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The issue of safeguarding the nation's food security, in light of global developments, is one of the major challenges facing the administration, since it assumed office in September 2007, and which continues to be a priority matter. Spiralling costs, and in some quarters, shortage of staples, such as corn, wheat and rice, which constitute significant portions of the diets of...

The Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange today expressed her "deepest sympathy at the passing of Matthew Hilton who had the distinction of being the only Jamaican to make the National Swim Team moving from the primary school level." Minister Grange said she was shocked to hear that 18-year-old Matthew, who started Upper 6th Ardenne High School this September, died while at...

The St. Thomas Technical High School, in Golden Grove, St. Thomas, is attempting to resuscitate its banana cultivation, which was damaged during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. Principal, Phillip Wilson, told JIS News, that losses sustained totalled some $25,000, adding that the institution was in the process of rehabilitating the damaged crop. Efforts to this end include: the pruning...

It was standing room only at 'Jamaica House', the headquarters of the Jamaica Society Leeds, last Saturday (September 6), as scores of Jamaicans from across the northern United Kingdom (UK), turned out to say farewell to community stalwarts, Travis and Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson, who are retuning home after 46 years in the UK. Mr. Johnson and his wife were among...

Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dorothy Lightbourne, has emphasised that mediators and other stakeholders in the justice system, need to uphold a "gold" standard of service, like that displayed by the country's athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games, as they carry out their duties. In the meantime, she has reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining a gold standard for the...

With the effects of Tropical Storm Gustav, still being assessed in some areas, the Hanover Disaster Preparedness Committee, is reporting that of the 13 emergency shelters in that parish, one remains open. A family of eight still occupies the Axe and Adze Church of God Universal, in Eastern Hanover. This was reported at the monthly meeting of the Disaster Committee...

The Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports (MICYS), in association with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), will be hosting the International Congress on Sport for Peace and Development, from September 13 to 16, in Kingston. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Faith Innerarity, told JIS News, that the Ministry is very excited to host the event....

The final round of stakeholder consultations on the National Fisheries Policy, began earlier this month and will be concluded by the end of October, in order that the document maybe tabled by year end for implementation in 2009. The document will form the framework for the re-vitalisation of the fisheries sector. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, pointed out in...

The Director General of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura has lauded Jamaica for its fight against doping in sport. "I have followed with considerable interest the passage of the Anti-Doping Act 2008 and the establishment of the Jamaican National Anti-Doping Commission," Mr. Matsuura stated in a letter he sent to the Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister Information, Culture, Youth and Sports....

World and Olympic triple record holder Usain Bolt and double Olympic Gold Medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown have been appointed UNESCO Champions for Sport. The announcement was made by Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, at a news conference at MICYS this morning. Minister Grange read from a letter she received from Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Director General...

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, will be providing assistance to the people of Haiti, following the devastation of the country by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Haiti, regarded as the poorest in the region, has been consistently battered by the...

In keeping with his pledge to tackle the scourge of crime and violence, when he assumed office on September 11 last year, Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, tabled six Bills in the Houseof Representatives, proposing several legislative measures to strengthen anti-crime initiatives. Mr. Golding said although the country still had a long way to go, crime-fighting efforts must be sustained, if...