---------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SURPRISE, SURPRISE! JAMAICA CRIME RATE LOW COMPARING – 29/10/04
Surprise, Surprise, a study by a British-funded local civil society group has found that the crime rate in Jamaica is among the lowest in the region. The Jamaica Social Policy Evaluation (JASPEV) has found in its 2003 report, similar findings but noted that it was concerned about the violent and homicidal nature of the crimes in Jamaica …
NURSES, TEACHERS MIGRATION TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED
The migration of teachers and nurses are of grave concern to the government and this has caused them to participate in a trade and development project for the managed movement of teachers and nurses in the Caribbean. The project involves the systemising of the movement of teachers and nurses to foreign countries and how it is managed. Building a consensus between the receiving country and the feeder, the project will ensure that this is done with little or no repercussion on the feeder country…
OPPOSITION STILL REFUSES TO SIGN TERRORIST BILL
The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party is still refusing to sign the controversial Terrorist Bill citing concern about the inappropriateness of some of the content of the Bill. The Opposition spokesman on Justice told the committee that they would be given a full report on their continuing concerns of the Bill including the broad definition of a terrorist activity within the legislation…
EXPLOSION EFFECT FOLLOWING PETROJAM BLAST – October 28. 2004
The explosion and fire at Petrojam oil refinery is expected to trigger an increase in fuel prices and by-products. Operations at the refinery had to cease as following the fire, which caused extensive damage to one of the ten towers. According to the Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, the refinery will not resume operations until the tower has been repaired. This will mean an immediate increase in all petroleum products…
A.J NICHOLSON CALL FOR RESUMPTION OF HANGING
The Minister of Justice who argues that Jamaica needs to follow the route taken by Barbados has made a call for the resumption of hanging. Mr. Nicholson said that to do this, Jamaica might need to bypass some of the rulings by the Privy Council on certain death penalty cases. Nicholson further argued that the people of St. Catherine would want hanging to be resumed to deter crime rate in their parish…
LAST DAY FOR FARMERS TO FILE DAMAGES
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has made their final call for farmers affected by Hurricane Ivan to file damages. Over thirty thousand forms have been submitted and sent to the Electoral Office for processing and those outstanding has been given until Friday 29 to make their claims for damages. After processing by the Electoral Office, the forms will be given to the Minister of Finance to prepare relief vouchers for the affected persons…
NO EOJ INPUT IF JLP LEADERSHIP RUNNERS DON’T ADHERE – October 27, 2004
The Electoral Office of Jamaica has warned the two contenders in the race for leadership if they do not submit a final lists of nominees. Danville Walker, director of elections has warned both candidates that guidelines must be followed or the EOJ offices will not be involved in the election of the next leader of the JLP. The EOJ boss has also asked that the 240 JLP officials in the 60 constituencies present to his office a list of their respective delegates…
AIDS DISCRIMINATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCED
The Jamaica AIDS support has launched a campaign against the stigma being attached to AIDS and other such illnesses in Jamaica. The non-governmental organisation offers educational support to affected HIV persons and their families. The United Nations Global Fund on Tuberculosis, Malaria and AIDS and in partnership with the National AIDS Committee (NAC) funds the campaign. It will use various media to promote messages aimed at helping people overcome fear and prejudice, which lead to stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive people, their families and other vulnerable groups such as female sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSMs)…BULK OF REPARIS COMPLETED BY C&W JAMAICA
Since Hurricane Ivan has affected Jamaica, the Cable and Wireless communications has promised to complete all repairs within the next two weeks. The Hurricane had affected the transmission lines of the communication company and up to 25,000 faults has manifested themselves. Hurricane Ivan ravaged the island on September 10 and 11, causing $13 billion in damage to agriculture, roads, and houses according to preliminary government estimates. The high winds caused substantial damage to the country's electricity supply network….
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
LOCAL AD WINS INT’L AWARD – October 26, 2004
The locally produced ‘Crime Stop’ advert has been awarded Best Public Service Announcement. The Advert focuses on drug trafficking in Jamaica and produced by Vidquip Productions Ltd., two Kingston-based creative firms on the leading edge of advertising savvy and production capability. The award was made a month ago at the 25th annual Crime Stoppers International training conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA …
OPERATION KINGFISH NEWEST GOV’T CRIME INITIATIVE
The government has launched his newest crime-fighting plan targeting gangs, which are said to be the major contributors to crime in the island. At least twelve gangs have been identified as targets although their names have not been published. The latest news reaching reporters are that small boats are leaving various parts of St. Catherine and headed for Haiti where these has been traded for high powered weapons. Among some prominent and active gangs under the microscope of the police are the Spanglers/Matthews Lane gang, and Shower Posse from west Kingston, Bi-Bow Posse from Arnett Gardens and One Order and Clans Massive from Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Also Mad Squad from Hannah Town, west Kingston, Jungle 12, Colour Red and Gideon Warriors from the Papine and August Town areas of St. Andrew…
BAIL BOND FOR ZEKES
The area leader and Don for Matthews Lane, Donald Zekes Phipps have been released on bail following an eight-day lockup at the Horizon Remand Centre in St. Andrew. Zekes could not have taken up his previous offer of bail as his attorney Churchill Neita said police was interrogating his client for a $9 million found in his possession. Phipps was charged two Sundays ago with illegal possession of and dealing in ganja, illegal possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of pharmaceutical products. He will return to court on November 2…
CORRUPTION IN HIGH RANKS BLAMED – October 25, 2004
David Purdy, law enforcement development adviser to the Jamaica Constabulary Force has blamed corruption high in the ranks of the police force for the ineffectiveness of crime fighting initiatives. The consultant said that this was a major problem in any organisation and must be addressed as soon as possible. He said when investigations are carried out and the perpetrators caught, a message must be sent by removing their pensions, and if necessary removing them and locking them away in jail…
MAYOR McKENZIE FIGHTS AGAINST EXTORTION IN KINGSTON
Mayor Desmond McKenzie is launching an assault against extortionist in downtown Kingston and vows to bring order back to commercial district in downtown communities. Mayor McKenzie said he would do this regardless of the numerous threats against his life and regardless of those businessmen who were prepared to pay and keep quiet. McKenzie said this could be tackled and he would be begin his campaign with the help of those businesspersons who said they were not willing to pay extortion money…
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SPORTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
TIVOLI HELD TO A 2-2 DRAW BY WATERHOUSE
Tivoli failed to continue their winning ways after their victorious stint against the Bassa Football Club in the CFU Club Championships. Waterhouse FC gave them a run for their money after being down by 2 goals, when they fail to go down without a fight scoring through Kevin Lamey (12th) and substitute Weston Forrest in time-added-on…
ST GEORGES TRASHES MEADOWBROOK
As the ISSA Cup Manning Cup tournament continues, St. Georges College trashed Meadowbrook High 3-0 in an unexciting match to top group three at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. The winning coach was happy with victory but saw the need for his team to improve their game as competition continues in their next game…
Jamaica advances to CONCACAF U-20 Final Round
Oct 23
Jamaica advanced to the 2005 CONCACAF Under-20 Final Round Qualification after receiving a 3:0 forfeit victory over Haiti in the second-leg of the Caribbean Zone Second Round Series 2 in Portmore, Jamaica. fter losing the first-leg 4:0 on Monday (18 October 2004) at the Portmore’s Ferdie Neita Park, Haiti departed Jamaica on Tuesday, prior to their second-leg encounter scheduled for Wednesday, and therefore resulting in a 3:0 forfeit and a 7:0 aggregate win for the reggae boyz. Jamaica will progress to Group B of the 2005 CONCACAF U-20 Final Round Qualification from 26-30 January in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with Canada, Mexico and the host.
2005 CONCACAF UNDER-20 QUALIFYING
Caribbean Zone – Second Round
Series 2
20.10.2004: Portmore, JAMAICA; Ferdie Neita Park
HAITI – JAMAICA 0:3 (FORFEIT)
Jamaica wins 7:0 on aggregate
Series 1
19.11.2004: TBD, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO;
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – CUBA
26.11.2004: La Habana, CUBA;
CUBA – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
FINAL ROUND
Group A (12-16.01.2005 – Home Depot Center in Carson, California USA)
USA
Central American 1
Central American 2
Caribbean Series 1
Group B (26-30.01.2005 – Estadio TBD, Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS)
Honduras
Mexico
Canada
Jamaica
View more in sports at www.thereggaeboyz.com
