Good guys unite Super Smash Brothers Brawl Review

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Gameplay - 10/10
The gameplay is addictive. These characters move with their own special flair. The range of characters is phenomenal and even though this game broke all the laws of physics, it's very life-like in a cartoonish way. The adventure mode is amazing.

It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you want to sing and it will make you want to shake your tail feather. An evil character called the Ancient Minister is plunging the world piece by piece into a different dimension called subspace. Mario and all of the Nintendo heroes must band together to face the ultimate evil, Tabu (pun).

Sound - 10/10
This game sounds great (get it). You can hear everything from the clashing of swords to the charging of Aura. It has a mode where you can select songs from a vast majority of the Nintendo games in existence. At the end of adventure mode there is a beautiful song in Spanish, which will touch your soul. If you lost that it will still touch you. Also the cries of the various characters are crisp clear and sharp, and the stage makes sounds respective to the actions done there

Graphics - 10/10
The graphics are beautiful. Whoever said that video games are not pieces of art should be eating their words now. All the characters are made to such specifications, you would swear that they made the characters in real life and just shrunk them. You can see every minute detail from Captain Falcon's abs to Kirby's permanent blush. What really looks exquisite though are the final smashes. Mario's giant fireball sets the stage on fire in its wake and Link's triforce slash takes your breath away (literally).

Average - 10/10
Get this game now, it is utter perfection. Run to your nearest game store and pick this game up. It makes Melee look like a children's game. This four-person fighter is absolutely addictive.

Competition
This review will only deal with a handful of new characters who have jumped out because of either their skill or lack thereof.

Pit - Pit is a really good character. Armed with a bow that shoots out light arrows that splits into twin swords. Pit has a set of wings which make him near impossible to knock off the screen and to make matters worse; he can use a recovery move which allows him to fly even longer. His arrows can change direction mid flight and his shield acts like Fox's reflector. Pit's final smash is to summon the fat-winged Centurion of the Sky goddess Palutena. Who will fight for Pit until their final breath. All in all he is a good character for beginners and experts alike.

Ike - This Marth copy is way too overpowered. He wields a two-handed sword, which is made out of solid gold and he can throw it as if it is a plastic toy (maybe because of the steroids he munches). Ike is extremely slow and trips over his own feet. Ike's final smash, however, is a beautifully executed c****o that is certainly a one-hit c****o. He lacks the grace and fluidity of Marth, but a good brawler can use him well.

Meta Knight - This is the cool, collected honourable swordsman from the Kirby series. His blows may be weak, but he delivers a lot of them quickly. He uses his wings as much as he uses his sword as a weapon from making a powerful tornado to a glide slash he can use to get back on the stage. Meta Knight's final smash is covering the ENTIRE screen with his cape and then slashing everyone. He is a good character for beginners.

King Dedede - This character was the inspiration for Carlos Mencia's line of stupid people jokes. He is literally a blue version of Kirby, who uses a legion of Fur balls to do his bidding. Stay far away from him, he is only for decoration.

Snake - This guy is great. Snake takes a break from stopping Metal Gears to brawl against some of the best characters in the gaming world. Snake has an Ok speed and has a wide range of weapons from mines to a rocket launcher that somehow fits in his pants. The disadvantage is that the weapons can hurt you too. If Snake throws a grenade at you, you can return it. He is literally a sitting duck when using his controllable rocket and he can set off his own motion sensors. Snake's final smash includes him jumping into a helicopter and shooting grenades at you. Snake is overpowered and only a master can unlock his full potential.

Olimar - This character reaps a horde of veggie servants who do his bidding. You could say that Olimar is fruity (get it). With his Pikmin to do all the work, Olimar does nothing beside walk. Olimar throws his pikmin and they absorb some of the blows. Olimar even make a rope ladder with them. His final smash is to crash his spaceship into you. Use him if you want to.

St James chef shot dead

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

MONTEGO BAY, ST James - Swift action by a police team here Monday night led to the apprehension of the man who allegedly shot and killed Clive Wallace, a popular chef, outside his small restaurant here in the city.

The firearm allegedly used by the accused to carry out the lethal attack was recovered by the police. The name of the accused was not released by the police.

Wallace, 40, resided at Bogue Village in St James,
According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) liaison officer for St James, Constable Ulette Green, about 8:45 Monday evening Wallace was about to leave his restaurant, located at the intersection of North Lane and Long Lane, when he was attacked by an armed man who shot him repeatedly.

He was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police reopen 2003 Washington Boulevard abduction case

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

THE police, claiming to have new information, yesterday reopened the December 2003 Kemar Walters/Oliver Duncan abduction case in which policemen were said to be involved.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields yesterday urged his colleagues to come forward with information which can assist in solving the near five-year-old cold case which involved the abduction and possible murder of the two men.

Walters and Duncan were allegedly forced into unmarked police cars at a plaza on Washington Boulevard in St Andrew two days before Christmas in 2003. Neither has been seen or heard from since.

Duncan was said to be a major player in a multi-million dollar car-stealing ring which involved policemen, body repairmen and car alarm technicians. A Honda CRV which he was driving at the time of the abduction was found burnt out in the mangroves along the Port Royal road days afterwards.

A police corporal who was charged with unlawful abduction in connection with the case was freed because of lack of evidence.

But yesterday, Shields said the police had crucial information about the abduction which led them to reopen the investigation.

"I am asking anyone with information, including my colleagues in the JCF, who I believe have detailed knowledge of what happened to these two individuals, to come forward. This case is a serious blight on the reputation of the force," Shields said at a press conference at the constabulary's anti corruption unit's offices.

Shields announced that two retired specialist homicide detectives from Britain - Michael Turner and Colin Fish - have been brought in to assist Operation Kingfish with the new probe into the disappearance of Walters and Duncan.
The investigators, he said, would try to establish the circumstances leading to, and those responsible for, the men's disappearance and to locate their remains.

Meanwhile, news that the case would be re-opened was met with joy by Walters' mother, Claudette Angus, who was left wondering about her son's fate.

"I always wanted to know because my son just disappeared like that. I am feeling overwhelmed and I hope justice is served," Angus said

Kingston-based Penthouse Records has announced its amicable separation from artiste Mark Myrie, more popularly known as Buju Banton. In a statement, CEO of Penthouse, Donovan Germain, noted that: I have been guiding and managing the career of Buju Banton for the last 18 years and the time has come for this chapter to close. Mr. Germain noted that having dedicated the last 18 years to building Buju Bantons career, taking him from obscurity to the pinnacle of international stardom, it was with a sense of pride that he was relinquishing the management of the artiste, to move on to other activities. He added, First and foremost, I am a producer and after spending so many years on the road touring, I now feel the need to get back in the studio and get really involved in the production side of the music, Mr. Germain stated. He emphasized that this was a mutual decision which was long in the making. The Penthouse CEO pointed out that Buju Banton would be handling his own affairs under his Gargamel Music outfit. Buju is now refurbishing his studio and his entire operations, so he will be able to handle his bookings and all management-related activities. Mr. Germain stated that he wished Buju continued success and declared that the artiste could feel free to call on his expertise whenever necessary. Penthouse Records has a roster of young artistes including Anthony Cruz, Nikeishia Barnes and Romaine Virgo. Numerous efforts to get a comment from Buju Banton were futile.

Antwain Moxam - Contributed

"I went online this morning, hoping to see you log in like every other morning. It dawned on me when I didn't see that smiling face beside your name, that you are gone ..."

This was one of the many comments posted by several baffled friends of Antwain Moxam on his HI5 internet page a day after he was found dead at his home in Savanna-la-Mar.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the 20-year-old may have shot himself.

Antwain, the son of a policeman, is suspected of committing suicide at the family home at the Llandilo housing scheme in Westmoreland.

According to police reports, approximately 1:45 p.m., Monday, the policeman was called to his house where he found his son slumped over a computer in the living room with a gunshot wound to the head. A suicide note was displayed on the desktop and a firearm found beside the body.

The scene was processed and the body removed to the morgue for post-mortem.

Sonia Moxam, Antwain's mother, said the incident has shocked the family, who never saw this coming. "No one expected this. There was no sign of depression. He was a good student and he has good friends," she said.

She said the loss of her only son is difficult for his six sisters to accept. "The smallest one is finding it very hard. She don't want to come to the house because she can't believe he is gone," she said.

She said they have no idea why he killed himself and the suicide note he left did not give an explanation. "He was a quiet person. He had his friends and he never use to give any trouble," Moxam said.

Many moons ago, rap music was infl uenced by a NYC-based sect known as the FIVE PERCENT NATION OF GODS ANDEARTHS. From the Worlds Famous Supreme Team to Rakim to Wu-Tang Clan, the Gods sought to inspire and courted controversy. A look back at an eraand at the spiritual heart of East Coast hip hop itself.

"We can never fall off, said Brand Nubians Sadat X to Fab 5 Freddy, cause this is God right here.

Filming a 1992 episode of Yo! MTV Rapsin front of the Five Percenters headquarters, Allah School in Mecca (aka Harlem, NYC), the dreadlocked Lord Jamar ran down the long list of classic Five Percenter MCs. It read like a hall of fame from the East Coasts golden age: the Worlds Famous Supreme Team, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Poor Righteous Teachers, and Lakim Shabazzrappers who used their consider- able skills to espouse the street gnosticism of the Five Percent Nation. And it dont stop.

Though condemned as heretics by Sunni Muslims and demonized by law enforcement, the Five Percenter move- ment has thrived in various forms until the present day, due in large part to the sense of purpose and dignity that gods brought to the microphone. The music just sounded really intelligent, with some of the terminology that they used, said 50 Cent in 2006.

They studied their lessons, so they speak a certain way, he said, causing Five Percenters like Rakim to ap- pear a lot more intelligent than the other artists who were out there just rappin. The Five Percenters bridged the gap between hip hops humble beginnings and New Yorks long tradi- tion of black Muslim consciousness. Alternately known as the Nation of Gods and Earths, the movement began in the early 1960s with Clarence Edward Smith, a decorated Korean War vet who joined the Nation of Islams Harlem mosque under its minister, Malcolm X. As Clarence 13X (the 13th member named Clarence to drop his slave name), he became absorbed in study of the mosques secret Supreme Wisdom Lessons.

In these tran- scribed dialogues between Elijah Muhammad and his teacher, W.D. Fard, who established the fi rst NOI mosque in Detroit in 1930, Clarence was taught that images of God as a white man in the sky were only a trick of the devil. There is no mystery God, read the lessons. Rather than waste time searching for someone who did not exist, Clarence learned to recognize himself and all black men as living gods. As the best knower among the Gods, Fard was elevated to the status of Allah.

In 1964, Malcolm X broke with the Nation of Islam amid bitter political conflicts, causing a schism among Harlems Muslims. Hewas gunned down the following year. The FBI, which closely monitored the Nation of Islam, considered Clarence to have followed Malcolm after the split; but despite their mutual respect, Clarence couldnt relate to Malcolms Sunni Islam, which rejected the idea of black gods and white devils. He soon found himself in a no mans land. While loving Elijahs lessons, he was on the outs with the mosque.

The reasons given are varied, but Clarence might have been frustrated by the strict codes of conduct. To register in the Nation of Islam meant no music, no drinking or smoking, no gambling, no girls, wearing bow ties, and standing on corners selling newspapers. Clarence was concerned that the most vital truth of the teachingsthat the black man is godwould be lost on those who couldnt conform.

Leaving the Nation and losing his X, Clarence went to pool halls and corner dice games to share the secret lessons freely with teen hustlers, dropouts, and throw-outs. Drawing up his own self-styled message, Clarence taught that reefer referred the mind, while shooting dice revealed the mathematical properties of the universe.

According to the lessons, 85 percent of society remained deaf, dumb, and blind to the truth, having been deceived by the slave-makers of the poor, the 10 percent. That left only a sliver of humanity, a mere five percent, to liberate the minds of the masses. Clarence told his young disciples that they were this messianic Five Percent, poor righteous teachers bringing truth to all the human families of the planet Earth. You are gods, he said. And for the street kids, he was no longer Clarence; they called him Allah. This offended New Yorks Sunni and NOI camps alike, but the Five Percenters evolved their own understanding of Islam. Allah read his new name as an acronym for Arm, Leg, Leg, Arm, Head, signifying the divinity of man, and he broke down Islam as I Self Lord And Masterplacing Five Percenters beyond the rules and regulations of the mosque.

Declaring that Five Percenters were no longer Muslims, Allah/Clarence instructed them to drop their Islamic names and take on hismaking all Five Percenters their own Allahs, no longer dependent on Clarence or any self-proclaimed prophet.

Know you are Allah, he told a young student, who would rename himself Allah B; never deny yourself of being Allah, even if the whole world denies you...its your own doubt that can stop you from being Allah.

A sting operation carried out by the Fugitive Apprehension Team (F.A.T.), the Negril police and the Hanover Special Squad early Thursday morning netted a bank robber who is wanted for a robbery at a New York City bank in the United States.


Arrested is forty-seven year old Donald Washington Gordon, otherwise called John Stern, who was being sought on a warrant by the state authorities. A report from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) explained that about 4:00 a.m, the (F.A.T.) team carried out an operation in the Delphland Bottom community of Little London, Westmoreland, where Gordon was held.
Gordon has been a fugitive since the April 1997 incident, where he and three other persons reportedly robbed The Fleet Bank in Brooklyn, New York of approximately US$400,000.


He is scheduled to appear in the Half Way Tree Resident Magistrates Court on Tuesday for extradition hearings.

Jamaica has had seven nationally and one party elected prime minister since political independence. The vehicle used on the road to the prime ministers office comes by the name, political party. Indeed, in this post ideological Cold War world, the political party is the only globally recognized entity that is eligible to enter the contest that gives legitimate power to govern a country and its people. Coup-de-eat are vehicles of the past. The face and energy of a people is usually mirrored through the effort of the person elected to the highest office of national representation, be it political leader, president or prime minister.


The awesome power of the Jamaica maximum leader, the prime minister, was fully demonstrated during the decade of the Seventies. There was a time, then, that the maximum leader one person was the prime minister, the minister of defence and minister of agriculture. And trust me, nationally, through this person, enormous energy was generated from the populace. The decade of the Eighties saw a lull in the high energy that is usually associated with the prime ministers office. With less fanfare, the energy returned in the Nineties and mid-2005. Since the change over of politicians in government leadership, the energy seems to be returning to the office of the prime minister. In any country or movement, its effectiveness will be measured by the energy generated from the activism of its maximum leader. In Jamaica, for example, the office of the prime minister must be occupied by an individual capable of efficiently functioning in more than a ceremonial capacity. The office of the prime minister is designed to be a workaholic super office, coherent with the control and function of all other ministerial office.


When additional burden is given to a ministry, in this instance the health and agriculture ministries, the prime ministers office should always be manned and capable to absorb the excess responsibility from the ministry, thus giving the minister adequate time and space to implement the additional, high priority programme or policy. The matter of free health care for the Jamaican people will require the sole function of a minister of health. The drastic, global changes in the usage and production of food staples, such as corn and wheat, require the attention of a full-time minister of agriculture. Jamaicans do not need to be rocket scientists to understand the motive for the detachment of the portfolio of environment from health, and lands from agriculture.


The delivery of certain results should be expected from certain action taken. And with regard to the lessoning and adding of ministerial portfolio, comes more expectation. It will allow enough leeway to succeed and eliminate excuses for failure form the relevant minister and ministry. And, also, to prove being worthy of the confidence placed in them to deliver on the promises made to Jamaicans by the leader and his super office that the office of the prime minister is designed to be.


The present prime minister has carefully selected his steps and expects the team that he leads to see his office has shouldering the most burden and most efficiently serving the nation. This is to lead by example and is a very lonely path time. However, the prime ministers office is the first amongst equals and will decide on matters, firstly, before they are passed on. The bottom line is that Jamaica has in office, a political leader and prime minister, who seems capable of filling any breach in governance.

On the hit 30 Something from his 2006 album Kingdom Come, Jay-Z boasted: You aint got enough stamps in your passport to f**k with Young HO, international. According to the New York Times, the rap behemoth who is set to close a handsome $150 million deal from Live Nationmight be right.

Live Nation, a major concert promotion company based in Beverly Hills, California gave pop icon Madonna a $120 million deal last year, and uber-rock band U2 a 12-year partnership for an undisclosed amount.

According to the Times, Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) will complete a package deal that includes a start-up label, as well as a music publishing, talent consulting and management company. Live Nation will provide the star with a $25 million advance, and a $5 million-per year overhead deal over five years.

The rapper most recently joined forces with Steve Stoute to form Translation Advertising in New York, an umbrella of Translation Consultation and Brand Imaging, which focuses on multicultural advertising.

For four years, Jay-Z served as the president of Def Jam. He stepped down from his post last year, but owes the label one more album. Upon his leaving, Jay-Z said simply, Its time for me to take on new challenges.

nine persons have gone through screen tests for the job of host for the new season of the popular 'Digicel Rising Stars'.

The organisers of the show have been looking for a candidate to replace Denise Hunt, who left the show after four years as host. Among the persons who were looked at as possible hosts are; past Miss Jamaica World winners Yendi Phillipps, Sara Lawrence and contestant Sanique Vacianna, TV personalities Renée Garel (Lady Renée ) and last year's host for the show's 'Chill Room' and assumed forerunner for the position, Kiki. There is also the option of performers such as actress Sakina Deer, Guyanese singer Tamika Marshall and the sole male potential actor, Stephen McHew.

Energetic and charismatic

Public relations executive at Digicel, Patria-Kaye Aarons, said the candidate they are looking for to replace Hunt has to be someone energetic and charismatic. "It's a talent programme and we're looking for an animated person because as a factor, Rising Stars comes into the homes of every Jamaican and it must be someone that has that 'it' factor to fit into every home."

The new host will officially be announced tonight at the launch of Digicel Rising Stars at the Courtleigh auditorium. In the meanwhile Aarons told the zone that fans can only expect the best from the upcoming season.

She said, "having set the bar for four years we need to live up to the expectations. We plan to raise the bar of the show from the very show itself, its content. It's going to be bigger and better."

In terms of of Hunt's departure from the show the series executive producer, Tahnida Nunes, said, "after four years, she has decided to move on from Digicel Rising Stars to pursue other career options. Together, we made groundbreaking television in the past and we wish her the very best of luck in the future".

No particular reason

When the  zonespoke with Denise, she claimed that there was no particular reason for her leaving the show and that she has no clue where reports that she wanted a pay increase came from. Hunt, who also left her stint on the television show, Entertainment Report in December, remains a host of a weekday radio show.

My confidant

The trouble at home

Having a husband creates an extra seven hours of housework each week for women, according to a new study. For men, tying the knot saves an hour of weekly chores.

"It's a well-known pattern," said lead researcher Frank Stafford, an economist at University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. "Men tend to work more outside the home, while women take on more of the household labor."

He points out individual differences among households exist. But in general, marriage means more housework for women and less for men. "And the situation gets worse for women when they have children," Stafford said.

Overall, times are a' changing in the American home. In 1976, women busied themselves with 26 weekly hours of sweeping-and-dusting work, compared with 17 hours in 2005. Men are pitching in more, more than doubling their housework hours from six in 1976 to 13 in 2005.

Stafford analyzed time-diaries and questionnaires from a nationally representative sample of men and women over a 10-year period between 1996 and 2005. The federally-funded study showed that, compared with the single life, marriage meant more housework for both men and women.

"Marriage is no longer a man's path to less housework," Stafford said.

Single women in their 20s and 30s did the least housework, about 12 weekly hours, while married women in their 60s and 70s did the most - about 21 hours a week.

Men showed a somewhat different pattern, with older men picking up the broom more often than younger men. Single guys worked the hardest around the house, trumping all age groups of married men.

Having kids boosts house chores even further. With more than three kids, for instance, wives took on more of the extra work, clocking about 28 hours a week compared with husbands' 10 hours.

• 10 Things You Didn't Know About You
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LEWIS. was due to be released by end of May


AN inmate of the Fort Augusta Women's Prison is now on the run after escaping the cl**tches of prison warders who had taken her to get treatment at a medical centre yesterday.

The woman, Regina Lewis, 28, escaped while in the custody of warders at the St Jago Park Health Centre in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Lewis was sentenced for nine months for malicious destruction of property and 20 days for possession of a chillum pipe in November last year at the Yallahs Resident Magistrate's Court.

She was slated for an early release at the end of next month.

"She would soon be released but now she will have to come back and spend some more time," head of the Department of Correctional Services Major Richard Reese said.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Clinton made nearly $109 million since they left the White House, capitalizing on the world's interest in the former first couple and lucrative business ventures.

The Clintons reported $20.4 million in income for 2007 as they gave the public the most detailed look at their finances in eight years. Almost half the former first couple's money came from Bill Clinton's speeches.

The tax returns are a portrait in post-presidential success. The Clintons, who had lived in taxpayer-paid housing in the governor's mansion in Arkansas or the White House for years, left the presidency struggling with a legal defense fund stemming from a spate of investigations. They now are wealthy enough that she could lend her presidential campaign $5 million earlier this year.

The campaign released tax returns from 2000 through 2006 and gave highlights from their 2007 return. The Clintons have asked for an extension for filing their 2007 tax returns, citing the dissolution of a blind trust last year.

The Democratic presidential candidate and her husband paid $33.8 million in taxes from 2000 through 2007. They listed $10.25 million in charitable contributions during that period.

Clinton has been under pressure to release her tax returns, especially from rival Sen. Barack Obama, who posted his 2000 to 2006 returns on his campaign Web site last week. Neither Obama nor Republican Sen. John McCain has made their 2007 tax returns public, though both say they will this month.

The Clintons last made their returns public in 2000 when they reported an adjusted gross income of $416,039 for 1999. Since then, the former president has embarked on a number of business ventures and has made millions from speaking engagements and books.

In the tax returns, the former president describes his occupation as "Speaking & Writing."

Beside speeches and books, his biggest single business income is from his partnership with Yucaipa Global Opportunities Fund, a Los Angeles-based investment firm founded by longtime Clinton fundraiser Ron Burkle. Between 2003 and 2006, the returns show total Yucaipa partnership income of $12.5 million. The 2007 summary provided by the campaign lists $2.75 million in partnership income.

President Clinton also has been an adviser to InfoUSA, a data company whose chief executive, Vinod Gupta, has been a major donor to Democrats and gave at least $1 million to Bill Clinton's presidential library in Arkansas. Clinton received $400,000 in payments from the company in 2006 and 2007, according to the documents.

According to a summary of the seven years provided by the campaign, the former president's speech income since he left the White House totals $51.85 million and his income from his two books "My Life " and "Giving" totals $29.6 million, including a $15 million advance for "My Life." Bill Clinton has traveled the world, giving paid speeches to multinational corporations, investment banks and motivational groups.

Details of the former president's speaking fees were included in Sen. Clinton's financial disclosure report last year. In 2006 and 2007, he earned fees from $100,000 to $450,000 speaking to such corporations as IBM, General Motors, and Cisco Systems, finance giants such as Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, and trade groups such as the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association. He also has been paid to speak to nonprofit or charity groups, including the TJ Martell Foundation, which finances leukemia research, Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund and, last March, to the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles.

The campaign has said Clinton typically donates millions of dollars worth of free speeches to charities

Hillary Clinton had $10.5 million in book income over the period from her book "Living History." She donated earnings from her other book, "It Takes a Village," to charity.

Clinton's tax returns show that of the remaining presidential candidates, she is the one most able to access large amounts of personal money. She lent her campaign $5 million in late February and could contribute more if she finds herself falling far behind Obama's proficient fundraising.

McCain's wife, Cindy, is heiress to her father's stake in Hensley & Co. of Phoenix, one of the largest beer distributorships in the country and her worth could exceed $100 million. But the couple has a prenuptial agreement that has kept most assets in her name. In his financial disclosures, McCain lists his major sources of income as his Senate salary of $169,300 and a Navy pension of about $56,000.

In 2006, Obama reported income of nearly $1 million, with nearly half of it coming from the publication of his second book, "The Audacity of Hope." Last week, the campaign disclosed that Obama and his wife, Michelle, gave $240,000 to charity last year.

The tax return shows a rite of passage for the Clintons: 2002 was the last year they claimed daughter Chelsea, now 28, as a dependent.

The returns also reference interest free loans to unidentified "family members." Based on the "imputed interest" listed in the 2006 return that is interest that would have been paid the loans likely total more than $300,000.

"The loans to family members are personal; the Clintons are going to respect their family members' privacy," Clinton spokesman Jay Carson said.

Jamaican Dancehall/Reggae artiste Bramma "D" Bomma, has released a second video. The track entitled "Value of a Lady" is Bramma's most popular song to date.

The single was produced by another young and innovative producer, Jordan McGlure of Chimney Records and video produced by Andrew Val. Copies of the single were distributed in Germany's Riddim Magazine, the only magazine that features Reggae and Dancehall artistes, as complimentary track for the November 2007 issue.

This development came about four months after the song was uploaded on myspace, freelance writer, Anne Kummerloewe from Germany, flew to Jamaica to meet and interview Bramma, whom she says was her choice to become Dancehall's likely next mega star. "Value of a Lady" is now a very popular single in Germany, Italy and France and has also created tour opportunities for the artiste.

"Value of a Lady" was created early last year when news of women and children being targets and victims of some brutal and violent crimes saturated the local airwaves.  Bramma, the only child for his mother, wrote the song and dedicated it to her and all mothers of inner-city communities who are forced to deal with crime and the impact it has on their children in one way or another. "Value Of A Lady" is also a plea to the so called "shottas" to atleast consider the importance of the existence of women and children in our society.

Bramma went all out on this one as it was also a personal challenge for him to create music of substance. Bramma's music today ranges from hardcore (underground) street music to soothing reggae singles and he tend to manipulate both categories. "My favourite tunes of his are "Value of a Lady", "STAR" and "Betta Must Come" and trust me better will come, says Daddy English of GFM radio in Glouceshire. 'We have come to know, love and respect this Dancehall artiste and expect big things from him" says Massive G, of Rock The Nation in France. "I love the track entitled "Value of a Lady" says Waggy Tee of 99 Jamz & WAVS 1170 AM in Miami.  Bramma is currently in studio working on other singles soon to be released. More Info at web: www.myspace.com/brammadebomma or www.myspace.com/newimagepromo1

mediazone would like to send our condolences to the Marley family who just lost Mother Booker. The mother of reggae icon Bob Marley. She died at her home in South Miami.

We at this time, would like to let the Marley family know that they are in our deepest thoughts and prayers.

Hangin' housecoat

-- Edited by alligcold at 10:47, 2008-04-05

After waiting several years for that elusive hit to launch him into mainstream dancehall limelight, the hardworking Leon Danger is now upbeat about this prospect with his newest release The Plane Come. Plane Come is a continuation of Richie Spices The Plane Land one of the biggest songs in the country. Leon Danger has also released three new singles Weed Planter, Battle Field Warrior and Last Night.


In the summer of 2005 a very catchy rhythm called Spiritual was taking Jamaica by storm. The rhythm was made very popular by Jah Cures True Reflection, Gyptians Serious Times and Q-Qs Better Must Come and Poverty. On this same rhythm too was Leon Dangers single entitled Joe Grine which added further popularity to the Spiritual rhythm. However, this did not bring him the response he so badly sought.


Then came the month of November 2005, sound systems and radio stations all over Jamaica were playing Leons newest release Not So Lucky which was an answer to Nankos big number one single Lucky You. This was produced by Leon himself and his daughter Sashana (18) on his Hillsman label. This still was not quite what Leon anticipated. However, he thinks the The Plane Come has so far given him an optimistic feeling toward his first major hit.


Leon Danger first started to hone his deejay skills 18 years ago after receiving much inspiration from former DJ kingpin, Josey Wales. Interestingly, some people say he sounded like Professor Nuts another one-time top-notch deejay.


Born in Clarendon, Leon Danger graduated from Cross Hill All-Age in Clarendon with an ambition of making a statement in the entertainment fraternity of Jamaica. He went close to doing so in 1989 when he topped a talent contest hosted by one-time number one radio personality Barry Barry G Gordon.


Always looking forward to his birthday on the 23rd of August, Leon Danger was first called Mawga Man because of slender his frame. But when he was sought to do a recording for a new studio called Creative, the boss felt that he had put on too much weight to be called Mawga Man, so he suggested a change of name. He was christened Leon Walker. His father is the proprietor of a lumber yard.

Jamaican music industry overjoyed
Entertainment attorney Lloyd Stanbury, the principals of RiaJam, artistes, producers and several of the key players in Jamaicas music industry were overwhelmed with the news that, following a year-long investigation by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), the RCMP has shut down Audiomaxxx.com Ltd., a major alleged music counterfeiting operation in Winnipeg, and filed criminal charges against four individuals.

For several years, Audiomaxxx has been a major problem for Jamaicas music industry, pirating practically all of the countrys top reggae and dancehall releases.

In the news that came in last week, Raj Singh Ramgotra, the principal behind Audiomaxxx, was among those arrested during a recent raid at the organization, which for three years has allegedly manufactured pirated compact discs and hardcore pornographic videos, and distributed them throughout Canada, the U.S., Europe and Jamaica. More recently, Audiomaxxxs offerings have also included allegedly pirated digital downloads.
In addition to the arrests, police seized an enormous volume of suspected counterfeit goods. This includes more than 200,000 music CDs and DVDs, numerous movie DVDs and hundreds of thousands of blank discs. Police also seized five CD/DVD burning towers, each with 12 burners, which together are capable of burning well in excess of 10,000 CDs and DVDs a day. The raid also netted several computers and hard drives, two commercial CD printers, four colour copiers and other office equipment.

In the past 10 years, the raid closest in scale to the action against Audiomaxxx involved the seizure of about 10,000 counterfeit music CDs and DVDs one-twentieth the volume netted from Audiomaxxx.

More than 10 police officers were involved in the raid.

We sincerely thank the RCMP officers who have worked so hard to bring Audiomaxxx to heel, and to the federal prosecutors who have worked closely with them, said Graham Henderson, President of the Canadian Recording Industry Association. Todays arrests send out a clear message that commercial piracy will no longer be tolerated in Canada.

Audiomaxxx is suspected of being one of Canadas leading music counterfeiters. In Toronto alone, approximately 30 per cent of the pirated CDs seized allegedly originate from the operation. CRIA estimates that, at minimum, Audiomaxxx has been shipping tens of thousands of allegedly pirated CDs each month.

CRIA has received dozens of complaints concerning the operation from artistes, music associations and music labels around the world, including numerous small, independent labels. In the past, when faced with demands by rights holders to cease its activities, Audiomaxxx has consistently ignored the demands or failed to fully comply.

The operation appears to be highly developed, with a significant catalogue of allegedly pirated CDs and music downloads offered for sale via the website www.audiomaxxx.com, including copies of tracks by famous artistes like Shania Twain, Lionel Richie, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Nelly Furtado.

The RCMP has again demonstrated that it stands side by side with artistes and rights holders in the fight against intellectual property crime, said Randy Lennox, President and CEO of Universal Music Canada Ltd. and Chairman of CRIA.

CRIA has a longstanding partnership with the RCMP and other police forces in fighting piracy, and today we have taken a big step together to stop one of the most flagrant examples of its kind in Canada.

Audiomaxxxs alleged piracy affects not just famous artistes, but also new and independent artistes - largely in the reggae, soca and hip-hop community - who are struggling to build careers. For example, Vancouvers Utopia Records, one of the many independent labels to voice concerns, has seen new artiste albums appear on the Audiomaxxx website on the day an album is released in stores or even before the legitimate launch date.

The harm done by music piracy is especially troubling when it undermines a promising artistes burgeoning career, Henderson said. We will continue to work with police and lawmakers to give these artistes, and the organizations behind them, the opportunity to succeed.

CRIA began investigating Audiomaxxx as part of an ongoing programme to deter music counterfeiting and piracy.

The operation came to CRIAs attention because of the large volume of suspected counterfeit products openly offered for sale on the Internet and the owners failure to stop selling these products after the issuance of cease-and-desist orders.

Since CRIA began dedicated anti-counterfeiting operations more than a year ago, the association and police have seized more than 400,000 CDs and issued 80 cease-and-desist orders against retailers of illicitly copied music.
Impact of Piracy and Counterfeiting on Canadian Artistes and Rights Holders
Piracy and counterfeiting exact a steep toll on artistes and rights holders in Canada. This is reflected in significant music sales declines since the advent of widespread unauthorized file-swapping in 1999 and the proliferation of CD and music DVD counterfeiting in recent years. In that time, retail sales of pre-recorded audio products (CDs, digital tracks, etc.) declined by 47 per cent, from $1.3 billion in 1999 to $703.7 million in 2006.

For the 11 months ended November 2007, net wholesale shipments of CDs, music DVDs, and other physical recorded music formats dropped 16 per cent to 37.9 million units from 45.1 million units in the year-earlier period, while the related net wholesale value dropped 20 per cent to $382.4 million from $476.3 million.

A 2007 national POLLARA survey found that purchases of counterfeit goods such as music CDs displace legitimate commerce. About half of those who bought counterfeit music, movies or software would have purchased the genuine version had they not purchased a copy (for music, the figure was 43 per cent; movies, 45 percent; and software, 44 per cent).

Portmore United moved to the top of the table in the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) after a 2-1 win against struggling August Town at Ferdie Neita Park in Portmore in a late game on Sunday.

The Linval Dixon-coached Portmore joined Tivoli Gardens on 53 points, however Portmore enjoy a superior goal difference. Boys Town who suffered a 1-2 defeat to Waterhouse at Drews Land Stadium lie in third on 43 points.

In other results, it was: Arnett Gardens 1, Village 3 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex; Reno 3, St. Georges SC 1 at STETHS in St. Elizabeth; Sporting Central Academy 0, Tivoli 0 at Brancourt in Clarendon; and Seba United 0, Harbour View 0 at Jarrett Park in St. James.

With nine rounds remaining, Portmore and Tivoli are engaged in a fight for the coveted trophy and winning cash prizes. Portmore has a slight edge as they have a match in the bag against Village United.

Meanwhile, August Town and Reno are in the drop zone, while Arnett Gardens are only a point away and are certainly in danger of relegation.

The CPPL continues with round 30 scheduled for Sunday, March 30. The full fixture is: Boys Town vs Harbour View at Collie Smith Drive (3:00 p.m.); Tivoli Gardens vs Waterhouse at Edward Seaga Stadium (5:00 p.m.); St. Georges SC vs Sporting Central Academy at Lynch Park in Portland; Village United vs Reno at Elliston Wakeland Centre in Trelawny (3:30 p.m.); August Town vs Arnett Gardens at UWI Bowl (3:30 p.m.); and Portmore United vs Seba United at Ferdie Neita Park (3:30 p.m.).

As some of the top female artists in Reggae, Gospel and Dancehall get ready to perform for charity at this Sunday's Women's Day Mediathon contributions towards the official $10,000,000 target set out by the organizers have already been streaming in and last week Thursday Deejay Mavado showed his support to the worthy one day venture.

Presenting Committee member Paula-Ann Porter with a cash donation of $10,000 Mavado represents the very first male artist to have made a contribution. Mavado who currently has a smash remix of "On the Rock" with rap superstar Jay Z made the donation at the offices of Solid Agency.

The Mediathon which will be a live Television & Radio broadcast is in aid of building a Women's Shelter and also to further assist the Women's Center Foundation of Jamaica with providing continued counseling, skills training and education to pregnant teens.

Among the long list of artists slated to perform are, Marcia Griffiths, Etana, Brick & Lace, Queen Ifrica, Judy Mowatt, Tesanne Chin, Carlene Davis, Nadine Sutherland, Cecile, Stacious, Gem Myers, Sophia Brown, D Angel, Carol Gonzalez, M'Lonie, Cherine Anderson, Cherry Natural, LaCadco Dancers and more.

The Mediathon is an initiative of the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture & Sports with responsibility for Women's Affairs and Gender Issues in collaboration with the Bureau of Women's Affairs.

MONTEGO BAY, ST James - Swift action by a police team here Monday night led to the apprehension of the man who allegedly shot and killed Clive Wallace, a popular chef, outside his small restaurant here in the city.

The firearm allegedly used by the accused to carry out the lethal attack was recovered by the police. The name of the accused was not released by the police.

Wallace, 40, resided at Bogue Village in St James,
According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) liaison officer for St James, Constable Ulette Green, about 8:45 Monday evening Wallace was about to leave his restaurant, located at the intersection of North Lane and Long Lane, when he was attacked by an armed man who shot him repeatedly.

He was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Lyn-Sue. confessed to fabricating evidence against a murder accused


MONTEGO BAY, St James - Detective Corporal Carey Lyn-Sue will today plead guilty in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court to attempting to pervert the course of public justice, according to reliable sources.

The 31-year-old Lyn-Sue, formerly of the Area One Accident Reconstruction and Investigative Unit, made headlines in January when he told Montego Bay Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tie that he had fabricated allegations against murder accused, Jason James.

Speaking under oath, Lyn-Sue created legal history by leading evidence against himself of making up evidence in an effort to secure a conviction.

It was not immediately clear yesterday if Lyn-Sue, who will be charged this morning, will face other charges.
Lyn-Sue's lawyer, Morrell Beckford, who witnessed a question-and-answer session in which his client reportedly "fully co-operated with the police", declined to elaborate on the matter.

The Observer has learnt, however, that he plans, at the appropriate juncture, to make an impassioned plea for as much mercy as possible.

In this he will undoubtedly receive much support from the fact that Lyn-Sue volunteered the confession. On the other hand, Beckford may also have to contend with the possibility that the court may want to "send a message", given the background of allegations of corruption against the justice system.

James is now serving a 15-year sentence on an unrelated charge.

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is not supporting the ultimatum issued on the Government by a Canadian group demanding that the state produce public service announcements denouncing homophobic violence.

However, Jason MacFarlane, programmes manager of J-FLAG, says his organisation wants to engage in talks with the Government on the issue of violence against homosexuals.

Last week, the gay rights group Egale Canada, in an open letter to Anne-Marie Bonner, Jamaica's consul general for Toronto, said it would make a public announcement if the Jamaican Government did not meet its demand by May 17.

The group also said it would make an international call for tourists from the gay community to stop visiting Jamaica.

Against move

However, MacFarlane is against such a move. "I know the call for the boycott is coming from people's frustration with the lack of response from the Government, but J-FLAG doesn't think that's the next best step. We should still be able to meet and discuss this diplomatically," he said.

He says J-FLAG has made various attempts to initiate dialogue with Prime Minister Golding. However, his office has not responded to the requests.

"We want him to meet with us to discuss the current state of affairs and violence against persons because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, as we've had reports of heterosexuals being abused."

MacFarlane also says J-FLAG wants the Government to outline how it will deal with issues relating to the human rights of lesbians and gays.

In the latest incident involving alleged homosexuals on Saturday, hundreds of persons converged on a shopping plaza in Half- Way Tree, St Andrew, some wishing to attack two men who were said to have been caught in a compromising position.

The men had to be rescued by the police.

Condemned homophobic in Jamaica

A 2007 Amnesty International document condemned homophobic violence in Jamaica and called for the Government to do more to prevent and prosecute those who incite violence on perceived homosexuals.

In the meantime, MacFarlane says he is pleased with the response of the police to the issue of violence against homosexuals.

"We've had some positive response from the police. We met with the new commissioner (Hardley Lewin) recently and we have his full support. He agreed with many of the things we have put forward, such as the police response among other things," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of human rights lobby group, Jamaicans For Justice says there is need for public education and leadership regarding the basic human rights of every Jamaican citizen.

"It is well documented, the horrors that the people accused of being homosexual have to go through," she said.

. People I heard today that homosexuality will soon be legal in Jamaica as in dem can soon get married. I heard that Jamaica has a May 12 deadline to make this legal. Anybody else hear bout this?

Two suspected gay men became the centre of attention at the Mall Plaza in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, after they were allegedly both found naked in a bathroom.

THE STAR heard that one man was reportedly shopping with his wife when he decided to go use the bathroom.

Upon entering the bathroom, he reportedly saw the two men naked.

An alarm was subsequently made and the men were chased and forced to seek refuge in the guardhouse before being rescued by a police patrol team.

After they left, persons still congregated at the plaza, some expressing their disgust at the alleged actions of the men, while others seemed to find it more funny than serious.

When contacted, the Half-Way Tree police said they had heard of the incident but no reports had been made.

The Jamaican music video - The Best and worst of times

 

BEST

Lloyd Lovindeer

Poco Party (Lovindeer) - This one captures pocomania at its best and the scene where Uncle Tom loses his teeth is priceless.

Wild Gilbert - Lovindeer scored again with this one. Anybody who says they could not relate to even one line, is embellishing.

Church Heathen (original) - Shaggy captures the church scene oh so well. And Brother Desmond, of course.

Anthony B.

Mr Heartless - Anthony B using Riverton as the background and the use of the orchestra dressed in white as a contrast made for a 'tuff' video.

Trailer Load (Shabba Ranks) - This video showed you what dancehall fashion was all about.

Cree (TOK) - The video game play idea was quite innovative. Jamaica had not seen that before.

Ghetto Story (original) - This video by Baby Cham brought the ghetto life experience to the fore.

Take These Wings (Christopher Martin) - The slavery look and storyline resonates well with the song. Could have settled for a 'regular' scene set in the 21st century.

Deportee - Probably one of Buju's best local videos.

Wear Yuh Size (Stitchie) - Unlike some videos shot in plazas when they didn't have to be, this one fully called for that and supported the lyrics.

WORST

Leroy Smart

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Senator Barack Obama has cut into Hillary Clinton's lead in Pennsylvania ahead of the state's Democratic presidential primary later this month, according to a new poll published Tuesday.

Clinton, who needs a big win in the eastern state on April 22 to keep her campaign for the party nomination alive, leads rival senator Obama 50 percent to 44 percent, the Quinnipiac University poll showed.

Just last week the poll had Clinton leading Obama by nine points, and the former first lady had a 12-point lead in mid-March, according to Quinnipiac.

The poll, taken over April 3-6, showed Obama picking up women voters, a cornerstone of Clinton's support base.

Quinnipiac said that over the past week Clinton's margin of support among women supporters fell to 54 to 41 percent from 54 to 37 percent.

It also said Obama, vying to become the country's first African-American president, had cut into her support among white voters.

Clinton led among white voters 56 to 38 percent, down from 59 to 34 percent last week.

Obama led among black voters, 75 percent favor the Illinois senator while 17 percent back Clinton.

Clinton prevailed among voters over the age of 55 and Obama had the edge among those under 45.

The two Democrats are engaged in a tight race to amass enough delegates to win the party's nomination and contest the presidential election in November against Republican rival John McCain.

Obama currently leads the race nationally with 1,637 delegates compared to Clinton's 1,502, with 2,025 needed to win the nomination, according to the independent Real Clear Politics website. He also holds a narrow lead in the popular vote in nomination contests.

The poll showed Obama making inroads against Clinton in a state considered perfectly suited to his rival.

"Obama is not only building on his own constituencies, but is taking away voters in Senator Hillary Clinton's strongest areas -- whites including white women, voters in the key swing Philadelphia suburbs and those who say the economy is the most important issue in the campaign," said Clay Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

With Clinton under pressure to score an impressive victory in Pennsylvania, Obama "needs only to come close to be considered the winner" as Clinton has argued she is best placed to compete in large, pivotal states against McCain, the presumed Republican nominee.

The survey of 1,340 voters was carried out from April 3-6 with a margin of error of 2.7 percent.

Another rise in flour price
published: Tuesday | April 8, 2008

Beenie Man, who arguably is having one of the worst years of his life with the tax man and all the baby mama drama, appears to have left a 'lucky charm' with his estranged wife D'Angel who is easily having the best year of her life with every passing day that sees her growing from strength to strength.

The deejay who recently celebrated her birthday in true celebrity style coupled to being awarded a scholarship to pursue a degree in business administration at the Caribbean Institute of Business has once again caught the eye of the media.

Just days ago 876radio learnt from the diva got a call from members of the Mediamix production team that she will be featured in an upcoming episode of the new season of Royal Palm Estate, a local television soap opera.

When 876radio.com caught up with her the elated deejay said she was thankful for the opportunity to be able to fulfill one of her life long dreams of gracing the big screen of theatre and drama, even though she is no stranger to drama.

"Mi glad fi the role, and right now mi ah study for my scene, mi can't tell yuh the details, but trust me it ago mad when yuh see it, we shooting this Thursday", she added

According you to a tip from a member of her camp her character will bear some semblance to her real life, and we can expect some musical performances in the midst.

"Mi can't tell yuh nothing more for now, cause mi nuh want to give it away , but believe it going to be great" - they assured us.

On April Fools day Police raided a small hippy town call Nimbin about 1 hour inland from where I live in Australia.
Apparently they can't stop the smack & Ice problem, but this is how they deal with herb...

Jumo hoists Tiney Winey winner Jacqueline Blake in a celebratory dance during Jamaica Carnival's New Kingston street dance, held on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Sunday, March 9,. - Winston Sill

Tiney Winey winner, Jaqueline Blake, is elated about being $20,000 richer.

Blake, who participated in the finals of The STAR-sponsored competition at the National Stadium on March 30, as part of the Jamaica Carnival last hurrah, admitted that her competitors were not pleased with her entry.

"When we reach National Stadium (after the road march) and backstage, the girls were saying that it nuh mek no sense dem wine 'cause fat girls always win. One of them stretch the cheque to me an seh dat mi win already," said Blake, who won the contest in the preliminary stages.

Haffi shake

She added, "Dem seh because fat people jus' haffi shake and the crowd cheer fi dem. It's a wining competition an' if yuh don't wine, the crowd naah go cheer fi yuh."

She says she was not deterred by this as she believes in her abilities. She also had to overcome her nervousness.

"When I first went onstage, I was shy, but when the music tek mi inna mi head I was not afraid to dance. I heard somebody call my name in the crowd an' dat gave mi di boost," Blake told The STAR.

One of the voices belonged to her friend. Those friends have been some of her biggest supporters and one of them has already been assured of a fraction her prize money. Some of the money will be saved as a reminder of her accomplishment but she will not forget to treat herself.

further to the "is dancehall dead" post
i must ask, why is dancehall distribution so poor???

riddims are flying out of studios by the hour, but you try to buy the stuff radio dj's are playing in a shop and you are firmly greeted with a screwface man saying:-
"wah?"
"dat nuh out yet?
or
"mi nuh hear a dat"

whats going on people???

p.s. remember im in the UK so maybe things are much better where you are....

THE BIOGRAPHY OF BLACK CHINEY
Black Chiney, the sound, like Jesus, had very humble beginnings. The brainchild of Supa Dups it quietly came into being in September of 1999 as a mixed Reggae/Hip-Hop CD.

Before initiating Black Chiney, Supa Dups created many Reggae/Hip-Hop mixes on vinyl that was played in all the clubs and the underground circuit across Jamaica and through out the world. A few of these mixes even became mainstream and were being played on radio shows such as Fame FMs Thunderdome. And , without it being public knowledge, he created a lot of amazing remixes for the top sound systems in dancehall reggae at that time, and for this reason Supa Dups was every big sound systems best-kept secret. It was in that same time period that Supa Dups was a part of Tampa's Poison Dart sound. There he teamed up with the Bobby Chin, a legend in Washington D.C. who was a part of the one time Super Power Earthquake Sound, D.C.'s #1 sound that unfortunately came to a surprising end.

After the ending of Earthquake Sound, Bobby Chin felt a bit unaccomplished because he wanted his talents to be known worldwide and not just in Washington D.C. He then relocated to South Florida from D.C. where he met Supa Dups. The two got along perfectly both on stage and off, Bobby being the more energetic of the two and Dups being the mellower fellow. While playing for Poison Dart, Supa Dups & Bobby Chin traveled extensively throughout the United States and to other countries like Canada, Grand Cayman, Bermuda, St. Lucia, Belize and their homeland Jamaica.

Nonetheless, Black Chiney, at about its 5th volume, was still known to the public at the time as the hottest mixed CD. Everybody in Jamaica and across the world was wondering about the identity of the person behind Black Chiney! It was at this time, with the knowledge of worldwide supporters/fans that Supa Dups & Bobby Chin confidently decided to make Black Chiney into a sound system. Along with worldwide fans another major boost was the support from many of Jamaicas top dancehall-reggae artists who were encouraging them to launch the Black Chiney Sound. The dancehall artists were reeling from amazement that these two Half-Black/Half-Chinese fellows could spin and select music so well.

Black Chiney took the dancehall scene by storm in the summer of 2001. Dups abd Bobby performed on every big dance for the summer in Jamaica. Supa Dups & Bobby Chin were quite amazed at the outstanding reception and mind-blowing popularity that Black Chiney had achieved in such a short period of time. It is in fact one of their fondest memories of their change from CD to sound system. In June of 2001, at just three months old, having started in March of 2001, Supa Dups and Bobby Chin were feeling extremely confident with their success. Then another big boost came the phone calls began pouring in with requests to feature them on other entertainment functions, at that time, Black Chiney was one of the highest demanded sound in the world, rivaling the likes of Stone Love. They had no thought that the sound, starting out as a simple mixed CD would, would grow in such massive proportions, it was both exalting and humbling at the same time.

Black Chiney again overtook the dancehall scene in the summer of 2002 by winning Fully Loaded, the biggest dance for selectors in Jamaica. That year at Fully Loaded, the crowd and the Emcee, radio personality Barry Gee, awarded Black Chiney with the crown. DJ Tony Matterhorn, who was dubbed the King of Fully Loaded, felt cheated because he had not gotten the chance to play, and decided that he was going to put Black Chiney in their place by means of a sound clash. The venue was a party called Plus in Miami, date, November 2002. It is safe to say that Matterhorn underestimated Black Chiney because they in fact were the ones that put Matterhorn in his place and defeated him. One month after that Black Chiney and Matterhorn had a rematch at a party called Aftershock in Mandeville Jamaica. This Time Matterhorn was prepared for war. Black Chiney did an excellent round and Matterhorn came in and did his round. The clash ended in a draw, which was very good for the young Black Chiney who had never been involved in a serious clash before, especially against the likes of DJ Tony Matterhorn.

The year 2003 was where Black Chiney began to go on worldwide tours, to places like Japan, Canada, some parts of Europe and almost all the English speaking Caribbean Islands as well as some non English. Black Chiney toured Central and South America, and at least 30 of the fifty states in the United States. This was quite an accomplishment for such a young sound system considering that it was only started in March of 2001.

Whenever you come to see and hear Black Chiney perform in your town, you will experience nothing else like it. The same thing goes for the CD series that Supa Dups created and continues to create. Black Chiney will not only give you the best on the CD but will also give you the best in nightclubs and dancehalls worldwide. Black Chiney would like to state to everybody no matter what country, ethnic-race and background you may come from, to mix as people we all are one, just like how Black Chiney mix and remixes music, to be a mixed person can be a beautiful thing. One love no matter what color, religion or race you are. Let music set you free", Supa Dups.

You may contact Black Chiney by e-mail:

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), is concerned about the possibility that some Canadians may boycott the island as a tourist destination because of the present buggery laws and general attitude towards gays and lesbians.

THE STAR published a story last Thursday in which Egale Canada, a human rights group based in Toronto, announced its intentions to call for a tourism boycott of the island as well as a ban on the country's goods and services. The group issued a May 12 ultimatum on the Jamaican Government and threatened to make a public announcement five days later encouraging the ban, if its demands were not met.

The group appealed for the production of public service announcements denouncing homophobia/transphobia, called for a national homophobia/transphobia education campaign and lobbied for the abolition of the buggery law and any other law that stigmatises or criminalises consensual same sex acts.

In a follow-up move, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), issued a release encouraging the government "to demonstrate that it categorically rejects and is prepared to deal decisively with this particular brand of violence in our country."

Head of the JHTA, Wayne Cummings, told THE STAR that he was "very much aware" of the issue. He said the organisation received a letter from JFLAG asking for "support" and added that the matter was discussed in a council meeting.

He added, "We are concerned with any threat. We're concerned with the recession in the United Sates and we're concerned with an important group of people in an influential market and anything that could scuttle the gains we've been making in that market."

He said the Canadian market grew by 24 per cent last year, "the best growth Jamaica has seen", and said if Egale Canada was successful in carrying out its threats, the gains could be reversed. "They are a very forward thinking, liberal country and I'm sure there may be some credibility to the argument that they could affect us," Cummings said.

He said the JHTA "absolutely abhors violence against the person" and added that the international approach to human rights issues should be adopted.

Said he: "We have a job to do, which is to market Jamaica as a safe destination and JFLAG has a job to do and we respect that. Where we cross paths is a mutual understanding on the issues of human rights and violence against a person. We are prepared to support any call within that ambit."

The JHTA boss emphasised that hotels were among the safest places in Jamaica and said ,"I don't believe that as an organisation hosting visitors whether overseas or locally, we have ever made a public stance about having couples of any kind at any resort, but we are still aware of the law."

 Oscar-winning US actor Charlton Heston whose chiseled features and commanding presence won him epic roles from Moses to Michelangelo died on Saturday night at age 84.

Heston died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, with wife Lydia at his side, the family said in a statement. Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar for the title role in Ben Hur in which he did many of the stunts, had announced in 2002 that he was suffering from Alzheimers disease.

Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life, the family said. No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, I have lived such a wonderful life! Ive lived enough for two people. The family said a private memorial service would be held.

Hestons most controversial role came not in a movie but as president of the National Rifle Association, the gun-rights lobby group, from 1998 to 2003. He believed that the sanctity of American freedom was defined by the Bill of Rights and the Bill of Rights was what made the United States different from every country in the world, Wayne LaPierre, executive vice-president of the NRA, told CNN.

In his acting heyday, Hestons rugged features and conservative lifestyle seemed to belong to another age. As director Anthony Mann said: Put a toga on him and he looks perfect.

Between super-spectacles (The 10 Commandments and Ben Hur), science fiction movies (Planet of the Apes) and disaster epics (Earthquake), Heston pushed for screen versions of Shakespearean plays, directing one, Anthony and Cleopatra.

Born John Charlton Carter (Heston was his stepfathers name) on Oct 4, 1923, in Evanston, Illinois, he made his theatrical debut as Santa Claus in a school play at age 5. After a World War II stint as a gunner in the Army Air Corps, Heston headed to Broadway, where he briefly supported himself with nude modeling between acting jobs.

In 1944, he married fellow Northwestern University drama student Lydia Clarke and their marriage lasted 64 years until his death. They had two children, Fraser Clarke and Holly Ann, and three grandchildren.Reuters

Amid an internal audit of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), there are reports that the permits of several licensed firearm holders have been seized.

Among the licensed firearm holders are prominent political activists and popular entertainers.

"I understand that instructions were handed down for a number of these licensed firearms to be seized," a member of the police officer Corps disclosed yesterday.

But speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, chairman of the FLA, Errol Strong, made it clear the authority had nothing to do with the seizure of the firearms. He said the police were carrying out the seizures.

"Last Friday, we heard the story for the first time and immediately checked it out. I found out that one person whose name was mentioned, the police seized his firearms," said Strong.

Information reaching The Gleaner is that the person referred to by Strong is a powerful political activist. Police sources further said more licensed firearm holders would be losing their user licenses.

"What I can further tell you is that, since the start of the year, the FLA has revoked 17 firearm licenses for various reasons," said Strong who is also a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police.

He also sought to provide more details on the suspension of six persons at the FLA and the reasons for the audit at the authority.

Strong said there were some grave concerns about the effectiveness, efficiency and management of the office.

"We have serious concerns and are looking into a number of things," said Strong.

Contacted yesterday, head of Operation Kingfish, Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, would not comment specifically on the licensed firearms that are being seized by his colleagues.

He however stressed that, from time to time, the police may have concerns about some firearm holders including as the persons with whom they associate.

The Independent Central Firearm Licensing Authority came into being in February 2006.

It is charged with the responsibility to grant firearm licenses in Jamaica instead of the local area Police.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com

Requirements for a firearm permit application.

Three passport size photographs, certified by a Justice of the Peace, with his seal and registration number Three recommendations from any of the following categories of persons; Minister of Religion, Justice of the Peace, Gazetted Rank Police Officer, School Principal, Attorney-at-law, Medical Doctor and Resident Magistrate. A Firearm Licensing Authority medical certificate completed by a medical doctor. Proof of Age (Passport/Birth Certificate) A valid tax compliance certificate, stamped by the Inland Revenue Department. Photocopy of license fee and fingerprint receipts. Firearm Licensing Authority

Warring thugs in Cassava Piece and Glen Drive, St Andrew, have created lists with the names of persons they say must die, investigations have revealed.

It is understood that one of the names on the hit list is popular dancehall artiste David 'Mavado' Brooks, among others, who are marked for death by men from Cassava Piece. Mavado is said to be affiliated with a crew which is based on a section of Glen Drive.

Deputy Superintendent Carol McKenzie, head of operations for the St Andrew North police, admitted that the police have heard talk of the hitlists.

"Yes, we have heard of it, there are some names on some lists, but we haven't actually seen it," DSP McKenzie said. He was unable to say which names are on the lists.

Detective Sergeant Michael Greenwood of the Area Five police says the police have received information that Mavado's name was on one of the lists. But, they are unable to prove this as they have not actually seen any of the lists.

"We know there is some conflict between the men and Mavado, as he is said to be affiliated with one side. As a result, he is said to be on the list of the men from the other side ... We hear all sorts of things," Greenwood told said.

According to DSP McKenzie, the so-called hit lists, or rumours of their existence, surfaced around January.

Men from Cassava Piece and the adjoining community of Glen Drive have vowed to get rid of the selected individuals.

The warring factions have been at each other's throats since last September when two well-known men from both communities were shot dead in separate, but related incidents.

Reports are that on September 4, an individual known as 'Tin Man' from Cassava Piece was shot dead by gunmen as he celebrated the victory of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the general election a day earlier.

Almost two weeks later, 'Bobby Slew', a high-ranking member of the Glen Drive community, was gunned down in what the police theorised was a reprisal for Tin Man's death.

Recent violent incidents have led the loss of several lives, some said to be innocent, while others were tagged as criminals by police sources.

"In the last flare-up of violence, two-high ranking members of Cassava Piece were killed ... There is a war between the communities," DSP McKenzie confirmed.

As a result, residents of both communities are cowering in fear, noting that not being on the alleged hit lists does not guarantee their safety.

"Di man dem have list weh dem a work wid but a whole heap a innocent people a dead," Mr. Scott, an elderly resident of Glen Drive, said.

Similarly, Mrs Shirley, another elderly Cassava Piece resident, said: "A pure innocent *lo** a shed, wi tired a it now, wi hear seh dem all have down people name who dem want, but people weh nuh involve still a get hurt."

Although both sets of thugs were tight-lipped on the topic of their respective lists, one known 'shotta' from Cassava Piece was adamant, claiming "Da war ya nah go done."

"Dem out fi we and we out fi dem, we always a bleach (stay up late) an a look out fi dem an wi nuh fraid fi tek dem on," he added.

Meanwhile, DSP McKenzie said the police have an interest in some men whom they believe are key players in the feud. He urged residents to assist the police in bringing these men to justice.

"In terms of the conflict, there are some names of men alleged to be key players, but there is no evidence," he said.

The police have promised to maintain a presence in the troubled communities.

* - Name changed to protect identity

-- Edited by alligcold at 10:24, 2008-04-05

-- Edited by alligcold at 10:25, 2008-04-05

A nine-year-old student of the Beulah All-Age School in New Longsville, Clarendon, was electrocuted yesterday evening by an unauthorised electrical connection in the community.

Danieel Ann Powell, the student, was killed at about 1 p.m. when she was taking a short cut back to school while returning from lunch.

According to police reports, Danieel had been returning from lunch with a group of students. The students walked through a short cut in the Sour Sop Turn area of New Longsville.

While travelling through the short cut Danieel Ann got entangled with an illegal wire attached to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) high tension line and was electrocuted.

The JPS in a release on Monday said they were also investigating the matter and said that initial reports are that, "the young girl came in contact with a fence that had been energised by an extension wire."

The company further said in the release that the extension wire appeared to have been installed by a resident to provide electricity from one building to another, however the wire used also transferred power to more than just the other building. "Indications are that the insulation on the wire had broken down, causing electricity to be transferred to the fence, which became energised as a result," the release said.

JPS said they regretted the incident and also urged customers to stop using illegal connections. "The JPS management expresses regret at the unfortunate incident, and urges customers to have licensed electricians install all electrical connections, which must be certified by the Government Electrical Inspectorate."

"JPS also warns customers to refrain from the illegal and dangerous practice of making electrical connections between buildings. The practice of subletting or retailing electricity not only endangers life and property, but is also a breach of the contract with JPS, " the release said.

The death occurred less than a week after an operation was carried out by the JPS in several areas across the parish to remove illegal electrical connections. Seven persons were arrested and charged for illegal electrical connections during the exercise. The May Pen police continue to investigate the matter.

A man who reportedly stole approximately $2 million worth of Cable and Wireless telephone cables and then sold them for $30,000, is now in police custody. The purchaser of the 'tainted' commodity, was also arrested and charged.

The cables were reportedly stolen from a utility pole in the Threadways area of St Catherine.

Charged with larceny is Junior Johnson, 30, while Wilber Daniel Rosales Castro, a Cuban national also of a Linstead address, has been charged with receiving stolen property.

According to Commander Vivian Sawyers of the Island Special Constabulary Force, Johnson, and another man who is being sought by the police, reportedly stole the cables, burnt them and then sold the copper to Castro. The latter operates a business in Linstead, St Catherine.

THE STAR also learnt that more than two miles of cable were taken from the pole, resulting in a loss of phone and internet service for Cable & Wireless customers in the area.

Commander Sawyers said the St Catherine North Special Operations team will continue to target persons involved in the illegal scrap metal business.

Both Castro and Johnson will appear in the Linstead Resident Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

"Only a picture," is what Beenie Man says he has to use to remember his son Marco-Dean.

Beenie Man, told THE STAR in a sit-down interview yesterday that he has not seen his son for eight months. "From July last year (2007) mi nuh si Marco-Dean. D'Angel nuh lift di injunction, suh mi cyan guh a ar yard gate, ar store, nutt'n."

D'Angel, estranged wife of the dancehall 'doctor', had taken out a court injunction against him last year after a public altercation at their MAFIA House Production premises at 8 Garelli Avenue on August 14.

Beenie Man, who formed the company with D'Angel, was escorted off the premises by the police after he removed office furniture and other stationery, claiming they belonged to him.

Beenie Man says he feels as if D'Angel, real name, Michelle Downer, is trying to spite him and he can't see why, "because mi neva do 'ar nutt'n. Mi neva cheat pon mi wife. Mi rather guh lie down out a door than lie wid a nex woman."

The fairytale marriage of the two entertainers came to a very bitter and public end in 2007 after reports of physical abuse and accusations of infidelity by both parties.

When contacted, D'Angel was said to be unavailable for a comment on the matter and according to her publicist, the injunction has nothing to do with Beenie Man not seeing Marco-Dean.

"That is separate, but everything is in court, the injunction, the custody over Marco-Dean, child support, everything. The matter is in court, so we don't want to speak about it and when the case is resolved, the public will know the truth of the matter and we have the evidence to show for everything," D'Angel's publicist who did not wish to be named, told THE STAR.

Based on a release that was issued by D'Angel's camp last year, Beenie Man had not made any attempt to see his son, Marco-Dean, since he left the matrimonial home.

The release said, "Beenie Man made no attempt to call to enquire about the welfare of his son, nor did he provide any maintenance for Marco Dean from he left the matrimonial home in April 2007, until he was ordered by the court in September to start making interim payments."

The interim payments were to be made until the child's paternity was confirmed. The judge had ordered Beenie Man to pay about $30,000 per month, but the sum may have been increased since the paternity confirmed that Beenie Man was, in fact, the father of the child.

people of MZJA who do you rate the most (non jamaican) who has done huge things for the reggae industry..

i say....
"David Rodigan"
bringing reggae to the UK through radio & dances for over 30 years..

The Birth of the risin star (SHEM) B.K.A SHAMPOO

A father described today how he tried to resuscitate his four-year-old daughter after she accidentally hanged herself with a hairband as she played in her bedroom.

 

At an inquest at Ashford Coroner's Court, Phil Brown told how he discovered Paige hanging from a hammock in her bedroom on New Year's Day.

Coroner Rachel Redman recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing evidence from Mr Brown, the pathologist who carried out a post-mortem on Paige, and the police officer who investigated the case.

Mr Brown told the court how Paige had been playing in her bedroom at the family home in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, Kent, and had come downstairs complaining that she could not untie a hairband from a hammock used to store stuffed toys in her room as she said it was in a tight knot.

He said: "Paige came downstairs quite upset that she had tied her headband around her hammock. She was quite frantic so we went upstairs to have a look."

Mr Brown said that neither he nor Paige's mother, Lorraine Ford, was able to untie it so they decided they would have lunch and then try again.

But he added that, as they prepared the meal downstairs, they realised that Paige was not with them.

He said he called her but she did not come so he went to look for her.

He said: "I went upstairs and she was hung. She had hanged herself with her hairband around her neck. Her feet were slightly off the floor, she was standing on her tiptoes."

Mr Brown continued: "I took her down and tried to get her back. At the same time I was calling Lou."

They dialled 999 and Paige was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where she was pronounced dead.

Mr Brown said he believed Paige had stood on a stool to reach the hairband and had slipped off it.

He added that she had only been alone for "five minutes or so" before they realised she was missing.

Consultant pathologist Dr Charles Lawson said the post-mortem he performed on Paige showed she had died of compression of the neck due to suspension.

He told the inquest that marks on the backs of Paige's hands and fingers suggested it was "possible" that she had struggled, but that, once her airways had been cut off, "unconsciousness would have followed quite quickly".

Detective Sergeant Chris Benson, who investigated Paige's death said subsequent examinations of the family's home showed that there was "no obvious hazard to any child or persons in there".

After recording a verdict of accidental death, Ms Redman described the events as an "unpredictable set of circumstances in what was a very ordinary little girl's bedroom".

She added: "This is nothing other than an entirely unpredicted, freakish accident. I cannot see that there was anything that you could have done to have prevented what happened to Paige."

In an emotional and revealing letter, a teacher from St. Ann, who is struggling to save her husband and essentially her marriage, from the lustful eyes and advances of another man, wrote THE STAR to share her story.

Her marriage is being threatened by a very influential, outgoing and personable policeman who, by all indications, has been 'sweet talking' her husband for a year and a half, she said. Frustrated and annoyed, she decided to write an open letter to the man who has been stalking her husband and ruining their lives.

Dear Star,

I am a 32-year-old teacher...I reside in the parish of Trelawny.

I have been married for the past 11 years to a wonderful gentleman, who is the father of my only child; we were inseparable, until about a year and a half ago.

I have heard many stories about unions being affected, sometimes destroyed, by a third party; I never thought that it could happen to me.

However, my situation has changed a lot, because someone is trying to come between my husband and I, but it is not a woman, it is a man, a policeman.

This cop came to the Trelawny division ...[recently] he was an immediate impact on the parish, with his friendly and outgoing personality.

My husband's job sees him interacting with the police a lot, but I also know that he is afraid of them.

All was well until one morning while my husband was in the shower and his cellular phone rang, it was the cop, but my hubby told me to tell him he was asleep.

Two days later, about 11 p.m., my husband was asleep when a text message came on his phone; again it was the police constable, the text read:

'Are you avoiding me? Sorry, if I scared you by my comment last week. Can we discuss this over lunch tomorrow? Thinking about you!'

Another text read:

'No matter where you go, no matter how you resist, I will not stop until you accept the fact that nothing is wrong with both of us loving each other, you are mine.'

I could not believe what this text was suggesting, it was then that I confronted my husband.

On confronting my husband I learned that the cop had been making suggestive statements to my husband, but he pretended as if he did not understand.

He said that he is afraid to report the incidents because everyone thinks that the constable is such upstanding individual, he has an intimidating personality.

My husband has become a totally different person, he hardly wants to go to work anymore, he is completely afraid, and at one time I even thought I heard him crying in the shower.

The policeman kept calling him, until one day I answered the phone and told him that I know everything.

The calling stopped for a couple of days until he started to hide his number and call, whenever I answered the phone, he would hang up the phone.

One night about 11:00 the phone rang and my husband answered; my husband soon beckoned for me to come and listen. The police was trying to initiate phone sex with my husband.

I hired a private investigator to do some digging in this cop's past and learned that he has had homosexual tendencies from he was working [elsewhere], it did cost him his job a little before he was called to training school.

He is married and is a member of a ........ church in Montego Bay......

The scary thing about all of this is that, this cop plays a leading role in the community .....

I am sure my husband is not gay he is only afraid, and so I am sending this open letter to policeman .........., leave my husband alone.

Sections of the letter deleted to protect the identity of the police officer.