Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

USA, September 21, 2024 – Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been charged with serious sex offenses from a 14-page indictment, accusing him of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Mr. Combs, 54, was arrested on Monday evening, with allegations of running a criminal enterprise from at least 2008 that relied on drugs and violence to force women to “fulfill his sexual desires”, according to prosecutors. A New York federal judge remanded the musician in custody on Tuesday after prosecutors argued he was a “serious flight risk”.

If convicted on all three counts, the rapper and record producer faces a sentence of 15 years up to life in prison. Asked by US Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky how he wished to plead, Mr. Combs stood up and said: “not guilty”.

According to court documents, Mr. Combs “wielded the power” of his status to “lure female victims, to engage in extended sex acts” called “Freak Offs”. During Freak Offs, Combs distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims “obedient and compliant,” the indictment said.

In a news briefing, US prosecutor Damian Williams said officials found firearms, ammunition and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on Mr. Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles, about six months ago. Mr. Williams said federal agents also found three semi-automatic rifles with defaced serial numbers, and a drum magazine.

He told reporters that further charges were possible, without offering details.

Mr. Agnifilo, the musician’s lawyer, maintained, “there’s no coercion and no crime.”

“He’s not afraid of the charges,” he said, adding that he believed Mr. Combs was the target of “an unjust prosecution”.

In court documents, federal prosecutors said that Mr. Combs had “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct”.

Prosecutors accuse Mr. Combs of “creating a criminal enterprise” whose members – under his direction – engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson and bribery.

“On numerous occasions”, the documents said, Mr. Combs assaulted women by “striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them”.

The indictment did not specify how many women were alleged victims.

It also does not accuse Mr. Combs himself of engaging directly in unwanted sexual acts with women.

Last November, his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit against him that included graphic descriptions of violent abuse.

Sean “Diddy” Combs denied the accusations, but settled the case a day after it was filed.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

USA, September 21, 2024 – Tito Jackson, who became famous as the guitarist alongside his famous brothers who made up the legendary music group Jackson 5, has died; his sons broke the news on Instagram.

“…Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” the statement read.

While there remains an investigation into what exactly led to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s death, friends of Jackson has shared that they believe he suffered a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

In an update today, PennLive.com informs: “A statement released on Sept. 16 by the Gallup Police Department details the events leading up to Jackson’s death.

According to their statement, on Sept. 15, at approximately 6:17 p.m., a GPD officer was flagged down near the American Heritage Plaza after someone alerted them to an “individual requiring immediate medical attention.” The officer then requested an ambulance for the individual, who was later identified as Tito Jackson.

Tito Jackson was pronounced dead at hospital.

“This information is derived from a preliminary investigation that is still ongoing,” the release stated. “Investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and examining both physical and electronic records. The department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may evolve as additional evidence is gathered and analyzed.”

Jackson, who would have celebrated his birthday on October 15 was the third of the Jackson children; there were nine children in all including famous siblings Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, “Tito” was 70 at the time of his death.

MIAMI, Florida (September 2^nd, 2024) – C&W Communications, the operators of Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business and BTC, is pleased to announce the broadcast of the 2024/25 season of the English Premier League (EPL) across the Caribbean via ESPN and ESPN 2.

This year, football fans will be treated to even more action with the launch of a dedicated channel, ESPN Extra, which will feature approximately six live ‘prime’ matches per round, pre- and post-match studio shows, rebroadcasts of games, press conferences, fantasy football segments, archive matches, and other magazine-style programming.

In addition to ESPN Extra, live Premier League matches will also be aired on the existing ESPN Caribbean and ESPN 2 channels. Depending on the scheduling, matches may air simultaneously across these platforms.

As a special bonus, all television customers will enjoy a ‘freeview’ of the ESPN Extra channel until September 15. Following the freeview period, customers will have the opportunity to subscribe directly to the ESPN Extra channel and more information is available at www.discoverflow.co.

“We are thrilled to offer football fans across the Caribbean unprecedented access to one of the world’s most popular sports leagues. With ESPN Extra and the enhanced coverage across ESPN and ESPN 2, our customers will have front-row seats to experience the absolute best of the Premier League, right from their homes,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, C&W Communications.

“This is more than just sports; as we did this summer with the World Relays in The Bahamas and the recent Men’s ICC T20 World Cup, it’s about delivering an unparalleled entertainment experience and ensuring that fans across the Caribbean never miss a moment of the action.”

ESPN Extra is available to television subscribers in Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, BVI, Cayman, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, and Turks & Caicos.