Artist Enrique Ramos made the portrait, which measures 40 inches by 30 inches, out of more than 1,000 individual M&Ms weighing more than 8 pounds.

Ninja Man charged

The First Annual Guyanese Music Award 11-30-2008

Another Obama song - Beenie Man

November to Remember 2008 - Guyana

nly.html">What the FCK - Warning 18 + Only - Parental Warning

and a lot more at www.worldflavas.com

( l - r ) Assassin, Busy Signal - file

A new crop of Christmas songs have been coming out of the dancehall community. However, instead of celebrating the season, the songs are calling for an end to violence.

Deejays Busy Signal and Assassin have both released 'conscious' tracks. Busy's song is entitled Dun Wid Di War and Assassin's Christmas Time Is Here Again, which is on Boardhouse's 'clean sweep rhythm. Tony Matterhorn is reportedly working on a Christmas song as well.

Violent crimes on the rise

Violent crimes have been on the rise in Jamaica and it seems the artistes are hoping the goodwill of the season will impact positively on the criminals. Approximately 1,400 murders have been reported since January.

Christmas Time Is Here Again, begins with an extract from the Christmas carol, OCome All Ye Faithful. Instead of celebrating the Lord, Assassin

deejays:

"Well Christmas time is here again,

Dat means seh another year a end,

So let wi put it behind wi

And let it remind wi next year is a new year.

This year mi may not have no

pepper light

But next year wi working fi a betta life,

One year done a next one come

Wi nah sit dung...

Fi di new year a betta we a seek...

Wha wi plan this year next year wi a reap."

He continues,

"Me no waa no gift, no, my wish fi di Christmas a seh nex year di shotta dem no so vicious, police killings goin stop be suspicious, we pray to the Almighty to stay with us."

Busy Signal's Dun Wid Di War follows in the same vein, with the deejay singing and deejaying over a Christmas/dancehall-like beat, pleading for people to put down the guns and end the violence.

Christmas dancehall songs are not unusual to Jamaica. Last year Da'Ville and Marcia Griffiths collaborated for Every Year, Every Christmas. T.O.K, Alozade, Monster Twinz and Ms Thing, collectively called D'Link, released a Christmas single called Christmas Time Again.

Carlene Davis once asked Santa Claus Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto, while Elephant Man had a Gangsta Christmas. The gospel group, Katalys Crew, released an album entitled, Christmas Inna Jamdown, and Kiprich did his Kipmus Carol. Who could forget a few years ago an off-key Elephant Man singing to the borrowed beats of Joy to the World for his track Tall Up Tall Up. More recently on the new 'Beast' rhythm, Elephant Man's Plan Fi March could also easily be mistaken to have a Christmas theme.

While Christmas-oriented dancehall songs seem to be common, they have a short shelf life. According to selector Marc Chin, of Coppershot Disco, disc jockeys are willing to play the Christmas songs as long as they are good. However, he told THE STAR, "Christmas songs normally last during that period; they don't get much airplay. Tall Up Tall Up is an exception."

Elephant Man - file

Jungle Fever: Pt 2

Lucea, it's almost here!

THE STAR, in association with Blueprint Promotions and Club 300, presents Jungle Fever: Pt 2 -a special autograph-signing party with Stars of the Month Chino, Freddie, Stephen and Shema McGregor!

When: Friday, November 28.

Where: Club 300, Lucea, Hanover.

Featuring: Special Zip 103 FM Jock, Magnum Girls, Anthony Cruz , To-Isis, Skeptic and more!

Entry: $200 with a copy of the Weekend STAR and$350 without!

Signing starts at 10 p.m. sharp. It's a fever you'll wanna catch!

This event is sponsored by THE STAR, Magnum Tonic Wine, Zip 103 FM, Blueprint Promotions, Pauline Miller Designs, Cherry Tree Promotions and McGowan's Security.

   Blak Ryno denies involvement in shooting

The trial of the man accused of murdering three children at Killancholly, St Mary, in January 2005 took a dramatic turn yesterday when he decided to remain silent because he could not give his defence from a prepared speech.

Legal experts explained yesterday that the law did not allow an accused to give his defence under oath in that manner.

After the Crown closed its case yesterday, 35-year-old security guard Jeffrey Perry decided that he was going to give his defence from the witness box where he could be cross-examined.

Did not swear

He was given the Bible and told to read the oath, but he said he did not swear because he was a Christian.

On being asked about his denominational affiliation, by Senior Puisne Judge Marva McIntosh, he said Seventh-day Adventist. Perry was then allowed to make an affirmation.

An early luncheon adjournment was granted to allow defence lawyer Linton Walters and prosecutors Lisa Palmer Hamilton and Melissa Simms to do research.

On resumption, Walters said he needed to do additional research. He said it was the first time in his practice that he had come across something that was causing such a hiccup and described the situation as unique.

Mother removed

While Walters was addressing the court, it was disrupted by shouts of "Alleluia, glory" from the mother of the deceased children, who has been attending court daily. She was escorted from the courtroom.

Another adjournment was granted. On resumption, Walters said he had advised Perry on the particular issue and as such he had got instructions which Perry would say to the court.

Perry, who was dressed in a long-sleeved jersey with 'Institute of Funk' written on it, said, "Your Honour, my name is Jeffrey Perry and if I am not allowed to speak from my prepared speech, then I will maintain silence."

Defence rests

Walters then told the court that based on what Perry said, he had to advise the court that was the case for the defence.

When the hearing resumes today, prosecutors and the defence lawyer will address the 12-member jury.

Perry has been on trial in the Home Circuit Court since November 17. The Crown is relying on a caution statement which Perry gave to the police, admitting that he fatally stabbed the children between January 27 and January 28, 2005, to prove its case.

Poll: Calif. gay marriage ban driven by religion

SAN FRANCISCO Voters' economic status and religious convictions played a greater role than race and age in determining whether they supported the Nov. 4 ballot measure outlawing same-sex marriage in California, a new poll shows.

The ban drew its strongest support from both evangelical Christians and voters who didn't attend college, according to results released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Age and race, meanwhile, were not as strong factors as assumed. According to the poll, 56 percent of voters over age 55 and 57 percent of nonwhite voters cast a yes ballot for the gay marriage ban.

People who identified themselves as practicing Christians were highly likely to support the constitutional amendment, with 85 percent of evangelical Christians, 66 percent of Protestants and 60 percent of Roman Catholics favoring it.

The poll also showed that the measure got strong backing from voters who did not attend college (69 percent), voters who earned less than $40,000 a year (63 percent) and Latinos (61 percent).

The proposition, which passed with 52 percent of the vote, overturned the state Supreme Court's May decision legalizing gay marriage in California. The measure inserts language into the constitution limiting marriage to one man and one woman.

The poll found that, overall, 48 percent of voters oppose the idea of making gay marriage legal. Forty-seven percent support it, while 5 percent are undecided.

The results mirror previous PPIC polls from the last three years, suggesting that the $73 million spent for and against the measure did not do much to change public attitudes on allowing gay couples to wed, said survey director Mark Baldassare.

"At no point in time, before or after the election, did we have a majority of Californians saying they supported gay marriage," Baldassare said. "My takeaway from this is that until there is a major shift in public opinion one way or another, it's going to be another issue where voters are deeply divided."

Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California, said the PPIC poll demonstrates that same-sex marriage advocates "need to make inroads in every category. If 2 percent of voters had voted differently, we would have had a different result," he said.

The poll was based on a phone survey of 2,003 California voters in the Nov. 4 election who were interviewed from Nov. 5-6. The sampling error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.

___

As crime in Jamaica continues to swirl out of control, many citizens are gunning for a licensed firearm to protect themselves. Today, The Gleaner's popular advice column, How To, explores the avenues for procuring a gun licence.

The Firearm Licensing Authority, which was established on March 1, 2006, is the organisation empowered to grant licences in accordance with the Firearms Act.

Any Jamaican 18 years or older who has a legitimate reason, and can establish that reason, is eligible to apply for a licensed firearm. Non-nationals who are regular travellers to Jamaica are also eligible.

In order for a firearm licence to be granted, a competence test is first administered. This gauges the individual's ability to use a firearm.

Firearms may be purchased from a licensed distributor with appropriate documentation from the FLA.

Second, background investigations are done on all applicants. These probes involve checks at dwellings, including the intended storage site for the weapon, to determine how secure applicants' homes are.

Criminal background

Third, a multi-agency police investigation is carried out to check an applicant's criminal background.

The FLA currently administers a recertification exercise, which is an interview with licensed firearm holders for five years or more.

The approval period is highly dependent on the speed at which the applicant can satisfy the requirements.

Individuals may have to appear before the FLA board for an interview after a 15-day process for the application to go through the system.

Various types of licences carry different costs: the general user licence, $6,000 per firearm; employee user certification (for security guards, given by employees), $2,000; or the permit (a family member who gives another person access to use his or her firearm), $2,000.

Among the firearm options are revolvers and semi-automatic guns. There is no limit on the number of firearms per household.

sonia.mitchell@gleanerjm.com

FLA functions

Receive and consider applications for firearm licences, certificates or permits. Grant or renew firearm licences, certificates or permits.

Revoke any firearm licence, certificate or permit granted under the Firearms Act.

Amend the terms of a firearm licence, certificate or permit.

Receive and investigate any complaint regarding a breach of a firearm licence, certificate or permit.

Applying for a firearm licence:

A valid firearm user's licence.

Copy of Tax Registration Number (TRN) card.

Individual Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) required for business owners.

Proof of age (passport or birth certificate).

Three recommendations from any of the following categories of persons: minister of religion, justice of the peace, school principal, attorney-at-law, medical doctor or resident magistrate.

Three passport-size photographs certified by a justice of the peace.

Proof of previous training experience (if any).

An FLA medical certificate completed by a registered medical doctor (if deemed necessary to get by FLA).

Proof of payment for licence.

Fingerprint fee ($1,000).

For employee user's licence certificate, the applicant needs a permission letter from employer.

Individual Private Security Regulations Authority (PSRA) registration card.

Copy of company's PSRA certification to see if it is in good standing.

Individuals applying for the permit licence will need a letter of permission from the licensed firearm holder.

Completed application forms and supporting documents should be placed in a sealed envelope, addressed to the authority, and deposited in Firearm Licensing Authority receptacles placed at each police divisional headquarters islandwide.

Be careful

Although there is a growing desire for Jamaicans to obtain licensed firearms, individuals should exercise due care in the handling and storage of guns.

Since this year, a number of gun-related accidents have been reported, involving spouses as well as children.

Winston De La Haye, consultant psychiatrist and acting head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University Hospital of the West Indies, said, "As a former military officer, I understand the need for some citizens to find it necessary to have a firearm to protect themselves, and/or their property, but we need to appreciate the fact that the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) is not able to anticipate or control accidents where they may occur."

De La Haye said it is important to continue the screening process and to ensure that those who apply for firearm licences are competent.

Aug 5th 2008, www.one876ent.com reported Deva Bratt was granted bail on his court case, however, they continued to report that based on information from Portmore Empire insiders he was not a member and is not signed to the organization. Deva Bratt responds in an exclusive interview with PRGirlAngel. Deva Bratt states he created Portmore Empire when Kartel was an alliance member. At that time Deva Bratt was in a feud with Aidonia, Munga and Busy. He goes on to say that subsequently, Kartel was thrown out of alliance by Bounty Killer. Kartel realized that Deva Bratt had the perfect name, and perfect idea. Deva states, Kartel took it and licensed it in his name, without Deva Bratt being named as the founder of Portmore Empire. Next, Kartel tried to sign Deva Bratt as an artist, to the newly-licensed, Portmore Empire, but Deva Bratt refused. He states this was because, instead of Kartel licensing Portmore Empire with him as a business partner, he simply wanted to sign him as an artist, and have full ownership of the Portmore Empire name. Deva Bratt says he never made this an issue because he was content that he was making music and doing what he loved. Throughout his incarceration there have been rumors of turmoil within Portmore Empire, however Deva Bratt has remained neutral about the rumors. He says the reason insiders would say he is not a part of the Empire is because, some dont respect the fact that he is someone who leads and will not succumb to the trends and hype of others around him. An example would be Alliance vs Portmore Empire. Even when Kartel and Mavado was at war, Deva Bratt continued to hail Mavado, Bounty and other Alliance members. In closing he states Deva Bratt built Portmore Empire, Portmore Empire never built Deva Bratt In regards to his court case Deva confirms that yes he was granted bail, and also wants to thank his fans and supporters for believing in him and holding the faith.

JUST A QUESTION.

THE QUESTION IS IF U WERE ON A ISLAND BY UR SELF WATWOULD BE THE THREE TINGS U WOULD WANT?

-- Edited by Dj_Rubbut at 22:04, 2008-11-19

THE group Spanish Town Citizens Against Gun Violence, has taken matters into their own hands to protect the children in that city against predators. They have decided to produce and distribute bumper stickers designed to keep residents on their toes, by reminding them to call 311 if they spot a child in danger.

"A couple of months ago when they started killing the children I said to myself.what we need to do is a child alert system. We want to alert the people in Spanish Town and hopefully all Jamaica will follow suit," Rosemarie Greene, convenor of the non-governmental organisation told the Observer. "We need to be alert in Spanish Town and we need to come back to the village where everybody is watching - not that this is going to stop the killing, but is going to create awareness."

GREENE. hopes initiative will be duplicated islandwide

Greene said she felt compelled to launch the system in light of the number of children that have been killed since the start of the year. She said it was also done out of a concern for the scores of children seen begging on the roads in Spanish Town who could fall prey to predators.

Greene said she has received $25,000 from overseas to start the initiative, but more funding is need to print at least 3,000 bumper sticks.

"This will be going on all bumpers, all police cars," added Greene who is also a native of Spanish Town. "We are going to have different places where we will go and distribute them to motorists. Once you create awareness that is the key."

Greene is hoping that this initiative will be duplicated islandwide.

"What I expect is that all the 14 parishes will follow suit. That is the object and that we will see a rapid decline in the number of children being murdered," she said. "[The current murder rate for children] is not acceptable."

TOUGH new measures to strengthen Government's procurement policy and reduce corruption in the public sector were introduced in Parliament yesterday by minister of finance and the public service Audley Shaw.

Shaw, who tabled a Ministry Paper (number 80/08) which featured a revised Government of Jamaica Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures, said Prime Minister Bruce Golding has named a team to facilitate and expedite the process of formulating the procurement regulations.

Shaw also tabled a bill seeking to amend the Financial Administration and Audit Act (FAAA) to make it mandatory for Government departments to appoint audit committees to strengthen and improve corporate governance and deal promptly with issues raised by the auditor general. They will be subjected to a statutory body to be known as the Audit Commission.

That bill also seeks to empower the minister to make regulations which may provide for penalties of up to $1 million and up to one year imprisonment for breaching the provisions of the FAAA.

The Ministry Paper indicated that the procurement regulations would be placed under the same legislative regime governing the operations of the contractor-general.

It added that consultations would be undertaken between the Office of the Contractor General (OCG), the Attorney General's chambers, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the Cabinet Office and Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

"At the end of the process, a Ministry Paper will be laid in Parliament seeking approval for the promulgation of the procurement regulations," the Ministry Paper added.
The FAAA bill noted that deficiencies and irregularities, including fraud, were highlighted by the auditor-general in his annual report to Parliament, approximately one year after the close of the financial year.

The delay between the finalisation of the accounts and the presentation of the reports has caused fraud to go undetected in some instances, and not speedily detected in others, the bill said.

"In recognition of these lacunae, it is considered necessary to establish an additional measure of financial control to minimise the incidence of inefficiencies in the Government's accounting system and ensure the integrity of the monthly and annual financial statements," it added.

At present, the finance minister may require a public body to appoint an audit committee from among its members. However, as a consequence of the need to strengthen and improve corporate governance, enhance accountability and demonstrate proper stewardship over public funds, improve financial reporting and ensure that appropriate actions were taken in response to audit findings, a decision was taken to make the appointment of audit committees mandatory.

The bill also seeks to establish a body, called the Audit Commission, as a statutory body to, inter alia, ensure continued effectiveness of audit committees and promote best practices in their operation.

The bill will also expand the definition of departments to include executive agencies, and will empower the minister to make regulations which may provide for the imposition of penalties on summary conviction in a RM Court of a fine not exceeding $1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

MORE persons than anticipated turned up for free HIV testing at the World Aids Day Activity Fair Monday - some 200 more than last year, the Ministry of Health reported.

Andrea Campbell, south east regional behaviour change co-ordinator at the ministry, said that up to late Monday afternoon, more than 1,200 persons were tested. The figure, she said, was good in light of fears that the weekday function would not have seen such a high turnout.

"We were saying that since it is a Monday, unlike the weekend last year and people are at work, we were looking for about maybe 800 persons. But we have gone more than that number already," said Campbell shortly before 5:00 pm, as she pointed to a queue of persons outside four tents set up for HIV testing.

The activities, dubbed 'Youth take the lead' were held in addition to a street march put on by the Jamaica Red Cross, held to destigmatise the HIV virus.

According to Marvin Gunter, national programmes director for HIV and youth at the Jamaica Red Cross, the march - which saw more than 200 students parading through sections of the Corporate Area - was a success.

"The march lasted just under two hours, so of course we are not expecting to change everyone's attitudes with just a walk but the primary objective was to raise the level of consciousness about the issues and impact of HIV and I can say that we have accomplished that."

Campbell attributed the large testing turnout to the increase in public awareness about the deadly disease, as well as the general desire of persons to know their HIV status.

"Persons are more aware of this illness but I think that persons just basically want to know their status and how they can be helped if they have the virus," said Campbell.
She said persons from across the island turned up to get tested.

Police from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) last week arrested two uncles and the step-grandfather of a 12-year-old girl after they received reports that the men raped the child.

Information reaching THE STAR is that police are investigating allegations that the men sexually assaulted the little girl, who lives at the premises with them and other relatives, twice this year.

Step-grandfather

Officers from CISOCA said that in August, the common-law husband of the child's grandmother raped her at the premises. The police continued that in the most recent ordeal in November, the said step-grandfather, with the assistance of two of the girl's uncles, held her down at the house while all three men took turns raping her.

The child subsequently mentioned the matter to her mother and grandmother, after which a report was made to the police. The men are booked to appear in Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

A Bahamian assigned to Pihl Construction Company, contractors of segment three of Highway 2000 from Ocho Rios to Port Antonio, was fined $3,000 for defecating close to the main road at Orange Bay, Portland.

He is Angelio Eligato, a heavy duty equipment operator. Eligato was charged by members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) for breaches of the Solid Waste Act during an incident on June 23.

According to Inspector Lansdale Pinnock of the ISCF in Port Antonio, the police were on patrol in the Orange Bay area when the Bahamian was seen stooping in nearby bushes. The police went to investigate and the man was allegedly found with his pants pulled down to the knees, and defecating.

"He was charged by the police party," said Inspector Pinnock. "Normally, it would have been a discretionary decision, but the police also learnt that there were portable toilets in the area, which he refused to use."

Eligato, who appeared in court on Thursday, pleaded guilty to the offence. He was ordered to pay $3,000 or spend 10 days at the Port Antonio lock-up. He, however, opted to pay the fine.

He's only 9, but this pint-sized pickup artist already knows plenty about pleasing the ladies.

So much, in fact, that Alec Greven's dating primer, "How to Talk to Girls" - which began as a handwritten, $3 pamphlet sold at his school book fair - hit the shelves nationwide last week.

PHOTOS: Nine-Year-Old Gives Dating Advice

The fourth-grader from Castle Rock, Colo., advises Lothario wannabes to stop showing off, go easy on the compliments to avoid looking desperate - and be wary of "pretty girls."

"It is easy to spot pretty girls because they have big earrings, fancy dresses and all the jewelry," he writes in Chapter Three.

"Pretty girls are like cars that need a lot of oil."

He advises, "The best choice for most boys is a regular girl. Remember, some pretty girls are coldhearted when it comes to boys. Don't let them get to you."

Over a few Shirley Temples yesterday at Langan's on West 47 Street, Alec said that he culled his wisdom by peeking at his peers at play.

"I saw a lot of boys that had trouble talking to girls," Alec said.

As for his how-to, he concedes, "I never expected people to buy it like a regular book in a bookstore."

But with classic plain-spoken advice - like "c**** your hair and don't wear sweats" - it's no surprise his 46-page book was a hit with boys and girls of all ages.

He believes the best way to approach a girl is to keep it to a simple "hi."

"If I say hi and you say hi back, we're probably off to a good start," he said.

As for his own love life, he said he is not dating anyone at the moment. "I'm a little too young," he confessed.

In his book, published by HarperCollins, he suggests holding off on falling in love until at least middle school.

Dating - which he defines as going out to dinner without your parents - is for "kind of old" people, who are 15 or 16.

Officials at the Soaring Hawk Elementary School said he wrote the book - which was the runaway bestseller at its book fair - for kids, but believe anyone can find inspiration in it.

Alec's mother, Erin Greven, credits her son's beyond-his-years insight to his avid reading.

"He reads nonstop. At dinner, I say, 'Put your book down,' " she said.

Alec - who just finished a children's book on the Watergate scandal - said he wants to be a full-time writer when he grows up, with a weekend job in archaeology or paleontology.

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- It took Norma Margeson a few minutes to learn to control the skinny metal robot. But instead of viewing it as a machine, she soon warmed up to it as a companion.

"Oh, I love it," she said. "I think it is such a unique character. It has a personality all its own. It can be a friend, a very good friend."

Margeson, an artist from Marietta, Georgia, is learning how a health care robot dubbed El-E (pronounced "Ellie") can help her accomplish some simple household tasks. El-E is being tested by Margeson and other patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"We named it El-E because she reminds us of an elephant. She has this one arm that is sort of gray that can lift objects and move up and down," said Professor Charles Kemp, director of the Center for Healthcare Robotics at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

Right now Kemp and his colleagues are focusing on programming El-E to locate and fetch common household items such as a hairbrush, a bottle of pills, a cell phone or a TV remote. El-E also can open doors. Watch El-E the robot in action »

Teenage boys in Montego Bay, St James, have traded in their khaki suits, books and bags for a cellphone and a spot in the town's lucrative and illicit multimillion-dollar lotto scam.

Information reaching The Star is that many youngsters, mainly boys who were either attending primary and secondary level schools in St James, have put their formal education on the back burner, launching out full time in the scamming arena, earning between US$4,000 (J$308,000) to US$10,000 (J$770,000) per week.

Residents from communities 'famous' for their involvement in the illegal act confirmed the rumours.

Requesting to not have her name published Calabaresha* from Granville, St James, said she knew a "gang of boys", none being older than 17, who all quit school after making millions from the scam.

Full-time scamming

"Mi know one (scammer) who stop go school from last year, a full-time scamming him a deal wid now and him a mek crazy money," the resident said. "Him ave how much car pon the road a run as taxi and him finish up him madda house, turn it into a mansion now. All a him friend dem a follow him footstep because them a seh you only go school so you can get a good job and mek money. But, since them a mek millions now dem a seh dem nuh need school no more."

The situation was no different in the other communities. Residents from Flankers said there were numerous instances of young boys, who have stopped attending schools after making 'nuff millions' from the lotto scam, buying cars, bikes and even houses.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Denver Frater, in charge of Area One, said while his team is yet to confirm the situation, it is one that has come to the attention of his office. "It is definitely something that we will be looking into," Frater said. "We have heard about it but we can't confirm it as yet. (However), we are aware that children are involved in the scam and we are investigating this."

Just recently, two youngsters, one of whom told the court he was 18, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court after being accused of conning a resident of the United States of US$500.

Awash with cash

Since the lotto scam began in 2005, Montego Bay and its communities have been awash with cash and motor vehicles.

The police blamed the scam for the city's crime situation, reporting that billions from the scam is channelled into procuring illegal high-powered firearm for the criminal underworld.

Attempts to get comments from all the schools residents made mention of were unsuccessful. However, one principal said she was unaware of the situation as her boys are turning up for the classes.

In what is sure to be a controversial move, President-elect Barack Obama has indicated to his inner circle of advisors that he and his wife may have sex in the White House sometime during the four years of his first term in office.

"He's not saying they definitely will have sex," said an Obama confidante who declined to be named, "But he's not ruling it out. He's also not ruling out having sex more than once."

The Secret Service has already begun preparing for the possibility that the president's tight schedule might be interrupted on occasion by a brief sexual interlude. The code phrase to indicate that the president (code name "Renegade") and First Lady (code name "Renaissance") are having sex will be "discussing the Bosnian problem" as in "Renegade can't be disturbed right now. He and Renaissance are discussing the Bosnian problem." In the event that president and Mrs. Obama are, in fact, discussing the Bosnian problem and not having sex, Secret Service agents have been instructed to say that they are "reviewing the Bosnian situation." A spokesman for the Bosnian government could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Obama preferences with regard to birth control are not mentioned in either of his books, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams of my Father, though Michelle Obama has said on several occasions that she does not plan to have any more children.

Read more

 

 

According to TMZ:

Chicago cops have arrested William Balfour for the murders of Jennifer Hudson's mom, brother, and nephew.

Balfour was transferred to CPD custody today after they served an arrest warrant. Charges from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office are pending.

Story developing ...

FRANKFORT, Ky. A group of atheists filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to remove part of a state anti-terrorism law that requires Kentucky's Office of Homeland Security to acknowledge it can't keep the state safe without God's help.

American Atheists Inc. sued in state court over a 2002 law that stresses God's role in Kentucky's homeland security alongside the military, police agencies and health departments.

Of particular concern is a 2006 clause requiring the Office of Homeland Security to post a plaque that says the safety and security of the state "cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon almighty God" and to stress that fact through training and educational materials.

Read

 

mi no kow if a so it fi upload but mi just a try a ting

A 21-year-old Marietta man accused of killing an acquaintance with a knife and fork last month has been arrested in College Park.

Richard Smith was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of Highland Brooke Apartments at 4555 Washington Road, Marietta police spokesman Mark Bishop said.

Smith had been on the run since police charged him with fatally stabbing 42-year-old George Nelson on Nov. 15. Nelson was stabbed several times in the face, head and neck with a knife and a fork inside his apartment on Franklin Road in Marietta. Police say the suspect struck Nelson in the head and stomped on his body.

Read more

 

A binman has been told that a bundle of cut-up £10 and £20 notes he found in a bin can be exchanged for new ones if he can piece the bits together.

Police launched an investigation after Graham Hill, of Gainsborough, discovered the money, estimated to be about £10,000, in Lincoln's City Square.

The force gave him the money back when no-one came forward to claim it.

A pastor from Westmoreland has been left contemplating his future in the church after a video with him performing oral sex on a woman who is not his wife surfaced earlier this week.

The 20-minute video was delivered to THE WEEKEND STAR on Monday. It was recorded without his knowledge and was apparently being done as a way to blackmail him.

The video begins with the woman hiding the camera. Throughout the clip she utters raunchy yet funny remarks and they even speak about the church at the end.

While the pastor, Barney Jones, is not aware of the camera, the woman obviously is and at one stage she looks into the camera and even sticks out her tongue as the pastor indulges in foreplay with her.

In one instance on the tape, as she seemingly reaches her climax, she bellows at him to continue his oral action.

When contacted, Jones, 56, who has five children, expressed shock at hearing that he was on a sex tape.

Influential member

The pastor who is an influential member of his community said: "Is the first time I'm hearing about this, someone is trying to implicate me, I don't know anything about this."

However, when Jones visited THE WEEKEND STAR, and was shown pictures (without revealing the woman's identity) from the video, he then admitted to his acts.

When asked if he has ever had sexual relations outside of his marriage, the pastor replied, "Yes I have, mi naw go seh me is a saint," before adding, "I'm just a lover of women."

His emotions moved to one of regret as he expressed concern about what he would do should the tape become public. "I am hurt, I am distraught ... I don't know how I will deal with this," he said.

The apologetic pastor said he didn't know how his congregation, family and friends would deal with it if his secret is revealed further.

"I don't want to put my family and friends through this," Jones said.

He said that he was so concerned about the tape that he would simply go into isolation, away from everyone he knew should it surface any further.

*Name changed to protect identity.

 THE SUC MOTHER TING, A JUS TOTAL CRAP,DISRESPECTING EACH OTHER MOMS , IT NUH LOOK GOOD, IS LIKE WE NUH RESPECT WE MOTHER OR WE DONT APPRECIATE THEM.WHEN MI SEH "SUC U MODDA" MI NUH MEAN INTENTIONALLY, A JOKE, BUT THE LEAST THING YUH SEH CAN HURT PPL FEELINGS, SUPPOSE U MOTHER PAST AWAY, AND A NIGGA COME UP TO U AN SEH "SUC  U MODDA" MI KNOW U WOULD FEEL AWAY, VEX, EVEN WAH LIK DUNG DI PERSON.BUT WITH NO RESPECT SHOWN NONE RECEIVED. SUH DI NIGGA DEM STOP. MI WILL BI DI FIRST FI STOP, CUZ MI SI WAT IT CAN CAUSE.

Musical maestro Serani's transformation from producer to artiste continues to fast track as his 'No Games' single continues to gain popularity in the US. With its spin count rapidly climbing, No Games is now available for download on iTunes and even appears on the iTunes main page this week. It is quickly racking up impressive download numbers and is showing signs of being the crossover hit Dancehall badly needs.  "We did a couple of deals on the song and it seems to be paying off quickly," said manager Julian Jones-Griffith. "We've got some great people working the record and there generally seems to be a feeling that it can go far. Its all about promotion and getting it added to mainstream radio stations across the US at this stage. We also need the support from Dancehall and Reggae lovers to buy the product. The music industry has taken some well-publicised blows over the years and Reggae and Dancehall have been hit harder than most. Major labels and strong independents out there need to see and believe that our genre can move units as well as just being popular in the clubs and on HOT 97." With work under way on priming the follow-up single and an album in the pipeline, Serani's looking set to fulfill his promise as "the Future." He is currently on a hectic promotional tour that has taken him to such places as Chicago, Boston, NY,  Nevis, Belize, the Bahamas and various US colleges over the last few weeks, with a hectic schedule both local and abroad set for the upcoming holiday season.

Freddie McGregor had no problem getting the crowd energized as he reeled off hit after hit. - denise reid photos

western bureau

Club 300 was enveloped in excitement when the boss of the Big Ship, Freddie McGregor, took the small stage on Friday night. McGregor, who had earlier performed at a show in Kingston before making his way to entertain fans in Lucea, did not disappoint.

McGregor was part of THE STAR's 'Jungle Fever' Part Two which saw STARS of the month, the McGregor family signing autographs and performing along with Anthony Cruz and To-Isis.

From the moment McGregor stepped on stage singing And so I'll wait for you, he had the crowd singing along to his every word. Proving to be a real master, McGregor got numerous forwards and had to sings songs such as Stop Loving You, Rain Start Falling Down and I Was Born a Winner twice.

Feeling fully satisfied

He could do no wrong as he continued to pull from his vast repertoire of hits and had young and old singing along with him. Songs such as Push Come to Shove, and Big Ship elicited screams from ladies, while men roared shouts of approval and flashed lighters.

McGregor ended the night with Loving Pauper, leaving patrons feeling fully satisfied.

Host Anthony Cruz, who had no problem warming up to patrons and earlier won a game of pool while Chino and Shema signed autographs, proved to be an entertaining emcee and thrilled the crowd with songs like Half Way Tree, to which the ladies sang and danced happily. Cruz also gained the crowd's approval with songs like Mama. Even though Block The Road is a new song, the crowd sang along lustily.

Serenading the ladies

To-Isis was invited on stage and easily gained the crowd's approval with their hit Ghetto Pain before serenading the ladies with various renditions of love songs such as Air Supply's All Out of Love and One Republic's Too Late.

Chino also got a good response from the crowd as they sang along to his singles Burn Them and Girl Dem Straight. The energy heightened as he went into Protected. By the time patrons heard the 'Work Out' rhythm they got excited, and using this to his advantage, Chino belted out How them no want no gal before leaving the stage.

Other entertainers who participated included Tellah, Skeptic (dancer), Cassandra (from the Excellent dancers) and fashion designer Minka.

The selectors took over where the artistes left off, playing a slew of dancehall hits which saw patrons dancing into the early hours of the morning. McGregor and his family continued to chat with patrons and happily signed autographs and took photos with their fans before heading back to Kingston.

Sponsors for the event were Zip 103 FM, Magnum Tonic Wine, Blueprint Promotions, , Cherry Tree Promotions and Avah Taylor Designs.

Shema converses with a patron during the autograph signing .

These patrons were clearly enjoying the show at Club 300 last Friday night.

To-Isis performs Ghetto Pain at Club 300 last Friday night.

Big Ship artiste Chino spits his lyrics.

Over the years, we have seen clashes between Super Cat Vs Ninja Man, Pappa San Vs Stichie, Shabba Ranks Vs Ninja Man and Beenie Man VS Bounty Killer for several years. However, the clashes that will always be a part of our memory is Merciless taking on Ninja Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man at Sting in the year 2000. The next unforgettable clash was the *lo**y battle between Vybz Kartel and Ninja Man in the year 2003. This year everyones energy is gear towards a clash between dancehall artistes Vybz Kartel and Mavado. So far, fans have already begun their round table argument debating who will win the clash give ur views?

Dancehall artiste General B a member of the Monster Empire has convinced himself to come forth and Talk Up A Bag A Tingz in his latest single produced by Shuanizzle on the Out-Ada riddim. General B seems to be taking it to another level - he has now widen the lyrical warfare margin by throwing harsh words at Bounty Killer, Kip Rich, Macka Diamond, Ninja Man and Elephant Man. The two most hilarious and disturbing lines are at Bounty Killer and Kiprich: *Beenie Man a di King of Dancehall - no mi nuh buy dat - but him bigger than Bounty yuh cant seh a lie dat. *Kiprich and Shebadda di two a dem tie knot, mi ask him if a true and him never deny dat, him just kimbo him hand and seh why not. More words from the song Black-her mi nuh know if is a girl or a guy dat, if ugly was a plane then Ninja Man a di pilot, Elephant seh him cute my youth nuh try dat, Sean Paul a di big man wi cant deny dat, Shaggy a Mr Diamond tell him seh nuh try dat. Tanya Stevens mi want fi si yuh face so just move yuh nose.

Terrorism analyst Reva Bhalla offers her view to CNN.com's Aseih Namdar

I'm So Special by Mavado has jumped into the number 64 position on Billboard's Hot R&B and Hip Hop Airplay chart. The song which was produced by Linton 'TJ' White for TJ Records, is featured on the Unfinished business rhythm. Another track which is looking Billboard-bound is Serani's No Games, which has been getting solid rotation on hip hop stations particularly New York's influential Hot 97 FM.

Two children are now nursing injuries and their mother battling for life in hospital after they were allegedly attacked and chopped by a man said to be the woman's lover in Seaview Gardens in Kingston early yesterday morning.

Police are now searching for the man, identified only as Kevin or 'Babuh', who they suspect sought refuge with relatives in Marverley, another community in Kingston.

This female resident is a picture of grief after viewing the *lo**ed house where a woman and her two daughters were chopped by a man said to be her lover at Seaview Gardens in Kingston yesterday. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

He is in his late 40s, of Indian descent, slim built and of a dark complexion, police said.

Shocked residents, who yesterday gathered at the victims' house, identified the injured persons as Maxine Brown, 45; Shadecia, 17; and Courtney Gordon, 7.

Brown was chopped in her face and on other parts of her upper body. Shadecia was also chopped in the face while her sister was chopped on one of her arms. Late yesterday, police listed their conditions as stable.

The children's father visited them at hospital late yesterday afternoon, police said.

According to the residents, the incident had its genesis in an argument shortly after 11:00 Thursday night at Brown's home.

Residents claimed that Babuh, who they said lives at a nearby squatter settlement, left Brown's home during the altercation but returned shortly after 2:00 am, when he allegedly "scoped out" her house before letting himself in.

To them, the brutal incident was the detonation of a time b****.

According to the residents, Brown's life has been miserable since she met the man earlier this year.

"Is about three months now they are together and from he started coming here is like she cannot go anywhere, she cannot talk to her friends," said one woman. "Him lock her away from the world, till she all a play ludo by herself inside. Tell me now, nuh mad people lock up by themselves inside everyday? Is what kind of life that?" she asked before letting out an ear-splitting wail at the sight of Brown's *lo**ed house.

"Them started arguing from in the night and he came back and was even on the woman's house top looking to see if she gone to bed before him go in there on her," added the infuriated woman.

Babuh, the residents said, used a machete to chop Brown before he attacked her daughters as they slept.

The residents said that the man left the house with the weapon after locking the injured persons inside.

"They were left to bleed to death," said Brown's female neighbour, who gave her name only as Murphy and who said she was the first to rush to Brown's assistance.

According to the woman, she was awakened by the seven-year-old, who called out for her after their attacker fled. She said that the injured child gave her a key through the front window, which she used to open the door.

"As I open the door and see her [Brown] covered in *lo**, I just ran out and started shouting. I know that it was her but to the way how she stay is like I couldn't handle it, I had to just run out," said the woman, who held back tears while recounting the frightening experience.

"Little after that I saw the other daughter coming out of her room with a chop to her face and covered in *lo** too," added the woman, as a fierce-looking youth squeezed past her on the verandah.

"We only sorry that we never got to hold the dutty boy," interjected the youth, his face a picture of disgust as he exited the house.

Inside, splatters of *lo** on curtains, walls, a refrigerator, a dining table, and an overturned tricycle in the kitchen, told the gruesome tale.

A beam of sunlight in the children's dark bedroom brought a *lo**-drenched bed into focus, amidst scattered clothes, suggesting a struggle between the couple.

But while many residents condemned the attack, many were angry that Brown did not make an alarm during her ordeal.

"I don't want anybody tell me about she was afraid him kill her. From she get the first chop, she must know that he wanted to kill her, there is no question about it," one woman shouted as she discussed the incident with other residents. "Mello (Brown's alias) should have shouted out so people could have helped her."

SAN JUAN, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Hotel bookings in the Caribbean are plunging as financial turbulence dashes vacation plans, and hoteliers and governments are trying to ward off a deep slump by ramping up marketing efforts and slashing prices.

The big cruise operators, whose ships ply the warm, azure waters of the Caribbean and upon which many islands depend, have also warned of a slowdown in bookings worldwide.

The economic downturn following the global credit crunch -- and once-surging oil prices that increased air fares and prompted airlines to cut flights -- are already having an effect, with Caribbean hoteliers reporting drops of 30 percent to 50 percent in bookings.

But the real pain will be felt during the winter high season, from Dec. 15 through April 15, when many vacationers flee the cold north for the Caribbean's sun-drenched beaches.

"The forecast is for a bad winter," said Clarisa Jimenez, president of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association.

The United States accounts for 50 percent of the Caribbean tourism market, which attracts 22 million visitors and injects $21.6 billion into the island economies each year.

Europe accounts for another 40 percent of the region's tourists, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Bookings are off from both major sources, the CTO said.

In fact, the current economic problems will likely inflict greater harm on the region's main industry than the Sept. 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, said Winfield Griffith, CTO information and statistics director.

"Tourism bounced back from 9/11 with remarkable speed. Two years after, we were back to pre-9/11 levels," Griffith said. "This promises to be a little more drawn out."

CRUISE OPERATORS SEE IMPACT

The world's leading cruise operator, Carnival Corp & Plc (CCL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (CCL.L: Quote, Profile, Research), last month said that it would suspend its quarterly dividend due to the slowdown and that advance bookings for the first half of 2009 lagged those of the prior year.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's second-largest cruise operator, warned that new bookings slowed considerably in September but leveled off over the last couple of weeks.

"I think there will definitely be some short term pain as consumers pull back," said Robin Diedrich, cruise industry analyst at Edward Jones. "We are expecting a softer year going forward -- but our long-term outlook is still very, very positive."

The Caribbean tourism industry first throttled back over the summer when airlines announced plans to cut flights to the region in the face of then-surging oil prices.

AMR Corp's (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) American Airlines, which controls 60 percent of the traffic out of San Juan, Puerto Rico's international airport, cut half its 38 daily flights from the U.S. mainland. It also cut to 33 from 55 the number of daily regional flights from San Juan to smaller Caribbean islands.

Small tourism destinations in the Eastern Caribbean have been particularly hard hit, said Wayne Cummings, director of business administration for Sandals Resorts International, which operates properties in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and St. Lucia.

"It's distressing to see," Cummings said. "To put it bluntly, some hotels are already *u*king wind."

To attract visitors in tough economic times, resorts are slashing prices. In some cases, they are also pitching in to bring down the cost of airfares.

"The prices have never been better in the winter than they are now," Cummings said, adding that Sandals is reducing rates by as much as 50 percent on some of its products.

Other destinations are offering 40 percent off rates plus complimentary airfare, Jimenez said.

The Caribbean tourism industry and island governments are also kicking up their marketing efforts.

Puerto Rico began a special "emergency" marketing campaign, adding $12 million to the destination's annual marketing budget of about $20 million. In Jamaica, the government is spending $5 million on an additional advertising blitz above its normal $30 million marketing budget, Cummings said.

"There are still are still a lot of people in the United States who have the ability to travel, and we have to capture their imagination," Cummings added.

Griffith said the region's marketing efforts are also focusing on places "less vulnerable" to the financial crisis, such as Canada. (Additional reporting by Mark McSherry in New York) (Editing by Michael Christie and Gerald E. McCormick)

Adijah 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer poses with his wife, Stacy Elliot, at their wedding reception held on December 22, 2005, in Havendale, St Andrew. The two are no longer together. - file After discussing his beginnings, his Empire, Bounty Killer and Mavado, in the previous three instalments of the five part interview, Kartel gets more personal talking about his family, women and children. KH: What does your mother think about you being an artiste and about your career? VK: Anyting mi do, as long as it not illegal, my mother haffi accept it. KH: What's her name and does she approve of music? VK: Theresa, not mother Teresa but my mother Theresa. Memba seh her brothers use to deejay, so she accept it. (Kartel's mother is known to be a Christian woman whereas Kartel the artiste has included a number of intriguing statements about religion in his music.) KH: Are you a Christian? VK: "No. mi grow up in a Christian family. my mother and sister are Christian. Mi have a Christian name and grow up in a Christian society but I'm not a religious person. Religion is good to control di masses and keeps society in check. I'm not a religious person, I'm a pro-life person. life is the ultimate." (In recent months, the artiste has taken to referring to himself as the Devil with a number of religious references. In 'Wha Dat Fah' he deejays, "to how mi -bad mi nuh mus know God." In Weh Dem A Go, he says: "Addi di Devil too hard." he continues in Broad Daylight with, "tings mi do people seh mi mus go a hell, mi seh -mi nuh mus know God." An email entitled 'Is Vybz Kartel Really Evil?' has also been circulating. It claims that the artiste is a free mason.) KH: So, what's with the Devil thing? Why do you call yourself a devil? VK: It's just me. me represent everything that is devilish. dem seh God create man from his image, but really a man create God, we create him in our minds, when dem seh tings like dese yuh play wid it, play wid di masses. KH: There is an email going around that says you are in a Lodge, is that true? VK: Mi believe inna society. whether it be a society of notion or a society of specific groups or sects, so let's leave dat in di open. (Unwilling to speak more in depth about the Lodge rumours, the STAR soon switched to discussing Kartel's ex-wife. In 2005, much to the surprise of the entertainment fraternity, Kartel married bank supervisor Stacy Elliott, who lives in New York. After two years the two got divorced.) KH: You were married once and are now divorced, is that right? VK: Yeah. KH: People say you got married to an American to get a visa, is that true? VK: No. KH: So why did you get married? VK: Well, why do people get married? KH: Are you single now? VK: No. Vybz Kartel is never single. KH: How do you deal with female attention? VK: Well it depends on what kind of attention. it varies from female to female. KH: A lot of females throw themselves at you? VK: Duh (laughs). KH: How many kids do you have and what kind of father are you? VK: Four mi get. mi know all of dem. mi close to two cause mi live wid dem - Jaheim and Rahiem. As a father, I'm strict and use tough loving. KH: Do your children listen to your songs, and do you think they should be listening to your lyrics? VK: Yes they do because what is hidden from the wise and prudent should be revealed to di babe and *u*kling, not to be confused with *u*king. Tomorrow in the last instalment, we continue to quiz Kartel on his personal life and interests and his future in the business. Say your piece! If you've got an opinion, share it with the world on our Message Boards E-mail this story

December 2, 2008 Do you have a problem? Is something bothering you? Write to Tell Me Pastor

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. district court awarded $873 million in damages to Facebook to be paid by a spammer whose materials appeared to be endorsed by the Facebook users.

The judgment prohibits the spammer, Adam Guerbuez, and his company, Atlantis Blue Capital, from interacting with Facebook, except in restricted circumstances, InformationWeek reported Monday.

"We don't take this affront lying down," Facebook director of security Mark Kelly and the company's general counsel Mark Howitson said in an e-mail.

"We are confident that this award represents a powerful deterrent to anyone and everyone who would seek to abuse Facebook and its users," Kelly said in a blog posting Monday.

The award, issued by a federal court in San Jose, Calif., is the largest ever against a spammer under the 2003 Can-Spam Act, InformationWeek said.

The company said it was "unlikely" it would collect the judgment, against Guerbuez who failed to appear in court. However, "we are going to go after him," the company's senior counsel Sam O'Rourke said.

"We know where he is and we're in the process of executing the judgment," he said.

LAWYERS representing the People's National Party's Abe Dabdoub yesterday urged the Court of Appeal to reject the Chief Justice's ruling and declare their client the duly elected Member of Parliament for the West Portland constituency.

Senior counsel Gayle Nelson said that should the court uphold the Chief Justice's ruling that a by-election be held in the constituency, it would in effect be disenfranchising the legitimate votes made by those who cast ballots for Dabdoub.

"If we take the view that we must not put [Dabdoub] in the seat and call a by-election what we are actively doing is throwing away the only legitimate votes in West Portland," Gayle said.

Nelson said that the court had no option but to declare Dabdoub the duly elected member of the constituency as he had, leading up to the September 3, 2007 general election, issued the required notice informing voters that his opponent Daryl Vaz was a US citizen, that he possessed a US passport and that votes cast for him would be wasted.

In disqualifying Vaz as an MP in April Chief Justice Zaila McCalla said in her lengthy ruling that she could not declare Dabdoub the duly elected member because the information on the issued notices was not sufficient.

50 Cents had bill opening sales weeks. For all of his albums. But the G-Unit CEO said he cant understand just exactly how Lil Wayne managed to sell all those units of Tha Carter III. Fif didnt openly say there was any funny business involved. He basically said, though, he has no idea how it happened. Im really confused, he told Angie Martinez yesterday. Usher [for example] had a number one record, a number one across the board. And then Wayne comes and does those [album sales] numbers, and its phenomenal I dont understand what the connection is. What audience is going to purchase that? [But] somebody went out and go em.

In the latest publication of the Jamaica Star the saying 'ol' fire stick easy fi ketch' would seem to apply to singers Sasha and Turbulence who have caused the streets to be buzzing and tongues wagging about the nature of their relationship after the two recently shot a video for their new single titled "Don't Want To Be Alone" on the 'Breeze Riddim'. The video shot last week by 'Terminal 4 Media' is set against the backdrop of a local craft market that sees the two accidentally crossing path before eventually getting intimate, hugging, wining, and even sharing a kiss.  In the midst of their unveiling affection Turbulence begins to ask Sasha a lot of burning questions like "Why did you leave, when I'm use to waking up with you" as she responds "and I'm used to having you near." In the chorus the two sings, "I don't wanna be alone, want you right here by my side." However when Sasha was interviewed she expressed that presently she and Turbulence were nothing more than just good friends and the same was concurred by him. According to Turbulence they are just good friend that have great chemistry when they perform together. When asked about the kiss Sasha said she could not have kissed any other male artiste in a video and it was only because of her past with Turbulence why they kissed in the video. For Turbulence the kiss was like playing a part in a movie. In 2006 the two went through a public break up with reports that they were throwing words at each other through various recordings. Turbulence recorded a single entitled 'No Man No Perfect' and Sasha returned with 'Got What You Need' where Sasha says, 'mi know yuh a man and mi muss get bun, but sex without a condom a careless fun'. In happier times, the two had recorded two love songs together- Natty Pon Di Frontline and We've Got The Love. According to Sasha the two were not throwing words at each other then. "I don't wanna say we were throwing words, we were involved and being human... we just expressed ourselves. It wasn't a war... I said my piece, he said his piece." Adding, "I still love him as a person, he has a good heart and soul and people do tings and you make mistakes but it's hard to go back." As to whether they would ever get back together she responded, "I don't know, there's always a possibility. We see each other but this time around - proceed with caution." In the meantime Sasha is keeping herself busy, immersing herself in her role as a producer, while traveling and making more music. Sasha recently began to record songs in Spanish, like Black or White. Sasha says she wants to take the Latin American market by storm. For Turbulence, who has been off the scene for a while doing shows in Africa, he says he has a number of singles getting ready to be released. He says he has been working alongside producers like Snow Cone and King Jammys. We have embedded a copy of their latest music video "Don't Wanna Be Alone" courtesy of Terminal 4 Media for your viewing pleasure

WASHINGTON (AP) Barack Obama built a formidable lead in his bid to become the first black president Tuesday night, pushing ahead of John McCain in a nation clamoring for change. Fellow Democrats took four Senate seats from Republicans, and reached for more. Obama won Ohio's 20 electoral votes. He also gained precious ground in Pennsylvania, winning the state's 21 electoral votes and depriving McCain of the Democratic-leaning state where he had tried hardest to break through.

Obama also swept through territory typically friendly to Democrats in the East and Midwest.

McCain countered in the safest of Republican states.

That left the battlegrounds to settle the race: Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado and more. Most were customarily Republican, but Obama spent millions hoping to peel away enough to make him the 44th president, and his triumph in Pennsylvania left the Republican with scant room for error.

"May God bless whoever wins tonight," President Bush told dinner guests at the White House, according to spokeswoman Dana Perino.

A jubilant crowd of thousands gathered in Grant Park in downtown Chicago on an unseasonably mild night, confident it would be Obama. They reacted each time Obama was announced the winner in another state and the cheers were particularly loud when Pennsylvania fell.

Interviews with voters suggested that almost six in 10 women were backing Obama nationwide, and men leaned his way by a narrow margin. Just over half of whites supported McCain, giving him a slim advantage in a group that Bush carried overwhelmingly in 2004.

The results of The Associated Press survey were based on a preliminary partial sample of nearly 10,000 voters in Election Day polls and in telephone interviews over the past week for early voters.

The same survey showed the economy was by far the top Election Day issue. Six in 10 voters said so, and none of the other top issues energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care was picked by more than one in 10.

The AP made its calls of individual states based on surveys of voters as they left the polls.

Obama led in electoral votes with 175 of the 270 needed to win the White House. McCain had 61.

The Democrat's states included Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland and New Jersey, as well as the District of Columbia.

McCain had Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Alabama, South Carolina and North Dakota.

The nationwide popular vote was remarkably close. Totals from 13 percent of the nation's precincts showed Obama with 49.9 percent and McCain with 49.2.

Democrats celebrated Senate successes in Virginia, where former Gov. Mark Warner won an open seat, in New Mexico, where Rep. Tom Udall did likewise. In New Hampshire, former Gov., Jeanne Shaheen defeated Republican Sen. John Sununu in a rematch of their 2002 race, and North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole fell to Democrat Kay Hagan.

That wasn't the end of the Democratic targets, though. Republicans all but conceded in advance they would lose a seat in Colorado, and perhaps elsewhere.

Democrats also looked for gains in the House. They found their first in Florida, defeating Rep. Tom Feeney.

The resurgent Democrats also elected a governor in one of the nation's traditional bellwether states when Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon won his race.

The White House was the main prize of the night on which 35 Senate seats and all 435 House seats were at stake. In both houses, Democrats hoped to pad their existing majorities, and Republicans braced for losses.

A dozen states elected governors, and ballots across the country were dotted with issues ranging from taxes to gay rights.

An estimated 187 million voters were registered, and in an indication of interest in the battle for the White House, 40 million or so had already voted as Election Day dawned. Turnout was heavy. In Virginia, for example, officials estimated nearly 75 percent of eligible voters would cast ballots.

Obama awaited the results at home in Chicago after a marathon campaign across 21 months and 49 states. At 47, with only four years in the Senate, he sought election as one of the youngest presidents, and one of the least experienced in national political affairs.

That wasn't what set the Illinois senator apart, though neither from his rivals nor from the 43 men who had served as president since the nation's founding more than two centuries ago. A black man, he confronted a previously unbreakable barrier as he campaigned on twin themes of change and hope in uncertain times.

McCain, a prisoner of war during Vietnam, a generation older than his rival at 72, waited in Arizona to learn the outcome of the election. It was his second try for the White House, following his defeat in the battle for the GOP nomination in 2000.

A conservative, he stressed his maverick's streak. And a Republican, he did what he could to separate himself from an unpopular president.

For the most part, the two presidential candidates and their running mates, Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and Democratic Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, spent weeks campaigning in states that went for Bush four years ago. Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada drew most of their time. Pennsylvania also drew attention as McCain sought to invade traditionally Democratic turf.

McCain and Obama each won contested nominations the Democrat outdistancing former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and promptly set out to claim the mantle of change.

"I am not George W. Bush," McCain said in one debate.

Obama retorted that he might as well be, telling audiences in state after state that the Republican had voted with the president 90 percent of the time across eight years of the Bush administration.

The race was easily the costliest in history, in excess of $1 billion, more after the congressional campaigns were counted.

McCain accepted federal matching funds, and was limited to $84 million for the fall campaign.

After first saying he would go along, Obama reversed course, then raised and spent multiples of what his rival was allowed.

McCain sought to make an issue of that, saying Obama had broken his word to the public. For weeks on end, he could not match his rival's television advertising onslaught.

Figures through mid-October showed Obama had spent roughly $240 million on television and radio advertisements.

McCain had shelled out about $115 million, and the Republican National Committee an additional $80 million on his behalf.

The ballot issues ran from a measure to ban abortion in South Dakota to proposals outlawing affirmative action in Colorado and Nebraska. Three states voted on gay marriage.

The Crown is expected to close its case today at the trial of 35-year-old security guard Jeffrey Perry, who is charged with the murder of three children at Killancholly, St Mary, in January 2005.

Psychologist Dr Kai Morgan testified on Friday and yesterday that she conducted tests on Perry on three occasions this year. She said Perry told her that since 2006, he had been hearing voices. She said the condition was known as auditory hallucination.

Morgan said Perry told her that he was not having the hallucinations in 2005 or prior to that time.

Stabbed in sleep

Prosecutors Lisa Palmer-Hamilton and Melissa Simms have led evidence at the trial that the children were fatally stabbed between January 27 and 28, 2005, at their home in Killancholly.

Perry gave a caution statement to the police on February 8, 2005 in which he said voices told him to kill. In the statement, he admitted entering the house through a window. He said he stabbed the children, who were sleeping.

Morgan said she carried out the tests in May and June this year and Perry told her he would sometimes hear voices calling him names for what he had done. She said Perry did not indicate to her that the voice told him to commit the murders.

Not insanity

Morgan said she diagnosed Perry as having obsessive compulsive disorder, but that did not mean he was insane.

Psychiatrist Dr Terrence Bernard said he examined Perry twice in 2006 and found that Perry had a personality disorder which con-sisted of psychosexual problems, but it did not mean he was insane.

Cross-examined by defence lawyer Linton Walters, he said obsessive compulsive disorder was a mental illness. He said the disorder might involve hurting oneself or others.

One British national has been killed after gunmen mounted attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai (B****ay), the Foreign Office has said.

The gunmen had reportedly been seeking out UK and US passport holders.

Britons barricaded themselves in their hotel rooms during the attacks. A UK businessman said there was "no escape".

Seven Britons have been injured, the Foreign Office said. Officials have been in touch with the family of the deceased UK citizen.

England's cricket team, which is in India, has postponed the final two one-day matches against the national side.

The Foreign Office has advised against all non-essential travel to Mumbai until further notice.

At least 101 people have been killed, and more than 300 injured, in the co-ordinated shootings in southern Mumbai.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "We will do whatever is necessary to protect British citizens and ensure the world is a safer place."

"This is a horrific incident which has shocked and outraged people around the world.

"We've got to do everything we can now to help the Indian authorities."

Conservative leader David Cameron said the world must "stand together" against terrorists, adding: "We will not be cowed or bullied by these people."

'It was carnage'

Police in Mumbai said the shootings at a number of high-profile locations in the main tourist and business district late on Wednesday were co-ordinated terrorist attacks.

A previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahedeen has said it carried out the attacks.

Scores of people, said to include foreign nationals, are being held hostage in the Oberoi Trident hotel.

Most guests have been brought out of the Taj Mahal hotel by soldiers amid gunfire and further explosions, but police said some remained trapped.

There's nothing we can do. It would be foolhardy to leave the room Trapped hotel guest Witnesses tell of Mumbai violence We'll defeat terrorism - Cameron

Diane Murphy, 58, from Northumberland, was shot in the foot in the Leopold Cafe, which she said had around 100 people inside it when it was attacked.

She told how she held her husband, Michael, 59, as he lost consciousness after he was hit in the ribs by a bullet.

"All of a sudden there was automatic gunfire," she said. "The whole place fell apart.

"It was tremendously loud. Everybody was down on the ground. The gunfire stopped for a few seconds then started again.

"It was mayhem. There were so many casualties. It was carnage. We had to wait - it seemed like an age - for the police to arrive."

They couple were taken to hospital, where Mr Murphy remained in intensive care.

Speaking from his hotel room, a British businessman, who did not want to be named for security reasons, told BBC News he had pushed the furniture against the door for protection.

He said he had heard gunshots, blasts and people running along the corridors throughout the night.

"It's not the most pleasant of experiences," he said. "I suppose it's a question of British stiff upper lip.

"There's nothing we can do. It would be foolhardy to leave the room."

'Started firing'

Conservative MEP Sajjad Karim, who was in India's financial capital as part of a trade delegation with fellow British MEP Syed Kamall, was in the Taj Mahal hotel when it came under attack.

He told the BBC how he ran through the lobby to escape a gunman.

"There was a group of about 17 or 18 of us and another gunman appeared, he had an automatic machine gun type of weapon in his hands and he just pointed it straight at us and started firing," he said.

There was more firing, it felt like the gunman was coming towards us, I was hiding in the lift trying not to be shot Alan Jones British businessman in Mumbai Visitor's Mumbai shooting escape

"People immediately in front of me and to the side of me started to fall and about three or four of us managed to somehow get away. It was all quite quick really."

The British High Commissioner in India, Sir Richard Stagg, described the attacks as "mindless" and said there were likely to be more UK injured.

"We have visited most of the central hospitals where those injured have been taken and have met seven British victims who are in hospital at the moment and we understand there is likely to be some other injured of British nationality," he said.

He refused to discuss the nature of their injuries and said the identities of the hostages being held across the city were unknown.

'After foreigners'

Rakesh Patel, a businessman who was eating in the restaurant of the Taj Mahal Palace when gunmen burst in, said: "They wanted anyone with British or American passports. So I guess they were after foreigners."

Media executive Alan Jones was sprayed with *lo** when gunmen shot a passenger standing alongside him in a lift at the Oberoi Trident when its doors opened at the hotel's lobby.

"I'm not sure if he was shot once or twice, but he was certainly shot in the back of the leg quite badly, with *lo** and flesh and bone just showering us in the lift," Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones managed to close the lift's doors and escape, eventually fleeing the building to safety.

Guests flee from the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai

As news of the seriousness of the attacks came in, the British government convened an emergency meeting known as the Consular Crisis Group.

Two Red Cross experts have been dispatched to Mumbai as part of a Foreign Office rapid response team to help British families affected by the attacks.

British counter-terrorism police officers will also travel to help Indian authorities.

The England cricket squad will remain in Bhubaneswar, east India, until at least Friday morning as the England and Wales Cricket Board continues talks with India officials.

A second Test match is scheduled to be played in Mumbai from 19 December.

The England squad stayed at the Taj Mahal hotel two weeks ago and was due to return there ahead of the second test.

The Foreign Office has issued an emergency number for people with relatives in Mumbai: 0207 008 0000.

 

 

 

 

Joran van der Sloot trafficking Thai woman for prostitution

The suspect in the Holloway case the Dutch Joran van der Sloot is in the news again.

Peter R. de Vries the Dutch reporter who filmed Joran undercover about the Holloway case, did it again.
Joran is living currently in Thailand. Peter R. de Vries went to Thailand to make a new undercover operation possible about the current activity of van der Sloot.
In a TV special Peter R. the Vries will show that van der Sloot is into trafficking Thai Woman for the prostitution market in the Netherlands.
The TV special will be shown at Sunday evening at 21.30 uur Dutch time.
The Thai embassy in the Netherlands knows about the new undercover operation and waits till the TV show is shown on the Dutch TV.
When they arrest Joran van der Sloot in Thailand , he could be facing up to 30 years imprisonment for trafficking Thai woman.

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhJC2M8v3fC0w850gY