News

Jamaica (AP) A Jamaica man who was shot by police and became a paraplegic has been awarded $230,000 in compensation 16 years after the incident. Michael Llewellyn was shot in the back in 1994 when he tried to escape a beating by police at his house. His right leg was amputated below the knee as a result, and he was left unable use the remaining leg. Attorney Sylvan Edwards said Friday that Llewellyn has not been able to work since then. A Supreme Court judge ordered the compensation Thursday. Jamaica has one of the highest rates of police killings in the Western Hemisphere, according report released last year by Amnesty International.

The head of Scotland Yard has travelled to Jamaica as senior officers on the island struggle to curb a spiralling murder rate. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson is undertaking a five-day visit organised by the University of the West Indies. Sir Paul will be keen to share the success of his colleagues solving murders and suppressing violent crime. And he was also expected to discuss work to bring down Jamaican drug gangs operating between their homeland and London. The Jamaica Constabulary Force is on a recruitment drive for detectives as part of a modernising shake-up.

FORT LAUDERDALE (CN) - A man says he lost $2.6 million in a "huge Ponzi scheme named OLINT" that targeted Jamaican Americans. He claims the scam was so lucrative that one of its operators, Joseph Issa, "used the money to purchase the Shell Oil facility in Jamaica for $80 million." Robert Anderson sued five people and three organizations in Broward County Court: Jared Martinez, David Smith, Wayne Smith, Tracy-Ann Smith, OLINT, Joseph Issa, USIMO, and Superclubs. Anderson claims he and his investors group put $2.6 million in OLINT, through USIMO, which is or was controlled by Issa. "Jared Martinez and David Smith worked closely together in 2005 and onwards to create a huge Ponzi scheme named OLINT," according to the complaint...

The US embassy in Kingston located Old Hope Road, Jamaica, is desperately trying to create a more customer-friendly image. They are said to be unfriendly with applicants of nonimmigrant visa and is only interested in collecting the non refundable application fee. The visa application fee of $131 U.S. dollars and must be paid (in Jamaican dollars at the exchange rate set by the U.S. Embassy) for the nonimmigrant visa interview before they begin to speak with you. Let's do the math 110, 000 * 131 = $14,410,000 US dollars. The US Embassy is collecting over 14 Million dollars per year from poor Jamaican's and is declining majority of the applicants rumored to be about 95% denial rate. US officials have steered clear of providing...

The Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) and Customs' Contraband Enforcement Team seized more than JA$40 million in illegal goods and cash when they raided an upscale Beverly Hills home in St Andrew on Tuesday April 27, 2010. Millions of dollars in Jamaican, United States, British and Canadian currencies was seized during the raid as well as several brands of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal alcohol. The Police have put the total cash value of the items seized at JA$40,548,966.00. Businessman Jason Kong, 50, and Yun Seng Xhang, 30, have been charged with breaches of the Trademark Act and the Excise Duty Control Act.The two were arrested after the cops raided Mr. Kong's Shenstone Drive residence and seized millions of...

Jamaica (AP) A foundation for football's Real Madrid has opened a sports academy in northern Jamaica. The Real Madrid Foundation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new academy in Montego Bay on Monday. Former Madrid player and current official Emilio Butragueno attended. Avalon Arscott, the spokeswoman for the Spanish Embassy in Jamaica, said on Tuesday that local youngsters from some of the area's poorest communities will attend the school. Arscott says students will be taught athletics and "social integration" by staff led by former Jamaica goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence.

Ninja Man, who along with his son and two other men are charged with murder, will return to the Home Circuit Court today as the trial continues. Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, along with his son Janeil, Dennis Clayton and Seymour Samuels, have been jointly charged with the murder of Robert Johnson, who was shot and killed in Tower Hill, St Andrew last year. Police alleged that the four, who were travelling in a grey motor car, drove up to Johnson’s home at Marl Road in St Andrew and fired several shots hitting Johnson. Soruce: Jamaica Observer

Jamaica (AP) Authorities in Jamaica say gunmen killed five people execution-style in a troubled area of Salt Spring community. A police statement says the attack early Sunday in Salt Spring is believed to be gang-related. Three of the bodies were burned when gunmen set fire to the house where the men lived. No one has been arrested. Police say the five killings pushed Jamaica's total number of homicides so far this year past 500, putting it on par with the record 1,680 murders during 2009. The majority of Jamaica's killings involve victims of drug and extortion gangs and occur far from the Caribbean island's trendy tourist spots.

Rodney "Bounty Killer" Pryce made headlines for his recurrent troubles with the law has been arrested by St Andrew North Police at his East Avenue home. Rodney Price already is being prosecuted on previous charges of illegal possession of a firearm, marijuana possession, and unlawful wounding and assault. Police say Bounty Killer physically abused his female companion after she decided to end their three year relationship. A report was made to the police and following investigations a warrant was issued for his arrest. Police report that while being processed at the Constant Spring Police Station, Bounty Killer was allowed to make a telephone call. Police stated the DJ used that opportunity to call the complainant and...

In a court order released Thursday April 08 2010, the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division decided that the trial will now get underway on Monday, June 21. Buju's lawyers immediately demanded a status conference to discuss the trial date, as they believe that any further delay of the trial date would only put their client at a disadvantage. Attorney David Markus, who is representing Buju Banton, said that the defense team had already laid the legal groundwork and preparation in anticipation of an earlier trial date. Now, Banton's legal claims says they'll go so far as to appeal for the transfer of the case to an entirely different judge, in the hopes of moving the trial date up.

David "Mavado" Brooks was involved in a Bike accident on Sunday evening, in the Manor park area of Kingston. ReggaeMe understands that Mavado was travelling on his motorcycle with a group of riders at approximately 5:00pm on sunday when a female driver decided to turn into her driveway, cutting across his lane in which he was riding. Mavado was immediately taken to the Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston where he underwent treatment for some minor cuts and bruises. Doctors also did several X-rays inwhich thankfully all came back as showing that mavado was ok.

A team of Mario Forsythe, Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson and Bolt finished in 37.90 seconds for Jamaica Gold, setting a competition record. Bolt took a perfect handoff from Anderson and ran for the final 100 meters to a standing ovation. Bolt's dash lasted an unofficial, but exhilarating 8.79 seconds. Bolt's appearance at the Penn Relays, his first competition of 2010, was responsible for the highest single day attendance of 54,310 in the event's 116-year history. A total of 117,346 fans watched the three days, also a record.

St Lucia government bans Vybz Kartel by denying work permits for HOT FM Supreme Weekend Show, a statement release stating that the Government deliberately refrained from rushing to judgment by establishing an adhoc committee to discuss the pros and cons of the request. One of the key factors the St. Lucia government used in their decision is the way neighboring countries treat Jamaican Dancehall artiste, the Ricky Trooper You-Chub video and the visa drama. St Lucia government went on to say that the committee’s deliberations were undertaken with the understanding, that notwithstanding its findings and recommendations, the ultimate decision would rest with the Minister for Labour, Information and Broadcasting. St Lucia...

Kym and her Legal Team announced that effective April 15, 2010 Kym has full control of her Publishing Rights. Kym and her Legal Team provided her former Recorded Label with a (60) sixty days cancellation notice in February and has been waiting patiently for it to take effect. Kym also cancelled her management contract with the Record label in February and is currently being managed by Sandra Hamilton. “This is exciting”, said Kym, “this will allow me more creative freedom”. Since leaving the record label, Kym has released, “This is love”, that is currently on the Caribbean Top 20 Charts. “This is love”, was written by Kym and Produced by Stone Age Productions. She has also released a collaboration with former Portmore Empire...

GEORGE TOWN (Reuters) - The Cayman Islands has brought in British police to tackle a rise in gang-related crime that business leaders fear could hurt the territory's image as a safe finance and tourism destination. Fourteen British officers arrived in the Caribbean hedge fund hub late on Wednesday after they were requested by Cayman Police Commissioner David Baines. The murder rate in the small British territory, with a population of 55,000, remains low compared with Caribbean country like Jamaica. But the 390-strong local police force has been stretched since the start of the year by five murders, a kidnapping, armed robberies and shootings. Victims included a 4-year-old boy killed in crossfire. Cayman authorities and local...

Volcanic ash-related flight cancellations in Europe forced Eek-A-Mouse to miss his scheduled trial in Dare County North Carolina this week on rape and kidnapping charges, but that didn't stop a warrant being issued for his arrest. Eek-A-Mouse whose real name is Ripton Joseph Hylton, was in Amsterdam and could not fly to the United States, said Phillip Hayes, his Kitty Hawk attorney. Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett issued an order Monday April 19, 2010 for Eek-A-Mouse arrest for failure to appear at the designated time. Eek-A-Mouse who is 52, was charged in August 2008 with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape and possession of cocaine, all felonies, stemming from an incident in Kill Devil Hills North Carolina. Police...

Siccature "Jah Cure" Alcock, was arrested and charged Thursday April 22, 2010 for illegal possession of Marijuana. Jah Cure was travelling along Dunrobin Avenue when he was stopped and searched during a spot check. Two ganja spliffs were reportedly found in the ash tray of the car, along with a small amount of marijuana in a bag. The police say the drug weighs about an ounce in total. Jah Cure was released from police custody yesterday and granted bail of $10,000. He is set to appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday April 26, 2010.

Port Royal is located at the mouth of the Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. Founded in 1518, it was the centre of shipping commerce in the Caribbean Sea during the latter half of the 17th century. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1692 and subsequent fires, hurricanes, flooding and another earthquake in 1907. Jamaican officials plan to renovate a historic port that attracted infamous pirates including Henry Morgan and Anne Bonny in the late 1600s, when it was one of the island's most important commercial centers. Carnival Cruise Lines representatives are expected to finalize an agreement with the government May 11 to build a new pier at Port Royal, according to Transportation Minister Michael Henry.

Last fall, the blue-chip law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips signed a $400,000 contract to lobby on behalf of the government of Jamaica, spending the next several months talking with the White House and other administration officials about why the United States should not extradite an accused Kingston drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. According to Justice Department records filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Manatt signed the contract to represent the government of Jamaica on Oct. 1, about a month after Coke's indictment was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The unusual arrangement has fallen apart amid a flurry of charges and counter charges that have...

Live Interview with Father Keith and Lady Lyrical from Vibes Reggae Arena Approximately five years ago Squingy was diagnosed with a life threatening illness (Lung Cancer) which out of respect for him and at his request has been kept secret. Only a select few were privileged with knowing this sensitive information as this was necessary in maintaining his health. Squingy is said to be in the Intensive Care Unit of a Tampa Bay hospital, is rapidly deteriorating. Part 1 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf" width="400" height="35"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf"/> <param name="FlashVars"...