O-Wrap: St James SOE extension… Tourist arrivals up… 24 suspects detained
In case you missed it, here are OBSERVER ONLINE’s top 10 stories for today:
1. Jamaica not in chaos, Holness assures Diaspora
Prime Minister Andrew Holness today sought to assure the Diaspora that Jamaica is not in chaos despite the on-going state of public emergency in St James.
2. Parliament votes in favour of extending St James state of emergency
The House of Representatives a short while ago voted to in favour of a resolution put forward by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to extend the state of public emergency in St James.
3. Man killed, teen injured in shootout with security forces; Uzi submachine gun seized
One man, as yet unidentified, was fatally shot during what is being described as a torrid shootout with a joint police/military patrol team in Kilmarnock, St Elizabeth yesterday afternoon.
4. Tourist arrivals increase, says ministry
The Ministry of Tourism has reported a 13.7 per cent increase in stopover arrivals for a four-day period from January 22-25, with Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James recording 18,851 arrivals, up by 12.1 per cent over the same period in 2017.
5. Ex-student who put body fluids in J’can roommate’s belongings seeks probation
A white former Connecticut university student accused of smearing body fluids on her black roommate’s belongings asked a judge Tuesday to allow her into a probation programme that could erase criminal charges from her record.
6. New Director of Tourism Donovan White will assist with sector’s growth — Bartlett
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says he is pleased with the appointment of Donovan White as Jamaica’s new director of tourism.
7. Gutsy Boyz draw 2-2 with South Korea
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz bravely held World Cup-bound South Korea to an exciting 2-2 draw inside the Mardan Stadium here on Tuesday.
8. Four J’cans facing illegal landing charges after ganja bust in Cayman
Four Jamaicans have been charged with illegal landing in the Cayman Island, with one of them facing an additional charge of drug smuggling, following the seizure of two boats and more than 700 pounds of ganja.
9. Police pursuing cases against 24 arrested in St James over the weekend
The security forces are reporting that 24 of the 92 people who were detained in operations in St James over the weekend still remain in custody on suspicion of being involved in various crimes committed in the parish.
10. It’s official, DCP Clifford Blake to act as police commissioner
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Strategic Operations portfolio, Clifford Blake will officially act as the commissioner of police as at Thursday, February 1.
