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THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
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HEAD OF FPD SITES CORRUPTION – January 7, 2005

Head of the Financial Protection Division has sited corruption at the Customs department. His investigations, although incomplete has revealed discrepancies at Customs between importers and exporters. These discrepancies revealed collusion between importers and exporters to under-invoice produce from overseas. Mr. Surridge further reported that his investigations so far have caused him to conclude that exporters were willing to provide their clients with two invoices for the same shipment. Investigations begun into price gorging after Hurricane Ivan in September…

MYSTRY OF THE MISSING MEN
Two men were reported missing two days before Christmas after being reportedly arrested by officers from the Organised Crime Division. The cops involved have been taken from frontline duty and investigations into the matter are currently being conducted. Allegations are that Kemar Walters, 20, and Oliver Duncan, 28 were bundled into a car by three men, one of whom wore a police vest and was driven away. They have not been seen since and the Honda CRV they were driving is missing…

JCF APPOINTS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

A clinical psychologist experienced in correctional services has been appointed as fulltime counsellor to the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Dr. George Leverage was appointed on Tuesday by outgoing Commissioner Francis Forbes. Commissioner Forbes has for some years now being lobbying for the appointment of a psychologist to assist members of the police force with the high stress levels they have to face daily. Forbes also disclosed that personnel who will be attached to the new missing persons unit would have to undergo psychiatric evaluation, before becoming a part of the team. The new unit is expected to come on stream within the next three months…

BRAZILIAN PEACEKEEPING COPS IN HAITI CLASH WITH GANGS – January 6, 2005

Brazilian Peacekeeping cops clashed with gangs in Haiti in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The gunfire exchange occurred after the peacekeeping cops attempted to clear debris from the streets that were barricaded for months. Reports are that gunmen shot at the troops and the Brazilians returned fire, no one was hurt but nine men found on the rooftop of a building in the area where the incident took place was detained by Haitian police. The detainees had no weapons in their possession…

FORBES RETIRES AS POLICE CHIEF

Police Commissioner Frances Forbes retires at 54. He has served in force for 36 years and has called on members who have given similar service to follow his example and retire. Commissioner Forbes said this would give the JCF a chance to reorganise and re-energise. Frances Forbes will be succeeded by Deputy Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas aged 65 years. He has served the JCF for 34 years…

AIR JAMAICA TO CARRY OUT STAFF RETRENCHMENT…

Air Jamaica is set to carry out a staff retrenchment exercise, which will see major cut in staff and top management pay packages. Top managers will receive a thirty percent cut in their pay packages as Dr. Vincent Lawrence warned that the carrier would have to make drastic changes if it is to survive including cuts of certain routes such as flights to Manchester England and Antigua…

CASINO GAMBLING BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT

Casino gambling is back in the limelight as Kingsley Thomas, head of the Development Bank of Jamaica added his voice in support. He suggested that the introduction of casinos in Jamaica could assist in the development of education and bring diversity in the tourism sector. He further posits that community tourism is not the way forward and that the “trend worldwide in destinations in competition with Jamaica is for resort colonies,” he said. “When you go on a holiday, do you want to mix with the people? You want to relax!”…

ILLEGAL COOK SHOPS TO BE DEMOLISHED – January 5, 2005

The Ministry of Health has untaken to rid the streets of illegal cook shops as they pose a problem to the national health. Chief public health inspector for St. Elizabeth, Lester Beharie said shops that do not display publicly, a health certificate would be forced to close their businesses. Mr Beharie said that his department would be going all out this year to rid the streets of restaurants and cook shops that are being operated contrary to public health regulations…

MOEYC DELIVERS PROMISED PRIMARY TEXTS

DR KEN RATTRAY DIES AT 72

former solicitor-general and chairman of the island’s Air Policy Committee, Dr. Ken Rattray is dead after a long battle with illness. He has made significant contribution public service and to the development of the legal jurisprudence. Dr. Rattray was hailed for his achievements and contribution by the Prime Minister who also noted his contribution to the development of bauxite and aluminium industry. Dr. Rattray is survived by his wife and five children….

TEENS KILLED IN JONES TOWN SHOOTING – January 4, 2005

A gun feud in the Jones Town community has claimed the lives of two teenagers who were gunned down on Benbow Street. Leon McDougal, also known as “Lee”, a 16 year-old student of the Charlie Smith Comprehensive High School, and 19 year-old Francisco Nedrick, also called “Alrick” and “Antsman” – were gunned down at about 3:15 in the morning. Lee died on the spot while Nedrick died on his way to the Kingston Public Hospital. Reports are that two gangs in the community are in a feud and one in particular, ’The Fatherless Crew’ is wrecking havoc in the community terrorising taxi men, raping and carryout atrocities in neighbouring community…

TSUNAMI FUNDS GET DONATION FROM JA

Jamaica has joined hundreds of countries who have contributed financially to the countries affected by Tsunami. The Jamaican government has made an initial contribution of J$15million and has launched a special fund to help disaster victims in South East Asia. A release from the Prime Minister’s office indicated that the fund is being set up to also receive money from the government, private organisations and individuals. He made an appeal for Jamaicans both here and overseas to contribute to the effort. Other organisation and institutions has indicated their readiness to make further financial contributions to the fund…

BOB’ 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH TO BE CELEBRATED – January 3, 2005

Bob Marley’s 60th Anniversary is to be celebrated by a series of events to be organised by two American writers and a group of prominent Jamaicans. The aim of the events to celebrate Bob’s 60th Anniversary is to see if Jamaica could have a violent-free day on February 6. One organiser said that when they say violent-free, they are referring to all types of violence…

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SPORTS
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WINDIES LOSES FIRST GAME – January 6, 2005

The West Indies has lost their first game by seven wickets to Victoria in Australia. West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and batted, scoring 24 in his side’s 201 all out in 47.5 overs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Australians won in style loosing only three wickets an in 32 overs. Chris Gayle was West Indies’ highest scorer with 33 runs from 23 balls…

JFF VS NPL- WILL THEY REACH A SETTLEMENT?

The Jamaica Football Federation and the National Premier League has managed to settle their differences over a money row. The National Premier League clubs said they were owed money by the JFF. A special meeting between the two parities produced an amicable solution with all parities concerned. The meeting was necessary because of concerns expressed by NPL clubs over outstanding funds owed to them by the JFF, and there was even talk that clubs were planning a boycott of the league if the debts were not settled.

Jamaica To Play French Guiana on January 8
Jan 1, 2005
Round three of the Digicel Caribbean Cup will see Jamaica hosting French Guiana in the first leg on Saturday, January 8 at the National Stadium. The return leg is scheduled for January 15 in French Guiana with the winner of the two-way tie advancing to the final playoffs in Barbados. Jamaica advanced to the third round after defeating St. Lucia on a 3-2 goal aggregate. French Guiana defeated Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica to top their zone. Head coach of Jamaica’s senior football team Wendell Downswell stated that French Guiana is a formidable opposition with a number of their players playing in France. US-based players Tyrone Marshall, Damani Ralph, Khari Stephenson and Andy Williams along with England-based midfielder Omar Daley are expected to be included in the Reggae Boyz team. The top three teams in the Barbados series will qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
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