News from Jamaica:
Commentary: Fifty years without the liberty to love
May 21, 2012
Jamaicans have an enviable record worldwide as being very loving people. However, this lovingness comes with some distinctions. In years gone by, one group of people were treated differently on the basis of the colour of their skin, their nationality and their origin.
Jamaica moving to keep lawbreakers off streets
May 17, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, says the Jamaican government is moving to strengthen legislation that will keep lawbreakers off the streets. He said, for the police to have a tight rein on crime and criminal activities...
Jamaican banker paid $8 million in 'tainted' gifts
May 14, 2012
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands -- According to recently obtained Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) court documents, convicted Ponzi scheme operator, David Smith paid over $8 million in “tainted” gifts to politicians, political parties and officials.
Jamaica to play active role in revitalising CARICOM
May 12, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen said Jamaica will play an active role in revitalising the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He says the building of the CARICOM Single Market and the pursuit of functional co-operation...
Busy legislative year ahead for Jamaica
May 11, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- As the government of Jamaica moves to improve the number and quality of Bills passed in the Houses of Parliament, approximately 32 Bills will be approved during this legislative year. This was disclosed by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen.
Jamaica looking to make greater use of social media
May 8, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The government of Jamaica is looking to implement an appropriate social media policy to more effectively engage ordinary Jamaicans in decision making. Minister with Responsibility for Information in the Office of...
Jamaicans could see drop in call rates
May 4, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaicans may soon see a lowering of rates on both local and international calls as a result of the passing of the Telecommunications (Amendment) Act 2012 on Tuesday by the House of Representatives.
Jamaica welcomes new WestJet service from Canada
May 3, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 30 welcomed its first WestJet international flight from Toronto, Canada, with 136 passengers onboard.
Trade imbalance with Jamaica can be sorted out through dialogue, says Trinidad minister
May 2, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of Trade and Industry in Trinidad and Tobago, Stephen Cadiz, says much of the current issues in the Caribbean, particularly as it relates to an imbalance of trade between his country and Jamaica, can be sorted out...
Jamaica's national flag will officially fly at Penn Relays every year beginning in 2013
May 2, 2012
PHILADELPHIA, USA -- Jamaica’s national flag will officially fly at Penn Relays every year beginning in 2013, in perpetuity, in recognition of the Caribbean nation’s 50th anniversary of independence and the contribution made to the Penn Relays.
Jamaican PM assures easier investment process
May 1, 2012
PHILADELPHIA, USA -- Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has assured members of the business community in Philadelphia that she will do everything possible to make investing in Jamaica a hassle free process.
JAMPACT to host school benefit gala event
May 1, 2012
NEW YORK, USA -- In 2011, Jamaica Impact, Inc. (JAMPACT) launched the “Educate A Child. Build A School. Strengthen A Nation” Capital Campaign as part of the organization’s continued effort to improve the lives of children in early childhood institutions.
JetBlue now offering twice daily service from Fort Lauderdale to Kingston, Jamaica
May 1, 2012
FORT LAUDERDALE, USA -- JetBlue Airways has launched twice daily service from Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston, Jamaica.
Murder rate trending down in Jamaica
April 28, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The murder rate in Jamaica is showing signs of a downward trend from the 3.1 per day to 2 per day, reflecting a 30 percent reduction since the start of the year. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting.
Jamaica looking to boost earnings from cocoa industry
April 28, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaica is seeking to boost cocoa production to put the industry on a solid footing and capitalise on the country’s reputation of being one of eight exclusive producers of fine or flavoured cocoa.
Jamaican flowers and culture to be the toast of Washington Spring Festival of Flowers
April 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, USA -- Jamaica and its renowned horticulture, as well as its music and culture, will be in full bloom at centre stage in Washington DC, May 4 – 5, part of the city’s 73rd annual Flower Mart and Festival. The two-day signature event brings...
Jamaica to advance measures to counter money laundering and terrorism financing
April 24, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips, says the government intends to advance the process for the full implementation of a modern anti-money laundering (AML) / countering financing of terrorism...
Open Letter to Dr Omar Davies concerning JDIP forensic audit
April 24, 2012
You were re-elected to parliament in 2011 and re-appointed to a ministerial post with the unresolved matter of your role in the sale of the Air Jamaica Heathrow Airport slots still being investigated by the DPP. It isn't your fault that this investigation has...
Talks held to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago-Jamaica ties
April 23, 2012
DOHA, Qatar -- Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Stephen Cadiz, and Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, A.J, Nicholson met on Saturday in Qatar to discuss an array of topics affecting both countries.
Jamaica looks to save US$30 million per year in energy costs
April 21, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The government of Jamaica, in the next two weeks, will launch its energy efficiency and conservation programme, aimed at saving some $2.6 billion (US$30 million) per year in energy costs.
Jamaica considers new reparations commission
April 20, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hanna, has announced that a submission for a new Reparations Commission has been made to Cabinet. She was contributing to a debate in the House of Representatives.
WICB hails 'amazing' Jamaicans on record-breaking regional 4-Day triumph
April 20, 2012
ST JOHN’S, Antigua -- President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Dr Julian Hunte, has showered the Jamaica cricket team with praise following their record-breaking performance to capture this year’s Regional 4-Day title.
Caribbean states strengthen capacity in combating illicit firearms trafficking
April 19, 2012
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- On Monday, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, through its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), launched a training course to...
Survey conducted of proposed fish sanctuary in Pedro Bank, Jamaica
April 17, 2012
LANDOVER, USA -- From March 9 to 20, 2012, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation conducted the most extensive underwater survey to date of Pedro Bank, Jamaica. The Foundation worked in collaboration with The Nature...
Jamaica win Regional 4-Day title
April 17, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica recorded an amazing come-from-behind victory over Barbados on Monday to win the final of the Regional 4 Day Tournament in style at Sabina Park. After conceding first innings lead, the Jamaicans bounced back.
Jamaican Olympians receive congressional awards in New York
April 17, 2012
NEW YORK, USA -- Two of Jamaica’s most prolific Olympians, Grace Jackson and Bertland Cameron, were both presented with proclamations from the office of Yvette Clarke, 11th Congressional District, New York; and ranking member of the...
Commentary: D.R.E.A.M.R.I.G.H.T: An acrostic
April 16, 2012
At its core, D.R.E.A.M.R.I.G.H.T. means that every human being has an inalienable and divine right to dream and to duly harvest the fruits of his/her honest labour. There is no man, family or dynasty that is innately more deserving of this right than another.
Jamaica can slash food imports by US$300 million annually, says minister
April 13, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Roger Clarke, is appealing to farmers to step up production levels and for consumers to consume more local produce to cut Jamaica’s food import bill, which is running at approximately...
Jamaica chase history against Barbados
April 13, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- For Jamaica and Barbados, the two most successful sides in the modern West Indies first-class championship (from 1966), the Final of this year’s Regional 4-Day Tournament, starting on Friday at Sabina Park, will have...
Gang dismantling major factor in crime reduction in Jamaica, says police commissioner
April 6, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, says the significant reduction in criminal activities in Jamaica that has been achieved over the past few months, particularly in the Corporate Area, is due to the ongoing efforts by...
Jamaica to implement strategies to reduce fatal shootings
April 4, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, says the Jamaican police will be adopting several new strategies regarding the use of force, which are intended to lessen the number of fatal incidents during operations.
Jamaica seeks to boost tourism and airlift out of Canada
April 4, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Dr Wykeham McNeill, has kick-started high level discussions with senior officials from Canada’s leading holiday travel airline Air Transat and its parent company Transat AT Inc...
Commentary: Young people are leaders of 'today' and 'tomorrow'
April 4, 2012
Many leaders and protectors of the ‘old-guard’ habitually spew clichéd epithets about youth development at political rallies and during Youth Month, which serve to alienate and debase rather than integrate and inspire young people. Two of these catch-phrases that...
Initiative launched to encourage Jamaicans to provide information to police
April 2, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, says an awareness initiative is to be launched soon in Jamaica, to highlight the importance of residents providing information to the police.
Jamaica to review policy on use of force
March 29, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The Jamaican government is to undertake a review of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) policy on the use of force. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, during a statement on Tuesday.
IMF to continue discussions with Jamaica next month
March 29, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaica and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will continue discussions during the Spring Meetings of the Fund, scheduled for April 20 to 22, in Washington, DC, United States. The deliberations follow the recently...
Commentary: I accuse! The state is guilty of murder!
March 29, 2012
Perhaps it is because of my personal history, why I am not invulnerable to the effects of extrajudicial killings by agents of the state. I have mixed feelings about those who are. I empathize with the families of victims whose kin are unendingly mown down by the police.
Ruling party wins local government elections in Jamaica
March 28, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The ruling People's National Party (PNP) has won the 2012 local government elections in Jamaica, gaining 149 seats to the opposition Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) 76, with independents winning the other two.
IMF mission concludes visit to Jamaica
March 23, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica – An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission visited Jamaica during March 8–21, 2012, to conduct an Article IV Consultation and initiate discussions on a possible Fund supported economic program.
Jamaica to create single anti-corruption agency
March 22, 2012
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, said that the government is considering the creation of a single anti-corruption agency as part of measures to combat the scourge of corruption within Jamaica.
