Dancehall.Mobi special update - further to their historic unification yesterday on stage at the West Kingston Jamboree in Tivoli Gardens, arch rivals Vybz Kartel and Mavado met this morning with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, along with three Government Ministers - Daryl Vaz (Information Minister), Andrew Holness (Education Minister) and Dwight Nelson (National Security Minister) - and political ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair.

They discussed a number of matters relating to the Gully/Gaza saga and Jamaica's music industry, but most importantly, both artistes verbally agreed to stop performing and recording lyrics that insult each other. They also agreed that they would not clash' at this year's Sting stage show. Both artistes will also collaborate in organizing a peace concert, graffiti paint out day, children's Christmas treat, unity t-shirts and a song/recording. More on these developments soon.

 

 

Yardflex understands that singjay Mavado has been involved in an accident.

Information reaching us that the artiste was riding his bike when a motor vehicle driven by a female collided in him.


Reports are sketchy regarding the extent of his injuries, but what we do know is that the artiste is now at the hospital undergoing treatment.


Yardflex will keep you up to date as more information is made available.

Posted by YardFlex at April 5, 2010 06:43 PM

Entertainment can be very addictive and destructive to both those who soak it in and to those who purvey it. Do those in the industry put too much stress on themselves or do those who enjoy good entertainment have unrealistic expectations of those who provide it?

Serious questions and not something we should take lightly. I think what struck me the most is a statement that Squingy issued before he died:

"For years, I've been traveling and entertaining the world. I've given everything to my fans and neglected my own body. I have a terminal Illness and it's time for me to focus on maintaining my health as best I can. Moving to the US is going to allow me to receive adequate health care."

There are several things which can be taken from his statements:

Our health care is wanting;
There is no privacy in our health care;
We have become so callous that many would take pleasure in chastising
an ailing selector and so on ...

And is much more that could be extrapolated from his statements, but what is evident is that many persons in entertainment spend so much time trying to please fans that one's own health is never really taken into account only for granted, family life is often put on the backburner, friends come by the shipload when you are sailing on a high and desert you when the wind blows unkind and the illusion that has to be built to draw fans in came become highly debilitating in the long run and causes many an otherwise rational person to have unrealistic demands from the entertainer.

Just think of some of the celebrities who come to mind when you think of meltdown and serious personal crisis Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Gregory Issacs, Ninja Man, Nadine Sutherland and many other Jamaican entertainers who are highly drugged up on either marijuana, marijuana with extacie, beadie, copious amount of alcohol, excessive sex with a wide number of partners, numerous children spread far and wide with different baby mothers and the list goes on.

Maybe these things happen though because there is the constant need to please and better the last performance, never see come see or we the audience never allows failure and that places punitive stress on the entertainers.

We live to accumulate things and show off and hype; yet in the end when the soul is stripped from the body we have nothing. We need balance and not just the balance pon **cky head that we aggrandize.
Posted by Dancehallreggaeweseh.com at 9:23 AM 1 comments
Labels: Dancehall News

UH OH!!! IRV GOTTI PHOTO'D IN A HOTEL WITH A TRANNEY!!A MediaTakeOut.com reader took the following pic of Irv Gotti and a popular TRANNEY from Vegas. It was taken at the check-in desk of a major hotel.

Ummmmm . . . Irv, you got some 'SPLAINING to do .. . .

Jamaica recorded the second highest inflation rate and the sixth lowest estimated growth rate among 33 regional nations in 2009, according to the recently published Annual Statistical Yearbook by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The island additionally trails the region trend data in regard to foreign direct investment (FDI), debt reduction and other data over eight years which worries former UN economist, Dr Clement Jackson.

"I strongly believe that the poor...economic outcomes reflect the low and declining ranking of Jamaica on the ethical, governance, human rights underpinnings of the society," Dr Jackson told the Observer in a written response to queries. Jackson currently works at Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and was the former head of the Planning Institute of Jamaica prior to working with the UN for over a decade.

ECLAC which is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council--estimates Jamaica to record three per cent economic decline which would trail the average growth rate recorded throughout the Caribbean and Latin America at negative 2.2 per cent and negative 1.8 per cent growth respectively.

Real GDP declined by 2.8 per cent during 2009, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) data.

"The Jamaican economy showed no sign of recovery during the October to December 2009 period, encumbered by the global recession with a fall-off in external demand for Jamaican goods and services, and a deterioration of the fiscal deficit," the PIOJ stated in releasing its estimates for the last quarter of 2009.

The rate of negative growth ranks Jamaica sixth from the bottom among 33 regional nations listed by ECLAC with Bolivia expected to record the highest GDP growth at 3.5 per cent followed by Suriname, Dominica Republic and Panama at 2.5 per cent each.

Jamaica in 2009 had the second highest inflation rate at 10.2 per cent (but estimated at 9.0 by the publication) among 22 Latin America and Caribbean nations with only Venezula higher, at 26.9 per cent. In 2008 Jamaica had the third highest inflation rate officially at 16.8 per cent with Venezuela at 31.9 per cent and Haiti at 17 per cent.

The annual statistics showed that Jamaica's FDI inflows grew four times slower than growth throughout the Caribbean. Specifically, Foreign Direct Investment into Jamaica grew 30 per cent from $524.9 million in 2001 to $685 million in 2008 which was far below the Caribbean growth of 122 per cent from $1.8 billion to $4 billion over the same period.

Also Jamaica's external debt grew twice as fast as the Caribbean as a whole and 16 times faster than Latin America over the period. Specifically, Jamaica's public external debt grew from US$4.1 billion in 2001 to US$6.3 billion in 2008 up 53 per cent at the same time Caribbean and Latin America external debt grew 30 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively. Over the period other countries increased external debt, El Salvador jumped from US$3.1 billion to US9.7 billion, Grenada from US$176 million to US$494 million, Belize from US$494.9 million to US$955.5 million, Chile from US$38.5 billion to $64.7 billion, Costa Rica from US$5.2 billion to US$9 billion and St Lucia from US$212 million to US$415 million. Contrastingly from 2001 to 2008, Guyana reduced its external debt from US$1.19 billion to US$833.7 million and Nicaragua dipped its external debt from US$6.3 billion to US$3.5 billion.

At the same time, Jamaica's trade deficit worsened three times faster than the Caribbean region but slightly worse than Latin America. Specifically, Jamaica's balance of goods and services worsened by nearly 100 per cent from negative US$2.3 billion in 2006 to negative US$4.37 billion in 2008, over the same period the Caribbean worsened its balance of trade by 34 per cent from $3.3 billion to US$2 billion in 2008 whilst Latin America worsened 83 per cent from US$78.8 billion to US$12.1 billion. Countries which saw their balance of goods and services decline by almost 100 per cent or more included Brazil, Belize, Dominica, Dominica Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay each saw Chile, Haiti, Mexico, Uruguay and Peru.

Jamaica's ranking in other reports have also declined, the country ranked 100 in the 2009 UN Human Development Index (HDI) versus 92 in 2006. Jamaica is third to last in the index among Caribbean countries led by Barbados ranked 37 globally versus 39 in 2006. Guyana and Haiti trail Jamaica at 114 and 149 respectively. The Doing Business 2010 report, a joint publication of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation and PricewaterhouseCoopers, ranked Jamaica one of the 10 most difficult countries in the world to pay taxes--174 out of 183 countries.

MediaTakeOut.com learned that a few days ago, actresses Tia and Tamera Mowry got matching tats on their wrists . . . the tats say "Jumelles" - the French word for Twin.

These two are just TOO CUTE!!!

'Best Of The Best Continues!

five entertainers who recently had their US visas revoked have have seen a jump in their online presence.

It indicates that more persons worldwide are searching for news and music from these entertainers. Bounty Killers search volume skyrocketed by a factor of 15 since April 5, from virtually nil, according to data from US-based search engine Google analysed by the Sunday Observer. It appears that his assault charge affected his average search volume greater than the revocation of visa, as his average search volume jumped one day after being charged for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The average search traffic for Beenie Man and fellow deejay Mavado increased 39 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, throughout April compared with March. Google Trends analyses a portion of Google web searches to compute the quantity of searches for terms relative to the total number of searches done on Google over time. The search volume for Ricky Trooper and Aidonia was not strong enough to register, however Trooper, who may be called Ricky Youtube, garnered over 42,000 views in two weeks for his video which bashed entertainers and politicians whilst holding a gun which he later called a cigarette lighter. Comparatively, his second-most watched video received some 38,000 views over two years.Online search volume has significance as it reflects, in part, the fluctuations in online popularity of an artiste. The most popular Jamaican entertainers have the most online traffic such as Bob Marley, Sean Paul and Shaggy. Over time online traffic can gauge the popularity of artistes. For instance, Mavado in 2008 was more searched for than rival deejay Vybz Kartel, reflecting the rise of the Gully God. Since 2009, however, Kartel has usurped Mavado, reflecting a barrage of singles, strong performances and a slew of controversial publicity stunts.An artistes online traffic usually jumps leading up to an album launch but also is affected by the release of news. Beenie Man, for instance, has taken advantage of his bump in online search volume by releasing a single about the revocation of his visa.On March 31, top dancehall deejays Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Aidonia, along with veteran selector Ricky Trooper, had their visas revoked by the US Embassy. Airlines were advised not to board the artistes as their visas were in the process of being revoked. The artistes themselves claim they had no knowledge that such a move was afoot and the US embassy offered no comment following the incident.The increased search volume of these artistes, however, pales in comparison to Buju Bantons spike following his December 10 arrest in Florida, which also led him to re-chart on Billboards Reggae Albums. Banton became the second most searched for Jamaican artiste, following Bob Marley, but prior to his arrest, Banton was less searched for than many of his peers. His trend data from Google had risen so fast that between December 13 to 18 he was twice as popular as Shaggy, four times more popular than Vybz Kartel and six times more popular than Sizzla and Mavado. On New Years Eve, Bantons presence had waned but he still was more popular than Mavado and Sizzla, and was tied with Damian Marley.Bantons latest album, Rasta Got Soul, was the second highest jumper during the first week in January on Billboard Reggae Charts. Bantons album was second to Sojas Born in Babylon which was top jump of that week.Banton, born Mark Myrie, along with Ian Thomas, also called Yush and Jason Mack, was held December 10 by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and charged with conspiracy and intent to distribute at least five kilogrammes of cocaine.

   

 

 

MediaTakeOut.com would like to congratulate BOOTZ (from VH1's Flavor Of Love). She just welcomed her second daughter into the world. The two children are a little more than ten months apart in age.

Now girl . .. can you give your COOCH a break . . SHEESH!!!

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AFP) US President Barack Obama and Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev signed a landmark treaty yesterday committing to major nuclear arms cuts, while also warning Iran to expect sanctions over its nuclear drive.

The two presidents hailed the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) as opening a new era in ties, though the Kremlin said a missile defence shield that the United States wants in Europe could derail the agreement.

The former Cold War foes will be allowed a maximum of 1,550 deployed warheads, about 30 per cent lower than a limit set in 2002.

They are also restricted to 700 air-, ground- and submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles that carry warheads.

Agreed after months of hard bargaining, the two presidents sat side-by-side in the Renaissance-era Spanish Hall at Prague Castle to sign the successor to the 1991 START treaty.

Obama called it "an extraordinary event" and an "important milestone" for anti-proliferation efforts and for often-strained US-Russia relations.

He said stopping the spread of nuclear weapons "will move us further beyond the Cold War, strengthen the global non-proliferation regime, and make the United States, and the world, safer and more secure."

Medvedev said the treaty "enables us to rise to a higher level of co-operation between Russia and the United States" while also declaring that the negotiations "have not been simple".

UN chief Ban Ki-moon called the treaty an "important milestone", while France, the world's third nuclear power, hailed the deal.

It was in the Czech capital a year ago that Obama gave a keynote speech committing the United States to the aim of a world without nuclear weapons.

The treaty was signed in a key year for anti-proliferation efforts with the international community struggling to persuade North Korea to disarm and to counter Iran's nuclear drive.

The two presidents warned Iran to expect sanctions if it maintains its refusal to halt uranium enrichment and co-operate with UN atomic watchdog inspectors amid Western suspicions that it is seeking a bomb.

Obama called for "smart" and "strong" sanctions by the United Nations, which in May will hold a review conference on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Medvedev said: "Unfortunately, Tehran is not reacting to an array of constructive compromise proposals. We cannot close our eyes to this."

"I have said many times that sanctions very often do not work, but sometimes they are necessary... These need to be smart sanctions, capable of prompting the right behaviour," Medvedev said.

Obama this week announced a new US nuclear posture under which the United States would not stage an atomic attack against a country that does not have nuclear weapons. He pointedly said, however, that this would not include Iran or North Korea.

The US leader is to host a nuclear security summit in Washington next week, ahead of the NPT review in New York in May.

The new START treaty has to be passed by the Russian parliament and the US Senate, where Obama's Democrats do not have the required two-thirds majority.

Top Democratic allies of Obama called yesterday for quick Senate ratification, with Senator John Kerry saying that the treaty was "too important to delay".

With November mid-term elections on the horizon and a bitterly partisan climate in Washington, prospects for passing the pact early next month as Obama wants are unclear, and Republicans have signalled strong concerns over the new accord.

Analysts have also highlighted how both the United States and Russia have thousands of nuclear weapons that are not officially deployed and do not come within the treaty.

The negotiations became bogged down over the US missile defence shield plan that Russia opposes. Obama said the two sides had agreed to a "deeper dialogue" on the defence shield.

A recent release from the Armz House Production camp's new Night Vision Riddim indicates that might be a lyric battle between two dancehall artists.

One Duchess Entertainment understands that Teflon is planning to take a lyrical battle to I-Octane.

The feud has now started with Teflon's new song (Pretty Dread) on the Night Vision Riddim.

[video=]



www.oneduchessent.com

OH NO!!! DANGER GOES BONKERS . . . PHOTO'D TALKING TO HERSELF . . . WAVING A USED MAXI PAD AT PASSERS BY!!! (SAD PICS AND VIDEO INSIDE) MediaTakeOut.com has some SAD NEWS. As of a few days ago, Danger was admitted into a mental facility. As the below pics and video show . . . police saw her barefoot, talking to herself and trying to rub a USED SANITARY NAPKIN on passers by.

Glad we weren't walking on that block . . . . 

SPECIAL Thanks to the MTO BLOGGER who filmed the entire incident . . . THANKS GIRRRRRRL!!!

An obese mother in the US is trying to put on weight in order to become the world's fattest woman.

Donna Simpson, from New Jersey, weighs 273kg but told the Daily Mail newspaper she had her heart set on reaching her goal weight of 1000lb (450kg) in two years.

The 42-year-old already holds the title of the world's fattest mother after giving birth to her daughter in 2007 when she weighed 241kg.

"I'd love to be 1000lb ... it might be hard though, running after my daughter keeps my weight down," Ms Simpson told the Daily Mail.

Ms Simpson, who needs a mobility scooter to go shopping, eats huge amounts of junk food each week and tries to move as little as possible so she doesn't burn off as many calories.

"I do love cakes and sweet things, doughnuts are my favourite," she said.

Ms Simpson said she also loved eating sushi and would often eat 70 big pieces in one go.

Her 49-year-old partner Philippe who she met on a dating site for plus-size people was encouraging her to reach her goal, she said.

"I think he'd like it if I was bigger ... he's a real belly man and completely supports me," she said.

To put on enough weight, Ms Simpson will need to eat 12,000 calories a day, which is six times the recommended daily intake for women.

In order to pay for the enormous amounts of food she is eating her weekly grocery bill is $815 Ms Simpson makes money by running a website where men pay to watch her consume fast food.

PARLIAMENT will this fiscal year amend several pieces of legislation to tighten the noose on delinquent taxpayers who either completely evade the tax net or cook their books.Finance Minister Audley Shaw, opening the Budget Debate in Parliament on Thursday, said Cabinet has examined and deliberated on a number of proposed amendments to the General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Income Tax Acts aimed at strengthening the compliance and enforcement capabilities of the Tax Administration Department.Shaw said the proposed amendments, along with other legislative changes, will complement the work now being done by the tax authorities who will further intensify their enforcement actions against delinquent taxpayers in the 2010/2011 fiscal year."I make an appeal to persons who are in arrears or who are underreporting their taxes to stop doing so and pay their fair share -- no more, no less," the finance minister urged.He said the proposed amendments to the GCT Act and its regulations will allow for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the system of collection and a widening of the tax base.Shaw said the current provisions for offences, which are "inadequate and the fines and penalties inappropriate, will be changed"."The changes are aimed at sending a strong signal to delinquents," he told parliamentarians.

Consequently, the penalty for failing to apply for registration, which currently attracts between $5,000 and $10,00 will skyrocket to $100,000 while the penalty for failure to file a GCT return, which is currently between $1,000 and $2,000, will jump to $10,000.

In addition, an amendment is proposed to ensure that, failure to display a GCT Certificate of Registration, which at present attracts no penalty, will cost the delinquent $50,000 or imprisonment for up to three months or both. It is further proposed that a $500,000-fine or 12 months imprisonment be applied for persons who fail to supply records, and for failing to return a tax certificate. Currently neither offence attracts a sanction.

In the meantime, Shaw said a proposal that a Tax Compliant Certificate become a requirement for professionals, such as lawyers, doctors and architects, to be registered to practice in Jamaica is being revisited.

And Cabinet is to soon "examine a proposal to introduce a flat tax for small business operators in certain fields".

"This proposed change will apply to artisans, such as plumbers, electricians, masons, painters, as well as transport operators," the finance minister added.

He said the mechanics of how this tax will be applied as well as the legislative provisions will be worked out by the tax authorities.

Shaw on Tuesday also threatened a massive cleanup operation in the island's revenue department, which he said was a breeding ground for collusive activity between officials in Government and their co-conspirators in the private sector to defraud the country of "multi-billions of dollars".

   

 

THIRTY-ONE Haitians landed in the south-eastern Jamaican parish of St Thomas yesterday evening, almost two weeks after the Government sent home 67 who had made their way here by boat late last month."The group, consisting of 15 men, five women -- two of them pregnant -- and 11 children, was seen at sea close to Morant Point in a 27-foot boat," Mervin McNab, superintendent of police in charge of St Thomas, told the Sunday Observer yesterday.Police said the group of Haitians had been travelling since Monday."A group of fishermen first spotted the group and later raised an alarm to the coast guard and the police, who brought the group to shore at the Bowden Wharf," McNab said, while pointing out that the Haitians were all screened and checked.The police said that following assessments, they found that several of the Haitians had been to Jamaica before.

Up to press time last night, police said arrangements were being made to house the group in Port Antonio, Portland, the same town where the 67 who arrived last month were accommodated before they were repatriated to their homeland.

Last month, at a press conference at Jamaica House, Information Minister Daryl Vaz said the first group of Haitians would have been allowed to stay in the island for two-and-a-half weeks before they were sent home.

Vaz said with the country in such dire economic straits, the Government was unable to accommodate the Haitians for any extended period of time.

Following the magnitude-7.0 earthquake on January 12 that killed more than 200,000 Haitians, injured hundreds of thousands others and destroyed much of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, the Jamaican Government said it would be on the lookout for Haitian refugees.

  

 

PNP MP at centre of row - Investors want to recoup their moneyTHE $10-million loss suffered by the popular Portland Jerk Festival is the bone of contention in a bitter ownership dispute that is threatening the ninth staging of the popular food fest this year.

Thousands of Jamaicans make the annual trek to the idyllic eastern parish for a day of fun, frolic and food, featuring a wide variety of succulent jerk dishes, with the famous Boston jerk pork occupying centrestage.

But a demand by the Portland Parish Development Committee (PDC) that ownership of the festival be handed to them by People's National Party (PNP) member of parliament, Dr Donald Rhodd -- as he had promised while his party was in power -- has reached stalemate.The combatants involve the PDC; Daryl Vaz, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) member of parliament for West Portland; Dr Rhodd, the MP for East Portland; investors in the loss-making festival; and the 21st Century 20/20 Vision Foundation established by Rhodd and current owners of the festival."If the matter is not settled this year, I will take action to force them to come to a resolution," Vaz threatened in an interview with the Sunday Observer.He made it clear that the Folly property in eastern Portland, regarded as the only suitable venue for an event of that magnitude, might not be available to the festival organisers. Folly -- on which sits the ruins of a mansion built by a rich American man in 1905 -- is leased by the State-run Tourism Product Development Company.Rhodd, who has since washed his hands of the whole matter, at least publicly, insists that the private investors in the festival had requested time to make back their money, and so the festival could not be handed over to the PDC.

"Had it not been for them, the festival would have died. They kept it going with their personal funds," said Rhodd. "I suggested that they be given two years to get back their money, but they asked for three years, saying they did not think two was sufficient. I think it's only reasonable."

It was Rhodd who took the idea of a Portland Jerk Festival to then Tourism Minister Francis Tulloch in 2001. Tulloch assigned it to the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), which staged the first two with a bang at Boston, where Jamaicans like to feast on its world-famous jerk pork.

Sponsors jumped on board and thousands of Jamaicans flocked to Boston. The overnight success took the organisers by surprise and it was quickly moved to Folly, which had space for parking and accommodation for the large crowds and vendors selling from a pin to an anchor.

But for all its success, the private investors in the festival said they did not recoup their money.

"I lost quite a bit of money in 2005 when the festival was twice postponed because of the hurricane that year," said Sybil Rendle, a former chairperson of the PDC and current chairperson of the Portland Jerk Festival Committee which organises the festival. Rendle is one of seven investors.

In 2003, the JTB left it for the Portlanders to run the festival, citing strategic reasons. Rhodd established the Portland Jerk Festival Committee, chaired by Rendle who was also chairman of the PDC at the time, to take charge.

PDC members believe the festival rightly belongs to them. Vice-chairman Colin Bell is convinced Rhodd does not want to hand over the festival.

He said that some years ago, the MP had registered it under his 21st Century 20/20 Vision Foundation, on grounds that he was protecting the festival, after two young men from the parish had registered it in their names. He noted that the PDC prevailed upon the two to relinquish it and they did.

Bell had minutes of meetings and other documents showing Rhodd had promised to hand the festival to the PDC when it was in a position to legally accept it. Since 2008, the PDC has been ready, having been registered and legally incorporated, said Bell.

He said the PDC had organised the festival up to the 2009 when Rendle ceased to be chairman "and the festival left with her".

Vaz said he had been trying to get a resolution of the matter, by setting up meetings of the parties involved since 2007.

"But Dr Rhodd refuses to come to the table. We even set a meeting with the prime minister and he did not attend," said Vaz. "I am determined that we must have a resolution this year in the interest of the people of Portland. If it is necessary, no state entity or facilities will be available to the festival."

But when contacted by the Sunday Observer, Rhodd admitted that he had promised to hand the festival over to the Parish Development Committee. However, while he would like to see such a committee run the festival, he could not ignore the investors who had kept the festival going and had requested time to recoup their investment.

"It is true that I had indicated to the then PDC that I believe that at some point the PDC should play a leading role in the management of the festival, when they had acquired the necessary capacities and the legal framework to do so," said Rhodd. "This had remained the basis for the current demands from a new PDC.

"These demands could not be considered since, in retrospect, I was expressing my vision as an MP. But the reality and economic implications are otherwise, bearing in mind the financial investments made by private investors," Rhodd argued.

The PNP MP dismissed Vaz's claims that he would not meet, saying that he had met with him in the corridors of the Parliament.

Rhodd also questioned Vaz's threat that Folly might not be available to the festival, saying that he was neither the minister under whose portfolio the property falls, nor the MP for the area.

"Furthermore, I asked Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett about the matter and he said he had taken no such decision," Rhodd said.

Queried by the Sunday Observer yesterday, Bartlett said that he knew very little about the issue, but that he was to be briefed by Vaz. "Folly falls under my portfolio, however, Minister Vaz is responsible for development, and as such he has some jurisdiction. I'll be able to say more after our meeting," said Bartlett.

In the meantime, Rhodd has resigned as patron from the 21st Century 20/20 Vision Foundation, which he established to spur development of the parish, saying he wanted to remove the odour of politics from the issue. He said he hoped the dispute would not be a turnoff to sponsors.

 

 

 

Long story short!

Rocky Lockridge aka. Champ was a champion boxer at one time.

Had a breaking point and got addicted to crack.

Had two twin boys. One who hates him and one who still has hope. He left them at young ages, and its been over 15 years since one of the boys, Lamar, who hasn't seen him till this intervention. (has glasses and hates him)

Other twin found him and brought him to this intervention after 15 years.
This is what went down!

Soooooooo funnny!

Watch whole episode here:
http://www.aetv.com/intervention/vide...

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!

UH OH!!! R&B SINGER DEVANTE FROM THE 1990S GROUP JODECI LOOKS ALARMINGLY SKINNY NOWADAYS!!!

Today In History 


Today is Sunday, April 11, the 101st day of 2010. There are 264 days left in the year.

On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13, with astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert, blasted off on its ill-fated mission to the moon. (Although the spacecraft was crippled when an oxygen tank ruptured in mid-flight, the crew managed to return safely.)

In 1689, William III and Mary II were crowned as joint sovereigns of Britain.

In 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as Emperor of the French and was banished to the island of Elba.

In 1898, as tensions with Spain continued to rise, President William McKinley asked Congress to authorize military intervention in Cuba.

In 1899, the treaty ending the Spanish-American War was declared in effect.

In 1921, Iowa became the first state to impose a cigarette tax, at 2 cents a package.

In 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the notorious Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald in Germany.

In 1951, President Harry S. Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of his commands in the Far East.

In 1979, Idi Amin was deposed as president of Uganda as rebels and exiles backed by Tanzanian (tan-zuh-NEE'-uhn) forces seized control.

In 1980, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued regulations specifically prohibiting sexual ha****ment of workers by supervisors.

In 2001, ending a tense 11-day standoff, China agreed to free the 24 crew members of an American spy plane.

Ten years ago: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak met with President Bill Clinton at the White House in what a senior U.S. official described as a good, productive, serious discussion. A British judge branded historian David Irving an anti-Semite racist and an apologist for Adolf Hitler, ruling that an American scholar was justified in calling him a Holocaust denier.

Five years ago: During a meeting at his Texas ranch, President George W. Bush told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon he could not allow further West Bank settlement growth and said Israeli and Palestinian doubts about each other were hampering peace prospects. Jeffrey Ake (ayk), a 47-year-old contract worker from LaPorte, Ind., was abducted in Iraq. (His fate remains unknown.) Miss North Carolina Chelsea Cooley was crowned Miss USA at the pageant in Baltimore.

One year ago: A 16-nation Asian summit in Bangkok, Thailand was canceled after demonstrators stormed the venue. Boston University won its fifth NCAA hockey championship, defeating Miami (Ohio) 4-3 in overtime.

Today's Birthdays: Former New York Gov. Hugh Carey is 91. Ethel Kennedy is 82. Actor Johnny Sheffield is 79. Actor Joel Grey is 78. Actress Louise Lasser is 71. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Ellen Goodman is 69. Movie writer-director John Milius is 66. Actor Peter Riegert is 63. Actor Meshach Taylor is 63. Movie director Carl Franklin is 61. Actor Bill Irwin is 60. Country singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is 53. Songwriter-producer Daryl Simmons is 53. Rock musician Nigel Pulsford is 49. Actor Lucky Vanous is 49. Country singer Steve Azar is 46. Singer Lisa Stansfield is 44. Rock musician Dylan Keefe (Marcy Playground) is 40. Actor Johnny Messner is 40. Actor Vicellous (vy-SAY'-luhs) Shannon is 39. Rapper David Banner is 36. Actress Tricia Helfer is 36. Rock musician Chris Gaylor (The All-American Rejects) is 31. Actress Kelli Garner is 26. Singer Joss Stone is 23.

Thought for Today: "I'd rather be strongly wrong than weakly right." - Tallulah Bankhead, American actress (1903-1968). (AP)

Image Kadeem Baker, one of the high profile girlfriends of deejay Bounty Killer, said that she doesn't want to see the 38 year-old entertainer imprisoned for allegedly beating her up. She wants to drop the charges, however, the case is out of her hands for now. She said that whatever the outcome of the case, it is over between them. "Bounty doesn't want it to be over," Kadine, a student, told one876 today. "Me and him good, ah just a domestic spat but we ah go work it out, but as it stands now, I don't want him in my life." She would not disclose what were the reasons behind their domestic spat last Thursday. But remained adamant that their relationship was "on the chalkline" despite her move towards discontinuing the case.. "Right now, mi no care anymore, him say we nah lef but mi no know bout that. Right now, ah just him alone I am seeing, but mi no know if we have a future together," she said. She took a philosophical view of Bounty's incarceration, saying that this week in prison could be a 'wake-up call' for the Warlord. "Him need to bow down to the true God, repent and change him dutty ways. All we ah try fi help him, him not changing, maybe this ah fi him little punishment because how yu fi have four, five cases before the court, just in and out so, come on man. He feels he is above the law," she said. "He needs to speak to Father God, not the Gully Gadd or the Grung Gadd. It is He who is teaching Bounty a lesson, not the judge, not me, he needs to ask God for forgiveness." QUESTION: What do you mean by changing his 'dutty ways'? Women? "No, everybody know say Bounty wild, him obsessed over a lot of people. Mi no worry about no other girl, mi get individual attention, mi no care who wants to claim that dem a number one. It is just his bad behaviour in general. He is controlling, but no bwoy caan control me." She said that she is not worried about intimidation and that she feels truly sorry for the deejay, and that's the reason she doesn't want to pursue the case. "Dem caan stop me from party, if him come outta jail, him come out. It is not in my hands, dem caan bring down this thing on me." She said that she is pissed about people making comments about her and pretending that they know her, and the dirty comments on gossip websites have riled her up. "People ah talk like say dem know me, and they don't know. I am a nice person, but these people are obsessed over him and they spread alot of false rumours and they don't know anything about Rodney and me. Right now, mi no waan see him, but if him come out and change him ways, maybe it can work out. If not, mi wi shed a few tears and move on with the memories, I have no kids for him so is not like I will look in the kid's face and say 'oh boy, mi miss Rodney'...no, I will just move on."

WHEN SWIRLING GOES EVEN WRONGER!!! ACTRESS STACEY DASH ACCUSES HER EX-HUBBY OF BEATING HER!!!MediaTakeOut.com learned that actress Stacey Dash is claiming that her soon-to-be-ex-husband , Emmanuel Xuereb, used to beat her routinely.

In recently uncovered legal documents, Stacey explains the abuse - in SWORN testimony. Here is how TMZ is reporting it:

TMZ obtained the restraining order -- originally signed by a judge January 29 and still in effect -- in which Dash claimed her husband, Emmanuel Xuereb, hit her in the face, head and body during their two-plus years of marriage . . . but she was afraid to report it to police.

NUH UHHHHHHH!!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED TO 1990S R&B SINGER AARON HALL!!!That dude lookin' like FLAVOR FLAAAAAAAAVVVV!!!

REGGIE'S GOT A NEW GIRL . . . SHE'S CUTER THAN KIM . . . BUT GOT A LOT MORE MILES ON HERMediaTakeOut.com is proud to announce that Reggie Bush has OFFICIALLY moved on from Kim Kardashian.

His new chick . . . . is video model Dolicia Bryant. She's definitely CUTER than Kim, and they both have PLENTY OF HISTORY . . . so all in all I guess it WAS an upgrade.

MARILYN MINAJ!!! NICKI CHANNELS MARIYLN MONROE IN NEW PHOTO SHOOT . . . SHE'S A BLONDE NOW!!!

PROUD DAD!!! DOESN'T DAME DASH SEEM TO BE A BETTER PERSON . . . NOW THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE ALL THE MONEY AND POWER!!!! (PICS OF DAME AND SON INSIDE)

WOW!!! ICE T TELLS GRAMMY AWARD WINNER ROCKER GAL TO EAT A HOT BOWL OF D*CKS!!MediaTakeOut.com just learned of an extremely TROUBLING bit of information. Last night, a Grammy Award winning rock guitarist named Aimee Mann tweeted some very HARSH criticism about rapper Ice T's acting. She said "There is no reason anyone should have cast Ice T in a television show."

She was reckless, and she needed to be checked . . . but Ice T went too far.

MediaTakeOut.com learned that Ice T - a proud former pimp went it. He called her a b*tch and then told her to eat a hot bowl of d*cks.

Wow . . . it takes a certain kind of man to come out his face and talk like that to a woman. We just lost a lotta respect for dude.

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Industry insiders are curious why Beenie Man has announced that he will be hosting his annual Beenie Sizzle concert on August 5th, the same date as Capleton's popular St. Mary Mi Come From stage show in St. Mary. Some people say that it is the only date that Beenie Man really has available given his touring obligations, while others insist that Beenie Man is just trying to upstage Capleton who is a former-rival-turned-friend.


Beenie Man himself has brushed aside accusations of the latter saying that the August 5th date bears a special significance in his life.

"August 5th was the date that I won the Tastee Talent contest and it is also the date of my first stage show in 1977, so is a date with special meaning for me," Beenie Man told entertainment tabloid, Xtra News this week.

He also added that this year's Beenie Sizzle was not going to be a late show.

"It ah go done by 3 p.m. so I am asking all Jamaicans to come out early and help me celebrate 30 years in entertainment. The show will feature artistes like Rik Ross, Hurricane Chris and Akon. Akon come for it two times already and him a forward fi a third time, there will be some soca artistes, and other artistes who have never come to the island before," he said.

Beenie Man said he had been hoping to bring in T.I for the bash but alas, T.I is incarcerated so that possibility had been nixed. Vybz Kartel, Sizzla and Jah Cure have also been booked to appear at Beenie Sizzle which will be held in the parking lot of the National Stadium.

"T.I caan come because him de a prison but ah just so the ting set, I tried to contact every artiste who me and dem have a collaboration in the past to come and be a part of this event, it is going to be amazing. There is no problem with Capleton, remember say ah me close that show several years now, so just come out early to Beenie Sizzle and then if yu want, go Capleton show," Beenie explained.

Ms. Claudette Kemp, Capleton's manager, played down the clashing dates and expressed confidence that even in a recession-plagued entertainment market, St. Mary Mi Come From would draw its traditionally strong crowd.
"August 5th has never been a date on which Beenie Man keeps his show. He personally told me he was doing it the 9th but then he said his financial advisers told him that the 5th is a better date. But we shall not be defeated, St. Mary Mi Come From is an awesome show that all the children and the community of St. Mary looks forward to every year."

She said that Capleton's show is historically held on the day before Independence Day, August 6th.

"He came close last year when he held it on August 6th, but we have always invited Beenie Man to our show. Anyway, the music industry is a big pie and everyone can get a slice and Capleton will be taking his slice of the pie in St. Mary on August 5th," she said confidently.

BALLL-LINGG!!! PRODUCER POLOW THA DON BUYS R&B SINGER MONICA A $150,000 SPORTS CAR . . . TO CELEBRATE HER ALBUM'S SUCCESS!!! (PICS OF THE RIDE INSIDE)

ANYTHING FOR ATTENTION!!! KHLOE KARDASHIAN FLASHES HER BREASTS TO GET THE PAPARAZZI TO TAKE HER PICTURE!!! (WARNING - PARENTAL DISCRETION)

EEEEK!!! R&B SINGER JOHN LEGEND IS GROWING ONE OF THOSE AL QUAIDA BEARDS . . . NOW HE'S LOOKING LIKE OSAMA!!!

A woman who bit off the finger of a 15-year-old girl she accused of being involved with her boyfriend and then boasting about it in the 'videolight' at a dance, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The accused told Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey she had taken the teen into her home because her mother was unable to care for her. She said she later began to suspect the teen and her boyfriend were involved so she kicked the man out and the complainant left too.

She said the teen went to dances and went into the 'videolight' to declare that she was the one the man wanted as her body was better. She said on the day of the incident, the teen passed her and spat in her direction. She said she confronted her and told her she was ungrateful and they began fighting.

The complainant, however, said she was never involved with the man. She said the accused bit her finger until it was cut off.

The accused was fined $3,000 or serve six months for the wounding, but was given one week to pay with a surety, as she said she did not take the money to court.

The complainant was ordered to receive assistance from the probation department, as she was deemed to be in need of care and protection.

A Jamaican man who was deported from Canada in 2000 but somehow managed to return, is again facing deportation.

But first, George Donovan Brown must serve a three-month jail term for violating Canada's immigration laws. A judge this week sentenced him to 90-days for returning to Canada without authorization. The Jamaican was arrested on January 19, following a police search of his Calgary residence which uncovered 14 grams of crack cocaine. Brown, 49, returned to Canada in 2002, after being deported two years earlier. The defence claimed Brown, who has a lengthy drug-related record which got him booted from the country in the first place, lived crime-free for eight years until his latest brush with the law. But the prosecution countered that the Jamaican man has been breaking the law ever since he came back to Canada illegally. Brown appeared in court via closed-circuit TV from the Calgary Remand Centre.                He was handed five months for drug possession, but the judge ruled that time has already been served with remand credit.

(CNN) -- A 12-year-old Yemeni bride died of internal bleeding following intercourse three days after she was married off to an older man, the United Nations Children's Fund said.

The girl was married to a man at least twice her age, said Sigrid Kaag, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Her death is "a painful reminder of the risks girls face when they are married too soon," Kaag said.

No further information was immediately available.

The death is the latest in a series of child marriage cases in Yemen, where the minimum age to tie the knot is still under debate.

In September, a 12-year-old Yemeni girl forced into marriage died during childbirth. Her baby also died, according to the Seyaj Organization for the Protection of Children.

Fawziya Ammodi was in labor for three days before she died of severe bleeding, said Ahmed al-Qureshi, president of the organization.

"Although the cause of her death was lack of medical care, the real case was the lack of education in Yemen and the fact that child marriages keep happening," al-Qureshi said.

Child brides are common in Yemen, where the United Nations estimates that one in three girls are married before the age of 18. Most are married off to older men with more than one wife, according to a study by Sanaa University.

For the girl's parents, marriage means the daughters are no longer a financial or moral burden. Most times, parents get a promise from the husband to wait until the girl is older to consummate the marriage.

"Early marriage places girls at increased risk of dropping out of school, being exposed to violence, abuse and exploitation, and even losing their lives from pregnancy, childbirth and other complications," UNICEF said.

The issue of Yemeni child brides made headlines in 2008 when 10-year-old Nujood Ali was pulled out of school and married. Her husband beat and raped her within weeks of the ceremony.

To escape, Nujood hailed a taxi -- the first time in her life -- to get to the central courthouse where she sat on a bench and demanded to see a judge. After a well-publicized trial, she was granted a divorce.

A man accused of harbouring two 14 year old girls at his home, one of whom was reportedly being held captive in a room, was yesterday remanded in custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

One of the juveniles found at the home had been reported missing since January 16.

As a result the man, Clarence Jackson, was charged for failing to report a child in need of care and protection.

But the 48-year-old plumber pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, who was informed by the investigating officer that additional charges will be laid against Jackson on his return to court on April 12.

The court heard that on March 30, police acting on information went to Jackson's premises where one of the minors was seen running from the premises. The other was found locked away in a room in which the door was tightly secured by nails.

Jackson reportedly told the police that he was the girls grand uncle. The girls both gave the police false names and claimed that they were sisters. Police investigations subsequently revealed that one of the girls was a missing teen who had been living with Jackson since she was reported missing.

Her mother when contacted told the police that she did not know the other girl and that her daughter was uncontrollable.

The police have not yet ascertained the identity of the other girl. Both are being held in places of safety.

Tifa - file

 

Birth month: December

 

How did you get started in the business?

 

Tifa: I started in the business a very long time ago, performing with Ashe between 12 and 18 years old, then I just progressed into my own individual thing. But I have always loved music. My mother, stepfather and uncle had their own record shops. So, growing up, I was always around music.

 

What has been your greatest challenge in the business yet?

 

Tifa: Just promoting your stuff and getting your voice heard. It took me five years to get where I am. I am happy that I did not get my shine overnight. My fan base has grown so much over the years. I am grateful and the sky is the limit.

 

 

What have you been up to lately?

 

Tifa: I have been in the studio a lot. Since January, I have released approximately 11 and 13 songs. If I Could Fly,So Sick and Boasy Wid It getting a lot of rotation. I have Certified Diva with Tami Chynn. There is the Ludacris remix of How Low, and there are more international stuff in the works for me that I can't talk about yet. On Ward 21's 'Cosa Nostra' rhythm I have The Reject. I am also one of the new faces of Digicel's Gimmie Five campaign.

 

Do you look up to any particular artiste and why?

 

Tifa: Everybody! I look up to the foremothers of dancehall like Lady Saw, Patra, Lady G and Shelly Thunder. But I draw inspiration from everybody.

 

Are you happy with the way things are going for your music career right now?

 

Tifa: Yes, I am very happy. I am very grateful. A lot of people have been in the business for 15 years and dem not accomplished. I am not content 'cause there's much further to go.

 

Do you have any advice for young artistes coming up?

 

Tifa: If yuh have talent, do yuh thing, believe in yourself. Don't fall prey to the system. That's what I did. Don't sell yourself.

 

Where do you see yourself in the future?

 

Tifa: Next five years I wanna be the Jamaican Madonna. I wanna have sold-out shows in Madison Square Garden. I wanna be the female version of Sean Paul and Shaggy, or even surpass that.

Today In History


Today is Saturday, April 10, the 100th day of 2010. There are 265 days left in the year.

On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

In 1790, President George Washington signed into law the first United States Patent Act.

In 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was incorporated.

In 1925, the novel "The Great Gatsby," by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was first published.

In 1932, German president Paul Von Hindenburg was re-elected in a runoff, with Adolf Hitler coming in second.

In 1957, Egypt reopened the Suez Canal to all shipping traffic. (The canal had been closed due to wreckage resulting from the Suez Crisis.)

In 1959, the future emperor of Japan, Crown Prince Akihito, married a commoner, Michiko Shoda.

In 1963, the nuclear-powered submarine USS Thresher sank during deep-diving tests off Cape Cod, Mass., in a disaster that claimed 129 lives.

In 1972, the United States and the Soviet Union joined some 70 nations in signing an agreement banning biological warfare.

In 1978, Arkady Shevchenko, a high-ranking Soviet citizen employed by the United Nations, sought political asylum in the United States.

In 1998, the Northern Ireland peace talks concluded as negotiators reached a landmark settlement to end 30 years of bitter rivalries and *lo**y attacks.

Ten years ago: The Washington Post won three Pulitzer Prizes, including the public service award for the second year in a row; The Wall Street Journal took two honors, and The Associated Press won for investigative reporting on the killing of Korean civilians by U.S. troops at the start of the Korean War. South Korea and North Korea announced a June date for their first summit since the peninsula was divided in 1945. Actor Larry Linville, one of the stars of the situation comedy "M-A-S-H," died in New York at age 60.

Five years ago: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived in Texas to meet with President George W. Bush. Tiger Woods won his fourth Masters with a spectacular finish of birdies and bogeys.

One year ago: Police in Tracy, Calif. arrested Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby in connection with the death of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, whose body had been found in a suitcase. French Navy commandos stormed a sailboat held by pirates off the Somali coast, freeing four hostages; however, one hostage was killed in the operation.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Harry Morgan is 95. Actor Max von Sydow is 81. Actress Liz Sheridan is 81. Actor Omar Sharif is 78. Sportscaster John Madden is 74. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bobbie Smith (The Spinners) is 74. Sportscaster Don Meredith is 72. Reggae artist Bunny Wailer is 63. Actor Steven Seagal is 59. Folk-pop singer Terre Roche (The Roches) is 57. Actor Peter MacNicol is 56. Rock musician Steven Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs) is 53. Singer-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is 52. Rock singer-musician Brian Setzer is 51. Rapper Afrika Bambaataa is 50. Rock singer Katrina Leskanich is 50. Actor Jeb Adams is 49. Olympic gold medal speedskater Cathy Turner is 48. Rock musician Tim "Herb" Alexander is 45. Actor-comedian Orlando Jones is 42. Rock musician Mike Mushok (Staind) is 41. Singer Kenny Lattimore is 40. Rapper Q-Tip (AKA Kamaal) is 40. Blues singer Shemekia Copeland is 31. Actress Laura Bell Bundy is 29. Actress Chyler Leigh is 28. Actor Ryan Merriman is 27. Singer Mandy Moore is 26. Actor Haley Joel Osment is 22. Actress-singer AJ (AKA Amanda) Michalka (mish-AL'-kah) is 19.

Thought for Today: "What is more unwise than to mistake uncertainty for certainty, falsehood for truth?" -- Cicero, Roman orator, statesman and philosopher (106-43 B.C.) (AP)

ANYTHING FOR ATTENTION!!! KHLOE KARDASHIAN FLASHES HER BREASTS TO GET THE PAPARAZZI TO TAKE HER PICTURE!!! (WARNING - PARENTAL DISCRETION)

BIG WHEELS!!! R&B SINGER CIARA PHOTO'D GETTING OUT OF HER JEEP . . . WHICH IS SITTING ON 30 INCH RIMS!!! (PICS INSIDE)

A young Muslim woman had died after her burkha became snagged in a go-kart.

The 24-year-old woman, who has not yet been named, died a terrifying death today when a fluttering part of her burkha became caught in the wheels of a go-kart she was driving near the town of  Port Stephens, north of Sydney.

The Muslim clothing the woman was wearing flew back as she sped around the track and part of it became entangled in the go-kart's wheels.

She was strangled in a second and crashed the vehicle.

Despite the efforts of paramedics who rushed to her aid, the neck and throat injuries she suffered were so severe that doctors were unable to revive her when she arrived at the John Hunter Hospital in the New South Wales city of Newcastle.

The young woman was riding the go-kart at a popular recreational area known as Bob's Farm, which offers rides of up to 15 minutes at a time.

Her death is being likened to that of American dancer Isadora Duncan,  acknowledged as being the creator of modern dance, and who was famous for the flowing silk carves she liked to wear.

But while riding in an open-top car in Nice in 1927, her scarf became  entangled in one of the vehicle's spoked wheels and she was strangled.

 

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had their share of bad celebrity news of late, thanks to a high-profile divorce between owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie.

Long overdue for some positive celebrity gossip, they received some today.

Star center fielder Matt Kemp made several public appearances over the winter with R&B singer Rihanna, but the crooner and the slugger steadfastly refused to confirm the two were an item. That changed today on Ryan Seacrest's syndicated radio show.

Said Rihanna:

"He's my boyfriend. ... It's new and it's fun and it's nothing too serious. I don't want anything nuts that's gonna take up so much of my energy and time in a bad way."

Oh, and Kemp got some decent news on the field, too. He went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs as the Dodgers claimed their first victory of the season, 10-2, over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kemp's now batting .357.

Donald Faison from "Scrubs" may be the next celebrity domino to fall in the great housing crunch.

Luther Burbank Savings just filed a lawsuit, claiming he hasn't been paying the mortgage on an apartment complex he bought in Inglewood, CA for $525,000 back in 2008.

The bank claims Faison hasn't paid a dime since November and wants permission to initiate a foreclosure action.

The bank is also suing for $514,657.76

"Scrubs" -- like Faison's apartment -- is in limbo.

No comment so far from Donald's people.

PARIS, France (AFP) People who have "near-death experiences", such as flashing lights, feelings of peace and joy and divine encounters before they pull back from the brink may simply have raised levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the *lo**, a study suggests.Near-death experiences (NDEs) are reported by between 11 and 23 per cent of survivors of heart attacks, according to previous research.

But what causes NDEs is strongly debated. Some pin the mechanisms on physical or psychological reasons, while others see a transcendental force.Researchers in Slovenia, reporting on Thursday in a peer-reviewed journal, Critical Care, investigated 52 consecutive cases of heart attacks in three large hospitals.The patients' average age was 53 years. Forty-two of them were men.Eleven patients had NDEs, but there was no common link between these cases in terms of age, sex, level of education, religious belief, fear of death, time to recovery or the drugs that were administered to resuscitate them.Instead, a common association was high levels of CO2 in the *lo** and, to a lesser degree, of potassium.

Further work is needed to confirm the findings among a larger sample of patients, say the authors, led by Zalika Klemenc-Ketis of the University of Maribor.

Having an NDE can be a life-changing experience, so understanding its causes is important for heart-attack survivors, they say.

CAPTION:

According to the study, near-death experiences like divine encounters may occur because of high levels of carbon dioxide levels in the *lo**.