IN JAMAICA: Digicel makes Penn Relays possible for 10 high schools with $1.5 million donation....Over 100 athletes from 10 high schools across Jamaica are now busy making final plans to attend and participate in the 2015 Penn Relays in the US from April 23-25.

 Monday, April 06, 2015    

Over 100 athletes from 10 high schools across Jamaica are now busy making final plans to attend and participate in the 2015 Penn Relays in the US from April 23-25.

This is made possible thanks to donation of $1.5m from telecommunications company Digicel to offset travel, accommodation and nutrition costs for the contingent of athletes.

According to the company's senior sponsorship and development manager Kamal Powell, this is a part of its continued commitment to supporting and developing youth athletics in Jamaica.

Listed as the oldest track and field meet in the USA, thousands of high school and collegiate athletes from across the world will converge at the University of Pennsylvania, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, to compete in various athletic events.

Chester McCarthy, coach of the Holmwood Technical High School, who will be sending a 25-member contingent to the Relays said, "To be honest, it is going to be a tremendous help to us as right now we are constrained financially, and we weren't sure how we would make it to 'Penns' this year. So it was a big relief when Digicel said they will be helping us. Digicel and Jamaica can expect that we will put this money to good use, as we will definitely be giving of our best during the meet."

In the meantime, Powell said, "As you can imagine, being able to compete at an international level is a great achievement for these young athletes as they not only get to show their talent, but it's also a huge confidence and developmental boost for them. So Digicel is very happy to help to make this happen." more

PALAS Pitter Twins- Law Students at UWI-Mona Campus...Twins aspire to be great lawyers....Between them they have chalked up one accolade after another: honour roll recipients for all their years at Hampton School; certificate and Macmillan trophy for ranking first in Jamaica for CAPE law unit 1 for 2013; Peace and Love Academic Scholarships (PALAS) 2013; and certificates for being the top performers for CAPE Caribbean Studies and law unit 1 at Hampton School in 2012.

By CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Career & Education reporter

WHEN proud father Grantly Pitter started giving his twin daughters Trishanner and Trishann quizzes on legal issues when they were young girls, little did he know that they would both one day be pursuing careers in law.

PALAS Pitter Twins- Law Students at UWI-Mona Campus

Whether by design or chance, both girls, born on September 7, 1994, share more than just being born minutes apart — they also share a passion for justice and wanting to be a part of the process that will see it happen.

From primary to high school they have been pushing each other to excel, and with that special bond that they share it's been a great journey with them always getting almost identical grades, and now starting the process towards becoming lawyers.

Both girls were accepted to the Sponsored Law Programme at the University of the West Indies for September. This programme will see them doing one year at Mona and the other two at Cave Hill, Barbados.

"Without law, order would be a mere delusion and pandemonium would engulf the earth. We aspire to become lawyers because we wish to play an astoundingly positive role in the future of the protection and preservation of the rights of Caribbean citizens," the girls wrote in an emailed response to Career & Education questions.

The girls are now over the moon, happy especially for their recently released Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE) grades which saw Trishanner receiving six ones and two twos while Trishanna copped five ones and three twos.

Two years ago, in their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, Trishanner copped seven ones and two twos while her twin had all nine subjects at grade one.

"We are hardworking, focused, determined, and goal-oriented. We work towards our goals by putting God first in all that we do," the girls said.

For them their study regimen is simple — reviewing their notes very soon after they're given, as they say this prevents them from being swamped.

"We also read complementary information to widen our knowledge base."

They also credited their parents Grantly and Jennifer Robinson as well as their older sister Carmolla for daily inspiration.

And what would scholars be without their teachers? The girls know this well.

"Our teachers at both primary (Santa Cruz Primary) and high school (Hampton) levels have also motivated us by adding fuel to our burning desire for success," the girls said.

Being twins and sharing the same interests is something remarkable for the girls, as they get to study together and test each other on various topics. more

Jamaica increase Carifta Games medal tally to 47.... The Jamaican teams did one better than last year when they won three of the four 4x100m relays and closed the day on 47 medals -- 23 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze -- but it looks unlikely they will beat the 80-plus medals won last year in Fort de France, Martinique.

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobsrever.com  Monday, April 06, 2015   

JAMAICAN teams swept the sprint relays last night as they pulled away in the medals table at the 44th Carifta Games at the Kim Collins Stadium in Basseterre, St Kitts.

The Jamaican teams did one better than last year when they won three of the four 4x100m relays and closed the day on 47 medals -- 23 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze -- but it looks unlikely they will beat the 80-plus medals won last year in Fort de France, Martinique.

Jamaica’s Kimone Shaw powers home to victory in the
Under-18 4x100m relays inside the Kim Collins Stadium in
 Basseterre, St Kitts, last night. (PHOTO: COLLIN REID
 COURTESY OF SUPREME VENTURES AND COURTS)

The Under-20 boys' 4x100m team of Raheem Chambers, Michael O'Hara, Chad Walker and Nigel Ellis ran 40.39 seconds to beat The Bahamas, who clocked 40.41 seconds with Trinidad and Tobago third in 40.55 seconds.

The Under-20 girls' team of Jeanine Williams, Yanique Thompson, Saqukine Cameron and Natalliah Whyte ran 45.20 seconds to easily win over The Bahamas in 45.59 seconds, and Trinidad and Tobago in 47.64 seconds.

IAAF World junior champion and National Junior Record (NJR) holder Jaheel Hyde easily won the Under-20 boys' 400m hurdles on yesterday's third day to remain unbeaten in the event over the last two years.

Hyde, who set a NJR 49.02 seconds last weekend at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships, was easy as he cruised to a 50.96-second clocking to add the gold to the Under-18 title he won last year in Fort de France, Martinique.

Hyde's teammate Marvin Williams repeated his silver medal from last year, running 51.11 seconds with Barbados's Stephen Griffiths taking the bronze in 51.77 seconds. more

Kwasi Enin got accepted Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale (all eight Ivy League universities) ....How Do You Sweep The Ivy League? Practice — The Viola. (Really.)

Kwasi Enin

By now, you may have heard about Kwasi Enin, the impressive young man from Long Island who has been accepted into the classes of 2018 at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale (all eight Ivy League universities) as well as Duke and three campuses of the State University of New York. And you may have read about his stellar achievements: the 2250 on his SATs, his 11 Advanced Placement courses, his encouragement from his parents, both nurses who immigrated from Ghana in the 1980s, and his volunteer work at Stony Brook University Hospital's radiology department. You may have even heard it mentioned that the 17-year-old from Shirley, N.Y. plays in his public high school orchestra.

But what you may not know is that he has played the much-maligned viola for nine years, or how much music — and specifically classical music as well as the doo-wop group he sings in — seems to mean to him. (Also, it couldn't possibly have hurt his 12 winning college applications that he plays a pretty unpopular instrument.)

The New York Post quoted yesterday from his essay, but Business Insider linked to what they say is Enin's full piece (though it clearly says at the top "Draft #4"). In it, Enin writes that he simply enrolled in orchestra to meet a state requirement, but it became "the first self-taught and the longest course I have ever taken":

Music has become the spark of my intellectual curiosity. I directly developed my capacity to think creatively around problems due to the infinite possibilities in music. There are millions of combinations of key signatures, chords, melodies, and rhythms ... As I began to explore a minute fraction of these combinations from the third grade onwards, my mind began to formulate roundabout methods to solve any mathematical problem, address any literature prompt, and discover any exit in an undesirable situation. ... Lastly, music has become the educator that has taught me the importance of leadership, teamwork and friendship.

He concludes: "My haven for solace in and away from home is in the world of composers, harmonies and possibilities. My musical haven has shaped my character and without it, my life would not be half as wonderful as it is today."

I'm a little biased here as a one-time violist, avid champion of music I love and an alumna of one of the schools he might attend (not that I think that a Big Brand Name University is the key to personal happiness and fulfillment). And I hope Kwasi's experience doesn't become fodder for the junk science of the "Mozart Effect." But it is so nice to see an example of how playing music has helped make a young man shine — and, more importantly, how much pleasure and fun it has given him throughout his life. All I can say is: Go, Kwasi!

Downtown Kingston gets performing and visual arts facility....Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre to open to the public soon... The facility, which is a multi-purpose centre for the performing and visual arts, was refurbished by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) at a cost of $4.13 million.

Monday, April 06, 2015    

JAMAICANS will soon have the opportunity to learn about and experience the culture of Venezuela when the Símon Bolívar Cultural Centre in downtown Kingston opens its doors in another week.

Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) Senator
 KD Knight (right) shares his thoughts regarding a small exhibit
 mounted at the Símon Bolívar Cultural Centre, in honour of the
 man for whom it is named. The senator was on a tour of the
 renovated building last Thursday prior to officially handing over
its management and operation to the Institute of Jamaica
 (IOJ), during a ceremony at the centre’s location in downtown
 Kingston. Also viewing the display (from left) are: General
Manager of UDC Desmond Malcolm; Director, UDC, Sonia
 Hyman; and Board Chairman, Programmes Coordination
 Division, IOJ, Dr Deborah Hickling.

The facility, which is a multi-purpose centre for the performing and visual arts, was refurbished by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) at a cost of $4.13 million.

It will be managed and operated by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) following Thursday's official handover by the UDC during a ceremony at the centre's location at 10-12 North Parade.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the UDC, Senator KD Knight said the renovation works are in keeping with the agency's redevelopment plan for downtown Kingston.

He noted that a key reason for its establishment was to "have an edifice in honour of the Símon Bolívar, who is a national hero in Venezuela, and who was exiled here in Jamaica".

"There was also the desire to expose our youth to the culture regionally, so that there will be provisions here for that purpose, and we are very happy that we have come to this stage of the process that we can hand over the keys to IOJ, and they now will ensure that the vision, the concept will be implemented fully," he said.

Senator Knight expressed the hope that Jamaicans will take advantage of facilities being provided for cultural education, performances, and exhibits.

"We hope that visitors to the shore, touring downtown, will see this is an important building for them to come to see the exhibitions and so on," he said.

He informed of plans to renovate the centre's environs "to see what kind of retrofitting can be done to those buildings to make the entire area more pleasant." more

President Barack Obama and Jamaican David Panton share common feat...the first black president of the Harvard Law Review (HLR). Only two black men have held that post. Obama, president of the United States, and Jamaican David Panton. Mr. Panton is a graduate of Princeton University, Harvard University and Rhode Scholar at Oxford University in England.

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer writer  Monday, April 06, 2015    

IN February, the liberal Huffington Post website republished a New York Times feature from 1990 on 28-year-old Barack Obama becoming the first black president of the Harvard Law Review (HLR).

David Panton & President Barack Obama-  Former President of the Harvard Law Review (HLR).

Only two black men have held that post. Obama, president of the United States, and Jamaican David Panton.

Obama, who visits Jamaica on Wednesday, retains the universal celebrity that accompanied his historic election as US president in November 2008.

Panton, a successful financier in Atlanta, is largely unknown to his countrymen. A former member of the Jamaica Labour Party's youth affiliate, G2K, he served briefly in the Senate before migrating.

Professor Orlando Patterson, a Jamaican sociologist, is a senior member of the Arts and Sciences faculty at Harvard. He told the Jamaica Observer that it is "hardly surprising" that Panton never attained political success in Jamaica.

"Jamaica is a funny place. Whom Jamaicans choose to recognise is a mystery," said Patterson.

According to the 74-year-old academic, being president of the HLR is a big deal at Harvard and in American legal circles. The most influential legal minds in the country often use the publication as reference in high-profile cases.

Obama is among a distinguished list of HLR presidents who went on to achieve. Others include Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John G Roberts, Jr, and Antonin Scalia; former New York governor Eliot Spitzer; current Republican senator and presidential hopeful Ted Cruz; and Jeffrey Toobin, a senior legal analyst at CNN.

(L-R) OBAMA… retains the universal celebrity that accompanied
 his historic election as US president. PATTERSON… my sense
 generally is that academics are not recognised in Jamaica.
 PANTON… was not involved in politics long enough to grow on
Jamaicans politically.

After flirting briefly with politics, Panton moved to Atlanta where he operates Panton Capital Holdings, a private equity business. He was recently named one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle's '40 Under 40' Rising Stars.

Patterson, who was an adviser to Jamaica's prime minister Michael Manley from 1972-79, remembers Panton's election as HLR president. He believes it is difficult for people like him to make a mark in Jamaica.

"My sense generally is that academics are not recognised in Jamaica. People are more into persons in popular culture, sports and finance... It's the nature of the Jamaican standard," he said. more

Combating Cancer With An Everyday Pantry Item....Did you know…that baking soda has been shown to fight cancer, stave off colds and flu, and even treat radiation poisoning…all for just pennies a day? After 10 days of daily dosing with a special baking soda solution, Johnston went in for a second bone scan. After a few days of frantic waiting, the results finally arrived: “No convincing evidence of an osseous metastatic process.” In other words, the baking soda had stopped his cancer.

Did you know…that baking soda has been shown to fight cancer, stave off colds and flu, and even treat radiation poisoning…all for just pennies a day?

Vernon Johnston has a very important question for you: “do you want to live?” That was the question he asked himself when he was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer in 2008.

His answer was a resounding “yes!” Despite the fact that the doctor who diagnosed his cancer told him there were no treatment options, Johnston is still alive today, thanks to sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda.

One Man’s “Dance with Cancer”

By the time Johnston’s cancer was diagnosed, it had already spread to his bones. When his doctor delivered the news, Johnston remembers thinking, Stage IV? There is no stage V. But his online research led him to a website promoting the Baking Soda And Cancer Cure.  This became the cornerstone of Johnston’s self-applied treatment program.

After 10 days of daily dosing with a special baking soda solution, Johnston went in for a second bone scan. After a few days of frantic waiting, the results finally arrived: “No convincing evidence of an osseous metastatic process.” In other words, the baking soda had stopped his cancer.

Stopping Fungus Might Stop Cancer

Two medical pioneers–Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD and Dr. Simonchini, an oncologist in Rome–have conducted compelling research on the potential of baking soda and cancer treatment.

Their groundbreaking work is based the hypothesis that fungal infections and cancer proliferation are connected, and that stopping the fungus can stop the cancer.

According to health writer Mike Adams of Natural News, “Dr. Simonchini “originally made the connection between fungal infections and cancer proliferation. He realized that when a tumor was flushed with baking soda (which is anti-fungal), it shrank and completely disappeared within days.”

Dr. Sircus expanded on this research further, exploring the effects of ingesting baking soda to halt cancer.

Baking Soda for Colds and Flu

Research has shown that baking soda can also be helpful in combating contagious illnesses like colds and flus. With cold weather arriving fast, many are seeking natural alternatives to harsh and ineffective antibiotics and vaccines.

For those who wish to use baking soda for that purpose, experts recommend the following dosage:

Day 1: Consume a total of 6 doses of half a teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water. Take at 2-hour intervals.

Day 2: Continue the same protocol, but reduce to 4 doses.

Day 3: Consume only 2 doses, 1 in the morning and another at night.

Day 4: Continue on day 4 and thereafter with 1 dose in the morning until illness is cured. 

read more...

Jamaican 15-year-old star Christopher Taylor clocks 46.64secs in 400m, breaks Bolt’s 13-y-o Carifta Game Record ...Meanwhile, Jamaican Akeem Bloomfied won the Under-20 boys’ 400m in a modest 45.85 seconds

Jamaican star Christopher Taylor (right) approaches the
 finish line ahead to win the Under-18 400m in a new record
of 46.64 seconds inside the Kim Collins Stadium in Basseterre,
St Kitts, yesterday. (PHOTO: COLLIN REID COURTESY
OF SUPREME VENTURES AND COURTS)

Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor was one of the outstanding athletes on yesterday’s second day of the 44th Carifta Games at the Silver Jubilee Stadium — to be renamed the Kim Collins — Stadium in Basseterre, St Kitts, as he broke Usain Bolt’s 13-year-old record in the Under-18 boys’ 400m.

The 15-year-old Taylor, who won the Class Two event at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships last weekend, ran 46.64 seconds to erase Bolt’s 47.33 seconds set in 2002 in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Jacob St Clair of Trinidad and Tobago was also under the old mark with 46.73 seconds to take silver, while Devaughn Ellington of Jamaica was third with a personal best 47.43 seconds.

Ellington just edged The Bahamas’s Jamal Walton, last year’s bronze medallist who was also clocked in at 47.43 seconds.    

Jamaica won three of the four 400m gold medals and both of the girls 100m titles to finish the day with a preliminary count of 29 medals comprising 14 gold, seven silver and eight bronze.

The Bahamas had won 13 medals with four gold, two silver and seven bronze, while Barbados won two gold in their seven-medal haul so far.

A number of results of field events had not been posted at press time last night and the medal count could swell even further.

Shellece Clarke (centre) of Jamaica eases after crossing
 the finish line to win the Under-18 100m final ahead of Tristan
Evelyn (left) of Barbados and Brianne Bethel
 (right) of The Bahamas.
(PHOTOS: COLLIN REID COURTESY OF
 SUPREME VENTURES AND COURTS)

Meanwhile, Akeem Bloomfied won the Under-20 boys’ 400m in a modest 45.85 seconds, by his standards, getting to the line ahead Antigua and Barbuda’s Rai Benjamin in 46.19 seconds and The Bahamas’s Henri Deluze in 46.81 seconds.

Shaquania Dorsett of The Bahamas won the Under-20 girls’ 400m in 53.40 seconds, getting home ahead of the Jamaican pair of Dawnalee Loney in 53.58 seconds and Tiffany James in 53.71 seconds.

Junelle Bromfield was dominant in the Under-18 girls’ final, running away to win in 53.48 seconds to finish ahead of teammate Shanique Walker in 54.23 seconds, and Grenada’s Meleni Rodney in 54.56 seconds.

Shellece Clarke and Natalliah Whyte won the Under-18 and Under-20 girls’ 100m titles, while the boys had to settle for lesser medals in the stellar event of the day.

Clarke ran 11.50 seconds (1.3m/s) to win her first gold with Barbados’s Tristan Evelyn second in 11.54 seconds and Brianne Bethel of The Bahamas taking the bronze in 11.63 seconds.

Whyte, who won the Under-18 last year, stepped up to the Under-20 without missing a beat and clocked 11.56 seconds (0.5m/s) to hold off Kianna Albury of The Bahamas in 11.64 seconds and her teammate Jenae Ambrose in 11.74 seconds. more

Man, André Pryce attacks woman for not cuddling him...Covering the Courts.....“You have to understand that you can't abuse woman like that,” the magistrate told Pryce

A man who assaulted his girlfriend after he got upset with her for not hugging him in the wee hours of the morning, had to spend a night in jail when he was remanded upon appearing in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court last Wednesday.

Man attacks woman for not cuddling him

The court was informed that the young woman, who is a registered nurse, was punched in her forehead by her lover, André Pryce, who also squeezed her throat after she refused to cuddle.

Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey after hearing the facts in the matter, revoked Pryce's bail after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

“You have to understand that you can't abuse woman like that,” the magistrate told Pryce, who was scheduled for sentencing on the following day.

According to the complainant's statement, on February 12 around 4:30 am, she was lying in bed with Pryce when he wanted to hug her and she refused.

Pryce reportedly started arguing with the woman as to why she did not want to hug him, but was ignored.

The complainant said that while she was still lying in the bed, Pryce came over her and started to squeeze her throat and she had to bite him on his chest for him to release her.

However, she said that when she tried to leave the house he prevented her. She screamed for help and he placed his hand over her mouth and pulled at it, causing pain. more

The Meaning of Good Friday.... Significance & History of Good Friday

By Iulia Filip eHow Contributor  April 3, 2015  

Good Friday is a religious holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Also known as Great Friday or Black Friday, this holiday is primarily observed by Christians. On this day, Christians honor Christ's death, which is believed to have saved the souls of the faithful.

Other People Are Reading

• How to Observe Good Friday
• Why Is it Called 'Good Friday'?

1. Significance of Good Friday

   • Observed on the Friday preceding Easter, Good Friday is a crucial part of the Easter ritual, which commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This holiday precedes the apex of the Holy Week: the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Saturday night.

   History of Good Friday

   • According to the Christian Gospels, Caiaphas, the high priest of the Roman province of Judea, judged Jesus Christ – who is recognized as the son of God and the highest among prophets in the Christian faith – finding him guilty of blasphemy. After sentencing Jesus to death, the assembly of the Jewish priests deferred authority to the Roman governor of the province, Pontius Pilate, who eventually gave in to pressure and enforced the death sentence.

     Jesus’ trial is believed to have been held during what is now the Holy Week, concluding with his crucifixion, which, according to the Gospel of John, occurred on a Friday. more 

Fact Checker : Obama’s claim the Affordable Care Act was a ‘major reason’ in preventing 50,000 patient deaths (VIDEO)...

By Glenn Kessler April 1

The Affordable Care Act is “a major reason why we’ve seen 50,000 fewer preventable patient deaths in hospitals.”

– President Obama, remarks on the fifth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, March 25, 2015

This number jumped out at us during the president’s recent speech hailing his health-care law. Could 50,000 people have not died in hospitals because of the Affordable Care Act?That seemed rather extraordinary, even given the size of the United States. We’ve spent time digging around on this issue, and here are the results of our inquiry. It turns out that preventing hospital-related deaths is one of the least controversial aspects of the much-attacked law. 

The Facts

File Photo

The 50,000 number is derived from a study, released on Dec. 2, 2014, by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an arm of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The study looked at the impact of the Partnership for Patients, a $460 million program funded by the health law that ties together 3,800 hospitals in 27 “health engagement” networks, with the goal of reducing 10 categories of “patient harms,” such as adverse drug events, pressure ulcers and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The networks collaborate to identify possible solutions to common problems and then circulate those ideas among the various hospitals, with the goal of reducing preventable hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) by 40 percent and 30-day hospital readmissions by 20 percent. more

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) UPDATE: Fly Jamaica resumes flights to New York... Fly Jamaica is a partnership between Guyanese-born chief executive officer, Captain Paul Ronald Reece, and Jamaican shareholders.

Friday, April 03, 2015 | 5:08 AM  

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Fly Jamaica airways has resumed flying to New York, following a setback in operations related to landing rights issues on Wednesday.

As a result, over 200 Fly Jamaica passengers were stranded.

Captain Paul Reece, chairman and CEO of Fly Jamaica

However in a media release on Thursday, Fly Jamaica said the issue regarding landing rights “has been favourably resolved and flights to and from New York will resume today (Thursday)”.

Fly Jamaica is a partnership between Guyanese-born chief executive officer, Captain Paul Ronald Reece, and Jamaican shareholders.

In addition to Kingston, the company that was incorporated in Jamaica on September 7, 2011 flies to Georgetown, New York, Toronto and Georgetown.

FUSION 'Landmark' Agreement... Deal Of A Lifetime... 'Surprisingly Specific And Comprehensive'... 'Well Beyond What Many Of Us Thought Possible'... 'Astonishingly Good'...Iran To Shut Down 12,000+ Centrifuges... Enriched Uranium Cut By 97%... Obama: 'Historic Understanding'... World Leaders Have A Tentative Agreement – Now They Have To Sell It... Two Major Sticking Points Remain... BIBI BALLISTIC: Deal 'Would Threaten The Survival Of Israel'... Hillary: 'Diplomacy Deserves Chance To Succeed'... Iranians Rejoice: 'This Will Bring Hope To Our Life'... What It Means For Obama's Legacy... READ: Key Points... Full Text...

Iran and six world powers agreed to a framework for a final deal on Iran's controversial nuclear program, officials announced Thursday.

World Leaders involved with Iran Deal

The understanding paves the way for the start of a final phase of talks that aims to reach a comprehensive agreement by the end of June. The agreement concludes weeks of intense negotiations and comes two days beyond the initial March 31 deadline for an outline deal.

"We have reached solutions on key parameters on a joint comprehensive plan of action," EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said at a joint press conference with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Reading a statement on behalf of negotiators, Mogherini specified that Iran has accepted limitations on its enrichment capacity that include retaining only one enrichment facility, Natanz. The Fordo fortified site will be converted into a scientific center, according to the statement.

Europe and the United States will end nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions on Iran under the future deal after the United Nations' nuclear agency confirms Tehran's compliance with the deal.

“We will now start drafting a comprehensive text,” Mogherini said. U.S. President Barack Obama lauded the agreement as a "historic understanding" in a press statement outside The White House. more

CLARENDON, JAMAICA: Family, Teacher In Shock After 11-year-old Schoolboy Stephen Williams Murder In Clarendon...."By the time mi reach back over, I heard the shots and I remember that he was there so me and mummy run out and I saw my little brother on the ground at the shop," the boy's sister said.

Published:Friday | April 3, 2015
The family of an 11-year-old boy who was murdered on Wednesday night is still trying to come to the realisation that their loved one was taken from them in such a brutal manner.

Stephen Williams died after he was shot multiple times while he was at a shop in New Bowens, Clarendon, where he lived. Williams' older sister said they went to the shop around 9 p.m. and she left him and went back home.

"By the time mi reach back over, I heard the shots and I remember that he was there so me and mummy run out and I saw my little brother on the ground at the shop," the boy's sister said. The police were called and the scene was processed and Williams' taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The young victim has been described as a quiet but jovial sibling who wasn't very troublesome. Williams was a grade-six student at Hazard Primary School, also in Clarendon. 

Principal Althea Simmons said she was shocked and in disbelief when he heard the news that one of her students was shot and killed. "He is one of our best students. He is a student that is always neat and tidy and is always concerned about his work. He is really going to be missed by his classmates and teachers because he was a real example to the boys in school."

Simmons also described him as a quiet boy who was well disciplined. "I don't know how we are going to manage when school reopens after the holidays and the students are to get back in class. Stephen will be missed by all of us," she said.

US President Barack Obama To Arrive In Jamaica On April 8 and sleep over...WATCH President Obama practicing some Reggae dance moves

Published April 3, 2015

US President Barack Obama is to arrive in Jamaica on April 8.

The Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had announced that Obama would arrive on April 9. However Consular Officer for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, says the April 8 arrival date is not a change in schedule as it was planned long ago that the US President would arrive ahead of a full working day on April 9.

Obama... to have full day of work on April 9

“Think about the travel time from Washington, if he is going to work on the morning of the 9th he would have to leave Washington like 4 in the morning”, Polacheck  explained.

A check on the White House's website show a release issued on March 18 which states that President Obama will visit Jamaica and Panama from April 8-11. Meanwhile, Polacheck says officials are finalising President Obama’s schedule for his visit to Jamaica.

He says among other things the US President will be holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Portia Simpson as well as meeting with leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Yesterday, the Ministry of National Security issued a statement saying the National Reserve of the Jamaica Defence Force has been called out to strengthen security Obama’s visit.

National Security Minister, Peter Bunting said the calling out of the Reserves is among several security measures being pursued. Bunting also said the public should expect traffic diversions and road closures for the visit. Additionally, there will be air space restrictions to be communicated by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority. WATCH President Obama practicing some Reggae dance moves  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAxo0lK91rA

IN JAMAICA: Christine Daley, A card-making machine.... Employed full-time as an accounting executive, Daley, 26, started Chrisinique as a passion in 2011, a business which provides personalised cards, baskets, totes, jewellery and event planning for all occasions.

ALL WOMAN Wednesday, April 01, 2015 , By NICOLE NATION

From humble beginnings in Green Island, Hanover, Christine Daley has come a far way.  Employed full-time as an accounting executive, Daley, 26, started Chrisinique as a passion in 2011, a business which provides personalised cards, baskets, totes, jewellery and event planning for all occasions.

From humble beginnings in Green Island, Hanover,
26 y-o Christine Daley has come a far way. 

“Growing up I wanted to be either a flight attendant or an architect. My father especially wanted me to do architecture, so much so that I did technical drawing in high school,” she told All Woman.

“My lines, however, were never straight enough, and my work was always untidy.” With time her career goals changed, and business became her core focus. The Manning’s School graduate pursued a bachelors in accounting and marketing at the University of Technology (UTech), a journey she started after employing a bit of creative skills.

“Initially I wasn’t accepted into UTech’s School of Business but, after hearing the news, and knowing that UTech was my only option after fifth form, I put down a piece of bawling in the office,” she said. “The head of the school took pity on me and allowed me to resubmit my application, and I got accepted.”

After school she got the opportunity to work with Digicel, where she was mandated to develop the activities and ideas for the company’s morale building programme. “From that experience I quickly discovered that I had a very creative side. I found making cards, graphics and planning events really easy and effortless,” she said.

And so moving to Chrisinique was effortless, and she moved from one birthday card to countless invitations to parties, send-offs, baby showers and lymes. “The real challenge lies with juggling the business with a regular nine-to-five,” she shared. “I have had countless sleepless nights and limited resources including insufficient capital and creative block.” more

HEALTHY THURSDAYS : 5 Reasons to Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

HEALTHY THURSDAY : Olive Oil, What The Heck Are You Eating... Everyday Health Olive Oil with Omega 3

Making Brand JAMAICA work for Jamaica.....In Jamaica we do not control enough points along the value chain of producing any good or service to claim to have an industry. A case in point; in the mid-1990s Jamaica enjoyed one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita mainly caused by the rapid expansion of hotel rooms by the Spanish.

Henley MORGAN  Wednesday, April 01, 2015 

GOD forbid it to be so, but if Jamaica were to be hit by a great catastrophe causing the loss of all humanity, there is not a single monument, not even a proper venue; nothing that would say to the succeeding generation, this little island is the birthplace of one of the great genres of popular music -- reggae. As clear a case as ever of the farmer eating the goose that laid the golden egg.

Making Brand Jamaica work for Jamaica

Sadly, the same is true for athletics. People come from all walks of life, from home and abroad, overflowing the National Stadium to be part of the spectacle that's Boys' and Girls' Champs. At the end of the event, we are left with hoarse throats, an empty stadium, and emptier pockets. Beyond the psychic pleasure of being world beaters on the track, and a few athletes lucky enough to get scholarships and later in their career to become icons, there is nothing substantial or lasting to show.

This is so for a reason so simple it is laughable. Jamaica is good at producing icons. Icons invariably become rich for themselves, for their families, for people in their immediate circles, and for the tax man ready to exact his pound of flesh. Industries are what produce wealth, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), for a nation and its people.

The Jamaican economy is characterised by sectors, not industries. There is not a fully developed sports industry, or music industry, or any other industry for that matter. There is the manufacturing sector, the agriculture sector, the construction sector, the entertainment sector, the tourism sector, and the banking sector. The standard dictionary definition of industry is, "a distinct group of integrated productive or profit-making enterprises as a whole". A sector is merely, "a distinctive part of an economy". Highlighting the difference between the words "whole" and "part" in the given context may seem to some readers as nothing more than semantics, making much ado about nothing or a bad case of splitting hairs. But the difference can have serious consequences for the wealth of a nation.

Jamaican  Flag

In Jamaica we do not control enough points along the value chain of producing any good or service to claim to have an industry. A case in point; in the mid-1990s Jamaica enjoyed one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita mainly caused by the rapid expansion of hotel rooms by the Spanish. Yet in all those years the country continued to experience negligible GDP growth largely because of the absence of linkage enterprises operating as members of an integrated manufacturing or service industry. The foreign exchange brought in to invest in real estate and construction went back out to import goods and services. more