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The Ministry of Energy is looking to expand the biofuels market, in light of the higher than projected demand for E10 fuel. Portfolio Minister Clive Mullings, speaking at the opening of a two-day biofuels policy workshop in Kingston yesterday (Dec. 15), said that the Ministry is moving to introduce a higher mix of gasolene "in the very near future." "We...

Medical Consultant, Dr. Owen James, has urged medical professionals to always extend the highest level of care and respect in the treatment of patients, who attend public institutions. While acknowledging that medical staff are overworked and are "using brain, brawn and scarce resources to patch up those who should not have been damaged in the first place," he said that...

The only known painting of pioneering Jamaican nurse, Mary Seacole, has been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London, where it will remain on permanent display. This was made possible by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of

The Government, as part of its response to the global economic crisis, has authorised an additional expenditure of $2.4 billion to undertake urgent repairs to roads, drains and gullies, which will provide employment for many persons. "Work has already started in several parts of the island. This will provide much needed employment in these tough times," Prime Minister Bruce Golding...

A public consultation with education stakeholders in Manchester and St. Elizabeth, will be held on December 19, at the Ballards Valley Primary School, St. Elizabeth, to get comments on the proposed Text Book Policy. The forum has been organised by the Ministry of Education, and will commence at 10:30 a.m. The decision to hold consultations on the policy was made...

Atlanta-based Jamaican organisation, Integrity Children's Fund, has contributed more than US$200,000 over the past six years, to a number of learning institutions in Kingston's inner city communities. According to President of the Fund, Major Karl Chambers, the money is used to defray the monthly salaries of teachers at the Operation Restoration Christian School and the Joy Town Learning Centre in...

As Christmas approaches, a number of youngsters may be wishing for gift-wrapped packages of popular electronic games such as Wii, Play Station, or X-box under their Christmas trees. But there is one board game, which not only provides hours of entertainment, but exercises the mind and brings a sense of satisfaction for both the victor and the loser. This is...

Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, yesterday (Dec. 15) handed over two of the two-bedroom houses, which have been built for Hurricane Gustav victims, to two families in Kintyre, St. Andrew. "These are the first of the Gustav houses that have been completed," Dr. Chang explained during the handing over ceremony. Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace...

Some 2,000 cruise ship passengers disembarked the Ruby Princess Cruise Liner, which arrived at the Ocho Rios Pier in St. Ann, on December 15, the start of the Winter Tourist Season. Cruise Terminal Manager, Dennis Richards, told JIS News, that the Ruby Princess is one of the newest ships in the Princess Cruise Line and that the vessel made its...

The National Housing Trust (NHT), will be offering a range of measures to assist persons, who may have difficulties paying their mortgage, as a result of job loss or disruption in income flow. "These involve suspension of mortgage payments, reduction in monthly payments, rescheduling of mortgage payments, extension of the mortgage period and reduction in interest rates. The exact treatment...

A US$300 million facility has been negotiated with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to provide loans to the productive sector. Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, in making the announcement during a national broadcast on Sunday (Dec. 14), said that the loans will be made available through commercial banks and the Export-Import Bank (EX-IM Bank). "I expect to sign this agreement in...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, has called on residents of St. Ann to support efforts to develop the St. Ann's Bay Hospital. The Governor-General, who recently toured the facility, said were it not for the generous gesture of a citizen of the parish many years ago, the hospital would not have been established. "If this...