LISA Hanna, the Opposition member of parliament for South East St Ann, has been selected to represent Jamaica on a United Kingdom general election observer mission.

Hanna is the only representative from the Caribbean region who will be among a group of eight other young parliamentarians participating in the mission, the British High Commission in Kingston said in a release yesterday.

Members of civil society and election officials from nine other Commonwealth countries will also join the mission to observe the UK general election on May 6.The mission, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), is to create an opportunity for Commonwealth parliamentarians, election officials and civil society representatives to gain insight into the political campaign and UK electoral processes. Observers are also being encouraged to make recommendations for the improvement of the process.

"I am honoured to be selected; the agenda is full, and there are excellent opportunities for learning. For me to observe this element of the democratic process comes at an opportune time," the release quoted Hanna.

"We have made significant strides here in Jamaica with our electoral process and I am interested in seeing if there are any next steps to be taken, especially in areas which relate to matters currently being debated, including the role of the state in funding political parties. In addition, I anticipate significant lessons in emerging technology in the area of campaigning," Hanna was quoted as saying.

The mission will run from May 2 to 9, 2010, during which Hanna and other participants will be involved in shadowing a UK MP for a day, attending training on UK electoral procedure and a session at the UK Electoral Commission. They will also be observing voting procedures at a number of polling stations.

TEN SIGNS SEH SOME PPL MEAN YUH FUQQ

1.MAN WHO RECYCLE CONDOMS

2. PPL WHO CARRY THEM THERMOS WID DRINKS GAAH CLUB

3. PPL WHO GAAH RESTAURANT AND ONLY ORDER FROM THE APPETIZERS SIDE ALONE

4.PPL WHO COUNT HOW MUCH GRAIN A RICE DEM GET WHEN DEM BUY A SHOP

5.PPL WHO WAIT IN LINE AT THE BANK TO QUERY A 50 CENT SHORTAGE OUTTA THEM BANK BOOK

6.JUMP FENCE FI GUH INNA FREE DANCE

7.THEM RATHER GET VIRUS THAN BUY A ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

8. INSTEAD A HAVE CABLE TV A DEM YARD, DEM GAAH RESTAURANT, GET SOME ICE WATER AND SIDDUNG INNA DI PPL DEM PLACE WATCH TV

9. DEM WAIT PON FREE CREDIT DAY FROM DIGICEL FI GET SOME PON DEM FONE

10. DEM SET THEM MESSAGE PON VOICEMAIL AND SEND TO THEM FRIEND, INSTEAD A RUN OFF DEM CREDIT

10 Things Your Airline Won't Tell You

1. Welcome to our crowded plane.

Just because you show up at the airport with a ticket reservation doesnt necessarily mean youll end up on your intended flight. Most airlines overbook Flights to compensate for last-minute cancellations, but they dont always get the numbers right. And with so few seats open on later flights, fewer folks are volunteering to get bumped. As a result, the number of involuntarily bumped passengers is up, having grown 45 percent between 2005 and 2009, according to the Department of Transportation.Instead of fixing the problem, says Tony Polito, an associate professor in the college of business at East Carolina University who has published academic articles about airline industry issues, they are institutionalizing it.

Whats worse, travelers who get involuntarily bumped arent necessarily entitled to denied-boarding compensation. If the airline arranges substitute transportation that gets you to your destination within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation. If you arrive an hour or more later, the airline is required to pay you, up to a maximum of $800, depending on the price of the ticket and length of delay, according to the DOTs rules.

David Castelveter, spokesperson for the Air Transport Association, says filling an airplane and keeping passengers happy is a balancing act. The carriers are in business to maximize their revenues, he says not to bump passengers and pay boarding compensation, and not to depart with empty seats. To achieve those goals, the airlines analyze historical booking information and other data to figure out how many seats to sell or oversell. By overbooking flights, carriers make available seats for passengers who want and need those seats left open because someone no-shows, for whatever reason, he says.

2. Your hard-won air miles are probably worth less.

Air miles are easy to accrue. You can earn them using your credit card, getting a mortgage, for anything short of breathing, says Tim Winship, editor at large of SmarterTravel.com. American Airlines, for example, has thousands of participating companies in its frequent-flier program, making it an important revenue center. And United Airlines Mileage Plus plan brought in $700 million for the company in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available, up from $600 million in 2006.

But as miles flood the market, theyre getting harder to use. Some airlines have reduced the shelf life of air miles, while others have increased the amount required for an upgrade. Winship says customers can keep their account current by using a credit card affiliated with the program, which will build miles as they make purchases. You can also redeem a small amount of miles, to keep your account active, on things like magazine subscriptions.

3. Well give you a good deal if we can get something out of it.

Airlines prefer that you book directly with them, so they often feature promotional codes and special deals exclusively on their own web sites. The goal is to get more consumers to book airfare there as opposed to on the discount web sites that list pricing from most airlines. Why? Airlines pay these online booking sites a commission for the tickets they sell something they prefer not to do.

While consumers can find helpful deals on the airlines sites, they should compare pricing there with what the other sites are offering. Also, travelers might find the lowest fare by booking two separate airlines for each leg of their trip, but theyre unlikely to be informed of that when they book a ticket on an airlines site.Some airlines, like Southwest, only permit travelers to buy tickets online from their own web sites. However, Southwests computer application Ding will scan for the best fares and update you on deals. What does the carrier get in return? Loyalty and repeat fliers. In 2007, American launched a similar application called DealFinder, which offers big discounts on flights.

4. We love adding fees.

A big chunk of the price you pay for a ticket covers additional fees that are often added at the end of the booking process, when buyers are less likely to change their mind. That way, the listed ticket price looks lower than it actually is.

The most common fee these days is for checked bags. For example, United now charges $23 to $25 for the first bag a traveler checks in at the airport, and $32 to $35 for the second. Other examples of fees: Passengers who reserve a seat on Spirit Airlines pay $15 extra for an exit row seat. And Allegiant, a low-cost airline that provides service from cities like Missoula, Mont., charges $19 just to book a ticket online. Some airlines have fuel surcharges, which vary in price depending on many factors, including the length of the trip.

Even frequent-flier programs, which are supposed to let you book free flights, have added fees for things like booking too close to your travel date. I keep seeing more and more of these hidden fees, says George Hobica, creator of Airfarewatchdog.com. I get complaints from people all the time. A spokeswoman for American Airlines says the company does charge fees for flights booked with less than 21 days advance notice for people using frequent flyer miles. Passengers booking a flight just seven to 20 days before takeoff can incur a fee of $50 fee or more, and those who book between two hours and six days before departure can incur a $fee of 100, minimum. In addition, she says, theres a $10 security service fee thats collected on roundtrip airfare for passengers boarding in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

5. Customer service isnt always our top priority . . .

After being stuck in a plane on the tarmac for nine hours in 2006, Kate Hanni decided to fight back against poor customer service. She formed the group Flyerrights.org, which in December was successful in getting the DOT to issue a rule on enhancing airline passenger protections that includes requiring the airlines to allow passengers to disembark after three hours on the tarmac and requiring airlines to provide adequate food and water to passengers within two hours of them being stuck in a plane. A DOT spokeswoman says the rule will take effect on April 29, after the department reviews requests from certain carriers that have asked for temporary exemptions.According to Claes Fornell, a professor at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, customer satisfaction is up about 3% in 2009 compared with 2008, in part because fewer people are traveling. However, he is unimpressed with the carriers attitudes toward customers. They all offer about the same lousy service, he says.

Castelveter of the Air Transport Association, which represents the airlines, says travelers are upset by delays that are often out of the airlines control. This is a customer-service-driven business, and when we fail our customers, we lose them, Castelveter says. Good customer service is our goal.

6. but it might be if you have a lot of miles.

They may be making a lot of customers miserable these days, but if airlines could be said to cater to anyones needs, it would be those of the people in the top tier of their frequent-flier programs heavy travelers, many of whom fly for business and therefore buy the most expensive tickets. These people get white-glove service, says Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst with Forrester Research. Airlines really want to cultivate that relationship.

These favored fliers typically get the first crack at upgrades. In many cases, the reservation center answers their call on the first ring. They often get special bonus-mile offers and free upgrades. And while some airlines are increasing fees associated with frequent-flier programs, members still have perks like first-class check-in (for shorter lines through security) and early boarding.

7. Our planes can make travel uncomfortable and costlier.

Older aircraft are maintained to high safety standards. But they can cause more delays due to last-minute mechanical problems, and they guzzle fuel, a cost that filters down to customers, says CreditSights analyst Roger King. Whats more, with older planes, the airlines feel little pressure to upgrade, says Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst with the Teal Group. Seating room is minimal, in-flight entertainment is mediocre or nonexistent and meal service is unlikely, he says.

The industry has a different point of view. Aircraft of 30 years ago might have guzzled more fuel, but the ones that began operating in the last decade are quite fuel efficient, says Castelveter, pointing out that some airlines have adjusted aerodynamics on older aircraft so they burn less fuel. The notion that older planes are smaller inside than their newer counterparts is also wrong, he saysand meal service has nothing to do with the age of a plane. Meals, in some cases, have been eliminated, even in the newer model aircraft, he says.

8. Even we dont understand our pricing.

Most domestic flights operate with two cabins coach and first or business class while international flights are divided into first class, business and economy. But when it comes to pricing, there are often around a dozen or more different price points for seats on each plane. Ticket pricing is a mix of science, game theory and art a three dimensional matrix, says Harteveldt of Forrester Research. The biggest factor, beyond basic costs like fuel and labor, is the competition. Airlines track one anothers fares, then try to determine how many business travelers, who generally pay a premium for flexible tickets, are likely to book a flight. On routes with lots of business travelers, seat prices can stay high because airlines know theyll book seats at the last minute. As each seat sells, the prices of others fluctuate: Domestic fares can change up to three times a day during the week and once on weekends, says Hobica.

But prices dont only go up. A number of factors can cause prices to fluctuate months or even hours before a flight takes off. One example is if demand from business travelers is lagging, prices may fall as the flight time gets closer. If that happens and the fare drops by the time your flight leaves, you can get a voucher from a number of airlines for the difference between what you paid for the airfare and the lowest price it dropped to. Customers can get this refund if they bought published airfare either directly from the airline or from most price-comparison sites. Some airlines will assess a fee with this refund, but customers should still ask for the full amount. JetBlue, for example, doesnt deduct a fee; instead it puts the difference into a credit, which a customer can use toward airfare within 12 months, says a spokesperson.

9. Were at the mercy of old technology.

Air traffic decreased in 2009, when the number of flights fell by 6.6 percent compared with 2008, and the number of passengers traveling fell 5.3 percent, according to the DOT. But even with less-crowded skies, air-traffic controls radar-based system, which safely tracks planes, remains inefficient. Planes are routed across the country in a zig zag fashion on a series of highways in the sky, spacing them at least five miles apart for safety. And thats the problem: Because radar pinpoints planes about every 12 seconds, their precise location is not known, says Castelveter.The airlines would like to see this system replaced by one based on digital-satellite technology, he says. That would allow planes to fly much closer, which would be safer, help reduce congestion and allow more flights. Some airlines have been working toward this goal for a while. In the mid-1990s, Alaska Airlines began using Required Navigation Performance (RNP), a global positioning system that helps airplanes fly more-direct routes with more accuracy and save fuel. And according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, Southwest Airlines is planning to change the c**kpit software in two-thirds of its fleet to RNP.

10. Youll wait because the systems broken.

Airline delays arent as widespread as they were a few years ago, but theyre still a problem. In 2009, 18.9 percent of flights arrived late and 16.8 percent of flights departed late, down from 24% and 21% respectively in 2007, according to the DOT.But if bad weather rolls in, delays increase and spread across the country. When JFK and Newark airports experienced serious delays in 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration stepped in the following year and capped scheduled flights going in and out of JFK at 83 for peak hours, down from 100 or more. The agency also limited scheduled flights at Newark to 81 flights per hour. Since then, delays have decreased at the three major New York- area airports assisted by scheduling limits, improvements in air traffic control, and reductions in flying, says an FAA spokesperson.Even the airlines say these were necessary steps. But the carriers would like more action from the government, including pushing through upgrades of the air-traffic-control system, which would increase capacity at airports. Castelveter of the ATA says there is plenty of blame to spread for delay, from the need for a modernized air-traffic control system to the volume of corporate jets. Its an incredibly complex problem, says Shannon Anderson, associate professor of management at Rice University, one involving aging technology, competing airlines and private and commercial carriers. Just capping the number of flights is not going to solve it.

 

Deejay Vybz Kartel surely knows how to grab head lines (no pun intended.) He has positioned himself as the top deejay locally and last year released a slew of songs which ensured that he claimed the coveted DJ of the Year title for 2009.

Kartel, as the self-proclaimed President of the Gaza and the leader of the now crumbling Portmore Empire, has had his fair share of criticism as being a 'gangsta', just like many deejays of this era have been labelled. However, the name Gaza speaks for itself, as the Gaza Strip which borders Egypt and Israel is known for some of the fiercest gun battles between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Kartel has been accused of (and has denied) beating wayward members of the Portmore Empire into submission and the recent shooting up and fire-bombing of deejay Blak Ryno's house sent tongues wagging. Blak Ryno subsequently released a song in which he said the he was not "him pickney" and therefore had no right to beat him.

In September 2008, Kartel was picked up by police and questioned in the death of Christopher 'Nunu p**s' Miller, whose bullet-riddled body was found in Bernard Lodge, St Catherine. Kartel's Norbrook house was also raided by the cops. However, he was released without charge and subsequently declared his innocence. He was reported as saying then, "A jus some people a try mek it look like Kartel a di evilest man inna di world."

Kartel, in true deejay style proclaimed that he would write a song about that particular tribulation. He has however done so many songs since then, that it's hard to recall whether or not he kept his promise. But the theme of his songs, however, have been constant -- guns and sex. Included in his repertoire is a popular song dedicated to the "girl dem inna di go-go club', in which he vividly describes oral sex, an act which is considered taboo within the dancehall.

Late last year, Lisa Hype, while still a Gaza Princess and the aspiring First Lady of the Gaza, was booted from the territory when pictures surfaced of her performing this illicit activity on a man whose face was hidden. A release said that "The members of the Empire have unanimously agreed to end our professional relationship especially in light of certain 'developments' that have come to our attention regarding her overall conduct, conduct that is not consistent with the decorum expected of a member of the Portmore Empire."

After that mouthful from Kartel, who wouldn't be shocked when pictures surfaced late last week of him being the recipient of the very act for which Lisa Hype was kicked out.

Kartel, to put it mildly, had the Internet -- Facebook, Twitter and even mediatakeout.com -- blowing up last week when two photos of himself and two female companions indulging in oral sex in separate incidents. Many asked the question online if Kartel had quit deejaying and had turned into a porn star.

And here's what Kartel had to say about the picture on his Twitter page: "Why should these photos cause such chaos when everyone an dem mumma kno that Vybz Kartel is the 2 Live Luke of dancehall. Haven't they been listening to my lyrics all these years?"

Interestingly, rapper 2 Live Luke's latest album, (2006) was a triple disc featuring glorious titles such as My Life & Freaky Times, The Best of Uncle Luke's Freak Shows, Foreplay aka the Introduction, Luke and Mike Tyson: Saved by P----, Beauty and the Bestiality and Golden Shower Weekend.

A man accused of punching his neighbour in the face and bursting her mouth appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Charged with assault is Odahri Moulton.

The complainant told the court that the accused punched her in the mouth after she told him to stay away from a mango tree in her yard. She said she told the accused several times to leave the tree alone, but he reportedly told her that no one could stop him.

It is alleged that on the day in question, the accused got upset when he was again confronted about the mango tree and punched the complainant.

The accused was ordered to pay $15,000 or serve six months in jail. He was also told to give his fingerprints to the police.

THE international news network Al Jazeera has called Jamaica one of the most violent societies on earth in a documentary highlighting the turf wars, armed gangs and police killings on the island.

With a population of less than three million people, police kill hundreds of people every year in what they claim are crime-related shootouts, making Jamaica's police force among the deadliest in the world, said an AlJazeera.net report, which used as example the police killing of DJ Robert Kentucky Kid Hill last year.

Rights groups say that these shootings add up to a campaign of extra-judicial executions carried out by police who have taken the law into their own hands, it added.

Kentucky Kid was one of 224 people killed in police shootings last year, Al Jazeera said.

"In the last ten years, 1,900 of our Jamaican citizens, officially, have been killed by the police, more than 1,900. In that time, one policeman has been convicted of manslaughter and he has been freed on appeal," Jamaicans for Justices Carolyn Gomes told the network.

Teachers and security guards at the Kingston High School on King Street, had to rescue a policeman who was being mobbed by a group of rowdy students yesterday .

Reports are that about 9:20 a.m., the constable, who was on duty at the school, attempted to search two boys who had handed a package to a man on the approach of the cop.

The boys refused to be searched by the lawman and called some other boys who were nearby. The group, numbering about 25, went to the assistance of their fellow students forcing the constable to retreat.

Teachers and security guards who were nearby rescued the lawman, whose colleagues from the Kingston Central Police Station arrived shortly after.

During the melee, the man with the package disappeared. Two male students, who were injured, were taken to hospital, treated and released.

comment on it!!!

Cops concern it may be disguised for consumption

DWAYNE McLEOD, Staff Reporter

The police in Clarendon are urging the public to be on the lookout for donkey meat that is probably being disguised as meat for consumption following the discovery of six of the dead animals yesterday.

THE STAR learnt that the intestines and heads of six donkeys were found in a ditch at c**kpit in the parish following a 'search and rescue' effort by a number of farmers who came together to help another colleague to find his missing animals.

 

carcasses were found

The worst fears of the farmers were realised some time after midday when the carcasses were found.

They subsequently alerted the police.

When THE STAR contacted the Clarendon police last night, an investigator said the police believe the the donkey meat will now be sold and passed off as meat for consumption.

The inspector said; "we are advising persons to be extra careful when buying meat."

The police also said that investigations are now ongoing as they try to find those responsible.

The St Catherine North police believe that thieves are targeting stores that sell the popular Clarks shoes, after two stores in the Linstead were recently robbed of several pairs of the footwear.

Two men, who were found with a number of the shoes in their possession, have since been taken into custody by the Linstead police.

Reports reaching THE STAR are that about 8 a.m. yesterday, police searched two houses in August Town and Prospect in Bog Walk, and seized a number of the shoes that are believed to have been stolen.

Last week, thieves broke into a store located on King Street and another on Gillette Street. The police told THE STAR that more than $2 million worth of Clarks shoes have been stolen from the two stores in Linstead.

popular shoes

"Criminals are really targeting the stores and taking the Clarks shoes. So far they have stolen the popular shoes from two places. However. we are making progress in the probe," an investigator said.

THE STAR was told that the men were apparently so caught up in the thrill that in one store they took only the right shoe from a pair, leaving the left behind.

Police say that further investigations are being carried out. Up to late last night the names of the men were being withheld.

Since the release of the hit song Clarks by Vybz Kartel, Popcaan and Gaza Slim, the UK-based brand has seen a rise in popularity among Jamaican men. A recent story published in THE STAR illustrated just how popular the shoes had become, with news that vendors in the downtown area have seen increased clientele and had even upped their prices.

-- Edited by $HABLA RUPTION$ on Tuesday 27th of April 2010 11:34:35 AM

While most of the top acts sparkled, it was the little-known deejay Food Kartel who stole the spotlight as he left patrons in a euphoric tizzy at Sunday night's concert phase at the 2010 Westmoreland Curry Festival at the Mannings School in Savanna-la-mar.
It was a case of offering patrons, who had spent the earlier part of the day sampling a wide array of curried delicacies, a musical desert as screams of delight and spontaneous dancing greeted the food-based lyrics, which Food Kartel delivered with confidence and authority.
Hitting the stage after stellar performances from the likes of Ken Boothe, John Holt, I-Octane and a dazzling Nesbeth, Food Kartel, nattily attired in red and white, took the venue by storm, as he ruled supreme with songs such as Come Cook Fi Me, Nah Get None and Last Dish.
When Food Kartel left the stage, the buzz and screams for "more, more" left MC Ron Muschette with no choice but to call him back for a well-deserved encore. Food Kartel quickly re-established command, again rocking the crowd with a song titled Nice Food.

Warm welcome
Nesbeth, who preceded Food Kartel, was also in exemplary form. Hitting the stage to a warm welcome, he was soon in full-flight, delighting with songs such as Board House, Drive By, Guns Out and Mi Baby Mother. With the crowd operating like a well-schooled choir, it was quite clear that Nesbeth could do no wrong.
I-Octane, who performed before Nesbeth, showed why he is so revered in music circles with a classy set steeped in maturity and control. He was simply awesome on Mama, My Life and the compelling Lose a Friend.
Jah Cure, arguably reggae's most sought-after act at this time, took the stage shortly before the security fence at the front of the stage broke down, hurting a few patrons. He quickly settled the situation and had the patrons dancing in delight as he made his mark with Longing For, Love Is, You Will Never Find, Call On Me and a super rendition of Unconditional Love.
Assassin again advertised himself as a superstar in the making. Soaking up all the energy he could pull from the crowd, he delivered generously from his rapidly expanding catalogue. He was on top of his game with Don't Mek Me Hold You, Leave Us Alone and Bad Mind People, among other songs.
In the early stages of the show, the pace was brilliantly set by the likes of the veteran Ken Boothe, who took the younger patrons to school with classics like When I Fall in Love, Moving, Puppet On a String and You Shelter Me. Vocalist Stevie Face, who performed in that segment, also sparkled, connecting well with Wake Up With You, Should I Be Love and I Don't Need Nobody.
Hilarious set

John Holt, who followed a hilarious set by comedians Apache Chief and Free Man, was velvet-smooth as he proved himself a bonafide crowd-pleaser with songs such as Tide is High, Ali Baba, Carpenter, Tribal War and Police in Helicopter.
While the likes of Tifa and Sophia Squire made their presence felt with well received sets, D'Angel, the self-proclaimed first lady of dancehall, was easily the most outstanding female performer. She was bang on target, unleashing songs like Hot Gal A Road, First Lady, Blaze and Me Have, which was done in combination style with upcoming deejay Versatile.
Clash king KipRich was his usual entertaining self, exciting the fans with his special blend of social commentary and comedic offering. Songs such as Bun fi Bun and Telephone, which blended perfectly with his stage antics, were enough to make fans happy.
New kid on the block, House of Leeds' promising young rapper J-Yungg, surprised many with his driving lyrics and clearly had the female fans under his power as he sizzled with songs such as Bring Me Down and Grange Hill. Iyahblazze, the top act out of House of Leeds, was also in fine fettle, rocking the crowd with Rasta, Heart fi di Poor and At The Movies.
Among the other acts who held their own were the likes of Grandson, Justice Merchant, Bomblast, Spring I, G-Whizz and Danny English and Egg Nog.


-- Edited by hyperactive sound on Thursday 29th of April 2010 05:09:43 PM

Michael Jackson's Mom Cleans House

 

TMZ has learned ... Katherine Jackson is downsizing the number of grandchildren in her San Fernando Valley mansion -- and the stun gun incident was the catalyst.


Sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell TMZ ...  Katherine has told Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza -- who is currently living at the estate, along with two of her kids by Randy Jackson and two others by Jermaine Jackson -- that she must take the kids and move out of the estate next week, because supervising seven children is just too much for the 79-year-old grandmother.

But don't think Katherine is heartless.  It's the opposite.  She's moving Alejandra, along with Jaafar, Jermajesty, Donte and Randy Jr. to a San Fernando Valley condo owned by the estate.



We're told the move was prompted by the stun gun incident last month. TMZ broke the story that 13-year-old Jaafar bought a stun gun online and fired it in the house.  Sources say Jaafar pointed the gun at two of Michael's kids, but the family denies that. 

The L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services came to the estate, took the gun and interviewed people in the home, and it became apparent seven kids were too much for Katherine to handle. 

So as of next week, Prince, Paris and Blanket will have the run of the mansion, unobstructed.

It is said Ryno and Jah Vinci protrait di same vocal talent but who badda?

The seventh album for deejay Tanya Stephens 'Infallible' album cover.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Lyricist Tanya Stephens has released her seventh studio album Infallible for free, online to her fans world-wide.

Released on Stephen's label Tarantula Records, Infallib\le is the lyricist's first album in four years since the release of her critically acclaimed Rebelution. A hard copy of the 18-track album was released a few weeks ago in Germany with a copy of the popular Riddim magazine, and sponsors of the album Bacardi Caribbean, will also be giving away limited hard copies of Infallible with their products as well. All fans, however, will be able to download the entire album online at www.bymriddim.com and it will be made available on other websites in the future as well.

a new era

When THE STAR spoke to Stephens recently she explained, "my production label Tarantula Records is responsible for the production of the album, but we're not going through any distribution company. I'm not signing to any label with this record, it's just free. This is a new era and everything about the way we thought about business is changing, its a new climate financially and I mean I don't usually make money off record sales so I'm not losing anything by giving the album away, all I'm doing is cutting out an unnecessary demand and getting straight to my supporters."

According to Stephens, this is her way of giving her music directly to her fans as a 'thank you' without them having to buy it. Since its release, she has even had persons willing to buy the album from her but has refused their offers. "We want to have the album available in as many places as possible so people can get it as stress free as possible, cause I want to be in people's homes and cars," she added.

Infallible has been in the making for the last four years and since its release, the deejay says the reviews have been good but she is also looking forward to her critics. She told THE STAR that Infallible deals with a lot of new topics previously unexplored by her and ones that she says people need to talk about like HIV awareness and rape.

While many may think judging by the album name that Stephens is portraying herself as incapable of error, instead she says, "on an individual level we tend to think we're indestructible, that you're the best at everything, but the overall tone of what I'm saying is that I'm not infallible and the title track Infallible is actually a song I did for my daughter."

Woman sentenced for creating public mischief

A woman who told the police a lie that her boyfriend had beaten and threatened her was yesterday sentenced for creating public mischief.

The woman, Jodian Lewis, 21, hung her head in shame while being sentenced in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court.

"It will take more than two years for you to forgive yourself for the pain and suffering that you have caused the father of your child. You will have to explain to that child why you have been this cruel to her father," Resident Magistrate Simone Wolfe-Reece told Lewis.

The RM said that her boyfriend, Jason Tracey, could have been hurt after being placed in jail with violent criminals. She then sentenced Lewis to two years probation.

disagreement

The court learnt that the mother of one who resides in Waterford, St Catherine, had a disagreement with the father of her child in December.

She subsequently went to the Waterford police station and reported that he had beaten and pointed a gun at her.

After giving a statement, the man was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and assault at common-law. She later changed her story in court and admitted that she had lied about the incident.

Lewis who was subsequently charged with creating public mischief pleaded guilty when she appeared in court.

Tracey was freed by the court which granted a no-order in the case against him.

Exile Di Brave and Sanjay 'DJ Freeze' Pennant recently had a launch party for their single All Of Me at Christopher's Jazz Cafe, at the Quad nightclub in New Kingston.

The launch was held last Thursday as part of Alric and Boyd's weekly event, 'The Mix'. Exile said they seized the opportunity to launch the song because "we know seh this single have a crossover kind of feel."

Since its release, the Pennant-produced island pop single has been getting good reviews, according to Exile.

"Everybody that came to the launch said it was a hit. Somebody call and tell mi seh it a play pon BBC Radio 1Xtra. We a get good feedback from it," he said.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT .MS MARIA MARTICON AND MR.CABRON PENDEJO)

A MAJOR IMMIGRATION RAID HAS OCCURED IN LOS ANGELES..WITH MORE THAN 10, 000 ILLEGAL MEXICANS WHO ENTERED THE UNITED STATES BIENG CONFISCATED

THE CAUSE FOR THIS RAID WAS BECAUSE A WEDDING WAS COMING UP APRIL 27 WITH THE COUPLE SENIOR. CABRON. PENDEJO AND SENORITA MARIA MARTICON TYING THE KNOT...THE GROOM AGREED TO CALL THE IMMIGRATION SO FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF THE COUPLE CAN GET FREE TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD TO THE WEDDING IN MEXICO AN ALSO

IT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST RAID SINCE UMMM...WE WILL LET U KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

ting to-nite

Four women attacked in two weeks<

Four incidents of rape reported over a two-week period in a Central Kingston community, has left women there trembling in fear as to who will be the next victim.

"We a hear bout di raping ting and wi worried of course ... . To be honest a lot of people don't even know who the victims are but everybody on their P's and Q's," Lisa Ranks, 26, a resident of the community said last night.

According to her, women from the area have even devised their own safety methods which they hope can keep them safe from the rapist(s).

"Like fi di young girl dem wi urge dem fi come off a road early and we di big woman dem plan to walk in groups if we have to go on the road late," she explained.

Central Kingston top-cop Superintendent Cornel Messam confirmed the rape cases and said two suspects are in custody.

suspect

"There have been four rapes over 14 days within that community and presently we have two men in custody and another suspect we are seeking," said the senior cop.

After the police nabbed the two suspects, another rape occurred, forcing the police to identify and search for another suspect.

Though they did not disclose the identifications of the men in custody, residents have drawn their own conclusions and say they believe the alleged rapists reside in the community.

"Nobody naw come ya to come rape so much woman ... . Probably if it was a one case wi coulda say yes, but four is di works of people from here," Lisa Ranks reasoned.

Messam said that he is asking all females in that area to be vigilant and extremely careful of persons who act suspicious. He said residents must report any suspicious activity to the police.

Names changed to protect identity.

File - A heap of scrap metals await sorting near the entrance to the Riverton Landfill in Riverton City, Kingston, on Thursday, November 15, 2007.

Recent theft make it difficult for law abiding scrap-metal traders

Members of the Scrap Metal Federation of Jamaica say they are being unfairly labelled as wrong-doers based on the number of cases of scrap metal theft that have been recently reported.

In a release sent to THE STAR, the Federation said the actions of "unknown perpetrators make it difficult for the law-abiding scrap-metal traders to make a living without being unfairly accused of wrong doing."

The release said the Federation condemns all acts of theft or illeg-ality and in order to help lift the negative stigma attached to the industry and to possibly lift the ban on exports that was recently placed by the Ministry of Industry and Com-merce, it is offering a $300,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and charge of anyone involved in the recent acts of theft.

The organization said it was encouraging anyone with information about scrap-metal thefts to assist the authorities in their investigations.

unscrupulous persons

"The 26 members of this Federation assure all Jamaica that we will not facilitate the destruction of any aspect of the country's infrastructure by purchasing contraband from unscrupulous persons. We also encourage the other licensed exporters who are not members of this Federation to do the same. We state loudly and clearly to all persons involved in the illegal acquisition of metals; we will not buy it," the release stated.

It further lashed out against what it described as the "generalized accusation of all scrap-metal dealers" and the punishment of an entire industry for the actions of unscrupulous persons and said this approach would not help in bringing to justice those who are truly responsible

The organization said its goal was to help turn refuse into value and by doing so, to clean up the environment. It said the Federation is made up of hard working persons who have invested money and energy into creating jobs for many persons.

The decision by the government was made in the wake of the theft of millions of dollars worth of infrastructure across the island. In one recent case at the Colbeck irrigation pumping station in St Catherine, thieves vandalised critical agricul-tural equipment with losses estimated at some $5 million. Several stands from the stadium at the G.C. Foster College in St Catherine were also stolen recently.

Scrap-metal thieves have now resorted to stealing the gates of homeowners.

One man who resides at a Red Hills Road address told THE STAR that he recently became a victim of these culprits when he came out one morning only to see his gates missing.

"I am tired of them and this must be stopped. It was about 4 a.m. when I heard a noise outside but I ignored it. When I went outside about 6 a.m., I saw no gates. Just space," said the angry man.

According to the male resident, the scarp metal thieves normally travel in a pair with a small blow torch to make their work easier.

reports

A police officer attached to the Area-Five Division told THE STAR that he has heard about this activity, however, the incidents have not been reported.

Another police officer attached to the Area-Four Division also confirmed hearing of the activity. He said that this is an activity which he has heard about since last year, however, he too had no reports.

Based on information reaching THE STAR, in one other case, a female pensioner who resides at a St Andrew address lost her gate one morning at the hands of the thieves.

The woman is said to have tied one side of the gate with a wire after it lost its hinges. She is said to have received the shock of her life one morning when she realised that the gate was missing.

Since the recent upsurge in the theft of metal items, the government recently ceased some aspects of the scrap-metal trade.

A resident received the shock of her life one morning when she realised that her gate was missing.

ACTRESS SANDRA BULLOCK ADOPTS A BLACK BABY!!! (PICS INSIDE)

MediaTakeOut.com just got its hands (thanks to our peeps over at People Mag) on actress Sandra Bullock's NEW BABY!!

According to the mag, Sandra just adopted little LOUIS (who was born in New Orleans) just a few days ago. Oh, she also filed to DIVORCE her cheating hubby Jesse James.

To see MORE pics and to hear Sandra's FULL STORY about how she managed to get lil man . . . pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE MAGAZINE on newsstands now!!

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is alive and was recently seen in Pakistan's tribal region, officials said Thursday contradicting recent reports he was killed in a drone strike.

A Pakistan intelligence official and a senior military official told CNN that Mehsud survived the aerial strike in January.

He has been spotted in North Waziristan, one of seven districts in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border, the military official said.

In February, a U.S. intelligence official and three Taliban sources told CNN that Mehsud had been killed in the January drone strike. But the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, Azam Tariq, had always denied reports of Mehsud's death.

The officials asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Taliban leaders have denied leaders' deaths in the past. Tariq always maintained that Mehsud was alive, but never provided any proof. When former Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a U.S. drone strike last year, cell phone video of his body was aired on Pakistani TV.

However, the militants never changed their stance that Hakimullah Mehsud had survived, though they would not let reporters interview him. TheTaliban never named his successor, fueling rumors that he was still alive.

Hakimullah Mehsud got Washington's attention when he appeared in a video with Humam Al Balawi, the Jordanian doctor turned suicide bomber who killed seven CIA agents in eastern Afghanistan in December last year.

JAVANA AKA HENNESY AKA KADEEM........

DEM SAY SOME RING BUN HAN , SOME TUN BLACK, SOME DRAP AND BRUCK BUT MI WAA KNOW WHA A GO HAPPEN TO DAH RING YAH...BOUNTY U ENGAGED NOW ?
SO U SEE U WIFE N U CHILD PAN DIS CHILE YAH?? ...PEOPLE... CAN U BELIEVE IT!!!!!.. SO CLAUDIA, NANDI, KADEEM, AND DI RES A DI BROOD UNNO CAN PACK UP UNNO SOUN BOX N LEF OUT NOW ..RACE DUN, SHAP LOCK NUH MORE SONG NUH LEF.... YES SIR.....OH MI FIGET..BRIDGEZ U TUH..PACKUP N LOCK UP..DEM SAY KILLA OFFA DI MAWKIT...AND A NUH DAH PEAS TING DEH MEK HIM COME OFF.. HE PUT A RING ON IT!!!!! RAEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Hottest topics on the c**ktail circuit


On the move!


1. No official confirmation yet, but there is talk aplenty that the company head-quarters will be moved to The Bahamas.


Ready for the carpet


2. Some in civil society are expressing concern that the Brady/Manatt, Phelps and Phillips matter is to be treated like it is an internal party matter and swept under the carpet instead of being fully aired, and those culpable identified.


Very little cash


3. From the heady days of Olint and Cash Plus, there were two SUVs and a spare car, with lots of cash to spare that saw lots of shopping trips and conspicuous consumption. Now, the family is down to one motor car, and sometimes friends have to chip in!


300 visas


4. The story making the rounds speaks of some 300 visas that have been cancelled, but some of those affected are too embar****ed to fess up, and as it is only the United States government that knows for sure, those affected are not talking. One thing is certain, however, and that is there is no sympathy for the Government's position on the outstanding extradition request.


Paternity tests


5. There's more talk of paternity tests to deter-mine who fathered the other children, as the first one came back negative!


No substance


6. Some seem to think the one dubbed 'The Loqua-cious One' is losing credibility, as things progress. They say form has usurped substance and, as a result, the office is being brought into disrepute!


Low profile


7. First, there was the bit about the real estate! Then there was the business about the pot! Now, there is the bit about competency. Some say the family has caused the organisation to take such a beating, they need to adopt a low profile and dial it down!


Missing millions?


8. Whispers abound of missing millions in one public-sector organisation!

GET IT GIRRRRRRRL!!! HAVE YOU EVER SEEN KOBE BRYANT'S MAMA???? (PICS INSIDE)

Who knew Kobe's mama was such a DIVA . . . . hey GIIIIRRRL!!!

REPORT: TABLOID CLAIMS PRESIDENT OBAMA HAD A JUMPOFF!! (PICS OF THE CUTE GIRL INSIDE)

We here at MediaTakeOut.com are 100% supporters of President Obama. At first we thought about SUPPRESSING this new report . . . but we figure that it would be better to know about what Republicans are trying to do to the prez.

According to a new report, Republican operatives are looking to pay as much as $1 million to anyone willing to discuss the president's relationship with a 35 year old woman named Vera Baker.

And according to one weekly tabloid, Vera's limo driver is SNITCHING!!! Here's what Vera's limo driver is saying:

"I took [President Obama] to various locations while he was looking for campaign funds. Vera accompanied him to each meeting.

"About 10:30 pm, I drove them to the hotel and they went in together. She didn't ask me to wait or to be taken back to her friend's home - or to her home"

Well .. . . we ain't gonna believe NOTHING about the prez unless we have more solid evidence.

They call her the hardest working woman in showbiz, and D'Angel is living up to that billing and then some. She has been on a tear in the last few weeks and during the Easter weekend, she had no less than 6 shows in three days.

On Saturday April 3, she performed at both Hype 2K10 in St. Elizabeth and during the Portmore Carnival at the Portmore Pines Plaza. On Sunday April 4, she performed at Carnival Time: Trini Invation at the Richmond Estate, before blitzing Easter Monday with three shows, Palz Family Funday at Jamworld, Easter Bonanza at the Cecil Charlton Estate in Mandeville, and the Jamaica International Kite Festival in St. Ann.

"My birthday party was a sold out affair, the whole of St. Ann came out to see the show,"

Thousands of people turned out to see Charly Black, Nesbeth, I Octane, D'Angel and Beenie Man rip up the venue with several hits.

"Other great performances came from Kantana, Versitile, and Mr Phang. DJ Sunshine, Munga Honorable, Tiana, Amber from Irie FM, Kshema Francis of Irie FM were also there," D'Angel said.

Since of late it has been rumored that Ikaya has di tightest hold Gyptian ever get inna him life.

According to words on the street the two have been seen together regularly like a new born couple on dates.

OutAroad.com has made several phone calls hoping to get a comment from Gyptian but his phone went straight to voicemail. The next attempt of getting closer to the truth was to get in touch with Ikaya which also fails. However, after calling several other numbers OutAroad.com manage to get a statement from Ikaya's road manager about the rumored love affair between her and Gyptian.

"This rumor is nothing new to us weve been hearing and receiving phone calls from several media outlets asking the same question. However, from what I know Ikaya and Gyptian are just good friends who hangout at the studio from time to time and bill a vibe. Believe me its just a rumor that was created by smutty minds," Ikaya's Road Manager explains to OutAroad.com.

LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) -- Michael Jackson's estate has won a preliminary injunction against a group using the name of the superstar's former charitable group.

US District Judge Dolly Gee on Monday ordered the current Heal the World Foundation to stop using Jackson's likeness and any trademarks that belong to his estate.

Jackson's estate sued the owners of the foundation last year, claiming copyright infringement. They also claimed the site was improperly using Jackson's name and likeness to solicit donations.

Jackson created a charity based on his hit song Heal the World in 1992. It was later dissolved.

Gee's ruling said the new website, which has its references to Jackson, misled consumers.

An e-mail seeking comment from foundation president Melissa Johnson was not immediately returned.

(CNN) -- An icy asteroid orbiting the sun between Mars and Saturn is adding credence to theories that Earth's water was delivered from space, according to a report published in the new issue of the science journal Nature.

Two teams of scientists found their evidence when looking at 24 Themis, a asteroid about 479 million kilometers (300 million miles) from the sun, or roughly three times the average distance from Earth to the sun.

Using the infrared telescope at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, they were surprised to find not only water on 24 Themis, but organic compounds as well.

Asteroids were thought to be devoid of water because they sit too close to the sun, while comets have been the water bearers of the universe because they form farther out in space.

"Astronomers have looked at dozens of asteroids with this technique, but this is the first time we've seen ice on the surface and organics," astronomer Andrew Rivkin of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, told Nature.com.

The scientific teams from Johns Hopkins and the University of Central Florida that looked at 24 Themis speculate that the ice may be held in a reservoir under the asteroid's surface. They speculate that the water is brought to the surface as small bodies in the asteroid belt hit the surface of 24 Themis.

The findings on 24 Themis lend weight to the idea that asteroids and comets are the source of Earth's water and organic material.

Geochemists believe that early Earth went through a molten phase that would have removed any organic molecules, meaning any new organic material would have had to come to the planet at a later time, said Humberto Campins at UCF.

"I believe our findings are linked to the origin of life on Earth," he added.

Scientists now plan to scan the asteroid belt for more evidence of water and organic materials, hoping to determine if 24 Themis is just an interloper -- possibly a comet that got caught in the asteroid belt -- or the first of many water-bearing asteroids that will change the way astronomers look at the solar system.

"The old-fashioned picture of the solar system in which asteroids are asteroids and comets are comets is getting harder to sustain," Rivkin said.

THE Ministry of Health is warning the public that the importation of items such as food and cosmetics which make therapeutic claims, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, products regarded as dietary supplements and energy drinks require the approval of a permit application.

The ministry said to do otherwise would be a breach of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations.

The permit approval process requires that the importer obtains the applicable permit application form from the Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs Department at the ministry, completes the form and then submits it for assessment and processing before importing the item, the ministry said in a news release.

It is important to note that approval to import following assessment is subject to the suitability of the item for use in Jamaica.

The ministry said chemicals also require permission for importation from the ministry. Under the Precursor Chemicals Act and Dangerous Drugs Act, no precursor chemical, dangerous drug or controlled substance can be imported without the requisite permit application being approved.

We are asking the public to take note of the process required for the importation of these items. It is important that we abide by the laws and regulations, and ensure that we are doing things the right way, said Princess Thomas Osbourne, director of the Standards and Regulation Division in the ministry.

She said the ministry must register any drug that is being imported for the first time into the island.

POLICE were this morning processing a murder scene in the Westchester Housing Scheme in Duncans Pen, St Catherine, where a man was killed on his way to work.

Co-workers of the dead man, who was an employee of a nearby salt factory, identified him as Shamar Elliott of a March Pen Road address.

He was shot multiple times in the head, back and chest while riding his bicycle to work at about 8:00 am.

Onlookers claim his death was a result of the ongoing rivalry between the Klansman and One Orger gangs in the parish.

Police on the scene said Elliots murder followed the brutal killing of a pastor in the community of Backlands in Spanish Town this morning.

They said the pastor was shot in the face at his home at about 5:00 am.

NATIONAL Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited plans to pay out $1.55 billion in dividends next month following $2.2 billion already paid out to ordinary shareholders for the first half of its financial year.

This brings the total dividend payout for the current financial year to $3.75 billion -- 73 per cent higher than last year's dividend payment, which totalled $2.17 billion.

 

Last Friday, NCB notified the stock exchange that it would pay out an interim dividend of $0.61 per ordinary stock unit to stockholders on record as at May 7, 2010 and payable on May 20, 2010. The X-Date is May 5, 2010.

This follows a December payment of 89 cents a share.

NCB on Friday reported net profits of $2.55 billion over the second quarter ending March 31, 2010, a 14 per cent increase over the comparative period last year, while the banking group's equity grew by $4 billion to $45 billion over the six months to March 31.

CONSTABLE Lowell Forbes, a cop who was convicted in the Half -Way-Tree Resident Magistrates Court for breaching the Corruption Prevention Act, is to spend a year in prison.

Forbes was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 months for corruptly soliciting and 12 months for corruptly accepting money. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court was told that on Sunday March 4, 2007, Forbes solicited and collected $10,000 from a motorist in order not to ticket the motorist for breaching the Road Traffic Act.

The matter was reported and investigated by members of the Anti Corruption Branch. A file submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions who ruled that the constable should be charged.

The eastern section of the island was plunged into darkness for several hours on Wednesday night following a system failure at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

Sections of other parishes also experienced power outages. A JPS Spokeswoman told our news centre that all of Portland and St. Thomas were left without electricity for nearly two hours due to a shortfall in generation capacity. RJR News was told that the unexpected load shedding exercise that began at about 6:30 pm affected households and businesses in St. James, Haover, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. Andrew, St. Thomas and eastern Portland. According to the Port Antonio Police emergency procedures had to be put in place to deal with the outage and these remained in place until the lights returned at about 8 pm.

The island's teachers have rejected a new proposal which the Government has placed on the table for the payment of billions of dollars in retroactive salaries. Members of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) met Tuesday evening to discuss an offer which was earlier presented by the Ministry of Finance. The Association says its seven parish committees voted not to accept it. As a result, the JTA says it is now likely that its members will step up their protest to full scale strike action. The Association will meet on Friday and then inform its members of the next move. Since Monday some public sector teachers have been boycotting extra-curricular activities as a sign of protest against the Government's failure to pay over billions of dollars in retroactive salaries.

LONDON, England (AP) -- Britain's bedraggled Prime Minister Gordon Brown walked into a political train wreck yesterday after forgetting to turn off his microphone.

He described a loyal Labour voter as a bigot for asking about immigration, blamed advisers for a "disaster" ahead of next week's election, then rushed back to the voter's house to beg her forgiveness.

All the country could do was look on -- in shock, amazement and sometimes glee -- as the painful, riveting drama played out over television and radio for hours. The debacle created a massive setback for Brown on the eve of the last TV debate ahead of the May 6, vote.Grandmother Gillian Duffy, 66, met with Brown at a campaign stop in the northern town of Rochdale and questioned him about the influx of eastern European immigrants who have come to Britain.

Many people are angry that immigrants are taking jobs at a time when Britain's unemployment level is soaring. More than 1 million eastern Europeans have moved to Britain since the EU gained new members such as Poland, Bulgaria and Romania in 2004, but many have since left during the bruising recession.

Brown brushed the question aside and explained that Britons were also working in eastern Europe, leaving in his car in a hurry and forgetting to turn off his microphone.

"That was a disaster, they should never have put me with that woman. Whose idea was that? It's just ridiculous," Brown is heard saying.

Asked what Duffy had said to upset him, Brown told the aide: "Everything. She's just a sort of bigoted woman."

Duffy, a retired widow who had worked with handicapped children and whose family had all voted for Labour, had questioned Brown on taxes, university fees, immigration and Britain's record deficit of 152.84 billion pounds ($235.9 billion).

Brown's gaffe was immediately broadcast and he was then grilled about it on a televised radio show. Slumped over with his head in his hand, Brown said he realized he had made a mistake and regretted the remarks.

"He's an educated person, why has he come out with words like that?" Duffy said. "He's calling an ordinary woman who's just come up and asked questions ... a bigot."

Duffy said Brown had initially appeared receptive as they discussed policy. "I thought he was understanding but he wasn't, was he?" said Duffy, who said she had planned to vote Labour but would now most likely abstain.

Brown later telephoned Duffy to apologize, then unexpectedly showed up at her home.

Smiling broadly but awkwardly, Brown emerged 40 minutes later and said Duffy had accepted his apology. Duffy stayed in her house and refused to face the cameras.

SENIOR Magistrate Judith Pusey yesterday ordered the release of the policeman who was accused of attempting to rob his female colleague of a motor car last week.

The policeman was ordered to be released without charge after the investigating officer told the court that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it could not proceed against the officer, on the ground that the victim was unable to identify her attackers.

The policeman's lawyer Vincent Wellesley had Monday filed an application asking for the release of his client over the identification issue.

During his application in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, Wellesley said the complainant had told investigators that she would not be able to identify her attackers and that she only pointed out his client when he was held, at which time Police Commissioner Owen Ellington was present.

According to the police, the woman sergeant had pulled up at her gate in Meadowbrook, St Andrew around 8:30 pm when she was accosted by two armed men who demanded the keys to her motor car.

The sergeant, the police said, threw the keys on the ground and as the men tried to retrieve them she opened fire. The men returned the fire and ran leaving the keys.

The robbers, the police said, escaped in a waiting motor car, which was shortly after intercepted by police officers who responded to a 911 call.

Wellesley told the court on Monday that the police had intercepted the wrong car and that the spent shells found on the scene in the attempted robbery did not match the calibre weapon the suspect was held with.

Following yesterday's court order, Wellesley issued a word of caution to police officers who are in the habit of arresting persons without first conducting proper investigations.

"The police must be very careful to investigate matters before they make arrests. They must not be too eager to make an arrest before conducting proper investigation, (now) one of their own has been affected," Wellesley told the Observer.