Your news in a nutshell

1. IDB bats for NIDS
2. Replace Wheatley or shut it down – PNP to Holness
3. JCC endorses Ja Survey of Establishments
4. Dress police fired
5. Copa, Go Jamaica team up
6. Byles urges better paying jobs for J’cans in emerging sectors

1. IDB bats for NIDS

Luis Alberto Moreno, president of the Inter-American Development Bank, is urging Jamaicans to embrace the planned National Identification System (NIDS), which is facing some public pushback and a constitutional challenge. The IDB has provided a loan of US$68 million for the rollout of the NIDS over a three-year period, with a pilot project for civil servants expected to get under way in January 2019. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Replace Wheatley or shut it down – PNP to Holness

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has told Prime Minister Andrew Holness to shut down his administration if he is unable to find a competent minister to replace Dr Andrew Wheatley at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy. It has been more than two weeks since Wheatley resigned as minister amid a scandal at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (Petrojam) and other agencies under his portfolio. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. JCC endorses Ja Survey of Establishments

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce’s (JCC) vision of supporting Jamaica’s growth by facilitating its members’ integration into the global economy could be further enhanced by the ongoing island-wide Jamaica Survey of Establishments (JSE), reasons JCC CEO Trevor Fearon. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Cabinet dress police fired

Hours before the Office of the Prime Minister issued a release last Friday that the Cabinet had ordered the suspension of the long-standing practice of prohibiting women wearing sleeveless attire from entry into government buildings, a female reporter from The Sunday Gleaner tested the system. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Copa, Go Jamaica team up

Copa Airlines has named Go Jamaica Travel as its official travel agency in Jamaica as part of a partnership to increase movement between Jamaica and several destinations in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and Central and South America. The announcement was made by Copa representatives during a product launch at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Thursday. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Byles urges better paying jobs for J’cans in emerging sectors

Chairman of the Sagicor Group Richard Byles is questioning why Jamaicans are not being targeted for better paying positions in jobs that are being created in several sectors of the economy. Delivering the keynote address at Saturday night’s St Ann Homecoming and Heritage Foundation’s 13th Annual Awards Banquet at Jewel Dunn’s River in St Ann, Byles acknowledged that over the past five years, economic progress has been made but stressed that much more needs to be done to set the country on firm economic footing. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Sleeveless ban in tact in Charles’ house
2. J’can peppers wanted in Canada
3. Weir, Minzie quit Racers Track Club
4. Jamaican Teas is HAACP certified
5. Ja to host CARICOM seminar
6. Possible mass Venezuelan migration to Ja?

1. Sleeveless ban in tact in Charles’ house

Speaker of the House, Pearnel Charles Sr, has made it clear that despite the suspension of the no-sleeveless policy for government buildings there will be no changes to the operations at Gordon House until he is guided by the Standing Orders. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. J’can peppers wanted in Canada

A call is being made for local producers, particularly those who supply peppers, to engage more with the overseas market in order for there to be greater collaboration and growth in the economy. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Weir, Minzie quit Racers Track Club

Veteran athletics coach Glen Mills confirmed to The Gleaner yesterday that Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir and Jevaughn Minzie will not be under his tutelage when training for the 2019 athletics season begins in the fall. Mills, who is the founder of Racers Track Club, said that Weir informed him last week that he intends to leave the island and continue his training overseas, as he is no longer comfortable living in Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Jamaican Teas is HAACP certified

Jamaican Teas Limited has been awarded the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification, which is the internationally recognised risk-based system for managing food safety. It provides the general principles of food hygiene from primary production through final consumption, highlighting key hygiene controls at each stage. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Ja to host CARICOM seminar

A three-day sensitisation seminar on the CARICOM Results Based Management (RBM) System will be held in Jamaica starting today and ending on Thursday. The seminar opens at 9 a.m. at the Office of the Prime Minister, where a discussion will be held with permanent secretaries of the ministries, departments, and agencies. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Possible mass Venezuelan migration to Ja?

Sustainable Development Professor Anthony Clayton believes that Jamaicans must concern themselves with the political and economic turmoil devastating Venezuela, warning of possible mass migration into the island. In an interview with The Gleaner, Clayton highlighted that Venezuela’s severing of ties with democracy must be taken seriously. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. 1. NIF, NIS to be combined
   2. SOE pushing murder down, tourism up
   3. Man rescued after 7 days’ drifting asea
   4. Rogue principals?
   5. NEPA shoots white-tailed deer
   6. Clarendon hunters fume over land rights

1. NIF, NIS to be combined

With Cabinet approval in hand, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security disclosed on Monday that it is pursuing an overhaul of public pension fund manager National Insurance Fund (NIF) that will result in its merger with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. SOE pushing murder down, tourism up

It’s not “perfect” and an alternative is quite welcome, but the ongoing state of public emergency (SOE) in the parish of St James has been the catalyst for murders trending down, according to Winston Lawson, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Man rescued after 7 days’ drifting asea

Fishermen attached to Rainforest Seafoods caught an unlikely catch at sea on Monday when an elderly fisherman was rescued after drifting for seven days. The man, known only as Okey, in his late 50s, of a Treasure Beach address, was in a horrible condition, hungry, exhausted and near death, Rainforest Seafoods’ Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs Roger Lyn confirmed to The Gleaner. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Rogue principals?

Members of parliament’s Constituency Development Fund Committee yesterday blasted school administrators who continued to demand the payment of auxiliary fees before students are admitted. During a special sitting of the CDF committee yesterday chairman, Everald Warmington, noted the number of projects submitted by Members of Parliament for additional funding for educational assistance and charged that the majority related to assistance with paying auxiliary fees for students going to high schools. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. NEPA says shoot white-tailed deer

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) last Friday gave the green light to game bird hunters to legally hunt the white-tailed deer that is wreaking havoc on crops in Portland and elsewhere. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Clarendon hunters fume over land rights

Trouble is brewing ahead of Saturday’s official start to the 2018 game bird hunting season, which runs until Sunday, September 23, as businessman Authnel Reid of Portland Bight, Clarendon, served notice last Friday that registered hunters like himself who are not aligned to any gun clubs would not allow themselves to be intimidated by outsiders who claim to lease property in the area during the annual bird-shooting season. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Scratch CSEC?
2. Grooming rules remain! -Schools
3. Redeveloping Heroes Circle is to your benefit -Holness
4. PM to decide on Montague-FLA issue
5. World mourns Aretha Franklin
6. Alleged gangster, mom killed

1. Scratch CSEC?

Education Minister Ruel Reid has made it clear that he would be making a strident push to shake up the educational system that he believes is over reliant on the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) from the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), and which is preventing young people from attaining their full potential. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Grooming rules remain! -Schools

Although making it quite clear that discipline will be maintained, Dr Elaine Cunningham, who heads St Hugh’s High School in St Andrew, believes that the issue of grooming must include negotiation and compromise. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Redeveloping Heroes Circle is to your benefit -Holness

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is reassuring residents in the communities adjacent to the National Heroes Park in Kingston that the planned redevelopment of the area will be to their benefit, hence they have no reason to be concerned. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. PM to decide on Montague-FLA issue

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that he has been receiving updates on the controversy surrounding former Minister of National Security Robert Montague’s involvement in the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) granting a gun licence to man who reportedly has a dubious record and who was previously denied by the agency. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. World mourns Aretha Franklin

6. Alleged gangster, mom killed

Uton ‘Bigga’ Cocket, who the police say was the leader of the much-feared Hanover-based One Voice gang, and his mother, Carlene Graver, were murdered on Wednesday at their Elgin Town home in the western parish in what is believed to be a gang-related murder. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon has earned an international reputation as one of the world’s most well-organised and enjoyable marathons, located in one of the world’s most well-loved and culturally unique nations. From start to finish, the Reggae Marathon Event is uniquely Jamaican. It takes place annually in Negril, and is often seen as an ideal respite that offers a combination of an island vacation, a great sporting and wellness event, tons of fun, and an overall truly unforgettable experience. Here are 10 interesting facts about the marathon.

1. The Reggae Marathon has taken place in Negril annually since 2000.
2. Even though it is called ‘Reggae Marathon, the event actually features a marathon, a half-marathon and a 10K race.
3. The Reggae Marathon is organised by the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston, and has the partnership and endorsement of the Jamaica Tourist Board, The Ministry of Health, The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, the Negril Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel Tourist Association, and the Chamber of Commerce of Negril.
4. The Reggae Marathon has a maximum of 3,000 participants allowed, and attracts runners from all over the world who come for the run, the fun and the sun and stay for a dip in the sea afterwards. The marathon has had runners from over 36 countries. It’s particularly perfect for those who relish the idea of a beach party for 3,000 after a long run.
5. The race starts and finishes outside Long Bay Beach Park on Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, Jamaica. The Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K starts at Long Bay Beach Park situated along Negril’s famed 7-mile white sand beach. The course loops into the town of Negril then heads north to Bloody Bay and returns to the finish at Long Bay Beach Park.
6. The course is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathon and Distance Runners (AIMS), thus meeting international standards. The event is also sanctioned by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
7. Start time is usually 5:15am, and the course remains open for six hours, with the requirement that marathoners must reach the halfway mark within three hours.
8. There are aid stations every mile – 25 in all, manned by experienced marathoners and enthusiastic volunteers. The marathon also provides cooling stations with misters and iced towel wraps, inspirational reggae music at every mile, closed lanes for runners, and medical stations and fully equipped ambulances positioned along the course and staffed by a premier multidisciplinary medical team.
9. Each participant gets a commemorative finisher’s medal, an official Reggae Marathon T-shirt, and a finisher’s certificate.
10. Registration for the marathon also grants participants free entry to ‘The World’s Best Pasta Party’ and the ‘Victory Beach & Awards party’. The Pasta Party normally happens on the night before the marathon, while the Victory Party (or The Finish Line Beach Bash) happens afterward, affording participants the opportunity to relax on the beach with special offerings and entertainment lined up to ensure that they have the best time.

Sources:
Reggae Marathon Website
Downloadable PDF: Reggae Marathon Fact Sheet

Your news in a nutshell

1. Cop counselled after 5yo son killed with her gun
2. Leash stray dogs!
3. Mona murder suspects charged
4. USF managing director out
5. Kudos for Kofi
6. Sargassum choking Welcome Beach

1. Cop counselled after 5yo son killed with her gun

A member of the St Catherine South police was yesterday undergoing counselling following the death of her five-year-old son, who allegedly shot himself with her service pistol. The incident occurred Saturday at the policewoman’s home in the community of Monza in Portmore, St Catherine. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Leash stray dogs!

Until the issue of responsible dog ownership and population control is given legislative priority, tragedies such as the mauling to death of senior citizen Whittingham Cole by free-roaming dogs is a risk to which most Jamaicans will remain exposed, according to the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA). See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Mona murder suspects charged

Twenty-seven-year-old Trinidad and Tobago national Sanju Maharaj and 19-year-old Jamaican Leonardo Madden, both charged with the murder of 13-year-old Shanoya Wray, are scheduled to return to court tomorrow. The teen’s partially decomposed body was found inside an apartment on Whalley Close in Mona, St Andrew, last month. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. USF managing director out

Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Suzette Buchanan has “separated” from the Agency. The details surrounding her departure have not been released. However, it comes just over a month after concern that her daughter was being paid $80,000 per month while temporarily assisting the USF with its social media activities. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Kudos for Kofi

Jamaica’s political leaders have joined the rest of the world in paying tribute to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan who died yesterday at the age of 80. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described Annan as “a humanitarian icon”. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Sargassum choking Welcome Beach

Welcome Beach in Clarendon is the first major local casualty of the sargassum weed infestation, and scientists are warning that the situation is not likely to get better for Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Outdated hospitals
2. Wife of slain cop mourns best friend
3. J’cans trained to provide harbour towage service
4. Jamaican success stories of earning online
5. Step up! -Referees
6. PFAJ to assist RSPL referees

1. Outdated hospitals

Failure to keep up-to-date with technology, coupled with poor maintenance of Jamaica’s health facilities, were among the main contributing factors to the problems being faced in the country’s health sector, noted Dr Christopher Tufton. Speaking at the presentation ceremony for a solarised energy system to the Bustamante Hospital for Children yesterday, the health minister also stressed the importance of health facilities to being innovative in driving the energy needs of the sector. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Wife of slain cop mourns best friend

Jonnella Spence Bucknor, the wife of slain police constable Rohan Bucknor, was at home on Sunday night waiting on her husband. They had planned to watch television talent show ‘Rising Stars’ together. Bucknor had called from the barber shop, where he had gone to get his hair cut, telling her to tune in to the programme, implying that he would be home soon. But he never made it home. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. J’cans trained to provide harbour towage service

Kingston Harbour is set to become the premier Caribbean hub for Post Panamax vessels after Ocean recently signed a 10-year contract with Jamaica’s Port Authority for the provision of harbour-towage services. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Jamaican success stories of earning online

Last week, I received an interesting message from a young woman on Twitter, which, to my amazement and absolute joy, would trigger a string of inspiring success stories from social media from Jamaicans earning online. The message read: “Hey.” It was immediately followed by a picture of a newspaper clipping of a Businesswisearticle written by me and published in the Sunday Gleaner on September 22, 2013. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Step up! -Referees

Former FIFA referee Charles ‘Charley’ Barrett believes too much emphasis is being placed on female referees, to the detriment of their male counterparts. However, Peter Prendergast, another former FIFA referee, disagrees with his colleague’s assertion, insisting women have worked hard to get to where they are and deserve the recognition they now get. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. PFAJ to assist RSPL venues

The Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) said it will be making efforts to continue to improve on all the playing surfaces and venues of the clubs in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) to enhance the tournament’s quality. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Teachers, students not ready for PEP
2. St Thomas blocked road reopens
3. Shonaya Wray murder accused remanded
4. BPO player rubbishes Byles claim
5. $40m NWA road project in Trelawny
6. JTA close to reclaiming properties

1. Teachers, students not ready for PEP

Dr Garth Anderson, the newly installed president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), has indicated that the nation’s teachers and students are not ready for the new Primary Exit Profile (PEP), which is slated to replace the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. St Thomas blocked road reopens

The St Thomas Police are advising motorists that the roadway along Twelve and Thirteen miles in Bull Bay is now passable. A section of the road was closed this morning following a crash by a truck. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Shanoya Wray murder accused remanded

Two people, including a former medical student at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, will return to court on September 10 in relation to the murder of 13-year-old Shanoya Wray. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. BPO player rubbishes Byles claim

Stakeholders in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector are in agreement with businessman Richard Byles that more should be done to achieve greater economic growth, but has rubbished the notion that outsourcing only offers low paying jobs to Jamaicans. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.</a

5. $40m NWA road project in Trelawny

A $40 million drainage improvement and road rehabilitation programme by the National Works Agency (NWA) is now underway in Trelawny. The NWA says the programme is aimed at mitigating flooding in selected areas and also repairing roadways which have been damaged by recent torrential rainfall. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. JTA close to reclaiming properties

Byron Farquharson, Secretary-General of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), has said that the association is close to getting the titles for three multi-million dollar high-end houses which were bought from funds embezzled from its accounts. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Venezuela earthquake a warning to Ja
2. More than 200 jobs cut after sugar ops shutdown
3. PEP easy to understand -Reid
4. Bullas to be removed from schools
5. Murders down by 18%
6. Kids’ play pays off

1. Venezuela earthquake a warning to Ja

“The earthquake is another reminder of the need for Caribbean states to develop resilience in order to cope with all credible extreme events, including seismic and climatic extremes. Early reports from (the islands) indicate that strong to moderate shaking occurred, and that many members of the public, as well as institutions, such as radio stations, were caught unprepared by the strength and duration of the shaking,” said disaster risk management expert Franklyn McDonald. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. More than 200 jobs cut after sugar ops shutdown

Some 226 workers lost their jobs as a result of yesterday’s closure of J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s operations at its Holland Estate and Casa Marantha in St Elizabeth, a decision the company said was a result of ongoing economic losses caused by the combined effect of escalating operational costs and the declining cost of sugar. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. PEP easy to understand -Reid

IN A radical departure from the position taken earlier this week by the leadership of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Minister of Education Ruel Reid says the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination is easy to understand and apply and that his ministry is committed to guiding educators in its implementation. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Bullas to be removed from schools

Several food items, including the popular bulla cake, will be affected by the collaborative effort of the ministries of education and health to remove products high in sugar content from local schools as part of a campaign to promote healthier eating among students. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Murders down by 18%

The national murder rate is down 18 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of January 1 to August 18 last year, according to information from the latest Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Periodic Crime Statistics Review. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Kids’ play pays off

Just a simple thing as playing with your child a few hours a day could result in him/her having a higher IQ, better mental health, high self esteem, greater academic output and even a better salary as an adult. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Banks are unjust -JMEA
2. Tourists confused about ganja laws
3. Text book price increase burden parents
4. Another most wanted killed
5. Small businesses feel the squeeze
6. Williams catsuit banned

1. Banks are unjust! -JMEA

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) has strongly chastised local commercial banks for maintaining high interest rates over many years, describing it as “extortionate” and anti-development. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Tourists confused about ganja law

With an increasing number of cruise ship passengers being arrested for possession of ganja on their stop-over in Jamaica, Dr Lee Bailey, chairman of the Caribbean Cruise Shipping Limited, believes that the lack of clarity on the law with regard to the use of the herb and the amount that one can legally possess are to be blamed. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Text book price increase burden parents

The nation’s parents have been advised to expect an overall two per cent increase in textbook prices when they flock to bookstores across the island this weekend. But the advisory is no solace for parents who have been feeling the back-to-school strain for weeks now. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Another most wanted killed

Donovan ‘Tim’ Roach, who had been prominent on the Westmoreland police’s most wanted list for an extended period, has joined the growing list of top-flight gangsters killed in the western parish in recent times. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Small businesses feel the squeeze

The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) is calling for urgent intervention from the Government as it says that members are “being squeezed out of existence”. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Serena Williams catsuit banned

Serena Williams has been banned from wearing her “Wakanda-inspired catsuit” – a reference to the Marvel Comics film Black Panther – at future French Open tournaments. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Emily Madison is Miss Universe Ja
2. J’cans seek Diamond League glory in Zurich
3. Reggae Girlz hunt win against Bermuda
4. Fear grips Red Hills Road
5. Easton Douglas’ large legacy
6. Belmont rocked by double killing

1. Emily Madison is Miss Universe Ja

Nineteen-year-old Emily Madison, Miss Heaven’s Fesco, is Miss Universe Jamaica 2018. Madison, a past student of Campion College, walked away with the prestigious crown after an intense night of competition at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday night. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. J’cans seek Diamond League glory in Zurich

It will be to crunch time this Thursday and Friday as top athletes who qualified for the IAAF Diamond League finals will be hunting trophies and lucrative cash prizes in Zurich and Brussels, with the first of these finals set for Thursday in Zurich. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Reggae Girlz hunt win against Bermuda

Jamaica will look for their second consecutive win when they face off against Bermuda in the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium today at 7 p.m. In the first game of the double-header, Antigua and Barbuda tackle Cuba at 4 p.m. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Fear grips Red Hills Road

After almost two years of relative peace, long-time rivals in Park Lane and 100 Lane off Red Hills Road in St Andrew have resumed their feud, leaving innocent residents fearful and looking to flee. The deadly violence resumed last Tuesday when 37-year-old Hafia Fowles, said to be the common-law wife of an incarcerated don, was fatally shot by gunmen in 100 Lane. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Easton Douglas’ large legacy

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described the late Easton Douglas as a passionate public servant. Douglas, a former Minister of Housing and Health in the 1990s, died this morning after a period of illness. He was 81. In paying tribute, Holness said Douglas served Jamaica with honour and dedication. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Belmont rocked by double killing

The usually quiet community of Belmont in Westmoreland was rocked by the early morning double killing of two men today. The dead men have been identified as 41-year-old Fritz Gerard and 32-year-old Dwayne Bell, both masons. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

In a recent Forbes Magazine article, The Three Most Overlooked Marijuana Markets, Jamaica was listed as one of the “potentially more significant investment opportunities”

From the article:

“This one should be self-explanatory. Even though the U.S. put tremendous pressure on Jamaica not to “legalize it,” as Rastafarian Bob Marley said, “None of them can stop the tide.” People have been going to Jamaica for decades to smoke a spliff and listen to reggae. That is probably never going to change.

What does that mean to the global marijuana market? Jamaican cannabis is already world-renowned for its authenticity. People worldwide want to get their hands on proprietary Jamaican strains of tasty, Ital (natural), outdoor bud, even if they can’t go on vacation in Kingston or Negril.”  Read more here.

Read more here for a round up of studies done about marijuana in Jamaica.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Davina Bennett snubbed Miss Universe Ja?
2. Teacher shortage
3. Brown-Burke wants help for Constant Spring market vendors
4. Control your dogs, or we will -Shaw
5. NCB dismisses Hughenden ATM fraud claim
6. Women’s football programme needs help

1. Davina Bennett snubbed Miss Universe Ja?

Uzuri International Limited, the local franchise holders of the Miss Universe pageant, says it’s unfortunate that former title holder, Davina Bennett, decided to stay away from Friday’s grand coronation to hand over to her successor. Uzuri, in a statement, said Bennett had a duty to be present. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Teacher shortage

With less than a week to the start of the new school year, the exodus of seasoned teachers from the classrooms is presenting a fresh challenge for several institutions. Teachers of mathematics and related subject areas are of greater concern, evident by the high volume of advertisements in the newspapers from schools seeking to fill those vacancies. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Brown-Burke wants help for Constant Spring market vendors

The People’s National Party  Shadow Spokesperson on Local Government DrAngela Brown Burke says she’s profoundly disappointed at the manner in which the vendors at the Constant Spring Market in St Andrew are being treated. The vendors were recently served with eviction notices by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) to vacate the market by the end of September. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Control your dogs, or we will -Shaw

Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw said if it comes to that, the Government is prepared to ban certain types of dogs from entering the country in order to protect Jamaicans from being attacked and killed by these animals. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. NCB dismisses Hughenden ATM fraud claims

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) is dismissing a claim that its automated banking machine (ABM) at the Hughenden Pharmacy in St Andrew has been compromised. NCB says it received reports concerning a voice note being circulated with the claim. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Women’s football programme needs help

Chairperson of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) women’s programme, Elaine Walker-Brown, says there is need for more resources for its improvement. “We need to structure the schoolgirls’ league properly for it to run concurrently with the boys’ league, so we will have different age groups competing. With the resources that we have, it is the best we are doing at this time,” Walker-Brown told The Gleaner recently. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Too many idle hands in Red Hills?
2. Local investors urged to get into tuna
3. Injuries halt McLeod’s run
4. PSOJ CEO resigns
5. St James gangster killed
6. Feluke returns

1. Too many idle hands in Red Hills?

Small businesses along Red Hills Road, St Andrew, are reeling from the negative impact the recent upsurge in violence is having on them. Pointing out that there are too many idle hands in the communities in the area, they are demanding that the relevant authorities apply a serious approach to fixing the social ills across Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Local investors urged to get into tuna

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Audley Shaw is urging local and foreign investors to launch out into what he has described as the “blue economy” and invest in canned tuna for the export market, which he said is valued at approximately US$400 billion in the Western Hemisphere. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Injuries halt McLeod’s run

Leg injuries have forced Jamaica’s hurdler supreme Omar McLeod off track. McLeod, the World and Olympic champion in the 110-metre hurdlers, has suffered injuries throughout the outdoor season and last raced in July. Though he will miss this week’s Diamond League finals, McLeod is on the mend and looking ahead to next year. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. PSOJ CEO resigns

Jennifer McDonald, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), has resigned. PSOJ President Howard Mitchell made the announcement yesterday. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. St James gangster killed

A man who the police described as a top-tier member of the notorious Big Yard Gang, which is based in Granville, St James, was shot and killed by unknown assailants who pounced on him in the early hours of yesterday morning in the often volatile community. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Feluke returns

On September 24, a year to the day of his Healing concert, Denver ‘Feluke’ Smith will host the launch of his seven track EP – Insight. This anniversary event, is not just a matter of picking up where he left off. “I’d say it’s understanding what I’m supposed to do,” Feluke told The Gleaner. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.