Headline

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission in Jamaica says its visit is to get an update on the country's progress in the implementation of its economic programme.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Finance Ministry this afternoon (May 21) IMF Mission Chief, Jan Kees Martijn, said the visit is to observe and assess the work being done by government to meet the requirements of the international lending agency in order to achieve the extended fund facility.

The police are continuing to probe what appears to be the accidental killing of a police constable, in Content Hanover last night (May 20), even as residents insist the cop was murdered.

Dead is 32 year-old, Constable Ricardo McKay who was attached to the Anchovy police in St. James.

Reports are that the constable was reportedly driving home, when he was shot about 10:20 pm.

He reportedly died of a gunshot wound to the groin, believed to be self-inflicted.

But, family members and residents are claiming the constable was murdered.

The government says Jamaicans can anticipate the delivery of thousands of housing solutions this fiscal year.

Minister with responsibility for Housing, Dr. Morais Guy, in his contribution to the Sectoral Debate this afternoon (May 21), said government is aware of the need to address urgently, the housing shortfalls with a major contributor being affordability.

The government is developing a new Trespass Act, to deal with land tenure and squatting.

Speaking in the Sectoral Debate, Minister with responsibility for Housing, Dr. Morais Guy, stated that squatter management is still a main priority at the Housing Ministry.

According to him, it is estimated that there are over 700 residential squatter settlements island-wide with more than one hundred thousand households.

Dr. Guy stated that the Squatter Management Unit has been bolstered to deal with increased evidence of informal housing.

The Central Executive of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) has directed that its officers suspend further monthly meetings with Education Minister, Reverend Ronald Thwaites.

This decision was made today (May 21) at a meeting to consider the presentation of Reverend Thwaites in the Sectoral Debate on May 15.

In a statement issued this afternoon the JTA said its members expressed alarm, at what they called the inaccuracies, that were contained in the minister’s statements, concerning certain conditions of service of teachers in the public education system.

More than 20 students who attend Kingsway High in Kingston will not be allowed on the school's compound after the midterm break, unless outstanding tuition fees are paid.

This after administrators at the private school refused entry to the at least 25 students this morning (May 21) claiming their parents are delinquent in paying school fees.

Principal of the school, Jaron Whitely, has sought to explain the reason behind the institution's decision to turn back the students.

After years of delays and legal roadblocks, the corruption trial involving former junior minister, Kern spencer and his co-accused Coleen Wright is expected to resume in 4 months.

Spencer and Wright are facing charges of corruption and money laundering in relation to the Cuban Light Bulb distribution project.

The trial began in February 2008, and at least 3 witnesses had already testified, when the trial came to a screeching halt in March 2010.

Vendors at the Ocho Rios market in St. Ann are outraged by notice they received over the weekend that shop fees will increase at the market as at June 1.

They say the fees for the shops are unfair especially under the conditions in which they have to work.

They say the prices have changed significantly and because of the severe economic conditions, they cannot afford to pay the new costs.

One woman says she is worried about her job.

Some $1.5 m has been earmarked to carry out work on the Portmore Fire Station in St. Catherine on Labour Day this Thursday.

The fire station which is located in Waterford is the only facility serving the municipality.

The announcement about the works to be done at the Portmore fire station was made at a press conference at the local Government Ministry this afternoon (May 20).

The employment prospects of graduates of the Community Training for Empowerment Programme (CTEP) will be enhanced with the staging of a job fair come early next year.

Speaking during a graduation exercise in Cambridge St. James yesterday, Programme Coordinator Claudette Gleggs said employers in the hospitality sector, both locally and overseas, are expected to participate.

The job fair will form a part of CTEP's 10th anniversary celebrations.