A police officer walks pass the car Kathy-Ann Samms-Francis was driving when she was killed Friday night. (Photo:Llewellyn Wynter)

THREE persons including an Air Jamaica flight attendant, were shot and killed Friday night.

According to police reports, 45-year-old Doreen Waldo was at home in James Hill, Clarendon with her common-law husband when two armed men barged in demanding money. The demands were met but they shot Waldo, killing her. Her companion was not harmed. This happened at 10:00 pm.

Ten minutes later, in Linstead St Catherine, 37-year-old Vernon 'Tim' Martin and another man were shot repeatedly when four gunmen fired at them. Martin, who was sitting inside his Toyota Hiace bus at the time was pronounced dead at hospital while the other man was admitted in serious condition.

Some twenty minutes after that, 31-year-old flight attendant Kathy-Ann Samms-Francis of Pamela Drive, Kingston 10, was shot and killed as she drove into her yard. Police report that a grey Mitsubishi Lancer and a white Toyota Caldina pulled up behind her and the occupants ordered the woman out of her car. She refused and attempted to drive away when one of the gunmen shot her. Samms-Francis lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a perimeter wall. She was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where she was a pronounced dead.

OutAroad.com:
Sex toys are becoming popular in Jamaica, do you believe or ever used one?

Danielle:
Of course I love my toys especially when your partner isnt around. They are really fun; I dont insert them though I need the real thing.

OutAroad.com:
Are you into threesome?

Danielle:
I dont go for guys that are into threesome, I dont need any help I can satisfy my man on my own. Plus thats too freaky for me. I know how to be creative; I can bring multi personalities into my bedroom. We can play sexy nurse and patient tonight, next night I am his private dancer giving him a lap dancer, swing on pole for him. I can fulfill his fantasies

OutAroad.com:
Which do you prefer, early morning sex or in the shower?

Danielle:
Ohhh God the both of them are really hot but the early morning ride nice. At times I get the vibe to go at it all day, run marathon. I will just go away with my man and book off overseas and spend some quality time and run it red all day all night. Some baby making ting (smile)

OutAroad.com:
How important is sexual intercourse in your life?

When the news reached the Reggae world that Matisyahu had been recognized by Billboard Magazine as Reggae Artiste of the Year, it was a shock wave! Well it would only have been just that to those who did not know his history.

Since the release of his 2004 debut, "Shake off the dust...ARISE" and the phenomenal success of last year's "Live At Stubb's".

Matisyahu has continued to bring his uncanny, electrifying fusion of orthodox Judaism and classic Reggae music to you with an incessant touring schedule and unbelievable energy. Now, Matisyahu and the band brings you their sophomore studio album, YOUTH.

Youth is a compelling mix of ancient and modern sounds and ideas. The propulsive title track, with its rallying cry "youth is the engine of the world," draws upon Matisyahu's studies of Chabad Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn - as well as his own tumultuous past.

Ryde, California, May 20, 2008, This June, summer solstice weekend, June 20, 21, & 22, 2008 marks the 15th Anniversary of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF), an annual world peace and summer solstice celebration. The event takes place in the scenic Anderson Valley in the town of Boonville, California at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds. Some of the world's greatest world, roots, vintage, dancehall, modern reggae and ska artists and sound system DJ's have made their appearances on the Sierra Nevada stages over the years, many of whom make their West Coast festival debut at this hallmark event.

making your copy of windows genuine many of you might have tried windows update and found out that your copy of windows is not genuine... here's how to make your copy of windows genuine... download jellybean keyfinder from this website http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml Now open keyfinder.exe Click on options and click "change windows key" Now enter this key and you're done. ***************************** V2C47-MK7JD-3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J ***************************** P.S: this works on windows xp sp2 only...... ppl u can try this out... this might sound silly but it works perfectly...

as topic stated, jus wanna no how to add it and so on.sum steps and ting wud be appreciated. bless

Los Angeles, the city that popularized the fast food drive-thru has a new innovation: 24-hour medical marijuana vending machines. Can you imagine when this invention hits Jamaica.

According to the Associated Press, patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other ailments that marijuana is said to alleviate can get their pot with a dose of convenience at the Herbal Nutrition Center, where a large machine will dole out the drug around the clock.

"Convenient access, lower prices, safety, anonymity," inventor and owner Vincent Mehdizadeh said, extolling the benefits of the machine.

However, federal drug agents in the United States are saying that the invention may need unplugging.

"Somebody owns (it), it's on a property and somebody fills it," said DEA Special Agent Jose Martinez. "Once we find out where it's at, we'll look into it and see if they're violating laws."

At least three dispensaries in the city, including two belonging to Mehdizadeh, have installed vending machines to distribute the drug to people who carry cards authorizing marijuana use.

Mehdizadeh said he spent seven months to develop and patent the black, armored box, which he calls the "PVM," or Prescription Vending Machine.

A sliding fence protects the tinted windows of his dispensary, barely distinguishing it from a busy thoroughfare of strip malls, automobile dealers and furniture shops. A box resembling a large refrigerator stands inside the nearly empty shop, near a few shelves stocked with vitamins and herbs.

A guard in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word "Security" on the front stands at the door. A poster of Bob Marley decorates a back room.

The computerized machine requires fingerprint identification and a prepaid card with a magnetic stripe. Once the card and fingerprint are verified, a bright green envelope with the pot drops down a slot.

Mehdizadeh says any user approved for medical marijuana and registered in a computer database at his dispensaries can pre-purchase the drug and then use the machine to pick up.

The process provides convenience and privacy for users who may otherwise feel uncomfortable about buying marijuana, Mehdizadeh said.

At the Timothy Leary Medical Dispensary in the San Fernando Valley, the vending machine is accessible only during business hours. An employee there said the machine was introduced about five months ago, and provides speedy service.

"It helps a lot of patients who are in a lot of pain and don't want to wait around to get help," Robert Schwartz said. "It's been working out great."

Mehdizadeh said he sought the advice of doctors, and decided to limit the amount of marijuana per user to an ounce per week. Each purchase from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce. By eliminating a vendor behind the counter, he said, the machine offers users lower drug prices. The 1/8th ounce packet would cost about $40, $20 lower than the average price at other dispensaries.

A spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group said the machine also benefits dispensary owners.

Three dead in two accidents Employees in the Entertainment Department at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort in Montego Bay struggled for the second day yesterday to cope with the tragic loss of two members of their team. Both persons died tragically in a motor vehicle accident in Hanover on Sunday. The fatalities are Akerie Christian 19, of Neptune Avenue, Kingston 17 and 24 year-old Jacqueline Jacques of Savannah District, Hayes, Clarendon. The Constabulary Communication Networks Liaison Officer for Hanover reported that about 4 p.m., Jacques was a passenger in a Toyota Corolla motor car registered 5929 EV which was being driven by Christian along the slippery Orange Bay main road. They were heading towards Montego Bay when on reaching a section of the roadway, they were involved in a collision with a Hino tour bus registered PC 6439 driven by Bunny Grant 47, of Green River, Hanover. Christian and Jacques sustained multiple injuries and died on the spot. On Monday, colleagues of the deceased wept openly as they remembered their dedication to their jobs and their personalities. The Green Island Police are investigating. PASSAGE OF DEATH CLAIMS ANOTHER LIFE Another motorist lost his life along the notorious stretch of road between Station Road and New Hope, Little London, Westmoreland on Friday, after the driver reportedly lost control of the motorcar he was driving and slammed into a tree on the opposite side of the road killing him on the spot. The dead man has been identified as 37 year-old Trevor Francis a chef employed to Riu Hotel, Negril and a resident of the Church Lincoln community in Grange Hill in the parish. The Little London Police theorized that Francis may have been on his way to work and was perhaps speeding when he lost control of his white Mitsubishi Lancer motorcar bearing registration plate 4462 FA. The out of control vehicle then ran off the road and collided with a tree. Francis, who was the lone occupant, died immediately. The police responded and the body removed to the morgue while the ill-fated car was taken away to a depot. The driver received multiple injuries to the head and body and died on the spot. It would be a miracle if he was to survive, Corporal Fedrol Bryan. His death brings to ten the number of persons that have lost their lives on that very piece of roadway and is just the latest. On Wednesday night a motorcyclist was hit from his bike. He too succumbed to his injuries. Passing Little London heading towards Negril while driving is a drivers paradise as the road is in a relatively good condition and is not very populated, the Western Mirror writers observed, and many drivers are tempted to increase driving speed once in that general area. But a word of caution from one resident who was one of the first on the scene; This is like the passage of death, because from as long as I have been living here, the amount of accidents I see is uncountable, Maxine Rampoon said. That man could never live. You nuh see how the car crumple up like a piece of paper, she said. Meanwhile, the police are asking motorists not to heed to temptation while driving along the road, but to maintain the 50 MPH speed limit. Corporal Bryan is urging drivers to observe the required limits so as to reduce the likelihood of a major accident.

M'haven clip Rivoli for sole lead in NPL play-offs

Meadhaven's Keammar Daley (right) turns away from Rivoli's Enrico Beech during their NPL play-off match at Prison Oval yesterday. Meadhaven won 3-2.

KSAFA champions Meadhaven United assumed sole leadership of the National Premier League (NPL) play-offs following a 3-2 win over Rivoli FC in a top-of-the-table clash at Prison Oval yesterday.

An own-goal from Luke Soares in the 10th minute put the visitors on even terms after Devon Hodges had given Rivoli the lead three minutes into the contest.

Dawayne Smith gave Meadhaven the lead in the 18th minute and Leighton Neita added another in the 45th.

But a Patrick Beech penalty in the 76th minute brought Rivoli hope and ensured a tense finish.

"This game was really a tough one, but the players stuck to the task and got the job done. They showed they're true champions when they came back from the early goal,"said assistant coach, Lijyasu Simms.

Meadhaven lead the standings with maximum six points - three more than Rivoli and York, who turned back Wadadah (yet to get a point) 1-0.

Spectators had barely reached the venue when Hodges tapped home a rebound after goalkeeper Andrew Gibson failed to handle Derrick Planter's free-kick three minutes into the match.

But the lead was short-lived as Soares headed past his own goalkeeper from a corner seven minutes later.

Meadhaven took the lead in similar fashion when goalkeeper Shannon Bartley palmed Dawayne Smith's corner into his own net.

Shawn Hunter and Neita both wasted good opportunties to extend Meadhaven's advantage. However, the two c****ined to give their team a third goal on the stroke of half-time when Neita stabbed home a volley from Hunter's left-sided cross.

The introduction of Fidel Anderson, Enrico and Beech in the second-half saw an improvement in the home team's attack.
In the 63rd minute Soares had Rivoli's first real attempt at goal, but his well-struck volley dipped just behind the bar.
Minutes later, Beech controlled on his chest inside the area, but could only direct his shot to Gibson.

Rivoli's efforts final produced a goal when Beech flicked onto Hodges and the latter was taken down inside the box by Kenrick Brown with only Bartley to beat. Beech converted the resulting kick.

Rivoli's coach Jermaine Thomas said the loss was a minor set-back and his team will rebound from the defeat.
"We really conceded two poor goals, so defensively we made some mistakes," he said.

New York, dem a talk say mi get fired like Ms. Kitty from Nationwide, but nutten no go so, the way Kriq and Claude Mills love me, dem ah offer me shares inna this. Weh oonu feel like? Mi caan tek a break, mi entitled to it, oonu ah gwaan like mi live ah one876 office, mi have other business interests fi attend to as well. No badda get mi cross and angry inna this, yu know, just read the Wednesday Tea and stop gimme problems.

BEENIE AND BARBEE BREAK UP?
People have been asking what is the deal? Why Barbee is no longer flying to Jamaica and Beenie is being seen with her less and less in New York? Beenie lose interest already? Or ah the ends of the new browning inna Jamaica him a feature? Email me and mek me know what a gwaan.

KITTY LEAVES NATIONWIDE
So Ms. Kitty has left Nationwide. She resigned on Monday, so she nuh leave inna under one dark cloud like how some people ah claim say, she leave under her own power, and mi hear say she have big tings in store fi har. Claude Mills called her fi ask is true and she tell him, you will soon hear everything. How she so hype? Anyway, Ms. Kitty, gwaan do yu ting.

MAD MICHELLE BUSS FIGHT AT PASSION SUNDAYS
Which girl and Mad Michelle pap a fight over Passion Sundays this week? Mi not even get fi see wah really a gwaan because mi caan bother wid the war ting when mi go out anymore. It frightening, mi ah get old, mi nuh find dem ting de exciting. But mi a wonder wah she a fight over? Toddler? Him get hot from him get the #1 and him start get him regular airplay yu see?

Craig Dennis Earthstrong Next Friday
Well, the whole ah the artiste dem a look forward to Craig Dennis birthday

Celebration on Friday, May 30 at 60 Chisholm Avenue, Kingston 13. Yu dun know, the Empire will be there in full force.

SUGE KNIGHT KNOCKED OUT  BY BARBER?
What a way the barber de pon youtube a boast say him knock out Suge Knight? Him no realize who him a ramp wid, yu nuh see Suge not even report the incident, so yu know wah that mean.

THE PEOPLE WAAN FI KNOW
How come Bassy from TOK and Beenie Man ah par straight from wah day ya? Mi see dem inna the club last night.

Which  big female disc jockey fly go foreign the other day fi a certain rasta artiste birthday?

Why Harry Toddlers babymother and Mad Michelle caan just get along? Dem nuh know say the ting haffi share.

Who is the new browning inna Bounty Killer life?

BUJU BANTON

                    OR
JUNIOR GONG
                    OR
SIZZLA
                     OR
CAPLETON

which badword do you mostly use???
everyone must have one they use regularly????

Last year is officially behind us, but there is still one unsettled question that never got answered and 876radio.com would like to know what you our valued listeners and readers think.

So the big question is "What was the Song of the Year in Jamaica for 2007" we have generated a poll below and have narrowed it down to twenty one choices based on feedback from record sales and industry personnel, but at the end of the day it is your vote that really determines the peoples choice.

So feel free to cast your vote and leave us some feedback to let us know what you think. 
 

J'can Chef Battles Bobby Flay

Jamaican chef and restaurateur Nigel Spence will once again face off against celebrity chef and Food Network star Bobby Flay in a hour long culinary battle this weekend.

The special is entitle Rematch on the Grill is set to air on the series Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network at 10p.m. on Sunday May 25th.

The showdown will pit Flay and his team against three chefs that have appeared on three episodes of the show. Working alongside Chef Spence on the team "The Competitors" will be American chef and author Delilah Wilder of Philadelphia who specializes in Soul Food and BBQ pit master Butch Lupinetti of New Jersey.

Spence first appeared on the Food Network less than a year ago when he was challenged by Flay to a Jerk Ribeye grill off which Spence won.

Spence is also the owner of the critically acclaimed Ripe Kitchen and Bar in Mt. Vernon, New York which has been featured in the New York Times, The Journal News, The Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaican Eats and The Jamaican Magazine.

 

-- Edited by alligcold at 20:50, 2008-05-13

-- Edited by alligcold at 11:42, 2008-05-14

How you ever woken inna di mornin and yuh feel like cryin but yuh nuh sure why yuh feel like that??

And do you get a headache cuz yuh thinkin too hard to try figure out why ??

A woman accused of impersonating a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier for more than a year, is before the courts after being held while requesting new uniforms.

The accused, 24-year-old Antionette Hudson, a security guard of a Corporate Area address, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court last Friday.

Allegations are that Hudson had been impersonating a JDF soldier for more than a year by wearing the uniform she claimed had been issued to her by a member of the JDF.

The court was told that on May 1, Hudson was allowed on to the military base after pretending to be the daughter of a senior-ranking officer.

She then went to the army stores where she requested three sets of uniforms while pretending to be a member of the intelligence arm of the force.

However, she aroused the suspicion of the stores operator when she was unable to provide her regimental number upon request.

She was subsequently held by the Military Police before being turned over to the Jamaica Constabulary Force after investigations revealed that she was an impostor.

Hudson's attorney told the court that his client normally visited the gym on the JDF compound. She pleaded not guilty to the allegations and is to return to court on May 29.

http://www.zshare.net/video/12278200ed375b51/

-- Edited by Garrick at 20:14, 2008-05-19

-- Edited by Garrick at 19:44, 2008-05-20

A man and a woman have been charged with neglect after a seven-year-old girl reportedly died of starvation in Birmingham.

The girl, named by police as Khyra Ishaq, and five other youngsters were found in the early hours of May 17 at a terraced house in Leyton Road, in the Handsworth area of the city.

Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29, have been charged with child neglect

The six children were discovered lying on mattresses with the seven-year-old seriously ill and the others showing signs of emaciation, according to reports.

All six were taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital where the girl died.

Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29, have been charged with child neglect. They are believed to have been Khyra's mother and stepfather.

According to ITV News reporter Emma Murphy, one neighbour who had been putting out bread in her garden for birds believes it was instead being eaten by the hungry children. Local residents said three of the youngsters were seen in recent months looking "extremely thin".

A West Midlands Police statement said: "We can confirm that a seven-year-old girl was taken to hospital on Saturday 17 May where she was pronounced dead. The girl's name is Khyra Ishaq of Leyton Road, Handsworth. Her cause of death has not been confirmed at this stage.

"Police are conducting enquiries and a man aged 29 and a woman aged 33 have been charged with neglect and appeared before Birmingham Magistrates on May 19. They have been remanded to appear again on 28 May."

One neighbour in Layton Road said she had not seen the girl who died or her five siblings for more than three months between Christmas Eve and early May.

Lilian Costello said she had known the children's mother and up until Christmas Eve had spoken to her practically every day.

Ms Costello said: "I saw her on Christmas Eve and I wished her a Merry Christmas but she said she didn't celebrate it, she celebrated Eid.

"I didn't see her for another four months after that and when I saw her again at the beginning of May, she said she still lived up the road. I asked how the children were and she said they were all right."

The neighbour added: "She seemed very devoted to the children and I am very surprised. She used to let the children come out to play with the other children and she always stood at the front of the house watching them.

"There were three boys and three girls and they were a nice bunch of kids, very well-mannered. It's just so sad knowing that one of them has died."

Other neighbours claimed Ms Gordon had converted to Islam and that she had split up several years ago with her children's natural father.

Another neighbour, Mohammed Khalil, said he used to see some of the children in their uniforms on their way to Grove School in Handsworth. But he said he had not seen them for many months. He said there were around six children in the family.

"The children's father, he didn't live there. He was living there but then he moved out. I think there was another man living there. I saw him a couple of times."

Popular personality Miss Kitty was fired from Nationwide News last Monday.

Miss Kitty, who hosts The Entertainment Office, a show which airs Monday to Friday between 2 to 5 p.m., says she is not distressed, but is looking forward to new heights.

When THE STAR contacted Miss Kitty, real name Khadine Hylton yesterday, the talk-show host confirmed that her services were no longer required at Nationwide.

LIBELLOUS SONG

According to Kitty, who has been with Nationwide for little under a year, her termination from the station started last week when she was suspended from her show for five days for playing a song that the station believed was libellous.

"Someone heard it and thought it could implicate persons. I got the suspension, although I thought it was too long for my first offence in the company. I took it cause dem seh so," Kitty said.

After getting suspended, Kitty and her supervisors, were in meetings, after which Kitty was officially fired from the station on Monday.

When THE STAR contacted Nationwide News CEO Cliff Hughes, he confirmed that Miss Kitty was no longer with the station stating, "essentially, the reason is that we find that the demands of a daily radio programme, her behaviour is inconsistent with the rigorous demands, we thought it best to separate."

AUDITIONS FOR NEW HOSTS

As for The Entertainment Office, the show will continue without Miss Kitty and the station will be hosting auditions to find a new host. In the meantime, Hughes stressed: "Miss Kitty is a very talented young woman, I wish her well. I think she will do well, she has a lot of potential. She has challenges to overcome, but I feel that she will."

While Miss Kitty says the incident is an unfortunate one, she believes better will come.

"Miss Kitty is a brand, this show is something I've worked for, is not like I have a family name behind me. it's something I brought to the programme and have worked very hard at. Nationwide gained a lot from me. they didn't build me. I got a show and made it something," she said.

Miss Kitty says she is not upset, but sees this as a new opportunity with new possibilities. Miss Kitty told THE STAR that she has new prospects in the making and says she will be back on afternoon radio.

Elements of personality

"People want entertainment, someone they can relate to, who can entertain them with real-life lessons and issues. I'm bringing back the elements of personality back to afternoon radio, cause most people just seem to play music ... I know I am marketable, I'm still young and this is a lesson well learnt. In my next job, I will have a better understanding," she said.

AN unidentified man was mauled by three pit bulls yesterday afternoon in an abandoned lot on Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.
Up to press time, the victim, called Rawle (only name given), was receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital and listed in a critical condition.

MISSING SCALP: The man, being assisted by the dogs owner yesterday in the abandoned plot of land. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

He is scheduled to undergo surgery.

The man, who residents say is a vagrant, and who frequents the lot to pick fruits, was attacked by the animals from the yard next door.

The dogs are reportedly owned by the proprietors of Satros General Store. But when approached yesterday they declined to comment on the incident.

The pit bulls ripped open a zinc fence from the yard where they are kept and attacked the man, ripping off his scalp and savaging parts of his body.

His screams for help attracted neighbours who rushed to his rescue after they contacted the owners on the telephone.

Drop It riddim premieres on IRIE FM

Top flight producer Kemar 'Flava' McGregor has  released his latest rhythm project, the 'Drop It' which features a number of heavyweight acts such as Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Jah Cure and Morgan Heritage.
 
"There is a lot of buzz around this project and Beres Hammond, who I respect so much, has voiced for me, I have a great song from Jah Cure, and the artistes really di d great work with this rhythm, I am proud of it," Flava told one876entertainment.com
 
Beres Hammond's song is called 'Surrender', Marcia Griffiths weaves a 'Story', Nesbeth chronicles a unique babymama drama with 'Babymother' and Jah Cure pays tribute to Mama Cure with 'This One is for You Mama'. Other standout songs include Pressure's Health and Strength and Morgan Heritage's 'People Hungry Yu Nuh See?'.
 
Flava has been on a tear over the last two years releasing hit rhythms like the Trumpet which spawned Nesbeth's Boardhouse hit, the 83 riddim which produced Queen Ifrica's monster hit, 'Daddy' and the recently released critically acclained Rub a Dub which created hits for Richie Spice with 'Plane Land', Etana's I Am Not Afraid and Nesbeth's 'Guns Out'.
 
"I am going to keep putting out positive roots music, roots is my life, and the whole world is responding to it because we are living in challenging economic and spiritual times. 2008 is a roots year, straight," Flava said.

Flava and Nesbeth appeared on Ron Muschette's programme on Monday to officially introduce the rhythm to the world.

A nine-year-old primary schoolboy was held with a firearm yesterday at the learning institution, police say.

The pre-teen, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was left in the custody of his parents after the matter was resolved with police.

Deputy Superintendent William Christie, head of operations of the St. Andrew South Police Division (within which the school is situated), confirmed the incident's occurrence, but disclosed that the weapon seized was not functional.

"We were called in by the school's principal. In relation to the firearm being taken from the student ... what we found was what appeared to be the framework of an old firearm, and not usable," said DSP Christie.

When The STAR viewed the weapon seized from the nine-year-old, it appeared to be a small revolver with a white handle. The metallic area was rusted and corroded, as if it had been buried for some time.

Police would not divulge where the weapon had been found, only saying the boy found the weapon and took it to school to show his friends. DSP Christie, fearing that some of the children may have been influenced negatively, gathered the students and gave them a pep talk.

"I spoke to all the students about the incident and how best to handle a matter like this. The student in question was also counselled, along with his parents," added DSP Christe.

The police say the incident did not amount to a criminal matter, and that they had left the principal to deal with the appropriate disciplinary measures.

A 76-year-old woman was charged with dealing in crack cocaine on Monday by the Hunts Bay police. Charged with possession and dealing in crack cocaine and possession of ganja, is Edith May, otherwise called Edith Leonard, a housewife of Queensbury drive, St Andrew.

Reports are about 2 p.m., a joint police-military operation was conducted at the same premises. During the operation, 76 pieces of crack cocaine (ironically the same number as the elderly woman's age), as well as a half pound of marijuana were found.

When informed of the matter, head of the division, Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, said he had to speak to the woman himself.

"I have heard of old persons carrying drugs abroad, but a 76-year-old selling it surprised me, which is not easy. When I spoke to the lady, who is five years younger than my grandma, I asked her 'why you involved in this?' Without a hint of remorse, she said 'worse than me deh out there'," recalled the top cop for the St Andrew South Division.

The superintendent said he could not ask the woman another question and left the CIB office, amid an uproar of laughter caused by the woman's cheeky reply. She was formally charged afterwards and released on bail later that day.

But Knight said he was not satisfied with the case, and would be keeping an eye on the woman and her associates.

"We are of the view that this lady is being used by other persons, but that is not an excuse for her, as she should have known better," said Superintendent Knight.

The 76-year-old is scheduled for court on Thursday.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Cold hearted gas thieves hit a new low in Orange County. Someone stole gas out of a daycare van. A mechanic says the thieves cut the gas line from underneath the van to drain out the gas. When the owner of the Tree House Daycare tried to use the van to pick up children, it wouldn't start. Later, a mechanic confirmed what happened. "I received a call from the mechanic and he said that someone had cut the gas line and the pumpline," said Julio Nazario who works at the Tree House Daycare Center. The daycare owner says the thieves went to a lot of trouble for nothing. He says the tank was nearly empty from runs he made the day before. The owner is facing a $1,000 repair bill to fix the damage.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Patrons having a good time at the Extatic Fridays Party, held at The Pantry, Dumfries Road, New Kingston, last Friday night. - winston sill

An incriminating text message has been circulating recently claiming that a popular party promoter is gay and that his parties should not be supported. However, when contacted, the promoter denied that these allegations were true, dismissing them as false and malicious.

The text, which has been sent out via email to people's cellphones, also implicates popular entertainment website 876radio.com as the source of the message. However, they too have denied any involvement.

Message of no support

THE STAR recently received the message, which states: "info.876radio@gmail.com (Gay promoter - Dane Chin) No support for gay promoters. Dane Chin of Levels and Extatic Fridays is gay. Don't support his parties."

According to Chin, promoter of parties such as Club Theory, Juice Theory, Levels and Extatic Fridays, the matter was brought to his attention early Monday morning.

Chin told THE STAR that he has been in contact with 876 radio, which has denied sending out the email, as they claim that someone created a duplicate e-mail address that was seen in the text.

Chin said: "it is not true. it's a false message that maliciously implicates 876radio. it doesn't affect me or my parties."

876radio's special bulletin

On 876radio's website, a special bulletin has since been posted regarding the situation saying: "It has been brought to the attention of the management of 876radio.com that individuals are circulating text messages via cellphones implicating 876Radio in a drive to imply that a well- known party promoter is gay and not to support his or her events. We assure all our supporters that these text messages did not originate from our servers nor those of our affiliates. Please be advised that 876Radio will be making every effort to ensure that the source of these messages is obtained and the culprit(s) dealt with accordingly. Spotting these fake emails and messages is easy. 876Radio emails only come from our domain (eg.info@876radio.com). Thank you to all our faithful fans for your continued support."

While the text continues to be circulated telling persons not to attend the promoter's parties, Chin doesn't anticipate any negative feedback for Levels or Extatic Fridays, which were both mentioned in the text. Levels takes place this Thursday night at the Quad, while Extatic Fridays, began last Friday at the Pantry and continues every Friday until June 13.

According to Chin, "Levels has become the number one club party in Jamaica, staged at the Quad. It's been going on for a while and is known for unique concepts and themes. We always get good feedback every year with over 1,300-1,400 people.

That's a huge promotion for a club. Extatic Fridays, which began last year, had a good turnout and this year, we're working with Absolute Entertainment going for bigger and better heights."

And despite not having the best of starts at last week's Extatic Fridays, Chin said, "We're expecting a better turnout this Friday for 'Lollipop' for ladies night."

The promoter and the management of 876radio are currently investigating the matter.

A 72-year-old man was among three persons killed in separate incidents yesterday.

The elderly man, Alfred Mesquita, a carpenter of Harrison Town in Ocho Rios, St Ann, was killed when fire destroyed his five-apartment dwelling and business place yesterday

Reports are that about 1 a.m., fire was seen coming from a section of the house.

The fire brigade was summoned and a unit from the Ocho Rios Fire Department responded and made attempts to extinguish the blaze, which was spreading rapidly.

When the fire was put out, Mequita's charred remains were found among the rubble.

In Kingston, a man was shot dead by unknown assailants on Olympic Way, Kingston 11. He has been identified as 20-year-old Roger Barnes of Four Forty Drive in the area.

Reports are that about 6 a.m., residents heard explosions and summoned the police. Upon their arrival, Barnes was found lying on the roadway suffering from gunshot wounds.

He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Almost an hour and a half later, the body of Denton Leslie was found in the kitchen of his home.

The Montego Bay police reported that about 7:35 a.m., an occupant of the house discovered Leslie's body and summoned the police.

Subsequent investigations by the police revealed that the body had multiple stab wounds. The occupant reportedly admitted to hearing strange sounds some hours before the body was found.

Tax consultant and attorney-at-law Ethlyn Norton-Coke has warned that businesses, including company directors and senior executives, will be more closely tracked by the authorities in a move to bell tax evaders.

Norton-Coke said the Tax Administration and Assessment Department, using an integrated computerised system, will be zeroing in on business and other transactions that would attract tax but are not declared to the revenue agencies.

The department will also be matching lifestyle against declared returns.

"If a particular person registered and licensed a BMW X5 that costs over $10 million, but paid only $250,000 in income tax, a red flag would be raised," said Norton-Coke.

Tracking system

The new tracking system comes on stream in less than a year.

The finance ministry has targeted revenue collections of $263 billion in the current fiscal year, compared to collections of $218 billion in 2007-08.

There is, said Norton-Coke, an estimated $30 billion of taxes to be had from enforcing compliance and widening the tax net.

Already, contractors, company directors and senior executives, medical practitioners, accountants and attorneys-at-law have been placed on a list of professionals classified as 'high risk'.

As a result, the monies they spend and income earned will be placed under increased scrutiny.

"Directors' fees are liable to PAYE. Loans to directors, if not paid back within the year, will be treated as income," said Norton-Coke, who at the time was addressing an investors' forum in Kingston.

The tax expert, who advises the Government, also said that all senior executives who hold credit cards would be required to retain the transaction receipts for the tax authorities to verify business versus personal expenditure.

Receipts

If they fail to supply the credit-card receipts, the monies spent would either be charged back as emoluments or disallowed as an expense for the business, she warned.

The tax consultant also charged that the Treasury was being denied revenues due from the construction sector, saying large contracts were being subdivided into smaller packages in an attempt to avoid or reduce contractors' levy payments, which are calculated at two per cent of the gross value of a contract for construction, tillage and haulage operations.

"There is a gross discrepancy," said Norton-Coke. "When you look at the construction going on around and then when you look at the small amount of contractors' levy that has been collected, you know that something is going on," she said.

The renewed focus on tax evaders is meant "to widen the tax net and to reduce the reliance on the overburdened PAYE persons", said the tax expert, while targeting those whose tax returns reflect small or no profit despite their involvement in multimillion-dollar trade activities.

She explained that the methodology will be to extract and use information from tax audits already done.

"If you do a land transaction then they are going to trace the persons who bought it," Norton-Coke said.

The computerised network is expected to come on stream by next April.

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is reporting a strong response to the tax amnesty which got underway last month.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw says $2.1 billion has been collected since he announced the amnesty during his Budget presentation in April.

According to Shaw, persons have been making contact with the authorities in an effort to take advantage of the amnesty.

Under the six-month tax amnesty, persons who pay the outstanding amount by the end of June will have their interest and penalties waived.

After June, persons will have a portion of the interest and penalties waived, starting with an 80 per cent waiver in July through to a 20 per cent waiver to those paying in the final month of the amnesty, October.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A man in Altamonte Springs fought back and stabbed an accused home invader. It happened Tuesday night at the Park Vineridge apartment homes off SR-434. Many residents who live in the complex are concerned about how the incident happened because the say it is a quiet area. Police said the man and his wife who live in the apartment when someone knocked on the door just before 10:00 Tuesday night. The husband cracked it just enough to see who was there. Police said the 25-year-old suspect forced his way inside. But the husband grabbed a knife and stabbed the man several times. "They don't want to open the door. The husband cracks the door to tell him you have the wrong address," said Kristin Kelting of the Altamonte Springs Police Department. Crime tape stretched across the staircase of one of the buildings and detectives were inside one of the units collecting evidence. "I was on the porch, next thing you know you hear police office going 'down on the ground, down on the ground,'" said George Portela a neighbor. "I think it's pretty crazy. Neighborhood's been good, pretty decent," Portela added. "They break in my apartment and I'm there, they better have a gun." The residents of the apartment were shaken, but not hurt. The suspect was rushed to Florida Hospital Altamonte where he was trying to recover from his injuries. Police said the couple will likely not face any charges. The suspect's condition was unknown Wednesday morning.

A Christian man from St Catherine was recently brought before the court after he was accused of raping the woman he was engaged to marry.

The man was offered $50,000 bail in his own surety when the matter came up in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court.

Allegations are that on May 9, the church sister, who would have been married in a few months, was raped.

It was, however, outlined in court by the investigating officer that the couple had had sex on two occasions before she was raped. She went on to tell the court that the complainant had told her that she and the accused had sworn before an elder of the church not to have sex before marriage.

RM Lorna Errar enquired: "did you agree not to have sex with the complainant until you were married?" The man responded, "No, your honour."

He insisted that they had had consensual sex, although as Christians it was wrong.

In applying for bail, the accused man's attorney also pointed out that the couple had had consensual sex and that at no time was force or fraud used in order to commit the acts.

The RM granted the accused man bail on condition that he appeared for his next court date, June 6.

He was also warned to keep away from the complainant and to find a different church to attend.

A 29-year-old man, charged with malicious destruction of property, yesterday told the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court that he only used a 'dutch pot' to destroy his mother's home and belongings after he became upset when she ordered him out her house.

Angela Dixon, the accused man's mother, told the courts that she wanted her son out of the house and disciplined by the courts because he was involved in illegal acts, which she despised as a Christian. "He is coming in late in the mornings, your honour," Dixon said. "And getting involved in illegal things like car stealing and drugs."

However, Orville Bennett, the accused man, told the courts that he had no idea what his mother was talking about, as he was not involved with drugs or car stealing. He said that the problem was that his mother wanted him to be in the house by 7 p.m. nightly, which was quite difficult as he was a taxi operator.

Bennett continued that when his mother asked him to leave the house, which he said he had been occupying for five years, he got upset and used the pot to "mash up some tings". The damage done amounted to $360,000.

The matter was postponed and will be brought back to the court on July 1.

LOOK @ THE DONKEY ON BARBEE

-- Edited by selectorbyron at 18:40, 2008-05-15

Police last night called off a massive operation in densely thick woodlands in Greenwood, Trelawny, to recover the remains of two men from a well. The operation got under way from as early as 6 a.m. yesterday.

The operation was called off due to poor visibility, leaving relatives and friends very disappointed and angry.

The men's bodies were positively identified by their neighbour, Garfield Marsh, 38, labourer of Copse in Hanover, who volunteered to go down into the well, measuring about 150 feet deep.

The deceased men are Tafari McIntosh, 24, mechanic, and Rohan Kelly, 37, chauffeur, both from Copse.

McIntosh and Kelly's relatives told investigators that they left home at about 5 p.m. Saturday in McIntosh's Nissan Bluebird, heading to Montego Bay. When they did not return home Sunday, relatives and friends became suspicious and alerted the police.

Relatives bemoaned, however, that the police delayed in effecting a search for the men. They said they were advised that the men might have been dumped in the well and they acted upon the advice. They were shocked when faced with the reality that their loved ones had in fact been chopped up and dumped in the well.

McIntosh's babymother, Reneika Hayes, cried uncontrollably at the scene, while a relative held her two-month-old baby.

Harry Toddler ready for Reggae Sumfest

Fast tracking star, Harry Toddler, continues along the road to what some are already saying "the comeback artist of the year". Riding the momentum of his most recent hit record, "Don't Run In" the DJ continues to get bookings from a variety of countries stretching across the Caribbean and even reaching Uganda, Africa several weeks ago.

Reggae Sumfest releases exciting line-up

20 May 2008 | by Contributed Article

Billed as "The Best Show on Earth," Reggae Sumfest returns this year on July 13 - 19, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The line-up announcements are always long-awaited and this year's is bound to please the masses who journey to Jamaica each year for the shows.

Mavado3.jpgThe biggest night or "Dancehall Night" on Thursday, July 17 includes undoubtedly the biggest names in dancehall today - Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Mavado, Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel, alongside newcomers Erupt, Demarco and Serani, just to name a few. Friday night or "Reggae Night" lives up to its promise as the best in roots reggae, with Queen I-Frica, Richie Spice, Jah Cure, while Tarrus Riley, songbird Etana and sexy duo Brick & Lace round out the "International Night" on Saturday, July 19.

Sumfest officials are still in negotiations with some other big names to add to the roster, include Beres Hammond and Buju Banton, both of whom were on last year's bill.

Log on to reggaesumfest.com for updated artist line-up and for details on other exciting Sumfest activities planned throughout the entire week.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zy5tmxrxnmm

Acrobat reader required

MAN U OR CHELSEA

A MAN and woman have been charged with neglect after a seven-year-old girl died of starvation, police said today.

Little Khyra Ishaq was rescued alongside five other children by cops from a property in the Handsworth area of Birmingham, it is claimed.

Khyra later died in hospital.

Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29, believed to be the mother and step-father of Kyrah Ishaq, were arrested after police were called to an address in Leyton Road, Handsworth.

A neighbour reportedly said they saw the children grabbing bread which had been thrown out for birds.


Shocked

West Midlands police refused to confirm that starvation was the cause of death.

In a statement the force said: "We can confirm that a seven-year-old girl was taken to hospital on Saturday 17 May, where she was pronounced dead.

"Her cause of death has not been confirmed at this stage


"Police are conducting inquiries and a man aged 29 and a woman aged 33 have been charged with neglect and appeared before Birmingham Magistrates on May 19."

The pair have been remanded in custody to appear again on May 28.

A West Midlands Police spokesman today confirmed the incident and said officers were working with the social services department at Birmingham City Council.

The door and ground floor windows of the house were covered with metal shutters today.

The sister of Khyras natural father visited Leyton Road today but said she did not know where he was or whether he knew that his daughter had died.

Valerie Frances said she was unaware of claims that her brother, originally called Delroy Frances, had changed his name to Abu Zaire Ishaq.

Miss Frances, who was carrying a young child, said she had not seen her six nieces and nephews since the beginning of last year.

"When I saw them last, they were in perfect health," she said.

Residents in the street were visibly shocked when told of the charges which have been brought against their former neighbours.

Sales worker Amarjit Ram said: "I am just shocked to be honest - the mother looked fine to me.

"I would see them in the street and I think they had lived there for a couple of years."

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "We would never expect something like this.

"We knew they were going through some trouble about a year ago.

"Before that we used to see the children and they looked happy and normal, but after that we didnt see them.

"The house wasnt very well kept. Its not the cleanest of places."

He added police had been outside the house for up to four days and said an ambulance had come in the middle of the night.

It is believed police found six children on mattresses on the floor. The seven-year-old girl was critically ill and the five others were emaciated.

They were taken to Birmingham Childrens Hospital where the other five are now being treated.

Another neighbour, Mohammed Khalil, said he used to see some of the children in their uniforms on their way to Grove School in Handsworth.

He said: "The childrens father, he didnt live there. He was living there but then he moved out."

A council spokesman added: "We are deeply saddened by the death of this child and our sympathies go to the childs family and friends at this difficult time.

"This death is now the subject of a police enquiry and the council is fully supporting their investigation. As a result we are unable to make any further comment."

The co-Interim Receiver/ Managers submitted the Second Interim Report to the Supreme Court on May 13. This report, which was mandated by the Court, and is over 200 pages in length, addressed the specific findings of the Receivership Team.

THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

The Receivership Team has found that, overall, Cash Plus was not operating as a growing, financially viable and diversified conglomerate. The Receivership Team was unable to find any documentation to support Cash Plus' management philosophy, methodology or financial plans.

Overall, the Cash Plus operating environment consisted of:

Only three viable entities out of

more than 200 identified by the

Receivership Team to date (total

still to be determined)

Poorly maintained

accounting records

Inadequate internal controls

Inadequate financial planning

Payments made through

third parties

Unsustainable business

model including

minimal revenue-generating

activities

Severe asset-liability mismatch

In several instances, Cash Plus entered into transactions to acquire companies, real estate and other tangible assets. The majority of these transactions were never completed and often stalled after preliminary discussions and tendering of initial deposits. In addition, several companies, land and other assets were bought above their reasonable market price, presumably because of a lack of proper due diligence and independent valuation.

CASH PLUS' SUMMARY OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT MARCH 31 (UNAUDITED AND SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION)

Based on the information gathered thus far, the table on page B8 reflects the reconstructed Summary of Assets and Liabilities of Cash Plus and affiliates as of March 31. Assets, which amount to $4 billion, consist mainly of land and buildings and refunds of deposits on failed transactions.

These assets are not easily converted and the final amounts realised may be different from what is shown, as they are subject to prevailing market conditions and the Receivership Team's ability to negotiate with the vendors of these failed transactions. Cash and other liquid assets amounted to less than $3 million as at March 31.

Liabilities consist primarily of amounts due to lenders. The findings to date have revealed major discrepancies in the accounting for lenders' transactions.

 

Limitations

The Receivership Team does not express an opinion on the financial information presented in the summary. These amounts are subject to verification and wide fluctuations given the existing state of the companies' accounts. Further, the Receivership Team has not had access to all the records and persons we would have liked, given the relatively short period of time to investigate the numerous companies in the group and report to the Court.

CASH PLUS INTAKES 2004-2007

Cash Plus Limited (CPL), one of the companies in the group,was incorporated on May 5, 2003, according to information at the Registrar of Companies. During 2004-2007, CPL received lenders'

funds totalling approximately J$22 billion.

CPL acted as the financing arm for the Cash Plus entities, by "borrowing" funds from the public (lenders) and lending these funds to other members of the group, mainly Cash Plus Group Limited (CPG) and Cash Plus Development Limited (CPD) for the purpose of financing those entities' investment activities, such as real estate and other acquisitions. Based on the Receivership Team's analysis to date, which is preliminary and subject to change, CPL used approximately 70 per cent of its intake, on an overall basis, to repay lenders.

Repayments

The number of lenders is currently estimated to be between 35,000 and 45,000.

The monies used for repayment appear mainly to have come directly from the funds received from lenders, as Cash Plus did not appear to have had sufficient income-generating activities to support the interest payments on these deposits and to pay staff and other operating costs.

NEXT STEP

Bearing in mind that there is no liquidity in the group, the repayment to lenders and other creditors can only commence after Cash Plus has realised a substantial portion of the real estate and deposits on failed transactions as shown in the above Summary of Assets and Liabilities. During the next few weeks, the Court will decide on the next appropriate course of action.

Cash Plus investors protesting outside the Half-Way Tree Courthouse. They were in support of Cash Plus boss, Carlos Hill, who is facing the court on fraud charges. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Cash Plus Limited and Affiliates - Summary of Assets and Liabilities

Assets Total Assets (J$B) Total Liabilities (J$B)

Refund of deposits on

failed transactions 1.17

Land and buildings 1.49

Other non-liquid assets 1.38

Liabilities

Loans Received 20.62

Other Liabilities 4.28

4.04 24.90

A WOMAN rescued after an incredible 195 hours under rubble from Chinas earthquake survived by drinking rain.

The 60-year-old suffered a hip fracture and facial bruises after being stuck between rocks for more than a week. She was trapped in a landslide that swept away a temple in Pengzhou city.

A 31-year-old power factory worker was found alive yesterday after being trapped under the collapsed building for 179 hours.

Meanwhile a TV warning of a huge aftershock in Chengdu caused panic as millions fled to the countryside or slept outside.

 

The Sun gave water to families fleeing ravaged cities yesterday as dust clouds and scorching heat made it difficult to breath.

 

Aid workers fear the death toll could top 80,000.

Hundreds of thousands are injured and five million are homeless.

Gordon Brown praised Chinas magnificent reaction to the quake as he signed a book of condolence in London yesterday.

The PM said Britain will do all it could to help the affected Sichuan province

JUNIOR minister Daryl Vaz is to remain member of parliament for the West Portland constituency, pending the outcome of the current dual citizenship case between himself and the People's National Party's (PNP) Abe Dabdoub in the Court of Appeal.

Yesterday, president of the Court of Appeal Justice Seymour Panton granted an extension of the 42-day stay of execution issued by Chief Justice Zaila McCalla following her ruling last month that disqualified Vaz from the House of Representatives and called for a by-election to select a new MP for West Portland.

Vaz was disqualified because of his holding of both Jamaican and United States of America citizenship. He has since renounced his US citizenship.

Following McCalla's ruling on April 11, Dabdoub, who lost the West Portland seat to Vaz in last September's general elections, filed an appeal against the chief justice's decision to order a by-election instead of handing him the seat.

Last Thursday, Vaz, too, filed an appeal against McCalla's decision to disqualify him. Vaz, who maintained that he has accepted the chief justice ruling and was interested in no further court action, said that his filing of an appeal was strategic.

Without the filing of an appeal, Vaz would not have been able to apply for an extension of the stay of execution and would have had to leave parliament yesterday when Justice McCalla's 42-day stay expired.

Should Dabdoub succeed in the Court of Appeal, the country could see a general election before the end of the year, as Prime Minister Bruce Golding had vowed that he would not allow anyone who had not been elected by voters to sit in Parliament.

No date has been set for the appeals to be heard.

The global food crisis, precipitated by the steep rise in food prices and consequent inaccessibility of food, which has lead to explosions of violence in over 30 countries, some of them in our region, poses a threat to the progress in health, as well as in environmental protection and poverty reduction, achieved within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals.

This crisis is occurring at a critical time in Latin America and the Caribbean, when efforts are concentrating on eradicating malnutrition and developing strategies to c****at both the causes and the most visible effects of this chronic problem that undermines the populations' potential for current and future development.

Food assistance is urgent, as Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has stated. At the same time, however, we must take care to ensure that the response to the emergency does not undo the efforts of governments, civil society, and communities to consolidate their organisational and logistical capabilities, local development strategies based on primary health care, and the intersectoral activities that impact health determinants and promote synergies with the education, water and sanitation, labour, agriculture and production sectors.

Structural factors

The structural factors responsible for the nutrition and development problem in the region amplify this crisis. Thus, the United Nations agencies in the region have formed the Pan American Alliance for Nutrition and Development to coordinate and integrate activities and guarantee that investments have a greater impact.

I call upon our partners in the international community, financial institutions, religious groups, business and civil society organisations, non-government organisations, and international agencies to:

Swiftly allocate assistance commensurate with the complexity and magnitude of the problem and facilitate the creation of mechanisms for its timely delivery.

Also, in each specific place, tend to the indispensable complementary needs in nutrition, such as safe drinking water, fuel, local infrastructure, basic health services, and education, since only the synergy among them guarantees adequate nutrition.

Respect the social and institutional capital that has arduously been constructed over decades, so that the assistance provided during the crisis strengthens, rather then weakens, the countries' own capacity to overcome historical obstacles, and guarantees definitively that the scourge of chronic malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean will be eliminated.

It is also necessary for the countries of the region to:

Show their solidarity by reconsidering their policies on humanitarian assistance and the export of food staples, especially in countries suffering from greater inflationary pressures, promoting extraordinary cooperation mechanisms among the countries that will contribute to self-production of food and food sovereignty.

Improve surveillance, down to the local level, of social and nutritional aspects, with active participation by the health and social services, to ensure the early detection of inequities or acute shortages that can be relieved.

Protect populations, especially the most vulnerable, and address their legitimate concerns, guaranteeing attention to the problem and equitably allocating the resources mobilised.

All of this will enable us to turn this crisis into an opportunity to speed up progress in improving the health and integrated development of our peoples.

Dr Mirta Roses Periago is director of the Pan American Health Organization.

Indonesians line up to buy subsidised rice, cooking oil and sugar from a charitable organisation Saturday, May 17, in Jakarta, Indonesia. As the price of food staples increases worldwide, people who are already struggling to make ends meet are turning towards aid organisations for help. - AP

Government forensic experts have begun processing the cache of 13 illegal guns seized yesterday morning in Kingston. The weapons and more than 300 assorted rounds of ammunition, with an estimated street value of $1.8 million, are suspected of being part of the drugs-for-guns trade between Haiti and Jamaica.

Reports are that the guns and ammo were seized following a high-speed chase and brief shoot-out which claimed the life of a man who was a passenger in one of two cars the police had signalled to stopped.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, the police said the dead man had been identified only as 'Rasta'. He is believed to be the driver of a taxi that plies the Spanish Town-Naggo Head route in St Catherine.

Three other persons who were in the vehicles, including a man police described as the mastermind, have since been detained by members of Operation Kingfish who were assisted by the Special Anti-Crime Task Force and the Kingston Central police in the operation.

"This is a group that we have a particular interest in. They are responsible for smuggling dozens of guns into Jamaica over the past 18 months," head of Operation Kingfish, Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, told The Gleaner yesterday.

For the profit

He said the group seemed to be in the gun-smuggling business only for the profit, as there was no evidence to suggest they were affiliated with any gangs.

"They usually operate between Spanish Town and Clarendon," said ACP Hinds.

The police believed the group picked up the guns in the coastal area between Bull Bay and St Thomas. They were heading towards Hellshire, St Catherine, when they were apprehended.

Reports are that they ignored the lawmen's signal to stop, resulting in a chase that ended at Heroes Circle.

HORRIFIED youngsters fought with police after a girl of 16 was hit and killed by a squad car travelling at up to 100mph.

Hayley Adamson was hurled 50ft through the air by the impact.

Eyewitnesses said she was hit by one of two marked police cars that sped past on Monday night WITHOUT flashing lights and sirens.

Angry witnesses and friends confronted police, some throwing bricks.

Officers have since appealed for calm while the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigates the tragedy.

 

 

Hayley, a pupil at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic High School, was with several friends and her boyfriend when she was hit by the car on Denton Road, Newcastle.

Sacred Heart headteacher Patricia Wager has paid tribute to Hayley who was due to sit her GCSE English exam yesterday.

She said: "Hayley was a happy, popular and fun-loving student.

"There is a sense of shock at the school and we are supporting her classmates and friends.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time."

Distraught boyfriend George Oliver, 22, was arrested at the scene after being subdued with a Taser.

Pal David Forrest, 20, said no cars were coming as the group crossed the road in Newcastle, but he heard "an almighty bang" as he reached the other side.

He said: "I turned round to look and a police car had hit Hayley and thrown her 50ft down the road.

"It came out of nowhere. There were two police cars and neither had flashing lights or sirens going. The car that hit Hayley didnt even have headlights on."

David added: "I knew straight away she was dead. Loads of Hayleys friends turned up and were going mad at the police.

"Hayley had her whole life ahead of her. She was lovely.

Another pal, Chris Broatch, 23, saw the cars approach and estimated their speed at 100mph.

He said: "I dont know why they were going so fast without lights or sirens. The driver was shaking violently and was very upset."

Chris added: "The police handled the situation very poorly. They seemed more bothered about pushing and shoving Hayleys friends than about the girl herself."

Chief Superintendent Paul Weir said bricks were thrown at police after the collision, and several people were arrested.

Police would not say if the car was on an emergency call, but it is understood the driver was responding to his automatic number plate recognition system, which may have alerted them to a suspect vehicle.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating, and the officer has been suspended from operational duties.

Hayleys friends at Sacred Heart girls school were told of her death when they arrived to sit their GCSEs yesterday.

A memorial website was inundated with tributes to Hayley, who hoped to become a beauty therapist.

Superintendent Fitz Bailey, head of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, yesterday confirmed the arrest of 12 persons who were selling illegal copies of DVDs in the Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, area during a raid last Saturday.

Bailey said the police were continuing their zero-tolerance approach on crime and would be stepping up pressure on persons who continued to breach the Copyright Act.

More than 1,000 illegal copies of DVDs were seized during the operation.

The vendors have been charged with breaches of the Copyright Act and are scheduled to appear in court this week and next week.

The OCID head told The Gleaner that three of the persons arrested were repeat offenders, who were all previously fined for breaching the Copyright Act.

A major challenge

Bailey said one of the major challenges was that many people do not consider the offence to be a serious crime and so believe they can just pay the fine and continue to break the law.

"But the fact is, it is a crime, and we will continue to snag those who break the law," he said.

A person convicted under this act could be fined a sum of $100,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years.

He said though manpower has also proven to be a challenge, the police would not allow this to stop them from enforcing the law.

"We need to get back to basics," he said. "A small crime is still a crime, and when these are ignored, it often opens the door for bigger crimes to occur," Bailey reasoned.

Just last week, The Gleaner revealed that streetside vendors in Half-Way Tree were selling illegal copies of pornographic DVDs to students.

Sociologists and children's rights advocates also raised concern over the absence of suitable legislation to punish those who provided such material to underage children.

 

A PARAMEDIC has been sacked for inhaling LAUGHING GAS in his ambulance to get a quick high.

Richard Sanders, 54, was caught taking a secret shot while lying on a stretcher during a night shift.

The gas is normally given as a painkiller to women in childbirth or kidney stone victims.

But it is also known as hippy crack because it gives a rapid but short-lived high.

The gas, properly called Entonox, is sold illegally in clubs and pubs at £2 for a balloon-full.

But experts warn it can causing lasting damage to health.

When Sanders got up he was staggering and slurring his words, a disciplinary hearing was told.

And he was incapable of doing his 999 job at Llantwit Major, South Wales.

He was struck off for five years by the Health Professions Council, sitting in Cardiff.

And he has been formally sacked from his £22,000-a-year post by the Welsh Ambulance Trust.

The council said it was acting to protect the public as Sanders, who did not attend the hearing, had put patient safety at risk.

Earlier this year an inquest heard how David Watts, 23, was found dead at his Birmingham home next to a large cylinder of the gas.