Buju on the move
IMPRISONED dancehall artiste Buju Banton continues to play musical chairs during the first phase of his 10-year prison sentence.
Buju — whose real name is Mark Myrie — was found guilty on drug charges in a Florida court on June 23 and is presently incarcerated at facility in Groesbeck, Texas
Since his incarceration, the artiste has been transferred from Florida to Oklahoma to Texas, and back to Oklahoma. The Sun Sentinel newspaper in Fort Lauderdale reported yesterday that the Grammy winner will soon be en route to the Federal Correctional Institution in Miami.
Arrangements to place the artiste in a Mississippi prison went awry when prison officials discovered that a co-defendant in the case was already housed there.
Authorities then stowed the artiste in a Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City before moving him to Groesbeck.
David Oscar Markus, Buju’s lawyer, is concerned about the current facility.
“He was at one of the worst places you can imagine — a county facility that had been converted to house federal inmates,” Markus said in the Sun Sentinel report.
“The place was used for short-stay Mexican nationals who were going to be deported,” he added. “It was filled with Mexican gangs. Buju was one of very few black men in there. It was really violent.”
In February, Federal judge James S Moody found the artiste guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, just days after he won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album. The artiste won the award for his 2010 album Before the Dawn.
Both Moody and the Jamaican consulate urged the Federal Bureau of Prisons to move Banton from the Texas facility.
“We’re very appreciative that Judge Moody stood by his initial recommendation that Buju should be in Miami,” Markus said. “And he made a point to comment that Buju is a peaceful person and shouldn’t be housed in a violent facility.”
Markus said he plans to file an appellate brief with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta later next month.
Ninja Man’s lawyers to seek bail
Lawyers for dancehall deejay Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, are to seek bail, when his murder trial resumes in the Home Circuit Court on December 9.
Ninja man has been in custody since 2009.
He is charged jointly with his son Jamel and two other men, Dennis Clayton and Seymour Samuels.
Samuels is out on bail while the others remain behind bars.
They are charged with the March 16, 2009 murder of Richard Johnson.
It is alleged that on the day in question, Johnson was sweeping his yard in the company of a friend on Mall Road, St Andrew, when a motor car with three men aboard drove up.
An argument developed between Johnson’s friend and the men, who left but later returned with guns blazing.
Johnson was fatally shot in the incident.
Ninja Man turned himself into the police shortly after the incident, upon hearing that he was being sought as a person of interest in the case.
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn passes $500m mark
The latest Twilight film has now made more than $500 million (£321m) at the worldwide box office, its distributor Summit Entertainment has said.
By Tuesday, its takings had exceeded $508m (£326m) - $223m (£143m) of which was made in North American cinemas.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 is the fourth instalment in the vampire series. A fifth movie follows in 2012.
It is the top film in both the UK and US box office charts after its second weekend of release.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the success of this film," said Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger, co-chairmen of Summit Entertainment.
The previous three instalments in the Twilight series have collectively made more than $1.8 billion (£1.15 billion) at the worldwide box office.
Breaking Dawn Part 1 was the runaway success at UK and Ireland cinemas this weekend, making £4.5m between Friday and Sunday.
Since opening on 18 November, the film - which stars Kristen Stewart and British star Robert Pattinson - has made in excess of £23m.
Although Twilight's achievements over 12 days were attained by the final Harry Potter movie in six.
When it opened in July, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 promptly set a new record for the fastest film to cross the $500m mark.
Animated fantasy Arthur Christmas remains the number two film in the UK and Ireland, having made £2.5m on its third weekend of release.
Breaking Dawn and Arthur Christmas were the only titles to make more than £1m between Friday and Sunday, with other new releases posting relatively disappointing results.
The most successful new release was biographical drama My Week with Marilyn, which entered the chart at three with £749,819.
50/50, a comedy about a young man with cancer, was ranked sixth, just ahead of the Daniel Craig supernatural thriller Dream House.
Brad Pitt's latest vehicle Moneyball, about a baseball manager trying to rejuvenate his struggling team, took 10th place in this week's Top 10 with a modest £230,848 across the weekend.
UK AND IRELAND BOX OFFICE
- 1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - £4.57m
- 2. Arthur Christmas - £2.52m
- 3. My Week with Marilyn - £749,819
- 4. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - £712,398
- 5. Immortals - £534,163
Source: Screen International
Charlie Sheen pays tribute to late comic Patrice O'Neal
Actor Charlie Sheen has paid tribute to Patrice O'Neal, a comic who mocked him on a TV show earlier this year, following his death at 41.
"The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man," Sheen said on Twitter.
O'Neal, who had diabetes, appeared in numerous US TV programmes, including Arrested Development, The Office and David Letterman's late night chat show.
He died on Tuesday from complications of a stroke he suffered last month.
O'Neal's mocking of Sheen during a Comedy Central "roast" was considered a highlight of the September event.
In his tweet, Sheen admitted he had only known the comic for a few days prior to the show but had been "inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent".
Comedienne Sarah Silverman also paid tribute, saying the Boston-born jokesmith had "made us laugh til we cried".
He is survived by his wife Vondecarlo and his stepdaughter Aymilyon.
Smiley Culture death: No crime committed, says IPCC
An investigation into the police operation during which reggae singer Smiley Culture died has found no evidence of a criminal offence.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission carried out the inquiry.
The singer, whose real name was David Emmanuel, died from a single stab wound during a police raid at his home in Surrey on 15 March.
His family had demanded more information after a report that he stabbed himself during the raid.
An inquest into his death three days later was told he stabbed himself through the heart with a kitchen knife as four Metropolitan Police officers carried out a search of his home in Hillbury Road, Warlingham.
He died at the scene despite attempts at resuscitation.
The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
The 48-year-old had been due to face trial accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
'No individual failings'
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated the actions of the individual officers, as well as the planning of the operation as a whole.
IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said after "careful consideration and in consultation with lawyers from both the IPCC and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)" he had taken the decision not to formally refer the report to the CPS as the investigation has found no evidence that a criminal offence may have been committed.
The investigation also found there were no individual failings with regard to the actions of individual officers which amounted to misconduct.
However, the IPCC said its investigation had raised concerns about several areas of the operation, which included operational planning and risk management.
A separate report is being sent to the Metropolitan Police so that it can consider the recommendations and respond to the IPCC with actions for implementing learning where required.
The investigation report into Mr Emmanuel's death has been sent to the coroner ahead of an inquest, which will be held with a jury and will not take place before the conclusion of the criminal trials to which Mr Emmanuel was allegedly linked, the IPCC said.
The two trials are scheduled to be heard in early 2012, after which the IPCC will publish its investigation report.
Mr Franklin said all the evidence gathered had been passed to the coroner who was liaising directly with Mr Emmanuel's family.
"I hope that arrangements can now begin for the inquest - which will be the opportunity for all the evidence to be heard, and tested, in public," he said.
Pacers talk with Celtics about Rondo deal
As Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge aggressively pursues possible deals for Rajon Rondo, the Indiana Pacers have emerged as an intriguing suitor for the point guard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
For the past few days, Pacers officials – and third-party surrogates – have been making calls and gathering information and insight into Rondo’s reputation as a teammate and leader, sources said.
The Pacers and Celtics have discussed the preliminary framework of a deal, but two sources said Indiana would need a third team to provide Boston with the talent it wants to do a deal. The Celtics are likely trying to gather the necessary pieces to make a bid for Ainge’s ultimate target: New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, sources said.
It was unclear if the Pacers had begun to reach out to broaden discussions, but there was an expectation they would do so.
The Celtics have been gauging Rondo’s trade value for more than a year, and have held discussions with teams about him across the past few trade deadlines and NBA drafts. There have long been divides within Boston’s front office, coaching staff and locker room about Rondo. He can be moody, difficult and stubborn, and several league sources were dubious if the Pacers’ young coach, Frank Vogel, would have the stature to deal with Rondo.
Boston could be trying to gather players to make a more attractive bid for Paul, sources said. New Orleans has shown no interest in a deal that would include Rondo and any combination of Celtics teammates. Yet, New Orleans GM Dell Demps is determined to get maximum value for Paul, if it’s clear the point guard sees his future elsewhere. Demps has no desire to simply let Paul walk away as a free agent to New York.
Most teams in the league are engaging New Orleans about Paul, whose intentions are to get to the New York Knicks as a free agent in the summer of 2012. Paul does have some history in Oklahoma City, having played there with the Hornets in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but the Thunder have resisted dialogue on a Paul-for-Russell Westbrook deal, sources said.
The Thunder are prepared to make Westbrook a substantial contract offer – probably a maximum deal – in the near future.
Jamaica, T&T victorious
Hosts Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago got off to winning starts after victories over The Bahamas and Guyana, respectively, as the Under-17 women's Caribbean Football Union (CFU) World Cup final-round qualifiers got under way yesterday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Jamaica had to dig deep to overcome the stubborn Bahamians 2-0, while Trinidad and Tobago easily brushed aside Guyana 8-0.
Jamaica's chief goal-getter, Shantell Thompson, opened the scoring for the Reggae Girlz in the ninth minute, but the local supporters' nerves were not settled until the 89th minute when vice-captain Khadija Shaw netted again.
Diarra Simmons netted a four-timer for the twin-island republic, scoring in the ninth, 43rd, 88th and 89th minutes. Marlique Asson (second), captain Anique Walker (17th), Khadisha Debesette (47th) and twin sister Khadisha Debesette (71st) were the other scorers, as Trinidad and Tobago routed the Guyanese.
Jamaica dominated possession for much of their game, but poor decision making in the final third resulted in them failing to convert their advantage into clear goalscoring opportunities.
Nervy moments
The Bahamas were not willing to roll over, and though their attacks were few, they did cause the Jamaicans some nervy moments.
Jamaica's head coach Vin Blaine had a lot of praise for The Bahamas' team, which pushed his charges to the wire.
"Definitely a hard-fought game, not what we had expected ... hats off to Bahamas, they played a very good game, but I think we stuck in there and defended well," Blaine expressed.
"I think we made some bad choices in front of goal, but I am glad for the 2-0 victory," he added.
Jamaica will next face Guyana at the same venue tomorrow in a 6 p.m. encounter which will be preceded by a 3 p.m. meeting between Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas. The Reggae Girlz will close out against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday at the Harbour View Stadium, with kick-off also set for 6 p.m., following the 3 p.m. meeting between The Bahamas and Guyana.
-Gleaner
WI Lose Nail-Biter
Rohit Sharma slammed a fighting half-century yesterday as India recovered from 59-5 to beat West Indies by one wicket with seven balls remaining in the first one-day international (ODI).
Sharma's knock of 72 resurrected India's innings at Barabati Stadium, but it was left to the last pair of Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav to hit the winning runs as India reached 213-9 after West Indies had totalled 211-9.
Sharma was focused and did not let a flurry of wickets and a five-minute interruption due to crowd disturbance waver his concentration. He rebuilt the innings with an 83-run stand for the sixth wicket with left-handed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (38).
Sharma struck three fours and a six off 99 balls during his ninth one-day half-century and was out just when he seemed to have sealed the game, bowled off his pads by Martin. Vinay Kumar's (18) dismissal immediately afterwards reduced India to 201-9.
Winning runs
Aaron and Yadav, who had bagged two wickets each earlier in the day, scored six apiece to ensure victory. Yadav's shot off Darren Sammy through mid-on brought up the winning runs.
"Rohit and Jadeja batted really well in that partnership and we should have won it easily from there,'' India captain Virender Sehwag said. "But it is still good to win and we hope to learn from our batting mistakes in the coming games.''
The world champion Indians struggled against pace bowlers Kemar Roach (3-46) and Andre Russell (2-29).
Parthiv Patel hit a ball straight to point to be dismissed for 12, while fellow opener Gautam Gambhir edged a bouncer to be caught behind three deliveries later for four. Roach bowled Virat Kohli for three with a ball that moved in to take his third wicket in nine deliveries.
Russell chipped in with two crucial wickets to suffocate the experienced Indian batting line-up. He bowled Sehwag (20), who hit three fours off an over from leg-spinner Anthony Martin, and had Suresh Raina (5) caught at mid-off as India slipped from 37-0 to 59-5 in little more than seven overs.
Earlier, Yadav (2-33) and Aaron (2-47) led a fine bowling display, justifying Sehwag's decision to bowl first in front of a packed stadium of 45,000.
In-form left-hander Darren Bravo top-scored for the visiting side with 60 and put on a 75-run stand for the fourth wicket with Danza Hyatt, who chipped in with 31.
No. 4 batsman Bravo, who scored two centuries in the three-Test series which India won 2-0, batted himself in with singles before opening up. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dropped a return catch when the batsman was on 26.
Bravo struck six fours off 74 deliveries before he was bowled playing the wrong line to part-time spinner Suresh Raina.
Bravo and Hyatt came together when the top three were removed by the young India pace attack after initially showing promise.
Adrian Barath was the first to go, fishing outside off stump to be caught behind off Vinay Kumar for 17. Marlon Samuels was bowled off the pads by Aaron for 10, while Lendl Simmons
Statement from H.E Governor Todd
H.E Governor Todd released a statement to the people of the TCI on the on going CSA strike.
I appreciate the efforts of the Grand Turk Ministers Fraternal and the Provo Ministerial Fellowship in proposing a meeting between the CSA and the Government. I remain willing to meet the CSA if and when the views of the CSA and TCIG are close enough together so there is a
realistic chance that I can assist in bringing the dispute to an end.
I hope and believe that the CSA share my vision of an efficient, sustainable and skilled public service providing first rate, professional services to the people of the TCI and visitors alike. This vision requires appropriate terms and conditions for public servants. To this end our negotiating team, led by Susan Malcolm and Mark Greenway, will establish contact with the CSA today to arrange for a meeting on Wednesday. This we hope will help clear the way towards an agreement in the interests of public servants, taxpayers and the wider TCI community.
I am committed to keeping the government open for business and to ensuring citizens and visitors continue to have the access they require to government services. In this regard I have asked the Commissioner of Police to look into reports I have received of acts of malicious damage to government property which have led to health and safety concerns for staff and visitors to government offices.
I have been advised that the protests of the past two days have been largely peaceful and devoid of the harassment and intimidation of last week’s protest, and would like to express my appreciation.
I wish to record my gratitude to those public servants who have turned up to work over the past two days, particularly those in critical and essential services.
Devon Williams calls for mediator re: CSA Strike
Local activist and Blaze CEO Devon Williams has called on the interim administration to approach the Civil Service strikes with higher a degree of maturity and order. In a statement issued today Williams said “It is disheartening to see the vigor in which this administration has taken up arms against their own servants. The government need to take a lead role and must draw the CSA to the table in an organized fashion so that this matter can be resolved quickly and so it can serve as a standards for industrial actions in the TCI in future, both in the government and private sector.”
Williams said that the process of strike resolution has played out in international media in recent months and that the governor should follow international protocol when dealing with the striking CSA. He said “IN recent months we have seen similar scenarios in the NFL and NBA, both have been settled by the lead party submitting to international protocols and negotiation. Tomorrow the UK is set for the biggest strike in over a century and I am sure that the striking British citizens will be dealt with with utmost respect and according to international conventions, why should it be different here in TCI?”
The radio personality said that he is convinced that the interim administration is acting with out proper advice from London and that their superiors are unaware of the true situation in the TCI, he said, “I am almost certain that this CSA strike is not known to anyone of significance in the UK, Henry Bellingham can not know that members of an overseas territory’s government workforce are off the job – striking for a better conditions, David Cameron must not know that while government workers are striking, the interim administration has done nothing, save to present a hard-nose approach, suspending workers established rights without notice and issuing intimidating statements.”
“This government needs to be mature and it must be mature now more then ever: I call upon governor Todd to confirm to the people of the TCI that this matter has been reported to the FCO and that efforts have been made to procure the relevant expertise from the UK to resolve this issue between the Government and the CSA within the next business day; I further call upon Mr. Todd to announce the appointment of a mediator to liaise between the CSA and the Government within the next 24 hours so that this country can return to normal in time for Christmas; I also call upon the TCI Human Rights Commissioner to attach an internationally recognized observer to monitor the situation, and for the sake of fairness, to remove herself from all government and Advisory Council discussions on the matter.”
“In my opinion, as long as the Union Jack fly over the TCI, all international protocols and conventions that are the norm for citizens in England should be the norm for citizens of the TCI. God save our noble Queen.”