Be careful.

This was passed to me by a friend who works for the Railway Police. A bit of useful advice - verified by the Dorset Police . The number does work from a mobile. This actually happened to someone's daughter. This story takes place over the Christmas/New Year's holiday break. It was the Saturday before New Year and it was about 1.00 pm in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend, when an UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put its lights on. Lauren's parents and have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather wait until they get to a service station, etc So Lauren remembered her parents' advice, and telephoned 112 from her mobile phone. This connected her to the police dispatcher she told the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her and that she would not pull over right away but wait until she was in a service station or busy area. The dispatcher checked to see if there was a police car where she was and there wasn't and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back-up already on the way. Ten minutes later 4 police cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground........the man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes. I never knew that bit of advice, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you do not have to pull over for an UNMARKED car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a 'safe' place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them i.e., put on your hazard lights) or call 112 like Lauren did. Too bad the mobile phone companies don't give you this little bit of wonderful information. So now it's your turn to let your friends know about 112 (112 is an emergency number on your mobile that takes you straight to the police because 999 does not work if you have no signal. This is good information that I did not know! Please pass on to all your friends, especially any females.

SENT IN BY BARBARA JAMES

SCAMS

Here are two of them. If you think it would be of use, I could send some more, and as and when I get them from the police and fraud squad. You could edit it to suit readers. Last Friday, 9th November, there was an incident on the back road between Northampton and Hartwell, where the occupants of a silver Mercedes attempted to stop a lone female who was driving in her car behind them. They stopped abruptly, exited their car, ran back to her car and proceeded to attempt to open the doors. Luckily the doors were locked, and she was able to reverse away from the men. This incident was reported to the police, who confirmed that a similar incident had been reported earlier that day around Northampton. Could all staff please take care, especially when driving. Leave enough room to stop and manoeuvre away from the vehicle in front of you. Make sure all of your doors are locked, and don't open windows or doors to strangers. Ensure your mobile phone is to hand, and that valuables are out of sight. Any incidents such as this should be reported to the police. Please take note of this warning.

Be aware of new car-jacking scheme. You walk across the car park, unlock your car and get inside. Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift or put into reverse. You look into the rear-view mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift the gear stick back into park or neutral, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper or whatever it is that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car that is when the car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off!! Your engine was running and therefore dependent on your Policy you are not probably covered by your insurance... You would have left your purse/handbag in the car and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER AND IS MAKING ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY !!!!!!!! Just drive away and remove the paper later! It is stuck to your window and be thankful that you have read this email. I hope you will forward this to friends and family especially to women! A purse contains all identification, and you certainly do NOT want someone getting your home address. They already HAVE your keys!!! JUST BE AWARE AND TAKE CARE IT WILL PROBABLY SOON ARRIVE IN YOUR AREA !!! Thanks

SENT IN BY BARBARA JAMES

Amid furor, DJ cancels party for 'light-skinned' blacks
'I made a mistake,' local party promoter says after Internet backlash. Oralandar Brand-Williams / The Detroit News DETROIT -- A local DJ and party promoter retreated Thursday from a plan to sponsor a bash that would let "light-skinned" black women into a downtown club for free. But the "Light Skin Libra Birthday Bash" at Club APT on Woodward Avenue turned out to be a bashing -- of promoter Ulysses "DJ Lish" Barnes after word of the unusual party spread on the Internet. "I made a mistake," Barnes said. "I didn't think there would be a backlash." Advertisement Barnes, who said he's been a party promoter for six years, canceled the event. He said he has gotten angry calls and e-mails from around the country about the party. "I didn't mean to offend anyone," he said. "I had planned a party for other shades (of black women). We were going to take a shade of color each week. Next week was going to be a party for 'Sexy Chocolate' and the week after that 'Sexy Caramel.' " Barnes is African-American and describes himself as "dark skinned." The issue of skin color is an often painful and emotional among African-Americans. The history of slavery and the resulting legacy of intra-racial segregation have sometimes pitted darker-skinned and lighter-skinned blacks against one another. A noted Los Angeles-based activist who goes by the name of Pearl Jr. was among the chorus of voices complaining about the party. "I had a good conversation with him and he understood," said Pearl Jr., founder of the Black Women's Movement in Los Angeles and the author of the book "Black Women Need Love, Too." "Ignorance can't always be an excuse," she said. "Colorism is real in the black community. It's especially very degrading to dark-skinned black women." The party's discriminating tone harkens to the day of the "brown paper bag test," which compared the complexions of blacks to a brown grocery bag before they could be admitted to social clubs and affairs, said Pearl Jr. The activist said she had a heart-to-heart talk with Barnes and he immediately told her he would cancel the party. "He was basically falling in line with what we have been taught (by society) that the less African-looking you are the better you are," said Pearl Jr. "Basing whether someone is admitted on their skin color is discriminatory, which is really against the law." Comments on Web sites and blogs about the party included urging a boycott of the party and filing a lawsuit against the party's promoter. "The way this should be handled is that our light-skinned sisters should refuse to go unless the darker-skinned sisters received the same treatment," wrote one blogger. "We must stand together and not allow ANYONE, especially, a club to divide us." Barnes said he is hoping to host an event to raise money for a charity to make up for whatever problems or pain he caused over the party flier.
NEWS SENT IN BY NATHALIE

WE NEED YOUR HELP - MISSING GIRL

This young lady is the niece of a member of our Church,her name is Elizabeth Hamilton. She has been missing since last Thursday. Up to today, Wednesday, 14 March, she still hasn’t been found.

Please pass this on to everyone you know and keep a look out. Continue to pray that she will be found safe and well.

May God bless you

Herbie

South London Regional News
RICHMOND NEWS

Police concerned for missing 15-year-old
By Gemma Wheatley <mailto:gwheatley@london.newsquest.co.uk>

Police are concerned for the safety and welfare of a 15-year-old girl who has gone missing from her home in Tulse Hill.

Sindy-Ann Regis was last seen when she dropped her little sister at school in Crown Lane Streatham at approximately 8.30am on Thursday March 8th.

She normally then makes her own way to school at Norwood Girls. But on Thursday she didn't arrive.

Sindy-Ann is a black female of medium build approximately 5'6" tall and was last seen wearing a black cardigan and black jeans.

Anyone with information as to her whereabouts should contact the Lambeth Missing Persons unit on 0208 649 1212 and ask for the control at Vauxhall.

SSoca artist, Marcus "Lavaman" Devenish is among six persons charged Monday by police for possession of an illegal firearm and ganja.

Lavaman who was a finalist in this year's soca monarch competition was arrested by members of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) on the west coast while travelling in a Suzuki vehicle.

Also caught in the police operation was the lone female occupant in the vehicle, Abigail La Crette, a 21 year old resident of River Road, St. George's. According to a police source, the incident occurred last Sunday and it was then that the illegal items were allegedly discovered by the lawmen. All six persons were charged by police for being in possession of an illegal firearm and a quantity of marijauna.

A police bulletin said that the vehicle was stopped at Gouyave after the six had left a party in Victoria, St. Mark's where a gun was allegedly fired off. The report said that the search of the vehicle netted a pistol with a spent shell in the chamber, and a quantity of drugs.

Apart from Lavaman, the other persons charged were Benjamin Mathew, a 32 year old resident of Jean Anglais, Marcus Devenish, 24 years of H.A Blaize Street, Damien Depradine, 23, a resident of H.A Blaize Street, Edmund Phillip, 28, of Green Street, and 27-year old Kelroy Joseph of River Road.

Lavaman, Phillip, Joseph, and La Crette have been placed on $8,000.00 bail each with one surety each. The soca artist competed in this year's Soca Monarch competition with his popular hit song, "Behave Yourself". During Tuesday's appearance before Magistrate Karen Noel at the Sauteurs Court, the police prosecution requested that bail should not be given to Benjamin and Devenish on the grounds that one of them was residing outside Grenada and that the other is on bail for another offence.

The lawmen argued that it was highly possible that if granted bail the two men will not turn up in court for hearing of the matter. The female magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution which did not go down well with defense attorney, Arley Gill who is representing Depradine.

He said that the grounds put forward by the prosecution was rather tenuous, adding that the police did not have any good reason to remand the men in custody. According to Gill, the case was rather unfortunate in that the accused persons were basically at the wrong place at the wrong time and felt that the matter will be speedily resolved.

All six men are expected to make their second court appearance next week Tuesday. In other police related news, RGPF reported that investigations into a number of incidents within St. George's on Carnival Monday resulted in four persons being charged.

The arrested persons are Damien Depradine of H.A Blaize Street for Causing Grievous Harm, Micha Philbert, 18 year old resident of Belmont, St George"s for Maiming, Andy Williams, 45, of Independence Avenue for Wounding, and Douglas Morain, 40, of La Tante, St David"s for Causing Grievous Harm.

Police have issued a wanted notice for Herbs Mc Queen of Springs , St George's and Grand Anse resident known by the name of Shakim for questioning in connection with some of the chopping incidents

News sent in by Popo

'Grenada 17' May Walk Free 23 Years After Caribbean Coup

One of the most controversial armed conflicts of the cold war era and one which caused a rift between Britain and the US is to be revisited this week in a British court.
One of the most controversial armed conflicts of the cold war era and one which caused a rift between Britain and the US is to be revisited this week in a British court. The case will re-examine an episode that led to more than 100 deaths on the Caribbean island of Grenada and still has ramifications for the region today.

The 14 Grenadians sentenced to death for the assassination of the former prime minister Maurice Bishop more than 20 years ago are due to have their case for an appeal heard by the Privy Council.

In 1983 Maurice Bishop, the socialist prime minister of Grenada, was killed during a coup, along with 10 others, following a violent split within his party. The deputy prime minister, Bernard Coard, Bishop's childhood friend turned rival, declared himself prime minister.

Six days later, President Ronald Reagan ordered the invasion of Grenada, claiming that 650 American students on the island were at risk. According to US figures, 45 Grenadians, 24 Cubans and 19 Americans were killed in the invasion.

Coard was among 14 convicted of the murders and sentenced to death. But the death penalty was commuted to imprisonment for natural life.

This week lawyers will argue in front of the Privy Council, the final court of appeal for Grenada which gained its independence from Britain in 1974, that the sentence of natural life is unconstitutional and that irregularities in the initial trial merit an appeal against conviction, too. The case will be presented by lawyers headed by the leading human rights counsel, Edward Fitzgerald QC.

The mood in Grenada, according to Lesley Pierre, editor of the Grenadian Voice, is that enough time has now elapsed for the men to be released. "So much time has passed," said Pierre, who was himself jailed by the Bishop-Coard government. "My understanding is that all of them would leave the island anyway, although I don't think that should be a condition for their release. They are all Grenadians."

A spokesman for the Grenadian prime minister, Keith Mitchell, said: "Obviously, the government is watching the situation closely."

Three soldiers who were also convicted of manslaughter at the time were released on December 3, having served two-thirds of their sentences.

In 1997, the Grenadian 17, as they became known, published a public apology in the Grenadian Voice. In it, they "fully and unreservedly accept responsibility for the tragedy" but feelings against them on the island still run high.

The Reagan administration justified the US invasion because of the presence of Cuban technicians and advisers who were helping to build an airport. President Reagan acted without the knowledge of Margaret Thatcher, who was angered by the clandestine invasion of a member of the Commonwealth. George Schultz, then secretary of state, later told the Guardian that Lady Thatcher was "mad at us" for invading without consulting her.

NEWS SENT IN BY AUDREY

NEW YORK, USA, October 14, 2006 - Michael Sandy, the gay nephew of Trinidad-born singer Calypso Rose, who was hit by a car following an alleged biased attack, was taken off of life support yesterday - his birthday. NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg called the passing "tragic" and on behalf of the city of New York, expressed condolences to his family. "New York is a city where diversity is celebrated and tolerance is practiced, and today we reaffirm our efforts and stand united to fight those who threaten those values," Bloomberg added in a statement last night. "Those responsible for Michael's death must be brought to swift justice." Sandy was lured into a trap by John Fox, 19, say prosecutors, following several email correspondences. He arrived Sunday to meet Fox in Sheepshead Bay and the two later drove to the popular gay spot, Plum Beach. There Fox's friends, Ilya Shurov, 20, and Gary Timmins, 16, were allegedly waiting, according to prosecutors, and robbed Sandy and began beating him. To escape he apparently ran onto the Belt Parkway where he was struck by a car. Fox, Shurov and Gary Timmins, were on Wednesday charged with assault and robbery as hate crimes and are being held without bail. (Hardbeatnews.com)

News sent in by Nathalie