ST. THOMAS, JAMAICA: Father, Lorenzo Findley hits children’s mom with building block arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and was remanded when he appeared in court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty. WHAT SENTENCE WOULD YOU GIVE HIM?

Sunday, October 19, 2014 Jamaica Observer   
A  delinquent father was last week brought before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court after he got upset at his "babymother" for taking out a summons to take him to the Family Court for child support and for using half of a building block to hit her several times in the head.
The court heard that the complainant was at her home in Bull Bay, St Thomas on May 31, when the father of two of her children, Lorenzo Findley, took up the piece of block and hit her repeatedly in the head.
The matter was reported and Findley was arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and was remanded when he appeared in court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty.
On Friday when Findley returned to court for sentencing, the complainant told the court that he attacked her because she insisted that she was going to take him to court.
She explained that on the day in question he was at her home when the police came to serve him the summons but he hid.
However, she said that when the police left he came out of hiding and a quarrel developed between them.
"Him say to me 'you neva send yuh next babyfada a court but yuh waa send me' and me say to him, yuh lucky, yuh a guh," the complainant told the court.
She said after that, Findley then grabbed the piece of block and started to hit her.
The magistrate then turned to Findley and asked him if he had anything to tell her as to why she should not send him to prison. "No, Your Honour," Findley answered. more

IN RURAL JAMAICA: Boy, 13, reaps ganja to support self.... Boy neglected by mom forced into illegal activity to survive....But I have to go ganja bush, Miss. Because anytime she (boy's mom) cook she only give it to the other two children them and don't look pon me, Miss."

BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE Sunday Observer staff reporter husseyd@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, October 19, 2014    
IN a desperate bid to survive, a boy in rural Jamaica has turned to working in ganja fields, reaping the illegal weed in order to buy his meals.
01But while his actions would be considered illegal and he could have been arrested and later imprisoned if the police had caught him, the lad said that he had no choice.
"My mother don't treat me good, Miss," he told the Jamaica Observer in an interview days ago.
"She do me whole heap of things, Miss, like she don't give me any food for two days straight. I have to be going to ganja bush to pick weed and then she cuss mi 'cause she don't want me to go there. But I have to go ganja bush, Miss. Because anytime she cook she only give it to the other two children them and don't look pon me, Miss."
A relative of the child confirmed that he has in fact been left to fend for himself.
"His parents do not care," the relative stated. "He has no birth certificate, no vaccination paper, no baptismal paper, has to fend for himself, and is dirty all the time. This child has to fend for himself to eat, wash his own clothes and walk on the road daily."
It is a situation that has affected the boy psychologically.
"I feel bad because I was the only one in the field and everybody else a pure big man," he stated. more

IN JAMAICA: Carreras awards over $3 million in scholarships to 30 recipients


Carreras 2014 scholarship awardees pose with Managing Director Marcus Steele (centre).
Scholarship recipients
FFOR the academic year 2014/2015, Carreras awarded a total of 30 scholarships valued at $3.7 million -- seven bursaries, seven teachers' college scholarships, seven community college scholarships, five national scholarships, and four visual and performing arts scholarships. The national scholarships were being awarded for the first time in the company's history, and are full undergraduate scholarships for the duration of the awardees' studies. The application pool was over 300. Marcus Steele, C ..... Read More

IN JAMAICA: Thieves break into funeral home, take casket.... "The casket is very valuable; she [her mother] sell it for $250,000,"

BY VERNON DAVIDSON Executive Editor - Publications davidsonv@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, October 19, 2014
KENNESHA Barnes and her mother Donaree Barnes were left wide-eyed and o-mouthed yesterday morning when they discovered that an expensive casket on display inside their funeral home in downtown Kingston was stolen.
01The thieves, who broke into Barnes Funeral Service on North Street, also took a 14-inch television set.
The younger Barnes told the Jamaica Observer that they were at home when they received a call at approximately 5:00 am informing them that there was a break-in at the funeral home.
"When wi come wi see the door push up and the grille wide open. We went inside and found that the TV was missing and the casket was gone," Barnes said.
"The police came after 7 [am] and they said they would send some other police to come and take fingerprint and we're here waiting all now," Barnes told the Sunday Observer at 10:30 am. "They said we should come back to Central [police station] by 11 o'clock."
Barnes said they have been operating the funeral service since 2008 and had never been robbed before. However, she appeared defeated by yesterday's break-in, pointing out that the casket was very expensive.
"The casket is very valuable; she [her mother] sell it for $250,000," Barnes said. more

THE NEW 'LEFT FOOT-IRIE HIGH CHINO WHINE KISS MI BACK FOOT' DANCE... CAN YOU DO IT?

Human Remains Found In Search For 18 y-o University of Virginia student Hannah Graham: Police

The Huffington Post | By Andrew Hart Email Posted: 10/18/2014 6:05 pm EDT 
Human remains have been found in the search for missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, police said on Saturday.
Hannah Graham
18 y-o University of Virginia
student Hannah Graham
Charlotteseville, Virginia Police Chief Tim Longo said that sheriff's deputies were searching abandoned property on old Lynchburg Road in Albermarle when they found human remains. Officials had not identified the body, but said that it could be that of the missing 18-year-old.
Albermarle Police Chief Steve Sellers said, "This is sadly now a death investigation."
Graham, who was a sophomore at the University of Virginia, went missing on Sept. 13 after a night of partying in the college town of Charlottesville, Virginia. The search initially focused on the town, but had expanded to a wider area. Earlier on Saturday,volunteers were recruited to assist in the search.
The suspect in her disappearance, 32-year-old Jesse Matthew, was charged with abduction with intent to defile, or sexually assault. Matthew was also investigated for two alleged sexual assaults at Virginia colleges he attended, in 2002 and 2003.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

HOPE IN SIGHT? : Canada to send experimental Ebola vaccine to World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday....news release said Canada will send 800 vials of its experimental vaccine in three separate shipments.

Saturday, October 18, 2014 | 2:14 PM  Jamaica Observer  
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — 
The Canadian government said it will start shipping its experimental Ebola vaccine to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday for possible use in the West African countries hardest hit by the outbreak.
The government said in a news release Saturday that the Public Health Agency of Canada is supplying the vaccine to the UN agency in Geneva. The WHO is the international coordinating body for battling the Ebola outbreak which has killed more than 4,500 people in West Africa.
The news release said Canada will send 800 vials of its experimental vaccine in three separate shipments.
The WHO will consult with its partners, including health authorities from the affected countries, to determine how best to distribute and use the vaccine, taking into consideration concerns about using an experimental vaccine on people.
Human testing of the Canadian-made vaccine began last week in the US Twenty vials of the vaccine were sent to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Maryland for testing on about 40 healthy volunteers, Canada's Health Minister Rona Ambrose said last Monday.
The Phase 1 trial will determine if the vaccine known as VSV-EBOV is safe for human use. It will also determine the proper dosage level and test for possible side effects.
Studies have shown the vaccine works in primates both to prevent infection when given before exposure and to increase survival chances when given quickly after exposure.
Canadian health officials said results from the human trial are expected by December. more

WOULD YOU SIT THERE AND MEK SOMEONE SLAP U INNA YU HEAD SO MANY TIMES and talk anu maneh pa tu pa some....IF IT WERE A JAMAICAN DEM WUDDA TUN ROUND AND GIVE HIM ONE LEFF HOOK INNA HIM EYE. CHAT BOUT! OUCHHHHHHH! (LOL)

US SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TEXAS VOTER ID: Law Can Be Used In Midterm Elections... Ginsburg Pens Scathing Dissent... 'Risks Denying The Right To Vote To Hundreds Of Thousands Of Eligible Voters'... 'Strictest Regime In The Country'...


WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Saturday that Texas can use its controversial new voter identification law for the November election.
US Supreme Court
A majority of the justices rejected an emergency request from the Justice Department and civil rights groups to prohibit the state from requiring voters to produce certain forms of photo identification in order to cast ballots. Three justices dissented.
The law was struck down by a federal judge last week, but a federal appeals court had put that ruling on hold. The judge found that roughly 600,000 voters, many of them black or Latino, could be turned away at the polls because they lack acceptable identification. Early voting in Texas begins Monday. The Supreme Court's order was unsigned, as it typically is in these situations. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented, saying they would have left the district court decision in place.
"The greatest threat to public confidence in elections in this case is the prospect of enforcing a purposefully discriminatory law, one that likely imposes an unconstitutional poll tax and risks denying the right to vote to hundreds of thousands of eligible voters," Ginsburg wrote in dissent. more

Jamaica stepped up its preparedness under the multi-agency comprehensive Ebola Contingency Action Plan....Valued at approximately US$300 each, Jamaica has received commitments for approximately 20 of the handheld machines

Thanks To Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's husband, Errald Miller, workers at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston breathed a little easier yesterday, as Jamaica stepped up its preparedness under the multi-agency comprehensive Ebola Contingency Action Plan.
Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse, acting chief medical officer, tests a handheld temperature machine on a man while Beverly Creary (right), public health nurse, and nurse Sheryl Haynes (white blouse), look on, at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday. -Rudolph Brown/Photographer
Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse, acting chief medical officer, tests
 a handheld temperature machine on a man while Beverly Creary (right),
 public health nurse, and nurse Sheryl Haynes (white blouse),
 look on, at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston
yesterday. -Rudolph Brown/Photographer
The workers yesterday received four of the first set of handheld laser temperature machines Miller donated to assist with screening of arriving passengers. The machines will be coupled with training to help airport workers deal with any suspected cases of the Ebola virus which may come to our shores.
Valued at approximately US$300 each, Jamaica has received commitments for approximately 20 of the handheld machines from other private donors to be shared among all ports of entry. These will be in place within two weeks.
The country has also received commitment from a private company for at least one walk-through temperature scanner. The scanners will be used at the high traffic ports of entry.
"There is good indication from one corporate entity that they would contribute one of the walk-through scanners and we are continuing to talk to other corporate entities. These will be used at the ports that have very high volume, like the cruise ship pier in Falmouth, where you have over 5,000 persons coming in," said minister of health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, at a press conference held at the airport following the handing over of the handhelds. more

FABIAN Marley, the 44-year-old Jamaican who claims to be the eldest child of reggae legend Bob Marley, is moving ahead with his musical career.....‘Dem a go tired fi see mi face’

BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporter johnsonr@jamaicaobserver.com Saturday, October 18, 2014 
FABIAN Marley, the 44-year-old Jamaican who claims to be the eldest child of reggae legend Bob Marley, is moving ahead with his musical career.
Fabian Marley
This, despite a written request from the family of the late reggae king in August last year, that he "cease and desist" proporting to be a Marley and using the name, or prove through DNA testing that he is who he claims to be.
"Dem ask me for my DNA and me do that long time and give dem, and up to now, I can't hear nothing from dem. So me just a go through with my music career," Marley told the Jamaica Observer.
He, however, said he had received some word indicating he should redo the DNA test at a lab prescribed by the family.
"Me nuh in that with them. Me do my test at Carigen at UWI and give them the result. Don't it up to them, one of the other Marley children, to do their test to match with mine? Something not right, why they don't want to do it? What them 'fraid of?" Fabian Marley questioned.
Fabian Marley claims Bunny Wailer, more popularly known as Jah B, supports his claim. Wailer was a member of The Wailers, which comprised Marley and Peter Tosh.
"Jah B a man who me know fi years. That man send me to school and he has no doubt that I am Robert's son," said Marley.
While he waits on word, Fabian Marley said he is in not arguing with the family, noting that "nothing can be done before the time, and the right time is now". more

LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM JAMAICA: 10-year-old Akaliah Anderson, dies from chikungunya virus (ChikV) complications... The Education Ministry Ronnie Thwaites said it was saddened by Akaliah’s death

Friday, October 17, 2014 | 5:12 PM    
KINGSTON, Jamaica —
A 10-year-old student of the Alpha Primary School in Kingston died Friday as a result of complications brought on by the chikungunya virus, the Education Ministry has confirmed.
A ministry release Friday afternoon said that Akaliah Anderson, who had reported to school for only one day (September 1, 2014), had revealed symptoms of the chikungunya virus.
It was reported that her condition had not improved and she was subsequently admitted to the hospital. She reportedly developed further complications including a swollen spleen and liver.
Little Akaliah died Friday.
The Education Ministry said it was saddened by Akaliah’s death and extended condolences to her family and school community. 
Ronnie Thwaites
A team of counsellors from the ministry will be providing emotional support to Akaliah’s family, students, teachers and administrative staff at the institution, the release said.
“This incident brings into sharp focus the need for school administrators, parents and the entire citizenry of Jamaica to begin the clean-up process in our communities – home, school, workplaces – in order to eliminate the spread of the ChikV caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,” Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said. more

IN JAMAICA: Homeless gay men operating shop in Shoe Maker Gully, New Kingston...."We have found that men living in the area are running a facility where food items such as bun and cheese and other food stuff are sold"

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, October 17, 2014    
THE police who yesterday discovered a shop being operated in Shoe Maker Gully, New Kingston by homeless gays has expressed concern that the sale of food in such unsanitary conditions could result in serious health problems not only for the men but also the wider commercial district.
Police with homeless men at gully
"We have found that men living in the area are running a facility where food items such as bun and cheese and other food stuff are sold and this is the same location where they defecate and urinate and we are worried that if it is not addressed it could lead to major health problems in the New Kingston business hub," head of New Kingston Police Post Deputy Superintendent Patrick Murdock told the Jamaica Observer, following a raid on Thursday.
"During this latest operation several make-shift houses were removed (from the gully)," said Murdock.
He also warned that the authorities would not allow the men to return and wreak havoc in the area.
"We have carried out several operations in the past and the men continue to return and as a result we are working on more long-term measures to address the problem."
Murdock said this included the establishment of a drop-in centre for the men and the installation of a barrier to prevent them from returning to the area.
"The police have started discussions with political representatives of the area about the establishment of a drop-in centre and so far a number of private sector entities have expressed an interest to assist," Murdock told the Observer.
Police said the drop-in centre would be an area where the homeless men could stay and also learn a skill to prepare them to be reintegrated in society and provide them with the opportunity to contribute positively. more

IN JAMAICA: Cheaper breast cancer tests for National Health Fund (NHF) beneficiaries.... A diagnostic test that would normally cost $10,000 will now be $4,800 per test.

BY ANIKA RICHARDS Observer staff reporter richardsa@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, October 17, 2014  
BBREAST cancer patients registered with the National Health Fund (NHF) will now have their Breast Cancer Receptor Studies done at a reduced cost at the University Hospital of the West Indies Pathology Laboratory.
Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson
A diagnostic test that would normally cost $10,000, through the latest benefit that has been added to the NHF's Individual Benefits list, will now be subsidised by $4,800 per test. The UHWI Pathology Laboratory is the only lab that provides the service locally.
Speaking yesterday at the benefit's launch at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson said the move by NHF marks a milestone in efforts to improve the health of Jamaicans, while managing and trying to prevent the development of cancer.
"This is important because cancer has a major impact on the health and well-being of the population in Jamaica and this does not only apply to the person who is directly affected, but it impacts on family, it impacts on children, it impacts on community, it impacts on (the) workplace..." Dr Ferguson said.
Approximately 300 Breast Cancer Receptor Studies are done yearly, the health minister noted. Of this total, 60 to 70 per cent are taken from public hospitals, he added.
Chairman of the NHF Sterling Soares said this initiative will cost the Fund an estimated $1.5 million per year. more

3 NEW CHIKV DEATHS IN JAMAICA: VERE Technical High School has been plunged into mourning following the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-related deaths of two teachers and a student within two days.

Friday, October 17, 2014
VERE Technical High School has been plunged into mourning following the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-related deaths of two teachers and a student within two days.
Vere Technical High principal Dr Henrietta Stewart in her
 office at the Clarendon school.
The Ministry of Education yesterday reported that Shamari Salesman, a fifth-form student at the Clarendon-based school died on Wednesday after showing symptoms of CHIKV. The 15-year-old is said to have developed complications due to an existing tumour in the brain.
Person Toranty, a physics teacher, died later that day after experiencing symptoms associated with the virus. He is believed to have developed complications related to sickle cells disease.
English teacher Claudette Anderson-Hibbert died yesterday morning in the Mandeville Hospital, also from complications related to CHIKV and an existing kidney problem.
"We are so devastated, the staff and also the students alike," Principal Henritta Stewart told the Jamaica Observer.
She explained that other guidance counsellors from various schools in the area, and religious leaders have been visiting with staff and students.
Meanwhile, the education ministry said it has joined the school community in mourning the death of the three.
"The ministry's regional trauma team visited the institution yesterday to provide grief counselling and general support to the school family," the ministry said in a release issued to the media yesterday.
Chikungunya cases development in Western
 Hemisphere from 2013
On September 25, 2014, official authorities in El Salvador report over 30,000 confirmed cases of this new epidemy.[79] The new epidemy is also on the raise in Jamaica.[80][81]Tourists to those countries are bearing the risk to bring the virus to their own countries.

Farrakhan draws inspiration from Jamaica's national heroes....The Nation of Islam leader said that he was inspired, in particular, by the teachings of Marcus Garvey — Jamaica's first national hero

Friday, October 17, 2014 Jamaica Observer   
NATION of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan yesterday visited National Heroes Park in Kingston to lay wreaths at the monuments of the country's national heroes.
01
NATION of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan
Farrakhan, who is in the island for Sunday's 19th anniversary celebration of the Million Man March,' which he started, said it was an honour for him to visit the site as the heroes have been a inspiration to him and a major influence on his life's journey.
"To visit the tomb of those who have passed on, whose memories some may forget but whose legacy the wise will always remember, is an honour," declared Farrakhan.
The Nation of Islam leader said that he was inspired, in particular, by the teachings of Marcus Garvey — Jamaica's first national hero and leader of the renowned United Negro Improvement Association.
"Mr Garvey said to look for him, he will be back in the whirlwind and we represent that whirlwind," said Farrakhan, as he addressed scores of people, including schoolchildren, who had gathered at National Heroes Park.
Farrakhan, whose father grew up in downtown Kingston, said he remains convinced that, while many leaders are in their own way continuing the work of Garvey, the children -- with proper guidance -- will be able to complete Garvey's vision of a united black people.
Some 2,000 visitors are expected to converge in Kingston for the anniversary celebration. The capital city is projected to earn up to $150 million from the event. more

TAURUS RILEY- "Living the Life of A Gun" with RULA BROWN on www.rulabrownnetwork.com 9am-12Noon ET Mon, Tueas, Thurs, Fri & Sundays 3-7pm ET


Published on Oct 16, 2014
RULA BROWN LIVE 9am-12Noon ET on www.RulaBrownNetwork.com TODAY with TORONTO QUEEN....Check out RULA BROWN every Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9am-12 Noon ET and Sundays 3-7pm ET for the best mix of music, news, views and interviews. TODAY'S focus on EBOLA, CHIKUNGUNYA and much more.

"I can't even buy a lunch or a bag juice. All now we don't get paid," says ANN-MARIE Scarlett ....Highway 2000 workers toil on despite killings, theft of pay. Scarlett was one of about 70 workers who did not collect their fortnightly pay due to the robbery of the $2-million pay bill and murder of four men

BY KARYL WALKER Editor — Crime/Court Desk walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, October 16, 2014    
ANN-MARIE Scarlett sat on a rock looking quite despondent in her Bowers Wood community in St Catherine on Tuesday.
The woman is employed to wave red and green flags signalling to motorists when to proceed and stop at a section of the Linstead to Moneague leg of Highway 2000.
"I can't even buy a lunch or a bag juice. All now we don't get paid," she told the Jamaica Observer.
Ann-Marie Scarlett
Scarlett was one of about 70 workers who did not collect their fortnightly pay due to the robbery of the $2-million pay bill and murder of four men, three of whom were transporting the money to pay the labourers on Sunday.
Scarlett's hunger was satisfied a few minutes later when another female co-worker was kind enough to buy her a small box of rice and peas and chicken.
"Thanks," she said.
Metres up the hill, the community of Giblatore was on edge.
Residents who opted to leave the safety of their homes had nervous looks on their faces. Few opted to comment on the brutal slayings of Craig Harris, 29; Kirk Foot, 33; Carlton Scott, 43; and Courtney Coulbourne, 42.
Harris, also called 'Bug Head', Scott and Coulborne were travelling in a Mitsubishi Colt with the labourers' wages when they were ambushed by rifle-toting robbers, who peppered the vehicle with bullets before making off with the cash. The gunmen made sure to kill all their victims before escaping in bushes.
Foot was extremely unlucky. He drove up just as the robbery was taking place and the gunmen wasted no time in snuffing out his life, ensuring that no witnesses were left. more

Radical Trinidad Muslim leader refused landing in Jamaica.... Government says plan being made to transport Abu Bakr home. Abu Bakr reportedly became heated and started shouting after he was not allowed to leave the airport.

BY KARYL WALKER Editor -- Crime/Court Desk walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, October 16, 2014   
LEADER of the radical Trinidadian Muslim movement Jamaat al Muslemeen, Yasin Abu Bakr, was refused landing in Jamaica yesterday after he was declared a threat to public safety.
Abu Bakr was detained at the Norman Manley International Airport after he arrived on a flight from the twin-island republic.
His detention was confirmed by deputy commissioner in charge of the crime portfolio Glenmore Hinds.
"Yes, I can confirm that," Hinds said in response to a query from the Jamaica Observer.
ABU BAKR... led a coup attempt against the Trinidad
Government in 1990
A release issued later by the Ministry of National Security explained that Abu Bakr was refused leave to land under Section 4 (1) h of the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act.
"The following Commonwealth citizens (not being persons deemed to belong to the island as defined by sub section (2) of section 2) are prohibited immigrants... any person who, from information or advice which in the opinion of the minister is reliable information or advice, is deemed by the minister to be an undesirable inhabitant of or visitor to the island. The decision to refuse leave to land is in the interest of national security, given the present threat posed to public safety. Plans are being made to return him to Trinidad and Tobago," the release stated.
Abu Bakr reportedly became heated and started shouting after he was not allowed to leave the airport. The Observer understands that the Caribbean Airlines crew expressed concern about him being allowed to board the return flight home.
Some time after he was whisked away by the police, who did not disclose where he would be held until he is escorted back to his homeland on a private plane.
In 1990, Abu Bakr led more than 100 of his followers in a coup attempt against the ANR Robinson-led National Alliance for Reconstruction Government. more

EBOLA is MAN MADE IN AFRICA? Listen to the reasoning....WHAT DO YOU THINK? (5 mins VIDEO)

Chikungunya, CHIKV delays start to Kartel juror trial

Wednesday, October 15, 2014    
THE trial of the juror who allegedly attempted to bribe his colleagues in the Vybz Kartel trial failed to start yesterday after it was disclosed that the accused man's attorney and the lead investigator in the case were suffering from chikungunya-type symptoms.
Vybz Kartel
The trial of 50-year-old Livingston Cain, which was set to take place in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, was rescheduled for March 23 next year. Cain's bail was also extended until then.
Cain, a football coach of Stony Hill in St Andrew, is facing counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and one count of conspiracy.
The Crown is alleging that Cain offered the jury foreman in the Kartel murder trial $500,000 for a not-guilty verdict. It is also alleged that he told another juror that he would "take care of him" if he returned a not-guilty verdict.
Cain was reportedly recorded on a cellular phone making the offer to the foreman.
He was the only juror to vote not guilty in the March conviction of Vybz Kartel (Adidja Palmer), Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell and Andre St John for the 2011 murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Some Opposition Members of Parliament have said that the $2 million allocated for the Chikungunya (ChikV) clean-up in their constituencies isn’t sufficient to carry out the work.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 8:50 PM  
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Some Opposition Members of Parliament have said that the $2 million allocated for the Chikungunya (ChikV) clean-up in their constituencies isn’t sufficient to carry out the work.
Olivia Babsy Grange, MP 
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller made the announcement Tuesday during a meeting with MPs and mayors and health officials, among others at Jamaica House. The meeting was called by the prime minister to give an update on the CHKV fight and Ebola preparation.
Opposition MPs Ruddy Spencer (South East Clarendon constituency), James Robertson (West St Thomas), Olivia Babsy Grange (Central St Catherine) and Dr Ken Baugh (West Central St Catherine) have said that the $2million that each MPs are to get is insufficient.
“With the vast amount of swamp lands that is there, two million is just a drop in the bucket,” Spencer said referring to his constituency.
Grange said ‎she doesn't think that the money is enough, indicating that a particular sewer in Tawes Pen, in Spanish Town would take up the bulk of that money to be cleaned. more

JAMAICA: Ebola surveillance to be heightened at ports of entry --Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has instructed immediate the heightening of Ebola surveillance at Jamaica’s ports of entry be heightened immediately.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 9:24 PM  
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has instructed immediate the heightening of Ebola surveillance at Jamaica’s ports of entry be heightened immediately.
Portia Simpson-Miller
Simpson Miller said part of this heightening involves an extension of the existing immigration form, to document information on countries which persons have visited or will intend to visit, and whether or not they experience symptoms similar to those characterizing Ebola, on arrival in the island.
The Prime Minister was speaking Tuesday (October 14) at a special meeting at Jamaica House, where she updated Parliamentarians on the country’s Ebola emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.
“Jamaicans are being encouraged to take action as part of our personal responsibility in this situation. Avoid travelling to Ebola affected countries, and truthfully declare your travel history, when arriving and departing the island,” she urged.
Ebola Virus
Meanwhile Simpson Miller said she is hoping that Ebola detection equipment being sourced by the administration for placement at the ports of entry, will arrive in the island shortly.
“We are hoping (that) very soon…we will receive the machines that can detect if someone would be coming off a flight with fever,” she said.
The Prime Minister noted that at least one stakeholder has committed to providing some of these machines.  “I know there are others that the Ministry of Health has ordered and (which) will come in shortly,” she said. more

IN JAMAICA: Miranda Judith Townsend, foster mother of 18 children gets National Award...she has been a foster mother for over 45 years

KINGSTON, Jamaica  — Heroes Day, October 20, will be a special day for Miranda Judith Townsend, of Holly Hill in Darliston, Westmoreland as she will receive a national award — the Badge Of Honour For Long And Faithful Service to the Child Protection Sector — at the National Honours and Awards ceremony, to be held at King’s House.
Miranda Judith Townsend
Townsend, who worked as a Basic School Teacher and then as a member of the Post and Telegraph Department, has been a foster mother for over 45 years, during which she has nurtured and raised 18 Wards of the State.
While caring for the children, she has also assisted hundreds of residents, both young and old, from the communities of Holly Hill, Dillon Bigwoods, Hopewell, Darliston, and other adjoining areas.
The biological mother of three children began her role as a foster mother in 1965.  
“I was in church when I heard about a boy who was at one of the children's homes and needed a home. I enquired and got the necessary information and documents, which enabled me to become a foster mother to the seven-year-old. My new ‘son’ quickly settled in the family and stayed until he became an adult,” she notes.
Townsend attributes her commitment to being a foster mother and for serving the country, to her love for children. more

US Government owns the EBOLA Virus Patent: U.S. patent number 20120251502. Why? Who has the most to gain?

Human Ebola Virus Species and Compositions and Methods Thereof
US 20120251502 A1
ABSTRACT
Compositions and methods including and related to the Ebola Bundibugyo virus (EboBun) are provided. Compositions are provided that are operable as immunogens to elicit and immune response or protection from EboBun challenge in a subject such as a primate. Inventive methods are directed to detection and treatment of EboBun infection.
DESCRIPTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/108,175 filed 24 Oct. 2008; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
DEPOSIT STATEMENT
The invention provides the isolated human Ebola (hEbola) viruses denoted as Bundibugyo (EboBun) deposited with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”; Atlanta, Ga., United States of America) on Nov. 26, 2007 and accorded an accession number 200706291. This deposit was not made to an International Depository Authority (IDA) as established under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, and is a non-Budapest treaty deposit. The deposited organism is not acceptable by American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Manassas, Va., an International Depository Authority (IDA) as established under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. Samples of the stated Deposit Accession No. 200706291 will be made available to approved facilities for thirty years from the date of deposit, and for the lifetime of the patent issuing from, or claiming priority to this application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to compositions and methods directed to a novel species of human Ebola (hEbola) virus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The family Filoviridae consists of two genera, Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus, which have likely evolved from a common ancestor1. The genus Ebolavirus includes four species: Zaire, Sudan, Reston and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) ebolaviruses, which have, with the exception of Reston and Côte d'Ivoire ebolaviruses, been associated with large hemorrhagic fever (HF) outbreaks in Africa with high case fatality (53-90%)2    
Publication numberUS20120251502 A1
Publication typeApplication
Application numberUS 13/125,890
PCT numberPCT/US2009/062079
Publication dateOct 4, 2012
Filing dateOct 26, 2009
Priority dateOct 24, 2008
Also published asCA2741523A14 More »
InventorsJonathan S. Towner4 More »
Original AssigneeThe Government of the US as Represented by the Secretary of the Dept. of health
Export CitationBiBTeXEndNoteRefMan

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Shortwood College student, Tracey-Ann Campbell dies of Chikungunya virus (ChikV) complications... the third year English student from Christiana, Manchester, died while being treated by doctors at the institution.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 5:21 PM    
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A student of the Shortwood Teachers’ College in St Andrew died this afternoon from complications associated with the Chikungunya virus.
Tracey-Ann Campbell, a third year English student from Christiana, Manchester, died while being treated by doctors at the institution.
Aedes aegypti mosquito
Reports reaching OBSERVER ONLINE are that Campbell visited the University Hospital of the West Indies Sunday and the Kingston Public Hospital on Monday and was treated and released.
Today, Campbell, who is said to asthmatic, visited the doctor about 3:40 pm and was pronounced dead by 3:48 pm.
Classes have been suspended at the teacher-training institution and students are undergoing grief counselling.