Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson has welcomed the recent amendments of the Standing Orders to allow members to join full sittings of the Upper House virtually. The Standing Orders are the rules that govern the proceedings, actions and conduct of members in the Chamber. The Senate President said that the situation was prompted by the need to observe the protocols...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says she is encouraged by the response from developed countries in facilitating increased access to coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to disproportionately impacted territories across the region. The response, she said, includes an agreement by Spain to donate five million vaccine doses to Latin America and the Caribbean, representing about five to 10...

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has pledged its commitment to providing interventions to support the growth of the cultural and creative sector known as the orange economy. Speaking with JIS News, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the JBDC, Harold Davis, said that the recently published findings of the Jamaica Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) mapping exercise will better inform...

Senior Strategist/Adviser in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, says Jamaica expects to continue to welcome the major cruise lines in the world once cruise shipping resumes. He told JIS News that the island enjoys “important relationships” with the two largest cruise companies – Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines. Royal Caribbean recently added a 25th vessel, the Odyssey of...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Microwave Network has been upgraded and expanded, more than tripling its capacity and adding about 90 new links. This was noted by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, during his contribution to the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 25. Dr. Chang said this will facilitate adequate Internet connectivity...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Hon. Horace Chang, has announced that 10 Domestic Violence Intervention Centres will be operational at designated police stations later this year. Making his contribution to the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 25, Dr. Chang informed that four of the centres are already operational and another six will be opened...

To boost the confidence of students sitting the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Ability Test, today (May 26), Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, visited two primary schools in her St. Andrew Eastern constituency to give a pep talk. The two schools were New Providence Primary and Hope Valley Experimental Schools. At New Providence Primary, Mrs. Williams told...