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A report on squatting, focusing on public health, safety, environmental protection and security of the persons involved, as well as prospective solutions, is to be made available to the Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, to ensure that the issue is properly addressed. The Minister said he shared concerns about persons building houses in river beds and on...

The Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports has expressed regret at the passing of the legendary South African singer and activist, Miriam Makeba. According to Minister Grange, "Miriam Makeba who was a staunch opponent of the apartheid system, was a perfect example of someone who used her talent to support her stance. She did not...

Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, has said that school Principals and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), would be collaborating much more, to ensure a smoother flow of information between them, to enable the police to respond to incidents involving students, more effectively. "I think one of the problems we face, is that many things are happening, but they are not...

Twenty-one year-old university student, Michael Waul, is the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Mr. Waul, a fourth year student at Macalester College, in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the United States, was selected from a field of eight candidates, comprising four males and four females. They were interviewed by members of the Jamaica Rhodes Selection Committee, at King's House...

The Government has negotiated a liquidity line with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), that will be made available to the commercial banks, for on-lending to the productive sectors, where lines of credit have been cancelled. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Donald Wehby, who made the disclosure in the Senate on November 14,...

The increase in gang-related crimes being committed by young men, is receiving special attention by the Ministry of National Security. Addressing a graduation ceremony for 58 participants, at the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre, at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, on November 13, Minister of National Security, Senator Colonel Trevor MacMillan, said that 80 per cent of all crimes...

Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, is calling on parents to be more vigilant in protecting their children, especially in light of the recent spate of violent attacks against them. "In light of what is happening in our society and the great panic that is in our society, regarding violence towards our children, and the unfortunate incidents that have occurred with...

The United Kingdom-based Jamaica Basic School Foundation held its annual fundraising ball in London last weekend, with the proceeds from the event to benefit basic schools in Jamaica. The organization has raised more than $20 million to support basic schools across Jamaica since it was established in 1995. Founder and Chairman Josephine Williams, told JIS News that the Foundation's annual...

The Registrar General's Department (RGD) is encouraging persons who were registered with first names only to apply for 'late entry of name' to have their surnames added to their birth certificates. This call, has come from the RGD's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patricia Holness, who was speaking at a Parent Teachers' Association (PTA) meeting held at the Golden Grove All-Age...

The National Youth Service (NYS) will be spearheading island wide church services and a public lecture as part of activities to mark Youth Month, which is being observed throughout November. Speaking with JIS News, Executive Director of the NYS, Rev. Adinhair Jones said that the NYS, throughout the years has put aside a day to highlight issues and concerns related...

Finance Minister, Audley Shaw, has assured that the Net International Reserves (NIR), which is now at US$1.8 billion, is in a healthy shape and is just about the same as it was in December last year. Addressing the annual general meeting of the U-Drive Association of Jamaica at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston on Thursday (Nov.13), the...

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, has encouraged United Kingdom-based Jamaicans to invest in the country, especially in the tourism sector, which he says, is ripe with opportunities. Speaking at a packed community meeting in London last night (Nov.13), which was organised by the Jamaican High Commission, Mr. Bartlett said that the Diaspora has always responded positively to Jamaica in terms of...