News

Nelson Mandela turned 93 today Monday July 18, 2011. He was surrounded by family, as South Africans paid tribute to his legacy by performing at least 67 minutes of public service. One min for each year of public service. Mandela known by his clan name Madiba was spending the day in Qunu, where he grew up. South Africans held various activities to honor a man credited with helping bring together a nation separated by apartheid.

Debuting its latest modern marvel, China has opened the world's longest sea bridge, a 26.4 mile-long structure. Expanding across the wide blue waters of Jiaozhou bay, the vast Y-shaped bridge connects the Northern port city of Qingdao with an airport built on a nearby island and the industrial suburb of Huangdao. The bridge halves the journey time to the other side of the bay, making it just 30 minutes. The first motorists to drive onto the six-lane bridge will have a free journey. For the first month, cars can plow the 110ft-wide highway across the bay free of charge, but after that, a trip on the bridge will cost 50 yuan ($7.75 USD). Built in just 4 years at a cost reported by the Chinese state media yesterday as $2.27...

Pablo McNeil has died at the age of 71. The cause of death was a long illness he suffered since a stroke in Decemeber 2007. A sprinter since childhood, McNeil competed at two Olympic Games. In the 1964 Tokyo Games he reached the semi-final of the 100 meters, finishing sixth. He also appeared in the 100 meters at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, but failed to make it past the first round. He was part of the relay team that won a silver medal at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica. After a career of competing in athletics, McNeil turned his attension to coaching. He became the sprint coach at the William Knibb High School where he met Usain Bolt. He convinced Bolt to make the switch from cricket to track and trained him...

A Jamaican police inspector has been jailed after fellow officers allegedly found 150 pounds (68 kilo) of compressed marijuana in the trunk of his car. Police say the inspector was stopped by agents of the department's anti-corruption branch as he was driving toward the capital of Kingston. Three boxes and a knapsack in his car's trunk were allegedly filled with dense bricks of marijuana. A Sunday police statement says the officer is in custody pending charges. Authorities expect a ruling from public prosecutors on Monday. The suspect was not identified but police spokesman Karl Angell says he has been employed in law enforcement for 12 years.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is proud to present the award-winning American classic BOYZ N THE HOOD on Blu-ray for the first time this July 19, 2011. In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, this powerful and timeless story of the three friends growing up in “the hood” gets the deluxe Blu-ray treatment, featuring stunning new high definition picture and explosive sound. The Special Features include “The Enduring Significance of Boyz N the Hood,” a look back with the cast and filmmakers at the last 20 years and the impact the film has made. In addition, the Blu-ray will also feature “Friendly Fire: Making Of An Urban Legend,” Commentary with John Singleton, audition footage with Ice Cube, Angela Bassett, Morris Chestnut and...

(AP)Caribbean Airlines says it is investigating why one of its jets suddenly lost cabin pressure on a flight between Jamaica and Barbados. An airline spokeswoman says the Boeing 737-800 made an emergency descent, causing the oxygen masks to deploy. Laura Asbjornsen said there were no injuries to passengers or crew and the plane landed safely in Barbados. There were 48 people on board Sunday's flight. Asbjornsen said Monday that the aircraft is undergoing a thorough maintenance review.

Buju Banton was sentenced on today Thursday June 23, 2011 to 10 years in a U.S. federal prison for his conviction on cocaine conspiracy charge. Mark "Buju Banton" Myrie, was convicted in February by a jury in Tampa, Florida, on charges of conspiring with two other men to possess at least 11 pounds (5 kg) of cocaine. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James Moody said the 10-year sentence was the minimum he could give under federal guidelines. He said the maximum was 151 months.

LIME has taken the ‘E’ or entertainment element of their brand to another level by partnering with the Caribbean’s first globally syndicated television series to showcase Jamaican talents and culture to over 22 million viewers through a program called In The Dance. The new 13-week season will hit television screens starting July 1 on local broadcast partner TVJ, and viewers are promised an exciting show each week. Speaking at the June 16th launch at the Quad Night Club in Kingston, LIME Jamaica’s Marketing Commander Stephen Pryce said, “Dance is in our genetic makeup. It’s a part of our heritage which helps to define us as a people both locally and internationally. Our support of In The Dance once again demonstrates LIME’s...

The Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards held their yearly event recognizing and celebrating Young Black Professionals. Media personality and President & CEO of DNZ Productions Nicole Duhaney better known as Nikki Z was honored and received an Broadcast Communications Award. Some of the distinguished recipient were Dr. Keneca Boyce, Senior Director of Program Development, Inwood House for Women in Business Award. Jeff Broom, Co-Founder, Making A Difference (M.A.D.) Team for Multi-Level Marketing Award and Gordon Chambers, Singer, Producer, & Grammy Award Songwriter. When asked what this honor mean to her, Nikki Z stated ""it was an honor to be nominated amongst so many accomplished individuals. To take home the...

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Jamaica's government says it will provide financial assistance to hundreds of farmers who lost $1.6 million worth of crops that were destroyed by heavy rains in recent weeks. Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton said Friday that an estimated 2,500 farmers lost crops including tomatoes, melons and lettuce. He said crews will continue to visit farmers and assess the damage. He did not specify how much money farmers would receive. The rains also destroyed roads and led to the drowning of one man earlier this month.

David "Mavado" Brooks was freed on Thursday June 09, 2011 when he appeared in the St Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate court in Jamaica. Mavado was charged with malicious destruction of property by the St Ann Police last month. The charge stemmed from a fight outside a night club in Runaway Bay on May 22, where he was arrested, charged and subsequently offered $50,000 station bail. Mavado was freed along with his manager Julian Jones-Griffith on Thursday, after the complainant in the case told the court that she no longer had an interest in the matter.

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding says the economic measures that the Government has put in place are now bearing fruit, and are set to put the country on a sound economic path. Delivering a lecture at the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., yesterday, the Prime Minister pointed out that while the country is experiencing economic growth in certain areas, more needs to be done in order to reap even greater economic success. Mr. Golding told the more than 200 participants, that some of the measures put in place to help realise the economic success, included the introduction of the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX), measures to reduce crime, divesting Air Jamaica and the island’s sugar factories, along with the development of...

A release from Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer via Riddimstream was sent out on friday. In it, he compares himself to Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley and others . He says that he has deliberately made himself into an attention-seeking, porn-producing, bleached out face clown to trick Babylon. Read the full release below What do you think?

Sean Kingston has regained consciousness following the horrific jet ski crash in Miami last Sunday. Kingston still needs a machine to help him with his breathing, but he has reportedly opened his eyes and has communicated with nods and gestures to friends and family. Kingston is making progress every day, but it will be at least two weeks till he may be well enough to go home.

(AP) Usain Bolt remained unbeaten in two races this season, winning the 100 meters in 9.91 seconds Tuesday at the Golden Spike meet but unhappy with his time. He pulled away from fellow Jamaican Steve Mullings to match his time in Rome last week. Mullings finished in 9.97 for second place, and Daniel Bailey of Antigua was third in 10.08. The race was held with a slight headwind, but Bolt said he had expected to improve on his performance in Rome, where he edged Jamaican rival Asafa Powell. "My time, 9.91, is not bad, but it could be better," Bolt said. "I expected faster time." Bolt has broken the 100 record three times, the last time in 9.58 at the 2009 worlds in Berlin. He also holds the 200 world record. He cut short...

The all-Jamaican film Ghett’a Life will vie for box office domination against the superheroes and villains from Hollywood and the film has sufficient clout to make fans sit up and take notice. Ghett’a Life is written, directed and produced by Chris Browne, the director of Jamaica’s highest grossing film to date Third World Cop. Browne’s impressive resume includes the award winning short films Entry Denied and Crossfire. Ghett’a Life combines both new and experienced talent among its all Jamaican cast and crew. Ghett’a Life also brings a newcomer to the screen as Kevoy Burton, a student at Ardenne High tackles the lead role of Derek. Actor Boy Awardee Christopher McFarlane turns his years of experience on the stage to portraying the...

Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer is set to debut a short film series based on his life. He will be shooting 33-part series of half-hour short films; to be unveiled periodically in the upcoming months. Kartel will co-direct the series along with popular music video director, Wayne South whose know for directing the video for Vybz’s popular single Life Sweet in 2008. It will Katel first acting project since his appearance in the popular Jamaican movie, Thug Life in 2001.

Tobacco will kill nearly six million people this year, including 600,000 non-smokers, because governments are not doing enough to persuade people to quit or protect others from second-hand smoke, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. Since there is often a lag of many years between when people start smoking and when it affects health, the epidemic of tobacco-related disease and death has just begun, the WHO said. But by 2030, the annual death toll could reach 8 million. The United Nations health body urged more governments to sign up to and implement its tobacco control treaty, warning that if current trends persist, tobacco could cause up to a billion deaths in the 21st century, a dramatic rise from the 100 million...

The Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths is the latest artist to join the Skinny Bwoy Agency roster of artists. Griffiths is available for worldwide bookings through the agency. The US based Skinny Bwoy Agency, LLC. now in it's second year offers promoters the chance to book artists of the highest calibre. "We are very excited about working with Marcia Griffiths," said CEO, Henry Buckley, Jr. "We believe that quality beats quantity any day, and so our approach has always been to represent artists who are legendary or artists that we feel have the potential to become legendary." The agency, also represents artists such as Eric Monty Morris, Downbeat the Ruler, Stevie Face, Sadiki, DJ Warm 'n Easy (BBC UK), Sandra Cross and new Gospel...