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Improperly prepared applications and poor documentation have been cited as two of the most common reasons for the low success rate of Jamaican applicants for British visas. Figures for 2005-2006 indicate that while 51 per cent of all Jamaican visa applicants were successful in their bid to enter the United Kingdom (UK) the success rate for the rest of the...

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is again urging members of the public to avoid putting their hard-earned money in the growing number of unregistered investment schemes presently operating in the island. Speaking last night at the FSC's public forum on "The Role of the Investor in Investment Schemes", Executive Director of the Financial Services Commission, Brian Wynter, noted that there...

The Plant Quarantine Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture is advising that established poinsettia plants will not be allowed in the country, and is urging travellers not to import the potted plant or else they will face fines up to $100,000. This warning comes in anticipation of the increase in agricultural imports during the Christmas season, particularly of plants, fruits...

The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) will be offering mandatory swimming lessons to its seafaring students in a soon-to-be-constructed swimming pool to be built in memory of a student who drowned in October this year. Executive Director of the CMI, Fritz Pinnock, who made the disclosure while addressing graduates at this year's Presentation of Graduands and Awards exercise at the Jamaica...

Cabinet has issued drafting instructions to amend the Pensions Superannuation and Retirement Funds Act of 2004. Addressing journalists at the (Nov 27), post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Faith Innerarity said the move to amend this Act is the second phase of the pensions reform project. Mrs. Innerarity...

Over 30 artistes/celebrities have so far confirmed their support and involvement for the Mediathon to Restore the Ward Theatre in Downtown Kingston. The Mediathon will take place on Sunday, December 9, 2007, from 3-7 pm, at the Creative Production and Training Centre, in the recently refurbished Wycliffe Bennett studio, under the theme - "The Ward - Restoring the Glory". Early...

Cabinet has issued drafting instructions for an independent Commission to be established to investigate the excessive use of force and instances of abuse by members of the security forces. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne who was speaking at (Nov. 27) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said the establishment of this Commission is part of the...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) have been advised that seawater is now coming onto the Palisadoes Road leading to the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA). The water is being propelled onto the road by 25-knot winds, which will continue for the next 72 hours (until Thursday). The National Works Agency (NWA) is aware of and monitoring...

The Venezuelan government welcomed Minister of Energy, Mining and Telecommunications, Hon. Clive Mullings during a visit to Caracas on Monday, November 12, 2007 to discuss the renewal of the Petrocaribe energy agreement as well as other areas of cooperation among the two Governments. The Minister, as a member of the Jamaican delegation to Venezuela led by Minister of Foreign Affairs...

Governor General, His Excellency Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, met patients and staff of the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas on Friday (Nov. 23), as he began his annual tour of hospitals across the island. The Governor General, who was accompanied by his wife, Lady Rheima Hall, chatted with patients as he visited the children's, male, female and maternity wards....

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Senator Warren Newby, has said that developing countries such as Jamaica must invest in creating leaders in order to be competitive in the global arena. "Our capacity to build leaders will indicate where we will go in the world," Senator Newby stated as he gave the keynote address at...

The House of Representatives last week approved a resolution giving permission to the Dutch authorities to continue investigations of Trafigura Beheer in Jamaica. The resolution, which was brought to the Lower House by Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, seeks to affirm a Ministerial Order as the first of several steps to allow Dutch investigators into the island to assist in the...