News from Jamaica:
Montego Bay fire service in Jamaica to receive support from Atlanta counterpart
May 21, 2013
ATLANTA, USA -- The Montego Bay Fire Department in Jamaica is set to receive much-needed support from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in the United States of America, in an agreement brokered between both cities, as part of their twinning relationship. The commitment to offer specialized training to...
Letter: Human rights groups confused about how to prosecute the Tivoli massacre
May 21, 2013
Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, former Major General Stewart Saunders of the JDF and Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson ordered soldiers and policemen to invade Tivoli Gardens in May 2010, resulting in a massacre.
Activists worldwide target homophobia in Jamaica
May 18, 2013
LONDON, England -- Simply because of who they are, LGBTI people in many countries face discrimination, violence and fear as a part of their daily lives. On the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia on Friday, Amnesty International called on thousands of activists...
Jamaica to take advantage of economic diplomacy
May 17, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The government of Jamaica will be making greater use of economic diplomacy to increase trade and investment opportunities. Minister of industry, investment and commerce, Anthony Hylton, who made the announcement in his contribution to the 2013/14...
Commentary: Not a Caribbean Man?
May 17, 2013
Tension is developing toward the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) from some quarters in Jamaica. This was exemplified by a column in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper written by an immigration attorney, Mr Ronald Mason. I believe it is fair to summarize what Mr Mason said as follows...
Logistics hub to transform Jamaica economy, says minister
May 16, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of industry, investment and commerce, Anthony Hylton, says the logistics hub initiative represents the path to transformation of the economy of Jamaica, and is not a “pipe dream”. “This initiative will cut the ‘Gordian knot’, which has been choking the Jamaican...
US-based Jamaicans urged to attend diaspora conference
May 15, 2013
MINNEAPOLIS, USA -- Members of the Jamaican Diaspora residing in the Midwest region of the United States have been urged to make every effort to attend the upcoming Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay from June 16-19. Addressing nationals at a town hall meeting in the city of Minneapolis...
New organization offers unique crowd-funding opportunity for Jamaican nonprofits
May 15, 2013
LANSDALE, USA -- It is sometimes wise to ignore the old adage that that one should never follow a crowd. Jamaica Land We Love (Jalawelo) presents the perfect opportunity to do just that, as it allows followers to invest in Jamaica’s future by making contributions through its crowd-funding website.
Jamaica to spend US$20 million to expand ICT space
May 13, 2013
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaica’s minister of science, technology, energy and mining (STEM), Phillip Paulwell, says the information commutation technology (ICT) sector is poised for continued growth with the government providing...
Diaspora to play key role in success of health tourism in Jamaica
May 13, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The Jamaican Diaspora is expected to play a key role in the development of health tourism in the island. Minister of state in the ministry of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Arnaldo Brown, said that discussions are far advanced...
Network of travel leaders convenes for bi-annual meeting in Jamaica
May 13, 2013
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- The Sustainable Travel Leadership Network (STLN) will host an interactive discussion on TravelWell, an exciting new initiative designed to transform decision-making in the travel industry, at an event this week in Jamaica.
Commentary: Simply a roadmap
May 13, 2013
As the Jamaican coffers begin to absorb the previously approved $932.3 million Extended Fund Facility loan granted by the IMF, the country’s nationals sit and await the implementation of the structural reforms that promises to ultimately alleviate poverty and induce...
Letter: Jamaica must ratify the Rome Statutes of the International Criminal Court
May 13, 2013
The Tivoli Committee is about to spearhead a campaign to pressure the Jamaican government to ratify the Rome Statutes of the International Criminal Court which the government signed in the 1990s (but never ratified) in order to put an end to...
Caribbean Premier League announces schedule for inaugural tournament
May 11, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The schedule for the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament has been announced by CPL organisers and, as expected, matches will be played in six franchise countries – Antigua and Barbuda...
Olint victims may get money back
May 9, 2013
TAMPA, USA -- The US Department of Justice has announced that investors who lost money from investments in companies operated by convicted Jamaican fraudster David Smith, doing business as Overseas Locket International Corporation (OLINT)...
Commentary: Can you hear me now? Communication problems at local government level
May 8, 2013
Historically, local councils spend a great deal of money on printed communication, leafleting and gazetting. Local government as a whole needs a collective review of an increasingly tired-looking communications strategy, which places its well-established channels...
Letter: Proposed terms of reference for the intended commission of enquiry in Jamaica
May 8, 2013
That this Commission of Enquiry shall be comprised in the majority of international jurists, human rights experts and others of known integrity and independence; Whose purpose shall be -- To determine if crimes against humanity were committed in...
Jamaica cabinet agrees to enquiry into Tivoli 'incursion'
May 7, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Following the release of the interim report to Parliament from the Office of the Public Defender on investigations into the conduct of security forces during the state of emergency declared May 2010 – the West Kingston/Tivoli...
Jamaica to set up Diaspora database
May 6, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The government of Jamaica is looking to establish a comprehensive database of Jamaican professionals and investors abroad. "We will be embarking on a mapping of this later on in the year with the assistance from...
Letter: Earl Witter's disingenuous arguments against an international enquiry (Part 2)
May 6, 2013
Public Defender Earl Witter claims that he got nowhere with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) because he does not have the power under the Public Defender (Interim) Act to force that institution to answer his questions.
Jamaica expected first tranche of IMF funds on Friday
May 4, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The first tranche of US$207 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was expected to be deposited into the Jamaican account on Friday. Confirmation came from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.
IMF approves US$932.3 million loan to Jamaica
May 3, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday approved a four-year extended fund facility (EFF) arrangement for Jamaica to support the government’s comprehensive economic reform agenda.
Letter: Earl Witter's disingenuous arguments against an international enquiry
May 3, 2013
Earl Witter, the Public Defender, has predictably sought to give the government and the state a way out of holding those accountable for the Tivoli Gardens massacre, by trying to rubbish the idea of an international enquiry.
Jamaica secures additional airlift from South America and Eastern European
May 2, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaica has secured airlift out of several South American and Eastern European countries, which is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the island for the summer and winter months.
Spirit Airlines to resume nonstop Fort Lauderdale-Kingston service on May 10
May 2, 2013
MIRAMAR, USA -- Spirit Airlines is resuming its popular summer seasonal service between Fort Lauderdale and Kingston, Jamaica on May 10, 2013. The nonstop service will operate four days per week on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Jamaicans looking to protect proud record
May 2, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Tamar Lambert sees the semi-final of this year’s Regional 4-Day Tournament against Trinidad and Tobago, starting on Friday here, as another step on a journey to leave an incredible legacy behind for the game in Jamaica.
Trinidad and Tobago confident they can topple champs
May 1, 2013
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- Trinidad and Tobago’s players flew to Kingston on Tuesday, confident they can get the better of five-time reigning champions Jamaica in the semi-finals of the Regional 4-Day Tournament.
Commentary: The Recall Election: With great power, comes great responsibility
April 30, 2013
“I don’t have the power to fire MPs, the people elected him,” said Prime Minister Simpson-Miller explaining to the media her reasoning in keeping the embattled Member of Parliament and State Minister of Transport and Works, Richard Azan – dissociating his cabinet...
Creating employment solutions for young Jamaicans in the virtual economy
April 26, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Designed and implemented in four months with less than US$200,000, Digital Jam 2.0 is an initiative to promote Jamaican youth employment in the virtual global economy. Concrete results include over 4,000 young...
Commentary: Verbal contracts between Jamaican artistes and managers a recipe for trouble?
April 25, 2013
Over the past few years, we have been hearing a lot about ungrateful artistes bamboozling their managers out of both earned money and future earnings. We are led to believe that this is a new phenomenon but it is not. In fact, this is an old problem, garnering new...
Jamaica government to begin accepting casino bids on June 1
April 24, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The government of Jamaica will begin accepting bids for the construction of integrated resorts under the recently-gazetted Casino Games Regulation 2012, as of June 1. Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips...
World Bank mission to visit Jamaica in May
April 24, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips, says a World Bank mission is expected in Jamaica in May, to continue work on the country planning strategy that would help advance the flow of funds from the World Bank.
Jamaica heads Caribbean services coalitions network
April 22, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The Jamaica Coalition of Service Industries (JCSI) has been elected to the post of executive chair of the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions (CNSC) at the regional entity’s general meeting last month in Barbados.
Jamaicans urged to plan big, adopt higher standards
April 20, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Milton Samuda, chairman of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), has challenged Jamaicans to plan big and aspire to achieve the highest possible standards of excellence in an effort to counter the economic crisis.
Investors willing to pump US$9 billion into Jamaica's logisitics hub initiative
April 19, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Investors have expressed a willingness to pump over US$9 billion in the Jamaican government’s global logistics hub initiative. This was disclosed by chairman of the Logistics and Investment Task Force in the...
International investors respond positively to Jamaica's logistics hub initiative
April 18, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The Jamaica Logistics Hub Initiative is quickly gaining traction with potential international investors, who have expressed interest in partnering with the government, and investing in the initiative.
Jamaica to host training session for Caribbean investment promotion agencies
April 18, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- On 17-19 April 2013, Caribbean Export Development Agency, in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agency (CAIPA), is hosting a regional training session for investment promotion agencies.
Focused response to cyber law an imperative, says former Jamaica PM
April 18, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Former prime minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson, has called for greater public education and a focused response to the many facets of cyber law in the face of the severe dangers posed by illicit operations in cyberspace.
CXC hosting stakeholder events in Jamaica
April 16, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will host three one-day stakeholder events in Jamaica during the week of 23 April. The Council is hosting a seminar for guidance counsellors from Belize, Cayman Islands...
Miller time to shine at 'beloved' Kensington Oval
April 16, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Nikita Miller has been Jamaica’s trump card with the ball this year and he is looking to add to the bag of wickets he has taken this season. The wily left-arm spinner has been a handful for regional batsmen.
