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JN Money Transfer celebrates 20th anniversary in Florida

Throughout the month of May, JN Money Transfer will celebrate 20 years of operation in Florida, USA, with a series of customer promotions; a salute to its partners; recognition of employees; and give thanks, at a church service, to mark its two decades of remittance services in the USA.

The Jamaica National Group, through its subsidiary, JNMS, began its USA operations in Lauderdale Lakes, in May 1997. Since then, through the use of new technologies, the remittance company has enhanced its delivery and kept Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationalities in Florida connected with their loved ones back home.  The remittance company is renowned for its excellent customer service.

“We have come a long way in the past two decades, based on improving our money transfer efficiencies through technological solutions; the commitment and dedication of our partners; the quality service of our employees; and the loyalty of our customers,” declared Carmen Bartlett, regional manager, JNMS South East USA.

She noted that recognition of the “JN brand” in the marketplace was significant; and that the marketing support out of Kingston, was instrumental in securing the trust of  Jamaican residents in Florida, for the fast, affordable and convenient  services, which have been at the heart of the JNMT service in Florida.

“We, therefore, plan to highlight our milestone with a series of promotions and activities at our JN Money Transfer’s Lauderdale Lakes location, which was the first branch to be opened in the region,” she related.

On May 27, the office will host a branch promotion from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., which will include; an Outside Broadcast; and a variety of customer appreciation activities, for persons to win anniversary tokens.”

“We will also give thanks at a special church service, at the Merrill United Methodist Church, on Sunday, May 28, and we have invited our customers and partners to participate in our thanksgiving for the achievement of this milestone,” Mrs Bartlett disclosed.

Acting general manager for JNMS, Horace Hines, said the region was vital to Jamaica and the company and this was a part of the reason for establishing an office in the state.

“The Florida region is important to Jamaicans at home and abroad, and we will demonstrate our appreciation for their loyalty over the years, as we continue to build brand awareness,” Hines said.

The Bank of Jamaica reports that Florida registers the second largest percentage of remittance to Jamaica, at slightly under 13 percent of funds being remitted from overseas. And, Mr. Hines maintains that JN Money Transfer plays a significant role in those figures.

Gillum sights TPS extension as victory for Haitians

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum

Florida’s Democratic Gubernatorial candidate, Andrew Gillum, hailed the extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the United States as a significant victory and expressed his support for refugees.

“Today’s decision was a victory for the Haitian community, particularly here in Florida. The Trump Administration and Congress have not always been welcoming to refugees in recent years, but I’m glad today’s decision will provide relief for those in need. We should do more to welcome refugees from around the globe, and when I’m Governor Florida will gladly have its doors open to those seeking refuge from violence, persecution, and disasters,” he said.

Haitians living in the US have been giving until January next year before their exemption from detention and deportation expires.

https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/haitians-warned-prepare-january-expiration-date-of-tps/

BREAKING NEWS! Trump administration extends TPS for Haitians

UPDATE!! Haitians warned to prepare for January expiration date of TPS

Following the granting of a temporary extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the US since the 2010 earthquake by the Trump administration on Monday, the Department of Homeland security (DHS) is warning them to make preparations to head home when the January 2018 deadline expires.

While the DHS officials repeatedly made clear they were making the decision based on the criteria set forth in the legislation creating the temporary protected status (TPS), they strongly urged that recipients from Haiti take the next six months to prepare for the potential expiration in January.

“During the next six months, the secretary is encouraging all TPS recipients to handle their affairs accordingly,” an official said.

The program had been set to expire in July.

The decision, made by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, will be followed up by an official notice in the Federal Register, which will start the clock for recipients to apply for their six-month extension.

The decision was made after Kelly determined that conditions in Haiti were improving since the earthquake seven years ago — and that at the end of six months, the program could be terminated instead of extended again.

Temporary protected status is a DHS designation for various countries on matters like natural disasters and civil war. Once designated, individuals from those countries living in the US are protected from detention and deportation based on their immigration status and are able to apply for work authorizations. Other countries under TPS include Sudan, Syria and some Central American countries. Recipients must have been living in the US since the designation, so newcomers are not eligible.

BREAKING NEWS! Trump administration extends TPS for Haitians

TPS extended for Haitians living in the US

The Donald Trump-led administration On Monday extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the US since the 2010 earthquake from deportation for another six months after the expiration of the program became controversial.

The decision, made by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, was announced Monday and will be followed up by an official notice in the Federal Register, which will start the clock for recipients to apply for their six-month extension.

Faith leaders urge DHS Secretary to extend TPS to Haitians in US

Busy’s back in business

Busy Signal will be performing at Groovin In The Park on June 25, promoters of the annual event have confirmed.
 
Chris Roberts, CEO of the event, said the deejay has been granted a visa to perform in the United States. He joins Ken Boothe, Freddie McGregor, Tarrus Riley and R Kelly as headliners for ‘Groovin’ at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York.
“I am happy that this historic performance will be delivered on a Groovin’ stage, the biggest music platform for reggae and R&B music in the US,” said Roberts.

U Roy, Leroy Sibbles, Lloyd Parks and We The People Band, and a 17-man orchestra directed by Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, will also perform.
 
Busy Signal, whose hit songs include Nah Go A Jail Again, Smoke Some High Grade, Tic Toc and Watch Out For This (Bumaye), has been unable to work in the US due to legal challenges.

Miami-Dade third grade students improve grades in FSA and ELA

A Miami-Dade third grader hard at work

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) third-grade students have achieved improved results in the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) in English Language Arts (ELA).

The students’ scores have increased from 54 percent scoring at levels 3 or above in 2016 to 58 percent in 2017.  The results have been released in advance of the remaining statewide assessment results to facilitate promotion decisions of students in Grade 3.

These third grade gains outpaced all of the other large Florida districts, including Broward, Duval, Orange, and Palm Beach counties.  M-DCPS’s scores are on par with state averages, both in the percentages scoring in levels 3-5, and the four-point gain from 2016 to 2017.  M-DCPS reduced the percentage of students scoring at level 1 by four percent, surpassing the state’s three percent.  In Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), 28,421 Grade 3 students participated in the Spring 2017 FSA administration.

“Today’s results once again demonstrate that despite the challenges many children in our community face, they continue to outperform those of other large urban districts,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “Our school district’s remarkable performance can be attributed to the dedication of transformational educational teachers and leaders who believe in, empower and enable our children to succeed.”

The FSA ELA measures students’ mastery of grade-level content as specified by the Florida Standards. The ELA assessments include reading and language components in Grades 3 through 10, a writing component in Grades 4 through 10, and a listening component in Grades 4 through 10.

The reported scores include scale scores which can range from 240 to 360 and achievement levels which can range from 1 to 5.  Current Grade 3 students who score in Level 1 will have additional opportunities to demonstrate reading mastery as required by state statute for promotion to Grade 4, including the Grade 3 Reading Student Portfolio and alternative standardized reading assessments administered in the last two weeks of the school year and at the end of the summer reading camp.

M-DCPS high schools make America’s Best High Schools list

15-year-old girl shot in Miami-Dade

The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), Northside District, is investigating a shooting that left one teenager critically injured.

According to investigators, shortly after midnight, Shanetta Gilbert along with Christopher Jackson and Michael Clarke, were sitting inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex when shots were fired. Shanetta was struck in the back as a result of the shooting. As the shooting was taking place, Jonathon Bryant was driving eastbound on NW 50 Street with Shermaine Arnold as a passenger, when their vehicle was struck by bullets. Jonathon drove the vehicle in reverse to get away, when he lost control, crashing into a fence at the apartment complex. Shermaine was struck in the forehead with glass debris.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and transported both Shanetta and Shermaine to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center.  Shanetta was transported in critical condition and Shermaine was transported in stable condition.

Woman killed, four others injured in Miami shooting

Blake is back!

Yohan Blake...His feet will do the talking

Former World 100 meters champion Yohan Blake is satisfied with his performance at the Jamaica International Invitational meet on May 20.

Blake, who was out of action for more than one year due to injury, signaled a return to form as he motored to victory in 9.93 seconds, ahead of Americans Ronnie Baker, who was second in 9.98 seconds, and Mike Rodgers who was third in 10.02.

Blake took the lead at half way and won going away.

“It’s always good to start off the season with a 9.93,” Blake said. “I’m feeling really good … and it gives me great confidence going forward and a time to aim for at the London World Championships.”

Blake holds the second fastest times over the 100 meters and 200 meters — 9.69 and 19.26 respectively. The world records for those events (9.58 and 19.19) are held by his compatriot Usain Bolt.

The London World Championships will be held August 4-13.
https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/featured/yohan-blake-back-in-fighting-form/

Guyana attorney general calls for gay referendum

Basil Williams, Guyana's Attorney General
Guyanese attorney general and minister of legal affairs, Basil Williams, has repeated a call for a referendum on whether homosexual acts of intimacy should remain a criminal offence.
Williams made the call as he gave an address to a joint reception hosted by the delegation of the European Union to Guyana and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), in observance of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) reiterated the call for a referendum in his remarks.

“In addressing the issue… the government noted that the Guyanese people are to decide in a referendum whether homosexuality should remain a criminal offence. Since every citizen has equal access to all Guyana has to offer,” Williams said.

Williams also referred to Article 149 of the constitution on the rights against discrimination, which includes sex and gender, and Article 149D, which provides equality of the enjoyment of all fundamental rights and freedoms.

After calling for tolerance from the Guyanese society, Williams concluded by saying that Guyanese must foster a cultural shift.

“This must begin with our social behaviour. Our language must change. We must document and expose allegations or reports of human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity promptly. They must be impartially investigated and perpetrators held accountable and brought to justice. Hate speech and condescending attitudes reduce tolerance for homosexuality and encourage fear for the unknown. They must be shunned and penalised. If we want change it must begin with each of us,” he added.

https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/bermuda-paving-way-legalize-gay-marriage/

Margate Middle School tops National Vocabulary Competition

Students of Margate Middle School take part in a government day project

The Margate Middle School is the winner of the 2016/17 Vocabulary Bowl, earning a number one ranking across North America in the Middle School Championship.

Margate Middle competed with over 38,000 schools in the United States and Canada, and mastered over 271,000 words to become the leading school in the Vocabulary.com challenge.

Representatives from the competition sponsors, Vocabulary.com, will host a special awards ceremony at the institution to honor the school and students for this outstanding achievement. Officials will present a championship trophy and banner. In addition, the top 100 students will be awarded individual medals celebrating their achievement.

Margate Middle STEM Magnet School has been a consistent leader in the District in the Vocabulary.com initiative, which challenges students to boost their vocabulary and improve their reading, writing, speaking and comprehensive skills.  Margate Middle is the first and only school in Florida to win the award.

Whitmore looks to homegrown talent

Theodore Whitmore

Jamaica’s soccer coach Theodore Whitmore will use homegrown players for aJune 13 friendly against Peru in Peru.

The team is preparing for the June 22-25 Caribbean Cup in Martinique and the CONCACAF Gold Cup which takes place from July 7-26 in the United States.

“For our friendly international against Peru, it is a grand chance for the local players to show what they are made of. As we prepare for the semi-finals of the Caribbean Cup and prepare for the Gold Cup, this is the last chance for the locals to execute and impress me in order to get into the squads of Caribbean Cup and the Gold Cup,” Whitmore said.

Jamaica are defending champions and looking for a seventh Caribbean Cup crown. Aruba, Curacao and Martinique are the other teams playing.

In two meetings, Jamaica has drawn 1-1 and lost 1-2 to Peru.

Reggae Boyz pull off 1-0 victory over Honduras

Official opening of Bahamian Parliament scheduled for Wednesday

A new session of Parliament will begin on Wednesday, following the May 10 General Election in which the Free National Movement (FNM) held onto 35 of the 39 seats in the House of Assembly.

During official opening  Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling will deliver the Throne Speech that will set the agenda for the government with respect to its legislative agenda, for which the cooperation of parliament is sought.

Several officials and dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremonies, which will be staged in full pomp and pageantry: a reflection of the Westminster system adopted by British Commonwealth member countries.

A joint colour guard and band comprising members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Guard of Honour, will add to the ceremonial fixtures and traditions.

Meanwhile, on Sunday members of the FNM, led by Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis attended a church service, giving thanks for the party’s victory at the polls.

Minnis, in his remarks again took note of the mandate from the public.

“I am fully aware of the awesome mandate that has been handed to me and to my colleagues. There are serious challenges that lay ahead. But we are confident that, with God’s help and with hard work, we shall overcome.”

The newly appointed Prime minister also urged his colleagues to remain grounded.

Commonwealth Observer Group says Bahamas election was “peaceful and orderly”

Haitian men placed in quarantine after landing in eastern parish

Arrangements are  being made to take two Haitians who came ashore in the eastern parish of St. Mary in Jamaica on Friday, to court.

According to the police, the two men were spotted off the coast of the Pagee Fishing Village in the parish.

They were rescued by fishermen who then pulled the boat ashore and called the police and a medical team.

Shortly after their arrival, the men were taken to hospital and placed in quarantine.

The arrival of the Haitians in Jamaica follows the apprehension of over 50 Haitians in the eastern Bahamas earlier this week.

Body of Haitian migrant found on Bahamas beach

Pembroke Pines man finds 8-foot python in his garage

A studio portrait of a dwarf Burmese python, Python bivittatus progschai.

A Pembroke Pines homeowner got a shock Friday morning, and had to employ some quick thinking to save his dog’s life.

Joseph Liscinsky has been living in the community for 22 years and ha seen alligators, Nile monitors, geckos and other wildlife, but for the first time he came a cross a python inside his garage.

Liscinsky said the python was in striking distance from his small dog when he found it about midnight.  

Liscinsky believes that his unwelcome guest was hiding out in a nearby canal and made its way into his garage overnight.

He said he immediately called his neighbor, who brought him a broom and a pillowcase.

He said he held the snake’s head down and picked it up, and then it did an automatic wrap around. Liscinsky managed to get the snake inside the pillow case, where he kept it until wildlife officials picked it up

But Liscinsky  is still feeling the pain himself after the non-venomous snake got a hold of his hand with its razor-sharp teeth.

The incident comes at the same time that the South Florida Water Management District is paying top python hunters to capture and kill the snakes that are threatening the Everglades.

Richie Stephens honored by ASCAP

Richie Stephens (third left) at the ASCAP Awards in Hollywood, California Thursday. At left is ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams and second left is Stephens’ sister Charmaine.

Veteran singer Richie Stephens was among the honorees at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) awards in Hollywood, California Thursday night.

He received the Pop Award for contributing to Rihanna’s mega-selling song, Work. Released early last year, it featured Canadian star rapper Drake and went number one in the US, as well as several European countries.

Stephens, 50, has been recording for almost 30 years and was at one stage signed to Motown Records.

He described the ASCAP award as “a proud moment for Jamaica, for dancehall and for the entire Jamaican music industry.”

Three of the producers (Matthew ‘Boi-1da’ Samuels, Jahron ‘PartyNextDoor’ Brathwaite and Sevn Thomas) are Jamaicans who live in Canada. Work sampled Stephens Sail Away rhythm, which was released by his Pot of Gold label in 1998.

West Indies gain five ratings points

Jimmy Adams is pleased with improved West Indies ratings

The West Indies have picked up five ratings points from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Test Team Rankings.

Although still in eighth place, Director of Cricket in the region, Jimmy Adams, is pleased to see the team gain points in the rankings.

“I’m happy that the effort of the squad in the recent Test series vs Pakistan has been recognized in the gaining of valuable ranking points,” Adams said.

“Our long-term aim is to strengthen, over time, all relevant aspects of our game and one yardstick to measure our success will be where we lie in the international rankings. Well done to the team on this achievement.”

India, South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka are the teams ahead of the West Indies.

The team is now in preparation for an International home series against Afghanistan from May 30 to June 14 when the West Indies will play three international Twenty20s and three One Day Internationals. That will be followed by five ODIs and one Twenty20 against India from June 23 to July 9.

The India series will offer the West Indies an opportunity to gain automatic qualification for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

The West Indies will play the T20s against Afghanistan at Warner Park on June 2, 3 and 5 with the three ODIs set for June 9, 11, and 14 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

The regional side will play the first two ODIs against India at the Queen’s Park Oval on June 23 and 25. The third and fourth ODI’s are scheduled for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on June 30 and July 2 while the fifth and final ODI and T20 have been scheduled for Sabina Park on July 6 and 9 respectively.

West Indies bundle out Pakistan to level home series

Venezuelan companies accuse Trinidad of oil spill

Oil spill off the coast of Venezuela

Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in Venezuela have blamed the state owned oil company Petrotrin for the presence of crude oil residue found on the shores of the tourist island, Margarita.

According to a local environmental group – Papa Bois Conservation – while authorities have not yet officially tested the oil found in Margarita, there are suggestions that it came from the Pointe-Pierre Refinery of the Petrotrin Company.

“These are pictures from Venezuela showing how bad it is. Reports are that beaches in Margarita and further afield have been affected and Venezuelan social media is holding Trinidad & Tobago accountable.”

Meanwhile, Venezuelan media reports say Venezuela’s Prosecution Office has launched an investigation.

“The Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) reported today that it is investigating the environmental damages suffered by the country’s eastern coast following the oil spill from the Pointe-Pierre refinery of the Petrotrin company of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.“

It says authorities have asked Petrotrin and the Ministry of energy and Energy Industries “to make reports to assess the damages and the cost of sanitation”.

Last month, Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Franklin Khan said an investigation will be launched into the circumstances surrounding an oil spill which, according to Petrotrin, resulted in an estimated 300 barrels of oil escaping from a ruptured storage tank into the seas.

U.S. partners with Guyana on oil spill measures

Chemistry teacher arrested for having sex with student

Geliga...facing two counts of sexual assault

A Port St. Lucie High School chemistry teacher is behind bars and facing two counts of sex assault after she was arrested for having sex with a male student.

A school resource officer told school administrators that a 17-year-old boy said he had sexual relations with Tiffany Geliga, 35.

The teen told officials he had sex with Geliga two times.

The police listened in on a conversation between the victim and Geliga. The controlled call between the two confirmed they had sex, police said.

Geliga was arrested Thursday and taken to the St. Lucie County Jail.

Palm Beach middle school teacher wanted on child porn charges

CARICOM Cannabis Commission to visit St Lucia

cannabis

The CARICOM Cannabis Commission is scheduled to visit St Lucia, to hear the views of citizens on the subject of marijuana.

The commission is preparing to hold a consultation in St Lucia next month with a view to understanding the position of citizens on current marijuana laws.

Spokesman for the local Cannabis Movement, Andre Pancho Decaires says the commission wants a wide cross-section of views on marijuana use.

“There are a lot of people in the country who are concerned about changing the laws and we need to hear them. We don’t want to be singing to the choir. We don’t only want to hear testimonials about how great the cannabis could be for the country,” he said.

Decaires said politicians are avoiding taking a clear position on marijuana out of concern for their political future.

“A lot of our politicians, and one of them told me that straight, their decisions are based on votes and if they think that a decision would affect them negatively at the polls, they would not make that decision,” he added.

Decaires believes that St Lucia is in a great position to capitalise on the economic benefits of marijuana growth.

The Commission was established to determine whether there should be a change in the current drug classification of marijuana thereby making the drug more accessible for all types of usage including religious, recreational, and medical and research.

Jamaica approves two cannabis licenses

 Injured Asafa Powell withdraws from Jamaica Invitational

Former world record holder Asafa Powell has opted out of the Jamaica International Invitational (JII) track meet set for the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, May 20, due to injury.

The 34-year-old sprinter released a statement Thursday saying he has been forced to withdraw from the meet because of  Achilles Tendonitis, an injury he picked up at the DOHA Diamond League meeting two weeks ago, which “unfortunately has not abated”.

Powell, in the statement said he is “bitterly disappointed at having to miss this meet, which he not only has been planning for, but looking forward to as this is one of my favourite meets for the season”.

He apologized to the JII and to his fans for “these unfortunate set of circumstances”.

Despite Powell’s absence, the JII still has the stars to fill the turnstiles.

Among them were LaShawn Merritt, Andre DeGrasse, Allyson Felix, Jasmin Stowers and Jenna Prandini.

Also down to compete are 2016 Olympics double gold medalist Elaine Thompson, Kristi Castlin, Francena McCorory, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Bralon Taplin, Zharnel Hughes, Shericka Jackson and Danielle Williams.

https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/featured/asafa-powell-says-not-looking-pass-2018/

Bad Royale to perform at EDX in St. Thomas

Bad Royale...to perform at EDX in St Thmoas

The increasingly popular EDM sound makes its way to the US Virgin Islands on June 3 with the EDX event. Dubbed ‘EDX Full Flight’, it takes place at the Sugar Bay Resort & Spa in St. Thomas.

Promoted by a team of Jamaicans, EDX parties in Jamaica have been quite the draw in Kingston, the Jamaica capital, and rural St. Ann parish where it was held last year.

According to co-promoter Mark Tracey, the decision was taken to have a show in St. Thomas after a promoter there heard about the success of their 2016 show.

“He received rave reviews and he reached out to us….and as they say, the rest is history,” said Tracey.

Local EDM and soca selector, DJ Blak, is one of the headliners for EDX Full Flight. So too Bad Royale, an EDM quartet from California, and Jamaican reggae singer Christopher Martin who reportedly has a big following in the USVI.

John Gazi, another ‘homeboy’, will also show off his skills.

Bad Royale are also scheduled on EDX Touch Down, which takes place in Kingston on July 1.

Tickets go on sale, online, on May 20.

Thanks to mega-selling acts like Major Lazer and Skrillex, EDM (Electronic Dance Music) is one of the most listened-to genres during the last decade.

Five killed, 19 missing in Haiti floods

Hiati flooding

Five people were killed and at least 19 are missing following heavy rains that battered  sections of the country earlier this week.

Officials in the Department of Civil Protection on Thursday reported that a 17-year-old girl and a 24-year-old woman died in Port-de Paix in the northwest of the county while attempting to cross raging waters.

In  incidents elsewhere, a 49-year-old man , a woman and a child were all killed when they also attempted to cross raging waters.

The coastal Grande-Anse region of southern Haiti was hardest hit, with more than 300 people seeking shelter from the rising waters.

In the aftermath of the rains, 19 fishermen from two towns in the area are reported missing.

Haiti has been grappling with a heavy rainy season this year, particularly so in its vulnerability after the devastation from Category-4 Hurricane Matthew, which tore into the country last October .

The heavy rains have also had an impact on Jamaica where flooding triggered landslides and damaged infrastructure across the island.

Torrential Rain Floods Haiti

Caribbean on the frontline to face further devastation from climate change

The impact of climate change in the Caribbean is threatening the continued survival of some countries, and Governments must sit up and pay attention.

The Caribbean Marine Climate Change Report Card 2017, which focused on countries including Jamaica, Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana and St Lucia, recently issued the warning.

The Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme-commissioned report made it clear that climate change is a clear and present danger and failure to act could result in grave consequences.

It stressed the Caribbean was “in the front line” and at greater risk for more severe impacts than many other parts of the world because most of them are small islands where people live close to and depend on the sea.

“As the seas, reefs and coasts on which all Caribbean people depend are under threat, much more needs to be done to protect these resources,” the report said, noting that the authors recommend building more resilient environments to prepare for, and protect against, climate change.

The report proposed the development of a regional network of marine protected areas designed to future-proof marine biodiversity against climate change, and stabilize shorelines to preserve natural barriers such as mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs.

The scientists warn that while the overall frequency of Atlantic storms may decrease, the strongest hurricanes are likely to increase.

Furthermore, they noted that the average sea level around the globe is projected to rise by a further 10-32 inches over the coming century — a devastating amount for a country as low-lying as the Cayman Islands, where it could be even worse.

“In the northern Caribbean, sea level rise could be 25 per cent higher than the global average due to other physical factors affecting land elevation,” the report states. “This projected rise in sea level and severe storms is likely to increase the risk of storm surge events for Caribbean states, which will further exacerbate risks to biodiversity, settlements and infrastructure.”

EDITORIAL: Climate change – The struggle is real for Florida and the Caribbean

 

Cuss a lot, live a lot

Along with its beaches, sunshine and rum, the Caribbean is also renown for nationals who express themselves with colorful cuss words.

In fact, the use of these words have been used as a means of identifying one’s compatriot in foreign lands where a Caribbean migrant feels isolated among strangers.

Jamaican-American, Tony Phillips, related an amusing antidote of being on a train in France in the 1980s, where the passengers around him were speaking languages he could not understand. But, he heard a familiar expletive from a man close to him and knew right off that he was in the company of another Jamaican.

However, these expletives are largely frowned upon by  Caribbean society. There are laws on the books that can have one arrested for using cuss words in public.

However, a recent study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom and US, revealed that people who usually curse live stronger and longer lives.

The results of this research, conducted by researchers from Keele University in England and Long Island University in New York, are published in the book, The Independent. It indicated cursing or swearing provides a boost to the body.

The research methodology involved a study of two groups of people; one that cursed, and another that did not while working out or exercising. Those who use the S-word and the F-word, had increased strength and stamina.

Eighty-two year-0ld Jamaican-American and Miramar resident, George Daniels, still cycles eight miles daily. He assists his son in his landscaping business and claims cursing is “life’s best stress reliever.”

He recalls while spending his youth in Jamaica, working “long, stressful hours” on the Kingston Wharf “cursing was common on, and “lightened the hard work and stress.”

Daniels said on living in the US he faced “plenty, plenty stress. I probably would’ve died long ago, but cussing helped me release the stress. But I don’t cuss before my grandkids.”

Another study conducted by British doctor, Dr. Richard Stephens, one of the researchers in the recent British/US study, indicated cursing also helps most people cope with pain.

“I agree with that,” said Daniels. “I witness my wife having our seven children.  By cussing, she bear the pain every time.”

 

Garth Rose

Singing for T&T

Caption (from left): Ras Shiloh, Ricardo Vasconcellos, Vishal Singh, Marlon Asher, Pressure Busspipe, Sizzla and Izac King in Enterprise, Trinidad and Tobago, last November.

By Howard Campbell

A group of Caribbean artists have come together to appeal for peace in crime-ridden Trinidad and Tobago.

Sizzla from Jamaica, Marlon Asher and Izac King from Trinidad and Tobago, Pressure Busspipe of the US Virgin Islands and American singer Ras Shiloh, kick off their Life Of A Ghetto Youth Tour at the Garden Outdoor Pavilion in Lauderhill Lakes on June 10.

Sizzla is also promoting an album of the same name to be released on July 7.

There will be seven shows. The others are: June 11 in St Petersburg, Florida; June 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina; June 16 in Stone Mountain, Georgia; June 17 in Oakland, California; June 23 in Providence, Rhode Island; and June 25 in Norfolk, Virginia.

Trinidadian Ricardo Vasconcellos told Caribbean National Weekly that the violence in his homeland inspired the album and tour.

He, Marlon Asher and Izac King are from the tough community of Enterprise in central Trinidad where much of the turmoil in the twin-island republic takes place.

“It’s the most dangerous part of Trinidad where Rasta war Muslim. Marlon Asher sister got killed there two years ago,” he said.

Mary Jane is the lead single from Life Of A Ghetto Youth. It features the aforementioned artistes.

Trinidad and Tobago’s crime problem is second to Jamaica in the Caribbean. Approximately 463 people were killed there in 2016, 53 more than the previous year.

Over 1,000 persons were murdered in Jamaica in 2016. The US Virgin Islands also has a troubling crime rate.

In November, Sizzla, Marlon Asher, Izac King, Pressure Busspipe and Ras Shiloh performed at VAS Lounge in Port of Spain, the Trinidad capital, in a show of unity.

There are eighteen songs on Life Of A Ghetto Youth. Some are produced by Vishal Singh, Sizzla’s manager.

The album will be released by VAS Productions.

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