Source: Jamaica Star A diving expedition turned tragic for family members of Kirby Smallhorne last Friday. His brother, Shawn Bennett, told THE WEEKEND STAR that Kirby went diving at White River in St Ann when he encountered difficulty while heading back to shore. He… Link: St Ann’s Bay Hospital being sued for negligence

Source: Jamaica Star Executive director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) Rodje Malcolm says he is displeased with the manner in which the principal at the Kensington Primary School in Portmore, St Catherine, dealt with the hair-grooming matter of a five-year-old child…. Link: JFJ takes action over anti-locks rule in schools

Source: Jamaica Star Two months ago, Natalie was in good health, but one morning when she tried to exit her bed, her legs failed her. The Old Harbour resident said she was unable to move on her own, but the doctor said it was muscle spasms. However, her condition got… Link: Church cast

Source: Jamaica Star Despite the fact that many persons have lost their hard-earned cash in money ventures such as CashPlus and Olint, it appears Jamaicans are still willing to take chances with these types of schemes in the hope of a big payday.Joe Banks*, a university… Link: Jamaicans hunt quick cash – Persons

Source: Jamaica Star The National Works Agency (NWA) is advising the motoring public that traffic will be diverted from a section of Constant Spring Road to facilitate pipe-laying works between the Oakwood Apartments and Shortwood Road.The traffic change will affect… Link: Roadworks to cause traffic changes

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Underscoring that its customers are now far less tolerant of power outages due to their heavy reliance on electrical devices, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) will this year invest US$116m (J$15b) to improve the reliability of its… Link: J billion investment to reduce power outages

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Despite quitting as chairman of the state-owned oil refinery Petrojam almost a month ago, the embattled Dr Perceval Bahado-Singh continued to serve as a member of the boards of two government entities in the energy sector.The Gleaner has confirmed… Link: Former Petrojam chairman finally quits other state boards

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Justice Lennox Campbell’s summation of the evidence in the Vybz Kartel murder trial was “defective in form and substance”, one attorney has charged.According to Oswest Senior-Smith, the attorney for Andre St John – one of the three men convicted of… Link: #VybzKartel | Defective summation

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Chairman of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) Dr Wykeham McNeill has questioned why the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is financing a $30 million project for National Energy Solutions Limited (NESoL) to carry out… Link: TEF’s funding of squatter-settlement project stirs debate

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Parliamentary Opposition has welcomed the decision by a coalition of non-governmental, religious, and business groups to call for a meeting with Prime Minister Andrew Holness to discuss the erosion of public trust in functions of governance.In… Link: PNP backs sector groups corruption warning

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Political parties in Jamaica must be willing to sacrifice one-upmanship and join the various sectors and civil society groups in fashioning a framework for the comprehensive reconstruction of the Jamaican society, says Antoinette Harris, a Jamaican… Link: South Korea Tour | Confidence in Gov’t lacking, says J’can university student

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Retired High Court judge Justice Lennox Campbell gave the green light for “contaminated” exhibits to be included in the Vybz Kartel murder trial, and this triggered a domino effect that was prejudicial to the entertainer and his three co-accused, an… Link: The Vybz Kartel Appeal | Contaminated evidence

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Come Wednesday, the Justice Ministry’s National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) will host local and foreign standard-bearers in the global fight against human trafficking at a two-day international conference, scheduled to be… Link: Two-day int’l human trafficking confab set for Melia Braco

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) yesterday sought answers on management changes resulting in the sacking of heads of public bodies at three agencies which were then under the Ministry of Science, Energy and… Link: PAAC seeks answers on sacking of CEOs of public bodies

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Human-rights advocacy group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) yesterday filed an action in the constitutional court, asking it to rule that public schools cannot set a ‘no-locks policy’ that forces children to remove their natural, locked hair in order to… Link: JFJ takes legal action over no-locks policy in schools

Source: Jamaica Star Vybz Kartel’s lawyer yesterday said her client was prejudiced when trial judge Lennox Campbell recounted the evidence of the police at the trial in relation to a report from Gaza Slim.Valrie Neita Robertson said that the evidence ought not to have… Link: Gaza Slim’s mention unfair to Kartel’s case –

Source: Jamaica Star Reggae and dancehall artiste Prohgres said he will not quit the work he has begun to show aspiring artistes, and even those already in the business that there is much to gain from producing positive music.The entertainer said he has been working for… Link: Still a place for positive music

Source: Jamaica Star A member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is now in custody after he was identified as one of three men who were involved in an armed robbery in Portland on Monday.It is alleged that the cop, who is said to be attached to the St Thomas Police… Link: Policeman

Source: Jamaica Star After reading about Mary Brown’s* 30-year battle with demons in THE WEEKEND STAR, ‘Brother’ Wayne Bachelor says God has given him the power to remove the darkness from around her free of cost.According to Bachelor, with the help of the Almighty, he… Link: Christian ready to cast out sex demon

Source: Jamaica Star The Ministry of National Security is imploring citizens to support the JamaicaEye programme as it moves towards restoring public order and increasing citizen security.Since being launched in March, JamaicaEye has so far registered over 100 private… Link: – – government – – East-West – Cops seek help to identify body

Source: Jamaica Gleaner While the use of the gun to murder residents in Denham Town has been significantly reduced since the introduction of the zone of special operations (ZOSO) in October 2017, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said that the propensity to commit violence… Link: West Kingston ZOSO extended

Source: Jamaica Gleaner A second KingAlarm security officer has been fired for improper conduct in a recent incident at Braemar Estate in St Andrew, during which licensed firearm holder Andrew Woolery was disarmed and physically assaulted.At a press conference last week… Link: KingAlarm fires second employee

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The youthful population of South Korea are hungry for Western beats and have created their own brand of everyday music called K-pop, which has become a worldwide sensation over the years, thanks to groups such as BTS, Red Velvet, SHINee, Super… Link: Koreans warming to reggae music

Source: Jamaica Gleaner As Parliament’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee goes into summer recess, more than 40 projects were approved at yesterday’s sitting. But Chairman Everald Warmington criticised some projects brought for approval.A project from long-… Link: CDF Committee approves 40 projects ahead of summer break

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Court of Appeal has given residents of Hope Pastures in St Andrew permission to challenge a decision by the Supreme Court that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) cannot be compelled to provide electricity to their community through… Link: Appeal court gives hope to residents in dispute with JPS

Source: Jamaica Star The three judges hearing the Vybz Kartel appeal have been urged to set aside the convictions and life sentences. Attorney at law Bert Samuels, who is represented on of the convicts, Shawn Storm, asked the Appeal Court not to order a… Link: VYBZ KARTEL APPEAL: Defence urge judges not to

Source: Jamaica Star While Grange Hill in Westmoreland has got a negative reputation due to violent crimes in recent times, long-time resident Santana Burnett is aiming to use her newly gained status as Westmoreland Festival Queen 2018 to inspire her peers in the crime… Link: Westmoreland Festival Queen wants to return – life

Source: Jamaica Star After a seven-month battle with a distraught mother, a Corporate Area hospital has finally given the green light for the body of Nadine Evans’ daughter, Carell White, to be released to her.”I am not sure what they will get out of the autopsy because… Link: Mother gets daughter’s remains from

Source: Jamaica Star In February of 2014, when Vybz Kartel took to the stand in his own defence, he told the judge Lennox Campbell that he had nothing to do with the death of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, the man he and four others were accused of murdering in 2011.”My Lord… Link: Six-week phone

Source: Jamaica Star Young woman pleads for help after acid attackDespite the senseless acid attack by a possessive ex-boyfriend, leaving her face horribly disfigured and her life turned upside down, 18-year-old Lamonia Madourie says she has forgiven him and is now… Link: ‘I just want my life back’

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Members of a police patrol team emerged unhurt from a sustained gun battle lasting more than two hours with criminals in Mountain View, east Kingston, on Sunday, which has resulted in tension in the community.Victor Hamilton, superintendent in… Link: ‘Tense calm’ in Mountain View – Gunmen engage police in post-World

Source: Jamaica Gleaner An electronic file lifted from the mobile phone reportedly taken from popular entertainer Vybz Kartel was “modified” three hours after the device was seized by a top police investigator, one attorney told the Court of Appeal yesterday.According to… Link: Kartel shocker – Damning text message came from ‘modified’ phone file

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, member of parliament for West CentralSt James, says that based on the feedback she has been getting, residents in the western parish want the ongoing state of public emergency (SOE), which is… Link: Malahoo Forte batting for SOE extension

Source: Jamaica Gleaner An institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has engaged the University of the West Indies campuses at Cave Hill in Barbados and St Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, to develop a programme geared towards training ministers of government… Link: Regional body to adopt job description proposal for government ministers

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Link: Dump disgrace – MoBay mayor, business leader call for urgent measures at Retirement landfill after major fire

Source: Jamaica Star Lawyers representing Adidja Palmer, more popularly known as Vybz Kartel, and his co-accused will begin making submissions before the Court of Appeal today.Kartel and Shawn Storm, whose given name is Shawn Campbell, were convicted of murder in 2014,… Link: Court of Appeal to start hearing Kartel’s case today

Source: Jamaica Star Taking note of various advertisements calling for women to work as webcam models, a woman, who learnt a painful lesson having done it, is urging other persons to stay away.Kim Smith* said she lost her family and traded her dignity when she accepted… Link: Sex videos ruin bartender’s life

Source: Jamaica Star Floyd Green, member of parliament for South West St Elizabeth, has called on the police to review the strategy of banning events in communities.Green, a junior minister in the Andrew Holness-led Government, told The STAR yesterday that the strategy… Link: Cops give green light to events in some St Elizabeth

Source: Jamaica Star It was hard to miss Dwayne Grant and his adorable son Dwayne Grant Jr at Football Fantasy, held on the grounds of the Hope Zoo on Sunday morning.Clad in the dark blue of France, the father-son duo sported matching jerseys as they showed strong… Link: Father and son celebrate France’s

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The death of a loved one is often guaranteed to elicit an unending stream of tears from those left behind. But those who prepare them for their final resting place say the requests of relatives, especially from intimate partners, often leave them in… Link: Gleaner Editors’ Forum | Fun in

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Effective today, all applications for permits to import or export coconut products and/or substitutes must be submitted to the Jamaica Agricultural Com-modities Regulatory Authorities (JACRA) at 1 Willie Henry Drive, Kingston 11.All permits,… Link: JACRA takes on coconut, amid challenges

Source: Jamaica Gleaner PARIS (AP):France fans did justice to the national team’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the World Cup final on Sunday, pouring into Paris’ Champs-ElysÈes Avenue by the tens of thousands to celebrate with cheers, stomping, and song in an explosion of… Link: French frenzy! – Les Bleus bask in World

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Third-wave feminists, the supposed group of people behind the present efforts to legalise abortion in Jamaica, are an extreme and dangerous group who are hostile to culture and civilisation as we know it, says Wayne West, chairman of the Jamaica… Link: Third-wave feminism a threat to civilisation – West

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Audley Gordon, executive director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), says that a fire believed to be set by arsonists at the Retirement dump in St James will be brought under control by Wednesday.Smoke from the fire is said to… Link: Blaze at MoBay dump to be controlled

Source: Jamaica Gleaner MOSCOW (AP):  France are the established power with a young team full of speed and skill. Croatia have the veterans that have shown they can never be counted out. The two sides will meet today in the World Cup final, with France going for… Link: This is it! – Youthful

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison has cautioned service providers and educators against offering treatment or contraceptives to children without parental knowledge.Responding to questions from The Sunday Gleaner, the Children’s Advocate… Link: Law a shackle when treating sexually active kids – Children’s Advocate warns NGOs against providing services to children without

Source: Jamaica Gleaner With abortions being illegal in Jamaica, there is no official count on the number being done locally each year, and the estimate differs greatly, depending on which side of the divide one falls.For those in favour of legalising abortions, the number… Link: Gleaner Editors’ Forum | 22,000 or 6,000? –

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Scores of low-skilled Jamaicans could find employment as domestic workers as there is a high demand for persons to work in this area, locally and overseas, and the Ministry of Labour is projecting that the demand will remain high for the next two to… Link: Domestic workers wanted! – Labour

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The three scars on his legs are a reminder of the day his male partner got violent and stabbed him, but 31-year-old Tony* blames himself for his injuries, as he says he should not have flirted with other guys while his partner was around.”We both… Link: Abusive homosexuals – Intimate

Source: Jamaica Star The last five months have been the most painful for Lorna Brown. Not only is she mourning the untimely death of her 17-year-old daughter, Jaydeen Grant, but she has been unable to bury her because an autopsy is yet to be done.The distraught mother… Link: FIVE MONTHS OF PAIN –

Source: Jamaica Star Tanice Morrison, better known as Reggae Soul Child, was raised in the parish of St Ann.”If I win this competition, I would hope to use my platform to continue to inspire women and children,” said Soul Child, who was raised by a single mother.”I… Link: Reggae Soul Child wants to

Source: Jamaica Star Festival Song to be decided tomorrowThe Festival Song competition will culminate tomorrow at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston and big bucks are on offer to the nine finalists in this year’s competition.”The writer of the winning… Link: Festival Song to be decided tomorrow

Source: Jamaica Star The Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court erupted in laughter yesterday after a man confessed to punching the mother of his child in her eyes because she told somebody she would “deh wid a Chiney man”.The aggressor, Ryan McKenzie, pleaded guilty to… Link: Woman gets black eye for wanting ‘Chiney

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister Andrew Holness has advised the staff of Petrojam that his administration was committed to the proper management of the state-run oil refinery, even as he admitted that there was corruption at the agency.The prime minister, who has… Link: Prime minister meets with Petrojam staff – Outlines new direction

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell is adamant that his call for the dismissal of Carolyn Warren, head of the National Energy Solutions Limited (NESOL), is not a personal attack on her and could be reviewed if he is satisfied that there… Link: ‘Nothing personal’ – Paulwell explains call for

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:Errol Chattoo, the director of complaints at the Western Regional Office of the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM), says he is having challenges investigating the circumstance surrounding a recent incident in which a… Link: Mental issues floor INDECOM’s case

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Noting that the severe drought conditions will make it difficult to predict when water levels will return to normal, Charles Buchanan, corporate public relations manager at the National Water Commission (NWC), is urging citizens to conserve and… Link: Increased water demand creating challenges for NWC

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Chairman of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), Metry Seaga, says the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) landscape, when fully mature, will boast “many billions in investments” and hundreds of thousands of jobs in a range of sectors,… Link: Special Economic Zone Authority to boost investments and jobs

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The National Works Agency is advising motorists  to expect delays on the Mandela Highway this Saturday and Sunday. This is because pipe-laying works will be carried out along a section of the westbound lane at the intersection with Tom… Link: Expect delays on Mandela Highway this weekend

Source: Jamaica Star “He beats me and I like it,” Cassandra said, when asked why she allows her significant other to put his hands on her. At 25 years old, she feels that there is nothing unusual about a man beating a woman because that is what she was exposed to at… Link:

Source: Jamaica Star Mayor of Spanish Town, Norman Scott is warning of dire consequences should the government fail to extend the opening hours for businesses under the state of emergency that has been imposed in sections of St Catherine.Scott, speaking at the monthly… Link: Spanish Town mayor fires state of emergency warning

Source: Jamaica Star Residents in sections of the Kingston Western Police Division are calling on the law enforcement personnel to free them up to host events such as parties and round robins.The residents say they have not been able to generate money as the authorities… Link: No party permits hurting back-to-school preparations

Source: Jamaica Star A deportee residing in Kingston’s inner-city said he is living his worst life and is strongly considering to scam his way out of poverty.”I am going to scam. That’s the only way. We have all scammed from baby stage. When you were a baby, you cry and… Link: Deportee wants

Source: Jamaica Star It was a chaotic scene yesterday morning along a section of the St Catherine to Clarendon leg of Highway 2000, close to the border of both parishes, as several persons helped themselves to goods that were being transported in a van that was involved… Link: Persons loot truck after accident

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Within minutes of being declared winner of Wednesday’s presidential election for the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Lenworth Fulton was on the receiving end of unsolicited advice about how to run the umbrella organisation for which he takes… Link: Fulton gets the charge – Small farmers issue warning to new JAS

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Jamaica Association of Certified Embalmers and Funeral Directors wants to play a role in the development of the Public Health Funeral Establishment and Mortuary Operations Regulations that will govern the profession. President Calvin Lyn said… Link: Gleaner Editors’ Forum | Funeral directors want consultation on industry regulations

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Percival LaTouche, president of the Jamaica Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents, believes that the Government should not pay special attention to the safety of returning residents.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade… Link: LaTouche: Improve security of all citizens, not only returnees

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Relatives of persons killed in traffic accidents suffer immense emotional strain, and many unanswered questions linger when gruesome photographs of the deceased persons, as well as the mangled remains of motor vehicles, are splashed across social… Link: Please stop, it hurts! – A mother’s plea to quit posting crash victims

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Pointing to the many challenges faced by parents of children with various types of developmental disabilities (DDs), Michael McKenzie, father of a six-year-old who suffers from autism, has charged parents to play their part in the growth of all… Link: Parents of special-needs children urged to help each other –

Source: Jamaica Gleaner More than one week after his company, KingAlarm, was thrust into the national spotlight following an altercation involving some members of its armed-response team and a licensed firearm holder, Managing Director John Azar yesterday announced that… Link: KingAlarm picking up the pieces! – Company takes action against employees for improper

Source: Jamaica Gleaner WESTERN BUREAU:As of this coming winter, Port Royal will have the capacity to accommodate the world’s largest ships when the first floating cruise ship pier, SeaWalk, is installed in the historic town.Port Royal in east Kingston will be the first… Link: Floating cruise-ship pier coming to Port Royal this winter

Source: Jamaica Star A pastor has issued a stern warning to Jamaicans who have got caught up using dildos and other toys for sexual pleasure. Apostle Andrew Scott of Greater Works International Fellowship said the use of dildos can attract demonic forces into homes…. Link: Pastor warns against use of dildo

Source: Jamaica Star Eighty-year-old Fay Henry, who sells charcoal in the Cross Roads market in Kingston, says she has fallen prey to fraudsters who gave her counterfeit money in exchange for her goods.Henry told The STAR that she was unaware that the money was… Link: Darkness in market exposed elderly vendor to fake

Source: Jamaica Star A member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was shot and killed by gunmen on Tuesday night in Lemon Ridge, Banbury, Linstead, St Catherine.Dead is David Howard, 30, otherwise called Speedy.According to reports, Howard drove in the area to drop off… Link: Gunmen kill solider in Linstead

Source: Jamaica Star The Government has allocated $30 million to truck water to several communities across the island that are experiencing shortages due to drought conditions.Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, said the measure… Link: Government to use million to fight drought

Source: Jamaica Star The fate of three KingAlarm security guards hang in the balance after they were found by the company to be in violation of the company’s code of conduct while responding to an incident at Braemar Estate last Monday.KingAlarm’s managing director,… Link: Three KingAlarm guards await fate

Source: Jamaica Star If Jamaica had a national shoe, it would be Clarks. Through numerous songs, Jamaicans’ love for Clarks is well documented, so much so that some persons have been paying big bucks to keep them ‘fresh’.Jonathon Kelly and his wife are the co-owners of… Link: Jamaicans pay thousands to keep Clarks

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Students at the Danny Williams School for the Deaf will soon be able to spend playtime in a modern, custom-built area thanks to the French Embassy in Jamaica.Officials of the embassy yesterday donated more than $2 million raised during a charity… Link: French Embassy funds school for the deaf’s play

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Government, through the economic growth and job creation ministry in the Office of the Prime Minister, has officially opened the Special Economic Zone Authority, situated on Waterloo Road, St Andrew.Prime Minister Andrew Holness told The Gleaner… Link: PM opens Special Economic Zone Authority

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Dr Wayne West, chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS), believes Jamaicans should educate themselves about the difference between termination and abortion, noting that there is no justification, from a medical perspective, for… Link: Editors’ Forum | West: J’cans should learn difference between abortion, termination

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:Superintendent ShAron Beeput, head of the Hanover Police Division, has taken issue with the recent allegation by the mother of a man who was killed in the parish last Friday that he was murdered by the police.”It is difficult to… Link: Cops did not kill Nicko, says Superintendent Beeput

Source: Jamaica Gleaner MOSCOW (AP):They sing of alcohol and agony, and of all those oh, so nears.The anguished English now have another line to add to the lyrics of Three Lions: Football’s not coming home.There was no penalty heartache this time like in the semi-finals at… Link: Oh so near! – England miss

Source: Jamaica Star A quarrel over coal wood turned bloody yesterday morning, when a man used a power saw to injure another man who accused him of stealing his timber in Logwood, St Thomas. One resident, who said he was awakened by the commotion told THE STAR that… Link: Man sliced with chainsaw

Source: Jamaica Star The traffic signals at the Knutsford Boulevard/Trafalgar Road intersection in St Andrew should be put back into operation by the end of the week. Acting Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the National Works Agency (NWA), Ramona Lawson… Link: Traffic lights at busy intersection to be fixed

Source: Jamaica Star The mother of a five-year-old child is calling on the Ministry of Education to intervene after she was told by a school principal that her daughter was not welcomed in the school because she has locks. Sharon* told The STAR that her daughter was… Link: Child barred from school because

Source: Jamaica Star Sikka Rymes, one of few people from the Gaza with visiting privileges to incarcerated entertainer Vybz Kartel, is happy that the appeal process has begun and says the convicted deejay awaits his freedom.During a visit to the community yesterday, he… Link: Kartel always positive about his appeal – Sikka Rymes

Source: Jamaica Star THE LAST seven months have been agonising months for Nadine Evans. Not only has she been forced to mourn the death of her daughter, Carell White, but she has been unable to bury her because a corporate area hospital has refused to release her… Link: Seven-month nightmare – Mother wants

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Dr Wykeham McNeill, opposition spokesman on tourism, has argued that there needs to be more equity for local workers at all levels of the sector… Link: McNeill: More equity for local workers in tourism sector

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Construction of its flagship service station by Total Jamaica Limited is slated to get under way by the end of this month and be completed in four months on land at the eastbound Old Harbour ramp of Highway 2000, St Catherine. This will bring to 58… Link: Total breaks ground

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister Andrew Holness has given instructions for major policy changes to provide increased oversight of public bodies in the wake of a litany of breaches that occurred at the beleaguered state-run Petrojam.At the same time, in a dramatic… Link: Petrojam scandal triggers major policy changes – General manager steps

Source: Jamaica Gleaner When Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew West Rural Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn asked the House of Representatives to make it easier for women to have safe and secure abortions, it was not to allow for frivolous decisions about life and death.Instead… Link: Gleaner Editors’ Forum | Death, danger to women

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Youth involvement and structured engagement are vital elements for national development, says Kethania Griffiths, executive director of Youth Crime Watch of Jamaica, while warning that failure by civil society and the political class to engage young… Link: Youth involvement vital to national development

Source: Jamaica Star Defence attorney Bert Samuels is predicting that the Court of Appeal will free Vybz Kartel, Shawn Storm and their co-convicts, Kahira Jones and Andre St John. “We believe that victory is on the horizon,” Samuels said yesterday after the… Link: Freedom near for Kartel? – Lawyers say victory is on

Source: Jamaica Star The relatives of Ricardo ‘Gravey’ Gray, who died in Falmouth, Trelawny, after consuming a litre of gramoxone, are denying rumours that he drank the poisonous liquid because of embarrassing personal issues. Gray’s girlfriend,… Link: A big fat lie – Girlfriend of Trelawny suicide victim denies nasty rumours

Source: Jamaica Star Omroy Kerr, coach of the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School netball team, has revealed the secret behind their success in the Burger King Under-12 Netball Competition.The school last month recorded their 12th straight championship win with a win over… Link: Corinaldi Avenue Primary makes a habit of winning

Source: Jamaica Star President of The Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) Phillip Chung is declaring that a message that has been circulating on social media warning persons not to fill up their gas tanks as it may cause their vehicles… Link: Your car will not blow up – JGRA rubbishes circulating message

Source: Jamaica Star The case against a St James man who reportedly broke another man’s hand during a dispute has been put off until July 30. This is to for submission of the complainant’s medical report.The accused, Stephen Gayle, is charged with assault occasioning… Link: Alleged hand breaker’s bail extended

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Debate on the Child Diversion Bill 2018, which seeks to implement measures to deal with wayward children who come into conflict with the law, opened in the Senate last Friday.Education and Information Minister Ruel Reid, in opening remarks,… Link: Senate debates bill to give children second chance

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has not yet interviewed the licensed firearm holder who shot and injured a security guard at the Braemar Estate apartment complex inSt Andrew a week ago during an attempt by the guard to disarm the man.Cleveland… Link: FLA yet to interview firearm holder who shot

Source: Jamaica Gleaner ST PETERSBURG, Russia (AP):France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was back to his best in the World Cup quarterfinals, and he’s going to need to be just as good when his team takes on Belgium in the semifinals today.The experienced Lloris, set to make his… Link: France goalkeeper braces for ‘complete’ Belgium

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Leader of the Opposition Dr Peter Phillips has signalled the likely withdrawal of bipartisan support for political, legislative and governance issues if Prime Minister Andrew Holness fails to relieve Science and Technology Minister Andrew Wheatley… Link: PNP: Cooperation could cease – Opposition demands firing of Wheatley or else …

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The credibility of the main witness in the murder trial of Vybz Kartel and Shawn Storm came under scrutiny yesterday as lawyers for the imprisoned entertainers successfully argued that they should be allowed to introduce fresh evidence in their… Link: New evidence – Appeal Court allows fresh evidence in Kartel

Source: Jamaica Star Valerie Neita-Robertson, the attorney leading Vybz Kartel’s appeal against his murder conviction, says the incarcerated entertainer is eager for the appeal court to deal with his matter. Vybz Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, Shawn… Link: Kartel anxious as appeal begins …. Court admits new evidence

Source: Jamaica Star Growing up, Mary* had always enjoyed spending time at a place she called her second home with people who she considered family.But when she was eight, she was molested by a member of that family.”I often stayed there with a girl that is older than… Link: Sexual assault victim still

Source: Jamaica Star Superintendent of Police for the Kingston West Division Howard Chambers said yesterday that the police would be interviewing persons this week in connection with the murder of a woman whose body was found in the Calvary Cemetery last Friday.The STAR… Link: Body found in cemetery

Source: Jamaica Star The Appeal Court is to begin hearing the case of Vybz Kartel and his co-accused today.Lawyers for the popular entertainer are contending that the judge who presided over his murder trial erred when he allowed prosecutors to use text messages and… Link: Kartel’s appeal starts today

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Scores of new justices of the peace for the parish of St Andrew took the oath of office yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston with a provocative reminder that their services were too priceless for them to charge the public to access… Link: New JPs to positively

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell says Caribbean youth want to see improved decision-making from their leaders. This, he argues, will boost their interest in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).”I think we have to have more decisions, and as… Link: Caribbean youth want improved decision making – Mitchell

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Jamaica is among six Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states that signed the Protocol on Contingent Rights last Friday. The contingent rights measure will allow for persons who work across the region to have their spouses and children join them in… Link: J’cans working in CARICOM states can now take dependents

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Recognising that many strides have been made in creating equal opportunities for women in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah has said that more focus is needed to ensure that their physical and psychological needs are… Link: Focus more on physical and psychological needs of female cops,

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, secretary general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), trod carefully when asked about the secretariat’s financial health as he contended that it was not broke. The operations of the CARICOM Secretariat have been… Link: CARICOM Sec Gen: We suffer from cash-flow problems

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister Andrew Holness and President of Chile Sebastian Pinera have agreed to have the two countries cooperate in a number of areas.During bilateral talks on the fringe of the 39th CARICOM Head of Government Summit in Montego Bay, St James… Link: Jamaica and Chile sign co-operation agreement

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Unprofessional dress, including miniskirts and baggy pants, body odour, and vulgarity are some of the turn-offs that have caused Jamaican job seekers not to be given the jobs at interviews.The 2017 National Labour Market Survey (NLMS) noted that… Link: Crass & casual – Smelly, unprepared and poorly dressed job seekers

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Amid a recent report released by the human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) of more than 1,600 documented cases of critical incidents in residential childcare facilities across the island in the last 10 years, two former wards of the State… Link: Children’s home agony – Former ward of the

Source: Jamaica Gleaner With a stroke of their pens, six heads of state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last Friday inked a far-reaching agreement, paving the way for persons who work across the region to have their spouses and dependents join them in those… Link: Freedom for families – Six CARICOM states clear

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Haitian delegation walked away from the 39th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Summit last Friday overjoyed and with a firmer sense of belonging after member states accepted a legal opinion that nationals from the French-speaking… Link: Haitians welcome! – Visa requirement to enter regional states to be lifted

Source: Jamaica Gleaner WESTERN BUREAU:Jamaica showed the world that it was safe despite a state of emergency (SOE), and the island has been rewarded with record tourist arrivals for the first six months of the year, Tourism Minister Edmund Barlet reported yesterday.The… Link: Jamaica tourism market grows by 5% first six months

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness has encouraged Chilean President Sebasti·n PiÒera to use his country’s “considerable visibility” on the international stage to assist members of the regional… Link: CARICOM chairman lobbies Chile for development financing

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Top attorney Patrick Bailey has revealed that he was hurt by the actions of the elderly St Catherine man who accused him of fraud.Less than a month after he was acquitted of fraud charges, Bailey has filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against his… Link: ‘I was hurt’ –

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The most important period of development in a child’s life is the first 1,000 days, and that fact was reinforced by the launch of the zero-to-three strategy, Jamaica Brain Builders Programme, yesterday, at the Cynthia Shako Early Childhood and Day… Link: Zero-to-three strategy to revolutionise J’can education

Source: Jamaica Gleaner RIO DE JANEIRO (AP):Brazilian fans hugged, teared up, and hung their heads on Friday after their national team was knocked out of the World Cup by Belgium.The stinging 2-1 defeat came just as the Selecao, as the team is known, had begun to gather… Link: Samba sorrow – Brazil laments

Source: Jamaica Star Two alleged robbers were nabbed by a licensed firearm holder during an attempted robbery on Molynes Road, Kingston, yesterday.The police reported that at about 11:55 a.m., three men allegedly attempted to rob persons at a plaza when they were… Link: Robbers shot by – licensed firearm holder – Portland man

Source: Jamaica Star For the meat lovers who are willing to try something new, there is duck meat on the market.Machel Webster told THE WEEKEND STAR that Cuff Hill Farms, his family’s enterprise in Balaclava, St Elizabeth, thought of the idea as a way to set themselves… Link: Meat lovers flocking to try

Source: Jamaica Star District Constable Ryan Saunders said he is seeking financial assistance of US$150,000 to undergo corrective surgery on his spine at The Lennox Hill Hospital in New York.The lawman, who is stationed at the Falmouth Police Station, said he has been… Link: Policeman seeks help to do spinal surgery

Source: Jamaica Star It is no myth that some men are emotionally attached to their vehicles and will go the extra mile to personalise their rides.Some use unusual stickers, rims and just about anything else to make their automobile stand out.But males aren’t the only… Link: Shay makes cars sexy – Designer adds

Source: Jamaica Star Two alleged robbers were nabbed by a licensed firearm holder during an attempted robbery on Molynes Road, Kingston, yesterday.The police reported that at about 11:55 a.m., three men allegedly attempted to rob persons at a plaza when they were… Link: News

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The National Works Agency (NWA) has warned motorists to brace for delays when traveling along Constant Spring Road in the vicinity of Mary Brown’s Corner and Hillman Road in St Andrew.According to the NWA, this is as a result of pipe-laying works… Link: Motorists warned to brace for delays on

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Managing director of Carreras Jamaica Marcus Steele has again called on Government, along with the Jamaica Customs Agency, to fast-track the implementation of stronger port- and border-protection measures to stem the flow of illegal cigarettes into… Link: Increasing tobacco tax contributes to illicit trade – Steele

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Claude Robinson, communications specialist and veteran journalist, is urging the Government to ensure that post-Cabinet press briefings are held regularly.Information Minister Ruel Reid indicated in a release yesterday that following recent… Link: Government to resume post-Cabinet briefing – Veteran journalist welcomes move

Source: Jamaica Gleaner John Levy, general secretary for the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees, has said that workers at the troubled Petrojam oil refinery are in limbo as it pertains to which minister now holds the reins of the energy portfolio… Link: Petrojam workers say morale low

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Sir Dennis Byron, immediate past president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), has questioned whether simple political issues are impeding all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states from using the CCJ as their final appellate court.”In my… Link: CCJ protected against political interference – outgoing president

Source: Jamaica Star Newly appointed President of the Rotary Club, Downtown Kingston, Robert Scott, has given his commitment that some 50 beds will be provided for the Marie Atkins Shelter, located on Hanover Street, in Kingston.Scott made the announcement during the… Link: Marie Atkins to – get 50 beds – Students to –

Source: Jamaica Star Senior journalist and media personality Simon Crosskill is in urgent need of blood. An appeal was made yesterday by his daughter, Danielle Crosskill, on social media platform Instagram.”Hi everyone, my dad is undergoing his fourth surgery in four… Link: Simon Crosskill in urgent need of blood

Source: Jamaica Star A man who claimed that he recently moved to the Ruthven Road area in St Andrew said he was almost stripped of his clothing by a group of ‘gully queens’, who robbed him recently.”Last Wednesday, I was going to KFC in Cross Roads about 1:30 a.m. to… Link: Gully queens

Source: Jamaica Star At 24, Ramone Donaldson did not expect to be living on the streets; neither did he expect to be battling various medical conditions.However, he now has to ask for help in order to be able to move from one location to the next because he is suffering… Link: ‘Please give

Source: Jamaica Star Alicia* wishes that her child’s father would come out of hiding and help take care of his child. According to Alicia, the man, who is a former security officer, left Jamaica in 2015 and that was the last time that he paid child support.She said that… Link: Worthless dad stopped

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Local cable company Linscom Network has been ordered to pay Television Jamaica Limited (TVJ) US$14,857.50 for breaches of copyright over its showing of two IAAF Diamond League events in 2014.In a judgement handed down last week, Puisne Judge David… Link: TVJ wins copyright case – Cable firm ordered to pay

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Executive Director of KingAlarm, John Azar, has revealed that within the next 30 days, all armed security personnel at the company will be given refresher training in human rights.Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Azar claimed that recent video… Link: Human rights training for armed officers at KingAlarm

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on July 1, 2018, yesterday urged his colleague regional Heads of Government to make clear and definitive commitments to establishing the single market…. Link: ‘CARICOM Must Deliver’ – We owe it to the people, Holness tells Heads

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Information Minister Ruel Reid has again hinted that the weekly post-Cabinet media briefings, which have not been held since late last year, couldbe radically overhauled oreven abandoned. He further questioned the relevance of the briefing and… Link: Reid: Post-Cabinet briefings outdated

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Yolande Ramharrack, the human resource manager at the scandal-hit Petrojam, yesterday admitted that the advertisement to which she responded for the position required applicants to have a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree, which she did… Link: Petrojam manager hired without required degree

Source: Jamaica Gleaner   Manager of the National Crime Prevention Fund Prudence Gentles, yesterday said that the number of successful calls being received by Crime Stop has been trending upwards. Successful calls are those that lead to a breakthrough in police… Link: Crime Stop has more results from calls compared to last year

Source: Jamaica Gleaner With the 2020 deadline to achieve the 90-90-90 global HIV/AIDS goals fast approaching and international funders becoming scarcer, at least one local civil society group is appealing to Government and the business community for help. Executive… Link: Government and business operators urged to finance HIV/AIDS fight

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Embattled minister of Science and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley yesterday insisted that no agreement had been signed and no money spent on the planned multimillion-dollar upgrade of the vacuum distillation unit (VDU) at the state-owned oil refinery… Link: Wheatley: No money spent on Petrojam unit

Source: Jamaica Gleaner “Something crazy”, is how Cleveland Crooks, director of compliance and enforcement at the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has described the actions of a security guard who on Monday was shot and injured while trying to… Link: ‘Crazy’ attack – FLA says man shot was wrong attempting to disarm firearm holder

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The materno fetal medicine unit of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH), which caters to pregnant women who have conditions that increase the risk of death to them and their babies, yesterday received medical supplies and equipment valued at over $… Link: VJH receives M equipment to help save pregnant mothers

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Calls for an increase in the $20-million allocation to members of parliament under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) were yesterday shut down by Chairman Everald Warmington.Manchester North Western MP Mikael Phillips pleaded on behalf of… Link: Warmington shuts down calls for increase in CDF funds

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Four young, bright foreigners of Jamaican parentage have been given the opportunity of kindling their roots and fulfilling childhood dream under the GraceKennedy (GK) Jamaican Birthright Programme.The 2018 launch of the Jamaican Birthright Programme… Link: Reconnecting with Jamaican roots – GK Birthright Programme exposes foreign interns to Jamaican heritage

Source: Jamaica Star Stacey Reynolds, principal of Mount Alvernia High School in St James, has issued a stern warning to the over 200 graduates from the all-girls educational institution, not to get pregnant within the next 10 years. She made her warning during… Link: No babies in 10 years – Mt Alvernia principal

Source: Jamaica Star Residents living in the low-lying sections of Lances Bay in Hanover are on edge as another downpour could mean disaster. In May, the flood-prone community was greeted by a major flood that swept through several homes, damaging furniture,… Link: Community Focus: Lances Bay on edge of disaster

Source: Jamaica Star KFC has announced that it has discontinued its ‘Crazy Tuesdays’ promotion. “Thank you to everyone who got Crazy with us over the past weeks! Crazy Tuesdays has come to an end. There will be NO Crazy Tuesday on July 3rd,” KFC… Link: KFC ends Crazy Tuesdays

Source: Jamaica Star Despite enhanced security measures and the dismantling of the much-feared Dexter Street gang, Westmoreland continues to bleed. In fact, over the past 10 days, four persons have been murdered, putting additional pressure on the detectives… Link: Westmoreland murders continue to climb

Source: Jamaica Star Tasheika Clarke affectionately called ‘Karen’, whose body was taken from the sea at the Half Moon Bay Beach in Falmouth in late May, was laid to rest last Saturday. Clarke was eulogised by her sister Antonette Clark- Thompson as “one… Link: Tasheika Clarke remembered as a fighter

Source: Jamaica Gleaner An estimated 38,000 Jamaican youth between the ages of five and 17 years old are involved in child labour, and 26,000 work in hazardous conditions, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO).These are some of the findings contained in… Link: Thousands of J’can children engaged in child labour –

Source: Jamaica Gleaner More than 2,500 people have been rounded up and taken into custody in St James in the six months since the parish was blanketed by a state of public emergency, but only about five per cent of those detainees were charged -mainly with minor criminal… Link: Unfair detention – Thousands

Source: Jamaica Gleaner CARICOM’s Office of the General Counsel has produced two legal opinions defending the right of Haitians to move freely within CARICOM. Currently, Haitians need a visa to enter CARICOM territories, except Barbados, which abolished the requirement… Link: CARICOM heads to discuss free movement for Haitians – Grenada objects to entitlement

Source: Jamaica Gleaner MOSCOW (AP):So much for this being a ‘World’ Cup.The quarter-finals are all-European and South American for the first time since 2006.Mexico said adÌos with a 2-0 loss to Brazil in the round of 16 yesterday and Japan sayonara when it blew a two-goal… Link: Brazil, Belgium book quarter-final berths

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Human-rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) has revealed chilling details of five documented cases of critical incidents that have occurred in residential childcare facilities in the past five years.In an effort to address the improvements needed… Link: Chilling childcare facility report – JFJ discloses five disturbing cases

Source: Jamaica Star Some Jamaican women are eager to improve the attractiveness of their ‘privates’ by adding decorations. Already, women around the world have been adding crystals and other sparkling decorations to their genitals in large patterns, through a process… Link: WOMEN WANT PRETTY PRIVATES – Bizzare summer trend could reach Jamaica

Source: Jamaica Star Grief and anger engulfed a section of Seaview Gardens, St Andrew, yesterday after a 15-year-old student died after being struck by a bullet from an illegal gun.Police said the eighth grade Tarrant High school student, Olivia Gunzales, was among a… Link: Schoolgirl killed during gun play

Source: Jamaica Star From tuning bicycle wheels to a complete job of spraying and assembling, Emeka Evans does it all. She is on the list of females who are tearing down the stereotype of mechanics being a man’s job.Evans is the sole operator of Wheely King Cycle Works… Link: ‘Wheely Princess’ holds her

Source: Jamaica Star A pregnant woman was murdered in Portland yesterday by three cowards who attacked persons who were cleaning up after a party in Orange Bay, west Portland.Kimberley Baugh, 24, who was five months pregnant, was among the five persons who were shot in… Link: Pregnant woman killed in Portland

Source: Jamaica Star Gymnast Michala Virgo left Jamaica for China on Saturday. The 11-year-old will spend two months in the Asian country as she continues to hone her skills and develop further in her favourite sport.A competitor at heart, and soon-to-be high-school… Link: Young gymnast to sharpen skills in China

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Link: Photo | Art on the Street

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Former Foreign Affairs Minister Anthony Hylton is calling for CARICOM leaders to use this week’s Heads of Government Meeting to commit to using the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to resolve issues related to the interpretation and implementation… Link: Hylton: Regional heads must tap into CCJ for opinions on treaty

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Orange Bay, Portland:A suspect is in custody following the brutal slaying of a woman and the injuring of four others, after gunmen opened fire at a bar at Orange Bay, west Portland, yesterday morning.One of the four injured persons remained in… Link: One dead, four injured in Orange Bay shooting

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The dismantling of the prohibition of marijuana in its totality across member states is a key recommendation contained in the report of the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana 2018, which will be reviewed by heads of government at the 39th… Link: CARICOM heads to consider dismantling marijuana prohibition

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has thrown his support behind the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) in urging the Government to resume post-Cabinet press briefings.There has been no post-Cabinet press briefings since the start of the year.PAJ… Link: Phillips backs PAJ on post-Cabinet demands

Source: Jamaica Gleaner One in every five Jamaican women who experience physical or sexual abuse from their intimate partners stays silent about the incident, despite efforts to get them to speak up and the international example being set by groups such as the #MeToo… Link: Still suffering in silence – Women refusing to

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) is urging parents and school officials to be on the lookout, following an increase in the number of students experimenting with a new deadly drug called ‘Lean’, and vape cigarettes. Lean, which… Link: Teenagers getting high on ‘Lean’ – NCDA seeing more cases

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Twenty-seven children under 10 years old were raped across Jamaica last year as cold-hearted adults continued to steal their innocence.They were among 261 children reportedly raped during the year, with the children accounting for more than half of… Link: Raiding the cradles – Children accounted for more than half of

Source: Jamaica Gleaner For years, abused women have been able to find a temporary sanctuary at the Woman Incorporated Crisis Centre (Woman Inc). Now the administrators say they intend to do more by opening up a transitional home for victims of domestic violence.According… Link: Woman Inc to the rescue again – Transitional home

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Donald Chinloy smiled with a faraway look in his eyes minutes after he was told that the result of a DNA test had cleared him of allegations of rape, abduction and robbery.”God know dat mi neva guilty. The DNA further prove that mi never do it, but… Link: DNA test

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Despite her institution ascending from 18th to sixth in Educate Jamaica’s 2018 listing of schools based on their performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, principal of Mt Alvernia High School, Stacey Reynolds,… Link: Ranking schools by CSEC results is unfair – Mt Alvernia High principal

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The establishment of a point of contact for the diaspora to address specific concerns about cases is among a number of security measures that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) plans to introduce as a mechanism to ensure the safety of returning… Link: Police give reassurance to returning residents

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Rodje Malcolm, executive director of Jamaicans for Justice, has raised serious concerns about the gender bias within state-care facilities, pointing out that more effort is placed on ensuring that girls are placed in foster care families while boys… Link: Gender bias – More boys sent to children’s homes, while more

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Supreme Court has ordered the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries to immediately reinstate a senior official who was sent on ‘retirement’ four years early. The order was made by Justice Georgianna Fraser in the Supreme… Link: Court orders reinstatement of ‘retired’ public official

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke has advised Jamaicans to take their business elsewhere if commercial banks fail to follow the lead of the central bank in reducing their interest rates.”Medium-sized and small businesses need to demand of their… Link: Finance minister urges public to pressure banks for lower rates

Source: Jamaica Star Omar Ryan, organiser of last November’s protest against poor road conditions in St Thomas, is again calling on the Government to give the parish some attention.Ryan said that not much has changed since the protest.”It’s just patching of the roads,… Link: Give St Thomas some attention – Activist wants roads

Source: Jamaica Star A former law-enforcement officer is pleading with the mother of his child to let him play an active role in his son’s life. The 33-year-old father, who currently resides overseas, said he has been having a tough time to share in his three-year-old… Link: ‘I want to spend time with

Source: Jamaica Star Sixteen students, who attend non-traditional high schools across the island have been rewarded for their outstanding performance in academics by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC).The students, many of whom face various challenges, were fÍted… Link: Students from non-traditional schools rewarded

Source: Jamaica Star A woman was burnt beyond recognition after the vehicle in which she was travelling burst into flames after colliding with a Knutsford Express bus yesterday afternoon.Senior Superintendent of police, Dahlia Garrick, told the news team that the… Link: Woman killed in fiery crash

Source: Jamaica Star A Kingston man is irate after claims that gangsters from his community stole his underpants and other clothing from his home, rendering him unable to properly cloth himself.Dane Wilson* told THE WEEKEND STAR that he is frustrated and is constantly… Link: Gangsters keep stealing my underwear – Man complains to

Source: Jamaica Gleaner To have received his certificate of completion from the National College for Education Leadership (NCEL) Aspiring Principals Programme would have been one of the proudest moments of Clive Mohammed’s life. But fate would have it that he would die… Link: ‘He would have been proud’, says widow of late Jose

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Trevor Munroe-led National Integrity Action (NIA) has joined the chorus calling for the resignation of Energy Minister Andrew Wheatley regarding the ongoing controversy at the state-run oil refinery, Petrojam.In a release yesterday, the anti-… Link: Wheatley must go – NIA

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Human rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) has reported that during the last 10 years, there have been more than 1,600 documented cases of critical incidents in residential childcare facilities, 558 occurring in the past five years.A critical… Link: Hazards in Homes – Study finds more than 1,600 critical incidents

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Statistics showing the ratio of psychiatrist to patient as 1:1,582 has signalled to Dr Diana Thorburn, director of research at the Caribbean Policy Research Institute, that Jamaica has been lagging behind in basic mental-health services.”The… Link: Ja lagging in basic mental-health services

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The political crisis in Venezuela and the current relationship between CARICOM and the South American country will not be discussed at the upcoming Heads of Government Conference in Montego Bay, St James, early next month.Senator Kamina Johnson… Link: Venezuelan crisis not up for discussion at CARICOM confab

Source: Jamaica Star Children’s activist and founder of Hear The Children’s Cry, Betty-Ann Blaine, said the foul-mouthed youngster speaking in a video circulating on social media needs intervention from the local child agencies.It is unclear when and where the 13-second… Link: Boy in ‘cursing’ video needs help – Betty-Ann Blaine

Source: Jamaica Star Dancehall entertainer Gully Bop lashed out at the court system and the media after appearing before the St Thomas Parish Court yesterday morning to answer assault charges. Bop was taken into custody on June 8 after his wife made a report against… Link: Gully Bop accused of using cocaine –

Source: Jamaica Star Principal Aldrick Durrant was on Monday honoured for his four years of service to Tivoli Gardens High School in Kingston.His tenure there was his first time serving as a principal, but according to Durrant, it was always on the books.”Upon… Link: Outgoing Tivoli High principal honoured

Source: Jamaica Star In a bid to get more Jamaicans enthused about recycling waste, and more specifically, plastic, the Jamaican Government recently announced that it would be committing $75 million towards the implementation of a plastic bottle-deposit scheme.But Daryl… Link: Small financial returns for recycling plastic bottles

Source: Jamaica Star Many persons are fearful of undergoing simple surgical procedures or become fazed by the very mention of the word ‘hospital’. But if there is anyone who has shown resilience, it is Trevor Hibbert as he has survived two major surgeries.The 65-year-… Link: Standing strong after two heart surgeries

Source: Jamaica Gleaner MOSCOW (AP):Paulinho and Thiago Silva scored a goal each on Wednesday to give the five-time champions a 2-0 victory over Serbia and first place in their group.Brazil struggled in its opening two matches, first held to a 1-1 draw and then needing… Link: Worried no more – Brazil is through

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Labour and Social Security Minister Shahine Robinson is maintaining that the Government is committed to ensuring that priority is given to Jamaicans within the local labour force. The commitment comes after her ministry refused only 15 of the 5,717… Link: Increase in work permits not significant – labour minister

Source: Jamaica Gleaner At five months old, doctors had limited hope that Ashleigh Jarrett would stay alive. She was, however, fortunate to have been able to visit Florida to have open heart surgery. Today, she is among The Gleaner’s Spelling Bee 2018 Grade Six Achievement… Link: A mother’s choice rewarded – Wolmer’s Prep

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Chairman of Marathon Insurance Brokers (MIB) Richard Burgher has dismissed the “defence offered by Petrojam” through its parent ministry for extending an insurance contract for two years at a cost of $420 million more than available on the market…. Link: UPDATED: Petrojam dispute – Insurer dismisses ministry’s defence of costly

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Dayton Campbell has charged that healthcare has become swept up in public relations and there needs to be more equity in the sector.”Jamaica Moves seems to be the big-idea project, and while [it] is good, it does… Link: Campbell: Too much PR in healthcare –

Source: Jamaica Star An increasing number of persons have been congregating at sports bars and betting parlours in Montego Bay, St James, to watch televised World Cup games, live from Russia. The STAR spoke with some of… Link: Where is the best place to watch the World Cup?

Source: Jamaica Star At an average cost of US$200 (J$26,256) for pickup from home and drop-off at an event in a luxury vehicle, it’s no wonder why two friends from Jamaica decided to get into business.The New York-based Got 2 Be Gold is one of best sacrifices that… Link: J’can businessmen find gold

Source: Jamaica Star Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson has announced a 12.9 per cent increase in the national minimum wage from $6,200 to $7,000 per week.In addition, security guards will receive $9,700, up from $8,854 per week, reflecting a 9.6… Link: Minimum wage increased to ,000

Source: Jamaica Star With rumours swirling around on social media that contaminated rice was allowed to enter Jamaica, the agency in charge of Jamaica’s ports say there is no evidence that the tainted staple came through its borders.The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) said… Link: No reports of contaminated rice – customs agency

Source: Jamaica Star Four years ago when Mary met a man in the US, she thought that they were only going to be friends.Two years ago she finally decided to date him. She said that things were going well and he even promised to send her US$100 (approximately J$13,200)…. Link: Foreigner cons woman

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Teams from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and the new Integrity Commission yesterday swooped down on the state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam, confiscating documents and computers amid allegations of nepotism, corruption… Link: Petrojam raid – MOCA, Integrity Commission seize documents, computers

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The performance task component of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) seeks to minimise parental interference and allow students to apply analytical skills to make sense of the world around them through projects.”… We are aware that many times, the… Link: Gleaner Editors’ Forum | McLean: No parental aid – PEP

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Minimum wage earners will have more money in their pockets based on a 13 per cent increase from $6,200 to $7,000 per 40-hour workweek, which takes effect on August 1. The minimum wage for security guards moves from $8,854 to $9,700.Labour Minister… Link: Minimum wage increase – ,000 per 40-hour

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Professor Errol Morrison, director general of the National Commission on Science and Technology, has lamented the unwillingness of Jamaican investors to support local research and science, even where there was ample proof that just a little more… Link: Prof Morrison bats for more scientific research funding

Source: Jamaica Gleaner For the first time, the Hear the Children’s Cry organisation will be able to hire a social worker to visit homes and schools of children who run away.Expressing gratitude to the Supreme Ventures Limited for donating $2.8 million to assist with the… Link: Social workers to do community, school visits

Source: Jamaica Star In a 15-day span this month, St James has recorded 10 murders, much to the chagrin of the security forces. Assistant Commissioner of Police Ealan Powell, the… Link: St James records 10 murders in 15 days

Source: Jamaica Star A St James man who was arrested for breaching the regulations against smoking in public was extremely grateful when the St James Parish Court heeded his pleas for mercy and gave him a $5,000 fine on Wednesday, June 20.Fifty-two-year-old Patrick… Link: Smoking in public lands man in hot water

Source: Jamaica Star Assistant Commissioner of Police Ealan Powell, the commanding officer in charge of the state of emergency (SOE) in St James, has pledged to investigate any reports he might receive regarding alleged impropriety or unprofessional conduct by security… Link: No reports of unprofessional conduct – Ealan Powell

Source: Jamaica Star A conflict between two men in Golden Grove, St Thomas, turned deadly early yesterday morning.According to reports, Stephen Knight, 27, was stabbed and killed in his hometown community of Duckenfield district, at approximately 12:15 a.m.Knight was… Link: Man stabbed to death in early morning – altercation

Source: Jamaica Star North Trelawny Member of Parliament Victor Wright has eulogised Gloria Louise Grosset Francis as “an outstanding florist and a foundation member of the People’s National Party”.Grosset Francis, a retired practical nurse, died on May 22. She was 83.”… Link: PNP foundation member laid to rest

Source: Jamaica Star Up until last Monday, Alvin Wallen was living a regular life and appeared to be in good health.However, that was far from the truth. The following day, Wallen, who is a security guard, was heading to work when he collapsed and was rushed to the… Link: Security guard seeks help

Source: Jamaica Star The site where the prestigious Calabar High School, formerly the Calabar Theological College, first opened its doors is now nothing more than a pasture for raising livestock.The all-male secondary institution, which is now situated on Red Hills Road… Link: Historical Trelawny site now in ruins

Source: Jamaica Star Chinese entity Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) plans to invest more than US$3 billion to develop the Gansu Industrial Park andSpecial Economic Zone in Nain, St Elizabeth, where it operates the Alpart alumina refinery.The park, which is… Link: Industrial park to bring 60,000 jobs

Source: Jamaica Star A St James woman who stabbed her father during a dispute after she interrupted one of his prayer sessions was lucky to escape jail time after her father asked the St James Parish Court to discontinue the case on Wednesday, June 20.Trisha Bailey, of… Link: Woman stabs father as he

Source: Jamaica Gleaner   Chairman of Marathon Insurance Brokers (MIB), Richard Burgher, is demanding answers from the Government as to why Petrojam turned down a tender offer by to provide insurance services for its workers, but awarded the contract to a competitor… Link: Pricey Petrojam Insurance – Bidder says process corrupt

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Jamaica Medical Cannabis Corporation (JMMC) is investing US$2 million (J$264,000,000) into research on local ganja strains in order to ascertain with scientific accuracy their medicinal potential, over the next 10 years. Professor Errol… Link: 0m ganja study – Jamaica eyeing investment in medicinal marijuana market

Source: Jamaica Gleaner “I came, I saw and I conquered,” were the words spoken yesterday by outgoing principal of Tivoli Gardens High School, Aldrick Durant, four years after being recruited to ‘restore’ the West Kingston-based institution…. Link: Mission accomplished, says outgoing Tivoli principal

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Two male suspects are in police custody for the brutal slaying of two returning residents, husband and wife, whose partially burned bodies were discovered last Friday afternoon in the farming community of Mount Pleasant in west Portland. The… Link: Suspects held for Portland couple’s killing

Source: Jamaica Gleaner SARANSK, Russia (AP): Criticised back home and spurned by many of Portugal’s fans, Ricardo Quaresma sat on the bench for his team’s opening two World Cup matches. He finally got some playing time in the third on Monday, and he scored in the… Link: Quaresma gets some playing time, and

Source: Jamaica Star Chrisan Archibald and her children are ‘water babies’, so it’s not unusual for them to be seen taking a swim or washing in the Miners River in Clarendon. When THE STAR visited the river, several fishermen had their bait… Link: A river to soothe the soul

Source: Jamaica Star A Clarendon vendor fought a lone gunman last Saturday in the May Pen Market after he attacked and tried to shoot her.Reports from the May Pen police are that at about 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, the gunman approached the vendor at her stall.It was said… Link: Female vendor fights gunman

Source: Jamaica Star A woman who allegedly demanded $30,000 so that she would not release doctored nude photos of another female was given a new court date when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last Friday.Charged with extortion and breaches of… Link: Doctored nude photos used to extort female

Source: Jamaica Star After three years of fighting to convince US detectives that he did not commit a sexual offence, Winston Slew claimed that he was tricked into signing away his rights and has been separated from his family ever since.According to him, a relative is… Link: Sex convict wants to return to

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Education Minister Senator Ruel Reid and Ann Marie Vaz, wife of West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz, were among four caretakers confirmed by the Central Executive of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) yesterday.Reid was confirmed as the JLP… Link: Ann Marie Vaz among four new JLP caretakers

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips is calling for the immediate resignation of Energy Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley for what he has described as “the mother of all scandals” at the state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam.”It has all the ingredients of all… Link: Phillips: Petrojam the mother of all scandals – PNP

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Elsie Douglas-Sinclair, who operates the overseas employment agency Len-Clair Recruiting in Mandeville, Manchester, has barely managed to get anyone on the H-2B programme over the last two years.She says this is because the 66,000 cap set by the… Link: Bankruptcy beckons

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Several local overseas-employment agencies have closed their doors in the last two years because of their inability to place workers in temporary jobs in the United States and the growth in the number of of unlicensed agents who are giving the… Link: Scorched by scammers – Overseas-employment agencies blame Ministry

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Since France 1998, Jamaica’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup final has been nothing but a dream, and Gregory Park, St Catherine, resident Jason ‘Buzz’ McDonald is adamant that this is because of a lack of planning.According to McDonald, the… Link: On the Corner with EPOC | Dropping the ball

Source: Jamaica Gleaner A mouth-watering rematch between Germany and Brazil could be on the cards at the finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup much earlier than any football fan could have anticipated.The two, who played out a 7-1 German win at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, could… Link: Plucky Germany could get

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Police raids, hostile clients, and persons determined to have unprotected sex are some of the major challenges facing sex workers in Jamaica who continue to beg the state to protect them by legalising the trade.Apple, a 42-year-old mother of five,… Link: ‘Nothing no wrong with it!’ – Sex workers step

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Senior investigators are yet to make a breakthrough in the murder of two senior citizens in Mount Pleasant, west Portland, and are urging members of the public to share any information they might have.Yesterday, police identified the two victims as… Link: Portland police seek public’s help to catch killers –

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Most men with a low sperm count in Jamaica are denied the opportunity of fathering a child. But with the introduction of sperm retrieval surgery in the island, scores of men are being given an opportunity to achieve their desire of fathering… Link: Help for men with low sperm count

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Jamaica’s successful and internationally acclaimed vaccination programme is under threat as more parents join the anti-vaccination movement which is sweeping the United States and sections of Europe.According to vice-president of the Paediatric… Link: Anti-vaccination movement spreading locally – Scores of children being put at risk

Source: Jamaica Star A father who was asked by his pastor to drop charges against his son who stabbed him in his back was scolded by the presiding judge when he appeared in court yesterday.When the matter was called up in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, the… Link: Son stabs dad

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is making it clear that the Government has not asked Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology Hillary Alexander to undertake an investigation at Petrojam.In a release yesterday, the… Link: ‘Prepare a report’ not ‘investigate’, OPM tells permanent secretary in

Source: Jamaica Gleaner RIO DE JANEIRO (AP):Brazilians breathed a sigh of relief on Friday after the national team scored two stoppage-time goals to beat Costa Rica 2-0 at the World Cup, bringing it closer to a berth in the round of 16.With yellow-and-green T-shirts and… Link: Brazilian Bliss – Fans heave sigh of

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister Andrew Holness has embraced the Bruce Golding-led Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Review Commission’s proposal for greater equity in the assessment and calculation of fees payable to the CARICOM Secretariat and agencies by member states… Link: Equity needed in assessment of CARICOM fees – Holness

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The farming community of Mount Pleasant in west Portland has been rocked by a double murder after the nude body of a Caucasian female, along with that of her husband, was discovered on Friday afternoon.The names of the murdered victims have been… Link: Double murder baffles Portland farming community

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Industry and Commerce Minister Audley Shaw is troubled by Jamaica’s trade deficit with the United States and has urged the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) to provide more support.”The end of March this year, in fact, showed that we imported… Link: Government moving to reduce trade deficit with US

Source: Jamaica Gleaner One in four women in Jamaica has been physically abused by a male partner, and one in five has reported being sexually abused before reaching 18 years old.These are just some of the findings of the Women’s Health Survey 2016, which was launched… Link: One in four Jamaican women physically

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Attributing a reduction in the country’s homicide rate mainly to states of emergency and the zones of special operations (ZOSOs) implemented across the island, Security Minister Dr Horace Chang yesterday said that his ministry was looking at long-… Link: Chang applying strategies to secure crime-fighting gains

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Pointing to the unavoidable and inevitable digitalisation of the Jamaican society, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that his administration is laying the foundation for a digital makeover that will have a jaw-dropping effect on life.Holness, who… Link: Holness: Digital revolution inevitable – Government preparing country

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Jamaica’s tourism sector and, by extension, the worldwide tourism industry, is to benefit from the setting up of a global centre for tourism resilience and crisis management centre, says Tourism Minister Edmond Bartlett.The purpose of the centre… Link: UWI to house centre for tracking tourism disruptions

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Jayden Clarke was bubbling with excitement as he watched the proceedings at a ceremony to award students who registered exemplary performances in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) at the National Arena in Kingston yesterday.The young, bright… Link: Education ministry awards top GSAT scholars

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw yesterday served notice that he would be taking steps to close the trade loopholes that Jamaica’s trading partners have been abusing to dump goods into the country to the… Link: Shaw promises trade protection

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:Investigators attached to the Falmouth Police Station and the Freeport Police Station in Montego Bay are now probing an incident in which police personnel allegedly pepper sprayed three security guards as well as patients on a ward at… Link: Cops under probe after pepper spray incident at Falmouth Hospital

Source: Jamaica Gleaner ROSTOV-ON-DON (AP):With a single goal, Luis Suarez settled the fate of four teams in the group stage of the World Cup.The controversial striker, who was making his 100th appearance in his national team’s light blue, scored Wednesday to give Uruguay… Link: Suarez sends Uruguay and Russia to last 16 at

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Some 20,000 jobs are expected to be generated in five years from the US$3-4 billion Jamaica-Gansu Industrial Park to be constructed in Nain, St Elizabeth, by the state-owned Chinese Jiuquan Iron… Link: Jobs are coming – Employment hike predicted as JISCO invests billions to contruct industrial park in Nain

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Prime Minister Andrew Holness says there are Jamaicans who have misunderstood the proposal to withdraw from the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), if certain commitments, as outlined in the Golding Report, are not met.”The Cabinet debated… Link: Holness: Gov’t not contemplating CARICOM departure

Source: Jamaica Gleaner President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (JMEA), Metry Seaga, is adamant that Government must ensure transparency in its investigation of allegations of financial impropriety at the state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam.”My… Link: Be Transparent – JMEA head calls for thorough Petrojam investigation

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:A police corporal who allegedly breached the Corruption Prevention Act last Thursday and successfully eluded personnel from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has reportedly submitted an application for sick… Link: Cop submits sick leave, but remains on the run

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Managing Director of the Transport Authority, Cecil Morgan, told members of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday that five 40-seater buses costing $115 million ordered by the previous management of the entity could not pass over… Link: Transport Authority dispenses with buses that failed Mount Rosser test

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:Last week was a very good one for the Hanover police, as 12 persons who were arrested recently under the lottery scam law were convicted in the Hanover Circuit Court.”We hope this will be a lesson to all the persons who are still… Link: Twelve ‘scammers’ convicted in Hanover

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Transport and Mining Minister Robert Montague says that the Government is taking steps to provide greater protection for persons who use public passenger vehicles by proposing the mandatory installation of GPS in these vehicles.”We must put a GPS… Link: Montague proposes mandatory GPS for buses, taxis

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The island’s sole distributor of electricity, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has signalled its readiness to face the ongoing 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, declaring that it has a robust disaster preparedness programme.Speaking with… Link: JPS declares hurricane readiness; upgrading street lights

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Since its explosion on the local scene in 2015, Gustazos has developed an enviable reputation for providing top deals on its e-commerce platform across various sectors.However, according to Chief Executive Officer Carlos Villares, Gustazos has been… Link: Booming Gustazos creating waves in hospitality sector

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Grade five students at Calabar Infant, Primary and Junior High, as well as Winward Road Primary schools, emerged from day one of the national mock exam of the performance task component of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) with mixed reactions.”It was… Link: Students sail through first day of PEP mock

Source: Jamaica Gleaner WESTERN BUREAU:As of June 30, passengers travelling through Jamaica’s international airports, Sangster and Norman Manley, will not be allowed to carry powdered products weighing more than 12 ounces in their carry-on luggage on entering the United… Link: US bans powdered products from flights – Negative impact on airport merchants

Source: Jamaica Gleaner SOCHI, Russia (AP):Unlike the other FIFA World Cup favourites that struggled through their opening matches, Belgium looked every part the title contender.Having Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku capable of scoring the way they did against Panama helps… Link: Lukaku brace sinks Panama

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Clarendon woman who used a piece of board to beat her two-year-old daughter to death because the child defecated on herself will likely spend no time in prison.Delreta Smith, 53, was sentenced last Friday to three years in prison, but Justice… Link: Deadly momster spared prison – Woman who

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The life of Sharon June Antoinette Bernard-Lowe, mother of accomplished Gleaner sports writer and editor Andre Lowe, was one of fight, dedication, motivation and hard work.Bernard-Lowe, who passed away in hospital last month after battling cancer,… Link: Bernard-Lowe hailed for faith, resilience

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Financial adviser and popular local actor Clive Duncan is urging fathers to play an active role in the lives of their children.Duncan was among successful professionals and fathers who brought inspiration to boys at the Rio Cobre Juvenile… Link: Fathers are crucial – Boys listen to men more, says local

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Professor Trevor Munroe, executive director of the National Integrity Action, is concerned about the unpreparedness of public administrators who appear before parliamentary oversight committees to answer important questions related to administration… Link: Public officials urged to gear up for parliamentary committees

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Sandals Royal Caribbean’s Gerald Christ and Sandals Montego Bay’s Kadeen Black topped the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) national awards at the organisation’s 57th anniversary Annual General Meeting at Moon Palace in Ocho Rios on… Link: Gerald Christ is Hotelier of the Year

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Anti-corruption campaigner Professor Trevor Munroe is demanding that any public official, up to Energy Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley, be sanctioned, if investigations confirm breaches of the rules at the state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam.”In ensuring… Link: Punish Petrojam wrongdoers – Munroe

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Fear that two recent unexplained deaths in Hanover might be dengue related has been dismissed by the Hanover Health Department, which says test done on the two bodies have turned up negative results.According to Dr Kaushal Singh, the acting medical… Link: Hanover deaths not dengue related – MOH

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Hundreds of residents occupying a property in Westmoreland, which has Kathleen Eugster and her late husband John as the registered title holders, are petitioning the Government through Cabinet member Karl Samuda, to do for them what was done for… Link: ‘Save us, Uncle Sam’! – Westmoreland squatters want Karl Samuda

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Managing Director of Carreras Jamaica, Marcus Steele, is baffled by the large quantity of illicit cigarettes making it through the island’s ports, into the hands of Jamaican smokers.”What is baffling for me, as part of the legal industry, is that… Link: ‘How come?’ – Carreras boss questions why illicit cigarettes

Source: Jamaica Gleaner With the Ministry of Health reporting a 162 per cent increase in the number of visits to the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) in 2017 when compared to 2016, senior medical officer at the facility, Dr Michelle-Ann Richards-Dawson, is… Link: Pressure on children’s hospital – More than 160% increase in

Source: Jamaica Gleaner SOCHI, Russia (AP):Spain were on the cusp of a perfect ending following days of turmoil, minutes from a spectacular triumph over Iberian rivals Portugal to start their World Cup.But Fernando Hierro, the former Spain defender who only took over as… Link: Spain’s tumultuous week ends with 3-3 draw against Portugal

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Andrew Holness, prime minister Germany is my favourite team. They may not play the flashy and colourful football most Jamaicans like, however, they are a reliable, smart, powerful, and hard-working outfit. They will get the job done.Peter Phillips,… Link: Andrew: Germany, Peter: Brazil – Political leaders share World Cup love

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Chairman of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) Wykeham McNeill has dismissed as “palpably false” suggestions by Government Senator Matthew Samuda that McNeill’s relative was a director of a travel agency who… Link: Smokescreen! – McNeill says claims by Matthew Samuda will not deter his PAAC work

Source: Jamaica Gleaner More than 30,000 Mexicans are expected to be in Russia for the 2018 World Cup. While Juan Jose Gonzales Mijares, the Mexican ambassador to Jamaica, will not be among the number, he feels that ‘El Tricolor’ stands a reasonable, if not spectacular,… Link: Football Fever – Ambassadors tout their country’s World

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:Grief continues to consume the family of nine-year-old Kadijah Saunders, who was found dead in the Bog district, Westmoreland, last week.Her mother, Cynthia Saunders, is overcome with grief and is wondering how she will be able to… Link: Kadijah Saunders keeps her family crying

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Link: Photo | Court injunction stalls JAS chapter elections

Source: Jamaica Gleaner At least 10 more persons have come forward with claims that they, too, have been defrauded by prominent attorney Jennifer Messado, a clerk of court and police investigators have revealed.Clerk of court Hansurd Lawson has revealed, too, that the… Link: Messado’s legal troubles mounting

Source: Jamaica Gleaner WESTERN BUREAU:Catherine Masinde, practice manager of the World Bank Group’s global business regulation unit, believes that while Jamaica has significant growth potential, it needs to implement several consistent reforms to be viable as an… Link: World Bank rep says Jamaica needs consistent reforms

Source: Jamaica Gleaner An engineer at the government-owned company National Energy Solutions Limited (NESOL) is one of two persons facing corruption-related charges following a multiagency investigation that culminated with the seizure of more than $30 million in cash and… Link: Two men charged in multiagency money-laundering probe

Source: Jamaica Gleaner MOSCOW (AP):Vladimir Putin craves sporting glory, and he got another taste of it in the opening match of the World Cup.Russia ended a 16-year wait for victory in the tournament by routing Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday in Group A, with the Russian… Link: Football Fever | Putin and Russia

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The police have confirmed that the two men arrested last Thursday in connection with a money laundering probe have been charged with corruption-related offences. According to the police Corporate Communication Unit, engineer Lawrence… Link: Engineer, mechanic charged in money laundering probe

Source: Jamaica Gleaner WESTERN BUREAU:Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assured potential international investors that Jamaica has adopted a mindset of proper fiscal management and discipline that will result in guaranteed safety and stability of business assets.Holness… Link: Ja safe for investment, says Holness

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Police Federation is backing a constable who claimed that he was assigned to cell duty by a senior officer who discarded a traffic ticket that the policeman had issued to a motorist. The federation, which represents police personnel from the… Link: Federation backs constable in row with senior cop

Source: Jamaica Gleaner VOX POP: Who is your pick to win the World Cup and why?Grapey: I’m not a bandwagonist. I loved Argentina from before even Maradona. Now, Messi is the man and he’s hungry for it; so, he’s going to do it.Duppy… Link: Football Fever | World Cup choices by the man

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has rejected claims that it is turning a blind eye to electricity theft in affluent areas, arguing that efforts to stamp out the practice in these communities are usually discrete, sometimes taking the form… Link: JPS: No blind eye to uptown electricity theft

Source: Jamaica Gleaner MOSCOW (AP):The World Cup is set to start and finish with games at the opposite ends of the spectrum.The lowest-ranked teams at the tournament will meet in the opener today when Russia hosts Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, which is also… Link: KICK-OFF! – Lowly ranked – Russians,

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Western Bureau:A pall of gloom is now hanging over the Anchovy Primary School in St James as staff and students try to come to grips with the tragic death of seven-year-old Easton Stapleton, Jr, who was killed on the school’s compound by a car being… Link: Anguish at Anchovy –

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Dr Perceval Bahado-Singh, chairman of the state-owned oil refinery Petrojam has repaid an airline ticket of over US$7,000 (J$900,000) for travel to a meeting in the United Kingdom, which he did not attend. But the Public Administration and… Link: Petrojam chair repays airline ticket – PAAC concerned about procurement breach

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Link: Photo | Danger! – Utility pole posing serious threat in John’s Lane

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Radio Jamaica Limited, parent of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, reported an after-tax loss of $42 million for the year ended March 31, 2018, compared to net profit of $145 million last year.Group revenue slipped by $183 million to $5.04… Link: Market softness dampens RJRGLEANER performance – HD TV buildout continues

Source: Jamaica Gleaner Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has proposed an expert study to examine the effectiveness of the zones of special operations (ZOSOs), which were extended for an additional 60 days in Mount Salem, St James, and Denham Town, Kingston, by the House… Link: Phillips calls for ZOSO study

Source: Jamaica Gleaner A senior police officer in western Jamaica is under fire for allegedly dumping a traffic ticket issued to a motorist by a constable, then reprimanding the young cop in the presence of the civilian.According to the constable, the incident happened… Link: Senior cop ‘dumps’ traffic ticket issued by constable

Source: Jamaica Gleaner The North-South leg of Highway 2000 was yesterday named the Edward Seaga Highway in honour of the former prime minister during an official ceremony at Unity Valley, Moneague, St Ann, where he was lauded for being a visionary.Prime Minister Andrew… Link: Gov’t names North-South highway in honour of Edward Seaga

Source: Jamaica Star The Ministry of Health is reporting that there has been one presumed dengue-related death which occurred in 2018.This classification is based on a positive Antibody Blood Test (IgM) in respect of one person who died.Confirmation is only made with a… Link: Ministry of Health probes alleged dengue death

Source: Jamaica Star A St James man has been slapped with multiple charges after he allegedly stabbed his nephew’s girlfriend and her male companion.The man, Beswick Allen, of a Jarrett Terrace address, reportedly accused his nephew’s girlfriend of cheating on his… Link: Blood spills in family dispute

Source: Jamaica Star Rose Smart: “Them must take time on the road because they are riding too fast. Some of them a speed with people pon them bike, so if they take time ride, then it will cause… Link: Vox Pop: What do you think must be done in a bid to reduce

Source: Jamaica Star The Fairview Shopping Centre in Montego Bay is among the locations to be used on Thursday by the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) as it carries out World Blood Donor Day collections.The NBTS is imploring all eligible individuals to support… Link: All set for World Blood Donor Day

Source: Jamaica Star In 2007, Pastor James Pinnock had a nightmare that his 18-month-old infant would be killed by a bus.Within days, his nightmare became a reality. His little boy was crushed to death, while he reversed his… Link: God stood by me – Pastor recalls tragic loss of infant son