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Baby drowns in bucket of urine in Trinidad

A toddler drowned in a bucket of urine in Laventille, Trinidad

A five-month-old boy drowned in a bucket filled with urine as his parents slept in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

The child, Kydari Pacheco, was found head down in the plastic pail by his father, 29-year-old Kevon Pacheco.

He was pronounced dead at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

It is suspected that the child rolled off the bed and fell into the pail while his mother, Nikita Wilson, was asleep.

His father was asleep on the couch.

Pacheco told police that he woke up and went over to the bed. But his son was not there.

Pacheco said he woke his wife and asked for Kydari.

He said they turned on a lamp and saw the child in the bucket.

The family lives at Picton Road, Laventille.

Relatives said the couple had no bathroom and used the pail at nights.

During the day they would use a bathroom at the nearby home of Pacheco’s mother.

Pacheco told police that he was in the process of building a bathroom at his home.

The child’s parents were interviewed by investigators.

Trying to quit smoking? Tips from former smokers

Cut cigarettes out of your life

More than 36 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes, killing nearly half a million lives a year and leaving 16 million with diseases caused by smoking. But the smoking rate is decreasing according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Today there are more former cigarette smokers than current smokers in the Untied States, if you are still smoking and are looking to quit here are some tips on how to put down the cigarette.

These tips come from participants of the CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers (TM) Campaign, to allow others to hear what techniques worked best for these former smokers in their journey to quit.

Choose a quit date and support team

Use a nicotine patch to control cravings, drink water in substitution of smoking in your free time.

Once choosing the quit day, keep yourself busy that day to avoid the urge to smoke.

Tell a relative to promote daily encouragement to keep the urge down.

Create Accountability

Avoid situations or things that would trigger you to crave a cigarette. For example, a common trigger for most are going out for drinks with friends.

Create accountability by telling everyone that you are quitting. In case they do you see give into temptation by smoking, you can be held accountable for your decision to quit.

Manage Stress

Stress can be a trigger to many smokers, learn to use stress reduction techniques like meditation or exercise to release negative energy.

Substitute positive for negative

Think of quitting as a positive lifestyle change to prolong your time with family as well as benefiting your health.

If there are times during this process where you feel you have self doubt, remember who and what reason you are quitting for.

Visit the CDC’s Quit Guide Online, to learn of more tips and learn more information about how to stop smoking.

Déjà vu presents from Nina to Lauryn

In an effort to highlight the arduous journey traversed by the balck female musician and performer, Déjà Vu Theatre Productions Inc will present a jazz concert honoring two of Black America’s greatest female ambassadors, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill.

The concert, which will be held at the Luxurious Banquet Hall in Lauderhill, Florida on May 6,  will feature two rising talents. Abia Cilon will be portraying Nina Simone and Tanya Marie Greaves will portray Lauryn Hill.

The two young talents are students of jazz and music on a wiser scale and  will pay tribute in song to the two icons.

Founder and President of the Caribbean/American-infused theater company known as Déjà Vu, Sharon Cummings, has a noble vision of uniting the Caribbean community and its non-Caribbean friends in one cause.

From Nina to Simone will also serve as a fundraiser for the upcoming “Ms. Lou In Color” production for our annual tribute for Caribbean Heritage month.

“We find that there are so many talented young people within our local community, but are lacking the opportunity of an outlet We at Déjà vu theatre provides that outlet that allows them to soar.  We do not always have to import the talents. Our community artist studied long and hard in honing their skills to pursue their dreams, these are our daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, cousins etc. Shouldn’t we at least support them?” Cummings said.

We hope you will come out and support our effort in showcasing these wonderful performers, it will be a soulful evening, reflection on the struggle for acceptance and love.

Master of ceremonies for the event will be Sophia Nicholson.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo eyes 200m-400m double at World Champs

Shanae Miller Uibo...eyeing double at World Championships

Bahamian 2016 Olympics 400-meter champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo has her sights set on the 200 meter/400 meter double at the IAAF Athletics World Championships in London this summer.

The talented athlete, who ran a wind-aided 21.90 in Clermont, Florida in mid-April, will have to outpace two of the fastest women of all time in the 200 meters, Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands, if she is to win the half-lap event but said her preparations to take them on has been going well.

Miller-Uibo welcome the change of schedule by IAAF officials to allow athletes more time to recuperate between events and signaled that her training was on track. She said it is going to take a lot of hard work in training as she was undergoing strength and speed training.

She added that she plans to run an equal amount of 200 meter and 400 meter races as she prepares to go for double gold in London in August.

Jamaica boosts tourism sector

Jamaica is boosting its tourism sector with additional rooms

Jamaica is boosting its tourism sector with the addition of approximately 3,000 new and refurbished hotel rooms and the projected addition of some 1,100 new rooms this year.

The country is expected to add a further 12,000 new rooms, spanning the various resort areas between 2018 and 2021

“As a destination we are pleased to welcome this growing interest and the significant investments which have been made in our accommodation sector,” noted Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.“These developments make Jamaica an even more attractive and exciting destination for our visitors. This fits in perfectly with our overall strategy to grow the industry and will go a far way in helping us achieve our desired arrival targets.”

In Montego Bay the 150-room Breathless Resort & Spa was officially opened in February, while the Royal Decameron’s third property in Jamaica, the 146-room Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach resort in Montego Bay, St. James, was also officially opened in February bringing the company’s room count in Jamaica to 521. The new property adds to the 144 rooms at the Royal Decameron Montego Bay and 231 at the Royal Decameron Runaway Bay in St. Ann. 

The Jewel Grande (formerly Palmyra) is expected to open late Summer/Fall 2017. Construction is now underway to complete the unfinished buildings on 16 acres of pristine waterfront land on the Rose Hall estate. The property comprises 88 junior suites, along with one, two and three bedroom units and private villas. The facility will operate under the Jewel Resorts brand and will be called Jewel Grande. 

The Spanish Court Montego Bay, which formerly operated as Breezes is set to open this Fall. Acquired by The Crissa Group, led by Christopher Issa, the 120-room hotel located on the popular “hip strip” in Montego Bay has been undergoing extensive refurbishing and redevelopment expected to cost in the region of US$12.5 million. Jamaica-born and award-winning designer Allison Antrobus of Antrobus Ramirez, who designed the public spaces at the 107-room Spanish Court Kingston hotel, will also design the Montego Bay resort property. Spanish Court Montego Bay will feature two restaurants, a café, gym and a series of bars including a rooftop pool bar with views of Doctor’s Cave Beach.

In Negril, construction is currently underway for Azul Beach is scheduled to open in May. Owned by Karisma Hotels and Resorts, Azul Beach will add 98 rooms to the resort’s inventory. Situated on a coveted stretch of Negril’s world-famous seven-mile beach, Azul Beach hotel offers spacious, contemporary oceanfront accommodations, with special adults-only sections dedicated exclusively to romantic honeymoon suites. Azul Sensatori will add to its current room stock with the addition of 51 rooms; The property formerly known as Grand Lido Negril, now has three resorts operating under the Royalton umbrella.

Grand Lido officially opened in March. This oceanfront boutique property comprises 26 exquisite suites complete with butler service. Grand Lido provides a unique all-inclusive clothing optional vacation experience catering to adults only.

Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, opened in March 2017 after extensive renovations. The 407 luxurious suites are equipped with the modern All-In Luxury concept featuring an array of world-class amenities including the premium handcrafted DreamBed, unlimited reservation-free luxury dining, 24/7 concierge service, ‘All-In Connectivity™’ with complimentary WiFi and in-room long distance calling, a Sports Event Guarantee™, and more.

Hideaway at Royalton Negril, a five-star all-inclusive, adults-only resort also had its official opening in March. Hideaway with its 166 suites, each with butler service, is designed for adult travelers who desire an exclusive All-In Luxury® experience. Features include 11 oceanfront buildings, each with swim-out suites, a choice of pools, a splash park and eight luxury restaurants.Hideaway at Royalton Negril hosts afternoon mixology classes and express shiatsu massages on the beach or by the pool.

In Kingston The R Hotel, (previously the Renfrew), the newest five-star addition to Kingston’s room stock is scheduled to open this Fall. When complete, the property will consist of 32 exclusive rooms as well as eight two-bedroom duplex apartments. Poised to become Kingston’s first business ‘extended stay’ hotel, it is the result of collaboration between noted architect Evan Williams and investor Joe Bogdanovich. The target market for the new hotel includes corporate guests with long stay requirements in Kingston’s business district. The R Hotel will distinguish itself through high levels of personal service and the business facilities offered, all in a luxurious setting. The hotel will include a roof top restaurant and bar, a swimming lap pool, gift shops, gymnasium, art gallery and an underground car park.

Barbados rejects ‘money laundering country’ label

The Barbados government has described as “misleading” the decision by the United States to list the island as a major money laundering base.

Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite said that “Barbados is duty bound to state its position on this finding, which it considers to be misleading”.

The statement issued by the Office of the Attorney General noted that Bridgetown had become aware of the 2016 report by the US State Department naming Barbados among a number of countries which Washington regards as major money laundering countries.

“In respect of Barbados, the report cited a number of generic methods of money laundering that may be found in any country.  While the areas of criminal activity cited are present in the country, Barbados’ best intelligence does not support the view that they are at proportions which would have a significant impact on the local economy, or cause the faintest ripple in the international financial sector.”

The statement said that Barbados has deployed significant resources to combat criminal activity of every description. In particular, major resources have been directed to combating financial crime, including money laundering and fraud.The statement from the Office of the Attorney General noted that the illegal drugs trade is the crime which is of greatest concern in the country.“This trade gives birth to other criminal activity. For instance, it is believed that the importation and use of unlicensed firearms is closely connected to the drugs trade. The drugs trade is also the most profitable acquisitive crime on the island; hence, it has potential implications for the financial sector. These threats are understood and are being addressed with some degree of success.”

“This emphasis was thought necessary because the competent authorities have recognized that the trade in illegal drugs and its offshoots have the greatest potential to distort the local economy.  However, there is a big gap between potential and actuality.  Policies and programmes are in place to ensure that this potential never becomes reality.”

Senators beg Trump to allow Haitian immigrants to remain in US

Sixteen senators urged the Trump administration Wednesday to continue immigration protections for 50,000 Haitians living in the U.S. because of severe hardships back home.

The senators, all Democrats, sent a letter responding to a recommendation by the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to end “temporary protected status” for Haitians by January.

The U.S. government has granted such protections to foreigners from 13 countries hammered by natural disasters, famine or war.

In the letter written by Senator Bob Mendenez, to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, the senators said Haiti still hasn’t recovered from the devastating 2010 earthquake and last year’s Hurricane Matthew.

The temporary protection program was created for foreigners “when extraordinary conditions in their home country pose a serious threat to personal safety,” wrote the senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “Given Haiti’s many challenges, the United States’ focus should be to prioritize disaster assistance and recovery, not to return Haitian nationals to a country lacking the capacity to support them.”

“More than seven years after the devastating earthquake and resulting humanitarian crisis, Haiti has yet to recover,” the senators wrote.

Kelly, who has the final say, has not decided on the Haitians’ fate yet, Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan said.

Riu Reggae Hotel reopens

The RIU Reggae Hotel reopens after boiler explosion

One week after a boiler room explosion killed a manager and injured four other workers, the Rui Reggae Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica has reopened.

The adult-only, all-inclusive resort was opened last Sunday following repairs and inspection by the St James Municipal Corporation and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

On Thursday April 20, an explosion ripped through a boiler room close to the hotel’s kitchen as Maintenance Manager, Sederon McIntosh and the four other staffers were conducting repairs. McIntosh was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead, while the others were admitted. One of the four injured staff members received serious burn injuries and was flown overseas for treatment.

Chaos erupts in T&T court as prisoners, cops clash

Chaos erupted at the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court after prisoners and police officers, came to blows.

The fracas was triggered by the non-hearing and subsequent adjournment of several court cases.
A number of prisoners and police officers had to seek medical attention for injuries sustained in the melee, which took place shortly before midday in the cell block area located in the downstairs section of the courthouse on St Vincent Street.
Prisoners in the Eighth Court became enraged after acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle informed attorneys and several of their clients who are charged with murder, that she was unable to preside over their matters and had no choice but to adjourn them to a later date “for further instructions” on how the matters were to ­proceed.

Kingston Craft market up in flames

The Kingston Craft Market was partially destroyed by flames

A section of the Craft Market in downtown Kingston, Jamaica was razed by fire early Thursday morning.

Police report that 18 shops were destroyed at the historic site.

The cause of the fire is unknown but residents of the nation’s capital summoned the police after plumes of smoke and flames were seen coming from the structure.

About 10 per cent of the facility, which houses about 100 shops, has been damaged by the blaze.

Warner files US$40 million counter suit against CONCACAF

Former FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner will know his fate on July 31

Embattled former Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF) and FIFA vice president, Austin ‘Jack’ Warner has launched a US$40 million counter lawsuit against the regional football governing body and United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati.

Warner’s counter comes  just days after CONCACAF had announced that  legal action, in the form of a US$20m lawsuit, was filed against Warner and former CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer.

In a statement released on Tuesday Warner, accused the body of persistent defamation and vowed to get justice.

“I have left the CONCACAF since 2011. Why the CONCACAF will not leave my family and me alone is simply mind-boggling. CONCACAF football is at its lowest today and the current threat to sue Warner and Blazer for 20 million US is nothing more than a distraction to shift its pathetic current state away from the management of this Confederation,” the release stated.

Warner is also the target of an extradition request by the United States to answer charges of corruption and money laundering He has accused CONCACAF of “vindictiveness” and claims the actions against him stem in part from the inability of the USA to acquire the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup. He is currently fighting extradition.

“All these false allegations filed in an American court simply because the USA did not obtain the votes to host a FIFA World Cup will fall to nought,” Warner said.

“I have my name to protect and my family to defend and that I will do to the very end.

I have been slaughtered for the past six years and have remained silent ignoring my legal options to respond to the atrocities that have been perpetrated against me by men of the lower ilk. And so the time has come for me to respond.”

CONCACAF,  has claimed it was victimized by Chuck Blazer, and Warner.

Both men were charged in a FIFA bribery scandal.

In papers filed earlier this week in federal court in Brooklyn, CONCACAF accuses Warner and Blazer of making a fortune through embezzlement — allegations that mirror those in a sprawling U.S. criminal investigation that has resulted in charges against several top soccer officials.

The suit accuses the pair of negotiating bribes and kickbacks in connection with lucrative broadcasting rights for tournaments including CONCACAF’s Gold Cup championship.

“There can be no doubt that Warner and Blazer victimized CONCACAF, stealing and defrauding it out of tens of millions of dollars in brazen acts of corruption for their own personal benefit at the expense of the entire CONCACAF region,” the suit says.

Blazer has pleaded guilty and cooperated in the criminal probe.

Wall money?

US impose ban on Cuban remittance companies

Remittances from ‘Caribbeans’ may find Trump border

By Karyl Walker

Twenty-five Caribbean countries are among 41 being earmarked by the United States Congress for taxed remittances as President Donald Trump’s administration moves ahead with plans to build a wall on the Mexican border.

A bill imposing a fee for remittance transfers was introduced by the Congress this week. The Border Wall Funding Act of 2017 is intended to upgrade the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

The bill would have serious implications for the Caribbean, Latin America and South America, whose economies are bolstered by remittances, mainly from residents in the United States to relatives in those regions.

The bill would affect the following countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Aruba, Curacao, The British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina

If passed by Congress, the Senate and Trump, the bill would likely mean persons in these countries would receive less cash in hand as senders will find it hard to absorb the increase.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee of Financial Services, in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the judiciary for a period to be subsequently determined by the House Speaker.

Building a border wall to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from  Mexico was the pillar of Trump’s presidential campaign. He vowed that Mexico would pay for it but that is teetering because Mexico has refused to foot the bill.

During the campaign, Trump’s proposal to tax remittances met strong resistance from Western Union Money Transfer’s Chief Financial Officer Raj Agrawal. Last May, he said it would result in loss of revenue for the company as 11 percent of its profits are earned through remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Blaze of glory

Members of the Lauderhill Fire Department flank a happy father and daughter

Lauderhill Fire Department reaches out to homeless Jamaicans

By Karyl Walker

 

Glenton Daley and his daughter Nicola Taylor are two of the happiest people in South Florida.

Six weeks ago, the Jamaicans lost their Lauderhill home to fire. They lost every possession but the clothes on their backs.

To add to their woes, Daley is pregnant and the supplies she had accumulated were also destroyed.

The fire occurred on April 10 and left them homeless. Thanks to the Red Cross and friends, they were given temporary reprieve at a motel.

Just when everything seemed hopeless, the Lauderhill Fire Department threw the family a lifeline.

The firefighters who responded that fateful afternoon were so touched by Taylor’s reaction (she was stretchered away from the burning building in tears) that they organized a baby shower for her at the station.

To father and daughter’s surprise, not only did the firefighters present them with gifts for the expected infant, but gave them keys to a new home and informed them that the first three months rent had been paid.

The gesture brought tears to Daley’s eyes.

“We were living one day to the next. I don’t know what we would do without the fire department. If it was not for them I don’t think we would have been able to smile today, I can’t thank them enough,” he told CNW.

Taylor had recently migrated to South Florida from Scots Pass in Manchester.

“I am just thankful and very happy now because it was too much things going through my head. I lost one baby before and I want the best for this one. To come from Jamaica and be greeted with your house being burnt down was hard for me. The kindness of the firefighters has restored my faith that good people are everywhere. They are very good people,” she said.

Jerry Gonzalez, Public Information Officer of the Lauderhill Fire Department, led the initiative.

He was happy he and his co-workers assisted.

“They are nice people and we were so touched by their situation that we just had to help. It always feels good to help others and that’s what the fire department is all about,” Gonzalez told CNW.

He has set up a Gofundme account to assist Daley and Taylor.  Persons who want to donate can do so at gofundme.com/Lauderhill-apt-fire-victims.

Daley’s baby is due in two weeks.  She already has a pet name for her.

“We will call her The Fire Princess,” she said.

Penn Relays kicks off

The Penn Relays are set to begin today in Philadelphia, USA.

The meet is regarded as the biggest track and field in the United States and the three-day meet is expected to attract 15,000 athletes from high schools, colleges and track clubs in the US and the world, to participate in 300 events.

This is the 123rd edition of the Penn Relays which has always been held at the Franklin Field. A number of Caribbean teams are slated to continue the tradition of holding the region’s flag high at the relays this year.

During the Rio Olympics last year, 30 athletes who performed at the Penn Relays ended up winning gold medals.

Star-studded field to test Elaine Thompson in Prefontaine 200m Classic

Elaine Thompson races off against Dafne Schippers

A star-studded 200 meters field will line up to test Jamaica’s reigning double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson at the Prefontaine Classice in Eugene, Oregon in May.

Thompson, will be tested by perennial rival and Olympic silver medalist Daphne Schippers and Tori Bowie of the US who won the bronze.

Also complimenting the field is the evergreen Allyson Felix, who holds the meet record at Eugene.

It will be the first time all four ladies will be in the same 200 meters event. The rivalry between Thompson and Schippers, who is  the third fastest woman of all time over the distance and also the 2015 World Champion, is well documented.

The Dutchwoman is the world leader in the 100m and 200m (10.95 and 22.29) set two weeks ago in California, the same weekend when Thompson ran a wind-aided 10.75 in Jamaica.

Twenty-six-year-old Bowie has been staking a claim the past two seasons. She has won the last two Prefontaine Classic races at this distance, including last year’s first-ever matchup of eventual Rio’s Olympic medalists. In 2014, she won in a fast 22.18, running from Lane 1.

In 2012, Felix clocked one of the fastest times in history in winning the Olympic trials in 21.69.

Jenna Prandini, who edged Felix out of a qualifying spot for Rio in 2016, Marie Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast, who was fourth in the 100m in Rio last year, Jamaican veteran, Simone Facey, who has so far clocked 11.00 in Florida earlier this month, and Ivett Lalova-Collie, make up the restr of the field.

Four shot in Miami-Dade attack, two in custody

Four men are now in hospital following a gun attack in Miami Dade on Thursday morning.

The Miami-Dade Police report that the four men were sitting in front of a residence when the occupants of a dark colored vehicle opened fire.

The men were all taken to hospital and admitted. They have been identified as Tommy Mayfield, Frank Luis, Tommy Butler and Broderick Richardson.

The police were alerted and subsequently identified a vehicle fitting the description of the one used in the attack. When the cops attempted to stop the vehicle the driver sped off and a high speed chase ensued.

Two men then bailed from the vehicle at SW 250 Street and SW 122 Avenue, leaving a female behind. She was taken into custody.

Th driver of the vehicle continued to flee on foot and a perimeter was set up by the police. K- units and a Special Response Team then conducted a search of the area. The cops were led to a residence where another male occupant of the car was taken into custody after a physical confrontation.

Then the cops were alerted to a robbery near the scene and the description of the robber fitted the armed suspect they were hunting.

Police dogs led them to the backyard of a model construction in the area and the driver was arrested.

The female has not yet been charged with any crime.

Security tightened along Haiti, Dominican Republic border

Following plans by the United Nations to withdraw is peacekeeping force, MINUSTAH, from Haiti, security along the border with the Dominican Republic has been tightened.

Dominican Defence Minister Rubén Darío Paulino revealed that the number of Dominican troops will be gradually increased all along 391-kilometre border.

“On November 7, they’ll be withdrawn (UN peacekeepers) entirely. We as armed forces will deploy the necessary equipment of both the Army and Border Security to strengthen our border. We are in sufficient capacity to do so,” he said.

The move follows a warning from National Investigations Department (DNI) director Siegfried Pared that the withdrawal of MINUSTAH troops from Haiti would require increased surveillance along the border.

Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission, Sandra Honoré, advised last week that the mission will cease operations in Haiti within six months.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Honoré said that the progress achieved during the past 13 years in Haiti’s stabilisation process is notable and it “is therefore timely to reshape the partnership among the international community, the United Nations and Haiti with a view to ensuring the sustainability of this progress.”

The UN mission was established in June 2004 by a UN Security Council resolution, and succeeded a Multinational Interim Force (MIF) after then Haitian President Bertrand Aristide was exiled following an armed conflict that spread to several areas nationwide.

In January 2010, the UN Security Council endorsed the secretary-general’s recommendation to increase the overall force levels of MINUSTAH to support the recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts in the country in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

After presidential elections in 2011, MINUSTAH worked to fulfil its original mandate to restore a secure and stable environment, to promote the political process, to strengthen Haiti’s government institutions and rule-of-law-structures, as well as to promote and to protect human rights.

National Weekly April 27, 2017

Phillipe pleads guilty in Miami court

Phillipe..pleads guilty to drug charges

Guy Philippe, has pleaded guilty in a Miami federal court to drug-related, money-laundering and conspiracy charges.

Phillipe, an elected Haitian senator and former police commander, eluded capture in Haiti for more than a decade.

If convicted he could spend at least nine years behind bars.

Philippe was arrested in January. He has admitted that  he accepted between $1.5 million and $3.5 million in cocaine profits from Colombian traffickers for allowing them to use Haiti to ship cocaine to Miami and other parts of the United States between 1999 and 2003. The following year, Phillipe gained widespread notoriety when he led a revolt to oust Haiti’s president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

By pleading guilty, Philippe avoided the risk of a trial early next month with possible conviction on the main drug-conspiracy charge — and a potential life sentence.

His punishment will be up to U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga, who could give him a maximum sentence of 20 years at a hearing set for July 5. But under the federal sentencing guidelines in his plea agreement with prosecutors, Philippe, 49, faces between nine and 11 years in prison.

Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Taking a break from the same type of chicken soup, want to try some more Italian in your life? Mamma Mia! Try Italian wedding soup. The term wedding soup derived from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata”, married soup, which refers to the “marriage” of the greens and broth combination. Serving the dish at weddings are completely optional.

 
What you’ll need:
½ lb of lean ground beef
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon of dried basil
½ teaspoon of onion powder
5 ¾ cup of chicken broth
2 cups of chopped spinach
½ cup of uncooked orzo pasta
1/3 cup of finely chopped carrot

 

What you need to do:
1. Combine meat, egg, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, basil and onion powder in a medium sized bowl. Mix together and for meat into ¾ inch balls.
2. In a large sauce pan, heat up the broth to a boil. Stir in spinach, orzo, carrots and meatballs you’ve just created.
3. Let the combination boil and then reduce to medium heat.
4. Cook a slow boil for 10 minutes or until the orzo become tender. Stir to avoid sticking.
5. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top
6. Serve to hungry friends and family

FDA warns against illegal cancer treatments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about illegally sold cancer treatments.

According to a release, The FDA has issued fourteen warning letters and four online advisory letters to companies selling more than 65 products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, mitigate, or cure cancer.

These illegal products have been marketed and sold without FDA approval.

These products were mostly sold on websites or social media platforms and have not been reviewed by FDA for safety and efficacy.

The FDA states that these products could be dangerous to people and pets.

A complete list of these products can be found at:

https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourself/HealthFraud/ucm533465.htm

Serena Williams accuses Romanian tennis player of racial abuse

Its Wednesday, April 26. We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community … Good Afternoon and welcome I’m  ……………, and you’re watching CNW90.  The coverage today is brought to you by Grace Soups: Spice up your kitchen with Grace Soups today.  Genuine Caribbean taste enjoyed worldwide!.

The Director of the largest property service workers labour union in United States  – Helene O’Brien has described as unconscionable a recommendation made last week by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians by January. O’Brien  – the Florida based director ,argues that Haiti is still reeling from multiple disasters, including the 2010 earthquake that left tens of thousands homeless and a cholera epidemic.

 

United States investigators have completed their probe into the deadly explosion that occurred at a quarry  in St. Lucia earlier this year, that claimed the lives of four people, National Security Minister Hermangild (HERMAN-GIL) Francis says the investigators are in the process of preparing a report to be submitted to the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions. The explosion, that occurred last month, took place as workers were welding on the top of a container containing dynamite.

Lawyers representing  Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica and two other government ministers as well as a senior police official have called on a US-based blogger Kenneth Rijock and local journalist Matt Peltier (PEL-TI-AYE) to apologize and retract a statement made on a  local radio programme about them earlier this month. The lawsuit stems from the ongoing controversy regarding the Citizenship by Investment programme through which foreign nationals are afforded citizenship in return for making a substantial investment in development of the island.

In Sports

Jamaica’s Olympic mile relay silver medalist, Chrisann Gordon opened her 2017 athletic season with a personal best over 400 meters at the LSU Alumni Gold track and field meet. The 22 year old Gordon represented Jamaica at the Rio Olympics as a member of the country’s mile relay squad. She finished in a time of 50 – point – 64 seconds at the Bernie Moore Track Stadium.

Here’s What’s Trending

World number one tennis player Serena Williams has accused Ilie Nastase (E-LEE-A  NAS-TASI) – a Romanian tennis player of racially abusing her and her unborn baby . During a recent press conference, Nastase was overheard making a comment on the color of the unborn child.

For today’s weather forecast

It will be mostly sunny in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties with a High of 88 degrees and a low of 72.  For more information on these and other stories, visit us online at Caribbeannationalweekly.com. Make Sure to pick up your copy of the National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet.

Today’s coverage was brought to you by Grace Soups: Spice up your kitchen with Grace Soups today.  Genuine Caribbean taste enjoyed worldwide!”

Gymnast wins first round of lawsuit against TT Gymnastics Federation

Thelma Williams...won first round of lawsuit

Trinidadian gymnast Thema Williams has come out the winner in the first round of a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF).

High Court Judge Frank Seepersad, ruled against the TTGF on a preliminary issue which was raised by its attorneys during a previous hearing in January.

The attorneys had contended that the High Court was not the proper forum for the matter to be head and that it should instead be resolved by way of dispute resolution.

According to TTGF’s defence, Clause 4 of Williams’ Athlete’s Agreement with the Federation expressly provides that all disputes arising out of or connected with the agreement were subject to resolution exclusively through the procedures set out by the TTGF by-laws and/or, if appropriate, through the procedures of the TT Olympic Committee.

Williams is seeking $11.38 million in compensation from the TTGF for its alleged “harsh and oppressive” actions against her which shattered her dream of qualifying for the Olympic Games held last August. Williams was replaced by alternate athlete Marisa Dick who instead participated in the event.

The case was adjourned to May 15, when there will be a case management hearing.

Eight accused Jamaican lottery scammers extradited

Haitian man Issac Junior Salvantwith undeclared sum of US dollars arrested at airport

Eight accused Jamaican lottery scammers are being extradited to the United States today (Wednesday April 26).

Among those being extradited is a former policeman.

The eight were ordered extradited by Parish Judge Vaughn Smith in March following a hearing in which they challenged a request filed by the US Government.

The accused — ex-policeman Jason Jahalal, Alrick McLeod, Dahlia Hunter, O’Neil Brown, Xanu Ann Morgan, Dario Palmer, Karae Gray, and Kimberly Hudson — have all been charged with one count of conspiracy and attempting to commit wire fraud, 48 counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering in the U.S. state of North Dakota.

They are alleged to be part of a criminal organization, headed by Lavrick Willocks, who has already been extradited and awaits his day in court. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in US District Court in North Dakota

The U.S. authorities accuse Willocks of masterminding a scheme which fleeced more than 70 mostly elderly Americans out of more than US$5.6 million. He was charged in October 2012, but evaded capture until he was arrested in the garden of a hotel in Kingston in November 2016. Authorities said they found more than US$10,000 in cash in his room, along with electronics and jewellery.

Fathers support group wants DNA testing before child maintenance

Feeles...wants mandatory DNA testing before child maintenance

A father’s support group is advocating for family Courts to order mandatory DNA testing before child maintenance orders are granted for children in Antigua & Barbuda and the wider region.

President of the Single Fathers’ Association of Trinidad & Tobago, Rhondall Jesse Feeles believes that this should be an integral part of the application process as men are often faced with imprisonment if they fail to make child support payments in a timely manner – and in some instances, they may not even be the father.

Feeles made the suggestion as he highlighted a case where the man had already been paying child support but later discovered he was not the biological father, according to a report on stlucianewsonline.com.

“He did a paternity test 13 years after and it was proven that the child was not his child and there was an order out for his arrest for maintenance before that. Of course, the upkeep of the child is instrumental but are there any checks and balances, even on the mother’s side that she is contributing to the child as well?” he asked.

Feeles said the man spent several years going back and forth in the court to address the situation and eventually the order to pay was quashed. The man nonetheless maintained a relationship with and supported the child.

He said many times men own up to being the fathers based only on information from the woman. Meanwhile, he said constantly taking time off to make the child maintenance payments can also affect the man’s livelihood.

“In Trinidad & Tobago, we have a slow methodology of paying. Men have lost their jobs because they have days off to go to have this maintenance paid and it has been a horrific experience,” he said.

Feeles meanwhile expressed the view that men should not be imprisoned due to non-payment of child support because some cannot afford these court-ordered payments and called for an assessment of the earning capacities and schedules.

pressed the view that men should not be imprisoned due to non-payment of child support because some cannot afford these court-ordered payments and called for an assessment of the earning capacities and schedules.

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