KINGSTON Gun battles raging in the Jamaican capital have left more than 60 people dead, mostly civilians, hospital sources said Tuesday, as troops fanned out across the city hunting an alleged drug kingpin.

Police have put the death toll at 27, but Prime Minister Bruce Golding warned the figures would likely rise, and police late Tuesday said there had also been "several murders" in Greater Kingston area.

Hundreds of troops and police have been deployed to hunt down Christopher "Dudus" Coke, wanted in the United States on drug-trafficking charges, amid a weeklong standoff with his loyal supporters.

The clashes appeared to be spreading after security forces Monday stormed the western seafront slum of Tivoli Gardens in their bid to capture Coke, whose extradition order was signed by the government a week ago.

With violence turning some of the city's slum areas into a war zone, three trucks loaded with bodies, including a baby, unloaded their grim cargo at a morgue in one of the main hospital complexes, witnesses said.

Golding vowed the security forces would restore law and order -- three days after his government declared a state of emergency amid the worst violence to hit the Caribbean nation in decades.

"The government deeply regrets the loss of lives of members of the security forces, and those of innocent law abiding citizens who were caught in the cross fire," Golding told the House of Representatives.

Golding warned that although the official toll stood at 27 "it is likely that the number is higher." He ordered two top officials to launch an inquiry into the operation.

The police press office confirmed late Tuesday that "there are several other murders committed in the corporate area" referring to Greater Kingston, listing at least 11 deaths in areas other than Tivoli Gardens.

Gunfire rattled around the city, as plumes of smoke hung above Tivoli Gardens which Coke's supporters had barricaded last week to thwart his arrest.

Hospital sources told AFP that early Tuesday two trucks bearing "about 50" bodies had been unloaded at the morgue at the Kingston Public Hospital.

An AFP correspondent saw a third truck arrive full of bullet-riddled corpses, including a baby, later in the day. A nurse said there were 12 bodies inside, and they came from a different area to the east of the city called Mountain View.

Police also told AFP they have detained 211 people, including four women.

But National Security Minister Dwight Nelson told a press conference that Coke, 42, had not yet been detained. "Up to the last briefing I got the answer is no," Nelson said, quoted by the Jamaica Observer.

Supporters say Coke is a local hero for helping residents pay bills, and even to send children to school. Coke himself says he is merely a businessman.

Soldiers dressed in full combat gear and police Tuesday combed the deserted downtown streets looking for him, but security officials refused to confirm how people many had been deployed.

Helicopters buzzed overhead and the normally bustling streets were deserted.

Residents have been warned to stay home, and the few who ventured out stayed close to walls, diving for cover as gunfire rattled around the area. Schools and stores have shut.

Most of the million tourists who flock to the island every year do not visit Kingston -- long dubbed one of the murder capitals of the world, with 1,700 homicides recorded in 2010 out of a population of 2.8 million.

Instead they flock to the beaches to soak up some sun and the sounds of reggae music, leaving the island's economy heavily dependent on tourism for bringing in valuable foreign currencies.

The United States and other countries have also warned their citizens against travelling to Jamaica, as some airlines cancelled flights.

Drug warfare between rival gangs has long plagued the island which is a key transshipment point for cocaine from South America heading for North American and European markets.

The US Justice Department has labeled Coke one of the "world's most dangerous narcotics kingpins."

He is accused of leading since the 1990s an international gang -- dubbed "The Shower Posse" for the number of bullets it allegedly has rained on foes -- which US prosecutors say sells marijuana and crack cocaine in the New York area and elsewhere.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

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IRATE residents of a community known as 'Back Bush' in Mountain View, St Andrew are claiming that the police killed three of their own in cold *lo** today.

The residents identified the dead men as cousins Geovani Nunes and Jamie Fisher; and Ian Gordon, all of whom were in their early twenties.

They incident happened about midday.

According to Nunes girlfriend she and Fisher were in the house when police knocked on the door and demanded that they be let in.

I was the one that opened the door and they (police) asked them who they were before they pushed me out of the house, the woman said.

As they pushed me out I heard the gunshots and I turned around to see Geovani on the ground. After that I heard another shot fire and then I just ran off, she continued.

Another resident who said he watched the officers through a window in his house said some of the cops then dragged the cousins bodies outside their house, while others questioned Gordon who was purchasing items at a neighbouring shop.

He pleaded with them to spare his life, the shopkeeper said.

They shot him in his feet first, and all along he was there begging them not to kill him; he even reached into his pocket for his ID, the woman said.

That never helped; them still pull him out of the place and shoot him in his head, she lamented, adding that Gordon was not from the area, and that he only went there to visit his two daughters.

However the police say they were in the area searching for gunmen who were suspected of involvement in Monday's murder of two cops and the injury of six others, when they were challenged by gunmen.

The cops say they returned the fire and the three were found dead.

There is no report of firearms being seized.

The Bureau of Special Investigations in probing the deaths of the three men.

THE Government has agreed to consider a suggestion that the limited State of Emergency in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew be extended to sections of St Catherine.

The suggestion to extend the emergency measures to the neighbouring parish was made yesterday by Opposition parliamentarian Sharon Hay-Webster, who said violence in the nation's capital, Kingston, had spread to sections of her South Central St Catherine constituency, "where many lives have been lost since Monday night, including three children in drive-by shooting".

The Government on Sunday declared the limited State of Public Emergency for the Corporate Area as it intensified attempts to arrest reputed Tivoli Gardens don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke who is wanted by the United States to face drug-and gun-running charges.

The period of emergency is expected to last for one month, unless revoked before.

Members of the army and police have since Sunday been engaged in fierce battles with gunmen who have been trying to prevent the arrest of Coke.

"Is there any consideration of the extension of the boundaries of the State of Emergency to include possibly Portmore and Spanish Town because of the rate of violence that is escalating in those communities? I plead on behalf of the persons affected in those communities," Hay-Webster said in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in responding, said St Catherine was not considered initially since the focus was on areas of concern, as defined by the intelligence that the security forces had.

"I take note of the events you have referred to. It is a matter, naturally, that we will have to consult with the security forces about, not only in terms of the need, but also in terms of the capacity to maintain the kind of intensity that would be required in an area that is subject to emergency powers, but I certainly will undertake to consult the security forces on the matter," said the prime minister.

In the meantime, Golding said operations in Tivoli Gardens were being maintained to allow for detailed search for illegal guns and persons who may be wanted by the police for criminal charges.

This is the two-year-old Indonesian boy who throws a tantrum when his parents refuse him a cigarette.

Ardi Rizal was given his first cigarette by his father when he was just 18-months-old. The smoking toddler was witnessed by a reporter who recently visited his home in the fishing village of Musi Banyuasin, in Indonesia's South Sumatra province.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1280249/Meet-year-old-boy-throws-tantrum-parents-refuse-cigarette.html#ixzz0p59JsQDm

The first owner Vladimir Grashnov the former CEO of Bulgarian mobile phone company Mobitel which issued the number died of cancer in 2001 aged just 48.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7763578/Mobile-phone-number-suspended-after-three-users-die-in-10-years.html

Higher cost of sales and lower production volumes resulted in a 35 per cent decline in Red Stripe's net profit for the nine months ending March 31, 2010.

Revenue for the review period of $9.9 billion was one per cent higher than year-earlier levels, but the increase largely reflected a price increase taken last year in light of the changes in the Special Consumption Tax rate.

"This (increase in tax rate) continues to have an adverse impact on our domestic volume performance and as a result net sales value is four per cent down on last year, continuing the trend reported at the end of the second quarter," said a statement to shareholders accompanying Red Stripe's financial statement. On the other hand, Red Stripe's "value of export shipments increased 16 per cent in the quarter relative to last year, driving a three per cent growth for the nine-

month period".

At the same time, production and cost efficiencies generated were insufficient to offset the impact of lower volumes and increased raw material prices brought on by the devaluation of the Jamaican Dollar, according to the local brewer.

Cost of sales in the nine-month period increased to $5.4 billion, up from $5.1 billion incurred during the comparative period a year before.

"The increase in cost of sales also reflected additional investment in the leasing of new trucks to strengthen our domestic route-to- market."

The firm's total marketing cost was $1,036 million (2009: $1,015 million). Of this amount, $687 million (2009: $620 million) was spent in the domestic segment.

"The increase over the same period last year reflected our strategy to maintain investment behind our core brands," added Red Stripe. "The export marketing cost was $45 million lower than last year, reflecting a relative change in the timing of the planned expenditure."

It's refreshing to see the first dancehall couple actually making it official. Who said 'new age' Jamaicans don't get married?!

Lol

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Marshall for letting the world know that IF YOU LIKE IT THEN YOU SHOULD PUT A RING ON IT!

Jamaican men gwaan too bad sometimes..

Congrats to the beautiful newlyweds!!

We wish you much love andlongevity throughout your marriage as well as your careers andcontributions to the dancehall industry!

At least 19 persons were killed in St Catherine in just two days as incidents of sporadic violence continued.

In the latest incidents, four men playing dominoes were shot, three fatally, in a drive-by shooting at McCooks Pen, Old Harbour, yesterday.

Police said about 10:30 a.m., the men were at a bar when three men in a white Nissan motor car opened fire and sped off. Dwayne Murray, 27, Robert 'Bob' Sankie and Peter McBean, 40, all of the community, were shot dead.

A fourth man was admitted to hospital.

In Spanish Town, a three-month-old baby girl was burnt to death after thugs firebombed a premises on March Pen Road in the wee hours of the morning.

The child's mother and another sibling were hospitalised in serious condition.

Reports said men went into the community and firebombed a number of houses. Errol Miller, 53, Alvin Miller, 55, and Denniston Pitter, 56, all of March Pen Road were also killed in the incident.

Residents of Corletts and March Pen roads fled to safer surroundings following the attacks on Monday.

In Portmore, the St Catherine South police said about 4 a.m. Emmanuel Hazel, 38, Olga Harris, 44, and Karen Hutchinson, 35, were among four persons who were travelling in a Toyota Hiace through Newlands when they were reportedly attacked by gunmen. The three were killed and the fourth person escaped.

Also, an eight-year-old boy was among three persons killed along the Salt Pond Road. There were other reported murders in the parish.

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding last night described as scurrilous and malicious a report by the American television network ABC News linking him in a damaging way to Tivoli Gardens strongman and alleged drug lord Christopher Dudus Coke.

Dismissing the ABC News report as extremely offensive, Golding pointed out that it made damaging and libellous assertions that must be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves.

He also expressed outrage at an article in the UK newspaper The Independent that said that a drug gang was on the payroll of the Jamaican prime minister.

He said both publications, by seeking to link him personally with the alleged drug kingpin, were clearly part of a conspiracy to undermine the duly elected Government of Jamaica, a news release from Jamaica House said.

The ABC News report alleges that Coke has escaped from Tivoli Gardens and claims that Golding and other senior Jamaican officials were recently electronically intercepted talking to Coke inside his fortified redoubt.

The report, which also claims that the ruling Jamaica Labour Party was voted into power through Cokes strong-arm tactics, chronicles the police action to capture Coke, which began Monday morning.

FOLLOWING a fact finding tour of the embattled community of Tivoli Gardens, Public Defender Earl Witter says the majority of the 44 persons who were fatally shot by security forces are males under 30.

Witter and political ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair were sent by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to probe for any human rights breaches by the more than 2,000 police and soldiers who were deployed to quell civil disobedience in the community.

"The majority of the corpses that we saw appeared to be those of males under 30," Witter told the Observer, "There were no women and children among the dead."

Witter said the situation was grave for several persons who were holed up inside their homes and were in desperate need of potable water, food and medical attention.

"They complained that they were bottled up inside the buildings that were cleared. There was no running water, bodily waste was stored in pails. We ensured that they were allowed to dump their bodily waste and refill their supplies of running water," he said.

He also said children were suffering.

"In a section called Rasta City there were some 30 children, many of them toddlers, who needed particular care. In one case a mother was injured and taken to hospital and she left her 18-month-old son with no one in particular," Witter said.

The security forces went into the community ostensibly to serve an arrest warrant on reputed don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke who is wanted by United States authorities to face gun and drugs running charges.

Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the center of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show. The unpredictable Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 Monday in its final warm-up match before the World Cup.

``If we win the World Cup, I'll get naked and run around the Obelisk,'' he said, referring to the tall monument that marks the center of the city and serves as its most famous landmark.

Maradona's response came after a reporter asked him in the interview what he would do if his team returned to Argentina with its third World Cup title.

In the same interview, Maradona said he had to explain to Lionel Messi why he did not play against Canada. Messi is the reigning FIFA player of the year, but sat out the match to protect him against any possible injury.

``If something would have happened to you in that match, I'd have been shot - you know where,'' Maradona said he told Messi.

Maradona has the luxury of choosing between some of the world's best forwards. In addition to Messi, he can use Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Martin Palermo.

Police personnel previously attached to the Darling Street Police Station yesterday visited there to salvage just about anything they could after thugs reportedly firebombed the station on Sunday night.

When THE STAR visited the station yesterday the group of about six cops were seen assessing what was left of the station and their belongings.

"From yu look pon dis yu see seh a nuh regular fire do dis, a bomb dem bomb it," a constable said before entering.

While there, the cops went through their lockers searching for whatever they could find.

The cops were only lucky enough to have found a few personal items. They said that the thugs looted the station and even made off with helmets which were left after the station came under heavy gunfire forcing those there to leave.

"It look like dem woulda tek all mi pad dem if dem did find dem," one female constable said after gathering a small bag of items.

The station is situated just metres away from Tivoli Gardens.

I sat at home a few evenings ago looking at the news broadcast on one of our local television stations when I heard a Tivoli resident say something rather disturbing but sobering about their area leader and strongman Christopher "Dudus" Coke. The woman said in effect that "Jesus died for us and we will die for Dudus". I was shocked and at the same time intrigued by such an admission of loyalty and commitment to their area leader. Interestingly, many claim that this don is the antithesis of the Jesus of whom that woman spoke. I concluded that her declaration was reflective of three dimensions of garrison life - its spirituality, its politics, and its economics.

One of the dimensions of garrison life that intrigues me is garrison spirituality. It seems many people who live in garrisons like West Kingston, and especially Tivoli Gardens, embrace a conflation of Christianity and its Christology or messiah theology and their understanding of the strongman or don who is seen as a local messiah. It is obvious that the perception held of their leader by many residents of garrisons is built on their understanding of Jesus' life and mission. They embrace Jesus' role in delivering humanity from spiritual bankruptcy, but they move beyond that to fill a perceived void in the non-spiritual world for a socio-political messiah to deliver them from socio-political bondage. What bothers me is that their messiah theology is articulated in the reverse. It is reversed garrison Christology in that rather than the garrison "messiah" dying for his people, they are willing and ready to die for him.

A second dimension of garrison life that fascinates me is garrison politics. Beyond the fact that garrison spirituality is apparently married to garrison politics, it is obvious that garrison politics is complex and multifaceted. One does not have to look too far to see that many garrisons operate as "states" within the Jamaican state, or "countries" within the country of Jamaica. This is obvious in the utterances of the residents of these garrisons. One that I find rather interesting is their calling their benefactor "president". It smacks of defiance of the Westminster model with the prime minister as the ultimate leader of the country where this system operates. If indeed the don is revered as the "president", then garrison residents elevate him above the prime minister and vest in him more power and authority than the duly elected leader of the land. Not even Jesus was given such an esteemed place in Israel, although some tried to elevate him to such a position.

In addition to the spiritual and political dimensions of garrisons, there is the economic aspect. There is no doubt in many people's minds that an economic underpinning lies at the heart of the garrison structure. It reflects the failure of the State to adequately and decisively address the socio-economic challenges of persons living in these garrisons. Inevitably, someone would step up to the plate, as it were, and take charge of the situation, albeit exploitatively. This socio-economic "messiah" provides for and protects the residents, especially those who are willing to comply with the "laws" of the state within the state. The recent protest marches in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town demonstrate this reality and reveal the people's determination to maintain the status quo because of the failure of the body politic.

It is obvious, therefore, that the answer does not lie in simply dismantling the garrisons. This is indeed desirable, even to some who are residents of these enclaves. The dismantling of garrisons poses a serious challenge: what are the alternatives to this religio-political-economic phenomenon? Such a system has spawned people who claim willingness to die for their leader because of what he does to perpetuate the system. It is amazing that many spiritual people in Jamaica are not ready and willing to die for their leader. Any credible government in Jamaica needs to grapple with and be willing and able to replace the three dimensions of garrison life (spirituality, politics, and economics) that make it such an attractive and compelling reality in Jamaica.

THE State yesterday vowed to continue its effort to capture Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, recover illegal weapons in Tivoli Gardens and to rout criminal elements across the island.

The pledge came during a press conference at Jamaica House in Kingston where it was confirmed that 26 men have been killed, and 211 people -- including two women -- detained during the security forces' operation in Tivoli Gardens that started on Monday to apprehend Coke, who is wanted in the United States on drug- and gun-running charges.

The operation, which was also aimed at restoring order to the community that had mounted barricades to prevent the security forces from entering, resulted in gunmen loyal to Coke engaging police and soldiers in fierce clashes.

The majority of the civilians killed are gunmen, Acting Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds told the Observer yesterday following the press conference.

A soldier has been killed and seven others injured, National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said.

He said weapons were recovered from the men, some of whom were found dead in ditches and manning barricades leading into Tivoli Gardens.

Approximately 25 civilians have been injured during the operation the press conference was told.

During yesterday's briefing to update reporters on the joint police/military operation both Nelson, and Information Minister Daryl Vaz said the State will not back down from criminals.

Vaz said that it was now an opportune time to launch an all-out attack on criminals across the island, given the events that unfolded in Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston and other sections of the capital where heavily armed gunmen openly took on members of the security forces, creating mayhem and great unrest.

Said Vaz: "As a result of this operation there have been other criminal activities that have taken place in and around the Corporate Area which transcend political party lines and its strictly criminal elements either joining one another or using it as a distraction -- and the fact of the matter is that I can categorically state that the time has come when we have to take the [fight] frontally, without any apologies.

"So therefore, don't limit it to a matter of an operation in relation to the execution of a warrant. This country is under siege, and the time has come where it is going to be dealt with and this Government is ready to deal with it."

Since the armed forces commenced the operation in Tivoli on Monday, there have been an upsurge in roadblocks and intense gun battles between criminals and members of the security forces across the capital city, which is more than 100 miles east of the tourist resort city of Montego Bay and on which a limited State of Public Emergency has been imposed.

The Hannah Town Police Station in West Kingston was also torched during the unrest on Sunday and three police officers have been killed while trading bullets with gunmen. On Monday, the Darling Street Police Station, as well as the Coronation Market were set ablaze by gunmen.

Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Nelson said that the effort to arrest Coke was ongoing.

"The operation continues as we speak. The armed forces are examining each building to ensure that there are no criminals ensconced within and in search of weapons," said Nelson, who added that a number of weapons, bullet-proof vests and binoculars have been found.

Nelson also said that Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair, Public Defender Earl Witter and the Red Cross have been asked to investigate claims by residents in West Kingston that they are being abused by members of the security forces. (A complaint hotline, 946-1248, has been set up.)

Responding to a question at the briefing, ACP Hinds told the Observer that investigations are currently being conducted into the shooting death and injuring of soldiers during Monday's operation and that murder and gun-related charges may be slapped on Coke, based on the outcome of the probe.

Meanwhile, an appeal was made by Health Minister Ruddy Spencer for gunmen within communities in the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital to cease from attacking hospital workers.

A clearing house on the operation in West Kingston has been established at the Hilton Kingston Hotel to provide information to the media, both local and overseas, Vaz said.

THE police high command has released a list of 23 gang members and have appealed to the men to turn themselves in.

Heading the list is the son of incarcerated Matthews Lane don, Donald 'Zeeks' Phipps, Michealous Phipps also called 'Zeekie'. 'Zeekie' is named as the leader of the Matthews Lane gang. His crony Kevin Myers also called 'Forehead' is also wanted by police.

Six members of the Common gang including its leader, Cleveland 'Cassie' Downer, are also wanted by police. Richard Francis also called 'Red Head', Jermaine Smith also called 'Duppy Bat', Kevin Bryan, Audley Strachan and Jevaughn Robinson are the Common gang members to make the list.

Marlon Barrett also called 'Pastor' of the Two Miles gang, Ricardo Wynter also called 'Government' of the Stinger gang, Oswald Kemp also called 'Frost' or 'Dada' of the 'Back Bush' gang, Horace Ramsay also called 'Pugu' from the Southside gang and Kareem Allen also called 'Tavar' from Gold Street are also wanted.

Also wanted by police is Mark Walters also called 'Mark II' from Allman Town, Kevin Elliot also called 'Killer', Andre Buchanan also called 'Mills' from Anderson Road, Euriel James, also called 'Rooksie' from Rose Town, Rockwell Walker also called 'Vamps' from Rema, George Ellis also called 'Bomb' from Hermitage and Ulando Hall also called 'Stray D".

The brother of slain One Order don, Andrew 'Bun Man' Hope, Rohan Hope also known as 'Placka', Damion Gray also called 'Saint' of Shelter Rock in St Catherine and Jerome Cunningham also called 'Rome' of Clarendon complete the police most wanted list.

AS tension continued to mount in downtown Kingston yesterday, gunmen in St Catherine sought to capitalise on the mayhem, committing several murders in that parish.

Shortly before noon, armed thugs travelling in a white Nissan Sunny motorcar shot dead three men and injured a teenager at a bar and wholesale on Old Harbour Road, near the McCook's Pen community.

The dead men were identified as Peter McDean, 39; Dwayne Murray, 23; and Robert Sankey, 26. The youngster, who was said to be about 14 year old, was shot three times and was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital for treatment.

His condition was not immediately ascertained.

That incident followed the killing of five persons -- including a three-month-old child and a woman -- in the volatile March Pen Road community about 2:00 am.

Two of the dead men were identified as Errol Miller, 53; and Alvin Stewart, 55.

Residents said the armed thugs ordered their victims out of their homes, set the premises on fire, and then peppered them with bullets.

Police responding to the incident were fired on by gunmen in the community. It was not clear up to yesterday afternoon whether anyone was injured in that firefight.

Police also confirmed that two men were killed in the Braeton and Waterford communities in Portmore yesterday, while two others were gunned down in a section of Central Village called 'Big Lane', Monday evening.

Robert Sankey's cousins -- Nastacia Wilson and Laurel Sankey -- broke down in tears at his murder scene yesterday.

For the women -- who said they were also related to Miller and Stewart -- the sight of *lo** dripping from the establishment's verandah was too much to bear.

"Is four (relatives) we lose in one week, look pon it; it wicked for us," mumbled Wilson, who said she had grown tired of crying.

Murray's sister 'Chrissy' cried openly at the crime scene, and lamented the gunmen's brazenness.

"Them tell them that they were police and they must not move, then them kill them. Them kill me brother," she cried, as onlookers, about a foot away, consoled the injured teenager's grieving mother.

THE number of civilians confirmed killed in the security force operation in West Kingston has reached 44.

Political Ombudsman Herro Blair, speaking on RJR 94 FM, said that he had counted 35 at the morgue with another nine bodies awaiting collection.

Meantime Public Defender Earl Witter is questioning the disparity between numbers killed and the number of firearms seized. Security forces have so far accounted for four firearms seized.

Witter added that he saw no sign of bodies being burned as alleged by persons claiming to be residents who called media houses during the assault on Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town which began Sunday.

One soldier and seven members of the security forces were injured after security forces entered the West Kingston communities to execute a search warrant for reputed local area don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Coke is wanted for extradition to the United States on gun and drug trafficking charges. He is still at large.

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AFP) A Mauritanian court sentenced three Al-Qaeda members to death yesterday for the 2007 murder of four French tourists, who responded with threats against France and its president.

Mohamed Ould Chabarnou, 29, Maarouf Ould Haiba, 28, and Sidi Ould Sidna, 22, had pleaded not guilty to the murders which shocked the visitor-friendly nation but presented themselves as "soldiers of Al-Qaeda".

"The court has decided to sentence to death Mohamed Ould Chabarnou, Maarouf Ould Haiba and Sidi Ould Sidna," court president Ould Khaya said in Arabic as he read out the sentence.

Cries of "Allah Akbar" (God is great) rang out in the courtroom as the three shouted threats against French nationals and President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"Our death sentence means the death sentence of all the French in Mauritania and even beyond, to Afghanistan," Sidna shouted in Arabic.

"Between us and Sarkozy of France, this is the sword," Chabarnou said, in an apparent reference to the sentence.

Haiba made a veiled threat about the fate of 78-year-old Frenchman Michel Germaneau kidnapped in Niger on April 19.

"The French hostage kidnapped in Niger... will of course need freedom, and air to breathe," he said.

The three men were accused of shooting five French tourists on December 24, 2007 near the city of Aleg in southern Mauritania.

Only one man survived the cold-*lo**ed attack, a man in his seventies who lost two of his sons, his brother and a friend of the family.

The accused acknowledged during the trial that they had been "trained in camps" of Al-Qaeda, but denied they killed the tourists.

MORE THAN 40 persons, including Tivoli Gardens' community leader Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, were detained yesterday, in a massive swoop by the security forces involving hundreds of police and soldiers, armoured carriers and helicopter support.

The police said the operation, touted as one of the largest ever spearheaded, was an attempt to capture gunmen involved in the murder of three policemen in May.

But in a chaotic scene, where there was sporadic gunfire for several hours, two women, Nicola Johnson and Carol Woodley, were shot in the presence of Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, who was standing near the Denham Town Primary School, on North Street. Both women are in stable condition. There were further reports that a third woman was shot and injured, inside Tivoli Gardens.

INDISCRIMINATE GUNFIRE

Mr. Golding, who spoke with reporters after the raid, said one of the injured women was standing to his immediate right, while the other was just a short distance away on his left, at the time of the shooting. According to the Opposition Leader, members of the security forces fired indiscriminately at the crowd.

Mr. Golding, who toured the community after the security forces ended the operation, proposed to meet with Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas and Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, at the earliest possible date.

A report from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), said any report of excessive force by security personnel would be swiftly and thoroughly investigated and the public advised of the outcome. The Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) has already begun a probe.

The shutters of businesses in that section of the city remained closed, while classes at eight infant, primary and high schools were disrupted.

Meanwhile, the transportation system, which facilitates commuters in the area, was disrupted.

Human rights lobby group, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), said it was deeply disappointed at the reports of the conduct of the security forces in West Kingston yesterday. Meanwhile the joint police/military action has also been condemned by Generation 2000 (G2K), the group of young businessmen affiliated with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Despite the intermittent gunfire and orders from the security forces for persons to stay inside their homes, scores of residents streamed on to the streets and on the steps of high-rise buildings.

While two JDF helicopters kept a bird's eye view, several armoured cars, trucks and other heavy units were busy securing the area. The geographic boundary of Tivoli Gardens was cordoned off. Police were at intersections of Maxfield Avenue and Spanish Town Road, Barry and Pechon streets.

Military personnel took control of the Coronation Market and the roofs of several high-rise buildings in the vicinity. They were even in the lanes adjacent to Spanish Town Road.

The Constabulary Communication Network described the activity as an intelligence-driven operation, which was aimed at locating and recovering illegal guns and ammunition, in a few targeted premises and the arrest of key suspects in the murder of the policemen.

BROUGHT IN FOR QUESTIONING

Mr. Coke was picked up early yesterday at his upscale St. Andrew home, while another influential figure in west Kingston, businessman Justin O'Gilvie, was held at his home. They were questioned by senior detectives at the CIB headquarters in downtown Kingston, before they were released.

Reports are that Mr. Coke is the half-brother of Christopher 'Chris Royal' Coke, one of two men who were shot and killed by the police on Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, on May 3, just minutes after Corporal Hewitt Chandler was murdered by gunmen.

Several hours later Inspector Lascelles Walsh and District Constable Canute Brown were viciously attacked and murdered by gunmen. Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields had indicated that the men implicated in the policemen's killing were from west Kingston.

Dancehall deejay, Mavado, has been asked to perform for former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, at his 80th birthday party next weekend at Devon House, St Andrew.

Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffiths says it is a great honour, while sighting that there will be a lot of dignitaries there, so it would be a good place for him to show that there is a good side to him.

However, Jones-Griffiths was quick to make it clear that Mavado was not affiliatedperformance to be linked to that either. with any political party and he does not want the

The former Prime Ministers birthday celebrations will also feature performances by The Dragonnaires, Jimmy Cliff and Etana.

In recent times, Mavado has been criticized by Tourism Minister, EdmundBartlett,cameo appearance in Rapper, Drake's music video for Find Your Loving, which was shot in Jamaica. after making a

The minister warned warned local acts to be careful about the way they portray Jamaica.

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The Cross Roads police were forced to block both entrances to their police station in a pre-emptive approach on Sunday night.

Following several attacks on various police stations in the Corporate Area, the police say they barricaded the entrances to the police station in a bid to protect themselves from the gunmen.

On Sunday, as tension intensified in the west Kingston area, thugs attacked the Hannah Town Police Station, setting it ablaze and chasing out the police officers who occupied it. The Darling Street, Fletcher's Land and the Denham Town police stations were also reportedly attacked.

When THE STAR visited the Cross Roads area early yesterday morning, both entrances to the police station, that is the approach from the Carib 5 cinema and from the bus terminal adjacent to the market, were blocked with cones, drums and crates.

One officer at the station told THE STAR by phone that the barricades were erected in anticipation of any attacks that gunmen may have planned to unleash. While noting that the area was relatively quiet, he said the barricades were there to help protect them.

Meanwhile, the Allman Town police told THE STAR that gunmen fired several shots at the station yesterday. A officer said yesterday morning someone called the station to say they were going to throw a bomb in it between 3 and 6 p.m. However, shortly after noon, several shot were fired at the station.

No injuries were reported, the police said.

Police in Spanish Town, St Catherine are trying to ascertain the identity of a man whose body was found on a train line in Cromarty yesterday.

Reports are that about 9 a.m. residents stumbled on the body and called the police. When they arrived, the body was seen with its face blown off.

The killing is the fifth to have occurred in the St Catherine North Division within a 24-hour period. About 4:15 Sunday afternoon, Ricardo Powell, Stafford Dawkins, Kemar Brown and an unidentified man were shot dead by gunmen.

The police said the men were at a bar on Melissa Crescent in Crescent district, when three men approached, brandished guns and fired shots killing all four men.

St Catherine North has seen a spike in homicides with 96 murders up to Sunday. This is 35 more than the corresponding period last year.

As Robin Hood sells out theaters at the box office, a real life Robin Hood story is playing out in the streets of Jamaica.

Alleged Cocaine Kingpin, Christopher "Dudus" Coke has barricaded himself in his Tivoli Gardens, Kingston neighborhood, fighting extradition to the United States on drug charges.Coke is the leader of the infamous Shower Posse, an international crime syndicate responsible for the distribution of cocaine and numerous murders in the U.S., Canada and Britain.

His political ties to the JLP's (Jamaica Labor Party) top man Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been his forcefield from U.S. attempts to extradite him up until now. Under pressure from the U.S. government, who accused Goldings administration of "lack of cooperation in stopping drug trafficking", the prime minister has vowed to arrest Dudus and turn him over to U.S. authorities.

Contrary to American perception, Dudus is hailed as a hero in his locality Tivoli Gardens garrison, a place that produced entertainers like Busy Signal. "After God, then Dudus," has become the motto in a neighborhood where he has provided jobs and funded education for local youths.

When questioned about the situation in his hometown of Jamaica, dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel told VIBE.com, "Politics created these uncontrollable monsters called 'Garrisons' to exploit poor people. Tens of thousands of poor people have died in the name of politics, while the politicians themselves have lived to amass enormous wealth at the expense of the less fortunate. Both the JLP and the PNP are harvesting the seeds they sewed in the 60s/70s, and this is the cause of all of the ills in Jamaica, land we love."

Recently the U.S. has revoked VISAs from many prominent Dancehall artists, which many believe is an attempt to "starve the artist" and pressure the government to give up Coke. Dipset UN artist Vado, who has roots in Jamaica, commented on the situation saying, "As far as me being an artist thats Jamaican but born here (in the U.S.) I feel it's a disgrace... They're trying to stop us from prospering. Hopefully that won't last for long."

The multi-million dollar recording facility built in memory of Bob Marley in Ghana, Africa was badly damaged by fire on Saturday night.

The reggae star's widow, Rita, built the studio to honour her husband's legacy.

According to reports on www.graphicghana.com a fierce fire reduced a section of the Aburi-Gyankama, based recording studio into a pile of rubble. No casualties were reported. According to the report it took the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) more than four hours to bring the fire which began at 6 p.m. under control.

Even though the immediate cause of the fire could not be ascertained, some sources blamed it on an electrical fault. An eyewitness who gave his name as Emmanuel Sackey, said he was with Mrs Marley after some people had been there to interview her, when the fire started from the main studio.

"We managed to put it out with water but later realised that the room was filled with smoke and so we rushed to the office of the fire service at Mampong," he told www.graphicghana.com.

slow response

Sackey said it took more than two trips to the offices of the GNFS at Mampong for the personnel there to respond and when they arrived on the scene, they could do very little and had to call for reinforcement from the Madina Fire Station. When the Daily Graphic got to the scene, dozens of people, including some residents of the area, stood helpless as fire engulfed the building.

Efforts by the fire-fighters to spray the top of the building from their fire engines were fruitless, as the water could not reach that far. A few of the workers at the studio mustered the courage and entered some of the rooms to salvage what was left of the studio and residence.

According to available information, the multi- million-dollar studio, which is also the storehouse of most of Bob Marley's original tapes, was due to be officially opened late last year but the event had to be postponed to allow Mrs Marley to attend to some personal issues in the USA. It is feared that the tapes of the late reggae star were destroyed in the fire.

In the 1990s, Rita along with the rest of the Marley family, left Jamaica to settle in Ghana, Africa in fulfilment of her dreams of repatriation to Africa. Now called Nana Afua Abodea I, she lives in the village of Konkonuru, Ghana, and continues to invest extensively in Africa and Jamaica through various charities under the auspices of The Bob Marley Foundation and The Rita Marley Foundation (which were both founded by her). The Studio One, is one of many projects initiated in Ghana by her.

FEAR was etched on the faces of Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) workers as they travelled in coaster buses, escorted by Jamaica Defence Force trucks, into the facility for duty this morning.

The workers some of whom were seen ducking as the soldiers fired warning shots to clear their path on Princess Street looked on in awe at debris pushed to the side of the road, and members of the media camped outside the entrance to the hospital.

Soldiers kept a tight perimeter outside the facility.

Meanwhile, a handful of residents from the nearby Hannah Town and surrounding communities are locked down in the vicinity of the hospital, as explosions rock the air.

Is two days I am here; I cant go home because me fraid of the gunshots them, said a male Hannah Town resident.

The man also lamented the shooting of another male resident in the community, who he said was struck by a bullet fired by a soldier crouched on a roof.

That man is in serious condition at hospital, he said.

ADDRESSING parliament today Prime Minister Bruce Golding regretted the loss of life in the ongoing operation by security forces in West Kingston but said that the state would be extending the operation to pursue gunmen in other communities.

So far 26 civilians and one soldier have been confirmed dead in the violence which has seen gunmen from neighbouring and rival communities join forces to prevent the arrest of reputed Tivoli Gardens don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

"During this period of public emergency, a concerted effort will be made to go after the criminal gunmen in whatever community they may be ensconced," said Golding.

He said that the operation in Tivoli Gardens was ongoing to allow for detailed search for illegal guns and persons who may be wanted for criminal charges, such as Coke who is said by police to remain at large.

The period of emergency will last for one month after it was announced on Sunday and is limited to the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew.

He said the outbreak of violence which began with coordinated attacks mean that other measures, besides the state of emergency, need to be employed. He said that there would be early debate in Parliament on the anti-crime bills and that cabinet had yesterday issued drafting instructions for anti-gang legislation.

"We will present to the House proposed amendments to the Bail (Amendment) Act and the Bill to amend the Constabulary Force Act to address as far as possible the concerns raised by the Opposition and civil society groups."

Gunmen have carried out a string of gun attacks in sections of St Catherine.

Within the last few hours, three men were killed by gunmen in the McCooks Pen community. One person was killed in Waterford.

There were also reports of a shoot-out between gunmen and police in the March Pen Road area of Spanish Town.

The incidents are the latest in a string of murders and fire-bombings which are being carried out in St Catherine.

The three men killed today have been identified as Peter McBean, 39; Dwayne Murray, 23 and Robert Sankey, 26. A 14-year-old has been shot an injured. His condition is uncertain.

The men were all at a bar in McCooks Pen when gunmen in a white car opened fire hitting them, before fleeing.

Murders have also been reported in Braeton, Waterford, and Newlands in Portmore.

GOVERNMENT, two days after declaring a state of emergency, has provided details of the regulations currently imposed on the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, effective for one month.

What follows is the full text of the release:

The regulations give the Competent Authority the power to establish cordons and curfews, disregard for which persons can be placed before a court for punishment in respect of the infringement.

The measures also allow the security forces to prevent persons from being on top of buildings, impeding access to any building and from obstructing any road or path. It also gives powers to the competent authorities to block or divert any road or cordon, any area or premises, to prohibit or regulate access to such places if they see it as being necessary.

The regulations require that notice be given when these activities are taken, however, the form of notice is at the discretion of the Competent Authority. It may decide to do so by way of notices in newspapers or electronic media. Persons will have to get permission from an authorised person for entry or exit when such measures are in effect.

The State of Emergency also allows the security forces to prohibit the carrying of firearms or other weapons; impose curfews and require persons to stay indoors, unless given permission to do otherwise; search premises or vehicles, where persons are suspected or are likely to endanger public safety or where the vehicle is suspected of being used in a manner prejudicial to public safety.

It also allows the arrest and detention of persons whose behaviour gives reasonable grounds for suspecting that they are acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety or have committed an offence against the Regulations. Such persons can be detained up to a period not exceeding 24 hours, and power to detain for a further 5 days on the authority of a Resident Magistrate or a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent.

Persons can also be searched and any article which is suspected or intended to be used in a manner prejudicial to public order or safety can be seized.

The authorities are also empowered to restrict the grant of bail for persons who contravene or fail to comply with provisions of the Regulations, and where it is believed that such persons would be likely to commit a similar offence against the Regulation.

The authorities can also require persons to furnish or produce to the Competent Authority articles or information in possession of persons who are deemed to have information or articles in their possession.  They can also requisition essential services, by taking possession of premises apart from cash and securities on notice.

As part of measures accompanying the announcement of a State of Emergency, the state is also required to establish schedules to deal with compensation for the use of property and equipment during the period of state of emergency, as well as establish a Review Tribunal to examine cases of persons in detention or those the subject of restricted access. The Chief Justice is to appoint the Chairman of the Tribunal and the two other members are to be appointed by the Governor General.

The full details of the regulating the period of public emergency are to be published in the Jamaica Gazette.

Mr Coke is wanted by the US on drugs and gun-running charges

At least 27 people, almost all civilians, have died in gun battles in Jamaica, police have said, as the hunt continues for a suspected drug lord.

Troops and police had stormed the stronghold of Christopher "Dudus" Coke in the Tivoli Gardens district of the capital Kingston.

A state of emergency has been in place in parts of Kingston since Friday, when several police stations were attacked.

A decision to extradite Mr Coke, 41, to the US had angered his supporters.

Mr Coke, who insists he is a legitimate businessman, enjoys the support of many impoverished Kingston residents who see him as a benefactor and have vowed to protect him at any cost.

But the US justice department accuses him of being one of the world's most dangerous drug barons.

On Tuesday, the third consecutive day of unrest, thousands of heavily-armed police and soldiers continued their assault into the capital's most violent slums, battling masked gunmen loyal to Mr Coke.

TIVOLI GARDENS

Continue reading the main story

• Located on Jamaica's south-eastern coast, far from tourist hub in north
• Built in late 1960s on grounds of a cleared dump known as the Dungle or "dung hill"
• Warren-like public housing project with population of about 25,000
• One of Jamaica's notorious "garrison" slums - described as "a state within a state"
• Power base of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's West Kingston constituency
• Invaded in 2001 by security forces in search of illegal weapons; 25 people killed in three-day stand-off
• Four residents died in a similar operation in 1997

Jamaica unrest: Your stories Kingston under siege Profile: Christopher 'Dudus' Coke In pictures: Jamaican unrest

Gangs from slums just outside the capital also joined the fight, erecting barricades on roadways and shooting at troops, the AP news agency reported.

At least one member of the security forces and 26 civilians were killed in the two-day raid, a police statement said. Another seven officers and 25 civilians were also injured.

A total of 211 others have been detained, including six women, but there was no confirmation that Mr Coke was among them.

Military helicopters hovered as the sound of gunfire could be heard across the city centre, the BBC's Nick Davis says in Kingston.

Soldiers and police have been going house to house looking for Mr Coke, who is wanted in the US on drugs and gun-running charges.

Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson said security forces had nearly retaken areas loyal to Mr Coke.

In recent days, 18 police stations across the capital have been attacked, Mr Nelson said.

Other gunmen were using the security forces' focus on west Kingston to carry out other crimes, he added.

The fighting has intermittently blocked the road to Kingston's airport and forced some flights to be cancelled.

The US State Department has issued a travel alert, warning citizens against travel to Kingston and the surrounding areas.

Britain "strongly advised" its nationals to avoid all "non-essential travel" to the Kingston area, and Australia urged its visitors to show a "high degree of caution".

The Jamaican High Commissioner in London, Anthony Smith Johnson, told the BBC that Jamaica was obliged to respond to the US request to apprehend Mr Coke.

"There is a bilateral treaty between the United States and Jamaica which determines how these matters are dealt with," he said.

Mr Johnson said the violence was limited to one square mile of Kingston.

"It's a small area, and they do have it surrounded, and the rest of the city is going on about its business," he said.

The Jamaican government last week agreed to extradite Mr Coke to the US, reversing months of opposition to the move.

Mr Coke is said to lead a gang called the Shower Posse - owing to the volume of bullets used in shootings - and operate an international smuggling network.

The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US.

Mr Coke faces a life sentence if convicted of the charges filed against him in New York.

The drugs trade is deeply entrenched in Jamaica, an island nation of 2.8 million people with one of the highest murder rates in the world. Some 1,660 homicides were recorded there in 2009, the AP news agency reports.

Painted sign on wood: Dudus We love U!

This sign was seen today (Monday May 24 Bank Holiday) on the left-hand side of Collymore Rock Road going towards Wildey from Bridgetown. Although badly painted, it was built as a stand up sign. For those who might not know (and I am sure you are all aware at Barbados Free Press) Dudus is the man behind the mass confusion and turmoil that Jamaica is in at the moment.

Should we in Barbados be worried about this show of solidarity with a known criminal wanted by the US so badly that his case has brought a whole island to almost a standstill and that has law-abiding citizens scared to even breathe?

I would like to think that this is a warning of things to come for us because if this is so, the powers that be can take action RIGHT NOW to put such solidarity with common criminals to rest! With an e-mail going around about the state of gangs already on the island, it does not augur well to even have one person loving Dudus! And certainly it is an affront to have this sign in full view of people from all walks of life and ages here on our island. I thought you all should know. Perhaps even try to investigate.

A very concerned citizen

PS Whilst I usually fear no onethis time I ask that my name and e-mail address be kept out of the newspapers for my own security. And that says something!

BLAMING users of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter for spreading what it says is 'inaccurate and misleading' information, Government has established a media centre at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston.

The centre is to be open for the next ten days from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily issuing regular bulletins in morning, midday and afternoon, as well as press briefings, to update on joint police-military operations.

We feel it important to make sure that we keep the nation informed by way of these bulletins, which will be prepared by the media centre, said Minister of Information Daryl Vaz.

The centre will be staffed by personnel from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and the Ministries of Information, Tourism, Foreign Affairs and National Security.

Meanwhile, the Minister also announced the establishment of a complaints hotline for residents to register any concerns they might have regarding the current operations in the west Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens. Residents are advised to call 946-1248 to register their concerns.

The hashtag #blamebruce recently became a locally trending topic on Twitter following Prime Minister Bruce Golding's admission over the Manatt Phelps & Phillips affair, relating to the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.