JA pon Blaze : Riverton dump fire spreads : THE Jamaica Fire Brigade yesterday said that the latest fire at the Riverton dump -- which since Wednesday had blanketed much of the city with choking smoke — had grown twice in size to approximately five acres, despite intense efforts to keep it under control.

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, March 13, 2015   

THE Jamaica Fire Brigade yesterday said that the latest fire at the Riverton dump -- which since Wednesday had blanketed much of the city with choking smoke — had grown twice in size to approximately five acres, despite intense efforts to keep it under control.

Public Relations Director Emilio Ebanks told the Jamaica Observer that strong winds had proved a major challenge to the team's response. Approximately 70 fire-fighters were on the scene.

"The situation has been made worse because of strong wind conditions," said Ebanks of the fire, the cause of which was not ascertained up to late yesterday.

A total of eight fire trucks and four tractors -- two D9 and two D12 -- were brought to the site to fight the blaze.

"The situation, as it is right now, is very challenging. We understand the circumstance but we are doing the best we can," Ebanks said as he called on members of the public to brace themselves for more discomfort that the worsening problem would cause.

A worsening of the problem would be bad news for city dwellers who woke up to a hazy morning as a result of the smoke from the landfill.

"Since the fire started we have been having problems breathing, the thick smoke has forced many of us out of our homes," one woman from Callaloo Mews told the Observer.

Meanwhile, Opposition spokesman on local government, Desmond , said that the latest fire was as a result of the Government's failure to implement proper waste management programmes.

"The local government ministry, through the NSWMA (National Solid Waste Management Authority) and the Ministry of Health, have failed the people of Kingston with their lacklustre response to the fire which is now raging at the Riverton City landfill," McKenzie argued. "This is not the first fire and it seems they are getting more frequent. It seems they don't know how to do the job they are paid to do."

McKenzie also noted that since Wednesday he has received numerous complaints from people living as far as Harbour View and on the University of the West Indies and University of Technology campuses in Papine about the choking smoke. He said that residents of Duhaney Park, Red Hills, Meadowbrook, Hope Pastures and several other areas were also badly affected.

McKenzie said that he was particularly concerned about reports of an increase in the number of children turning up at the Bustamante Hospital for Children with respiratory problems.

Yesterday, a representative of the South East Regional Health Authority said that the Ministry of Health would be carrying out an assessment to get a better idea of the number of patients who have turned up at medical facilities, including the Bustamante Children's Hospital, with respiratory difficulties.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has given the authorisation for schools directly affected by the smoke to remain closed.

The 1st single from the CD 'Peace and Love' by RULA BROWN is "Seems To Me I'm Winning" by Rula Brown & Dobby Dobson Please see the link below for 38 tracks (2 set CD) from the CD 'Peace and Love' by RULA BROWN. Produced by Rula Brown on Bee Cat Records

All Proceeds go to PALAS

The 1st single from the CD 'Peace and Love' by RULA BROWN is "Seems To Me I'm Winning" by Rula Brown & Dobby Dobson

Please see the link below for 38 tracks (2 set CD)
from the CD 'Peace and Love' by RULA BROWN.

Thank you very much for supporting my music and the PALAS students. All sales will go to PALAS program. PALAS goal is to award 125 scholarships in 2015.

The CD will be distributed by VPAL online on March 31, 2015.
https://soundcloud.com/…/seems-to-me-im-winning-rula-brown-…

FERGUSON, Mo.: 'Blood Is Still Red': Ferguson Fears Setback As Cop-Shooter Eludes Manhunt....The shooter -- described by Attorney General Eric Holder as “ damn punk” -- remained at large Thursday night.

 Posted: 03/12/2015 10:02 pm EDT

FERGUSON, Mo. -- As reporters flocked back to this St. Louis suburb following theambush shooting of two officers outside the police department overnight, residents, law enforcement and protesters were on edge. Many said they were angered that a gunman’s bullets may threaten to interrupt a community on the cusp of significant change.

The shooter -- described by Attorney General Eric Holder as “ damn punk” -- remained at large Thursday night. Both officers were treated for their wounds and released from the hospital on Thursday. Police raided a Ferguson home searching for witnesses to the shooting.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon traveled to the city, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Louis County Police Department took over policing the ongoing protests. Candidates for a seat on Ferguson's city council were holding a debate Thursday night and there was a plan for a prayer vigil at 8 p.m. local time. The officers were shot just after midnight Thursday during a protest that followed the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson. Jackson is the sixth person out of a job since last week's scathing Justice Department report on how the city police department and municipal court had been turned into a cash cow, mostly on the backs of black residents. The Justice Department investigation came in the wake of a Ferguson officer's killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in August. more 

Global investors should unearth Jamaica's hidden treasures — Bowen : The Forum, which was led by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), hopes to pull investment of over US$1 billion ($115 billion) into the economy over the next few years.

Friday, March 13, 2015    

SENIOR Vice-President of Scotia Group Bruce Bowen has called on global investors to 'unearth the hidden treasures in Jamaica' during the hosting of Jamaica Investment Forum earlier this week.

The Forum, which was led by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), hopes to pull investment of over US$1 billion ($115 billion) into the economy over the next few years.

The Montego Bay Convention Centre

The event saw global investors from North America, Pakistan, Turkey, China, India, Spain, France and the United Kingdom attending what is termed as "Jamaica's premier international and business conference" at the Montego Bay Convention Centre over a two-day period.

"I would point to some specific sectors -- hidden treasures if you will -- that are ripe for further investments and which have great potential for growth," Bowen stated. "These areas are tourism, agriculture and agro-processing, ICT, business process outsourcing (BPO), export and manufacturing."

JAMPRO has indicated that it will be focusing on these marketable and bankable sectors during the Forum to assist in delivering jobs and GDP growth. It says that these sectors will help to create the desired logistics-centred economy.

"There can be no doubt that the development of the ICT sector has transformed life in Jamaica in many ways over the past two decades," Bowen stated.

"Our very own contact centre is a Scotiabank BPO success story, and it continues to grow and provide a range of services, including Internet, telephone and mobile banking support. We also maintain one of our three regional processing hubs in Jamaica, leveraging the quality and efficiency of our workforce, and the tax efficiency of exporting services within the region," Bowen added. more

MONTEGO BAY, St James : Hyde headlines strong JAMAICA Carifta team to St Kitts...Jamaica won 89 medals last year -- 42 gold, 34 silver and 13 bronze at the event held in Martinique.

Friday, March 13, 2015    

MONTEGO BAY, St James -- Christoff Bryan, the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) field events male athlete and World Junior 400m and Youth Olympic Games 110m hurdles champion Jaheel Hyde will lead a powerful 78-member Jamaican team to the 2015 CARIFTA Games to be held in St Kitts April 3-6.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) released the team yesterday following last weekend's CARIFTA Trials held at the National Stadium in Kingston.

The breakdown of the team sees 18 athletes in the Under-18 section and 21 in both Under-20 sections, for boys and girls.

Jamaica won 89 medals last year -- 42 gold, 34 silver and 13 bronze at the event held in Martinique.

Twelve athletes will defend titles won last year, including Jauavney James who won two individual gold medals.

Lushae Wilson will defend the Under-18 boys high jump, while in the Under-18 girls, Kimone Shaw, Janeek Brown and Lamara Distin will defend their titles.

In the Under-20 girls, Sasha-gay Whyte in the 1500m, Tamara Moncrieff in the triple jump and Rochelle Frazer in the discus are returning champions.

Michael O'Hara is the Under-20 boys 200m champion, Clayton Brown won the high jump, Odaine Lewis won the triple jump and Demar Gayle won the shot put. more

Gayle in doubt as Windies set for do-or-die contest with UAE : A nagging back injury has put flamboyant West Indies opener Chris Gayle in doubt for their all-important do-or-die World Cup clash with United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Friday, March 13, 2015    

NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC) — A nagging back injury has put flamboyant West Indies opener Chris Gayle in doubt for their all-important do-or-die World Cup clash with United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday (Saturday Jamaica time).

Gayle is struggling with his back injury and could miss the crucial final preliminary-round clash which will determine whether they qualify for the quarter-finals.

Chris Gayle

The veteran opener was unable to train with his teammates in Napier on Wednesday, remaining at the team hotel to rest in the hope of speeding his recovery.

"He is struggling, but we have back up in Johnson Charles," said coach Stuart Williams.

"We'd love him to play all the games (but) we'll just have to manage him better."

Gayle, 35, blasted a World Cup record 215 in the win over Zimbabwe, but his form in other games has been patchy with 36 against Ireland, four in the game with Pakistan, just three in the loss to South Africa and 21 facing India.

West Indies have just four points from five games after two wins and three defeats and need to beat the UAE handsomely to boost their run rate if they are to have any hope of squeezing into the quarter-finals.

"Our destiny is in our own hands and on Sunday we'll know exactly what we'll have to do to qualify," Williams added.

After the loss to Ireland, the Windies comfortably beat Pakistan and Zimbabwe before suffering crushing defeats against South Africa and India. more 

JAMAICANS will have to pay more taxes to drive, smoke and use electricity on April 1 : Motorists, smokers hit hard; GCT on electricity bills reintroduced $10-b tax package hits motorists, smokers, electricity users hard BY BALFORD HENRY Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com Friday, March 13, 2015

BY BALFORD HENRY Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, March 13, 2015 

JAMAICANS will have to pay more taxes to drive, smoke and use electricity on April 1 when a $10.3-billion tax package introduced yesterday by Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips takes effect.

The tax measures came as no surprise to some observers, despite constant assurances from Dr Phillips, since the tabling of the budget on February 19, that compliance measures would fill most of the gap.

They will also affect domestic production as well as importers, including those trading with Jamaica’s Caribbean Community (Caricom) partners who are required to pay an environmental tax; those paying trade and business licence fees; and is expected to be extended to affect life insurance companies before the fiscal year ends. Hardest hit are motorists who will have to fork out some $8.2 billion more per annum to pay for petrol and petroleum products at local service stations.

Dr Phillips admitted in the House of Representatives yesterday that the hole in his $641-billion budget for 2015/16 was really $22.7-billion.

The ministry had previously spoken to a $10.4-billion gap, which Phillips suggested could be largely filled by increased compliance, as well as some changes to the Property Tax Act, new transfer tax legislation affecting transfer pricing rules, and withholding tax on statutory payments.

However, yesterday he explained that those measures would only cover $12.3 billion of the $22.7- billion-wide hole by the end of the year.

This left a gap of $10.4 billion, which has to be filled by new revenue measures. more

Meet Esther Okade, the 10-year-old maths genius who's just enrolled at college....and is already top of the class, having recently scored 100% in a recent exam....She adds: "I want to (finish the course) in two years. Then I'm going to do my PhD in financial maths when I'm 13. I want to have my own bank by the time I'm 15 because I like numbers and I like people and banking is a great way to help people."

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse, for CNN Updated 7:04 AM ET, Wed March 11, 2015

(CNN)At first glance Esther Okade seems like a normal 10-year-old. She loves dressing up as Elsa from "Frozen," playing with Barbie dolls and going to the park or shopping.

But what makes the British-Nigerian youngster stand out is the fact that she's also a university undergraduate.

Esther, from Walsall, an industrial town in the UK's West Midlands region, is one of the country's youngest college freshmen.

10 y-o Esther Okade in class

The talented 10-year-old enrolled at the Open University, a UK-based distance learning college, in January and is already top of the class, having recently scored 100% in a recent exam.

"It's so interesting. It has the type of maths I love. It's real maths -- theories, complex numbers, all that type of stuff," she giggles. "It was super easy. My mum taught me in a nice way."

She adds: "I want to (finish the course) in two years. Then I'm going to do my PhD in financial maths when I'm 13. I want to have my own bank by the time I'm 15 because I like numbers and I like people and banking is a great way to help people."

And in case people think her parents have pushed her into starting university early, Esther emphatically disagrees.

"I actually wanted to start when I was seven. But my mum was like, "you're too young, calm down." After three years of begging, mother Efe finally agreed to explore the idea. more

IN JAMAICA: GraceKennedy awards $1-million scholarship to Calabar's Michael O'Hara

Wednesday, March 11, 2015    

Just ahead of the March 24-28 staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships, Calabar's Michael O'Hara has already received some exciting news.

GraceKennedy has announced that it has awarded the outstanding schoolboy athlete a scholarship valued at $500,000 per academic year for two years. The scholarship is retroactive to September 2014.

O’HARA… has to remain in good standing with
the school by maintaining the academic standards
 required for inclusion on the school’s
track and field team

"Michael has demonstrated over the years that he is a quality athlete. His accomplishments so far have been extremely impressive and we know his future is very bright. GraceKennedy has a track record of supporting our young people, especially in the areas of education and sports, and we decided that we wanted to work with Michael to help him realise his dreams in both these areas," said Group CEO Don Wehby.

The Group CEO disclosed that in order to maintain eligibility for the scholarship, O'Hara, now in lower sixth form at Calabar, has to remain in good standing with the school by maintaining the academic standards required for inclusion on the school's track and field team. He must also maintain the deportment and disciplinary standards required by Calabar. "We want him to do his best on the track, but we are more interested in his complete and overall development as a productive member of society," the CEO added.

Eighteen-year-old O'Hara was Champion Boy at 'Champs' for three years running -- 2011, 2012 and 2013 -- creating a new record of 13.45 seconds in the Class Two 110m hurdles in 2013. At the recent Gibson McCook Relays, which many use as an indicator for Boys' and Girls' Championships, O'Hara was part of the Calabar team which reset its own Jamaican high school Class One 4x100m record of 39.61 to 39.32 seconds. more

KINGSTON, Jamaica (PHOTOS): Fatal 4-vehicle collision on Mona Road ....Dead is 55 y-o Cleveland Rowe

Wednesday, March 11, 2015 | 9:11 PM 

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A four-vehicle collision which occurred on Mona Road in St Andrew resulted in the death of one man and the hospitalisation of another.

Deceased 55 y-o Cleveland Rowe

Fifty-five-year-old Cleveland Rowe died as a result of injuries he received when he was flung from a motorcycle he was riding this afternoon.

4 Vehicle crash

Reports from the Mona police are that the four-vehicle collision occurred about 12:35 pm. It is alleged that Rowe lost control of the motorbike and collided with a Honda Fit motor car, which impacted a Toyota Camry and a Nissan Sunny motor car.

The driver of the Honda Fit motor vehicle was admitted in serious condition.

The drivers of the other two vehicles were treated and released.

2 Police Officers Shot in Ferguson during protest - media reports....Tension has been high since the killing of Michael Ferguson...Both officers are expected to survive. .Story Developing

Protesters

Two police officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department during protests on Wednesday night, according to a KSDK-TV reporter and multiple other reports.

Police station

Officers were reportedly searching for the shooter or shooters late Wednesday, but few other details were available. Ferguson Mayor James Knowles announced that Police Chief Tom Jackson was resigning earlier on Wednesday. The

story is developing.....

DR. RICHARD K. NONGARD, Certified Professional Hypnotist & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to appear with Sir KEITHANTHONY on Hypnosensei show on RulaBrownNetwork at 10:30am ET March 10, 2015

DR. RICHARD K. NONGARD, LMFT/CCH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Certified Personal Fitness Trainer
Certified Professional Hypnotist

Dr. Richard K. Nongard is among the most qualified professionals in the Southwest, and has authored many books, videos and professional educational materials, including hypnosis textbooks. He holds advanced degrees on both Religion and Counseling, and has been trained in the USA, Canada and Europe.  

Dr. Nongard has completed his doctorate in transformational leadership with a concentration in cultural transformation through Bakke Graduate University.  BGU is a nationally accredited university, accredited by an accreditor which is recognized by both the United States Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This can be verified at this link: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

Bakke Graduate University is recognized by an accreditor recognized by the Texas Coordinating Board of Higher Education and is licensed as a degree granting institution by the State of Washington. He earned hismaster's degree in counseling at Liberty University and has and undergraduate degree in ministry. He also has an undergraduate degree from Excelsior University (Albany, NY). 

Richard is an innovative leader in the field of psychotherapy and hypnosis, and over the last 20+ years he has trained thousands of professionals including ministers, medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, family therapists, hypnotherapists and professional counselors in ways to do a better job serving their clients.

He is the author of many textbooks and resources in clinical hypnotherapy, a frequent conference and keynote speaker and also maintains a busy private practice.  

All hypnotherapists are not created equal. When you contact Richard K. Nongard, you are calling one of the top hypnotherapists in the country. and the results you experience will be magnificent!

Vice President, Joe Biden is furios over Republican Senators meddling in peace talks with IRAN

WASHINGTON -- Vice President Joe Biden is furious.

Biden, who also serves as president of the Senate, Monday night blasted Senate Republicans in a long, angry statement for their letter to Iran's leaders, which he described as "beneath the dignity of an institution I revere."

Joe Biden, VP USA

Forty-seven Republicans on Sunday wrote directly to Tehran to suggest that any nuclear deal with the Obama administration would not be constitutionally binding because a future president or Congress could take steps to revoke it. Biden called the move an unprecedented affront "designed to undercut a sitting president." "In thirty-six years in the United States Senate, I cannot recall another instance in which Senators wrote directly to advise another country -- much less a longtime foreign adversary -- that the President does not have the constitutional authority to reach a meaningful understanding with them. This letter sends a highly misleading signal to friend and foe alike that that our Commander-in-Chief cannot deliver on America’s commitments -- a message that is as false as it is dangerous," Biden said in a statement released by the White House. more

IN JAMAICA: A grave shame...Thieves break into tombs at May Pen Cemetery. CRIMINALS yesterday carried out a shameless act of depravity when they attempted to steal the caskets from two tombs at May Pen Cemetery in Kingston.

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, March 10, 2015 

CRIMINALS yesterday carried out a shameless act of depravity when they attempted to steal the caskets from two tombs at May Pen Cemetery in Kingston.

Women discuss among themselves the attempted robbery
 at May Pen Cemetery yesterday as one points in the direction
of the tombs that were broken into....
 (PHOTOS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

Deputy Superintendent of Police Linval Phoenix, who is assigned to the Denham Town Police Station that is a stone's throw from the cemetery, said that about 7:00 am criminals went to the facility, broke open two tombs and were in the process of removing the caskets but were stopped in their tracks by alert residents.

"The men, we learnt, had reached as far as taking out one of the caskets and had opened it when residents saw what was happening and raised an alarm," he told the Jamaica Observer.

The senior lawman said that he was not sure why the caskets were being removed, but said that he would not dismiss suggestions from residents that they were meant for the underground multimillion-dollar used caskets trade.

Residents, meanwhile, have expressed disgust at the incident.

"All now mi still in shock. Ah walk mi ah walk on the road early in the morning and when mi look over the cemetery mi see ah man a break away the graves and all draw out one of the caskets from the structure," one resident related.

The residents said that what was particularly disturbing was that the act was being carried out in broad daylight.

Meanwhile, a distraught Gregory Goldson, whose grandmother is buried in one of the affected tombs, said that the incident has left him both shocked and angry. more

Video appears to show University of Oklahoma fraternity singing racist chant

POSTED 7:32 PM, MARCH 8, 2015, BY DALLAS FRANKLIN & KFOR-TV,

NORMAN, Okla. – A video that is making its way around the internet appears to show a fraternity at a local university singing a racist chant. In the video, you can hear the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity cheering “there will never be a nig*** in SAE.” The chant goes on to say, “you can hang them from a tree, but they’ll never sign with me.” According to Unheard, the students chanting in the video are from the University of Oklahoma.

However, university officials have not confirmed these are OU students. It was allegedly filmed Saturday on the way to a date party for the fraternity’s founder’s day. OU President David Boren released a statement via Twitter saying, “if the video is indeed of OU students, this behavior will not be tolerated and is contrary to all of our values”. more

JAAA CARIFTA TRIALS: Calabar's 15-y-o phenom Christopher Taylor clocks Age-Group World Record 45.69 secs over 400m

 BY SHERDON COWAN Observer staff reporter  Monday, March 09, 2015    

The final day of the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) National Carifta Trials was highlighted yesterday by some super fast performances, chief among them a stupendous 45.69-second clocking by Calabar's Christopher Taylor in the boys' Under-18 400-metre event at the National Stadium.

Chris Taylor of Calabar

Running out of lane seven, the impressive Taylor blew away the field and sent the moderate crowd into a frenzy with the sub-46-second clocking. The 15-year-old's dazzling performance also saw him achieving the Age-Group World Record, pulling down Grenadian Kirani James' previous record of 45.70 seconds.

"I am really comfortable and elated about my performance today (yesterday). My coach just gave me the instruction to come out here and qualify for the Carifta Games, so I am really surprised with the time...to get 45, wow," an amazed Taylor told the Jamaica Observer.

With the Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships a few weeks away, Taylor added that fans can expect some faster times, but quickly pointed out that he does not intend to push himself too hard.

Falls

Taylor won ahead of Devaughn Ellington (47.34sec) of Petersfield High and Leonardo Ledgister (48.20sec) of St Elizabeth Technical.

Junelle Bromfield of St Elizabeth Technical High School ran away with the girls' equivalent in 53.30 seconds, ahead of Sanique Walker (54.53sec) and Satanya Wright (55.24sec) also of St Elizabeth Technical.

Kingston College's Akeem Bloomfield then followed suit in the boys' Under-20 event, clocking a superb 45.41 seconds to win ahead of Terry Thomas (47.05sec) of Greater Portmore and Robin Black (47.18sec) of St Elizabeth Technical. more

Barack Obama Marks 50th Anniversary Of 'Bloody Sunday' With Powerful Speech In Selma

Posted: 03/07/2015 3:30 pm EST 

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama joined nearly 100 members of Congress in Selma, Alabama, on Saturday for the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" -- a watershed moment of the civil rights movement -- where he honored the men and women who stood their ground in a violent confrontation with police at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

"We gather here to honor the courage of ordinary Americans willing to endure billy clubs and the chastening rod, tear gas and the trampling hoof; men and women who despite the gush of blood and splintered bone would stay true to their North Star and keep marching toward justice," Obama said in a soaring speech that addressed race and civil rights.

Prez. Obama and marchers on the bridge

The president hailed Selma as a city of extreme importance to America's history -- on par with wartime settings of Concord, Lexington and Gettysburg, and places where innovation took great strides such as Kitty Hawk and Cape Canaveral. And he paid deference to the foot soldiers who sparked a movement: Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Joseph Lowery, Hosea Williams, Amelia Boynton, Diane Nash, Ralph Abernathy, C.T. Vivian, Andrew Young and Fred Shuttlesworth, among others. more

On This International Women's Day, Let's Recognize the Value of Investing in Women and Girls....For more than 100 years, people around the globe have been acknowledging this day -- March 8

Posted: 03/07/2015 11:30 pm EST

Rarely does a day go by when we're not reminded of the grave economic and political challenges facing our world. In the midst of these challenges, many community and world leaders are now recognizing what we at the Mona Foundation have known for over 15 years: Strategically investing in women and girls transforms communities and can heal the world.

Fighting for women and girl's rights

Today is a day to honor the women and girls who have been at the forefront of social change. For more than 100 years, people around the globe have been acknowledging this day -- March 8 -- as International Women's Day. We join with others to celebrate and recognize the contributions of women, from Aung San Suu Kyi to Susan B. Anthony to the women in trade unions who, a century ago, led the way to better working conditions for all Americans.

And while we recognize the advancements toward women's rights and gender equality, we also acknowledge that progress has been slow, and that women and girls still face excruciating poverty, sexual violence and lack of access to education.

The Mona Foundation invests in girls' education and in strengthening gender equality to alleviate poverty and empower communities. Our approach is confirmed by the United Nations, which reports that "investment in girls' education may be the highest return investment in the developing world." more

ST. THOMAS, JAMAICA (UPDATE) : 14-year-old Kayalicia Simpson was 4 months pregnant when she was hacked to death autopsy shows...."She was pregnant. That is why them kill her; and is long time people know what going on," said one female resident who declined to be named for fear of her life.

Published:Saturday | March 7, 2015Corey Robinson

News that 14-year-old Kayalicia Simpson, the Donald Quarrie High School student who was hacked to death on Tuesday morning, was pregnant came as no surprise to residents of the Newlands Housing Scheme in St Thomas, yesterday.

Kayalicia Simpson

An autopsy conducted on Simpson's body yesterday confirmed that she died from shock and haemorrhage caused by her injuries. The autopsy also revealed that the teenager, who was chopped several times in the head and neck, was carrying a child for at least four months. During a visit to the community on Wednesday, residents were adamant that the girl was killed as part of an attempt to cover-up her pregnancy. The autopsy report supports the claims by residents and at least one of Simpson's relatives, who toldThe Gleaner of suspicious activities between the teenager and at least one of the men living at the house she occupied.

"She was pregnant. That is why them kill her; and is long time people know what going on," said one female resident who declined to be named for fear of her life. "At one point, when people start talk things, one of them (accused men) said that before him name call up in any pregnancy, somebody is going to die. And see it deh, dem kill har!"

"We suspect that he was fooling around her, we suspect it. But Kayalicia was not somebody who liked to talk about things. She was very secretive so she wouldn't tell anybody about that," continued another relative, as a group of residents gathered near the ill-fated house where the teenager lived. The residents could not say why any of them did not report the matter to the police. more

Harold Brady's Explanation- Attorneys Tell Why $37 million Was Not Transferred resulting in fraud charge...Brady was offered bail in the sum of $3 million and ordered to surrender his travel documents and give his fingerprint to the police. He is scheduled to return to court on March 27

Attorney Harold Brady (L)

Lawyers for well-known attorney Harold Brady have revealed that the $37 million at the centre of the fraud case brought against him is being held by a commercial bank to ensure that the transaction was not in breach of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

That disclosure by attorney-at-law Abe Dabdoub came in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, where Brady pleaded not guilty to fraudulent conversion. Brady was offered bail in the sum of $3 million and ordered to surrender his travel documents and give his fingerprint to the police. He is scheduled to return to court on March 27.

Dabdoub told the court that his understanding was that the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) "has held onto the money so it could conduct a proceeds of crime investigation." "He has not fraudulently converted any money. The nature of this complaint is such that it should really be placed before the civil courts," Dabdoub insisted. more 

A break for university students : A lecturer and his students at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica in St Andrew believe they have found the perfect solution to address crammed living spaces in the university

BY INGRID BROWN Associate Editor - Special Assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, March 08, 2015    

A lecturer and his students at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica in St Andrew believe they have found the perfect solution to address crammed living spaces in the university community through the invention of a multi-purpose bed which also doubles as a table and display area.

Dean Reid (left), UTech lecturer in the Industrial Technology Department,
 and his students (from second left) Jevonne Simpson, Marlo McIntosh,
 Montel Thaxter, Starate Cameron, and Kevin Beckford.

The team is currently looking at ways to add a chest of drawers to the design which would see students not requiring to have anything else in their dorms or small rented rooms.

Dean Reid, lecturer in

the Industrial Technology Department, said the invention has great commercial potential.

"We believe we have created the solution that can help boarders -- and this is an idea that can be published all over in every university environment -- and so it has great commercial potential," Reid said as he gave the Jamaica Observer a preview of the item which will be on display at the university's Research and Technology Day on

March 12.

According to Reid, the idea for the multi-purpose bed was conceptualised by the students in their science and technology seminars which required them to come up with solutions for problems existing in the society. He noted that while he gave them basic guidance, they were the ones who did most of the work. more

Roots and culture reggae artist, KEVAZZ will interview with RULA BROWN on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 10:30 am ET onwww.RulaBrownNetwork.com. Check it out on Tune in radio or by calling 213-401-0061

Kevazz :  Flesh and Bones/My Life

IN JAMAICA: Jessie Ripoll Primary and Ardenne High top Heritage comps..... in the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) annual Heritage Essay Competition and the inaugural poster competition, respectively.

Saturday, March 07, 2015 

JESSIE Ripoll Primary's Orion Isaacs and Ardenne High School's Juve McKenzie scored big in the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) annual Heritage Essay Competition and the inaugural poster competition, respectively. The two placed first in the competitions and received trophies, certificates, as well as cash prizes sponsored by corporate entities at the 2014 awards ceremony, held on Friday at King's House in St Andrew. Placing second and third in the essay competition were students at Yallahs P ... Read More