ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

'Evil' killed in confrontation with cops

One of Westmoreland's most feared gunmen was shot and killed during an alleged confrontation with the police in Burnt Savannah, St Elizabeth, yesterday.

The deceased has been identified as Nicholas Ruben, otherwise called 'Evil'.

The police said a Beretta 9mm pistol along with five 9mm cartridges was seized at the scene of the shooting.

The matter is being investigated by the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau and the Independent Commission of Investigation.

Treasure Beach gets drainage improvement

Another phase of the $41-million Treasure Beach Drainage Improvement Project in St Elizabeth has been completed.

The project, which was undertaken by the National Works Agency, aims to ensure that excess storm-water flows from the Great Pond will enter the Caribbean Sea.

"This is a very important project for the residents of Treasure Beach, Great Bay and the surrounding communities to ensure that in the event of any weather event, that we would be protected from the flooding that has plagued the community for decades," said Floyd Green, member of parliament for St Elizabeth South West, where Treasure Beach falls.

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Jamaicans urged to join reparations fight

Jamaicans are being urged to join the movement for reparations for the injustices suffered by the ancestors.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, made the call while addressing the Emancipation Jubilee at Seville Heritage Park in St Ann. She said that reparations are not only about monetary compensation but also the restoration of dignity and righting a wrong that was done to the forefathers.

"Here, we are the children and grandchildren of our ancestors; we celebrate their resilience, their determination and their sacrifice," she said.

"Here [at Seville] we have raised a monument to our ancestors; here, we come every year to celebrate their strength, their courage, their resilience and endurance. It was for us they bled and died and lived, and it is for them that we cry 'Reparations now, Reparations are a must'," Grange declared.

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Stunning drone show promised for Grand Gala

The skies above the National Stadium in Kingston will come alive with a stunning display of lights, as the spectacular drone display returns for this year's Grand Gala on Sunday, August 6.

The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will culminate activities celebrating Jamaica's 61st anniversary under the theme: 'Jamaica 61 ... Proud and Strong'.

Featuring hundreds of drones hovering in perfect harmony and forming breathtaking visuals of the national symbols and cultural icons, the drone show was the highlight of last year's Jamaica 60 Grand Gala.

Lenford Salmon, executive director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), said that this year's show "is going to be fantastic" and different.

"We are going to have different images so it will not be the same as last year but it will be fantastic. We don't want to give away the surprise," he said.

"People love pomp and ceremony with the uniformed forces. The senior and junior uniformed forces will be on display and then we move into the artistic segment, which involves the dances, the fireworks and the drone show. It is going to be a Grand Gala to look forward to," Salmon said.

The annual event is free to the public; however, persons must have a ticket to enter the National Stadium.

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St Elizabeth police sound warning

Acting Superintendent Coleridge Minto, the head of the St Elizabeth police, said there are individuals who have been charged with serious offences but have provided St Elizabeth residential addresses to the courts.

Minto made the disclosure yesterday after the police shot and killed Nicholas Ruben, otherwise called 'Evil', who is said to be one of Westmoreland's most wanted.

The senior cop said these persons are being monitored and are required to report to various police stations as a condition of their bail.

"We are keeping a close eye on persons residing in the parish, who have serious matters before the court," said Minto.