JLP seat declared vacant
The ruling Jamaica Labour Party has lost another seat in parliament, in the ongoing dual citizenship debate.
A High Court judge yesterday declared the seat held by Shahine Robinson vacant, two weeks after she stepped down, having admitted that she was a US Citizen.
But the court’s decision did not go down well with the opposition’s attorney.
Lawyer Abe Dabdoub urged the judge to give them an opportunity to argue that the seat should be handed to Oswest Senior-Smith, the defeated candidate of the People’s National Party in the 2007 general election.
Justice Roy Jones said his decision is final and he would not entertain any submissions on the matter, but granted leave to Mr Dabdoub to appeal his ruling.
Mrs Robinson will however have to pay the petitioner’s costs which will be decided by courts.
Senegal takes in Haitian students
One hundred and sixty Haitian students will be headed to Senegal next week, as that country’s president honours a promise to offer a home to the victims of January’s earthquake.
A spokesman for Senegal’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs said Haiti’s President Rene Preval and his wife will accompany the students on a chartered flight.
Following the disaster in Port-au-Prince, the Senegalese leader, Abdoulaye Wade offered free land in his country to Haitians affected by the quake.
There is no longer talk of free land but Mr Wade said he was inviting the students to continue their education in local universities.
He has also asked local families to offer to host the students.
Mr Wade said he plans to bring in Haitian families next year.
Both countries are former French colonies.