This Christmas, the Universal Service Fund (USF) is giving hope to young learners through its Connect-A-Child initiative, which is designed to equip high-achieving students in need with brand-new tablets. With an investment of more than $15 million, the USF is distributing 630 devices, 10 in each constituency, throughout December. The initiative, which targets Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students, was introduced...

The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is appealing to road users to exercise greater caution during the busy festive season to prevent road crashes and fatalities. ITA statistics for December 2024 indicate that fatalities recorded in the seven days leading up to Christmas day accounted for 42 per cent of total deaths for the entire month of December. The total number...

Hundreds of health workers have benefited from assistance to replace their identification (ID), passports, birth certificates, property titles and other important documents that were damaged or lost during Hurricane Melissa. The first in a series of healthcare workers support fairs, held at the Newell Health Centre on December 5, targeted health personnel from the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester and...

As the country observes the Christmas season, the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) is reassuring that they will continue to provide relief support to persons with disabilities who have been impacted by Hurricane Melissa. “I want them to lift their spirits [and] know that the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities is here for them. There are hundreds...

Volunteers of the humanitarian non-profit organisation, World Central Kitchen (WCK), were recently honoured for their support in Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, during a ‘Gratitude Concert’ featuring reggae recording artiste Peter Lloyd and the ‘Fi Real’ Band, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James. The crowd broke into cheers as WCK announced it had achieved the milestone of delivering...

For many Jamaicans, ‘Home’ has always held a special place in their hearts, and over the years, the term has become a global concept sought after by visitors and the diaspora who yearn to experience the vibrancy of Jamaican culture through its food, fashion, music, literature, aromatherapy and craft. This Christmas, Things Jamaican, a retail chain operated by the Jamaica...

One of the hallmarks of Christmas in Jamaica is the tradition of sprucing up homes and living spaces for the festive season. For residents of the Torrington Park Housing Scheme in the Corporate Area, Christmas has come early, as the complex has received a facelift through a $58-million rehabilitation project undertaken by the Government. Among the improvements were the reconstruction...

With the gains made in reducing violent crimes across the island, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is expressing confidence that murders will remain low in 2026. As at December 8, Jamaica recorded 463 fewer murders compared to the same period in 2024, a 42.5 per cent reduction. Projections indicate that the country will finish the year with fewer than 700...

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) is urging all stakeholders involved in the post-Hurricane Melissa rebuilding process to ensure that buildings are redesigned and constructed to guarantee accessibility for all citizens, including persons with disabilities (PWDs). Executive Director, Dr. Christine Hendricks, emphasises that persons rebuilding should do so using the universal design principles. “It is just simply building...