcomed the announcement of the nominees for Best Reggae Album in the 2017 Grammy Awards. Minister Grange said: “The Reggae Grammy, as we fondly call it, is still a huge recognition — not only of the performers and musicians, but a recognition and celebration of Reggae, which...
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