THE Jamaica dollar appreciated by one to three per cent against its three major traded currencies over the week to June 8, 2010.
Yesterday, on average the US dollar sold for 94 cents lower than a week earlier, or $87.18 to US$1 a one per cent appreciation. Similarly, the British pound sold for $3.37 lower, or $125.22 to Ł1 a three per cent appreciation and the Canadian sold for $1.71 lower, or $82.56 to CDN$1 a two per cent appreciation.
Over the three months to Jume 1, the local dollar appreciated by 4.3 per cent, 1.7 per cent and 1.26 per cent against the British pound, US dollar and Canadian dollar respectively.
The Jamaican dollar lost a quarter of its value against the greenback between September 2008 to February 2009 before stabilising around 89.50 in 2010. Additionally, over 12 months ending March 2010, the Jamaican dollar lost 41 per cent of its value against Australian dollar and 30.6 per cent against the Real. All movements were compiled utilising Bank of Jamaica data. The BOJ governor, Brian Wynter, last month stated in his quarterly press briefing that most of appreciation was influenced by net private and official capital inflows and, to a lesser extent, tourism receipts.
Since February, the Jamaican economy had been infused with funds geared at increasing the stability of its currency and accounts. It secured a US$1.2-billion ($107.4-billion) stand-by arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and an additional US$800 million ($71.6-billion) worth of multilateral loans US$200-million from the World Bank US$200-million and US$600 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). A measure of the increased confidence was the stability of the dollar and the 330 basis point dip in the yield curve on Government of Jamaica Global Bonds so far in 2010.
Musical juggling was being provided by Portmores number one sound system Area Code 876.
Barbee seemed very happy and upbeat and even took the time out to pose for a few pictures opt for some adoring fans, even one young boy, when he asked her response was anything for you baby as he snapped away.
We did manage to get a few shots and even a close up of her face (see pictures below)
 In the UNCENSORED video . . . you see Kim get it in with dude . . . and MY MAN GOES INNNNNN!!! For the UNCENSORED pics and video, click here |
Popular deejay Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis left the island for a 22-show European tour yesterday. However, not before he and selector Rolexx were charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.
The Hunts Bay police charged the men following Saturday's altercation with LA Lewis, who reported to the Duhaney Park police that he was attacked and punched in the mouth. The two were involved in an accident in which Beenie's Audi was damaged.
The incident reportedly occurred along Perkins Boulevard, St Andrew, following the funeral service for slain Voicemail member Oneil Edwards.
station bail
Police said Beenie Man turned himself in about 8 a.m. and was later granted $100,000 station bail after being interviewed and charged. Beenie Man will break from the tour to attend court.
"I made an application for bail for both of them and was successful. Superintendent Hewitt and Deputy Superintendent Malcolm of the Hunts Bay police were extremely cooperative," attorney-at-law Charles Ganga-Singh, who represents Beenie Man and Rolexx told THE STAR.
Beenie Man, the Grammy-winning artiste, was not his usual outspoken self yesterday as he decided to hide from the media.
While THE STAR team awaited him to exit the Hunts Bay Police Station, he somehow managed to get into a waiting Toyota Coaster undetected. People in his entourage waved and laughed as he was whisked away.
"Unnu get weh unnu come fah eeeh," a woman claiming to be a relative of Beenie Man jokingly said.
Ricky Trooper - Contributed
In a series of short videos posted on popular website, youtube.com, selector Ricky Trooper has declared: "Mi still nuh stop fly."
The veteran selector has made youtube.com once again. After ranting on two videos that were posted on OvaDiWallEnt's YouTube channel on March 21, under the title 'Ricky Trooper Tells All', Ricky Trooper continues to chronicle his travels in his latest videos titled 'Ricky Trooper in Europe'.
Now in two recent videos that were posted on Monday on 'TheTuffChin' Youtube Channel, Trooper chronicles his journey to Austria and Germany.
When previously contacted by THE STAR about the 'tell all' video, Trooper said the videos were recorded mid-January while he was in Atlanta celebrating his birthday. He claimed that although he was drinking liquor, he was not drunk but just felt like speaking his mind.
Shortly after the release of the popular video, Trooper was among a group of five entertainment persons whose United States visas were revoked. The list also included entertainers Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Aidonia and Mavado.
In the most recent videos on youtube.com of his trip to Europe, the first of which is a minute-long video titled 'Ricky Trooper in Europe', the selector says, "But yuh see today, mi nuh unda di influence of nuting at all yuh know. Man jus sober and man jus nice."
He goes on to talk about the recent crime situation in Jamaica, saying that crime is everywhere. Since being posted on Monday the video has received almost 3,000 views.
In the video he adds, "Some a talk bout yo dem tek weh yuh visa and yuh cyaan move, yo mi deh a Austria. Look behind me a di Alps dat, unnu see di Alps ... wha carry me come yah? Reggae music bring me come yah! Mek mi tell yuh summen, all di haters and fighters unnu can sey wha unnu waan sey. Yo mi deh a Austria, put it pon 'youchube' and 'demchube' and 'suchchube'. Unnu cyaan stop mi from travel, mi a travel!"
In the video titled 'Ricky Trooper in Europe (Germany Edition)' which is almost two minutes long, he says, "Unnu see dem ban mi from one country, yo, yuh know weh mi deh now, yo, put dis pon 'youchube' mi deh a Germany ... one door close man still a fly all ova di wurl, mi deh a Germany." The 'Germany Edition' has over 2,000 views since Monday.
THE stand-off between security forces and Dudus supporters in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, last week overshadowed a significant move towards peace in two other troubled Kingston communities.
Passers-by stood in amazement as residents from Big Yard and Cassava Piece, two long-standing rivals at the centre of a *lo**y feud, faced off in a busy parking lot off Mannings Hill Road.
But instead of trading bullets and harsh words which has been the norm between these warring factions, men, women and children bridged the long-standing divide with firm handshakes, hugs and a friendly smile.
Throngs of residents from both communities walked slowly towards each other, meeting on the imaginable half-way mark in the busy Super Value parking lot to broker the peace deal organised by the Rev Al Miller-led National Transformation Programme (NTP) and the Peace Management Initiative (PMI).
A week prior, members of the NTP and the PMI toured the Cassava Piece community which is aligned to dancehall entertainer, Mavado and Big Yard which has connections to rival deejay, Vybz Kartel. At both communities, residents who had expressed a deep desire to see an end to the constant *lo**-letting, sealed the deal with hearty handshakes and hugs.
Jennifer, a resident of Big Yard, was emotional as she hugged the young man from Cassava Piece who had threatened her son resulting in him being sent from the area to board elsewhere.
Overwhelmed at what was unfolding before her eyes, Jennifer said she had been praying for this peace for the longest while as the violence between both communities had made it impossible for her to even venture to night services at the nearby church.
I feel joyous and good, she said with a big smile.
Not only was she forced to send away her fourth form son, but her six-year-old son and granddaughter had to take the longer route to get to school as they could not pass through Cassava Piece.
Ah girl was carrying them through there one morning and someone shouted why you bring them through here, she told the Observer.
An outward showing of this new peace commitment for both communities will be the staging of a Labour Day clean-up project followed by a peace dance scheduled for today.
They have also pledged to form a joint peace committee to ensure that dialogue continues before a situation escalates. In support, the PMI will establish an empowerment group for the women in both communities.
You cant do anything about the past but you can do something about the future, Rev Miller told the peace meeting, stressing that without peace, prosperity and development could not come to their communities.
Following this persons were given the opportunity to air their grievances in bid to move forward,
Me heart a bleed right now and me glad we all here to witness what a gwaan because me hear people ah say we fi kill off we one another and that is what them want fi see but it nah go happen, said one of the players from Big Yard.
Noting that anyone who attempted to break the peace would be removed from the community, he said his side was committed to maintaining the new found unity.
Ivan Shaw, a resident of Cassava Piece and a peace facilitator, said they were committed to controlling the schoolboys and women who play a great role in the beginning of conflicts often started over petty issues.
Deejay Mavado, one of the key persons behind the peace initiative, urged the men to put aside their differences, even as he denied claims that he had been behind the spate of violence.
Ask them if me ever bring a rifle come give them, but at the same time me nah tell them not to defend themselves, he said. We nuh deh here because we fear them or them fear we but is because we want bring back the love, Mavado told the gathering.
He noted that even if Vybz Kartel, who was absent because of an overseas engagement, did not make it on that day, it should not impact the peace.
Even if Adi have a show then that nuh have nutten to do with it because me and Adi good, Mavado said.
ONE hundred and fifty six men have been taken into custody following the imposition of a new curfew in sections of downtown Kingston and St Andrew from 2:00 am today.
The men are being processed and interviewed by detectives. The police report that they have so far only been able to seize a number of imitation firearms.
The curfew runs until 2:00 am on Saturday. Its boundaries are as follows:
North along Penn Street and Baker Street.
South along Seventh Street, Asquith Street and Studley Park Road.
East along Slipe Pen Road between Studley Park Road and Baker Street.
West along Collie Smith Drive between Seventh Street and Penn Street using an imaginary line.
During the hours of the curfew all persons within the boundaries are required to remain within their premises unless otherwise authorised in writing by the member of the security forces who is in charge of enforcing the curfew.
ROME, Italy Asafa Powell has dominated the 100 metres so far this season, and the Jamaican sprinter believes he can only go "faster and faster."
Powell headlines the Golden Gala in Rome tomorrow, the latest event of the elite Diamond League series.
He ran a wind-aided 9.72 seconds to win in Oslo last week in his third major race of the year. He had the year's fastest legal time a week earlier, clocking 9.83 seconds in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Before that, he won in Doha with a wind-aided 9.81 after running a windy 9.75 in the heats.
"I'm just very excited about the way the season is going now," Powell said. "In my last race in Oslo, I had a sore groin and hamstring but the time was still very fast. I think as the season goes on I will continue to run faster and faster.
"Everything is going great with the races now and I am expecting to keep improving as the season progresses. Doha 9.75, Ostrava 9.83, Oslo 9.72. I'm excited to see what comes next."
Powell is hoping to use the absence of rivals Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay to close the gap on the duo. It is likely to be a long season for Powell culminating with the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, with a hoped-for showdown between Jamaican teammates Powell and Bolt in the 100.
A man who reportedly grabbed a policeman's gun from his holster and fired several shots at the lawman was shot and killed by another policeman last night.
The high drama took place about 7:20 p.m. in a volatile community in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
Information reaching THE STAR,from the Spanish Town police, is that several police officers were on duty along the busy March Pen Road. It is understood that a man, believed to be of unsound mind, sneaked up behind one of the policemen and grabbed his gun from his holster.
Police said after getting the weapon, the man pointed it and began firing at the lawmen who took evasive action by dropping to the ground. The man, the police said, continued firing but was shot by another policeman.
Upon being shot the man ran and jumped into a nearby canal, where he was later found dead.
Up to press time last night, police had not ascertained the man's identity. Likewise the police were unable to find their colleague's firearm, but were still searching the area.
Deejay Bounty Killer and one of his 'musical sons' Busy Signal recently completed the video for their collaboration Summn' A Guh Gwaan. The video was directed by the legendary Ras Kassa on Monday, June 7 at 10A West Kings Road, among other places.
The song has been receiving steady airplay and was produced by Shane Brown on his 'Damage Control' rhythm. Busy recently shot a video for his Peace Reigns single and Bounty Killer also recently shot a video for his collaboration with Elephant Man called How We Do It.
Director Ras Kassa on set at the video shoot of Busy Signal and Bounty Killer's song 'Summn' A Guh Gwaan'. - Contributed photos
Dancer/entertainer Ding Dong - File
The promoters for the 'Party Cup' event held in Trinidad on Saturday have advised their lawyers to make enquiries of the Trinidadian government as to why deejay Ding Dong was denied entry into that country.
When THE STAR spoke to Kemoni Richmond of Junglest International, organisers of 'Party Cup', which Ding Dong was scheduled to perform on, his lawyers were currently consulting with the Ministry of National Security and Immigration services in Trinidad to find out why the deejay would be placed on the 'blacklist.' On Friday night Ding Dong was unexpectedly denied entry upon arrival in the island.
When contacted, Ding Dong declined to comment on the matter.
'Party Cup' was to feature Ding Dong, as the main act but instead fans were treated to the Ravers Clavers crew, as well as Tony Matterhorn and Norris Man who gave last-minute performances in the place of the popular dancer-turned-deejay.
The promoter said the turnout was not as strong as it should have been approximating the loss from the event to be US$20,000.
artistes banned
Richmond said, "when he came here he was told he was on the list of artistes banned, which is a fact, but we the promoters didn't know about it. I don't understand this, he is not an artiste known for profanity or violence, he even promotes abstinence in school. Everybody knows Ding Dong is a fun artiste who does dance songs."
According to Richmond, the event was being promoted on the Internet, on the radio, via flyers and in the national newspapers two months prior and they were not informed by the government that he would be unable to attend. A first class ticket he says was also booked for Ding Dong on Caribbean Airlines.
"This is a total shock and disappointment to the country. He's one of the biggest things in the dancehall music in Trinidad right now, (and) the country was looking forward to seeing him," he said. Richmond said Ding Dong, who is known for songs like Holiday and Party Cup, was also booked by them in May of last year and performed with no problems.
He added, "I've heard that a lot of Jamaican artistes are on the list and the government should tell us who is on the list so we, the promoters, know who not to take bookings from. There is a lot of money involved and being lost."
Attempts were made to contact the Trinidadian Immigration services and the Minister of Security, but yielded no success.
Teen popstar Justin Bieber has been accused of getting too big for his rather small boots after he allegedly flew into a swear-word tirade on a TV chat show.
The 16-year-old was appearing on Australian morning chat show Sunrise when he allegedly told a member of the production team "don't ever %$#&*@ touch me again" when he was told where to perform. The heart-throb, who currently has a squeaky clean image, has strenuously denied the allegation, saying he would kill the rumours "with kindness".
But David Koch, co-host of the Australian show, claimed he was less than impressed by the young idol and said he needed "a slap". "Our floor manager was directing him to where he was about to perform and he turned around to [him] and said: 'Don't ever %$#&*@ touch me again'. And then [Bieber's] sound guy... said, 'don't take offence mate he tells us that all the time'."
According to Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph, seven other employees supported his statement. But the Canadian pop sensation wrote on Twitter that the account was not true, saying: "I was raised to respect others and not gossip...nor answer gossip with anger. I know my friends, family and fans know the person I am. Hearing adults spread lies and rumours is part of the job I guess. But all I have to say is... kill em with kindness."
Bieber was also accused of being 'a diva' at Radio One's Big Weekend in Wales. He reportedly refused to answer any questions about his new tattoo in an interview with Radio One DJ, Fearne Cotton. He is also thought to have driven around in a backstage buggy against event rules.
CAPTAIN Steven Gerrard is aiming to get England off to a flier - inspired by the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt.
Jamaican sprint star Bolt, who is the Olympic champion and world record holder over 100m and 200m, loves football and will be watching the World Cup avidly.
And, even though he is a staunch Manchester United fan, Liverpool legend Gerrard is one of his favourite players.
In fact, Bolt admires Gerrard so much he asked the Reds star for one of his shirts.
Gerrard, who obliged by signing the England one he wore against Egypt, said: "I'd heard Usain Bolt was a big football fan and it was really flattering that he wanted my shirt. I'm just disappointed I haven't got his pace.
"It's a pity he's a Man United fan though. I was going to ask him to one of our training sessions when he's in England but I might not bother now.
"Seriously Usain is an athlete I really look up to. As a sprinter he's the man isn't he? He's a winner, an inspiration, a character and someone I love watching."
Bolt revealed: "Even though I'm a big United fan I appreciate a great player when I see one.
"Steven Gerrard is one of my favourite players in the world. He is such a powerful footballer, full of energy and scores brilliant goals.
"I've always wanted a shirt from him to go in my collection with ones I have from players like Raul, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Kaka."
Source: The Sun
American soccer players have been on magazine covers and the nightly news shows in ever increasing numbers. The World Cup
is receiving unprecedented promotion in the United States.
"For the last six months all we've seen is U.S.-England," Landon Donovan said Wednesday. "And so, if you were a casual sports fan at home, you might think that this was the World Cup final, U.S. vs. England."
It's the first competitive meeting between the nations since the 1-0 American upset in the first round of the 1950 World Cup. Fans in both nations seem to be fascinated with the opposing team.
Well, that's natural given how much the U.S. and England are alike. As Winston Churchill said: "Two nations divided by a common language."
"It's an unprecedented moment, partly because of who we're playing, partly because of where the game is in the United States. Frankly, partly because of the promotion on television in Spanish and English," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. "So there will be a lot of people watching this game on Saturday, and it's one of those opportunities that we don't get very often."
England's stars are known from Broadway to Brighton. Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry and other Premier League stars are seen even more on U.S. television than they are on British TV.
And top American players such as Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard have become well known in the Premier League, as familiar in the colors of Everton and Fulham as they are in the red, white and blue.
While all the buzz may be about Saturday's game in Rustenberg, U.S. players say are giving equal emphasis to their other two first-round games, against Slovenia on June 18 and vs. Algeria on June 23. The England game is primary only because it comes first.
"I think we have a good understanding about the way it works in the first round, with three matches determining who moves on," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "Our ability to move through those games and those situations is something that we have experience with."
Four years ago, the U.S. was routed 3-0 by the Czech Republic in its opener. Even with a 1-1 draw against Italy, the Americans still had a chance to advance. Only with a 2-1 defeat to Ghana was the United States eliminated.
Players know that a team has a good chance to reach the knockout phase with four points and almost surely will with five. Players say they won't get too high or too low after the opener.
They think back to last year's Confederations Cup, when the U.S. started with a 3-1 loss to Italy and a 3-0 defeat against Brazil. To reach the semifinals, the Americans needed to beat Egypt by at least three goals while the world champion Italians lost to Brazil by at least three. The U.S. responded with a 3-0 victory, and Brazil won by the same score.
Then came one of the great upsets in American soccer history. Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey got goals in 2-0 victory over Spain, ending streaks of 15 wins and 35 unbeaten games for the European champion.
"Obviously there's a lot of talk about this first game, but, you know, we've proved last year that it is about the three games, that really matters as a collective," defender Jay DeMerit said. "These next two games are probably even more important for us. If we can get points from those two games, then we'll probably be through."
Last June, the U.S. took a 2-0 halftime lead over Brazil in the Confederations Cup final only to lose 3-2. While players were disappointed, Saturday's match is far more significant. And back home, more people are likely to be watching the U.S. team than in any game since at least the 1994 second-round World Cup loss to Brazil. That was at Stanford, Calif., when the Americans were the host.
"This game is about where the sport is in the U.S.," Gulati said. "It's water cooler talk. People are clearly talking about the U.S.-England game. You know, whether it's former students of mine that are writing to me or people that aren't normally involved in the game. They'll be doing it that day. They'll be doing it the next day. The question is what's happening on July 15? And so that's the opportunity we have. To get a whole bunch of people that might be casual observers, to get turned on by it, to get turned on by the hype.
"And I don't think there's any doubt that Americans are now more part of the World Cup and the international scene that they've been. And ticket buying and ratings will show that."
Donovan prefers to concentrate on the big picture.
"We have to be ready to react no matter what happens on Saturday," he said.
The 1950 win at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Joe Gaetjens' goal, was celebrated in the 2005 movie "The Game of Their Lives." Donovan didn't want to imagine what would happen if the U.S. wins again.
"I don't know who the hell would play me in a movie," he said. "I like Johnny Depp, though."
720 murders for the first 5 months, 99 more than at the same point last year. How does your parish stack up?
Baby mauled by fox 'feeling better'
A baby girl mauled by a fox as she slept is "a lot better", her grandmother has said.
Lola Koupparis and her twin sister Isabella, aged nine months, were found crying and covered in *lo** after the fox went into their upstairs bedroom and attacked them in their cots in Hackney, east London.
Family members have reportedly said that the fox attack could be "life-changing" for the twins.
Their mother discovered the girls looking "like something from a horror movie" after the mauling and described it as "like a living nightmare".
Lola had facial injuries and some puncture marks on her arm, while Isabella suffered injuries to her arm, she said.
A weeping mother has vowed to serve God and never to travel abroad for economic reasons after her son committed suicide yesterday.
Marcia Reid of Flankers, Montego Bay, cried uncontrollably after her 14-year-old son, Norris Smith, hanged himself on an ackee tree just chains from their house.
The suicide was allegedly in protest of his mother's plan to work in the United States.
Reid, a single mother of five, told The Gleaner that she had been working as a security guard on the night shift for 11 years and had become tired of struggling to make ends meet.
"Mi sit and talk with the three children now living with mi and explained the situation to them. Mi tell them mi was leaving for the US to work so life could be better for all of us.
"I told them I was going to leave them with someone, but would leave Norris with his father," a distraught Reid said.
She added: "Mi never know dem mean it when dem say if mi leave dem, they would kill themselves."
Ran off upset
The mother said she had worked Wednesday night but went to the hospital Thursday morning, as she was feeling ill. On her return home, she reminded Norris he would have to stay with his father as she was planning to leave sometime next week.
"Him just run off and the next time mi see him was when him hang himself. Oh God! Mi nuh deserve this. You want mi fi serve You and mi a go repent. Mi coming to You, God," she lamented.
Meanwhile, psychologist Dr Beverley Scott has urged parents to take suicidal threats seriously while simultaneously urging teenagers to confide in someone about their problems.
"Teenage years are very difficult years and they need to be mentored properly," she said.
Associates of accused drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke have reportedly headed to the north coast resort town of Ocho Rios. And they certainly haven't carried their beach towels and suntan lotion.
They have been trying to elude the police who have been hot on their heels since the security forces smashed through barricades in Tivoli Gardens to get their hands on Jamaica's No. 1 fugitive.
Meanwhile, the massive search operation continues in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town where 75 illegal guns and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition have already been found.
Three of the guns and 439 rounds of ammunition were found yesterday in Bread Lane, Denham Town.
No one was arrested in connection with the seizure and policemen involved in the search have argued that the gunmen have run to many quiet rural communities where they are now hiding.
Tivoli-denham town link
That theory has been given credence by the St Ann police, who, in the last week, have detained four men with Tivoli Gardens or Denham Town addresses.
Three of the men were held in Buckfield, St Ann, on Saturday where they were found in the company of a man with a Clarendon address. He was also taken into custody.
Yesterday, the St Ann police moved into Moneague where another man with a Tivoli Gardens address was held.
All four have been sent back to the Kingston Western Police Division where they were being interrogated yesterday.
"Our intelligence indicated that men, under pressure in the Corporate Area, have been running to rural parishes. We are on the lookout and have been carrying out coordinated raids in search of these men," Superintendent Gary Griffiths, head of the St Ann police, told The Gleaner yesterday.
He noted that the police in other parishes were also on the lookout for criminals who have been trying to avoid arrest in Corporate Area communities under the microscope of the security forces.
Since last week, reports have surfaced that thugs from Tivoli Gardens and adjoining communities have been finding refuge among cohorts in rural communities.
Some reports have claimed that many of these gangsters, including Coke, may have found sanctuary in communities loyal to political rivals affiliated with the People's National Party.
The Gleaner's sister newspaper, THE STAR, yesterday reported that residents of several communities in central Kingston and east Kingston have confirmed that Tivoli gangsters have taken up residence in these areas.
The residents have indicated that they want the Tivoli gangsters gone before the police and soldiers begin to target the areas.
A member of the Colombian trade show who was charged by police over the weekend, was remanded in the Mandeville RM court yesterday.
George Miguel Silvaro, 23, from the Dominican Republic is to return to court on June 23.
Silvaro, charged with indecent assault, was held following an incident at a fast-food restaurant.
Allegations that are a 13-year-old boy approached Silvaro and asked for money. It is alleged that Silvaro instructed the boy to meet him in the restaurant's bathroom. A security guard became suspicious after observing what was taking place and went in the bathroom.
It is alleged that the guard caught Silvaro with his pants down in a compromising position with the boy. The police were summoned and Silvaro was taken into custody and later charged. He is represented by attorney-at-law Norman Godfrey.
From as early as 8 a.m. yesterday, a large crowd gathered at the courtyard to get a glimpse of Silvaro who they laced with insults as he entered the court house. Resident Magistrate Yvonne Brown cleared the court room of other persons waiting to have their cases heard, media personnel and others not directly connected with the case. This drew the wrath of some attorneys, who termed the action by the magistrate as 'unprecedented'.
A man believed to be in his early 20s had the shock of his life when the victims of his robbery attempt turned on him.
Witnesses told THE STAR that about 10:30 a.m., a man entered Leroy's Electronics store on Main Street in Mandeville, Manchester, and approached the cashier. He then pulled what appeared to be a gun from a bag and pointed it at her and demanded that she handed over the money in the cash register.
The surprised cashier was, however, resistive and attracted the attention of fellow workers. An employee said that during the commotion he saw an opportunity to tackle the gunman and wrestled him to the ground.
After a brief struggle he disarmed the alleged gunman and with the help of others held him until the police arrived.
The Mandeville police said the gun turned out to be fake and the man is now facing multiple charges. They, however, are withholding his identity as it is believed he is from St Mary where he may be wanted for similar offences.THE St Andrew South police today seized an additional 10 motorcycles in Half-Way-Tree and surrounding areas as part of a drive to cripple the movement of criminal elements in and around the city.
Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the police division, said the operation has been ongoing since a curfew was imposed over sections of Kingston recently, including the seizure of 20 motorcycles yesterday.
"Police are continuing their operations which started recently. The aim of this is to stop the movement of criminals from Tivoli Gardens and other areas," said Knight.
Police said that since the three-day stand-off between police and gunmen loyal to Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, they have been getting information that men who had fled from the community were using motorbikes to travel around sections of the city and also to commit other crimes.
"This is something we will continue for as long as the curfew is in place," said Knight.
The American Airlines (AA) seat-guarantee deal signed by the Government in 2008 will cost less than feared by its critics but much more than was anticipated by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
Under the one-year deal, which ended last November, the Government had set aside US$4.5 million to pay AA if it flew into Jamaica with less than 75 per cent of bottoms to seats for each flight.
However, with the accounts now tallied, it has been determined that Jamaica owes AA US$1.4 million (J$123.2 million).
That is less than 50 per cent of the amount the critics of the deal had argued that the Government ran the risk of paying at a time when the then national airline was struggling and in need of cash.
But an optimistic Bartlett had dismissed detractors while arguing that the Government could finish the year without needing to pay a single US dollar.
"It is not that it would help Air Jamaica's cash flow, as we will not be paying the money every quarter or every month.
"This is a contingent guarantee that will only be paid if you don't meet the agreed load factor at the end of the period," Bartlett told The Gleaner at the time.
However, Information Minister Daryl Vaz told the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday that having already paid US$361,000, the Cabinet has approved funds to cover the remainder of the bill.
Vaz also announced that the Government had decided to enter a similar deal - running from June 2010 to August 2011 - with US Airways. However, this time around, the Cabinet has decided that Jamaica Vacations should pay no more than US$1 million.
The tourism minister had argued that with nearly 3,000 new hotel rooms, the AA deal provided the seat security that the country needed at a time when other airlines were reducing the number of flights to Caribbean destinations.
We couldnt hear the vuvuzelas, said Khune, referring to the droning traditional horns that are set to provide a constant accompaniment to this tournament. We expected to hear them and to be lifted by the people and the noise and the atmosphere.
It was a letdown.
Khune grew up in poverty, often having to sleep outside near the mine his father worked at outside Johannesburg, as he didnt have enough money for a bus fare home after soccer training. He has repeatedly called for the home nation to throw its backing behind the team by snapping up as many tickets as possible for matches.
However, there was a strong and noisy Mexican contingent at Soccer City on Friday, much to Khunes disgust.
South Africas new national stadium for soccer seats 94,000. The official attendance of Fridays opener was 84,490.
It was very disappointing for us, Khune said. It was very surprising. We thought there were going to be a lot more South African fans there.
The atmosphere was not that good. It was not what we expected. There were a lot of Mexican fans there. It was like a Mexico home game. It was a Mexican advantage.
South Africa, the lowest-ranked of all 32 teams in the tournament, looked set to make a perfect start when Siphiwe Tshabalala fired them ahead with a spectacular left-footed strike after 55 minutes.
However, the South Africans had to settle for a single point to start Group A as Rafael Marquez equalized for Mexico with just 11 minutes to go.
Needing to finish in the top two in the group to qualify for the knockout stages, South Africa must now hope for strong performances against Uruguay on Wednesday and France on June 22.
We have to hope that more of them come out when we play Uruguay, Khune said of the home fans. We need it. We need their support. When a team plays at home in a World Cup it should have an advantage. You expect that. But we didnt have it and it is because the South African people didnt buy tickets.
It does make a difference. It lifts the team when you need it. When it is a very close game there are many times when you need a lift. It could have helped us today.
South African fans have come out in full force for events related to the World Cup, with more than 100,000 flooding the streets for an inspirational national team pep rally in the suburb of Sandton on Wednesday. The country effectively shut down on Friday, with most businesses closing their doors so that workers could watch Bafana Bafana play. Also, schools and universities have been closed for the entire month of the tournament.
Several South African reporters quizzed by Yahoo! Sports were surprised by Khunes remarks, insisting the atmosphere in the stadium was at least as loud and positive as expected.
It is great that the country is behind us, Khune said. But they have to come and see us play so that we can hear it and feel it.
In 2007, China banned organ transplants from living donors (except for spouses, *lo** relatives and step or adopted family members). Despite this, it was not until last year that a national campaign to coordinate donations after death was launched.
A defendant from one trafficking trial testified last month that half a liver costs 45,000 yuan ($6,590), while an entire transplant including operation and recovery costs, runs about 150,000 yuan, (about $20,000). The penalty for acting as middleman between donors and buyers can run up to five years, although the final verdict remains to be seen.
This crime could damage society and moral values, claims the Procuratorial Daily.
I believe I was helping people, not harming others. I saved the life of the person who received my liver. He was only in his 30s. I do not regret it, says defendant, Liu Qiangsheng.
Human organ traffickers have helped to raise the percentage of transplants from living donors in China up to 40 percent in the last few years. This number is up from 15 percent in 2006. Despite this, two-thirds of all organs harvested for transplant in China come from executed criminals.
Executed prisoners are definitely not a proper source for organ transplants, said Vice Minister Huang Jiefu.
China is trying to move away from the use of executed prisoners and curb illegal trafficking by developing new sources for organ transplants. A voluntary donation scheme is in the works, but may prove very difficult to implement due to Chinas cultural bias against removing organs after death.
While change is in the works, organ trafficking remains a dark and grisly aspect of black market operations.
What do YOU think about this?
|
No New Posts | 
|
New Posts |
|
Topic is Closed | 
|
Sticky |
