The Jamaica Cancer Society is lamenting the continued reluctance of Jamaican men to undertake tests for prostate cancer, even though the cancer is the most deadly among adult men. Speaking on Independent Talk with Althea McKenzie, the cancer society’s, Shullian Brown, disclosed that the number of men volunteering to be screened is unimpressive. The Cancer Society has recommended that all men have a yearly screening for prostate cancer starting at age 40. However, Brown says it is unfortunate that Jamaican men refuse to do screenings although the cancer is responsible for most cancer-related deaths especially in the 40-70 age group. The efforts to have more men do prostate cancer screenings have been frustrated by the cultural fear of rectal examinations. However, Brown, says there should be no fear as that exam lasts about three seconds. … Read entire article »

The Organisation of American States (OAS) has released a report, blasting Jamaica’s prosecutorial agencies, especially the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for what it calls a general failure to prosecute corruption cases. The report is the culmination of a review that examined Jamaica’s implementation of modern mechanisms for preventing, detecting, punishing, and eradicating corrupt acts under the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, covering oversight bodies. The DPP’s office was not the only State agency criticised for the lack of prosecution. Using an OCG report from 2011, the Attorney General’s Department, the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and the Office of the Auditor General were also highlighted for inaction. The OAS says from its review, the lack of sufficient prosecution, could serve to undermine the three main state entities which go after corrupt … Read entire article »

AN UPDATE ON A STORY THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY! Jackie Bernard The leader of The Kingstonians, (left) renders a pop song at Palladium Theatre, Montego Bay, in June 1966.— Diabetic Jackie Bernard destitute despite hits Jackie Bernard, lead singer of vocal group The Kingstonians, has passed away in the Kingston Public Hospital. The Kingstonians, a rock steady trio, was founded by Bernard and his brother Lloyd ‘Footy’ Bernard along with Lloyd Kerr in the 1960s. The group recorded a number of songs and gained popularity between 1968 and 1970, when they signed with producer and singer Derrick Harriott. Derrick Harriott Under Bernard’s leadership, the trio released singles such Whiney Whiney, Singer Man, Sufferer and Hold Down, among others. Singer Man was covered by multi-platinum selling British reggae group UB40 on their Labour Of Love 2 album in 1989. The Kingstonians’ success was short-lived and by the … Read entire article »