Criminals in downtown Kingston are using universal car keys to steal a number of Toyota Hiace and Townace vehicles.

This developing trend is of serious concern to the police and they are warning persons who park these types of vehicles in the downtown area to be extra careful.

According to the police, the criminals possess a key which allows them to have instant access these model vehicles, and have stolen at least four vehicles in the last three weeks.

"The criminals have a universal key for the Toyota Hiace and the Townace, they can just go to the vehicle and enter it pretty much like it is there own," said a police attached to the Kingston Central Police Division.

The police source told THE STAR that the most recent cases were about a week ago at the intersection of Water Lane and Orange Street. Another incident was reported to have taken place on West Street.

A man who was previously sentenced to prison twice under two different names was again sentenced for another crime yesterday under another name.

The accused, Fitzroy Burrell, otherwise known as 'Kennedy Mckie' and 'Kurt Robertson', was sentenced to prison for cocaine-related charges when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The accused was represented by his attorney when he pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to export cocaine.

drug mule

The court was informed that Burrell swallowed three-and-a-quarter pounds of cocaine as he attempted to export it the island.

The court was also told that Burrell had previous convictions for the same offences and had been imprisoned under his other aliases.

Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey provided Burrell's attorney with an opportunity to convince her why her client should not be sent to prison. However, the reasons given were considered unsatisfactory.

Subsequently, before RM Pusey decided upon the length of the sentence, she commented to Burrell that "Mr Whatsoever your name is, you can't give your lawyer these impossible tasks...''

The congregation of the Riverside New Testament Church in Hanover, are now mourning the death of their pastor, Reverend Keaven Dixon, who was shot and killed at the Hopewell High School yesterday morning.

The pastor, who was 32 years old, was shot as he spoke on his cellular phone outside the school's offices where he went to collect his acceptance letter for a teaching position at the school come September.

The school's principal, Joyce Irving, told THE STAR: "We are very shocked and traumatised by the incident. While no school was in session, the daCosta Cup football team was in training camp behind the school." She added, "We are very disheartened by the incident and our hearts go out to the relatives of Keaven Dixon."

Reports are that the gunman went to the school and demanded to speak with the principal, before pointing a gun at the secretary. She reportedly released the door and allowed him into the office. He then reportedly proceeded to bang loudly on the principal's door, however she raised an alarm and he left.

It is reported that on his way out, the gunman saw Dixon on his phone and shot him in the upper body. He died while being treated at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

When THE STAR visited the pastor's community of Riverside, the residents all described his death as an unfortunate tragedy. The church has also been forced to cancel its annual rally which was scheduled to begin today. "Jah know, dem kill a good man. Him was a down-to-earth man who got along with everyone in the area, and the person who kill him, fi him conscience nah go make him live long," a Rastafarian said.

Khago

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival Song Competition was once the stomping ground of the most popular Jamaican entertainers, whose performances and recordings transcended the time and space of the contest. However, the Festival Song days of Toots and the Maytals and The Jamaicans, among others, have long faded with even the contest's recent winners failing to garner a wide, loyal listenership even during the season.

So Khago's Reggae Sumfest debut was striking not only because the relative newcomer's good delivery, stage movement and transition between songs deservedly struck home with the huge Dancehall Night audience, but also because of his JCDC contest background. Khago entered the contest twice. He placed third and also won Best Video in 2006 with Only if You Know and improved to second place in 2007 with 'Been There'.

On last Thursday's Dancehall Night Khago came on after Voicemail's emotional performance and there was a buzz of welcome for him. He opened with Cyaan Cool for the first thunderous crowd response of the night. Then, asking those at Sumfest who have a true friend to put up their hands, he declared "nah sell out me fren dem", again to a rapturous response.

"A six year me a wait fe Sumfest! From yu done informer go so!" Khago demanded, indicating the required action and many persons in the crowd following.

He turned his attention to the women with the uptempo 'Fresh and Clean', taking a seat to inform more calmly "you make me see Zion". The cougars in the audience may have been satisfied when Khago paid homage to the 'Big Woman' and he closed his Sumfest debut with the tribute to his father, Daddy From You Gone. However, he adjusted a line for the occasion, intoning a gritty "so me go a Sumfest pon a big bad riddim ...", closing off a strong debut on the festival.

Sumfest organisers are still basking in the glow of what they believe was one of the best Reggae Sumfest festivals.

The 18th staging of the event ended with a bang last Saturday night with R&B superstar Usher who gave the crowd a long and satisfying performance alongside fellow R&B crooner Chris Brown, who delighted the crowd on the night before. Chairman of Summerfest Productions, Robert Russell, told THE STAR yesterday that despite the rain that fell throughout the weekend, it was one of the best Sumfest's ever.

He said, "our two headline acts (Usher and Chris Brown) really performed fantastically well. They did wonderful sets, they really made the festival what it was."

braving the rain

He further said: "If there was sunshine for that weekend, it would have been one of the best Sumfests ever. It really shows you how good it was and a credit to the festival and its performers that, despite the rain, people were willing to turn out and brave the experience."

Still tallying the number of patrons who attended the event, Russell said that Friday night got the lowest attendance due to the rain that fell throughout most of the night. One of the downfalls of the event was the muddy venue that Russell said they did their best to stop. He said, however, that they plan to implement measures to prevent that from happening again next year.

OCHO RIOS, St Ann The army and the police are insisting that an extension of the State of Emergency would have strengthened the efforts of the security forces in their push to flush out criminals islandwide.

Defending his organisation's call for an extension of the State of Emergency, Colonel General Staff at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Rocky Meade, on Friday likened the country's crime problem to a serious illness and said the just-lifted State of Emergency was the antidote

"I assure you that if you don't allow us to complete the dosage, it's going to be worse next time, so we need your support and the emergency powers would have allowed us to efficiently deal with this problem," Colonel Meade told business leaders Friday during a Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) president's forum at Sunset Jamaica Grande in St Ann.

In a similar vein, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said: "The work which we started on the 23rd of May is not over. It could not have been completed in the short space of time, between then and now. We were anticipating an extension of those limited powers so we could have completed the job," he said.

Meade noted that the high rates of murder and other crimes in the country were symptoms of an underlying illness which could be effectively treated by an extension of the State of Emergency.

"The high murder rate, as bad as is it, is simply a symptom of the problem we have and you all were not convinced of what the illness was before the 23rd of May," Meade said.

"You've all got to realise what the illness is, but the illness is not yet cured," Meade said. "The operation must be sustained and that continued emergency powers would have further strengthened the security forces' efforts."

The Colonel said the events of May 23, in which organised criminal gangs launched an attack on the security forces, demonstrated that criminal elements were willing and had some ability to challenge the State.

Ellington added that organised crime was one of the most credible threats to the country's national security system.

He, however, said the security forces were committed in the fight against criminals and expressed optimism that the crime fighting strategies now being crafted would be successful.

Between May 23 when the operation started, and last Friday, the security forces said they had seized 113 illegal weapons, including 57 high-powered shotguns and rifles, and more than 15,000 rounds of ammunition in West Kingston.

An additional 29 illegal weapons and more than 1,200 rounds of ammunition have also been seized in the last two months.

For his part, PSOJ President Joseph Matalon again expressed disappointment with the events in parliament on Tuesday which led to the discontinuation of the State of Emergency.

With the Governing Jamaica Labour Party short six of its MPs, the People's National Party (PNP) members abstained en bloc, effectively defeating the Government's motion to extend the limited State of Emergency by a month.

The motion needed at least 31 votes to pass, but though it received all 25 from the JLP, it was not enough against the 18 abstentions by the PNP.

(Reuters) - The Force was with a man when he robbed a bank wearing a Darth Vader mask and a cape.

Armed with a gun instead of a light saber, the man entered a Chase bank branch in Setauket, New York, about 50 miles east of New York City, on Thursday and demanded cash from a teller, police said. He fled through a parking lot with an undisclosed amount of money.

The bandit dressed as the "Star Wars" villain was part of a mini-outbreak of unusual bank robbers in the New York area.

Earlier this week, New York City police arrested a man accused of robbing two banks with a bunch of flowers and a potted plant.

Young Money rapper Drakes Best I Ever Had hit is reportedly the target in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed this month by Playboy Enterprises.

WTF is going on, It must be Copyright infringement season because everyone is getting hit with this ish!!! Stop sampling and make you on tracks.

According to reports, the smash hit illegally samples another song.

The suit accuses Drake, Cash Money Records and Universal of Copyright Infringement. The song sampled at the beginning of Best I Ever Had is allegedly their song, Fallin In Love, byHamilton, Joe Frankand Dennison/Reynolds. The copyright for the music belongs to Playboy Music, Inc. and Plaintiff, Playboy Enterprises, is its successor in interest. Since Playboy claims that the infringing conduct is continuing and ongoing, they want the court to issue an injunction, which pretty much means that they want the defendants to stop selling/distributing the song, and to stop making money off of it. Of course, Playboy also wants Drake and his peeps to account for all profits, gains and advantages made off of their song, and they want Drake to pay costs and attorneys fees.

Playboy claims Drake and company likely had prior knowledge of the sample.

[They] knew or should have reasonably known, that the sound recording was protected by copyright and that each Defendant continues to infringe upon Plaintiffs rights in and to the copyrighted sound recording. (Rap Radar)

Tarrus Riley - Contributed

Singer Tarrus Riley is not only excited about his upcoming Reggae Sumfest performance on Saturday night, but also about his upcoming performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

THE WEEKEND STAR recently spoke with the singer who, for the first time, will be performing at the Hollywood Bowl in California, a night after his Sumfest appearance.

The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheatre in Hollywood, California, used primarily for music performances. The Bowl has been the stage for historic performances from the likes of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross and Run DMC, among a host of other music greats.

Riley will be performing alongside reggae greats Jimmy Cliff, as well as Sly and Robbie, at the event dubbed 'Reggae Night'.

He said: "It's a big deal for me, because of the audience that will be there and the place, the venue is like a stadium. Is big people perform there and, so far, I've heard that 15,000 tickets have been sold already." Riley will be in California for three days before jetting off to Europe for two weeks, then back to America to perform.

Before his touring, however, the singer is promising another great performance at Reggae Sumfest on International Night 2. "Expect the unexpected, I've been rehearsing and working hard, cause yuh know we come to give the people real music, the real deal so that people will get the message," he said.

A former senior cop could be in trouble with the law, after it is alleged that he assaulted and wounded a police officer at the Cross Roads Police Station yesterday.

The former policeman served the force for over 30 years and is now employed to another organisation.

Reports reaching THE WEEKEND STAR are that sometime after 2:30 p.m., an officer and a colleague were at the station when the accused man entered and demanded the use of the room to conduct a transaction. The officers reportedly told him that the room was being occupied as they were both having lunch and provided the ex-cop with a chair.

It is further alleged that the man was not satisfied with that arrangement and proceeded to chase another policeman from a room on the compound. The officer, THE WEEKEND STAR was told, went to the room and informed the ex-cop that he had to leave the room as it was being used by the policeman. Reports say the ex-cop refused to leave and began behaving boisterously.

cautioned

The officer reportedly cautioned the ex-cop and told him he would be arrested for failing to move and keep on moving. Reports say the officer was pushed by the former cop, who resisted arrest, causing the handcuffs to slice the policeman's hand in the process.

THE WEEKEND STAR was told that the former cop was not arrested, but a report of resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and unlawful wounding, was made against him.

The Kingston east police are to lay charges against a 'fake' doctor who has allegedly been operating in the Mountain View area for a number of years.

THE WEEKEND STAR learnt that the man is expected to be charged by detectives today after being held on Tuesday night along Mountain View Avenue.

According to Deputy Superintendent H.E. Williams of the Elletson Road police, the man was held during the curfew which was imposed on sections of east Kingston on Tuesday.

His vehicle was reportedly stopped and during a search medical equipment was allegedly found.

This arose the suspicion of the police who decided to conduct further checks which led them to the home of the man.

During a subsequent search of that premises, other medical equipment along with a stash of pharmaceutical items were also allegedly found.

It was later revealed that he was not licensed to be a doctor and was actually urged by the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) to desist from the practice but ignored the warning.

equipment

We found some equipment in his vehicle and we subsequently went to his house where we found some pharmaceuticals ... Checks revealed he was warned by the MAJ to stop but he didn't ...," the officer told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Other sources from the division told THE WEEKEND STAR that the man ran his business like any certified doctor would. They claim a number of patient files were found at the premises during the search.

Meanwhile, a number of residents from Mountain View Avenue expressed shock at hearing that the man was operating illegally. Though none admitted to soliciting his services, they all claimed to knowing of someone who had done so before and even claimed their ailments were taken care of.

"A lie yu a tell?" a 26-year-old male resident said. "Mi did a hear di argument eno but mi neva know a real ting, a down to wah day a sistren weh mi know go to him and seh she get prescription and ting eno cause di flu mussi did a deal wid har a way ... And afterwards, she say she feel betta," he claimed.

Another resident went as far as to describe the man a nice fellow who nobody would have guessed was operating illegally.

"If yu see him you wouldn't know, trust mi ... All now mi cyaa believe, yu can imagine how much wrong prescription him sign," the woman said.

The leader of the feared Stinger gang, Ricardo 'Government' Wynter was fatally shot yesterday after he reportedly challenged the police in a shoot-out.

Police say about 11:40 a.m., Wynter engaged members from the Area 4 police in a gun fight in Hellshire, St. Catherine.

Police indicated that three persons where arrested on Wednesday who they suspect are a part of the leadership structure of the Stinger Gang. Wynter who was listed as a main person of interest following the May 24 operations in west Kingston, among other members from the gang failed to turn himself in to the police.

The St Andrew South police requested Wynter for an interview with regards to a number of murders and shootings especially those committed on May 24, on Whitfield Avenue off Maxfield Avenue.

ARTURO A Valenzuela, the United States assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, is to visit Jamaica during a five-day trip to the Caribbean from July 25 to 30 that will also include stops in the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.

According to a press release posted on the US State Department's website yesterday, Valenzuela will meet with senior officials to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, economic opportunity and competiveness, energy, environment, and health initiatives.

"While in The Bahamas, the Assistant Secretary will meet with high level government officials, Bahamian journalists, business leaders, and prominent members of academia," the release stated.

"Assistant Secretary Valenzuela will then travel to Jamaica where he will meet with senior government officials, as well as young Jamaican entrepreneurs, youth advocates, social/community-based activists, and leaders of the academic and business communities," it added.

Valenzuela, it said, will conclude his trip in Trinidad and Tobago, where he will meet with newly elected and appointed government officials. He also will meet with academics and students, local media representatives, and community leaders.

VALENZUELA... will meet with senior government officials as well as young entrepreneurs and youth advocates in Jamaica

A dazzling dancing display from US singer Chris Brown at the Catherine Hall venue in Montego Bay had groupies glued to the front of the stage, screaming and tearing out their hair, fervently hoping for the slightest hint of acknowledgement of their presence.

And the heavily-tatooed Chris Brown played them to the hilt --just as he did the entire Catherine Hall, stretching out to touch their clawing hands, but not quite meeting the target, gyrating his ever-so-athletic body, somersaulting, defying gravity, making pulsating pronouncements while grabbing his crotch. And he also did his songs, live and direct but coupled with heavy lip-syncing which he made absolutely no attempt to hide. Brown delivered a package whose entertainment quotient was undeniable, despite being so heavily dance driven.

High on energy and with youth in his favour, the 21-year-old Brown, whose career had taken a battering when his physical abuse of then girlfriend, pop princess Rihanna was made public in 2009, was a dynamo. Armed with his four equally talented male dancers, a drummer and a selector he delivered a tight, well-orchestrated set in which he made sure to incorporate Jamaican culture.

Casually attired in a pair of khaki shorts, open-front shirt covering his merino, a baseball cap with a red bandana handkerchief hanging loosely from his back pocket, Brown launched his set with Wall to Wall, starting off a mad frenzy which crescendoed as he reeled off other biggies from his repertoire including Gimme Dat, Run It, Say Yow, Brown Skin Girl, and With You. His forwards were huge and when he paid tribute to dancehall by performing tunes like Kartel's Clarks and showed his knowlegdge of the lingua and the dance moves he had it totally made with the Jamaican audience.

At the end of his hour-long performance on stage there was an exodus from the mud-splattered venue, on a night which failed to lure the usual Friday night high attendance. No doubt the rain during the day played a role in the low turnout on International Night One, but that dd not stop the artistes from delivering great performances. Even Jah Cure, who came immediately after Chris Brown, gave a performance which was much improved over his recent Reggae Sumfest showings. Jah Cure, who wisely chose the best from his repertoire, and took time to introduce some of his songs, was full of thanks when the audience showed their appreciation. His Call On Me and Unconditional Love inspired and at the end of his performance there was the premiere of his video which was shot on location in Cuba.

Also giving a decent showing on International Night one was the man whose song has been enjoying Billboard presence, Gyptian. Quite comfortable on stage and with his female dancers in tow, Gyptian brought on stage artistes Sugar Roy and Conrad Crystal with whom he has the hit Culture cover Jah Jah See Dem A Come and a nattily attired Nitchie Kutchie, whom he called his "bredren". Of course, he had to do Hod Yuh, but not before he delivered songs like Serious Times from his debut album and made a case for his fans to purchase his new CD. "We have over a million people in Jamaica, so why reggae artistes can't sell a million copies?" he queried. "My new CD is out, please go out and buy it," he said with a brilliant smile. Then he gave what seems to be his signature sound, a guttural "rrrrrr" and held the audience captive as he delivered Hold Yuh.

The females on the line-up, Etana and Queen Ifrica, were not to be outdone. Etana came with a package. Her frisky male and female dancers stayed with her throughout, weaving her set together as she took the audience on a ride with songs such as August Town, Free, Warrior Love, Wrong Address, I Am Not Afraid and Crazy Love in which she acknowledged her husband, Andre, who was watching her in the wings.

Whereas the Strong One was passionate, the Fyah Mumma, Queen Ifrica was cultural and forthright. The empress from Mo Bay entered centrestage with a Lion of Judah chant and quickly moved into such gems as Mi Nah Bleach, Welcome to Montego Bay and Below the Waist.

Among the early performers who delivered well were Canada-based reggae act, Steele, who made his Sumfest debut in fine style and singer Hezron. Rated as Canada's number one reggae singer, Steele has, over the years, collected numerous awards and on Saturday night he showed why he has been deserving of such accolades.

Jamaican sprint legend in Slovenia 4x100m team

BARCELONA, Spain Fifty-year-old Merlene Ottey could become the oldest athlete to compete at the European Championships after Slovenia named the sprinter to its 4x100 metres relay team.

She has won 29 medals at major competitions, including seven Olympics starting with Moscow in 1980.

Ottey, who first raced for Slovenia in the championships four years ago, has already clocked 11.84 seconds over 100 metres this season. She was second in the Slovenian championships.

French marathon runner Nicole Brakebusch-Leveque is currently the oldest athlete to compete in the European games at the age of 47.

NEW YORK, USA Hotly debating the events which ended the State of Emergency in their homeland, Jamaican nationals here are concerned about a possible resurgence of high rates of murder and other criminal activities.

Interviews conducted by the Sunday Observer here, reveal that many Jamaicans are upset at the turn of events surrounding the State of Emergency.

Pennsylvania businessman, Hugh Robinson, said he was "upset over the entire affair", arguing that both sides should have worked harder to find common ground.

Cornel Henry, a former correctional officer, described as unfortunate, the stance taken by the Parliamentary Opposition. So too, said Keith N Smellie, head of the non-profit Ex-Correctional Officers Association.

Introduced at the height of the Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition saga in May, the measure has been credited with Jamaica recording a significant reduction in murders, extortion and other violent crimes over the two-month period.

But on Tuesday, Opposition legislators abstained from voting for a second 30-day extension, offering a 15-day compromise instead, which the Government rejected.

The most scathing response came from Claudia Pyke who heads the New York chapter of Generation 2000, the young professional affiliate of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

Accusing People's National Party (PNP) parliamentarians of politicising the issue, Pyke urged the Government "to have the governor general declare another State of Emergency to continue the gains made so far in reducing the criminal activities".

While not making a direct link between the discontinuation of the State of Emergency and the murder of four people in Bog Walk, St Catherine Thursday night, Pyke noted that it might not be a co-incidence that the shootings took place on the very day the security forces ceased to have emergency powers.

Airline Johnson, a sales clerk, agreed with Pyke that the State of Emergency should not have been lifted.

But not everyone here is unhappy.

Former member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Dwight P Bailey for example, said the move was never intended to be a long-term crime-fighting tool.

Voicemail's Kevin Blair and Craig Jackson broke down and wept bitterly on Thursday night, as reality struck that their friend and brother Oniel Edwards was no longer the third leg in their act.

The only thing that separated the tears that flowed from their eyes and the large crowd inside the Reggae Sumfest artistes' VIP area were the flaps on the 20x20-foot tent that gave them enough privacy to mourn Edwards, who was robbed and killed by gunmen three months ago.

"I am still trying to come to terms with the reality that he is not here. Every now and then we will have these breakdown spells," admitted Jackson.

Blair, Jackson and the late Edwards had performed as a trio on several of the world's greatest reggae festivals, but with Edwards missing this Dancehall Night, "We felt like we were standing on one leg," revealed a sombre-looking Kevin Blair, while adding that when he looked to his left and right he didn't see the man he considered as not just a friend, but a brother.

Most painful performance

This wasn't their first appearance on a stage since Edwards' death, but it was the biggest event yet and the most painful to date, the two revealed. All the pent-up emotion burst like a floodgate when the lyrics, "Talk bout you pickney, talk bout you youth" from the popular Sweat Rhythm was being sung by them.

"Oniel always introduced that song, and when we were onstage it hit home that he wasn't the one doing it," explained Blair, just before describing the poignant roller coaster that they have been going through.

"It was extremely heavy and very hard, acknowledging that he is actually not coming back," the two opened up to The Gleaner candidly.

"Sumfest is an event that we, all three of us, look forward to annually, particularly Oniel," said Blair, adding that the magnitude of the event, the vibes, the energy and the international appeal was the drawing card.

With no intention of replacing their 'third leg', Craig Jackson spoke of the group as, "It's still three of us, two in living colour and one in spirit".

The two men will always remember the drive Edwards had in wanting to achieve more, but when they exited the Reggae Sumfest stage on Friday morning, they felt fulfilled, having successfully executed another performance at the event.

Impressive set

Their set was approximately 15 minutes long, and they drew from an impressive compilation which included Wacky Dip, Nuh Behaviour and Praise His Name.

Wacky Dip for Voicemail was a tribute to Gerald 'Bogle' Levy, who also died tragically, and a song that Oniel Edwards enjoyed performing.

Edwards is survived by Jackson, Blair and a four-month-old baby, Neahlis, who was barely a month old when her father was killed.

With no lingering feuds, Thursday night's Dancehall Night segment of ReggaeEntertainment Centre, in Montego Bay, was a rather mild affair, as the stinging and oftentimes contentious lyrics of former years was replaced by much more sober offerings. Sumfest 2010 at the Catherine Hall

In fact, the highlight of the night was probably the special award presented to a rather mellow Bounty Killer, who was specially recognised for his contribution to Jamaica's music and the unselfish manner in which he has allowed other artistes, who subsequently became stars, to flourish under his watch.

In his performance, which came prior to him receiving the award, Bounty Killer openly discussed his recent troubles, which included being jailed and losing his United States visa.

Fight against poverty

The veteran DJ also used the opportunity to call on the government to show some urgency in the fight against poverty, especially in the wake of the recent state of emergency and the displacement of high-profile dons.

Outside of his social commentary, which included a tongue lashing of 'shottas', whom he labelled, "wasted sperm" and "society's germs", Bounty Killer also demonstrated his lyrical sharpness, exciting the crowd with songs like, Bad Man a Bad Man, Just Mek a Duppy, Can't Believe Me Eye, Poor People Fed Up, Riding West and This Is How We Do It, in combination with Elephant Man.

The night's major drawing card, controversial deejay Vybz Kartel, who closed the show, created quite a buzz when, with the recorded newscast of his recent arrest blaring through the massive speakers, he was led to centre-stage in handcuffs, clad in a US-style orange prison jump suit.

With blasting firecrackers greeting his entrance, Kartel went straight into lyrical overdrive as soon as the handcuffs were removed. He soon had the fans in frenzy, belting out songs such as, Out a Road Again, Idler, Shotta Zone, Bicycle, Virginity and Romping Shop.

However, with the morning sun out in its glory, fans steadily began to drift towards the exits with Kartel in the peak of his performance.

Mavado, like Bounty Killer, played a most composed set, steering clear of any contentious lyrics. In fact, he was a picture of maturity as he delivered songs such as, Me de Gal Dem a Mad Over, Pon The House Top and the suggestive Come Into My Room, which was expertly delivered in combination with Stacious.

Mavado's well-deserved encore

Mavado, who also went the social commentary route, called on politicians to pay greater attention to the needs of the people, and was called back for a well-deserved encore.

In between heaping praise on Bounty Killer for helping to advance his career, Mavado again rocked the crowd with offerings such as, Real McKoy, Hope and Pray and Messing with My Heart, done in combination with Wayne Marshall.

In terms of real dancehall offering, the female entourage, which included Spice, Cecil, Stacious, D'Angel and Tifa, stood extremely tall, demonstrating genuine star power, as they dished out rich dancehall material, much to the delight of the appreciative fans.

Spice was particularly sharp. After announcing her presence in a song entitled, Bruce Me Wah Hold You, which was directed at Prime Minister Bruce Golding, she kept the tempo bubbling with, Rampin Shop, Daggering, Fight Over Man and Slim vs Fluffy, which featured Pamputae and several dancers including radio personality Ms Kitty.

Singers Khago, I-Octane and Bescenta ably represented the conscious side of the dancehall, demonstrating that they have the lyrical capacity and stagecraft to take the international scene by storm. Khago was impressive, dazzling with songs such as, Can't Cool, Longing to Touch You and Daddy.

Taz, Chino, Konshens and Canada-based singjay King Ujah all served up quite pleasing sets, and showed themselves worthy of being dubbed the next generation of stars.

Among the seasoned campaigners, Assassin again served notice that he was ready to become Jamaica's next big international act.

Of the other artistes who were on show, Elephant Man, Aidonia, Kiprich, the two surviving members of Voicemail, Charley Blacks, Ikaya and Ding Dong all played a pivotal role in keeping the fans, who braved the somewhat muddy conditions, to spend the entire night at the venue.

MEXICO CITY Investigators said Saturday they have found 51 corpses in two days of digging in a field near a trash dump outside the northern city of Monterrey, as excavations continued at one of the largest clandestine body dumping grounds in Mexico's *lo**y drug war.

The attorney general of Nuevo Leon state, where Monterrey is located, said the victims included 48 men and 3 women. There so many bodies that authorities were using refrigerated trucks to hold them, Alejandro Garza y Garza told local television.

Investigators are still struggling to identify the remains but suspect drug traffickers are involved.

"The majority of these bodies have tattoos of different types that could give us an indication about whether they belonged to one group or another and, among other things, determine whether they were linked to organized crime," Garza y Garza said.

He added that investigators were nearing the end of their search.

"We have practically covered all the area where we think there might be this sort of thing," Garza y Garza said. "In general terms, we are wrapping it up."

A state government spokesman said the bodies have been found both whole and in parts, with some buried in pits and others on or near the surface. The spokesman, who was not authorized to be quoted by name, said an anonymous phone tip led authorities to the site on Thursday.

The muddy conditions underfoot at the Catherine Hall home of Reggae Sumfest did nothing to dampen the spirits of the thousands of patrons who turned up for the first major night of the festival, which is this year celebrating its 18th year.

The vibe inside the venue was accentuated by the strong performances which hit the stage. The Artistes clearly did their homework and presented tight, well-rehearsed sets which proved to be quite entertaining and worthy of making it to the festivals main stage.

Some of the early acts to prove their worth on Thursday night were Tifa, Charley Blacks, CeCile, with surprise act Tanto Blacks, Ding Dong and the Ravers Clavers crew, DAngel and Stacious. And on Friday night Gyptian, Etana and Romain Virgo

The set featuring the duo of Kevin and Craig of Voicemail was tinged with emotion as both spoke to missing their brother the late ONeil Edwards. Their tribute performance, although lacking ONeils vibe, was uplifting from the opening, which featured the Kingston College Chapel Choir.

At the time of filing, the major acts including Mavado, Bounty Killer who is to be honoured- Spice, I-Octane, Agent Sasco and the highly anticipated Vybz Kartel, were yet to take to the stage.

The Jamaica National Group, the Caribbean's largest building society saw a moderate increase in its after tax surplus for the 2010 year ended March 31, says General Manager Earl Jarrett.

Consisting of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and its subsidiaries, the JN Group recorded a J$1.2 billion after tax surplus during the year. This represented a six per cent increase, or approximately J$69 million over the previous year.

"This growth resulted from the J$381 million increase in our operating surplus," said Mr. Jarrett, "and, the operating surplus expanded by 30 per cent to J$1.6 billion."

The Group achieved growth in several of its key indicators, as new initiatives were launched to drive business and help members of the Society to weather the economic crisis, he stated. This was achieved against the background of one the most challenging periods in the 136 year history of JNBS; and the adjustments in the Jamaican economy.

Mr. Carlton Barclay, Assistant General Manager, Finance, Administration and Planning said that in 2009 there was an J$873 million unrealized foreign exchange gain accompanied by a J$197 million gain on the disposal of a business unit. This was offset by J$561 million impairment loss on equities and a large J$650 million tax bill. The smaller J$474 million 2010 tax bill has thus resulted in a slightly higher profit although there were no comparable unrealized gains or gains from disposal of business units or impairment losses on equities.

"The buoyant operating surplus itself was based on a 13 per cent growth in interest on loans to J$5.2 billion, along with a 36 per cent rise in interest on investments to J$8.5 billion. Interest expense jumped 30 per cent to J$6.4 billion, leaving net interest revenue of J$7.3 billion," Mr. Barclay explained.

He noted that other operating revenue fell by six per cent to J$3 billion and operating expenses were contained at J$8.7 billion, a rise of 10 per cent, ultimately tying back to the operating surplus. And, revenue growth was boosted by an aggressive marketing programme aimed at attracting deposits with attractive rates.

Barclay further added that the Jamaica National Group also started the process of enhancing operational efficiency from as early as 2007. "We have been reshaping our internal processes and developing new service channels such as our ATM and online facilities to drive down costs while improving service delivery," he said.

Investments for the fiscal year totaled J$52 billion, up 17 per cent on the previous year, while the savings portfolio of J$67.7 billion grew 14.5 per cent. And loans totaled J$43.4 billion, up 13.3 per cent on the prior year. He said, "Overall, we had a decent performance."

The Assistant General Mnager concluded: "Our balance sheet continues to show positive growth, which is indicated by the increase in our investment and loan portfolios, our savings and capital and reserves."

Mr. Jarrett noted that programmes were also launched to assist members to weather the economic crisis with rebates provided to targeted groups of mortgagors and the building society also dropping its mortgage upkeep savings requirement.

"The new 'Membership Matters' customer service mantra was adopted last year when a survey revealed that many of our members were not aware of the advantages open to them. The mantra was aimed at reminding members about the many benefits they can derive from their membership in the building society," he stated.

Another key initiative, which supported Member loyalty and revenue growth, was a series of financial planning sessions in locations across the island and in its key international markets, to which members were invited during the year. At these sessions members were informed about the nature of the global and national financial crisis, how the JN Group was responding, and provided with options for the management of their financial portfolios.

"Despite the fact that interest rates fell, we recorded strong growth in interest income," Mr. Jarrett pointed out. "The investment portfolio also recorded an increase indicating that members have responded to our advice that, even in these difficult times, they should continue to save."

GOVERNOR General Sir Patrick Allen has signed the six anti-crime bills which were recently passed by the Houses of Parliament, and which will give the security forces additional power in arresting the country's high crime rate, even with the end of the State of Emergency at midnight Thursday.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced Thursday that the six anti-crime bills had received the governor general's assent and were to be gazetted and brought into effect yesterday.

Golding, in an address to the nation Wednesday night, said the anti-crime bills would be among the measures expected to come into effect soon to help the security forces in their crime-fighting measures.

The Government, after failing to get the support of the Opposition for a one-month extension of the State of Public Emergency in the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine, announced that a number of measures would be fast tracked to complement the crime fighting plans of the security forces when the State of Emergency expired.

The bills are:

* An act to amend the Bail Act;

* An act to make interim provision extending the powers of arrest and

detention under Sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act;

* An act to further amend the Firearms Act;

* An act to amend the Offences Against the Person Act;

* An act to amend the Parole Act; and

* An act to make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances.

In the meantime, the prime minister said work was being done as a matter of utmost priority on the Organized Crime Act which will include specific powers to deal with organised criminal gangs. He said much greater use is now being made of the Proceeds of Crime Act, including the provisions for civil forfeiture to help in disabling the activities of crime bosses.

Also, additional equipment for the security forces is being procured and the Government is working with the private sector to secure additional vehicles within the shortest possible time, Golding said in his national broadcast.

FOUR persons, including three members of one family, were shot and killed by gunmen who invaded their Pleasant Hill home in Bog Walk, St Catherine, Thursday night.

The attack happened two hours before the midnight expiration of a limited State of Public Emergency that for the past month had kept the illegal guns in the parish relatively quiet.

The dead have been identified as 41-year-old Audrey Thomas, her son Keniel McForka, 19, and her 40-year-old common-law husband Waymon Williams; and family friend Shakira Clarke, 20, who was visiting at the time. Clarke, a customer service representative, lived in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew.

The identity of a fifth person, who was shot and injured during the invasion, was not released up to press time last night.

Residents, who gathered at the death scene, said they heard loud explosions minutes to 10 Thursday night and alerted the police who, upon investigation, found the five in their two-bedroom wooden house with bullet wounds.

The five were taken to hospital where Thomas, McForka, Williams and Clarke died, while the fifth person was admitted in serious condition, according to the official report from the Constabulary Communication Network.

Police said they found several AK-47 and 9mm spent shells as well as four live rounds at the scene.

The killings have left shell-shocked residents of the rural community concerned about their own safety.

"Right now we need some changes around here," one woman said. "We tired of the violence, we tired of it!"

Yesterday, family members as well as neighbours described the deceased as kind-hearted individuals who took it upon themselves to care for a blind man in the community, even building him a wooden house.

"Last night I had my last meal," said the blind man, as he tried to come to terms with what was happening around him.

Meantime, several children in the community bemoaned the fact that McForka would not be able to give them prizes he promised them on Thursday while they were playing a game a football.

Up to press time last night the St Catherine North police had not established a motive for the killings.

CLASSIFYING 'SHOTTAS' as "waste sperm", the man tagged 'Five Star General', Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Pryce, said it was time for the Government to replace dons, commence the fight against poverty, and leave the police to carry out the job of crime fighting.

A seemingly new and mature Pryce, in a militant and philosophical performance, surprised the thousands who turned out for Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest on Thursday when he openly supported the security forces and called on the Government to act now, with the state of emergency out of the way.

State of urgency

"We now need a 'state of urgency'," he asserted, adding that it should be geared towards correcting the ills that had been meted out to the people of Jamaica by successive governments.

"Poor people fed up," he stated, making reference to his 1999 hit song of the same name, while using his 45-minute stint to call on the other artistes at the Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, complex to collaborate in restoring peace to the country.

The DJ, dubbed 'Warlord', is known for belting out unbridled gun lyrics.

But as he preached and taught from his pulpit - the stage - Pryce, who says he is now being managed by his mother, encouraged the people in the audience to show love by holding the hand of the person next to them. His words of encouragement were met with loud cheers.

Pryce was later honoured by Summerfest Productions, organisers of the event, for his outstanding contribution to reggae music and in particular, Reggae Sumfest.

The French Football Federation has suspended all 23 members of France's World Cup squad for their next game.

New France coach Laurent Blanc requested that no member of the squad be selected for a friendly against Norway in Oslo on 11 August.

France failed to win any of their three group games in South Africa.

The campaign included players boycotting training in support of Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.

The sanction means France's opening qualifier for Euro 2012, at home to Belarus on 3 September, will be the first opportunity for any of the 23 to feature in a Blanc squad.

Blanc said: "I obviously cannot act as if nothing had happened in South Africa.

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"I followed the events with sadness, I was disappointed with the sporting results and I was shocked by certain behaviours.

"I will integrate these elements into my analysis and my thoughts. I always had the principles, rules of conduct and not just in my sporting life. They have not changed and I will not change."

The crisis that engulfed Domenech's last tournament as national coach resulted in the resignation of FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, with his successor due to be unveiled on Friday.

The one-day training strike, on 20 June, came after Chelsea forward Anelka was sent home from the tournament following a heated exchange with Domenech at half-time during the defeat to Mexico on 17 June.

France captain Patrice Evra accused a "traitor" within the party of leaking details of Anelka's rant to the media and of destabilising the squad, and the skipper was then seen arguing with fitness coach Robert Duverne at the start of the scheduled training session.

Duverne stormed off the training ground and the players headed for their bus and refused to train, leaving Domenech to read a statement to the press on their behalf.

Former France defenders Lilian Thuram and Marcel Desailly called for Evra to be banned from national team duty over his part in the insurrection, and Escalettes took a similar stance.

But Blanc said upon his unveiling as Domenech's successor: "It is not for me to decide on sanctions. I am not the bogeyman. If I consider they are the best players in their position, I will take them."

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has admitted that the decision to strike was "completely stupid".

The Lyon star told French sports newspaper L'Equipe: "We acted as a team. To strike was the decision of a squad who felt lonely, who believed that no-one had stood up for them and who had a message to convey.

"We went too far. It was a very awkward decision, a big mistake. It was completely stupid. But there were so many problems.

"We all want to improve the image of Les Bleus. We must make all possible effort, give everything. It's important for us.

"We must go back to basics - respect for the jersey, of course, the team and the institution of France.

"We have a great desire that what happened in South Africa should not happen again, that there should be no self-destruction like that any more."

Meanwhile Fernand Duchaussoy has been named as the FFF's interim president.

President of the Ligue du Football Amateur since 2005, the 67-year-old Fernand Duchaussoy succeeds Jean-Pierre Escalettes, whose resignation was accepted at a 2 July 2 meeting of the federation's federal council but stayed on until a successor could be found.

Despite boasting a low crime rate, which is probably the lowest islandwide, the police in Portland are cautioning residents to be on the lookout for displaced criminals.

Police sources said they are well aware that criminals are now seeking a safe haven in rural parishes to rekindle their criminal activity, having been displaced from sections of west Kingston.

too comfortable

The Portland police have picked up more than six persons of interest from Kingston and St Catherine in Mill Bank, and have handed them over to the authorities.

Against that background, the police are warning Portlanders not to get too comfortable, but instead to be on the look out for strange persons and suspicious activities, which could derail the peace and tranquility of the parish.

eight murders

Last year, Portland recorded eight murders and just four have been recorded since January.

Meantime the police is advising residents, who may have sensitive information, to come forward and share it with them so that they will be able to act decisively.

Teenagers posing as sellers have been extorting money from frequent users of a lot located at the intersections of West and Barry streets in downtown Kingston.

The area, which serves as a parking lot, has been secured by the teens who collect $100 from customers after they have completed their usage.

A policeman from Kingston Central Division told THE WEEKEND STAR that it is illegal for the teens to collect money from the public for parking, however, they have not received any reports.

pose as sellers

"It is an illegal activity, however, we have not received any report or have been able to make an arrest," he said.

The teens, who walk around selling sweets, cigarettes and shoe polish among other items, pose as sellers when the security forces enter the lot to scrutinise the area, however, when they exit they resume collections.

protecting vehicles

One of the teenagers told THE WEEKEND STAR that they are not extorting, but protecting vehicles by preventing theft. He said people are able to go about their business freely without worrying about their vehicles being stolen.

"A nuh extort wi a extort dem innuh bossy, but hear wah, yuh si weh wi collect a ting, wi jus a mek sure sey dem vehicle safe till dem forward," he said.

A similar sentiment shared by the previous police officer was expressed by another, however, he indicated that the teens ensure that customers shopping downtown can do so safely at a small cost.