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National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has brushed aside concerns that the United States court matter surrounding the Third Country Nationals (TCN) could trigger legal liabilities for Jamaica.

The TCN policy was blocked by a federal court in September, but the U.S. Supreme Court removed the obstacles, allowing the Trump administration to continue its deportation policy.

Full oral arguments are scheduled for December.

Yesterday, 22 adults, mostly from Latin American countries landed at the Norman Manley international Airport in Kingston.

When asked about the matter at Jamaica House today, Dr. Chang said the court matter does not concern Jamaica.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is calling on corporate Jamaica to move beyond mental health awareness and take practical steps to address the workplace conditions affecting employee well-being, productivity and business performance.

The call emerged from the PSOJ’s Business of Mental Health Webinar, held recently in observance of world mental health day as an initiative of the PSOJ’s Gender and Disabilities Committee.

The discussion brought into focus a central message: mental health is no longer an issue businesses can afford to treat as an occasional wellness activity or the sole responsibility of human resource departments.

Executive Director of the PSOJ, Sacha Vaccianna-Riley, challenged employers to examine not only how employees respond to pressure, but also the workplace conditions creating that pressure.

She said there are some workplace problems that cannot be solved with a mere wellness seminar.

National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang says yesterday’s arrival and processing of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) went without incident.

15 men and seven women, mostly from Latin American countries, landed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston.

The TCNs underwent relevant immigration procedures and were transported by bus to accommodations arranged by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Their arrival represents the first group to enter the country, under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jamaica and the United States governments.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press conference this morning, Dr. Chang said the process went smoothly.

He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to balancing international diplomacy with the absolute safety of Jamaican citizens.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chang says the TCNs are free to operate as visitors to Jamaica.

They were processed as visitors by immigration officials upon their arrival at the NMIA yesterday.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is leading a delegation to the 26th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage in France.

This as Jamaica moves to strengthen water security and expand irrigation to support increased agricultural production.

The congress, which runs from October 12 to 17, is organised by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), an international scientific and technical network dedicated to sustainable agricultural water management.

A statement from the Ministry said Mr. Green will be joined at the conference by Chief Executive Officer of the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), Joseph Gyles, and Acting Director of Projects at the Commission, Emile Myers.

Held under the theme, ‘Water and Agricultural Resilience in the Face of Climate Change,’ the congress brings together policymakers, technical experts, researchers and water management professionals.

They will examine global approaches to irrigation and drainage, increasing water-use efficiency, new technologies and practices and the use of alternative water sources.

Mr. Green said while in France, the delegation will engage with Jamaican entities there around the Pedro Plains Irrigation Scheme Project in St. Elizabeth, to accelerate the pace of its implementation.

The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is set to house the Caribbean’s largest agriculture renewable energy system with the upcoming launch of the Essex Valley Irrigation System.

Portfolio Minister Floyd Green said the new system is part of a massive expansion by the commission into solar energy aimed at slashing operational costs.

He indicated that energy is the largest expense for the commission in delivering water from underground aquifers to farms.

The Essex Valley system will help boost the NIC’s solar capacity from its current 1.2 megawatts of energy to 4.4 megawatts by the end of the year.

He said the solar system will generate 3.1 megawatts of power alone.

He was speaking at the recent commissioning of the beacon f2 solar pump station in St. Elizabeth. 

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has sought to defend the timelines for hospital projects being undertaken by the Government amid criticism from the Opposition.

Dr. Tufton was reacting to comments from Opposition Spokesman Dr. Alfred Dawes in the Lower House yesterday.

Dr. Dawes raised concern about the lack of details on timelines for project completion and costs following announcements that some hospitals are to be relocated or renovated.

The Health Minister indicated that some projects are on track for completion by next year.

As for costs, Dr. Tufton explained that while the Government has an overall estimate, it would be premature to give figures at this time.

Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr. Alfred Dawes has lamented that patients and healthcare workers will continue to suffer, while they await Government’s promised improvements to the sector.

Dr. Dawes pointed out that Cabinet approval for announced projects is not a budget line item for allocation of funding and timelines for completion.

He was reacting to a statement from his Government counterpart Dr. Christopher Tufton in Parliament today.

Dr. Tufton reiterated many of the initiatives he previously announced at the recent post-Cabinet Press Briefing, for Parliament’s records today.

These include Cabinet approval for the relocation of some hospitals including Black River, Noel Holmes and Falmouth, as well as rehabilitation at other hospitals.

Dr. Dawes chastised the Government for making more promises with vague indications of project implementation.

He said the healthcare sector will continue to deteriorate.

Dancehall artiste D’Angel is the latest entertainer to receive keys to the city of Tamarac and Broward County in Florida, in recognition of her contribution to Jamaican culture.

In Music News interview, an emotional D’Angel said the recognition was not just about her, but also the people who have stood by her throughout her journey.

In recent months, several Jamaican entertainers have received similar honours from the city of Tamarac and Broward County, these include Nadine Sutherland, Buju Banton, Spragga Benz, Beenie Man, Busy Signal and Wayne Wonder.

Jamaica has secured over 1.3 million airline seats for the winter tourist season, representing a 23 per cent increase over last year’s figure.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett made the announcement at a Jamaica Labour Party Area Council Four meeting on Sunday.

The news comes as Jamaica’s tourism sector continues its strong recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Mr. Bartlett said the projection suggests that visitors from Canada and the United States will account for the majority of those airline seats.

Mr. Bartlett noted that the South American market has also responded strongly to the island’s airline projections.

He does not anticipate that last week’s earthquake in Panama will affect tourist arrivals from the South American region.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding is calling for sustained police presence in Kidd Lane, Kingston, following the recent triple murder and arson attack in the community.

Two women and a child were killed.

The police have so far arrested two persons in relation to the incident.

Speaking with reporters during a tour of the community yesterday, Mr. Golding said increased police presence would ensure that installed CCTV cameras and streetlights are not damaged or destroyed by criminals.

However, Mr. Golding said the incident shows that despite the reduction in murders, there is more work to be done.