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The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has received a $5.5 million donation from the German Government to support recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of recent heavy rains. Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency, Juergen Engel, presented the cheque to Deputy Director General of ODPEM, Richard Thompson today (November 24) at the agency's...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, is appealing to the Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ) to sign off on the agreement regarding time allotted for government broadcasts on radio and television. Addressing the issue at on Wednesday November 24 post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House, Minister Vaz said that while the MAJ has...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has reported an increase of more than 21, 000 new jobs between April and July 2010, indicating economic recovery. Director General of the PIOJ, Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, said the increase was due largely to increased employment in the wholesale and retail sector, which went up by 12, 900 persons, and transport, storage and communications,...

Persons from across the Caribbean Diaspora turned out on November 18 for a Service of Thanksgiving, followed by a tour of the headquarters of Food for the Poor at Coconut Creek, South Florida. Under the patronage of the Consulate General of Jamaica, the event was organised by the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board for Southern United States and staff of Food...

Persons applying for land titles under the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP), are now benefitting from further reductions in fees paid to process the documents. "We calculate our fees on the unimproved value of the land, so we have reduced the 40 per cent that was required (for deposit) and now make it $5,000 across the board," stated Minister...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is optimistic that the economy will return to positive growth in the last quarter of the fiscal year, despite a decline in earlier quarters. "We are forecasting a return to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by the January/March quarter of 2011," said Director General of the PIOJ, Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson. He was addressing a...

An amendment to the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica's (PBCJ) regulations will now allow for the appointment of a new Board for the entity, which has been without one for two years. This follows Cabinet's approval for the tabling of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (Amendment) Regulations 2010, which is subject to affirmative resolution in Parliament. Making the disclosure...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, has said that Caribbean nations must become more proactive in addressing climate change, given the region's vulnerability to natural disasters. "As planners we can no longer sit by and wait to carry out post assessments of hazards impact. We have to become more proactive, we have to anticipate...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting that more funds are becoming available for Climate Change projects, internationally. Director, Sustainable Development & Regional Planning Division, PIOJ, Claire Bernard, told the JIS that the institute has been mobilizing resources through its relationships with international development agencies, to develop projects that will strengthen Jamaica's adaptive capacity to Climate Change. "There is...

For approximately 30 years now, the welfare of orphaned kids and boys of unfortunate circumstances at the Clifton Boys' Home in Darliston, Westmoreland, has been in the capable hands of Irene Roslyn McDonald, the 'guardian angel' for countless children for her entire life. In the initial years of her working life, Mrs. McDonald committed herself to the nurturing and upbringing...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding was among those who laid wreaths at the shrine of persons who fought in the great wars during yesterday's (Nov 14) National Remembrance Sunday at the National Heroes Park in Kingston. The Day is traditionally observed on the second Sunday in November and is used to celebrate those who gave their service and ultimately their lives...

President of the Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists (JAST), Ian Maxwell has commended the Government for sticking to its philosophy that the industry has to be driven by privately owned entities. Mr. Maxwell was speaking at the JAST Banquet and Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, in Ocho Rios, on November 12. "The removal of...