6 Things You Need To Know Today

Your news in a nutshell

1. EFJ supports solutions to beat drought
2. ZOSO tearing families apart?
3. Paulwell renews call to scrap oil hedge levy
4. Hundreds at Seville Emancipation Vigil
5. Whitmore to young Reggae Boyz: This is your chance!
6. Most Gov’t stakeholders unclear re role in human trafficking

1. EFJ supports solutions to beat drought

THE SUMMER so far has been unusually hot, with farmers in several parishes suffering from drought conditions as crops wither in the fields, a situation that could be more common with climate change. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. ZOSO tearing families apart?

As the Government boasts of significant reduction in crime, stemming from the implementation of zones of special operations and states of public emergency, families of members of the security forces are being torn apart. Chairman of the Police Federation Corporal Arleen McBean told The Gleaner recently that households of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are being destroyed due to prolonged absenteeism from the home. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Paulwell renews call to scrap oil hedge levy

The Opposition spokesman on energy Phillip Paulwell is renewing calls for the government to scrap the oil hedge levy saying it is unnecessarily contributing to higher fuel prices at the pumps. “There is no need for the government to collect the hedge levy because it has long abandoned the hedge protection against oil price increases,” Paulwell said in a statement. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Hundreds at Seville Emancipation Vigil

Escorted by young Jamaicans garbed in bright ‘cultural’  colours, flickers of candlelight bouncing from their faces, government leaders, civic and business leaders were led around the grounds of Seville Great House in St Ann during last night’s vigil mourning the tragedy of slavery and celebrating Jamaica’s emancipation 180 years ago. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Whitmore to young Reggae Boyz: This is your chance!

National senior men’s football team head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore has said that with the Arnett Gardens and Portmore United players of the national team away on international club duties, this is a great opportunity for a number of Under-23 players to make an impression. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Most Gov’t stakeholders unclear about role in human trafficking

Only 20 per cent of the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons’ (NATFATIP) stakeholders interviewed by the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons were able to articulate their area of responsibility in tackling the crime. Of the 13 interviews conducted during 2016, twelve involved government officials, plus the head of a non-governmental organisation. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.