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A top level meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday morning at Jamaica House involving representatives of private sector groups and government agencies to discuss the rehabilitation of the downtown Market District.

The parties will also discuss plans for the repair of the Coronation Market which was extensively damaged during the recent unrest in West Kingston.

General Manager of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) Joy Douglas says members...

Former Minister of Labour William Isaacs is dead.

Mr. Isaacs died Sunday at the age of 80.

In a statement, People's National Party (PNP) President Portia Simpson-Miller paid tribute to Mr. Isaacs' outstanding contribution to the nation and the PNP.

Mrs. Simpson-Miller said Mr. Isaacs was an excellent Minister of Labour in the late 1970s and was known for his exceptional conciliatory skills.

She added that he provided yeoman service to the Party in many capacities, including as Vice President and Treasurer.

Mr. Isaacs first served as a Senator...

A senior executive at Caribbean Airlines' has given the assurance that the air carrier's acquisition of Air Jamaica is not in jeopardy.

Concern was raised late last week about the takeover agreement following reports out of Trinidad.

But Caribbean Airlines' CEO, Captain Ian Brunton, says there is no need for alarm.

There have been jitters in Jamaica since word came last week that a new Government in Trinidad was taking a second look at Caribbean Airlines...

Two Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown streaked to a world leading run in the women's 200 metres to highlight the New York Diamond League meet on Saturday.

The stage was set for a battle royale between the two time Olympic champion Campbell-Brown and archrival, two world champion the American, Allyson Felix.

Campbell-Brown crossed the line in a word leading and meet record 21.98 seconds, enacting revenge on the American, who beat at the World...

CONCACAF champions the United States were gifted a goal by England keeper Robert Green and held on for a 1-1 draw in their Group C World Cup opener.

The United States had earlier conceded one of the quickest goals in World Cup history in less than four minutes of play.

But by the stroke of luck, the US got the equaliser.

US Coach Bob Bradley was happy with the response of his team especially after going down by a goal early in the game.

Argentina clipped Nigeria 1-nil to give Diego Maradona a successful World Cup managerial debut.

While world...

Waterhouse FC has parted company will Coach Geoffrey Maxwell.

Maxwell joined the club at the start of last season and after a disastrous start, guided them to a creditable third place finish.

The club has not given a reason for his departure but RJR Sports understands that they were not pleased with Maxwell's stance in not wanting to use most of the young players in the senior set up.

But Maxwell says this is not so.

“I reached...

Three members of Waterhouse FC midfielders Theo Brown and Kenardo Forbes and forward Andre Clennon will depart Sunday for a two-week trial with US major league outfit- Colorado Rapids.

They will take part in Colorado’s regular training sessions as well as squad and practice matches.

At the end of the period, the Colorado technical team will make an assessment and advise Waterhouse FC of their decision.

All three players are members of the...

World Junior champion Dexter Lee indicated his readiness to defend his 100 metres title at next month’s championships with a world leading run at the National Junior Athletics Championships at GC Foster College on Saturday.

Lee equaled his world leading and personal best of 10.20 seconds to win the under-20 boys 100 metres ahead of Kemar Bailey-Cole 10.61.

Siedatha Palmer clocked 11.79 to win the under 20 girls event while CARIFTA under-17 double sprint champion...

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has granted the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) an inflation adjustment.

The decision belies the pronouncements made by the Energy Minister earlier this week that JPS customers could be seeing a reduction in electricity bills.

It was revealed last week that the JPS was seeking an inflation related increase in electricity rates from the OUR.

James Robertson, Energy Minister, met with business interests...

Five persons are now nursing gunshot wounds after heavily armed men opened fire on a bus in which they were travelling in Central Village, St. Catherine Saturday.

Those injured include the conductor and a driver.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning.

RJR News understands that the bus was travelling from Kingston when a passenger signalled the driver to stop in Central Village.

The driver complied and seven men opened fire on the bus, hitting the crew and passengers.

The driver in a panic to escape drove off, lost control of the vehicle...

The police are maintaining a presence in Tucker, St. James after residents blocked the road Saturday on several occasions, furious over the police's version of a fatal shooting.

According to the police, two of their members are nursing gunshot wounds while two alleged gunmen are dead following a reported shootout in the community on Friday night.

The dead men have been identified as 19-year-old Davion Haughton also known as Kino and 18-year-old Kenroy Brown otherwise called Silence both of 29 district in Tucker, St. James.

The police say that about 10 o'clock,...

Six persons including two females were detained by the Westmoreland Police during an operation in Darlistan on Saturday morning.

RJR News was told that the six are from Kingston and St. James.

They were picked up during a special operation conducted by the police from Sav-la-mar and Darliston.

Saturday morning's operation forms part of the strategy by members of the security forces, who are seeking to flush out criminal elements who have fled...

The police have now released the identities of the four people who were killed when the motor car in which they were traveling crashed into a wall on Manchester Road, Mandeville on Saturday morning.

Those killed are identified as 23-year-old Richard Suckie of Marshall’s district, 20-year-old Roshay Young of Bloomfield Gardens, 21-year-old Roberta Milton of Poinsettia Terrace and 21-year-old Simone Ford of Lancaster district all in Manchester.

Young and Ford are students of the Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts and the University of the West Indies, respectively....

Motorists are being advised that as of Monday, a section of the St. Christopher to Glengoffe main road in St. Andrew will be closed to vehicular traffic.

The National Works Agency (NWA) says the breakaway which existed in the vicinity of Cavaliers District, has severely worsened, reducing the road to less than required width for single-lane access.

The NWA says the closure has become a necessary action to protect the safety of motorists who use the road.

The alternative route for motorists travelling from St. Christopher and wishing to go to Lawrence Tavern is through...

A raid of a premises in Craig Town, Kingston 12 and another in Torrington Park, Kingston 5 earlier this week resulted in the seizure of three illegal firearms and a quantity of ammunition.

No one was arrested.

Reports are that about 3pm on Thursday, police were on special operation when they carried out searches at a premises on Union Street, Craig Town.

During the search an M1 rifle and two hundred and seventy 7.62 cartridges were found.

Continuing the search the officers went to another premises in Torrington Park where a .357 magnum, a nine millimeter...

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington believes that the security forces have caused a major dent in extortion rackets especially those operating in the corporate area.

Commissioner Ellington says there seems to have been a decline in extortion activities in the aftermath of the joint security operations in the Corporate Area.

Speaking at the RJR Group News Forum on Friday, the constabulary's chief noted the law enforcement community is pushing forward with an anti-extortion...

Methods being used to rake in the bucks

Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

A number of businesses have made preparations to capitalise on the World Cup fever expected to grip the country for the next month.

The FIFA World Cup, taking place in South Africa, began yesterday and will last until July 11. And, true to form, Jamaican businesses are looking to cash in on the event although Jamaica is not involved in the competition and South Africa is...

Reverend Andrew Vassell
GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

For Reverend Andrew Vassell, he could not have started to walk with God at a better time than when he did on March 28, 1998. He converted to Christianity at a crusade at the Lacovia New Testament Church of God in St Elizabeth.

Vassell grew up in the church but finally decided to surrender his life to the Lord 12 years ago, and said it was always his intention to serve God.

"I grew up in the...

Artiste focused on more positive music

Leighton Levy, Star Writer

Busy Signal is just weeks away from dropping his latest album DOB, (Difference of Busy Signal).

The album will be his fourth and is set for release on July 13, he tells THE STAR.

"There is a whole bunch of work and whole bunch of videos in progress and everything," says the entertainer born Reanno Gordon. "I have a song with Bounty Killer...

The police have allegedly discovered several used dildos during the search of the house of a well-known thug in Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston.

Eyebrow-raising information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that five dildos of various sizes, shapes and colours along with lubricating oils were found at the man's house last week while the security forces searched the premises as part of their operations there.

"Yow a dem ting yah a gwaan a TG and dem claim seh dem a bad...

Jamaica's Asafa Powell runs to win the men's 100 metres event during the IAAF Diamond League Golden Gala athletics meeting at Rome's Olympic stadium, Thursday, June 10. ap
ROME (AP):

Asafa Powell overcame a slow start to cruise to a comfortable win in the 100 metres at the Rome Golden Gala yesterday.

The Jamaican finished in 9.82 seconds, with the French pair of Christophe Lemaitre and Martial Mbandjock in a photo finish for second and third in 10.09.

( l - r ) Nicki Minaj, Gyptian - File

From the Billboard charts to MTV2, singer Gyptian alongside American rapper Nicki Minaj have been nominated as 'Remix of the Year' at MTV2's Sucker Free Summit.

Yesterday MTV2 announced the 'Sucker Free Summit' which was created to celebrate artistes pioneering hip-hop culture. According to a release sent to THE WEEKEND...

Sections of downtown Kingston remain under curfew on Monday morning as the police continue a major operation aimed at rounding up persons of interest and seizing illegal weapons.

The police/military teams are still conducting house to house searches in the area.

During an operation in the Matthew's Lane area Sunday, police personnel and soldiers detained just under 300 men and seized four guns as well as several hundred rounds of ammunition.

he National Security Ministry says 35 of the 73 civilians who were killed during the military led incursion in Western Kingston have now been identified.

The identification process is continuing at the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre and the Denham Town Police Station.

The ministry says following initial identification using photographs, the relatives of the victims will be advised when to visit various locations for a second identification process, this time with the actual bodies.

The National Security Ministry urged relatives not to go the Maddens Funeral Home...

The Road Safety Unit is reporting a 30% reduction in road fatalities since the start of the year.

Since January, 112 persons have been killed in traffic accidents, 49 less than the 161 fatalities recorded during the corresponding period last year.

There has also been a 26% decline in fatal crashes.

The figure amounted to 106 down from 142 in 2009.

Child fatalities also declined by 21% - 11 children died in motor vehicle accidents, compared to 14 last year.

The Road Safety Unit has also observed a reduction in other categories of fatalities.

The sister of fugitive Christopher "Dudus" Coke is now in the custody of the police.

Sandra "Sandy" Coke was brought to the Half Way Tree Police station by high-profile pastor Reverend Al Miller.

At approximately 11:30a.m. Friday morning, less than 24 hours after the police issued an islandwide demand for 25 suspects to make themselves available to investigators.

Ms. Coke is the second sibling of Christopher Coke to be brought...

The sister of West Kingston fugitive Christopher "Dudus" Coke as well as East Kingston businessman Danhai Williams have been added to the list of persons now being sought by the police.

A statement issued on Thursday night by the High Command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force appealed to the two and 23 other persons believed to be affiliated with criminal gangs to turn themselves in at any police station.

The High Command said the appeal was being...

Public Defender Earl Witter has called for a Commission of Enquiry into this week's military led operation in West Kingston during a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

He also disclosed that he has received several complaints of abuse by security forces from residents in communities.

Mr. Witter says the contents of those complaints will not be disclosed to the public but will be passed on to the relevant authorities.

The security...

The Opposition People’s National Party says it wants more to be done to ensure that the families in the areas affected by the current operations of the security forces are able to access basic amenities.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller says she is concerned for the women, children, elderly and those with disabilities, and their need for access to food, water, proper clothing and sanitation.

The Opposition Leader has also expressed regret to the families...

Members of the press were kept at bay on Saturday sought a response from Prime Minister Bruce Golding on the military/police incursion in West Kingston.

Mr. Golding was attending the funeral service for Robert Williams who was Jamaica Labour Party Councillor for the Norbrook Division in St. Andrew.

The media fraternity wanted comments from the Prime Minister on the operation which resulted in the death of 73 civilians and a soldier.

They also wanted...

The police have issued a new photograph of the Tivoli Gardens area leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke as their manhunt for him continues.

This new photograph of Coke was found in his Presidential Click Headquarters in Tivoli Gardens.

The police say it is being strongly suggested that he has since shaved his head and face.

Police Commissioner Owen Ellington has rubbished claims that members of the security forces tried to bury bodies in the May Pen Cemetery as part of a cover up.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie announced Thursday that an order to cease the burials had been handed down, following criticisms that the police were trying to bury the bodies under the cover of "darkness" and without proper authorization.

But this was strongly dismissed by Commissioner...

Police Commissioner Owen Ellington says the police and military are determined to dismantle and degrade the criminal network of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher "Dudus" Coke.

Speaking at Friday's press conference on the operation in the West Kingston community, Commissioner Ellington made it clear that the security forces have the capacity to smash the criminal network which has been spreading its influence across the country and abroad.

“Five...

The Police High Command has released photographs of makeshift explosive devices discovered by members of the security forces in sections of Tivoli Gardens.

The JDF’s Engineer Regiment has since disabled the explosives and secured them as evidence.

The photos show steel rebar, normally used to reinforce concrete blocks in houses which was cut into three or four inch pieces and put in small packages with explosives.

The police say when detonated, these...

In the wake of mounting criticisms about the lack of information on the ongoing operation in West Kingston, members of the Police High Command and the Military stepped forward Friday to quell the uproar.

At a press conference led by Police Commissioner Owen Ellington and JDF Colonel Rockie Meade, it was disclosed that the police and military have recovered 22 weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition and several explosive devices, including Improvised Explosive Devices...

The Meteorological Service has upgraded the Flash Flood Watch it issued on Friday morning to a Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes until 5 o'clock on Saturday.

This means that flooding has occurred or will occur shortly and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if another warning is issued.

Duty Forecaster at the Met Office Romaine Robinson...

Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for West Kingston, has come out forcefully in support of calls for Prime Minister Bruce Golding to resign.

“It is my view that the Prime Minister should resign because he is showing day by day that he cannot cope,” he said in an interview with RJR News.

Seaga has described Golding's leadership as a major failure in respect of the contentious extradition issue and the related security...

As concerns mount over the identification and disposal of the bodies of persons killed in West Kingston, more decomposing bodies are being buried at the May Pen Cemetery on Spanish Town Road.

Our news team ventured to the area to observe the operations there and was told to move from the cemetery gate by the police who are guarding the process.

Before the police established a presence on the scene, our news team was able to go inside the facility where they saw at least eight decomposing bodies in one section and a further five down the road including at least one female and...

Three days after the armed forces stormed Tivoli Gardens in Western Kingston, members of the local media were finally allowed inside.
Over 20 reporters, videographers and photographers from almost every media house were taken on a tour of the community this morning.

The tour was arranged after the Press Association of Jamaica requested that the media be allowed access.

The stench of death greeted us as we disembarked from the JUTC bus in...

The human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is adding its voice to other groups expressing concerns over the rising number of casualties and persons being detained in the ongoing operations in Tivoli Gardens.
At the start of the operations on Monday several groups, including the JFJ expressed their support for the security forces saying the operation was necessary to restore law and order.

However, JFJ spokesperson Susan Goffe told the Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre a short while ago that this outpouring of support should not be used as an excuse for the...

Former Security Advisor Harold Crooks is now in police custody.
Mr. Crooks left Jamaica after he was accused of carnal abuse.

The Gleaner/Power106 received confirmation from the Constabulary Communications Network that Mr. Crooks was arrested at the Ocho Rios pier in St. Ann early this morning.

Harold Crooks, a former commandant of the Island Special Constabulary called the Gleaner Power 106 News Centre late March claiming that the incident for which he’s being sought by the police involves a 16 year old girl with whom he had a brief relationship....

Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga criticised the Government yesterday for betraying its vow to protect residents of embattled Tivoli Gardens, arguing that the assault by the security forces had caused widespread suffering for the most vulnerable.
Seaga, the former member of parliament for West Kingston who has been praised as the ideological architect of Tivoli Gardens, demanded that the lockdown be lifted to grant trapped...

The Jamaican government has revealed that the death toll from the West Kingston operation has risen to 73.
This has moved from the earlier figure of 44.

The police say the 560 persons being held in detention are being processed and those who are not considered to be persons of interest will be released and provided with transportation to their homes.

Also, the police say residents of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town have been allowed to move about without restriction.

A police operation aimed at capturing alleged crime lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ , ended with the slaying of Keith Clarke, the brother of former Commerce Minister for Jamaica, Claude Clarke.

In their relentless pursuit of the reputed Shower Posse leader, the security forces apparently entered a house. Clarke was reportedly slain after members of the security forces forced their way inside.

The operation reportedly began at about 2:30 a.m. with the security forces cordoning...

Can cause medical problems if consumed


A serious health problem is looming as several persons have being catching fish in sewage ponds near Old Harbour and selling them to unsuspecting customers.

THE STAR has learnt that these persons are fishing at ponds located at Old Harbour Villa, St Catherine.

"This is not a joking thing when mi say man wid hook and line a catch out the fish and go sell them and dat can't be right at all," one concerned female said.

File photos Mavado and Edward Seaga

Singjay reported to have been personally requested

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffiths says his artiste feels honoured, as he has been requested to perform at the birthday party of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga next weekend at Devon House, St Andrew.

"Mavado...

File - Marlon Samuels


LAUDERHILL, Florida (CMC):

Marlon Samuels failed on his return to the national team but Jamaica still overpowered United States by 132 runs to win the first one-day match of the three-game series yesterday.

The right-handed Samuels got just 11 from 22 balls as Jamaica piled up 307 for four from their 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Donovan Pagon, Danza Hyatt and captain Tamar Lambert.

In response, the...

Beckford Street in downtown Kingston was almost clear yesterday as the tension continues over the 'Dudus' extradition matter. The street is normally known for its usual hustle and bustle of vendors and shoppers. - Norman Grindley

Thugs from several areas aligned to the People's National Party (PNP) have joined forces with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) stronghold of Tivoli Gardens to assist in...

( l - r ) Drake and Mavado. - file photos

Anthony Mandler, the director of American rapper Drake's Find Your Love video, which was shot in Jamaica in April and features singjay Mavado as the 'villain' of the plot, has come out in response to Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett's comments last week, warning local acts to be careful in how they portray Jamaica.

In defence of...

Meadows' Dane Planter (left) battles for the ball against Benfica's Gregory Tape during the Digicel Premier League play-off match at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday. Meadows won the game 2-0. - Anthony Minott

Premier League aspirants Meadows and Reno began their Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) All-Island Confederation four-team play-offs, with identical respective 2-0 victories over Benfica and Cavalier yesterday.

At Frome, Reno, who were demoted from the Premier...