Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Monday, February 9, 2015

Dead Argentinian prosecutor feared for safety of his family and himself

Nisman Family Worries.jpg Women holds sign that reads in Spanish; “Argentine justice stinks,” second left, “and “Justice for Nisman,” right, during a march for justice and against impunity in the case of the mysterious death of late prosecutor Alberto Nisman, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. Investigators examining the death of Nisman, who accused Argentine President Cristina Fernandez of agreeing to shield the alleged masterminds of a 1994 terror bombing, said Tuesday, they have found a draft document he wrote requesting her arrest. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) –  A prosecutor whose mysterious death has rocked Argentina’s government confided to an opposition congresswoman that he believed his case against President Cristina Fernández was going to cost him his position, the lawmaker said Friday.

Alberto Nisman was found shot dead in his bathroom on Jan. 18. The discovery came shortly before he was to appear in Congress to detail his allegations that Fernández helped Iran cover up the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center, which killed 85. Fernández and Iran deny the accusations.

Congresswoman Laura Alonso said Nisman spoke to her privately on Jan. 14. She said he feared for his safety and for his daughters, confirming what several other friends and colleagues of Nisman have said.

Alonso said that three days before Nisman died, he had sent her a text message saying, “I’m going with everything,” a reference to the case he was going to present to lawmakers.

She said Nisman told her: “The government knows that I’m bringing this investigation forward.”

Alonso said that even though Nisman felt threatened, he was committed to his investigation and rejected the possibility that he killed himself.

Investigators initially said it appeared Nisman committed suicide, then later said they also were investigating the possibility of a homicide.

Alonso said in another text message sent on Jan. 6, Nisman wrote from London to say he was cutting short a vacation to return to Argentina. Several days later, he publicly accused Fernández of the cover up, speaking to several media outlets.

Investigators, however, have rejected the idea that Nisman altered travel plans, noting he returned on Jan. 12 in keeping with his original plane ticket.

Conspiracy theories swirl around Nisman’s death and the 1994 bombing, which has never been solved. Over the last few weeks, thousands of Argentines have taken to the streets for protests and vigils demanding justice.

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Dead Argentinian prosecutor feared for safety of his family and himself

Sunday, February 8, 2015

WIPA extends its condolences to the family of Richard "Danny Germs" Austin

Sunday, February 08, 2015 | 4:38 AM    

Kingston, JAMAICA – The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) is expressing its condolences to the family of former WI player Richard Austin who died recently.

The statement said:

It is with deep regret that, we say goodbye, to Richard ‘Danny Germs’ Austin who passed Thursday, February 6, 2015. Austin started his cricket career for his local club, Kensington Cricket Club, then went on to play for Jamaica and the West Indies.

Richard Austin played two test matches and his lone ODI came on February 22, 1989 at the Antigua recreation ground. Austin played 38 first class matches for Jamaica, at an average of 33.82. He also took 73 wickets with a best of 8 for 71.

Austin will be remembered for his contributions to West Indies Cricket as a talented all-rounder – a batsman who could bowl either medium pace or offspin for whichever version he played.

The West Indies Players Association is saddened by the pasting of Richard Austin and we extend our condolences to his family, friends and the cricket community.

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WIPA extends its condolences to the family of Richard "Danny Germs" Austin

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Nicki wants a family


Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj wants to start a family. The Anaconda hitmaker has admitted that she is looking forward to having a “little cute fat baby”.

She said: “I want a cute little fat baby. Not now, but one day I want a little cute fat baby.”

The 32-year-old rapper also joked that she’d only take a career break once she earned $500 million.

She explained: “I was just kind of being funny because people always ask me when are you going to slow down so I figured to think of like an astronomical amount of money and tell them that so they would stop asking me. So, whenever I make $500 million.”

However, Nicki admitted that she would take a break sooner so she could have a baby.

Speaking on an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show, which aired Monday night, she said: “I will have a family even if I don’t have $500 million, but if I’m not taking a break for family, it would have to be because of $500 million.”

Meanwhile, Nicki recently admitted that she’d be “disappointed” if she was not a mother by the time her fifth album is released.

When asked what her biggest fear is, she explained: “That I’ll become so consumed with work that I’ll forget to live my personal life to the fullest. If I’m done with my fifth album and I don’t have a child by then, no matter how much money I have, I would be disappointed, as a woman, because I feel like I was put here to be a mother.”


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Nicki wants a family

Jay-Z takes family to $35m resort

Jay-Z took Beyonce to a Muay Thai fight in Phuket, Thailand. The 45-year-old rapper whisked his wife and daughter, Blue Ivy, off on holiday to a $35 million property at the exclusive Amanpuri resort in the region, for the festive season.

The Drunk In Love hitmaker sat ringside at the Patong Boxing Stadium to watch a number of local fighters duke it out in the ring. He is reportedly eager to learn more about the sport, before one of his latest business ventures, Roc Nation Sports (RNS), takes its first step into the world of boxing, with the debut of throne boxing in New York City next month.

A source said: “Jay is a huge supporter of the sport. If there is an opportunity for him to attend a match while on vacation, absolutely, he’ll be there. Could he have been scouting new fighters? Who knows, it’s certainly possible. Many of the fighters are not from America, they come from all over the world.”

The insider also told E! News: “Boxing has always intrigued Jay. Jay always wants to break ground wherever he can, and he saw a chance to do this with RNS. They are sexifying the boxing experience, changing things up. Never before has there been deejays and performers at a match, they’re hoping to appeal to a broader audience.”? Meanwhile, the couple, who allegedly came close to ending their marriage earlier this year, seem to be ‘very much in love’ while on holiday, according to an eyewitness.

The duo were seen frolicking in ‘huge’ waves on the beach and relaxing with their daughter in recent days.


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Jay-Z takes family to $35m resort

Sunday, October 19, 2014

VIDEO: New dinosaur "may be in T-Rex family"

Palaeontologists have discovered the remains of a new species of dinosaur after 20 years of excavation in Venezuela.

The bones have been sent for further tests to establish whether the new breed is related to the Tyrannosaurus Rex.


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VIDEO: New dinosaur "may be in T-Rex family"

Friday, October 10, 2014

Yung Jr continues family legacy

Contributed

Yung Jr

Like his Rastafarian father, Yung Jr, son of iconic reggae crooner Junior Reid, is intent on keeping the family’s legacy alive.

The young Reid, though still an up-and-coming act, has been steadily carving out a niche on the musical front while establishing increased visibility for his brand on the local and international scene.

Since his emergence, the young singer has released several singles, gaining him well-needed attention, with the two most noteworthy, High High and Raggamuffin, muscling their way on to the renowned WorldStarHipHop.com, as well as saturating the FM airwaves across the diaspora.

The pair of songs also racked up a combined over 200,000 views within months, leading to several international entities showing interest in his career. The latter also peaked at number three on the European-based Riddim Magazine chart.

After achieving commendable levels of success, especially in Europe and the Caribbean, Yung Jr has returned in 2014 with a masterfully crafted composition titled General, co-produced by himself and Bassick Records. The single adapts that authentic yet nostalgic root-rock-reggae vibes synonymous with the 1990s as he orates about the perils of youth, poverty and inner-city life. An official video has also been released via the French-based Reggaeville to rave reviews. The visuals were shot under the watchful eyes of directors Adoney Reid and Simon Thompson.

Speaking with members of the media in a recent interview, Yung Jr explains his affinity for keeping the music authentic and laden with messages of truth, spirituality and upliftment.

“I try to sing about things that are real and authentic and do it in a manner that people, despite their socio-economic background or ethnicity, can understand and relate to; music is a reflection of life and it’s that realness that I aspire to portray in my songs,” he said.

Meanwhile, over the past months the young Rastafarian has performed at a triad of high-profile events, such as Reggae In The Hills, Fashion Meet Reggae and Florida’s annual Reggae Vibes Concert. Yung Jr is currently in studio working on a project with ZincFence Records, slated for release very soon.


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Yung Jr continues family legacy

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Family homes burn ‎as Lucea goes without fire truck

Monday, September 29, 2014 | 7:18 AM    

HANOVER, Jamaica — Eight persons, including four children, are now homeless, following a fire that destroyed two board dwellings in Haughton Meadows, Hanover on Sunday morning.

The fire, which started sometime after 9 o’clock, was reportedly ignited by a three-year-old who was playing with a lighter in one of the bedrooms.

The Lucea Fire Department said they received the call shortly after the fire started, but was unable to respond, as the unit at the department was out of service.

Kirk Atkinson, the district officer attached to the fire station in Lucea, said the unit has been out of service since Thursday, due to a broken sub-frame.

In the meantime, the Negril Fire Department responded to the blaze.

According to Bruce McDonald, the district officer attached to the station, the fire was brought under control nearly two hours after the unit arrived on the scene.

Anthony Lewis

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Family homes burn ‎as Lucea goes without fire truck

Friday, July 25, 2014

Lord Knight tops Purina All-Dogs Health Fair and Family Fun day


Anthony Minott photos Above: Georgia Balfour (right), product manager for Purina Pet Foods, presents Peter Hibbert, from Rockstone Kennel, with a prize after his pit bull won the Best Standard Bully award.

Popular dog trainer. Maggla, trains a dog in aggression.

Owner Michelle Damali, pets her dog, Daisy, a mixed-breedfour-year-old, which won Best Working Dog award.

A man walks his bull dog during the show.

A man attends to his dog after it entered a category during the show.

Lord Knight, an astute pit bull from Big Yard Kennells, walked away with the top prize, the ‘Best of Show’, during Purina sponsored All-Dogs Health Fair and Family Fun Day at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre last Sunday.

The canine also won two other awards,Best Original Pit bull and Best of Breed. Gregory, trainer and handler for Lord Knight, said the dog has won top awards in Jamaica and overseas.

Trainer Peter Hibbert from Rockstone Kennel took home three titles with histwo-year-old pit bull,Orbit, which won Best Standard Bully, and Best in Variety.

Other selected awardees included Racquel, Best Standard Female Bully and Daisy for Best Working Dog. Daisy is a mixed-breed four-year old. She was handled by owner Michelle Damali.

The audience was in stitches as Roxine Mitto, owner of Cash Money, winner of Best Jamaican Mongrel, walked the dressed-up mutt. To top things off, she did a cameo performance of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.

Georgia Balfour, product manager for Purina Pet Foods, main sponsor of the event, was pleased by the quality dogs on show.

The next two shows are Sunday, July 27, at Jarrett Park Sport Complex, Montego Bay, St James, and the eastern parish of St Thomas, Colonel Cove, on Sunday, August 17.


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Lord Knight tops Purina All-Dogs Health Fair and Family Fun day

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Suzuki Ertiga: Great choice for the modern Caribbean family

suzuki-caribbean-ertiga-740 Suzuki Ertiga

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday July 2, 2014 – The smart and stylish Ertiga is the latest member of the Suzuki family. The Ertiga’s compact size belies its spacious interior. In fact this brand new model with its 3-rows of seats and 7-seater capacity checks all the boxes in the popular family vehicle category. The attractive seats, all with adjustable backs, are both comfortable and versatile as they slide back for extra leg room or fold down for extra luggage space. Rear air-conditioning means that even the back seats are kept cool and lots of strategically placed cubby holes take care of storage for water bottles, magazines and other necessary paraphernalia.

Suzuki-Ertiga_GLX Interior-740 Suzuki Ertiga interior

Drivers will appreciate the excellent maneuverability and handling of the Ertiga while safety features such as a steel frame, alloy wheels, ABS brakes and dual airbags, leave nothing to chance. Conveniently positioned stereo controls on the Ertiga’s steering column mean no more reaching over to the dashboard while driving. Through its use of advanced engine technologies the Ertiga’s fuel efficiency has been greatly enhanced without encroaching on the vehicle’s performance levels. International recognition for the Ertiga has already secured awards in Indonesia where it won the ‘Auto Bild Award 2012 -the best compact MPV” accolade in December 2012 for its reasonable pricing, comfortable cabin space, driving performance and fuel efficiency while being well equipped; and in India BC TV18 Overdrive Award 2012 Compact MUV of the year in January 2013.

Suzuki-Ertiga-interior-folded-740 Suzuki Ertiga interior seats fold down neatly to create additional room.

As a good alternative to a sedan, the Ertiga is a great choice for the modern Caribbean family. The stylish design of both the interior and exterior is also appealing. The Ertiga comes in a range of metallic colours, including Serene Blue, Silky Silver, Granite Grey, Ecru Beige, Dusky Brown and Firebrick Red, as well as Superior White. The Ertiga is scheduled to arrive in the Caribbean market during the last quarter of 2014. To learn more about the Ertiga visit: http://www.suzukicaribbean.com


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Suzuki Ertiga: Great choice for the modern Caribbean family

Thursday, September 12, 2013

CB Pan Chicken Championship: An event for the family

MONTEGO BAY, St James — TEN persons selected from the parishes of St Ann, Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland will represent the western region in the CB Pan Chicken Competition Grand Finals cook-off scheduled for November 24 in Kingston.

They were selected at the second of three elimination events held at the Dump-Up Beach in Montego Bay, recently.But the event was far more than a cooking competition. While many attended to cheer on their favourite pan chicken chef, for most it was an outing for the family. For the children especially, the day was ‘pan-tabulous’!Despite the scorching heat, the National Kiddies Village which featured free rides all day was never empty. In between rides, the children and adults posed with CB, the giant chicken, or Thrifty Bee, First Heritage Credit Union’s mascot.Those without stage fright participated gleefully in modelling and dancing contests on stage. When that got boring they ran around with the clown or tried to reach the men on stilts. With lots more energy to spare the children got their faces painted, blew animal-shaped balloons, had snow cones, or took messy -mouth photos after eating CB Pan Chicken, drenched with Grace Tomato Ketchup.Maxine Ackbersingh, who travelled with her family from Kingston, said the event was worth it.“I brought the children because summer is coming to an end and I realised we haven’t done anything as a family. I figured this would have been a good event, and it was,” she said.Not to be outdone, the adults visited the various pan chicken competitors to find their own winners, in addition to browsing and patronising many of the sponsors. Onstage, Elva and Courtney Campbell kept the crowd in stitches, laughing at neighbours toothlessly devouring pan chicken, as many won prizes during eating competitions.Seemingly enjoying the fun more than the children, adults watched in amazement as Turner the Magician released a live bird from a pan with pieces of newspaper and an egg. He also pulled money from pieces of tissue, a bird from a bag and bent a sword around a man’s neck without harming him.Still the highlight of the day would be the afternoon concert featuring gospel artiste Prodigal Son, as well as dancehall acts Bugle and Tanya Stephens, who had the packed venue dancing to popular lyrics. Tanya Stephens performing at the CB Pan Chicken Western eliminations.The 10 finalists from the Western Region, who will participate in the CB Pan Chicken grand finals in Kingston in November, pose with their trophies and certificates after they were selected at the elimination event held at the Dump-Up- Beach in Montego Bay, recently. (PHOTO: PHILLIP LEMONTE)

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CB Pan Chicken
Championship: An
event for the family

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Calvin was a treasure to his family and friends

LAST Saturday mourners filled the pews of the St Phillip’s Anglican Church on Maxfield Avenue in Whitfield Town, St Andrew, to say their final farewell to Calvin Aloysius Treasure.

Treasure passed away on August 11 after a brief illness. He was 53 years old.Treasure was remembered as a man with a never-say-die attitude by his brother Raymond Treasure, who offered an emotional eulogy.“Calvin was a fierce warrior. He was a formidable football and table tennis player. At the same time, he had a child-like humility,” the elder Treasure said.Calvin Treasure was educated at the Tarrant School, St George’s extension and Excelsior High School.Due to his indomitable and independent spirit he ventured straight into the world of work when his secondary-level education came to an end.He worked at the Jamaica Public Service Company for many years as a meter reader and in his later years he worked as a supervisor with a trading company.Treasure, however, found that he was more suited to generate income by using his driving skills and acquired a bus which he used to provide transportation services to funerals and to drop off and pick up children at schools in the Corporate Area.He also did a brief stint transporting the staff of the Jamaica Observer in the wee hours of the night into the dawn.Those who knew Calvin Treasure always felt comfortable around him as he possessed a wicked sense of humour.Though small in stature, Treasure was nevertheless gifted with a loud, rasping voice and was not one to back down from any heated debate on any topic.His passing came as a surprise to many as he was actively riding his bicycle through the community of Whitehall Gardens where he resided, only days before he was admitted to hospital.In just over a week, news broke that he had passed away and the communities of Red Hills Road and Whitfield Town, were thrown into shock.According to his brother Raymond, as he lay on his hospital bed faced with his own mortality, he accepted his fate and made sure to send messages of love and hope to his loved ones and close friends.“He expressed his deepest feelings of love and respect. Yes, he said his goodbyes,” Treasure said.Calvin Aloysius Treasure is survived by his spouse Mauvall Smith, daughters Terry Ann, Tiffany, Taneece and Thalia, brothers, sisters and a host of other relatives and friends.His remains were interred at the Dovecot Memorial Park in St Catherine.Life Tributes joins with his loved ones in hailing this remarkable human being who made many lives brighter with his cheerful spirit.Rest Well, Calvin Treasure!The late Calvin Aloysius Treasure.Treasure’s spouse, Mauvall Smith (second left), and his four daughters during the commendation of his body.Treasure’s nephew, Michael Treasure, reads the second lesson.Raymond Treasure delivers the remembrance of his dearly departed brother.Treasure’s niece, Danelle Wilks, reads the first lesson.Pall-bearers carry the casket bearing the remains of Calvin Aloysius Treasure.

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Calvin was a treasure to his family and friends

Friday, September 6, 2013

Muslim family, St Hug"s fuss over girl"s dress

COME the start of the new school year tomorrow, Dauriyah Dyer may not have a smooth transition into the system because of her Islamic faith.

Having earned a place at St Hugh’s High School through the recent sitting of the Grade Six Achievement Test, Dyer was more than excited to be entering high school until she and her mother found out that St Hugh’s will not adjust the style of the tunic to suit her religion’s requirements.Latoyka Dyer, Dauriyah’s mother told the Jamaica Observer that under Islamic laws, once a female enters puberty she is required to cover her entire body except for her face and hands. Dyer said that because of this law, she has, requested that the uniforms blouse sleeves be extended to Dauriyah’s wrists and the tunic be lengthened to her ankles.Dyer, however, said that since she had made her request known on July 3, the school’s principal, Elaine Cunningham has refused to meet with her to come to an amicable solution about the uniform adjustments.“When I spoke to her (principal) on July 3 she told us that she is not saying we can do it and she’s not saying we cannot do it, she has to speak with the ministry first and contact us and we are to give her a week. Up to now we haven’t heard anything from the principal and that was eight weeks ago. On July 26 my husband and I went to the Ministry of Education and spoke to an education officer and was told that our daughter had the right to wear her uniform according to the telling of our religion.“On July 30, my daughter, accompanied by one of my Muslim sisters went to St Hugh’s and was told that the ministry had no right to tell her where the sleeves should go and that they would draft up a letter and contact us further, but when I attempted to give them my e-mail address so they could forward the letter to me, they refused to take it and said they would call me back but I have not heard from anyone since. I have made numerous calls to the office and left messages and none have been returned,” she said.Dyer said that she believes the school’s actions are deliberate attempts to frustrate her as school officials keep using an example of other Muslim students who have attended St Hugh’s but did not fuss about the school’s uniform.“I believe the principal and other administrators are intentionally ignoring me. I also believe this is an attempt on their part to frustrate me so that we will give up. Their statement to us was that other Muslim students in the past went to St Hugh’s and didn’t have a problem with the uniform so they don’t see why we’re making a big deal. They want me to allow my daughter to come to school in short sleeves and I cannot do that, I will not disobey my creator to please St Hugh’s,” Dyer said.When the Sunday Observer contacted the school, the principal’s secretary said that Cunningham was in a meeting. The secretary, however, went on to say that Dyer is a troublemaker and the school cannot bend the rules to suit one individual.“Let me tell you straight, she is a troublemaker. I have been here for 13 years and four Muslim students have passed through the school and none of them have had a problem with the uniform. We can’t make adjustments for one individual, or else we will have to do it for all,” the secretary said.Sheryl Broomfield, secretary to education minister Ronald Thwaites said that the Chief Education Officer Dorret Campbell has been notified about the situation and the uniform will not be adjusted, but an alternative has been offered to Dyer.“The sleeves of the uniform will not be adjusted because the school’s style is style. However, the ministry and St Hugh’s have offered to allow Dauriyah to wear her Islamic dress to school. In the meantime, Mrs Campbell and Mrs Cunningham are currently having dialogue with regard to the issue,” Broomfield said.Dyer, on the other hand, said that she has heard about the offer but she wants her daughter to wear her uniform and she feels disrespected that it is the ministry which made the offer and not the school.“St Hugh’s has not come to me directly and said anything as they see me as a troublemaker because I’m standing up for my daughter’s right. She wants to wear her uniform and she deserves to, because she earned her place there. They cannot use the example of the other Muslim girls in my case; it has no basis and I know the law. They need to have a meeting with me; all of us are adults so I don’t see the problem,” Dyer said.Dyer maintained that until St Hugh’s contacts her directly, Dauriyah will wear her uniform with the sleeves at her wrists and the tunic at her ankles.“My daughter’s uniform will stay the same way until they call me in and I want everything in writing. Until Mrs Cunningham writes a letter saying she can’t come to school like that, she will continue to wear the uniform that way. I’ve read no rule that states that the sleeves cannot be long. They don’t have to like me but they have to educate my child,” she said.Dyer further added that because of her persistence she does not want unfair treatment to be meted out to her child when she begins school.“I don’t want any of them there to show her any bad face or treat her indifferent and I will be on the lookout for that,” she said.Dyer said it is common for Muslim girls to be ostracised at schools in Jamaica, but she is not afraid to stand and defend her child’s constitutional right.Apart from coverings, Islamic laws require clothing for women to be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman’s body, thick enough so as not to show the colour of the skin it covers, or the shape of the body which it is supposed to hide, and should not be such that it attracts men’s attention to the woman’s beauty.

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Muslim family, St Hug"s fuss over girl"s dress

Missing bus operator"s family still in shock after a year

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — It has been a rough year for Sandra Cousins and her family, who are still trying to deal with the sudden disappearance of her common-law husband Leroy Brown, aged 57.

Brown’s bus was reportedly found at a gas station in Ocho Rios last year August after he was reported missing. He has not been seen since.August 13 marked one year since anyone heard from, or saw the JUTA tour bus operator. With nothing after one year, Cousins said that she is frustrated and is hurting especially for her seven-year-old son who was close to his father.“My baby hurting,” an emotional Cousins told the Jamaica Observer.“Him say, ‘Mi wish me did dead or mi prefer mi two foot did cut off and mi know weh daddy de’,” said the traumatised mother, who has had several health challenges since Brown’s disappearance.“My baby move from 90 per cent to zero in his class,” she emphasised about the youth’s performance in school.“Him keep wondering if dem cut up him daddy or if John Crow eat him,” she added.She now has to be taking him for counselling sessions regularly, and even that seems not to be helping.“I watch him just shut down. I carry him for counselling and leave him in the room and they have to call me to come comfort him,” she said.The mother, who has also been faced with great financial strain since Brown’s disappearance, said that watching her son’s behaviour was devastating.“If him hear vehicle at nights him open the window a look if dem let go him daddy,” she stated.Cousins said that she has tried to be strong for her children, but the tears still flow when they are asleep at nights.“Mi can’t cry no more in front of him so a go inna the bathroom at 3 and 4 o’clock in the morning,” a teary-eyed Cousins stated.The mother of three of Brown’s five children said that all she needs to know is what happened to the man who was always caring for and supporting his family.“Mi need answers,” she said.Cousins said that she is not pleased with the way that the police investigations are going.“Nobody no call mi fi say dem hear anything or if dem still a investigate,” she said.The mother said that she has had to be calling to find out what was happening and she is constantly told the investigator in the matter has changed.“Mi just need to know the truth,” she said. “If a woman him gone wid, mi can deal wid it. If him dead mi can deal wid it. Mi want to know mi can pick two leaves go put on his grave,” she added.Cousins said that she needs closure. She explained that she cannot bring herself to have a funeral for him as she needs evidence that he is dead.“Mi can’t do it,” she said, shaking her head.“If mi know which part Leroy bone dem deh, mi tek dem up and walk and beg and bury him,” she stated.Following Brown’s disappearance, Cousins said that she has walked miles, day and night, searching in bushes, trying to find him.She showed several scars on her skin as evidence that she has travelled for miles through thickets and thorns to find the man she knew for over 20 years.While she seeks closure, Cousins believes there is much more that law enforcers could do to try and locate Brown.She said that when he was first reported missing, the matter was not dealt with expeditiously, as when his bus was found, she was told to get a locksmith and take the bus home.It was after further evidence was found that the bus was turned into a crime scene, she said.But much more disheartening to her, Cousins said, is the fact that the battery in the bus was stolen while it was parked at the police station.“All I got was ‘we are sorry’,” she said.She said that the insurance and other papers for the bus were taken from her by the police, but she has not got them back and although she has the bus in her possession, she is not able to do anything with it to ease the financial strain that she faces.However, her major concern, she said, is the way the investigations have been going. She believes that the police have disregarded vital evidence and are not giving the case much attention.“I have asked for an appointment with the commissioner, but all they do is take my name and number and promised to get back to me,” she stated.“There are days when I go to work and can’t function. There is not one police station in Jamaica where mi no call. Mi tek it upon miself to call Digicel (to find out if they could help to find Brown by tracing his phone and looking at call history), but dem say mi can’t do it,” Cousins said.The depressed woman said that she has tried all means possible to find out what has happened to Brown, who, on the day of his disappearance asked that she withdraw money from two accounts and give to a man whom he would send to see her.That was the last time she heard from him.Cousins wants the police to do more in their investigations and to inform her about what is happening.“It is not like him to just disappear. A nuh somebody who nuh communicate,” Cousins said, emphasising how close he was to his family.“Mi feel angry, frustrated. Sometimes mi feel useless and mi know mi try,” she stated.LEROY BROWN … gone without a trace

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Missing bus operator"s family still in shock after a year

Woman, 65, wants family to leave her man alone

A senior citizen who is at odds with her family over her relationship with a man, grabbed the spotlight when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court last week.

The 65-year-old woman appeared in court as the complainant in an assault case against her nephew, Moses Peters.However, she told the court that her family, including her nephew and his mother, was making her life a living hell because of her relationship with her lover.“Tell them to leave me and my man alone,” she said.She then told the court that the case in question arose after her nephew hurled stones at her and her lover which injured her on her hand.“Me and my man was at home tying out the goats when he started stoning us and one hit me on my hand causing bruising and swelling,” she said.Prior to that, she also complained to the court that her nephew’s mother, who is her younger sister, got so upset with the fact that she had a man, that she went to her house quarrelling and pointing her finger in her face.But her nephew denied her story. He told the court that his aunt did not get along well with the family but he has never sought to disrespect her and has never thrown any stones at her.According to him, he was throwing stones at his aunt’s lover, but they accidentally caught her. However, he said he has since apologised and has agreed to pay for her doctor’s bill.But his aunt said that he was not telling the truth.“He is a notorious liar, they are a wicked lot,” she said.Pusey then asked them, “Why can’t you live in peace?”“Nuh man nuffi deh round me,” the old woman answered.Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey then warned Moses and his sister who was present in court, to leave their aunt alone. She also urged the complainant to try and maintain peace with her family.She then bound Moses over to keep the peace and a no-order ruling was made on the charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.But the woman was not completely satisfied and told Pusey: “Tell them to leave me and my man alone.”Pusey then warned Moses and his family members to stay away from the complainant and her man.“Dem no want no man round me, is dem one want man, but I want man too,” she said before leaving the court in stitches.Man charged for raping and killing his ex-loverA man who reportedly raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend after kicking her off the bed causing her to die, had his bail extended to September 5.The man reportedly forced his way into the woman’s Kingston house on May 19 and kicked her off her bed causing injuries to her neck.It was also reported that while the woman was lying paralysed on the floor, he proceeded to rape her.Sometime after, he reportedly realised that she was not breathing and summoned for help to get her to the hospital.The woman however succumbed to her injuries on May 21.On Friday when the accused appeared in court, the matter was rescheduled as a result of an outstanding post mortem report.The accused man’s bail was subsequently extended.Man grabs lawyer’s gold chain, gets 12-month sentenceA young man who snatched the gold chain of a lawyer, was sentenced to 12 months in prison when he appeared in court last week.Pete Baker, 23, who was doing community service for ganja offence and had previously been fined for assaulting a woman, could not persuade the magistrate to be merciful, especially after the magistrate was told that he had another matter that is to come before the court.Added to that, he was also caught with another gold chain which he claimed belonged to his mother, but his mother, after looking at the gold chain, told the court that it was not hers.When Pusey told the woman to come and identify the chain, before she could reach, Baker quickly uttered: “Yes your Honour a it same one.”But his mother, who appeared irritated by her son’s behaviour, while passing him in the dock blurted out: “None a dem a nuh fi you, you must know whey you get it from.”However, Baker, in trying to gain the sympathy of the magistrate, told the court that he robbed the woman of her chain because he was suffering.“I never really want do it a just sufferation mek me do it,” he said.But the magistrate told him that he had a choice and had chosen to commit a criminal offence.“You have started a career of being in an out of prison. Why you believe that your sufferation is harder than anyone else?” she asked.“You see that day, I don’t know if it is the devil get inna me or wa,” Barker replied.“Well you going to need some holy water,” Pusey responded.“A dat me ago do,” Baker answered, shortly before he was sent off to prison for a year on charges of robbery and unlawful possession of property.The gold chain, which was recovered, was valued at $60,000.Sugar Minott’s son says he is not madThe son of reggae singer and producer Sugar Minott also appeared in court, proclaiming that he was not mad. He was, however, remanded for psychiatric evaluation.Andrew Minott appeared in court on a charge of assault, stemming from a dispute in which he reportedly punched his brother.But when he appeared in court on Thursday, his mother told the court that he was behaving badly and wanted to leave the court before his case was mentioned.When asked by Pusey why he wanted to leave, Andrew said that he had forgotten to take his nerve tablet because he kept his pills in different places.“Miss Pusey, my doctor told me not take those pill cause I am not schizophrenic, am only bi-polar and those pills that you people giving me, is messing up my skin,” he said.Pusey then told him that she was going to remand him for psychiatric evaluation but Minott refused to stay.“I have a son who to start school next week and I have an overseas show with Baby Cham and Junior Reid gone left me,” he said.“I am not a mad man, mad man pee-pee up themselves over and over and can’t have a conversation with someone,” he added before he was remanded into custody.He is scheduled to return to court on October 1.Alleged extortionist claims he was forced by gunmenAn alleged extortionist, who was reportedly caught collecting $300,000, which he had demanded in exchange for not killing the complainant’s brother, was also remanded into custody when he appeared in court.Keifa Douglas was recently taken into custody and charged with extortion and conspiracy to extort after he was held in a sting operation.According to the complainant who works on the same plaza as Douglas, she received several text messages indicating that her brother would be killed if she did not hand over the money.She also told the court that the accused visited her home and that she is no longer sleeping there because she is afraid.But in an interesting twist, Douglas said that he was innocent and that his life was also being threatened.According to him, he was walking home from work when a car with three masked men, armed with a knife and two guns, approached him and asked for the complainant’s brother.He said he told them that he did not know the complainant’s brother and was only acquainted with the complainant, but they told him that they want to kill the complainant’s brother and that he should give them $300,000 or he would be killed.Douglas said that they gave him a phone chip and informed him that they would contact him, while warning him not go to the police or else they would kill him.“Me did kinda fraid cause me nuh wa dead and when me reach home me check de phone fi see if a joke and me see a message,” he said.As a result, Douglas said that he did not want to alert the complainant because he was fearful for his life and instead sent her the messages.However, he said she agreed to give him the money and when he went to the location she never showed up and he went to her house “to help speed her up” because he did not want to die.Pusey, after listening, said that although Douglas’ story sounded like a tale from a storybook, it amounts to a defence in law and instructed a senior officer to check into the reports.He was then remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on September 3.

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Woman, 65, wants family to leave her man alone

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

The Vere Technical family bids farewell to phenomenal coach Paul Stone

PAUL Andrew Stone, the 63-year-old retired track and field athletics coach of Vere Technical High School, was last month hailed as a phenomenal coach whose efforts produced numerous female athletes and hurdlers who excelled in many events under his guidance.

Stone, who served as coach for the school for the last three decades, died on July 12.A thanksgiving service celebrating his life was held on July 27 at the Christ Church located at Vineyard Town in Kingston.The service began with musical tributes from Harold Davis, Maria Myrie, Carole Reid, Marjorie Whylie and Winston Ewart.According to Stone’s former colleague Dr Paul Auden, while he served Vere Technical, Stone was a phenomenal coach by nature with no formal training.“This was a man with no coaching degree, but an excellent coach. He coached about 25 events at Vere. How did Paul come into sporting? He just loved sports. He never went to any top university for training,” Auden said.“The one thing that struck me when I went to Vere, was to see some girls from the wrong side of the streets, they had no future and Paul Stone got them to go to Vere. Paul was their father figure and showed them a better life,” Auden added.He reflected on the good times they both shared while monitoring the development of the athletes at Vere Technical High.“He was the nickname master at Vere. With the girls, he watched how they performed and gave each a nickname,” he said in a bid to cheer the silent mourners who gathered to celebrate Stone’s life.John Messam, who was appointed coach for Vere Technical immediately after Stone’s departure, also paid tribute to Stone’s immeasurable contribution to the sport.Messam said it was Stone and his selfless investment that assisted him in managing the hurdles coaching tactics he inherited from him.Stone’s sister, Ann Martin, who delivered the remembrance, said she mourned the loss of one of her best friends.“As far as I can remember, I was Paul’s best friend, sister and all that you can think of. We did everything together. Paul was someone who liked great and exciting things in his young years,” she said.After sitting the Common Entrance Examinations, Stone was awarded a place at Cornwall College, which he attended before relocating to Kingston and attending Wolmer’s Boy’s School. After his secondary education was complete, he migrated to the United States of America and entered the field of trade unionism.He later returned to Jamaica and worked in the field of trade unionism before becoming an entrepreneur, the joined the family at Vere Technical and served as their coach before his retirement.Under his leadership at Vere Technical, he coached Olympians from Vere Technical such as athlete Ethlyn Tate and hurdler Sophia Brown.He was also remembered for seeking academic opportunities and scholarships for the individuals he trained, as he believed in the combination of education and track and field.His death leaves a void in the lives of his wife Cherrin, sons Pierre, Paul, Paul-Anthony, Bobby, David and Chris, and daughter Peytra, and other relatives.His remains were cremated.Cherrin Stone, widow of the late Paul Stone, hands the urn with his ashes to the officiating priest, The Reverend Father Sean Major-Campbell.Ann Martin, sister of the late Paul Stone, offered the remembrance at the service celebrating his life last month.John Messam, who was appointed coach for Vere Technical High School after Paul Stone’s departure.Dr Paul Auden, former colleague of the late Paul Stone, offering a tribute to his close friend. (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

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The Vere Technical family bids farewell to phenomenal coach Paul Stone

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Family Fun Day in Ocho Rios

Entertainment

Friday, July 19, 2013

MODELS from the Miss Huddersfield Cultural and Talent Pageant are among the headliners at the annual Lodge Seville Family Fun Day slated for Sunday, July 28, at the picturesque Laughing Waters venue in St Ann.The event, part proceeds of which will go to charity, will be the final public appearance for the contestants before the Grand Coronation on August 10.The St Mary models who have been making appearances at a number of events in St James promise to deliver a quality performances.“We are pleased to have the models as part of our entertainment package,” said Charles Shaw, committee member.“The family fun day is all about providing fun and entertainment for the entire family. Our patrons every year offer us great support. This year will be no different,” the spokesman said.The Miss Huddersfield contestants will also perform talent pieces including singing and dancing at the event.Some of the contestants in Miss Huddersfield Cultural and Talent Pageant who will be attending the Lodge Seville Family Fun Day slated for Sunday.

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Family Fun Day in Ocho Rios

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Mandela family fight over icon’s burial spot

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — As Nelson Mandela remained in critical condition in hospital yesterday, a family feud over where the 94-year-old former president should be buried went to the courts, according to South Africa’s national broadcaster.

Mandela’s oldest daughter, Makaziwe, and 15 other family members have pressed a court application to get Mandela’s grandson to return the bodies of three of Mandela’s children to their original graves in the eastern rural village of Qunu, according to the SABC.The grandson, Mandla Mandela, acknowledges having reburied the three bodies 20 kilometres (13 miles) away in the Mvezo village, where he plans to create a Mandela shrine, hotel and football stadium, according to the South African Press Association.Grandson Mandla Mandela has until today to respond to the court filing, reports said.The anti-apartheid leader built his retirement home in Qunu and was living there until his repeated hospitalisations which started at the end of last year. Nelson Mandela attended the burial of his son at the family plot in Qunu in 2005, and it was widely expected that the leader himself will be buried there.But his grandson exhumed the bodies of Mandela’s three children and moved them to nearby Mvezo, which is the former president’s birthplace and where the grandson holds authority as chief.Eldest daughter Makaziwe and other Mandela family members want the family bodies returned to their original graves in Qunu, according to the reports.The family court struggle came as Mandela’s ex-wife said that he had improved in recent days, but remained critical.Winnie Madikizela-Mandela gave the update Friday while speaking to journalists outside Mandela’s former home in Soweto.“I’m not a doctor, but I can say that from what he was a few days ago there is great improvement,” said Madikizela-Mandela, who is a member of South Africa’s Parliament.Madikizela-Mandela pleaded with the media to “understand the sensitivities and the feeling of the family.”His daughter Makaziwe Mandela was among the family members who arrived at the Pretoria hospital yesterday. The ministers of health and defence also visited, the South African Press Association reported.Outside the Pretoria hospital yesterday, a man flying a drone-like object with a camera attached was led away by several policemen, adding to an already heightened atmosphere where well-wishers continue to gather to pray for Mandela.Mandela was taken to the hospital on June 8 to be treated for what the Government said was a recurring lung infection. South Africans have held prayers nationwide, and many have left flowers and messages of support outside the hospital as well as his home in Johannesburg.On Thursday, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma said Mandela’s health had improved overnight, and that his condition was critical but stable.A young boy rests by a large picture of former South African President Nelson Mandela placed by the Union Building in Pretoria yesterday. In a statement released by the Presidency Thursday, South African President Jacob Zuma said he cancelled his visit to Mozambique so he could visit Mandela who was much better than when I saw him Wednesday night. (PHOTO:AP)

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Mandela family fight over icon’s burial spot