DEM DISASTER GOP One Seat Away From Senate... Rick Scott Re-Elected... Scott Walker, Too!... SENATE SCARE: GOP Still In Race Dems Were Expected To Easily Win...SENATE UPDATE: McConnell Holds On... GOP Picks Up Seats In Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, West Virginia... Scott Brown Goes Down... La. Goes To Runoff... STACKED DECK: Senate Seats Up For Election Mostly In Red States... GOVS UPDATE: Dems Pick Up Penn..... GOP Holds Ohio... RESULTS... WHERE TO VOTE... WATCH: HUFFPOST LIVE...

Massachusetts voters elected Democrat Maura Healey attorney general on Tuesday. She is the first openly gay attorney general in the country.

EMILY's List, a progressive PAC that supports pro-choice Democratic women, helped Healey win a competitive primary earlier this year and celebrated her historic win Tuesday night.

“Tonight, voters in Massachusetts decisively chose to elect progressive champion Maura Healey Attorney General,” said the group's president, Stephanie Schriock. “Maura has spent years fighting to expand rights and freedoms for women and families in Massachusetts. And now with the help of the EMILY’s List community – three million members strong – she can take that leadership to the next level. There is huge momentum for women’s leadership in New England, and that’s a trend that is here to stay.”

"Maura Healey is one of the staunchest advocates for equality we have in this country, and we join her in celebrating her historic victory tonight," said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. "As the nation's first openly gay attorney general, she is an inspirational trailblazer and will fight to guarantee civil rights and legal equality for all people of Massachusetts." more

ST ANN, Jamaica : The trial of former police constable Jeffrey Peart and his sister Roxanne Peart dominates St Ann Circuit Court.....Term-could-be-extended by a week

Tuesday, November 04, 2014 | 6:01 PM    

ST ANN, Jamaica — The four-week term of the St Ann Circuit Court, which should have come to a close this Friday, could be extended into next week to accommodate the completion of a trial currently ongoing in the court.

Justice Courtney Day, the judge presiding over the sitting of an ongoing murder case, told jurors on Tuesday, November 4 that although the circuit court was scheduled to last for four weeks it is likely that they will still be there next week.

The trial of former police constable Jeffrey Peart and his sister Roxanne Peart has dominated this session of the St Ann Circuit Court with the majority of the matters set for this circuit traversed to the next term, starting January, 2015.

On Tuesday, November 4, the prosecution began taking evidence from a government forensic analyst who is a part of a team which collected evidence from a car.

The car forms part of evidence in the 2012 murder of Hanover taxi operator Delroy Frame.

The car, which belonged to girlfriend of the accused Kadena Jarrett, now deceased, was allegedly borrowed on the day of the murder by the accused to visit relatives in Manchester.

The forensic analyst is expected to continue giving evidence this week.

The trial continues on Wednesday, November 5.

RULA BROWN LIVE 9am-12Noon ET on www.RulaBrownNetwork.com TODAY with TORONTO QUEEN

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MONTEGO BAY, St James : Parents will soon be asked to pay for tablet computers....under the $1.4 billion Schools Tablet Computer Programme pilot. Minister of Science and Technology Phillip Paulwell said.

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, November 04, 2014  

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Parents will be required to absorb the cost of tablet computers after the 30,000 devices now being distributed free to 30 schools islandwide under the $1.4 billion Schools Tablet Computer Programme pilot, has ended.

Students at Salt Savannah Primary and Infant School
enjoying their tablets. From left are Fabian Banton,
 Yamuru Watson and Owen Bonswell.

"We recognise that this project is very costly and when you think about the pilot only being able to deal with approximately 30,000 tablets and we have about 600,000 students we have to find a way to enable the full roll-out of the project for the entire country and to minimise the cost," Minister of Science and Technology Phillip Paulwell said.

He, however, noted that Government will continue funding the cost of tablets for those students on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), as well as for the E-books and supply of Internet for the programme.

"We will as a Government continue to fund the softer side of the business. So for example the books; all the E-books we will pay for those. We will also pay for free Internet access and it is broadband technology. But we are thinking that apart from those PATH students who cannot afford the tablet, and who we believe we need to assist, we will have to ask parents to contribute towards the acquisition of the tablets," Paulwell said.

He further noted: "I think there has to be some vested interest in the project."

The science and technology minister said that under the Schools Tablet Computer Programme, parents will no longer be required to purchase text books, which are downloaded on the tablets, resulting in significant savings. more

Lupita Nyong'o Was Told She'd Never Find A Husband Because Of Her Dark Skin Color

The Huffington Post | By Julee Wilson

We're certain it's the combination of Lupita Nyong'o's incredible talent (see: Academy Award) and killer looks (see: red carpet slayage) that have landed her on the cover of Glamour's 24th Women of the Year cover.

Lupita Nyong'o

However the Kenyan actress, who is being honored at the magazine's annual star-studded event on November 10 in New York City, has also captured our hearts with her outspoken stance on standards of beauty. And the Lancome spokeswoman chatted candidly about her views in Glamour's December issue.

“European standards of beauty are something that plague the entire world -- the idea that darker skin is not beautiful, that light skin is the key to success and love," Nyong'o told Glamour. "Africa is no exception."

While Nyong'o has encountered colorism in her adult life, it's been a issue she's dealt with from childhood.

"When I was in the second grade, one of my teachers said, ‘Where are you going to find a husband? How are you going to find someone darker than you?’ I was mortified, the 32-year-old actress told Glamour. "I remember seeing a commercial where a woman goes for an interview and doesn’t get the job. Then she puts a cream on her face to lighten her skin, and she gets the job! This is the message: that dark skin is unacceptable. I definitely wasn’t hearing this from my immediate family -- my mother never said anything to that effect -- but the voices from the television are usually much louder than the voices of your parents.” Sad, but true. more

Most Costly Election And Competitive Senate Campaign Nears End : TODAY... Curtain Call For Blistering Campaigns... GOP Bets $4 Billion... Most Expensive Midterms Ever... Odds Of Senate Takeover Near 80%.... STACKED DECK: Senate Seats Up For Election Mostly In Red States... Dems Fight To Keep Hope Alive... Constitutional Crisis On Horizon If GOP Takes Senate... 11 Gov. Races Coming Down To The Wire... DOJ Monitoring Elections In 18 States... Most Important Elections Happening Where Many Aren't Looking... LATEST... What's On The Ballot... SENATE POLLS... GOVS FORECAST...

Mitch McConnell

WASHINGTON (AP) — On a final, furious day of campaigning, Republicans strained to capture control of the Senate while Democrats struggled to limit their congressional losses in elections midway through an unpopular President Barack Obama's second term.

"The spending, the borrowing, the taxing, the overregulation, the slow growth. ... These people need to be stopped," Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said of the Democrats on Monday, urging voters to support him and GOP candidates everywhere. He would be in line to control the Senate's agenda as majority leader if Republicans win on Tuesday.

Democrats weighed down by Obama's unpopularity kept their distance from him and looked to a costly turn-out-the-vote operation in the most competitive Senate races to save their seats and their majority. more

DANCEHALL rivals Beenie Man and Bounty Killer have recorded their first collaboration, 'Legendary'. The single which is produced by ESCO will be released later this month.

DANCEHALL rivals Beenie Man and Bounty Killer have recorded their first collaboration, Legendary.

The single -- which will be officially released this month -- is recorded on the eight-month-old Starstruck Records label, owned by entertainer Esco. The track has already made the playlist of some local radio stations.

Beenie and Bounty

The producer/recording artiste said putting the collab together marks a milestone in his career.

"We all know both artistes were once rivals, but they have tossed away their differences for a while now. A lot of producers wanted them to collaborate but it didn't happen. So I feel really honoured to be the one to do it," Esco told the Jamaica Observer.

The producer, whose given name is Matthew Thompson, said he first brought the idea to Beenie Man, who gave the move a "thumbs up".

Esco

"He thought it was a perfect idea as both artistes wanted to record a single together for a while, but it was sort of difficult finalising what the topic would be about," he said.

Esco, who is also co-writer of Legendary, said the single is another hard-core dancehall banger.

"On the track, both artistes are reflecting on their achievements and journey over the years to becoming music legends," Esco explained. more

CLARENDON, JAMAICA (BRUTAL TRIPLE MURDER) : Mom, 44-year-old Kareen Brown and her sons -- Shavian Mitchell, 17 and Shawn Mitchell, 21 y-o murdered as they pleaded for their lives...."A more than 20 spent shells dem remove from the scene," one resident said

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, November 04, 2014

THE brutality of yesterday's brazen daylight murder of a mother and her two sons in Bucknor, Clarendon has hit the normally quiet community very hard.

Carlton Mitchell, the father of the slain young men, appears
 stunned, while this female relative of the victims is a picture
 of grief after yesterday’s triple murder in Bucknor, Clarendon.
 (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

"Mi never know people could be so cruel," said one resident who admitted that the triple murder has shocked the community where the sign at the entrance proclaims 'Welcome to Baileys Ave; No guns, drugs, violence.'

Police report that approximately 7:00 am, 44-year-old Kareen Brown and her sons -- Shavian Mitchell, 17 and Shawn Mitchell, 21 -- were at home at when gunmen kicked in the door to the house.

The killers, the Jamaica Observer was told, kept firing, even as the mother and her sons pleaded for their lives.

"Wi hear that they... just start pump bullets in the house," said one woman.

"A more than 20 spent shells dem remove from the scene," one resident said as she watched from behind crime scene yellow tape while the police searched for evidence.

Triple Murder Scene

Police said they were following several leads, but did not disclose any details.

However, sources from the area theorised that the older son may have been the target of the attack, as he was alleged to have been involved in gang activities.

The incident was particularly hard on the slain young men's father, Carlton Mitchell.

"All now mi still a try come to terms with what happen, to see the body of mi son lie down there, mi really can't help it," Mitchell said, then paused to take a gulp from a bottle containing clear liquid. more

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Police seize half ton (approx. 1,000 pounds) of ganja in Portland

Police seize half ton of ganja in Portland  5:45 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police on Sunday seized approximately 1000 pounds of marijuana and arrested one man during an operation in Portland. Reports are that about 10:00pm the lawmen intercepted and searched a motor vehicle along the Foreshore main road in the parish when they found 129 parcels of compressed marijuana. The driver of the motor vehicle was arrested and taken into custody. The police say, another vehicle, which was found abandoned along the roadway, was searched and 53 pa ... More

Jeff Chang Talks 'Who We Be' And Why We Haven't Had A Real National Conversation About Race....Who We Be: The Colorization Of America

The Huffington Post | By Braden Goyette Email Posted: 11/03/2014 7:00 am EST 

Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, has taken on some massive subjects in his latest book: race, and the way America sees itself.

Who We Be: The Colorization Of America follows the rise of the idea of multiculturalism -- and the backlash that followed it -- from the Civil Rights movement through to Obama's election, the fight over the DREAM Act, and Trayvon Martin's death.

The book explores how race has figured in American visual culture since the 60s, and the rhetorical imagery that's driven American politics. "We can all agree that race is not a question of biology," Chang writes. "Instead it is a question of culture and it begins as a visual problem, one of vision and visuality. Race happens in the gap between appearance and the perception of difference. It is about what we see and what we think we see and what we think about when we see. In that sense, it's bigger than personal affinities, preferences, tastes and bonds."

Chang sat down with HuffPost to talk about how the culture wars are still with us today, what it means that we're headed toward becoming a "majority-minority" society in 2042, and why America still hasn't had the kind of "national conversation about race" that it really needs. (This interview has been edited and condensed). more

Destiny starring CHRISTOPHER MARTIN is #1 At Box Offices Islandwide in JAMAICA.....Destiny beat out international films Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington; Fury, starring Brad Pitt; and The Judge, starring Robert Downey Jr, for the top spot.

Shereita Grizzle, Gleaner Writer Published: Monday | November 3, 2014

It may come as a surprise to some as it was revealed that Destiny, a local film with a difference, came in No. 1 at box offices islandwide. According to numbers revealed to the show's producer, Jeremy Whittaker, by Palace Amusement Cinemas, Destiny beat outinternational films Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington; Fury, starring Brad Pitt; and The Judge, starring Robert Downey Jr, for the top spot.

Karian Sang and Christopher Martin star in the Jamaican film 'Destiny'.

Now in its third week of showing, the film has been holding its own on the silver screens and has held the No. 1 spot in its first two weeks of showing. Whittaker is more than happy about the film's box office success.

"It has been doing well! We were No. 1 the first and second week of showing," he said. Because of the movie's success at the theatres, Whittaker believes that the time span on showing will be extended. "This is the third week now and we should get an extension on the theatre run."

Whittaker also wanted to use the opportunity to thank all the persons who have supported the film thus far, but explained that he believed in the film's ability to get to where it is today.

HAPPY, HUMBLED

"I am happy and humbled by the response, but not totally surprised. I made this movie about our 'best Jamaican selves', so it's very relatable and people appreciate a storyline they can connect with." more

IN JAMAICA: Mom's Little Hero - 10-Y-O Ronaldo Hendricks, Saves His Pregnant Mother, Unborn Sibling From Tragedy..."She first started shaking, then it seemed like she was having a seizure and the car was pulling to both sides of the road," said Ronaldo

Janet Silvera, Gleaner Write rPublished: Monday | November 3, 2014

WESTERN BUREAU: A woman who was six months pregnant when she had a seizure behind the steering wheel of her Toyota Corolla motor car two weeks ago is hailing her 10-year-old son, Ronaldo Hendricks, as a hero.

Ronaldo and his mother, Tennielle Green.

Tennielle Green, who spent 10 days at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, delivered a premature baby girl weighing a mere two pounds, is now out of danger, while her baby remains in intensive care.

Green, who is having her first daughter and second child, says the pregnancy was a few days shy of seven months.

Young Ronaldo, recalling the incident that could have seen him losing both his mother and sibling, said it was approximately 6:30 p.m. two Fridays ago that his mother was driving him to his grandmother's house in Norwood, St James, when he noticed she seemed disoriented.

"She first started shaking, then it seemed like she was having a seizure and the car was pulling to both sides of the road," said Ronaldo, a grade-five student of Supreme Preparatory.

Ronaldo Hendricks all dressed for
 school. Contributed Photos

"I realised something was wrong, as she wasn't seeing where she was going, so I jumped in front of the steering wheel, pulled up the handbrake and switched off the engine and called for help," Ronaldo toldThe Gleaner.

"I then ran out of the car calling for help," he said, adding that a man who heard his calls came to their rescue. It was the good Samaritan who called for an ambulance that transported both mother and unborn baby to safety at Cornwall Regional.

Green said the baby is doing fine, but will remain in hospital for the next month.

"Her lungs have matured, and the doctors are trying to wean her from the oxygen she was on," said Green. more

IN JAMAICA: MEDIA personality and attorney Emily Crooks weds former Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields

Monday, November 03, 2014    

MEDIA personality and attorney Emily Crooks yesterday tied the knot with former Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields at the upscale Round Hill Resort overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Mrs Mark Shields stuns in a YSA Makino couture gown
complete with a bouquet of white orchids created
by Tai Flora Luxe.

The bride was escorted up the aisle by her father Desrick Crooks, while her expectant groom stood at the altar with Reverend Terrence Gordon.

Members of the bridal party included maid of honour Dr Paula Dawson, while the couple's daughter Zuri Shields was the flower girl.

Bridesmaids were Kimm Daley and Andria Crooks-Nelson.

Standing for the groom were John Azar, Michael Meggs, Kimani Robinson, Michael Toy, and the groom's son Nicholas Shields.

SEALED WITH A KISS: Smooch
 time for Mark and Emily.

Among the guests were Hugh Small QC; former Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin; international banker Aubyn Hill; Nationwide CEO/ broadcaster Cliff Hughes; broadcast journalist Abka Fitz-Henley; regional head of Business Risk at Digicel, Joseph Simmonds; MVP Track Club boss Bruce James; JCSC member Carol Narcisse; and Digicel Jamaica CEO Barry O'Brien. more

Wilson Kipsang Of Kenya Wins 2014 NYC Marathon Men's Title

NEW YORK (AP) — Wilson Kipsang, a former world-record holder, needed to force himself to slow down.

The Kenyan star had entered his first New York City Marathon to challenge himself on a hilly course with no pacemaker. A windy morning made for quite the test Sunday, and Kipsang proved he can win a strategic race. "I had to really exercise a lot of patience," he said.

Sen. REID'S FINAL PUSH : THE FINAL SPRINT...GOP Looks Set To Seize Senate... Both Parties See Campaign Tilting Toward Republicans... Right Turn Ahead For GOP... Could Splinter The Party... POLL: Ernst Pulls Ahead... Media Ignoring The Crazy... SENATE POLLS... GOVS PROJECTIONS...

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) warned Democrats on Saturday that they couldn't afford a loss in Iowa's "critical" U.S. Senate race, because it would hand Republicans control of the chamber.

Senator Reid

Speaking of Republican candidate state Sen. Joni Ernst on a conference call hosted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Reid said, "She's so far to the right that maybe even a part of the right wouldn't like what she's talking about."

Reid urged progressive activists to make phone calls to Iowa voters on behalf of Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), whom he described as "a fine man" with "a good record of public service." more

JAMAICAN DA TIEFINEST TIEF..... DEM CAAN TEST WE! LOL

Post by Bring Back Our JAMAICA, #BBOJ.

IN JAMAICA: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Frank Edwards, 103 not out , tailored to fit...Behind his Singer sewing machine that has survived over 60 years to demonstrate his capabilities...."Mi don't use this anymore, so if anybody want it to buy I would sell them,"

 BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE Sunday Observer staff reporter husseyd@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, November 02, 2014   

THOUGH he no longer practises the craft of tailoring, Frank Edwards' expertise was evident in the skilful way he got behind his Singer sewing machine that has survived over 60 years to demonstrate his capabilities.

His eyes lit up as he reached for the main driving wheel and skilfully put the belt in place as he held onto the small driving wheel attached to the shaft and began to spin, all this time moving his feet back and forth on the treadle. Not even his failing eyesight, nor his stubborn hearing could hinder his movements.

Once a tailor, Frank Edwards demonstrates how he
would press the clothes on this wooden pressing board.

"Mi don't use this anymore, so if anybody want it to buy I would sell them," the 103-year-old said as he positioned himself behind his machine on the veranda at his Clydesdale home in St Ann last Wednesday.

"How much it worth? If mi can get sale for the machine mi might sell it. For none of my pickney dem don't want it. Is a foot machine. I have the iron and scissors. I am not sure where to find the self-heating iron, but it is around. You know anybody who want it to buy?" he asked.

This query came time and again as he emphasised his interest in parting with the machine that was obviously still in working condition.

Edwards, who was simply known as 'Tailor' to community folks, is said to have been so professional at his trade that he would sew suits and various article of clothing for prominent business persons worldwide.

As he displayed two pairs of scissors, one of which was rusted with age, his tailor's pressing board and his square (used to mark fabric), Edwards declared that he was also willing to sell these items. more

Jamaican women raping young boys — officials...."Men who are in the 16 to 20 age groups are reporting rape, men in the 30 to 35 age group are reporting now that older women are raping them.

 BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE Sunday Observer staff reporter husseyd@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, November 02, 2014    ALTHOUGH a number of Jamaican men still smirk at the idea of a woman raping a man, the increasing number of calls to the Marge Roper Counselling Service and the National Family Planning Board hotline are showing that more and more males are reporting rape and are pointing towards older women as the perpetrators.

"A number of men are now reporting rape," National Family Planning Board Chair Dr Sandra Knight said. "Men who are in the 16 to 20 age groups are reporting rape, men in the 30 to 35 age group are reporting now that older women are raping them.

This is nothing new. Older women have always been having sex with our boys. But I think now, with the sensitisation that is out there, boys are now realising that if I did not consent to it, it is rape," she said.

But some men still say that this cannot be true.

"You cannot rape the willing," said Curtis Benjamin, 42, and father of three. "I don't think it is physically possible for a woman to overpower a man and rape him. What she can do is seduce him and he will get aroused. Then he is not going to walk away he will give in to her. So that is why he now becomes willing. Once you are willing it is not rape."

Ricardo Thomas, 40, shared the view.

"I feel it cannot happen, because if a man really doesn't want to have sex a man will just not have sex," Thomas said. "If another man comes to you as a man to rape you, you are going to fight him off tooth and nail, so if you don't want to have sex with a woman it should be the same thing, you going to fight her off tooth and nail too. What I would call him is a reluctant participant in some respect, but I wouldn't consider it rape," he added. "I would only consider it rape if a bunch of women hold you down and use dildo, etc. But as a man, if I don't want sex, I just don't want it, and if as the woman you decide to force me even further then she would leave with a bloody nose and a black eye, even though I don't believe in hitting women," he went on.

However, Dr Knight said that male rape should be taken seriously. more

TELECOMS company LIME signed dancehall artiste Konshens and former Miss Jamaica World Sara Lawrence

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer  Saturday, November 01, 2014  

TELECOMS company LIME signed dancehall artiste Konshens and former Miss Jamaica World (2006) Sara Lawrence as its newest brand ambassadors at Ribbiz at Barbican Centre in St Andrew, yesterday.

Konshens and Sara Lawrence 

Carlo Redwood, LIME's vice-president of marketing, said signing was a "no-brainer".

"Konshens is popular with Jamaicans. He loves Jamaica and he's very passionate about music and the charity work that he does. Sara is a genuine person. She has done well and she is the female that we were looking for," said Redwood.

Lawrence was crowned Miss Jamaica (World) in 2006. She placed sixth at the Miss World finals.

She is currently the Caribbean brand ambassador for L'Oréal.

Dancehall artiste Konshens shot onto the musical radar in 2007. He is known for a string of hits including Gal a Bubble, Couple Up, and Walk and Wine.

His Subkonshus Music label has been instrumental in working with new talent including Darrio, Delus, Tamarley and Javada.

LIME's other brand ambassadors are track star Yohan Blake and comedians Ity and Fancy Cat, Donald 'Ice Man' Anderson, and Pretty Boy Floyd.

4 DAYS FROM SEIZING SENATE?.....69% chance that Republicans will take control of the Senate....Do you think the Republicans will go after impeachment of President Barack Obama? Will Hillary Clinton run in 2016?

HuffPost Pollster begins by collecting every publicly released poll on the 2014 Senate races. We then use a statistical model to estimate the trend in support for each candidate based on all the survey data, adjusting for sample size and pollsters’ “house effects.” Interactive charts of those support trends are available here and on the HuffPost Pollster home page.

Mitch McConnell would be Senate Leader

By running a series of simulations (known commonly as the Monte Carlo method), the model allows us to quantify the uncertainty associated with the current polling snapshot. That uncertainty comes from multiple sources: sampling error in the polls themselves, uncertainty about the house effect corrections, and uncertainty about how quickly vote intentions are changing.

The model then calculates a “win probability” for each race that is displayed in the graphics on this page. This probability takes three factors into account:

• The time remaining between the current snapshot and the election.
• The possibility that the polls could be wrong or that some sort of major event could shake up a race in ways that the current polls can’t measure.
• The proportion of “undecided” voters in the polls. If the undecided proportion is high relative to the expected margin between the candidates, the outcome of that race must be less certain. more

23 Things Any 'Scandal' Fan Knows To Be True. Separating 'Scandal' Fans From TRUE 'Scandal' Fans...1) A glance between Olivia and Fitz is equal to another couple's 1000 kisses 2) And you know their relationship is toxic 3) But you want them to be together in spite of yourself and much more.....

Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope on SCANDAL

1. A glance between Olivia and Fitz is 
equal to another couple's 1000 kisses

2. And you know their relationship is toxic

3. But you want them to be together 
in spite of yourself


more

Low visitor traffic from Ebola-hit countries to Jamaica

Friday, October 31, 2014    

VISITOR traffic from Ebola-hit West African countries to Jamaica has been relatively low, with 66 persons coming from Sierra Leone; 65 from Liberia and 11 from Guinea, so far this year, for a total of 142. Countries, including Jamaica, have been on high alert for visitors from those West African nations, as fears of the deadly Ebola virus spread across the globe. Of the three countries, Sierra Leone has the largest number of visitors to Jamaica - 279 - in the past four years, broken down as fo ... More

VIDEO: Medical ganja company targets $4b in revenue by 2019; eyes IPO by 1Q next year....said the executive chairman of Medicanja Limited, Dr Henry Lowe. "This will give Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora a chance to invest"....."We are talking big business, not monkey money," said former Prime Minister P J Patterson, who is a member of the Medicanja board.

BY TERRON DEWAR Caribbean Business reporter  dewart@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, October 31, 2014    

LOCAL medical marijuana company, Medicanja Limited, expects to generate approximately $4 billion in sales within four years.

Executive chairman of Medicanja Limited, Dr Henry Lowe.

"Revenue from the sales and services of over 18 products that we have planned from Medicanja limited, including six product lines, will be in excess of $4 billion," said the executive chairman of Medicanja Limited, Dr Henry Lowe.

What's more, during the first quarter of next year, Medicanja plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) to raise funds from the market to continue product development and research.

"This will give Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora a chance to invest" in a product that shares a strong brand association with the country, he said.

On Wednesday, the company launched seven new products that will hit the market in December.

VIDEO: Medical ganja company targets $4b
 in revenue by 2019; eyes IPO by 1Q next year

The products are among the first in a line of 18 pharmaceutical and nutraceutical items that the company plans to bring to market over the course of the next year.

'The magnificent seven', as the first line of products are called, was designed to help with the 'pain management of some 84 ailments using products such as marijuana-based rubbing alcohol (CanjaCol), healing oil (CanjaRub), pain-relief spray (CanjaSol), anti-inflammatory cream (CanjaFlam), Arthritis cream (CanjaSolve), sublingual drop (CanjaRelief) and nausea relief sprays (CanjaSure). more

Jazz & Blues signs Mariah Carey.... Best-selling female artiste of all time coming to Jamaica for the world-renowned festival, scheduled for January 29 - 31 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on Jamaica's north coast.

Friday, October 31, 2014  

GLOBAL superstar Mariah Carey has been confirmed as the headline act for the 19th annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival next January.

Mariah Carey

Carey, regarded as the best-selling female artiste of all time, will be making her first-ever appearance in the Caribbean, and her signing is being seen as a major triumph for the world-renowned festival, scheduled for January 29 - 31 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on Jamaica's north coast.

"Welcoming Mariah Carey to Jamaica's shores is truly exciting and we are extremely pleased to announce this iconic star as our headline act for 2015," festival producer Walter Elmore said yesterday. "Her agreeing to perform on our stage is a testament to the quality of our production. We are the only festival in the Western Hemisphere to present Mariah Carey since her last tour in 2006."

Yesterday, Carey was quoted as saying that she was anxious to perform in Jamaica.

"I'm thrilled to be performing in Jamaica for the first time ever," she said. "I can't wait to connect with my Jamaican fans and I am really looking forward to spending some time pon de island as well."

Carey has sold more than 200 million records and has logged 18 Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 singles, more than any solo artiste in history.

With her distinctive five-octave vocal range and prolific songwriting and producing talent, Carey has defined the modern multi-format performer. more

Former Miss Jamaica Universe and media personality, Yendi Phillipps, Files For Full Custody Of Her Child With dancehall entertainer, Chino McGregor...She is also seeking $60,000 per month in maintenance for the child.

Phillipps... is also seeking $60,000 per month in
maintenance for the child.

Barbara Gayle and Jerome Reynolds Gleaner Writers 
KINGSTON, Jamaica: 
Former Miss Jamaica Universe and media personality, Yendi Phillipps, has filed for full custody of her child with dancehall entertainer, Chino, whose real name is Daniel McGregor. 

The application was filed in the Supreme Court this week by the law firm Nelson-Brown, Guy and Francis. Phillipps is asking the court to grant her custody, care and control of the child. 

Chino McGregor

She is also seeking $60,000 per month in maintenance for the child. Phillipps is further asking the court to order Chino to pay half of the child’s 
medical and educational expenses. As part of the custody arrangement, Phillipps is asking the court to grant the dancehall entertainer access to the child twice during the week for three hours and once every weekend for seven hours. 

She has been ordered to serve the application on the defendant. No date has been set for the matter to be heard. 

IN JAMAICA: Shantayaé Grant, 22 y-o to be UWI valedictorian. She has a 4.09/4.0 GPA.... also has under her belt, 19 CAPE/CSEC passes with distinction from Alpha Academy

BY AINSWORTH MORRIS Career & Education writer  Sunday, October 26, 2014   

SHANTAYAÉ Grant, Jamaica Observer teenAGE writer, has been selected as a valedictorian for the 2014 graduating class of the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

Shantayaé Grant, speaking at the launch of Purity’s
breast cancer awareness month campaign earlier this month.

Grant, 22, will be graduating with first-class honours from the first academic cohort of CARIMAC students with bachelor of arts degrees in Integrated Marketing Communication on October 31. She has been on the dean's list since her first year at UWI.

"To be chosen to represent the graduating class of Humanities and Education is beyond an honour. This, I believe, is validation for my years of hard work and dedication. I've always worked hard for my achievements and it is truly humbling to be recognised in such a fashion," Grant, who has a GPA of 4.09 told Career & Education.

Grant was also valedictorian when she graduated from Convent of Mercy (Alpha) Academy in 2009.

Last year, her older sister Shoyea-Gaye Grant was also chosen as valedictorian at UWI. more

Can We Auto-Correct Humanity? Why I Refuse to Let Technology Control Me. You need not delete your social networks or destroy your cell phones, the message is simple, be balanced, be mindful, be present, be here. :)

IN JAMAICA: Daylight murder sparks fear Unease on Kensington Crescent after gunmen chase, kill 43 y-o man Collin Mann

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, October 30, 2014    

THE mid-morning murder of a man outside an apartment complex on the outskirts of New Kingston yesterday has triggered fear among residents and staff at businesses in the area.

Police at the scene of yesterday’s murder of a man by gunmen
 on Kensington Crescent on the outskirts of New Kingston.
(PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

Detectives from the Kingston and St Andrew Major Investigation Task Force report that about 11:30 am Collin Mann, 43, and another individual were standing at the entrance to the complex on Kensington Crescent when a group of armed men, travelling in a car, drove up and alighted from the vehicle.

Mann, the Jamaica Observer was told, made a desperate attempt to escape but was chased and shot several times in the street.

The other individual, who was injured, was rushed to hospital where he has been admitted.

"Reports we received are that close to midday the two men were at the complex when they were attacked by criminals who shot them several times and then escaped in a waiting motor car," said one detective.

Police said a motive has not been identified, but explained that they were following several leads, one of them being that the attack, which they believe could be a contract killing, was linked to the shooting death of a couple in Lea's Flat, Red Hills, St Andrew over a week ago.

That, however, has not eased the fear of some residents, many of whom work in and around New Kingston and in offices in the vicinity of yesterday's brazen murder. more