After deliberating for nearly four hours, a Home Circuit Court jury yesterday returned a guilty verdict against 39-year-old Paul Gooden for the murder of his wife, 36-year-old Ingrid Andrade-Gooden.

The roots of British band Steel Pulse and the dancemania of Elephant Man will meet at the Goodyear Oval in Springfield, St. Thomas, on December 25, for Red Label Wine East Fest 2004.

The evolution of dancehall to where it is now has taken some four decades developing through the eras of rocksteady, ska and reggae. It is the belief of many experts that the origin of the word comes from the term used to refer to a dance venue, instead of a genre of music as it is now.

Born Adidja Palmer, Vybz Kartel has been dominating the dancehall culture for just about two years now. Every song he has released has become a hit, no matter how slack or degrading these songs are - and make no mistake about it, his songs can be very degrading.

Chief Executive Officer of Stone Love Movement Winston "Wee Pow" Powell has moved to curb the actions of unscrupulous persons not attached to his award-winning sound system making bookings overseas.

The Chaka Chaka dance has been blazing a scorching trail inside the local dancehalls with its shoulder-twisting back-breaking movements. It has also inspired at least two music videos. Similarly, in the streets the dance is brewing some heat as to its origins.

Government yesterday dismissed claims by the international body, Human Rights Watch, that the authorities have been soft on police abuses on homosexual males and persons affected by HIV/AIDS.

In an 81-page report published yesterday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch ripped into Jamaica for its treatment of its homosexuals and called for sweeping legal reform, and even constitutional changes, to address the problem.

The word is out that the Sting Reggae show is on, but with at least one of last year's sponsors gone, organisers Supreme Promotions are in a cautious mood as they try to stage the embattled event.

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica's soccer team left Monday for Columbus, Ohio, where it will play the United States in a crucial World Cup qualifying match.