give love

"Frightening and hostile" was how the Rev Dr Sam Green described his encounter with a bus driver and a conductor who assaulted and knocked him unconscious on Constant Spring Road on the evening of Thursday, January 18.

The Rev Dr Green, who is the pastor of the Grace Missionary Church, Constant Spring, St Andrew, said he was returning from a counselling session for the students and staff of the Jamaica Theological Seminary after a student suddenly collapsed and died.

Accident

He was making his way down the intersection of Constant Spring Road and West Avenue when his Nissan Cefiro collided with a public passenger vehicle.

"The driver of the Coaster (bus) immediately blocked my path with his vehicle," said Dr Green. "He alighted from his vehicle and started cursing and carrying on," he said.

Trained to deal with hostile situations, Pastor Green said he refrained from reacting to the driver's insults. "He apparently got annoyed at the fact that I wasn't answering him - and he became even more hostile.

"I attempted to retrieve my papers from the (glove compartment) when I felt the driver strike me in my rib area. Before I could ease up to defend myself someone clobbered me from behind over my head and shoulders," Pastor Green said that was when he lost consciousness. "I still don't know who brought me to the hospital," he said.

Pastor Green told The Gleaner that he has since made a report to the Constant Spring police who are conducting an investigation. However, when The Gleaner contacted the police, they were unable to provide any information into the case.

Despite being thrown off schedule, Pastor Green said he refuses to allow this to halt his ministry.

Fifty-five-year-old Alray Campbell suspected his lover, Nicola McKenzie, was cheating. The 35-year-old McKenzie wanted to end the relationship, but Campbell wasn't about to let that happen.

What transpired next in the upscale Cardiff Hall community has left residents shocked, as the couple was found dead on Wednesday night, reportedly, after Campbell, in a fit of jealousy, shot McKenzie before turning the gun on himself.

It is alleged that Campbell, a contractor from the Mount Zion district in St Ann, acting on a tip, surprised McKenzie, who was found sitting in the passenger seat of a Toyota Mark II vehicle, speaking with a male friend.

Reports are that in rage, he pulled out his licensed semi-automatic pistol and shot the businesswoman of Mount Edgecombe - also in St Ann - before shooting himself in the head.

The police are not ruling out another theory in the bizarre saga though, as up to late yesterday evening, one man, the lone survivor of the incident, was still being questioned by the Runaway Bay police in St Ann.

Result of jealousy

The incident, which many are claiming to be the result of jealousy, took place shortly after 10:00 p.m. but the police, in ensuring that all bases are covered, intend to swab the survivor for gunpowder residue.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that Campbell was having an affaire with McKenzie who sold dry goods in the Brown's Town Market.

It was also reported that in recent times, Campbell had been warning McKenzie over reports that she was having an intimate relationship with another man.

Further reports are that on Wednesday night, one of Campbell's friends spotted McKenzie in a car with a man in the Cardiff Hall area and informed the contractor by telephone.

Acting on the information, Campbell drove to Cardiff Hall where he spotted the vehicle. On Ricketts Drive, Campbell used his vehicle to block the Toyota Mark II carrying his lover and the other man.

He reportedly went up to the car and fired several shots from his licensed firearm into the head and body of McKenzie.

Campbell reportedly fired two shots at the man - who is said to be a firefighter - but he escaped unhurt.

It was then that Campbell is supposed to have turned the gun to his head and shot himself.

When police arrived on the scene, they found McKenzie's body slumped in the front passenger seat of the car and Campbell was found lying in the road near to his vehicle with his firearm beside him and what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.

Both were taken to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

TWINS who were born joined at the chest and abdomen have made thier first public appearance since surgery to separate them.

 

Their mother, Maria Arias, said: "I feel very happy and very content, because my girls were born anew."

 

Dr Gary Hartman, who led the surgery at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University in the US, said the girls would probablyy face few complications when they return home to Costa Rica, where they were born joined at the chest and abdomen.

 

The twins Yurelia and Fiorella Rocha-Arias were also connected at the right atria of their hearts, the chamber that receives *la*hd from the rest of the body, and they shared a liver and some *la*hd.

 

"The girls are doing well. They have healed.

"They have had all of the procedures that we think they're going to need to have," Dr Hartman said.

 

After being separated from her sister, Yurelia required complex heart surgery to correct deformities that made her turn blue when excited or upset while still conjoined.

Facing four charges, rapper Busta Rhymes surprised some with a guilty plea, despite suggesting that he was not guilty, going into the trial. In a New York court, the Flipmode Squad frontman admitted to driving drunk, a suspended license and two counts of assault stemming from the last two years.

The result of these pleas, is that if Busta Rhymes violates his ensuing three years of probation, he will face felony jail time. The fees resulted in $750, according to TMZ, and the two assault victims have issued restraining orders against the platinum superstar.

For the remainder of the year, Busta Rhymes is said to be working on his next album, reportedly titled Back On My BS, billed as a similar follow-up to 2006's The Big Bang. The emcee recently made an acclaimed mixtape with Mick Boogie, Dilligence, using productions from late friend and longtime collaborator J. Dilla.

FINANCE Minister Audley Shaw on Tuesday neither confirmed nor denied reports that his ministry was c*u*hing for a 100 per cent increase to the Portmore toll operators to significantly reduce government subsidy.

Instead, he would only say that the matter was before Cabinet and that a decision would be made shortly.
"I am not going to comment on rumours, all I will say is that the issue is now presently being addressed by Cabinet," Shaw told the Observer on Tuesday.

"It has been the subject of submission by myself and colleague minister of transport and works (Mike Henry) and the matter is now under careful consideration and a decision will be made shortly," he added.

A highly-placed source last week told the Observer that the Portmore toll charges are likely to double by month-end if transport minister Mike Henry caves in to pressure from finance ministry officials c*u*hing for a 100 per cent increase for the toll operators in an apparent bid to rid the state of the monthly $22-million subsidy it now absorbs.

On Tuesday, Shaw said there was no question that Government would have to continue offering a subsidy for some time, as the users would never be able to pay the true cost.

"If subsidies are not contemplated then it would go far out of the reach of the people's ability to pay and that is the seriousness of the situation," he explained.

The finance minister said an accumulated additional debt is building up at National Road Operation and Constructing Company (NROC) which the company now has the obligation to service.

"NROC, which is a part-owner on behalf of the government, is earning no income because all the income is being earned by the French operators. But we have a debt obligation because we had taken out an instrument of almost US$100 million as our contribution to the construction cost," Shaw said.

He added that the Government has to be re-servicing the debt without earning any income from all the money being paid on the toll.

In respect of the Portmore leg of Highway 2000, Shaw said that section was one of the most expensive to produce, as it was financed at an interest rate of close to 12 per cent.

"You have to bear in mind that this is information that is now coming to us after we have come into power, because the subsidy that was being paid was never told to us in Parliament, or by the previous finance minister or works minister," he said.

National technical director René Simoes has expressed grave concern that recent damage suffered to the reputation of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has significantly tarnished its potential to deal with corporate Jamaica.

"The federation's reputation has dropped so dramatically that we had it difficult to rent a house for my assistants (Chico Santos and Alfredo Montesso). People were asking for collateral from the JFF and in previous time, that could not happen," Simoes, the man who stood at the helm of possibly the nation's greatest sporting triumph, told Star Sports on Tuesday.

Poor state of affairs

The poor state of affairs of the JFF is also seen in the national senior team's world ranking, 98th, which recently handicapped negotiations between the federation and a major kit sponsor, according to JFF president Captain Horace Burrell. Simoes, however, stressed that this time, sponsors will get value for their money.

"But what I need from the sponsors now is to think that we are not in the same time. When they put money in the programme they would receive much mileage back in pride, quality and everything," Simoes said.

Having taken office last November, the new JFF administration has found itself stuck knee high in a quagmire of financial woes. A debt of £135,000 still owed to the English Football Association for tickets sold for the June 2006 friendly between Jamaica and England tops the list.

US$12,300 in fines

However, the administration also owes US$12,300 in fines to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) for missing the region's Under-15 tournament last year and just recently reached an agreement with the Hilton hotel for payment of debt in excess of $1 million. The hotel had opted to take the case to court, but has since managed to reach a compromise with the federation, which resulted in the case being dropped.

With these facts in mind, the Brazilian coach, dubbed the "little magician" for his exploits in leading Jamaica to the 1998 World Cup in France, sought to allay the fears of would-be corporate suitors.

"It's a different ball game, because some companies, and I agree with them, are so upset because they put money there and they did not receive anything back. The federation didn't deliver what they promised," he said.

"I understand them but they have to understand also that it's a new ball game, a new administration, a new time, so let's get it together."

Simoes continued: "I keep saying that it's no sense to think that because Captain Burrell and René Simoes return, you make it back (to World Cup). No it's not enough; everybody has to be back. That was why it was so successful in 1998 because everybody was onboard. The government is fully committed so the private sector has to go full on commitment."

anuary 23rd, 2008 | Author: Andreas Hale

According to Dr. Drew over at drewreports.com, Uncle Murda was shot in the head late last night in East New York. It seems that the shot wasnt a fatal one as Murda called The Wendy Williams Experience and said that he is doing fine and using Hennessey and Newports to ease the pain.

Uncle Murda has been known to be in the middle of hostile situations and has never been afraid to speak about his experiences through his music (Click Here for DX's recent interview). He's still slated for a Def Jam release this year and has released two mixtapes with DJ Green Lantern ("Uncle 2 Hard For Hip Hop" and "Respect The Shooter").

There has been no details regarding the shooting as of yet but HipHopDX will keep you posted as they come.

The weekly Passa Passa street dance held along Spanish Town Road in Kingston was back to its usual hype when it was held Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Many feared that the weekly events held in Tivoli and surrounding areas might not have had the usual strong turnout following last week's shooting of five persons in the area during a joint police and military operation. "Last Tuesday made one week since the Tivoli thing, and we never had any events since that, because di whole community was in mourning, but we will know by tomorrow (Thursday) when Passa keep to see if people afraid to come out or dem will come support it," Meely, one of the promoters of Passa Passa told The STAR on Tuesday. However, when THE STAR contacted the Passa Passa promoter yesterday, following the event, he said he was surprised at the turnout. "Passa gwaan good. It pack same way. A jus' sey di people dem come out a likkle lata than usual, an wi nuh too want dat because wi a guh have problem wid di police. But roun' 3:00 a.m. out deh did thin, but by 3:30 a.m. every ting pick up," Meely explained. "To di way mi see it, it nuh look like the incident have nuh effect pon it (Passa Passa), cause mi would a si a more drastic effect," he told The STAR. "It look like people jus guh Weddy Weddy first an' den come down a Passa. But by next week, everything suppose to be back to normal." Stars on show He also noted that the likes of Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Macka Diamond and others were in attendance, and everyone danced and enjoyed themselves as usual. According to police reports, just before noon, on Sunday, January 13, police went into the area (Tivoli) in search of men on the island's most wanted list when they were met with heavy gunfire. They returned the fire and when it was all over five men were dead and a solider and a police officer injured. Inspector Steve Brown, from the Constabulary Communication Network, said while he was not able to say if any of the dead men were wanted, none of those targeted in the operation were among the dead. Residents, upset about the sudden disruption to their lives, claimed the men were murdered.

The young often regard dancehall and reggae artistes as the ideal to which to aspire in society. At the height of their success, entertainers have the world in their hands and the young wanting to be like them, spouting their lyrics, imitating their styles and lifestyles. Entertainers are the role models that the next generation are being brought up on, and their views and actions often affect the ways in which the young view certain issues. Lyrically, the words of these artistes are heard constantly, being absorbed into the minds of those listening and becoming a part of our culture. The lyrics of those few artistes who preach good music have to compete with the slackness and violence of others. Should an artiste bear this in mind when he or she put pen to paper or microphone to mouth? In a recent lecture at St. Michael's Theological College, Dr. Anna Perkins noted that for some youths, dancehall artistes are the only adult role models they have. More important, Dr. Perkins emphasised that like any popular music, dancehall, being the dominant form, is important to the moral make-up of society, moulding and influencing its attitudes. Lecturer Dr. Sonijah Stanley Niaah commented on www.morefyah.com, "though some of them (artistes) maintain that they are not anyone's role models, the minute you pick up a mic, you gain admirers. So whether they want to believe it or not, singing about sex and other issues comes with responsibility." According to Dr. Donna Hope, writer and lecturer, dancehall artistes are undeniably role models in society although the majority don't see themselves as such. "They are very important to young people 'cause you know dancehall is a youth culture, it's very hype and flashy and they gravitate towards that. They gravitate to them and look up to them as people they want to be," she said. She told the STAR that dancehall artistes are a mix of positive and negative figures. "Talking about promiscuity, that can be negative, the glorification of the gun as something powerful is bad and materialism is never good. Another negative area is the examples of men onstage fighting one another. Its not just word fighting anymore especially last year with fighting on the stage which is encouraging violence," Hope said. She cited veteran dancehall artiste Lady Saw as a positive role model. Hope explained that someone like Lady Saw who came out of the gra**c*at-roots country area to take the stage and achieve success and is able to raise her family and holds on to to her self-esteem is a good representation for black women. Persons who rise from the ghetto to gain success is another good example for persons to emulate. Dancehall artiste Munga Honourable knows that he is a role model to the youth, as there are persons who are always coming up to him, praising his style, his voice and other characteristics. He says that while as a Rastafarian he tries to uphold positive messages and praise everything that is beautiful, at the end of the day some of his message is from the life that he is living. "Art imitates life. At the end of the day, I'm a person singing about what I live and what is true to me," he said. He says that it is up to the nation to decide whether he is positive or negative for his music is his life.

Following the capture of Eldon Calvert, the alleged leader of the notorious Stone Crusher gang, the police say they are well on their way to solving multiple cases in which the 25-year-old was said to be involved. Operation Kingfish believes they are now on course to clearing up at least 14 murders for which Calvert was fingered. Calvert who is from the volatile Salt Spring community of St. James was reportedly placed on the most wanted list some two years ago. There was a million dollar reward being offered for his capture. Elusive indiividual Police sources had described him as a very elusive individual, as he had managed to escape them despite several close run-ins including blazing gun battles. Calvert was nabbed on Monday following a police operation headed by members of Operation Kingfish. He along with three other persons including a woman were held at a premises in Wood Grove, Trelawny. Police sources had placed Calvert on their suspect list in connection with the murder of five men, one of whom was reportedly beheaded, last January in Flower Hill, St. James. The police had theorised that the incident was an act of reprisal for his brother who was reportedly murdered in 2006.

A recent story carried about the University of the West Indies administration putting pressure on the promoters of Spectrum to have Vybz Kartel and Spice removed from the concert line up because of concerns, seems to have struck a nerve with the deejay and members of his team.

In an exclusive interview with the 876radio.com the deejay's right hand man Jeffrey Hype who appeared very perturbed at the time of our visit, said the information that is being feed to the public is totally false. He admits that some interest was shown initially by the promoters to have Kartel on the roster, but no official request was made and so it's not possible for the administration to drop him from the line up if he was not booked for the event.

Hype said the only persons from the camp they received a request for was upcoming deejay Black Ryno and just wants to set the record straight that the 'Teacha' was never booked for the event and therefore such a statement is not valid.

Dancehall insiders are speculating that if Kartel was omitted from the line up because of constant bad press and other concerns, then how does one explain the current line up, which features the likes of; Mavado, Busy Signal, Jah Cure, Black Ryno, Sizzla and many others, most of whom have all had runnings with the law.

In closing Hype said regarding the omission of the deejay's videos by a particular local cable station, he has no grouse with them  "Mi respect dem same way .. whether dem play the deejay video or not".

One876 people, mi rich and mi happy, weh some gal feel like? Which gal ah get trick fi a Go large double cheeseburger and a Hershey Pie, no bwoy caan trick me and hook  me fi no small change, mi ah no careless gal, mi tings tight so till all ah hurt me more time. Mi a REAL hot gal, when mi too stressed, mi no drink Appleton and Pepsi, mi head to the spa uptown fi sort out mi ting. So how some ah dem gal gwaan like dem hot and inna dem house empty? HEH HEH! New York, Europe, Canada, Spanish Town, Portmore, Miami, no get mi started wid some ah dem dutty people inna the country, yu nuh!

As a matter of fact, mi nah waste no more time because mi haffi pack fi go Mobay fi the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues. Mi ready fi sieve out dem business fi the public consumption, and all these things. Right?  
See it deh!

Beenie Man and Barbee for Trinidad Carnival
How Beenie Man neva call up Barbee fi perform wid him at Club Amazura over the weekend? Anyway, mi know say she ah go touch the stage at the Trinidad Carnival wid Beenie next week. First, Beenie will head to Antigua to participate in the entertainment activities around the 20/20 tournament, then jet off to Barbados to attend a local awards show, before heading off to Trinidad for the carnival. Mad tings. See it deh, ah just him and Barbee straight.

KARTEL DOES REMIX WITH NATASJA?
Big up the Danish singer Natasja. She get the breakthrough, too bad she nu de bout fi cash in on Calabria 2007" by the Danish producer Enur (Rune Reilly Kolsch). Dem rename it Calabria 2008" and the song lock the number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, and is getting excellent support on the mainstream and rhythmic top 40, dance and Latin radio. "Calabria" is currently the number one song on Billboard Dance Music Airplay chart. Mi hear say Vybz Kartel has also done a remix with the dead singer and it mad! But ah only one time mi hear it, mi no know if it official or nothing.

MR. G FISH FRY THIS WEEK
People, yu nuh hear say Mr. G ah keep Fish Fry every Friday now. Support it, but I will not be here this weekend. MONTEGO BAY, ah dat mi say! Room service! Pampering! Diana Ross, Anita Baker and all these things.

MZJA FAMILY...HEAR WAT HAPPEN BOUT DIS ISSUE YA!!!
JUST GET D 411 FROM MI UTECH CONTACT!!!

MI A HEAR SEH A YUTE TEK D PICS OFF D EX-BOYFRIENDS LAPTOP
AND SEN IT ON PON EVERYBODY DAT WAS UNDER SCIT GAZEBO AT
THE TIME...SO MI JUST WANT CLEAR UP SEH A NO D EX BOYFRIEND
A GO ROUND AND DISTRIBUTE D PICS...MI BLAME HIM A WAY STILL
HIM SHUDA HAVE DEM TINGS DEH IN A MORE SECURE LOCATION...

BUT HEAR WAT ME SAY STILL MI FEEL A WAY CUZ A CUDA MY GIRL
DAT (IT CUDA BE ANYONE OF US HERE IN THE MZJA FAMILY) AND
JAH KNOW MI WUDA FCUK UP D YUTE WEH DISTRIBUTE DEM
A FOOLISHNESS HIM DO...ME ALL A HEAR DAT THERE IS A LOCAL
BOUNTY ON HIM HEAD...

JUST REPORTING IT AS MI GET IT!!!

The Half-Way Tree police are concerned that the brutal and similar killings of three homeless men in less than two weeks, might be a sign of an emerging trend. Officer in charge of crime for the St. Andrew Central Division, Deputy Superintendent McArthur Sutherland, told THE WEEKEND STAR, "Three of them have been killed since this year and they have all been done in the same fashion. They were all badly chopped, in the head and all over their bodies. These are the street people we see every day when we're on the road." The body of the latest victim was discovered yesterday in the cemetery of the St. Andrew Parish Church. The grim discovery was made by passers-by at about 10:30 a.m. According to DSP Sutherland, the victim, who has not been identified, had several chop wounds to his head and stomach. One of his hands was also completely severed at the wrist. While investigators were on that scene, yet another body was discovered. This discovery was made shortly after 12 p.m. , along Ruthven Road. This victim was also badly chopped all over his body. UNSURE OF MOTIVE Although it is too early for the police to be sure of a motive, DSP Sutherland said, "We find it strange. Bits and pieces suggest that it could be other men that are mentally challenged walking around with machetes and attacking these men while they sleep." The body of the first victim was discovered by passers-by last week along Ruthven Road. He has still not been identified, and according to the police, is known only as 'Oney'. After this discovery, DSP Sutherland said the police had been "checking the gullies and the areas that they [street persons] hang out. We were paying more attention to areas like Ruthven Road and Waterloo Road, to see if it has to do with their own little homeless network." DISTURBED Senior medical officer at the Bellevue Hospital and former chairperson of what was once the Homelessness Commitee, Dr. Maureen Irons Morgan, was very disturbed by the news. She told THE WEEKEND STAR, "This is the first I'm hearing about this. I would love to speak to the police or to have them meet with the community mental health team so we can analyse the situation and try to come up with solutions." She said the community mental health team was interested in working more closely with the police and also suggested that the officers could look to other homeless persons for answers. "They could interview other homeless persons who may have seen something or who might have information, but if we can deal with homeless persons then we can prevent a lot of these problems and brutal attacks because homelessness puts you at risk."

Mi is a man weh can listen to an play all kinds a music. Mi juss a wonder why nubody naw play no singers pon di radio... a pure dancehall unnuh love? Beg unnuh respond caw i really waan know.

A 32-year-old taxi operator, Israel Sharpe, is to face the Buff Bay Resident Magistrate's court in Portland, on a charge of carnal abuse after he was caught having sexual intercourse with a minor. The man was arrested on January 9, by a police party, who raided a house in Stony Hill, and caught him engaged in sexual activities with a 14-year-old student from a prominent high school in the parish. According to the Constabulary Communications Network liaison officer for Portland, Corporal Dwayne Campbell, the police received intelligence of the man's illicit activities and during the operation the man was caught in the act with the minor. He was arrested and during an extended and intense investigation he was charged. He has since received bail in the sum of $200,000. Corporal Campbell said residents in the area should be commended for providing the police with the much-needed information. He added that the information provided by residents can only help to reduce the rising trends of sexual offences. Sharpe is to face the court on February 27 to answer to the charge of carnal abuse.

Dancehall artiste Aidonia, whose real name is Sheldon Lawrence, is getting set to release his Jail Story this weekend, as he speaks out for the first time about his recent ordeal of having had to serve time in jail for gun-related charges.

Aidonia, who is currently out on bail since last Friday (January 18), wasted no time in getting back into the studio and has already recorded two songs.

According to his manager and brother, Lav, "right now, him (Aidonia) voice two tune since him out for Stephen McGregor at Big Ship. One of the songs he even helped to co-produce called Jail Story, which is really all about what happened and his whole experience. And that happened because of some badmind people weh a try get him down but that was not able to stop him."

He continued: "the Jail Story song is an exclusive song that he (Aidonia) co-produced, but nutt'n nuh change, and right yah now him a guh back inna di studio. suh a jus crazy ting an di usual. nutt'n nuh change. That song (Jail Story) is now being mixed and finalised so it will be released by this weekend on all radio stations."

Lav also explained that the situation has not impacted negatively on Aidonia's career, in that he would still be allowed to honour shows that had been booked abroad.

"No man. every ting good. dat (the situation) nuh affect nutt'n cause right now, a mostly overseas shows him have like Canada, the Caribbean, Miami, New York, England, to name a few. Him might have a show out here (Jamaica), but wi still in talks with the person, and that should be a surprise," Lav said.

Last week, Resident Magistrate Glen Brown ordered that Aidonia be charged and brought before the Gun Court on Friday (January 18). Lawrence had at the time, been in police custody since January 5, 2008, in connection with the shooting of a man on the night of January 5.

Aidonia is due back in court on February 1.

"No man. every ting good. dat (the situation) nuh affect nutt'n cause right now, a mostly overseas shows him have like Canada, the Caribbean, Miami, New York, England to name a few. Him might have a show out here (Jamaica), but wi still in talks with the person, and that should be a surprise."

Miss Jamaica Universe 2008 will receive a new BMW motor car and $1,000,000 in cash, as part of a fabulous array of gifts and prizes, along with the crown and title of Miss Jamaica Universe 2008. This may be the best prize package in the history of local beauty pageants. Most important, the winner will have the honour of representing Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, wearing the glamorous Miss Jamaica wardrobe. First, however, she will drive away in style, courtesy of Stewart Motors, in a brand new, fully loaded two-litre BMW 120i hatchback. Her $1 million in cash comes courtesy of title sponsor World Wise Partners. These, along with other gifts and prizes, are valued at a whopping $10 million. Attractive package This year's prize package will certainly increase the event's attractiveness. Both the Miss Jamaica Universe franchise holders Pulse and title sponsor World Wise are adamant that this year's event must be the most spectacular Miss Jamaica in the history of beauty pageants in Jamaica, so they are pulling out all the stops. In addition to the prizes, a show stopping entertainment package is also in the works and more details will be announced in early February. Beautiful Jamaican young women between the ages of 18 and 26, who are unmarried, have never had children and who are charming, intelligent and aware are encouraged to enter. A few Miss Jamaica roadshows are planned to bring the event closer to prospective entrants: Saturday, February 2 - Ocho Rios at Island Village. Sunday, February 3 - The Mandeville Hotel at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 23 - The Portmore Pines Plaza at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 24 - the Pulse Complex, 38A Trafalgar Road, New Kingston. Jamaica has had significant success at Miss Universe pageant claiming four top six finishes - Sandra Foster, Nicole Haughton, Christine Straw and Kimberley Mais. Most recently, Zahra Redwood, Miss Jamaica Universe 2007 and the first Rastafarian beauty queen to appear in a major international pageant, captured the imagination of the world press with her beauty, articulateness, charm and intelligence. The coronation of Miss Jamaica Universe is set for April 12, 2008, at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Miss Jamaica Universe is produced by Pulse, with title sponsorship from World Wise Partners Ltd., in association with Stewart's Auto, the BMW dealers in Jamaica, CVM TV, The Hilton hotel, Zip FM and Irie FM.

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Scores of children - some from very poor families - across Western Jamaica are being lured out of school to work in ganja fields, helping with the mass production of the narcotic drug for export.

The increase in ganja production over the past six years has kept Jamaica on the United States' 'blacklist' as one of the major drug-producing countries.

"We have seen evidence to suggest that children are helping in the cultivation of the drug," head of the Narcotics Division, Senior Superintendent Carlton Wilson, told The Gleaner when contacted yesterday.

His comment was supported by another senior officer who confirmed that "it is something that has been happening."

Confirmation

A number of farmers from western Jamaica who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday, on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that children have been kept busy in the fields cultivating ganja.

John Wayneof St. Elizabeth said he knew of several children who had been used to assist in the mass production of the illegal drug within the parish, an issue about which people in that community have expressed concern.

He claimed that both boys and girls as young as 12 years old, are involved on a part-time basis.

"When they reach middle teen some drop out of school and plant it (ganja) full-time," said John Wayne.

While some cultivate their own ganja fields when they grow older, others who attend school on the shift system are used to tend to the marijuana fields before and after classes.

"I doubt if they are paid. They go on the farm with relatives, get a pocket money or something like that," said Mr. Wayne.

He pointed to the communities of Slipe and Vineyard that are about three and five miles, respectively, from the parish capital of Black River, where children are involved in ganja cultivation.

In the meantime, a Westmoreland farmer told The Gleaner that children are not allowed on ganja farms as it is the perception that they talk a lot. According to him, there is at least one ganja farm operating in the parish that has a vehicle specifically for the use of transporting workers to and from the location.

Meanwhile, Children's Advocate Mary Clarke yesterday condemned parents whose children engage in the cultivation of ganja. She noted that parents should be held accountable for this criminal act and called for compulsory school attendance and truancy officers in schools.

"I think we have reached the point where we need compulsory education," said Mrs. Clarke, adding that children ought to be in schools, where the necessary knowledge is imparted and not in ganja fields.

Mrs. Clarke noted that the literacy rate was unsatisfactory and chided parents who keep their children away from school.

She reminded parents that there is the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education to assist those who cannot afford to send their children to school.

Education Minister Andrew Holness said the government is to soon implement compulsory education up to age 18 which, will include compulsory attendance and compulsory enrolment.

On Monday the narcotics police seized over 11,300 pounds of compressed ganja, which has a street value of close to $1 billion. The drug was intercepted at Gordon Cay in the Kingston Harbour. One man has been arrested

For the third time in a week, a suspect who was on the most wanted list is now in police custody. Almost five weeks after the death of his brothers, the third of the Dryden brothers, Linton Dryden, reportedly turned himself over to the police last week. He is the third person on the police most wanted list to have been taken into custody in the last week. On Monday, Eldon Calvert of Salt Spring, Montego Bay, was captured by the police in Trelawny. At the time of his arrest, Calvert was on the island's most wanted list. On Wednesday, a man who was being sought in connection with the murder of seven persons in the east Kingston police area, was held in August Town, St. Andrew. Linton Dryden became the third when the police announced yesterday that he had handed himself over last week. He is currently in custody where he is being interrogated. $1 million He, along with his brothers, was being sought in connection with several murders in St. Catherine. A $1-million reward was subsequently advertised for information leading to his arrest. On Tuesday, residents of Old Harbour Bay padlocked the gates to the cemetery in the community preventing the burial of the two deceased brothers, 34-year-old Wayne and 32-year-old Dion. The residents made it clear that they wished not to have the men buried in their community. The brother's bullet-riddled bodies were reportedly found on Spanish Town Road on December 9 in a car. A baby was also reportedly found dead in the vehicle. Their father, 54-year-old Egbert Dryden was also shot dead earlier this month.

See this is how its supposed to be. According to Illinois law there are no age restrictions on receiving Gun ID Cards which are required for residents to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition. So daddy goes out and issues his 10 month old son a firearm owners identification card. Funniest part of the whole story is that the card lists the babys height at 2 feet, 3 inches and there is this little scribble where the signature goes.

So basically a baby just legally purchased a gun permit.

Some people would freak over this but if you really think about the process it is made to prevent convicted felons from getting their hands on a gun. Well at least legally. The 10 month old obviously cant buy a gun or shoot one if he tried. He just has his ID card. So really there is no harm in it.

http://www.insidefatherhood.com/10-month-old-gets-gun-id-card/
http://mattjohnston.*la*hgspot.com/2007/05/10-month-old-baby-gets-illinois-gun.html

As HipHopDX reported earlier, Lil Wayne was arrested Tuesday (Jan 22) night at a Border Patrol Checkpoint in southwest Arizona; on three felony drug charges after federal agents found near four ounces of marijuana, an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy as well as a .44 caliber pistol (registered to Wayne).

Lil Wayne has a concealed weapons permit in Florida, but authorities are looking into any weapons laws were violated in Arizona.

Wayne has since been released. After posting $10,185 bond, the rapper signed autographs for fans outside of the bail bondsmans office.

We will find out by January 25 whether or not the (Yuma) county attorney will file charges or not, James Tilson, a local attorney retained by Wayne, told USAtoday; as the rapper was not formally charged and will have to appear in court at the end of the month.

He is looking forward to his day in court. Thats all I can say right now.

Judge raps woman, already guilty of negligent homicide, for inhumanity

TUCSON, Arizona - A judge sentenced a woman to nearly the maximum prison term for negligent homicide after hearing a recorded jail conversation in which she made light of the cyclist she killed.

Melissa Arrington, 27, was convicted two months ago of negligent homicide and two counts of aggravated drunk-driving in connection with the December 2006 death of Paul L'Ecuyer.

She could have received as few as four years behind bars, but Superior Court Judge Michael Cruikshank sentenced her Tuesday to 10 1/2 years one year shy of the maximum.

Cruikshank said he found a telephone conversation between Arrington and an unknown male friend, a week after L'Ecuyer was killed, to be "breathtaking in its inhumanity."

During the conversation, the man told Arrington that an acquaintance believed she should get a medal and a parade because she had "taken out" a "tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot."

Arrington laughed. When the man said he knew it was a terrible thing to say, she responded, "No, it's not."

Lawyer: She's always felt remorseful
Assistant Public Defender Michael Rosenbluth told the judge his client has never been "cold, callous or flippant" about L'Ecuyer's death and has always felt remorseful.

Arrington said words couldn't express how she feels, and that once she's out of prison, she hopes to share her story with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

L'Ecuyer, 45, was riding his bike the night of Dec. 1, 2006, when Arrington swerved off the road, hit him and then continued for 800 feet before stopping, according to Deputy Pima County Attorney Jonathan Mosher.

Arrington's *la*hod-alcohol content was .156 percent, nearly double Arizona's .08 legal limit. She had been driving on a suspended license for a prior drink-drive conviction.

Deva Bratt mi seh

Amy Winehouse' record label has confirmed that the troubled soul singer has in fact been admitted to a rehabilitation facility.

According to CNN, the British singer was admitted into a treatment facility yesterday (January 24) as a result of her battle with substance abuse. The singer's record label, Universal Music Group, released a written statement verifying Winehouse' status as a rehab patient and says that they fully support her during this tumultuous time.

"Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors," the label said in the statement. "She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction and prepare for her planned appearance at the Grammy Awards. ... Amy entered the facility by mutual agreement and continues to receive the full support of all concerned."

The statement also revealed that Winehouse was forced to cancel a scheduled appearance at an awards show in France on account of her checking into the facility.

The singer, who is nominated for six Grammys, may have entered the treatment program as a result of U.S. authorities being alarmed at her reported drug addiction. The singer was questionable to appear at this year's ceremony due to required drug testing in order to obtain a passport.

"Amy's been told she needs to pass a drug test before she can get a visa," a source told Britain paper The Sun. "She is doing much better and has cut down her drug use but is still isn't clean."

Many of the people around Winehouse hope that her admittance into rehab will offer the stability that she needs. The singer has had various high profile public incidents including being arrested last December and most recently having a video released by The Sun that allegedly shows the singer smoking what appears to be crack cocaine in a glass pipe.

But despite the singer's recent mishaps, Universal seems to be encouraged that the singer can make a full recovery and that she will continue to create quality music for her fans.

"Amy is the most talented and important musical artist of her generation and has made huge strides on her road to recovery," the record label's statement said. "Universal Music Group wants nothing more than to see her take the time she needs to come back to full health and fulfill her incredible potential with the label."

The length of Winehouse' scheduled stint in rehabilitation is unknown.

Erup's "Click My Finger" clicks into the # 1 Spot

By Richie B - host of "HOT MIX" on HOT 102 FM
TOP 20 DANCEHALL SINGLES

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL
01 2 6 Click My Finger Erup Truck Back (1wk@#1) U-1
02 1 15 Pick It Up & Drop It Sean Paul Birchill Records (2wks@#1)
D-1
03 5 6 Pon Di Edge Busy Signal Star Kutt U-2
04 4 18 Tell Dem Don't Follow Buju Banton Heart of Love NM
05 3 20 Nah Go A Jail Busy Signal Jam 2 (4wks@#1) D-2
06 9 5 Doh Serani feat Bugle Daseca U-3
07 6 10 Dandy Shandy Macka Diamond Birch Hill (pp#5) D-1
08 8 12 Empire Army Vybz Kartel Big Ship (pp#6) NM
09 13 6 Don't Run In Harry Toddler Truck Back U-4
10 7 15 Everybody Dance RDX Apt 19 (2wks@#1) D-3
11 14 7 Shoot Out Mykal Rose John John U-3
12 10 7 Dreaming Of You Beenie Man & Alaine Sleepy Splu (pp#10) D-2
13 11 19 Dem A Sissy Assassin Don Corleon (pp#3) D-2
14 17 6 Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten Demarco John John U-3
15 18 3 Nuff Love/Buddy Buddy Charly Black M/Bass Production U-3
16 12 6 Mama Cry Beenie Man 357 Records (pp#12) D-4
17 15 9 When My Gun Rise Munga Heart of Love (pp#10) D-2
18 16 25 Give It Up Beenie Man feat Barbee 357 Records (3wks@#1) D-2
19 - New Bembe Voicemail Big Ship
20 19 11 Squeeze Har Mavado H20 (pp#7) D-1

uesday, 22 January 2008   The National Minimum Wage has been increased.

Effective Monday, January 28 the minimum wage will move up from $3,200 for a 40 hour work week to $3,700.

This represents an increase of approximately 16 per cent.

The minimum wage for industrial security guards will also see an increase of 16 per cent to move from $4,700 to $5,500.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles, who made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday afternoon, said the government is committed to using the minimum wage as one approach to protect vulnerable workers.

He pointed out that persons without union representation who are employed in small and medium businesses will also benefit.

However, Mr. Charles noted that the increase represents minimum standards and urged those paying above the minimum wage to continue to do so.

He said there has also been a significant increase in penalties for persons who fail to comply with the orders pertaining to both the national minimum wage and the payment for security guards.

Last September the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission undertook a review of the minimum wage

The National Minimum Wage was last increased in January, 2007 by 14 per cen

Just started this EPL prediction game.....where individulas can predict weekly games....anyone interested in joining jus send a messsage to my whiteboard and I will send you the details

any u guys tunin in
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/league?id=caf.nations&cc=5901

Dear Pastor,

I am having an affair with a man (solider). I am a married woman but I don't care. I love freaky styles, I flirt with many men, have sex with them, no problem, as long as my husband doesn't know. I have been with quite a few guys. On the Web, hard-core magazine, at the supermarket, you name it, I've done it.

Somehow I look so innocent but I have ruined a lot of marriages. I always end up leaving the men, due to my 'innocence'. I love my husband, but I'm having another woman's husband. At this time, I am setting a husband to be against his wife, I'm doing everything to wreck their marriage. I also gave this man something to drink so that he cannot have any sexual feelings for his wife. It also allows him to forget about her periodically. I need this man, although I have a husband. I have done this more than once. I am so innocent they will never find out that I am a b*t*h. But you see, pastor, these men will always stray and end up with women like me who are here waiting to destroy them.

Married men cannot be faithful. They are liars. My husband has done it to me and so I am doing it to all of them; this one in particular. I do believe he is downright foolish, he is too easy. Solider, I know you want me, but you will never know that I am not the person you think I am. I fixed you, it's only a matter of time before the results, and it's coming sooner than you think. If only you were faithful and stuck with your family this wouldn't have happened to you. So you will soon be Mr. hot no more.

Let this be a warning to you men out there who love innocent ladies, especially when they are married; we are no angels, we have needs too. Men, be faithful to your wives, and ladies, stop trusting your wonderful husbands, they aren't as innocent as they seem. But 'solgie', you get ketch. Good for you. I hope you learn your lesson, whatsoever you have got, that's your fantasy.

Married and innocent, St. Catherine, Jamaica

Dear Married and innocent,

I don't know how you can sign a letter as 'Married and innocent'. You are a devil and you know it. May God have mercy on your soul and save all the men you have tried to destroy. May you see your wickedness and cry out to God for help. I hope you do so now. You are iniquitous, but no sin is too great for God to forgive. If you cry out to Him, He will deliver you and save you from the pit of hell.

Pastor

Who uno think a go win di superbawl??????????????
Patriots or di Gaints???????????????????????????

Dear Dr. Flex,
I am a 40-year-old woman who has been in a relationship for the past 5 years and has never, until recently, even thought about another man. I am a naturally quiet, shy person. I started a new job about 12 months ago and made friends with a male co-worker and although he isnt even my type physically, we have become quite close and flirt with each other. In fact, our relationship has turned into very little other than flirting.
 He is very sweet and tells me all the things I need to hear that my partner never tells me or makes me feel. I know that my problem is that my physical and emotional needs are not being met at home, but I cant see that ever changing. He sends me sexy messages, and a big part of me thinks well, why not? For me it would be purely physical, for him Im not so sure. I love my partner very much but I have needs that he just cannot fulfill. I dont know if I can really betray his trust in me, and we have always had a mutually trusting relationship, but I also want what this other man is promising. What should I do?
K.S., St. Elizabeth

Dear K.S.,
The keyword in your letter is promising. This other man is untried and untested so you need to think very carefully before burning your bridges with your current relationship. I also prefer to see people try to sort out their present arrangements before seeking something better up the road. Attractions can spring up anywhere - you obviously werent out looking but now that youve met this other chap, temptation is understandable.
 You say flirting is all there is right now. Maybe thats all its meant to be. Why not just enjoy the romance and illicit quality of what you have going with this new man without taking it too seriously? Its harmless enough as it stands but if you give up what you already have, you might find the love affair turns into a staid relationship after a few years as they all do. Sorry to throw cold water on your dreams but my job is to be honest with you and urge caution. Try to get your current partner to be a bit more forthcoming. Lead by example, e.g. send him some sexy messages and see if you can improve things where you already are.

STANDING no bigger than the average coke can this miniature cute canine character is officially the worlds smallest dog.

In fact 'Heaven Sent Brandy' is so tiny that she can't even bark. Her legs are only the size of lollipops and she is dwarfed by just a normal doggy bone.

The female Chihuahua measures just 6 inches from tail to nose. Owned by Paulette Keller, in Florida, she was awarded the title of 'the smallest dog in terms of length' by the Guinness Book of Records in January 2005.

But because the four-year-old pooch hasn't grown in the last three years she gets to hold onto the acolade.

Popular dancehall selector Scratchy B, whose real name is Brian Clarke, is now being sought by the police for questioning about a reported domestic dispute between himself and a woman claiming to be his babymother, Ann Marie Adams. According to the Waterford police, Adams had reported an incident of abuse on Sunday, January 13, the same day on which it allegedly occurred. "She (Adams) went to their house and caught him (Scratchy B) with another woman and he apparently hit her in the face," a constable attached to the Waterford Police Station told THE STAR. Assault The investigating officer for the case, Constable Stephenson, says, "A warrant is now out for his (Scratchy B's) arrest for assault, O.B. (occasioning bodily) harm and unlawful wounding." The officer also added, "No arrests have been made so far, and we understand that he (Scratchy B) was off the island for a show last week." However, when contacted, Scratchy B said he was not aware that the police were looking for him. "Mi nuh know 'bout dat, an mi nuh know 'bout no incident (the alleged domestic dispute between himself and his babymother). A today dem bruk inna mi car an' mi deh a station. Mi nuh inna di bag a careless ting, mi nuh know wah dem deh pon," Scratchy said. Adams, who says she is the mother of two of Scratchy B's children (twins, age three years) confirms the police report. She says she has lived with the famed selector for more than five years. Scratchy B, who is the head of the local Sound System, Cash Money, says however, "Mi nuh know 'bout dat, mi nuh have nuh babymother out yah (Jamaica)."

Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan residence in a possible drug-related death, police said. He was 28.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there found him dead at 3:26 p.m.

The Australian-born actor was an Oscar nominee for his role in Brokeback Mountain and has numerous other screen credits including The Patriot, Monster's Ball, A Knight's Tale, Ned Kelly, The Order, and The Brothers Grimm and 10 Things I Hate About You.

Ledger was engaged to actress Michelle Williams, whom he met on the set of Brokeback Mountain. They have a daughter, Matilda Rose, who was born on October 28, 2005.

He is appearing in the next instalment of the Batman movie opposite Christian Bale as the infamous 'Joker' and was in the midst of filming The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, reports CBS station WCBS-TV in New York.

In 2001, he won a ShoWest Award for the Male Star of Tomorrow based on his performance in The Patriot, and worldwide release of A Knight's Tale. In 2003, he was named one of Australian GQ's Men of the Year for acting.

Boy oh boy it seems like this tax evasion thing is gonna be hanging over Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis' head for some time still.

After going to court yesterday it is understand that the DJ is scheduled to return on March 25 and to date he has not given the court any clear indication on how he is going to settle the debt.

The case was last heard on December 10, 2007 when the DJ's lawyers said they would be holding talks with the tax authorities regarding his multi million-dollar tax.

However, tax representatives told the court yesterday that Beenie only visited their offices once.

The tax authorities allege that the entertainer owes the state $47 million in income tax.

Dancehall diva Ms. Ting was forced to seek medical attention today after complaints of chest and other bodily pains.

The young deejay was spotted by a member of the 876radio.com media team at the University of the West Indies Hospital being escorted by upcoming deejay Psycho aka Tan Bad and Flexx from the Dancehall group T.O.K.

In a phone call with 876radio.com Flexx told us that Ms. Ting has been experiencing the painful symptoms for about a week now and has not been able to pin point its cause. Speculations are that it may be related to the flu illness she recently contracted.

Today the pain became unbearable and so a doctors visit was imminent. Our reporter who was on the scene left shortly after and therefore were not sure if she was admitted or just treated and sent some.

Ms Ting who came to notoriety in 2003 2004 with her mega hits Hot Gal Show Mi You Cellular and Dude featuring Beenie Man recently teamed up with T.O.K, Alozade and Monsta Twins to form the newest crew on the b*o**dck call DLink and together they seem set of leave an indelible mark on the industry.

The Juan Jackson produced and authored movie, "Ladies Night Out" is set for release on March 3rd at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Starring Ricardo "Supa Twitch" Sanchez (Supa Sound), Orrett "Bambino" Hart (Gambino Sound), Stacy Ann Rose, Delicia Cordon, Dominique Wong, Tina Hudson, Markenson Pierre and Terry Ann Marshall, the film brings light to the negative repercussions of burdensome childhood experiences.

Tragic circumstances that plagued the lives of four foster home raised
Caribbean women who were best friends from childhood, strongly tainted, but did not overpower their views of life. As professional adults the friends come together for a night out. At this point, the drama starts to unfold.

Listed as a one day journey between friends, where apparent misfortune
ends up being a blessing, the movie has a few comedic twists.

The red carpet affair begins at 6:30PM.

eenie Man and Barbee for Trinidad Carnival
How Beenie Man neva call up Barbee fi perform wid him at Club Amazura over the weekend? Anyway, mi know say she ah go touch the stage at the Trinidad Carnival wid Beenie next week. First, Beenie will head to Antigua to participate in the entertainment activities around the 20/20 tournament, then jet off to Barbados to attend a local awards show, before heading off to Trinidad for the carnival. Mad tings. See it deh, ah just him and Barbee straight.

Several cities outside the U.S. have sustained attacks on utility systems and extortion demands.
Robert McMillan, IDG News Service

Criminals have been able to hack into computer systems via the Internet and cut power to several cities, a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency analyst said this week.

Speaking at a conference of security professionals on Wednesday, CIA analyst Tom Donahue disclosed the recently declassified attacks while offering few specifics on what actually went wrong.

Criminals have launched online attacks that disrupted power equipment in several regions outside of the U.S., he said, without identifying the countries affected. The goal of the attacks was extortion, he said.

"We have information, from multiple regions outside the United States, of cyber intrusions into utilities, followed by extortion demands," he said in a statement posted to the Web on Friday by the conference's organizers, the SANS Institute. "In at least one case, the disruption caused a power outage affecting multiple cities. We do not know who executed these attacks or why, but all involved intrusions through the Internet."

"According to Mr. Donahue, the CIA actively and thoroughly considered the benefits and risks of making this information public, and came down on the side of disclosure," SANS said in the statement.

One conference attendee said the disclosure came as news to many of the government and industry security professionals in attendance. "It appeared that there were a lot of people who didn't know this already," said the attendee, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak with the press.

He confirmed SANS' report of the talk. "There were apparently a couple of incidents where extortionists cut off power to several cities using some sort of attack on the power grid, and it does not appear to be a physical attack," he said.

Hacking the power grid made front-page headlines in September when CNN aired a video showing an Idaho National Laboratory demonstration of a software attack on the computer system used to control a power generator. In the demonstration, the smoking generator was rendered inoperable.

The U.S. is taking steps to lock down the computers that manage its power systems, however.

On Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved new mandatory standards designed to improve cybersecurity.

CIA representatives could not be reached immediately for comment.

LUKE DOUGLAS, Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, January 24, 2008

The woman at left climbs over other persons as she tries to get into the Ministry of Labour's job recruitment centre in downtown Kingston yesterday. Photo inset shows some of the thousands who turned up at the centre from dawn yesterday to apply for hotel jobs in the United States. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

THOUSANDS of job-seekers yesterday crowded the Ministry of Labour's recruiting facility in downtown Kingston to apply for hospitality jobs in the United States, overwhelming staff and forcing organisers to review the interviewing process.

Armed with certificates, passports and recommendations, the prospective workers, mostly women, massed at the recruiting centre from before dawn in an effort to be selected for the programme.

But by midday, with hundreds continuing to squeeze through the facility's doors, it became obvious that the ministry's staff would be unable to process all the persons gathered.
After conferring with advisors, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles announced that further recruiting would be done at four centres - one each in St James, St Mary and Manchester, in addition to Kingston - at a date to be announced.

"Step back, step back, because it can't work," Charles shouted to the throng at the Overseas Employment Centre on East Street. "We going to set up three other centres, so you don't have to waste yu time fi come a town."

However, only few persons budged as they sought to get into the already crowded centre.

Inside, ministry staff worked feverishly to process applicants for the 2,000 hospitality jobs on offer at the employment fair which continues today and ends tomorrow.

But some recruits complained that the selection was open to favouritism.

"I completed a course in housekeeping Level 1 from HEART, plus I have one year's experience working in a hotel, and I was turned down," said a woman who declined to give her name. "As far as I see it, unless you have contacts you nah get through," she added.

The woman claimed that other people with the same experience and certificates as her were selected.

The woman, a 31-year-old mother of two who resides in Rockfort, Kingston said her letter of recommendation from a hotel in Arizona, USA where she worked last year was rejected. "They didn't even look into my passport to verify the information," she said.

A 39-year-old woman from Fort George, St Ann said she slept overnight with relatives in Kingston to be on time for yesterday's job fair. But she said that when she arrived at 5:00 am she was shocked to see the number of people already there. "The line was very long. People were c*u*hing and jumping over the fence," she said.

Charles said, however, that the newspaper advertisement about the recruitment said only persons with detailed resumes, certificates and passport should apply. He said others could be admitted on the discretion of the overseas employers.

The minister said the crowd was an indication of the level of unemployment, especially among women. "We have 2,000 jobs on offer, and we have a crowd of maybe four times that," he said.

Charles said he would be leaving the island today for the US to seek more jobs for Jamaicans.

Jamaican artiste Nadine Sutherland has recorded a single called Promises with Billboard-topping producer Rohan Sno Cone Fuller on his new one-drop rhythm, Snowflakes'.

I am just going to be putting out singles this year, and build on everything I did last year, just expand on it. I have a good chemistry and good vibe with most producers, nobody has cursed me out yet, she said, laughing as she chatted with a One876Entertainment.com reporter while taking a break from a recording session last night in Kingston.

It was great working with Sno.

Sutherland also has another single called Give Them the Strength on the Lover-a-dub rhythm which also features the Alicia Keys-Junior Reid remix.

Known for the reggae anthems like Action and Anything for You, Sutherland put out a critically acclaimed album called Call My Name last year. It was launched at the Grogge Shop in Devon House by Eight76 Records in May 2007. Sutherland is an excellent writer, and at least ten of fifteen tracks on the album were co-written by Ms. Sutherland. The lead track, Big Tings enjoyed excellent rotation on local FM radio.

The album did very well, I am proud that it sold so well, and it was just me and Eight76 Records and God, everybody seemed to know about it, and it is still selling, even now, she said.

Sutherland is widely regarded as the most exquisite Jamaican female vocalist of her generation, having made her stage debut at the age of nine as a winner of Jamaica's popular Tastees Talent Contest. She is one of the most easily recognizable pop culture figures in Jamaica and she is one of the judges on Jamaica's most popular television show and first live talent search, Rising Stars.

The City of Compton is seeking to ban Hip-Hop mogul Marion "Suge" Knight and members of the Mob Piru street gang members from congregating on the streets of the city.

 

The court order would be the first attempt in the citys history to ban gang members from congregating on public streets.

 

According to The Los Angeles Times, the city contends that the Mob Piru gang has terrorized residents of Compton for years, by robbing and assaulting residents and by selling drugs and guns.

 

Residents fear that innocent civilians in the neighborhood will be adversely affected. While authorities believe the order would be another tool to fight the gang problems in Compton, Knight called the whole ordeal a publicity stunt.

 

"This is crazy," Knight told The Los Angeles Times. "I'm a 42-year-old businessman, not a gang member. I don't even live in Compton anymore . . . . This injunction names people who are already in jail -- and at least one guy who is long dead."

 

Still, police are attempting to ban 200 members of the gang, including Knight, from carrying guns, using gang gestures, spray painting, fighting or congregating after 10:00 PM.

 

Violators will be subjected to fines, misdemeanor charges, or up to one year in jail.

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IVER HEATH, England - "Quantum of Solace" is the title of the new James Bond film, the 22nd Bond adventure.

The title was revealed to reporters Thursday at Pinewood Studios outside of London, where the movie is being filmed.

Producer Michael G. Wilson said the title, chosen only a few days ago, was taken from a story by Bond creator Ian Fleming that appears in the collection "For Your Eyes Only."

"We thought it was an intriguing title and referenced what happened to Bond and what is happening in the film," he said.

Daniel Craig is returning as Agent 007. He picks up where 2006's "Casino Royale" left off, with Bond contemplating revenge after his betrayal by his true love, Vesper Lynd.

"It is not a revenge movie," said co-producer Barbara Broccoli. "It's a lot more complicated than that. It has lots of action but it also deals with the inner turmoil Bond is feeling."

Filming began at Pinewood Studios earlier this month. Location shooting is planned in Austria, Italy and Panama. Judi Dench returns as the MI-6 boss M and Mathieu Amalric ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly") plays the villain. Additions to the cast include Ukrainian actress Olga Kurylenko as mysterious Bond girl Camille.

"Quantum of Solace" is set to open in Britain and the United States on Nov. 7.