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President of the Jamaica Chess Federation, Attorney-at-Law Ian Wilkinson, is encouraging more schools to introduce the game of chess to their curriculum to help address the spiraling level of violence plaguing the school system. "If we get chess going fully into the schools and incorporated into society, we will reduce crime and violence significantly. The violence that we are experiencing...

A giant Chess game at the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre, in Kingston, will be one of the special activities that the Jamaica Chess Federation will be carrying out, as part of its effort to increase public interest in the game, and attract more Jamaicans to the sport. In an interview with JIS News, President of the Jamaica Chess Federation, Attorney-at-Law,...

In an effort to identify and secure more employment opportunities for their graduates and trainees, the Abilities Foundation of Jamaica, will be seeking to bring on board, a Placement Officer. This was disclosed by Manager of the Foundation, Grace Taylor, in an interview with JIS News. "We are very proud of the fact that we have produced many graduates and...

Vice Chancellor Emeritus at the University of the West Indies, Professor Rex Nettleford, has said that Jamaicans should be encouraged to vacation at local hotels, as part of efforts to minimise the effects of the global financial downturn on the tourism sector. "Treat our fellow citizen's right and let them feel that they have a right to tenant the piece...

The Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, speaking at the Possibility Programme Christmas Dinner last evening, said she was "making a special appeal to the private sector to join us in this very important effort." Minister Grange noted that the Possibility Programme had taken in some 500 street boys and had helped to connect a...

There is a high demand for loans from the Students' Loan Bureau (SLB), by students who want to pursue higher education. This was noted by Pro Chancellor of the University of Technology (UTech), the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, at the institution's 50th anniversary gala banquet, held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, on December 6. In light of the challenge that...

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, today (Dec. 8) signed two contracts amounting to just over $100 million for the construction of five production wells in South Manchester. The works, which will be undertaken by Jamaica Wells and Services Limited, is scheduled for completion within four months and will involve the drilling and development of the wells. The National Irrigation Commission...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has set up a project team, headed by Minister of State for Project Implementation in the Office of the Prime Minister, Daryl Vaz, to examine appropriate solutions to the beach erosion problems now threatening sections of the Negril coastline. The team will be anchored by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and will include other...

Since October, 2008, Mrs Sharon Crooks, without much fanfare, but with a sharp focus and quiet efficiency has taken on the arduous task as the Financial Secretary to the Government within the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. "The Financial Secretary is the only Permanent Secretary named in the Constitution of Jamaica, and by its function, the Ministry of...

As we approach the Christmas season, I wish to advise you of the measures being taken to provide improved security for our people and increase the pressure on the criminals who are bent on destroying our society. The upsurge in criminal violence The upsurge in criminal violence, in particular the vicious attacks against women and children, have brought a deep...

Jamaica's tourism market continues to show some level of buoyancy, despite a downturn in other Caribbean markets, with tourist arrivals growing by five per cent at the end of October 2008, over last year. This was revealed by Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, at a commemoration ceremony for the US$180 million Seawind Key Investments Limited hotel project, in Montego Freeport,...

Former Governor-General, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, has been presented with the Gold Medal Award, by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), for his outstanding contribution to national development, particularly in the area of agriculture. The presentation was made at a ceremony, held at King's House on Friday, December 5. The Gold Medal Award is given to individuals who have...