Post by Rula Brown.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and American Allyson Felix for 200m battle at Prefontaine Classic....
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com Saturday, May 31, 2014
THE clash between Jamaica's World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and American Allyson Felix in the 200m is expected to be one of the highlights on today's IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon at the Prefontaine Classic.
The two were expected to battle out for the gold medal at last year's IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, but the American suffered an injury, while Fraser-Pryce went on to complete the sprint double after earlier winning the 100m.
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| Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce |
Fraser-Pryce had pulled out of the Shanghai Diamond League meeting with an unspecified injury but should be back to full fitness after competing in the 4x200m relay at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, last week.
The field today will be a competitive one, as in addition to Fraser-Pryce and Felix, World Championship medallists Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast and Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, who has run 22.36 seconds already this year, will be going after the win. Also, the talented young Americans Jeneba Tarmoh and English Gardner will also line up.
Six other Jamaicans will also be taking part in the meet with Nickel Ashmeade, who was part of two winning teams at last weekend's IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas and Nesta Carter, lining up against red-hot American Justin Gatlin in the men's 100m.
Gatlin has the two fastest times in the world so far this year after running 9.87 seconds and 9.92 seconds, while the young French runner Jimmy Vicaut is fourth on the list with 9.95 seconds.
Miss Jamaica World Cornwall Crowned 18-year-old Kimberly Webb
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU:
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| Kimberly Webb, wearing a gown designed by Kokobeenz. |
Had the other contestants in the Miss Jamaica World Cornwall competition not worked extremely hard, 18-year-old Kimberly Webb would have walked away with more than the crown. The five feet seven inches tall beauty, captured all except two of the sectional prizes, at the 2014 coronation show, held at the Wexford Hotel, in Montego Bay, last Thursday night.
Webb, a science student at Hampton High School, was the star performer, copping the coveted crown, while displacing the 11 other contestants.
In fact, she made history taking home the prizes for Most Aware, Best Smile, and Most Talented.
The only contestant to better her figure was 18-year-old Montego Bay Community College student, Natalee Prout, who won Best Figure, who was second. Prout came closest to the well-rounded dynamo, who aced the prejudging segment of the competition.
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| Kimberly Webb in swimwear |
Third place went to 21-year-old Regina Harding, a sales representative at Hairport at MegaMart, while the sectional prize for Most Congenial went to Daina Clarke.
Clear winner
Wearing the sash, Miss Sunset Beach Resort and Spa, Webb was a clear winner, proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that she had the credentials to bring the national crown to the Second City. more
13-year-old Tajaun Gibbison of Mandeville, Jamaica, among 12 spellers into Scripps National Spelling Bee finals
OXON HILL, Md (AP) — Jacob Williamson shrieked with delight, sank to his knees and pounded the stage as his name was called as one of the 12 finalists in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
In the list of 12 finalists is 13-year-old Tajaun Gibbison of Mandeville, Jamaica. The only international winner in the bee's history also hailed from Jamaica.
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| 13-year-old Tajaun Gibbison of Mandeville, Jamaica |
Meanwhile Jacob, easily the most demonstrative of the dozen spellers who will compete Thursday night for more than US$33,000 in prizes, said he was surprised to have made it so far in his first National Spelling Bee appearance. The 15-year-old home-schooled eighth-grader was even more amazed that two of last year's finalists won't be joining him.
Vanya Shivashankar, a three-time finalist whose older sister won the bee in 2009, was bounced after Thursday's semi-final round. Vanya, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Olathe, Kansas, spelled two words correctly onstage with her usual aplomb, but she did not score highly enough on two computerized spelling and vocabulary tests to advance.
The finalists include only one holdover from last year: 14-year-old Sriram Hathwar of Corning, New York, who finished third. Another former finalist, Syamantak Parma of Friendswood, Texas, misspelled ‘circumforaneous’, which means "wandering from place to place", and saw his final appearance in the bee end with the dreaded ringing of a bell.
"That was a shocker," Williamson said. "Two of the big three are gone. The holy trinity of spelling!" more
Lisa Hanna announces big plans for kids in State care.....THE Government says it will begin implementing several targeted interventions to improve conditions for children and adolescents....The system, which will cost more than $50 million to implement, is slated for roll-out over the next three years
Friday, May 30, 2014
THE Government says it will begin implementing several targeted interventions to improve conditions for children and adolescents, especially those in State care, during the 2014/15 fiscal year.
These include the phased implementation of a child case management system; legislative reforms; transformation of the Maxfield Park Children's Home as a model care child facility; and therapy and counselling sessions.
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HANNA… a child case management system will be introduced |
Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna made the announcement during the media launch of the Child Development Agency's (CDA) 10th anniversary, at the agency's downtown Kingston offices on Wednesday.
She said that the Child Case Management System is designed to maintain accurate records of children taken into State custody at places of safety, until their departure from these institutions.
"You can monitor their academic records, their medical records, their extra-curricular records, their parents, all the details (and) you can also trace whether or not they have behavioural problems," the minister said.
The system, which will cost more than $50 million to implement, is slated for roll-out over the next three years, and will facilitate information sharing among the ministry's agencies, the CDA, the Office of the Children's Registry, and Office of the Children's Advocate.
This will also be extended to other child service entities, such as the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse and Children's Court.
The minister said this will assist case workers manage their loads more efficiently and keep better records of their children. more
JAMAICAN Singer Samantha-J Inks HUGE Deal... If Samantha sticks with Columbia through her 6th album -- she'll collect up to a US$1.1 million advance!
5/24/2014 12:20 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
'Memba mi tell yu, Jamaican singer Samantha J ah do big tings ... di pretty gyal just sign a record deal fi ah whole heap ah cheddar. Jah! Rastafari!!
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| SAMANTHA-J |
Now, the translation: Samantha recently signed with Columbia Records -- and TMZ obtained a copy of the deal ... which will make the "Tight Skirt" star a very rich 17-year-old ... if she sticks with the label long enough. The pay structure is set up so that Samantha's first album gets her an advance of at least $325,000 ... and as high as $700,000, if needed. According to the contract -- if Samantha sticks with Columbia through her 6th album -- she'll collect up to a $1.1 million advance!
She's also getting fat royalties ... at least 16% of sales. That's the kinda scratch that'll get Samantha ... one 'nuff yaad down ah Jamrock ... right near di beach, boyee! more:
IN JAMAICA (FYAH POWER) : Police seize 13 firearms, over 2000 rounds in two days.... The lawmen also apprehended a man they believe is the leader of Kingston’s notorious Scare Dem Crew Gang.....An Uzi submachine gun, a .38 revolver, and a 9mm Bryco pistol containing three 9mm cartridges, were reportedly taken from the couple.
Thursday, May 29, 2014 | 7:21 PM
ST CATHERINE, JAMAICA -- Police operating in Kingston West and St Catherine divisions say that in less than 24 hours, they removed 13 firearms and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition from the possession of criminals
The lawmen also apprehended a man they believe is the leader of Kingston’s notorious Scare Dem Crew Gang.
The police said they were able to accomplish this in separate incidents between Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29.
Reports are that about 1:30 pm Wednesday, a team of officers were patrolling Red Pond, Frazers Content in St Catherine when a man was seen acting suspiciously.
When approached by the lawmen, he allegedly threw a bag to the ground. He was accosted and the bag retrieved, searched and a .38 revolver with one 9mm round found. He was taken into custody and according to the police formal charges will be laid.
About 5:20 Thursday morning, police officers carried out an operation on Percy Street in Denham Town, Kingston 14, which led to the apprehension of the leader of the Scare Dem Crew Gang and a female companion. An Uzi submachine gun, a .38 revolver, and a 9mm Bryco pistol containing three 9mm cartridges, were reportedly taken from the couple.
Later Thursday, officers attached to the St Catherine South Division were carrying out stop and search activities along the Cumberland main road when the driver of a Toyota Corolla station wagon was signalled to stop. The driver refused to comply and a chase ensued. more
BREAKING NEWS: Steve Ballmer To Buy Clippers For $2 Billion: REPORTS
Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, has made the winning bid of $2 billion to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday.
Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was banned from the NBA for life by league commissioner Adam Silver after recordings of him making racist comments were made public, had authorized his wife Shelly to negotiate a sale of the team, per the Associated Press. But as the Los Angeles Times notes, "the tentative deal still must receive [his] blessing" and the approval of the other 29 owners.
Citing unnamed sources, ESPN's Darren Rovell reported that Ballmer beat the bids of groups led by David Geffen and Los Angeles investors Tony Ressler and Steve Karsh.
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| Steve Ballmer (L) |
This story is developing.
PORTLAND, JAMAICA: 24 y-o Cancer survivor, SASHA-GAY LEWIS has been given a second chance at life as 'Many don't get to see another day'..... Woman thankful for second chance at life as stomach cancer disappears
BY INGRID BROWN Associate editor -- special assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com Thursday, May 29, 2014
TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Sasha-Gay Lewis has been given a second chance at life and one which she fully intends to make use of now that the cancer of the stomach which took her to death's door is in recession.
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| Cancer survivor Sasha-Gay Lewis and her mother Irene Moore are a picture of joy as they pose at their home in Port Antonio, Portland, with the certificate from the Radiation Oncology Centre of Jamaica indicating the successful completion of chemo-radiation therapy. (PHOTOS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD) |
But this charming, young woman, whose personality captivates those she comes in contact with, could not have done it without the support of well-thinking Jamaicans who contributed to the $1.7 million she spent for chemo and radiation therapy.
Lewis' plight was first highlighted by the Jamaica Observer last August after her family's effort at sourcing the money through various fund-raising events failed to yield the required amount
for her to begin radiation therapy. Following the article, individuals and organisations reached out to assist her, making it possible for her to begin treatment a few weeks later.
"Now I don't ever wake up one morning without saying 'thank you, Jesus, for one more beautiful day', because many don't get to see another day," Lewis said, explaining that her close shave with death has given her a new outlook on life. Now the ever-smiling Lewis said the happiest day was receiving the news that the cancer was gone two months after completing the therapy.
"When I went to UHWI (University Hospital of the West Indies) to collect the report, I was as nervous as ever, and so I had to ask a friend to open the envelope and read it, and then when I saw him smiling I just jumped up and screamed with joy," Lewis told the Observer when the team visited her at her Port Antonio home in Portland.
And, although she still makes monthly visits for medical check-ups, Lewis' only restriction is to manage her diet and to eat mainly fish and vegetables.
"The doctor said I must go and enjoy myself, so that is what I am doing, although I still do everything in moderation," she quipped.
Lewis had high praises for the staff at the Radiation Oncology Centre of Jamaica, who she said helped to make the experience of undergoing chemo-radiation more tolerable.
She said she is extremely grateful and happy that so many persons reached out to help her.
"I felt so happy that people reached out to help, especially seeing how the economy is now and for people to reach down in their pockets to help little old me, it's just overwhelming," she said. "I was so elated that sometimes I just lie in the dark and smile to myself." more
IN JAMAICA: SIMONE Foster, 27, parent of slain 9-y-o boy blames herself for son’s death... A Mother's Regret...."Mi regret seh mi leave because if mi never leave, mi son wouldn't die. Mi regret it because if I was here I could a protect him. Mi blame myself 100 per cent,"
BY HORACE HINES Observer West reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com Thursday, May 29, 2014
PLANTATION HEIGHTS, St James
SIMONE Foster, 27, the distressed mother of nine-year-old Romaine Robinson, also called 'Star Boy', who was viciously murdered in this normally quiet community last week, is blaming herself for her son's death, having left him to live with her boyfriend in Linstead, St Catherine.
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| Romaine's grandmother, Gwendolyn Todd-Foster (right), her daughter Simone Foster (seated left), with her two children, Keira and Daniel Fletcher, was a picture of grief when the Observer West visited Plantation Heights yesterday. |
"Mi regret seh mi leave because if mi never leave, mi son wouldn't die. Mi regret it because if I was here I could a protect him. Mi blame myself 100 per cent," said the mother who was a picture of grief yesterday.
"When I am here he doesn't leave out the yard because mi have him under strict rule. When him come from school in the evenings mi don't make him go nowhere. Mi have him under strict rule. Mi seh, Romaine, stay in the yard, mi don't want him walk 'bout because you see every minute them beat him up."
Reports from the Cambridge Police are that about 6:22 am, on Thursday, May 22, Romaine's body was found tied up in bushes with stab wounds to the neck.
Subsequently, a 14-year-old member of the community, who is said to be a close friend of the deceased, was arrested and charged with the gruesome murder, after he reportedly confessed to the crime.
The murder weapon was allegedly discovered at his grandmother's home.
According to Senior Superintendent in charge of the St James police division, Egbert Parkins, investigation led to the arrest of the juvenile, who "gave an account of what transpired."
SSP Parkins, who offered condolences to the family of the deceased, however, expressed relief at an early breakthrough in the case.
Meanwhile, when the Jamaica Observer West visited the area yesterday, Foster's mother, Gwendolyn Todd-Foster, said that her grandson who was left in her care, occasionally slept at the home of 'Nyah', an elderly man who lives close by.
She reiterated that when she went to look for her grandson at a nearby shop late on the evening of Wednesday, May 21, and did not see him, she was not perturbed as she thought he was at the home of 'Nyah,' who customarily cooks and shares meals with Romaine.
"Mi believe he was at Nyah because Nyah cook for both of them and when him ready him sleep over Nyah. So through mi seh him gone over Nyah, mi never worry myself because mi never know seh any harm would come to him," the grief-stricken grandmother explained. more
IN JAMAICA: Former Prime Minister, PJ PATTERSON, 'We are at the edge of the precipice' PJ laments state of social, moral decline...."I spoke then of the growing tide of social incivility, indiscipline, disorder, disrespect for each other, the fight against corruption in all its forms and the critical need to promote integrity in every facet of national endeavour.
Basil Walters Thursday, May 29, 2014
CITING an urgency to arrest the swelling tide of anti-social attitudes in the society, former Prime Minister PJ Patterson says the time has come for a renewed look at the values and attitudes campaign he introduced 20 years ago.
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| PATTERSON... there is a growing sense of alienation and greater distrust of leadership in politics, in our legal system, our national institutions, corporate business, and in the church |
In his address to members of the Rotary Club of Spanish Town at the Police Officers' Club in St Andrew on Tuesday, Patterson said the aim of the campaign was to develop a national strategy and programme of action to promote attitudinal change and social renewal.
"I spoke then of the growing tide of social incivility, indiscipline, disorder, disrespect for each other, the fight against corruption in all its forms and the critical need to promote integrity in every facet of national endeavour. Every speaker at the launch of that original campaign emphasised the need to
arrest moral decline in our country and enunciated compelling reasons to stem this growing tide.
"Twenty years later, even those who doubted the validity of the plea or contended that the call was driven by partisan political motives, now openly admit its national urgency as our condition has deteriorated beyond belief," Patterson told the Rotarians.
"In spite of the efforts that began at that time, we have seen a massive increase in crime and violence; drug warfare is more rampant, the urban ghettos have spread across our countryside and elsewhere, our ethical standards have fallen. Today, there is a growing sense of alienation and greater distrust of leadership in politics, in our legal system, our national institutions, corporate business, even in the church. This means, ladies and gentlemen, we are at the extreme edge of the precipice," Patterson lamented. more
JAMAICA Tourism sector continues to perform well, says minister, Dr Wykeham McNeill..."We are getting an average of 178,000 visitors per month in the winter and 160,000 for the summer,"
Thursday, May 29, 2014
TOURISM Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill says the sector continues to perform well, having recorded a two per cent increase in stopover arrivals for the 2013 winter tourist season and further projected growth for the summer season.
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| Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill (2nd right) cuts the ribbon for the newly renovated Berrydale Jetty, which is the embarkation point for Rio Grande River rafting during a ribbon-cutting and handing-over ceremony earlier this month. He is ably assisted by (from left) Mayor of Port Antonio Benny White; Custos of Portland Lincoln Thaxter; Member of Parliament for East Portland Dr Lynvale Bloomfield; and Minister of State for Tourism and Entertainment Damion Crawford. |
McNeill, who was responding to questions on his sectoral debate presentation at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in St Andrew, yesterday, said there are some positive industry trends which contribute to this success. This, he said, are the increase in occupancy rate and average daily rates for the rooms as well as a more sustained tourism season.
"In other words, where we used to have wild swings between winters and summers we are balancing off," the minister said.
For 2013, McNeill said occupancy rates across all categories of accommodation went up 9.1 per cent. He explained that among the reasons for higher occupancy rates is the increase in visitors from the European markets whose length of stay is now longer. He also attributed the higher occupancy rate to the increase in Jamaicans opting to vacation at home and enjoy the reduced rates under the Experience Jamaica programme.
Additionally, the tourism minister said the sector is now benefiting from higher room rates.
"We had a talk with our largest tour operator that brings persons to Jamaica and they are saying the average daily rate of rooms has gone up between 13 and 15 per cent, which is really good news for us," he said.
McNeill further noted that historically, hotels would open for the winter season in December through to May but cease operation by June. However, over time hotels have been opening all year round but with rotation of staff in the summers.
"But now we are coming to the point where we are building on the summers because last year we had tremendous growth of over three per cent and we are seeing where we are getting an average of 178,000 visitors per month in the winter and 160,000 for the summer," McNeill said. more
Sports in JAMAICA: XLCR High retain U-16 cricket title.....Excelsior piled up a mammoth 362 in their second innings for an overall lead of 494, and had Innswood at 54 for four when the game was called off. Scores: (Excelsior 249 & 362; Innswood 117 & 54-4).
Thursday, May 29, 2014 BY SHERDON COWAN OBSERVER WRITER
EXCELSIOR High successfully defended their Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Allied Brokers Insurance Under-16 title after defeating Innswood High by virtue of first innings on day two at Melbourne Cricket Oval yesterday.
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| SSA’s competition director George Forbes (left) presents the championship trophy to Excelsior High captain Orande Pearson after the latter’s team defeated Innswood High in the final of the ISSA/Allied Brokers Insurance Under-16 cricket competition at Melbourne Oval yesterday. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS) |
Excelsior piled up a mammoth 362 in their second innings for an overall lead of 494, and had Innswood at 54 for four when the game was called off.
Scores: (Excelsior 249 & 362; Innswood 117 & 54-4).
Resuming on 44 for two, Excelsior lost skipper Orande Pearson for 18, who added just nine to his overnight score. He went leg-before-wicket to Kevin Peterson with the score at
70 for three.
The diminutive Okachie Brown (44) added 39 to his overnight score, being involved in a fourth-wicket stand of 87 with Raewin Senior, before he was bowled by Jeavor Royal. Senior and Orlando Rowe took Excelsior to lunch at 176 for four.
Rowe's stay in the middle was short-lived as Oshane Levy had him caught behind for 11 shortly after the break, to leave the score at 188 for five. Romario Brown came and went for a duck, when he was beaten in the air by a full delivery from Levy and was bowled with the score at 192 for six.
Senior and Raymond Hall then added 37, before Senior went for a topscore of 68, after he was trapped in front by Omario Wallace, with the score at 229 for seven. It was 254 for eight when Royal had Keanu Marr caught for seven, and by the time Hall (59) went caught and bowled Royal, it was 321 for nine. The innings was, however, wrapped up at 362 when Kevin Peterson bowled Keshawn Graham for 25. Qwayne Moore was left unbeaten on 30, as Royal topped the bowling with four for 110, for an overall match haul of nine for 173. more
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Major Investigations Task Force (MIT) murder investigations reap success, says JCF.... Six men arrested for murders committed between 2009 and 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 | 6:46 PM
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Police are reporting that over the past week (Monday, May 19 to Monday, May 26) the Major Investigations Task Force (MIT) made breakthroughs in several murder investigations resulting in six people being arrested and charged for murders committed between 2009 and 2014.
They six are: Twenty-eight-year-old Andrew Watson, otherwise called ‘Luther’ of Waltham Park Road, Kingston 13. He was charged for the murder of 19-year-old Shemeil Moore who was shot and killed on Waltham Park Road, Kingston 13 on September 10, 2009;
Twenty-five-year-old Damaine Taylor otherwise called ‘Itchy’ and ‘Demo’ of Silver Head Pathway, Arnett Gardens, Kingston 12. He was charged for the murder of 24-year-old Kevin Black who was shot and killed on Lincoln Crescent, Kingston 12 on Wednesday, May 7, 2014;
Rosheed Williams, otherwise called ‘Yanks’, of Scott Town in New Green, Manchester. He was charged for the murder of 27-year-old Zenardo Williamson who was shot and killed in Norbrook Farm, Stony Hill, St Andrew on Monday, May 19, 2014;
Nasahal Thomas, otherwise called ‘Nash’, of Block C, Bond Street, Kingston 14. He was charged on Monday, May 26, 2014 for the murder of Hubert Pinnock, farmer of Kellits, Clarendon, who was shot in Coronation Market on Monday, May 5, 2014;
Seventeen-year-old Steven Tomlinson, otherwise called ‘TeTe’ of Denham. Town, Kingston 14; and 19-year-old Fabian O’Connor, otherwise called ‘Nicholas’, of Last Street, Denham Town, Kingston 14; more
Dr. MAYA ANGELOU DIED at 86 y-o in NORTH CAROLINA THIS MORNING as Reported by NBC News
NBC has reported that Dr. Maya Angelou died this morning.- Maya Angelou
- Born: April 4, 1928 (age 86), St. Louis, MO
- Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom, More
- Spouse: Paul du Feu (m. 1973–1981), Vusumzi Make (m. 1960–1963),Enistasious Tosh Angelos (m. 1951–1954)
Maya Angelou (/ˈmaɪ.É™ ˈændÊ’É™loÊŠ/;[1][2] born Marguerite Ann Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014[3]) was an American author and poet. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of seventeen, and brought her international recognition and acclaim.
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| Maya Angelou awarded Presential Honor of Freedom |
She became a poet and writer after a series of occupations as a young adult, including fry cook, prostitute, night-club dancer and performer, cast-member of the opera Porgy and Bess, coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and journalist in Egypt and Ghana during the days of decolonization. She was an actor, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. Since 1982, she taught at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she holds the first lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies. She was active in the Civil Rights movement, and worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Since the 1990s she made around eighty appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson of black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of black culture. Although attempts have been made to ban her books from some US libraries, her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide. Angelou's major works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics have characterized them as autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes such as racism, identity, family, and travel. Angelou is best known for her autobiographies, but she is also an established poet, although her poems have received mixed reviews......moreIN JAMAICA: More Murders Hit St James - Two Cabbies Shot Dead, Teen Fatally Stabbed.....Two taxi operators were shot and killed gangland-style in downtown Montego Bay and a female teenager stabbed to death in Granville as the spate of recent murders in St James took another ugly twist....killing 27-year-old Jodie Phillips of a Norwood address, and 48-year-old Roy Jones of Paradise.
Adrian Frater, News Editor Published: Wednesday | May 28, 2014 Western Bureau
Two taxi operators were shot and killed gangland-style in downtown Montego Bay and a female teenager stabbed to death in Granville as the spate of recent murders in St James took another ugly twist on Monday night, much to the chagrin of the local police.
Two bystanders were also shot and injured.
"It is disheartening to know that despite all the work we have been putting in to curb the lawlessness, we are still having these killings," a senior police officer told The Gleaner on condition of anonymity yesterday.
"Maybe the security minister was right when he said we need divine intervention."
In the stabbing incident in Granville, which occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m., 14-year-old Ashley Morris, of Guns Drive, was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old female resident of the same community.
According to the residents' account of the incident, the two girls, who were reportedly dating the same boy, got into a heated argument, which escalated into a fight. During the fight, a knife was brought into play and the 14-year old was stabbed.
The 14-year-old, a student of the Maldon High School, also in St James, died on the spot. The girl, who inflicted the fatal wound, has since be taken into police custody.
TRAIL OF BLOOD
Monday night's violence follows sharply on the heels of Sunday night's brutal murder of popular People's National Party (PNP) activist Kenrick 'Bebe' Stephenson, who was shot dead at his Coral Gardens home; and nine-year-old Romaine Robinson, who was stabbed to death in Plantation Heights, Cambridge, last Wednesday night.
Stephenson, who was recently elected vice-chairman of the PNP's West Central St James executive, was killed by unknown assailants at approximately 8:30 p.m. shortly after exiting his house.
Two male companions who were with him at the time escaped unhurt.
Robinson was murdered by a 14-year-old Cambridge High School student, who subsequently confessed to the killing. He was found with his mouth gagged and his hands and feet bound.
He had stab wounds to the face and neck. more
adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com
JAMAICANS form private equity firm on Wall St....Commonwealth soon to acquire large stake in local financial services institution...FLUSH with US$30 million in capital to invest, a group of Jamaican bankers and investors has set up shop on Wall Street where they plan to give Caribbean investors close access to the global capital markets.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
FLUSH with US$30 million in capital to invest, a group of Jamaican bankers and investors has set up shop on Wall Street where they plan to give Caribbean investors close access to the global capital markets.
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| Rohan Barnett (second right), general partner and chairman of Commonwealth Partners, chief financial officer, Weldon Maddan (right), and directors, Paul Simpson (left), and Wayne Seaton on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). |
Commonwealth Partners, which is led by former Financial Services Commission (FSC) head, Rohan Barnett, has already partnered with an existing broker dealer outfit in New York and a Cayman-based pension fund administrator.
What's more, the US-incorporated private equity firm is on the verge of finalising a deal that will see it recapitalise and partner with a Jamaican-based financial services institution.
"We will utilise our numerous local and overseas relationships to grow our funding base and deliver the financial services model that the market is demanding," Barnett told the Business Observer.
Indeed, the newly formed company's primary focus will be on acquisition of hard assets both in the Caribbean and the US, as well as developing an investment portfolio targeted at highly rated emerging market opportunities.
No doubt the investment house's stance on raising funds is reflected by its inclusion on the board of the 30-year-old rainmaker, Paul Simpson, who led Proven Investments' first US$10-million rights issue after co-leading the largest private placement in the Caribbean, which saw Proven raise US$20 million.
Commonwealth's board and mangement also includes Jamaicans who are verteran bankers in the US, such as Director Wayne Seaton and chief financial officer, Weldon Maddan, who had 12 years experience with Citigroup North America.
The strategic alliance with the Cayman Fund administrator gives Commonwealth a customer base and a platform which spreads into several Caribbean markets, while the soon-to-be-acquired stake in the Jamaican financial services institution gives the Cayman entity a toehold in the fund administration business in Jamaica. more
IN JAMAICA: 'Dutty labourite' comment unfortunate, says Damion Crawford.....Less than an hour after JLP Chairman Robert Montague issued a statement to the media slapping Crawford and demanding an apology
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
DAMION Crawford was swift with his apology yesterday as the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) scolded him for calling its supporters 'dutty labourites'.
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| CRAWFORD... it is clear that I got carried away and reverted to negative language (left) MONTAGUE... the very same classist behaviour he accuses others of, is clearly in his heart |
"I would like to apologise unreservedly for a most unfortunate comment that I made at a political meeting in East Kingston and Port Royal in reference to the Opposition.
"It is clear that I got carried away and reverted to negative language that has been used in the past by both political parties. This ought not to be part of any vocabulary going forward by me or anyone else. I pledge to never allow this kind of utterance to escape my lips in the future as I try to make a positive difference in my country," said Crawford.
The JLP chairman, in his statement earlier, called for an immediate national apology to all supporters of the Opposition from Crawford.
Montague said that he was shocked and disappointed at the comments made by Minister Crawford, who consistently tries to position himself as an advocate for poor people.
"We know that generally when the PNP says they love the poor it's about politics and not development, but now Minister Crawford has shown his true colours too. The very same classist behaviour he accuses others of, is clearly in his heart if the card he draws to make a point is one of the worst classist phrases to ever be brought by the PNP into the politics of Jamaica," Montague said.
Crawford's statement, claimed the JLP chairman, reflected the growing disconnection between the PNP and the people of Jamaica as well as between the words and actions of the Government. more
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