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With Tropical Storm Gustav, set to affect the island in a few hours, Disaster Preparedness committees throughout Western Jamaica have been activated. The committees have been meeting over the past two days, assessing the situation on a daily basis and fine-tuning plans of action. Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), in the parish...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding in an address to Parliament yesterday (August 27), made the announcement that Jamaican students who are currently studying in Cuba will benefit from an increase in stipend payments from the Jamaican government. He said that for many years Cuba has awarded tertiary scholarships to Jamaican students and many Jamaicans have benefited from this programme and are...

Despite the downgrading of Gustav from a Category One Hurricane to a Tropical Storm, the Ministry of Agriculture is urging all farmers to take the necessary precautions to protect life and property. In outlining the steps which the Ministry has taken to assist farmers to lessen the impact of the damage which might occur from flooding, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Tufton...

The Met Service has advised the ODPEM that a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remain in effect for Jamaica, as Tropical Storm Gustav resumes a track closer to the island. This means that hurricane conditions still pose a possible threat, while tropical storm conditions are expected to affect Jamaica in 24 hours or less. Gustav has slowed significantly...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has called on all Jamaicans to be prepared for the possible damage that could be inflicted by Hurricane Gustav, despite the fact that the hurricane at this time, might not be as threatening as Hurricanes Dean or Ivan. Mr. Golding made the plea this morning (Aug 26), at an emergency meeting of the National Response Team...

The Government has increased by eight, the number of special needs students in private facilities offering special education at the secondary level, as the Ministry of Education continues to focus extensively on literacy this year. This was disclosed by Deputy Chief Education Officer for Student Empowerment, Salomie Evering, in an interview with JIS news. "We have a serious drive in...

The National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), continues to reach out to young persons across Jamaica, to help steer them in a direction to achieve positive growth. In this regard, the St. Ann Branch of the NCYD, in collaboration with 'Black Family Productions', will be staging a back-to-school treat and intervention session, to promote oneness among young persons in the...

Jamaicans in South Florida, will once again celebrate the life and legacy of the late Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou), at the third annual Community Cultural Tribute and Scholarship Fund-raiser, on September 6, at the Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church in North Miami. The event will commemorate Miss Lou's 88th birthday (September 7), as well as her work, which will feature...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, has said that the use of technology is the way forward for revamping the agricultural sector. "We have now reached a point where we have demonstrated that the greenhouse technology is here, and it is working. The new frontier is to get the tissue culture side of things going, to get...

President of the Cocoa Walk Farmers Group in South Manchester, Hudlyn Pitter, is urging community members, particularly young persons, to become more involved in activities within the area, which are geared at both personal and community development. In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Pitter bemoaned the fact that the Cocoa Walk Farmers Group, which was formed on February 18,...

Twelve students who passed the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), and 11 who were successful in the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations, and will be attending high and tertiary institutions, have been rewarded by the Mandeville Seventh Day Adventist Church. At a function, held at the church on August 23, the students were given text, books and educational supplies. Lecturer...

As the island braces for the effects of Hurricane Gustav, the National Works Agency (NWA), has activated its Emergency Response Teams. The NWA Communications and Customer Services Manager, Stephen Shaw, told JIS News, that all key contractors in the NWA's emergency response effort have been placed on call. Mr. Shaw said that NWA equipment would be pre-positioned in key areas,...