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.

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

Honey Bun takes three JSE awards

Honey Bun topped three categories in the 2014 Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) awards held this month in Kingston. The Herbert and Michelle Chong-run company won Best Practices Award for Best Annual Report, Corporate Disclosure and Investor Relations (three years in a row), and Overall Winner.

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Honey Bun takes three JSE awards

Dortmund stay in bottom three after Wolves draw

by Ryland JAMES

Thursday, December 18, 2014    

Ailing German giants Borussia Dortmund remain in the Bundesliga’s relegation places after twice throwing away the lead in a 2-2 draw with second-placed VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

The draw leaves defending champions Bayern Munich 11 points clear at the top of the table.

A piece of sloppy defending five minutes from time ultimately cost Dortmund the three points when Wolfsburg’ Brazil defender Naldo headed home having been left unmarked at a corner.

“That was an intensive game against a very good opponent, Wolfsburg are a top team,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.

“We played well and that was okay for today.”

Despite reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Juventus, Dortmund have the worst record in the Bundesliga with nine defeats in their first 16 matches and are 16th in the table.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early goal for Dortmund was cancelled out by a Kevin de Bruyne free-kick in the first-half.

Ciro Immobile restored Dortmund’s lead with a stunning strike 14 minutes from time before Naldo rescued a point for Wolves.

“That shouldn’t have happened,” admitted Klopp when he saw a replay of Wolfsburg’s late equaliser when renowned header Naldo was allowed to roam unmarked in the area.

“But that’s the way things are for us at the moment and now we go on.”

Ten-man Werder Bremen, who host Dortmund on Saturday, remain rooted to the bottom of the table after their 4-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach, who move up to third.

Striker Max Kruse and defender Oscar Wendt put Gladbach 2-0 up at the break before Bremen’s dead-ball specialist Zlatko Junuzovic smashed home a second-half free-kick.

But Bremen had Luca Caldirola sent off with an hour gone for a second bookable offence before Christoph Kramer and Swedish striker Branimir Hrgota added Gladbach’s goals.

Bayer Leverkusen drop to fourth on goal difference despite Stefan Kiessling’s goal giving them a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Alexander Meier rescued his side with two goals in added time to seal a stunning 4-4 draw at home to Hertha Berlin.

Hertha were 4-2 up with 90 minutes played before Meier struck to take his tally to a Bundesliga best 12 goals.

Schalke are up to fifth after a 2-1 come-back win at Paderborn.

On Tuesday, Bayern beat Freiburg 2-0, Netherlands winger Arjen Robben scoring his 100th goal for the German champions.

Only a superb display from Freiburg goalkeeper Roman Burki kept the scoreline respectable as Bayern fired in 31 shots on goal — a Bundesliga record this season.

Goals by Robben and Thomas Mueller sealed Bayern’s win ahead of their final match of the year at Mainz on Friday.

Victory came at a price with defender Mehdi Benatia ruled out with a groin strain.

Striker Robert Lewandowski, midfielder Xabi Alonso and Jerome Boateng are all doubts as well, having taken knocks during the game.

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Dortmund stay in bottom three after Wolves draw

THE ULTIMATE RELEASES THREE NEW SINGLES

Fast-rising artiste The Ultimate has released three new singles entitled ‘Jah Jah Naah Sleep’, ‘Some Bwoy’ and ‘Boom Dem Dung’, which are creating a buzz on local radio stations.

The Ultimate, whose given name is Neil McFarlane, is known for his unique sounds, creativity, and his well constructed composition in which he delivers songs such as IWill Survive, Caah Do Mi Nuttn, My Goal, Over And Over, and I Wish, just to name a few.

He said that he is delighted with the response that he has been getting from his fans and is looking forward to greater things in the 2015.

“I am also giving thanks for the support that I have been receiving from both local and Internet radio stations,” said The Ultimate.

“The support has been great and so i am just going to continue to work hard and make good music for my fans,” he said.

The Ultimate added that he is busy in the studio working on new projects and also his EP, to be released in the coming year, and also a number of videos, which will also be released in the new year.

The Black Records recording artiste said he is very focused despite a number of challenges that he is facing.

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THE ULTIMATE RELEASES THREE NEW SINGLES

Three dead, including gunman, in Sydney hostage standoff

Monday, December 15, 2014 | 2:09 PM    

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Sydney police say three people have died, including the gunman, during a hostage crisis that ended when officers stormed a downtown cafe.

Police said the gunman was killed in a confrontation with police early Tuesday morning. They said in a statement that a 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman also died. Four other people were injured.

Police said an investigation is underway because police were involved in an incident in which people died.

Heavily armed police stormed the cafe in the heart of Sydney, ending a siege by an Iranian-born gunman who had held an unknown number of hostages for more than 16 hours.

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Three dead, including gunman, in Sydney hostage standoff

Three alleged scammers arrested

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

Three Jamaicans residing in the United States, accused of scamming the elderly via telephone, were Thursday arrested and charged separately for their involvement in the fraudulent scheme.

Charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, with an enhanced penalty for targeting the elderly is 24-year old Shanice Ethridge, of Broward County, Florida, United States address.

Mikhail Gorbachev George Williams, 25, also of a Broward County, Florida address, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and running an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Charged with mail fraud is Fabian Winston Parkinson, 33, of Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Elderly victims

According to www.miami.cbslocal.com, an investigation launched by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the US Postal Inspection Service and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) lead them to the three accused.

The three would reportedly call elderly victims, informing them that they had won a lottery or sweepstakes. It is believed that the trio would tell the victims that in order to claim their winnings, they first had to pay taxes, duties or fees.

“These arrests show that HSI is committed to stopping individuals who prey on our senior citizens,” Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami, Alysa Erichs said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our international partners and other law enforcement agencies to put an end to these criminal organisations.”

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Three alleged scammers arrested

Three shot dead over weekend

Monday, September 29, 2014 | 8:28 AM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Three men were shot dead in separate incidents in the eastern section of the island over the weekend, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) has confirmed.

Dead are 45-year-old Patrick Shand of a Tower Street address in Kingston, 19-year-old Tevaughn Henderson of 11 Miles Bull Bay, St Thomas and 33-year-old Randy Thompson of Norman Avenue, Kingston.

The police are investigating these murders.

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Three shot dead over weekend

Three injured One dead after police shootout

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

Detectives from the Spanish Town Police Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of four persons, one of whom has died, in Westmore Gardens, Spanish Town, St Catherine on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Jeffrey James of a Job Lane, Spanish Town address in the parish.

The police’s Corporate Communications Unit, the information arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), reports that sometime after 7 p.m., James and three other men were allegedly listening to music on a thoroughfare in the community when a motorcar approached them. One man alighted form the vehicle, opening fire on the group before escaping. The police were summoned and the injured men were taken to hospital where James was pronounced dead. Two of the were admitted in stable condition while one is admitted in serious condition

No motive has yet been established for the attack.

Persons with information are being urged to call 119, or the Spanish Town Police Station at (876) 984-3163.

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Three injured One dead after police shootout

Pharrell"s son plays the piano at three

Pharrell Williams’ son learned to play the piano at age three.

The Happy hitmaker has revealed his only child, Rocket Williams – who is now four – looks set to follow in his musical footsteps because he can already play keys, much to the 41-year-old star’s surprise.

He said: “He plays keys, it’s amazing. I didn’t start playing piano until I was like in my 20s, because I was a classically trained drummer, [my son] was playing keys at like three!”

Pharrell admits he really misses Rocket and the youngster’s mother, his wife, Helen Lasichanh, when he is on tour, but thanks God that video-call application FaceTime has been invented so he can see his family while speaking to them from overseas.

While he misses his wife and son when he is playing gigs abroad, the singer admits he enjoys performing to crowds and thinks of it as more of a treat for himself rather than the audience.

Speaking onITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’, he added: “I’m performing, but I kind of feel like I’m the one enjoying the show, because they’re all there making me feel amazing.

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Pharrell"s son plays the piano at three

Three Caribbean hotels listed on The Top Ten Places To Avoid At All Costs

Dominican Republic’s Don Juan Beach Resort (Credit: hotels.com)

NEW YORK, United States, Tuesday September 9, 2014 – The importance of adequate research when choosing a hotel recently came under a white hot spotlight with a stinging critique of 10 hotels described as “just plain disasters” by Oyster.com.

Published in the Daily Beast, the list of “Hotels From Hell” was dominated by properties in the United States, with five mainland US hotels and one in Hawaii making the grade – or downgrade.

Hot on the heels of the US were three Caribbean properties led by the Dominican Republic’s Don Juan Beach Resort, which claimed second place on the list, narrowly being booted out of the top (or bottom) spot by La Semana Hotel in New York City.

Here’s what the team at Oyster.com had to say about the Don Juan Beach Resort:
The hotel investigators at Oyster.com typically have pretty strong stomachs, and it’s rare for them to encounter a property where they’ll refuse to sleep. The Don Juan was one such special spot. Located in the Dominican Republic’s sex-tourism capital, guests should expect to be accosted by prostitutes, local hecklers, and merchants on the resort’s trash-strewn beach (with a view of a gas processing plant in the distance). Small pools, dark rooms.

Jamaica had the distinction, or lack thereof, of capturing sixth and tenth place on the list, with Sandals Carlyle Inn and Club Ambiance, respectively. Oyster.com’s take on both properties follows:

This hotel isn’t bad, per se, but it’s certainly deceptive. The marketing images show the hotel as located right on a beautiful beach. In fact, it’s across a busy road from a tiny, crowded public beach. A lot of guests are extremely disappointed by this when they arrive, and it ruins the stay for many. At least the hotel offers a shuttle to a better beach at a sister property.

You get what you pay for at this adults-only all-inclusive, which advertises a sensual, lively atmosphere. This translates to a free adult entertainment channel on the TV, clothing optional and nude areas at a neglected man-made beach, and a club with a, erm, dancing pole. Despite some renovations in 2013, rooms are dated and worn, with cheap bedspreads.

Other hotels singled out for a slamming by Oyster.com are as follows:

This rough-hewn crash pad has worn rooms with plenty of cleanliness issues, including stained towels and, during our visit, hairballs in the sink (other guests have reported hairs on the sheets as well). Pretty much the only redeeming quality is the excellent Ocean Drive location, across the street from the beach.

This upper-middle-range beach resort looks fine upon first glance—until you realize that it’s located across the road from a chemical factory. There’s a large incinerator right behind the hotel, and the pier on the hotel’s beach is used to transport chemicals. While the hotel assures guests that the pollution is within safe limits, we personally wouldn’t want to risk it—and wouldn’t be thrilled to discover the plant upon arrival.

The Quad Resort on the Las Vegas Strip is inexpensive, but for good reason. Rooms and hallways are dated and worn (carpets are particularly dirty). There is a pool, but it’s closed for renovations through 2014. The hotel is getting a new name in October—the LINQ Hotel and Casino—and renovations throughout the property are due to finish in spring 2015. The hotel will stay open for business throughout the process, but we advise steering clear for now.

This budget property is one of the most affordable options on International Drive, but there’s a reason—features are few and rooms are worn. Bathrooms are dirty and expect maintenance issues such as water leaks. Aside from the low rates, the location—at the entrance of Universal Orlando—is the selling point, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to several attractions, as well as a free breakfast.

The budget, no-frills, 359-room Pagoda Hotel is favoured by islanders seeking an affordable stay and visitors who want to avoid the higher prices of Waikiki Beach. But guests report issues with bugs (including cockroaches), and lots of street noise in the basic rooms. One of the two tiny pools is surrounded by Astroturf. There are extra fees for Wi-Fi and parking, which hurts the value for those coming for the price alone.

This by-the-hour sex motel is about what you’d expect from this type of establishment, with a clichéd romantic vibe, variety of themed rooms (including Love Nest, Egyptian, and Waterfall), lots of plastic flowers, and decades of stale cigarette smoke soaked into the walls and carpets. The bathroom was disgusting, and the black light we brought revealed some very telling stains in the bedroom.

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Three Caribbean hotels listed on The Top Ten Places To Avoid At All Costs

Three remanded for snatching phone

Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Three St James men charged in connection with the theft of a woman’s cellular phone in May were remanded in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday, until July 28, to allow one of them to get a lawyer.

Ewen Doyle and Keith Forbes, from Montego Bay, are charged with robbery with aggravation against Alexia Reid, while Christopher Wedderburn, also from MoBay, is charged with receiving stolen property.

Allegations are that, on May 8 about 11 p.m., Reid was walking along Barnett Street in Montego Bay when two men, one armed with a ratchet knife, robbed her of her handbag and her BlackBerry phone. Reid reported the matter to the police and Doyle and Forbes were later pointed out in an identification parade.

It is further alleged that, on June 12, acting on information, police went to the Charles Gordon Market and saw Wedderburn with a cellular phone, identified as Reid’s. Wedderburn was subsequently held.

Presiding magistrate Wilson Smith was told that, despite the prosecution’s readiness, Wedderburn had not yet got a lawyer.

“I cannot afford a lawyer, your honour,” Wedderburn told RM Smith.

“That is why you have legal aid. If you do not have the money, you do not pay …” said RM Smith.

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Three remanded for snatching phone

Three held in connection with fire that killed children

Three men have been taken into custody for questioning in relation to Friday’s fire in the western parish of Westmoreland which three children died.

The police say the men who are from the community. were detained on the weekend.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of  the fire which claimed the lives of  14 year old Britney Bowen, 10 year old Beyonce Leslie and 7 year old Xavier Mckenzie.

They were left at home by the mother of  the 14 year old.

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Three held in connection with fire that killed children

Three children killed in Westmoreland fire

Three children were burnt to death in a fire in the western parish of Westmoreland early Friday.

They have been identified as Britney Bowen14, Beyonce Leslie, 10 and Xavier Mckenzie, 7.

The police report that the children  – all siblings, were left at home by the mother of the 14 year old.

Early Friday, Fitz Davis, a neighbour said he was alert by thick smoke coming from the house.

The firefighters were alerted but had difficulty entering the building due to burgular bars.

The bodies of the children were found in a bathtub.

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Three children killed in Westmoreland fire

St Kitts prime minister calls killing of three “a brazen act”

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Credit: Caribbean360 / Bigstock)

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Sunday July 13, 2014, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Saturday said he was “appalled by this brazen act” after gunmen shot and killed three people and injured four others at the at the Frigate Bay Strip during the early hours.

In a statement, Dr. Douglas quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the “victims seems to have been targeted”

The police have not released the names or details of the shootings at the Frigate Bay Strip, but media reports said that two men, who had been sitting on the beach near a bar, had been shot and killed.

The media also reported that a third man died near the water’s edge as he attempted to flee the area.

Two female bystanders were struck in their legs during the early morning shooting that occurred around 3.00 am (local time).

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In his statement, Dr. Douglas said that the twin island Federation had been experiencing almost “ two years of peace and tranquility” and praised the police and the Defense Force for having “worked extraordinarily hard” in ensuring the peaceful environment.

“They have made excellent use of additional training and equipment, and they have benefited tremendously from our county’s strong relations with regional and international law enforcement agencies. This has had a very positive impact on the ground, and I wish to make it clear that my Government is determined to keep it this way.

“Like everyone in the Federation, I am appalled by this brazen act,” he said, extending his condolences to the family of those killed “sincere concerns to those who were injured”.

Dr. Douglas said he wanted to “remind each and every citizen and resident that indifference to criminality is not an option” and that “accommodating any form of criminality in your communities – and particularly in your homes – can come back and hit you hard.

“Because revenge and retaliation are often at the base of much crime, accommodating or excusing criminal behavior in your communities, your businesses, or your homes could result in you – or those you care about – falling victims in a cycle of action and reaction.”

He told citizens that the only way to protect yourself and those you love is to do what the people of the Federation have been doing for the past two years now, “strengthening their partnerships with law enforcement, ensuring that our children avail themselves of the youth-oriented programs organized by the police, doing their part to make our homes, our neighborhoods, and our country, crime free zones.

“Good, decent, and law-abiding citizens constitute the vast and overwhelming super-majority in this country. And it is we who must – and will – define the fabric and texture of life here. No-one else,” he added.

Dr. Douglas said that no one person, intent on violence, can be given greater weight than the rest of country.

“We, as a people, have already shown, and dramatically so, that when working in partnership with our police and defense forces, the law-abiding and decent citizens of our country most assuredly prevail. We have proven this over the past two years. And this is the trajectory on which we must – and shall – remain.

“The public has my assurance that our country’s law enforcement is treating the apprehension of the person responsible for this heinous act as a matter of utmost urgency,” Dr. Douglas added.

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St Kitts prime minister calls killing of three “a brazen act”

Three sentenced for lottery scam involvement

Three persons including a minor have been sentenced after pleading guilty to being involved in the lottery scam.

Tafarie Haddad,19 and Denise Sutherland,36, both unemployed of  Santa Cruz in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth pleaded guilty to breaching the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act and sentenced to two and three years hard labour respectively.

The minor was sentenced to three years probation for Knowingly Possessing Identity Information.

They were sentenced in the St. Elizabeth Circuit Court on Monday.  

They were arrested on November 29 last year after the police searched premises in Santa Cruz.

A book containing names, addresses, phone numbers and social security numbers of  persons living in the US along with Western Union and MoneyGram receipts were found.  

Eleven lottery scammers have been convicted in St. Elizabeth since last month.

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Three sentenced for lottery scam involvement

Teen among three to be sentenced for fraud

Launtia Cuff, STAR Writer

A 16-year-old boy and two other persons who pleaded guilty to breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions)(Special Provisions) Act, will be sentenced in the St Elizabeth Circuit Court today after pleading guilty on Friday.

The teen, who is from St Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing identity information.

Along with the teen, his mother, 36-year old Denise Sutherland also pleaded guilty to four counts of aiding and abetting the commission of an offence contrary to the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act.

The third person, 19-year-old Tafarie Haddad, pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding and abetting the commission of an offence contrary to the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act.

On Friday, November 29, 2013 about 5 a.m., members of the St Elizabeth Proactive Investigations Unit, with search warrants, visited the house occupied by the three.

social security numbers

During a search, a book containing names, addresses, contact numbers as well as social security numbers of persons living in the United States, as well as Western Union and Moneygram receipts were discovered in the room occupied by Haddad.

In the room occupied by Sutherland, Western Union receipts were also discovered.

The three were subsequently arrested and charged. A statement which was collected from the victim who resides in the United States, says he was swindled of more than US$60,000.

The three were remanded for sentencing which was set for Monday July 7.

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Teen among three to be sentenced for fraud

Three to get honorary doctorates from UTech

News

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

FORMER Cabinet minister and ambassador to the United Kingston, Burchell Whiteman, hotelier Michele Rollins and business mogul Kenneth Benjamin are to be conferred with honorary doctor of laws degrees by the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), the institution announced yesterday.The conferrals on Whiteman and Benjamin will take place at the university’s Kingston graduation on November 2, while Rollins will be conferred with her degree at the institution’s Western Campus graduation on November 9.Whiteman is being awarded for his outstanding contribution to education. He is also being hailed for his work as minister of education in seeing to the establishment of UTech, formerly known as the College of Arts, Science and Technology.Benjamin is being recognised for his outstanding work in entrepreneurship and philanthropy in Jamaica, while Rollin is being honoured for entrepreneurship, philanthropy and service to the university through the Advisory Committee to the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. (Left- Right) Burchell Whiteman & Michele Rollins

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Three to get honorary doctorates from UTech

Barbados requests FB information on three citizens

News

Thursday, August 29, 2013

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados has made a request of the social networking website, Facebook, for information on the use the social media site by three of its citizens.Barbados is the only Caribbean Community country to have made such a request, so far.Facebook has, for the first time, published data on how often governments around the world request data on its users, and according to the social network, Barbados made three requests on three individual users in the last six months.Facebook did not specify the nature or type request but said it set “a very high legal bar with each individual request in order to receive any information about any of our users”.There has been no official comment from Bridgetown but Facebook has outlined the conditions under which requests are accepted from Governments.“As we have made clear in recent weeks, we have stringent processes in place to handle all government data requests. We believe this process protects the data of the people who use our service, and requires Governments to meet a very high legal bar with each individual request in order to receive any information about any of our users.“We scrutinise each request for legal sufficiency under our terms and the strict letter of the law, and require a detailed description of the legal and factual bases for each request. We fight many of these requests, pushing back when we find legal deficiencies and narrowing the scope of overly broad or vague requests.“When we are required to comply with a particular request, we frequently share only basic user information, such as name,” Facebook said.It said that it hopes the report published at https://www.facebook.com/safety/groups/law/guidelines/ will be “useful to our users in the ongoing debate about the proper standards for government requests for user information in official investigations.“And while we view this compilation as an important first report, it will not be our last. In coming reports, we hope to be able to provide even more information about the requests we receive from law enforcement authorities,” Facebook added.

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Barbados requests FB information on three citizens

Three high schools to end shift system

STUDENTS attending three of the nation’s high schools will no longer have to contend with the shift system, as the institutions will be removed from that fixture during the new school year.

The schools are Holy Trinity High, in Kingston, Glengoffe High, St Catherine, and Anchovy High in St James.Education minister Ronald Thwaites made the disclosure during a back-to-school press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Andrew on Friday.Thwaites said that over time, more schools will be removed from the system used by institutions to accommodate the large number of students.In the meantime, the education minister said that expansion works at the Holy Trinity High School will be completed during the first term of the school year.For Glengoffe High School, Thwaites said that a new classroom block has been added, which will facilitate its removal from the shift system. He thanked the Government of Japan for funding the project.The minister also said that the Montpelier Complex in St James will be renovated to facilitate the expansion of Anchovy High School in January 2014.Turning to other school plants which are being upgraded, Thwaites said that the Cedar Grove High School in St Catherine will open in September, starting with 100 grade seven students.“A portion of the building has been finished for us to start. When the plant is completed in November, it will have a capacity of 1,200 students and will include a sixth form, which is very much needed in the Portmore vicinity,” he said.Thwaites said that the Belair High School in Manchester is now a grant-aided school and will, in September, accommodate an additional 105 students at grade six, and an expanded sixth form.The minister also noted that repairs and expansion at the Garvey Maceo High School in Clarendon was completed and will be ready for occupancy at the start of the new school year.In the meantime, he said that 63 basic schools will be absorbed into 50 infant departments in primary schools, with others to follow later during the school year.Thwaites also noted that the ministry is on track to convert 66 pit latrines to water closets by December 2013.The 2013/14 academic school year is slated to begin on September 2.THWAITES… more schools to be removed from shift system

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Three high schools to end shift system

Bolt in semi-final three

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PAUL A REID Observer WriterSunday, August 11, 2013 | 4:26 AM

MOSCOW, Russia — Usain Bolt will run in the third of three men’s 100m semi-final heats in the afternoon session of today’s second day of the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia after easily qualifying on Saturdays first day.Bolt is one of four Jamaicans in the semi-finals, is widely popular here in Russia and the expectations are for a packed stadium for the first time since the start of the competition.He ‘jogged’ a pedestrian, by his lofty standards anyways 10.07 seconds to win his heat and will line up against American Mike Rodgers who ran a fast 9.98 seconds in the heats on Saturday.Nesta Carter who is a dark horse for a medal will run in the first semi-finals set for 7:05pm local time against Another American, Justin Gatlin who edged him for the gold at the World Indoors last year, France’s Jimmy Vicaut and Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago.Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade will be in the second semi-final where their biggest threat should be France’s Christophe Lemaitre.The first two in each heat and the next two fastest times will advance to the finals set for 9:50pm local time or 12:50pm Jamaican time.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserverMOSCOW, Russia — Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt (left) cruises to victory to win his heat of the men’s 100 metres at the 14th IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki Stadium here yesterday. (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

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Bolt in semi-final three