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The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) will for the first time present the prestigious 'UWI Bob Marley Award' to Gilberto Gil, Minister of Culture of Brazil at the Foundation's ninth Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42 Street, New York City, on Thursday, February 2, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Endorsed by Rita Marley, widow of the...

Jamaica's presence in the international arena has resonated on various levels since the country gained independence in 1962. In recognition of the country's contribution to international affairs, the Government Communication Group will host its third panel discussion entitled: Jamaica in the International Arena on Tuesday (Jan. 24) at the Media Centre, Office of the Prime Minister. This discussion forum, slated...

A Resolution calling on the Government to put in place legislation to discourage the theft of cellular phones and their use in criminal activities has been approved by the House of Representatives. The motion, which was brought by Member of Parliament for West Central St.Andrew, Andrew Holness, calls on the Government to consider legislation to make it illegal for anyone...

Cultural exchange and technical advice are being facilitated by the twinning relationship established between the cities of Kingston, Jamaica and Port of Spain, Trinidad. Two years ago, this month, Mayor Murchison Brown of Port of Spain and Mayor Desmond McKenzie, of Kingston signed a declaration of friendship between the two cities, proclaiming their intention to "promote cultural, tourist, social and...

The Portland Health Department is reporting a reduction in diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS in 2005 over the previous year. Winston Lowe, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Contact Investigator for the Health Department, told JIS News that 45 cases were diagnosed last year, which were 17 less than the 62 cases detected in 2004. The reduction, he said, was consistent with the declining...

President of the non-profit New York-based Organisation for International Development (OID), Dr. Kitson Blissett, has underscored the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to prevent diseases. Dr. Blissett, who is part of an OID medical mission to Jamaica, told JIS News that in addition to the dental, optical, paediatric and general medical services provided to residents in various parishes, one...

A comprehensive development plan for the Old Harbour Bay fishing Village should become available for stakeholder and public scrutiny by mid-February. The plan will act as a guide for the type of development to take place in the area. This was announced by Secretary Manager in the St. Catherine Parish Council, Michael Morris at the recent opening ceremony of a...

President of the Jamaica Agro-Processors Association (JAPA), Denise Perkins, is urging farmers to increase collaboration with agro-processors to ensure a steady supply of agricultural produce, especially for the export market. "We try to tell our farmers what we need. We try to map their acres.[we ask] what can you give us," she told JIS News, noting that problems of hurricanes...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies, has encouraged private holders of capital within the Caribbean, to invest in the region's productive sector. "If you look within the Caribbean. there are resources which somehow we need to tap for reinvestment in the Caribbean and expansion of Caribbean economy," Dr. Davies stated, as he addressed the Jamaica Stock Exchange-organized Investments...

Health Minister John Junor has assured, that the free movement of skilled persons throughout the region, will not impact negatively on the local health sector. Under the free movement clause of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM), skilled persons are entitled to move and work freely throughout the region. Persons eligible include university graduates, media practitioners, artistes, musicians, sportspersons, managers, technical...

Agriculture has tremendous potential to provide employment, but there is need to understand the role of science and technology in sustaining development of the sector. "What has to be understood.is that science and technology has to play an expanding role, and what is also critical is how agriculture attracts capital [investment], because people cannot operate with the level of interest...

The House of Representatives on January 17, gave unanimous approval for the appointment of an Ethics Committee to investigate and report on complaints regarding the conduct of parliamentarians. Members of the committee, which is to be chaired by House Speaker, Michael Peart, include National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips; Health Minister, John Junor; Member of Parliament for Central St. Mary,...