A Portuguese photographer was held up at gunpoint early Wednesday and two other journalists were also robbed at the same World Cup hotel.

Antonio Simoes said he woke around 4 a.m. and found two men entering his room at the Nutbush Boma Lodge outside of Magaliesburg, 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Johannesburg.

"One of the guys pointed a hand gun at my head, and then they took all my gear - cameras, lenses, laptop," said Simoes, who works for the Portuguese daily O Jogo. "Then they told me to lie on the bed and they covered me with a blanket, pressed the gun against my head and told me to sleep.

"The whole thing took one or two minutes, but it felt like hours," Simoes told The Associated Press.

Simoes said the three cameras and gear the thieves stole was worth about ?30,000 ($35,000). They also took ?3,500 in cash as well as his passport and a pair of jeans.

The photographer said he stayed in bed for a while after being robbed, too scared to move and worrying about what was happening in the other rooms.

Police recovered his World Cup accreditation - without which a journalist can't cover the tournament - near the hotel. Simoes said he plans to stay in South Africa and hopes to borrow cameras to work during the competition.

Spanish journalist Miguel Serrano, who works for the Spanish sports newspaper Marca, and Rui Gustavo Morais were also robbed, but they slept through it. The three were staying in a detached four-room lodge that looks out over the Magaliesburg Mountains.

Serrano said the thieves made off with his computer, three cell phones, passport, ?4,000 in cash and all of his clothes. He was left with a long-sleeve black T-shirt and jeans.

Lt. Colonel Leon Engelbrecht of the South African Police Service confirmed that police were looking for two suspects, but would not say whether any arrests had been made. Serrano said police had told him one suspect had already been arrested.

"Two of the journalists slept through the robbery, but one was awake," Engelbrecht said. "This is obviously high-profile, so we have to make sure we are on top of this. We are still waiting for detailed information from the scene."

The remote four-star lodge is nine miles (15 kilometers) from the Portugal team's base camp.

Police had cordoned off the hotel and conducted fingerprint tests in the rooms.

Serrano said about 20 journalists covering the Portugal team are staying at the Nutbush, and that they had previously raised concerns about hotel safety.

"We had already complained to the Portuguese federation that the security left a lot to be desired," Serrano said, "but we never thought that something like this would happen."

Serrano said he slept while his room was cleared out by the thieves, who took a laptop computer, a cell phone and more than $3,000 in cash - in both Euros and South African rand.

"They took everything except my dirty clothes and my World Cup accreditation," he said.

The owner of the hotel, Nick Mauerburger, called the robbery "an unfortunate incident" that "happened at absolutely the wrong time."

Source: Associated Press

Popular roots play actor Stede 'Jookie Jam' Flash appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Flash, who has his bail extended until June 16, is charged along with Sophia Wilson and Derecia Smith, who are both charged with obtaining money by means of false pretence.

The court was informed that Wilson and Smith collected several hundred thousand dollars in local and United States currencies.

Investigators said people from all over the island were told they would be secured employment in the hospitality industry overseas. The complainants were invited to a shopping centre in West Cumberland where the money was paid and documents collected.

It was borne out that Flash collected the documents on behalf of the other two accused.

When the case came up before Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green it was said that more than 60 persons have recorded complaints against the accused.Some were told to seek civil recourse against the group.

Popular weeknight promotion Weddy Weddy resumes its weekly party at Stone Love HQ tonight (Wednesday June 9) with a new, revolutionary club vibe. Promoter Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell guarantees great music and a party atmosphere with a new twist.

The party rules the Wednesday night party circuit and features music by the World Immortal Stone Love, and a number of great giveaways.

Weddy Weddy is considered by many to be an 'early flex' due to the strict adherence to the the Night Noise Law.

The event was postponed as a result of the state of emergency imposed on Kingston and St Andrew following the recent unrest. However, this week's event signals the resumption of the weekly party of fashion, dance and great music with a 'club edition'.

"We are really anxious to start playing again," stated Powell. "Time for our fans, our loyal sponsor Magnum and our selectors to move forward and enjoy oursleves, responsibly," he added.

Card Unit celebrates their victory as Gary Allen (right), managing director of RJR Communications Group, looks on. - Contributed

Two weeks after being declared the winners of the 2010 Red Label Wine Dancin' Dynamites competition, Card Unit once again crushed their opponents, coping the top prize of US$5000 (J$440,000) at the International Battle of the five, live results show at the studios of Television Jamaica on, Lyndhurst Road, on Saturday night.

First off was a two round face-off, where 2009 Dancin' Dynamites winners, Unlimited Dancers and Card Unit knocked heads. Unlimited dancers were the victors of that showdown.

Another surprise face-off came Card Unit's way, as they were up against their own choreographer Kimberly 'Weezy' Hammond, a member of the Stage 10 dance group, who helped the 2010 season's contestants with the composition of their routines.

Guest performer Adonis 'Outta Space' Blackburn also joined her on stage as they tried to demolish Card Unit, but with the crowd response as the only judge, the results were quite the opposite.

groin-gripping

The finishing move that secured Card Unit as the top contenders for that round was done by Rory 'Spade' Brackenridge, as he did a groin-gripping move in his backspin that was greeted with deafening cheers from the audience.

The winning dance groups for the showdown rounds won for themselves each a brand new LIME cellphone.

There was also a surprise performance by fast-rising singjay T'Nez, who delighted the audience with his melodious voice declaring that he is the Same Youth before finally asking Weh Dem A Pree.

Afterwards, it was time for host Jenny Jenny to announce the winners of the International Battle of the five, and there was a sigh of relief when crowd favourites Card Unit were declared winners.

Gary Allen, managing director of the RJR Communications Group, presented the dancers with their trophies and a cheque for US$5,000 (J$440,000).

Fifth-place winners were Black Diamond, whose female dancer was the only member that was present from the foreign dancer. The audience laughed in retrospect of the group's performance upon hearing the announcement.

X-Factor from USA placed fourth, UCCI Fresh Boys from Cayman was third and Adrenaline Duo from Barbados copped second place.

A much anticipated performance by Busy Signal - the face of Red Label Wine was finally at hand, as the deejay performed popular hits, including Picante that made one female of the audience jumped to her feet and as she engaged in a mini-wining frenzy, saying 'heeeyy.' Then quickly sat back down.

At the end of it all, Damion 'Club' Smith of Card Unit encouraged individuals who would like to enter the competition next year, to: "Be yourself, come up with your own style, don't try to follow everybody! And once you are in the competition you have to campaign!"

TEMBISA, South Africa (AP) Most players would find making their World Cup debut against Brazil a daunting task, but not North Korea striker Jong Tae Se.

The forward, whose North Korea side is making its first appearance at the tournament since 1966, yesterday even went so far as to state what most fans dismiss as one the greatest of long shots -- that North Korea can beat five-time champion Brazil.

"We believe we can win against Brazil. Everybody thinks about that game," Jong said. "We can win that game."

The teams meet in their Group G opener at Ellis Park in Johannesburg next Tuesday. Portugal and Ivory Coast are also in a group that is arguably the tournament's hardest.

For the first time since arriving in South Africa on June 1, the media-shy North Koreans briefly allowed foreign journalists into their practice session at the Makhulong Stadium in the township of Tembisa, near Johannesburg.

Coach Kim Jong Hun's squad is an unknown quantity, but the manager will likely lean heavily on Jong, who plays for club side Kawasaki Frontale in Japan.

The 26-year-old striker has shown a knack for finding the back of the net, and scored North Korea's sole goal in the team's 3-1 loss to Nigeria on Sunday and netted two more in North Korea's 2-2 draw with Greece in a warm-up match last week.

The team's strength, Jong said, lies with its toughness.

"Our team mentality is like Germany, Germany spirits," he said, calling them the strongest in the world.

North Korea pulled one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history at the country's last appearance in 1966, when they beat Italy 1-0 and earned a place in the quarter-finals.

Jong said he's looking to pull a similar feat in South Africa.

"I want to surprise again this World Cup," he said.

BUSINESS operators have joined the chorus of voices appealing to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to consider the welfare of customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) in making their decision about a potential increase in electricity rates at this time.

On Monday, the Observer found little support from the business community for the annual inflation adjustment to non-fuel rates applied for by the JPS, which has attracted anger among householders and the tourism sector.

Erwin Burton, CEO of GraceKennedy's GK Foods division, said that a hike in the cost of energy will erode his company's ability to compete within the Caribbean.

"Any increase in the rate is going to affect our competitiveness. It is going to increase the cost of production. One of our biggest competitors is Trinidad and Tobago and the cost of electricity in Trinidad may be just 25 per cent of what it is in Jamaica. It means that our goods will continue to be less competitive," Burton said.

"An increase in the cost of any input will have a negative effect on our competitiveness and energy is a significant input," he added.

According to a report by the Caribbean Association on Electric Utilities (CARILEC) on electricity charges within the region the cost of electricity per 100,000 kWh for industrial customers in Trinidad is US$3,370.08 ($293,196.96). In Jamaica it costs US$26,187.14 ($2.3 million) for the same amount of electricity for industrial customers.

John Mahfood, CEO Jamaican Teas Limited (formerly Tetley Tea Limited), said the prohibitive energy costs are driving away potential investors from manufacturing.

"I think that operating a manufacturing business is pretty difficult in Jamaica because of some of the problems that we face," said Mahfood. "One of them is that we have the highest cost of electricity in this hemisphere compared to what it is in the US and one of our major competitors which is Trinidad."

He said coupled with the very high cost of security and bank lending rates, increases in the cost of energy also cause a strain on businesses. To make matters worse, Mahfood believes that this is due primarily to inefficiencies within the organisations which then try to compensate with high rates.

"What the OUR should be doing is trying to insist that the JPS finds a way to improve its efficiency rather than pass on the increase in inflation to the consumer," said Mahfood.

The December 2009 CARILEC tariff report indicates that among the 18 countries listed, electricity rates converge around US$24 to US$36 per 100kWh per month for domestic customers and US$22,757 to $39,892 per 100,000 kWh per month for industrial customers. Jamaica's rate at US$28.81 for domestic customers and US$26,187.14 is within this range. However, of the 18 countries listed, Jamaica's utility company has the largest customer base of 584,218 customers as at the end of December.

In fact, countries such as Antigua, St Vincent and Dominica, which have slightly higher rates -- US$35.70, US$28.68, and US$34.40 for domestic use, and US$745, US$682, and US$875.67, for commercial use (2,000 kWh per month) -- have far fewer customers than the JPS. Antigua's APUA, St Vincent's VINLEC and Dominica's DOMLEC have 32,067; 39,531; and 30,549 customers respectively, which brings into question the issue of the productive efficiency of the JPS.

The Observer tried to verify from the company whether it could not benefit from the economies of scale that would allow it to lower its cost relative to these other companies. However, the company did not respond to a request for comment on the issue.

Mahfood said he understood the issue of inflation affecting profitability but disagreed with the 'principle' for the increase. "It is not a cost that you can pass on to the consumer when the economy is performing so poorly and the spending power is so weak," he said. "We can't put up our prices because inflation increased, why should this institution be allowed to do that?" he asked.

Carrie McKie, sole proprietor of Dencari Salon and Spa, bemoaned the fact that even though the number of customers have declined since the recession and with it the use of electrical appliances in her salon, her electricity bill has increased more than four times the usual amount since the 10 per cent General Consumption Tax was added in March this year.

"My light bill has jumped. It is constantly going up. It is too much," she said. "It already increased by 10 per cent because of the tax, so how much more they going to bring it up to?

"This is just too much. Everybody is crying because from the market go down people not doing their hair as much now. To face the bill at the end of the month when you are not making any money is too much," she said.

McKie called on the OUR to consider the micro and small businesses that are already struggling when making their decision on the increase.

GraceKennedy's Burton added that while some businesses would be able to absorb the cost of the increase, it would put more pressure on the viability of others. "If the cost of electricity is increased somebody will have to pick up that cost," he said.

He, however, added that the OUR must perform a delicate balancing act to resolve the issue. "The JPS has a contract with the Government for a guaranteed return. I don't think the OUR would want to renege on that contract," said Burton. "There is a time when hopefully it will come up for review when we could change that. However, the OUR has to act in the best interest of Jamaica and the best interest of industry. I believe it has to be a negotiated settlement between the OUR and the JPS."

The business operators have already made attempts to reduce energy consumption, but say these efforts cannot counter the real problem, which is the inherently high cost of electricity.

"We are constantly looking at how to reduce or overall cost and energy is one of our major costs in terms of our HiLo stores, manufacturing and cold storage facility," said Burton. "Our new distribution centre has also put in LED (light-emitting diode) lights which should last about 15 years and are extremely efficient, six times more efficient than regular bulbs."

McKie said her operations have changed as well. "I don't have any AC, I hardly use the dryer because I mostly do locks and I have one computer which I use less than half of the day," she said.

Mahfood said he has implemented a number of recommendations garnered from an energy audit done on his company to reduce the level of energy consumption.

"I think we have done as much as we can do, but when the rate itself is double the rate of countries that you are competing with you cannot really do anything to compensate for that," noted Mahfood.

DETECTIVES from the Major Investigation Task Force, (MIT), found a body in a kneeling position, with hands and feet bound and mouth gagged in a shallow grave near a section of Tivoli Gardens known as 'Rasta City' this morning.

The cops are continuing the removal of the human remains and have so far managed to remove most of the dirt from around the body.

Police say the person appeared to have been shot and suspect that more bodies may be buried in the area. They have extended their search to bushy areas along Marcus Garvey Drive opposite the community.

"Hopefully we can have sniffer dogs to assist us in locating some of the bodies," an officer on the scene said.

Government Pathologist Raol Dinesh is on the ground in Tivoli Gardens and will conduct a post mortem.

The security forces have camped out in Tivoli Gardens since Monday, May 23 when they attempted to serve an arrest warrant on wanted fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Coke, who is wanted by the United States authorities on gun and drug running charges, has been on the run ever since.

EMAIL AGAIN.... A MOVADO SHE A TALK..???

Personally I have nothing against this girl and this is a honest disclaimer that sometimes situations do cause you to seek out assistance and believe me i dont knock it but I am sharing this bc i think it is disgraceful on this "awtiste" part. I want anyone that knows him to really put him to shame bc its no way in hell you over here prancing around in Drake videos fronting like you are a "man" and have your baby mother in a shelter with your first yute. Its not too many "awtiste" who are even out here collaborating like him and if he was once dubbed the lil wayne of reggae, lil wayne mind him baby madda dem so what happen to this buoy!!! My friend shared this with me xyz and i am upset by it. its a real shame.

IT seems to be a recurring theme: Jamaican artiste barred from entering Caribbean territory. This time the artiste is deejay and dancer Ding Dong, and the Caribbean island is Trinidad.

Ding Dong, who was scheduled to perform at an event in the twin-island republic on Saturday, did not get very far, as on reaching the Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain, he was informed that he would not be allowed to enter the country.

It is alleged that the artiste has been placed on a list of Jamaican artistes who have been banned from performing in Trinidad & Tobago. One Chat! source said these artistes, including Ding Dong, have been deemed a threat to Trinidadian society and therefore cannot be allowed into the country.

Last night, Chat! caught up with the artiste, who was still bewildered by the actions of the Trinidadian authorities. Fi tell you de truth me cant even explain wha go down a Trinidad... mi cant tell you, was all Ding Dong could say.

VERMONT, USA Law enforcement officials say the court system in the northern United States is being swamped by Haitians trying to enter the country illegally from Canada.

They say the Haitians are seeking to take advantage of the Temporary Protected States (TPS) for undocumented Haitians living illegally in the US announced by President Barack Obama in January.

This activity is definitely one of the larger groups, if not the largest of any focused nature, that weve had on our border, said Tristram J Coffin, the United States attorney in Vermont.

He said the sudden influx of immigration cases has swamped the federal courthouse, where clerks are learning how to pronounce Creole names, and filings are being waived to expedite proceedings.

I remember jokingly saying Ill never be called because theres no one who speaks Creole here, said translator Chrissy Etienne, 24, a native of Haiti, who was hired by the United States District Court.

Coffin said his office has charged 40 Haitians with the federal crime of re-entry after prior removal. He said others were released on orders of supervision or under their own recognizance.

Coffin said most of the Haitians caught crossing the border from Canada were ordered deported from the United States years ago.

Marjorie Villefranche, programme director at Maison d'Haiti, a community centre that serves the nearly 200,000 Haitians living in Montreal, said most knew that crossing into the United States was illegal but were still willing to take the chance.

She said many Haitians were finding it difficult to obtain work and adjust to life in Montreal.

Meanwhile, Haitian community activists in the United States have called for an extension of the July 20 deadline for undocumented Haitians to file for TPS.

The Obama administration had granted TPS to an estimated 200,000 Haitians living illegally in the US in the wake of the January 12 devastating earthquake in the impoverished, French-speaking Caribbean country.

There will be a need for an extension, said Steven Forester, Miami-based representative of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. He is proposing a six-month extension because of the number of problems, including high fees, that lawyers have encountered while helping Haitians file TPS applications.

THE police high command is rejecting claims carried in the media today that a new permit system, similar to a visa for entry and exit, has been introduced in Tivoli Gardens.

Between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, persons wanting to enter or exit the community of Tivoli Gardens can do so freely, the police said in a news release. These persons will, however, be searched whether they are coming in or going out at the designated checkpoints.

The police said during the curfew hours of 6:00 pm to 8:00 am, persons entering or leaving Tivoli Gardens are required to obtain an access pass/permit which is issued by the police commander who is located at the police post in the community.

Persons qualifying for this entry/exit pass are, for example, members of the essential services, students who have evening classes, and others who may have various emergencies. There is no requirement to renew the permit on a daily basis. Permit holders must, however, present identification at the various check points, the police said.

The police post in Tivoli Gardens is located at former don Chistopher Dudus Cokes Presidential Click offices.

Following the Cleveland Cavaliers' surprising collapse in the Eastern Conference semifinals last week, fueled in part by LeBron James'sloppy play, rumors began to spread across the internet. One email making the rounds claimed that LeBron James' mom (PICTURES) and Cavs teammate Delonte West were involved in a scandalous affair that destroyed the team's ability to play together.

TEXT OF THE EMAIL ALLEGATIONS:

My uncle is the general contractor at the Q and has been for the last 7 years. He is good friends with a lot of guys at the Q including some of the bigger boys in the organization and knows Gilbert personally. I was just told from my brother that a very reliable source informed my uncle that Delonte has been banging Gloria James for some time now. Somehow I guess Lebron found out before game four and it has destroyed our chemistry and divided our team. This is no joke, the only player worse then Lebron has been Delonte. I am not making this up, I wish it wasn't true but it happened. Wait and see if lebron stays you will not see Delonte in a cavs uni again.

Of course, while there was virtually no foundation to the chain email, at least one web site reported it as fact.

Finally, a source close to James is denying the allegation. TMZ has obtained a cease-and-desist letter sent to the web site that published the rumor. LeBron James' attorney slams the gossip as "irresponsible speculation" that "was so idiotic and 'off the wall' that we did not think it even warranted a denial." Further trashing the rumor, Frederick Nance writes, "No thinking person could possibly believe such rubbish."

The email also includes a firm denial, calling the speculation "categorically false and per se defamatory." Scroll down to see the email, and click here for TMZ's full report.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/18/lebron-james-mom-delonte_n_579877.html

Gyptian recovers after bike crash - Singer sustains cuts, bruises

Recording artiste Gyptian, born Windel Edwards, was involved in a motorbike accident along Molynes Road in St Andrew yesterday, in which he sustained minor head and shoulder injuries.

The accident occurred in the vicinity of the Olympia Crown hotel at around 6 p.m.

When THE STAR arrived at the Andrews Memorial Hospital where Gyptian was being treated in the Accident and Emergency Department, he was in high spirits as he related the unfortunate ordeal.

Mi an Nitty Kutchie did a ride out from Flava Squad studio, cause mi did waa ketch a vibes an when mi reach Molynes Road a man just walk out inna di road, the reggae artiste said. As mi swing di bike outta him way, him run inna di same direction, an wi just collide Mi couldnt avoid it.

The pedestrian who was involved in the accident has not yet been identified, but is said to have also suffered minor bruises and is being treated at the Medical Associates Hospital in Half-Way Tree.

Mi nuh know who him is, mi neva see him before, Gyptian said.

injury

Nitty Kutchie did not suffer any injury as he was on a separate motorbike.

According to Ivor Ruddock, Gyptians manager,who was present at the hospital, an MRI scan was done and the doctors have confirmed that there are no abnormalities with the Hold Yuh stars brain, So they are going to release him, he said, but the results for the X-ray for his left arm will not be available until tomorrow (today).

Ruddock further stated that they have not yet made an official police report, but the father of the man involved, who is believed to be the owner of the Olympia Crown hotel, has already made an official report to the Half-Way Tree Police Station.

The motorbike is said to be badly damaged.

Gyptian, who is looking forward to the release of his album, entitled Hold Yuh, set for next month (July 20), wants to let his fans know that he is okay, saying: Mi deh yah same way!

Among the well-wishers at Gyptians bedside were friends, family members, and Christy Barber, vice-president of VP Records.

Jose Mourinho has been presented at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium as the new coach of Real Madrid today, signing a four-year deal with the Spanish side.

The Portuguese coach moves from Serie A outfit Inter Milan, where he helped guide the side to a Coppa Italia, Serie A and Champions League treble-winning campaign.

Mourinho, who becomes the Spanish giants' ninth coach in six years, replaces Manuel Pellegrini.

Speaking today, Real sporting director Jorge Valdano said: "Mourinho has signed a contract for four seasons.

"It's an honour to have with us one of the most prestigious coaches in the world.

"We are delighted to have him here with us.

"The best thing for our club right now, is to have Mourinho with us."

Mourinho, 47, terminated his contract with Inter last week after two seasons at the club.

Real have paid Inter a reported eight million euros (£6.8million) in compensation.

Mourinho said: "I don't know if I was born to coach Real Madrid but I was born to be a football coach.

"I love important challenges.

"I am Jose Mourinho and I don't change. I arrive with all my qualities and my defects.

"My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win.

"It's a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach's career.

"Luckily, I've had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here.

"I am very enthusiastic.

"I want my players to think that way.

"The beauty is not so much to train or play at Real, but to win at Real Madrid."

Real parted company with Pellegrini last week after a disappointing campaign.

They lost out to Barcelona in the title race and were knocked of the Champions League by Lyon in the first knockout stage.

"I think a coach needs to be ready to be sacked," Mourinho said. "But if a coach fears that, he doesn't work well and has great problems.

"I am a coach that has a lot of self-esteem and confidence and I don't think about the possibility of being sacked.

"I think four years of contract is enough to win, to build a strong team for the present and the future.

"The sacking of Pellegrini doesn't make me happy. I am never happy when a coach is sacked.

"But football is like that.

"I have a lot of confidence in my players, I have the hope that my new players have confidence in me."

Mourinho shed little light on what changes he will bring to Real but outlined his vision for the future of the club.

He said: "It's too early to speak about changes.

"I believe it's time to analyse the situation, to get to know my club, ask lots of questions and get answers.

"I need to realise the direction of my work.

"The most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club.

"We are too small compared to the dimension of the club.

"If we work as a group, it's not difficult to get results.

"I want this group to have an identity, to win everything.

"The strength of my team is always the team and not the individuals.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible player not only for Real but for the whole of football.

"Cristiano is a winner and it's not difficult to persuade him of this."

Source: MirrorFootball

Gary Coleman's ex-wife had a passion ... for getting pampered and spending money in Las Vegas -- and now she's begging Gary's fans to help her with his funeral costs.

In an interview shot the day after Gary's death -- and obtained by TMZ -- Shannon Price talks an awful lot about money ... bragging that she "bought high-end stuff" during trips to Vegas.

Price also says she's hard up for cash now because Gary couldn't get life insurance -- due to his kidney condition.

Vince Young had a party at Hush nightclub (in Houston) on Friday May22 and T.I. hosted it and she was there. 

T.I rented out a stripclub that Thursday for him and his crew and Hoopz was there with him too. 

Saturday May 23rd I was at Drake's private listening party at hotel ZAZA and she was in there too along with Drake's alleged girl Maliah.

Just one week ago shocking pictures emerged of rapper 50 Cent looking emaciated after losing 56 pounds in just nine weeks. The six-foot US hip hop artiste went on a strict liquid diet, and spent three hours in the gym daily to drop down to almost 154 pounds to play a cancer-stricken American football player in an upcoming film.

But last night he appeared at a gig in Denver, Colorado, looking a bit more like his old self - complete with bling crucifix, watch and bracelet. "I've been eating, I'll be back in shape in no time," said the usually pumped-up musician. The star - real name Curtis Jackson - finished filming on May 12 for his role in Things Fall Apart in which he both acts and directs. 'Fiddy' has won plaudits for his dedication to the film, which also stars Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta.

Allegations are that the Alliance leader was reportedly seen smoking along Grenada Way in New Kingston last October. He was accosted and searched and a small quantity of the drug was reportedly found in his possession. The artiste was subsequently charged with possession of and smoking ganja, but has since denied the charges.

Meanwhile on June 29 bounty killa is scheduled to return to court on a charge of assault stemming from allegations that he attacked his girlfriend in March of this year, after she decided to end their three-year relationship.

Bounty Killa also has a case before the Gun Court on a charge of unlawful wounding and illegal possession of a firearm following a September 2007 altercation with an off-duty policeman in New Kingston.

Jamaican affiliated artistes once again lost the Best Reggae Video category at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) Japan 2010.

Entertainers Sean Kingston and Sean Paul were nominated but lost to Keep it Blazing by Japanese reggae artiste Han-Kun. The award has historically only been won by Japanese artistes.

Winning the award broadcast on May 29, will arguably boost Han-Kun's record sales in japan -- the world's second largest music market. The deejay was born in Kanagawa prefecture and is a member of reggae group, Shonan no Kaze.

Paul was nominated for the Ray Kay directed video So Fine from his latest album Imperial Blaze and Kingston was nominated for the Gil Green directed video Fire Burning from his latest album, Tomorrow. Other nominees included Japanese reggae artistes Pushim with her single My Endless Love and Ryo the Skywalker with his single Kokoni Aru Ima wo Tomoni Aruki Dasou.

It's the third nomination for Jamaican born Paul and second nomination for US born, Jamaican bred Kingston in that category. Paul was nominated in 2006 for We Burnin' and in 2007 for Temperature whilst Kingston was nominated in 2008 for Beautiful Girls.

Mavado was the only other Jamaican artiste nominated in that category with Dreaming in 2008, however Kardinal Offishall a Canadian of Jamaican parentage was nominated in 2009 for his duo with pop star Akon entitled Dangerous.

The Best Reggae Video Award began in 2006 and has only been won by Japanese artistes at the annual award show which started in 2002. MTV VMA Japan is frequented by internationally known celebrities who view the award as an opportunity to fillip album sales.

Reports are that selector Bobby Chin from Black Chiney sound system was viciously beaten at a dance which was held right after the Best of the Best in Miami Memorial weekend.

The dance held at Mansion, was called NY vs Miami. Words were reportedly thrown on stage by the selectors from NY and Miami and in the end, the selectors from NY punked out and did not want to play any more songs.

After security left and thought they squashed it, on the way out, Bobby Chin was attacked by a crew from the Bronx, New York and Queens and badly beaten.

Notably, Bobby wasnt the only selector representing from Miami, but reports are that he was the only one who the NY selectors felt strong enough to attack.

Bobby was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where he was admitted, but it is uncertain if his condition is critical.

Efforts by YardFlex to contact Bobby or any other member of Black Chiney proved futile.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) Several players are going all out against the new World Cup ball, with more than one comparing it to those bought at a supermarket.

And this time it's not only goalkeepers who are complaining. Strikers, defenders and midfielders are also lashing out at the Adidas ball just a few days before the month-long tournament is to begin in South Africa.

The ball is called Jabulani, which means "to celebrate" in isiZulu, but not many are celebrating it so far. It's hard to find a player who is happy with it, and those who don't like it are not saving adjectives to describe their feelings.

"It's very weird," Brazil striker Luis Fabiano said yesterday. "All of a sudden it changes trajectory on you. It's like it doesn't want to be kicked. It's incredible, it's like someone is guiding it. You are going to kick it and it moves out of the way. I think it's supernatural, it's very bad. I hope to adapt to it as soon as possible, but it's going to be hard."

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar on Saturday called the ball "terrible" and was the first to compare it to those plastic ones bought on a supermarket. Italy striker Giampaolo Pazzini said the same thing, calling it a "disaster."

"It moves so much and makes it difficult to control. You jump up to head a cross and suddenly the ball will move and you miss it," Pazzini said. "It is especially bad for the goalkeepers if it means they concede a goal because they can't judge the trajectory."

Adidas traditionally launches new balls for each World Cup and they usually cause controversy because of the changes prompted by the new technology being introduced. Most of the time the ball becomes speedier and goalkeepers are the ones most affected by it. But this time the livelier ball is causing problems to field players too.

"There is no way to hide it," Brazil midfielder Julio Baptista said. "It's bad for the goalkeepers and it's bad for us. It's really bad. The players try to cross it and it goes to the opposite direction they intended it to go."

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas also expressed his anger at the design of the ball after the European champion's 3-2 friendly win over Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

"It's sad that that such an important competition like the World Cup has such an important element like this ball of appalling condition," he said.

Adidas said the technology on the Jabulani is "radically new," and when it launched the ball in December is said that it would sail true because small dots on the surface would help improve reliability in the air. It said the ball would have "an exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions".

FIFA and Adidas did not immediately return messages seeking comment yesterday.

Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose scored five times each in Germany's 24-0 victory over an under-20 selection of South Tirol on Wednesday.

Gomez and Klose each played one of the 30-minute halves in Germany's World Cup training camp.

Germany coach Joachim Loew used 20 players. Other scorers were Piotr Trochowski (3), Cacau (2), Stefan Kiessling (2), Andreas Beck (2), Toni Kroos (2), Arne Friedrich (1), Sami Khedira (1) and Lukas Podolski (1).

RIO DE JANEIRO Brazilian prosecutors say there are "strong indications" soccer star Adriano transferred money to a notorious drug lord held responsible for attacking a police helicopter last year.

State prosecutors said in an e-mailed statement that after taking a deposition from Adriano, they would request permission to examine the player's bank accounts and telephones.

Prosecutors say they are focusing on the alleged transfer last December of $33,000 from Adriano to a drug lord wanted by police.

Officials are also looking into conspiracy to sell illegal drugs and the possession of unlawful weapons by organized crime groups as part of the investigation; there was no indication Adriano was involved in those aspects of the case.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/04/adriano-likely-linked-to_n_600239.html