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Jamaicans among first to fly A380 superjumbo jet
FOR EVERY Jamaican who makes the nightly news in a negative way, there are scores more who continue to soar to higher heights and make their country proud. Among them is United Arab Emirates (UAE) first officer Ryan Gourzong, a 35-year-old Cornwall College and Wings Jamaica Limited graduate, who has the enviable achievement of being one of only two Jamaicans now flying the A380 superjumbo aircraft anywhere in the world. His friend, Craig Shim, is the other local pilot who holds that distinction. Continue
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Jamaican woman part of Antarctic expedition
Thirty-year-old Kim-Marie Spence has been selected to represent Jamaica in the team of eight women from countries across the Commonwealth who will participate in the Women's Antarctic Expedition.
Representing five continents, six faiths and seven languages, the team of diverse women, some of whom have never seen snow before, will come together to tackle the immense mental and physical challenges of Antarctica. More
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England vs. West Indies Test Series
West Indies added a page to the history book on Saturday Feb 7th at Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica. West Indies bowlers - notably Jerome Taylor - stunned the Englishmen by bowling out England for a mere 51 runs on Day 4. West Indies won the match by an inning and 23 runs and sent the Sabina crowd into a Carnival "fever" considering that it was at this same ground 5 years ago that England bowled out the West Indies for 47 runs. Scorecard and reactions
2008 JAMAICA NEWS AND EVENTS
January 2008
On January 5th the Gleaner reported the disappearance of thousands of vinyl records and compact discs from the archives of the defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). About 80 % of its content was found to be missing. The Gleaner reported that "Between November 2005 and November 2007 the premises fell under the control of Belgian firm Besix, which was contracted to work on the nearby transport centre."
The Atlanta-based Trumpet Foundation inducted the late Prime Minister Michael Manley into the International Walk of Fame in Atlanta. "He was honored for his sterling contribution to the international civil rights movements through his passionate concerns and tireless work for equality, and social and human rights."
Jamaican umpire Steve Bucknor was not allowed to take part in the third Test between Australia and India after he made a massive controversial decision that possibly cost India the second Test Match. "The Indian cricket board, angered by Bucknor's errors...had insisted the 61-year-old official be sacked. The most significant error occurred on the first day when Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds was incorrectly given not out caught behind on 30 before going on to make 162 not out." After the match Symonds admitted that he should have been given out.
On the night of January 9th the island was plunged into darkness for several hours. After investigation it was found that "the shutdown was initiated by the collapse of a utility pole on the 138KV transmission line, which connects the Duhaney Park, St. Andrew, substation to the Tredegar Park station in St. Catherine. This led to the collapse of a circuit breaker which further led to the shutdown of the Old Harbour Power Station in St. Catherine."
The $4.3 billion Half-Way Tree Transport Centre, funded by the Belgian Government and built entirely by Jamaican construction workers, was officially opened on Saturday January 12 by Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The new centre boasts over 17,000 square metres of commercial space that includes 17 shops, four kiosks, a food court and 17 public toilets. The centre is be complemented by a 26-storey twin towers in the near future.
On Wednesday night January 17th the Constabulary Communication Network identified the 5 persons killed in a controversial gun battle between lawmen and gunmen in Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston. The dead men are identified as 23-year-old Fitzroy Daley, 22-year-old Omar Palmer, 20-year-old Ronaldo Mitchell, and 18-year-old Conrad Francis, all of Tivoli Gardens addresses, as well as 23-year-old Kwesi Cunningham of Eltham Park in St. Catherine.
In a pre-dawn raid on Monday January 21st, the head of the Montego Bay-based Stone Crusher gang, Eldon Calvert was captured in Wood Grove near Wait-A-Bit, Trelawny. The 25-year-old, who was named among the country's most wanted criminals last year, was captured along with three other persons.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announced that the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will get a permanent home at Success Beach, Rose Hall. Success Beach is situated between SeaCastles Beach Hotel and Iberostar Rose Hall. The complex should be ready by the end of 2009 and will offer a signature Jamaican experience geared at augmenting the tourism product. The complex is to be built in time for the arrival of the world's largest ship, Royal Caribbean's Genesis, which will dock in Falmouth, Trelawny.
Trinidad-based Angostura acquired major stakes in Jamaican-based Lascelles de Mercado whose flagship is its Wray and Nephew rum distillers and Appleton rum brand.
World 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic and World Champion-ship gold medal sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown were awarded the RJR Sports Foundation's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards for 2007.
February 2008
Back in January Prime Minister Bruce Golding designated the month of February as Reggae Month. Events for the month will include the commemoration of the 63rd birthday of reggae legend Bob Marley.
The first 7 days of February was better than any corresponding period in previous years in the country's tourist industry, recording a 17.1 per cent increase over 2007.
"A semi-evergreen forest, boasting a canopy of trees, caressed by a small natural spring meandering through acres of unspoiled beauty, is the toast of Ocho Rios' newest attraction, 'Mystic Mountain'. Located 700 feet above sea level, there is now a 'natural mystic blowing through the air', at this latest addition to the country's tourism product." (See link under NEW JAMAICAN ADVENTURES)
St Jago High and Holmwood Technical High were this years boys' and girls' winners at the two-day Milo Central Championships which ended at G.C. Foster College on Saturday February 16th.
The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has gave vendors operating along the Clifton Boulevard and Manor Park areas of St Andrew five weeks to relocate to the renovated Constant Spring Market. Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie said close to $3.5 million had been spent to renovate the Constant Spring Market and vendors should relocate to the premises by March 31.
Member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth and People's National Party member, Kern Spencer was arrested on charges that include conspiracy to defraud, one charge for breaching the Prevention of Corruption Act, and three charges for breaching the Money Laundering Act. Also charged are Rodney Chin and Coleen Wright. Chin is facing two counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of breaches of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
March 2008
Paula Llewellyn created legal history on Tuesday March 4th when she became the first woman in Jamaica to be appointed director of public prosecutions (DPP). The former senior deputy DPP took over from Kent Pantry, QC, who retired last month at the age of 60, but who remained in the job until Tuesday.
0n Monday March 11 it was anounced at the Police Officers' Club on Hope Road, St Andrew that "after more than 25 years, the popular M16 rifle used by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be taken off the streets and replaced by the smaller calibre MP5 semi-automatic rifle. The roll-out of these new weapons should take place within a month."
Calabar High and Holmwood Technical are the boys and girls winners of the 2008 GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Championships held at the National Stadium (Thu to Sat Mar 13th - 15th 2008).
Jamaican couple Delroy and Yvette Patterson, who were sought in the United States to face charges in a multimillion-dollar mortgage scam, appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. They were denied bail in light of a possible extradition back to the US.
April 2008
"The eastern Caribbean island of St Lucia is the latest route to be placed on suspension by the country's national carrier, Air Jamaica. Effective April 1, the airline will suspend its thrice-weekly service to that country."
Jamaican Kevin Brown was arrested Tuesday, April 1, at the Orlando International Airport carrying materials in his luggage that could have been used for an explosive device, the FBI said. A search of his luggage revealed two galvanised pipes, end caps, two small containers carrying BBs, batteries, two containers with an unknown liquid, and bomb-making literature, according to an FBI statement. Brown was about to board a flight to Jamaica.
Two former members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were taken into custody overseas to be deported to Jamaica to face murder charges. They fled Jamaica for the United States after being implicated in two controversial killings. Their names were not disclosed but one was implicated in connection with the 2002 fatal shooting of Rene Lyons, a nine-year-old girl who was living in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew.
The brutal nature of the murders committed in Jamaica was illustrated in the way Julian Harvey of Hanover was killed. She was attacked in her home, she escaped and fled to a neighbour's house but was cornered in the neighbour's kitchen where she was murdured execution-style. She left behind three children, 12, 8 and 5 years old. More details
Cedella Booker, mother of pop icon Bob Marley and matriarch of reggae's most famous family, died at her Miami home on Tuesday April 8th. She was 81 years old. Jerome Hamilton, a spokesperson for the family, told The Gleaner that Booker passed away in her sleep.
Operation Kingfish carried out a 48-hour operation (Wed, Thu, April 9th, 10th) at the seaport in Kingston and discovered a stash of llegal firearms, magazines and ammunition that were destined for a community in Spanish Town, St Catherine. Among the cache are; 4 AK-47 rifles, 2 semi-automatic pistols, 1 AR-15 rifle, 2 shotguns and 360 rounds of assorted ammunition.
Supreme Court in downtown Kingston ruled that West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz is not qualified to sit in the House of Representatives as stipulated by the Constitution due to his dual citizenship. Vaz had acquired US citizenship through his mother, Sonia Vaz.
The Gleaner on Wednesday April 16th reported that "at the end of March, Jamaica's overall debt stock hit the $1 trillion mark for the first time, up 8.4 per cent year on year. Jamaica owes $438.6 billion to external creditors and, outside of the multilaterals who, combined, are owed $85 billion, is most heavily indebted to the United States and Japan."
It was also reported that "The United Kingdom (UK) is writing off £5 million (J$703 million) of Jamaica's debt, saying it is freeing the funds to be pumped into services and poverty programmes."
Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) handed the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA) a sponsorship cheque of $5.1 million to help with preparations for the summer's Beijing Olympics. The presentation was made at a press conference held at held at the SVL's headquarters in New Kingston on Thursday April 17th.
On Monday April 28th the National Water Commission (NWC) announced a 23% rate hike, plus a further 5% charge for the newly introduced K-factor programme. This translates to an additional $200 for most households.
May 2008
Usain Bolt ran an astonishing 9.76 seconds in the men's 100m at the Jamaica International Invitational Track Meet at the National Stadium on Saturday May 3rd.
Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue, who pleaded guilty to perverting the course of public justice after a much-publicised confession to fabricating evidence in a murder case, was sentenced to six months in prison on Monday May 5th.
During the second week of May it was reported that Colonel Trevor MacMillan the former Jamaica Defence Force officer will replace Derrick Smith as minister of national security.
In a BBC Hardtalk interview broadcast on Tuesday May 20th on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel, Stephen Sackur spoke with Prime Minister Bruce Golding. During that that interview the PM made the controversial statement that homosexuals would not be welcome in his Cabinet.
According to police reports just after midday on Friday May 23rd, constables Cornell Grant, Delano Lawrence and their two colleagues were patrolling Third Street in Trench Town after a double murder the night before. Grant and Lawrence were ambushed by armed men. The gunmen escaped with one of the policemen's nine-millimetre pistol and an M16 rifle.
On Monday May 26th police were involved in a fatal shooting of two men implicated in Friday's gun murders of two policemen in west Kingston. Warren 'Border Hittis' Failey, 32, and Seamel Tycon, both of Trench Town, West Kingston addresses, were killed in a police/ military operation in Westmore Gardens, near Spanish Town, St Catherine. Lance Corporal Oral Pinnock of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was also killed in a reported crossfire.
Usain Bolt broke the 100m record when he ran 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix in NY on Saturday May 31st. About 6,500 fans at New York's Randalls Island stadium were on hand to witness the history-making run by the young Jamaican. His mark eclipsed by 0.02 seconds the previous record set last September (2007) by his compatriot Asafa Powell.
June 2008
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, sprinted to a world-leading 200 metres time at Ostrava Golden Spike Meeting in the Czech Republic on Thursday June 12th. Bolt finished his first 200m run of the season in 19.83 seconds.
On Tuesday June 17th the Prime Minister Bruce Golding said in Parliament that the establishment of Jamaican neighbourhoods in southern Haiti, as well as corrersponding Haitian communities in several sections of Jamaica, is fostering the guns-for-drugs trade. Haiti has been blamed for many of the illegal guns that have found their way into the streets of Jamaica.
According to Operation Kingfish, many of the immigrants entering the country from Hati are involved with the narcotics and illegal guns trade - as well as trafficking of other illegal immigrants (mostly women) into the country. And it is believed some have also become involved in criminal gangs. Details
Asafa Powell set the stage for this weekend's mouth-watering 100m clash with Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, at the National Championships, with an impressive run in Trinidad and Tobago. Powell placed first with 9.96 seconds in his semi-final at the SAGICOR National Open Track and Field Championships held at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on Saturday June 21st.
Kingston is the 31st most dangerous city in the world to live in, according to a global ratings agency report issued earlier this month. On the quality of life scale - surveying crime, health and sanitation, among other socio-economic indices - Kingston is ranked 137th out of 215 cities.
Kingston and St Andrew accounted for 723, or nearly 50 per cent, of homicides in 2007, which was the second bloodiest year ever with a total of 1,574 murders. Full report
On Monday June 23rd, Prime Minister Bruce Golding warned that the government will have to embrace Air Jamaica's more than US$1 billion debt if it finds a buyer for the troubled carrier. Jamaica hopes to rid itself of the loss-maker by March 2009, which, at last report, had accumulated losses of US$1.2 billion (J$86 billion).
According to police reports, some time after 5 p.m. on Friday June 27th, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) chairman Douglas Chambers took a break from a meeting with representatives from the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) and the JUTC. He went to the entrance of the Spanish Town Depot to buy cigarettes when he was approached by a group of men who fired shots at him fatally wounding him.
"Jamaica's Internet penetration has grown 20-fold in the last decade, and is now at 55 per cent, or 1.5 million users, according to the most recent global industry data compiled by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)." Continue
Usain Bolt won the 100 metre final at the National Stadium in a tme of 9.85 seconds on Suturday June 28th.
Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women's 200m finals ahead of Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson at the senior National Track and Field Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. She ran a personal-best 21.94 seconds on the final day (Sunday June 29th.)
Former mayor of Montego Bay, Arthur Gilchrist died at his home in Anchovy Estates, St James Monday morning after an extended period of illness. He was 66 years old.
July 2008
Effective July 1, people wishing to apply to stay in the United Kingdom for a limited period under the certain conditions must apply for their UK visa under a new points-based system.Details
On Tuesday July 1st Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) named its 51-member track-and-field squad for the Beijing Olympic Games.
MALE: Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Marvin Anderson, Dwight Thomas, Julien Dunkley, Andre Wellington, Christopher Williams, Nesta Carter, Michael Blackwood, Ricardo Chambers, Sanjay Ayre, Allodin Fothergill, Marvin Essor, Lansford Spence, Maurice Wignall, Richard Phillips, Danny McFarlane, Markino Buckley, Adrian Findlay, Isa Phillips, Herbert McGregor, Dorian Scott, Aldwyne Sappleton and Maurice Smith.
FEMALE: Kerron Stewart, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherri-Ann Brooks, Aleen Bailey, Simone Facey, Nickiesha Anderson, Rosemarie White, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shericka Williams, Shareefa Lloyd, Bobby-Gaye Wilkins, Anastasia Le-Roy, Kenia Sinclair, Madrea Hyman, Korine Hinds, Chelsea Hammond, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Delloreen Ennis-London, Vonette Dixon, Andrea Bliss, Melaine Walker, Nickiesha Wilson, Shevon Stoddart and Olivia McKoy.
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, chastized the culprits who are responsible for removing an estimated 500 truck-loads of sand from the beach property at Coral Spring, Trelawny.
Jamaica's Asafa Powell won the men's 100 metres ahead of fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt at the DN Galan athletics meet at Stockholm Olympic Stadium on Tuesday July 22nd. Powell won in 9.88 seconds, with Bolt just behind in 9.89.
"Infinity Bio-Energy, the Brazilian company to which the Government is divesting the assets of the Sugar Company of Jamaica
(SCJ), is expected to inject in the region of US$200 million (J$14.4 billion) to retool the poorly maintained factories, The Sunday Gleaner has learnt." Contunue
One of the island's best-known crime fighters, Superintendent Harry "Bungles" Daley, was taken into custody Thursday July 31st and charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.
August 2008
On August 6, 1962 the black, green and gold of the Jamaican flag replaced the British Union Jack. That day symbolized the birth of a nation and on August 6th 2008 Jamaica celebrated 46 years of independence.
Over 90,000 spectators at the Beijing Olympic Stadium, witnessed the opening ceremonies of the 29th Olympiad in the Chinese capital last night August 8th. Jamaica, led by flag-bearer Veronica Campbell-Brown, was the 19th country to march into the giant stadium known here as the Bird's Nest because of its unique shape.
Usain Bolt put on a show for 91,000 people at the Beijing National Stadium on Saturday August 16 with a magnificent world record in the 100 metres. This was the first time Jamaica has taken gold in this event at the Olympic Games. The impressive win in 9.69 seconds has left no doubt as to who is the fastest man on earth - Lightning Bolt!
"Jamaicans celebrated for the second night in a row at the Beijing National Stadium when little-known Shelly-Ann Fraser, a fun-loving 21-year-old from the Waterhouse community in St Andrew, led a historic sweep of the medals in the women's 100 metres final. A day after Usain Bolt had captured the country's first Olympic 100m gold, the women made the ultimate statement that Jamaica was a top-level sprinting nation. Fraser won in a personal-best 10.78 seconds in her first individual entry at a big meet." Full story
"In Beijing last night there were two [golds] in just 15 minutes. Usain Bolt, on the eve of his 22nd birthday, produced another electrifying performance with another world record, this time in the 200 metres. Then a brilliant 400-metre hurdles run, in an Olympic and national record 52.64, by Melaine Walker pushed Jamaica's medal tally here to seven, including a table-topping four gold
in track and field." Full report
Veronica Campbell-Brown ran a personal-best 21.74 seconds to win gold in the 200-metre race beoming only the second woman to win gold in consecutive Games in the same event. More
September 2008
Tropical Storm Gustav has left at least $3 billion in damage to the country's road infrastructure, says Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry. He says a full assessment of the damage to the road network has not been made, but the damage done to two main bridges alone is approxi-mately $1.5 billion. The Hope River bridge in Harbour View, St Andrew, as well as the Georgia bridge in Portland were destroyed by gushing rivers, swollen by heavy rains associated with Gustav on Thursday into Friday. Gustav report
According to the police a total of 11 persons were killed in separate incidents over the weekend (September 19-21), nine by the gun and two by the knife.
The Government could pay out as much as US$4.5 million (J$324 million) over the next 12 months to American Airlines to ensure that it does not cut flights to Jamaica. Full details
Well-known and celebrated businessman Derrick Linden Mahfood (Baba) died Tuesday morning in Miami, Florida, after battling a long illness. Mahfood, who was an inspiration to many young entrepreneurs, leaves behind a thriving legacy of landmark developments, including several plazas in the Corporate Area, real estate and construction ventures, as well as a chain of popular restaurants... Continue
The Management of Air Jamaica is livid over the Government's decision to give American Airlines (AA) a US$4.5- million (J$324 million) guarantee to encourage flights to the island.Details
Usain Bolt battled the cold and a headwind, and was forced to come from behind to beat Asafa Powell in 9.77 seconds in a season farewell 100 metres at the Van Damme Memorial (Friday September 5th).
If you cultivate bananas, then there is something you need to know: Every time you discard the banana trunks, you could be throwing away millions of dollars. At Eastern Banana Estates Limited - a leading banana company in Golden Grove, St Thomas - some 630,000 trunks are thrown away every seven to eight months to make way for the planting of a new crop. But what is waste to some is a potential gold mine for others, and the St Thomas Golden Grove Banana Fibre project is taking to heart that familiar Jamaican saying "tek yu han tun fashion'. Banana fibre put to profitable use
"Senior Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) operatives are conducting a high-level investigation to ascertain who is responsible for a major blunder that led to the illegal purchase of millions of dollars worth of ammunition from a confessed criminal in the United States of America." (Gleaner Story September 7, 2008)
Operation Kingfish and members of the Area Three Flying Squad surprised a group of men involved in the illicit drugs-for-guns trade at around 3:00 am Sunday September 7th. In the early morning raid more than 700lb of compressed ganja and two 45-gallon drums of fuel were seized along the island's south coast. A Toyota Probox vehicle, loaded with the drugs, was also seized in the Jackson Bay area of Portland Cottage, Clarendon.
October 2008
"Alton Ellis, the west Kingston balladeer who defined the lovers' rock genre, died Friday evening at age 70. The singer succumbed to a 10-month fight with lymphatic cancer." More
Of the 1,112 persons listed as missing between January 1 and September 23 of 2008, 65% or 723 are children. These figures were released by the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) last week. Two of the 723 children reported missing have been found dead. They are 11-year-old Aamir Scott and 15-year-old Baggio Easy.
November 2008
Despite scoring a courageous 3-0 victory over Canada in their Group Two semi-final round match at 'The Office' last night, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz were eliminated from CONCACAF 2010 World Cup qualifying on goal difference.
Byron "The Dragon" Lee passed away peacefully on November 4, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Byron Lee and The Dragonaires
Members of the House of Representatives voted by nearly 2-1 in favour of retaining the death penalty at Gordon House yesterday, setting off loud cheers from pro-death penalty MPs and mixed response on the streets of Kingston, including from rights advocate Dr Carolyn Gomes who described the result as a backward step. Full story
December 2008
Fourteen bodies, including that of a 10-year-old boy, were recovered from a precipice at Dam Bridge in the Rio Grande Valley of Portland, Friday, after a truck transporting higglers to market in Kingston overturned.
