When Hurricane Melissa battered sections of western Jamaica, the devastation extended far beyond broken roofs and shattered windows. For many elderly residents and vulnerable families, it threatened the comfort and security of homes they had cherished for decades. But a quiet wave of compassion from staff members at the National Housing Trust (NHT) is helping to restore hope – one...

What began in February 2025 as a collaborative project among three engineering students at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), has quickly evolved into a business focused on advancing food security at the institution and in the nearby market. The student-led venture, drawing on expertise from both engineering and agriculture, was officially registered as Agrosphere Enterprise Limited in November 2025...

The National School Environmental Club Programme (NSECP) is playing a pivotal role in positioning Jamaica’s youth at the forefront of efforts to combat the global triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. Coordinated by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the initiative is currently active in more than 40 secondary schools islandwide, equipping students with the...

At a time when digital infrastructure underpins national security and economic stability, the 31st forum of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG 31) will bring together key industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to confront the urgent challenges facing the region’s digital infrastructure. From April 14 to 16, regional and international stakeholders will convene at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in...

Twenty-five residents of St. James now have access to housing following the completion of the Mayor of Montego Bay’s ‘Adopt-A-House’ pilot programme, launched in response to the devastation caused across the parish by Hurricane Melissa. The $3.5-million pilot phase was officially launched at the St. James Municipal Corporation in February, through a partnership involving the Community Dreams Foundation (CDF), the...

As Jamaica’s agricultural sector recovers from Hurricane Melissa, the Agricultural Marketing Information and Incentives Branch (AMIIB) within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is using data to guide decisions, stabilise markets and strengthen food security. Principal Director for AMIIB, Kevin Condappa, explains that timely and accurate agricultural data has been essential in assessing the damage caused by the hurricane...

Students from the Department of Communication Studies at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) recently toured the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) where they got the opportunity to see the news production process first-hand, connecting classroom theory with real-world industry practices. Coordinated by the agency’s Special Projects Department, the tour formed part of ongoing efforts to engage students pursuing careers in media...

Dozens of teenagers across western Jamaca have benefited from a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) initiative aimed at guiding them in developing healthy and responsible social media habits. The Social Media for Social Change workshop, held recently at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in St. James, brought together students from several high schools for a day of learning, creativity and reflection...

Jamaica’s tourism industry continues to evolve beyond sun, sea and sand, with the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) playing a central role in shaping a more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable sector. Established two decades ago, the organisation was designed to reinvest directly into the country’s tourism product, using funds collected from airline and cruise passengers to strengthen the destination’s appeal and...