News on the Go

After a temporary stand-off, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Peter Phillips, yesterday had discussions on the matter of crime.

The discussions were held in private, and took place at Vale Royal. The Office of the Prime Minister said both leaders held full, frank, and confidential discussions.

It culminates public exchanges of correspondences between both leaders over a meeting to discuss the end of the states of public emergency in St James, St Catherine North, and sections of the Corporate Area.

On Monday, Holness wrote to Phillips seeking a meeting today to hear from the Opposition Leader why an extension of the states of emergency would not be constitutional

They agreed that a meeting of teams from the Government and Opposition would take place next Monday.

The Government says it will partner with the private sector to significantly increase the availability of environmentally friendly bags.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Daryl Vaz, said the Government is looking to provide about 250,000 bags to Jamaicans.

He said the bags would be provided "in the immediate short term to assist with the transition from single-use plastic".

Vaz said that the bags would be distributed free of cost.

At least 30,000 bags are to be distributed in market districts in the coming days by mayors in order to equip Jamaicans with alternatives to plastic bags, which will be banned starting yesterday.

The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) says it is working on a project to facilitate remote access to its health system by persons in rural areas, using telemedicine consultation.

This was disclosed by Medical Chief of Staff at UHWI, Dr Carl Bruce, at a recent ceremony for the presentation of funds to the hospital's Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department by the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North.

According to Bruce, healthcare is evolving, and the hospital is taking the necessary steps to embrace the changes.

"We've been working with the Minister of Health on this project to try to get people in deep rural areas, who are unable to access the UHWI readily, to get an online or telemedicine consultation," he said.

Buce was speaking against the background of a donation of US$3,000 by the Rotary Club under its major project initiative for the Rotary year 2016-2017.

Two persons are said to be critical witnesses in cases before the court are being asked to make contact with the police.

Detectives assigned to the Constant Spring Criminal Investigations Branch are seeking the public's assistance in locating a witness who is vital to a case currently before the Circuit Court, downtown Kingston. He is Stephen Powell, whose last known address is Johns Lane, Kingston 8. Powell is scheduled to appear before the court on Friday, January 18, 2019.

The detectives are also seeking the public's assistance in locating Omar Ellis, whose last known address is Grants Pen Road, Kingston 8. Ellis is scheduled to appear before the court on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) has expressed sadness at the tragic passing of students Karanja Gayle and Joseph Anderson, who drowned on Monday at the Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth.

Gayle was enrolled in the Department of Communication Studies, while Anderson was a computer information science student.

NCU President Dr Lincoln Edwards said he was "deeply saddened" by the news and has expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He disclosed that the university has contacted both families and offered prayers of comfort.

An Ananda Alert has been activated for 14-year-old Romario McCatty, otherwise called 'Dancer' of Norwood, St James, who has been missing since December 20, last year.

He is dark complexion, slim build and is about 5 feet 7 inches tall. Reports from the Montego Bay police are that about 4 p.m., McCatty was last seen at home dressed in a blue T-shirt and blue shorts. He has not been seen since.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Romario McCatty is being asked to contact the Montego Bay police at 952-8626, police 119 emergency or the nearest police station.