A 17-year-old schoolboy, who allegedly robbed another student of a camera and money, was granted bail with strict conditions that allowed him to only sit his external exams and attend classes.

The teen, who appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, was granted bail after strong pleas by his attorney, Bert Samuels.

It is alleged that the complainant was walking from the Sovereign Centre in Liguanea when the accused and two other persons allegedly held him up with a knife and robbed him of a camera and other items.

The camera was later recovered after the accused man told his mother who had it and it was retrieved. Samuels told the court that the accused boy had his first external examination on Friday and he was asking for bail so he could go home and prepare.

He also asked his mother to stand surety for the accused. After listening to the arguments, Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown decided to accept his mother as surety and also issued some strict bail conditions.

RM Brown told the accused that while he was on bail, he was only to attend school and return home immediately after his examinations.

In addition he made an order that the accused must not be seen outside his house except for attending classes on Saturdays and must not be seen walking with any group. "He must be seen by himself," RM Brown said.

The teen is to return to court on June 23 when the matter will again be mentioned.

Concert Gems sparkle at Alhambra Inn
published: Thursday | May 8, 2008

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

David Reid (right), producer/conductor, directs members of the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company during The Sounds of Music concert, at Alhambra Inn on Sunday, March 9. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Sunday's instalment of the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company's (JMTC) 2008 Sounds of Music concert series was entitled Concert Gems and, without the gloss of amplification, it duly shone before a near full seated, appreciative house at the Alhambra Inn.

From the lilies floating in huge old sugar plantation coppers to an old gas station air pump, the sounds of water complementing the echo of shoes on a small wooden bridge, the Tucker Avenue, St Andrew inn of the 'ye olde' type is perfect for a classy concert of the classics.

And the music, as well as the delivery, in the hall on Sunday evening fit the bill, Livingston Burnett live on the piano and Jon Williams courtesy of a CD, providing the music.

Happy audience

Of course, the gems, some 19 of them, were not all flawless, but Matthew McKenzie's lyrical amnesia on My Way, the second song on the programme, was compensated for by an audience which sang happily away.

Doug Bennett, producer of the concert, the evening's host and also a performer, spoke of an early teacher who said "Douglas, if you forget the lyrics, don't worry. Wait, they will come back to you. And who knows, the audience may join in".

McKenzie lost no carats, though, as in the second half of the programme, he did half of an excellent rendition of I Hate You, Then I Love You, the other half of the tale of flip-flopping love taken by Aisha Ricketts, the pair utilising dramatic body movements excellently and ending with fingers entwined.

Gis'elle Jones also had a less than stellar first outing, the relative dullness of her delivery of Home caused by the low volume of her voice at points.

As did the rest of Concert Gems, the fare and style of singing varying from Peter Haley's muttering, stalking and frustrated head-scratching on A Hymn to Him (there were knowing chuckles from the mostly female audience when Haley informed all "men are so honest") to Aisha Ricketts' emotion-packed Don't Cry For Me Argentina, her voice filling the room, her elegant hand movements helping to convey the song's feeling of loss and her expression, at times, appearing to be on the verge of tears.

Then there was Bennett's standing, appropriately, nearly still for Still as the Night, allowing his voice to roll without much movement. He later showed his humorous capabilities on The Mermaid Song.

Stephanie Hazle, who opened the evening, was McKenzie's other partner on the programme with A Whole New World, the chemistry between them not as explosive as when McKenzie teamed up with Ricketts, but still very much a factor.

Second segment

And naturally, there were moments when the individual concert gems dazzled; Jodi HoLung's eyes flashing as she sang I Could have Danced All Night and tripped merrily through the light-hearted The Simple Joys of Maidenhood, the latter starting the concert's second segment.

This was after Ana Strachan ended the first with Meadowlark, her left hand rising with her voice as she sang Fly Away close to the end. Her second stint, with I Hate Music, gave Strachan the opportunity to explore the funny bone, which she did to very good effect.

Cecil Cooper, who had done Without a Song in the early going, was spectacular with Gethsename - I Only Want To Say, the second of three on a trot from Lord Lloyd Weber to close.

The rousing delivery was a hard act to follow, but Ricketts was up to the task as Concert Gems had a change of mood to the popular, pathos-filled Memory from CATS. She covered a nagging cough well and, at the end, gave a quick smile for an appreciative audience.

R&B star Usher admitted that he once had sex in-flight at 32,000 feet in the air. Yup the singer swapped dance floor for an airplane on one occasion. Before you start getting carried away in your imaginations it was a private plane and not a charter plane loaded with passengers. By doing that he joins the 'mile high club' with those who have tried it. Makes those who feel nervous about flying seem petty huh.

Sometimes filled with haunting sounds and conscious lyrics DASECA has a unique sound that varies from sad, happy, upbeat and continues to come up with the hottest rhythms. On the darker side there are songs such as Journeys and Wha You Gonna Do by Bugle and Don't Worry from Mavado but there are also more upbeat DASECA produced songs such as Gully Creeper by Elephant Man, Dutty Wine by Tony Matterhorn and Back It Up by Beenie Man.

According to DASECA producer David Harrisingh "we don't like to repeat things and repeat a sound. There are a lot of songs that we do and people don't know about."

Rhythms that DASECA has helped compose include Build Back, Mad Guitar for Don Corleon, Ice Breaker and Step for Renaissance which had two huge hits for Sean Paul including We Be Burning, Wipe Out for Jigsy and Pennybling, Chakka Chakka for Firelinks, Hundred Watt for Garamel Music songs such as Wha Do Dem Guy Deh and Money Machine for Assassin, Willie Bounce for DJ Kareem among countless others.

Several church leaders are endorsing the move by the head of the Peace Management Initiative, Bishop Herro Blair, to seek state pardon for former Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue who has been sentenced to six months in prison on a charge of perverting the course of public justice.

Blair told The Gleaner yesterday that he has written to Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall asking that he officially forgive Lyn-Sue.

The ex-policeman was sentenced on Monday after confessing that he fabricated a statement against a man in a murder case.

"I fully support Bishop Blair's position," said Reverend Conrod Pitkin of the Faith Temple Assembly of God in St James.

Decided to tell the truth

In making the confession in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, Lyn-Sue had said he decided to tell the truth because he had become a Christian.

Pitkin, however, said he respected the decision of the resident magistrate in the sentence against Lyn Sue. "We are just saying that justice should be tempered with mercy," Pitkin said.

Pastor Junior Headlam of the Phoenix Avenue Church of God of Prophecy in St Andrew, agreed. "In view of what is to be accomplished in terms of teaching a person a lesson for doing something wrong, by virtue of his confession, it would appear that this man has learnt his lesson," said Headlam.

POLICE STATION SHOT UP IN GUYANA AFTER BAN ANNOUNCED
A police station was shot up in Guyana only days after the announcement of the Mavado and Bounty Killer ban in that country. There is speculation in Guyana that it was in reaction to the ban because the Guyanese people dem cut up about the whole thing. Dem bend because Mavado had a concert there which was clean and incident free. Nuff people bend and ah under those vibes and environment the police station get shot up two nights back. So everybody is wondering why and what cause that?

ROSE HALL, St James - Betty-Ann Blaine, convener of Hear the Children's Cry and Youth Opportunities Unlimited, yesterday cautioned educators to be vigilant in the face of what she described as a move to take God out of the island's public schools.

Blaine. two major challenges are facing our schools (Photo: Pat Roxborough-Wright)

"Two major challenges are facing our schools. One is the culture of violence and the other is the growing problem of immorality," she said at the opening session of the Jamaica Teachers' Association's annual professional development day. "The c****ination of the two is so deadly that if you teachers do not understand it, there's no way you can stay in the classroom."

Named after former Knox College educator, Helen Stills, the day saw hundreds of educators from across the island converging on the Rose Hall Country Club to participate in a series of presentations structured around the theme 'Building a Culture of Learning in Schools: Enabling Successful and Independent Learners'.

Pointing to a lessening of the emphasis on morning devotion in some schools as one example of what she was talking about, Blaine explained that this robbed students of a crucial opportunity to be exposed to certain values and attitudes to set the tone of their school day.

"There's a kind of liberal laissez-faire philosophy that everything is alright. that whatever America does we can do. but you have to be very careful of that word diversity, because the way in which they define it is not necessarily the way we do," she said.

Pointing to the need for teachers to understand themselves and their environment as a prerequisite to executing an effective job of teaching, Blaine urged the educators to focus attention on the Ministry of Education as policymakers influencing the teaching/learning process.

"Pay attention to what is happening at Heroes' Circle," she said in reference to the address of the education ministry's head office.

"You must know who is at Heroes' Circle, because anything you see happening out there is not just happening by chance, it is being driven by someone. When issues like condoms in schools, expletives in textbooks, redefinitions of the family unit to include homosexuality come up, somebody is driving them," she said.

Her words in this regard caused the education ministry's director of communication, Dr Charlene Ashley, some amount of concern, but Blaine was careful to point out in a subsequent interview with the Observer that her words were not intended as a jab at the ministry.

She did, however, use the opportunity to state her objection to the recent controversial idea of training teachers as policemen.

"If anybody thinks that turning teachers into policemen can solve the problem they must be joking... dem haffi wheel and come again on that one... we can't fix education unless we fix family life in this country," she said. "Teachers, you need to demand certain prerequisites from the State so that you can be the best teachers you can be. "Otherwise, no matter how good a teacher you are, it won't work," she said.

What a renkness

diamondmacka.jpgBwoy the reggae awards come and gawn but a nuff nuff gossip YardFlex get outa it. Yuh know sey some people really libaty tecking when yuh come fi tink bout it. Yeah man, mi hear dem a sey dat Macka Diamond look good inna har outfit but she look lacka Shabba Ranks inna wig. But a wha dis man...chu just easy yah Macka yuh a YardFlex girl...straight!

-----------------------------------

What a gwaan

stacious_2.jpgBwoy YardFlex spot a play dung a Westmoreland Curry Festival and mi a tell yuh...wi nuh really know a whey him name but wi know sey him inna Ward 21. Wi spot him a hold Stacious close gainst him and a rock. Well wi nah judge, cause dem can just bi good friends...but Stacious did look sexy still suh wi nuh know!

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Einstein a hide out

einstein_08_edit.jpgWi hear sey Einstein a keep a low profile cause him and certain member of di alliance kick off and dem sware sey dem a guh sort him out proper. Well mi hear sey him nuh sure whey him stand, suh him nah budge till him sure di threat over him head is lifted. Duh, mi a beg unno please, exercise some peace inna di business nuh.

 

Rapper DMX  CAVE CREEK, Ariz. -- Rapper DMX was arrested at his Cave Creek home Friday morning and booked into jail on seven counts of animal cruelty and four counts of drug possession, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, attempted to barricade himself in his bedroom at the time of the search warrant but eventually came out, offered no further resistance, and was booked into Fourth Avenue Jail, according to the MCSO's tactical unit. Deputies said a number of drugs were seized as well as five pit bull mix puppies, which were taken into custody by the sheriff's animal cruelty unit specialists, reported KPHO-TV in Phoenix. Sheriff's deputies were also serving a search warrant on a Scottsdale, Ariz., medical clinic in connection with a potential fraud scheme involving the rapper, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. The animal cruelty investigation began on Aug. 24, when sheriff's investigators raided the rapper's home. During last summer's raid, authorities seized 12 live pit bulls, numerous weapons, and found about a quarter-ounce of marijuana in a bedroom, Arpaio said. The sheriff initially said a half-pound of suspected narcotics was found, but tests showed the substance was not illegal drugs. Sheriff's investigators were tipped to possible animal neglect in early August, and questioned a man at the home who said he was being paid to care for the dogs, but planned to go on vacation and didn't know who would replace him. No one was home when police raided the home days later. The man told KPHO the dogs did not have adequate food, water or shade. He also said the dogs had not been used for fighting. The 36-year-old rapper has had previous run-ins with the law. On Wednesday, Simmons was arrested on charges of racing on a highway after speed cameras on a Phoenix-area freeway caught him going 114 mph, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers said. He was booked on charges of racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment and three counts of criminal speed and driving on a suspended license. Simmons was photographed on Jan. 21 by stationary cameras on the northbound lanes of the Loop 101 driving a 1966 Chevy Nova II at a speed of 100 mph, DPS officers said. One minute later, additional cameras recorded Simmons' speed at 114 mph, officers said. Less than three minutes later, Simmons was caught on camera at 101 mph, officers said. The posted speed limit is 65 mph. Simmons posted bond and was released in that incident. In June 2006, Scottsdale police cited him for carrying a concealed handgun outside a nightclub. He also served 70 days in jail in 2005 for violating his parole following a 2004 incident in which he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his sport utility vehicle through a security gate at Kennedy International Airport. Simmons was also fined and ordered to make public service announcements for the Humane Society after police found pipes for smoking crack cocaine, a pistol and 13 pit bulls at his home in Teaneck, N.J., in 1999. He pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia in that case. DMX recorded the 1999 hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)." His last album, "Year of the Dog ... Again," was released last year.

Jacqueline Thompson, who borrowed a baby whom she used to get cash from her boyfriend, was put on 18 months probation when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown handed down his sentence after he reprimanded the accused. "You're a wicked woman ... You mek the man believe is his child and even when dem catch yuh, yuh still telling lies. You deserve to go to prison," he told the accused.

Thompson and the complainant, Nadine Appleby, were initially both charged with conspiracy, while Thompson was charged with child stealing.

It was alleged that Appleby and Thompson hatched a plan, involving the use of Appleby's one-year-old son. Thompson had reportedly lost her child and the two agreed that she would pretend that Appleby's son belongd to her, so she could get money from her child's father.

It is alleged that Thompson took the child from Appleby and failed to return him. Appleby reportedly called the police and reported the child missing. The plot was discovered when the police began their investigations.

Thompson eventually confessed to the whereabouts of the child and the police went and collected him. The man, who thought he was the father, later discovered the scam at one of the court hearings, when the judge ordered Thompson to tell him the truth.

Dancehall and reggaeton collide as singjay Mavado collaborates with Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar De La Ghetto.

The 27 year old Rafael Castillo aka 'De La Ghetto' has been recording some of the biggest reggaeton songs such as 'Es Dif'cil', for the past two years. Castillo was in Jamaica last week for the first time to record a song with dancehall singjay Mavado. The street/club song entitled 'Come And See ' is being produced by Jazzy T from Renaissance studios.

Castillo told the STAR how the collaboration came about. "I met Mavado a month ago in Miami - went to a Jamaican restaurant to eat Jamaican and he was there, it was like in the movies I was the only Puerto Rican light-skinned kid there. I w ent to Mavado's table we sat down and talked he was very humble and we were talking bout doing a track but we couldn't do it then cause he had to go to Jamaica the next day, he told me to come to Jamaica," he said.

A dream come true

Castillo recently recorded his part of the single and Mavado passed through the studio, listened to the track and was impressed. The artiste has since recorded his part of the song. For Castillo working with Mavado was on the top of his list. "To me its like a dream come true cause in the early 90s in Puerto Rico there was no such thing as reggaeton only dancehall like Chakademus, Bounty and more. So we grew up listening to dancehall I never thought in my wildest dream I would be here to record. This is like the motherland of all music we're so close together in the Caribbean but I never had a chance to come to Jamaica," he said.

He continued "I'm a very big fan of Mavado, the very first time I heard Mavado it was a year and a half ago. I was looking in a Vibe magazine I heard he was like the top notch person over here so I looked him up on Youtube, I never knew I would meet up with him.

I'm surprised to record with a big super international artiste like Mavado, I know he got a new track with Jay Z that's number one in New York> and Miami. I travel the world and everywhere I go people talk about Mavado.Hopefully this song will do history."

Street Ghetto

Having come from what he terms one of the baddest ghettos in the Caribbean 'La Perla' in Puerto Rico, Castillo says that he can easily identify with what he terms Mavado's 'street ghetto' vibe. Not the first Puerto Rican artiste to record with a Jamaican following Daddy Yankee who recorded with Sean Paul and Randy who recorded with Beenie Man, De La Ghetto says that the track is strictly dancehall not reggaeton.

Hoping to come back soon De La Ghetto's next album will be released in August/September of this year featuring Mavado as well as Chris Brown. He hopes that this song will open him up to the dancehall market and open Mavado to the increasing reggaeton market.

GOKU,Uzumaki Naruto,Ichigo Kurosaki,Bruce Wayne-batman,Kal-El-Superman,Peter Parker-Spiderman,Rurouni Kenshin, Liono,Raphel, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello-TMNT,Yu GI,

 15-yo Jamaican violinist a gem

IRAWMA was a huge success

There is no underestimating a mother's love for her child.

STAR of the Month D'Angel and her son Marco Dean share a strong connection that the artiste cherishes above everything else.

One only has to mention the name Marco Dean and D'Angel smiles. Her 18-month-old son is her main focus.

Named by his father, Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis after his deceased brother, Marco Dean is D'Angel's first and only child.

While being an artiste can be time consuming, as an entertainer and mother, time management is what keeps D' Angel going.

"I have a full-time nanny and full family support. I always make sure even if I'm busy with work that I'm home before its time to get him tucked in for bed. I try my best to spend time with him. We read together and play together. In the mornings I leave my door open since his room is next to mine he wakes me up every morning," she says.

While having more children is not a part of her immediate plans, D'Angel is focused on making the necessary provisions to give her son the things that she never had growing up.

As for Marco Dean, D' Angel told The STAR that he is a lot like his famous father.

She says, "He displays a lot of his father's personality. He loves to dance and loves music. He's loving. He's a sweetheart."

He's very humorous; he's just a whole bundle of happiness and everyone around him loves him."

With two parents in the entertainment business, can the world expect Marco Dean to have a future in the 'biz'?

While D' Angel promises to nurture his talent, she is now focused on making sure he gets a good education.

Photo shoot with D'Angel and her son baby Marco-dean - Peta-Gaye Clahar Photos

D'Angel and her son Marco Dean play with his toys at home in St. Andrew yesterday.

he edition of the Peter King saga published in last Weekend's STAR is mild compared to the latest episode.

THE STAR, the actions of a male, high profile senior cop, who was involved in a threesome.

The cop, who was performing oral sex on one person, was in turn being attended to from behind by another man. When he came up for air, obviously still in the throes of ecstasy, the cop cried out, "... Kill me, kill me, kill me, breed me ..."

On another occasion, the same cop was seen dressed in a playboy bunny outfit, complete with ears and a fluffy tail. But he was not only dressed for the part as he had no problem dancing and bunny-hopping around.

A robbery attempt on a Toyota coaster was foiled yesterday afternoon after a plain-clothes policeman who was a passenger on the bus confronted the would-be robbers forcing them to flee.

According to police reports the bus was travelling in the Constant Spring area at 4 p.m., when one of two men pulled a firearm and attempted to rob the passengers on the bus. A police corporal attached to the St Andrew North police, who was also a passenger, challenged the gunman and a struggle ensued before the gunmen allegedly escaped into the Grants Pen area.

Deputy Superintendent and Operations Officer at the St Andrew North Division, Carol McKenzie said two female passengers were injured in the incident along with the policeman. "The left palm of the policeman was grazed by a bullet and two female passengers were shot and injured. None of the injuries are life threatening from the information we have received," DSP McKenzie said.

The officer added they have not yet been able to interview the policeman or the other witnesses in the matter to fully ascertain whether the shot were fired before or during the corporal's struggle with the gunman.

DSP McKenzie said a man from the Grants Pen area was picked up in connection with the incident, but subsequent investigations led to his release.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police are looking for up to three gunmen who shot a 7-year-old in Northwest Jacksonville Wednesday night. According to the police report, the boy was shot in the leg just after 8 p.m. while in the bedroom of his grandparents' house in the 1100 block of West 22nd Street. Police said they believe the bullet that came through the window of the bedroom came from a carjacking incident that was taking place outside. Neighbors told police they heard shouting in the street and saw three black men wearing masks trying to rob two victims. The witnesses heard at least three gunshots fired as the victims fled. Police said they believe it is one of those shots that hit the child. The R.L. Brown Elementary School student was taken to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center with non-life-threatening injures. Police said they believe the gunman could still be driving the white 1990 Buick LeSabre they that was stolen in the incident or a Jeep Cherokee with a Florida tag number beginning with X69. Police ask that anyone with any information that could help catch the gunman call 866-845-TIPS

CANNABIS is to be re-classified as a more dangerous drug but users will be let off TWICE before being prosecuted, it was announced yesterday.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith confirmed the drug will be moved from Class C to be Class B the level it was before being downgraded in 2004.

But she did not reinstate the original policy of arrest and charges, Instead smokers will only face prosecution and a criminal record after their third offence.

The first time they are caught they will get a warning, and the second an £80 on-the-spot fine.

A third offence runs the risk of five years  jail.

Ms Smith, who upgraded the drug against the advice of the Governments own council of experts, said she was especially worried about teens using super-strength skunk.

She said  I want it to be clearly understood that this new powerful form of cannabis is an illegal and harmful drug.

The upgrade will also see anti-cannabis warnings printed on packets of cigarette papers.

HIALEAH, Fla. -- A convicted killer faces a new murder charge after the severed limbs of a South Florida jeweler were found in trash bins throughout a Miami suburb. Guillermo Denis Gonzalez is being held without bond at the Miami-Dade County jail on a charge of first-degree murder. Jail records early Thursday did not show whether he had an attorney. Authorities said the jeweler's body parts were found Saturday wrapped in garbage bags in four trash bins across Hialeah's warehouse district. Detectives said Gonzalez's fingerprints were on the bags and surveillance video shows him placing garbage bags inside one bin. Hialeah's police chief says Gonzalez confessed to stabbing Sergio Quintero and dismembering him after an argument. Gonzalez was convicted of second-degree murder in 1992 and released from state prison in 2004.

 

signals were cause for concern, but now one University of Bath researcher has a little data to back that up. Vassilis Kostakos placed four Bluetooth receivers in the city's center for four months, during which he and his team tracked over 10,000 BT-enabled mobiles. According to Mr. Kostakos, they were able to "capture and analyze people's encounters in pubs, streets and shops." He continued on to mention that "Bluetooth is now more of a privacy threat than the more frequently publicized RFID chips," and he encouraged worried denizens to turn off the BT function on their phone to help curb the paranoia. Of course, that won't stop Privacy advocates have long since pointed out that the sniff-ability of BluetoothBig Brother from seeing your every move whilst in the UK, but whatever helps you sleep better is alright with us.

This new top 5 may be better suited than what is currently used on MZJA to share files.

Best Online File Sharing Services according to lifehacker.

Whether you're trying to share megabytes worth of music with a friend or send an important document to a coworker, nothing outshines a fast, easy-to-use file-sharing service. On Tuesday we asked you to share your favorite file-sharing service, and over 200 nominations later, we've rounded up the five most popular services. Hit the jump for a look at the top five, and then cast your vote for the ultimate file-sharing service.

-- Edited by WiZZLa at 20:43, 2008-05-08

Fiery from Kingston to Priory

When he used to be called 'Kulcha Melody', the artiste known as Fiery struggled to establish himself as a dominant artiste in the music business.

But a string of recent events have transformed the young deejay into the artiste he had always wanted to become. Sadly, it took the death of an icon to force him to make that leap.

"When Joseph Hill died, I just retired the name, let him keep it, and I decided to take on a different persona," he explained to One876Entertainment.com.

He took an 18 month break from the music biz for personal reasons, and for a chance to reconfigure his life and reassess his priorities. Now he is back, and is ready to, in his words, 'run at them again'.

Re-christened 'Fiery' which is more in keeping with his b****astic and loud personality, this young firebrand is about to inject dancehall music with a  much-needed boost of creativity, conviction and passion.

"It is not a fire like Capleton, I am a loud, explosive kind of character, in-your-face, fiery, that is my kind of character. I got the name from an engineer, who after him hear mi voice one day, said, 'that fiery' and mi just adopt the name," he said.

"Fiery from Kingston to Priory."

Fiery grew up in the parish of St. Ann where he was influenced by his friends to get involved in music because of the awesome power and sheer melodic quality of his voice.

He began to record songs, but began to raise eyebrows with a song called 'Stress (Upon I and I)' for which he shot a video that got rotation on cable stations, especially in rural Jamaica.

"Mi get a whole heap of recognition for that song," he said.

Then he struggled in the wilderness for a while before he was discovered by a pair of men who believe in his ability. His supporting management team includes Desmond Shirley of Solid Sound and Austin Green from Payday Music. They recorded a single called 'Life Over Death' which is now getting great rotation on local radio.

Not content with that success, Fiery is busy working on a batch of new songs including a wonderful gem of a song called 'Times Did Hard But it Wuss Now'.

One of the verses goes:
Now, me see rain ah fall and still drought a gwaan
Not a grain of corn fi Gussie fowl at all
Mi see hungry weep and baby bawl
And sufferation steep till it ah climb the wall

Fiery is a modern day revolutionary poet clothed in the garb of an entertainer. Look out for him on a radio dial near to you, his words breathe an uncommon fire that will not be cooled.

Child abuse crisis - Hundreds of cases reported since January
published: Thursday | May 8, 2008

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The Children's Registry has disclosed that it has received more than 700 reports of child abuse, including sexual and physical mistreatment, since the start of the year.

This has prompted Children's Advocate Mary Clarke to demand that more resources be allocated for the counselling of abused children.

The Ministry of Health currently undertakes counselling through its guidance clinics across the island. The Child Development Agency (CDA) does some counselling, but Clarke said this is not enough.

"What we need are more therapeutic interventions for children who have been severely impacted by child abuse," she said.

Up to press time last night, Alison Anderson, chief executive officer of the CDA, could not be reached for a comment.

An individual who is aware of a a case of child abuse but fails to report it to the Children's Registry can be fined a maximum of $500,000 in court, sentenced to six months in prison, or be subjected to both penalties.

Clarke, however, said she was pleased that there was a greater level of awareness of the rights of children to protection.

Shocking

Sylvester Anderson, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica, has expressed shock at the number of reported cases of child abuse since January.

"To have so many reported cases is indeed surprising," he told The Gleaner yesterday, adding that he would have expected fewer reports, given the heightened discussions on the rights of children.

Anderson encouraged parents to ensure the safety of their children.

Meanwhile, Grace-Ann McFarlane, acting children's registrar, said as more people become aware of the Children's Registry, the number of reports of child abuse increases.

She also noted that a number of calls were made by the mandatory reporters, such as doctors and teachers.

McFarlane explained that when the reports are received, they are either sent to the CDA, the Office of the Children's Advocate, or both, for investigation.

Procedure

The outcome of the cases are forwarded to the registry for action to be taken.

"It is really urgent and critical that persons don't turn a blind eye to the abuses that are happening to our children," McFarlane said.

She was unaware of any prosecution for the failure to report abuse against children, but said several abusers have been prosecuted.

Already a veteran of the music business and a legend in his country, Trinidad, Machel Montano has been taking his taste of soca rhythms to the masses for decades and is now being recognized internationally for it.

At the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) held on Sunday, May 4th at the Apollo Theater in New York, Montano walked away with not only the most wins of the night but also the most coveted awards of the night. These include the Bob Marley Entertainer of the Year, Most Outstanding Stage Personality of the Year and Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer awards.

TW LW WOC Artiste Name - Song Title - Record Label
01 01 11 Busy Signal-Pon Di Edge-Star Kutt-2wks@#1
02 03 10 Demarco-Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten-John John--Shot to Watch
03 02 12 Beenie Man- Wine Gal-TJ Records-4wks@#1
04 04 09 Mykal Rose-Shoot Out-John John
05 05 07 Busy Signal-Unknown Number-Juke Boxx
06 08 06 Da'Ville-Yesterday-Fashozy Records
07 07 08 Spice- Whoa-Truck Back
08 10 05 Damian & Stephen Marley-The Mission-Baby G
09 06 17 Serani feat.Bugle-DOH-Daseca-3wks@#1
10 11 05 Mavado-On The Rock-Baby G

Although patrons were slow in turning out for 'Venom', at the Students' Activity Centre, UTech last Friday night, selectors and artistes who passed through the event ensured that the party stayed afloat.

The venue was still scantily occupied when The STAR team arrived at minutes after 12 a.m., as the majority of patrons there were quite content with standing on the periphery, leaving a massive space in the middle of the venue.

The musical vibe and ex-citement was more centred around the selectors rather than in the audience, as the likes of Bass Odyssey, DJ Bengel, Chro-matic and ZJ Liquid delivered tunes across all eras of dancehall.

Beenie Man's King of the Dancehall, a slew of hits from the popular Diwali rhythm, like Wayne Marshall's Overcome, Bounty Killer's Sufferer and Party Time by Danny English and Egg Nogg, provided patrons with much dancing opportunity, but not many were willing to step out in the video light.

Even when one of the selectors begged, "Mi waan si all a di girl dem weh know seh dem look good jus come up front an gi mi a wine, please mi a beg unno", not many persons took up his offer as he played Elephant Man's Egyptian Wine.

Tunes like Red Bull and Guinness by Delly Ranks and Chino, Whe Dem A Do by Mavado and Aidonia's Watch It Mek Mi Squeeze Off stirred up some much-needed vibes as the party went into high gear.

At 1:30 a.m., patrons were treated to live entertainment from the likes of Erup, whose performance did not gain him much forward until he delivered his hit single Gyal A Run Dem Head.

Again, after the break from the short burst of energy on stage, patrons went back into their cruising zone, as selectors again tried to stir the vibes with tunes like Bukkam by Aidonia and Bounty Killer, and Aidonia's From Dem Dis. However, the selector had to pause on Vegas' Hot Wuk to ask, "uno don't know di tune, uno don't know di tune? Uno boring like".

However, a few more rounds of gun tunes from the likes of Mavado with Real McCoy and Bounty Killer's Gun Nuh Stick managed to build another hype going into the final live per-formance segment when Munga Honorebel climbed unto the small stage next to the selector's booth at approximately 2:30 a.m.

Munga declared, "a bad man segment now - a di gangsta ras", as he sang, Bad From Mi Born.

After Munga performed snippets of his popular tunes like, "dem bwoy deh nuh bad like I", Hollow Point joined him on stage for a short stint before the two made their exit.

ZJ Liquid had taken over on the turntables for a few minutes before the party was brought to a close at 3 a.m. By then patrons were hesitant to leave, as another party vibe had started to build.

Yea, how some gal say dem hot and dem nuh have no curves and turns or the tight, juicy stuff? How dem just straight like a two by four so, and dem pretty pink miserable like a day inna Iraq? Yea, ah dat mi say. Ah money inna mi tings, Abena to the world! Ah coulda wah tek dutty 876radio, dem a live inna mi style like how lice live inna some gal hole and have the heart fi say dem a number one. A coulda wah tek some dutty, mangy, cross-breed gal who ah feed dem pickney pon bag juice and evaporated milk? Me ah the queen ah dis, ah me run dis, PIRATES, come outta mi style, wah dem feel like?

SUMMER SIZZLE 2008 OR NOT?
Will there be a Summer Sizzle this year or not? Beenie said that it would be held on August 2 of this year forcing Capleton to change the date of his show. But apparently, the details of the event are not concrete yet because Beenie Man has not been able to secure a major sponsor who can bankroll the event and secure the international stars that Beenie is accustomed to showcasing at the event. Summer Sizzle was not held last year but we hope it will return with a bang. Beenie we say, right Racquel? Beenie till the last breath.

ANTHONY B TO SHOOT VIDEO IN NEW YORK
Anthony B will be shooting a video in New York over the weekend. Mi hear say one ah we ah go up fi cover it, more than likely, ah management ah get the chance fi go but mi nah say nothing, mi nah complain. Big up Anthony B, mi hear say yu mash up Portugal the other day, one festival name Queima das Fitas where you were the only reggae act. And now, yu a shoot video ah New York, how you one so hype?

FREAKY-DEEKY SEX TAPES FOR SALE
Whoi, mi body! If me laugh too hard, mi pum pum hurt me, the way it tight. How so much well-known people ah get caught in the act? Tink is only the schoolers dem a videotape demself ah have sex? Yu woulda surprise, mi see a sex video the other day wid a very prominent businessman, but mi caan even call dem name because we caan afford fi get sue. Is buy me buy a copy from mi DVD friend ah Cross Roads, but Jamaica, it deep, how dem gwaan like dem squeaky clean and dem a live dutty life? Whoi, mi body! Story soon come to bump.

THE PEOPLE WAAN FI KNOW
Where did Mavado buy his piece of the rock the other day? Mi hear say is a big piece of land and him ah go build him MTV Cribs mansion.

Which hot gal radio disc jockey fly up to celebrate the big Rastafarian singer birthday the other day? It deep.

Ah who and Einstein kick off wid inna the Alliance?

Will Danny English beat the case? We will find out in July.

Is there a new policy by the US Embassy to take away artistes' visas?

Who rob Olie, Sizzla's publicist?

The Rev. Al Sharpton made good on his promise of civil disobedience and a vow to shut this city down in response to the acquittal of three New York police officers in the shooting death of Sean Bell by leading a protest in rush hour traffic yesterday.

Along with hundreds of supportersincluding Bells widow, Nicole Paultre-Bell, and mother, protesters blocked entry to several of the citys busiest bridges. The demonstrations took place at Queensboro Bridge , the Triborough Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the Holland Tunnel and the Queens Mid-town Tunnel.

According to a report by the New York Times, the largest bloc of demonstrators protested outside of police headquarters in Manhattan .

216 people, including Sharpton, the other two victims in the shooting, and Paultre-Bell were arrested during the peaceful demonstration.

While other high profile police killings in the New York area have been met with protests, advocates say they will not stop until justice for Sean Bell is served.

"We're going to keep coming until we get federal indictments. It's wrong," one man told the Associated Press.

Even drivers caught up in the traffic jam seemed supportive, and not too upset at the delays.

"I disagree with doing anything illegal, but, hey, this is what makes America great," Aaron Hanson told the AP while waiting to get into a tunnel. "If this is what people really need to do to make a statement, it's what they should do."

Sharpton and Bells relatives are scheduled to meet with New York City Governor David Paterson today.

Despite the acquittal, the NYPD has not ruled out disciplinary action against the officers.

Beenie man preformed last weekend at flamboyant park in surinam.
According to an eyewitness the fight started because some Surinam singers start to sing againt the politici and police.
The DJ tuned the volume of the music down.
After the concert Beenie man walked up to him and gave him a hit in the face.
The DJ broke his tooth, had a cut in his face.
The DJ called his brother who came to the park as they saw Beenie man drive away with 3 other man, the brother tried to stop them but they fired a shot.
The DJ and his brother drove to the police station and filled in a complain.
The police arrested Beenie man sunday.

Will Sizzla be denied European Visa?

One876Entertainment.com understand that Jamaican artiste, Sizzla may not be granted a Schengen visa for his European tour because of the 'homophobic nature of his songs".

According to the website, pinknews.com, the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany (LSVD) has said it has been told by the country's Interior Ministry that homophobic Jamaican performer Sizzla will not be granted a Schengen visa for his proposed European tour this month.

One876Entertainment.com understands that the German Foreign Office also phoned the gay rights group to say that their embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, confirmed that the singer has songs in his repertoire that meet the legal criterion of "incitement of the people."

The Schengen Agreement between 29 nations on the continent of Europe allows free movement across their borders.

A common Schengen visa allows tourists access to all the countries party to the agreement, you may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen zone.

"The Jamaican citizen Miguel Collins (Sizzla Kalonji) calls in several of his songs for the murder and homicide of gays," pinknews reported an LSVD spokesman saying.

"It appears that Sizzla's name is now in the Schengen information system, with the consequence that he does not receive entry in the Schengen zone. Into this non-public data base persons are registered, that among other things are unwanted or have an outstanding arrest warrant in Schengen zone."

The LSVD spokesperson seemed to celebrate the outcome.

"The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) communicated to us today, that due to our letter to BMI and the Foreign Office (AA) - responsible for the granting of visas - " the necessary legal measures for the prevention of entry in the Schengen zone have been taken. At the end of March we had asked BMI and AA for exactly this outcome," the LSVD spokesman said.

However, when One876Entertainment.com contacted Olimatta Taal, Sizzla's publicist, she said that Sizzla had already left the island enroute to Poland where he would kick off his tour tomorrow.

"It's just one organisation that has issued a release, I have not heard it from any other news organisation, but I don't know why they are still messing with him...he never signed the Reggae Compassionate Act...but there was an agreement that they would be leaving these artistes alone. The majority of his catalogue of 40 albums are clean songs, it just shows how organised the gay community is, we in reggae music have to unite," she told One876Entertainment.com.

"Why don't the gays talk about the molestation of black boys by gays, Sheldon Pusey was raped and molested by former trade ambassador Peter King and the incarceration of black men in jail, they need to stop trying to force their Eurocentric ideals on us and spread their propoganda. They have been doing it for centuries, trying to oppress black people, and our artistes represent poor black people and their continued efforts is depriving the communities which these artistes support of necessary income. We have a right to freedom of speech, and we will continue to exercise that right," she said.

Several of Sizzla's tour dates are slated to take place in Germany. Checks with Sizzla's Myspace revealed that the first 15 dates have the words 'To Be Advised' assigned to them.

Arnett keep hopes alive
published: Thursday | May 8, 2008

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Arnett Gardens' Fabian Davis struggles to keep the ball away from August Town's Calbert Coke in their National Premier League (NPL) clash at the Tony Spaulding Complex yesterday. Arnett won 2-0 to keep their hopes of staying in the top flight alive. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

THEY ARE not safe yet, but Arnett Gardens took a major step in soothing the relegation fears of their fans with a much-needed 2-0 win over August Town at the Tony Spaulding Complex yesterday.

The win for Arnett closed the door firmly on August Town's two-season tenure in the top flight, leaving the survival battle to be fought between four teams on the final day of the season.

Reno also put themselves in an excellent position to remain in the top flight following a 3-2 win over Village United. Meanwhile, St Georges, who are still looking for their first win of the final round, put themselves in a tough spot following a 0-0 draw with Seba.

Relegation zone

The draw places the Portland team in the relegation zone for the first time this season. At the Tony Spaulding Complex, Kwame Richardson may have scored one of the most important goals for the 'Junglists' in recent times when he broke away from the August Town backline to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.

Up until then, Richardson had been the target of the crowd's frustration and was about to be substituted when he found the back of the net. The striker brought even more cheers from his former critics when he set up Kevin Wilson with a low cross in the 80th minute, which saw Wilson seal August Town's fate with a simple tap in. "The players knew the position they were in and they rose to the occasion today. In all fairness, we should have scored more goals," said Arnett coach Jerome Waite.

"Arnett is a team everybody knows, no one would like to see them down to the Super League we put ourselves in this position and we have to get ourselves out," he said.

In need of a win

Needing a point to secure their safety, Arnett, on 43 points, travel to face Seba, who are stuck on 41 points, in their final game on Sunday.

Desperately in need of a win, Georges, also on 41, will host Reno (43) while August Town (35) tackle Village (46) in a meaningless fixture.

At Brancourt, league champions Portmore United showed no signs of slowing down as they came from behind to clip Sporting Central 2-1.

Dominating the first half of play, Sporting Central's Ian Palmer could have put his team in the lead in the 19th minute but headed a Hugan Grey cross wide of goal.

Made amends

However, he made amends in the 31st minute after receiving a through ball, before dismissing Portmore custodian Shawn Sawyers to knock the ball into an empty goal. The Sporting Central celebration was short lived as Portmore United replied two minutes later through a Steve Morrissey header.

Portmore United then took the lead in the 75th minute thanks to a penalty from a ball handled in the area. Captain Anthony Modeste converted from the spot.

At Drewsland, striker Leon Strickland opened his Premier League account for fifth-place Waterhouse with a hat-trick, but saw the team go down 4-3 to Tivoli Gardens.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Arnett	2

Kwame Richardson 67th, Kevin Wilson 80th

August Town	0

Seba	0
St Georges	0

Sporting Central	1

LeVaughn Williams 31st

Portmore	2

Steven Morrissey 32nd, Anthony Modeste 75th (pen)

Reno	3

Ricardo Scott 6th, 17th, Draion McNain 77th

Village	2

Devron Clarke 27th, Ronaldo Scott 75th

Waterhouse	3

Leon Strickland 26th, 72nd, 76th

Tivoli	4

Craig Stewart 34th, Jermaine Taylor 51st, Jermaine Gray 62nd, Roland Dean 81st

Sony's next-gen TV claims

Thursday Talk - Summer Sizzle 2008 or not?

Yea, how some gal say dem hot and dem nuh have no curves and turns or the tight, juicy stuff? How dem just straight like a two by four so, and dem pretty pink miserable like a day inna Iraq? Yea, ah dat mi say. Ah money inna mi tings, Abena to the world! Ah coulda wah tek dutty 876radio, dem a live inna mi style like how lice live inna some gal hole and have the heart fi say dem a number one. A coulda wah tek some dutty, mangy, cross-breed gal who ah feed dem pickney pon bag juice and evaporated milk? Me ah the queen ah dis, ah me run dis, PIRATES, come outta mi style, wah dem feel like?

SUMMER SIZZLE 2008 OR NOT?
Will there be a Summer Sizzle this year or not? Beenie said that it would be held on August 2 of this year forcing Capleton to change the date of his show. But apparently, the details of the event are not concrete yet because Beenie Man has not been able to secure a major sponsor who can bankroll the event and secure the international stars that Beenie is accustomed to showcasing at the event. Summer Sizzle was not held last year but we hope it will return with a bang. Beenie we say, right Racquel? Beenie till the last breath.

ANTHONY B TO SHOOT VIDEO IN NEW YORK
Anthony B will be shooting a video in New York over the weekend. Mi hear say one ah we ah go up fi cover it, more than likely, ah management ah get the chance fi go but mi nah say nothing, mi nah complain. Big up Anthony B, mi hear say yu mash up Portugal the other day, one festival name Queima das Fitas where you were the only reggae act. And now, yu a shoot video ah New York, how you one so hype?

FREAKY-DEEKY SEX TAPES FOR SALE
Whoi, mi body! If me laugh too hard, mi pum pum hurt me, the way it tight. How so much well-known people ah get caught in the act? Tink is only the schoolers dem a videotape demself ah have sex? Yu woulda surprise, mi see a sex video the other day wid a very prominent businessman, but mi caan even call dem name because we caan afford fi get sue. Is buy me buy a copy from mi DVD friend ah Cross Roads, but Jamaica, it deep, how dem gwaan like dem squeaky clean and dem a live dutty life? Whoi, mi body! Story soon come to bump.

THE PEOPLE WAAN FI KNOW
Where did Mavado buy his piece of the rock the other day? Mi hear say is a big piece of land and him ah go build him MTV Cribs mansion.

Which hot gal radio disc jockey fly up to celebrate the big Rastafarian singer birthday the other day? It deep.

Ah who and Einstein kick off wid inna the Alliance?

Will Danny English beat the case? We will find out in July.

Is there a new policy by the US Embassy to take away artistes' visas?

Who rob Olie, Sizzla's publicist?

The Sharp Zaurus name might not be quite the force it once was, but it certainly still has its die-hard fan base, as evidenced by the recent efforts of some enterprising individuals to get Android up and running on the slightly out-dated hardware. Now it looks like you can chalk up another OS port to its list of accomplishments, with an early release of Ubuntu now available for the handheld. As you might expect, the 0.1 release is a pretty stripped down affair, with the entire download weighing in at a mere 80MB. Omegamoon, the individual responsible for the port (as well as the aforementioned Android hack), is also quick to point out that it's not exactly a practical option just yet, adding that, "there's a lot left to tweak of course, but a full-blown Ubuntu is on it's way." If you're the adventuresome type, however, you can find everything you need to get things rolling by hitting up the link below.

Judge Sherman Ross tried to assemble a jury of peers for a woman accused of possession of a marijuana on trial Tuesday.

But authorities say prospective juror Cornelia Mayo might have taken that concept a bit too far after she was caught smoking a joint outside the courthouse during a break.

The 49-year-old Houston woman was one of 20 people in a jury pool in Criminal Court at Law No. 10.

Ross said he realized something was wrong when juror No. 2, Mayo, didn't return from a 45-minute break. Before the judge could file a bench warrant for the missing juror, his bailiff got a call from police notifying him that Mayo was being booked on a charge of smoking marijuana outside the criminal courthouse.

"I've had prospective jurors get lost before, but it never occurred to me that they might be getting ready for a marijuana trial by, allegedly, smoking marijuana," Ross said.

He also said it was a strange coincidence for a court that also sees trials for DWI's, family violence and many other misdemeanors.

"It's the first weed case I've tried in years," Ross said. "People usually plead out."

The former juror was charged with possession of marijuana. She is scheduled to be arraigned next week in Criminal Court at Law No. 11 across the hall from Ross' courtroom.

Mayo remained in the Harris County Jail on a $500 bail Tuesday night and could not be reached for comment.

The 27th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) went off without a hitch on Sunday, May 4 at the Apollo Theater in historic Harlem, New York. The red carpet arrivals were exciting as entertainers from the reggae and soca worlds turned out in their suits and gowns to mingle with media and hopefully pick up an award.

This year's IRAWMA's stayed true to its name by handing out the most awards of the night to soca star Machel Montano, a true "world" artist, who also won the most coveted award of the night, the "Bob Marley Entertainer of the Year Award." Reggae stars Beenie Man (who was missing in action), Tarrus Riley, Ky-Mani Marley and Stephen Marley (also MIA) each walked away with two trophies.

The ladies owned the stage that night, however, with a flawless set  from "Best Female Vocalist" Etana, an exciting performance from Jadine, "The Soca Deva," and spicy appearances from dancehall queens Ce' Cile, D'Angel and Macka Diamond. The audience was also treated to a heartfelt performance from Ky-Mani Marley, with his rendition of his father's romantic "Turn Your Lights Down Low." The legendary Dean Frasier and members of Shaggy's band and Third World's band backed the entire show.  The most entertaining artist of the night was Shaggy, who told the audience he had bought out the bar and drinks were on him for the rest of the night.

The show ended with the customary congregation of all the entertainers joining vocal forces on stage for Bob Marley's "One Love," as the curtains came down on another successful awards show. IRAWMA president Ephraim Martin is already looking forward to a bigger and better show come next year, and thanks all the sponsors and entertainers for making this show possible.

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TO ALL MY SOUND KINGS & QUEENS

All the i dem must know say dis sound sytem culture a come from as early as the late forties to early fifties in jamaica so we must all try an preserve this culture.I am on a drive to open a sound system mueseum in jamaica an every one that truly love this art form will have to help to make this become a reality. All who have long time video clips of sound systems playing can start dig them up an make copies cause we will need all the info an material we can get. We will need pictures, books, old equipments an everything you guys can part with to help this become a reality.This is not going to be a easy task but with the help of god this can become a reality. I will be on a drive worldwide to get cash and kind to make this happen. We got to preserve our history. No sound or selector will be left out no matter how big or small they be.Link up everyone post this everywhere an lets do this.This culture have so much history so we got to preserve it.You can link me at rickytrooper876@yahoo.com for now as i will be setting up a site for the project an all info will be available to you at that site. god bless an keep playing the music.

While many Facebook users may be secretly surfing the social networking site on the job, many Canadians say they are willing to let their employer look at their profiles, according to a poll released on Wednesday.

Almost half of 1,200 people questioned in an online survey said they would be comfortable sharing their personal profile with their current employer, while two in five would consider letting prospective employers look at their Facebook account in addition to their resume.

"Everybody is trying to figure out the best thing to do with it and our sense is 'embrace it'," said Brian Singh, managing director of ZINC Research, which conducted the poll with Dufferin Research.

Many Canadian companies and government departments have blocked office Internet access to Facebook, the most popular social networking site in the country.

The poll showed that out of Facebook's 9 million Canadian members, almost 9 in 10 adults aged 18 to 34 use the site. Singh suggested that more people are censoring potentially embarra**ing information.

"The days of getting drunk and getting all your pictures posted online, that's gone," he said.

Singh added that companies should be taking advantage of the social networking phenomenon, rather than trying to keep it out of the office.

"Most employers are trying to figure out how Facebook can make a positive contribution to their operations," said Singh.

"While the platform presents many opportunities and cost efficiencies for marketing and information, it is its strength in connection and engagement that can be used to attract and retain talent and build a vibrant company culture."