Staff WriterJAMAICAN MODEL ACCUSES TRUMP AGENCY OF BREAKING LAWS—10/18/14
Alexia Palmer, a Jamaican-born model, has charged Trump Model Management, the modeling agency owned by Donald Trump, of violating federal immigration law and of refusing to pay her over $200,000 in salary. According to Palmer, the agency docked her pay, taking out dermatologist bills, limo rides, walking lessons, and other expenses. Palmer is suing the agency in a New York court on charges of racketeering, breach of contract, mail fraud, and violating laws governing wages paid to immigrants.
EDUCATION MINISTRY LOOKING FOR PARTNERS AMONG ALUMNI GROUPS—10/19/14
Ronald Thwaites, Jamaica’s Minister of Education, said that his ministry is looking for partners among alumni associations, both on the home island and in the Diaspora, in order to enhance the overall education process in the country. Thwaites made his remarks at a fundraiser for the Mount Alvernia High School alumni at the Montego Bay Convention Center. He noted that there are 130 alumni associations linked to Jamaican schools on the eastern coast of the United States, and they contribute significantly to improving the conditions of schools in Jamaica.
JAMAICAN SOLDIER COMES HOME FOR GRANDMOTHER’S FUNERAL—10/20/14
Private Corey Hines, a 23-year-old Jamaican soldier on duty in Afghanistan, traveled home for the weekend to attend the funeral of his grandmother. He was set to return to his duty on National Heroes Day, after visiting with a large family of uncles, aunts, and cousins in Jamaica. He said he is not a hero; he is just doing a job that he loves.
JAMAICAN NAMED MISS DIVALI NAGAR OF 2014—10/21/14
Rachel Biesray of Jamaica won the title of Miss Divali Nagar 2014 in Trinidad. She received the honor over 11 other delegates participating at the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) Divali Nagar in Chaguanas. The contestants models saris and showed cased their talents in dance and song. They also displayed their knowledge of current events for a panel of eight judges. Biesray, 16, performed a dance in her talent competition, and was crowned the winner. She will receive TT$20,000.
GUYANA JAMAICA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION HOLDS FUNDRAISER—10/22/14
The first annual fundraising dinner and dance held by the Guyana Jamaica Friendship Association Inc. in New York illustrates how the two countries are committed to cooperating with the board to improve conditions for students back at home. DJ FLEXX, Guyanese entertainer, was featured, as was Jamaican cuisine. The event raised funds for the benefit of Moshabo Primary School in Guyana and the Aeolus Valley All-Age School in Jamaica.
JAMAICA’S U.S. AMBASSADOR DELIVERS MENDELSOHN LECTURE—10/23/14
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Dr. Stephen Vasciannie delivered the annual Martin and Syma Mendelsohn Lecture on international relations for 2014 at Brooklyn College in New York. His talk was entitled “Jamaica and Its Place in the Global Landscape” and discussed the island’s economic expansion in allowing interested students to study abroad in Jamaica. He also discussed opportunities in tourism and agriculture available in the country.
JAMAICAN DEEJAY WINS BEST REGGAE ACT AWARD —10/24/14
Stylo G, Jamaican deejay, was honored with the Best Reggae Act award at London’s MOBO Awards ceremony. Stylo G’s real name is Jason McDermott, and he was born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, but moved to the United Kingdom in 1998. He signed with 3Beat Records, a British dance label, after becoming popular on the underground music circuit. He had a Top 20 hit on the British charts in 2013 with “Soundbwoy.” The MOBO awards (Music o Black Origin) were created in 1996 by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell to recognize anyone who performs black music.
DIASPORA-MAPPING PROJECT NAMES CHAMPIONS—10/24/14
Levi Roots, Merlene Ottey, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Delores Cooper are among those named to be part of a promotion campaign for the “Mapping the Jamaican Diaspora Project.” Aloun Assamba, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to London, noted that the support of well-known Jamaicans will enhance the project and encourage participation. She also noted that the information gathered by the project will be protected and use only by authorized individuals.
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