PM's departure date expected at executive meeting
MEMBERS OF the People's National Party (PNP) National Executive Council (NEC) are gearing up for what is expected to be an interesting meeting on Sunday, December 4.

Portia gets strong female backing
A NUMBER of women advocates have joined the Portia Simpson Miller campaign team. Heading the list are Dr. Glenda Simms, former executive director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs and University of the West Indies...

Opposition councillors boycott KSAC meetings
COUNCIL MEETINGS at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) could be jeopardised as indicated by this week's boycott of a committee meeting by Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors.

Gov't probes link between abortion, maternal deaths
IN LIGHT of concerns by health officials about the impact of illegal abortions on the country's maternal mortality rate, a committee has been established by the Health Ministry to probe the issue.

United Way assists 'Ivan'-affected fisherfolk
OVER 3,800 fisherfolk islandwide are receiving assistance to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ivan through a $13 million grant provided by United Way of Jamaica, through the Council for Voluntary Social Services (CVSS).

Verene Shepherd heads JNHT board
THE JAMAICA National Heritage Trust has a new chairperson. Professor Verene A. Shepherd, a Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society and a professor of social history at the University of the West Indies, Mona, was appointed by Cabinet...

Student shot by gunmen still fears for her safety
THE PAST five weeks have been bittersweet for Moya McLean, the 13-year-old Charlie Smith High School student who was injured by a gunman's bullet last month. The young girl was on her way home when she heard an explosion...

More cops for Christmas - Public Safety Unit for Montego Bay
WESTERN BUREAU: A POLICE Public Safety Unit is to be deployed to Montego Bay, St. James, in an effort to create a safer environment for citizens and business operators in the second city, ahead of the Christmas season.

Estate tax amnesty ends December
THE GOVERNMENT'S tax amnesty for estates of persons, who died prior to June 1, ends on December 31. Estates not settled within the amnesty will have to revert to the pre-June 1 tax levels.

Medical radiation school to offer degree programme
THE SCHOOL of Medical Radiation Technology at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is to offer a degree programme in diagnostic radiology. The unit, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, is a regional training institution...

ODPEM urges evacuation discussions in Portmore
THE OFFICE of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is urging citizens associations in Portmore and adjoining areas to discuss the importance of emergency evacuation at their meetings.

Agencies sign MoU to promote Jamaican goods, services
THE JAMAICA Business Development Centre (JBDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jamaica Promotions Agency (JAMPRO), as part of efforts to promote Jamaican products and services internationally.