Three Group B teams hunt one play-off spot in U-20 Champs

CATHERINE HALL, St James — Today’s final day of group play in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships at the Montego Bay Sports Complex could be the most dramatic with three teams from Group B still in with a shot at the one remaining play-off spot, and a chance at World Cup qualification.

Two-time defending champions Mexico have already secured the group honours with 12 points from four straight wins and secured a 14th spot in the World Cup to be held May-June in New Zealand, as well as qualified for Saturday’s final.

Honduras on seven points are also sure of a place in the play-offs regardless of their result today.

Mexico, who are seeking a 16th straight win in CONCACAF championships, will complete their fixtures against out-of- contention Haiti in the final game of the triple-header this evening.

Honduras are in second place on seven points followed by El Salvador on five, Cuba on four, Canada on three and Haiti on two.

Before that game, however, three nations — El Salvador, Cuba and Canada –will come into the day with varying degrees of hope of advancing.

El Salvador could hold the key, however, as a win over Cuba in the first game would also see them and Honduras advancing before they kick off against Canada in the 5:30 pm game.

Cuba have earned all four points from their last two games — a 2-2 draw against Haiti and an upset 2-1 win over Canada two days ago. A win for Cuba would see them qualifying for the play-offs at the expense of El Salvador.

Frank Lopez got a brace against Canada and the Cubans will hope he and Eddy Luis Saname can continue producing goals.

Cuba had lost their first two games by a combined 12-1 margin, but their defence has improved considerably since then, giving up only three goals in their following two games.

El Salvador are, however, confident they will qualify for a second World Cup, and despite a 3-1 loss to Mexico Monday, should be good enough to get by Cuba.

Jose Villavicencio has been El Salvador’s talisman in the tournament with three of their eight goals. With him teaming up with Juan Barahona and Bryan Perez, the Central Americans could prove too strong for the Cubans.

Canada will be hoping for a draw in their hopes of getting past the group stages.

They have lost three straight games after beating Haiti in the first match and have not lived up to pre-tournament expectations.

Their big guns have not fired; Jordan Hamilton, has scored twice in the first half against Haiti, but he has not found the back of the net since. Cyle Larin, the number one pick in the MLS Super Draft, has fired blanks so far.

Michael Petrasso and Marco Busco, from whom much was expected, have also failed to deliver.

Honduras, meanwhile, could rest top players for the play-offs on Saturday as they have very little to gain from risking the likes of Alberth Elis and Bryan Rochez in this game.

View the original article here

Three Group B teams hunt one play-off spot in U-20 Champs

UN, ambassador group pledges support for Haiti leader

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 | 8:46 PM    

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A group of ambassadors and the UN special representative in Haiti said Tuesday that President Michel Martelly has their support through a period of political flux that many observers worry could set the troubled country back.

In a statement, the group expressed frustration that an extraordinary session of Haiti’s Parliament was not convened in recent days to authorize an electoral law needed to organise long-delayed legislative elections.

The signers, who included the ambassadors from the United States, European Union, Canada and Brazil, said Martelly enjoys their backing to ensure the “continuity of the state.” The constitutionally mandated end of the legislature was Monday, and the president could now sign a decree allowing Haiti to hold legislative elections later this year.

The U.S. Embassy has stressed that Washington will continue to work with Martelly “and whatever legitimate Haitian government institutions remain” to safeguard gains made since a devastating 2010 earthquake. It expressed “grave concern” the political impasse has continued despite “wide-ranging concessions” by Martelly, including sacrificing his prime minister last month.

Political gridlock and partisan wrangling are nothing new in Haiti, and the stalemate between Martelly and opposition lawmakers has delayed legislative elections for years.

Martelly’s staunchest political opponents accuse him of corruption and aspiring to rule by decree. He has accused them of blocking legislation that would help Haiti and trying to stir up instability that could discourage foreign investment.

On Sunday, after days of talks, Martelly announced an accord with leaders of several opposition parties, but not all his opponents, on moving toward elections and a consensus government. Among other things, they agreed that no representatives of the government or any political parties could be part of Haiti’s next electoral council, which has responsibility for organizing votes.

In the face of that deal, a group of opposition activists vowed Tuesday to ratchet up disruptive street protests they hope can force Martelly’s from office before his term ends next year. Anti-government protests with tire burning and rock throwing have grown increasingly common in recent months, causing disruptions in downtown Port-au-Prince.

“Martelly will not be able to hold onto power. He is not going to be able to remain. We’re not going to stop until he leaves,” Andre Michel, an opposition figure who is one of the few lawyers in Haiti who takes on legal cases critical of Martelly’s government, told reporters.

The president and his spokesman made no comment, cancelling a news conference for international journalists in Haiti for the fifth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake.

But at a Monday memorial for those killed by the 2010 quake, Martelly thanked the opposition leaders who signed the accord and called for an end to protests that frequently devolve into violence.

“The country already has enough problems,” he said.

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

UN, ambassador group pledges support for Haiti leader

WORST ATTACK YET: Images show Boko Haram"s destruction, group says

Amnesty International has released satellite images that it says show widespread destruction in two Nigerian towns attacked by Boko Haram last weekend. 

The international human rights organization says that the photos show the towns of Baga and Doron Baga in northeast Nigeria before and after the attacks. The images were taken on Jan. 2 and Jan. 7 of this year. Boko Haram fighters seized a military base in Baga on Jan. 3 and, according to witnesses, killed hundreds of civilians in cold blood in the ensuing days.

“Residents have not been able to return to bury the dead, let alone count their number. But through these satellite images combined with graphic testimonies a picture of what is likely to be Boko Haram’s deadliest attack ever is becoming clearer,” Daniel Eyre, Amnesty International’s Nigeria researcher, told The Independent. 

Amnesty International calculates that 3,700 homes and other structures were demolished by the Islamic militants over the course of the attack. 

In the aftermath of the assault on the multinational military base, residents were forced to escape to safety across Lake Chad in canoes. They said insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic assault rifles and hurled explosives.

“They came in their hundreds driving several Hilux patrol vehicles, trucks and some were on motorcycles and immediately began to throw explosives and bombs,” fisherman Audu Labbo told The Associated Press.

Initial reports citing the testimony of eyewitnesses suggested that as many as 2,000 civilians may have died. However, the Nigerian military has claimed that only 150 were killed, a number that includes casualties among the militants. Outside observers, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly accused Nigeria’s government of giving false information about attack casualties to downplay the strength of the insurgency. 

The terror group, whose name roughly translates to “Western education is forbidden” in English, shot to prominence in the West this past April when it kidnapped 276 girls from a school in the town of Chibok. Dozens escaped but 219 remain missing.

Boko Haram is believed to control approximately 20,000 square miles of territory across two states in northeastern Nigeria. Amnesty International estimates that the group killed 4,000 people in 2014.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Click for more from The Independent.

View the original article here

WORST ATTACK YET: Images show Boko Haram"s destruction, group says

We created Chik-V dance. Group seeks credit for new trend

Contributed

Wayne J

Norman Grindley

Two of the members of Tuff-A-Lie dancers doing the Chikungunya dance.

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Local dancer, producer and recording artiste Baby Lawd, wants credit for creating the Chikungunya dance move and song.

According to the artiste who hails from Arnett Gardens, St Andrew, he created the dance and song over three weeks ago and because of its popularity online other recording artistes have decided to capitalise on it.

Baby Lawd says he and his dance group Tuff-A-Lie dancers, deserve their credit for starting the Chikungunya dance craze, however their intentions is not to start a rift with any recording artistes or dancers.

“We nuh care if other people wah duh di dance and mek song. But wi just want the people dem know sey a we create it, everywhere wi guh people a tell wi sey dem hear the likkle youth (Wayne J) song. But what we a use and capture the people is that we have the chicken sample in our rhythm. So it come een like the chicken a deejay wid wi and mi nah ask if ours a di best song,” Baby Lawd said.

More connections

He said the other artistes who have released Chikungunya songs have more connections within the music industry, which is causing them to benefit from the concept more than the original creators.

“Dem have producing link so people a guh hear dem song more. But Jamaica a we a di real originator of Chikungunya dance, if you go on YouTube you will see me in the middle of New Kingston a duh the dance and write it up. Mi gone over 100,000 views and on Facebook over 5,000 shares. Mi hear a lot o people with this ‘gunya’ song and mi know how Jamaica people stay suh dem a guh follow. But a we a di real thing and as yu hear our song yu a guh realise sey it a di real thing because ours just different,” Baby Lawd said.

Baby Lawd and The Tuff-A-Lie dancers disclosed that they decided to approach The STAR because they realised that other persons were getting the credit for the creation of the Chikungunya dance and song. A music video will be released for the song in coming weeks and the official single will be distributed by Hapilos on the 15th of October.

“A we build the dance nuhbody cyah run wid it. Tuff-A-Lie dancers from early September,” dance group member Andre Walters concluded. To hear Baby Lawd’s effort music lovers can search for Baby Lawd ChickunGunya on soundcloud.com.

Other artistes who have released songs called Chikungunya in recent times are Wayne J and Beenie Man featuring the Astronauts.

Up-and-coming recording artiste Wayne J was recently featured on a popular television program for his effort also called Chikungunya.

Currently co-signed by Laing of Supreme Promotions, the artiste told the media that they decided to record the single because of the popularity and severity of the Chikungunya virus. Produced by Ikation Records, the single is doing rounds on local radio. Wayne J is a student of Pembroke Hall High School in St Andrew.

View the original article here

We created Chik-V dance. Group seeks credit for new trend

We created Chik-V dance. Group seeks credit for new trend

Contributed

Wayne J

Norman Grindley

Two of the members of Tuff-A-Lie dancers doing the Chikungunya dance.

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Local dancer, producer and recording artiste Baby Lawd, wants credit for creating the Chikungunya dance move and song.

According to the artiste who hails from Arnett Gardens, St Andrew, he created the dance and song over three weeks ago and because of its popularity online other recording artistes have decided to capitalise on it.

Baby Lawd says he and his dance group Tuff-A-Lie dancers, deserve their credit for starting the Chikungunya dance craze, however their intentions is not to start a rift with any recording artistes or dancers.

“We nuh care if other people wah duh di dance and mek song. But wi just want the people dem know sey a we create it, everywhere wi guh people a tell wi sey dem hear the likkle youth (Wayne J) song. But what we a use and capture the people is that we have the chicken sample in our rhythm. So it come een like the chicken a deejay wid wi and mi nah ask if ours a di best song,” Baby Lawd said.

More connections

He said the other artistes who have released Chikungunya songs have more connections within the music industry, which is causing them to benefit from the concept more than the original creators.

“Dem have producing link so people a guh hear dem song more. But Jamaica a we a di real originator of Chikungunya dance, if you go on YouTube you will see me in the middle of New Kingston a duh the dance and write it up. Mi gone over 100,000 views and on Facebook over 5,000 shares. Mi hear a lot o people with this ‘gunya’ song and mi know how Jamaica people stay suh dem a guh follow. But a we a di real thing and as yu hear our song yu a guh realise sey it a di real thing because ours just different,” Baby Lawd said.

Baby Lawd and The Tuff-A-Lie dancers disclosed that they decided to approach The STAR because they realised that other persons were getting the credit for the creation of the Chikungunya dance and song. A music video will be released for the song in coming weeks and the official single will be distributed by Hapilos on the 15th of October.

“A we build the dance nuhbody cyah run wid it. Tuff-A-Lie dancers from early September,” dance group member Andre Walters concluded. To hear Baby Lawd’s effort music lovers can search for Baby Lawd ChickunGunya on soundcloud.com.

Other artistes who have released songs called Chikungunya in recent times are Wayne J and Beenie Man featuring the Astronauts.

Up-and-coming recording artiste Wayne J was recently featured on a popular television program for his effort also called Chikungunya.

Currently co-signed by Laing of Supreme Promotions, the artiste told the media that they decided to record the single because of the popularity and severity of the Chikungunya virus. Produced by Ikation Records, the single is doing rounds on local radio. Wayne J is a student of Pembroke Hall High School in St Andrew.

View the original article here

We created Chik-V dance. Group seeks credit for new trend

Pakistani Taliban vows to send fighters to help IS group

Saturday, October 04, 2014 | 2:49 PM    

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) – The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday vowed to send fighters to help the Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria, adding the group should set aside its differences with other jihadist organisations in that region.

IS jihadists have taken over vast swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, but have also been vying for supremacy with other militant groups like the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra front, which it formally cut ties with in February.

Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which was formed in 2007 and formally allies itself with Al-Qaeda, urged all jihadist organisations fighting in the Middle East to unite for the greater good.

Speaking to AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location, he said: “From the very beginning when IS did not exist we are helping and supporting the Mujahideen of Iraq and Syria,” adding his group had sent between 1,000 to 1,500 fighters to the region so far.

“We will keep on sending Mujahideen to help IS militants, We completely support them. Because we think that this organisation was made to serve Islam,” he added, without mentioning a formal allegiance.

The subject of sending Pakistani fighters to Syria is touchy for Pakistan’s government which has denied that any such movements have taken place.

In an earlier statement sent to journalists, he called upon the competing jihadist organisations in Iraq and Syria to “Bring unity among your ranks, particularly in the circumstances when the enemies are standing united in one row against you,” referring to air strikes by a US-led coalition that intensified in September.

Analysts believe IS is keen to make inroads in Pakistan, where its efforts so far have been restricted to the distribution of pamphlets inside some bazaars of the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Al-Qaeda, which provides mainly financing and coordination assistance, presently has linkages with many Pakistani militant groups and recently undertook a rebranding effort to head off any potential competition.

The Taliban’s call for unity between the jihadist groups comes even as its own group faces deepening internal divisions, with the newly-formed Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the Taliban issuing its own video message Saturday, in Arabic, offering to mediate between IS and Al-Qaeda.

“In such painful times the Tehreek-e-Taliban Jamaat ul Ahrar urge the mujahedeen in Iraq and in the Levant to agree amongst themselves and confront the enemies of Allah (God),” a narrator says.

“If you wish to do so we offer to mediate… and we are ready to send you a delegation from Pakistan to mediate.”

The Jamaat ul Ahrar faction led by Omar Khalid Khorasani, split from the bloc led by Maulanah Fazlullah in September, with both groups accusing the other of treachery.

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Pakistani Taliban vows to send fighters to help IS group

Civil group lauds charging of cops in Mario Deane’s death

Saturday, September 27, 2014 | 1:21 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Civil lobby group Citizen’s Action for Principles and Integrity (CAPI) has commended INDECOM on its charging of three police officers over the killing of Mario Deane.

CAPI said the move is “encouraging and a major step in the journey towards justice for the Deane family”.

“The ruling sends a signal of intolerance for the lack of regard for the human rights of ordinary Jamaicans by agents of the State, and gives hope that those so inclined will be held accountable for their transgressions,” says CAPI’s co-convener Dennis Meadows.

The officers, Corporal Elaine Stewart, District Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, were each charged Friday, September 26 with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice.

They were offered bail to return to court on October 3.

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Civil group lauds charging of cops in Mario Deane’s death

Businessman acquires substantial stake in KLE Group

Businessman Joseph Bagdanovich has acquired a substantial stake in the KLE Group, in keeping with the company’s strategy to grow the organisation.
Some directors, who previously held significant volumes of  shares in the company, agreed to sell some of  them on the open market, so more would be available to the general public.
Last week KLE Directors sold 8.1 million shares; and on Tuesday it was revealed that 5.89 million shares were also sold last week Tuesday.
CEO of the KLE Group, Gary Matalon, said in a statement, that Bagdanovich’s investment in the company, is particularly valuable at this time, as it seeks to expand internationally and develop the Tracks & Records brand.
Matalon argues that KLE hopes to benefit from his vast experience in the field of entertainment; and his network of international contacts.

View the original article here

Businessman acquires substantial stake in KLE Group

Sierra Leone’s “lockdown” could lead to further spread of Ebola, says medical group

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, Monday September 8, 2014 – In a bid to stop the relentless spread of the deadly Ebola virus, the government of Sierra Leone plans to order every man, woman and child in the country not to leave the areas immediately surrounding their homes for a period of three days starting September 19.

According to the country’s deputy information minister Theo Nichol, the three-day shutdown would also make it easier for medical workers to trace suspected cases of the disease.

Nichol added that the period may be extended if needed, echoing the words of a presidential official who had previously indicated that the “lockdown” would last for four days.

International medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) nevertheless begs to differ over the proposed countrywide quarantine, which it claims will not help control an Ebola outbreak and could lead to the disease spreading further as cases are concealed.

“It has been our experience that lockdowns and quarantines do not help control Ebola as they end up driving people underground and jeopardising the trust between people and health providers,” said MSF.

“This leads to the concealment of potential cases and ends up spreading the disease further,” added the medical charity, which has been helping battle the world’s biggest ever outbreak of the disease across West Africa.

MSF added that door-to-door screening required high levels of expertise and, even when cases were detected, there were insufficient treatment centres and other essential facilities for patient care.

The international medical charity reiterated its calls for nations with civilian and military biological-disaster response capacities to send equipment and teams to West Africa.

“This remains our best hope of bringing this deadly outbreak under control as quickly as possible,” it said.

The outbreak was first identified in Guinea in March and has since spread across much of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Cases have also been recorded in Nigeria and Senegal, while a different strain of the virus has surfaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Late last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that more than 2,100 people have died.

The WHO went on to say that it will take months to bring Ebola under control and forecast as many as 20,000 cases.

Following a trip to the region, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr Tom Frieden warned that the Ebola outbreak is much worse than official figures show and is “spiralling out of control.”

View the original article here

Sierra Leone’s “lockdown” could lead to further spread of Ebola, says medical group

JMMB Group seeking to establish bank in Dom Rep

The JMMB group is seeking to establish a bank in the Dominican Republic, pending approval from the regulatory authorities in that country.       

According to a news report from a respected source, Business News Americas, JMMB, is hoping to have the bank operational by year end. 

The Dominican Republic based bank, would add to JMMB’s presence in that country, in which it now operates the securities dealership, JMMB Dominicana.

The move comes a year after JMMB took full control of Trinidad and Tobago based Inter-Commercial Bank.

JMMB has also applied for a commercial banking license in Jamaica, but the Bank of Jamaica has not yet given its approval.

View the original article here

JMMB Group seeking to establish bank in Dom Rep

JMMB Group seeking to establish bank in Dom Rep

The JMMB group is seeking to establish a bank in the Dominican Republic, pending approval from the regulatory authorities in that country.       

According to a news report from a respected source, Business News Americas, JMMB, is hoping to have the bank operational by year end. 

The Dominican Republic based bank, would add to JMMB’s presence in that country, in which it now operates the securities dealership, JMMB Dominicana.

The move comes a year after JMMB took full control of Trinidad and Tobago based Inter-Commercial Bank.

JMMB has also applied for a commercial banking license in Jamaica, but the Bank of Jamaica has not yet given its approval.

View the original article here

JMMB Group seeking to establish bank in Dom Rep

Chris Gayle ‘sexist’ comment draws ire of Antigua women’s group

Chris Gayle is deep in thought at Wednesday’s media conference in Antigua.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Friday July 18, 2014, CMC – A women’s rights group in Antigua has condemned as “sexist”, remarks made by Jamaica Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle to a female journalist, at a media conference here Wednesday.

And the group, Women Against Rape (WAR) headed by gender equity advocate Alexandrina Wong, has also criticised the response by the Caribbean Premier League to the incident.

Gayle, a former West Indies Test skipper, was asked by the journalist: “How does the pitch feel so far in terms of the training (and) the weather?”, ahead of Thursday’s Caribbean Premier League clash here between Tallawahs and Antigua Hawksbills.

The 34-year-old Gayle responded: “Well I haven’t touched yours yet so I don’t know how it feels”, before adding “I like your smile; that’s nice.”

However, the CPL downplayed the incident, saying that Gayle was just sharing a light moment with the female journalist.

“Chris is excited for the tournament and was having a laugh with a journalist, who had a laugh back; there was no malice intended,” the Antigua Observer quoted a CPL spokesman as saying.

“The lady in question had a jovial goodbye chat with him and we don’t believe this was the action of someone who was offended.”

Wong slammed Gayle’s statement and also called on the CPL to elicit an apology from the Twenty20 star.

“What it’s implying is one person’s power over another in the use of the language and so we can either say it’s sexist and hegemonic,” Wong said, adding that the response from the reporter “indicates that she obviously doesn’t know her right to autonomy.”

“She obviously doesn’t know her right when it comes to agency of body so that she can identify certain types of language, how they allude to her biology and what its saying about her as a person,” Wong continued.

“CPL should demand [an apology] from him because as senior officials they ought to know and to behave better when it comes to gender equality.”

View the original article here

Chris Gayle ‘sexist’ comment draws ire of Antigua women’s group

Transport group calls for delay in toll increase

Within the next seven days, the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Service, (TODSS), will submit a petition to the Prime Minister,  calling for a one year suspension of  the toll increase on Highway 2000.

In a news release this afternoon, the group said it’s doing so, with a view to re-visit the contract between the operators of  Highway 2000 and the Government. A copy of the petition will also be sent to Transport Minister, Dr. Omar Davies.

The petition will be signed by transport operators who use the Highway.

TODSS says, it will not rule out increasing fares and added that a meeting will be held in Portmore on Wednesday with members to announce what  action will be taken.

View the original article here

Transport group calls for delay in toll increase

Gay rights group criticises Jamaica CAUSE stance on buggery laws

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday July 1, 2014, CMC - The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) says the huge turnout at Sunday’s mass rally organised by Jamaica CAUSE in support of retention of the country’s buggery laws did not come as a surprise.

While stating that JFLAG is not daunted by the level of support shown for retaining the law, JFLAG’s Executive Director, Dane Lewis, criticised the church groups for not showing the same level of support for other issues as they are doing against homosexuality.

“What’s interesting is that they have not rallied around other critical issues facing the country at this time, we would be more encouraged if they were able to take on more of the hot-button issues that affect all Jamaicans,” Lewis said in a release on Monday.

He said the JFLAG maintains that the buggery laws should be reviewed.

Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

More than 20,000 people gathered in Half Way Tree square Sunday at a mass rally organized by church groups under the umbrella of the newly formed civil society group – Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation).

The crowd packed Half Way Tree square for close to four hours to take a stance against what has been described as the push by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community to victimize those who speak out against its agenda.

Jamaica CAUSE, was established following the removal of Professor Brendan Bain as Director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Network.

View the original article here

Gay rights group criticises Jamaica CAUSE stance on buggery laws

Ardenne, Jonathan Grant in tussle for group honours

BY SHERDON COWAN

Wednesday, February 05, 2014    

ARDENNE High and Jonathan Grant High will be seeking to move ahead of each other in Group D fixtures of the ISSA Grace Shield when the sixth round of games in Groups B and D get under way today.

Both Ardenne High and Jonathan Grant are locked on seven points, with both teams winning three games apiece, but have found it hard to separate themselves after playing to a draw when they met last weekend.

Both teams will have an easy task on their hands when they go up against the out-of-form Kingston Technical and Tivoli High, respectively.

Kingston Technical have only won one of their four games so far, having beaten Tivoli High and will be hoping to come away with at least a draw. Tivoli, meantime, will be hoping to put a dent in the form of Ardenne High.

Over in Group B, it is anybody’s game as five of the eight teams have already recorded a win or more, thereby leaving the group open to many with only one round of matches remaining.

Today’s games

Group B

Calabar vs Mona @ Calabar

St Jago vs Excelsior @ St Jago

Camperdown vs Eltham @ Kensington

Norman Manley vs St George’s @ Maxfield Park Field

Group D

Jonathan Grant vs Kingston Technical @ Prison Oval

Edith Dalton vs STATHS @ Pembroke Hall School Field

Tivoli vs Ardenne @ unnamed venue

View the original article here

Ardenne, Jonathan Grant in tussle for group honours

Couples in Action group treats seniors

BY INGRID BROWN Associate editor — special assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, February 03, 2014    

The Hampton Court and Port Morant Circuit of Seventh-day Adventist Church in St Thomas have not only sought to meet the spiritual needs of its members, but also the physical, as was evident through a dinner reception held recently to honour several senior citizens.

Some 38 senior citizens were treated to fine dining courtesy of the Couples in Action group, which is a ministry of the Family Life Department — a first for many of these rural folks.

“We went all-out to ensure an elegant ambience and some persons have said it is the first they were treated to such fanfare and elegance,” Murlenia Whyte Stephenson, assistant president of Couples in Action, told the Jamaica Observer North East.

Whyte Stephenson explained that the idea to establish a couples group four years ago was the brainchild of Pastor Titmus Morgan and his wife Kerry-Ann.

Since then, the couples ministry has been engaging in various ventures to help others. They include distribution of grocery baskets to the less fortunate, being a tower of strength to persons who have lost loved ones, and bringing souls to God.

“As our motto states, ‘Fostering healthy, happy Christian homes’, we sought to spend time not only in church activities but also in social gathering where we are able to relax and enjoy nature,” she said.

The decision, Whyte Stephenson said, was however taken to host the three-course dinner for some of the senior citizens as this year’s major project.

Although 38 persons were feted, Whyte Stephenson said the next staging of the event will be bigger so as to include many more persons. This as they could only afford to invite a few representatives of the respective churches in Bath, Port Morant, Rowlands Fields, Arcadia, Wheelerfield and Hampton Court in the parish.

The senior citizens in attendance included two visually impaired persons who were delighted to have been a part of such an occasion.

“One sister was ill and was feeling left out but she said whenever she is alone at home feeling down, she will always remember that the church cares about her,” Whyte Stephenson said.

President of Couples in Action Lucan Turner said the occasion was also used to recognise the contribution made by some of these elderly members to the Adventist church over the years. Church stalwarts Lenard Sinclair, Enid Smith, Vivia Smith, Winifred Bromwell, Petrona Henry, Carmen Eccleston, Ella Brown, Hyacinth Melbourne, and Ronald Morgan were all presented with certificates of appreciation.

“Many of these persons were giving over the years and this was the first time they were getting anything in return, and so we made an impact on them that we didn’t even realise,” Turner said.

Guest speaker for the event was Verona O’Conner, who spoke on the topic “Ageing with Dignity.”

View the original article here

Couples in Action group treats seniors

Bustamante Hospital gets JN Group support

Latest News

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 | 5:02 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) say it will donate US$1 to the Shaggy Foundation, for every remittance sent from January 2 to 15, 2014, through any JN Money Transfer (JNMT) branch in New York, Connecticut, Florida, or any JN MoneyShop in Jamaica. The Shaggy Foundation raises funds for the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew Jamaica through an annual charity concert.“This is the only full-service paediatric hospital in the English speaking Caribbean, and it serves a population of approximately 700,000 children,” said Leesa Kow, General Manager of and JN Money Services Ltd (JNMS). “Therefore all of us need to give the promotion our support.”In addition to the donation JNMS, a subsidiary of Jamaica National, will waive remittance fees on donations of JA$2,000 to $5,000 sent to the Shaggy Foundation, through any JN MoneyShop in Jamaica; or, on US$20 to US$100 sent to the Foundation at any JNMT branch in New York, Connecticut and Florida, Kow said. The Shaggy and Friends charity show is slated for January 4, 2014 and features recent winner of The Voice Tessanne Chin as well as finalist Matthew Schuler.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Bustamante Hospital gets JN Group support

Bustamante Hospital gets JN Group support

News

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 | 5:02 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) say it will donate US$1 to the Shaggy Foundation, for every remittance sent from January 2 to 15, 2014, through any JN Money Transfer (JNMT) branch in New York, Connecticut, Florida, or any JN MoneyShop in Jamaica. The Shaggy Foundation raises funds for the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew Jamaica through an annual charity concert.“This is the only full-service paediatric hospital in the English speaking Caribbean, and it serves a population of approximately 700,000 children,” said Leesa Kow, General Manager of and JN Money Services Ltd (JNMS). “Therefore all of us need to give the promotion our support.”In addition to the donation JNMS, a subsidiary of Jamaica National, will waive remittance fees on donations of JA$2,000 to $5,000 sent to the Shaggy Foundation, through any JN MoneyShop in Jamaica; or, on US$20 to US$100 sent to the Foundation at any JNMT branch in New York, Connecticut and Florida, Kow said. The Shaggy and Friends charity show is slated for January 4, 2014 and features recent winner of The Voice Tessanne Chin as well as finalist Matthew Schuler.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Bustamante Hospital gets JN Group support

AC Milan, Celtic reach Champions League group stage

Sport

Thursday, August 29, 2013

LONDON, England (AP) — Seven-time champion AC Milan avoided another early-season hiccup by reaching the group stage of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, and Celtic produced a stunning comeback to join them yesterday.After a 1-1 draw in a tense first leg in the Netherlands, Kevin-Prince Boateng scored twice and Mario Balotelli added another to ensure Milan won the play-off 4-1 on aggregate and advanced to today’s draw.At Glasgow, Celtic beat Shakhter Karagandy 3-0 to overcome a 2-0 loss in the first leg. James Forrest’s stoppage-time goal gave the Scottish champions a 3-2 win on aggregate. Real Sociedad and Zenit St Petersburg also advanced yesterday along with Plzen, who progressed after beating Maribor 4-1 on aggregate.Milan, who had a surprise 2-1 defeat to promoted Hellas Verona last weekend in its Serie A opener, qualified for the group stage for the 11th time in 12 seasons.Boateng unleashed a shot from outside the box into the left-hand corner to put the home team ahead in the ninth minute. Stephan El Shaarawy then came close but saw his shot hit the crossbarBalotelli scored his 13th goal for AC Milan since his move from Manchester City with a volley from close range in the 55th after Phlippe Mexes flicked on a corner from the right.“We’re happy. We played a great match. We also played well in the first leg,” said Balotelli, who could not play for Milan in the Champions League last season after a January transfer. “It’s the Champions League and it means a lot to us to do well.”Boateng scored his second goal of the evening after collecting the ball on the left side of the box and firing a shot into the far corner in the 77th minute.Real Sociedad will play in the group stage for the first time in 10 years after Carlos Vela scored twice in a 2-0 win over Lyon. The French side had the upper hand in the first half, but failed to create real chances and bowed out from the tournament 4-0 on aggregate.Zenit booked their spot in the group stage after beating Pacos Ferreira 4-2 for an 8-3 aggregate. Portugal playmaker Danny scored twice for Pacos before Aleksandr Bukharov and Andrey Arshavin added goals to ensure their Russian club qualified for the Champions League for the fourth time.

View the original article here

AC Milan, Celtic reach Champions League group stage

Sagicor group to reorganise under holding company

Business

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

SAGICOR Life Jamaica (SLJ) and its subsidiaries will be reorganised under a new holding company that will be listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE).Shares in the new group company, which will become the direct holding company of the insurance division, SLJ, the investment arm, Sagicor Investments Jamaica and commerical bank, Sagicor Bank, will replace SLJ shares now listed on the stock market.“All current shareholders of SLJ will exchange shares in SLJ for shares of equal value in the new Holding Company,” said a press statement issued by Sagicor on Friday. “That means the value of the new shares to be issued in Sagicor Group will be identical in value to the shares previously held in SLJ.”The reorganisation will take place under Court-approved Schemes of Arrangement to be approved by the members of the respective companies.The action will align the group’s organisational structure with the requirements of new omnibus legislation for deposit- taking institutions which is soon to be promulgated by Parliament.“The day-to-day operations of Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited, Sagicor Investments Jamaica Limited and Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited will not be affected by the reorganisation,” said the release.

View the original article here

Sagicor group to reorganise under holding company