Roots Rock Reggae resurged locally this past year with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, and has seen several upcoming conscious artistes stamping their names into the dancehalls. It seems cultural music has taken over Jamaica for most of this year, but has it done so to the detriment of dancehall music?

The naming of Bob Marley as a National Hero, plus a national holiday in his honour were two proposals thrown out to the public yesterday at the International Press Launch of the Bob Marley 60th anniversary celebrations to be held next year.

Big dancehall acts Beenie Man and Capleton will be the main headliners for this year's Magnum Sting, Supreme Promotions, promoters of the popular Boxing Day show announced Tuesday night at a news conference.

Members of Operation Kingfish and a detachment from Scotland Yard - the British Intelligence Agency - swooped down on several posh residence in upscale St. Andrew on Tuesday, searching for vital pieces of evidences to conclude their investigations into a multimillion dollar money laundering racket.

Two trucks laden with goods and heading out of town were hijacked within an hour early yesterday morning by a gang of armed men on Spanish Town Road near the entrance to Riverton City, the municipal dump, and one of the capital's more insecure neighbourhoods, especially after dark.

Five Scotland Yard detectives arrived in Jamaica yesterday to work with the local police on Operation Kingfish, the Government's latest crime-fighting initiative with a mandate to tackle drug smuggling and gangs.

In a slight break from tradition, the top-billed artistes for Sting 2004 will not be veteran entertainers, but instead young artistes who have distinguished themselves over the course of the past year.

Despite the international campaign being waged by gay rights groups against artistes who use homophobic lyrics in their performances, Summerfest Productions Limited, the promoter of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, has no plans to get involved in that debate.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -- Gunmen driving a car shot and killed a police officer near Jamaica's capital Saturday, the 11th officer slain this year, police said.

Convicted murderer Paul Gooden, a former distribution consultant at Yummy Bakery, St, Andrew, was sentenced yesterday to life behind bars and will not be eligible for parole for another 35 years.