Home Blog Page 1377

Trinidad recalls Kenwayne Jones for World Cup qualifier

Kenwayne Jones

Trinidad and Tobago have recalled experienced striker Kenwyne Jones to the national football squad ahead of the country’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Panama later this month.

Newly-apponited coach Dennis Lawrence will attempt to revive a fledgling campaign, which began with back-to-back losses to Costa Rica and Honduras.

Jones, 32, was dropped from the national squad under the team’s previous coach Tom Saintfiet.  Jones will be one of 26 players called by Lawrence who registered his first win as coach in a 2-0 win over Barbados last week.  The squad includes 13 home-based players and 13 overseas-based players.

T&T squad:

Marvin Phillip, Jan Michael Williams, Glenroy Samuel (goalkeepers); Radanfah Abu Bakr, Aubrey David, Curtis Gonzales, Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus, Mekeil Williams, Tristan Hodge, Carlos Edwards, Alvin Jones (defenders); Andre Boucaud, Joevin Jones, Khaleem Hyland, Kevan George, Hughtun Hector, Hashim Arcia, Kevin Molino, Leston Paul, Levi Garcia, Cordell Cato, Nathan Lewis (midfielders); Kenwyne Jones, Willis Plaza, Jamille Boatswain

It was one of them nights with Billy Ocean and Taylor Dane

Billy Ocean..in love with Jamaica

The Pompano Beach Amphitheater rocked as Billy Ocean and Taylor Dane brought the house down with superb performances that left the audience spellbound and wanting for more.

At exactly 9:33 pm when Billy Ocean entered the stage it was to hoots of approval from the well-behaved audience. He did not disappoint.

Decked in an all-white suit, the veteran crooner slowly warmed to his audience as he opened with a catchy ballad and a reggae influenced offering. From then on the tempo rose and kept rising.

Taylor Dane...was the perfect opening act

Taylor Dane…was the perfect opening act

From the moment Billy Ocean belted out of the opening strains of Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) the real show began. The audience sang along danced, pranced and let out shouts and whistles of approval as Ocean sailed smoothly through his catalogue of hits.

Suddenly, There’ll Be Sad Songs, Lover Boy, When the Going Gets Tough, and Caribbean Queen flowed easily off his lips and his adoring fans just lapped it up as he sauntered about the stage, all the while bearing a broad smile.

A significant feature of Billy Ocean’s performance was when he took time out to inform the audience that he had a new album on the way which was a tribute to great entertainers who were no longer alive. He gave them a sample of the work as he performed Sam Cooke’s Change Gonna Come and Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry.

After a more than 90-minute set, the audience unwillingly let Billy Ocean go.

Taylor Dayne was the opening act of the night and she set the tone for the evening.

Taylor Dayne exhibited a great command of the stage and interacted well with her audience as she sang her well known hits and threw in a few renditions for good measure. Taylor Dane’s performance was even more memorable because of the fact that despite being in the business for more than three decades, she seemed to have lost none of her youthful verve and girlish looks.

It was truly One of Them Nights when the crowd got down with Billy Ocean and Taylor Dayne.

Click here to view a video of Billy Ocean at the Pompano Beach Ampitheater:

<iframe src=”https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkay.renz.3%2Fvideos%2F1239821826072413%2F&show_text=0&width=560” width=”560″ height=”315″ style=”border:none;overflow:hidden” scrolling=”no” frameborder=”0″ allowTransparency=”true” allowFullScreen=”true”></iframe>

 

Two charged for murder of Trinidad cop

Nyasha Joseph

A male associate of a Trinidadian policewoman along with a female have been charged with her murder.

The cop, Constable Nyasha Joseph, went missing two weeks ago. Her body was found last week in the ocean off the eastern Caribbean island

The two accused persons are expected to appear before a Port of Spain magistrate for a preliminary hearing.

The 36-year-old man, who is from Sea Lots, Port of Spain, and the 36-year-old woman, from Carenage, were charged on Sunday after a magistrate issued instructions to police investigators following consultations with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard.
The man was charged with murder, as well as the unlawful disposal of Joseph’s body, while the woman is facing a murder charge.
Last Thursday, the male suspect, through his attorney Christon J Williams, filed a writ of habeas corpus in the Port of Spain High Court, challenging his detention since March 10, but the police argued before Justice Nadia Kangaloo that they needed more time.

Following the discovery of Joseph’s body, Trinidad and Tobage Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, openly expressed his preference for the death penalty for persons found guilty of murder.

No evidence found in case of Trump colluding with Russia

In sports

Batting superstar Chris Gayle has been left out of the West Indies T20 squad for the four-match series against Pakistan starting later this month. Gayle did not play in the three-match series against the Pakistanis last September in the United Arab Emirates, after advising selectors he was unavailable for selection. Gayle has been a key member of the West Indies T20 set-up and remains one of the world’s premier batsmen in the shortest format.

Here’s What’s trending
Legendary musician Chuck Berry, who was central to the development of rock ‘n’ roll beginning in the ’50s with indelible hits like “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Johnny B. Goode,” died on Saturday. He was 90 years old.

64 dead from road accidents in Jamaica this year

Statistics from Jamaica’s Road Safety Unit have revealed that 64 persons have lost their lives in road accidents since the start of the year.

The number represents a 33 percent decline when compared to the corresponding period last year, which saw 9. The Unit said raod fatalities are expected to decrease by 15 per cent in 2017.

Of the number of deaths recorded so far this year, 20 were motorcyclists, 19 were pedestrians, 12 were drivers of private motor vehicles, six pedal cyclists, three passengers of private motor vehicles, two pillion passengers on motorbikes, and two drivers of commercial vehicles.

Men are the leading victims of road fatalities on the Jamaica’s roads. A total of 56 males have died on the island’s roadways. This represents 88 per cent of all road users killed.

Director of the Unit, Kenute Hare, says that the Unit will be coming up with more strategies targeting males with a view to arresting the troubling trend. In a media release, Hare appealed to all males to re-acquaint themselves with the road code and practice the principles as this will go a far way in their preservation as they traverse the nation’s thoroughfares.

Creekers trounce Team Haiti in CASA Super League

Creekers Football Club returned to winning ways with a 7-1 trouncing of Team Haiti in the feature match of the Caribbean American Soccer Association Super League at the Broward Sports Park on Saturday.

Creekers had been experiencing a poor run of form with a string of losses and draws but seemed to have put that behind them when they took the field against the talented Team Haiti outfit.

In the curtain raiser Lauderdale Blazers got the better of Miami Lakes United 3-1.

The competition continues on Wednesday with Plantation FC tackling Rock Island Fc in the lone ecounter.

Young Jamaican scientist develops ground-breaking diabetes medicine

Dr Denice Daly

Scientist, Dr. Denise Daly, has used her passion for plants to develop a line of nutraceuticals to be used in the treatment of diabetes.

Through her research on the eucalyptus plant, she has created food items and supplements, which will assist thousands of Jamaicans suffering from the chronic condition.

These include cooking oil, teas, margarine, and supplements, including Tincture.

For her innovation, Dr. Daley was named the 2016 Young Scientist of the Year at the National Science and Technology Awards held last November.

Dr Daley formulated and did product development for functional foods and nutraceuticals from the compounds that were isolated from the eucalyptus plant. In 2012, she won Innovator of the Year for the extracted compounds.

The compounds are now patented.

“We wanted to make them more available to Jamaicans who have diabetes and hypertensio,” she said.

Dr Daley is now looking at local manufacturers to start producing the medicine on a large scale, after which she will begin marketing and distribution.

“My grandmother has diabetes, so that was part of the drive, as well, to get stuff done, to find out more about folklore plants that are used for diabetes,” she added.

Dr. Daley currently does the oil blends for her grandmother, as well as some of the teas and the margarine, which she makes at home.

She recommends that persons with diabetes use natural products to assist in normalising the blood sugar. She, however, promotes integrated medicine, that is using natural items along with traditional medication.

In addition to diabetes products, Dr. Daley has also developed a line of natural skincare and hair care products, infused with essential oils and herbs. The products, under the brand Nasore, include handmade soaps, hair and body oils as well as lip balms.

“It was originally a hobby, which I started to share with friends, which eventually became a business. Each soap has a different character and is infused with natural herbs and essential oils such as moringa, neem, tea tree oil, grape seed oil, turmeric, flax seed and coconut cream,” she shares.

The products are ideal for the treatment of eczema and acne, skin hydration, exfoliation, relaxation, and evening the tone and improving elasticity.

Miami Judge rejects Guy Philippe immunity claim

Philippe..had his immunity claim rejected by Florida judge

A judge has rejected an immunity claim by a former Haitian coup leader and recent senator-elect who is charged in a U.S. drug case.

The Miami federal judge ruled that Guy Philippe cannot use his November 20 election to the Haitian Senate to avoid prosecution in the U.S. Philippe was arrested four days before he was to officially take office on January 9.

The judge also rejected Philippe’s attempt to get the charges dismissed for several reasons, including claims that he was essentially kidnapped and illegally brought to the U.S.

Philippe has pleaded not guilty to drug smuggling and money laundering conspiracy charges that carry a maximum life prison sentence. The trial is set for April 3.

Philippe led a 2004 uprising that ousted then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Child molester gets 60 years

A babysitter who took photos and videos of himself sexually abusing a toddler at the request of a Broward man must serve 60 years in prison, a federal judge in Miami ruled Thursday.

Jason Barber, 39 of Las Vegas, previously pleaded guilty to charges including producing and distributing child pornography. Benedict Shaw, the man who police say received the images and requested certain poses of the 2-year-old, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. handed down the 60-year sentence despite pleas from Barber’s defense attorney for a more lenient sentence of 30 years.

“Before the court is an extremely frail, unstable and mentally infirmed man who was dealt an awful deck of cards from the very beginning,” Hugo Rodriguez wrote in a memorandum before Barber’s sentencing. “Jason understands and knows what he did was wrong, for which he is very remorseful.”

In 2013, the South Florida Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, which is based in Broward County, received two cyber tips suspecting that dozens of child pornography images had been traded among several email accounts. The IP address led detectives to Shaw’s home in Lauderhill, records show. Law enforcement officers confirmed Shaw was communicating with Barber, who lived in Las Vegas.

The two had met in an online chatroom for people with a diaper fetish, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday announcing Barber’s sentence. Shaw had shipped Barber a package with a cell phone, diapers, pacifiers and baby oil, theSun Sentinel reported at the time of Barber’s arrest.

“Take pics and vids. This will make my night and my packages worthwhile,” Shaw wrote in one email to Barber obtained by the Sun Sentinel. “No one else will ever see it. I promise I never break my word.”

Barber had convinced the mother of the child to allow him to watch the girl while she was at work, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in the news release.

“Barber used the cell phone to record himself sexually abusing the child in his care,” the office said in the release. “Barber then sent the video and several still images to Shaw via email.”

Shaw, who had assumed his dead brother’s identity because of charges he faced in another state, was sentenced in October 2014.

At the sentencing hearing, the girl’s mother confronted Shaw, the Sun Sentinel reported.

“How dare you violate a child? How dare you do that to a child or anyone?” she said during the hearing, according to the paper. “I pray that you don’t feel what those children felt where you’re at.”

Miami Republican legislator opposes Trumpcare

Miami Republican Representative, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, plans to vote against the House GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, becoming the first Florida Republican to reject Trumpcare outright.

“After studying the impact of this proposed legislation on my district and speaking with many of my constituents, I have decided to vote no on the bill as currently written,” she told the Miami Herald. “The bill’s consequences for South Florida are clear: too many of my constituents will lose insurance and there will be less funds to help the poor and elderly with their healthcare.”

Ros-Lehtinen’s 27th district, which includes Southeast Miami-Dade County, had the largest number of Obamacare enrollees in the country —about 96,300 — as of January, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that at least 14 million people would lose or drop coverage by 2018 under the proposed American Health Care Act, which has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

In opposing the bill, Ros-Lehtinen has broken ranks  with fellow Miami Republican Carlos Curbelo, who last week voted for the bill in the House Ways and Means Committee.

The third Miami Republican in the House, Mario Diaz-Balart, is still reviewing the legislation and CBO report and has some “concerns,” his spokeswoman said.

Some Florida Republicans have questioned the House plan on conservative grounds, arguing it remains too interventionist in its approach to the insurance market.

Florida Democrats universally oppose the plan.

“It is wrong to take away health insurance for 24 million people, as well as increase the cost to seniors,” Senator Bill Nelson said.

Ros-Lehtinen is still not a fan of the existing law, but she said its replacement needs to have bipartisan support — and be more humane.

“I voted to repeal Obamacare many times because it was not the right fix for our broken healthcare system and did not live up to its promise to the American people, but this plan is not the replacement South Florida needs,” Ros-Lehtinen said. “We should work together to write a bi-partisan bill that works for our community and our nation without hurting the elderly and disadvantaged among us.”

The Jamaican opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has described tax package as devastating

 

Two federal judges have ruled against a new executive immigration order being pushed by the Donald Trump administration. A judge in Hawaii issued a nationwide order on Wednesday evening, while a second federal judge in Maryland ruled against Mr. Trump overnight, with a separate order forbidding the core provision of the travel ban from going into effect. The rulings dealt a severe blow to the Republican Government who campaigned on banning Muslim extremists. A disgusted Trump has sworn to take the fight all the way to the Supreme Court to have the orders overturned.
The Jamaican opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has described the J$13.52 billion tax package announced by Finance Minister Audley Shaw last week as devastating. Shaw announced a raft of tax increases to finance the budget which will see Jamaicans paying more for fuel, tobacco, alcohol and motor vehicle licenses to name a few. Phillips, a former finance minister slammed the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) for a “confusing” budget process.
The Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart has rejected a suggestion from former Prime Minister Owen Arthur that the island has no option but to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance. Speaking in the Parliament on the debate of the 2017-2018 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure Arthur, an economist, said that the move to the financial institution was inevitable and warned that the country could not tackle its BDS$3.3 billion dollar debt crisis on its own

In Sports
Jamaica and Pakistan registered contrasting victories in the third round of the 2017 City of Lauderhill Internalional T20 Night Cricket Tournament at the Lauderhill Sports Park on Saturday. The Jamaican team trounced the Trinbago Red Force by nine wickets while the Pakistanis defeated arch-rivals India by six runs.

Here’s What’s Trending
Come this Saturday and Sunday the Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival will bring renewed energy to Miami Gardens. Featuring a star-studded lineup, the event is expected to live up to its billing as one of South Florida’s premier festivals. With artistes of the ilk of Jill Scott, Herbie Hancock and LL Cool J featuring DJ Z Trip, booked to rock the house, the Hard Rock Stadium is set to come alight with excitement.
.

For today’s weather forecast
It will be mostly partly cloudy in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties with a High of 72 degrees and a low of 59. 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.

Miami man arrested for illegal butt injections

A Miami man was arrested on charges of providing illegal butt injections that left a woman hospitalized.

The Miami-Dade police  reports that the injured victim told them she went to Carlos Gilberto Mendoza’s West Miami-Dade home for unknown injections all over her body from May 2016 to February. She spent $4,300 on injections to her face and butt.

Medical records show Carlos Mendoza, 49, isn’t a licensed doctor.

The victim was hospitalized for complications from the injections on Tuesday.

The Police found Mendoza at his home where a search unearthed a cache of lidocain, botox and bacteriostatic water, which is used to dilute medications for injections.

He was arrested and charged with performing medical procedures without a license and illegally possessing prescription drugs with the intent to sell.

Queen Ifrika ‘Climbs’ to the top of Billboard charts

Queen Ifrica has ceremoniously cataplulted to her throne at the top of the Billboard Reggae chart, as her latest studio album “Climb” debuted at #1 this week.

The recently released album has been receiving positive reviews and marks the first time a female has risen to the top of the Billboard Reggae Charts in almost five years.

The controversial but hard-hitting Reggae songstress employed a shrewd marketing ploy when she boosted her album sales with an in-store/acoustic performance event at VP Records’ Florida location.

The album has also climbed up the charts due to a favorable response from an online audience who has been supporting sales with digital album downloads.

After a six year hiatus, Queen Ifrika returned to active recording and performances with a renewed gusto and has underlined her status of one of Reggae foremost female voices of the millennium and beyond.

 

US warns citizens about Bahamas Spring Break

The United States Embassy in Bahamas is warning its citizens to take extra care if they travel to the Caribbean nation to enjoy Spring Break.

In a message to citizens entitled Stay safe During Spring Break, the embassy warned its citizens to avoid being alone with strangers, jet ski, taxi or scooter operators.

“Be particularly cautious on secluded beaches; criminals target such isolated areas. When traveling, use only clearly marked buses and taxis, as unlicensed taxi drivers have been linked to a variety of violent crimes,” the report stated.

The embassy warned that  jet ski rental operators are known to commit asexual assaults and other crimes against tourists.

“Never allow yourself to be driven off alone with a scooter operator. Unlicensed operators and rental services have been linked to assaults, including sexual assaults,” the letter also stated.

The embassy also cautioned against excessive alcohol intake as drunken visitors are often victims of sexual assault, robbery and physical harm. Young women in particular, were warned to be extra cautious.

It referred to a US State department warning that the criminal threat in the islands of New Providence is rated as critical.

“Armed robbery and sexual assault are major criminal threats facing U.S. citizens in New Providence. The U.S. Embassy has received multiple reports indicating tourists have been robbed at gunpoint or knifepoint in the downtown areas of Nassau; several of these incidents occurred during daylight hours. The Bahamas has one of the highest incidences of sexual assault in the Caribbean,” the warning also stated.

Recipe: Vaca Frita (Cuba)

Vaca Frita

By Celina DeCastro

Literally translated to “Fried Cow”, this Cuban dish is usually served with rice, beans and fried plantains. Vaca frita will transport you to Havana without ever having you leave your home. Similar to Cuba’s Ropa Vieja, this dish has less tomato sauce and more of the natural crispy beef flavor that will leave you craving more.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 pound of flank steak, cut into four pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored and quartered
  • 2 large onions- 1 halved and 1 thinly sliced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 smashed garlic cloves
  • Salt
  • 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons of lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh ground pepper

What to do:

  1. Combine the bell pepper, halved onion, 1 of the garlic cloves and bay leaf in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
  2. Add just enough water to cover the ingredients and bring to a boil, add in the flank steak. Let it simmer over medium heat for about twenty to thirty minutes.
  3. Remove steak and other ingredients from stock.
  4. Once steak has cooled, shred the meat
  5. In a large bowl add lime juice, shredded beef, and finely minced garlic. Toss the mixture and let it marinate for at least an hour.
  6. Heat a cast iron skillet or pan over high heat. Add oil and thinly sliced onions, cook until onions become translucent and browned at the edges.
  7. Add beef and cook until beef is browned and crispy. Here you can personalize the level of crispiness you would like for the beef.
  8. Serve immediately to hungry friends and family, don’t forget an extra lime on the side.

 

Jamaica Ex-Police Association of South Florida to celebrate milestone

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Jamaica Ex-Police Association of South Florida, which was voted “Best Jamaican Social Club/Organization” for 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, by Jamaicans.com, will stage a three day series of events to celebrate and commemorate the milestone.

The first of the three days of events will be a reception for dignitaries, community leaders and friends of the association on Friday, March 31, at JEPA’s Place, 7153 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderhill, Florida.  Highlights of the evening will be a short video presentation of past accomplishments of JEPA and special cultural presentations to mark the occasion.

The following day, Saturday, April 1, will be a family picnic, co-sponsored by the Jamaica Ex-Soldiers Association (JESA), at Central Broward Regional Park, Shelter #7, 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, Florida. The picnic will start at 10:00 AM and conclude at 7:00 PM.

A church service, 10:00 AM, Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Merrell United Methodist Church, 3900 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes, will conclude the three-day celebration.

JEPA’s primary fundraiser, its 25th annual fundraising ball, will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at the Woodlands Country Club, 4600 Woodlands Boulevard in Tamarac, Florida. US Federal Judge Norman Hemming will be the keynote speaker.

JEPA will award two scholarships to college students at the gala. JEPA will also award two additional scholarships to Jamaican students, when members of the association visit the island in late May for its annual Jamaican Police Station Refurbishing Project and its Adopt a Basic School for a Day Project.

West Palm Beach traffic stop leads to drug arrest

Glenn Kenneth

A West Palm Beach man is now behind bars and facing multiple charges after he attempted to scamper away from police.

Riviera Beach police have arrested Kenneth F. Glenn, 27, who allegedly had the “strong odor of fresh marijuana” in his vehicle. He faces possession charges for marijuana, cocaine, oxycodone and fentanyl. He was also accused of battery on a police officer after after he fought with one while resisting arrest, according to a police arrest report.

Police reportedly used a Taser to subdue Glenn after chasing him through the backyards of nearby homes.

Authorities report that the incident began minutes after midday. Wednesday when officers noticed a car with dark tinted windows north of Blue Heron Boulevard and west of President Barack Obama Highway. The car stopped in front of a home and an officer activated his police lights as a passenger got out of Glenn’s vehicle.

Two officers noted the smell of marijuana, according to the arrest report. They also learned that Glenn was driving with a suspended license.

As officers tried to place him in handcuffs, Glenn reportedly pulled away and managed to free himself. He ran for about 30 feet to the backyard of a home on West 28th Street before an officer caught up to him.

Glenn continued to resist, punching and kicking at the officer, the report said. He ran again and jumped the fence into the backyard of a home on West 27th Street.

The chase finally ended with an officer deploying his Taser.

Glenn was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach for medical clearance. He remained the Palm Beach County Jail early Friday in lieu of $135,000 bail.

Two more arrested in connection with Trinidad cop’s murder

Nyasha Joseph

By Celina DeCastro

A 36- year old mother of two from Carenage and a 24-year-old Sea Lots man were taken into police custody by Homicide Investigations Bureau in connection with the murder of policewoman Nyasha Joseph.

The woman was arrested Friday morning after investigators learned of an altercation between Joseph and the woman that occurred days before the officer was reported missing. She is believed to be one of the five women romantically involved with the prime suspect who was detained last Friday.

The 24-year-old man surrendered to police Wednesday night, after learning of his arrest warrant in connection to the murder. Investigators believe the suspect, a Sea Lots boat owner, may have vital information about the disposal of Joseph’s body.

These arrests occurred hours after Joseph’s body was pulled from the Gulf of Paria on Wednesday. Her body was found stuffed in a plastic bag, with two bricks tied to her hands.

The official autopsy results were inconclusive due to the advanced decomposition of Joseph’s body.

According to reports, the prime suspect, a 36-year-old Sea Lots man, has not been cooperating with investigators and has no knowledge that Joseph’s body has been found. He is currently being held at the Homicide Bureau’s Riverside Plaza headquarters.

A judge has ruled that officers have until Monday to charge the prime suspect with the killing or set him free.

Police investigators theorize that Joseph was lured to the Sea Lots by a person she was romantically involved with, where she was then killed and her body disposed of.

Elaine Thompson headlines star-studded Jamaica Invitational meet

Elaine Thompson

Jamaican sprint queen, Elaine Thompson, will headline a cast of some of the world’s top athletes set to compete at the Jamaica International Invitational Track Meet at the National Stadium on May 20.

The double Olympic champion sped to a wind-assisted 10.71 to win the 100 meters, at last year’s meet but this year she will only compete in the 200 meters, the event at which she is also the world silver medalist.

World 100 meters hurdles record-holder Kendra Harrison will be visiting the shores of Jamaica for the first time. Apart from the US Olympic Trials, Harrison swept all of her 100m hurdles races last year to win the Diamond Race in her event.

javon Francis...to lead Jamaica's men 400 meters charge
javon Francis…to lead Jamaica’s men 400 meters charge

Olympic 200 meters silver medalist Andre De Grasse will challenge world 400 meters silver medalist LaShawn Merritt over half a lap of the track, while former world 100 meters record-holder Asafa Powell will be joined by Mike Rodgers of the USA in the marquis event.

World and Olympic bronze medallist Shericka Jackson takes on fellow Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson in the 400 meters, while Olympic finalist Christania Williams will contest the 100 meters, and Javon Francis will lead the Jamaican charge in the men’s 400 meters.

Trinidad PM looking to resume hanging

Trinidad to resume hanging

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Kieth Rowley, has asked former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, to resurrect the hangman.

Maharaj oversaw the 1999 executions of drug baron Dole Chadee and eight of his gang members hanged.

Rowley has clarified his own position on the death penalty, saying he favoured it, after being asked by the media for a statement on crime and the murder of policewoman Nyasha Joseph.

Joseph, 22, was reported missing last Friday and her body discovered on Wednesday at the swampy mouth of the Caroni Ri­ver, where it exits into the Gulf of Paria, by fishermen trawling for shrimp.

Rowley said he would not apologise for his position on the death penalty for murder.

UN expert urges Haiti to work on human rights issues

An independent expert on human rights has welcomed the recent completion of the electoral process in Haiti as “remarkable progress” while also urging the authorities to address the situation in prisons and to redouble efforts to help Haitians affected by Hurricane Matthew and the 2010 massive earthquake.

Gustavo Gallón, who has just completed an official mission to the country, praised “the transparency, professionalism and commitment of the Provisional Electoral Council, and the provisional government authorities in leading the elections.”

Gallón said detention conditions in Haitian prisons are “extremely inhuman, cruel and degrading,” and that long pre-trial detention, which amounts to an average of 70 per cent at national level, is among the main causes of prison overcrowding, which reaches a rate of 358 per cent, equivalent to 1.43 square meters per prisoner.

The United Nations said there are prisons where the situation is even worse, according to a study conducted in 2016.

“It can be said that 91 per cent of all detainees in this prison who are awaiting trial are illegally or arbitrarily detained, which represents an increase of 23 per cent since 2014,” said Gallón , adding that the excessive level of overcrowding is also a factor, among others, that contributes to the high level of death in prison.

“If the current trend continues, projections for the year 2017 can result in the death of 229 prisoners, an annual mortality rate of 21.8 per 1,000,” he said.

Taking note of the establishment of a new Presidential Commission to assess the situation in prisons, Gallón appealed to the authorities to implement urgent actions aimed at the abolition of prolonged pre-trial detention in order to improve prison conditions and to respect the rights of people deprived of their liberty.

 

Barbados PM says no to IMF

Stuart

The Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart on Wednesday rejected a suggestion from former Prime Minister Owen Arthur that the island has no option but to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance in dealing with the ailing economy.

Speaking in the Parliament on the debate of the 2017-2018 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure Arthur, an economist, said that the move to the Washington-based financial institution was inevitable and warned that the country could not tackle its BDS$3.3 billion dollar debt crisis on its own.

But Prime Minister Stuart reiterated that his government would not go the IMF route- at least not now.

Stuart said Barbados was not bulldozed into becoming a member of the IMF and there is no fear of the international financial institution but he sees no need to seek them out at this time.

But he also admitted that the country was spending more than it was earning, which had led to enlarged foreign debt and the excess printing of money.

Plans underway for Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference

Business and investment opportunities, philanthropy, social investment and crime intervention and prevention will be among the issues discussed during the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, slated for July 23-26 in Kingston to coincide with Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

Representatives of the Diaspora including Orlando attorney Wayne Golding, have been participating in preliminary planning meetings.

Golding expressed enthusiasm at the planning that is going into making this year’s conference relevant to both Jamaica and the Diaspora. He said he was particularly encouraged by the participation of the Jamaican private sector in this year’s planning initiatives.

The first meeting of  national Stakeholders was held on March 8 at the Kingston office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, where e 50 entities met to initiate planning strategies for the staging of the Conference.

Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who was in London attending the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting, addressed the meeting via video message. She reiterated the emphasis placed by the Jamaican government on structured and results-oriented engagement with the Diaspora, through the Conference.

“It is my hope that we will build on the achievements of previous years and coming out of this conference, create effective mechanisms for specific, measurable and implementable actions aligned with the Government’s priorities and Diaspora interests,” she said.

Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts in noting the strong representation of agencies at the meeting, cited this as an indication of the commitment towards the public-private partnership required to execute the conference.

During discussions, plans were outlined to develop a tailored experience for Diaspora members to access areas of specific interest to them. Attendees can also expect expositions and cultural activities to provide a unique Jamaican experience during the three-day Conference.

Vybz Kartel granted leave to appeal conviction!

It’s Thursday, March 16. We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community.

In Sports

The world’s fastest man, Usain ‘Lightning’ Bolt seems set to miss the IAAF World Relays scheduled to take place in the Bahamas this summer.

Bolt has sent signals that his participation at the third running of the relays is unlikely as his Coach Glen Mills has not said anything to him about competing at the meet. The relays are held every year outside of an Olympic year in the Bahamas.

Here’s What’s Trending

Incarcerated dancehall star, Vybz Kartel and three of his co-accused in the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams were on Wednesday granted leave to appeal their conviction and life sentences. Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer; Shawn Campbell; Kahira Jones; and Andre St John are now able to ask the Court of Appeal to rule whether or not to overturn their conviction and sentences.

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

 

Mosaic Group CEO receives 2017 HERstory Award

Herstory award winner Ann-Marie Sorrell

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, West Palm Beach Chapter presented Mosaic Group CEO, Ann Marie Sorrell and three other recipients with the 2017 HERstory Award, honoring trailblazing women in labor and business at the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church on March 12.

The award came as part of the 2017 HERstory Women’s History Month and was presented to honor those who have succeeded in expanding women’s participation in commerce and female power in the paid labor force.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization as the Coalition of 100 Black Women,” said Sorrell,  the Mosaic Group Founder and CEO. “We will always do our best to foster advancement for women of color and all women in the course of our business efforts.”

The Mosaic Group is an eleven-year old full service marketing/events/PR company servicing the tri-county area of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.

The Coalition of 100 Black Women is a national organization advocating on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

1...1,3761,3771,378...1,547Page 1,377 of 1,547