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Carib stars tell their story on Before The Fame

Mike Sherman (right) interviewing Wyclef Jean

Some of Caribbean music’s most popular entertainers will tell their pre-star stories on a new television program to air in Florida this summer.

Before The Fame is the name of the show. It  is the brainchild of Mike Sherman, who produced the popular On The Mike program on CBS TV in Miami some years ago.

Sherman told Caribbean National weekly that he has a number of interviews in the bag already and is ready to roll. He did not give details about what station will broadcast Before The Fame, but said it will have a distinct West Indian flavor.

“We will sit down with friends, managers, publicists, etc and go down memory lane of such celebrities such as Shaggy, Pitbull, Flo Rida, DJ Khaled, Katie Perry, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo and many more,” he said.

Already, Sherman has interviewed Shaggy, Lunchmoney Lewis, Ian Lewis of Inner Circle, Kevin Lyttle of St. Vincent and Jason Derulo, who has Haitian heritage.

The New Jersey-born Sherman is CEO of Universal Media Group Inc which is based in Boca Raton. He hopes Before The Fame will have similar success as On The Mike which ran for seven seasons.

It also has a segment called The Wave Of Fame which focuses on upcoming artists from the Caribbean including Omi, who had a massive 2015 with Cheerleader.

Germaine Mason honored with scholarship

Mason...scholarship named in his honor

The Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) has announced a scholarship to the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, in honor of high jumper Germaine Mason, who died on April 20 in a motor accident.

The Germaine Mason Scholarship will be awarded to a high school high jumper who excels academically, JAAA president Dr. Warren Blake announced on Wednesday.

Blake spoke at the launch of the Jamaica International Invitational meet which takes place May 20 at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Mason, who died in East Kingston where he grew up,  represented Jamaica at the youth and senior levels, before switching allegiance to Great Britain in 2006. He won that country’s first high jump medal in 80 years by copping silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

He cleared 2.34 meters, which is also Jamaica’s national record.

Pastor accused of molesting boy hides from onlookers at court

Smith...hid his face under towel

A Jamaican, pastor who is accused of  sexually assaulting a 15-year-old male member of his church, hid under a towel as he entered and left the Trelawny Parish Court on Wednesday.

The accused, 27-year -old Presely Smith of a Bunkers Hill, Trelawny address, was offered bail in the sum of $450,000 when he appeared in the Trelawny Parish Court on Wednesday. He is to reappear in court on Thursday, June 22.

His travel documents were ordered surrendered as a condition of his bail.

Upon his entry and departure from the court, the clergyman used a yellow towel to hide his face from the curious onlookers who gathered near the courthouse to have a look at him.

He is facing  charges of five counts of buggery, five counts of gross indecent assault and five counts of greivious sexual assault. Officers from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) began investigating reports that the clergyman was sexually molesting the 15 year old male member of his flock.

Smith was subsequently arrested and charged on Friday.

Jamaica approves two cannabis licenses

Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has approved two ganja licenses for a Tier One Cultivators and a Tier One processor.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda, made the announcement during his presentation during the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives recently.

Tier One Cultivator Licenses are for farms of up to one acre and Tier One Processor Licenses are for the processing of cannabis for medical, scientific and therapeutic purposes, including the manufacture of cannabis-based products. Both licenses represent the smallest scale of operation within the legal licensing framework.

Samuda said the Ministry and the CLA are obligated to ensure that optimum due diligence is adhered to during the licensing process.

“Our current position is that we will not be pushed into making hasty decisions which compromise the process. We will act in a manner consistent with the existing rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana,” he said.

The CLA has received 212 applications from 86 applicants for licenses. Of that number, two applications were withdrawn and 70 are either awaiting documentation or payment of required fees from the applicant.

Protect yourself from mosquitoes as the rainy season appraoches

Mosquito

By Bob LaMendola

Florida Department of Health in Broward County

 

The rainy season is right around the corner and that means one thing – protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes.

The bug to watch for is the Aedes mosquito, a small biter that is black with white spots and lives right outside or inside your house. They specialize in biting humans, and stay active all day.

Aedes mosquitoes carry Zika virus and other tropical viruses such as chikungunya and dengue fever. Last year, Florida reported 1,450 cases of Zika and 53 so far this year. The  majority of cases were in people who contracted the virus while traveling outside the country.

Zika generally causes mild symptoms in adults and children, but it can cause severe birth defects to the unborn child of a woman who contracts the virus.

Zika may appear again this year when rains hatch mosquito eggs. Floridians should not become complacent about mosquito protection.

“Everyone should be aware of mosquitoes and take steps to protect themselves,” says Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. “The best way to do that is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. We recommend a practice called Drain and Cover.”

Drain standing water in and around the house. Eliminate even puddles because Aedes can breed in containers as small as a bottle cap.

Get rid of water that collects in garbage cans, tires, buckets, roof gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots and plants with pockets, such as bromeliads. Discard items where rain or sprinkler water collects. Clean bird baths and pet water bowls twice a week.

Inside the home, Aedes can breed where water collects, such as refrigerator ice makers, electric toothbrush holders and drips under sinks.

Cover yourself and the openings in your home. If you go outdoors when mosquitoes are active, wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. Spray your skin and clothing with repellent containing DEET or other approved ingredients (check the label). Keep windows and doors closed, and repair damaged screening.

Urgent action needed to reduce road deaths in Caribbean – PAHO

World Bank raises awareness of road safety in the Caribbean

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has recommended that Caribbean governments beef up traffic management in order to significantly reduce tragic road deaths across the region.

The organization is also recommending the lowering of speed limits, the installation of more speed bumps and the construction of roundabouts among other speed management measures.

According to PAHO/WHO Regional Advisor on Road Safety Eugenia Rodriguez, “the region of the Americas has made progress in adopting standards that limit speed in urban areas, but it needs to further strengthen the application of these standards to reduce deaths and injuries due to traffic accidents”.

In a report on Road Safety in the Region of the Americas, PAHO noted that 17 countries in the Americas have already set maximum speed limits of less than 50 km/h in urban areas and 13 have given local authorities the green light to reduce limits even further.

PAHO stressed that speed limits must be accompanied by strict compliance.

“Control at the local level is important, so lower speed limits can be set in populated or vulnerable areas such as those near schools or health facilities,” PAHO said. “However, laws on speed limits must be accompanied by strict compliance, so that they are effective and thus save lives.”

Activities marking the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week got underway on Monday.

The week and its related campaign, “Save Lives: #SlowDown”, will draw attention to the dangers of speed and the measures which should be put in place to address this leading risk for road traffic deaths and injuries, PAHO said.

It said more than 20 countries in the Americas are carrying out information and awareness activities for decision-makers and authorities of traffic-regulating institutions, as well as for the general public.

Activities include dissemination of messages in media and social networks, transport systems, and schools such as road safety fairs, presentations in public places, signage work in urban areas, and promotion of commitments by local authorities to reduce speed limits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canadian Cannabis company begins export of cannabis oil to Cayman Islands

Dominica to establish national cannabis regulatory commission

The Canadian based medical cannabis company – CanniMed Thera-peutics – exported its first international shipment of cannabis oil to the Cayman Islands, as a way of testing the territory’s potential as an export market.

The company exported its first international shipment of cannabis oils this month, including 12,960 millilitres to a pharmacy here.

The shipment makes Canada the second country, after Jamaica, to export cannabis oils to Cayman since the product was legalised here last October.

While the Legislative Assem-bly legalised the oils for medicinal purposes, it did not approve local production, requiring legally viable product to come from abroad.

The Cayman Compass reports that the Foster’s Food Fair-IGA pharmacy received its first shipment of the oils from Jamaica last month but in limited quantity for one patient.

According to pharmacist Michael Anderson, they are now hoping to establish stock from Canada and will reserve Jamaica’s more potent product for special orders.

He said the shipment was handled the same as other narcotic pharmaceuticals, requiring an import certificate through the Health Services Authority. While he has received several enquiries, he said many interested individuals had not received a proper prescription from their doctor.

“All cannabis oil products will require a prescription from a local physician in order to be filled at any pharmacy in the Cayman Islands,” he said. “The company is planning to stock cannabis oil products at our pharmacy, but will also work with our suppliers to produce any specific formula a physician may request.”

While medicinal cannabis has been legal in Canada for 16 years, CanniMed’s CEO Brent Zettl said exports are new territory for the industry.

He noted that 58 per cent of the company’s medicinal product in Canada is used for pain management, 19 per cent for neurological disorders, and nine per cent for cancer.

Jamaica’s Praught Leer signs with Under Armour

Praught Leer...Jamaica's steeplechase sensation

Jamaica’s steeplechase sensation Aisha Praught Leer has inked a contract with sportswear manufacturer Under Armour.

The signing comes less than a week after she set a new national record in the 3000-metre steeplechase at the season in the opening Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar,

Praught Leer shaved nearly 13 seconds off her previous national record that she set in Rio, Brazil in 2016.

“The Under Armour RUN team is excited to announce a new athlete to the roster – Aisha Praught Leer,” a statement from the company said Monday. “Aisha is a Jamaican Olympian finalist and recently left the Oregon Track Club in early 2017 to train with All-American athlete, Emma Coburn in Boulder, Colorado. Under Armour is thrilled to add Aisha to the team and looks forward to working with her on upcoming campaigns and providing her with the brand’s latest running footwear. She is currently running in the Miler Pro and soon-to-be-release Under Armour Charged Bandit 3.”

Praught Lee was raised in the U.S, but decided to honor her Jamaican heritage and run for their national team after reconnecting with her biological father in 2013. She ran in the 2016 Olympics and was the first Jamaican runner ever to compete in the finals in the steeplechase.

Recipe: Bahama Breeze mock Jerk Chicken Pasta

Have you ever gone to Bahama Breeze and fell in love with their jerk chicken pasta? Well here is a copycat recipe that is said to closely mock the dish served at the popular restaurant chain. This recipe can be be modified based on the level of Caribbean spice one would like to add to the dish.

What you’ll need:

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts or tenders
  • ½ cup of butter
  • 4-5 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1 cup of half-and-half
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon of herbs of your choice (rosemary or marjoram or oregano)
  • 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
  • ½ talk of asparagus
  • 8 ounces of slice mushrooms
  • 3 tablespoons of crushed parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces of bow-tie pasta

What to do:

  1. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat, add garlic.
  2. When garlic becomes fragrant, add cayenne pepper and chicken, increase heat.
  3. Cook chicken to preferred tenderness; remove from pan, leaving the garlic, butter, cayenne mix.
  4. In a separate deep pan, fill with ¼ full of water
  5. Place drainer on top of the pan, add asparagus, cover and steam for 5-10 minutes
  6. In a separate pan, cook bowtie noodles according to directions on the box and set aside.
  7. In a cup, stir together half-and-half, chicken broth, and corn starch, pour into chicken.
  8. Bring to a boil and reduce heat; simmer for 3 minutes with constant stirring
  9. Stir in parsley, herbs, mushrooms, and asparagus for 3 to 5 minutes
  10. Add chicken to heat through
  11. Add pasta and toss.
  12. Serve to hungry friends and family.

To jerk like a true Jamaican try this Outdoor Charcoal Grill, and you’ll be serving up savory island recipes like these for friends and family in no time.

 

Orlando Kiddies Carnival was a smash

2017 TTAC Orlando Kiddies Carnival Queen of Bands, Queen of Hearts - Photo by Mea "Lady Mea" Allman

The TrinBago Association of Central Florida (TTAC) recently celebrated the fourth annual Orlando Kiddies Carnival at Festival Park in Orlando.

Children aged between six months and 15 years from various cultures of the Caribbean Community were decked out in fine costumes as many family and friends cheered them on during an enjoyable road march.

Entertainment was provided afterwards by the  i-Land Rebels Band.

World record wipe proposal rejected by NACAC

The North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has rejected a proposal by the European Athletics Council, recommending the wiping of world records set before 2005.

Head of European Athletics Arne Hansen made the proposal recently calling it “revolutionary”.

“Not just because most world and European records will have to be replaced but because we want to change the concept of a record and raise the standards for recognition to a point where everyone can be confident that everything is fair and above board,” he said.

NACAC president, Victor Lopez, is opposed to the proposal and called on the IAAF not to include the proposal on the agenda of the IAAF Council Meeting in London. As an alternative, Lopez proposes that the IAAF Integrity Unit work alongside the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to ensure that clean athletes are protected.

“As the Area Representative and President of NACAC, I am calling for the IAAF not to entertain such a proposal in the upcoming IAAF Council Meeting in London as that will take away the positive media attention from the great World Championships that London will be delivering with Usain Bolt saying goodbye to the most significant career of any sprinter in the history of our sport,” said Lopez.

“After discussion with our Council, the NACAC AA position is that this is just one IAAF Area proposal to create a new set of European records, but at this point there is no plan by the IAAF to reset world records. If and when any such proposal is on the table at the level of the IAAF, we will ensure that the interest of the athletes who hold bona fide records and whose status as clean athletes is well established will be protected,” he added.

Vybz Kartel appeal set for February

vybz Kartel

The Court of Appeal in Jamaica will begin hearing arguments from attorneys representing imprisoned dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and his three co-accused on February 19 next year.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer; Kahira Jones; Andre St John; and entertainer Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell were granted leave to appeal their conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal in March of this year.

They were sentenced to life behind bars by Justice Lennox Campbell in the High Court for their involvement in the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Evidence was tendered in court that Williams was mauled to death in a house owned by Vybz Kartel and his body disposed of.

Williams’ remains have never been found.

Vybz Kartel will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years, St John must serve 30 years, while Campbell and Jones will have to serve 25 years before being eligible for parole.

The lawyers intend to argue that Justice Campbell erred in his instructions to the jury and that their clients were not given a fair trial.

Audio-visual evidence and the eyewitness testimony of their former crony helped the prosecution to successfully argue that Williams was murdered after two illegal guns went missing.

Bahamian charged for assaulting gay Jamaican at Carnival

Adrian Brown...beaten at Bahamian Junkanoo festival

A Bahamian national has been charged for assaulting a gay Jamaican man during a Junkanoo Carnival in Nassau on the weekend.

Police arrested Darwin Farquharson, 34, of Infant View Road. He pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court and was offered bail in the sum of $500. He was ordered to return to court on May 17.

The complainant, Adrian Brown, reported to police in Bahamas that he was dancing at the festival when two men threw water on him. When Brown approached the men, he complained of being verbally abused before they started to pelt him with rocks and bottles.

He was reportedly rescued from a further mauling by other revelers.

Brown is a Jamaican-born man who is a member of the US Navy.

Barbadian teachers on edge

Tensions between the Ministry of Education and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) are set to boil over.

The disgruntled teachers are not ruling out industrial action over the recent “unfair dismissal” of several teachers. A meeting had been scheduled for last Friday between education officials and the teachers’ union to discuss the contentious matter was reportedly cancelled, without a new date being set.

Another meeting was set up on Tuesday which lasted for more than three hours but no official word has been forthcoming if any amicable agreement was reached.

The teachers were angry that one female teacher was recently sacked without ever seeing any reports relating to her performance.

Beckham ready to score in Overtown

Investors headed by British soccer star David Beckham are ready to close the deal to build a soccer stadium in Overtown, Miami-Dade. Beckham’s MLS team will play home matches there.

In February 2014, the MLS commissioner approved Beckham owning a MLS team to play in South Florida. At that time, in a news conference with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giminez, it was also announced that Beckham’s investment group, Miami Beckham United, planned to build a 25,000 stadium on lands adjacent to Port Miami.

However, strong opposition from Miami-Dade’s business and political sectors killed those plans. Since then, the Beckham group identified other sites in the county for the stadium, but none materialized.

Last year, the group identified and agreed to build the stadium on a six-acre site in Overtown, Miami. It paid $19 million for the site, but needed an additional 3 acres adjacent to it, owned by the county, to complete plans for building the stadium and related facilities.

The county agreed to sell the land to the group for $19 million. However, problems incurred by the group in securing the necessary investment to build the estimated $300 million stadium, delayed purchase of the additional land.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Beckham secured a new investor, Todd Boehly, part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and is ready to close the deal to purchase the additional 3-acres and proceed with the stadium’s construction.

Mayor Giminez has scheduled County Commission meeting for next month to approve the deal. Prior to that meeting, the Beckham Group on the insistence of Commissioner Audrey Edmonson in whose District Overtown is located, will meet with Overtown residents to discuss plans for building the stadium.

At a previous meeting held with residents in November 2015, the group assured them of job opportunities during the construction phase, and during the stadium’s operation.

South Miami soccer coach, Jamaican-American Richard Bertram, has been eagerly anticipating Beckham’s team  in Miami, believing it would be a “phenomenal inspiration to youth who play the game.”

He added that, “I hope this is it. There have been so many disappointments. Soccer coaches and enthusiasts believe having a MLS team in the region will further promote South Florida as a major soccer hub in the USA.”

 

 

Trinidadian elder attacked with boiling water during robbery

elderly

A 66-year-old Trinidadian man was doused with boiling water in a robbery that occurred in his home in La Romaine Tuesday morning.

Around 7 a.m., two men entered the home of the elderly man and his 66-year-old wife, they tied the couple’s hands and feet then proceeded to demand the location of the couple’s cash and valuables.

After taking the couple’s cellphones valued at $500 and $300, the men demanded more valuables and cash.

According to reports, a pot of boiling water in which the couple was using to boil peas was taken from the stove top and dumped on the elderly man.

The men fled the home of the couple with both cellphones and $500.

The couple remained tied for an hour until a visiting relative found them and alerted the police.

San Fernando CID and Southern Division Task Force responded to the call and are currently investigating.

The elderly man was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital to be treated for burns on his back and head.

This is the second home robbery of the elderly to occur within San Fernando’s jurisdiction this year.

In February, an elderly couple in San Fernando was also tied up and robbed at gun point in their home at Retrench Village.

Two men robbed the victims after they bound their hands and feet with telephone cords and taped their mouths, robbing them of cash and valuables totaling $8,000.

The couple took two hours to untie themselves and alerted police, but no arrests were made in that incident.

Chris Gayle apologizes to IPL fans

T20 world record holder Chris Gayle has apologized to his fans in the Indian Premier league for his below par performance for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

RCB have found themselves as cellar dwellars in the IPL following a fledgling campaign to date that has seen the team, which made an appearance in last year’s final, win just two of 13 matches played.

Gayle, whose struggles have at times typified the team’s underperformance, scored just 152 runs in eight matches he played, at a strike rate of 121.66, his second lowest in all IPL seasons.

“I cannot be happy with my performance and with my team performance as well. It’s been disappointing,” Gayle said.

“Apologies to the fans. We all are hurt. It’s amazing how they (fans) still come to the stadium and support us. I hope to do better next year,” he added.

The big left-hander, who was dropped for a few games, wasn’t the only player to underperform as batting stars as Kohli and AB de Villers also had poor seasons.   RCB will conclude this year’s sojourn in the tournament on Sunday with a game against Delhi Daredevils.

Jamaican man loses battle to remain in BVI

A Jamaican man has lost a legal battle to remain in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), following an incident in 2015 in which he sexually assaulted a woman.

Peter Gray  was sentenced to 10 months for criminal trespass, and 15 months for indecent assault – the sentences ran concurrently.

Gray appealed against the deportation order, but  the request was turned down by Governor John Duncan .

Gray later brought the matter before the High Court, where the request was turned down.

The Jamaican man told the court that his deportation would disrupt the “family life” with several persons, including a six year old daughter.

The court heard that Gray was in an ‘acrimonious’ relationship with a BVI woman. That relationship, which ended years ago, produced a daughter.

However, the judge dismissed this stating that “While the court does not doubt the strength of the First Claimant‘s love for his daughter, the scope of his access and visitation is undefined, and there is little indication of the regularity or the depth of the contact. Further, the lack of any real detail gives rise to significant doubt as regards his financial support . It appears to the court that his role in her day to day care and upkeep has also been minimal.”

Another factor that helped to determine the outcome  – came to light when Grey disclosed his romantic involvement with another  woman, this woman who lives in St Kitts Nevis has four children – a minor and three young adults who are BVI citizens, living on their own. None of these children  fathered by Gray.

“Although the court does not doubt the genuineness of these relationships, the court cannot ignore the fact that the Second Claimant is still legally married to another man, and there are no tangible plans to resolve this – six years into their (St Kitts woman and Gray’s) relationship,” the court document stated.

The judge however said that from all accounts, the woman from St Kitts and Gray have “a genuine and loving relationship, which has survived (Gray’s) prosecution, conviction and incarceration on account of sexual offences involving a female virtual complainant”.

In further analyzing the case, the judge said Gray and the other claimants essentially indicated that “deportation would mean the breakup of the family, because they would simply not be able to relocate to Jamaica” to be with a deported Gray.

However, Gray’s attorneys pointed to Jamaica’s high crime rate as a basis for which “deportation would be prejudicial”.

Former US Attorney general defended her decision to not enforce first Travel Ban.

The Bahamas elections are now underway. Electors in the country will go to the polls to decide whether to re-elect the Progressive Liberal Party led by Perry Christie or hand over power to the Dr Hubert Minnis-led Free National Movement.

 

The Caribbean region has launched its first online database to record, collate and report human rights violations. The Shared Incident Database (SID), was developed by the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and is an advanced, user-friendly, web-based technology designed to strengthen evidence-based advocacy for more just policies and programs in the Caribbean’s HIV response. The database was set up to track incidents affecting key population groups which include those living the HIV, sex workers and drug users.

 

Chaos broke out at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport on Monday as frustrated passengers reacted boisterously to a number of cancelled Spirit Airline flights. The management of the Miramar, Florida, based airline attributes the cancellations to a labor dispute with the airlines pilots who withdrew their services. The airlines have filed a lawsuit in a Miami court against the union representing the union seeking their return to normal service.

 

And in sports

 

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has withdrawn its appeal against the length of the ban slapped on West Indies cricketer Andre Russell due to an internal procedural error by its executive director Carey Brown. Chairman of the JADCO Board, Alexander Williams, said the decision to withdraw was made after consultation with Jamaica’s Attorney General. Russell was banned for a year in January after an independent disciplinary panel found him guilty of an anti-doping violation in 2015.

Here’s what’s trending…

Former acting US Attorney General Sally Yates has defended her decision earlier this year not to enforce President Donald Trump’s first ban on travel from several majority-Muslim nations, calling the order “unlawful.” Yates said all arguments used to ban persons entering
the United States have to be based on truth. “We’re not just a law firm. We’re the Department of Justice,” Yates said during testimony before a Senate panel.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast.

It will be sunny in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and partly cloudy in Palm Beach county with a high of 90 and a low of 73. Today’s news was brought to you by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, who encourages you to Protect Your Baby, Vaccinate On Time, Every Time. They remind you that Immunizations are SAFE, PROVEN PROTECTION. For more on these and other stories visit us at caribbeannationalweekly.com Make sure to pick your copy of Caribbean News weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet

Trump selling Caribbean estate for US$22 million

Trump selling this lavish estate for $28 million

United States President Donald Trump, is selling his Caribbean estate for a whopping $28 million.

Trump bought Le Chateau des Palmiers – a walled compound on the north-western tip of French St. Martin for a rumoured £15 million pounds in 2013.

After using it mainly as a rental property, he’s put it up for sale.

In a brochure for the property, he tells prospective buyers, “Greetings from Donald J. Trump. Escape to a place no other.”

The lavish five-acre estate on St. Martin’s Plum Bay includes two villas, one five-bedroom and another four-bedroom and several other buildings.

In total, the compound contains 11 bedrooms and 12 full bathrooms.

The larger villa has a two-story master bedroom with a Jacuzzi bath tub and two private balconies.

The smaller villa has several themed bedrooms, including the “Jungle Room” with a king-size bed.

The whole property is enclosed by an eight-foot boundary wall.

Jamaican pastor lambasted for blessing pets in church

The rector of the Christ Church, Vineyard Town, Rev Sean Major-Campbell is facing a social media backlash for his decision to allow pets in the church during a special service involving the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association and the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Snakes, birds, turtles, dogs and other animals were sprinkled with holy water at the east Kingston-based Anglican church, as the controversial pastor sought to bless them.

But it’s the embracing of snakes, associated with evil from a Biblical perspective, which has irked some followers the most.

Below are some of the comments from Facebook:

Animals don’t need blessings. They are the only ones that have remained the way God made them. Pray for the pastors who stand in the pulpit preaching to people and committing sins. This man must be drunk.
– Evadne Burke

What am I reading about here? We have sunk to a new low in the church. With all the murders in Jamaica shouldn’t they have gone into some of these inner city communities and pray and talk to the youths. We brought our what to church?

Haiti experiencing decline in cholera cases

Cholera haiti
Haiti experiencing decline in cholera cases

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says the number of suspected cholera cases reported in Haiti, up to April 8, 2017, has decreased when compared to the same periods in 2015 and 2016.

In its latest report, PAHO says to date 4,871 suspected cholera cases have been reported in Haiti, including 69 deaths. This represents a 60 and 61 per cent decrease compared to the 12,373 and 12,226 suspected cholera cases reported during the same period in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Additionally, the 69 deaths reported so far this year represents a 41 per cent and 50 per cent decrease when compared to the 116 and 139 deaths reported during the same period in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

All 10 departments in the country Haiti have reported suspected cholera cases this year.

The five departments with the highest rates in descending order are: Centre, Ouest (which includes the capital city of Port-au-Prince), Nippes, Artibonite, and Nord.

Since the cholera outbreak began in October 2010, 800,665 cases have been reported, including 9,480 deaths.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the cholera epidemic in Haiti continues to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere

Unifest celebrates 23 Years of bridging cultures

Unifest 2016

The multi-cultural Caribbean festival Unifest is celebrating its 23nd year in Broward County this year.

Unifest, which coincides with June Caribbean Heritage month, will highlight the Virgin Island as they celebrate 100 years of separation from Denmark.

“This year’s event and our ‘Many Islands One People’ theme is a fitting way to share our culture, music, art, food and way of life”, says Mayor Hazelle Rogers.  UNIFEST kicks off with the sports day on Saturday May 20th from 5-10pm at the Lauderhill Sports Park. The Caribbean American Soccer Association (CASA) soccer tournament will have teams vie for the Hazelle Rogers Challenge Trophy and the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition will sponsor the Barbara Robinson-Sinclair trophy for the Saints/NYSA Netball Tournament.

On Sunday May 21st from 12 noon to 11pm, the sights and sounds of the Caribbean comes alive at Vincent Torres Park in Lauderdale Lakes – featuring a cultural explosion, carnival style parade, to include the Mocko Jumbies, stilt dancers representing the US Virgin Islands, celebration of countries with the parade of flags presentation featuring Haiti and celebrating Haitian flag day, battle of the marching bands, with visiting band from Jamaica, kid’s corner featuring storytelling, Florida Lottery Caribbean Heritage essay competition, cultural display of artifacts, arts and crafts and domino.  Unifest also features a health and business expo, Caribbean Consuls Village and the Caribbean Bar answering immigration questions. “Unifest also extends to Our Caribbean Heritage cultural displays at the Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill & the African American Research libraries, that’s the uniqueness of this event”, boast chairman Mario Zamora.

UNIFEST concert will kick off with the popular Teen Sensation competition showcasing the talents of teens 14-19 years.  Concert under the Stars follows with the likes of Romain Virgo, Singing Melody, IKAYA, Terry Lyons, Prophet Benjamin, Phil Watkins and Arria the 2016 Teen Sensation winner.

UNIFEST is presented by the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition in partnership with the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, the City of Lauderdale Lakes and Broward Community and Family Health Centers.

Children’s multi-cultural book fair for Fort Lauderdale

The second Annual Children’s Multi-Cultural Book Fair and Empowerment Day will be held at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale.

To be held on May 20 the event will be free to the public and will see free books being presented to the first 300 children. There will be also reading activities, storytellers, musical performances and snacks from around the world.

The Children’s Multi-Cultural Book Fair is held in celebration of Foster Children’s month in May and International Children’s Day on June 1. Featured books will have stories and information from all around the world. Authors and guest readers will read from their favorite books in person and by video.

There will be children’s performances including drumming, singing and dancing from India, Ireland, African countries and other cultures. There also will be a children’s art exhibit, a presentation by youth entrepreneurs, a fruit and vegetable garden, a bubble blowing and hula hoop contest, along with prizes and giveaways.

Children can learn about geography from “Talking Globes” and play their favorite songs on the Piano Mat. Featured performers include the Association of Performing Arts of India, the Kelly Academy of Irish Dance, and a drummer of African rhythms, Nanyamka Graham.

Teen arrested for body slamming elderly woman at pool party

A teenager was arrested after body slamming an elderly woman and throwing her in this pool.

A 16-year-old Florida teen has been arrested by the Broward Sheriff’s Office after video footage surfaced of him body slamming a 65-year-old woman and throwing her in a pool.

The teenager, Joseph Leon Balfour, 16, of Margate, assaulted the woman after she complained about noise at a pool party.

Balfour turned himself in to authorities around 5 p.m. Monday and was arrested. He faces a charge of one count of battery on a person 65 years of age or older.

Balfour will be processed at the Broward County Juvenile Assessment Center, and transported to the Broward Regional Juvenile Facility.

Video shared on social media shows the woman entering the pool area at the Players Place apartment complex in North Lauderdale on Saturday with her two small dogs.

The woman can be seen asking people to lower the noise at the party.

A group of revelers surround the woman, laughing and recording video with their cell phones.

A man in a red shirt is then seen picking up the woman and falling to the ground. It’s not known whether the man attempted to body slam the woman, of if he slipped on the wet pavement.

After the fall, the man picks up the woman and throws her into the pool while she continued to hold the leash of her dogs. The dogs don’t appear to go into the water.

Party attendees can be heard screaming and laughing as they quickly ran away from the area.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the incident and looking to speak with witnesses.

It’s not known what injuries, if any, the woman suffered.

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