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THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
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St. AUBYN HILL RESIGNS FROM NCB – 26 November, 2004
The head of National Commercial Bank (NCB) has handed in his resignation effective November 30. He said he has had two wonderful years in banking and wants to pursue his own personal interest. Although he has resigned as head of the NCB group, he has substantial shares in the company and will not be leaving Jamaica. It is said that the NCB staff can no longer tolerate Mr. Hill’s autocratic style of management and he replied by saying that everyone has their own style of management…

SUGAR GET AID FROM BRITAIN

The Department of International Development (DFID) said they would be seeking ways in which their organisation can help soften the impact of the European Union price adjustments on sugar producers. Mr. Gareth Thomas, permanent undersecretary of DFID said that the tour has brought home to me the huge dependence of a whole series of communities that depend on the sugar industry,” and further, it has brought home the impact of the price cuts in very powerful messages…

DON MAN TRIAL INTERUPTED BY BOMB SCARE

Zeke’s, area don for Matthews Lane was yesterday forced to make a hasty retreat from the courtroom where he was answering charges for possession of and dealing in ganja, and unlawful possession of pharmaceutical items. Zekes was set another date to return to court to answer the charges. He is set to return on January 11. 2005. A report brought by Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle informed the court that there were security concerns and the building had to be vacated immediately. The police was called in and the building was checked for explosives, none was found and the court was resumed within the hour…

WI CRICKET IN TURMOIL- CARICOM STEPTS IN November 25, 2004
The West Indies Cricket board dumped captain Brian Lara and fifteen other players this week for not signing letters of invitation to a three-week camp in Barbados starting on Monday. The camp was intended to prepare the players for a one-day tournament with Australia and Pakistan in January. The main dispute involved as many ten senior players, including Brian Lara, who have sponsorship deals with Cable and Wireless, a telecommunications rival of Digicel, which signed a multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with the cricket board last month. The Prime Ministers Owen Arthur and Dr. Keith Mitchell of Barbados and Grenada respectively, thought a meeting to resolve the situation was important to the regions social and economical development. Cricket Australia said it might consider an alternative team if a substandard West Indies team was chosen to tour.

SEARCH FOR OIL BID TO START JAN AND ENDS JULY 05

The Jamaican government will begin its search for oil, which it says, may be found in southern Jamaica. Commerce minister Phillip Paulwell, formally launched the first licensing round for the exploration of oil and gas off and onshore Jamaica, in London on Monday. The launch was held in London because of the just concluded international energy conference, which Minister Paulwell hoped would spark interest in the licensing round…

PAUL GOODEN FOUND GULITY!
A jury found Paul Gooden guilty in a Home Circuit Court after four hours of deliberation. He was found guilty of murdering his wife, 39-year old Ingrid Andrade Gooden. His mother, Pat Gooden, a singer, said her son was not guilty and that he was not a violent man but one who prefers to reason things out. Gooden’s wife’s father, for Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) said at last justice was done and he said ‘Thank God justice had been done’. Sentencing was put off for the following day, The sentence for non-capital murder is life imprisonment but the judge will have the power to recommend how many years Gooden should serve before he is eligible for parole…

YOUNG BOYS CRIES FOUL! – 24 November 2004.

Young adolescence boys are crying out that young girls and adults alike are pressuring them for sex at an early age. Some students between the ages of 13-19 attending a forum explained that they are being stigmatised if they refuse to give in. One student explained that if they do not consent to have sex they are said to be going back to God the way they have come and also called gay boy, boardman, oily and other such names. He explained that such intense pressure forces many young people his age group to start having sex before they are ready. In addition, Andred explained that when young people are pressured by society to become sexually active, they run the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection…

SANDAL NEGRIL RESUMES OPERATION
Sandals Negril reopened for business this week after closing since September after the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The hotel ranked as a five-star diamond has over 200 rooms and spas. It is accustomed to have over 85 to 90 percent occupancy. General Manager Carl Hendricks says that the hotel was forced to close its door because of the extent of the damages sustained and because they valued their guest, it was important to do so. He explained while they were refurbishing many projects could be completed. He said that what they were able to achieve would reposition the hotel in its usual competitive position…

MORAVIAN CHUCH IN JAMAICA AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY
The Moravian Church in Jamaica had described homosexuality as a deviant way of living. The Church has added its voice to the growing number of debate on homosexuality and the church. Speaking recently at the media launch to celebrate the church’s 250th anniversary in St. Eliza-beth, Livingston Thompson, president of the church association, said, “We do not regard homosexuality as an option for sexual relationship and can find no biological, theological and cultural justification for it. In addition, Mr. Thompson said that he hopes Jamaica will not relent on its position on homosexuality…

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HURRICANE CHEQUES READY FOR DISTRIBUTION – November 16, 2004
The Building Assessment cheques to assist people and organisations affected by Hurricane Ivan are ready to be distributed. The cheques, totalling over one hundred and forty million dollars are to directly benefit 17,346 hurricane victims island wide, with the largest sums going to Clarendon, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, St Thomas, St Ann and Kingston and St Andrew. The batch of payment, which was distributed last week, was a success and over $44 million in aid was distributed. The island’s post offices were used as distribution points…

FALSE CLAIMS FOR IVAN BENEFITS
According to Danville Walker, of the Electoral Office, a list of over 150,000 housing claims are being reviewed by his office and found a sample to be 70% fraudulent amounting approximately $80 million. Danville Walker the man acclaimed to have cleaned up the electoral system was seconded by the Prime Minster to the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) to coordinate the reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Ivan….

IS JAMAICA READY FOR CARIBBEAN SINGLE MARKET?
An attempt to implement the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) will come into effect cone January 2005 James Moss-Solomon, vice-president of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce says that Jamaica will adjust by January. The will allow CARICOM goods, services, people and capital to move throughout the Caribbean Community without tariffs/barriers and without restrictions. It is expected to create a single economic space…

TEACHER AND STUDENT STABBED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS – November 23, 2004
In separate incidents across the island, the education system was in turmoil as a student and teacher were stabbed. The third form student was stabbed by a fifth former at Jamaica College in Kingston, St. Andrew. The fifth former was remanded and charged with felonious wounding. In another incident, a man walked into a classroom at the Snowdon Basic School near Newport in south Manchester and stabbed a teacher in front of her class of ten. Three of these 10 pupils were 3-years of age and the others were 5 years old…

BUTCH LOOSES ON AIR JAMAICA INVESTMENT

Gordon Butch Stewart revealed on the Perkins Online radio talk show that he has lost the US$25 million, which he invested in the National Airline. Mr. Stewart said that he was just doing a national service as no one goes into business to loose money. In addition, The Public Accounts Committee revealed on November 2 that Air Jamaica owed $14 billion in taxes, including $1.9 billion to the Airport Authority which operates the Norman Manley International Airport. Information Minister Burchell Whiteman has since disclosed that the airline lost more than $34 billion since it was privatised…

OPERATION KINFISH CONTINUES TO REAP SUCCESS – November 22, 2004

‘Operation Kingfish’ one of the government’s newest crime initiatives aimed at netting people in the top echelon of crime has continued to reap success. The Counter Narcotics and Major Crime Investigation Task Force, launched just over a month ago reports that the 811 toll-free number set up has made good on over 140 actionable calls. The recovery of seven stolen motorcars, including one recently stolen from the USA, the seizure of 13 illegal firearms, the seizure of over 227 kilogram’s (500 lb) of compressed ganja and the destruction of two sophisticated ganja fields are successes by the initiative…

COPS SAY LACK OF RESOURCES PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGH MURDER RATE.

The police federation has just been given over 50 Corollas to be added to their fleet to fight crime. In spite of this of this, the Police Federation says this is not enough and the mobility and visibility of the force is still impeded. However, an advisor to the Ministry of Security said that the government is keeping its promise to supply all the resources the police needs to the best of their ability. “At least 70 vehicles were purchased and about 51 or 52 came in and are already on the road. An additional 100 motorbikes have been ordered, plus 150 Sport Utility Vehicles for rural deployment,” said Nelson….

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SPORTS
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CARL BROWN FOLLOWS LAZARONI – November 22, 2004.
Following the dismissal of Lazaroni it was only natural for the Jamaica Football Federation to give Carl Brown, Technical Director of the Reggae Boyz the booth. The hierarchy of the JFF made a decision dismiss Carl Brown following the Reggae Boyz failed attempt to qualify for 2006 World Cup finals. JFF President Crenston Boxhill declined to comment on the firing of Brown but confirmed that he and his top executives held a meeting yesterday regarding the ‘Road to Germany’ campaign and promised to divulge details at a press conference within the next two days…

EXCELSIOR GOES FOR A DOUBLE – November 26, 2004.

Excelsior High will hunt for a double Cup win with their game against Camperdown High School in the Walker Cup finals in Dewsland Mini Stadium. Excelsior has not lost a game all season are tipped to win the Manning Cup finals as wellExcelsior will have the chance to take home three separate trophies as they will meet the winner of the daCosta Cup final in a two-leg Olivier Shield play-off on December 11 and 15…

CARL BROWN FIRED!
November 22, 2004
Reports from a number of sources close to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) have stated that technical director Carl Brown was fired after an emergency meeting of the JFF’s executive members. It was reported that Brown was asked to resign but refused and was then fired. Similar reports have been published by The Jamaica Observer and on TVJ News. The firing of Carl Brown comes as no surprise after the Reggae Boyz senior team failed to advance to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Finals qualification. In addition to the senior teams loss, the National Under 17 team lost 4-0 to Haiti a few days later. Head coach of the Reggae Boyz, Brazilian Sebastiao Lazaroni have already resigned the program. The failure of The Reggae Boyz to advance to next year’s final round is viewed as a big problem for the Crenston Boxhill led JFF and resulted in the emergency meeting of parish association presidents and confederation heads. The head coach of the Under-20 team Wendell Downswell is expected to fill in as the interim coach as the senior team is scheduled to play in the upcoming Digicel Cup competition on Wednesday.

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