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After a 20-year hiatus, Jamaica has renewed efforts to identify oil and gas deposits, with seismic testing to begin off the island's south coast as of today (Feb.10). Furgo Limited, a Norwegian-based geosciences company, has been contracted to undertake the seismic work by licensee, Finder Exploration of Perth, Australia. Commerce, Science and Technology Minister, Phillip Paulwell, who made the announcement...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has joined forces with the Macy's department store in the United States to celebrate the island's cuisine throughout the month of February. The month-long series, called the 'Genius of Jamaica' got underway on February 3 at the Macy's flagship store at Herald Square in Manhattan with Dion Marks, Executive Chef at the Rose Hall Resort...

The Portmore municipal council has agreed to address with urgency, the growing practice of persons setting up informal businesses along the main roadway in Caymanas Gardens in Gregory Park, St. Catherine. Councillor Camille Buchanan of the Gregory Park Division, who raised the motion, which was adopted at a recent meeting of the municipal council, said that persons have been placing...

The CARICOM Single Market (CSM) is a grouping of sovereign states that provides freedom for companies to establish businesses throughout the Community. However, as in any free trade area, there are some rules of procedure. Aside from not levying import duties on goods originating from Member States and removing all tariffs and further restrictions from CARICOM goods, business in the...

Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry Wilson, has stressed that if an enhanced education system is to be achieved, then innovative ways must be found to provide additional classroom spaces. Mrs. Henry Wilson was responding to questions put forward by Opposition Spokesman on Education, Andrew Holness at Tuesday's (Feb.7) sitting of the House of Representatives, about the feasibility...

Immediate Past President of the Jamaica Employers' Federation, Herbert Lewis, has reiterated the view that education is key, in order for Jamaicans to compete competitively on the global arena. "The education of our people for global competitiveness and sustainable development is a life long endeavour which challenges individuals, institutions and societies. and as competitiveness increases, the demand for quality and...

Effective today (Feb. 9), the main roadway between Martha Brae and Falmouth in Trelawny will be closed, to facilitate major upgrading work as part of segment 2 of the North Coast Highway Project. Manager for Communications and Customer Services at the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw, told JIS News that the road works would last for six weeks and...

Devon Rowe, new permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, has said that in carrying out his new task, he would work to achieve "greater efficiency with the resources that are available." Mr. Rowe, who has been serving as Permanent Secretary since December 15, 2005, having succeeded Loraine Robinson, brings to his new job, some...

Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell, has lauded the Caribbean Institute of Technology (CIT) for its achievements and contribution to the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) over the past seven years. "I feel like a proud parent as we acknowledge the tremendous contributions of this institution, though only seven years old, is well known both here...

Poverty is the greatest polluter of the environment and not industrialization or mining activities, as have often been identified by critics, said chairman of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), Dr. Carlton Davis. Citing a 2004 global report on the environment, which put Jamaica at 43 out of 100 countries assessed, he noted that this was "not a bad rating", and...

The best of agricultural production in the parish of Trelawny will be on display at Hague Agricultural Show 2006, which is slated for February 28 to March 1 at the Hague show grounds, just outside of Falmouth. The show, which is regarded as one of the island's premiere agricultural events, second only to Denbigh, will be held under the theme:...

Minister of Health, John Junor, has said there should be no fallout from the closure of the Bellevue hospital, as the vast majority of persons with mental disorders could be treated successfully in a community environment. "What we need is the commitment of families and the society, to remove the stigma from mental illness that will not force such people...