Three cheers for Keyshia Cole - American Grammy nominee rocks National Indoor Sports Centre

An increased effort by the Constant Spring police to reduce the number of robberies within the division yesterday resulted in the seizure of some 3,000 Cuban-made light bulbs, a stolen vehicle and the arrest of two teenagers. It was reported that about 1:45 p.m. police were conducting a spotcheck in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, when they intercepted a Toyota Yaris motor car with two youths ages 19 and 17. One of the detained teens is said by the police to be the son of a People's National Party councillor/caretaker. Subsequent investigations revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in the division a few days ago and was alleged to be involved in a series or robberies since January. A further probe then led the police to Stony Hill where the large quantity of light bulbs was found. Commanding Officer for the St. Andrew North Division, Superint-endent Anthony Morris, said though in its early stages, investigations would continue to determine whether if the bulbs were linked to the controversial Cuban light-bulb project. "We will be continuing in that aspect to see if the bulbs are indeed linked to the project, investigations are in its preliminary stages at this point though," Superintendent Morris said, adding that the Organised Crime Investigative Division had been contacted. Morris said the father of one of the young men, is being sought as the police were told that he (the father) was responsible for taking the bulbs to the home.

Mavado's travel hitch explained Julian Jones-Griffith, manager of deejay, Mavado, dispelled rumours recently about his artist had been deported from the United States of America. Julian issued a statement after Mavado was denied entry in the United States on Thursday. The statement reads: Mavado and I were very surprised by the immigration issues he had upon arriving in the US on Thursday night. He was deemed "inadmissible" by the US Department of State, who had instructed Homeland Security to return him to Jamaica to face a warrant for his arrest. Upon checks we immediately did in Jamaica, we discovered there is no warrant for his arrest in Jamaica so it seems as if the system had not been updated in the US to say he had already been arrested, bailed and rendered free to travel with the return of his travel documents. Julian says, Mavado was not deported and they have already taken steps to rectify the situation, which they are confident will happen in the immediate future. Reports from Canada indicate that Mavado's Canadian fans are 'on edge' since he is scheduled to perform this coming weekend at EB Club Lounge in Montreal. Well, let's hope Julian knows to clear up legalities before lifting off from Jamaica next time. Posted by yardFlex at April 15, 2008 11:35 AM

What began as an argument between the bartender and the dancer is reported to have turned deadly quickly after knives were drawn. They reportedly used to stabbed each other several times.

Anglin reportedly died while undergoing treatment at the Savanna-la-Mar hospital while Salmon was consequently taken into custody.

When contacted last night, the Negril police told mediazone that they were yet to establish the exact motive behind the killing.

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A jury has convicted a 32-auto electrician of raping his 43-year-old common-law wife after accusing her of having another man.



He is to be sentenced in the Home Circuit Court on Friday. The couple lived in a one-bedroom house in Bull Bay, St Andrew and were living together for six years up to the time of the offence in December 2006.

The woman testified that she was ironing her clothes to go to work when the accused said she was going to look for her man. He beat her and then raped her.

The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested and charged.

She said that some time before the incident, she did not have an intimate relationship with the accused. She said she continued to live in the house with him because she did not have anywhere else to go.

In his defence, the accused said that he had sexual intercourse with the complainant but it was with her consent.

By asian, mediazone Reporter

The Negril police are currenttly working hard to solve the mystery surrounding the stabbing death of a male exotic dancer yesterday morning at a club in Westmoreland.

Police reports are that 21-year-old Theodore Anglin, also known as 'Mashel' of Whitehall in the parish succumbed to stab wounds that he received during a brawl with Maurice 'Artist' Salmon, a bartender of Green Island in the parish.

It was reported that both men were at the popular 'Scrub A Dub' nightclub in the parish about 3:30 a.m. when the incident happened.

At the age of fifteen, I had a devastating toothache that was diagnosed as an abscess at the Linstead hospital in St. Catherine. I bore the pain and did an extraction without anesthetics free of cost. During my RAF service was the only occasion in which I was hospitalised for an attack of laryngitis. I had cataracts removed at a hospital in the USA. I had to pay for that service. My last skirmish with hospitalisation happened right here in Montego Bay in January of 2003 when I was hit from behind by a young demon driving a bimmer. He disappeared like a ghost. Quite fortunately, I was not badly hurt.

Young Rastafarian DJ, Bingy Iron, has been contracted to appear on the star-studded Starjam 2K8 set for April 26 at the Agua Sol Theme Park on Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay.


Bingy Iron, fresh from an enthralling performance at Johns Hall Passa Passa in Calymento Lawn, upper St. James recently, will be sharing the stage with Bounty Killer and his awesome Alliance Crew. Also on the bill are Munga (the gansta ras), Assassin, Zumjay, Fanton Mojah, Serani, DJ Flex, Einstein, Bella & Son, Teflon, Warface, Fire Lion, Mr. Chumps, Real Sherif, Serial Killer, Adrenalin, Madd Dog, Cordelia, Major Lloyd, Peter Lloyd, Merital Family, TQ, Lazer Matrix and the talented Mixing Lab. The man who was christened Brian Williams and hails from Lilliput, St. James, is promising his fans another fine c****ination of exciting cultural lyrics.


When either emcee Brian Bowen or Allan Ranks introduces Bingy Iron, he is expected to unleash his trademark expression gas dem which always drives the crowd into a frenzy.


Providing the music are the sound systems Pure Playazz, Studio Mix, Full Blast, Classique and Bass Odyssey.

checkout more of my designz @ dr-jaybone-designz.deviantart.com http://dr-jaybone-designz.deviantart.com/
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5-hour gunfight Two men killed, three injured as gangs trade bullets in August Town

BY KARYL WALKER Crime/Court co-ordinator walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Heavily-armed gangs fought fierce street battles for more than five hours in August Town yesterday, killing two men and injuring three persons in a brazen display of terror that underlined the difficulty peace advocates have had in this St Andrew community for the past five years.

Up to the time the Observer was being prepared for printing last night, the dead men were not identified. A 15-year-old boy, who was shot in the abdomen, was among those injured. The other two injured men were shot in the hand and leg.

Crime scene investigators take notes at a murder scene in August Town, St Andrew yesterday. Two men were killed and three others injured during a more than five-hour gun battle between gangs in the community yesterday. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

Police say the heavy, sustained gunfire pinned them down for hours and they were only able to enter the community at minutes after 4:00 pm through a section near a quarry at Goldsmith Villa after rescue teams in armoured trucks rolled into the area.

Police say they were responding to reports that a body was lying in a pool of *lo** in a section of the hills near the quarry, but were pressed back for hours after gunmen sprayed bullets at them every time they attempted to approach the scene.

Head of the St Andrew Central police division, Superintendent George Quallo, expressed concern for the men under his command, whose hands he said were tied. Gunmen, he said, were using the cover of the hills.

"These are the challenges we face. Every time the police try to approach the area they shoot at us. We cannot fire back because a lot of innocent people live up in the hills. We have to be responsible and do not want to risk any lives," a concerned Quallo told the Observer.

One of the dead men was shot in another part of August Town known as 'Jungle 12'. The bullet shattered a section of his skull and he lay shirtless in the roadway. Police say his body was dragged and left on display by his killers.

The August Town police say a three-way war between gangs from the Jungle 12, Goldsmith Villa and Judgment Yard sections of the community has been the reason for the latest upsurge in violence. The police say the gangs have powerful weapons and a seemingly endless supply of ammunition.

"From morning the shooting going on," one cop at the August Town Police Station said. "The gunmen have bigger guns and it going take a miracle to flush them out. Me hear a gun buss, me think it was thunder."

One resident was badly shaken up and issued an appeal to the warring factions to end the *lo**letting.

The shooting caused some shell-shocked residents of the war-torn community to stay indoors.

"I am begging and pleading with the gunmen to give us a chance to live a normal life. A lot of hard-working, decent people live in August Town and we hate the sounds of gunshots. We can't take the killing no more," the resident, who broke down in tears, said.

After weeks of an uneasy calm, the area erupted late last month as gangs from Vietnam and Jungle 12 faced off. The result was the murder of four men from the community and injury of two others.

During last month's violent eruption, the police were also pinned down by gunmen who the cops say were from the Vietnam area.
As gunfire raged in August Town, police from the St Andrew Central division were also paying attention to the Verene Avenue area of Cassia Park, where two men were murdered between Saturday and Sunday night.

One of the dead men has been identified as Andrew Scott of a Westminister Road address. The other man was up to yesterday not identified by the Constabulary Communication Network.

The police say the area has been tense and they will be maintaining a presence to stem any further disturbance.

Hill may have spread cash across continents
published: Wednesday | April 16, 2008 


Police investigators have revealed they will be seeking to confirm the existence of more than US$4.6 billion (J$326.6 billion) stashed across the globe, for which documentation was seized from the home of Cash Plus Limited boss Carlos Hill.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said yesterday, during a press briefing at the police commissioner's office in St Andrew, that it was continuing its investigation to determine the financial status and assets of the unregistered investment scheme.

The police said Hill is scheduled to appear before the Half-Way Tree Resident Magistrate's Court in St Andrew tomorrow to answer to charges relating to fraudulent conversion of money provided by investors and conspiracy to defraud.

Investigations abroad

Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green told journalists that investigations may have to be conducted in Europe, the Caribbean and the Far East to assess Hill's financial affairs.

A number of materials and documents found at Hill's premises last Thursday showed more than US$4.6 billion lodged in various countries, in the name of Galina Trust Limited, which is registered in the Turks and Caicos. These funds, said Green, will have to be confirmed.

"I urge restraint regarding what appears to be vast sums of money as it will take time to confirm their existence," Green said.

"Additional documentation has been assessed and these indicate that other significant sums and bank accounts may exist and are believed to be held in the British Virgin Islands, UK (United Kingdom), Spain, Kuwait and China," he added.

Documents found at Hill's Norbrook, St Andrew, home also indicate that a loan of US$1 billion had been secured, last January, on at least US$2.5 billion held in five accounts in Germany.

Green said the case was developing into a complex and lengthy investigation that may take some time to conclude.

The police also found some 186 companies either directly linked to Cash Plus or which may be affiliated with Hill himself.

"These again will have to be carefully assessed," said Green.

He said the Major Investigations Taskforce, the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) and the Fraud Squad are leading the investigations.

However, as the investigations progress, international police assistance will be sought.

Home raided

Last Thursday, police personnel from the OCID, supported by the Financial Investigations Division of the ministry of finance and the public service raided Hill's property.

Carlos Hill, his brother, Bertram Hill, director of Cash Plus Developments Limited, and Peter Wilson, believed to be the chief financial officer of the investment scheme, were arrested.

K. Churchill Neita, QC, one of the lawyers representing the three men, said the police press conference was "most inappropriate and irresponsible because it is calculated to prejudice the case of the persons on whom there is a presumption of innocence".

Last week, Cash Plus' court-approved co-interim receivership manager, Kevin Bandoian, revealed the investment scheme would not be able to make good on its promise to start making repayments to its approximately 40,000 lenders by April 14.





Charges laid against Cash Plus trio
Carlos Hill was charged under the Larceny Act with four counts of fraudulent conversion and four counts of obtaining money by false pretence. He is also charged under Common Law with one count of conspiracy to defraud.
Bertram Hill and Peter Wilson are both charged under Common Law, each with one count of conspiracy to defraud.

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md.
Pope Benedict XVI arrived Tuesday in the United States to a presidential handshake and enthusiastic cheering, a warm welcome that followed the pontiff's candid admission hours earlier that he is "deeply ashamed" of the clergy sex abuse scandal that has rocked the American church.

On his first papal trip to the U.S., Benedict gave hundreds of spectators a two-handed wave as he stepped off a special Alitalia airliner that brought him from Rome. Students from a local Catholic school screamed ecstatically when the saw the pontiff, who shook hands with President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter, Jenna on the tarmac.

The pope and the president left in a motorcade a few minutes later.

About 400 people filled stands on the tarmac at the base, cheering his arrival. Among them are about 100 parishioners from area Catholic churches. Many of them said they won lotteries for the chance to see Benedict arrive.

Imelda Laforteza, 38, who goes to St. Peter's Catholic Church in Waldorf said his visit is "a blessing for all of America."

On the flight to the United States from Rome, Benedict addressed the most painful issue for the Roman Catholic Church in America clergy sex abuse. The U.S. church has paid out $2 billion in abuse costs since 1950, most of that in just the last six years.

"It is a great suffering for the church in the United States and for the church in general and for me personally that this could happen," Benedict said. "It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission ... to these children."

"I am deeply ashamed, and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future," the pope said on the flight from Rome to Washington, speaking in English as he responded to questions submitted by reporters ahead of time.

Benedict pledged that pedophiles would not be priests in the Catholic Church.

"We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry," Benedict said. "It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound."

The pope's promise failed to mollify advocates for abuse victims, however. They said the problem is not just molester priests, but bishops and other church authorities who have let errant clergymen continue to serve even after repeated allegations.

"It's easy and tempting to continually focus on the pedophile priests themselves," said Peter Isely, a board member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "It's harder but crucial to focus on the broader problem complicity in the rest of the church hierarchy."

A Jehovah's Witness who for decades refused all surgery on his horrific facial disfigurement has been given hope by a British doctor and new medical technology.

Unwilling to accept a *lo** transfusion, Jose Mestre has allowed the *lo**y tumour that first appeared on his lip in adolescence to obliterate almost all of his face. Jose Mestre aged 14, when his tumour was still small (left), and as he is now Now 15 inches long and weighing 12 pounds, it has blinded him in one eye and made eating a daily ordeal. As it begins to block his airways, doctors fear his life could be in danger. But now one of Britain's leading facial surgeons has proposed treating Jose, 51, by employing ultrasound waves to coagulate the *lo** before the operation. This should allow his growths to be removed without risk of heavy bleeding satisfying his religious prohibition on *lo** transfusions that has so far hampered his search for treatment. Jose was examined by two doctors in Britain - Loshan Kangesu, consultant plastic surgeon at Broomfield Hospital, and Dr Iain Hutchison of St Bartholomew's in London. Dr Hutchison, who also runs the Saving Faces surgery research charity, is optimistic that a single operation with a harmonic scalpel could have a dramatic affect on Jose's features. "I think we can remove a large proportion of the lesions around 80 per cent," he said. "We would then have to deal with the underlying nose, lip and tongue disfigurement." "I have never seen a vascular malformity as bad," he added. Jose's condition, haemangioma, stems from abnormalities in the capillaries and veins in his face. In effect, what should be a river carrying *lo** back to his heart has turned into a lake, which has now expanded to obliterate the rest of his features. For Jose, surgery would offer an escape from the routine he has developed to help deal with his affliction. Every day he sets off from his home in a suburb of Lisbon for Rossio Square, one of the city's main plazas, where he sits out the afternoon enduring the stares and questions of strangers. He has become something of a local celebrity, a notoriety he does not always seem to resent. Telegraph TV: Jose Mestre and his sister Guida in London Unable to find work or a girlfriend, he has been supported by his siblings since the death of his mother, with whom he was very close and from whom he took his religious beliefs. "It's very difficult to find out the truth about why he hasn't been treated in the past," said Rob Farquhar, producer of the Discovery Channel documentary which brought Jose to Britain in search of a cure. Financial pressures, mis-diagnoses and the limitations of the Portuguese health system all played a role, but Jose's own complicated attitude to his condition has not helped. Unsuccessful and unhappy visits to Germany and Spain in search of medical care in his youth have left him with a distrust of doctors. This, c****ined with his loyalty to his mother's faith, and concerns about life without the mask to which he has become accustomed, appear to have instilled Jose with a sullen fatalism about his condition. His inertia has infuriated his close family, who do not share Jose's religious beliefs. Jose himself, although a Jehovah's Witness, does not attend any church. During the consultation with Dr Hutchison in London, Jose's sister Guida reacted with exasperation her brother's initial reluctance to discuss the offer of a transfusion-free operation. "Die alone, not with me. For me, finished," she cried, in dramatic footage to be broadcast for the first time this week. Guida shoulders much of the burden for caring for Jose. Jose Mestre's siblings do not share his religious beliefs But Jose now seems ready to confront his condition. He has agreed in principle to Dr Hutchison's proposal to return to London for an exploratory operation on one of his smaller lesions. If the treatment works, the majority of Jose's tumour could be removed and his face rebuilt in a single 12 hour operation. Despite the experimental nature of the treatment Dr Hutchison is confident of success. A harmonic scalpel has never been used to remove growths as extreme as Jose's, but has proved itself a highly effective surgical tool since coming onto the market a few years ago. Dr Hutchison, who has offered to carry out the operation without charge, is now waiting for Jose and his family to get in contact and arrange an appointment. "I hope that he is well and in reasonable health, and if he wants to come and see me my door is open," he said.

ah who di best in Daseca

-- Edited by cashp at 02:13, 2008-04-04

-- Edited by cashp at 11:08, 2008-04-04

The Eastern Kingston Police have stepped up the pressure on sound system operators who breach the noise abatement act. A second sound system operator has been arrested and charged and is to appear in court this week. The police say that night noise is becoming a nuisance to the citizens of that police division and action will be taken against those who breach the law. Police have arrested and charged sound system operator, David McNaughton for breaches of the noise abatement act. He is the third person to be arrested and charged for breaches of the noise abatement act since Sunday, April 6. A release from the Kingston Eastern Police Division states that McNaughton operates the popular Jam Rock Disco. He was arrested when a joint military police team raided a dance at Bryden Street in the Browns Town Area of East Kingston where the sound system was reportedly playing without a permit. He was granted bail in the sum of $50 thousand to appear in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrates court on Thursday, April 10. The police in Eastern Kingston say they will be vigorously enforcing the provisions of the noise abatement act Yesterday the Eastern Kingston Police revealed that dance promoter, Delroy Anderson of First Avenue, Kingston 3 and sound system owner, Owen Powell had been arrested and charged for breaches of the noise abatement act. The two were held along with 78 other men were held early Sunday morning at a dance called fraggy night. The other men were questioned and relesased.

Cop kidnap probe - Mother relieved, case into abducted son reopened

A 33-year-old tiler was arrested following the seizure of an illegal firearm in Steer Town, St Ann on Thursday morning.

Charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition is Errol Broady, otherwise called 'Glen' of Steer Town.

Reports are that about 10:00 a.m., a police operation was carried out in the Steer Town community. During the exercise, Broady was seen acting in a suspicious manner. He was accosted and searched and a .38 revolver and ten .38 cartridges were found in his possession.

He was subsequently arrested and charged and is booked to appear in the St. Ann's Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday, April 17.

One of Jamaicas most respected reggae events-Western Consciousness - will mark its 20th renewal come April 26, at the Llandilo Cultural Centre in Westmoreland and promises to be an awesome experience given the star studded lineup that will grace the stage.


Arguably the best reggae show locally, this staging has been dubbed a celebration of what is good in reggae music and will boast a star-studded lineup of some of the best in the local reggae music fraternity. Artiste slated to perform include the great Buju Banton, Dancehall King Beenie Man, Anthony B, Bushman, Richie Spice, George Nooks, Courtney John, Queen Ifrica, Turbulance and Etana.


Other artistes billed for the show include Mykal Roze, Little Hero, Duce Califa and former resident magistrate Carol Gonzales.

Four students were seriously injured in an accident which took place on the Dam Road in Johns Hall, St. James on Friday morning.


Reports are that at 11:45 a.m. a group of Maldon High School students were travelling in a Toyota Hiace minibus when the driver, who was apparently speeding, lost control the vehicle which ran off the road, crashed into a wooden house completely destroying the kitchen and then ran over a precipice.


Residents who saw and heard what happened quickly rushed down to remove the teenagers from the damaged vehicle. It is understood that one student suffered a broken back and anothers feet were fractured.
They were later taken to Cornwall Regional Hospital. Their condition was not known up to press time. The driver was taken into custody afterwards.

if bruce eva mek dat happen......him ago lose alot of votes.....

The United States of America aided mainly by the United Kingdom, Australia, Poland and Denmark invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003. The George W. Bush led administration stated that they would be invading Iraq because they possessed weapons of mass destruction and they needed to put an end to Saddam Husseins reign of terror. We have since learned that the latter claim at least, was a totally unfounded one.


What surprised many people then was the bullish manner in which President Bush went about this affair. The invasion was opposed by some of Americas traditional allies; namely France and Germany. The leaders of these countries publicly disputed Bushs claim that Iraq was a threat to the world but in what was described as a shocking move, the US President turned a deaf ear and went about his mission of putting an end to terrorism and keeping the world safe.


From the start of the fiasco, many persons in Jamaica and around the world were skeptical of Bushs arguments. In fact many persons held the view even then, that Bush was simply attempting to gain control of that countrys rich oil reserves. After five years we might not yet have any conclusive evidence that oil was the driving force behind the invasion but we certainly know for a fact that there were no weapons of mass destruction.


A recent survey has shown that over 4,000 US soldiers have lost their lives during the war in Iraq. But perhaps what is even more telling is the news that over 650,000 Iraqis have lost their lives as a consequence of the war with an estimated 200,000 violent deaths directly attributed to allied forces (the United States and Britain).


The US was not very well loved before the war but in the years following, there is no doubt that they are the country that everyone takes pride in hating these days. We all know that the US is a very powerful country, a force to be reckoned with, but absolute power corrupts and by defying the United Nations in 2003, the US made it known that they have absolute power.


Today, five years later, with Iraq still in a terribly unstable state and set to drain the US financially and otherwise, one thing is sure, America rues the day they invaded Iraq. And so as President Bushs disappointing term as president nears its end, we can only hope he has learned that humility is underrated.

The increase could take effect if Transport Minister Mike Henry does not respond to an ultimatum issued by the National Council of Taxi Associations.

The Association has given the Minister until Friday to announce a date by which taxi fare increases will take effect or it will take matters into its own hands.

President of the Association Dion Chance said he is fed up with what he described as the undue delay in announcing the new rates.

Mr. Chance said the situation is especially vexing, as taxi operators do not receive any subsidies from the state and gas prices continue to skyrocket. "Adjusting the fares is just one option that is available to us but we definitely will be doing something. On Friday we need to hear from the Ministry of Transport and Works...if they have a timeline for when the increases will take effect," said Mr. Chance.

The Association represents roughly 20,000 taxi operators islandwide.

And the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has submitted its recommendations on new taxi fares to the Transport Minister.

Mr. Henry told our news centre on Tuesday night that he is in the process of making a final decision on the matter.

However, he did not give a specific date when an announcement will be made.

Can't compare US race problems with Jamaica

Monday, April 07, 2008

Dear Editor,
I disagree with Dr Melissa James' opinion in her letter in the Observer of March 28, "Same difference".

If Jamaica has a racial problem, of which I as a proud black Jamaican am totally unaware, this is not due to the few scattered incidents committed by the minority two per cent white Jamaicans. We have to be honest and reasonable here. How much more contempt can the minority white Jamaicans have for black Jamaicans than that which black Jamaicans have toward each other? What harm can they bring to black Jamaicans that black Jamaicans are not inflicting on themselves daily?

It is black Jamaicans bleaching their skin, shooting babies, burning kids alive, hitting and killing a one-legged man from his motor cycle, robbing and killing returning residents, who are responsible for creating the huge national debt due to the lack of vision, and who are responsible for most of the political violence and corruption. All of these, when summed up, have created the antisocial and anti-investment climate and moral decay which makes life unbearable for other black Jamaicans.

Since most of the racial discrimination in Jamaica is due to black self-hate, then Jamaica cannot be used as a comparison to highlight the entrenched problematic black-white race relationship in the US. We cannot blame others for our failures and self-hate. We have to first love and accept ourselves, before others will be able to accept us.

H Rennis
hrennis@yahoo.com

Shaggy, sitcom star, to walk reggae awards red carpet

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

New York, USA - International Reggae superstar Shaggy, who is nominated in four categories, and actress Janet Hubert who played the Mom on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, will each walk the Red Carpet and be among the participants on stage at the 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), at the Apollo Theatre, on Sunday, May 4.

Grammy winner Shaggy, whose latest recording Intoxication is nominated for Best Album/CD, is also up for the Best Male DJ/Rapper, and his song Church Heathen is nominated in both the Best Song and Best Music Video categories.
Best known as "Vivian Banks" from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Janet Hubert, also appeared on Broadway in the original cast of Cats, Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies and many more. Her television credits include, The Bernie Mac Show, Friends, NYPD Blue, The Jamie Fox Show, and One Life to Live, to name but a few. She will be one of the IRAWMA presenters.

Included on the list of performers and presenters are: Beenie Man, Ky-Mani Marley, Shaggy, Doug E Fresh, Janet Hubert, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Machel Montano, Billy Ocean, Miss Jamaica 2007, Buju Banton, Macka Diamond, Lady G, Claudelle Clarke, Tony Rebel, Lady Ann, Dean Fraser, Winsome Benjamin, D'Angel, Queen Ifrika, Mutabaruka, Cecile, Junior Reid, Shelia Hylton, and Dwight Pickney.

International singer Billy Ocean, gospel artist Claudelle Clarke, pioneering recording engineer Errol Brown (Bob Marley) and UK rocksteady crooner, Winston Francis, will be inducted into the IRAWMA Hall of Fame. The IRAWMA will be awarded in several special categories. Ziggy Marley and Jay Z will receive the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award for their charitable efforts. The Producer's "Respect" Award will go to Kymani Marley. Awards of Appreciation will be given to: Herman Hall, publisher of Everybody's Magazine, songstress Winsome Benjamin and Karl Rodney, publisher of Carib News.

Other nominees include: Ziggy Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Rihanna, Jay Z, Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, King Sunny Ade, Sly and Robbie, Youssou N'Dour, Toots & the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Shakira, Angela Kidjo, Femi Kuti, and Jah Cure.

Head of Chinese firm charged with electricity theft

Thursday, April 10, 2008

HUA Yuan Chun, managing director of Cosco Shanghai, a Chinese construction contracting company which employs workers on the Palmyra hotel project in Montego Bay, was yesterday arrested by the Montego Bay police and charged with the illegal extraction of electricity.

Cosco Shanghai is not affiliated to the Palmyra.
Hua's arrest followed investigations by the Jamaica Public Service Company into an alleged illegal connection to a facility operated by the company to house Chinese workers they employ in construction work on the hotel site.

He was given $100,000 bail by the Montego Bay police and is to appear in court on April 16.

It was alleged yesterday that the illegal connection to the JPS grid provided electricity for the workers' accommodation as well as an industrial kitchen.

The luxury beachfront residential community, the Palmyra Resort and Spa Development at Rose Hall in Montego Bay, had upgraded its 16-acre development into a condo hotel. The adjustments on the project resulted in the completion of the first phase being pushed back from December 2006 to late 2008.

Jamaican on vacation in London on drug charge

Corey Robinson Thursday, April 10, 2008

A Jamaican man on vacation in London, England was on Tuesday granted bail following his arrest the day before on a charge of possession of crack/cocaine.

The man, Ian Grey, 33, of Kingston, was arrested after the contraband was found hidden in the spare tyre compartment of the vehicle he was driving. British police put the value of the illegal drugs at £7,500. When he appeared before the courts on Tuesday, Grey, who arrived in England on March 20, was granted bail in the sum of £150,000. On Monday, Grey was pulled over by a police patrol in an area known for the sale of the drug in the depressed Hounslow Borough In London.

Police said he was arrested after it was discovered that he was driving the blue BMW motor car without a British driver's licence.

"The vehicle was searched and the parcel containing the drugs was allegedly found stashed underneath the spare tyre," Melody Green of Pride Magazine in London told the Observer.

If convicted, Grey, who is to re-appear in court on April, 17, could be sentenced to a minimum of seven years, half of which he will spend in the British prison before being deported to Jamaica to finish his sentence.
He was scheduled to return to Jamaica in May.

YORK, Pa. -- A York City toddler who police said suffered a fatal beating the day after her second birthday had previously been the victim of abuse, the Dauphin County coroner said.
Doctors pronounced Darisabel Baez, 2, dead at Penn State Hershey Medical Center Monday at 9:30 p.m. Police said her mother's boyfriend, Harve Johnson, 26, beat her with a video game controller and cord on Sunday at the mother's home on West Philadelphia Street.

Dauphin County coroner Graham Hentrick said there were bruises and other injuries all over Darisabel's body. Hentrick said an autopsy performed on Tuesday showed the injuries preceded Sunday's fatal beating. Hentrick called the case one of the worst child abuse cases he has ever seen.

Johnson is charged with homicide. Baez's mother, Neida Baez, 19, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Police said she did not do anything to prevent the abuse.




R.I.P

R. Kelly has always been known for trying new things inside and outside of the booth. We hate to say that these are one of those times that our boy Kellz should have asked for the opinions of others before trying to dye his hair gold.

R. Kelly had the following to say about himself a few months ago:

Im the Ali of today. Im the Marvin Gaye of today. Im the Bob Marley of today. Im the Martin Luther King, or all the other greats that have come before us. And a lot of people are starting to realize that now.

The R&B King definitely knows what to do to get the planet talking before his album drops. It sucks that the color gold reminds us of another controversial topic revolving Kellz.

 

Gone are the days when school girls respected themselves and their uniforms. What is happening to our teenage girls? Everyone wants to be in hype. Buses and taxis without music seem to be losing. The buses and taxis have to be blazing the sounds of Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man and Mavado just to name a few. Some can sing the words of these songs without stuttering but try asking some of these girls what they learnt in school and one would think "the cat got their tongue". When will they realize that education is the key to success; education gives us the independence we need as women to survive.

Some girls no longer feel comfortable sitting in their seats but instead have to be positioned in the laps of males. Some even go to the extreme of having sexual intercourse on these buses and taxis. GIRLS - you need to start respecting yourselves and your bodies. If you refuse to respect yourselves how will men respect you and treat you as young ladies. Remember your body is the temple of the living God.

And to the adults in these young girls' lives - don't play the blame game. Instead try reaching out for counselling with them, because in some instances the root of the problem can be traced back to negative experiences.

Cabbie held with guns

Man charged after tussle with cop

What's up my peeps? This is your girl Abena giving all my One876 crew a crazy morning shout-out. The Rock is crazy right now, and New York is percolating with some insane gossip and stuff, some of which I can't even get into because a b*tch might get shot, but you know me, mi still ah go TALK DI TINGS.

IS BEENIE FOUR TIMES MORE POPULAR THAN BOUNTY?
Mi read inna this week XNews say Beenie scored a high of 28 per cent in a recent poll to determine who is the most popular dancehall artiste. Bounty Killer polled 7 per cent of the 1000 persons interviewed by the Don Anderson and the Market Research Services team. The survey was commissioned by the CVM Group, and the conducted between March 10th and 17th. So do you really believe that Beenie is four times more popular than Bounty Killer? Get your copy of the XNews for the full results.

CASH PLUS-RELATED DEATHS ON THE RISE
Mi no know, but it look like before this one ends, there will weeping, moaning, gnashing of teeth, and people cutting their wrists in their bathtubs. Last weekend, a man took a swan dive off the top of Jamaica Pegasus. Rumours are that he lost US$12 million doing foreign exchange trading. The other day, some shotters kill a woman who couldnt gi dem back the Don money weh him send from farin. Right now, mi a wonder why the Bank of Jamaica never do something about this years ago. Mi all hear say some big-time execs in the bluechip companies in Jamaica put company money in the Cash Plus and now it just emerge. Like Octane say, tink oonu see no *lo** ah run yet? Memba mi told yu.

MAVADO IS ON THE ROCK
When Mavado said he is 'On the Rock', him never know say it woulda mean two things. He was reaffirming his belief in the Almighty, and now he is reaffirming his geographical location, on the rock, in Jamaica that is. After a disastrous set of events, he seems to be largely confined to Jamaica for the time being. He was banned by authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he was involved in a brawl in Barbados, his supporters *lo**ied a young dancer at the Heineken Green Synergy event, a pure sitten sitten gwaan whenever the man arrive.

DON CORLEON GIVES $250,000 TO MEDIATHON
We love how the sisters ah represent fi the cause of the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation. Artistes like Etana, Marcia Griffiths, Nadine Sutherland, Cecile, D Angel, Queen Ifrica, Tesanne Chin, Sophia Brown, Carol Gonzalez, Cherry Natural, M'lonie and Stacious. It lasted about seven-hour and was simultaneously broadcast across radio and television stations and the internet. They almost reached the target of $10 million, clearing over $9 million. Special props to GraceKennedy who gave $1 million and Anthony Abrahams who gave $500,000 cash. Big kudos to the Minister of Information, Youth, Culture & Sports Olivia "Babsy" Grange who gave her full support to the event.

Monday Water Cooler - Memorial service for Mama Booker

Memorial service for Mama Booker
A special memorial service will be held on April 15th to commemorate the life of  Cedella Booker, mother of international reggae icon Bob Marley. The service will be held at the Garden House of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens in Coral Gables, Florida. It begins at 7:00 p.m.

She is survived by son Richard Booker, daughter Claudette Livingston, nephew Jimmy Brown, 14 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. The family is requesting that donations be made to the Cedella Marley Booker Academy, via the Nine Miles Charitable Foundation in Florida.

Cedella Booker passed away at her home in Miami on April 8. It is not clear where she will be interred, or if there will be a thanksgiving service for her life in Jamaica as well.

SOPHIA BROWN TO SHOOT VIDEO ON WEDNESDAY
Fresh off a scintillating performance on the Sister to Sister mediathon yesterday, songstress Sophia Brown is now turning her attention towards the video shoot for her new popular single, 'I'm a Rose'.

"The video will be directed by Dexter Pottinger, and will be shot at the ADVIDCO. sound stage on Lindsay Crescent. I am looking forward to working with Dexter on this shoot because he has an amazing command of detail and a knack for making women look beautiful so it should be a fun shoot," Sophia told One876Entertainment.com.

In the meantime, Sophia's previous single, 'I'm A Rose' jumped to #11 on the Jamaica Music Countdown charts.

Peter Lloyd live at Christopher's Cafe

Jamaica's super talent, singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, broadcaster, Peter Lloyd will bless Christopher's Jazz Café's Singers Night live on Thursday, April 17th, 2008.

Peter Lloyd who has a reputation for his scintillating live performances will deliver his neo-classics Wake Dem Up, Gold Digga, Dancehall Queen, Ready 4 Luv and others as well as pay homage to reggae greats such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Beres Hammond.

Lloyd has received rave reviews for his show stealing performances at calendar events such as Western Consciousness, Unity Splash, Rebel Salute, Stunt Festival, New Kingston Street Jam, Juicy Patties' Food and Culture, Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and many more.

In recent years with chart hits such as I Heard Dem Say, Peter Lloyd has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the dancehalls of Jamaica and has captivated the hearts and minds of the Jamaican people. Thursday, April 17th from 7pm to 11pm patrons will be grooving, rocking, dancing and prancing to this young reggae icon in the making.

Christopher's Jazz Café ambience will provide an up close and personal experience with this charming, charismatic, easy-going talent, who is emerging as a genuine reggae super star. You must be there.

18 year-old April Jackson (Miss Swift Cash) beat out 24 other young ladies to cop the 2008 Miss Jamaica Universe title. The grand coronation took place at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday April 12 before a capacity audience.

22 -year-old Doneika Plowright (Miss Cherry B**** Creative Labs) and 21-year-old Rebecca Silvera (Miss Digicel Tropical Plaza) placed second and third respectively. Francine Hall (Miss Jergens) and Adrianna Bryan (Miss Minott Services Mobay) completed the top 5.

The show was entertaining and the production of the event was commendable. Emcee for the night, Paula Ann Porter Jones, guided the proceedings with class.

The show kicked off at 8:43 pm with an opening dance number featuring members of the Ashe Ensemble alongside the 25 finalists who were dressed in red. The contestants then appeared in swimwear courtesy of Mushroom. Miss Jamaica Universe 2007, Zahra Redwood, made a cameo appearance with the Ashe Ensemble.

After appearing in evening wear courtesy of Uzuri International, the top 12 finalists were announced. These included Johnnell Eastman (Miss French Connection); Kadia Campbell (Miss Patmar's Car Rental); Kimberley Cummings (Miss McMasters Centre); Salome Campbell (Miss Superior Parts); and Noelle Kerr (Miss Cool Group of Companies).

A video presentation showcasing the journey of the contestants from eliminations to the grand coronation preceded the performance of boy group A2O, which gave a creditable account of themselves. The group performed two songs including their current video hit Take You There.

A rush to the front of the stage by overzealous patrons, thus blocking the view of those in the VIP area, greeted the arrival of rhythm and blues singer Keyshia Cole. Cole who rarely interacted with the audience, performed with a band, back-up singers and dancers. She delivered the hits that her fans came to hear. What sounded like audio tracks could be heard during Cole's performance.

Songs, including the mellow Love, Just like You, I Changed My Mind, I Remember, Shoulda Let You Go and Last Night, had the crowd jumping from start to finish. Eager fans tried to drag the singer off stage. But Cole's security detail wouldn't have any of this and she made a hasty retreat from the stage. Security personnel inside the venue then hurriedly rushed to disperse the crowd that had gathered in the front. However, the damage had already been done.

After the question-and-answer segment, the top 5 were announced and then the top three. April Jackson copped the Most Aware sectional prize, while crowd favourite Doneika Plowright was voted Most Congenial. The Bling Bling Style Award went to Jeseka Williams (Miss Springtime Laundry and Household Products), while Adrianna Bryan won Best in Swimsuit. Another crowd favourite Rebecca Silvera won Most Photogenic.

A hail of boos greeted the new queen. Many patrons stormed out of the venue visibly and vocally upset about the choice of the new queen. There were also complaints from patrons in the VIP section who raised issues about having to pay for drinks and unable to see the performance of Cole. Others complained about the presence of peanut and snack vendors who were seen plying their trade in the VIP section.

The new Miss Jamaica Universe title holder won for herself $1 million cash courtesy of title sponsors WorldWise Partners; a fully loaded BMW 120i courtesy of Stewart Motors; a trip to Vietnam to represent Jamaica in the 2008 Miss Universe pageant; guaranteed modeling contract with Pulse valued at one $150,000 over two years; lifetime gym membership at Gymkhana; Miss Universe wardrobe courtesy Uzuri, and Keandra Francis; accessories valued at $100,000 courtesy of Bling Bling; and active wear from Puma Jamaica collection among other prizes.

The second place winner will receive $100,000 cash; a modeling contract with Pulse valued at $100,000 over two years; one year membership at Gymkhana; and dinner for two at Strawberry Hill among other prizes.

Third place winner walked away with $50,000 cash; one year membership at Gymkhana; a modeling contract with Pulse valued at $75,000 over two years; and a gift voucher from Go West valued at $25,000.

Miss Jamaica Universe 2008 was produced by Pulse with title sponsorship from WorldWise Partners, in association with Stewart Motors, CVM TV, the Hilton Kingston Hotel, Fame FM, Zip FM, Irie FM, Heffes Sales, Gymkhana, Uzuri, Hype TV, Bling Bling, Grizzly's and Splash.

Heineken just got colder

A new forecast was revealed last Wednesday, when Heineken introduced their new sub-zero coolers in the island.

The launch, which took place at 17 Trinidad Terrace (beside The Quad) officially made Jamaica one of 66 countries that have experienced Heineken served extra cold, with the introduction of the new and innovative sub-zero coolers.

The cooler will chill beer to negative four degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature a beer can reach before freezing.

An islandwide promotion, dubbed Club Zero kicked off at the launch on April 9 and will run until May 31, 2008, during which seven events will be staged over seven weeks.

Heineken has even created Club Zero, a mobile 40-foot long icebox designed to give patrons a taste of the sub-zero experience. Club Zero will immediately after around the start morning with the launch.

From the sub-zero road shows to the sub-zero club events and finally culminating with Saint Internationals FASHIONBLOCK in New Kingston on May 25, Heineken will electrify Jamaicans with their sub-zero parties. This innovative, intriguing move for Heineken certainly drives home the message that Heineken is indeed the coldest beer for the hottest occasions.

The extra cold promotion comes with an additional incentive, consumers can join in a video competition and stand the chance of winning a trip for two to Amsterdam, the home of Heineken, to experience the famous Heineken Ice Bar.

Frederique Asberg, country manager of Heineken says, Heineken is the brand that consumers can party with because it gives them the worldly appeal that they are looking for.

Hence, the sub-zero experience is just another way to enjoy our beer in a fun and exciting way.

She adds, without a doubt our Heineken Extra Cold is the lightest, most refreshing, intense tasting beer and our consumers will enjoy the experience tremendously, but we remind our patrons to enjoy our products responsibly.

Meet Daniel Tammet, a 27 year-old math and memory wizard. He can do things with numbers that will truly amaze you. He is a savant. . . with a difference. Unlike most savants, he shows no obvious mental disability, and most importantly, he can describe his own thought process. Join correspondent Morley Safer as he explores the extraordinary life and mind of Daniel Tammet.

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Jamaican artiste, Harry Toddler has inked a major licensing deal with Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BaTelCo),  the telecommunications giant from The Bahamas, to sell downloads of the ringtone for his number one hit, Don't Run In in that country.

"They came here and shot a commercial with him as well to promote the ringtone. They were impressed with his voice, and the melody of his delivery, and so they signed him up to sell downloads of his music, this represents a potentially lucrative deal for the Blond Ras," Josef Bogdanovich revealed to One876Entertainment

The company also inked Tony Rebel to a similar deal. BaTelCo is a major sponsor of this year's Down Sound Records produced 'Millennium Countdown' show. Recently, in conjunction with the Swiss telecommunications company Swiss Telecom PTT, BaTelCo developed a digital satellite communication system between Switzerland and The Bahamas, two of the world's prominent financial centers.

'Hacker' launches iTunes copying

A teenage girl has vowed never to use hair dye again after using a treatment that made her face swell up "like an alien".

	Lois before she tried the dye

Lois Queen, 13, had to be hospitalised in severe pain after using L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss in chocolate brown.

She suffered a severe allergic reaction after applying the lotion and her face is still puffy ten days later.

"The pain was intense," she said. "It was terrifying.

"Within hours of using it my eye went red and itchy, then the swelling started.

"The next morning I could barely open my eyes.

"It was so painful. I thought I was going blind and dying. My head was such a weird shape I looked like an alien."

Lois bought the hair dye from a shop near her home in Mottingham, south London, so she could colour her hair for her 14th birthday party next month.

	And after, when her face swelled up

She followed instructions on the pack and applied it with help from her mother but her face ballooned.

Doctors gave her steroids and antihistamines but Lois said she needed to go back three times for more treatment.

Her mother Lorna said: "The doctor said she was lucky to avoid permanent eye damage.

"The swelling has gone down a bit but she is still covered in weeping sores that are getting infected. It's miserable."

A L'Oreal spokesman said: "L'Oreal is totally committed to ensuring that our products are safe and that our customers can use them with absolute confidence.

"We were concerned to hear of Ms Queen's recent experience and have contacted the family to offer medical assistance.

"Allergies to hair colourants are extremely rare but can occur for a very small number of people.

"That's why it's vital that people using hair colourants are informed of the risks and know the importance of carrying out a skin allergy test 48 hours before using the colorant, following the instructions carefully."

Thirty miles west of the Taj Mahal, on the road to the pink city of Jaipur, tourists on buses pass a sight that the guide books rarely mention.

	In pictures: 14-year-old's virginity for sale

A mile beyond the town of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, where the highway is being widened to four lanes, traffic slows down for roadworks. But the workmen who lounge by their bulldozers have their eyes on something else - a cluster of makeshift shelters where girls, several under 18 and at least two younger than 15, can be seen strolling or sitting, in view of the dusty carriageway.

Tonight, one girl in particular is attracting attention as she sits on a stool by a fire so that she can be seen by passing vehicles. Her heavily made-up, striking face and beautiful pink sari make her look as if she were on her way to a party. But the truth is different. Suli, 14, is a virgin and a bidding war is being held for the right to be the first to sleep with her.

The collection of shelters where she lives houses 59 families, all members of the Bedia tribe, which has a long tradition of caste-based prostitution. Girls born here become prostitutes in a rite of passage into "adulthood" as routine as marriage is to the rest of Indian society.

The "first time" is a valued commodity for which the middle-class businessmen who pass this way are prepared to pay a premium.

The normal rate is 100 rupees (£1.30) but a virgin is sold to the highest bidder for anything over 20,000 rupees. If she is very pretty, the community would hope to get up to 40,000 rupees. For this, the man can have access to the girl for as long as he likes - several hours, days, or even weeks. When he tires of her, there is a celebration. Because it is considered unlucky for a girl to keep the money from her first time, it is spent instead on an extravagant party. Jewellery is bought for her and for her relatives, goats are slaughtered and alcohol runs freely. There is dancing, and offerings are made to the gods.

Once a girl has lost her virginity she cannot marry. The choice has been made and the community celebrates it - this is her non-wedding night.

	Bidding war: Nita [left] is so pretty that a 'client' may pay £600 to take her virginity, say her sisters

Suli said she was happy to enter the trade. "I chose it," she said, though she admitted being "a little" frightened. "I do not know how it is going to be. I know other girls who are in the trade but I have not asked them how it is."

She claimed it did not matter what the man looked like. "I will go with whoever pays the highest price," she said, before running off as her mother called her for supper.

Nita, a virgin in the hut next door, has four sisters, all prostitutes. She wears jeans and a skimpy top, and giggles a lot. One sister boasts that as Nita is particularly pretty, they hope to get 40,000 rupees (£600). "We have been offered 25,000, but it is not enough."

Nita is only 13 but has opted to follow her sisters into the trade. It is her own "choice", because, she giggled, "I won't have to do any housework."

But in avoiding making chapatis, Nita has signed up to a life in which she will deal with 20 to 30 clients per day, until she reaches her forties. After that, when she is no longer considered desirable, she will depend on any children she may have for support.

Two of her sisters, Ritu, 35, and Manju, 25, have built one of the few stone houses in their village, for which they paid the equivalent of £14,600, and are proud of their success. "There was a lot of poverty, we had nothing to eat," said Manju. "What you see now has come with hard work." They support 50 family members - 35 children and 15 adults.

Elsewhere in India, the birth of a boy is celebrated with dowries paid by the bride's family, one of the reasons given for the high abortion rate for female foetuses. But in the villages around Bharatpur there is a shortage of girls to marry, and the custom is for the boy's family to pay the girl's family a large lump sum before the wedding can take place.

Possibly because the money comes from prostitution, and because any granddaughters will be destined for the trade, the sums are high.

Ritu and Manju paid for four of their five brothers to marry, and now support their sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

They earn between 1,000 and 1,500 rupees a day. It was more before the government knocked down their shelters to make room for the highway.

"We need a shelter by the road," they said. "Tell the government to build us somewhere we can work. We used to have 25 or 30 clients a day, now the average is 10 or 15." They said they were able to keep their rates up because they could provide a nice room and running water for their clients, who are mostly married businessmen from Agra.

The prevalence of caste-based prostitution in certain tribes in the region - the Bawaria, Nuts, Bedias, Kanjars and Sansis - came to light after a raid on a brothel in Delhi. Now an attempt is being made to break the cycle by which the girls of each generation enter the trade.

Dr KK Mukerjee, a social work professor at the University of Delhi, who was commissioned by the government to research the scope of prostitution, has founded a group, known as GNK. Supported by Plan International, a child-centred community development agency, the organisation has set up a hostel to look after prostitutes' children.

Many of the women said they did not wish their daughters to follow them into the trade. Ritu and Manju each have a daughter, whose fathers were clients. "My daughter will get educated, and not enter this profession," said Ritu. "I have seen what it is like. I don't want it for her."

A young boy at the hostel told proudly how he had persuaded his grandmother not to push his aunt into prostitution. "My grandmother said that she would kill herself if my aunt did not go into the trade and earn money," he said. "But I persuaded her, and my aunt got married."

-- Edited by Crazypickney at 02:30, 2008-04-15

SANAA, April 9 - An eight-year-old girl decided last week to go the Sanaa West Court to prosecute her father, who forced her to marry a 30-year-old man.

Nojoud Muhammed Nasser arrived at court by herself on Wednesday, April 2, looking for a judge to handle her case against her father, Muhammed Nasser, who forced her two months ago to marry Faez Ali Thamer, a man 22 years her senior. The child also asked for a divorce, accusing her husband of sexual and domestic abuse.

According to Yemeni law, Nojoud cannot prosecute, as she is underage. However, court judge Muhammed Al-Qathi heard her complaint and subsequently ordered the arrests of both her father and husband.

My father beat me and told me that I must marry this man, and if I did not, I would be raped and no law and no sheikh in this country would help me. I refused but I couldnt stop the marriage, Nojoud Nasser told the Yemen Times. I asked and begged my mother, father, and aunt to help me to get divorced. They answered, We can do nothing. If you want you can go to court by yourself. So this is what I have done, she said.

Nasser said that she was exposed to sexual abuse and domestic violence by her husband. He used to do bad things to me, and I had no idea as to what a marriage is. I would run from one room to another in order to escape, but in the end he would catch me and beat me and then continued to do what he wanted. I cried so much but no one listened to me. One day I ran away from him and came to the court and talked to them.

Whenever I wanted to play in the yard he beat me and asked me to go to the bedroom with him. This lasted for two months," added Nasser. "He was too tough with me, and whenever I asked him for mercy, he beat me and slapped me and then used me. I just want to have a respectful life and divorce him.

Nassers uncle, who does not want to reveal his name, is following the case now as her guardian. According to her uncle, after Muhammed Nasser, the girl's father, lost his job as a garbage truck driver in Hajjah, he became a beggar, and soon after suffered from mental problems.

Thamer is in jail now. Yes I was intimate with her, but I have done nothing wrong, as she is my wife and I have the right and no one can stop me," he said. "But if tThe husband YT Photo by Hamed Thabethe judge or other people insist that I divorce her, I will do it, its ok.

So far, no accusations have been made against her father, who was later released due to health problems, or Nasser's husband, who will remain in jail for further investigation.

So far there is no case and no charges, as Nojoud arrived by herself to court asking just for a divorce, said Shatha Ali Nasser, a lawyer in the Supreme Court who is following Nojoud Nassers story.

Shatha Ali Nasser confirmed that item number 15 in Yemeni civil law reads that no girl or boy can get married before the age of 15." However, this item was amended in 1998 so parents could make a contract of marriage between their children even if they are under the age of 15. But the husband cannot be intimate with her until she is ready or mature, said Nasser.This law is highly dangerous because it brings an end to a young girls happiness and future fruitful life. Nojoud did not get married, but she was raped by a 30-year old man.

Nasser confirmed that Nojoud Nassers case is not the first of its kind in Yemen, but it is the first time that a girl went to court by herself to ask for a divorce.

We are not planning to return Nojoud to her family. Who knows? Maybe after a few years the same thing will happen to her again," said Shatha Ali Nasser. "We are planning to put her in Dar Al-Rahama [an non-governmental organization that works with children], where she can have a better life and education. We do not want her family to pay her expenses, as they are poor.

Google disagrees, insists IP address merely identifies computer location

BRUSSELS, Belgium - IP addresses, a string of numbers that identifies a computer, should generally be regarded as personal information, the head of the European Union's group of data privacy regulators said Monday.
Germany's data protection commissioner Peter Scharr leads the EU group currently preparing a report on how well the privacy policies of Internet search engines operated by Google Inc., Yahoo Inc., Microsoft Corp. and others comply with existing EU privacy law.

An Australian man and his daughter have asked for understanding after revealing on national TV they have an incestuous relationship, and have a daughter.

John Deaves, 61, appeared on the TV show 60 Minutes with daughter Jenny, 39, and nine-month-old Celeste - to whom he is both father and grandfather.

Last month a judge banned them from having sex with each other and revealed they had a child in 2001 who died.

But they insisted on the programme that they were "normal intellectual adults".

Mr Deaves said they both "had careers, had a normal life like everybody else".

He added: "But [we have] fallen in love with each other when we are biologically related, when we've discovered each other later in life."

Mr Deaves had left the family home when his daughter Jenny was a baby, and did not see her again for 30 years.

When the couple met, in 2000, they began a sexual relationship.

Ms Deaves told 60 Minutes she began to see John as a man first and a father second.

"I was looking at him, sort of going, oh, he's not too bad. Like you might look at a man across the bar at a nightclub," she said.

"John and I are in this relationship as consenting adults. We are just asking for a little bit of respect and understanding."

The couple each pleaded guilty to two charges of incest last month and were banned from having sex with each other.

According to the judge's ruling in the case, the couple had a child in 2001 who died from congenital heart disease shortly after birth.

If you cant beat them, join them. Comedian/actor Bill Cosby, who has publicly revealed his disdain for rap music's content, is pushing his cause by releasing a hip hop album titled Cosby Narratives Vol. 1: State of Emergency next month.

According to The Associated Press, the album will not feature Cosby rapping but will feature various guest rappers. The album will contain no profanity and the songs will have positive subject matters including the value of education and self-esteem.

The album is the opposite of what I think is the profanity for no particular reason, the misogyny for no particular reason, Cosby told The Associated Press. It really looks at the frustration and the anger that a young man may have.

Cosby put the album together with his longtime musical collaborator Bill "Spaceman" Patterson.

[Cosby's] always been involved in music and he was there for the first generation of spoken word, said Patterson. He has always understood rap's potential, but he was appalled by the foul language and the misogyny the way people used a medium that could be used to elevate people, to open their eyes and provoke thought.

Cosby Narratives Vol. 1: State of Emergency hits stor es in May. No official release date was given.

A teen's struggle

The Negril police are currenttly working hard to solve the mystery surrounding the stabbing death of a male exotic dancer yesterday morning at a club in Westmoreland.

Police reports are that 21-year-old Theodore Anglin, also known as 'Mashel' of Whitehall in the parish succumbed to stab wounds that he received during a brawl with Maurice 'Artist' Salmon, a bartender of Green Island in the parish.

It was reported that both men were at the popular 'Scrub A Dub' nightclub in the parish about 3:30 a.m. when the incident happened.