Edmund Bartlett, the comeback kid
EDMUND BARTLETT, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman on Tourism, is one of five Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Members of Parliament making a comeback after winning a seat in the October 16 parliamentary elections.

Highway robbery?
DR. OMAR Davies, Finance and Planning Minister, on Tuesday, December 17, 2002, announced the Government's intention to raise $205 million in new taxes to help close a gaping hole in the national Budget.

The plight of the Hampden Sugar Factory
The following is a recent statement to the House of Representa-tives by the Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke, on the reasons behind the closure of the Hampden sugar factory in Trelawny, which has put more than 200 people out of work.

Farmers want sugar industry restructured
WESTMORELAND: THE WEST End Cane Farmers' Association has called on the Government to restructure the beleagured sugar industry...

Public sector reform yields value for money
THE ISLAND'S eight executive agencies now contribute a combined total of more than $1.2 billion to the Government's coffers, according to Cabinet Secretary Dr. Carlton Davis.

Pastor's carnal abuse trial stalled
WESTERN BUREAU: THE TRIAL of Adventist pastor Conrad Spence, which was expected to begin the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's court on Thursday...

The National Crime Plan (NCP)
RECENTLY A number of civic organisations in a discussion about the NCP expressed the view that while it is more comprehensive than previous ones, and has created opportunities for civil society participation, there are still areas of concern.

Black River Health Centre burgled
BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth: VERROL EBANKS, administrator of the Black River Health Centre, has confirmed that the facility was broken into, but could not say if anything was stolen from the medical complex...

'Jungle justice' claims one
FALMOUTH, Trelawny: VIGILANTE JUSTICE claimed the life of 38-year-old farmer, Ian Holmes, in Ulster Spring, Trelawny on the first day of the year.

RGD to conduct registry weddings in St Ann
THE REGISTRAR General's Department (RGD) in the North East Region is to begin conducting registry weddings at its office in St. Ann's Bay soon, according to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

Union seeks end to med techs' strike
THE UNION representing the island's medical technologists, who have been on strike since Thursday, will try to get them to resume duties this morning to facilitate a new round of talks...