Ian Allen
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Articles by Ian Allen
Powell hails ‘12th man’ for standing by Kingsmen
The wait for a win is finally over for the Jamaica Kingsmen and their passionate fans. After a difficult start to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 T20 cricket campaign, the Kingsmen registered their first victory, a resounding five-wicket triumph over defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders, at Sabina Park on Saturday night.
How Rugged Individualism Is At Odds With Biology
"We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Have you ever wondered how it is that two people can experience the same event, and it has totally different effects on each of them? How two soldiers can experience the same atrocity in war and only one of them has PTSD, while the other is able to cope?
How Rugged Individualism Is At Odds With Biology
"We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Have you ever wondered how it is that two people can experience the same event, and it has totally different effects on each of them? How two soldiers can experience the same atrocity in war and only one of them has PTSD, while the other is able to cope?
The Curious Cons of the Man Who Wouldn’t Die
Mark was tweaking when he forged his own death certificate. Meth gave him diamantaire focus and huge confidence. The drug was like a cheering section in his veins, telling him he was a genius, they’d never catch him. This was late in October 2003, at his desk in the apartment on Willoughby Avenue in West Hollywood. Mark based the forgery, as usual, on his brother Luke’s death certificate, now more than ten years old. Using Photoshop, he altered names, dates, vital statistics. (Such a boon, Photoshop.
BREAKING: Athens police arrest 20-year-old suspect for shooting of UGA student
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department announced on Tuesday the arrest of 20-year-old Zarren Garner for the armed robbery and shooting of a University of Georgia student and robbery of another UGA student on South Milledge Avenue on Monday. With the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, FBI Safe Streets and the Gwinnett County Police Department, Garner was arrested in Gwinnett County at 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, according to an ACCPD press release.
BREAKING: Athens police arrest 20-year-old suspect for shooting of UGA student
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department announced on Tuesday the arrest of 20-year-old Zarren Garner for the armed robbery and shooting of a University of Georgia and robbery of another UGA student on South Milledge Avenue on Monday. With the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, FBI Safe Streets, and the Gwinnett County Police Department, Garner was arrested in Gwinnett County at 1:40 am on Tuesday, according to an ACCPD press release.
UGA students gain experience and help Athens residents through free tax service
Two things are certain: death and taxes. For something so commonplace, the latter can be both complicated and frustrating. In order to help alleviate that stress, University of Georgia students are working as tax-filers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to help low-income Athens citizens file their taxes for free.
Holness off on business - Queen Elizabeth among host of dignitaries PM to meet on three-country trip
Prime Minister Andrew Holness is now in Peru for the start of an intense working trip overseas, where he will hold bilateral talks with key partners as well as participate in the Summit of the Americas then attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in England. In Lima, Peru, Holness will deliver a speech at the business forum of the Summit of the Americas ahead of bilateral discussions with Sebasti·n PiÒera, president of the Republic of Chile.
PM off on business - Queen Elizabeth among host of dignitaries Holness to meet during nine-day visit to three countries
Prime Minister Andrew Holness is now in Peru for the start of an intense working trip overseas, where he will hold bilateral talks with key partners as well as participate in the Summit of the Americas then attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in England. In Lima, Peru, Holness will deliver a speech at the business forum of the Summit of the Americas ahead of bilateral discussions with Sebasti·n PiÒera, president of the Republic of Chile.
Launch of Child Month
Ian Allen/Photographer Nicole McLaren-Campbell (second right), chief executive officer, AIM Educational Services, took the opportunity to chat with Romario Ricketts (left), student at Excelsior High School; Jana-lee Henry (second left), student at St.Georges College and Esther Johnson student at Greater Portmore Primary school during the official launch of Child Month 2018 which was held at the Grace Kennedy Limited offices in downtown Kingston yesterday.
Youth held back by poverty...Many staying away from school because they can’t afford to go
Dozens of children in war-torn, impoverished communities in May Pen, Clarendon, are staying away from school because they cannot afford lunch money and transportation to attend institutions located far away from their homes. Otis James, head of the James and Friends Education Programme, last week argued that this is one of the main causes for the parish's growing poverty and crime rates, and is calling on the relevant authorities to take steps to address the situation.
Youth held back by poverty - Many staying away from school because they can't afford to go
Dozens of children in war-torn, impoverished communities in May Pen, Clarendon, are staying away from school because they cannot afford lunch money and transportation to attend institutions located far away from their homes. Otis James, head of the James and Friends Education Programme, last week argued that this is one of the main causes for the parish's growing poverty and crime rates, and is calling on the relevant authorities to take steps to address the situation.
Jamaica Cancer Society wants Pap smears at work, schools and places of worship
The Jamaica Cancer Society is calling for local organisations to take advantage of an outreach programme it has embarked on to bring Pap smear testing to women inside their various places of work, study, and worship.
Proper nutri labels soon - Food industry task force promises to resolve unlabelled school products concerns
Chairman of the National Food Industry Task Force, Professor Fitzroy Henry, is advising parents of students who consume the products distributed by the Nutrition Products Limited (NPL) that even though it is going to take some time to provide proper labelling, it is being worked on. "Proper food labelling is one of the core aspects of the task force, so it's a big activity for us and we are working on it," said Henry.
Broken but healed - Enid Smith's story of strong determination that defied a crippling diagnosis
A year ago, doctors told Enid Smith that she would never walk again, and that she would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, depending on others to take care of her. Today, the woman of God stands laughing heartily at that diagnosis, and beams with gratitude at the mention of doctors and nurses at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in St Andrew, who helped to change her fate.
Expunge our records - Reformed youth offenders begging for an early second chance
Several youths in May Pen, Clarendon, whose future has been blighted by their criminal antecedents, are begging the authorities to look into laws governing the expungement of criminal records, as they are being denied crucial opportunities.
Expunge our records...Reformed youth offenders begging for an early second chance
Several youths in May Pen, Clarendon, whose future has been blighted by their criminal antecedents, are begging the authorities to look into laws governing the expungement of criminal records, as they are being denied crucial opportunities.
Team Jamaica Bickle - a quarter century of offering food, friendship and family to nation’s athletes
Twenty-four years after Irwine Clare and friends stretched out their hands to help Jamaican students attending the Penn Relays in Pennsylvania, United States (US), little did he know that he was planting a seed that would grow into a huge tree known as Team Jamaica Bickle. A family of volunteers, alumni, Jamaicans in the diaspora, and friends of Jamaica have extended their hands, homes, time and pockets to a growing number of Jamaican students, some entering the US for the first time to perform.
Team Jamaica Bickle distributes over 45 cardiac units to schools
Over 45 high schools across Jamaica have now been outfitted with an automated external defibrillator (AED) unit, courtesy of Team Jamaica Bickle, the organisation which provides support services for Caribbean athletes who compete at the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The AED unit is used to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Team Jamaica Bickle distributes over 45 cardiac units to high schools across Jamaica
Over 45 high schools across Jamaica have now been outfitted with an automated external defibrillator (AED) unit, courtesy of Team Jamaica Bickle, the organisation which provides support services for Caribbean athletes who compete at the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The AED unit is used to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Team Jamaica Bickle -Serving Jamaican athletes
The opportunity to interact with future Olympians is one of the main factors that have caused Team Jamaica Bickle to continue to attract a steady cadre of volunteers at a time when several social organisations are struggling to get primarily younger volunteers to give back. The organisation is well known in the diaspora for providing hospitality services for Caribbean athletes at the annual Penn Relays.
Designer bicycles, anyone? - Spanish Town welder ready to roll out transport line
Shortly after a state of public emergency was declared in the St Catherine North division on Sunday, The Gleaner ran into a man in the parish who travelled along the Spanish Town bypass on a custom-designed bicycle he constructed. A welder by trade, Clay Sterling told The Gleaner that he had been constructing bicycles since he was a 'youth'.
INDECOM cites growing incidents of fatal police shootings
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) yesterday raised concerns about a growing number of fatal shootings by the security forces last year, as it continued its call for more accountability within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Assistant commissioner of INDECOM, Hamish Campbell, outlined that 168 of the 264 shooting incidents reported against the security forces last year involved persons who were fatally shot.
INDECOM cites fatal police shootings skyrocketing
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) yesterday raised concerns about a growing number of fatal shootings by the security forces last year, as it continued its call for more accountability within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Assistant commissioner of INDECOM, Hamish Campbell, outlined that 168 of the 264 shooting incidents reported against the security forces last year involved persons who were fatally shot.
Hailey’s horror! - Family needs $31m to save the life of baby born with rare genetic disorder
January 16 was a day of celebration for Sanika Splatt as she gave birth to a daughter she named Hailey Baker, but her joy was short-lived as it was soon discovered that Hailey was born with a rare genetic disorder and had to be placed on a life support machine. Hailey is now off the life support machine but remains in the special care nursery at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), having been diagnosed with an inborn error of metabolism.
Rock solid and confident Nathaniel Stone, bags 2018 Spelling Bee title
The rock solid confidence that Nathaniel Stone exhibited throughout yesterday's final of The Gleaner's Children's Own 2018 Spelling Bee Competition, was a sure indicator that the 11-year-old meant serious business. So it was no surprise when he walked away with the brightest of smiles which mimicked his shiny first place trophy.
School bell rings! - Holness announces by-election date; principal, Rhodes scholar summoned to the polls
Prime Minister Andrew has announced March 5 as the date voters in North West St Andrew will go to the polls to elect their new member of parliament. Nominations day will be February 12, Holness also announced. The prime minister made the announced during a jam-packed Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council One meeting at the the Pembroke Hall Community Centre in the heart of the constituency yesterday.
Gleaner crime forum | Social intervention needed in Westmoreland
There are growing calls for more social intervention in Westmoreland, which has seen murders increase by almost 200 per cent since 2014. "Everybody has to be called to book, and everybody has to play his or her part towards resolving the situation as it now exists, in terms of the church, in terms of the schools, in terms of the community organisations," said custos of Westmoreland, the Reverend Hartley Perrin, during a Gleaner Crime Forum in Savanna-la-Mar last week.
Gleaner crime forum | Fix police corruption, fix crime in Westmoreland
While accepting that there is no immediate quick fix to Westmorland's crime problem, key stakeholders in the parish believe the place to start is weeding out corruption in the ranks of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). And they will get the backing of the man who now heads the police in the parish, Superintendent Lanford Salmon, who told a Gleaner crime forum at the Sean Lavery Centre in Savanna-la-Mar last Thursday that he was determined to rid his team of those not toeing the line.
Unfair & untrue - Two ninth-graders push back after school is labelled violent
Stunned by the disclosure of Education Minister Ruel Reid that their school was one of the four selected to be outfitted with hand-held and walk-through metal detectors to stem violent incidents, two grade nine students of Brown's Town High embarked on a mission to defend the reputation of the institution. Cousins Junior Gooden and Cyril Hinds were not about to let the negative publicity about the St Ann-based school go unchallenged.
Unfair & untrue - Two nine graders push back after school is labelled violent
Stunned by the disclosure of Education Minister Ruel Reid that their school was one of the four selected to be outfitted with hand-held and walk-through metal detectors to stem violent incidents, two grade nine students of Brown's Town High embarked on a mission to defend the reputation of the institution. Cousins Junior Gooden and Cyril Hinds were not about to let the negative publicity about the St Ann-based school go unchallenged.
Gleaner Crime Forum | Pity the police - Stakeholders call for greater resources for Westmoreland cops
Several stakeholders in Westmoreland have expressed fear that the police in the parish are becoming demoralised, and this could be affecting their ability to deal with the crime monster now stalking the parish. Since 2014, when 51 murders were recorded in Westmoreland, there has been a frightening, steady increase in the number of people killed in the parish each year, reaching 148, or an almost 200 per cent increase, last year.
Guns galore in Sav ... But no one is telling the Westmoreland cops
Houses operating as gun shops, firearms and ammunition being sold from the trunks of cars in the Savanna-la-Mar Bus Park, and boats taking guns into the parish, docking near Wharf Road in Smithfield on a monthly basis, are just some of the allegations of residents of Westmoreland. But despite their fears, none of the residents seem prepared to share the information they have with the police.
Gleaner Crime Forum | Blame the parents - Westmoreland stakeholders say poor parenting must be blamed for youth turning to a life of crime
Poor parenting must be blamed for the rapid decline in the value system of the society, which has seen youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24 years turning to a life of crime, noted Barbara Dandy, dean of discipline at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.
Blame the parents - Westmoreland stakeholders say poor parenting must be blamed for youth turning to a life of crime
Poor parenting must be blamed for the rapid decline in the value system of the society, which has seen youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24 years turning to a life of crime, noted Barbara Dandy, dean of discipline at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.
Blame the parents...Westmoreland stakeholders say poor parenting must be blamed for youths turning to a life of crime
Poor parenting must be blamed for the rapid decline in the value system of the society, which has seen youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24 years turning to a life of crime, noted Barbara Dandy, dean of discipline at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.
Grange calls for greater support for pregnant teens
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange urged Jamaicans yesterday not to turn their backs on pregnant teenagers, or teenage mothers. Grange was speaking during the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation's 40th anniversary church service at Boulevard Baptist Church in Kingston. She was adamant that the Government does not endorse teenage pregnancy, but insisted that pregnant teens need love and care, too.
RJRGLEANER Honour Awards | For Education: Floyd Morris - Truly a faithful visionary
The biggest barriers to achieving success are often ourselves and those around us. However, identifying your challenge, fuelled by your commitment, passion and dedication towards your goals can assist you on your road to success. According to Dr Floyd Morris, Jamaica’s first blind senator and former Senate president, he was driven by the desire to succeed because he recognised early in his life that being from a humble background and having a disability was a recipe for hopelessness.
Minister Grange calling for greater support for pregnant teens-
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange urged Jamaicans yesterday not to turn their backs on pregnant teenagers, or teenage mothers. Grange was speaking during the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation's 40th anniversary church service at Boulevard Baptist Church in Kingston. She was adamant that the Government does not endorse teenage pregnancy, but insisted that pregnant teens need love and care, too.
Early lockdown - State of emergency tightens grip on St James
Hopeful that the state of public emergency will ultimately restore law and order, business operators in St James, including the operators of informal street-side stalls, said that they were quite happy to comply with a directive from the security forces to close early, although it would affect their income. "If dis is what it a guh tek fe bring back law, order, and peace to St James, mi ready fi support it," said a Norwood-based shopkeeper. "Besides, when shot a fire, yu still haffi lock up.
Closed for business - State of emergency tightens grip on St James
Hopeful that the state of public emergency will ultimately restore law and order, business operators in St James, including the operators of informal street-side stalls, said that they were quite happy to comply with a directive from the security forces to close early, although it would affect their income. "If dis is what it a guh tek fe bring back law, order, and peace to St James, mi ready fi support it," said a Norwood-based shopkeeper. "Besides, when shot a fire, yu still haffi lock up.
RJRGLEANER honours outstanding achievements
Veteran reggae crooner Hugh Beresford Hammond led a cast of four individuals and one organisation to receive the first batch of RJRGleaner Honour Awards for their significant contribution to the quality of life in Jamaica during the last 12 months or are likely to bring about such change in the immediate future.
RJR Gleaner honours outstanding achievements
Veteran reggae crooner Hugh Beresford Hammond led a cast of four individuals and one organisation to receive the first batch of RJRGleaner Honour Awards for their significant contribution to the quality of life in Jamaica during the last 12 months or are likely to bring about such change in the immediate future.
Editors' Forum | Angel investing pays success forward
Eight out of 115 seems like a small number, but as far as angel investing goes, that is like finding eight diamonds. Since starting in June 2014, First Jamaica (First AngelsJa) has notched eight ventures that are up and running, and while it is early days, the companies are performing well, according to chairman of First AngelsJa, Joseph M. Matalon. Entrepreneurs either approach First AngelsJa members directly or via the network's website.
Counter 'Anancyism' with appropriate systems - Contractor General
Contractor General Dirk Harrison says that too many officials in the public and private sectors are involved in "hanky-panky Anancyism" made possible because of the lack of appropriate systems designed to keep corruption at bay. He was speaking at a Rotary Club of New Kingston breakfast meeting yesterday at the Altamont Court Hotel. "There is a need to have proper resources allocated in the fight against corruption; there is also a need to have the right people in the right places.
Counter 'Anancyism' with appropriate systems - Dirk Harrison
Contractor General Dirk Harrison says that too many officials in the public and private sectors are involved in "hanky-panky Anancyism" made possible because of the lack of appropriate systems designed to keep corruption at bay. He was speaking at a Rotary Club of New Kingston breakfast meeting yesterday at the Altamont Court Hotel. "There is a need to have proper resources allocated in the fight against corruption; there is also a need to have the right people in the right places.
The Brutal Lifecycle of JavaScript Frameworks - Stack Overflow Blog
JavaScript UI frameworks and libraries work in cycles. Every six months or so, a new one pops up, claiming that it has revolutionized UI development. Thousands of developers adopt it into their new projects, blog posts are written, Stack Overflow questions are asked and answered, and then a newer (and even more revolutionary) framework pops up to usurp the throne.
Short-term justice - Days of long, drawn-out cases numbered, says chief justice
The nation's outgoing chief justice yesterday delivered a parting shot to prosecutors and defence attorneys, warning that the days of the long, drawn-out trials with "excessive, irrelevant, and unnecessary cross-examinations" must become a thing of the past. The warning by Zaila McCalla comes as the country's already overburdened court system continues to see what she described as a "deluge" of cases despite a number of initiatives that are aimed at reducing the backlog.
Good move! - Gender specialist applauds planned court for sex offences
Gender specialist and university lecturer Nadeen Spence has welcomed plans for a special court to be established to deal with sex-related cases. "The truth is, what we have in Jamaica is serious. It is really serious, and there are a lot of women who won't report [sexual abuse] because the court system is so hostile to them, and those who are involved in court cases are not very sensitive to the particular trauma," Spence told The Sunday Gleaner. "There seems to be a lack of culpability.
Suicidal gangsters - Criminals courting death, too coward to kill themselves
Noted psychiatrist, Professor Frederick Hickling, is convinced that some of Jamaica's most hardened criminals are courting death but instead of committing suicide they depend on rival gang members and police officers to end their lives.
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