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Jamaica Observer

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Children's advocate wants special provision for minors in conflict in NIDS Act
Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison is calling for specific provisions to be included in the National Identification Registration Act (NIRA) to deal with the enrolment of minors in conflict with the law, into the proposed nation...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Hunt still on for new bishop of Kingston
THE 150th synod of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands yesterday failed to elect a new bishop for the region of Kingston when it hosted its elective assembly.The sole nominee on day one of the synod, Canon Garth A Mino...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Official urges J'cans to make mental health a priority
MORE females have been utilising helplines set up by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as a means to promote mental health amid the unprecedented and devastating novel coronavirus pandemic.To commemorate World Health Day yesterday, un...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Farmers to benefit from $30-million passion fruit project
SCORES of farmers in Rock Hall, St Andrew, are the first group to benefit from the distribution of more than 10,000 passion fruit seedlings under a flood relief project. The project, implemented by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS)...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Joking with justice
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has expressed dismay at what he described as an "adjournment culture" in the Supreme Court.Addressing a ceremony where eight judges were appointed to act in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court at King's ...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Sexual offences just behind murders in Home Circuit Court
JAMAICA'S Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn was appalled yesterday as she lamented that sexual offences accounted for the second highest number of cases currently before the Home Circuit Court, just behind murder which acc...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Child diversion can reduce youth reoffending - Chuck
JUSTICE Minister Delroy Chuck says the National Child Diversion Programme can play a key role in reducing youth reoffending in Jamaica.Child diversion involves measures to deal with child offenders, without resorting to formal judicial ...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Oberlin's Class of 1989 helps school to finance COVID-19 protocols
As part of efforts to bolster the health and safety measures brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, members of the graduating class of 1989 have donated $600,000 to their alma mater, Oberlin High School, to help with sanitation project...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Sandy Ground main road breakaway a haven for criminals, say residents
RESIDENTS of Sandy Ground in St Catherine say a breakaway on a section of the community's main road is now being used as a hideout for criminals. The road, said the residents, has been damaged for 11 years.Pointing to an incident on Sat...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
This Day in History - April 8
This is the day 98th of 2021. There are 267 days left in the year.TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT1946: The League of Nations assembles in Geneva for the last time. OTHER EVENTS1907: Britain and France sign a convention confirming independence of Sia...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Wards at MoBay home get tablets for online classes
WARDS at the Montego Bay Community Home for Girls, often referred to as Melody House, were in high spirits after they each received a tablet to enable them to access virtual learning platforms.One beneficiary, who attends the Cambridge ...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
PAHO urges region to mobilise production of COVID-19 vaccines
DIRECTOR of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Carissa Etienne has urged the region to mobilise the production of COVID-19 vaccines as anxieties increase over vaccine nationalism, which is being blamed for a shortage of dose...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Churches offering their grounds as vaccination centres
THE Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) says churches which are members of its council are willing to have their grounds used by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as vaccination centres if needs be.This, the JCC said, would aid the Gove...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Venezuela claims sanctions blocking vaccine purchases
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) - Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza claimed yesterday that without economic sanctions against the Government of President Nicolas Maduro, the country would already have purchased all 30 million coronavi...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Three killed as heavy rains lash Haiti
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) ­­- At least three people have died and three others missing following the torrential rains that have caused widespread damage and flooding over the long Easter weekend, the authorities here have confirmed....

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Expert: Chauvin never took knee off Floyd's neck
MINNESOTA, United States (AP) - Officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd's neck - and was bearing down with most of his weight - the entire 9 1/2 minutes the black man lay face down with his hands cuffed behind his back, a use...

Thu, Apr 8, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Today's Horoscope - April 8, 2021
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, April 8, 2021: Daring, enterprising and generous, your desire for intellectual stimulation will be fulfilled. This year, you travel more for business and pleasure, satisfying restless urges. Your job or volu...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
More teachers now open to taking vaccine, says JTA
More than 60 per cent of teachers are now indicating a willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine, which will be made available to educators this month.Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) President Jasford Gabriel noted that when the unio...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:46:08 GMT
Corporal punishment still preferred in households
Although the Government favours the prohibition of corporal punishment for children, two of its main oversight agencies are reporting that it has remained the preferred method of punishment within households.At the same time, the agenci...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Sandals Foundation donates over $2 million in supplies to nation's vaccination efforts
THE Private Sector Vaccine Initiative (PSVI) has received a donation of supplies valued at more than $2 million from the Sandals Foundation, as it ramps up the support of the Ministry of Health and Wellness' national vaccination plan.Th...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Bellevue patients to benefit from reading project
PATIENTS at the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston are to benefit from an initiative by the institution to further improve their mental well-being through a reading project on every ward."You know how hospitals are and you have some patients...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Chuck says protection assured for witnesses under NIDS Bill
MINISTER of Justice Delroy Chuck has assured that the Office of the Public Defender has the necessary identity protection for people operating under the Justice Protection Programme (JPP), which will be retained under the National Ident...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
CHILLING!
A "public health emergency" is how several top-flight prosecutors have described the influx of sexual offence cases with young females as victims presenting before the island's courts, particularly rural circuits."We have been seeing a ...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Where is my father?
PORUS, Manchester - The disappearance of 75-year-old Norman Carter is perplexing his son, Howard.According to the 43-year-old Carter, he was told that his father was in business with a man who claimed to work at a poultry farm and whom ...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 08:20:02 GMT
Manchester police honour 16 retired cops
MANDEVILLE, Manchester - Police here recently honoured 16 retired members for their sterling contribution to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and service that, when combined, amounted to more than 500 years.Head of the Manchester po...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Snapper Drive fisherman among 18 charged for curfew breaches
HEIGHTENED enforcement activities in the Westmoreland Police Division resulted in eighteen people being arrested - seven of whom were charged with breaches under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) on Monday, April 5. Charged are:* ...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
This Day inHistory - April 7
Today is the 97th day of 2021. There are 268 days left in the year.TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT1966: US hydrogen bomb lost from bomber is recovered in Mediterranean Sea off coast of Spain. OTHER EVENTS1509: France declares war on Venice.1897: Tur...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Overseas Examinations Commission modifies business model
THE Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC) has commenced the modification of its business model to ensure its sustainability and continued support from various stakeholders. The entity has embarked on the exercise against the background...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
PSOJ happy with e-commerce delivery solution
CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica's (PSOJ) Innovation and Digital Transformation Committee Christopher Reckord says close to 500 people registered for the first weekend of activities under the E-Commerce National De...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Heavy rains affecting road conditions in north-eastern parishes
THE National Works Agency (NWA) says heavy rains over the last 48 hours in the north-eastern parishes of St Mary and Portland have impacted some roads, reducing them to single-lane access. Manager of communication and customer services ...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Russian president signs law that allows him to serve two more terms
MOSCOW, Russia (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday signed a law allowing him to potentially hold onto power until 2036, a move that formalises constitutional changes endorsed in last year's popular vote.The July 1 constituti...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Get ready for the immigrant visa interview
Q: I now have all the documents that qualify me for an interview at the embassy for my immigrant visa. What should I do to prepare for my interview?   A: You are nearing the end of the immigrant visa process. In this time of limited vi...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
International student enrolment and a new scholarship opportunity
Dear Mr Brown,I heard from my friend who is studying in Canada that the international student enrolment is down. I am still interested in studying at a college in Canada in September or January. I would like your assistance.BG Dear BG,...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Woman killed in Burnt Savannah
SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth - Police are probing the murder of a 38-year-old woman at her home in Burnt Savannah, a farming community a few miles south-west of Santa Cruz .The St Elizabeth police identified the victim as Natesha Waite, une...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Covid capers
Did you have an encounter with the novel coronavirus? Veteran journalist Desmond Allen, who got the virus but got over it, invites you to share your experiences with him and encourage others to face this dreaded enemy.Tell us how you an...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Police official: Chauvin was trained to defuse situations
MINNEAPOLIS, United States (AP) - Former Officer Derek Chauvin underwent training in 2016 and 2018 on how to defuse tense situations with people in crisis and how police must use the least amount of force necessary to get someone to com...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Floyd's family takes its seat in ex-officer's murder trial
MINNEAPOLIS, United States (AP) - A member of George Floyd's family often occupies a reserved seat in the back corner of the Minneapolis courtroom where former police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial in Floyd's death. The seat reserved...

Wed, Apr 7, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Today's Horoscope - April 7, 2021
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Wednesday, April 7, 2021: Overactive, loving and determined, a wave of excitement follows you wherever you go. This year, you will manage to pull off a creative coup that improves your financial standing. There's noth...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
VIDEO: Haunted by sight of murdered mom
Christina Beckett is haunted by the sight of her mother's body lying face down at the spot in Soho, St Thomas, where she was killed in cold blood by an estranged boyfriend on Good Friday."Closing my eyes, trying to sleep, the only thin...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
University of the West Indies secures US$25-million grant
THE University of the West Indies (UWI) says it has secured an international grant of US$25 million, the largest in its history.In a release yesterday, the university said, "United States' Silicon Valley digital technology giant, Eon Re...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Gov't happy with compliance during weekend lockdowns
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang has expressed satisfaction with the strong level of compliance shown by the nation for the first two of three weekends of lockdown announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness ...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Private sector not seeking to cash in on vaccine efforts, says Zacca
CHAIRMAN of the private sector vaccine initiative Christopher Zacca says the sector is not seeking to cash in on the COVID-19 vaccination efforts as it is interested only in assisting the Government and the country to get out of the hea...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Homeless for Easter
Six people who were left homeless by a fire in Swallowfield, off Old Hope Road in St Andrew, on March 12 have been having a difficult time coping with the weekend lockdowns imposed by the Government to stem spread of the novel coronavi...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
'CRUSHED'
A Canada-based organisation is calling for the Jamaican authorities to open an investigation into claims that girls as young as seven years of age in a Westmoreland community are being serially molested by predators, killed and dumped i...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Shifting to 60
The Ministry of Health and Wellness seems set to finally admit that it was over ambitious in targeting 1,000 people, 75 years and older, for its one-day COVID-19 vaccination blitz sites.After two Saturdays of vaccination blitzes at Nati...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Vendors hail the ENDS
ENTREPRENEURS who are now a part of the pilot phase of the E-Commerce National Delivery System (ENDS) programme, which kicked off in Portmore, St Catherine, more than a week ago, are thanking the Government for rolling out the new initi...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Sesame Street hunting Jamaican animators
Kingstoon Animation and Film Festival and Sesame Workshop are expected to this week evaluate pitches from Jamaican animators for short films to be considered for season 52 of Sesame Street , the popular and highly successful children'...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Mandeville observes lockdown

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Canadian firm joins forces with local entity in mushroom push
Canadian biotechnology company Havn Life Sciences Incorporated has signed a letter of intent with local nutraceutical firm Hypha Wellness Jamaica Psilocybin to research and produce safe, quality-controlled medicine from mushrooms (psilo...

Tue, Apr 6, 2021 07:01:00 GMT
Anglican synod goes virtual
For its 150th annual synod, the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands will go fully virtual from Tuesday, April 6 to Friday, April 9.This in the face of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic and the changing government res...



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