Amnesty celebrates 50th anniversary with Bob Dylan tribute album By Denise Quan,  Amnesty observes 50th with Dylan tribute STORY HIGHLIGHTS Amnesty International celebrated its 50th anniversary with a compilation album About 80 musicians offered their renditions of classic tunes by the venerable Bob Dylan The four CD collection is called “Chimes of Freedom” (CNN) — A compilation album commemorating the 50th anniversary of the human rights organization Amnesty International features some musicians you might expect: activist artists like Sting, Elvis Costello and the Dave … Read entire article »

  Jermaine Jones disqualified from ‘American Idol’  By Brian Mansfield,   Looks like the gentle giant wasn’t so gentle after all. Jermaine Jones, the large baritone singer who returned to American Idolafter being cut before the semi-final round, has been disqualified from the competition for concealing arrests from the show’s producers, TMZ reports. One of the incidents allegedly involved violence. According to TMZ, Jones was arrested twice in 2011 and gave police false names. He also has outstanding warrants. Idol producers learned of the arrests this … Read entire article »

By William M. Welch, Rick Santorum won Republican presidential primaries in Alabama and Mississippi, propelling his candidacy and wrecking Mitt Romney‘s hopes for a game-changing Southern breakthrough. By Eric Gay, AP —— Rick Santorum speaks during a primary night party in Lafayette, La., on Tuesday. —– While the returns were incomplete, Newt Gingrich was running second ahead of Romney in both states. Santorum, speaking in Louisiana, took a rhetorical swipe at Romney, the front-runner who has depicted himself as the inevitable GOP nominee. The former Pennsylvania … Read entire article »

  March 13, 2012 (Miami, FL) – Hollywood Records has officially announced the signing of McClain Sisters, comprised of China Anne McClain, star of Disney Channel’s hit series “A.N.T. Farm,” and her sisters Lauryn, and Sierra, a trio whose captivating talent and undeniable star quality will inevitably end the music industry’s decades-long quest for a best-selling girl-group. “We are thrilled to have China Anne, Lauryn, and Sierra, join our music family,” commented Executive Vice President of Disney Music Group, Ken … Read entire article »

9-year-old gives birth to a baby boy In northeast China,  Sunday, March 11, 2011, a 9-year-old girl gave birth to a healthy 6-pound baby boy. The identity of the father has not yet been released, although the police have reportedly been contacted. According to news.com.au in Australia, the baby was delivered by cesarean section at a Changchun hospital, and both the mom and newborn are doing well. The Pregnancy Pact: Talking about teen pregnancy Sadly, she is not the youngest girl to deliver … Read entire article »

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — After 244 years, Encyclopedia Britannica will cease production of its iconic multi-volume book sets. Britannica usually prints a new set of the tomes every two years, but 2010’s 32-volume set will be its last. Instead, the company will focus solely on its digital encyclopedia and education tools. The news is sure to sadden champions of the printed word, but Britannica president Jorge Cauz said the move is a natural part of his company’s … Read entire article »

   KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – An opposition legislator is calling for new regulations after a Jamaican artist refused to perform here over the last weekend because the show organiser was unable to meet his contractual obligations to the singer. Thousands of patrons left the Victoria Park irate on Sunday after it became known that Jah Cure would not be performing. They threw bottles at the stage and police fired gunshots into the air to restore order. Jah … Read entire article »

  CMM, NY……Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) has a full year planned, with a slew of activities leading up to the Penn Relays,  all designated by the Jamaica 50 Secretariat, as ‘Jamaica 50’ Events. This is a major nod to the organization, whose efforts over the last 18 years have represented the epitome in patriotism and national pride, undoubtedly helping to raise the profile of Brand Jamaica, in the sporting arena, particularly here  in the US Northeast. The … Read entire article »

Big majority against reviewing buggery law; support Cabinet size BY DESMOND ALLEN Executive Editor ——– JAMAICANS are nearly evenly split on the issue of whether or not to cut ties with the British monarchy, with 44 per cent for and 40 per cent against. A majority — 31 per cent — of those who want the country to become a Republic, said it would mean that Jamaica was “finally independent” of the monarchy. Conversely, a majority — 29 per … Read entire article »

BY COREY ROBINSON Observer staff reporter robinsonc@jamaicaobserver.com —– A confessed murderer and former leader of the ‘Fatherless Crew’, one of the deadliest gangs ever formed in West Kingston, was among a record 140 persons accepted as newly baptised members of Pentecostal City Mission Church yesterday. The group, which included other reformed gangsters, was made up of people from Arnett Gardens, Fletcher’s Land, Tivoli Gardens, along with Denham and Hannah towns. Marcia Gale (second left), pastor and overseer at … Read entire article »