The deep fat fryers and waste oil containers of America house a large, untapped source of transportation fuel, says Rubin, business development general manager for BiOil, a biodiesel company based in Sausalito, Calif. Namely, billions of gallons of animal fat and waste vegetable oil that can be converted into domestically produced, cleaner-burning biodiesel, says Rubin, among others.

BiOil's plan--which will require sizable funding--is to build a national network of disposal centers, with help from biodiesel producer Pacific Biodiesel, based in Kahului, Hawaii, to collect a substantial portion of the 3.9 billion gallons of waste vegetable oil produced at fast-food eateries, refine it and then sell it to trucking companies and drivers.

"We rely on people to eat Chinese food, fast food, whatever," Rubin said.

More significant, big agribusiness has its eye on the grease bucket too. Last November, chicken giant Tyson Foods announced it has formed a renewable-fuel division. Rival Perdue has said it is exploring the idea as well.

Tyson harvests approximately 2.3 billion pounds of chicken, hog and animal fat from its operations each year. The fat could be converted into about 300 million gallons of fuel, according to the company. (Industrial oil gets measured in pounds, while fuel oil is measured in gallons.)

"That's the equivalent of 20,000 barrels a day of feedstock that can be turned into renewables," Jeff Webster, senior vice president of strategy and business development for Tyson, said at an investor conference last year. "It's the equivalent of bringing renewable content to one-third of the (diesel used) on highway diesel within the U.S."

Companies such as Imperium Renewables in Washington state already operate refineries that convert soy or palm oil from farms into biodiesel. A few individuals, meanwhile, fill up their biodiesel vehicles at fast-food restaurants. Cars need to be retrofitted, however, before they can accept oil straight from the Dumpster.

Methodically collecting and refining waste biodiesel for sale to vehicles that have not been retrofitted could help transform biodiesel from an asterisk as a fuel source into a something of a sustainable industry. In the U.S. last year, only 150 million gallons of biodiesel were produced while Americans consumed 62 billion gallons of regular diesel.

Additionally, a focus on animal fat could help insulate the industry from the increasingly erratic pricing in the commodities market. Some expect that prices for vegetable cooking oil will begin to rise in a few years because of biodiesel demand. Animal fat already costs 70 to 80 cents less than new vegetable oil per pound, according to Tyson, while restaurants have to pay people to get rid of waste vegetable oil.

No guarantees on the menu
Success, though, is not guaranteed. Smithfield Foods a few weeks ago shut down its biodiesel subsidiary after two years because it determined that the project, based in Utah, was not economical. Smithfield BioEnergy, however, differed from these other projects in that it was trying to make diesel by mixing vegetable oil and methane culled from the manure of the animals on its farm.

"The nutrient content of the animal manure produced on our farms proved to be more than 50 percent below published estimates," the company said in a statement. Smithfield, however, will explore ways to exploit the methane.

Converting waste oil or animal fat into biodiesel is a somewhat straightforward chemical process. Through the transesterification process, glycerols, which make the oil more viscous, are removed from the oil. Hobbyists who run their cars on deep fat fryer oil today have to insert an additional tank inside their cars or trucks where the oil can be heated up before going into the engine. The heating counteracts the effects of the glycerols. (Biodiesel hobbyists also filter the oil.)

As a fuel source, biodiesel has distinct advantages over conventional diesel based on fossil fuels, say advocates. When burned in cars, it produces far less carbon dioxide in most cases and can produce fewer sulfur compounds, although an extensive debate surrounds the sulfur issue. Drivers can get fewer miles per gallon, but the difference is not big, and the cost--with subsidies--is somewhat similar to regular diesel. Many big diesel consumers buy their fuel directly from refiners so biodiesel makers don't have to worry as much about being snubbed by Big Oil gas stations.

Interestingly, biodiesel was the first form of diesel. Rudolf Diesel ran his first engines on peanut oil. Petroleum-based diesel, however, became popular because it cost less.

However, variations in the feedstock lead to different kinds of biodiesel. Soy-based biodiesel, for instance, can produce more sulfur. Also, animal fat biodiesel doesn't work as well in colder climates. Mixing different types of feedstocks can ameliorate the problem. Animal biodiesel can also be used for heating.

If anything, the economic circumstances of waste oil appear to make it an attractive feedstock. Most restaurants and fast food outlets, which are largely independently owned by franchisees, currently pay waste-disposal companies such as Waste Management 10 to 15 cents a gallon to haul away their used oil.

By contrast, BiOil will pay fast-food outlets for their oil. The company hopes to pay only a few cents a gallon, but that's more attractive than paying to have it hauled away, Rubin says.

"When we tell them we are going to pay them, they are like, 'Excuse me? I don't get it,'" he said. "But once they hear the explanation, they love it. They can even advertise themselves as a green restaurant."

Industrial disposal companies resell the oil they collect. Some of it goes to cattle feed, while the rest gets processed into glycerols for the soap and cosmetic industry. Here too, though, biodiesel is a better bet economically. Biodiesel can sell for around $2.75 a gallon, more than waste oil. BiOil and others can also sell the glycerols they extract during the process.

Perhaps one of the most difficult challenges in entering the market will be getting started. A plant that can churn out 5 million gallons of biodiesel a year can cost a few million dollars, and erecting the plant requires going through regulatory processes.

BiOil hopes to raise $97 million--an exceedingly large amount for a start-up--to build 30 processing plants. Rubin admits that the company hasn't produced a gallon of biodiesel yet either.

But unless burger sales plunge, the potential will be there.

By Sky News SkyNews - 17 minutes agoA woman has been jailed for 30 years for poisoning her husband's curry with anti-freeze.

Kate Knight's plot began as the "idle musings of a bored and lonely housewife" and left her husband Lee blind and deaf and suffering from brain damage.

She wept as Judge Simon Tonking told her she would serve at least 15 years in prison before she is eligible for parole.

He said the offence contained "premeditated planning of a most callous kind".

The public gallery cheered and clapped as he read out his sentence.

Knight, who was found guilty of attempted murder last month at Stafford Crown Court, was hoping to get her hands on her husband's life insurance.

She wanted to use it to pay off mounting debts, thought to be around £17,000.

The 28-year-old used ethylene glycol to poison an Indian takeaway he ate on their seventh wedding anniversary.

She had used Google to research the best method to kill him, first considering hiring a hitman, and then deciding on anti-freeze.

But she was found out when she confided in a neighbour about her plan.

The court heard Knight was "living in a world of fantasy" and her idea to kill began as "idle musings of a bored and lonely housewife" which eventually became a reality.

Judge Tonking told her: "Your first thought about killing your husband may well have been born out of fantasy which then drifted into a reality."

But he said: "You were fully responsible for putting it into effect and for its consequences."

Mr Knight, who worked at the JCB plant in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, recently underwent an operation to restore some of his hearing.

But the 37-year-old still required two hearing aids and support from two specialists to give evidence at his wife's trial.

He said his wife "had ruined his life".

A witness told today how she watched a pregnant woman being killed on her doorstep.

 

 

Angela Brewer, 53, said she begged Thomas Hughes not to open fire after he suddenly pulled a gun from his trousers.

 

The Old Bailey heard that when Krystal Hart opened the front door of her home in Battersea, loner Hughes knocked her to the ground and shot her twice in the head at point-blank range. He was angry with her boyfriend.

 

"She didn't get a chance," said Miss Brewer. "He had her down and aimed the gun to her head.

"He pushed her down with his left arm. He said, 'Where is he?' She didn't get a chance to say anything.

"She had her hands on the top of her head and looked up. I couldn't do anything. He shot her."

 

Hughes, 40, was infatuated with Miss Brewer - described in court as "the neighbour from hell" - and became embroiled in her long-running feud with 22-year-old Ms Hart.

 

The women lived in flats in the same terrace house in Belleville Road.

 

On Good Friday last April, Hughes flew into a temper when Ms Hart's boyfriend David Siveter took down his car registration number.

 

Miss Brewer told the jury: "He phoned me to say he was coming round to sort this out. He sounded very agitated."

 

After he arrived, Miss Brewer said: "I was trying to say David went away in a car because I saw him.

"I was trying to protect him. But he just pulled it (the gun) out the back of his pants - the waist. He told me to get away."

 

Weeping, she said she had hoped Miss Hart would spot the commotion on her own CCTV camera and not open the door but it was eventually pulled ajar and Hughes pushed it open before firing a shot.

 

Miss Brewer tried to pull Hughes away. She said: "He was deranged. He was pointing the gun at me, at the stomach. I couldn't hang on to him any more. I thought, 'Oh s**t', this is going to get messy."

 

As she tried to lock her door behind her, she heard the second shot go off and dialled 999.

 

 

 

Jurors have heard that Miss Hart died almost instantly.

 

Hughes, of Battersea, denies murder and possession of a firearm with intent.

 

The trial continues.

Boy George has pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning a male escort by chaining him to a wall, this according to a news report on bbc.co.uk.

The singer and DJ, whose real name is George O'Dowd, is also accused of assaulting Audun Carlsen during the alleged incident on 28 April last year.

Prosecutors claim the 46-year-old former Culture Club frontman chained Mr. Carlsen up at his home in Ravey Street, Hackney, east London.

He was released on bail until a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in November.

Oh boy , we wonder how this one will eventually play out in court.

WestJet Offers $12 Flights For One Day

 

Eight Wounded After Man Opens Fire On Women And Children At Bus Stop

It's the one question everyone is asking in Los Angeles Thursday: why?

Why would someone open fire at a crowd of random women and children waiting at a bus stop, wounding eight of them? Police still aren't sure exactly what happened and have received two different stories.

One claims a man got off a bus around 3:15pm Wednesday, pulled a gun and started shooting at passengers waiting to get on board.

But others say two men became embroiled in some kind of argument outside a local fast food outlet at a busy L.A. intersection. One of them turned to leave, but the other man took out a semi-automatic, aimed it at his opponent and pulled the trigger.

For reasons that aren't yet clear, the gunman continued to unload the weapon, turning it on some children who were coming home from school and a number of women who were also waiting at the stop. Two of the wounded ran away and were found bleeding outside their school.

Four of those hit were in critical condition, including three little girls, ages 10, 11 and 12. A 49-year-old woman was also seriously wounded. Four others, a 12-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy and two men, received minor injuries and are expected to fully recover.

The gunman fled into the bustling streets after emptying his weapon and police have no idea where he went.

Witnesses heard about 10 shots ring out and ducked for cover, while trying to determine where the bullets were coming from. "I saw a little girl running, she was running back to the school, she was holding her arm," remembers tire mechanic Ezequiel Cornejo.

Those who told police about the argument at the restaurant were quick to condemn the man they believe was responsible. "It's childish, they could have talked it out or something," 17-year-old Keisha Willis shakes her head.

Cops are still trying to put all the pieces together in this one, but in the meantime, they have no suspect and no motive.


********
GOD BLESS AMERICA?????

Former State Minister Kern Spencer was granted bail in the sum of $10 million when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Attorneys representing Spencer, Coleen Wright, his former personal assistant, and Rodney Chin, managing director of Universal Management and Development Limited and Caribbean Communications Media Network Limited, made successful bail applications before Resident Magistrate Glen Brown.

Spencer is facing seven charges: three counts of conspiracy to defraud, one count of breaching the Corruption Prevention Act and three counts of breaching the Money Laundering Act. Chin has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of breaching the Corruption Prevention Act. Wright is also facing seven charges. These include two counts of conspiracy to defraud, one charge for breaching the Corruption Prevention Act and four money laundering offences.

All three are to return to court on March 26.

Thursday, 28 February 2008 Hundreds of persons are on Thursday scheduled to participate in a Peace March in Grants Pen, St. Andrew.

The march, which is organised by the Grants Pen Community Policing Consultative Committee, is in support of the National Peace Month initiative spearheaded by the Violence Prevention Alliance.

It is also intended to send a message to persons involved in gangs and other forms of violence.

The main participants will be residents and students from schools in the Grants Pen area as well as representatives of civic groups.

The March will begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Barbican and Grants Pen Roads and end at the Peace Park.

During the march two stops will be made, one at the intersection of Grants Pen Road and Grants Pen Drive and the other at the intersection of Grants Pen Road and Morgan Lane.

At the Peace Park, short speeches will be made by Children's Advocate Mary Clarke and other speakers.

Speakers have been asked to focus on the negative effects of violence on children's development and communities.

United confident of overhauling Arsenal in PL race

Rihanna, Chris Brown 'unite' at Africa Unite in Jamaica

Keeper saves Waterhouse

Residents of Cassava Piece, St. Andrew, are cowering in fear and hoping for the best in a situation in which they see no end. A war between men on both sides of the community, which is separated by a gully, has resulted in the shooting of at least nine persons, six fatally, since Friday. "Look pon di place, yu nuh see how di place dead?" one resident said. Another added "A pure things a gwaan, and this ya war ya naw go done fi now." The sight of police officers yesterday walking through the community with rifles in hand and fingers on the trigger, along with a unusual lull in activity was evidence of the tension. The usually lively community, often decorated with men, women and children going to and fro or sitting by the gullly bouncing to tunes blasting through a sound system, was no more. It a gwan from last year "A from last year it a gwaan eno, from dem kill di yute inna election time last year, but it just a come up and a squash out, so a start it start back ya now," one resident said. Tooth, a long-time resident said "Cassava Piece residents dem scared, mi naw tell nuh lie, cause a pure reprisal killing a go gwaan." On Friday Carville McLeod, 35, a barber and Shavel Summon, 17, were shot dead by gunmen in the community. A 43-year-old man was injured in that incident. About 1 a.m. Saturday two men, Ricardo Howell of Cassava Piece and Horace Ferguson, 28, of Manor View Drive, Kingston 8, were shot dead by men driving by in a white Toyota Corolla on Constant Spring Road. A few minutes later two men believed to be involved in the drive-by shooting, were killed during a shoot-out with police who signalled a car to stop. They were identified as Andrew 'Stucky' Hinds and Marlon 'Taco Bell' Smith, 29, of Cassava Piece. A .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with the serial number erased with six spent shells were seized. Residents say these latest incidents have caused the warring factions to 'arm themselves to the teeth', in anticipation of further attacks. "Dem man ya a go all out now, all toothpaste and wig di man dem a wear and a bleach pon man...A dis mawnin di man dem broke dung da likkle place deh cause dem hear seh man dress up like woman in deh a look out fi man..dem strap up like crazy," Tooth said. Close watch Police say they will continue to maintain a close watch on the area in an effort to restore calm and peace. Detective Sergeant Michael Greenwood of the Area 5 police, said police are aware of the situation in the community and say they will remain in the area. "We know there has been some murders recently and the police will be present in the area to both restore peace and to prevent any further criminal acts," he said.

Say goodbye, FIOS. Japan is launching a new satellite that hopes to offer 1.2Gbps downloads to subscribers on the ground. The satellite would also be effective in providing internet access in the case of emergencies that disable standard connections. Users on the ground would be required to install a special antenna, but for speeds like that you can bet they'd be willing to do it. Also, they can brag that their internet comes from space!

One Night Only with D'Angel and friends', a show which many thought would have royally flopped, turned out to be one of the best event on the entertainment offerings last Saturday.

The show which was billed as a red carpet affair, coupled with a semi formal attire got off to a good start. In front of a packed house young singer Aisha opened the show, followed by I-Octane, Koshen and the very soulful L.U.S.T who gave a stellar performance.

MZJA left but returned at about 2:30am in time to see producer/artiste, Delly Ranx in the midst of a very energetic performance after he was called on stage by D'angel who credited the young producer with her first big break. He was soon followed by upcoming acts Natalie Storm and Tifa from the Ward 21 camp. Natalie who sported a body fitting green and black ense****le instructed the ladies how she can upgrade their men and was soon joined by Tifa who wasted no time is classing the almost untouchable 'Crawny Gyal' with some very scornful facial expressions for added prop. The performances were well received,

The performances were well received and they soon exited the stage to meet a greet a few adoring fans.

Mr.G, who D'Angel kept referring to using his old moniker 'Goofy' took the stage in a full black attire complemented with a clean shaven head and sunglasses took time out of his set to pay homage to D'Angel for being a strong black woman and made it clear that he's friends with everyone and refuses to align himself to any particular group. These sentiment were later echoed by comedian Pretty Boy Floyd, before reading the 23rd Psalms as added inspiration for the young deejay.

Now completely charged up with all the praises and accolades from fellow artiste D'Angel kicked off a second set with songs like 'Woman Power', 'Lucky Charm', 'Baby father' and 'Blaze' which was re-enacted on stage. During her set she also issued a challenge to me****ers of the audience to see who had the talents to struts the cat walk, this was quickly picked up by several aspiring model wannabes much to the delight of the crowd.

After the high energy set the show was transposed into an open forum format, allowing fans to ask the deejay about her life, career and relationship with estranged hubby Beenie Man. This segment changed the tone of the show to almost bear se****lance to that of a confessional, many questions were asked but here a few of the more interesting ones.

Q.- Do you still love Beenie Man, would you take him back if he redeemed himself ?
A. - "Ponder for 30 seconds, well he has moved on with his life, and NO I wouldn't take him back, as all my love I have left is for my son Marco Dean"

Q. - Is there someone else?
A. - "No I am not seeing anyone, I haven't been with a man in over 10 months."

Q. - Did you cheat on him?
A. - "No I never did, I've always been faithful in my relationships and also my marriage as I view marriage as a sacred covenant with GOD."

There were even a few tear jerker moments with some of the ladies in the audience, when a mother who recently appeared on Television Jamaica asking the public for donations to aid her ill daughter who suffers from Leukemia confessed that D'Angel was a tower of strength for her. There were even fans who traversed from as far as Westmoreland to get a glimpse of the infamous former first lady of Dancehall.

In closing D'Angel thanked everyone for their support and pledged to build a additional wing onto the Maxfield Park Children's Home to educate and trained abused and homeless children up to the age of 21 a skill that they can take with them out in the wider society.

Hot new dancehall female artiste Stacious is at it with a bang, after completing a successful cross country tour, The female deejay is premiering her brand new video, Falling Down on the Shoot Out riddim which was produced by John John Muzic. The video which was directed by top video director Jay Williams more popular known as Jay Will, is now officially on the airwaves island wide. The song has been gaining great momentum both local and overseas and looks like a definite sure shot for Stacious. Branded The Gangstress Stacious is known for her witty lyrics and her sassy look and has recorded songs such as Ordinary girl, Check List and more recently Make it Snappy. The flashy video shoot had Range Rovers rolling in to be apart of the action, as we understand that The Gangster for life deejay Mavado also made a special cameo appearance also appearing in the Falling Down video was Red Rat, Tifa and Natalie Storm plus the bad Dancers Kieva and Mad Michelle. Big up yuhself Stacious cause a DocMac Entertainment a set it.

Georgia couple wins $270 million lottery
First priority: Moving out of their trailer home

ATLANTA - An iron worker and his wife presented the winning ticket for a $275 million Mega Millions jackpot on Monday and said they'll use part of the windfall to replace their trailer home with a new house in coastal Georgia.

Robert Harris said he picked the winning numbers from Friday's multistate drawing 7, 12, 13, 19 and 22, plus the Mega Ball number 10 by using his grandchildren's birthdays.

"It's awesome," Harris, 47, told a room full of reporters after receiving the ceremonial big check from lottery officials. "We have been very blessed."

The jackpot is the single largest in the history of the 15-year-old Georgia Lottery and the third largest in Mega Millions history, lottery officials said.

Besides building a house near the town of Portal, Harris and his wife, Tonya, said they plan to buy a new four-wheel-drive truck first thing Tuesday morning. Other plans include sending their grandchildren to college, Tonya Harris said.

"We're not gonna change," she said, wearing warm-up pants and flip-flops. "I'm too country."

The couple spent Sunday night at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta before arriving at the lottery headquarters to claim their prize.

They said they were deciding whether to take the lump sum $167 million before taxes or annual payments.

A year ago, Ed Nabors from Rocky Face, Ga., won half of a $390 million Mega Millions jackpot the richest lottery prize in U.S. history. The other half was claimed by Elaine and Harold Messner, a couple from Cape May County in New Jersey.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington state. The twice-weekly drawing is done in Atlanta.

IMPORTANT
Read Carefully
Your family and friends will be shocked at this!
A stock clerk was sent to clean up a storeroom in a Port of Spain factory just recently.
When he got back, he was complaining that the storeroom was really filthy and that he had noticed dried mouse or rat droppings in some areas.
A couple of days later, he started to feel like he was coming down with stomach flu, complained of sore joints and headaches, and began to vomit.
He went to bed and never really got up again. Within two days he was severely ill and weak. His *lo** sugar count was down to 66, and his face and eyeballs were yellow. He was rushed to the emergency at Mount Hope where he was diagnosed to be suffering from massive organ failure. He died shortly before midnight.
No one would have made the connection between his job and his death, had it not been for a doctor who specifically asked if he had been in a warehouse or exposed to dried rat or mouse droppings at any time. They said there is a virus (much like the Hanta virus) that lives in dried rat and mouse droppings.

Once dried, these droppings are like dust and can easily be breathed in or ingested if a person does not wear protective gear or fails to wash face and hands thoroughly.
An autopsy was performed on the clerk to verify the doctor's suspicions.

This is why it is extremely important to ALWAYS carefully rinse off the tops of canned sodas or foods, and to wipe off pasta packaging, cereal boxes, and so on.
Almost everything you buy in a supermarket was stored in a warehouse at one time or another, and stores themselves often have rodents.

Most of us remember to wash vegetables and fruits but never think of boxes and cans.
The ugly truth is, even the most modern, upper-class, super store has rats and mice. And their warehouse most assuredly does!

Whenever you buy any canned soft drink, please make sure that you wash the top with running water and soap or, if that is not available, drink with a straw.
The investigation of soda cans by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta discovered that the tops of soda cans can be encrusted with dried rat's urine, which is so toxic it can be lethal. Canned drinks and other foodstuffs are stored in warehouses and containers that are usually infested with Rodents, and then they get transported to retail outlets without being properly cleaned. You are never sure where the items came from, under what conditions they were stored, do the safe and sensible thing wash with a little chlorine in the water, dry with paper towels.
Please forward this message to the people you care about.

Nadine Kelly, the parent accused of assaulting a teacher at the Kingston Technical High School, will know her fate on March 14.

Kelly is on assault charges after being accused of using a chair to beat the teacher who had reportedly scolded her 13-year-old daughter. When Kelly first appeared in Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, RM Glen Brown requested a probation report.

That report revealed that Kelly was previously convicted for unlawful wounding and given a one-year suspended sentence. RM Brown told Kelly he realised she was "a person with a tendency to be violent." She, however, told the court, "I did not beat her but I know I was wrong."

Undergoing therapy

The complainant reported that Kelly came into her classroom, asked her if she was the mother of the child and used a chair to hit her several times. She said she suffered injuries to her feet, hands and shoulder and has been undergoing therapy since. She has not returned to school since the incident.

Kelly repeatedly told the court she was sorry and that she was not a violent person. RM Brown decided to postpone Kelly's sentencing, telling the court, "What message do I send to the rest of Jamaica? That it is ok for parents to go to school and chastise teachers? This is happening in almost every school and we need to out a stop to it."

Kelly was ordered to pay the complainant $100,000 in compensation and is to return to court in two weeks' time to hear her sentence.

Nadine Kelly, the parent accused of assaulting a teacher at the Kingston Technical High School, will know her fate on March 14.

Kelly is on assault charges after being accused of using a chair to beat the teacher who had reportedly scolded her 13-year-old daughter. When Kelly first appeared in Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, RM Glen Brown requested a probation report.

That report revealed that Kelly was previously convicted for unlawful wounding and given a one-year suspended sentence. RM Brown told Kelly he realised she was "a person with a tendency to be violent." She, however, told the court, "I did not beat her but I know I was wrong."

Undergoing therapy

The complainant reported that Kelly came into her classroom, asked her if she was the mother of the child and used a chair to hit her several times. She said she suffered injuries to her feet, hands and shoulder and has been undergoing therapy since. She has not returned to school since the incident.

Kelly repeatedly told the court she was sorry and that she was not a violent person. RM Brown decided to postpone Kelly's sentencing, telling the court, "What message do I send to the rest of Jamaica? That it is ok for parents to go to school and chastise teachers? This is happening in almost every school and we need to out a stop to it."

Kelly was ordered to pay the complainant $100,000 in compensation and is to return to court in two weeks' to hear her sentence.

The police are reminding adults to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of children when transporting them. The reminder comes following the death of a nine-year-old boy on a bus in Alligator Pond.

On Monday, the Alligator Pond police in Manchester launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of a student of New Forrest Primary and Junior High on the school compound.

Dead is nine-year-old Kerron Nembhard of Comma Pen district, St Elizabeth.

Reports from the CCN's liaison officer for Manchester are that about 12:30 p.m., Keron was among other students aboard a Toyota Coaster, registered CC7223, and driven by Royan Simpson of Comma Pen.

The vehicle was proceeding through the school gate when Keron, whose head was protruding through the left rear window, was trapped between the vehicle and the gate. He sustained injuries and was taken to the Mandeville hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police are now encouraging parents, guardians and motorists to ensure that children remain seated for the duration of their journey. The police also say adults should ensure that at no time parts of the children's body should protruding from the vehicle and that small children are not carried in the front passenger seat.

The police also say toddlers should be transported in properly secured car seats in the back of the vehicle. The cops say children should not stand between the two front seats of the vehicle while it is moving, and that adults should ensure that the window and child locks are activated.

The police also have a warning for adults who fail to take the necessary precautions. "While the penalty for not practising proper child restraints may be a burden on the pocket, the loss of a loved one, especially if the fault of your negligence, is a burden on the heart; one which you will have to live with for the rest of your life," the police said in a release.

A man said to be in his mid-40s was taken into custody by the Clarendon police on Tuesday and charged with harbouring a 14 -year-old juvenile.

The man has been identified as Courtney Prince, unemployed, of Spaldings Hill in Clarendon.

According to reports, the police, acting on information, went to a house close to a prominent high school in the area, where the juvenile was allegedly seen hanging out with Prince.

Checks were made inside the house and the 14-year-old juvenile was seen hiding underneath a bed. Prince was taken into custody.

Inspector C. Ramsey, who is in charge of the Spaldings Police Station, reported that the juvenile turned up late for school on Tuesday morning but was denied entry due to a lock-gate policy at the institution.

He said the female, upon realising that she had to wait until the time of the gate's reopening, ended up at the house. Inspector Ramsey said concerned persons called the police after they saw the youngster, who should have been at school.

The lawman pointed out that the police went to the house almost immediately after receiving the report and found the juvenile. She was removed and taken to the doctor and an examination was carried out. The examination, he said, revealed that she was not molested, and so she was returned to the school. The juvenile has been placed under observation for the next three weeks and is expected to be at school every day when classes are in session.

Prince is to appear in the Mandeville RM Court early next month to answer to the charge.

GREAT FALLS, Montana (AP) -- Those having trouble remembering the newly assigned 11 planets, including three dwarfs, are getting help from a fourth-grader.

Maryn Smith, the winner of the National Geographic planetary mnemonic contest, has created a handy way to remember the planets and their order in distance from the sun.

Her award-winning phrase is: My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants.

The 11 recognized planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Eris.

Ceres, Pluto and Eris are considered dwarf planets.

D'Angel performed to a receptive crowd at the party, Up Close and Personal with D'Angel and Friends, held at Asylum Night Club, New Kingston, last Saturday. - winston sill

And so! .The golden 'angel' of dancehall was on top form last weekend at The Asylum New Kingston. MC Candace Buchanan invited the reluctant patrons closer to the stage promising solid performances by D' Angel and friends as well as give-aways.

The first friend to perform was Aisha, who gave a very energetic performance to an unmoving crowd. It was not until she started to sing Joe Grind in a 'country style' tone that she felt the full benefits of performing to a live audience.

The women especially were hailing her in a way that could only attest to their experience of the sentiments expressed in the lyrics.

Hers was followed by a somewhat lengthy set by LUST who by the way, looked absolutely amazing, and sounded just as good individually as they do as a group. Because they performed so well, it was easy to overlook the fact that most of the songs they performed were covers. Soon though the patience of the audience wore out, the screams stopped and the men ended their set on a low note.

Golden being with hair

D'Angel entered the catwalk shaped stage after I-Octane's crowd-pleasing performance with her supermodel stride, and the crowd loved it. She looked like a golden angel with hair and makeup to match, and her little denim jumper worked very well with her gold cowboy boots. The reception she received from the mainly female audience was proof that she had survived the verbal backlash on the musical career last year. Her performance was devoid of the 'boos' and it appeared throughout her riveting performance that she has beaten the stage demon.

Praises to delly ranks

She gave sincere praises to Delly Ranks who she says she owes her career to. "He was the one who encouraged me, exercise my talent as an artiste, and he was the one who encouraged me to be steadfast in this industry," she said as she invited him to join her and stage.

Nothing pleased the crowd more than when entertainment's 'best dressed female artiste of the year' performed her half of One Man a c****ination she previously did with Beenie Man, "dis a D'Angel an mi alone a chat," that's when the uproar started, the stand alone version provided evidence to anyone in doubt that she had survived the obstacles in her life.

"My fans and my friends are my gifts from God, and Marco Dean, he is my angel," she said as a prelude to her song Everything is all Right.

D'Angel on stage would not be the same until she went into full model mode. She taught eager female patrons the basics of bringing off the 'Blaze' walk, for which her Blaze video runway set was instantly recreated in gold, and she invited overzealous patrons from the crowd to demonstrate their skills on stage, everyone was keen to try and outdo the other, much to the crowd's delight.

One thing was clear to the audience on Saturday night during D'Angel's performance. She has matured as an artiste, and finally people are accepting that. She gave thanks to her friends who performed with her, and existed the stage the way she entered, with her famous words. And so!.

TW -- WOC Artiste Name ----- Song Title ---- Record Label

01 -- (1) Erup - 'Click My Finger' - Truck Back

02 -- (1) Queen I-Frica - Daddy Dont Touch Me There - No Doubt Records

03 -- (1) Busy Signal - 'Pon Di Edge' - Star Kutt

04 -- (1) Serani feat Bugle - 'Doh' - Daseca

05 -- (1) Demarco - 'Fallen Soldiers' - Star Kutt

06 -- (1) Mykal Rose - 'Shoot Out' - John John

07 -- (1) Demarco - 'Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten' - John John

08 -- (1) Bugle - 'Journey' - Daseca

09 -- (1) Mavado - 'Gangsta Life' - John John

10 -- (1) Sean Paul - 'Pick It Up & Drop It' - Birchill

11 -- (1) D'Angel - Blaze - Arrif Cooper ---- Hot Shot

12 -- (1) Harry Toddler - 'Don't Run In' - Truck Back

13 -- (1) Beenie Man - 'Buffer Zone' - Truck Back

14 -- (1) Busy Signal - 'Nah Go A Jail' - Jam 2

15 -- (1) Fantan Mojah - 'Stronger' - Maximum Sound

16 -- (1) Deva Bratt - 'Bagga Talking' - Truck Back

17 -- (1) Bugle - 'What Im Gonna Do' - Daseca

18 -- (1) Jimmy Riley & Taurus Riley - 'Pull Up Selector' - (Taxi)

19 -- (1) Beenie Man - Wine Gal -TJ Records --- Song to Watch

20 -- (1) RDX - 'Everybody Dance' - Apt 19

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/h...ER_STEFFENS.asp

Noted historian Roger Steffens, in an effort to clear the air regarding what has been a long-standing perception that he was responsible for who wins the annual Reggae Grammy Award, has admitted to what has equally been a widespread speculation that the Reggae Grammy is not based on merit nor on the sales of records. But instead on name recognition.

"I don't know what the Grammy is based on, I don't know how many people voted in the category, it could be 200 people, it could be all 14,000. They never told us. It's not based on merit, it's not based on sales. I think it's probably mostly based on name recognition or major label behind the artiste. So please, I don't have any power, I don't even vote to maintain my neutrality. I hope that is understood and I've made that clear," said Steffens who is the chairman for the Reggae Grammy Screening Committee.

The leading reggae archivist was speaking at the Global Reggae Conference at the Assembly Hall of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, on Wednesday. Well aware of the thinking that the name Marley is an advantage when it comes to the Reggae Grammy and the fact that a Marley has never been nominated and lost, Steffens, who has been lecturing on reggae since the 1980s, for the first time gave what he called a biographical lecture.

"This may be the only time in my life that I do a biographical lecture . and also to correct some misperceptions that I heard during the week about my various roles in things like the Grammy," he told his attentive audience of reggae enthusiasts.

Steffens gave a long explanation as to how he became involved with the Reggae Grammy. "In 1984, Mike Melvin the head of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Artists And Sciences), called us and said 'it's time to start a Reggae Grammy; we would like you to be the chairman of a committee and help us put the committee together. We realise that reggae music is an important musical form and we want to honour it.' So since that time, I have been the chairman of the Grammy Screening Committee."
Steffens, who on the previous night launched his fifth book on reggae music, was at pains to correct the misunderstanding.

"We do not choose the nominees, we do not choose the winners," he emphasised. "We," he continues, "screen to make sure that it is only reggae music that gets into the category. This is the four thousandth time I am saying this in Jamaica. I'm not responsible for you not winning the Grammy.

"I've been attacked on the air by Tanya Stephens; I was mobbed by Eka Mouse in the House of Blues last month, he looked like he was about to pounce on me like a panther when he walked into the dressing room. 'You why you nuh give mi nuh Grammy'. I say well, you want to win a Grammy, you want me to tell you how to win the Grammy? I have the fool-proofed way for you to win a Grammy, if you do what I tell you to do, I guarantee you, you'll win a Grammy. Change you name to Eka Marley."

The laughter which followed was like music to the ears.
And in an exclusive interview, Roger Steffens told Splash that as far as the Reggae Grammy is concerned, it's no secret that name recognition is what is at work. "It's no secret, all you have to do is look at the winners. It's either been Bunny (Wailer) or the kids, and they have won I think half of all the Grammys. It's Americans voting on it, it's really not Jamaicans. It's basically an American organisation (NARAS), there are Jamaican members, but not in great numbers as far as I know. So, it's people voting more or less on name recognition.

"We don't have any control in NARAS over who votes in the category, and anybody who belonged to NARAS can vote in the category if they choose to. But there are over a hundred sub-categories and reggae is just one of them, which is why you'll never see it on the broadcast. It is designed to reach the greatest possible worldwide audience with the biggest stars and the biggest names, so reggae doesn't even fit into the equation."

Returning to the nomination process, Steffens who has been a convert of reggae music since 1973, when he heard Bob Marley's Catch A Fire album, added, "With the nominations, I can't think of any album involving Bob Marley's children, well just a few, like Julian and Kymani didn't get nominated, because if they did they would have won of course," Steffens chuckled.

"But virtually everything else ever made by them were given nominations. I can't think of any common denominator among all the past 24 years of winners other than name recognition. I am not saying that they don't deserve it, don't make it look like I'm saying that these people don't deserve it. All I'm saying I don't see a common denominator other then name recognition."

Kern offered bail But former junior minister, two co-accused spend another night in lock-up KARYL WALKER, Observer staff reporter walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com Thursday, February 28, 2008 Police officers stuff former state minister for energy, Kern Spencer, into a Toyota Corolla after he was granted bail in the sum of $10 million yesterday. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood) DESPITE being offered bail during a hastily-arranged court appearance yesterday, former state minister for energy, Kern Spencer and his two co-accused, Rodney Chin and Coleen Wright, could not avoid spending another night behind bars. Due to the late hour of the ruling little time was left for the three to take up their bail applications but are expected to walk out of jail today if they meet the court's requirements. They will again appear in court on March 26 when the case will come up for mention. The three are facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering in relation to the Cuban light bulb scandal, following allegations that $114 million was improperly spent on the distribution of four million energy-saving light bulbs - a gift from the Cuban Government. The three accused were, at minutes to five yesterday afternoon, spirited away from the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court after Resident Magistrate Glen Brown offered Spencer and Chin bail in the sum of $10 million each and Wright in the sum of $5 million. A September 2007 photo of former junior minister for energy, Kern Spencer, and Coleen Wright, during the official opening of the new parliament following the general elections. The two, along with Rodney Chin, who was named as the sole director of both Universal Management and Development Company and Caribbean Communications and Media Network, were arrested and charged Tuesday evening with several counts of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and corruption in connection with the Cuban light bulb scandal in which $267 million was spent to distribute four million energy-saving light bulbs that were donated to Jamaica by the Cuban Government. (Observer file photo) All three were ordered fingerprinted by the magistrate and ordered to hand over their travel documents to the police. A stop order has also been made against them. Claudette Thompson of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions did not object to bail applications made by attorneys Patrick Atkinson, Valerie Neita-Robertson and Walter Fletcher, who represent Spencer, Chin and Wright, respectively. During his bail application, Atkinson told the court that Spencer had voluntarily handed over a diplomatic passport and his Jamaican passport. The attorney, at the same time, was scathing in his criticism of the prosecution, which he said did not furnish defence lawyers with details of the case. "The written press has more details of the charges. I think this whole thing is orchestrated," Atkinson charged. Spencer and Chin arrived at the court in Half-Way-Tree in a heavily tinted unmarked police car, and were without handcuffs as is normally the case for remandees when taken to the court by the police. Both men, in an effort to avoid media cameras, sprinted from the vehicle into the holding area with free hands. Journalists and cameramen were initially barred from the courtroom by a plainclothes officer but after protests by reporters and the urging of Neita-Robertson and court staff, the bar was lifted. The case was almost put off until today after the failure to bring in Wright by the scheduled 4:00 pm start. "I am not sitting at night court," RM Brown remarked. Wright, dressed in a pair of blue jeans pants, a grey and white sweater and flip flop slippers arrived about 30 minutes into the sitting. Spencer, who was dressed in a grey suit with a white shirt, but without socks, and Chin who wore a striped short sleeved shirt and blue jeans, both appeared calm when the case was called up. When the magistrate ruled that the accused would be granted bail, Spencer and Wright flashed each other smiles and whispered in a huddle. With the exception of caretaker for West Central St Andrew, Patrick Roberts, the courtroom was devoid of any other prominent member of Spencer's People's National Party (PNP). After the three were fingerprinted, Wright, with a cover on her upper body, was pushed into a marked police vehicle which sped through the Half-Way-Tree Police Station. She is being held at the Duhaney Park Police Station, which only houses women detainees. When it was time for Spencer and Chin to be taken to the Kingston Central Police Station, a battery of police officers provided a human shield in an attempt to prevent their photographs being taken. Before the three accused were carted off, a group of female supporters gathered at the police station and heckled members of the media. One woman even attempted to hit a camera from a videographer's hand as he caught footage of the car which carried both men from the court. - Additional reporting by Vaughn Davis Talk Back No comments have been posted Post your comments Related Articles No related articles were found

Kern caged - Politician, associates charged in bulb scandal

A fisherman swam for more than 10 hours to find help for the two companions he left behind after their boat sank off the east coast of Australia.

The exhausted swimmer was found on a beach, and coastguards were then able to find one of the men. He had spent 30 hours at sea, clinging to debris.

The search continues for the boat's skipper.

The three fishermen were on board a trawler that sank about 15km (9 miles) off the east coast near Byron Bay.

"Judging that the second fisherman survived through the night... we can only hope that the same has occurred with the third," a spokesman for the Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter service said.

Exhausted

The fishermen were thrown into the sea early on Wednesday after their ship hit a reef, prompting a major search and rescue operation.

Hours later, fisherman Michael Williams crawled onto New Brighton Beach, north of Byron Bay.

Chris Gort, who saw Mr Williams on the beach, said the fisherman "had pretty bad cuts and bruises to his legs and his arms, he was pretty exhausted, pretty badly sunburnt".

Mr Williams raised the alarm about his two companions, and a second fisherman was picked up by a rescue helicopter 30 hours after first being thrown into the ocean.

John Jarratt was found at sea north-east of Ballina, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration.

Mr Jarratt said he and skipper Charlie Picton, an experienced fisherman, had clung to an insulated cooler after the ship went down, but that in the darkness the two became separated.

He said a rescue helicopter had apparently flown above the exhausted pair without spotting them.

Mr Jarratt has told friends from hospital that he will "never" go back in the ocean, local media reported.

Gay teen shot dead while dressed as woman in Fort Lauderdale

Victim: Simmie Williams Jr., shot as he stood along Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, died at Broward General Medical Center.

FORT LAUDERDALE - The shooting death of a gay teenage boy who was dressed in women's clothing is being investigated as a possible hate crime, while detectives try to determine whether he was targeted because of his sexual orientation.

Simmie Williams Jr., 17, was attacked on the 1000 block of Sistrunk Boulevard by two young men who wore dark clothing and might live in the neighborhood, police said. Williams, who was wearing a dress and was known in the area by his first name or as "Chris" or "Beyonce," was shot about 12:45 a.m. Friday and soon afterward died at Broward General Medical Center, police said.It's unclear what Williams was doing in the area, about four miles from his house, but police are investigating whether he was working as a prostitute, officials said.

Williams' mother said her son was openly gay, but she didn't know what he did when he went out at night, and she didn't know he wore women's clothes.

"I gave him $2 for the bus and he never came back," said Denise King, who lived with her son west of Fort Lauderdale. "He was a quiet person, kept to himself. He had a lot of friends. He wasn't a troubled child. He was a happy person."

At the same time, being black, gay and dressing in women's clothing made Williams "a minority within a minority within a minority," said Grant Lynn Ford, dean of Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale, a church that ministers to gays, lesbians and their families.

Sometimes people picked on Williams, but he knew how to brush it off, his mother said.

Williams had signed up Wednesday for Job Corps, a federal government program designed to teach students vocational skills. He planned to get his GED and then go to culinary school, his mother said.

"That's what he really wanted to do. That's all he talked about," said King. "He spent the whole day with me yesterday, played with his nephew and cooked dinner."

Then he left the house Thursday night to go to Sistrunk, where the family lived at one point, she said. A few hours later, he was dead.

"We're looking into the possibility of a hate crime. There were some words exchanged prior to the shooting," said Detective Katherine Collins, spokeswoman for Fort Lauderdale police. She would not elaborate on what was said before Williams was killed.

Any case where investigators or prosecutors determine that a victim was targeted based on race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, mental or physical disability or advanced age can be deemed a hate crime. The label adds extra time to criminal sentences, upon conviction.

The corner where Williams was found is a popular hang-out for transgender prostitutes, police and residents said.

Sharia Ranson said she has noticed them from her home in the Oak Park apartments at Sistrunk Boulevard and Northwest 10th Avenue, where she has lived for two years.

Wearing dresses and makeup, they often stood in groups of three to five, Ranson said.

However, they are usually older than Williams, police said.

"Most of the time you see adults," said Detective Brice Brittenum, Fort Lauderdale police liaison to the gay and lesbian community.

In January 2003, about a half mile from where Williams was shot, a transgender prostitute was killed in the 500 block of Northwest 21st Avenue.

Timothy Broadus, 21, who also went by "Cinnamon" and wore women's clothing and a blond wig, was shot several times by a driver he had approached, police said at the time.

The case remains unsolved.

Anyone with information on Williams' death is asked to call Detective Mark Breen at 954-828-5708 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

Staff Writers Elizabeth Baier and Andrew Ba Tran contributed to this report.

-- Edited by pengo at 17:13, 2008-02-27

Football delegation leaves for Brazil today

GERMANY-A woman who became pregnant after an online sex auction has won a court battle to force the Website that hosted the sale to reveal the names of the winners, so she can find out the father to her baby.

Six men won Internet auctions to have sex with the woman in April and May last year. They were only known by their online names. When she got pregnant, she needed their contact details and they were not willing to go along with the gene test. So, she took them to court. Court said the childs right to know who its father took precedence.

Once more, the issue of abortion has reared its head, with the church in front imposing its beliefs on the lives of others yet again. Abortion is defined as the expelling of the foetus from the w**** before it is able to survive effectively outside.

Abortion has been an ethical issue for many years due primarily to the differences in views on when life really begins, whether in the w**** or after birth. To use a simple analogy, we all can agree that acorns eventually will become pine trees, if given the right conditions, but we cannot say that acorns are pine trees, thus showing how ludicrous the idea of calling a foetus a baby.

Aside from this, I strongly believe a woman should have the right to decide what happens in and to her body. Therefore, abortion should be a decision made by her without fear of being prosecuted. If a situation is right in one instance and wrong in another it stands as a direct contradiction to the laws of logic. How can we approve abortion for cases of rape and incest or risk to the mother's health, but forbid it if a woman decides she does not want to carry the foetus to full term?

Even if I choose to be promiscuous, get pregnant, then decide to terminate the pregnancy, shouldn't that be my right? Or should I live with the con-sequences of my actions thus making my pregnancy a form of punishment and the child a penalty? Is this what Jamaica really needs?

I am tired of seeing unwanted children wreaking havoc on the society costing way more money to taxpayers than a doctor would have charged for an abortion, why not make this available for those who think it is their best option.

The Church argues that if legalised, we will see a rise in abortion cases and people will become less conscious with respect to safe-sex practices, yet we have not seen this in any other state which has legalised this act. We would not have this problem as abortion carries a stigma in Jamaica that not many people are willing to live with.

Cigarettes and alcohol are legal but we don't see everyone going around and smoking or drinking, so why do we think abortion would have that special allure? We have allowed our beliefs and value systems to be dictated to us by a group of hypocrites and have blindly followed their self-righteous ranting. It's noteworthy that those who oppose abortion are usually advocates for the death penalty.

February 27, 2008. If you're wondering where comedian Mo'Nique has been for the past couple of weeks, we may have the answer. MediaTakeOut.com is hearing whispers that the full-figured funny girl may have undergone gastric bypass surgery.

Word is that she's been laying low and recovering from the surgery. And that, if all goes according to plans, she'll have her new physique in time for summer.

Say it ain't so Mo'. You were always saying how proud you were to be a big girl

Why are some ppl not happy with the way god made them?
Why are some (the majority of the modern world) ppl not heterosexual but homosexual?
Why do you think they've transformed to this lifestyle?
I've been thinking about these 3 questions but cnt seem to find the answer i have a video for all to view.A very prime transexual who feels he was born to be a woman mediazone after you've watched the video answer the questions i've asked and give me your take on the guy's decision to become a full time woman


-- Edited by steppz at 19:11, 2008-02-23

He wants it, but I'm only thirteen

Deputies Arrest 30-year-old Man in Sex Sting

Columbia (WLTX) -- Lexington County deputies arrested Friday a 30-year-old man they say solicited sex to who he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.

Deputies arrested 30-year-old Dennis Joseph Powell, Jr., of 6470 Eastshore Road in Columbia, and charged him count of criminal solicitation of a minor, one count of attempted dissemination of obscene material to a minor, and one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

If convicted on all charges, Powell would face a maximum sentence of 40 years.

Lexington investigators say on October 24, 2007, Powell solicited sex on the Internet from an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old-girl.

Investigators say Powell was actually communicating with a Lexington County Sheriff's deputy.

Powell is also accused of using a digital camera to photograph himself naked, and sending the image of who he thought was the underage girl.

Deputies say Powell also arranged to meet the child for sex somewhere in Lexington County. Powell was arrested when he arrived.

Investigators with Lexington and Richland counties say they seized a computer, a digital camera, an image scanner, a bottle of wine and other computer related items after executing a serach warrant on Powell's home.

Powell, who was assigned a $15,000 bond, is being held at the Lexington County jail.

Powell's arrest marks the 111th arrest for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

A teacher at a well known high school in Clarendon may be facing charges after a 12-year-old first form student was allegedly beaten recently with a car fan belt and severe wounds inflicted to her left hand.

The child's mother told THE STAR that her daughter was beaten to the point where her fingers could not move.

The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) liaison officer for the parish, Constable Beverly Howell, said that the beating occurred after the teacher gave her class a group work assignment. The child was a member of a group that failed to turn in their assignment. The entire group was allegedly beaten with a fan belt and two students sustained injuries, one of which was major.

X-ray result

The Mocho police have confirmed receiving a report about the beating, but are waiting on the child's mother to take her to the police station so they can take a statement from her. When this is done, the police say, depending on their investigations the teacher may be taken into custody and charged.

"When my daughter went back to school the teacher asked her for the medical bill and the X-ray result but she told the teacher that she did not have it with her. The teacher further went on to ask her if her hands was broken before and she did not respond," the mother said. "The teacher's remarks was 'a fool unnuh tek teacha fa'. I felt disrespected so I made a report to the police."

The school's principal confirmed that the child was among a group of students beaten by a teacher for failing to produce an assignment given to the group and that two of the students sustained injuries.

"After I learnt of what had taken place I immediately call the parents in and they came the following morning," the principal revealed. "We decided that both students needed to see the doctor based on recommendations from the school nurse. We also met with the education officer..."

The principal said the child had sustained injuries to the same hand in an unrelated incident, outside of school sometime ago.

"All parties however came to an agreement and the teacher also decided to deal with the medical expenses as she was in breach of the law. Parents agreed and all parties left satisfied.The education officer recorded what transpired from the meeting in the log book," he added. "I was very surprised when I learnt that it was now a police matter."

TOK's Alex is mourning the death of his father. - contributed photos

T.O.K member, Alistaire 'Alex' McCalla is now mourning the death of yet another family member. His father, Derrick McCalla died on Saturday after he complained of feeling sick the night before.

Alex, who barely managed to comment said, "I have been down this road before, so mi not even know wha fi sey."

In recalling fond memories of his father Alex said, "He was like my closest friend, him come in like one of the guys. He was a kind person to everybody and he is like the father for TOK, because at one point in time Bay C and Flexx had to live with me and how many people would be willing to open up their homes like that? I have no doubt in my mind where he's gone."

Fellow group member, Flexx, recalled how Mr. McCalla died.

"Just last Friday they had something for Alex's grandmother (his father's mother) because it was her 80th birthday party and Alex's father was the host. During the night he started to complain about having a headache and feeling dizzy, so they took him to the doctor and they were instructed to get him to the hospital as soon as possible because he had suffered a stroke," Flexx said.

Rough time

He continued, "when they carried him to the hospital, he suffered a heart attack and the doctors were basically saying that a *lo** vessel had burst in his brain because of the stroke."

According to Flexx, this is a rough time for Alex, as he lost his younger brother Gavin McCalla in 2003, Gavin was gunned down in Portmore after armed men tried to rob him.

According to Flexx, Alex is still trying to pick up the pieces.

"I think this being the second kind of incident happening to him in just a couple of years, he's handling it well, but we can see that he is hurting inside. He is like a brother to us and Mr. McCalla was like a father to us too, so we feel the pain also, but at the same time we have to make sure that we are more of a family to Alex and be there even more for him," Flexx said.

T.O.K is not booked for any shows soon, so according to Flexx, Alex should have time to get back on his feet.

"Luckily for us, our next show is on March 23 in Negril so we have a little time," Flexx said.

Craig T, another member of the group, said words could not express how he was feeling about the loss.

"Mi not even know what to say about how I feel, because it's a really sad thing. I mean, we really have to just stick together as a family, because he lost his brother, then his grandmother and now his father. So it's definitely a difficult time for him right now, but we just have to be there for him right now more than anything else," he said.

Now, Bay C says the members of T.O.K will have to be more of a family to Alex than they ever were before.

"Basically, we have always been a family from before; but we have to be there for him now even more than ever, because of this. What has happened has brought us even closer, but it's all just unbelievable, because he lost his brother and now his father, so now the three of us (TOK members) have to be his family more than ever," Bay C said.

According to Flexx, Alex's mother just arrived in the island yesterday and plans have not yet been finalised for the funeral.

CAN SOME 1 TELL ME PLEASE?


Bagalagalow!!

February 27, 2008. MediaTakeOut.com has EXCLUSIVELY learned that T.I. and federal prosecutors are extremely close to working out a plea deal which will reportedly net T.I. somewhere between 2 and 4 years prison time.While details on the deal haven't yet been nailed down, they're pretty close. A source familiar with the case told MediaTakeOut.com, "The announcement could come down as early as Friday."And there's more. MediaTakeOut.com has learned that the deal will not require T.I. to "snitch" on anyone.

Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica and Mavado got no awards at the Reggae Academy - That's Madness
By Chat Too Much



All mi fans who miss mi big up uhnu self and all dem artiste deh who nuh like mi thru mi Chat Too Much nuh watch nuh face just doing my job darling, but when mi done today uhnu going to love mi.

First thing mi a touch and di only topic is di Reggae Bacademy its not even fitting fi use di prestigious word academy. Mi nuh vex about who and who won awards but fi know seh mi dressed like Beyonce and hot like Rihanna and touch di red carpet, I felt a star for di first time inna mi mix life, but as soon as mi step through di door is a peanut man dat approached mi, nuts or winter fresh - I was so shocked, I then paused for a moment looked around and then even went as far as fi asked someone if this is di venue for di Reggae Academy. People mi could not believe dat di peanut man got invited in a him cut off foot pants and waan wash out shirt it was a disgrace after a nuh stage show wi deh.

A next thing dem have two different place for presenting the awards what was the purposed mi nuh kno because di two back ground luk di same way so wha di sense. Di poor little photographers running from left to right trying to keep up wid di pace, even Asafa would a get tired.

No Award for Mavado

At least Queen I-Frica and Jah Cure got nominated even though them nuh get nothing but Mavado wasnt even on di nomination list, mi cant believe mi eye, thats rather insane di youth album di good, uhnu fi give di youth dem a chance man, trust mi dem diss David Brooks AKA Mavado and some people call him Mafraudo. People pure things gwaan a di Academy, oohps, sorryyyy, mi mean Bacademy as mi seh before the word academy too decent fi describe dat deh show. Anywaz mi hear seh Don Call Nayomi get vex and walked out when Steven McGregor won di award for dancehall compilation of di year something like dat.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=TheOnion&p=r]

NO YOUTUBE HERE AND I MEAN     SUCKERS

Pakistan says it has lifted a ban on YouTube, after the website removed cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, adding that an earlier worldwide outage sparked by its actions was unintentional.

Telecommunications officials said that the popular website was up and running again in the conservative Muslim nation after YouTube removed "highly profane and sacrilegious footage" that was offensive to Islam.

"We have issued instructions to all internet service providers that YouTube should be unblocked as the specific content has been removed by the website," Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) spokesman Khurram Mehran said.

YouTube was not immediately available to confirm whether it had removed the material, which the PTA said was controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that were republished by Danish newspapers earlier this month.

Authorities ordered the blocking of the website at the weekend in protest at what it said was blasphemous material but the move prompted worldwide problems with access for a few hours.

YouTube said on Monday that an internet service provider complying with Pakistan's ban on the website routed many worldwide users to nowhere for a couple of hours over the weekend.

"This was not intentional and might have happened when an international company, which is routing internet traffic to Pakistan, tried to block the specific [web address]," a senior PTA official said.

The ban was only partially effective, with industry officials saying that some Pakistani users were able to access YouTube through at least one major service provider that relies on a foreign-based router.

YouTube earlier said it was working to ensure there could be no repeat of the worldwide problems sparked by Pakistan's actions.

"For about two hours (Sunday), traffic to YouTube was routed according to erroneous internet Protocols, and many users around the world could not access our site," YouTube said in a written reply to an inquiry.

"We have determined that the source of these events was a network in Pakistan. We are investigating and working with others in the internet community to prevent this from happening again."

Some Pakistani users have expressed doubts over the official reason for Pakistan's YouTube ban, saying that authorities wanted to block access to footage of alleged rigging in last week's parliamentary elections.

President Pervez Musharraf's allies lost heavily to opposition parties in the polls, which were preceded by allegations of massive vote fraud.

"Some internet users are sceptical that the Government banned YouTube because it contained clips from a private television station which showed election rigging," said Wahaj us Siraj, chief of the Pakistan Internet Service Providers Association.

internet user Sajid Ali said the ban was unnecessary because Muslims in Pakistan would not want to access blasphemous material anyway.

"No Muslim would want to view the blasphemous content on any website. The Government is really disturbed over its defeat in elections and afraid of critical videos and remarks on YouTube," Ali, a banker, said.

 

THATS SOME SAD SHIT

Ex-cop sentenced to life in prison for murders

Jury spares Ohio man death penalty in killings of girlfriend, unborn child

Scott Heckel / AP Bobby Cutts Jr., left, and his attorney, Fernando Mack, listen as a judge reads the jury sentencing recommendations on Wednesday in Canton, Ohio.  View related photos

Diddy Brings Broadway Classic To TV

Monday night (Feb. 25th) marked the premiere of television's second incarnation of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun," this time starring entertainment mogul Sean "Diddy" C****s.

C****s reprised his role as Walter Lee alongside Tony award-winning actresses Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald, as well as the Tony nominated Sanaa Lathan. All four actors were part of the 2004 Broadway version that marked C****s theatrical debut.

Despite previous roles in Monster's Ball and Made, C****s received mixed reviews for his Broadway performance; however, both he and his co-stars say the televised version of "A Raisin in the Sun" will reflect his growth as an actor.

"It was more about experience and an understanding of how to completely engulf yourself and become a character and really give yourself up to the role," C****s told the Associated Press. "It was almost like what was going on in the house, that struggle to be heard. I wanted to make sure my character was heard."

"What I saw was a natural progression that comes with the doing of it, with the working of it," Phylicia Rashad said. "He is a very disciplined professional."

Set in Chicago, "A Raisin in the Sun," tells the story of the Younger family, mother Lena (Rashad) her daughter Beneatha (Lathan), son Walter Lee (C****s) and his wife (McDonald) and their struggle over how to spend a $10,000 insurance check.

The 1959 play was the first drama by a black woman produced on Broadway and starred Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands and Louis Gossett, Jr., who reunited in 1961 to create a film version. "Raisin" was also adapted for telefilm in 1989 with Danny Glover and Ester Rolle as Walter Lee and Lena.

Emmy winner Paris Qualles ("Tuskeegee Airmen") adapted the script for Monday's ABC version from Hansberry's unpublished screenplay "Raisin," which was not used for the 1961 film.

"Lorraine Hansberry is one of those playwrights that sits in the company of August Wilson or Tennessee Williams," director Kenny Leon told the AP. " 'Raisin in the Sun' is a specific story about this African American family but has a universal appeal for all Americans."

Both the director and his cast maintained a connection with the play's original cast. Leon consulted the late Lloyd Richards, the play's first Broadway director, while C****s says he invited Poitier, the original Walter Lee, to lunch to "get his permission."

"It's like if somebody came and did Scarface. They should at least put in a courtesy call (to Al Pacino)," said C****s. "So I called him up and he was honored and he told me to do it my way."

In addition to C****s acting duties, he also executive produced "Raisin" alongside Oscar-winning "Chicago" producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Hotmail And Other Microsoft Services Offline For Hours

Hotmail went cold for millions of users of Tuesday and Microsoft is still trying to figure out why. If you use the free online email program, you may not have been able to log in to the service.

The email exchanger, along with others that requires a Microsoft sign-in - like Xbox Live or Messenger - went down for hours during the day, without any real explanation. The software giant will only say the scope of the problem is international and that they're working to fix it.

"We are aware that some customers may be experiencing difficulty accessing their Windows Live accounts," admits spokesperson Samantha McManus. "We're actively investigating the cause and are working to take the appropriate steps to remedy the situation as rapidly as possible."

But there's no word on when a fix might be in.

WHEN POLITICS GETS UGLY!!

This is a prime example of dirty politics. Hillary Clinton's camp has leaked photos of Barack Obama from a trip he made to Kenya in 2006 in a hope to smear his name.

well-known male dancer, who appears in several music videos with top flight deejays, is now before the Jamaican courts battling a case of alleged incest. In our new thrust to be more sensitive in such matters, we here at One876Entertainment.com have decided not to reveal his identity.

We spoke to officers at CISOCA (The Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse) about the incident who did not want to disclose any additional information because of the sensitive nature of the case, and the fact that the victim could be easily identified if the father was known.

The arrest was made by the Half Way Tree police. The dancer will reportedly return to court soon. One876Entertianment.com will have more on this story later if the situation warrants.

Only Known Picture Of Anne Frank's Famous Boyfriend Surfaces After 70 Years