GROUPIES GONE WILD!!! ADULT FILM STAR PUTS RAPPER YUNG JOC ON BLAST . . . CLAIMS HE ATE THE BOX!!! (SAY IT AIN'T SO BRUH)

Rapper Yung Joc's got a problem on his hands ... a chatty jumpoff!!!

US police and bomb squad officers in New York City have evacuated thousands of people from streets around Times Square following the discovery of a vehicle suspected to be containing bomb.

Police said the device was being dismantled by officers at the scene after it was found outside a theatre on Saturday evening.

"This appears to be a car bomb that the bomb squad is in the process of dismantling," Paul Browne, a police spokesman, said.

"We do not know the motive."

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that a federal official said the incident was not considered a terrorist threat and that the New York police department had told the department of homeland security to stand down.

The busy square in the heart of Manhattan was evacuated after the dark-coloured 4-wheel-drive vehicle was found to be smoking and a small flash was observed by firefighters.

Popping sounds were reportedly also coming from the car.

'Failed device'

Police and fire department sources said the device was being treated as a "failed device" and included explosives, burned wires, three tanks of propane and two canisters of gasoline.

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey, reporting from Manhattan, said that while the square was shut down, life was going on as usual in areas nearby.

"New Yorkers have lived through many scares," she said.

"The SUV was a Nissan Pathfinder with licence plates from the state of Connecticut. The plates were actually traced and found to belong to another vehicle so obviously investigation is still going on."

A statement issued by the White House said the New York police department had done "excellent work" in responding to the incident.

Unconfirmed reports said someone had been seen running from the car.

The vehicle had been parked close to a theatre on the corner of 45th Street and Seventh Avenue showing a production of The Lion King.

Firefighters in bomb suits were seen at the area and a robotic device was being used to investigate the suspicious vehicle.

Police said they were evacuating several blocks around the scene in case there were other devices.

Times Square is one of the city's most high-profile attractions and police are deployed there in large numbers.

In December they closed the area while inspecting a van at first feared to contain a bomb, but which turned out to be carrying nothing dangerous.

AP - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (with ball) smiles during a training session at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, yesterday. Inter Milan will play Barcelona in a Champions League semi-final first-leg match at the San Siro stadium in Milan today.

MILAN (AP)

Inter Milan meet defending champions Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals today hoping to emulate the Spanish side's treble-winning success of 2009.

Last year Barcelona won the Champions League, Spanish League and Spanish Cup and now, having reached the final of the Italian Cup, Inter are hopeful of lifting three trophies itself.

Inter, Serie A champions for the last four seasons, are one point behind AS Roma at the top of the table but have seen their domestic form falter recently as they progressed through the Champions League.

Critics have claimed that José Mourinho's team is lacking stamina as the season reaches its climax. Inter captain Javier Zanetti, a 36-year-old veteran who has played 47 games this season, denies such suggestions.

"At the moment I don't feel tired. I still feel good and I want to play my part for the team," Zanetti said. "We are fine. We are playing a lot of games at the moment and each one of them needs our full potential and we can't relax on any front. When we do start to feel tired we need to be smart about it and then we can get over it."

Inter and Barcelona have already met twice this season in the group stage. The teams drew 0-0 at San Siro and Barcelona won 2-0 at Camp Nou.

Inter then overcame Chelsea in the first knockout round before producing a clinical performance to secure victory in the quarter-finals against CSKA Moscow.

scored the winner

Samuel Eto'o scored the winner at Stamford Bridge and he knows Barcelona extremely well. The Cameroonian striker signed for Inter last summer after five seasons with the Catalan side for whom he scored in the 2006 and 2009 Champions League finals.

"We have to prepare in a calm manner. We have to try and anticipate what the game will be like and feel it inside our heads," Eto'o said. "Matches like this one are played more with the head than the feet."

Pedro and Gerard Pique scored the goals in Barcelona's win at Camp Nou, but midfielder Sergio Busquets says that results in the group stage are irrelevant.

"Inter know us better and they will be better prepared for our tactics," Busquets said. "Their confidence is high after getting through against teams like Chelsea and the fact that there is a chance of making the final will mean they come out really fired up."

Meanwhile, Barcelona were forced to use buses for the 725-kilometre (450-mile) trip to Milan after flights were grounded due to the cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland that has spread across Europe in recent days.

"We are in with a chance to reach another final and we don't want to throw that away," Busquets said. "We know Inter will make it tough for us. We have been having a lot of big games and it's not the ideal way to travel to Milan, but there can be no excuses. We have to get a good result that will allow us to go into the second leg with confidence.

"Maybe spending so long together on a coach will bring us closer and help us focus on beating Inter," he said. "It's a long time on the road and we're not really used to that but with music and a film or two, I'm sure the trip won't seem so long."

The return leg is on Wednesday, April 28.

NUH UHHHHHHHHHH!!! A NEW ATLANTA SPINOFF OF THE *lo**S STREET GANG POSTS SOME VERY SUSPICIOUS PICS ONLINE!!! (WHAT PART OF THE GAME IS THIS?????)

THE Government's debt management programme received a significant confidence booster last week when the online edition of the influential Times of London held it up as a model for the Greek authorities, even as the newspaper acknowledged that, compared to Jamaica, much more of Greece's sovereign debt is owed by foreigners.

In his column last Wednesday, Times Deputy Business Editor Ian King said that Jamaica has shown that a debt default need not

be disorderly."The conventional wisdom, when a restructuring of Greek debt is discussed, is that such a move would be disorderly in the extreme. But that may not necessarily be the case, to judge from recent events in Jamaica, the one example of a sovereign default so far this year," wrote King.

"Jamaica exchanged its entire $7.8-billion stock of outstanding domestic debt in February for longer-dated, lower-yielding paper, with an extraordinary 99 per cent of all bond-holders accepting the terms. The move, which slashed the island's debt servicing costs, also paved the way for an IMF loan of $1.25 billion. Crucially, it was achieved with no capital flight or run on the Jamaican dollar, possibly because the default did not cover sums owed to external creditors," said King.

He pointed out that since the Jamaica Debt Exchange, all three international rating agencies have raised Jamaica's credit rating, while other indicators, such as inflation, are going the

right way.

"Audley Shaw, the finance minister, says that the next time Jamaica taps the bond markets it will be charged single, not double-digit, interest rates," King wrote, adding that "after years of decline, jobs are again being created in the agricultural and tourism sectors, loss-making state enterprises such as Air Jamaica have been offloaded and, in a good example for Greece, Mr Shaw is trying to bring the informal economy into the revenue base by introducing a low flat tax. He may even persuade an army of civil servants to show wage restraint".

However, King pointed out that Greece is not Jamaica, as much more of its sovereign debt is owed by foreigners. "But the island has shown a debt default need not be disorderly. Ask Audley,"

said King.

The Times Online article appeared on the same day that Shaw pointed out that the interest rate on Treasury Bills fell to 9.97 per cent, which he said was the lowest rate in 28 years and was indicative of the success of the debt exchange and growing confidence in the Jamaican economy.

"The last time interest rates on Treasury Bills were this low was in 1982. This means that the stakeholders are buying into the post-debt exchange model of lower interest rates," Shaw said at a send-off function at the Alhambra Inn for the outgoing managing director of the Ex-Im Bank, Pamella McLean.

He said that the stage was being set for a more aggressive fall in commercial bank lending rates which, he urged, needed to be accelerated.

Last night, in an interview with the Sunday Observer, Shaw was modest in his acceptance of the praise given to him in the Times Online article, saying that credit for the debt exchange in particular should go to the holders of the debt who participated.

"I think it's generally acknowledged, not just in Jamaica, but globally that the debt exchange was a home run, and the credit must not be taken by the minister, the ministry, the Government alone. In fact, the credit must be taken by everybody, mostly in my view, the stakeholders, the holders of the debt that came out voluntarily in a 99.2 per cent compliance," said Shaw. "It's remarkable, unprecedented globally, so I say the accolades go to our stakeholders for buying into this model."

Shaw described the Government's relationship with the private sector as a partnership, and attributed the response from the business sector to their satisfaction that the Government was serious about managing the business of the economy.

"We're doing things that are not necessarily politically very popular, but in terms of the long-term best interests of this country it is the right thing that we're doing,"

he said.

International Pop singer Lady Gaga was left in tears after watching a special tribute from her fans, after 268 devotees teamed up to record a message of thanks for their idol.

The footage, posted on YouTube.com, shows hundreds of pictures of Gaga fans from around the world holding up signs which read, "Thank you for giving me a voice."

 

The film is posted with a note that refers to Gaga's nickname for her fans - Little Monsters. It reads, "268 monsters in one video, all with the same message: Thank you, Mother Monster, for giving us all a voice."

 

And the Poker Face hitmaker was stunned by the tribute, revealing the messages of support left her in tears.

A former guard at New York's Rikers Island jail is threatening to sue prison bosses after she was fired for allegedly spying on the facility's most famous inmate, Lil Wayne. 

Amelia Negron was dismissed from her position at the institution last month after she was accused of wandering into the unit where the star is being held, without proper authorization. 

Negron admits she did go into the unit, but denies she was there to see the rapper, insisting she wanted to speak with a colleague. 

A spokesman for the Correction Department claims Negron's dismissal was "entirely appropriate".

Lil Wayne is serving a year-long sentence on gun possession charges.

LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. is usually content to just win a fight. This time, though, Money Mayweather wanted to earn his cash.

Fighting more aggressively than usual, Mayweather overcame a near knockdown in the second round Saturday night to dominate the rest of the way and win a lopsided 12-round decision over Shane Mosley in their welterweight showdown.

"I wanted to give the fans what they wanted to see, a toe-to-toe battle," Mayweather said. "It wasn't the same style for me but I wanted to be aggressive and I knew I could do it."

Boxing's biggest box office draw remained undefeated in 41 fights, but not before giving his fans and his corner a scare when a right hand to the side of his head buckled his knees a minute into the second, and he had to grab Mosley to avoid going down. Mosley landed another right later in the round, but the rest of the night belonged to Mayweather.

If he didn't please everyone, it was because he couldn't knock out Mosley. But Mayweather won every minute of every round after the second and the normally defensive-minded fighter kept after Mosley until the final bell in a masterful performance that earned him every dollar of his guaranteed $22.5 million payday.

"I think we could have pressed the attack a lot earlier, and then we could have got the knockout," Mayweather said.

Fighting before a star-studded crowd that included Muhammad Ali, Mayweather never came close to dropping Mosley, but landed so many more punches that the outcome wasn't in doubt past the middle rounds. He had an answer for everything Mosley tried to do, landing right hands to the head seemingly at will as the fight progressed.

By the end of the night, Mayweather had put so many rounds in the bank that the only question was whether he would stop Mosley or be content to win a lopsided decision. Mayweather kept moving forward and continued to press the issue in a fight that wasn't in doubt.

Two ringside judges scored it 119-109 for Mayweather, while the third had it 118-110. All had him winning every round past the second.

The Associated Press had Mayweather winning 117-110.

Ringside punch statistics were as one-sided as the scorecards. They showed Mayweather landing 208 of 477 punches to 92 of 452 for Mosley.

Mayweather made Mosley look every bit his 38 years as he landed sharp punches to his head, dominating a fighter who had vowed to turn the bout into the fight of the decade. Mosley tried his best, but couldn't match the speed of the 33-year-old Mayweather, who grew more comfortable with each passing round.

Mosley was a substitute for Manny Pacquiao, who was all but signed to meet Mayweather until a dispute over drug testing derailed the megafight. Instead, Pacquiao beat Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas and is campaigning for a seat in congress in his native Philippines.

"If Manny Pacquiao can take a *lo** and urine test then we have a fight," Mayweather said. "If not, no fight."

Pacquiao, who watched the fight in the Philippines, told Manilla radio station DZBB that he would agree to *lo** testing, but only if it is not taken within 24 days of the fight. That is basically the same stance that derailed the fight the first time around.

"For me, as long as the drug test is not done close to the match, I'll agree because if they'll get *lo** from me close to the match, it will be a disadvantage for me because I'm smaller and he's big," Pacquiao said.

Mosley almost ruined a lot of Mayweather's best-laid plans when he landed the big right hand in the second that brought the fans at the MGM Grand Arena to their feet. They chanted "Mosley! Mosley!" as he followed Mayweather around the ring, landing another good right hand before the bell rang to end the round.

"It's a contact sport, and you're going to get hit," Mayweather said. "But when you get hit, you suck it up and keep on fighting. That's what I did. I'm happy we finally had a chance to fight. This is a fight the fans have been looking forward to for a long time, and they deserve it."

Mosley's second-round flourish was his last hurrah. Mayweather came out in the third and began landing some shots of his own, while Mosley couldn't find his mark.

"I caught him with my big right hand and I tried to move around but by that time he was too quick and I was too tight," Mosley said. "After the right hand I thought I needed to knock him out and I needed to do it sooner than later. But I couldn't adjust and he did."

Mosley said he thought the 15-month layoff since his last fight hurt him, as did a stiff neck. But Mayweather had a lot to do with his ineffectiveness, too, fighting his fight and refusing to allow Mosley to dictate the pace.

Mosley's corner kept imploring the fighter to throw his jab more and fight his way inside, but Mosley was content to try to load up to hurt Mayweather with a big punch that didn't come.

"You can't wait for one big shot, you've got to wake up," Mosley's trainer told him after the seventh round.

By the 10th round, Naazim Richardson was even more frantic, telling Mosley he needed a knockout.

Mayweather, who earned $2,500 in his pro debut 14 years ago, was guaranteed $22.5 million but probably will end up with much more once the final pay-per-view buys are added up. Mosley was guaranteed $7 million, and also had a share in the television revenues.

NEW YORK, USA The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to open an office in Jamaica in what the Washington-based lending agency says is a move that will "further deepen the IMF's relationship with the country's authorities and other important stakeholders".

IMF spokesman Andreas Andriano told the Sunday Observer here that the office -- one of two to be set up in the Caribbean -- will begin operations later this month. The other office, he said, will be established in Antigua and Barbuda to cover IMF member countries in the Eastern Caribbean.

With a similar office already operating in Haiti, the two new offices form part of the Fund's strategic plans to broaden its services in the region.

Nicolas Eyzaguirre, director of the IMF's Western Hemisphere, said the Fund's presence in the Caribbean will create a better understanding of local circumstances and constraints and help foster close and productive dialogue with policymakers in the region.

These include trade unions, the private sector, academics, and non-governmental organisations.

He expressed confidence that the presence of these resident representatives "will help the IMF develop closer ties with the people in the region".

St Lucian-born Gene Leon will head the Jamaica office, while Wendell Samuel, a national of St Vincent and the Grenadines, will head the office for the Eastern Caribbean.

Both are credited with having extensive experience in the Caribbean. Leon is also credited with developing the first Fund programme for Iraq and has led IMF teams to the Gulf region, while Samuels has worked mostly in the bank's Western Hemisphere Department.

Jamaica and the IMF signed a US$2.7-billion standby agreement in February. The country faces the first quarterly test under that agreement this month.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/01/mariah-carey-nick-cannon-anniversary-


-- Edited by +0p$h0++@ (Mod) on Thursday 6th of May 2010 06:00:01 PM

THE United States Government is preparing to challenge Jamaica's assertion that information passed on to the Americans regarding the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke was obtained illegally, a US State Department official told the Sunday Observer.

The official, who spoke with the understanding that his name does not get published, said that the US Government would not be backing down from its intention to extradite Coke, 42, a businessman with strong links to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

MATALON named as defendant in the case

However, the kind of "challenge" to be mounted was not immediately outlined.Coke, referred to as 'Dudus' and 'The President', is wanted by US law enforcers to answer gun- and drug-related charges.Critics of the Jamaica Government say the Bruce Golding administration has been deliberately delaying the process, with Golding citing, among other things, breaches by US authorities in obtaining information against Coke.

"That view should be contested, because information was in fact passed on to us legally," the official told the Sunday Observer during a telephone interview late last week.

"We are very interested in having Mr Coke brought here to answer the charges. We believe that we are on solid ground," the official said.

Jamaica's Supreme Court will, on May 5, hear a motion filed by Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne, which seeks to determine her powers and authority in extradition matters.

It comes after Lightbourne flatly refused to sign the extradition request for Coke submitted last August, citing breaches by US authorities in the process.

Several of Jamaica's movers and shakers have backed a view that the matter should be sent to the court for a determination to be made.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica president Joseph M Matalon are named as defendants in the attorney general's motion.

However, the Opposition People's National Party, of which Simpson Miller is president, has moved to have her name removed as a defendant, claiming in court documents that she has "no personal knowledge, information, documents, or evidence that could assist the court".

Simpson Miller also said that it was the United States that should be named as defendant as it is their interests that are being affected by the action brought by Lightbourne.

The PSOJ has also initiated action to have Matalon's name struck out as a defendant.

The US Government, the source said, will be watching the case in court with a serious eye, although it might not have a direct presence in the courtroom during the hearing.

"The minister now has the authority to refuse any extradition request," one of Jamaica's leading legal luminaries told the Sunday Observer in an interview.

"All Golding is trying to do is get the court to say, 'yes, she does in fact have the right to refuse an extradition request'. So he puts it in the court as a way of giving it legitimacy, assuming that the judge hearing the matter will in fact say that the minister does have such powers," said the attorney, who requested anonymity.

Another attorney said that the Government's decision to place the matter of determining the power of the attorney general before the court was another exercise in time-wasting.

"It is a charade. It might be an exercise in trying to convince some people that they are trying hard and doing the best on their behalf. But it does not have much substance," the lawyer said.

A senior lawyer with whom the Sunday Observer spoke dismissed Simpson Miller's claim that the United States Government should be named as a defendant in the case, saying that there is nothing that would legally legitimise such a move.

According to the lawyer, the US enjoys "Sovereign Immunity", which would make the Americans immune from any lawsuits in Jamaica.

"The Americans could waive their right to immunity and indicate that they would want to have a presence in court, but I'm sure that they have not been asked," he said.

"There is no court, local or international, that can determine such a matter. The Extradition Treaty exists under international law, so countries can only be cited for breaches of the international treaty.

"Both Jamaica and the US would have to agree to an international arbitration, to hear the matter, but I don't think that anything like that will happen," the lawyer said.

Coke, son of former West Kingston gangster Lester Lloyd Coke, who died in prison in 1992, is a wealthy businessman who has a strong base and following in West Kingston.

He is associated with companies that deal, among other things, with construction and trucking and owns a plaza in Tivoli Gardens. All the shops there are occupied.

Coke is also a leading importer of certain food items, including onions and red kidney beans, popularly called red peas, which he distributes to supermarkets, wholesale and retail outlets and vendors.

The matter of Coke's extradition has been the most widely discussed item making the rounds since interest in the issue heightened at the start of the year.

The Jamaican Government has had to fend off criticism over its handling of the issue and is still dodging blows over its role in the engagement of US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, to try to handle a fiery treaty dispute with the United States, specifically as it relates to extradition matters.

After several denials by Golding and other high-ranking members of the Government, senior government minister and general secretary of the JLP, Karl Samuda, admitted last week that JLP members had in fact approached Harold Brady -- a local attorney who ran twice, unsuccessfully, for the JLP in general elections -- to seek assistance from the US law firm.

In the meantime, the US Government official is firm in his belief that Coke will eventually be extradited.

"We have done all that is necessary under the treaty that exists, but we are prepared to go even further in ensuring that we have Mr Coke before the court in the US," the official said. "There are serious charges against him which must be dealt with."

WTF??? KIM KARDASHIAN INVITED TO THE WHITE HOUSE . . . FOR A BLACK TIE EVENT!! (YOU KNOW SHE WAS HOPING TO GET LEWINSK''D)

http://mediatakeout.com/40546/mto_exclusive_beyonce_gets_a_tattoo_pics_inside.html

The recent increase in the sale of Clarks shoes is, without a doubt, attributed to two songs and one artiste, Vybz Kartel (Clarks and Clarks again) - Popcaan is an extra. These witty songs on one of Jamaica's oldest fashion obsessions have brought back the early 1990s for those who remember sporting Clarks and Bally. The power of words.

Shoes stores and higglers are now falling over each other to obtain what has become prized commodity since the songs broke. From the higglers in downtown Kingston, to the stores uptown, many are reporting a significant increase in the sale of Clarks shoes, with even The Gleanercarrying its own story. Prices on the shoes have even doubled in some cases, and stores are running out of stock. This is all due to two songs, brilliantly worded to bring across the joy of owning a pair of 'Bank Robbers' or Wallabees.

It is now reported that thieves are now targeting the shoes, with the reports of two stores being robbed of Clarks shoes, valuing over $2 million. The power of words.

No disconnect

Yet the same artiste(s) turn and try to create a disconnect between the violence in society and the violent lyrics they spew. They point to everything else, the police, the politicians and the system (lack of jobs and high levels of illiteracy). Suddenly their words lose power - when it's convenient. This point is even backed by intellectuals, but I guess you can't demonise your life's work.

No, we cannot use statistics to determine explicitly the effect of violent songs, like a rise in sale figures, but to argue the contrary is ludicrous. I am saying to the entertainer(s) just as your songs can raise sales, they also can influence the actions of individuals; even if not immediately, but after repeated exposure. Dennis Howard in the Jamaica Journal writes, "these songs also influence youngsters to enter the underworld due to its endorsement by their musical 'heroes'...".

Freedom brings responsibility

If you make wearing a Clarks sound so lovely, and in the same breadth make shooting and killing sound just as attractive, why do you think there is a disconnect in the effect. Is there someone actively promoting that what is being said is just for entertainment? Is anyone taking the responsibility to put a disclaimer before these songs before they start, to say, ignore the rhythmic beat, the harmonious melody, the catchy, clear lyrics and the message they carry.

Take responsibility now, before all perceived freedom is eroded from you. Jamaican politicians are not known for calling a spade a spade, for educating the people to understand that with freedom comes responsibility. Well, artistes like Vybz Kartel and Mavado are finding that out now, but what they are reaping is not their actions of the present but that of the past, as markets for their words are closed around them.

So I say to the two entertainers, and all the other aspiring artistes, sow now what you want to reap later. I am sure Kartel does not own the only studio in Havendale, but his has been the only one to be closed. With freedom comes responsibility ... right Popcaan?

I am, etc.,

DAVIN FERRIGON

HALLE THE COUGAR!!! PHOTO'D OUT ON A DATE WITH A YOUNGER MAN!! (PICS)

It looks like Halle Berry isn't wasting ANY TIME since her breakup from Gabriel Aubry. According to a number of MTO snitches, Halle was spotted out with a new man at Denzel Washington's new broadway play Fences.

He's CUTE too . .. .Kinda looks like that actor Leon . . . only YOUNGER!!!

If you think you've seen it all from Lindsay Lohan, you haven't been receiving her tweets.

The hard-partying starlet posted a pic on her Twitter account Wednesday, in which she's holding a gun to her mouth. The caption below reads, "Polaroid from a shoot."

The photo comes at a time when Lindsay's father, Michael Lohan, is trying to get her into rehab. He says he's scared for her life and claims his daughter has a serious drug and alcohol problem. He is also fearful for his youngest daughter Ali, 16, who is currently living with Lindsay.

This isn't the first dangerous photo that LiLo has taken. In 2007, pics surfaced on the net showing her with pal Vanessa Minnillo playing with knives.

Which Jamaican male artiste has the most women in the streets?

Angry mob dishes out vicious punishment

One of three men who were allegedly trying to break into a church in Crofts Hill, Clarendon, yesterday, was beheaded by a group of angry residents.

The dead man has not yet been identified.

Reports from the police are that about 4 a.m., residents of the Pedro River community in the area reportedly saw the men trying to break into a church. It is alleged that an angry mob descended on the three men and rained blows on them. The angry residents also chopped off the head of one the men.

The police were alerted and when they went to the scene, the headless body of the man was found lying in the middle of the road. His head was reportedly found in a nearby gully.

The other two men are said to have escaped from the angry mob. The Crofts Hill police are investigating.

WTF???? WOMAN FALLS IN LOVE WITH HER GRANDSON . . . AND THEY BECOME LOVERS!! (STORY AND PICS)

MediaTakeOut.com just caught wind of one of the most DISTURBING stories that we've ever seen. According to news reports on the web, an 18 year old boy from Indiana named Phil Bailey is GETTING IT IN with his 72 year old GRANNY.

Here's how it all popped off. Phil is the son of Pearl's daughter Lynette Bailey, who put him up for adoption when she was just 18. When Lynette died, Phil tracked down his long lost granny - and they started their intimate relationship.

Here's how the newspaper, the New Idea is reporting they got together:

[Granny said] From the first moment that I saw him, I knew we would never have a grandmother-grandson relationship. For the first time in years I felt sexually alive.

I called Phil into my bedroom, sat him on the bed, and then I leant over and kissed him. I expected rejection but instead he kissed me back.

And it gets even stranger. Phil and his grandmother are so much in love that they've hired a SURROGATE - so that they can have a child together . . . EEEK!!!

A 72-YEAR-OLD granny is having an incestuous affair with her own GRANDSON and the pair are set to have a BABY. Grey-haired Pearl Carter has shocked family and friends after beginning a bizarre relationship with her 26-year-old grandchild Phil Bailey.

Pearl, from Indiana, US, is now using her pension to pay $54,000 (£35,000) to a surrogate mother so they can have a child, say reports in New Idea magazine in New Zealand.

Pearl said: "I'm not interested in anyone else's opinion. I am in love with Phil and he's in love with me. Soon I'll be holding my son or daughter in my arms and Phil will be the proud dad."

Phil is the son of Pearl's daughter Lynette Bailey who the pensioner put up for adoption when she was just 18.

When Lynette died, Phil tracked down his long lost gran 46 years his senior and they started their strange relationship.

Pearl added: "From the first moment that I saw him, I knew we would never have a grandmother-grandson relationship. For the first time in years I felt sexually alive."

The pair spent their first week together shopping, bowling and eating out. During the second week, giggly on wine after a night out, Pearl decided she wasn't going to deny her feelings anymore.

Pearl said: "I called Phil into my bedroom, sat him on the bed, and then I leant over and kissed him.

"I expected rejection but instead he kissed me back."

Phil said he had the same feelings towards Pearl.

He revealed: "I wanted to kiss her there and then. My feelings were overwhelming.

"I love Pearl with all my heart. I've always been attracted to older women and I think Pearl is gorgeous. Now I'm going to be a dad and I can't wait.

"Yes, we get laughed at and bullied when we go out and kiss in public but we don't care. You can't help who you fall for."

The pair have asked 30-year-old Roxanne Campbell to carry their child.

Pearl said: "I am finally going to be a mum and not forced to give up my child. Phil's going to be a great dad. I never in a million years thought at 72 I'd be 'pregnant' and in love with my grandson.

"I make no apologies and I believe God's given me a second chance."

Pearl says the relationship is not wrong after a friend told her about Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA) syndrome, which occurs when close relatives meet as adults and find they are attracted to each other.

She said: "I could now understand my feelings and realise they weren't wrong."

Pearl was 18 when she fell pregnant with daughter Lynette. She was living with her Catholic parents in Indiana and they insisted she give the baby away.

They organised a private adoption and Pearl never saw her baby girl again.

Pearl went on to marry but she never had any more children. Instead she searched for her lost daughter until finally giving up hope 15 years ago.

Phil met Pearl for the first time in 2006 after tracking her down when Lynette died from brain cancer.

Goverment introduces mandatory registration of subscribers

MANDATORY registration of subscriber information for all cellphone users is one of the initiatives the Jamaican Government is hoping will put a damper on criminal activities across the country.

Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson, who made the announcement during yesterday's sitting of the Senate at Gordon House in Kingston, said the requirement would prove "very important in the fight against crime".

"The anonymity of cellular phones has been greatly exploited by criminals in the commission of very serious crimes, for example, the lottery scam and contract killings," he told senators.He was outlining the response of the Bruce Golding administration to the crime wave in the island, which last year claimed about 1,600 lives, and over 500 so far this year.

The latest victims included five-year-old Christina Salmon of St James, who was shot dead by armed men who fired on her father's car while he was taking her and her older sibling to school. The child's sister and her father were injured by the gunmen.

A St Catherine-based church deacon was also killed at his home in Spanish Town Thursday, drawing condemnation from a number of quarters.

Opposition Senator Sandrea Falconer, in congratulating the Government for bringing the cellphone registration proposals to the Senate, said it would prove very important, especially with situations like kidnappings.

"I know that a number of cellphones that are not registered can be used to commit all kinds of crimes...," she said.

The Government has, in recent times, installed cellphone jammers at some penal institution to prevent prisoners from using cellphones which are often smuggled in some penal facilities, and used to direct cronies outside the prisons.

In the meantime, Nelson said the enforcement of the Proceeds of Crime Act will be strengthened by increasing the number of agents available to investigate financial crimes, particularly in the area of civil forfeiture. The minister said this would allow the authorities to seize the assets of criminals.

Claims he needs help with drug addiction

There were murmurs among lawyers, police officers, and attendants of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, when a man mentioned that he threw a hot cup of soup in a woman's face so he could appear in court.

The accused man identified as Owen Mitchell, pleaded guilty with explanation to common assault. He told the court that he was homeless.

Mitchell said that he committed the act because he wanted to be brought to the court so that he could get help with his drug addiction.

 

similar act

The man mentioned that he had tried various methods to get help with his addiction but was never successful. He said that a friend committed a similar act and was brought before the magistrate and gained the assistance of the Drug Court.

Resident Magistrate Georgianna Fraser, however, told the accused that his friend was in serious trouble with the law.

According to the allegations, Mitchell was walking along King Street where homeless persons were being given soup. The allegations are that the complainant sat down with the soup in front of her when the accused man pick it up and threw it in her face.

Mitchell was remanded and will be sentenced on May 6. The court ordered that he be interviewed by the Drug Court so as to determine whether or not he needed assistance.

OH MY! TEENAGERS ARE DOING A NEW DANCE . . . IT'S CALLED THE D*CK SLANG . . . AND UMMMM . . . YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!!!

File photos - Munga Honourable and Deva Bratt

Settlement promoter remains optimistic

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Although Deva Bratt is gearing up for a clash at The Settlement: Unfinished Business, on June 12, Munga says he will not be facing off with him.

"No such thing. They tried contacting me twice but I declined the offer," Munga told THE STAR when contacted yesterday.

Adding, "Mi done bad from mi born. A me sing a slew of hits. Deva Bratt only have one song a play pon radio, so mi nuh have nutten fi gain deh so."

Instead, Munga says he is focusing on his record label Hilltop Records, which has artistes like Sustain and Mad Rhyme. He says he is also doing songs with producers like Cool Face, Don Corleon and Mosiah Music.

However, when contacted, Thompson was still optimistic about the clash.

"There is a possibility. Deva is in high gear. I spoke to Munga but he did not say yes or no at the time. So, I would not be committing myself to Munga," he said.

 

I don't feel anyway

Meanwhile, Deva Bratt says he has spoken with the promoter of the event Tommy Thompson, who expressed an interest in both artistes clashing.

"If the opponent is going to make himself available, I will do it. It's not necessary. I don't feel anyway about clashing (with Munga). It's not the best thing or the worst thing for my career, it is just something," he told THE STAR, noting that he is focusing on his record label Krucial Konflict and songs like Give Me A Lisa Hype and Lonely Man, that he currently has out.

"It's not gonna make anyone surprised 'cause they know what's gonna happen already," he added.

In the event that Munga does not decide to clash, Thompson says a replacement will be provided. But he said there will be other acts on the event like, Merciless, Popcaan, Blak Ryno, Flexxx, Face and Lisa Hype.

There will also be another face off between LA Lewis and Mr G (aka Goofy). However, Thompson is yet to decide on the artistes who will be clashing at the show.

In 2007, Munga and Deva Bratt were involved in a physical altercation on stage at Stone Love Anniversary, after Munga openly insulted Deva Bratt in his song Talk Dem A Talk.

The police are planning to charge the driver of a truck that was involved in an accident in which a man died at the intersection of East and North Streets.

Police sources from the Kingston Central Division said investigations into the matter are still ongoing, but said the driver of the truck will soon be charged with either causing death by dangerous driving or manslaughter.

On April 19, Iroy Johnson was seriously injured when a truck driver, in her attempt to avoid plowing into a Nissan Tiida motor car, swerved just after going through the lights at the intersection. There was still contact between the two vehicles and the truck veered towards the sidewalk on the south-east corner of the intersection where Johnson was standing, waiting to cross. The truck is alleged to have hit Johnson before turning on to its side.

Johnson, who suffered serious injuries, was hospitalised for about a week before succumbing to his injuries.

The 29-year-old , who was visually impaired and fell in the B-3 level of blindness, with B1 being complete blindness, was a second-year student at the Vocational Training and Development Institute. He was studying information and communication technology.

Johnson was also a member of both the West Indies and Jamaica blind cricket teams.

In the meantime, Johnson's aunt told THE STAR that the family was "hanging in there". With respect to whether they would be pursuing legal action in the matter, she said, " Right now it is in the police hands, but we will take it from there."

A bartender from a popular St Andrew entertainment spot appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to a rape charge.

The bartender was accused of raping one of his co-workers recently on the premises.

The court was informed that around 1 a.m. on the day in question, the accused and one of his female co-workers had just finished working and went to the employee rest area. It was said that the accused and the female went to two separate rooms.

It is alleged that the female fell asleep shortly afterwards, with the door to her room left open. It was reported that while she slept, the accused man entered her room and she was held down and raped. The female later reported the incident to her boss and mother. Following investigations, the accused was arrested by the police.

During court yesterday, the accused man's attorney defended his client by informing the court that he had consensual sex with the complainant and that he had been invited to her room.

The accused was released on bail and ordered to submit his fingerprints to the police. He is scheduled to return to court at a later date.

Chino

Dancehall artiste Chino has quite a busy weekend ahead as he prepares to shatter the stage at three shows across the island.

His first stop will be at the JN-sponsored Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium featuring Usain Bolt and more, followed by a performance at the Glenmuir High School, Clarendon. After that, he returns to Kingston for what promises to be a stellar performance at the much-talked-about, Life Fest concert.

Life Fest, organized by the Carlyle Foundation in memory of artiste, Spragga Benz's late son, Carlton Grant, will also feature musical giants: Stephen and Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley, Jazmin Sullivan, Alison Hinds, Capleton, Queen Ifrica, I-Octane, Konshens, Laden, Spragga Benz and more and will be hosted by Zip 103's Bambino and former BET 106 and Park host, Free.

Chino, whose correct name is Daniel McGregor, says, "This weekend is going to be crazy not only because of the schedule, but those three events are must-go-sees. I'm also happy to be a part of Life Fest because it's for a worthy cause, and just look at the line-up, it mad."

Last year, proceeds from Life Fest were in aid of needy students attending the Camperdown High School

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission has concluded its investigation into a claim for US$167,765.16 made on January 23, 2010 by a player at Treasure Hunt gaming lounge in Ocho Rios ('the Licensee'). The claim arose from the appearance of that amount on the player's card.

The Commission, after conducting its own preliminary investigation, contracted the services of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to conduct a forensic audit of both the gaming machine and hardware and software of the cashless accounting system used by the Licensee.

GLI's findings, after extensive testing and evaluation, are that the amount that was credited to the player's card was not the result of a win or any other action performed by the Gaming Machine, but rather the result of a malfunction of the cashless accounting system.

The malfunction arose from pressing the 'cashout' button at the same time as a cashless transfer to the machine was being attempted. The machine rejected the transfer, but in the process a random rollback amount was presented on the player's card, in this case the amount referred to. These findings were communicated to the Licensee and the player at a meeting on April 29, 2010 at the Commission's offices.

The Commission has been advised that an upgrade to prevent a recurrence has been developed by the suppliers of the cashless accounting system. The Commission has instructed the Licensee that such an upgrade is required before the machines can resume operation. The upgrade must have been certified by GLI, prior to resumption of operations.

Amendments to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act will include pre-approval of gaming machines and other gaming hardware and software, tested and certified by approved testing facilities against standards developed by the Commission.

Gaming Laboratories International is the largest testing facility of its kind in the world and is licensed in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. In particular, the company is licensed in New Jersey and Nevada, benchmark jurisdictions for the Commission. The company has previously provided testing services to the Commission.

Vendors in the Coronation Market in downtown Kingston are being forced to allow thugs from nearby communities to take up their goods without paying.

For some time now, on any given day, men have being going to the sellers and taking whatever they want before leaving without paying and sometimes without even saying a word.

"And they can't say anything," Deputy Superintendent Leslie Ashman, head of crime at the Denham Town Police Station, said when THE WEEKEND STAR asked him if the police were aware of the happening.

According to DSP Ashman, the police can do nothing about the situation as the vendors continue to refrain from providing statements needed so the police can implement initiatives to combat the situation.

The crime chief also said over the years the police have begged for the cooperation of the vendors, but to no avail.

"We have asked time and time again for them to cooperate and they are yet to start doing so. There is nothing we can do right now," Ashman said.

Investigations revealed that in some cases, the demanding men even placed their orders beforehand and collected the bag of goods later.

Earlier this week, THE WEEKEND STAR spoke with a number of the vendors who said that the practice has existed for years. The men are known thugs from neighbouring, volatile communities in west Kingston, the vendors claim.

They admitted to fearing what could happen if they chose to stand up for their goods. They did, however, point to the men as nuisances.

Target

"Oh God man, a nuh now this a gwaan, this a gwaan from me a pickney a come a market and me a 39 now ... . This probably naw go eva stop," one vendor who strongly requested anonymity said.

Vendors told THE WEEKEND STAR that the men, known to frequent the market oftentimes, give the excuse that they are going to 'run a boat' or claim they were sent by the big man'.

"Mi naw lie mi jus know seh a one a dem thing deh and mi jus affi adapt to it ... . Some seh dem a go run a boat and some will seh a di big man send dem," another vendor Olive Oilsaid.

According to the vendors, the men target fruits, vegetables, ground provisions or just about anything they can get their hands on. In addition, they say they can lose up to $1,000 per week to the acts.

Asked if they have ever tried to stop the men, one very loud vendor lowered her tone to answer saying, "Mi naw lie, sometime mi will cuss dem but then yu haffi remember seh dem a bad people and dem will do yu tings."

Efforts to get a comment from Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie were unsuccessful as calls to his cellphones were unanswered and he was said to be out of office.

Politician still facing two related offences 

THE court yesterday dropped the charge of illegal possession of a firearm against suspended People's National Party caretaker for West Central St Andrew Patrick Roberts.

But Roberts is not yet in the clear as the prosecution will be pressing ahead with the charges of negligent handling of a firearm and failure to renew gun licence.

He is expected to answer to those charges in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.When Roberts appeared in the High Court Division of the Gun Court yesterday, the prosecution told the court that a case could not be made out against him on the charge of illegal possession of a firearm.

He was arrested by the Hunts Bay police two weeks ago after police ballistics checks revealed that a Taurus pistol seized from a man who fired at the police in January was licensed to him.

Roberts turned himself in to the police and reportedly told them that he had not been aware that the gun was missing.

Roberts is being represented by attorney Valerie Neita-Robertson.

 

THE world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, now has one of the world's fastest tracks to train on.

German track manufacturers, BSW Regupol, which constructed the blue track where Bolt set 100m and 200m world records of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany last summer, yesterday handed over a similar track to the Jamaican superstar on the ground of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

The 400-metre track, which was made possible by Regupol and PUMA on lands contributed by UWI, was completed within 161 days after ground was broken for the project on November 14.Bolt was full of praise for the BSW Regupol team, who initially offered him a four-lane 150-metre portion of the Berlin track last summer.

"It's just wonderful to know that I'll always have a track to train on and I know my coach is happy about that because we won't have to worry about the National Stadium being rented out and we have to train on the g**** or do some Plyometric drills and nothing too hard, so I know he's happy," Bolt said during a two-hour long ceremony at the UWI Bowl yesterday.

"This track is where I set my last two world records, which were very fast. Now I'm going to train on it (similar surface), so I'm just imagining what the possibilities are," added the triple Olympic and World Championships gold medallist.

Principal and CEO of BSW Regupol Ulf Poeppe, who has been running the company for the past 21 years, indicated that the track will assist Jamaica to continue its dominance of world sprinting, similar to the way Brazil dominate football.

"This running track is the most modern and sophisticated piece of track technology that one can possible get nowadays. From a technical stand-point your new running track is almost an exact copy of the track in the Berlin Olympic Stadium and certainly one of the finest pieces of workmanship of building sports facilities," Poeppe said, noting that he's pleased that the track will be the training ground for a running super power.

Racers head coach Glen Mills, who was instrumental in getting the track laid at UWI, hopes to deliver a few more world record performances with the help of the new state-of-the-art IAAF certified track.

"To the BSW Regupol family, we owe you a tremendous debt and we hope that another world record will repay all of that," Mills said. "To all the Racers athletes and coaches, this is our home, let us take the greatest care of it and make the best use of it to dazzle the world with lightening speed," the coached added.

Principal of the UWI, Professor Gordon Shirley told Sporting World that the completed Regupol track forms a major section of the University's plans to become the top sporting facility in the Caribbean.

"This is a big piece of what we want to do at this location. It's a first-rate running track... just to the north of here we have the JFF Academy, which is going in and just beyond that we are going to have the Caribbean Sports Medicine Institute," Professor Shirley said.

"We are also hoping to build a large multipurpose indoor facility, which will allow us to have all the court games, such as basketball, volleyball, netball and so on. We have already expanded the swimming pool. We have put in the beach volleyball facilities, we are upgrading the cricket pitch and we are going to upgrade football fields which are used by premier league club August Town," added the UWI principal.

Sports Development Director at the UWI, Olympic 200m silver medallist Grace Jackson, who has been with the University for 11 years, said they will be seeking to raise funds to erect spectator stands in time for track meets next season.

"We now can start doing the planning for track meets being held here... without supporting facilities, obviously we can't get started right away, but my job now becomes even tougher because I now have to get investors to come in and participate in the building of the spectator stands," Jackson said.

Initially, the track will be utilised by athletes from UWI, Racers Track Club and IAAF High Performance Training Centre.

Last November, a 20-year agreement was signed by UWI's principal, Professor Gordon Shirley and president of the Racers Track Club, Glen Mills, as the institution moves to twin sporting excellence with science to establish itself as the premier facilitator of sports development in the region.

Jay Z and Beyonce are the hot topic in the little rural town of Schuylkill County, Pa. Rumors are speculating that the Grammy Award duo are planning to buy a multimillion dollar mansion in eastern Pennsylvania. DAMN! This stunning house is 210 acres in a secluded area in P.A.

Schuylkill county residents have spotted someone driving a black Lamborghini several times. I wonder who that could be, when Schuylkill is struggling economically. Gossip is swirling around in the local grocery store, pharmacies, fitness centers, online and over the phone. This is a BIG step for the celebrity couple. Who knows, Jay and Bey may even start a family there!

Check out the pics below!

GOLDDIGGER FAIL!! LISARAYE'S EX-HUSBAND TO SUE HER FOR SPOUSAL SUPPORT!!!

MediaTakeOut.com just learned of a very INTERESTING rumor going around. Word on the street is that LisaRaye's ex-husband Michael Misick is about to ask courts to grant him SPOUSAL SUPPORT from HER!!!

Here's what the streets are saying. Apparently, when Michael was head of the Turks and Caicos he had access to a luxurious lifestyle. But he never put any of his assets in his name. So now, if a court were to look at his assets - it would appear that dude is FLAT BROKE!!!

Well MediaTakeOut.com's snitch is saying that dude is so upset with LisaRaye for putting him ON BLAST recently, that he's going to take her azz to court - and make her pay HIM monthly spousal support.

LMAO . .. . Diamond ain't have a job in a minute. If she gotta pay dude, she may need to TAKE UP THE POLE again . . .. .

Today In History


Today is Friday, April 30, the 120th day of 2010. There are 245 days left in the year.

On April 30, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon announced the U.S. was sending troops into Cambodia, an action that sparked widespread protest.

In 1789, George Washington took office in New York as the first president of the United States.

In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 60 million francs, the equivalent of about $15 million.

In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state of the Union.

In 1859, the Charles Dickens novel "A Tale of Two Cities" was first published, in serial form.

In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition opened in St. Louis.

In 1939, the New York World's Fair officially opened with a ceremony that included an address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1945, as Russian troops approached his Berlin bunker, Adolf Hitler committed suicide along with his wife of one day, Eva Braun.

In 1973, President Richard M. Nixon announced the resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, along with Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst and White House counsel John Dean.

In 1980, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands abdicated; she was succeeded by her daughter, Princess Beatrix.

In 1990, hostage Frank Reed was released by his captives in Lebanon; he was the second American to be released in eight days.

Ten years ago: Hundreds of thousands participated in a gay-rights rally in Washington.

Five years ago: Missing Georgia woman Jennifer Wilbanks admitted to police in Albuquerque, N.M., that she was a "runaway bride" after initially claiming to have been abducted; on what was supposed to have been her wedding day, she was escorted to the airport by officers for a flight home. Vietnam marked the 30th anniversary of the war's end. James Toney outpointed John Ruiz to win the WBA heavyweight title in New York.

One year ago: Riding a crest of populist anger, the House approved, 357-70, a bill to restrict credit card practices and eliminate sudden increases in interest rates and late fees. Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection; the federal government pledged up to $8 billion in additional aid and to back warranties. The Iraq war formally ended for British forces as they handed control of the oil-rich Basra area to U.S. commanders. A man drove his car into a crowd of parade spectators in Amsterdam, killing seven people in an attempt to attack the Dutch royal family (the attacker, Karst Tates, died of his injuries).

Today's Birthdays: Actress Cloris Leachman is 84. Singer Willie Nelson is 77. Actor Gary Collins is 72. Actor Burt Young is 70. Singer Bobby Vee is 67. Actress Jill Clayburgh is 66. Movie director Allan Arkush is 62. Actor Perry King is 62. Singer Merrill Osmond is 57. Movie director Jane Campion is 56. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is 51. Actor Paul Gross is 51. Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is 49. Country musician Robert Reynolds (The Mavericks) is 48. Actor Adrian Pasdar is 45. Rapper Turbo B (Snap) is 43. Rock musician Clark Vogeler is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chris "Choc" Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 39. Rock musician Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) is 39. Country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 39. Actress Lisa Dean Ryan is 38. Rhythm-and-blues singer Akon is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) is 37. Actor Johnny Galecki is 35. Singer-musician Cole Deggs (Cole Deggs and the Lonesome) is 34. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 28. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 28. Country singer Tyler Wilkinson (The Wilkinsons) is 26.

Thought for Today: "In America, getting on in the world means getting out of the world we have known before." - Ellery Sedgwick, American editor (1872-1960). (AP)

Come midnight the curtains will come down on an era in Jamaica's aviation history.

After 41 years of being the country's national airline Air Jamaica will be taken over by Caribbean Airlines come Saturday. Air Jamaica was established in October 1968 and officially commenced operations on April 1 the following year. However, after racking up billions of dollars in debts and incurring huge losses, the Government announced two years ago that it was time for the airline to be taken off its books. Air Jamaica President, Bruce Nobles says all is in place for the transfer of ownership. He explained that during the transition period the Loverbird will remain in the sky and there will be minimal changes to its operations. "Air Jamaica is going to continue exactly as it is today, Saturday and Sunday and for a number of months afterwards we will be operating under a contract with Caribbean Airlines but people will still book under Air Jamaica, the planes will look the same, they will be the same we will operate under the same operating authority, everything will continue for a number of months," Mr. Nobles said. Caribbean Airlines will initially continue serving routes from: New York to Montego Bay and Kingston; Baltimore to Montego Bay; Philadelphia to Montego Bay; Toronto to Kingston; Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay; and Fort Lauderdale to Kingston. Plans for other routes will be announced by the Trinidadian air carrier. And as expected there is much sadness at Air Jamaica this morning as workers prepare for the change in the airline's ownership. Reservation Agent and Union Delegate at Air Jamaica, Khurt Fletcher, described the workers' mood as a mixture of sadness and apprehension. He says employees are trying to come to grips with the reality that in a few hours the airline will be placed under foreign control. "For the most part, people are a little bit anxious, unsure how to react. I have spoken to many people in reservation and it is quite sad. They know that tomorrow [Friday] will come but they are not sure what to expect, a few tears have been shed," Mr. Fletcher said.

A man received a mandatory 12-month sentence in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court Wednesday for drug charges.

Corporate Area resident Ruben Walker, pleaded guilty with explanation to possession, dealing and taking steps to export ganja.

Walker begged the court for leniency indicating that he lost his job at a hotel after the closure of Cash Plus. He said he owes the bank $800,000 and was unable to repay his loan. He said he saw transporting the ganja as an opportunity to clear his debt.

Allegations said Walker was stopped during a routine spot check and found with ganja. It is alleged that his suitcase contained five pounds of the drug.

Walker was fined $8,000 or six months for possession, $16,000 or six months for dealing, and $32,000 or six months for taking steps to export ganja, plus his mandatory 12-months sentence.

Iroy Johnson, the pedestrian who was injured in an accident involving a truck and a car at the intersection of North and East Streets last week Monday, has died.

The Kingston Central police confirmed that Johnson died earlier this week.

Based on a camera which caught the incident, the accident occurred when the truck driver, in her attempt to avoid plowing into a Nissan Tiida motor car, swerved just after going through the lights at the intersection. There was still contact between the two vehicles and the truck veered towards the sidewalk on the south-east corner of the intersection. The truck hit Johnson, who was waiting to cross, and a light pole before turning on to its side.

Johnson was in his second year at the HEART Vocational Training Development Institute, working towards his Bachelor of Science degree in information and communication technology. A student from the institution told THE WEEKEND STAR that the school body had just last week been asked to donate *lo** for Johnson and said they were informed of his death a few days ago.

Johnson represented Jamaica's visually impaired cricket team and also played for the West Indies as a batsman

Okay lets say you need to catch a ride. Would you rather choose:

a)a person high on Heroin
b)a person drunk on Alcohol
c)a person high on Meth
d)a person high on Crack
e)a person high on Mushrooms
f)a person high on Oxycontin
g)a person high on Weed
h)a person high on PCP
i)a person high on Nutmegj/k
j)a person high on Cocaine
k)a person high on Acid
l)a person high on Morphine
m)a person high on Ecstacy
n)a person high on Ketamine
o)a person high on Mescaline
p)a person high on GHB
q)a person high on Hash
r)a person high on Hydrocodone
s)a person high on Rohypnol
t)a person high on Methadone with a side of Clonazepam
u)a person high on Inhalants/Duster
v)a person high on Opium
w)a person high on DXM
x)a person high on Salvia Divinorum

to ultimately provide you with transportation. Answer honestly please for this little experiment. Also, if you had to pick one to be a roommate, which drug would you prefer them on?

Some A Dem Lucky Sah

What a way some universally known dancehall artiste muss glad dem have recording deal a foreign, so dat when di video did buss pon youtube ah him a beg di girl some a deh ting deh and fi cum ah him hotel room, di company say ah 'copyright infringement' an' tek it off.

Mi nearly keel ovah when di smaddy send mi di link an' mi go look. Den when mi try watch it again, it gone fi true. So it go when yuh universally known, yuh ting can get hide up inna two day. By di way, him an' him woman naw married? Even if ah inna 'secret', cause oonu muss know mi go find out anyway. Dem deh bout 100 year now. Ah wha so.

Talk Di Truth Now

People mi want oonu tell mi di truth, Magnum Kings & Queens of Dancehall tun Comedy Buss or wha? Man all ah cum dress up inna tights an' pure tings. In terms ah talent, dem few an' far between! Have mercy. Lawd bless di one an' two deh year yah wha actually ah stay true to di name ah di competition. Apart from di fact say none a di past winner dem nuh buss all now, oonu tek it a step further a recruit koonumoonu from di start. Sort it out nex' season man!