------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
------------------------------------------------
JA HUMAN TRAFFICKING THREATENS U.S. ASSISTANCE – 6/04/05
The U.S. State Department issued a tier three rating to Jamaica in its annual Human Trafficking Report, an assessment that could halt non-humanitarian and non-trade related assistance to the island beginning this October. The report was critical of Jamaica’s efforts to arrest and prosecute those engaged in the trafficking of children — and called the 2004 Child Care and Protection Act inadequate in protecting children from what is described as modern-day slavery. Jamaica’s drop to a tier three ranking from last year’s tier two Watch List places the island nation among Cuba, Cambodia, Kuwait and Sudan as worst offenders of a crime that chiefly threatens women and children.
JA CALLS HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORT UNFAIR – 6/05/05
Calling the tier three ranking unfair and prejudicial, the Jamaican government was highly critical of the Trafficking in Person’s Report 2005 issued by the United States State Department on Friday. The Ministry of National Security stated in a release on Saturday that there is no record of the 100 cases of human trafficking alleged in the report or evidence that Jamaicans are being used as forced labor in the United States. The tier-three ranking threatens U.S. assistance to Jamaica and could influence similar assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
MONTEGO BAY WELCOMES DELTA – 6/06/05
Delta Airlines Flight 220 inaugural non-stop flight from Cincinnati to Montego Bay was cause for celebration at the Sangster International Airport on Saturday. Cincinnati, as the second largest hub for Delta Airlines, will be an excellent feeder market and gateway for Jamaica tourism, Clive Taffe, of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) stated. Former Tourism Minister, Ambassador Frank Pringle noted that passengers of Delta Airline’s service to Montego Bay will find improved infrastructure, to include the addition of 5,000 to 6,000 rooms between Lucea and Ocho Rios. Delta’s service also includes non-stop flights between Atlanta and Montego Bay.
MURDER RATE REACHES NEW PEAK – 6/07/05
167 Jamaicans perished to violent crime in May, bringing the total murder rate to 746 so far this year — 193 more deaths than those attributed to violent crime this time last year. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields cited the reluctance of witnesses and community members in providing information crucial to the fight against violent crime when commenting on the high murder rate. Records indicate that most of the 555 homicides were gun-related.
JAMAICA DIASPORA DAY CELEBRATION – 6/08/05
Jamaicans living in the UK will celebrate their heritage and accomplishments in four days of events that are to commence June 19 with the launch of Jamaican Diaspora Day. The Jamaican High Commission will get the four days of events off to a start, with other events to include a photography exhibition, health seminar, legal forum and a special church service. The Diaspora Ball to take place June 18 is to be a high point of the campaign meant to raise the profile of contributions of Jamaicans abroad.
GOLDING SEEKS ALTERNATIVE TO PSOJ DECLARATION – 6/08/05
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding endorsed Prime Minister P.J. Patterson’s recommendation to review the existing code of conduct for Parliament as an alternative to the signed declarations demanded by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). Golding expressed concern that signing the declarations proposed in the PSOJ 2005 Declaration of Emancipation Park would set a dangerous precedent for Parliament. The Opposition Leader further suggested that Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair oversee the process.
STANDPIPE SERVICE HALTED – 6/09/05
'Water is life' may be the popular refrain of the National Water Commission (NWC), but persons who rely on more than 200 standpipes across the island will have to look elsewhere for this vital resource. Opposition Member of Parliament Shahine Robinson, North East St. Ann, berated the NWC for a suspension in service attributed to a reported $90 million fees owed by Parish councils to the NWC. Robinson called on the Minister of Water and Housing to restore what she described as a critical service to Jamaica’s poor.
SAINT MODEL NEW FACE OF BENNETTON – 6/10/05
United Colors of Bennetton, known for its deft marketing of multiracial images to promote their worldwide fashion brand, have chosen Jamaican model Simon Bowden to be the new face of Bennetton. Bowden, winner of the 2003 CVM/Saint International Faces of Summer, is striking a pose in Europe as a model for Helmut Lang, White Noise and Costume National. Under contract for Brave Models, Bowden recently returned to Jamaica for Style Week Jamaica.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SPORTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
JA TIMES THREE AT TURIN GRAND PRIX – 6/04/05
Veronica Campbell raced a personal best of 22.35 seconds winning the 200 meters competition at the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) Turin Grand Prix in Turin, Italy on Friday. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist was joined in victory by Davian Clarke, finishing 45.52 seconds in the 400m, and Patrick 'Rodman' Jarrett with a first place finish of 10.38 seconds in the 100m.
PAKISTAN IN IMPRESSIVE WIN AGAINST WINDIES – 6/08/06
Pakistan ended their second Digicel Series Test against the West Indies with a win at Sabina Park, giving them a 1-1 draw in the series. With final tallies of Pakistan 374 and 309, West Indies 404 and 143 in the five days of play, the win was Pakistan’s first in three showings at Sabina Park. Scoring 136 runs on the Indies, Pakistan shared the series with the home team, who had better luck at Kensington Oval last week, winning by 276 runs in that competition.
HARBOUR VIEW TO MEET TIVOLI GARDENS IN SEMIS – 6/08/05
It was Harbour View 5-1 over Rivoli United for the $1 million prize and the chance to advance to the semis in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League football competition on Tuesday. Harbour View leads the league with 74 points, giving them top standing and the right to compete against last year’s champions Tivoli Gardens in the semis to begin play next Wednesday.
POWELL NO. 1 BLAZES ON – 6/10/05
Asafa Powell, the top ranked 100 meter world competitor, continues to push the pace on the track, recording a 9.85 second victory at Thursday’s International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) Golden Spike Meet in the Czech Republic. Setting a Golden Spike record time, and running the fastest 100m ever in Czech competition, Powell has his ambitions set on the World Championships — where he hopes to strike gold.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITS/SOURCES
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.