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Hoax! Kartel’s attorney dismisses Christianity claims

Defense attorney shoots down claims of Kartel’s conversion to Christianity

 

Defense attorney Miguel Lorne has described a letter, purported to be written by imprisoned Dancehall DJ, Vybz Kartel claiming he has given his life to Christ and will be baptized in the near future as a hoax.

Speaking with caribbeannationalweekly.com early Monday, Lorne, who represents DJ Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, said the letter was not penned by Vybz Kartel and is nothing but a hoax.

“That letter is not authentic. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have not seen the letter but if it was true the defense team would have known about it,” Lorne said.

miguel-lorne-sept10
Lorne…the letter is not authentic

Vybz Kartel, real name Adidjah Palmer, is no stranger to controversy and was again under the public glare after former Youth and Culture Minister of Jamaica Lisa Hanna, called for his music recorded while he was behind bars to be banned from radio. Hanna was raked over the coals by supporters of the artiste for her stance.

Subsequent to Hanna’s call the Ministry of National Security launched a clampdown against illegal recordings in prison and seized a number of electronic devices, including smart phones, tablets and voice recorders during several raids at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Center, the St Catherine Adult Correctional Center and the New Horizon Remand Center.

Five Department of Correctional Services staff members and three inmates were also arrested and charged in connection with the seizures.

In November 2011 news spread like wildfire that Vybz Kartel ahs escaped from the New Horizon Remand Centre after engaging the police in a shoot out and commandeering a police service vehicle, but that too turned out to be a hoax.

Vybz Kartel, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones and Andre St John, were last month granted leave to appeal their convictions for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Williams was killed and his body dismembered and never found.

The four men all received life sentences but Vybz Kartel was granted the possibility of parole after 35 years while all the other were given the possibility of parole after 25 years.

kartelthuglifeThe appeal hearing is set to come up in court in September.

The letter, which has been going the rounds on social media, alleges that  Vybz Kartel has converted to Christianity after the privilege of recording songs while incarcerated was taken away from him. The writer said the artiste has done some soul-searching and will denounce violence in all its forms.

 

Bahamas Parliament to be dissolved ahead of upcoming election

Prime Minister Perry Christie on Sunday announced that Parliament will be dissolved on April 11 ahead of the upcoming general election.

Christie who made the announcement in a statement also encouraged voters to register before the dissolution of Parliament.

“For general information, especially for the benefit of all those persons who would like to vote in the forthcoming General Election but have not yet registered to do so, it is my intention to cause the present Parliament to be dissolved on Tuesday, the 11th April, and to cause writs of election to be issued the same day.”

“I would therefore encourage all my fellow Bahamians to play their part in our democracy by registering to vote if they have not already done so, and to do so without further delay.”

As of March 20, 11,698 people had registered to vote in the election – this is 18 per cent less than the 172,000 on the 2012 voter registry.

Christie has not yet disclosed the date   – however last week, it was confirmed that foreign observers, including those from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have been invited to monitor the polls that will be held sometime next month.

The decision to call a general election is made by the prime minister, who advises the governor-general to dissolve parliament.

A general election was last held on May 8, 2012

Calabar by a whisker

Defending champions hold on to pip KC by 3 points in ISSA Boys Champs

 

Defending champions Calabar pulled out all the stops to hang on to their Inter Secondary Schools Association (ISSA) Boys Championships title by the narrowest on threads at the National Stadium in Kingston.

In what could be classified as the most exciting Boys and Girls Championships in the 107 year history of the competition, the boys from Red Hills Road had to wait until the final event of the five-day championships to be declared winners.

That race, the 4X400 meters relay saw Calabar on 305 points, four behind pre season favorites Kingston College (KC). While being installed as the overwhelming favorites to sin the relay, the re were jitters in both camp as if KC had finished within the fram they would have secure enough points to dethrone Calabar. As it turned out, the green and black clad Calabar romped the event, but try as they might, the ‘purples’ from KC could not finish within the frame and had to settle for second place, a mere three points behind their perennial rivals.

Calabar celebartes
Calabar athletes c elebrate

Completing the top five schools were Jamaica College on 203. St Jago High were fourth with 157 points and STETHS on 114.5 points.

The championship was filled with excitement and revelations from the opening day as records fell with regularity.

Jhevaughn-Matherson01-613x1024
Jhevaughn Matherson’s injury cost KC valuable points

A highlight of the games was the defeat of Ugandan National Aryamanya Rodgers, in the Class two 1.500 meters by Calabar’s Kevroy Venson, who shattered the record in 3:55.3. even though he slowed down as he crossed the finish line. Rodgers, who ran in the purple and white colors of KC, was regulated to second  and Venson’s teamate Kimar Farquharson finished third.
Rodgers however turned the 5,000 meters into a cake walk and celebrated with the zugandan flag after his victory.

KC lost valuable points after their top flight sprinter Jhevaughn Matherson picked up and injury in the Class One 100 meters semi-final and false started in the 100 meters final. Matherson was also unable to compete in the 200o meters.

Boys Champs going down to the wire

Calabar's Kevroy Vernon and Rivaldo Marshall

Boys Champs going down to the wire

A battle royal is set to get underway when the final day of the Inter Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Championships gets underway inside the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday afternoon.

While Edwin All seems to be on the way to confirming pundits’ predictions that they will defend the girls title successfully, a different scenario is being played out in the boys’ section.

In the weeks leading up to the championships Kingston College were installed as odds on favorites to dethrone five-time defending champions Calabar, but when the points were tallied at the close of the penultimate day, only seven points separated to the perennial rivals. Kingston College were ahead with 139 points, with a resolute Calabar lurking on 132.

After 18 finals. The top five are completed by Jamaica College (JC) on third with 98 points ahead of St Jago High on 69, and St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) on 40 points.

The top 10 is rounded out by Wolmer’s Boys on 37, Petersfield High with 31, Rusea’s High on 16, Munro College on 15, and Green Island High with 14 points.

There are nervous moments in the KC camp as their top sprinter Jhevaughn Matherson is out injured, after false starting in the finals of the 100 meters Class One. They will have to pull out all the stops to fend off Calabar on the final day.

A mouth-watering finale awaits with the momentum clearly in favour of the Michael Clarke-led five-time defending champions.

The highlight of day was the Class two 1,500 meters in which Ugandan national, Aryamanya Rodgers, was expected to be a shoe in for KC, but Calabar’s  Kevroy Venson and Kimar Farquharson had other ideas.

The pair came with a solid race plan and executed it brilliantly. They raced in front like scared hares for the first 600 meters and drew Ridgers with them. Midway the race the pair eased up on the throttle and Rodgers took over the lead to the cheers of the frenetic purple and white-clad KC supporters, but Venson was not done and joined the Ugandan teenager at the top of the stretch before motoring past him to win comfortably in a record time of 3:55.3. Farquharson was third in 4:00.13.

 

National Weekly March 30, 2017

Pick-up truck ploughs into pedestrians at Oakland Park bus stop

Two pedestrians are injured following a traffic accident at 1510 E. Commercial Blvd in Oakland Park on Friday afternoon.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the crash that happened around 1:50 p.m..

Police report that a pick-up truck ploughed into two people who were waiting at a bus stop before it hit a light pole. BSO road patrol and Oakland Park Fire Rescue responded to the scene.

The pedestrians were transported to Broward Health North. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening. The driver remained at the scene.

Traffic homicide detectives also responded and their investigation is underway.

Police are warning commuters to avoid eastbound East Commercial Boulevard between North Dixie Highway and Northeast 15th Avenue as the crash investigation continues.

Dispute over sale of Barbados oil terminal goes to court

Petroleum company Rubis Caribbean has followed through on its pledge to fight the proposed sale of the state-owned Barbados National Terminal Company Limited (BNTCL) to regional petroleum giant, Sol.

Rubis Caribbean has secured a court injunction that has temporarily put on hold the controversial sale proposal which the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is still examining.

The interim injunction will be in place until April 3.

Rubis filed two legal challenges. One was an application for judicial review, challenging the inclusion of a 15-year moratorium clause in the agreement between the government and Sol for the US$100 million purchase of BNTCL – a subsidiary of the Barbados National Oil Company Limited (BNOCL). That clause would give Sol a moratorium on the construction of any new fuel terminal facilities in Barbados and a moratorium on the grant of licences for the storage of gasoline, diesel or fuel oil and aviation or jet fuels used for industrial and commercial purposes in Barbados, other than those that currently exist by the Energy Division or other Governmental Authority.

Chief Executive Officer of Rubis Caribbean, Mauricio Nicholls , is quoted by Barbados Today saying his legal team had advised that the moratorium would constitute an illegal restriction of the right granted to the Minister of Energy by law to decide on such matters.   

“With the application, we also filed for an urgent interim injunction to restrain the parties in the proposed merger, which are basically Sol subsidiary and BNOCL from including this clause in the agreement in case the FTC approves the sale of BNTCL as submitted to them,” Nicholls was quoted as saying.

Rubis also filed a separate legal claim against BNOCL , challenging the fairness of the tendering process for the sale of Barbados’ lone oil terminal, on the basis that the conditions offered to Sol were never offered to Rubis.

BNTCL manages the importation and supply of gasoline, diesel and fuel oil and provides storage for the local crude oil to facilitate shipping to Trinidad.

Rubis’ position is that the sale of the island’s lone oil terminal to Sol gives its competitor the monopoly in oil storage and distribution

Chile’s President ends visit to Haiti

Haiti has asked Chile to leave some of its military equipment in the country as its soldiers end a tour of duty with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

President of the Senate Youri Latourue said the request had been made as Chilean President Michelle Bachelet wrapped up a one-day visit  on Monday.

“We have asked that Chile leave some equipment to our military and also train our young soldiers, as Ecuador did,” said Latourue.

The Chilean army members are due to leave here next month  and the issue was among matters discussed by Bachelet whose visit came ahead of an April 11 debate by the UN Security Council in New York on the fate of MINUSTAH and the recommendation by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres that the mission, established in June 2004, close by October. 15.

During her visit, the Chilean President met with her Haitian counterpart, Jovenel Moise and Prime Minister

Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant.

Bachelet, the first head of state to visit Haiti since Moise was sworn into office in February, also discussed the issue of illegal migration to her country.

Caribbean and Latin American economic prospects improve – IDB report

An Inter American Development Bank 2017 Macroeconomic report has found that the economic outlook for the Caribbean and Latin America is improving.

The report said the economies of both regions are being driven by a stronger global economy, improved fiscal positions, lower inflationary pressures, and better prospects for Argentina and Brazil.

The first part of the report Routes to Growth in a New Trade World was released on the side of the IDB’s Annual Meeting taking place in Asunción, Paraguay. The second part, on regional integration, will be unveiled on Sunday, April 2.

“Since our report last year there have been several positive developments as the region shifts to a pattern of better policies. Tax reform efforts in some countries have been successful in achieving more equity while improving efficiency. Monetary policies in larger economies have kept inflation in check and we estimate the external adjustment process is close to completion in most countries,” said IDB Chief Economist José Juan Ruiz.

However, the combination of potential negative U.S. trade and financial shocks, even with the U.S. economy growing, could trim a full 0.4% from the region’s projected 2% annual growth rate for the 2017-2019 period. The report uses the IMF’s three-year projections as a baseline and then estimates how external impacts could add or subtract to the region’s growth.

The shock from the U.S. economy is not evenly distributed. Mexico could see its three-year potential growth rate cut by 0.8%, reducing its annual rate from 2.2% to 1.4%. The Southern Cone and the Andean region would each see their GDP annual growth rate reduced by 0.4%. The shocks would be transmitted through a combination of interest rate hikes, global trade frictions and impacts on commodity prices.

At the same time, the performance of both Argentina and Brazil have a big impact on the region. Given the inter-connectedness of these economies, a $20 billion combined gain or loss in GDP of South America’s biggest economies would add or cut about $70 billion of GDP to the entire region for the three-year period.

An examination of the fiscal budgets of 22 countries estimates a primary fiscal deficit of 0.8% of GDP for the region, though there the reality varies from one country to another. Still, 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are pursuing plans for fiscal consolidation are aiming to achieve an adjustment of about 2% of GDP over 5 years. Tax reforms could increase fiscal revenues by 1.2% of GDP. Expenditures are expected to be trimmed by 0.8%.

Gayle gets Fort Lauderdale patch up

Star batsman treated for nagging injuries in South Florida

With the 2017 season of the Indian Premier league T20 tournament just days away, West Indies batting superstar,  Chris Gayle, has sought medical assistance to get in top shape.

Gayle recently underwent treatment at the LESS Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for injuries to his legs and back.

The swashbuckling left-handed batsman has been beset by back injuries for most of his career and previously underwent back surgery at the same health facility in August 2015.

He has recently been bothered by shin splints, for which he was also treated.

Chris Gayle, 37, has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), for a contract valued in the region of US $9 million and seems to want to make his employers reap returns on their investment when the new season gets underway on April 5.

Gayle suffered from a dip in form due to his ailments in the early season of the just concluded Pakistan Super League in Dubai, where he represented the Karachi Kings.  He hwoever bounced back and put in some creditable innings to help force a place for his team in the semi-finals.

Cameron returned unopposed as WICB President

Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan have been returned as President and Vice President respectively, of the West Indies Cricket Board.

The two were unanimously re-elected by all 12 of the cricket delegates of the region. Cameron and Nanthan were unchallenged.

Cameron and Nanthan were first elected on March 27, 2013.

Both have presided over a period which saw relations break down between the board and players especially after the historic T20 World Cup win by the region’s men and women’s teams in India last year.

Things came to a head after winning captain, Darren Sammy, berated the board during the presentation ceremony and called them out for not providing gears and other payment disputes. Sammy has not been part of the West Indies T20 set up since.

Commissioner Douglas opposes proposed Sunrise water park

mark douglas

City of Sunrise first Caribbean-American commissioner, Mark Douglas, is adamant in his opposition to the city building a water park estimated to cost $10 million in that city.

At a commission meeting held on Tuesday night, Douglas told the commission the $10 million which would be raised as a loan for city residents through a public bond issue could be spent on areas where it was better needed.

The commission has a proposal carried over from the former commission in 2015/16 to build the water park as part of a plan to construct a new 5-floor city hall and 800-space garage estimated to cost $42 million in another two years. The water park would be a part of the complex. It would include rides, slides and other recreational facilities primarily for children.

In an interview with National Weekly Douglas said his opposition to the water park isn’t anything new. He said when during his 2016 campaign to be elected to the Sunrise commission he made his opposition to the water park well known, and “Over 16,000 residents voted for me to sit on the commission.” He said during his campaign several residents expressed agreement with his opposition to the park.

“A water park is not needed in the city, at this time. There are four other water parks relatively near to Sunrise in Broward County which residents have access to,” he said. He also cited in addition to these other water parks a major $70 million water park is being planned to be built in Fort Lauderdale.

Douglas also said he’s concerned the competition from the existing parks, the park planned for Fort Lauderdale and another large water park planned for the mega-mall planned for Miami-Dade County, could deplete revenue for the proposed Sunrise water park. “This would necessitate the commission having to meet any operating loss the water park incurs, plus the cost of maintaining it year-round. Moreover, water parks in Florida are closed six months of the year. During this period, there’ll be no revenue, while the property still has to be maintained.’

“If the city is going to raise funds through a loan from residents, I believe the funds must be spent efficiently,” Douglas said. Asked what he regarded as an alternative way of spending the $10 million, he offered building affordable housing and street lighting improvement in East Sunrise.  “As a commissioner I have a responsibility to see the city’s funds are spent where it’s really needed,” Douglas reiterated.

New Hollywood Beach Hotel may be on the horizon

By Kayla Higgs

The historic Hollywood Beach Hotel at Ocean Drive and Hollywood Boulevard in Broward County, may be the recipient of a well-needed facelift.

News of the refurbishing of the building was welcomed by  residents who are happy the deteriorating building is finally getting a facelift, but there is some worry that the building will be replaced by condominium towers, that resemble many other hotels in that area.

The structure was built by Hollywood founder Joseph Young in 1925 and later on renamed the Hollywood Beach Hotel. In its day it was the central spot for Hollywood’s high society soirees. During World War II, the hotel became a training school for naval officers. In 1987 it was named the Hollywood Beach Resort after undergoing renovations.

As of now the facelift is set to include the construction of two luxury towers, the reconstruction of the Hollywood Boulevard Bridge and the possibility of a new parking garage. The building has been standing for 92 years, so remodeling should be expected at this point.

Executive director of the community redevelopment agency, Jorge Camejo, believes remodeling is unavoidable at this point.

“There’s a number of life safety violations that are in place today that haven’t been resolved,” said Camejo.

Many residents agree that the hotel is in desperate need of repair. They hope that developers will simply enhance the building and restore its original ambience. Other residents are worried that if it is demolished a part of the history of Hollywood Beach  will be erased.

President of Hollywood’s Historical Society, Karen Albertson, thinks the building should continue to exist.

“I’ve never seen anything get remolded without being destroyed, we would not like to see it destroyed, if they do what they say they’re going to do and make a lovely hotel out of it again I would have no problem but if they turn it into another 19 story condominium I would not be happy at all” said  Albertson.

In 1925 the seven-story hotel cost about $3 million to construct. Developers today are predicting that the remodeling will cost more than $25 million. Most residents are now left to question where will that money come from. According to Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy, the remodeling fits into the City’s budget.

“What makes this potential project interesting is that it is located within what is called our community redevelopment agency for the beach, the hotel is within the beach’s CRA district so we will have tax increment financing available to assist with public portions of what this project might entail” said Mayor Levy.

There is no official start date for the remodeling, however, developers hope to start remodeling by the end of the year.

 

Hollywood Beach did the Jamaican Jam

City of Hollywood’s Hollywood Beach, was transformed into Carnival central allowing visitors to experience a first-hand taste of Jamaica’s Bacchanal 2017, in Caribbean Airlines’ Jamaica “Wanna Jam” Promotion on March 25.

The section of Hollywood Beach, between Buchanan Street and Michigan Street,  which is just a few steps south of the popular Margaritaville Resort, came alive with the sounds of authentic soca and dancehall music by Y100’s DJ GQ and costumed revelers.

The promotion featured dance competitions and steelpan lessons. One lucky person also won two tickets courtesy Caribbean Airlines to fly away to the sunny isle of Jamaica.

“Caribbean Airlines is thrilled to offer this once in a lifetime opportunity for a lucky winner and a guest to enjoy the party side of Jamaica. From the music to the costumes, to the energy, Carnival in Kingston is just a flight a way. We want our customers to know when they are thinking about an airline, Caribbean Airlines is the best choice, as the experience of the islands begin the moment you board, with daily flights from Ft Lauderdale to Kingston and Montego Bay and seamless connections throughout the Caribbean region,” Caribbean Airlines’ Senior Marketing Manager, Alicia Cabrera, said.

“Caribbean Airlines would like to specially thank the City of Hollywood, City of Hollywood parks and recreation department, Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Greater Ft Lauderdale Visitors and Conventions Bureau, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and the Jamaica Tourist Board,” she added.

Caribbean Airlines has been the official airline sponsor of Bacchanal Jamaica for the past four (years, and eagerly anticipates the 2017 carnival celebrations in Jamaica, which run from April 15th – 23rd and culminate in the colourful Road March parade on April 23rd.

“Caribbean Airlines has always been integral to the Bacchanal Jamaica experience. It is with their support that we have been able to create a truly Caribbean experience with performers from across the region coming together in Jamaica for a wonderful celebration,” Charmaine Franklin, Director of Bacchanal Jamaica, said.

Caribbean Airlines offers an all-inclusive in-flight experience with complimentary authentic Caribbean meals and signature cocktails.  Also, all passengers first checked bag always flies free and economy passengers can pay just U$$25 plus taxes for a second checked-bag. This rate is one of the lowest in the global airline industry

Trinidadian named as major terrorist by US State Department

The United States Department has named Trinidadian national Shane Dominic Crawford – whose also goes by the names Abu Sa’d at-Trinidadi, Asadullah, Shane Asadullah Crawford and Asad – one of five people who were on Thursday added its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

The five were named terrorists under an executive order which imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or the country’s economy.

The State Department suspects Crawford, 31,  to be a foreign terrorist fighter in Syria carrying out terrorist activity on behalf of ISIS, including acting as an English language propagandist for the group,” the US State Department said.

The SDGT designation means that US citizens are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions or dealings with Crawford or any of the other named persons – Sudanese El Shafee Elsheikh; British extremist Anjem Choudary; Sami Bouras, a Swedish citizen of Tunisian descent; and New Zealand national Mark John Taylor . All property and interests in property held by these persons under US jurisdiction have been frozen.

The State Department said the action notifies the US public and the international community that Crawford, Elsheikh, Choudary, Bouras, and Taylor have committed or pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.

Last year in an interview with ISIS magazine Dabiq, Crawford spoke about his own “jihad endeavour” in his homeland. He admitted that he and a few of his Muslims brothers took revenge “whenever the disbelievers in Trinidad would kill or harm a Muslim”.

Crawford was identified in the article as a sniper for ISIS and was one of the first three Muslims to leave Trinidad and Tobago to join the terrorist organization.

The former Christian who converted to Islam left his homeland for war-torn Syria in 2013.

Kingston’s mayor visits Miramar

Bi-lateral relations, trade  and opportunities in culture between the city of Kingston, Jamaica and the City of Miramar  will be some of the topics up for discussion when the Mayor of Kingston, Delroy Williams and the Mayor of Miramar Wayne Messam will address residents in a Town Hall meeting scheduled to be held in South Florida next week.

The meeting is also seen as an opportunity lay the foundation for the establishment of a sister cities agreement.

A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries.

The relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement.

The upcoming meeting is of particular significance as  Kingston celebrates a significant anniversary

“It is fitting to have Mayor Williams visit Miramar as Jamaica and the Diaspora celebrate the 145th  year of Kingston as Jamaica’s capital,” said Messam.

Kingston, Jamaica’s smallest parish, is located on  the southeastern end of the island.

Founded in 1692, it sits on  the 7th largest natural harbor in the world that is protected by the Palisadoes, a sand spit that connects the city to the infamous town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport.

Kingston is the heartbeat of Jamaica, rich in history and seeped in culture, the multicultural city came into existence as a refuse for survivors of the 1692 earthquake that destroyed two thirds of Port Royal.

Spanish Town was then Jamaica’s capital and although the Governor of the island sought to have the capital moved to Kingston, a Bill to that effect was not approved by Britain.

However years later, in 1865 Governor Sir John Peter Grant was assigned the task of re-organizing the island and this included relocating the capital to Kingston.

The City of Miramar in Florida, came into being fairly recently.

It was established in 1955 to serve as a “bedroom community”  for Miami and Fort Lauderdale .

Based on the diversity of both cities, the Town Hall meeting is being touted as an opportunity for Williams and Messam to address residents of Miramar, members of the Diaspora and  the Caribbean Trade community.

The event will be open to all residents.

Palm Beach school teacher wanted by FBI on child pornography charges

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Peter Lopez has ruled in favor of a joint lawsuit filed by a coalition of Florida businesses supported by state Attorney General Pam Bondi, against a City of Miami Beach 2016 ordinance increasing that city’s minimum wage. The ruling has pleased big business owners but Miami Beach’s attorneys have signaled their intention to appeal in the ruling in the Supreme Court.
South Floridians who voted to approve Constitutional Amendment two that would lead to the availability of medication derived from marijuana, are reportedly encouraged by actions underway in the current sitting of the Florida Legislature. There are six bills, one in the House and five in the Senate, currently before lawmakers which are to be debated, advanced to relative committees and voted on in both chambers.
A Palm Beach County middle school teacher is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on child pornography charges, the agency has reported. The teacher has been identified as Corey Dejuan Perry, 33, who taught at H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens. Perry has gone into hiding after FBI agents conducted a search of his home on Friday. Officials say Perry posed as a girl and tricked boys into sending him explicit photographs and video footage of themselves via electronic mail or social media.

In sports
West Indies bowling legend Michael Holding has been appointed president of English county cricket club Derbyshire. Holding, 63, will join local businessman Ian Morgan who will serve as the club’s new chairman amidst a number of several recent administrative changes.

Here’s What’s trending
Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj is now the woman with the most Hot 100 Billboard Hits in any genre. Minaj gained the distinction by overtaking Soul Diva Aretha Franklin on the Billboard Charts. Franklin held the record for the last 40 years, until earlmid-March when Minaj drew level with her at 73 hits with her feature on Gucci Mane’s Make Love single. However,  Aretha Franklin still has the most hits as a lead artiste as most of Minaj’s hits are due to the fact that she is a featured vocalist on a song.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast
It will be partly cloudy with isolated showers in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties with a high of 86 and a low of 64. For more on these and other stories, visit us online at caribbeannewsweekly.com. Make sure to pick up your copy of the Caribbean News Weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet.

Pedestrian killed in Miami hit and run

A male pedestrian is now dead following a hit and run incident in Miami, Florida.

The Miami-Dade Police Department, Traffic Homicide Unit, is investigating the incident.

According to investigators, shortly after seven this morning, officers responded to a call of a pedestrian laying on the side of the roadway. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and pronounced the victim dead on the scene. The police report that sometime late last night the pedestrian appeared to have been struck by an unknown vehicle traveling north on NW 72 Avenue.

Investigators are asking for the help of the community if anyone has any information as to the vehicle or can identify/locate the individual responsible for this incident is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.

KC hold 20-point lead after day three at Champs

Title favorites Kingston College (KC) are holding a 20-point lead heading into day four of the Inter Secondary Schools Association (ISSA)/ GraceKennedy Boys and Girls championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

After five finals the North Street based school  has amassed 46 points.

Petersfield High moved into second on 26 points ahead of both Calabar High and Jamaica College on 23 points each. St Jago High complete the top-five on 21 points.

In the first final on Thursday, St Jago’s Roje Stona threw a massive 61.85m to win the Boys Class One discus throw. His teammate Kevin Nedrick was second with 57.48m ahead of Douglas Cyrus of Jamaica College in third with 54.25m.

Petersfield High picked up 15 points following the completion of the Class Two shot put final as Christopher Brown won with a throw of 16.08m and his teammate Tevaugh Tate was third with 14.94m.

KC picked up five valuable points courtesy of sixth and seventh by Nemoy Cockett and Gavin Duffus. Calabar failed to improve their status in that event

KC increased their lead as Scott McLeod won the Class Three high jump with a leap of 1.84m and his teammate Blaine Byam was sixth with 1.75m for 12 points. Calabar picked up nine points as Corey Ottey was second with 1.81m and his teammate Jerome Campbell seventh with 1.65.

In the 100 metres, KC’s Jhevaughn Matherson once again looked awesome in the Class One 100m, basically jogging to 10.76 (2.3 mps) seconds. His main rival, Calabar’s Michael Stephens, won his heat in 10.82, but had to run a little more than he wanted to as he was pushed by Washington Brown of Cornwall College, who was second in 10.88 and KC’s Yashawn Hamilton in 10.94.

Calabar’s Tyreke Wilson also qualified clocking 10.77 seconds. However, the fastest time was registered by Andre Morrison of St Jago, who stopped the clock at 10.74.

In Class Two, all the big guns are safely through to the semi-final headed by Michali Everett of Jamaica College with 10.73 (1.8 mps). Xavier Nairne of Wolmer’s coasted to 10.91 (0.9 mps) and Sachin Dennis of STETHS clocked 10.97.

Both Calabar runners Rosean Young and Chadrick Stewart are through with 11.12 and 11.11 seconds, respectively. The KC pair of Oshane Peart (11.11) and Roshaun Rowe (10.97) are also through to the semi-finals.

In Class Three, KC’s Terrique Stennett was by far the most impressive into the semi-final easing to 11.29 (2.3 mps). His teammate Adrian Kerr also advanced clocking 11.57 as did JC’s Justin Birthwright with 11.47. Calabar’s Jeffrey Barron won his heat in 11.55 and his teammate clocked 11.73 heading into the semis.

Earlier, Calabar’s four runners advanced to the final of the Classes One and Two 400m hurdles, while rivals KC had none.

PAHO/Canada signs agreement to reduce maternal and infant deaths in Haiti

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has signed a new partnership with Canada aimed at reducing the number of maternal and infant deaths in Haiti.

PAHO said it will execute the CAN$39.8 million project in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada over a four year period and the project will also address the reproductive needs of women, as well as health care priorities of new-borns and infants in the country.

The SESAME (Essential care for Mothers and Children) project aims to improve the health, the lives and rights of women and children in Haiti and to advance the unfinished agenda on women’s health from a development perspective,” PAHO said.

PAHO said the SESAME project, will support 45 referral hospitals, 10 at the departmental level and 35 community hospitals in all departments in the country.

Key components of the project include –  establishing performance based contracting; developing a strengthening plan for each hospital; training to improve personnel competencies of on sexual and reproductive health and child health.

Kaliese Spencer’s attorney confident anti-doping charge will be dropped

Kaliese Spencer will know her fate on July 15

Prominent sports attorney Paul Greene, has expressed confidence that a recent accusation of an anti-doping allegation against Jamaican 400 meters runner, Kaliese Spencer will be thrown out the window.

The Commonwealth Games champion has been accused by the  Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) of attempted to evade its doping control officers to avoid being tested when she trained as a member of the Cameron Blazers Racing Group.

A hearing into her alleged anti-doping violation hearing is expected to get underway  on May 15.

Spencer appeared before an Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel during a preliminary hearing at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston last Wednesday.

Attorney Kent Gammon, Dr Donovan Calder and Heron Dale are the members of the disciplinary panel. JADCO has promised to hand over case documents to Greene by April 12. He is expected to respond by April 28.

Michael Holding appointed president of Derbyshire cricket club

Michael Holding
Michael Holding, England v Pakistan, 4th Test, The Oval, Aug 06. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Patrick Eagar Collection via Getty Images)

West Indies bowling legend Michael Holding has been appointed president of English county cricket club Derbyshire.

Holding, 63, will join local businessman Ian Morgan who will serve as the club’s new chairman amidst a number of several recent administrative changes.

Holding, who had a six year contract with the club in the 1980s, is also a cricket commentator and International Cricket Council official.

Obamacare is the law of the land

After seven years attempting to repeal it; after campaigning against it in four election cycles from 2010 to 2016; after the incumbent president promised repeatedly to replace it on “Day one” of his administration; and despite owning the presidency and majorities in the US House and Senate, Republicans failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act so aptly nicknamed ObamaCare. Obama-care remains the law of the land.

It remains the law of the land because in the hasty attempt to repeal and replace this law signed by President Barack Obama in 2010, Republicans drafted a replacement bill that was blatantly cruel. It was a bill this newspaper predicted would fail because of its inhumane cruelty. It was a bill that increased the cost of insurance to seniors who need health insurance most. It would have removed insurance to millions of low-income Americans, who can hardly afford to feed their families much more healthcare. It would have removed access to healthcare for pregnant mothers, the mentally ill, among other benefits.

The Republican bill was created in arrogance. It’s authors did so in relative secret, without the knowledge of some of their own members. The arrogance of Republican leaders convinced them the bill would be passed in the US House, without the support of Democrats just seventeen days after it was released, and subsequently by the Senate in another two weeks. This arrogance extended to the White House where President Trump who prides himself as the negotiator-in-chief, and master-deal-closer, was confident he could use his influence to get this bill approved in record time.

The bill failed because Americans were not ready to have this bill pushed down their throat like bad medicine. Americans protested repealing and replacing Obama-care even before being aware of the Republican bill. Republicans and Democrats pressured their congressional representatives, and protested at rallies across the country not to take away something they never had prior to 2010 – affordable healthcare. It’s evident there are Republican congressional representatives who heeded these protests.

Although the failed attempt to repeal and replace ObamaCare is a sweet victory for proponents of that law, the victory is far from complete. A battle has been won but the war still rages.

Speaking from the White House moments after the Republican’s healthcare bill was pulled, Trump predicted “Obamacare will explode.” Americans must now remain vigilant to ensure clandestine moves are not taken to influence the “explosion” of Obamacare.

Admittedly, there are aspects of Obamacare that needs improving. Most social programs take years to perfect as   they adjust to changing characteristics of the society. The Social Security law continues to be tweaked some 82-years after it was signed. With Obamacare being the healthcare law of the land, like Social Security, there’s need to keep on fixing the flaws in the law.

Despite the flaws in Obamacare, it does meet a national demand for affordable healthcare. It should be the responsibility of Republicans, instead of trying to repeal Obamacare, to work in a bi-partisan manner with Democrats to improve this law of the land.

The Republican healthcare bill also failed because of the factions among Republicans. Since neither the Republican nor Democratic Parties are monolithic, it’s often difficult for the factions within the parties to reach consensus and pass critical legislation. However, it’s possible for a faction within one party with similarities to a faction within the other to reach agreement through skillful bi-partisan maneuvering.  For example, moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats may be more likely to reach bi-partisan agreement, than different factions within each party.

In order to fix the flaws in Obamacare and pass pending legislation like the federal budget and immigration reform, bi-partisan compromise will be needed. Failure to pass immigration reform under Obama, and replace Obama-care, proved it’s difficult to succeed without bi-partisan compromise. This should be an important lesson to Congressional leaders and President Trump.

 

 

 

 

Action on Florida Medical Marijuana law underway

Florida Judge Rules Against Marijuana Dispensaries Near Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

South Floridians who voted to approve Constitutional Amendment two that would lead to the availability of medication derived from marijuana, are reportedly encouraged by actions underway in the current sitting of the Florida Legislature. The constitutional amendment made medical marijuana legal in Florida, but the required regulations are subject to legislation to be voted on by Florida lawmakers by the end of June.

There are six bills, one in the House and five in the Senate, currently before lawmakers which are to be debated, advanced to relative committees and voted on in both chambers.

The bill tabled in the House was heard on Tuesday and  approved 14 to 1 in the Health Quality subcommittee. However, it need to be approved by two more committees before voted on by the full House membership. This bill proposes to limit the number of farms licensed to grow  marijuana for medical purposes, to the current seven growers approved by the state. It also proposes to ban edible forms of marijuana.

Under the House proposal, the number of growers would expand based on an increase in prescriptions medical marijuana . Each grower/farm would be limited to grow marijuana to provide medication to serve 18,000 to 20,000 patients. It is estimated that up to 30 farms could be  licensed based on this proposal.

Among the bills before the Senate, and yet to be heard, are some that propose shortening the wait time between patient’s consultation with a doctor and being issued a prescription, from 90 to 45 days. The reduction of the wait period was one urged by doctors, patients and their relatives at town-hall meetings held across the state earlier this year. Research has indicated that medical marijuana is useful in treating several diseases including glaucoma, Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease, ALS, epilepsy and forms of cancer.

The Senate will be required to form consensus on of the five bills tabled in that chamber. That bill must be in sync with the House bill, passed by both chambers, then signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.

Following approval by the Legislature, the Florida Department of Health will be required to finalize rules related to dispensation and use of the medication .

Meanwhile, over 600 doctors across Florida have passed an eight-hour state required test, and are officially licensed to prescribe medical marijuana to patients.

According to the Florida Department of Health, most of the recently licensed doctors are in South Florida, with the majority in Miami-Dade County.

Caribbean Diaspora reps holds meeting with Trump administration

Trump Haiti
Donald Trump

An alliance of Caribbean Diaspora community, religious and business leaders met with representatives of the Trump administration this week to provide input on the future of relations with the Caribbean and the overall role of the Diaspora.

The meeting follows on talks held last month to identify a mechanism to provide ongoing consultations between the Administration and the Caribbean Diaspora.
At the center of the discussions is the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016 which was signed last December by President Barack Obama. This legislation provides for the identification and implementation of specific initiatives and programs to enhance America’s relations with the Caribbean at both the multilateral and bilateral levels.

The Act identifies nine broad areas which the US State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are mandated to address and to provide recommendations and a proposed plan of action to the US Congress by June this year. The white paper that is expected to form the basis for Wednesday’s consultations, addresses the nine issues and received input from diaspora leaders across the United States representing organizations with members from across the Caribbean.

The meeting is expected to address issues under three broad themes-diplomacy and security; economic development; and education and health.

US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs will lead the US discussion with an overview of current US Engagement with the Caribbean. Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Riyad Insanally, who is also the current chair of the Caribbean Caucus of Ambassadors will deliver opening remarks at the meeting.

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