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THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
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LANDSLIDE CUT OFF ROADS AROUND BLUE MTNS. - 7/25/05
Several landslides destroyed the main road between Section and Buff Bay prevented cars and trucks from traveling from Cascade to Kingston via Section. It has brought hardship to the communities in the Blue Mountains of south-west Portland and resulted in economic hardships for coffee farmers, various eco-tourism attractions and the residents of the communities
PM WILL RUN FOR PARTY PRESIDENCY IN SEPT. - 7/25/05
Media reports in Jamaica indicate that People’s National Party (PNP) president, P.J. Patterson, will seek re-election in September to continue leading the ruling political organization. The announcement is seen as a set back for the party's presidential candidates and a lot of Mr. Patterson's critics who had predicted he would quit before the next presidential election.
POLICE THREATEANED TO STRIKE - 7/25/05
Following an impasse with Government over negotiations for pay and other fringe benefits the Police Federation threatened a three-day islandwide strike on Tuesday. The federation has been pressing for a 40-hour work-week and a 45 per cent wage increase over the next two years. They refused the government's $40,000 one-off payment offer per police officer.
FIREARMS ACT 2005 PASSED - 7/25/05
This week the Senate passed the Firearms Bill to establish a new centralized and self-governing Gun Licensing Authority that will grant and repeal gun licenses, permits and certificates. The bill was titled the Firearms Act of 2005 and also provides for the establishment of a Review Board to hear appeals following the refusal to grant, or revocation of a gun license, certificate or permit.
JCF TO BEGIN INTERVEIWING OVERSEAS POLICE CANDIDATES - 7/26/05
This week the Police Service Commission (PSC) will begin interviewing overseas-based candidates for 4 assistant commissioner positions within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The positions are not open to serving JCF officers and are posts in the following areas: homicide and serious crime investigation; professional standards and anti-corruption investigation; operations and firearms; and community policing and crime disorder partnerships.
SIGNING FOR FINGERPRINTING SYSTEM - 7/26/05
This week National Security Minister Peter Phillips signed a US$3.6-million contract on behalf of the government to Sagem SA of France, to supply a computerized palm and fingerprint system. The system is expected to greatly enhance the capacity of the police to track down criminal suspects and modernize its database of biographic information on known suspects.
POLICE STAGE TWO DAY “SICK OUT” - 07/27/05
Approximately 50% of the rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) called in sick on Tuesday and Wednesday to press the government for an increased wage and fringe benefits. As a result of the “sick out”, large sections of the country were left without security. The sick out left many business leaders upset and they contended that the police abdicated their duty to protect and serve the citizens of Jamaica.
COURT RULES AGAINST PORTMORE RESIDENTS IN TOLL RD. BATTLE - 07/27/05
The residents of Portmore lost the court battle over Portmore Causeway being designated a toll road by the Minister of Transport and Works. As a result the residents will be required to use the Mandela Highway as an alternative route to the Portmore leg of Highway 2000.
GOVT. STICKS TO 2005/2006 ECONOMIC TARGETS - 7/28/05
Information Minister Senator Burchell Whitman, speaking to journalists this week stated that despite the devastating intervention of hurricanes Dennis and Emily, the government would be sticking to its economic targets for 2005/2006.
"All the indications are that we will continue to seek to maintain our targets, as far as is possible without resorting to anything extraordinary such as additional borrowing, or change of targets," Whiteman said. "In other words, we are still seeking to hold to the objectives of a balanced budget."
NATIONAL SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY $2B BREACH - 7/28/05
In a report tabled in Parliament this week, Contractor General, Derrick McKoy, detailed the mismanagement at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), accusing former officers of presiding over nearly $2 billion in contract breaches. While he found no evidence to suggest that the Alston Stewart-led board and management team had used their positions for personal gain, he was disturbed by what he saw as clear violations of the rule of law.
NEW INNER-CITY HOUSES HANDED OVER - 7/28/05
Ninety Four people received keys to new apartments at Little King Street in Denham Town yesterday. The apartments are the first of 5,000 low-income, inner-city houses the government plans to build under the Inner City Housing Project, which will see homes being constructed in Denham Town, Hannah Town, Majestic Gardens, Matthews Lane, Maxfield Avenue, Monaltrie, Parade Gardens, Spanish Town Road, Swallowfield, Tivoli Gardens, Trench Town and Olympic Gardens in Kingston; Port Maria, St Mary; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; Falmouth, Trelawny and Spanish Town, St Catherine.
DPP, POLICE CHIEF, OTHERS TO RECEIVE NSWMA REPORTS - 07/29/05
Succumbing to public pressure, Local Government Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has instructed that the reports from the Contractor General detailing significant levels of impropriety at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) be turned over to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the commissioner of police. The newly appointed head of the NSWMA, Errol Greene , said the police were called in to investigate the mysterious removal of hard drives from three computers from the agency's office located on Half-Way Tree Road, St. Andrew.
CROSSFIRE BETWEEN POLICE, ALLEGED GUNMAN INJURE CHILD - 07/29/05
Yesterday a six-year-old child was shot in the ankle during crossfire between police and an alleged gunman on Spanish Town Road in Kingston. The child was hospitalized and is said to be stable.
NINE ARRESTS FOR PEOPLE TRAFFICKING – 07/30/05
Burchell Whiteman, the information minister told the Senate on Friday that 9 persons have been arrested this month for trafficking in persons by the new police unit (Trafficking in Persons - TIP) unit set up by government. Mr. Whiteman said three of the nine were fined, with additional custodial sentences, based on provisions of existing legislation. He did not give further details on the arrests, but said there were ongoing investigations.
The establishing of the new Trafficking in Persons (TIP) unit in the Organised Crime Investigative Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, was among measures recently implemented by the government following the poor rating in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report, and the threat of sanctions.
GOLDING - A JLP GOV'T WOULD SUBSIDIZE SUGAR INDUSTRY – 07/30/05
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding told cane farmers and sugar at the Cedric Titus Comprehensive High School in Clarks Town, Trelawny that a future Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government would be willing to subsidise the island's ailing sugar industry. He stated that the that support would only come after an optimum level of efficiency is achieved in the sector.
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SPORTS
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INJURED POWELL LOSES TO GATLIN IN LONDON GRAND PRIX – 07/27/05
Jamaica's 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell pulled up injured after just five strides in the 100 meters at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace, yesterday. American Gatlin, running in the next lane to Powell, won the race in 9.89 seconds. It appears the injury may affect Asafa Powell’s hopes of running in the August 6 World Athletics Championships in Helsinki.
MANCHESTER BEAT JDF TO WIN CUP - 07/27/05
Manchester won the Michael Holding trophy after beating the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) by 43 runs in the final of the Supreme Ventures Super Cup cricket competition played at Kensington Park. Man-of-the-Match, Andre Dwyer, returned figures of 14 for 140, setting up Manchester's victory.
SUNSHINE GIRLS CONTINUE TO ROLL - 07/27/05
Jamaica's under-21 Sunshine Girls defeated Malaysia for their sixth consecutive victory and their second in the second round of the World Youth Netball Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, yesterday. The Jamaican team easily racked up a 79-20 victory.
CAMPBELL WIN 100M – 07/27/05
A the London Grand Prix at the Crystal Palace Olympic 200 meters champion Veronica Campbell, won yesterday's 100m in 11.12 seconds, ahead of American Muna Lee (11.39) and Angela Daigle (11.48).
THE JAMAICAN TEAM NAMED FOR HELSINKI WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS - 7/27/05
Injury permitting, Asafa Powell, and Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell head Jamaica's 51-member contingent set to take part at next month's World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
Full Jamaica Squad
Asafa Powell (100m, 4x100m), Michael Frater (100m, 4x100m), Dwight Thomas (100m, 4x100m), Patrick Jarrett (4x100m), Usain Bolt (200m, 4x100m), Christopher Williams (200m), Omar Brown (200m), Lansford Spence (400m, 4x400), Brandon Simpson (400m, 4x400m), Michael Blackwood (400m, 4x400m), Sanjay Ayre (4x400m), Germaine Mason (high jump), Maurice Wignall (100m hurdles), Chris Pinnock (100m hurdles), Kemel Thompson (400m hurdles), Danny McFarlane (400m hurdles, 400m), Dean Griffiths (400m hurdles), Maurice Smith (decathlon), James Beckford (long jump), Lansford Davis (4x400m), Davian Clarke (4x400m), Claston Bernard (decathlon), Lerone Clarke (4x100m), Ainsley Waugh (4x100m), Dorian Scott (shot put).
Veronica Campbell (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Sherone Simpson (100m, 4x100m), Aleen Bailey (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Beverley McDonald (4x100m), Sheri-Ann Brooks (200m, 4x100m), Shericka Williams (400m, 4x400m), Lorraine Fenton (400m, 4x400m), Ronetta Smith (400m, 4x400m), Novlene Williams (4x400m), Kenia Sinclair (800m), Delloreen Ennis-London (100m hurdles), Brigitte Foster-Hylton (100m hurdles), Vonette Dixon (100m hurdles), Melaine Walker (400m hurdles), Debbie-Ann Parris-Thymes (400m hurdles), Shevon Stoddart (400m hurdles), Tricia Smith (triple jump), Elva Goulbourne (long jump), Mardra Hyman (steeplechase), Korine Hinds (steeplechase), Shellene Williams (4x400m), Daniele Browning (4x100m), Moya Thompson (4x400m), Kimberly Barrett (shot put), Michelle Ballentine (800m) and Olivia McKoy (javelin).
ASAFA POWELL OUT OF 100M – 7/30/05
Jamaica's Asafa Powell, the worlds fastest man, has pulled out of the 100m dash at the World Athletics Championships, which starts on Saturday, August 6th in Helsinki. Powell was quoted in the media as saying “you train with one focus all year and to have that taken away leaves you feeling empty”.
GREAVES, RUDDOCK IN 1-2 SWEEP – 7/30/05
In the 2005 Pan American Junior Championships in Canada sprint hurdlers Latoya Greaves and Natasha Ruddock opened Jamaica's medal count at the 2005 Pan American Junior Championships in Windsor, Canada with impressive performances. Greaves and Ruddock won gold and silver respectively in the 100m hurdles, securing personal best times.
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CREDITS/SOURCES
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The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
