Jamaica Gleaner News- Lead Stories - Wednesday

Indian deal probe - Agriculture minister requests investigation into $105m transaction

Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says a full-scale investigation will be launched into the circumstances surrounding a controversial arrangement between Jamaica Cane Product Sales (JCPS) and Indian company Shreeji Impex Corporation...

'Interest-rate hike will pressure economy'

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is warning that the Bank of Jamaica's (BOJ) move to sharply increase interest rates on certificates of deposit will inevitably raise interest rates across the financial system, "putting more pressure...

Child registration in blind census lagging

A national census to tally visually impaired Jamaicans is failing to capture affected children, a stakeholder has said.Only 45 visually impaired children were registered yesterday at The Salvation Army School for the Blind. The centre had hoped to net at least 130...

Better web access coming for rural Jamaicans

Government is hoping to, in the near future, make reams of information accessible via the Internet to Jamaicans living in the most remote communities. Minister of Mining and Telecommunications Derrick Smith, speaking during a press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel...

Gov't, private sector failing AIDS victims, says JHTA president

WESTERN BUREAU: President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Wayne Cummings, has classified some of the country's private- and public-sector leaders as "uninformed" for proposing to test and screen the workforce for HIV/AIDS...

Killancholly accused withholds testimony

The trial of the man accused of murdering three children at Killancholly, St Mary, in January 2005 took a dramatic turn yesterday when he decided to remain silent because he could not give his defence from a prepared speech. Legal experts explained yesterday...

Good shot at a gun licence

As crime in Jamaica continues to swirl out of control, many citizens are gunning for a licensed firearm to protect themselves. Today, The Gleaner's popular advice column, How To, explores the avenues for procuring a gun licence...

Nine tips on gun safety

The following tips on gun safety were prepared by Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Robinson of the Firearms Safety and Training Unit: 1. Conduct yourself in a mature and responsible manner. This is the first rule one must follow when handling firearms. This is necessary...

Call for Henry to quit over breaches

People's National Party (PNP) Chairman Robert Pickersgill wants Prime Minister Bruce Golding to demand that Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry resign.But Pickersgill has shied away from requesting the minister's head himself...

Racing dispute takes positive turn

A dispute between the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and the interest groups in racing, over the wide-ranging increase in user fees by the commission effective December 1, took a positive turn yesterday. A compromise was reached at a meeting between both parties...