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Come Sunday, August 3, Jamaicans will be able to celebrate and worship in the first ever open air National Thanksgiving Service, to mark the start of Independence celebrations. The National Thanksgiving Service, to be held in Emancipation Park in Kingston, will feature two sections - the pre-service performances from 5:00 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. and the worship service at 6:00...

Education Minister, Andrew Holness has announced a $200 million provision to assist in effecting improvements to early childhood institutions not yet registered with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), which are deemed to be in breach of regulations governing their operations. Addressing journalists at a media briefing held at the Ministry's Heroes Circle offices in Kingston on July 30, Mr. Holness...

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is to undertake the development of a National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the early childhood sector in Jamaica, over the next five years. Chairman of the ECC, Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, has said that the initiative would be implemented utilizing a US$15 million loan facility provided by the World Bank. Speaking at a media briefing held...

Jamaica's 46th Independence Day Celebrations will see the return of the colourful and exciting Festival Float Parade and Grand Gala on Wednesday, August 6. The parade, which will include 30 sports cars, 20 classic cars, 10 floats and four (disco) music trucks, will exit the main gate of King's House at 10:00 a.m. The procession will then continue up Lady...

The Police have introduced an amnesty for motorists in the Corporate Area, for whom outstanding warrants are in the system for various traffic offences. Head of the Traffic Division, Superintendent Fred Hibbert told JIS News that the Traffic headquarters in Kingston has over 70,000 outstanding warrants for motorists in the Corporate Area. "We would like to have them reduced significantly,...

Forty two Port Security Officers have been added to the existing cadre of officers employed by the Port Security Corps, as part of continuous efforts to strengthen the security capabilities at the nation's ports. A graduation ceremony for the security officers, representing Batch 107 of the Port Security Corps, was held recently at the Corps' downtown Kingston offices. Chief Executive...

As Spanish Town celebrates its 474th anniversary this year, the town's Mayor, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, is highlighting the immense tourism potential of the area and has called on stakeholders to join with the St. Catherine Parish Council in assisting in the realisation of that potential. Mayor Wheatley told JIS News that the historic town, with its Georgian buildings and rich...

Free tickets for the 2008 Grand Gala are now available at Tastee outlets in Kingston, Portmore and Spanish Town, the Kingston offices of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. On Tuesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 6, patrons may pick up their free tickets at the ticket office at the...

Several activities will be undertaken in Spanish Town, Portmore and Old Harbour in St. Catherine, to celebrate Emancipation and Independence. On Friday, August 1, a rally will be held at Emancipation Square in Spanish Town, beginning at 10:00 a.m. This will feature cultural presentations, and addresses by Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange; Senegal's Ambassador, Her Excellency...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Don Wehby, has said that the Government will be announcing its first quarter results on the state of the economy within the next two weeks. The Minister, who spoke to JIS News at a function held yesterday (July 30) to change the name of CGM Insurance Brokers...

The marketing and public education efforts of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) have been augmented by a donation from Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL) valued at $250,000. Chief Executive Officer and President of SSL, Mark Croskery, handed over the funds to Dr. Jennifer Thame, Acting Director of the National Laboratory Services, under which the NBTS falls, at the Kingston...

More than 100 persons have benefited from a community outreach clinic, which was held recently at the St. James Anglican Church in Clarendon. The clinic, made possible through the collaborative effort of the Clarendon Health Department and the Environment and Safety Department, was conducted not only to provide medical support to needy persons in the parish, but also to sensitise...