Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce leads Caribbean charge in Birmingham Diamond League

Fraser-Pryce

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – About a dozen Caribbean athletes led by double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica are down to compete at the Diamond League meeting at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom on Sunday.

Fresh from her victory at the Jamaica National Championships last weekend with a world leading time of 22.13 seconds, Fraser-Pryce will renew rivalry with American Carmelita Jeter, her first race since an injury in Shanghai in May, and the consistent Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria.

Sherone Simpson of Jamaica and the young Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas will also provide a strong Caribbean challenge.

Fraser-Pryce, the winner of the last two Olympic Games over 100m, insists that she thrives upon the rivalry with her American counterpart and is ready for her Birmingham return after being based in the city prior to her Olympic triumph. READ More...

 

Chris Gayle Storm At Sabina Park in Jamaica....Gayle slammed seven sixes and nine fours in his 109.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle celebrates his century, while teammate Darren Bravo looks on, in the opening match of the Celkon Mobile Tri-Nation One-Day International Series at Sabina Park yesterday. Gayle slammed seven sixes and nine fours in his 109.-Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

An outstanding century from opener Chris Gayle yesterday carried the West Indies to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Celkon Mobile Tri-Nation One-Day International Series at Sabina Park.

Gayle slammed 109 in the West Indies' total of 209 for four off 37.5 over in pursuit of a modest 208 made by Sri Lanka of 48.3 overs.

With victory achieved inside 40 overs, the West Indies gained a bonus point, which could prove pivotal towards the end of the first round of the series, which also includes India.

In what was his second century in as many matches at the venue following his knock of 125 in a one-dayer against New Zealand last summer, Gayle smashed seven huge sixes and nine fours off 100 balls.

The big left-hander who was declared Man of the Match at the end, also shared in an invaluable 115 opening stand with opening partner Johnson Charles, who played the anchor role in compiling 29 off 58 balls. READ More...

New Kingston Welcomes 'Ladies Of The Night'

Prolific local playwright Patrick Brown has been blessed with a very special talent - the ability to create side-splitting comedy while simultaneously drawing attention to serious issues - a feat he has achieved in a number of his plays at the Centerstage Theatre, a feat he refers to in Jamaican parlance as "tekking kin teeth and kibba heartbun".This includes Oliver's Posse, in which he looked at the plight of street children and the dangers they face on a daily basis. In Easy Street, he looked at Jamaicans living in squalor on the edge of the city's dump - where one man's waste was another man's treasure. READ More...

George Zimmerman Trial Over Trayvon Martin Shooting Enters Fifth Day....Lolo Jones Makes Fun Of Trayvon Martin's Friend (VIDEO)

SANFORD, Fla. -- A neighbor of George Zimmerman who had perhaps the best view of the struggle between the neighborhood watch volunteer and Trayvon Martin has taken the witness stand in Zimmerman's murder trial.

Jonathan Good was the second person to take the witness stand on Friday, the fifth day of testimony. Lolo Jones Makes Fun Of Trayvon Martin's Friend

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Good says he heard a noise in back of his townhome in February 2012, and he saw what looked like a tussle when he stepped out onto his patio to see what was happening.

He says he yelled, "What's going on? Stop it."

Zimmerman is charged with second degree murder in Martin's fatal shooting. He is pleading not guilty, claiming self-defense. READ MORE...

Aaron Hernandez's Mom Says 'He Will Be Cleared' As News Hits His Bristol, Conn. Hometown.....Patriots To Exchange Hernandez Jerseys For Free

Aaron Hernandez enters a courtroom for
a bail hearing in Fall River Superior Court
Thursday, June 27, 2013 in Fall River, Mass.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The murder case against former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has led investigators to his hometown of Bristol, Conn., the working-class Hartford suburb where he began a meteoric rise that would carry him to the upper echelons of the NFL.

He is remembered as a fun-loving teenager at Bristol Central High School, where he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, D.J., who would star as a quarterback and tight end at the University of Connecticut. READ MORE...

Actress arrested in ricin case : Woman indicted in mailing of ricin-laced letters to Obama, Bloomberg (VIDEO)

(CNN) -- A Texas woman has been indicted and charged with mailing ricin-laced letters to President Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a U.S. attorney's office in Texas said Friday.

Husband not 'angry' with ricin suspect

She is Shannon Guess Richardson. The three-count indictment said she allegedly mailed three threatening letters around May 20 to Obama, Bloomberg, and Mark Glaze -- director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns

Richardson was arrested on June 7 in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and has been detained since that time. If convicted, Richardson faces up to five years in federal prison on each charge. READ MORE...

Shawn Custis Arrested For NJ Nanny Cam Home Invasion (VIDEO)

In this undated photo provided by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in Newark, N.J., Shawn Custis is shown. Custis, 42, charges of attempted murder, robbery, burglary and child endangerment in connection with a violent home invasion on Friday, June 21, that left a mother beaten in an attack that was captured by a nanny camera.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Authorities have arrested a man wanted in a New Jersey home invasion that left a mother beaten, an attack that was captured on a nanny cam.

The Essex County prosecutor's office said 42-year-old Shawn Custis was arrested Friday in Manhattan by the prosecutor's office and the FBI. Custis faces charges of attempted murder, robbery, burglary and child endangerment.

The attack last Friday in Millburn was captured on a hidden camera in the woman's home. A man can be seen bursting into the home, punching and kicking the woman and throwing her down stairs while her 3-year-old daughter cowered on a couch. Police withheld the names of the woman and child. READ MORE...

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Inner Circle Breaks Silence After Crash (AUDIO)

Inner Circle

Inner Circle is speaking out for the first time after their tour bus crashed in Louisiana on June 4.

The veteran reggae band posted a video on youtube where they relive the crash highlighting aspects of the incident.

Inner Circle was in the midst of their summer tour when the accident occurred. The crash did not put a damper on the tour.

(AUDIO) NINJA MAN has gotten the green light to travel....Ninja’s freedom to travel was tainted after being arrested and charged for the killing of a 20 year old man.

Ninja Man has gotten the green light to travel to other Caribbean islands.

The veteran dancehall deejay, who got his passportTuesday, flew to Trinidad where he’s doing ground work for an upcoming charity project to minimize crime and violence in the country. Ninja Man gives Music News the details.

Ninja Man has been making moves after joining forces with Downsound Record boss Joseph Bogdanovich.

Ninja’s freedom to travel was tainted after being arrested and charged for the killing of a 20 year old man. The matter is still before the courts. READ MORE...

VYBZ KARTEL Taken To Hospital For Chest Pains... Read more at www.RulaBrownNetwork.com for more....

Vybz Kartel in cuffs

Vybz Kartel is back in his jail cell after a hospital visit early this morning.

Music News understands that the jailed deejay was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital after reportedly complaining about chest pains.

Kartel later left the hospital in handcuffs and was taken in a grey Nissan police motor vehicle.

Keep it locked for further details. READ MORE...

Senate Immigration Reform Bill Passes With Strong Majority (VIDEO).....House Republicans Seek To Block Immigration Bill... 'Pipe Dream... Fold It Up Into A Paper Airplane And Throw It Out The Window'... Boehner Boxed In

WASHINGTON -- The Senate passed a politically fraught immigration reform bill on Thursday that would give a path to citizenship to some of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., bringing them out of the shadows and preventing continued record deportations that have separated hundreds of thousands of families. The bill passed 68 to 32, picking up all Democrats and 14 Republicans.

Undocumented immigrants and advocates in the crowd, many of them young so-called Dreamers, broke out into applause and chants of "yes we can!" after Vice President Joe Biden, who came to the Senate to preside over the proceedings, read the results. Senators in the bipartisan "gang of eight" that drafted the bill -- Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) -- patted each other on the back.

Just before the vote Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) dedicated the decision, in part, to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), who worked for reform but never saw it signed into law. READ MORE...

Senate passes sweeping immigration bill

House GOP leader: 'We're going to do our own bill'

The Senate approved an overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that would create a path to citizenship for millions and increase border security. FULL STORY

• How each senator voted
• Rubio gives closing remarks
• Vote puts Christie pick in spotlight

"I Can't Read Cursive"...George Zimmerman Witness Can't Say Who Threw First Punch

US News | George Zimmerman Trial | More ABC News Videos

A woman who was talking on the phone to Trayvon Martin moments before he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman acknowledged on the stand today that she does not know whether Zimmerman or Martin started the fatal fight.

The testimony of Rachel Jeantel, 19, was dissected over two days of often testy cross examination by Zimmerman's lawyers in which she was challenged on her assertion that she heard Martin say "get off" just before he was shot.

Zimmerman, 29, is on trial for second degree murder in Martin's death on Feb. 26, 2012. Martin, 17, was unarmed, but Zimmerman mantains he shot the teenager in self defense. Read More...

SENATE OKs IMMIGRATION... BOEHNER'S TURN

WASHINGTON -- With an immigration bill nearing passage in the Senate Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner stood by his plan to set an exceptionally difficult path for a similar measure to succeed in his chamber.

"The House is not going to take up and vote on whatever the Senate passes," Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters. "We're going to do our own bill, through regular order."

Not only will that legislation have to go through the entire committee process in the House, whatever emerges will have to meet the "Hastert rule," named after former Speaker Denny Hastert (R-Ill.), which says the majority of the party in control of the House must back a given measure for it to receive a vote by the full chamber.

"For any legislation, including a conference report, to pass the House, it's going to have to be a bill that has the support of a majority of our members," Boehner said, referring to the members of the Republican caucus. Read More...

Martha Stewart Admits To Sexting, Having A Threesome (VIDEO)

Martha Stewart appeared on "Watch What Happens Live" last night (June 26), and talked about how she sexts, threesomes and at one point said, "I feel sorry for Paula Deen." This appearance is not to be confused with the live show she did with Andy Cohen last week on which she talked about the art of rolling a joint.

Check out the revealing interview above. View More...

I Cried Like A Girl - Brown ... German-Jamaican Gets Emotional After Big Wimbledon Win

I Cried Like A Girl - Brown ... German-Jamaican Gets Emotional After Big Wimbledon Win

LONDON (AP): "I cried like a little girl," said Dustin Brown. "Just happy and emotional and everything. I have a lot of friends here, my coach is here, my girlfriend is here. I'm very happy about everything. Yeah, just been a very long way....

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KOOL 97FM in JAMAICA : Justice For Jody-Ann - Broadcaster, Co-Accused Plead Guilty In Shooting Case

Jody-Ann Gray

Broadcaster Wayne Whyte and his co-accused Safari Farr are to be sentenced next month after they yesterday pleaded guilty to gun charges arising from an April 2012 attack on journalist Jody-Ann Gray.

Late yesterday, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington commended detectives from the St Catherine South Police division for "an air-tight investigation", which he credited for the guilty plea.

Wayne Whyte

The men, who have been in custody since they were arrested in April last year, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

Justice Courtney Daye has put off sentencing until July 5.

The case had been set for trial yesterday in the Gun Court.

Gray was attacked as she arrived home in Cedar Grove, Portmore, St Catherine, on April 4 last year. She was seven months pregnant at the time.

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn and Crown Counsel Yanique Gardener, in outlining the facts of the case, said White and Gray were involved in an intimate relationship for a year, and during that time, Gray became pregnant. Whyte told her to get an abortion but she refused and Whyte stopped communicating with her for seven months. READ More...

IN JAMAICA: No Money, No Problem - Artistes Forgo Big Paydays For Recognition And Growth

Dancehall acts haven't just started collaborating with international superstars.

In fact, some of our top acts - and even producers - routinely work with some of the biggest names in music. From Beenie Man and Elephant Man to Lady Saw and Spice, the unmistakable sound of our island has long been a part of the global music market.

Many of our now top-tier artistes have achieved notable breakthroughs into foreign markets because of collaborations with international artistes. That joint effort has garnered positive international recognition for many of these artistes and has helped shape their careers.

Shabba Ranks' collaboration with KRS-One, in the late 1980s, and Bounty Killer's feature on No Doubt's Hip Hopera, are examples of the bridging of the gap between hip hop and dancehall, helping to pave the way for new and younger artistes.

The latest of these powerhouse singles is Kanye Wests' I'm In It, which features a powerful verse from the potently lyrical Assassin. Read More...

BUJU BANTON's GUN CONVICTION THROWN by A US federal judge today from a 2011 case. JUROR could face a fine and up to six months in prison if found guilty of contempt

The decision means that Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, will serve 10 years for now. 

He would have faced an additional five years on the gun conviction. 

Meanwhile, Judge James Moody has told the government to bring a criminal contempt charge against a juror who helped send him to prison. Banton’s legal team had sought a new trial following the disclosure that a juror, Terri Wright, had conducted an internet research on aspects of the case during the trial. 

Today, Judge Moody concluded that Wright did independent research during Banton's February 2011 trial and then discussed her findings with other jurors, behavior that came to light after she did a newspaper interview in October 2012. She could face a fine and up to six months in prison if found guilty of contempt. Read More... 

Paula Deen Defends Herself on the Today Show with Matt Lauer....Says she used the N...word 30 years ago

Paula Deen finally went on Today this morning to discuss her infamous deposition transcription and the resulting implosion of her empire. Deen bailed on Today last week, which set off an odd chain of events that ended with the Food Network firing her.

And it was bizarre. It started off with predictable talking points: "There have been some very hurtful lies said about me," Deen told Lauer. "I'm not a racist." She also told him had she been in the Food Network's position, she'd still have a job: "Would I have fired me. Knowing me? No." Deen insisted that she had used the N-word once in her life, the incident that was cited in the deposition. Also, this: "If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back, please pick up that stone andthrow it so hard at my head that it kills me." Highlights are below; we'll get video up as soon as possible. READ More...

Nelson Mandela still critical; bishop prays for leader's 'peaceful, perfect, end'....Another day of unease as South Africans await word on Nelson Mandela

Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- After hours of vigils and secret family meetings, South Africans awoke to another day of unease Wednesday as ailing anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela remained hospitalized in critical condition.

Mandela in 1950

"Former President Nelson Mandela's condition remains unchanged in hospital and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort," the government said in a statement late Tuesday night.

Well-wishers outside his Pretoria hospital hung balloons and signs of support on bulletin boards. The hospital wall was plastered with messages as crowds hovering nearby sang "where is Mandela."

Mandela has been hospitalized since June 8 for a recurring lung infection, and authorities have described his condition as critical in the last few days. READ More...

HELP CATCH THIS MAN by SHARING: Vicious attack...Millburn, New Jersey, Home Invasion Captured On Nanny Cam; Suspect On The Run (VIDEO)

The suspect in a home invasion assaults a woman while her daughter sits on the couch.

Police in New Jersey are using nanny cam footage to track down a robbery suspect who punched and choked a suburban mom while her terrified 3-year-old daughter watched.

At 10:30 a.m. Friday, the suspect kicked down the locked door of a Millburn, N.J., house and assaulted an unsuspecting homeowner.

"I knew that if I started screaming, my daughter would too, and I was afraid she would get hurt," the victim told News12 N.J. "I took it. I didn't cry the entire time."

The suspect made off with an unspecified amount of jewelry, including the woman's wedding ring, according to WABC. The woman's 1-year-old daughter was upstairs during the incident. Neither child was harmed. READ More...

Mandela release from prison speech (full speech).... 15 mins VIDEO......"If this world had as little as ten men in power with this mans heart and soul, we would have a chance. Sadly, the great leaders are slowly, one by one, leaving us."

POWERFUL : Nelson Mandela's Life Story.... Hear Mr. Mandela speak (VIDEO)

The 13-minute video documentary of Mandela's life has been provided
 by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which has given the UN permission to use it.

WATCH: School That Banned Black Hairstyles Apologizes : School That Banned Afro Puffs Admits It Was A Mistake

After an outcry, Lorain Horizon Science Academy in Ohio has apologized and rescinded its intention to ban afro puffs and braids. James Knight, an advisory board member at the school, joined HuffPost Live's Nancy Redd on Monday to explain what the ban's intention and to express regret for how it was interpreted. READ More...

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Republican Links Rape Kits To Abortions....Jodie Laubenberg, Texas GOP Lawmaker, Suggests Rape Kits Can Give Abortions

Amid a heated debate over a restrictive anti-abortion bill being pushed by Texas GOP lawmakers, one Republican argued that a proposed exemption for rape victims was unnecessary because assaulted women could simply turn to rape kits for abortions.

"In the emergency room they have what’s called rape kits, where a woman can get cleaned out," said state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (R), sponsor of the controversial SB 5,according to The Associated Press. "The woman had five months to make that decision, at this point we are looking at a baby that is very far along in its development."

As HuffPost blogger Soraya Chemaly notes, that's not the function of rape kits, typically administered to collect evidence of sexual assault. Not even close, PolitiFact Texas reports, giving Laubenberg's remark a "pants on fire" rating. READ MORE...

SUPREMES GUT VOTING RIGHTS ACT : 5-4 Decision... ACTIVIST! Roberts Overrules Congress... Obama: 'Deeply Disappointed' In Decision.. GINSBURG: 'The Court Errs Egregiously'... Civil Rights Legend: Supremes 'Put A Dagger In The Heart Of The Voting Rights Act'... Roberts' Long War Against VRA... FULL TEXT

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Civil Rights, Supreme Court, Video, Department Of Justice, Ryan J. Reilly on Justice, Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Section 4, Voting Rights, Voting Rights, Scotus, Section 4, Section 4 Of The Voting Rights Act, Section 4 Of Voting Rights Act, Section 4 Voting Rights Act, Section 5 Of The Voting Rights Act, Section 5 Voting Rights Act, Supreme Court Voting Rights Act, Voting Rights Act Ruling,Voting Rights Act Section 4, Voting Rights Act Section 5, Voting Rights Act Struck Down, Voting Rights Act Supreme Court, Vra, Vra Section 4, Politics News

The Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act on Tuesday, the provision of the landmark civil rights law that designates which parts of the country must have changes to their voting laws cleared by the federal government or in federal court.

The 5-4 ruling, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, ruled in Shelby County v. Holder that “things have changed dramatically” in the South in the nearly 50 years since the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965.

The court’s opinion said it did not strike down the act of Congress “lightly,” and said it “took care to avoid ruling on the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act” in a separate case back in 2009. “Congress could have updated the coverage formula at that time, but did not do so. Its failure to act leaves us today with no choice but to declare [Section 4] unconstitutional. The formula in that section can no longer be used as a basis for subjecting jurisdictions to preclearance.” READ MORE...