As the nation prepares to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is calling on the public to become more knowledgeable about human trafficking to help in safeguarding vulnerable persons against becoming victims of the crime.  Sub-Officer in charge of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad, Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC), Detective Inspector Kemisha Gordon, said that “one of the challenges that we face in conducting investigations is the lack of awareness of persons in being...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is expressing concern that the n-coronavirus (COVID-19) positivity rate in Jamaica has been increasing over recent weeks. The positivity rate refers to the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases from samples tested. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said that recently there has been an uptick in the daily positivity rate, noting that up...

Jamaica is among highly tourism-dependent developing countries globally that are poised to benefit from 25 million doses of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines being sourced on their behalf for industry workers.  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who has been instrumental in the process, says discussions have been held and collaborations forged with suppliers in Africa, among other locations, to facilitate provision of the vaccines.  While indicating that a formal more fulsome announcement will be...

United States (US) Congresswoman, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, says that the Biden Administration is working through logistical and legal matters to begin distributing vaccines to Jamaica and other CARICOM countries.  Congresswoman Jackson Lee, who was addressing a virtual town hall hosted by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the US, Audrey Marks, on Thursday (July 22), said that the discussions are being handled with urgency to have “those vaccines flown to Jamaica”.   She noted that half a million doses of vaccines have been...

Reggae Artiste Stacey Scarlett Bryan’s entry, ‘Jamaican Spirit’ was voted the top song in the 2021 Jamaica Festival Song Competition. The singer also received a trophy and a cheque for $3 million, presented by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange and Digicel Brand Marketing Manager, Reshima Kelly-Williams, at a virtual presentation show held on Thursday...

Newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic, says that her focus is to strengthen the “good relations” between the two countries. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, High Commissioner Tudakovic, who officially began her duties in March 2021, noted that Jamaica and Canada have established bilateral cooperation in the areas of security, migration and development...

Director of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), Kenute Hare, is again appealing to motorcyclists to wear protective gear when operating motorcycles on the roads. “I want motorcyclists to critically understand that the motorcycle is one of the most dangerous motor vehicles anyone could ever operate. “It has two wheels, it doesn’t have a cage to protect you in the event...