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This Weeks Top News Summary Stories

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STOPOVER VISITORS LIFT INDUSTRY

Jamaica’s robust tourism industry is poised to continue its buoyancy into July and August, following a nine per cent increase in stopover arrivals in June this year when compared to the same period last year.

GOV’T TO MOVE AGAINST SQUATTERS

Government says it will be clamping down on squatting and illegal vending across the island and has vowed to take a zero tolerance approach as part of its plan to restore order and discipline in the society.

J’CAN PARTICIPATING IN YOUTH PARLIAMENT

O’Neil Simpson, a resident of Mount Carey in St James is participating in the world’s second Oxfam International Youth Parliament (IYP), being held in Sydney, Australia from July 5-12.

THEME PARK FOR PORT ROYAL

Roy d’Cambre, who has just sold his National chain of petrol stations to the Franco-Belgian oil company, Total, is planning a seaside, recreational theme park at Fort Rocky, near Port Royal.

COCAINE SWALLOWERS DOWN 90%

The United Kingdom (UK) Customs and Excise Department announced that there has been more than a 90 per cent reduction in the number of persons from Jamaica attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK by swallowing the drug. In a release to mark the second anniversary of the joint deterrent programme, Operation Airbridge, between Jamaica and the United Kingdom, the Customs and Excise Department said the number of cocaine “swallowers” detected in the UK between June 2003 and June 2004 fell to just 41.

SPEEDING MOTORIST KILLS TRAFFIC COP

Garfield Frater, a 28-year-old Constable, was killed yesterday as he and another policeman attempted to stop a speeding motorist along the Mandela Highway, St. Catherine. He had enlisted in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on April 1, 1996.

GOLDING RESPONDS TO SEAGA AS LEADERSHIP FUED CONTIUNES

This week front-runner to the JLP party leadership, Bruce Golding, responded to criticism by out going leader Mr Edward Seaga that he is an “ineffective leader”. Speaking at the Holmwood Technical High School Past Students’ Association banquet, in Kingston he said “Jamaica’s political culture has never really understood the need for mutual appreciation and that respect was often confused with subservience to a point where political leaders have been invested with god-like qualities. “

JUNE MURDERS – 150 MURDERED IN 30 DAYS

Police reported this week that June 2004 was the bloodiest in the last 30 years of Jamaica’s history with 150 people murdered in 30 days. July has also started out with new murders as prominent Highgate couple Winston Chin and his wife, Ilene, who were killed at their gate in St. Mary on July 3rd.

FORMER PM, HUGH LAWSON DIES

This week Hugh Lawson Shearer, O.J., former Prime Minister, parliamentarian and trade unionist, died on July 6th. Mr. Shearer was one of the pioneers in the field of trade unionism in Jamaica. During his time as PM the economy expanded to new heights. A state funeral is scheduled for July 18

MOBAY TO CHARGE PARKING FEES

The St. James Parish Council in an effort to reduce traffic congestion in Montego bay will require motorist to pay parking fee in the next 2 months. Permits will become availabe to motorist who want to park on the street.

STRENGTHENING EDUCATION PROCESS

Minister of State for Education, Youth and Culture, Senator Noel Monteith, has said that the government would continue to work with private and independent schools to strengthen the education process. He said that the understanding that the country’s children were the responsibility of both government and the private sector had helped to shape the current partnership between the Ministry of Education and the independent schools.

SANGSTER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TIGHTENS SECURITY

Passengers departing Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, will soon face outbound immigration checks in an effort to increase security and thwart terrorist attacks. The announcement was made this week by Curtis Grad, vice-president of operations at MBJ Airports Ltd., operators of the airport, at a forum at the Wexford Court Hotel, Montego Bay, St. James.

SUPERPLUS MANDEVILLE ROBBED BY GUNMEN

Tuesday afternoon gunmen robbed the SuperPlus Supermarket in the Midway Mall, Mandeville and reportedly making off with more than $1 million.

1,000 CARS STOLEN SINCE JANUARY

This week police reported 1,000 motor vehicles were stolen since January. Most of the vehicles have been stolen in St. Andrew and St. Catherine.

GOV’T PLANS TO BOOST CXC PASSES

The Gleaner: The Ministry of Education will be implementing a strategic intervention programme focusing on mathematics and English language starting this September. This as a result of the poor performance of students on the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)-administered exams over the years.

HIGHWAY COSTS ESCALATE

Segment Two of the problem-plagued Northern Coastal Highway project, which was rescheduled to be completed one year after the original completion date, is to now cost the country nearly US$130 million.

FIRST WOMAN HEAD OF JEF

Audrey Hinchcliffe, who created the largest English-speaking Caribbean janitorial and maintenance company was yesterday elected president of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation – a position that had remained the exclusive preserve of men since its formation 46 years ago. She succeeded Herbert Lewis, president for the past three years, who did not seek re-election.

RUM CREAM WINS INT’L AWARD

Sangster’s Original Jamaica Rum Cream which is owned by the Lascelles Group has won gold at the Monde Quality Selection 2004 competition, a performance replicated by its sister brand – Appleton Special Jamaica Rum.

DEATH PENALTY NOT AUTOMATIC

The United Kingdom Privy Council, Jamaica’s final court of appeal, yesterday handed down a unanimous decision which struck down the mandatory death sentence imposed by the Jamaican Court on persons convicted of capital murder.

ROYAL PANTATION IS LEADING HOTEL

The Gleaner: The Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios has been granted membership to the Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. It is the first hotel in Jamaica to become a member of this prestigious luxury hospitality organisation, which represents the world’s premium hotels and resorts.

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SPORTS

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2004 OLYMPIC GAMES TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES TEAM

A contingent of 45 track and field athletes who will represent Jamaica in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece this summer was named early this week.

Women: 1. Veronica Campbell (100m, 200m, 4x100m), 2. Sherone Simpson (100m, 4x100m), 3. Aleen Bailey (100m, 200m, 4x100m), 4. Beverley McDonald (200m, 4x100m), 5. Peta-Gaye Dowdie (4x100m), 6. Nadia Davy (400m, 4x400m), 7. Novlene Williams (400m, 4x400m), 8. Lorraine Fenton (400m, 4x400m; has until August 4 to prove fitness), 9. Allison Beckford (400m, 4x400m), 10. Michelle Ballentine (800m), 11. Delloreen Ennis-London (100m hurdles), 12. Brigitte Foster (100m hurdles), 13. Lacena Golding-Clarke (100m hurdles), 14. Debbie-Ann Parris (400m hurdles), 15. Patrina Allen (400m hurdles), 16. Shevon Stoddart (400m hurdles), 17. Elva Goulbourne (long jump), 18. Trecia-Kaye Smith (triple jump), 19. Kimberli Barrett (shot put), 20. Sandie Richards (4x400m), 21. Michelle Burgher (4x400m), 22. Ronetta Smith (4x400m).

Men: 1. Asafa Powell (100m, 4x100m), 2. Steve Mullings (100m, 200m 4x100m), 3. Dwight Thomas (100m, 4x100m), 4. Michael Frater (4x100m), 5. Christopher Williams (200m), 6. Usain Bolt (200m), 7. Brandon Simpson (400m 4x400m), 8. Michael Blackwood (400m, 4x400m), 9. Davian Clarke (4x400m), 10. Jermaine Gonzales (4x400m), 11. Maurice Wignall (110m hurdles), 12. Christopher Pinnock (110m hurdles), 13. Richard Phillips (110m hurdles), 14. Danny McFarlane (400m hurdles), 15. Dean Griffiths (400m hurdles), 16. Kemel Thompson (400m hurdles), 17. James Beckford (long jump), 18. Claston Bernard (decathlon), 19. Maurice Smith (decathlon), 20. Patrick Jarrett, 21. Winston Smith, 22. Richard James (4x400m), 23. Michael Campbell (4x400m).

REGGAE BOYZ PLAY US AUGUST 18TH, 2004

Jamaica will play the first semi-final round game on Wednesday, August 18 at ‘The Office’ in Jamaica against the USA.

JAMAICA JUMP TO 49TH ON FIFA LIST

JAMAICA REMAINED THE Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) top-ranked team in July’s FIFA World Rankings released yesterday after eliminating Haiti in the CONCACAF Second Round World Cup qualifiers. Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz moved two places up to 49th in the world, while the CFU’s number two T&T jumped 14 places up the world ratings to 63rd after they knocked out the Dominican Republic. St. Kitts and Nevis have displaced Barbados as the fifth-ranked team in the CFU after eliminating the Barbadians in World Cup qualifiers last month. Big movers In the CONCACAF qualifiers last month, St. Kitts & Nevis whipped Barbados 3-0 in Barbados en route to a 5-2 aggregate triumph in the two-match series, and the result earned them the CFU’s number five spot, occupied for several years by Barbados. St. Kitts and Nevis leapt 12 places to 108th in the world, while Barbados slipped to 116th on FIFA’s list, and sixth in the CFU.

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