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You may also listen commercial FREE by clicking ON AIR-Listen LIVE AUDIO BOX above or TUNE-IN LINK or call in on Tele at 213-401-0061. Studio line is 770-744-2154. Enjoy the sweet music.To chat , please sign in with your Chatango account.Please support the scholarship program by considering to donate at least $10.00 at www.PALAS1.org. Thank you very much.

XLCR's Shanice Love and PALAS recipient Goes For GOLD in the Discus Throw Competition at Penns...Jamaicans begin hunt for Penn Relays glory. For the next three days, Jamaican athletes will be in the spotlight as the 101st staging of the Penn Relays will get under way inside the Franklin Field Stadium, starting at 9 a.m. (Jamaica Time).

FRANKLIN FIELD, Philadelphia:

For the next three days, Jamaican athletes will be in the spotlight as the 101st staging of the Penn Relays will get under way inside the Franklin Field Stadium, starting at 9 a.m. (Jamaica Time).

Shanice Love of XLCR favourite for the Discus at Penns

Apart from the high schools, a high-powered University of Technology (UTech) team is set to put on a grand show, as they go toe to toe with their North American counterparts led by Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, University of Texas, Austin, and Florida University, to name a few.

There will be several individual events and a host of Jamaicans in both high school and colleges are down to compete, beginning with the females today. GC Foster College's Rhonda Whyte, with a season best 57.41 and the University of West Indies' (UWI) Rushelle Clayton (57.71) will be the first Jamaicans in action, in the Collegiate Championship of Americas 400 metres hurdles.

Top seed Janieve Russell, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, who was second last year, will not compete.

"UTech will be focusing on the Relays and we have decided to pull Janieve from the 400 metres hurdles," coach Paul Francis informed.

High-schoolers will follow in the intermediate hurdles.

Defending champion, Andrenette Knight of St Jago High, who won the event while representing Vere Technical last year, is among five Jamaicans down to compete. Knight, who won the Under 20 event at the recent Carifta Games, will have to improve big time on her season best of 58.90. Her schoolmate, Genekee Leith, who won at Champs in 58.37, and Carifta Trials Under-18 winner Junelle Bromfield, of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), the top seed with 58.13 seconds, are strong challengers. Also, there will be preliminary action in the 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m relays, with the eight fastest teams advancing to tomorrow's finals.

Edwin Allen High were the most successful Jamaican high school team last year after winning the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. This time, St Jago will be their biggest threat in both events.

The 4x800m will be first up, at 9:30 a.m., and the Lisa Buchanan-led Holmwood Technical are the favourites. Many-time champions Vere Technical and Spalding are also down to compete.

Sprint relay qualifying begins at 10:10 a.m., with action in the Small Schools category. Convent of Mercy, Alpha, will run in the first heat, to be followed by favourites St Jago, Holmwood, Hydel, STETHS, Excelsior, St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and Green Island.

Defending champions Edwin Allen will compete in the Large Schools section, which gets under way at 11:20 a.m.

STETHS will lead off the Jamaicans in the 4x400s. Holmwood, St Jago and STATHS will compete in the same heat, at 3:05 p.m., Vere Technical and Hydel will compete at 3:10 p.m., Papine High and St Catherine High at 3:15 p.m. and Edwin Allen at 3:20.

Jamaican Field Event

Competitors

10:15 a.m.: Discus

Shanice Love (Excelsior), Paul Ann Gayle (Edwin Allen), Shyladeen Smith (Petersfield), Venique Harris (Ardenne)

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Judge tells 62-y-o woman, Rebecca Peynado in airport ganja bust that 'sorry' can't help.... 16 pellets, one cylindrical-shaped parcel and two rectangular-shaped parcels wrapped in transparent plastic were taken from between her legs.

by Racquel Porter Published 4/23/15

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A farmer was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and fined J$16,800, after pleading guilty to exporting a pound and a half of ganja.

Rebecca Peynado pleaded guilty to possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and taking steps to export ganja when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court this week.

It is alleged that on April 13, approximately 9:40 am, the 62-year-old Peynado checked in at the Norman Manley International Airport to board a flight to Curacao.

On reaching the search area, she was checked by immigration officers and escorted to the search area where 16 pellets, one cylindrical-shaped parcel and two rectangular-shaped parcels wrapped in transparent plastic were taken from between her legs.

It is reported that when the items were shown to her she said: “Offica a ganja but mi a beg you a chance. Offica beg yu a chance. Mi know you have daughter. Mi nuh know weh mi pickney dem ago do when dem come from school.”

In court Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey asked Peynado if there is any reason she should not be sent to prison. “I am sorry", she replied.“That can’t help you,” Pusey said prior to handing down the sentence.

IN JAMAICA: 'Bigga' Ford for West Kingston : Police High Command mum on ‘Bigga’ Ford transfer

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, April 23, 2015   

 PROMINENT crimefighter and former head of the Flying Squad, Cornwall 'Bigga' Ford, is tipped to take over the reins of the West Kingston Police Division.

Reliable sources have told the Jamaica Observer that Ford, who is known to be a hard-nosed crimefighter, is expected to take over the leadership of the tough police division next Monday.

The Police High Command, however, was up to late yesterday tight-lipped about the report.

FORD… expected to take up duties next Monday

Ford, the sources said, will fill the position to which Senior Superintendent Michael Smith was temporarily assigned earlier this month following the transfer of Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor in early April.

McGregor was transferred to St James to combat the spiralling crime problem in the western parish.

Residents of West Kingston, in response to the reports of McGregor's transfer, staged several protests and blocked sections of Spanish Town Road in the vicinity of Tivoli Gardens and called on Police Commissioner Carl Williams to withdraw the decision.

"We want McGregor, ah him set the trend and bring back the peace," one woman shouted during one of the protests. more

ST. CATHERINE, JAMAICA (UPDATE 'Happy and thankful' ): Jericho man, 81-year-old Rosalvo Patterson moves out of fowl coop into own house

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, April 23, 2015 

IN less than a month, 81-year-old Rosalvo Patterson has moved from living in a dilapidated fowl coop to a home of his own.

Fowl Coop Home

Two Sundays ago the Jericho, St Catherine senior citizen had to fight hard to hold back his tears as he was being led from the rotting structure to his one-bedroom wooden house, complete with a bathroom.

After all, it would be the first time in five years that the ailing Patterson, who is visually impaired, would be sleeping on a "real bed" and at a place where he is not exposed to the elements.

"I'm happy and thankful for the help," an elated Patterson told the Jamaica Observer.

Patterson has several people to thank for his improved living conditions. Chief among them is producer Wayne "Lonesome" Brown who came forward to offer his assistance a day after Patterson's dire situation was highlighted by the Observer on March 19.

A thankful Patterson standing at the entrance to
 his new home. (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

Brown's initial help was to pay for the cost for an overdue medical check-up for the elderly man. Days later, he bought building supplies, drafted relatives and friends with the necessary construction skills and took them to Jericho, where they camped while the house was being built for Patterson.

The house is erected on lands belonging to a woman, who has been assisting Patterson throughout his ordeal. That help from the good neighbour, who has consistently asked that her identity be withheld, is expected to continue.

Last week Brown disclosed that he spent approximately $200,000 on building materials for the house. more

IN JAMAICA: Post-mortem reports show 35 of 74 civilians shot in the back and killed during the operation to apprehend Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke in 2010

BY PAUL HENRY Co-ordinator -- Crime/Court Desk henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, April 23, 2015    

POST-MORTEM reports have suggested that 35 of the civilians killed during the operation to apprehend Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke in 2010 were shot in the back.

Sir David Simmons, chairman of the West Kingston
Commission of Enquiry.

The figure was cited yesterday by commission Chairman Sir David Simmons during an exchange with former police commissioner, Owen Ellington.

There is a statistic that has been bothering me and it doesn't seem to be bothering anybody else yet," Simmons said.

"Of the deceased, those 74, 35 received gunshot wounds to their posterior, their behind or their back. Thirty-five were shot in their back or their head," Simmons said, and asked Ellington whether he knew that this kind of statistics existed.

Ellington said he hasn't seen the ballistic reports, but said that this kind of figure could be "embodied" in them.

Ellington had testified, on a previous occasion, that he received intelligence that residents who were trying to leave Tivoli Gardens were killed by criminals. He also testified that the state of decomposition of a number of the bodies found in Tivoli Gardens suggested that the people were killed prior to the start of the police operation on May 24, 2010 to apprehend Coke, who was then wanted in the United States on drugs and gun-running charges.

Yesterday, Ellington -- under questioning from Carol DaCosta (attorney for the Tivoli Committee) -- said the police had exercised "considerable restraint" and that "we operated in the principle of minimum force". more

Garvey would have been proud of Obama

  UNITED States President Barack Obama does not need me to defend him, and I doubt he takes criticisms to heart, particularly when it is misguided and unproductive. Otherwise, he could not have s ...Read More

Javon Francis recalled to team Jamaica for Penn Relays

World Championships 4x400-metre silver medallist Javon Francis has been named in a 21-member squad to compete for Jamaica at the Penn Relays from April 23-25. Fresh off a new season's best of 45 ... Read More

NEW YORK (AP): 70-year-old Olive Fowler arrested at JFK hid cocaine in girdle, underwear traveling from Guyana

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 | 8:26 AM    

NEW YORK (AP) – Authorities quickly found out why an arriving passenger at John F Kennedy International was so nervous: She had four pounds of cocaine hidden in her girdle and underwear.

Authorities said Monday that 70-year-old Olive Fowler seemed nervous when she arrived in New York from Guyana on April 12. Customs and Border Protection officers escorted her to a private room at the airport and found the cocaine while they were searching her.

Officials estimate that the drugs have a street value of more than $73,000.

Fowler is facing federal narcotics smuggling charges.

NJ.com reports that her federal public defender, Peter Kirchheimer, declined to comment.

800 dead after Sunday's Mediterranean migrant shipwreck: UN...."We can say that 800 are dead," said Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Italy

 Monday, April 20, 2015 | 11:02 PM  

CATANIA, Italy (AFP) - The United Nations refugee agency has confirmed 800 migrants died in a shipwreck off Libya on Sunday after speaking to survivors of the disaster.

Migrants

"We can say that 800 are dead," said Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Italy on Tuesday.

Representatives from the UN agency and the International Organization for Migration said they had interviewed the majority of 27 survivors, who described the moment the trawler carrying them capsized after a Portuguese merchant ship approached the vessel, causing a stampede.

One other survivor was taken to hospital in Catania, on Sicily's east coast.

"There were a little over 800 people on board, including children aged between 10 and 12. There were Syrians, about 150 Eritreans, Somalians... They had left Tripoli at about 8 am on Saturday," Sami said.

The survivors hailed from Mali, Gambia, Senegal, Somalia, Eritrea and Bangladesh, she added, and all had been taken to nearby holding centres.

The Italian coastguard said separately they had recovered 24 bodies and did not confirm the death toll.

Meanwhile Italian police said a Tunisian and a Syrian man among the survivors had been arrested due to suspicions they were members of a smuggling gang thought to have organised the fatal voyage. 

In Nebraska : Omaha Murderer of four people, 28-year-old Nikko Jenkins Allegedly Tries To Carve '666' Into His Forehead, Carves '999' Instead

The Huffington Post  |  By Dominique Mosbergen Email Posted: 04/21/2015 3:45 am EDT

A man found guilty of killing four people in Nebraska allegedly attempted to carve the number “666” into his forehead, but ended up botching the job.

Nikko Jenkins

According to the Omaha World-Herald, 28-year-old Nikko Jenkins told Douglas County District Judge Peter Bataillon during a recent telephone hearing that he “self-mutilated” by trying to carve the symbolic number -- known as the “number of the beast” in the Biblical book of Revelation -- into his forehead.

Jenkins did this “because he is not receiving treatment for his purported mental illness.”

Jenkins then reportedly told the judge that he made a mistake in his carving. He apparently got confused as he was looking into a mirror and ended up cutting the 6s backwards, leaving him with three upside-down 9s.

Jenkins pleaded no contest to four counts of first-degree murder and eight weapons charges. Last April, he was found guilty of fatally shooting four people in Omaha, Nebraska, over a 10-day period in 2013.

Jenkins is scheduled to face a death penalty hearing in July. Sentencing was initially delayed because of questions over Jenkins’ mental health, KETV reported.

Doctors are reportedly split over whether or not Jenkins has schizophrenia. Jenkins has said that he receives orders from a “serpent god,” but prosecutors maintain that the man is faking in an attempt to escape punishment. Bataillon has ruled Jenkins competent to participate in the  hearing. As the World-Herald notes, however, it's unclear whether Jenkins will attempt to use this incident of self-mutilation to avoid it. more

Uniting With A Common Bond For A Common Cause : Famed Nigerian multi talented Actress and Nollywood sweetheart Stella Damasus joined forces with New York based Jamaican Author and Entrepreneur Simone “Simmie” Myrie of Roots and Culture, on the Unite Jamaica People(UJP) program

Famed Nigerian multi talented Actress and Nollywood sweetheart Stella Damasus joined forces with New York based Jamaican Author and Entrepreneur Simone “Simmie” Myrie of Roots and Culture, on the Unite Jamaica People(UJP) program.The initiative which aims to Empower Jamaicans within communities through the introduction of novel re-socialization projects is an offshoot of the over 55000 strong David Galloway’s led  I AM JAMAICA social media networking site resolved to implement a National Empowerment and Transformation Movement to Impact Jamaica.

The primary aims are to return a sense of National Pride and social responsibility to the people across the island using a bottom up  community approach to stem the social decay,crime and violence,instill values and morals and generally establish a feeling of Civic pride  and respect for self,others and the environment.

The program is being spearheaded by Ms.Myrie who is currently assembling a dynamic team from a wide cross section of disciplines with the hope of launching this most ambitious “game changing” initiative in the very near future. more

DID YOU KNOW? WHERE IN JA YOUR POSTAL OFFICE LOCATED. #RulaBrownNetwork

JA Post Offices

SANTA Cruz, St Elizabeth-JAMAICA : 23-month-old Baby, Jaydeen Myers found dead in barrel....Body stuffed among clothes, food.... (IT CAN'T GO ON ANYMORE LIKE THIS!)

Monday, April 20, 2015    

SANTA Cruz, St Elizabeth — How a 23-month-old baby came to be found dead in a barrel, packed head first with clothes and foodstuff, is proving a puzzle for police investigators in this south central town.

Investigators say they must now await an autopsy report before their next move.

Police identified the dead toddler as Jaydeen Myers of Grosmond, Braes River, three miles north-east of Santa Cruz.

Reports are that Jaydeen's mother had prepared her for a bath about 2:00 pm Saturday when she was distracted by other children. When she returned some time later the toddler was nowhere to be seen.

After hours of frantic search, the body of the child was found by a relative in the barrel which was standing upright.

Reports say the relative went to the barrel to remove foodstuff and felt something 'out of place'. It turned out to be Jaydeen's foot. Removal of several items from the barrel revealed the child's lifeless body. more

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth : Colonel vows to revive flogging for criminal acts....Accompong will be no safe haven for wrong doers, says Maroon colonel, Ferron Williams

BY GARFIELD MYERS Editor-at-Large South/Central Bureau myersg@jamaicaobserver.com  Monday, April 20, 2015    

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — The Jamaican Parliament abolished flogging as a means of judicial punishment in 2013.

Residents of Accompong interact with Deputy Superintendent Paul Bernard
of the St Elizabeth Police.

However, Ferron Williams, who was returned as colonel of the Accompong Maroons in an election last Thursday, told journalists he intends to have the practise revived for criminal and anti-social behaviour, subject to the dictates of the Maroon Council.

In such matters, Williams told the Jamaica Observer Central in a follow-up telephone interview on Saturday, Accompong should not be considered subject to Jamaican law since it was "a State within a State" with its own customs, traditions and culture.

Indeed, according to Williams, under the terms of the Peace Treaty agreed between the Maroons and British colonisers in 1738, murder was the only crime which should require the intervention of the Jamaican authorities.

"In such cases we should hand them (alleged murderers) over," said Williams, who recently retired as a member of the Jamaica Constabulary.

Ferron Williams was re-elected for a second five-year
term as colonel of the Accompong Maroons.

Maroons are the descendants of African slaves left behind by Spanish colonisers when the British captured Jamaica in the 1650s, as well as runaway slaves from British sugar plantations. Maroon communities in the Blue Mountains of eastern Jamaica and in the Cockpit Country, including Accompong in the island's west, resisted British occupation for decades prior to the 1730s peace treaty.

Williams's assertion of the intention to resume flogging came in the context of recent incidents, including the destruction by fire of his home in Accompong.

He said he was determined to ensure that "Accompong will not be any safe haven for wrong doers".

Williams told journalists that "on the day before nomination my home was burnt, it was torched..." He claimed his life had also being threatened in the build-up to the election. more

IN JAMAICA: THE University of the West Indies (UWI), Ardenne named Sagicor-UTech national debate champions

Sunday, April 19, 2015    

THE University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, and Ardenne High School debated their way to top honours in the tertiary and secondary divisions of the 2015 Sagicor UTech National Debating Championship earlier this month.

Brenda Lee Martin (centre), vice-president, Sagicor
Investments Jamaica Limited, join Ardenne High School
sixth form students Pablo Grant and Désirée McKenzie as
they display the symbolic cheque for $100,000 which
 they won for dominating the secondary division of the
2015 Sagicor UTech National Debating Championship
earlier this month.

The teams -- Jamar Pike and Jawayne Jarrett of UWI and sixth formers Pablo Grant and Désirée McKenzie of Ardenne -- argued the moot: This House Would Make the Teaching of Civics Mandatory in High Schools.

They emerged from a pool of 16 teams that advanced to the second round.

The competition organisers explained that the 2015 national leg of the championship commenced with 48 teams, whittled down from the original 60 that contested in the two-zone league. The first round featured the motion: "This house believes that trade embargoes do more harm than good" and saw both collegiate and sixth form institutions competing in 12 matches. In the second round, the top 16 teams from each category (tertiary and secondary) advanced.

Hosts University of Technology, Jamaica B was first runner-up in the tertiary division, while Meadowbrook High School copped the number two spot in the secondary division.

The Sagicor-UTech National Debating Championship, now in its fourth year, started with 16 teams and has grown to 60. Ingrid Card, Vice President of Group Marketing at Sagicor, believes the development is encouraging and sees even more potential for expansion.

"Sagicor is committed to the holistic development of the nation's youth and this programme demonstrates the brilliance of our young people. The participation has increased significantly since inception and the objective is to attract an even larger audience," she said. more

IN JAMAICA: Riverton men say no to Crime Stop's $50,000...."Me caa risk mi life fi $50,000," one resident of said....reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the fire, which lasted three weeks.

BY SUNDAY OBSERVER INVESTIGATOR  Sunday, April 19, 2015 

Although Crime Stop has been urging people to tell what they know about last month's fire at the Riverton City Dump, no one has come forward, and as far as some young men from the community are concerned, no one will.

Fire at Riverton City burn out of control

This, of course, is unless Crime Stop, or any other organisation or individual increases the reward money.

"Me caa risk mi life fi $50,000," one resident of Riverton City told the Jamaica Observer late last week, reiterating what was said two weeks before when the Sunday Observer spoke with some of them.

Crime Stop, a programme that is administered by the National Crime Prevention Fund and governed by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, last Wednesday reminded the public of the $50,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the fire, which lasted three weeks.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade had determined that arson was at the root of the fire, which started on March 11.

Smoke from the fire affected the entire Corporate Area, as well as sections of St Catherine and Clarendon.

Government agency, the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) said that Crime Stop's manager, Prudence Gentles had confirmed that there had been no calls to Crime Stop in respect of the fire.

In urging persons to come forward with whatever information they had, Gentles was quoted by the JIS as saying that it was important for the country to know who was lighting the fires at the facility, which has a history of infernos. more

DONNIE McCLURKIN (Show) interviews RULA BROWN To Talk About PALAS on ZIP-FM in JAMAICA (3min:35secs)

Atlanta Base Non-Profit Organization PALAS, Announces 5th Annual Scholarship Program to Benefit 125 Students in Jamaica and the Caribbean www.PALAS1.org....ATLANTA, GA – April 13, 2015: Peace and Love Academic Scholarship, Inc. (PALAS) will open its online application process from May 1, 2015 to June 15, 2015. This year’s program will award 125 scholarships to financially needy students, and honor outstanding academic performances by students in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Since the organization’s inception in December 2010, PALAS has awarded 187 scholarships to honor the memory of student, reggae artist and aspiring sound technician; 18 year-old Vanessa Campbell who was brutally murdered in Portmore, Jamaica on November 20, 2010. According to Executive Director, Mr, Rula Brown, “this year’s goal is to award 125 scholarships and computers to PALAS 2015 winning recipients”. This academic scholarship opportunity is extended to students in High School, University/Tertiary and Re-awardees. The application guideline will require the applicant to complete an online application, submit their current grades along with a written 300-500 word essay. The students are also required to provide a list of all relevant school extra – curricular activities, (volunteering, church, hospital, school clubs, rotary clubs, etc.). PALAS will hold its 5th annual awards presentation in Kingston, Jamaica in late August, 2015. PALAS has dedicated its human and financial resources to help make a difference in the lives of underserved children in Jamaica, West Indies as well as the wider Caribbean region. The scholarship program is dedicated to recognise and honor outstanding academic performances. PALAS award a number of scholarships on annual bases to students residing in the Caribbean region. Please visit us at www.palas1.org

A Visit To Robert Nesta Marley's House at 56 Hope Road in St Andrew. The house is a famous tourist attraction, museum and shrine and is a must-see for fans....Marley successfully transcended three Jamaican musical genres from the 1960’s through to the early 1980’s, Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae

The life and achievements of internationally acclaimed musical legend and Rastafarian luminary Robert Nesta Marley have been kept alive throughartefacts, memorabilia, writings and photographs enshrined at his former residence and studio at 56 Hope Road in St Andrew.

Bob Marley

Regarded as one of the greatest musical legends of our time and proclaimed and accepted worldwide as the ‘King of Reggae’, Bob Marley charted his own course in the music industry with passion and creativity as a songwriter, singer, and performer.

Marley successfully transcended three Jamaican musical genres from the 1960’s through to the early 1980’s, Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae - his most influential musical form. And, after more than three decades since his passing, his music is still relevant to millions of people across the globe.

The house is a famous tourist attraction, museum and shrine and is a must-see for fans.  In 1975, Marley purchased the property from Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, who introduced Bob Marley and the Wailers to an international audience.

Bob's residence 56 Hope Rd in St. Andrew

The decision to convert the house into the Bob Marley Museum was made six years after his death by his wife, Rita, matriarch of the family, and founders of the Rita Marley Foundation, Dr Eleanor Wint and Dr Neville Garrick. The Museum was Marley’s home until his passing in 1981 and was also home to Tuff Gong record label that was founded by the Wailers in 1970’s.

The Wailers

The early 20th century house was refurbished and opened to the public on May 11, 1986 with efforts made to recapture the basic elements of the design. Much of the large, creaky, colonial-era wooden house remains as it was in Marley’s day. A tour provides fascinating insights into the reggae superstar's life after moving uptown and features his life story from his early days to his rise to international super-stardom.

According to Marie Bruce, general manager at the Bob Marley Museum, “they wanted to capture the lifestyle of Bob and provide a vehicle for people to experience a day in the life of Bob Marley,” she said. more

Killing Our Kids in JAMAICA - At Least 30 Children Murdered Across The Island Since January Police Source Said....The sources further say up to Friday the official death toll was 312 since the start of this year, an 11 per cent jump above the 288 recorded for the corresponding period last year.

Published:Sunday | April 19, 2015Glenroy Sinclair and Arthur Hall

The numbing, cold-blooded murder of three teenagers in the Monymusk Housing Scheme in Clarendon last Wednesday has again forced the nation to focus on the brutal acts being committed against some of the most vulnerable in the society.

File photo

A little over a month into 2015, official data revealed that 15 children had been killed in Jamaica since the start of this year. Now, less than two months later, police sources are reporting that at least 30 children have been killed across the island since January. The sources further say up to Friday the official death toll was 312 since the start of this year, an 11 per cent jump above the 288 recorded for the corresponding period last year.

"My heart is full of sadness that such wickedness has become part of the Jamaican reality," declared Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller as she responded to the latest heartless act against Jamaica's children. "The long arm of the law must prevail in this and other incidence of murder, especially those involving the nation's children," was the cry from Opposition Leader Andrew Holness.

Head of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Assistant Commissioner Ealan Powell, has pointed to reprisals, sexual molestation and gang-related incidents as among the reasons behind the killing of some of the nation's children. Powell told The Sunday Gleaner that by any measure, as a nation we are failing the young ones.

According to Powell, while a number of teenagers are being monitored by the police, based on intelligence that they are involved in gang activities, the majority of the children killed were innocent victims. more

Obama's Gay Play in JA : US President expresses concern that island moving to slow in protecting LGBT community...In fact, Obama placed the treatment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Jamaica as one of the first topics to be discussed

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large helpsh@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, April 19, 2015    

IT was not a scheduled item on the agenda for discussion when United States President Barack Obama met with Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and seven of her Cabinet ministers on Thursday, April 9 at Jamaica House, but the matter was destined to come up.

In fact, Obama placed the treatment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Jamaica as one of the first topics to be discussed, following opening statements by the Jamaica team and their United States counterparts, an impeccable political source informed the Jamaica Observer.

"The two original items that Obama and his team had down for discussion were the Jamaican economy, with particular reference to Jamaica's agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF); and energy, bearing in mind the situation with the PetroCaribe oil deal with Venezuela," the source disclosed to the Sunday Observer.

"Jamaica had listed the wiping of the criminal record of (National Hero) Marcus Garvey and a plan that involved the training of nurses and sending them to work in the United States, as its two main points for the talks," the official went on.

Simpson Miller's Cabinet ministers present were: Robert Pickersgill, Dr Peter Phillips, Phillip Paulwell, Derrick Kellier, Anthony Hylton, Ronald Thwaites and AJ Nicholson.

Obama politely conveyed his Administration's "dismay" that Jamaica had not moved fast enough in ensuring that the rights of the LGBT community were being respected and even protected. more

IN JAMAICA: 'Fluency in Spanish a tremendous asset' ....Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic Alfredo Stefan interacts with a group of Spanish students from Excelsior High School, at the Spanish Immersion Day last Wednesday at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library

Sunday, April 19, 2015    

THE Ministry of Education last week reiterated its appeal for students to become fluent in Spanish, describing it a "tremendous asset" which will open up scholarship and employment opportunities in the region and internationally.

Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Dominican
 Republic Alfredo Stefan interacts with a group of Spanish
 students from Excelsior High School, at the Spanish
 Immersion Day last Wednesday at the Kingston and St Andrew
Parish Library on Tom Redcam Drive. (PHOTO: JIS)

To that end, education minister Ronald Thwaites, who was addressing some 200 students at a Spanish Immersion Day staged by the Spanish-Jamaican Foundation on Wednesday, April 15, at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library on Tom Redcam Drive, said Jamaica needs to be far more integrated with the Latin American countries which are in close proximity.

The students, fielded from Wolmer's Girls' School, Excelsior, Edith Dalton James, Calabar, Meadowbrook and Mona high schools, will be sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Spanish oral examination next month.

They got the opportunity to interact with native Spanish speakers from Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Nicaragua, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Colombia. The native speakers were paired with Jamaican teachers of Spanish, who guided the students through oral exam practice using recognised themes from the CSEC syllabus.

The minister called the event "a wonderful occasion".

"It gives our students a chance for immersion in conversational Spanish, which is usually a big contrast to their classroom experience where grammar and vocabulary are the concentrations. It also gives students the opportunity for networking with personnel from the various Latin American countries," he said. more