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(AP) Jamaica has appointed a veteran law enforcement commander to lead its police force. National Security Minister Peter Bunting announced Monday that Carl Williams will start as police commissioner next week. Williams led anti-drug efforts from 2000 to 2004. He developed a task force to combat lottery scammers and is the founding director of another police unit tasked with fighting organized crime. The 50-year-old Jamaican joined the police in 1984. He takes the place of Owen Ellington, whose retirement was announced by the government in late June. Ellington's retirement comes ahead of a fact-finding inquiry into the conduct of security forces during a bloody 2010 state of emergency. The government said it would also allow a panel...

(AP) The Jamaican agency that investigates abuse allegations against the island's security forces says a police officer has been arrested and charged with murder. The Independent Commission of Investigations says Cpl. Selvin Williams was charged Wednesday with killing a man in the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth in December 2012. At the time, police reported that Williams intervened in a bar fight when farmer Valbert Salmon was killed. The commission says it has evidence to warrant a murder charge. The officer has been granted $2,000 bail. He has to surrender his travel documents and report to a police station during daylight hours. A court hearing is scheduled for January. Earlier this year, the investigative commission levied...

There was a lot of drama and near panic in Half Way Tree in St Andrew on Sunday after a man believed to be of insane, disarmed a police officer and shot two people. Reports from the police are that about 2 p.m., a policeman was on patrol in the area when a mad man managed to take away a gun from a policeman. Eyewitnesses say the police was writing a motorist a traffic ticket when the man approached him and grabbed his firearm from the holster. The man began to firing at the officer and then wildly in the Half Way Tree area. The incident sent everyone in the area running for cover. An off duty police officer saw what was happening and intervened by shooting the man. When the shooting ended, it is reported that a woman and another adult...

In an effort to expand on her brand and celebrity status, Jamaican dancehall artiste Tifa has ventured into merchandising with the release of her signature headphone line. The project is a partnership with Sound is Genious (SIG) and is called the Tifa SIG line. The headphones is reasonably priced starting as low as $2500 each. She also released a Bluetooth headset and a travel friendly sound box. The headphones will be distributed in select Digicel stores and electronic stores.

Bob Marley's eldest daughter Cedella has designed a soccer wear collection inspired by her late father's love of the sport. The Marley Apparel Soccer Capsule Collection 2014 will feature items linked to the reggae great's stylish soccer attire from the 1960s and '70s. The limited edition collection features an array of soccer T-shirts and tracksuit jackets inspired by actual items worn by Marley on the soccer field and by the teams competing in the World Cup. The items are all made from hemp and organic cotton, and each piece maintains a vintage feel while infusing colors from the flags of the United States, England, Brazil, Ghana and France.

(AP) Jamaica is selling its 7 percent stake in a bauxite refinery operation, the island's energy minister announced Tuesday. Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell told Parliament that the government will sell its $11 million stake in the West Indies Alumina Company, referred to as Windalco. It is located in the central Jamaican parish of Manchester. The money will go to Windalco's parent company, Russian aluminum giant UC Rusal. The $11 million sale will roughly halve a $21.5 million debt to the Russian company. A debt of $10.5 million remains. Jamaica's once-flourishing bauxite industry has fallen on hard times in recent years. Globally, high levels of aluminum supplies have led to lower prices.

The Jamaican government has decided to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, joining the trickle of countries moving to soften laws on the drug known on the Caribbean island as ganja/weed. Minister of Justice Mark Golding made the announcement at an afternoon news conference on Thursday saying that Jamaica's Dangerous Drugs Act would be formally amended this summer. The cabinet of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller made the decision on June 2, he said. Mark Golding Uruguay recently became the latest country to legalize marijuana use, joining several countries in Europe as well as the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington.

A group of joggers reportedly found a man naked, with his hands and feet bound, sitting on the sidewalk at the foot of the hill close to Perkins Boulevard at Queen Hill in St Andrew, Jamaica. The man reportedly parked his car at a nearby apartment complex and was about to jog when a white car drove up with two armed men who held him at gunpoint. The attackers proceeded to tear off the jogger's clothes and took turns at raping him. St Andrew South Division Police department said they received no report of the incident. However, it was confirmed by a member of the Queen Hill community, who said the men drove a white car and were armed with a gun and a knife.

Joanne Quinn will spend two years and six months behind bars for failing to provide the necessaries of life for her elderly mother. The 51-year-old was sentenced in Napier District Court this afternoon, following a severe case of neglect never before seen in New Zealand. Quinn was found guilty in a judge alone trial last month by Judge Down, who sentenced her to two years and six months' imprisonment today.Crown prosecutor Steve Manning said during today's submissions: "The extent of the neglect and the callous nature was so severe ... this requires a term of imprisonment."

Jamaica recorded an estimated growth of 1.6 per cent between January and March 2014, relative to the corresponding period of 2013. The sectors of agriculture and mining and quarrying recorded the highest growth during the period. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries registered the largest increase of 18.0 per cent, followed by Mining and Quarrying, which was up by 8.0 per cent and Construction, up 0.5 per cent. For the Services sector, growth was recorded for all entities, except for Producers of Government Services, which went down by 0.2 per cent. The transport, storage and communication sector grew by 0.5 per cent; electricity and water grew by 0.4 per cent; wholesale and retail trade, 0.2 per cent; finance and insurance services...

Vybz Kartel and his three co-defendants were found guilty of murder in the Home Circuit court today, Thursday, March 13, 2014. Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer was charged jointly with fellow entertainer Shawn "Shawn Storm" Campbell, Kahira Jones, Shane Williams and André St John for the murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams . Of the four co-defendants only Shane Williams was found not guilty. Lead attorney for Vybz Kartel, Tom Tavares-Finson stated that while the defence team accepted the ruling of the jury, they plan to appeal the guilty verdict against his client.

Google has expanded access to its Google Play Movies to 13 new countries, bringing the total with access to the electronic sell and rental service to 27. Users of Android-based devices in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Botswana, Fiji, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe can now access the movie platform.

The 2014 Grammy nominees were revealed on Friday, December 6th, 2013. to be eligible for the 56th Annual Best Reggae Album Grammy Awards, albums must be released between Oct. 1, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2013. Recordings must be in general distribution in the United States. Best Reggae Album Nominees: Beres Hammond - One Love, One Life VP Label: VP Records Ziggy Marley - Ziggy Marley In Concert Label: Tuff Gong Worldwide Sizzla - The Messiah Label: VP Records Sly & Robbie And The Jam Masters - Reggae Connection Label: K'z Records Snoop Lion - Reincarnated The 56th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on January 26, 2014, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Legendary Jamaican reggae Musician, Junior Murvin, best know for the single 'Police and Thieves' is dead. The Portland-based singer reportedly died peacefully at his home at Summers Town Road in Port Antonio early this morning. Murvin, whose real name is Murvin Junior Smith was born in Saint James in 1949, but following the death of his father, relocated to Port Antonio with his mother and other siblings. Murvin would later achieve fame as the singer of 'Police and Thieves', which was an international hit in 1976, produced by Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Winston "Wee Pow" Powell of Internationally Renowned Stone Love Inks Deal with 21st Hapilos Digital U.S.A, JA (21stHapilos News) - Undoubtedly one of Jamaica's most popular sound systems, Stone Love has long ago revolutionized their craft by branching out from playing the hits to creating the hits. Headed by the esteemed Winston "Wee Pow" Powell, internationally renowned Stone Love has leaped to the digital era by inking a deal with Digital distributor giants 21stHapilos Digital. 21st Hapilos Digital has revolutionized the entertainment industry through online distribution, and delivered the hottest hits from the biggest and upcoming artists and producers alike in dancehall and reggae music. Signing Father Weepow - Stone Love is only...

Three high-ranking officials of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have arrived in Jamaica to conduct their audit of the country's anti-doping programs after weeks of criticism following positive tests from several high-profile athletes. They will examine Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) drug testing program, staffing, governance, education program, and current cases of adverse analytical findings against some of the country's athletes. WADA had been invited to conduct an audit of the anti-doping program by the Jamaican government. Former world 100 meters record holder Asafa Powell, twice 200 meters Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and London Games 4x100 relay silver medalist Sherone Simpson all failed drug tests and...

The charges against singer Chris Brown and his bodyguard stemming from a weekend fight were reduced to simple assault misdemeanors Monday. The two men, who had spent the previous 36 hours in a Washington jail, entered a packed courtroom in leg irons and handcuffs, but at the end they were unshackled and released without bail Monday afternoon. Brown, 24, was ordered to report to his California probation officer within 48 hours and to stay at least 100 yards away from the man he is accused of assaulting early Sunday. Both men must return to court on November 24.

A Jamaican police officer was forced into a shootout when he was attacked while he was urinating. The police inspector was driving his private vehicle through Spanish Town area Saturday night when he pull over to relieve himself. According to police reports, about 11:33 p.m. Saturday night the inspector stopped along the Spanish Town Bypass, in the vicinity of Food for The Poor, when he was attacked. The men opened fire at him. He pulled his service pistol and pointed it in the direction of the men and fired back. The men ran after the inspector return fire. Following the shooting, a man was found suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where he died while receiving treatment. The name of the deceased...

Transport and Works Minister Omar Davies said a study has reviewed the natural resources of the island's largest protected area as the government advances plans for a possible Chinese-financed port in the zone. A transshipment port is proposed for the Goat Islands off Jamaica's south coast. It would be in a protected zone that is home to three fish sanctuaries and a number of threatened animal and plant species. Environmental groups have strongly criticized the plan. China Harbor Engineering Co. prefers the site for its proposed investment with a value of $1.5 billion.

Jamaica's top finance official stated that the government met conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to pass the first performance review of a $944 million loan program despite major challenges. Debt sustainability has long been a goal of Jamaica. Overall, the nation's towering debt is roughly 142 percent of gross domestic product, one of the most punishing debt-to-GDP ratios in the world. For years, roughly half of government spending has gone to paying debt. Unemployment is over 14 percent and the Jamaican dollar has steadily lost value. The current exchange rate is just over 100 Jamaican dollars to one U.S. dollar. Twenty years ago, it was 27 Jamaican dollars to one U.S. dollar. In a statement, the IMF said...