THE Bureau of Special Investigations is probing yesterdays fatal shooting of one of two men who engaged a police constable in a shoot-out in Golden Spring, St Andrew.

The dead man, who has not yet been identified, was dressed in a green shirt, black and grey under shirt, brown pants and a pair of black shoes.

According to investigators, about 4:45 am, the cop was travelling along the Stock Farm Main Road in Golden Spring when he was attacked by two men; one armed with a gun.

The gunman fired several shots at the lawman who fired back. One of the men sustained gunshot wounds while the other escaped.

The injured man was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he died.

When word spread on April 1 that the U.S. Embassy in Kingston was stripping dancehall stars Aidonia, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and Mavado of their visas, many Jamaicans figured the news for a jokejust more fodder for Clovis, the Jamaica Observer cartoonist whose satirical barbs target trouble-prone musicians just as often as inept politicians. For the artists themselves, though, it was no laughing matter. "It was a big shock for us," says Lav Lawrence, Aidonia's brother/manager. "These are maybe four of the five top artists right now. They're ambassadors for the country."

As such, all four are remarkably problematic ambassadors: Each has come under great scrutiny at home and abroad for their controversial lyrics and what seems like a never-ending cycle of feuds with one another. Bounty Killer has racked up a litany of arrests over the years, adding one for allegedly assaulting his longtime girlfriend just days after the U.S. Embassy edict. Beenie Man was busted for marijuana possession Stateside in 2000. Aidonia and Mavado were both apprehended on gun charges in Jamaica in 2008. But no convictions have resulted from any of these crimes, in either country. That, and the timing of the revocationsjust weeks after prominent Jamaican businessman Wayne Chen lost his own visahas led many observers to conclude that the cancellations were de facto sanctions, prompted by the Jamaican government's dawdling on the U.S. request to extradite politically connected Kingston druglord Chistopher "Dudus" Coke, a debacle that steadily heightened tensions between the two countries for nearly a year before his capture in Kingston last week.

The U.S. initially requested the extradition of Coke, now awaiting trial in Manhattan federal prison, back in August 2009, charging the alleged leader of the Shower Posse (an international drug/crime ring with roots in 1980s Brooklyn) with conspiring to distribute marijuana and cocaine, and trafficking firearms between the U.S. and Jamaica. But it wasn't until mounting pressure forced Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding to cop to hiring a U.S. lobbying firm to run interference that he finally initiated extradition efforts, which culminated in the *lo**y, four-day siege of Coke's Tivoli Gardens neighborhood (a so-called garrison where the don dada holds more sway than the government) that claimed over 70 lives in mid-May. None of the newly barred dancehall artists were thought to be in any way involved in this dispute, but whatever the reasonsome cite perceived ties to Coke, whose entertainment company stages Kingston's annual Champions in Action concertthose artists now remain sidelined from U.S. travel.

"Suddenly, the U.S. is saying, 'No matter if the Jamaican government or law enforcement gives you a clean bill of health to travel, we don't think you should fly,' " says Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Media, which produces New York reggae fetes like the annual Irie Jamboree in Queens. "Which is a whole new policy. Somehow, the actions of the government have been linked to the entertainment industry."

Representative Yvette Clarke (no relation to Bobby), the Jamaican-American congresswoman whose district contains a heavily Caribbean swath of Central Brooklyn, says she has been assured by the U.S. State Department that the Coke flap has not impacted the issuing of visas to Jamaicans. (The U.S. Embassy itself does not publicly comment on individual visa cases.) Still, "There always is a certain extra scrutiny given to entertainers coming from the Caribbean region overall," she says. "We're not sure where that emanates from, but that's something my office is actively investigating."

It's not yet clear how, if it all, Coke's capture will impact dancehall artists' reception at the embassy. (Aidonia told the Voice earlier in the month he intended to reapply for his visa in July; Beenie Man, who stated his intent to regain his privileges in an April recording entitled "Visa," has a U.S. lawyer on the case, his management says.) But in the interim, 2010 is in jeopardy of becoming a lost year for reggae in the U.S. Summer is the genre's peak season: As temperatures spike, so generally does the amount of dancehall played at U.S. radio and in clubs. Beginning with May's "Best of the Best" concert in Miami and culminating in the orgy of New Yorkarea events preceding the West Indian Day Parade on Eastern Parkway every Labor Day, a string of outdoor music festivals typically keeps all the usual suspects busy here. But to the ire of promoters, Beenie, Bounty, and company have joined what is an ever-growing group of dancehall scofflaws, including Sizzla, Busy Signal, Vybz Kartel, and Jah Cure, all barred from entering the U.S.

And so, after Sean Paul, Elephant Man, and the Marleys, the list of marquee names capable of drawing festival-size crowds is strikingly short. (Buju Banton's recent arrest on federal drug-trafficking charges doesn't help, either). Jammins Entertainment's Brooklyn Music Festival, headlined last year by Beenie, Bounty, and Mavado, will rely on rappers B.O.B. and Fabolous (along with a suddenly-back-in-action Shaggy) this July 4. Irie Jam's Clarke has cancelled two events planned for this summer; he says he'll scale back the climactic Irie Jamboree, held annually on the Sunday before Labor Day, citing both the depleted talent pool and a "damper on the overall mood" caused by turbulence in Jamaica.

SOURCE: VILLAGEVOICE.COM

the police haVE released another list of alleged gang leaders or members and have called on them to turn themselves in to the police.

The list is the first since the capture of alleged drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and the extension on the state of emergency.

The six persons included in the list as persons of interest are Daniel 'Dan Dan' Bartley, Shane 'Shane Taliban' Jackson, Lamar Dean 'Lamar' Thompson, Okido 'Ocki' Roberts, Craig 'Shopkeeper' Dawson and Christopher 'Dog Paw' Linton.

According to the police, these persons are requested for questioning with regards to their alleged involvement in a number of murders and shootings.

Last Tuesday, the state of emergency was extended for another month and to include St Catherine, along with Kingston and St Andrew. Since the initiation of the state of emergency, following the Labour Day incursion into Tivoli Gardens, the police have made several requests for a number of persons to turn themselves in.

Since this request, numerous persons have followed the instruction of the police including relatives of Coke.

Orandy Smith - Contributed

At age 23, Orandy 'Accessories' Smith is already his own boss and exemplifies the success of a young entrepreneur. At his age, it is customary for persons to occupy their time drafting letters of applications in an effort to secure employment in traditional companies, acquiring work experience and eventually becoming subordinates under the leadership of their employers.

However, Smith 'calls the shots' for himself as he now operates an online store called Orandy's Accessories. Through his online store, Smith caters to the needs of females by suppling a variety of fashionable jewellery and accessories at competitive prices. Items include, among other things, earrings, rings, shoes, casual bags and scarves.

Smith started out in business on a very small scale and witnessed the gradual growth of his business over the past three years. He said his business began while he was still enrolled as a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. He said he used to walk about with a basket both on campus and in his community soliciting purchases from individuals. Smith told THE WEEKEND STAR "this business started out very small. It started out of a need more than a want."

He explained that he was motivated to start his own business after he encountered financial difficulties during his second year of university. These difficulties had placed him in a predicament because he "needed to provide lunch money" for himself for school.

balancing studies

His problems increased when he had to quit his job because balancing his studies and the job proved difficult. He said it "was just too much for me and my grades felt it." However, that summer, he received another job, but it was short term and he needed an alternative, a job that would last at least a year.

Smith explained that he needed a backup plan and consulted a friend for assistance. He said that his friend "suggested that I go into retailing costume jewellery since UWI is mainly females. Being the open-minded person that I am coupled with being in a desperate position, I decided to give it a try." He then invested the money that he had saved from his previous jobs into acquiring accessories. "The response to the accessories was amazing. The girls were madly in love with my sense of style, so I decided that it was something I was going to do until I left UWI."

However, Smith told THE WEEKEND STAR that he later decided to go into business full-time after he continued to receive positive responses. He pointed out that before he graduated from university, he was invited to a number of shows and was surprised that several women admired his accessories."All women that I came across loved my stuff," Smith said.

Smith kept his promise and launched a website and a Facebook page for his business last year after he graduated from university. He now has over 3000 members on his business page and assured THE WEEKEND STAR that the number grows daily. He has also entered into a business partnership with his fiancée.

When asked to describe a typical business day, Smith said; "it all depends on the kind of day that I have planned. There are three kinds of days for me; there are marketing and promotion days, delivery days, and days where I do both."

Yanique, who is a loyal customer of Orandy's Accessories, lauded his attitude to business when she told THE WEEKEND STAR that Smith gives excellent customer service and his accessories are very reasonable and worth purchasing. She also pointed out that Smith is very reliable and very punctual with his deliveries. Likewise, Lorna, another loyal customer agreed that she is pleased with his selections.

Smith said he has no regrets about being in business for himself. " I have none whatsoever. I have a degree but I like what I'm doing," he said. He also encourages potential entrepreneurs to "stay focused and be prepared to take risk. Be willing to fail because that's how you grow." Smith's store can be visited at orandysaccessories.weebly.com.

Smith also explained why it is vital to get accessories. 1. It can make your wardrobe seem larger 2. It can update your basics. 3. It can add colour or splash 4. It can focus the observer's eye for the emphasis you want. 5. It can change the outlook of your situation in a short time and it can make or break an outfit.

From Basket to Store

POPULAR entertainer Vybz Kartel gave himself up to the police minutes after 9:00 this morning.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adijah Palmer, went to the Greater Portmore police station accompanied by his attorney Chris Tavares-Finson.

He was named as a person of interest by the St Catherine South Police two days ago and despite expressing his willingness to be interviewed by the police, Vybz Kartel never made good on his word.

He will spend tonight behind bars as the police say he will be questioned tomorrow.

The entertainer has had an embattled year after being banned from performing in St Lucia and Barbados. He is also banned from entering the United States.

OK PEEPS THIS IS IT EVERY 1 A SAY AIDONIA A D BEST LYRISIS
SO HEAR WA UNU AGO DO
GIMME UNU FAVOURITE LINE  FROM OUTA  UNU FAVORITE AIDONIA TUNE COEM ON PEEPS LETSS HEAR DEM
AND NAME  D TUNE IT COME OUTTA???

-- Edited by R/-|J/-| |>3|}Z on Wednesday 7th of October 2009 11:41:21 AM

-- Edited by R/-|J/-| |>3|}Z on Wednesday 7th of October 2009 11:42:03 AM

WHATS THE BIG DEAL WHEN BRAZIL LOSES?.....I DONT GET IT..............ARE THEY SUPPOSE TO BE INVINCIBLE EVERYDAY.....CAHMPIONS ARE MADE EVERYDAY.....YESTERDAY WAS THIER DAY..TODAY ITS FOR SOMEONE ELSE.......PPL AND THEM TRADITION

IF GERMANY LOSE I WONT EVEN FEEL DISSAPOINTED, CAUSE THE BALL IS ROUND AND I KNOW THAT THEY HAD THIER SHARE OF ACHIVEMENTS IN THE PAST...A FULL TIME SOMEONE ELSE GET IT........

whats the sense in having a competition every 4 years and its dominated by the same team.......then there is no competition

i watch world cup for the action and victories and heartbreaks.......it make mi happy when mi see slovakia beat the world champions italy......cause it proves that anything is possible and that the level of competition is improving....look on the perfromance of the asians and ghana....ppl need fi realise seh football nuh just stay a one place.....talent a spread......so unu seriously need to give that tradition thing a break.....support ur side yes......but appreciate the game also

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding has warned the historic Portmore Municipal Council (PMC) that he will dissolve the body responsible for Jamaica's first directly elected mayor if it continues to break the law.

Golding's threat came as a long-standing row between the Council and the Attorney General's Office, concerning voting by chairmen of committees, appeared to be have reached stalemate.

The prime minister is insisting that persons chairing committees do not have the right to exercise original or casting votes, but that the Council had been allowing the practice, contrary to the law.

Golding was seemingly angered by a meeting of the Finance Committee on February 9, 2010, at which the Council allowed the committee chairman to vote in favour of granting a 50 per cent building fee waiver to a resident.

Minutes of that meeting show that two councillors, the chairman included, voted for the waiver to be granted, two voted against it, and one abstained. The chairman then used his casting vote to break the tie.

In a terse and strongly worded letter addressed to his junior minister in charge of local government, Robert Montague, and copied to Portmore Mayor Keith Hinds, Golding accused the PMC of violating the law.

"I am giving the Portmore Municipal Council two options, if it continues to violate the law as stated in the opinion of the attorney general dated June 24, 2009," the prime minister said in his June 21, 2010 letter.

Option one would see the dissolution of the Council pursuant to section 20 of the Municipalities Act, he said.

That section states that "It shall be lawful for the minister, by order subject to affirmative resolution, to dissolve any Municipal Council which, in the judgment of the minister, (a) persistently makes default in the performance of the duties lawfully imposed upon it; or (b) exceeds or abuses its powers."

For purposes of the Act, Golding is the minister because local government is no longer a self-standing ministry but a department in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The second option as outlined by Golding, is for the PMC to seek advice from the Supreme Court, which Golding presumes will uphold an earlier opinion dispensed by the attorney general's office.

The Council must seek a declaration of the law from the Supreme Court, in defiance of which, if it confirms the opinion of the attorney general's department, would constitute punishment by contempt of court.

Either way, there appears to be no getting off for the municipal council which was established in 2003 as a model in the local government reform process. It is the only council of its kind in the only local government jurisdiction with a directly elected mayor.

In referring to the June 29 opinion of the Attorney General, Golding noted that she had advised the Municipal Council that in the same way that the mayor could not vote, persons chairing committees did not have the right to exercise original or casting votes.

"The Portmore Municipal Council is the parent body and the committees are set up to help it carry out its functions. A parent body cannot give to its subsidiaries any more power than it has... Any individual who presides as chairman of any committee of the council cannot have an original or a casting vote," Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne wrote.

She based her opinion on section 5 (1) (f) of the Municipalities Act which states that subsection 94 (a) of the Parish Councils Act does not apply to the operation of the municipality.

The latter, however, allows chairmen of committees in the 13 parish councils to vote.

Lightbourne's letter came after one dated February 2, 2009 from then director general in the local government department, Devon Rowe. It was addressed to Mayor Hinds in response to a January 19 correspondence seeking clarification on the matter.

Based on the foregoing, committee chairmen or vice chairmen or the person presiding at a committee meeting of the Portmore Municipal Council does not have an original or casting vote, Rowe said.

Documents obtained by the Sunday Observer also show that Rowe wrote to the Council again on January 27 this year, urging it to comply with the law. There have also been letters to the same effect from minister Montague, as well as a previous letter from Golding.

According to minutes from some sittings of the Council, however, the council refused to accept the Attorney General's advice and continued to allow chairmen to vote.

The PM's most recent letter made reference to the general council meeting of May 12, 2010, in which chief administrative manager for the Portmore council, David Parkes called for the matter to be referred to Parliament for review. He also called for an explanation of the Attorney General's opinion.

Yesterday, Parkes declined to comment on the matter but Mayor Hinds confirmed that he had received the PM's letter outlining the two options.

"The PNP councillors have said that they refuse to listen to the opinion of the Attorney General," Hinds said, indicating that he has referred the matter to the Portmore Citizens Advisory Council (PCAC).

"It's important that we have some discussions with the PCAC, because the Portmore Municipal Council was borne out of citizens' agitation and it is unfortunate that we have got to this stage where political expediency has taken precedence...The law of the land must be adhered to. That to me is something that should be easily understood," he insisted.

Spanish club Real Madrid have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Benfica over the transfer of Argentina winger Angel di Maria.

His switch to the Bernabeu, on a six-year deal, is reported to be worth 25 million euros (£20.3m).

The 22-year-old, who is currently part of his country's World Cup squad, becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing since taking charge at Real last month.

Di Maria moved to Portugal in 2007 from Argentine side Rosario Central.

The attacking midfielder has started all four of his country's World Cup matches so far, playing on the left side of a central three - although he has not yet hit top form in South Africa.

Di Maria won the World Under-20 Championship with Argentina in 2007 and scored the extra-time winner against Holland in the final of the 2008 Olympic Games.

But he especially caught the eye of Europe's top clubs last season as he helped Benfica to a Portuguese league and cup Double.

Despite reported interest from elsewhere, Di Maria has opted to become the first player to join Mourinho in Madrid since the ex-Inter, Chelsea and Porto boss signed a four-year deal with the Spanish giants on 31 May.

Real have been linked with several top names since Mourinho was appointed, notably England captain Steven Gerrard.

Mourinho's first signing as Chelsea manager was Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira, while his first major capture at Inter was another compatriot - Ricardo Quaresma.

Source: BBC Sport

FIFA has finally acknowledged that there may be something wrong with the Jabulani World Cup ball, but won't act on the problem until after the tournament.

Many players have likened the Jabulani to a "supermarket ball," saying it is too unpredictable and flies through the air too easily.

"We're not deaf," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Saturday at a news conference. "FIFA is not unreceptive about what has been said about the ball."

Valcke said that FIFA will discuss the matter with coaches and teams after the World Cup, then meet with manufacturer Adidas.

"There are rules for size and weight. ... But the ball has to be perfect," he added.

Goalkeepers have complained about the ball at every recent World Cup, although this time forwards and even coaches have added their laments.

Brazil manager Dunga got into a verbal spat with Valcke over the Jabulani before the tournament, challenging the FIFA executive to come out onto the pitch and attempt controlling it.

Denmark defender Daniel Agger said the ball made some outfielders look like "drunken sailors."

The Jabulani could create even more problems in the knockout phase beginning Saturday, since games could be decided by penalty shootouts.

"The balls have changed over the last couple of years, they have become a lot faster and in addition to that in Johannesburg we are playing at an altitude of 1,700 meters, which makes the ball even faster," former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said. "Thus the goalkeepers work even harder, but I don't think that we can take the ball or the altitude as excuses.

Scoring was down by 16 goals in the first round compared to 2006: 117-101. However, teams played a more defensive style in the group stage in South Africa, so whether the ball is a major factor is difficult to measure.

At this rate, the World Cup would set a low for average goals. Before Saturday's two round of 16 matches, the average is 2.1 goals per game. In 1990, when teams again played defensively - even in the latter stages of the tournament - 2.21 goals were scored per game.

Adidas has made the World Cup ball since 1970 and is contracted through 2014. The German company has defended the Jabulani, saying it doesn't know what the fuss is about because all the qualified teams were given the ball before the tournament to test it.

"There's a lot of talk about stadiums, infrastructure and TV and that's nice and all, but first we've got to worry about balls, spikes and jerseys," Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said. "I don't see why we can't just go back to the old black-and-white checkered version we all played with as kids."

As for the aesthetics, Valcke said that the ball had been criticized in the past as too colorful, and that's why this version is more white.

The first Jamaican man to play at Wimbledon in four decades feels neglected in his country, and said Monday he deserved a glimmer of the domestic fame enjoyed by compatriot Usain Bolt.

Dustin Brown lost his Grand Slam debut to French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer of Austria. Despite the 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 scoreline, it was a triumph for the 25-year-old Brown, who broke into the top 100 last month after travelling for years to European tournaments in a camper van so he could save on expenses.

The last Jamaican man to play at Wimbledon was Richard Russell in 1970. He failed to qualify in 1972. Russell was also the last Jamaican man to appear in a Grand Slam tournament, losing in the second round in the French Open in 1974.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson ready to take on 'biggest job in club football'

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as their new manager after they are understood to have agreed a compensation package of £2 million with Fulham.

Hodgson replaces Rafael Benitez and will be charged with restoring Liverpools place as a top-four club following the disappointment of finishing seventh last season.

And, having taken Fulham to the Europa League final last season, Liverpool will be hoping for a similar return in the coming campaign.

Hodgson, 62, has been given a three-year contract, 28 days after the departure of Benitez, who has since taken over at Champions league winners Inter Milan.

Liverpool claim Hodgson, a former Inter Milan coach, was first choice despite a host of other names being mentioned.

Kenny Dalglish, a former Liverpool player and manager, who was part of the selection process with managing director Christian Purslow and is currently an ambassador for the club's academy, had expressed an interest in returning to a role in which he enjoyed great success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but was overlooked for the post.

Hodgson is the 18th manager in the clubs history and, on Liverpool's website this morning came the words: A New Era Starts Today.

And Hodgson, who arrived at the clubs training ground this morningh, said: "This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club.

I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."

Now Fulham must look for a successor and, for now, all the website would say was: Fulham confirm that at 9.20am this morning, Roy Hodgson resigned from his position of First Team Manager, effective immediately.

Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson heads their list with Tony Mowbray, Mark Hughes and Alan Curbishley on their list.

Source: Daily Telegraph

Dunga admitted that he had not expected Brazil to lose to Holland following their dramatic 2-1 defeat in Port Elizabeth, while he could now stand down as manager.

Brazil had looked strong contenders for World Cup glory in their earlier matches and took the lead against Holland through Robinho.

However, uncharacteristically poor defending in the second half allowed Holland to turn the tie in their favour thanks to an own goal from Felipe Melo and a Wesley Sneijder header.

Melo was then sent off moments later and Brazil were unable to find an equaliser with just 10 men, leaving boss Dunga to reflect on where it went wrong.

He pinpointed Melo's dismissal as a key moment and conceded that his side's poor showing after half-time had come as a surprise.

"We are all extremely sad and we didn't expect it," said Dunga.

"We were not able to maintain the same rhythm in the second half.

"If you play with only 10 players against a quality team like Holland then it makes it difficult."

Asked about his future, Dunga indicated that he would not be continuing in the job.

"We knew when I started that I would be here for four years," said Dunga, who took charge after the last World Cp in 2006.

"It's sad, it's difficult, nobody prepares to lose."

Cesar

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar was as shocked by the result as Dunga but told his team-mates to try and not get too downbeat.

"It's not the end of the world," Cesar told a television reporter as a tear rolled down his face.

"I just think now we have to leave with our heads held high.

"In Brazil people always put a lot of pressure on us. This was a result no one expected. Every game Brazil enters, we enter to win."

-- Edited by xxXMightyXxx at 12:06, 2008-07-14

TMZ has confirmed ... Mel Gibson is caught on tape, screaming at his baby mama Oksana Grigorieva, "You look like a f*king pig in heat and if you get raped by a pack of ni**ers it will be your fault."



The tapes were secretly recorded by Oksana in the midst of their nuclear breakup and custody battle.  

We've also confirmed Mel is heard on tape calling Oksana a "whore" and a "c**t."

The tapes have been submitted to the judge in their custody battle and are under seal.  Sources say the tapes were recorded prior to May, when Mel and Oksana reached a custody agreement with a mediator.

And TMZ has learned ... Mel sent Oksana a number of incendiary emails that she kept.

TMZ broke the story in 2006 when Mel went nuts on a cop after being busted for DUI, saying, "F**king Jews ... The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

UPDATE:  Mel's rep just told TMZ he could not confirm the credibility or accuracy of the tapes.  TMZ, however, has confirmed that the tapes are the real deal.

-- Edited by *~*Linkz Diva Appz*~* on Sunday 4th of July 2010 09:10:35 AM

"Russian, clean out yuh closet, deposit the clark's dem we love it, ahoe..."

These are the words of dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel as he croons over the Clark's Again beats created by young producer Tarik Johnston, who we have come to know as Russian.

It is fair to say that there have been producers with more experience that do not have the wide appeal that this youngster has garnered under his Head Concussion label.

TEENage recently flexxed with Russian, who burst on to the scene in 2008, scoring his first hit with Vybz Kartel's Life Sweet.

The 22-year-old, a former student of Ardenne High, is self-taught in piano, drums and more recently, the guitar.

Since the release of his first rhythm, the Liberty Rhythm, Russian has released a slew of rhythms he has built and produced like Beach Front, Nuh Fear, Go Go Club, Good Girl Gone Bad, Clearance, Survivor, Maybach and most recently, Street Groove, just to name a few.

The young producer has nothing, but respect for all artistes and producers in the music industry and believes that music is a form of art and persons have different perceptions of and perspectives on art. However, he also believes that the industry is too saturated, over populated and rushed.

As such, for Russian, it is not about the quantity of rhythms he puts out, it's the quality. It is for this reason Russian does not plan to put out more than four rhythms each year.

In the two years in the biz, Russian has worked with almost every artiste including Vybz Kartel, Konshens, Tarrus Riley, Nicky B, Jah Vinci, Aidonia, Ce'Cile, Busy Signal, Popcaan, Elephant Man, Mavado and the deejay currently signed to his label Chandizzy.

When asked if production was it for him, Russian replied, "no sah, the sky is the limit". Not only does Russian build, produce and write, he is featured on the recently released track Straight Jeans and Fitted with Vybz Kartel.

He also recently opened the doors of his very own rehearsal studio on Ardenne Road. As for last words and advice to upcoming artistes and producers, Russian says, "believe in yourself. Work like a slave and one day you must eat like a king. Don't overcrowd the music and always keep it authentic"

pure %$^ery riddim producers a put out nowadays everybody a talk bout it

DANCEHALL deejay Adidja Palmer, otherwise called Vybz Kartel, is to turn himself into the police today, after a bulletin was issued by the police that he is a major person of interest.

Kartel told Chat! yesterday evening that he had no clue why the police would consider him a person of interest, but he, along with his lawyer Valrie Neita-Robinson will be present at a police station this morning.

Or maybe I should get Reverend Al Miller to turn me in. Judging from his track record, he is the best person, Kartel said soberly, adding that the request is very perturbing.

This is nervewracking. They need to just give me a reason for wanting me, along with persons like Bulb Eye and its not as if they have named any other entertainer on that list, Kartel said.

-- Edited by hyperactive sound on Wednesday 9th of June 2010 01:51:17 AM

"ZONE" IF UR "GF OR BF" SEND SUMBODY A COMMENT ON FB SAYIN "I LIKE UR FREN SET THE LINK " WHAT WOULD U DO?

HOURS before her son is scheduled to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges, Pauline Patsy Halliburton,  mother of Christopher Dudus Coke, is sending him Gods love.

If I could say anything to him, I would tell him that God is by your side, be good, keep strong and I love you, Halliburton told the Observer minutes ago.

Coke waived his right to an extradition trial in Jamaica this morning, and is scheduled to leave the island for the US this afternoon.

In a letter issued through his lawyers after todays extradition hearing, Coke said he was leaving Jamaica and his family his mother in particular "with a heavy heart".

Halliburton, 63, who is blind and ill from diabetes, told the Observer last week that she had faith in God, a faith that would keep her strong during her sons struggles.

Im strong, if not for myself but for my son, she said then.

A 16-year-old girl has been arrested and charged with illegal possession of ammunition following the seizure by police of 207 assorted rounds on the second day of the curfew imposed in Clarendon.

A further 52 males were taken into custody, all of whom are still being interviewed. One of them is a wanted man and is being further interviewed before charges are made.

The curfew, which began 2:00 pm yesterday, will remain in place until 2:00 pm tomorrow.

The boundaries of the curfew are north along a dirt track on the bank of the Rio Minho in the vicinity of the Salvation Army Church to the top section of Overline Farm district using an imaginary line.

South along Oliver Drive from the car wash to a dirt track in Long Gully.

East along Sevens Road from the telephone booth to the intersection of Sevens

Estate Road in the vicinity of John Crow Lane.

West along a dirt track from Long Gully using an imaginary line to the top section of Buzz Rock.

During the hours of the curfew persons within its boundaries are required to remain inside their premises unless otherwise authorised in writing by the ground commander.

Entertainer Michael Barnes, who was held at the Sangster International Airport in February 2008 with 19 rounds of ammunition in his hand luggage, was taken to prison yesterday to start serving his prison sentence for illegal possession of the ammunition.

Barnes was fined $6 million or four years' imprisonment after Supreme Court Judge Donald McIntosh convicted him in June 2008 of the offence.

He appealed to the Court of Appeal but last year a judge turned down his application for leave to appeal. Barnes was on bail pending the outcome of his application.

The surety was asked to take Barnes to the police and they turned up yesterday at the Court of Appeal. Barnes was taken into custody.

He is now taking steps to have his appeal heard by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal.

The Crown's evidence at his trial said that on February 17, 2008, Barnes arrived into the island from the USA and was going through the security checkpoint at the airport when an unusual object was seen in his suitcase. He was taken to the search room and when the suitcase was opened, 19 rounds of ammunition were found in one of the compartments in his hand luggage.

Barnes said in his defence that he had no knowledge that the rounds of ammunition were in the suitcase. He said while he was in the USA, he borrowed the suitcase from one 'Yaso Bell'.

Barnes, 41, who is also called 'Bachelous' is a musician, singer and disc jockey of Christian Pen, Portmore, St Catherine, and performs locally and abroad.

THE British government will on Monday hand over three mobile police stations and three fully equipped mobile forensic units to local police.

The units will b handed over to Deputy Commissioner Jevene Bent by Deputy British High Commissioner Graham Glover on behalf of the British Department for International Development.

They carry a combined cost of J$64 million.

The donation is part of the British government's commitment to the modernisation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The units will aid the police in processing crime scenes and providing a temperature-controlled storage facility to preserve evidence during transit.

Residents of the troubled Tredegar Park and Gravel Heights communities in St Catherine say they welcome the curfew which has been imposed on their communities.

"What a lovely sight! Is long time we want the soldier dem inna di place, when dem deh ya di criminal dem will leave wi alone," a woman said while watching the operation.

Residents of the two communities, which have been gripped by shootings, arsons and murders, say they have been requesting the military presence for some time now as persons cannot even walk the streets in peace.

Three wanted men were among 82 persons detained in a curfew imposed in the communities yesterday.

Head of St Catherine North police, Superintendent Assan Thompson, said the three men are of major interest to them in relation to a number of crimes committed in the division.

Among them is Fitz Donigal, also called 'Killie Killie', who is alleged to be a strongman for the One Order gang in Tredegar Park. He was listed among the top-five men on the Spanish Town police's most wanted list some time ago.

The names of the other two men are being withheld pending further investigations. The other detainees are to be processed.

A curfew was imposed on the communities at 6 a.m. yesterday and will remain in effect for the next 48 hours.

Thompson also urged residents in the division to alert the police upon noticing strange persons in their communities by calling the Spanish Town CIB at 984-9757/984-2874, Operation Kingfish at 811 or police emergency at 119.

KATY Perry has revealed she competes with the World Cup by giving Russell Brand lots of sexy trouser kisses. When asked by a DJ how shes coping with being a World Cup widow, the minx shoved a saucy answer down the hosts throat. Yeah, its been tough a little bit, Katy, 25, told Real Radio. Russell did this massive play on words type speech the other day, which basically started with him saying he loves me more, but actually ended in him saying he loves the World Cup more than he loves me. Then pastors daughter Katy added: But I know thats not the case. Because the World Cup does not give b.j's Ignoring shocked gasps from the DJ, the little strumpet added seriously: Thats one thing I win. Just in case Russ, 35, isnt getting Katys hints, she made sure she banged the message home. The I Kissed A girl chart-topper jetted off to Gay Paree and locked lips with a sexy blonde pal. And yes, it seemed she liked it. Only the other day we revealed how Katy had exposed her whammers to Fearne Cotton, 28, before shoving her chops in Fearnes funbags. Now shes getting very frisky with her fiancé.

SEVERAL passengers travelling in a Toyota Hiace bus were rushed to hospital a few minutes ago after the vehicle mounted a sidewalk and collided with three other vehicles at the Portia Simpson Miller Square.

Police on the scene of the accident said the bus was plying the Water House to Downtown, Kingston route.

The driver and the conductor fled the scene.

It appeared the driver of the bus was trying to beat a traffic light, one cop on the scene sai

People hear Richie Loops song and seh it nuh mek sense. Smaddy (OBVIOUSLY) from him camp tek it to heeeeart an' a respond an say how dem a bash him and a hate pon him, but mi a say di people dem right! Di song nuh have no substance, it jus have a nice likkle flow an' "coincidentally" di hook mek off ah one a Lil Wayne punch line dem. But di song naw say nutten, so mi nuh know wha dem a get upset bout. An if yuh fuss song which tun out fi be a hit nuh bout nutten except one mysterious substance inna yuh cup ha not even Modda Liza dunga St. Thomas bush cyaan guess a wha, why dem wudden call him one-hit wonder? A nuh like him hit wid summen of substance whe yuh can see say him "deep" like dat fi spill out more hits. Oonu spare me wid oonu melodrama an' try buil'. Literally.
What a gwaanpeople? Deh last few week yah serious, Dudus get ketch, di World Cup nuh stop shock mi wid some a di luu score dem, wha di man dem a deal wid. Tro!

With the recent violence in Jamaica and the controversy over alleged drug lord, Christopher Dudus Coke, many people are talking about the infamous Jamaican Shower Posse and the neighborhood of Tivoli Gardens, where they have their base. What is being ignored largely by the media, is the role that the American government and the CIA had in training, arming and giving power to the Shower Posse.

It is interesting that the USA is indicting Christopher Dudus Coke, the current leader of the Shower Posse for drug and gun trafficking, given that the CIA was accused of smuggling guns into Jamaica and facilitating the cocaine trade from Jamaica to America in the 70s and 80s. In many ways Dudus was only carrying on a tradition of political corruption, drug running, guns and violence that was started with the help of the CIA.

Christopher Dudus Cokes father was was Lester Coke, also known as Jim Brown, one of the founders of the Shower Posse and a fellow champion and protector of the impoverished Tivoli Gardens neighborhood in Kingston. Coke was a political enforcer and bodyguard to Edward Seaga, the leader of the Jamaican Labour Party.

Seagas opponent Michael Manley had begun to adopt socialist stances and began openly criticizing American foreign policies and meeting with U.S. enemy, Fidel Castro, in the 1970s. Given the cold war the US was having with Russia, the CIA did not want Jamaica to be friendly with communists.

According to Gary Webbs book,The Dark Alliance, Norman Descoteaux, the CIA station chief in Jamaica began a destabilization program of the Manley government in late 70s. Part of that plan was assassinations, money for the Jamaican Labour Party, labor unrest, bribery and shipping weapons to Manleys opponents, like Lester Jim Brown Coke.

Author, Daurius Figueira writes in his book, Cocaine And Heroin Trafficking In The Caribbean, In fact, it meant that illicit drug runners linked to the JLP were integrated into a CIA linked illicit drugs guns and criminal trafficking pipeline.

Former CIA agent, Philip Agee, said the CIA was using the JLP as its instrument in the campaign against the Michael Manley government, Id say most of the violence was coming from the JLP, and behind them was the CIA in terms of getting weapons in and getting money in.

One of Lester Cokes associates, Cecil Connor, would claim that he was trained by the CIA to fight political wars for the JLP through killing and spying. Connor would stuff ballot boxes and intimidate voters to help the JLP win elections. Connor would go on from being a political thug to being part of the international Jamaican based cocaine ring known as the Shower Posse. He wound up testifying against Lester Coke and his cohort Vivian Blake, only to return to his native St. Kitts to become a drug kingpin who almost held the country hostage.

Christopher Dudus Cokes father, Lester Coke has also been accused of working with the CIA. Timothy White speculates, in his biography of Bob Marley, Catch A Fire, that Jim Brown was part of a team of armed gunman that attempted to assassinate Bob Marley led by JLP enforcer Carl Byah Mitchell. Authors Laurie Gunst and Vivien Goldman also make the same assertions in their books, Born Fi Dead and The Book Of Exodus. Marleys manager Don Taylor claims that one of Marleys attackers was captured and admitted that the CIA had agreed to pay him in cocaine and guns to kill Marley.

Lester Coke would later be burned to death in a Jamaican jail cell, while awaiting extradition the the United States. Many people have claimed that he was killed so he wouldnt reveal his secrets dealing with the CIA, JLP and criminal activity.

In its efforts to destabilize the Jamaican government in the 1970s, the CIA created a group of drug dealing, gun running, political criminals. Through the cocaine trade, these criminals would eventually become more powerful than the politicians they were connected to. The CIA destabilization program did not only destabilize Jamaica in the 70s, but it destabilized Jamaica for the next 40 years.

Given the secrecy of both CIA and Jamaican society, it is unclear exactly what was the CIAs role in creating the Shower Posse. Did they give them guns? Were they given cocaine? Were they trained how to smuggle drugs? Did the CIA use the Shower Posse to try and kill Bob Marley? These are all questions that the CIA should answer.

If what is alleged about the CIA is true, then they are partially responsible for the cycle of gun trafficking, gun smuggling and violence that plagues Jamaica today. If the US can extradite the son of one of the CIAs political enforcers for trafficking guns and cocaine, shouldnt the CIA be investigated for training Jamaicans on how to conduct political warfare, arming them, giving them cocaine and helping them traffic it? Given the revelation that the CIA allowed Nicaraguan drug dealers to sell cocaine in the US to fund their revolution against their communist government, it is not that far fetched to believe that they would arm Jamaicans to with guns and give them cocaine to fight communists in Jamaica.

Source: News One




-- Edited by jubalson on Saturday 26th of June 2010 08:23:30 AM

The death of the Colombian international footballer Andreas Escobar remains one of sport's best-known cautionary tales of when fanaticism goes too far. Escobar's infamy came from when he scored an own goal that condemned Colombia to a 2-1 defeat to the hosts. Just 10 days later when Escobar was shamefully shot dead in his home town of Medellin, it is not clear whether the murderer was one of the gambling syndicates who had bet large amounts of money on Colombia to qualify for the second round.


The death of the Colombian international footballer Andreas Escobar remains one of sport's best-known cautionary tales of when fanaticism goes too far. In historical record, Pele himself had placed the South Americans among the favourites for the worldcup tournament. So it is not wrong if Colombia have expectations going into the 1994 World Cup in the USA were sky-high.
No-one expected the hosts to cause them any problems in the second group match. But in front of 93,000 fans in California's Rose Bowl, Colombia froze and disaster struck. Escobar's infamy came from an incident at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, when he scored an own goal that condemned Colombia to a 2-1 defeat to the hosts - knocking his side out of the tournament. Started from stretching to cut out a cross from U.S. midfielder John Harkes, he deflected the ball into his own net in the second match of Group A. before that Colombia having already lost to Romania, As a result they were out of the World Cup Colombia and was eliminated from the tournament in the first round and. The goal caused outrage back home in Colombia, not least because the defeat came against bitter rivals the USA, but no one could have predicted what happened next.
But the tears of disappoinment turned to ones of tragedy just 10 days later when Escobar was shamefully shot dead in his home town of Medellin. When out drinking with friends at a bar in Medellin, Escobar was confronted outside by a Colombian football fan who shot him 12 times in an apparent 'revenge' attack for the own goal Escobar scored. The killer shouted "Goal!" (mimicking South American sporting commentators for their calls after a goal is scored) for each of the 12 bullets fired. It is not clear whether the murderer was one of the gambling syndicates who had bet large amounts of money on Colombia to qualify for the second round. The BBC issued an apology the following day after its pundit Alan Hansen commented on another match that "the Argentine defender wants shooting for a mistake like that.
Escobar's funeral was attended by 120,000 people and a statue was built in his honour at Atlético Nacional's stadium, the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. Escobar was a defender for Colombia in the World Cup in 1990 and 1994. His jersey number was 2, and was known by the nicknames "El Caballero del Futbol" ("The Gentleman of Football" or "Football's Knight") and "The Immortal Number 2". In his club career, he played for Medellín side Atlético Nacional and Swiss side Young Boys Bern.

(CBS) A Veterans Affairs hospital in Missouri may have exposed more than 1,800 veterans to HIV and other life-threatening diseases due to improperly cleaned dental instruments.

 

The John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis recently began sending letters notifying 1,812 veterans from Missouri and Illinois who received dental work at the hospital between February, 2009 and March, 2010.

 

The letters say the risk of infection is low. But the hospital is offering veterans free screening for hepatitis B and C as well as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

 

"We deeply regret that this situation occurred and we assure you that we are taking all the necessary steps to make certain that testing is offered quickly and results communicated timely," the letters said, according to the Post-Dispatch.

 

Some dental technicians hand-washed instruments before putting them in cleaning machines, Dr. Dr. Gina Michael, chief of staff at the hospital, told CNN. She said the instruments should have been put into the machines without pre-washing.

Katie Roberts, press secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, told CBS News via email that "VA leadership recognizes the seriousness of this situation and has implemented safeguards to prevent a similar situation from occurring again."

But the VA drew harsh criticism from Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Missouri) who called for a congressional investigation into the matter.

"This is absolutely unacceptable," he said in a prepared statement. "No veteran who has served and risked their life for this great nation should have to worry about their personal safety when receiving much needed healthcare services from a Veterans Administration hospital."

 

One recipient of a notification letter was Veronica Lynn Williams, 57, of Swansea, Ill., who had a tooth reconstructed at the hospital, according to the Post-Dispatch. But she told the paper she wasn't angry.

"Things happen," she said. "I don't fault the VA. I have been treated here for several years, and my life has been saved on several occasions."

But Rep. Carnahan wasn't quite as forgiving.

 

Of the veterans who received the letter, he said, "They have every right to be angry. So am I."

Stop Knocking Nicki & Step Your Bars Up. You Can't Get Back In The Game. You Waited Too Long" + Go In On Keys! "Take That Army Head Off & Stop Saluting"

Sometimes you see stuff that you just can't BELIEVE . .. and this is one of those times . ..