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Lara advocates ending test match ties

Lara..wants an end to test match ties

World record holder and West Indies batting legend Brian Lara believes banishing the no result ending to test matches could be the fillip the longer version of cricket needs.

With the dawn of the faster-paced T20 format of the game, interest in test cricket has been on a downward spiral in recent years, with many of the sports top players opting out of test cricket.

Lara, now 47, has played 131 Tests and is test cricket’s sixth highest run-scorer with 11,953 and holds the record for highest score in a match with 400. He previously held the world record of 375 not out.

He is of the firm belief that with a little tweaking Test cricket could regain its place at the pinnacle of the sport.

“I played in a period when Test cricket was waning and the crowds were a bit smaller and I grew up in the 70s and 80s and lined up at five o’clock in the morning to watch a Test match with a packed house,” Lara told BBC.

“T20 has brought a new spectator in.”

“One of the complaints by an American is ‘how can you play a game for five days and it ends in a draw?’ I would like to maybe see results in every single Test match,” he added.

“I know seventy per cent of the time the game takes its natural course and you get a result.

“Maybe find a way where you structure the game … and come up with some formula that can bring a winner at the end of it.”

Rihanna upsets British with photoshoped images of Queen Elizabeth

It’s Tuesday , April 25. 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!.

Despite a dip in the reported cases of the Zika virus in the Caribbean, the US Center For Disease Control (CDC) is still warning travelers to several Caribbean nations about the virus especially in the warmer months. Thirty-seven Caribbean countries, including the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, remain on the CDC’s travel advisory list as a “Level 2” alert, which advises travelers to “Practice Enhanced Precautions.” The advisory could put a dent in Caribbean tourism numbers related to visitors from the US this summer.

At least twelve people were killed as heavy rains pounded Haiti for three days last Friday to Sunday. Haiti’s head of  Directorate of Civil Protection said the rains, which also affected southwest Cuba and Jamaica, caused widespread flooding, the collapse of several bridges and caused damage to the agricultural sectors. Many homes, especially in the city of Les Cayes, Torbeck, Port Salut were destroyed. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior had called on Departmental Delegates and Mayors of the areas affected to help in assessing the damage.

Sections of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago were rocked by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7, late Saturday. The Seismic Research Centre at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, reports the quake, that occurred at 9:52 pm (local time) was felt in Port of Spain, Arima and San Fernando. The tremor, with a depth of 10 km, was located at Latitude 11.03 degrees North and Longitude 62.16 West. There were no reports of injures or damage.

In Sports

Lauderhill Juniors and Plantation Football Club played to a 1-1 draw in the Caribbean American Soccer Association League at the Broward Sports Park on Saturday. In the Masters League Lauderdale FC got the better of South Florida Kickers 1-0 while Old Tymers lost 2-0 to Chapel Trail.

Here’s What’s Trending

Barbadian superstar Rihanna has drawn the ire of British nationals after she posted photoshopped images of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II on her photos. Rihanna posted the series of photos on her Instagram page on Sunday – two days after the British monarch’s 91st birthday on April 2.. While some of Rihanna’s over 52 million Instagram followers saw the humor in the doctored images, some felt RiRi had crossed the line, describing her as “rude”, “disrespectful” and “a stupid little girl”.

For today’s weather forecast

It will be mostly sunny in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties with a High of 84 degrees and a low of 70.  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!”

This has been CNW90, I’m ……………………..

 

South Florida union leader opposes plan to end TPS for Haitians in  US

Responding to a recommendation made last week by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians by next January, Helene O’Brien, Florida Director of the national worker’s union, 32BJ SEIU has referred to any such plan as unconscionable.

In a statement O’Brien said, “The USCIS’ recommendation to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is unconscionable and oblivious to the dire conditions that exist in Haiti today.”

O’Brien argues Haiti is still reeling from multiple disasters, including the 2010 earthquake that left tens of thousands homeless; a cholera epidemic; and Hurricane Mathew, a category 4 hurricane that cost Haiti $2.7 billion and left half a million children without safe drinking water.

The union leader also said ending TPS would further destabilize Haiti and have negative consequences on aspects of the US economy as Haitian TPS holders contribute $280 million a year to the US’ GDP.  Some of these Haitians are small business owners and others are an integral part of the US companies they work for. To support this argument, she claimed local economies in Miami, New York, or Boston, where there are large Haitian communities, and with several Haitian own businesses would be negatively impacted.

“We strongly urge DHS Secretary Kelly to reject the USCIS’ recommendation and extend TPS to thousands of vulnerable Haitians living in and contributing to this country. Doing so would avert a humanitarian disaster and reflect the US’ tradition of protecting people from unsafe conditions outside of their control,” O’Brien concluded.

TPS was granted to Haitian refugees by the Obama administration following the 2010 earthquake. The measure allowed these Haitians to live and work in the US legally. Last year the administration signaled it would commence cancelling the benefit and return refugees based on the administration’s assessment that conditions in Haiti had improved sufficiently to warrant their return.

However. the repatriation plan was disrupted, and eventually placed on hold, because of another natural disaster, Hurricane Matthew, in Haiti last summer.

Several South Florida political, business, Haitian and other community leaders have appealed to the Trump administration  not to cancel TPS for Haitian refugees. A bipartisan coalition of elected officials, including Senator Marco Rubio (R) and Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) and Frederica Wilson (D) have publicly stated their support of TPS.

Dominican PM sues Florida based blogger and local journalist

Commonwealth of Dominica GA Meeting: Continuation of the plenary meeting of the General Debate of the 63rd General Assembly session

Lawyers representing Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and two other government ministers as well as a senior police official have called on a United States-based blogger and a local radio journalist to apologize and retract a statement made on a  local radio programme about them earlier this month.

In addition, Kenneth Rijock and journalist Matt Peltier are also being asked to pay compensation and costs associated with the legal action.

The lawyers claim that Rijock, who resides in Florida, made defamatory accusations against Skerrit, Foreign Affairs Minister Francine Baron, National Security and immigration Minister Rayburn Blackmoore and Police Inspector Pellham Jno Baptiste, who is in direct charge of Immigration and Passports.

The lawsuit alleges that Rijock was aided by Peltier, the host of the radio programme aired on April 20, this year.

The lawsuit stems from the ongoing controversy in Dominica regarding the Citizenship by Investment (CIP) programme through which foreign nationals are afforded citizenship in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of the island.

The lawyers Rijock “acted intentionally and or with extreme recklessness because you made absolutely no attempt to ascertain the facts from our clients”.

They said that his allegations on the radio programme which he said “emanated from inside the government and later corroborated” by an unnamed and unknown source of the United states is utter nonsense….”.

“In the circumstances our clients demand a prompt retraction and apology, and the payment of compensation and costs”.

 

CARICOM to observe Curacao general election

Miami-Dade County to test voting equipment Wednesday, October 19

The 15 member regional grouping – the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), will be sending a four member team to observe the April 28 general elections in the Dutch territory of Curacao.

The polls follow the collapse of the Hensley Koeiman coalition earlier this year after two members withdrew their support for Koeiman’s government.

The last general election was held on October 5, 2016.

The CARICOM observer team which is scheduled to arrive in Curacao on Tuesday, is being led by the former chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally and will include experts in electoral management from Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica.

“For CARICOM, election observation serves as a platform to support existing democratic traditions within the Caribbean Community as part of its wider policy of supporting democracy,” the CARICOM Secretariat said in a statement.

The 2016 general elections for control of the 21 seats resulted in a four-party coalition consisting Partido MAN, the Party for the Restructured Antilles (PAR), the National People’s Party (PNP) and Sovereign People (PS).

However PS withdrew from the coalition on 11 February, resulting in the coalition losing is majority and Koeiman submitting his resignation to the governor.

IMMIGRATION NEWS & UPDATES

green card

WEEK OF APRIL 24, 2017

** Contributions to this Column are made by Attorney Caroly Pedersen, Esq. of the American  Immigration Law Center – Call 954-382-5378 

New 2017 Poverty Guidelines Released for  Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) 

The new minimum income requirements under the I-864 Affidavit of Support have been released. U.S. Citizen and U.S. Resident Sponsors are required to meet or exceed 125% of the Poverty Guidelines in order to qualify. The income requirements for 2017 have increased just slightly from 2016.

For example, the minimum yearly income of $ 20,300 is now required to sponsor a Spouse, compared with $20,025 for 2016.

2017 Affidavit of Support Requirements for All States (other than Alaska & Hawaii) 125 % of Poverty Guidelines
Size of Family              Old 2016

                                   Annual Income

 New Current 2017  

Annual Income Required

 New Current Monthly

Income Required
1                                   $14,825              $ 15,075 $ 1,256
2                                   $20,025 $ 20,300 $ 1,692
3                                   $25,200 $ 25,525 $ 2,127
4                                   $30,375 $ 30,750 $ 2,563
5                                   $35,550 $ 35,975 $ 2,998
6                                   $40,725 $ 41,200 $ 3,433
7                                   $45,925 $ 46,425 $ 3,869
8                                  $51,125 $ 51,650 $ 4,304
For families with more than 8 members, add $5,225 for each person

 

You can take a look at the new 2017 Poverty Guidelines which includes all U.S. States on the USCIS website or by visiting our website at: www.Immigratetoday.com and clicking on the Immigration Newsletter link,

Here’s a few important tips for Sponsors to remember when filing an Affidavit of Support:

Always include a copy of: a) your most recent tax return and W-2 b) past 3 months paystubs and c) current letter from your employer stating your fulltime position, dates of employment and wages (which match your paystubs). Note that even if the sponsor does not meet the requirements, and uses the income of a Joint Sponsor, he or she must still file an I-864 and include evidence of income.

When submitting an I-864 from a Joint-sponsor who does meet the minimum income qualifications and be sure to include: a) copy of the Joint-sponsor’s U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, Naturalization Certificate or Green Card b) copy of the most recent tax return and W-2 c) past 3 months paystubs and d) current letter from his or her employer stating fulltime position, dates of employment and wages (which match his or her paystubs).

Importantly, most U.S. Citizen parents sponsoring minor children under age 18 are not required to file an Affidavit of Support, since the immigrating child will automatically become a U.S. Citizen upon obtaining U.S. Residency. Instead, the child is required to file form I-864W requesting the exemption. You can learn more about preparing I-864 Affidavits of Support and meeting the minimum income requirements by visiting our website at:  www.Immigratetoday.com and clicking on the Immigration Newsletter link, or  by calling our office at: 954-382-5378. 

USCIS Announces That Green Cards and Employment Authorization Cards Have Been Redesigned

The USCIS announced last week that  on May 1, 2017, it will begin issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The redesign is part of its “Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project” which uses enhanced graphics and fraud-resistant security features to make the cards more secure and more tamper-resistant.

According to the announcement, the new Green Cards and EADs will have the following added features:

Display the individual’s photos on both sides;

Show a unique graphic image and color palette:

Have embedded holographic images;

No longer display the individual’s signature;

Green Cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a green palette and no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

EAD cards will have an image of a bald eagle and a red palette; 

The USICS notes that some Green Cards and EADs issued after May 1, 2017, may still be in the existing format and are still valid. Also, current versions of both cards remain valid until expiration. You can check out the new card designs by visiting our website at:  www.Immigratetoday.com and clicking on the Immigration Newsletter link, or  by visiting the USCIS website.

USCIS Terminates Temporary Protected Status (TPS) For  Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone

The USCIS has advised that it will not extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and the TPS status for these individuals in the U.S. will terminate effective May 21, 2017. The Department of Homeland Security has urged nationals of these countries who have not changed to another legal immigration status to prepare to depart from the U.S. by May 21, 2017. Under Trump’s new policies, TPS status programs coming up for renewal may be in doubt as to whether or not other such programs will be terminated as well.

THIS WEEK’S IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 

Question:   I am an American and I sponsored my wife and step-son for residency when he was 15 years old. He has now graduated from college, become an American Citizen and just turned  21yrs old. His biological father is here from Venezuela visiting on a tourist visa and my step-son is worried about him going back to that country with all the riots and things going on right now. He wants to see if there is anything he can do to sponsor him. My question is whether he would still be able to ask for his father, since I sponsored him as his step-dad. Can you please clear this up for us so we can begin giving you the papers to file for his green card if that is possible and find out how long the process takes, thanks again for your help.

Answer:   That is a great question. As long as a child  is age 21 or older, he or she can sponsor biological parents for residency, even though the U.S. Citizen child  may have obtained U.S. residency through a U.S. Citizen step-parent such as yourself. Parents of U.S. Citizens are considered as “immediate relatives”  and there is no waiting line. When parents are outside the U.S., the process takes between 8-12 months to process and receive an immigrant visa. When parents are in the U.S., the process is very quick, about six months to receive the residency interview and residency card soon thereafter. In this case, since the biological father is in the U.S. and entered legally, he is eligible to obtain a Green Card in the U.S. and wait here and does not need to return to Venezuela.  Once the residency case is filed, it currently takes 3 months  to receive the  work permit and travel permit (then social security card) and approximately 6 months for U.S. Residency (Green Card).

Chrissan Gordon opens with personal best in 400 meters

Chrisann Gordon..opens 2017 400 meters season with personal best

Jamaica’s Olympic mile relay silver medalist, Chrisann Gordon opened her 2017 athletic season with a personal best over 400 meters at Saturday’s LSU Alumni Gold track and field meet.

Gordon, 22,  represented Jamaica at the Rio Olympics as a member of the country’s mile relay squad. She finished in a time of 50.64 seconds at the Bernie Moore Track Stadium.

Gordon, who represents Texas University, bettered her previous best of 51.02, done last year in San Salvador.

American two-time World Championships mile relay gold medal winner, Jessica Beard who was representing Empire Athletics and Zola Golden, also of Texas University, was were second and third respectively.

Caution: South Florida is threatened by climate change

Last Saturday, Earth Day, saw thousands of protestors in American cities urging the administration in Washington to focus on paying attention to the dangers of the Earth’s warming or climate change.

It’s sad and downright ridiculous that despite sound evidence presented by American and international scientists that the Earth is getting warmer, glaciers are melting, and ocean levels rising, the critical issue of climate change is caught in the political divide.

Republicans remain stubbornly opposed to evidence that the Earth is threatened by climate change. They regard the evidence as nonsense perpetuated by mistaken scientists. On the other hand, Democrats, as reflected by former President Obama’s proactivity, are eager to prepare the nation for the effects of climate change. Meanwhile, the administration in Washington seems to be contemplating pulling out of the global climate agreement made in Paris last year.

One hopes that the government heed calls being made by entities such as ExxonMobil, and maintain participation in the Paris agreement.

Being proactive to climate change is particularly important to South Florida. Almost every time there’s a full moon, the coast adjacent to the ocean reveals the effect of climate change. The phenomenon called King Tide, resulting from the rising sea level, floods streets and properties along the coast from Broward to Miami-Dade County. The rising sea level has been particularly bad along the coastline in Miami Beach. Nonetheless, Florida’s Governor Rick Scott disagrees that Florida, and South Florida in particular, is in danger from climate change.

There’s scientific evidence that the temperature of the Earth’s surface could increase between 1.6 to 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. In comparison, the Earth’s temperature increased by 9 degrees F in the past 10,000 years since the ice age.

An evidence of this increase warmth is changes in rainfall pattern alternating from sustained drought periods, to more intense flood rains. This has been evidenced in South Florida and in Caribbean countries like Jamaica.

However, the real concern for South Florida is the threat from rising sea level. Scientists predict the sea level is rising as Earth becomes warmer and the volume of water in the oceans build because ice is melting in the North and South Poles.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) predicts Florida will see a rise in sea level of about 18-20 inches by the next century. This means sea water would gradually obliterate the region’s beachfront and properties along the coast, affecting tourism one of the region’s chief sources of revenue. This would also negatively impact the wetlands and commercial fishing and even the fresh water supply as the ocean gradually encroach on the Everglades and the Biscayne Aquifer.

Another serious effect of the rising sea level for South Florida is it increases threats from storm surges during hurricanes and even tropical storms.

While Republicans administrations in Tallahassee and Washington seek to gain ridiculous political gains by claiming effects of climate change “is a hoax,” South Florida must be proactive against the potential threat.

More positively, Miami-Dade County have reacted to the potential threat from climate change by adopting the “Urban CO2 Reduction Plan.”  This plan identifies opportunities to cope with climate change, including reducing energy demand and protecting the county’s quality of life and economy. An annual report is being submitted to the County Commission pertaining to the progress of the plan.

However, protecting the region from the threat of climate change should be the collective responsibility of the state and the regions’ public and private sector, and community leaders. A clearly defined policy is urgently needed at the state and national level to cope with the growing dangers of the Earth’s warming phenomenon. Residents in South Florida, and throughout Florida, who are at risk to climate change need to pressure their leaders to pay attention and be proactive.

Rihanna upsets British with photoshopped pimages of Queen Elizabeth

A photoshopped image of Queen Elizabeth posted by Rihanna

Barbadian superstar Rihanna has drawn the ire of British nationals after she posted photoshopped images of Britain’s Head of State on social media.

Rihanna posted the series of photos on her Instagram page on Sunday – two days after the British monarch’s 91st birthday.

While some her more than 52 million Instagram followers saw the humor in the doctored images, some felt RiRi had crossed the line, describing her as “rude”, “disrespectful” and “a stupid little girl”.

One of the photoshopped images of Queen Elizabeth posted by Rihanna
One of the photoshopped images of Queen Elizabeth posted by Rihanna

“Its rude you know. This is not funny. She’s someone’s grandma. Imagine if [it’s] yours,” one person wrote, with another adding that “The queen is 91 and deserves respect.”

Rihanna was not fazed by the criticism, however.

In the caption on the fourth photo – from her shoot for Paper magazine, featuring the Queen’s head on her body wearing a Chanel suit with the buttons undone – she wrote: “it’s not that deep”.

And Monday morning, the “queen of clapping back” as one fan described her, posted a fifth photo on her Instagram page.

Millennials and Religion: The failing relationship

By Celina DeCastro

A news report in Jamaica shortly after the recent Easter celebration drew attention to the fact that young people do not have the same views of Easter as their parents. The findings of that report was accurate as religion has little or no appeal to millennials.

The Pew Research Center, has found that fewer millennials are less likely to affiliate with any religious tradition or identify themselves as part of a Christian denomination.

One in four adults under the age of 30 consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or have no religion, the center stated.

While some believe that the higher power no longer exists to them, others believe that the label of religion keeps us from understanding each other.

South Florida Ryan Nisman, 22-year-old of Puerto Rican descent, who recognizes himself as agnostic, feels that religious labels cause prejudice and hate towards other religious groups.

“Why hate someone because they choose to call your god by another name?” Nisman said.

Agnostics feel God’s existence cannot be neither proven or unproven. They subscribe to the notion that it is impossible to know if God exists.

While some argue the existence of God or a higher power and are avid church goers, some millennials also believe in a higher power but choose not to join a church.

Leila Gonzalez, 35-year-old of Palestinian and Columbian descent, was raised in the Catholic church but left after finding faults with the church.

“My religious base means having more of a relationship with God rather than having to follow the man-made rules and laws we were taught in Catholic school,” Gonzalez said.

Other millennials feel the church also does not agree with the lifestyle they have chosen.

“I’m not waking up before 10 on a Sunday morning to go to a place to be told that I’m going to hell because I would prefer to marry a woman,” 18-year-old Panamanian-American Hailey Crosthwaite said.

One millennial who did not want to be named felt that God was not working in his favor.

“When I was a kid I went through a lot and somewhere throughout the challenges, I started praying to God, but nothing worked. I kept on praying and praying and then one day I just stopped and took in the pain from my challenges. I just stopped believing in God,” he said.

Millennials although they do not follow a religion all seemed more in tuned with their own spirituality. Most will march for the causes they believe in, help the poor and those in need, donate, but chose not to be defied because they do not follow mainstream religions.

Rastafarian woman violated in Queens

Francilla Daves..violated by NY cops

An Orthodox Rastafarian woman is lamenting that a piece of her was taken away when she was forced to reveal her dreadlocks to police after being falsely accused of stealing $7 worth of groceries, according to a report in the Daily News.

Francilla Daves, 47, was born into the religion originating in the country of Jamaica and took 11 years to grow her dreadlocks. She says her hair touches the small of her back.

“My hair is only for my King,” said Daves, 47, referring to God. “My hair is a sacred thing, it’s my covenant. Orthodox Rasta women do not show their hair in public.”

On January 13, she went to the Key Food supermarket near her home on Baisley Boulevard. in Rochdale Village, Queens, to pick up a few items.

Daves carried the goods in a reusable cloth bag, separating the dairy from the meats. As she handed her payment to the cashier, she was shocked when a security guard accused her of stealing.

The guard called the police and told them that Daves was caught trying to pass the cashier without paying, she said.

“I told him that’s not true and to please run the tape because I don’t steal. I don’t do that kind of stuff,” said Daves, a medical assistant who aspires to treat people in Africa.

Responding officers handcuffed Davies and took her to the 107th Precinct.

“There’s questions and concerns we have with the management and owners of this Key Food,” said the Reverend Kevin McCall, national crisis director for the National Action Network.

“When I went to the precinct, I was told to remove my turban because people sometimes hide things in there. I told them it was against my religion to show my hair and am not allowed to remove my turban,” Daves said.

She was nevertheless forced to unravel her locks.

“I felt very violated, didn’t feel like myself. It was very humiliating, embarrassing,” she said.

“The hair is beauty. It’s a sacred thing like in the Jewish community. Our locks are a part of the covenant with the almighty,” said Jahfire Clark, a friend of Daves and fellow Rastafarian.

After sitting in a holding cell for almost five hours, authorities gave Daves a desk appearance ticket and told her she could leave.

“I asked if I could wrap my hair in a private place and they didn’t let me. They all were watching me wrap my hair,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Daves related the incident to her high priest, who informed her that under the circumstances she didn’t have to cut off her hair. But the priest said because she was violated, she has to fast, read her Bible and avoid interacting with too many people until she feels like herself again.

“A piece of me has been taken away. I was violated and treated like an animal. I don’t trust the police. I don’t feel like they really pardoned me,” said Daves.

Marley brothers light up Kaya Fest

Marley brothers light up Kaya Fest (Roy Sweetland Photo)

A light drizzle blessed the Bayfront Park Saturday evening as the band kicked off Kaya, Bob Marley’s timeless ode to marijuana.

It was a fitting intro for five of his sons who thrilled the full house with a blend of the reggae icon’s songs and their hits.

IMG_9089 (2)
Roy Sweetland photo

Ziggy, the eldest, acknowledged the family reunion late in the hour-long set which was the highlight of the first Kaya Fest.

“Is a long since me an’ brothers don’t perform together. It’s great share this with you,” he declared.

Along with Stephen, Ky-mani, Julian and Damian he gave an entertaining performance that saw them taking turns on Marley classics like Rastaman Vibration, So Much Trouble, The Heathen, Easy Skanking, Is This Love and Punky Reggae Party.

They were preceded by well-received performances by Inner CIrcle, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Jo Mersa Marley and Skip Marley.

Closing act Lauryn Hill was off her game but it was an encouraging debut which is the brainchild of Stephen Marley. Held under the banner, ‘Educatíon Over Recreatíon’, it promoted the economic and lifestyle benefits of marijuana.

Twelve killed in Haiti rains

Haiti
Residents wade through a flooded street caused by heavy rains. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

At least twelve people were killed as heavy rains pounded Haiti for three days.

Haiti’s head of  Directorate of Civil Protection said the rains, which also affected southwest Cuba and Jamaica, caused widespread flooding, the collapse of several bridges and caused damage to the agricultural sectors. Many homes, especially in the city of Les Cayes, Torbeck, Port Salut were destroyed. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior had called on Departmental Delegates and Mayors of the areas affected to help in assess the damage.

Earthquake rocks T&T

Sections of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago were rocked by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7, late Saturday.

The Seismic Research Centre at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, reports that the quake, that occurred at 9:52 pm (local time) was felt in Port of Spain, Arima and San Fernando. The tremor, with a depth of 10 km,  was located at Latitude 11.03 degrees North and Longitude 62.16 West.

There were no reports of injures or damage.

Councilwoman Felicia Robinson honored by Miami-Dade

Councilwoman Felicie Robinson was honored on Sunday, April 23 for her hard work and dedication to Miami-Dade County.

The Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. – Gamma Alpha Chapter has chosen Councilwoman Robinson as their 2017 Outstanding Community Activist. Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1929 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Sorority’s mandate is to unite in sisterhood qualified business and professional women in order to enhance and improve the status of women in a highly complex, competitive business and professional world; Promote increased interest in the broad field of business education among high school and college young women through planned programs and scholarships; Encourage the development of personal goals and leadership potential; and Establish and promote civic and social service activities for youth and adults

Councilwoman Robinson is a community activist that has been effecting change in the Miami-Dade Public School System for over 16 years. Robinson is a lifelong educator, who chose the teaching profession because she believes that lasting change in a community must come through the achievements of our children.

CONCACAF sues Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner

Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner

The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF),  has filed a lawsuit claiming it was victimized by former General Secretary Chuck Blazer, and its former Vice President Austin ‘Jack’ Warner.

Both men were charged in ta 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.

The suit seeks US$20 million in compensatory damages and unspecified punitive damages.

Blazer has pleaded guilty and cooperated in the criminal probe. One of his attorneys in that case declined comment on Friday.

Warner is fighting extradition in Trinidad and Tobago, where he’s denied any wrongdoing.

FIFA, international soccer’s governing body, filed a restitution claim last year in the criminal case that similarly portrayed it as a victim of the defendants.

“Their actions have deeply tarnished the FIFA brand and impaired FIFA’s ability to use its resources for positive actions throughout the world, and to meet its global mission of supporting and enhancing the game of football, commonly known in the United States as soccer,” it says.

The claim includes a demand for tens of millions in payments, including $10 million it says was stolen by Warner, Blazer and others.

Zika warning still in effect for Caribbean

Mosquito

Despite a dip in the reported cases of the Zika virus in the Caribbean the US Centers For Disease Control (CDC) is still warning travelers to several Caribbean nations about the virus especially in the warmer months.

Thirty-seven Caribbean countries, including the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, remain on the CDC’s travel advisory list as a “Level 2” alert, which advises travelers to “Practice Enhanced Precautions.”

The advisory could put a dent in Caribbean tourism numbers from the US this summer.

The countries still on the CBC travel advisory list are: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, French Guiana, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a US territory, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Saba, Saint Bathelemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands and the US Virgin Islands.

The CDC says mosquitoes in the 31 countries are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people. They are urging pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant to avoid travel to the countries of the list and warning travelers who do travel to the region to use condoms or not have sex during their trip since sexual transmission of the Zika virus is possible.

 Person planning to travel to the Caribbean are warned to:

Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants; Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE, also called para-menthane-diol [PMD]), IR3535, or 2-undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone) as directed. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can use all EPA-registered insect repellents, including DEET, according to the product label. Most repellents, including DEET, can be used on children older than 2 months. (OLE should not be used on children younger than 3 years.); Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside; Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors. Mosquito netting can be used to cover babies younger than 2 months old in carriers, strollers, or cribs to protect them from mosquito bites.

Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself.

Woman killed, four others injured in Miami shooting

Man shot multiple times on Interstate 95 in Broward County

A woman is now dead and four other females injured after gunmen opened fire at a group of persons in Miami-Dade County on Sunday.

The woman has been identified as Jasmine Alexus Dixon.

The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau reports a private transporting service was dropping off a group of people that were returning from a gathering. As the group was standing in the parking lot, gunfire erupted and the five women were struck as they were attempting to escape.

As chaos erupted, people began to flee the area in their vehicles. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and pronounced the woman dead on the scene.  Four others were transported to area hospitals and are listed in stable condition.  Cause of death is pending medical examiner’s report.

Investigators have been gathering physical evidence and have interviewing several people.  They would like to make contact with the driver and/or occupants, if any, of a white or silver vehicle, possibly Hyundai or KIA, with damage to passenger front and along the passenger side.  Detectives have information that this vehicle along with many others, fled the parking lot once the shots rang out.

The injured women have been identified as:

Quanisha Hepburn – Gunshot wound to the upper and lower body, listed stable condition at JMH Ryder Trauma Center;

Kandisha Rodgers – Possibly struck by a vehicle, laceration to right cheek and abrasions to bith knees, listed in stable condition at JMH North;

Danesha Goulbourne – Gunshot wound to right shoulder, righ arm, right side of neck and clavicle, listed in stable condition at Aventura Hospital; and

Lakeesha Hayes – Possibly struck by a vehicle, fracture to right ankle and road rash to left side of the face, elbow, thigh and knee, listed in stable condition at Aventura Hospital

Lauderhill Juniors, Plantation play to 1-1 draw in CASA Super League

Lauderhill Juniors and Plantation Football Club played to a 1-1 draw in the Caribbean American Soccer Association League at the Broward Sports Park on Wednesday.

In the Masters League Lauderdale FC got the better of South Florida Kickers 1-0 while Old Tymers lost 2-0 to Chapel Trail.

Take Stock in Children presents McArthur High student with scholarship

 

McArthur High School student, Liz Parra, is one of six students in the entire state of Florida to receive a full scholarship from the Take Stock in Children organization.

As part of the program, Parra participated in mentoring sessions and signed a contract where she committed to excelling in her academic studies. Parra is a member of the National Honor Society and the president of Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematics honor society.

Parra is part of the Leaders 4 Life program that enables highly motivated Take Stock in Children scholars to further their education with support to attend a four-year public university in the state of Florida. In addition to funding up to $10,000 per year for her college education, she will receive a new laptop computer, leadership training and professional development.

“Liz is a natural born leader whose perseverance in the face of much adversity has resulted in this outstanding opportunity to be a Leader 4 Life Fellow,” said the Executive Director of Take Stock in Children of Broward Amanda Frey. “We are so proud of all she had accomplished and look forward to seeing her continued success in the future.”

Guyana to explore mining of rare earth minerals

The Government has announced plans to place more focus on the mining of rare earth minerals in the coming year, particularly lithium.

According to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, a survey will be carried out “to get a better sense of what exactly we have.”

Last year, a permit was given to a Canadian company for prospecting of lithium.

“That company has started doing some drilling and has seen signs of lithium. I believe they are now in the process of looking for financiers to go further,” Trotman said.

The Canadian based company, Guyana Strategic Metals (GSM) Incorporated  that is operating in Region Sevenr signed an agreement  earlier this year with an Australian company, Greenpower Energy to acquire interests in the exploration.

In the coming months, Greenpower Energy is expected to carry out an airborne geophysical survey to focus on the follow-up work.

Lithium was discovered in Guyana five years ago .

It is said to be the lightest known metal and is commonly used to make rechargeable batteries such as those found in cell phones. The metal was said to be discovered some five years ago in Guyana.

FIFA places lifetime ban on Costa Rican FA president

The president of the Costa Rican football Confederation Eduardo Li, speaks during a press conference in San Jose, Costa Rica on May 17, 2011. Costa Rica has officially announced its participation in the upcooming Copa America 2011, after Japan withdrew the tournament. AFP PHOTO/Rodrigo ARANGUA

Former president of the Costa Rican Football Association, Eduardo Li has been banned for life by FIFA.

Li has been banned from all football-related activities following an investigation by FIFA’s Ethics Committee. The decision by the ethics committee to ban Li was triggered by Li’s guilty plea to racketeering in the United States as part of the Justice Department’s massive investigation into fraud across world football. Li was found guilty of many violations of FIFA’s Code of Ethics.

Li was been being watched and monitored since May 2015 before pleading guilty in October 2016 to one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud conspiracy, relating to bribes received from sports marketing companies.

The Ethics Committee stated on Friday morning that the proceedings have come to a close and Li has been handed the lifetime ban from the game at both national and international levels of competition.

His violations stem from 13 (general rules of conduct), 15 (loyalty), 18 (duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting), 19 (conflicts of interest) and 21 (bribery and corruption) on the Code of Ethics.

Li had been the head of FEDEFUTBOL from 2007 until his arrest in Zurich in May of 2015 by Swiss police acting on a warrant from the United States. Li is the first of seven FIFA-related officials to be arrested as part of the corruption scandal.

Four Venezuelans arrested in TT

Five men, four Venezuelan and one Trinidadian, were arrested and charged with illegal firearm and ammunition possession during a raid in San Fernando on Thursday.

During the raid that took place along King’s Wharf around 3 p.m. police also uncovered large amounts of marijuana and cocaine.

The officers of San Fernando CID and Southern Division Task Force and Customs and Exercise Divison searched through several shacks, boats and abandoned buildings in the area.

Police found two Taurus pistols and six rounds of ammunition in a wooden shack and .357 Magnum revolver in another building.

Police seized a total of 94 grams of cocaine valued at $45,000 and 1.2 kilograms of marijuana valued $70,000, no arrests have been made in connection to the drug find.

 

Broward students named national Merit Scholarship recipients

Two Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students were named National Merit Scholarship recipients by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in its first group of winners announced in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

More than 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations.

The Broward County Public Schools National Merit Scholarship winners are:

  • Samantha Bishop, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School National Merit Motorola Solutions Scholarship; and
  • Nicholas R. Sileo, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School National Merit Motorola Solutions Scholarship.

The program honors high school seniors who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.

“These students have demonstrated remarkable academic success and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments,” said BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “Our scholars worked incredibly hard to earn these prestigious scholarships, and we wish them all the best as they prepare for college and their futures.”

The corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards provide between $500 and $10,000 per year of college undergraduate study and are renewable for up to four years. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

The Wailers return to Palm Beach

The Wailers

The legendary Wailers Band band returns to West Palm Beach to bring its revolutionary sound to the fans on May 17 at Respectable Street.

Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Family Man” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, The Wailers continue to make musical history.

The band is expected to perform all the songs included in Legend, the best-selling reggae album of all-time, with over 15 million copies sold in the US and 25 million copies sold globally. The album is ranked #46 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

From 1973 to 1980, Bob Marley & The Wailers recorded, toured, and performed before countless millions worldwide. Since 1981, Familyman and Junior have carried on the mission to “keep The Wailers together,” just as Bob requested, affirming: “By doing that, you keep me alive through the music.”

In tribute to the late co-founder and drummer Carlton “Carly” Barrett, The Wailers present Aston Barrett, Jr. on drums. It’s startling how the young powerhouse delivers in his uncle’s inspiring landmark style. Lead singer Joshua David Barrett is a Rastaman by lifestyle and culture. Josh delivers Bob’s powerful message of Jah love and unity through his performance and interaction with the audience.

Also on stage are singers Shema McGregor, daughter of I Three Judy Mowatt  and Hassanah, a multi-cultural singer/songwriter; Owen “Dreadie” Reid on guitar/bass; and Noel Davey, creator of the Sleng Teng Riddim, on keyboards. The performance anchor is engineer Dennis Thompson, the man responsible for The Wailers sound in stadiums, clubs, and studios throughout the 1970s.

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