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Broward schools supports transgender, and all diverse students says school superintendent

Broward County Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie has reacted to a recent decision of the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Education. On Wednesday, the two federal departments reversed a decision made in May, 2016 by the Obama administration to provide bathroom privileges to transgender students based on the gender they recognize.

The Obama administration decision followed a law passed by South Carolina to have transgenders use bathroom in keeping with their birth gender in public places, including schools. The May, 2016 federal decision was strong opposed by Conservative Americans.

Runcie
Runcie..expressed his support for transgender and all other diverse students

In a statement reacting to the reversal of the Obama Administration’s decision, Runcie said, “As a community, among the most important things we can do is to provide a high-quality education for all students in safe and secure learning environments. Broward County Public Schools respects and supports the needs of all of our diverse students.”

The head of the Broward public school system said that as a District, Broward has a moral obligation and responsibility to protect students from discrimination, bullying and harassment. “Prior to the federal guidance provided in May 2016, BCPS had guidelines in place to support transgender students. Therefore, the announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education will not have an impact on the operation of our schools. There will be no change to the District’s existing non-discrimination policy, which is as follows:

The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.”

Runcie made it clear that long before the federal guidance was issued in May 2016, Broward schools had, and continue to have  gender neutral bathrooms available for all students.

He said, “Our administrators, teachers and staff want our students to feel safe and accepted in their school communities.  BCPS provides resources and guidance to our schools on a regular basis. This include, “providing professional development on meeting the needs of our diverse students; providing the District’s Transgender Support Guide to our schools, which outlines our roles and responsibilities; instituting and supporting awareness campaigns; and Creating community partnerships.

Runcie reiterated the Coty School District will continue to respect, value and support the varying needs of its diverse students, “and we will continue to provide all students with the resources to succeed in their education and beyond.”

Lisa Hanna gets deaths threats after advocating for Vybz Kartel ban

Lisa Hanna

Extra protection has been afforded to Jamaica’s former Minister of Youth and Culture and member of Parliament for South Eastern St Ann, Lisa Hanna, after her life was threatened after calling for the banning of popular entertainer Vybz Kartel’s music from radio.

Hanna was the subject of a sea of threats via social media after she called for an investigation into the methods the imprisoned entertainer employed to record music while behind bars. Hanna called the music of Vybz Kartel to be banished from radio as he was a convicted felon and should not be allowed to invade the public space and still enjoy idol-like status among the nation’s impressionable youth.

The threats have prompted police in the island to warn the perpetrators that if they are caught they will be prosecuted under the Cyber Crimes Act which states that it is illegal to utilize social media to threaten or malign an individual’s character.

Vybz Kartel...his fans have issued death threats to politician, Lisa Hanna
Vybz Kartel…his fans have issued death threats to politician, Lisa Hanna

Since Hanna’s call during a Nationwide 90FM interview with broadcaster, Cliff Hughes, debate has raged on the topic.

Under Jamaican law no convict should be allowed to earn or practice their trade while incarcerated. However fans of the DJ see Hanna’s call for a ban on his music as an attempt to muzzle him and are up in arms.

Vybz Kartel is still on remand as he has appealed a life sentence he received for the 2015 murder of his crony, Clive “Lizard” Williams at his house in Havendale, St Andrew. He will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years of his sentence.

He was previously housed at the New Horizon Remand Center at Spanish Town Road in Kingston where it is suspected that he had free reign to record songs and smuggle them out on the streets. He has since been transferred to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Center (formerly known as the General Penitentiary) after the cries grew louder that his songs were flooding the streets at an alarming rate.

Carnival time, Mon!!

Trinidad carnival

Vanessa James

Before Christians begin 40 days of self-denial and sacrifice during the Lenten season beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 1, several Caribbean Islands will celebrate one of the Caribbean’s more spirited entertainment event – Carnival. Nowhere in the Caribbean is Carnival more exhilarating, more colorful, more fun, than in Trinidad and Tobago.

It is believed the first celebration of modern Carnival in the Caribbean originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the late 18th century when French immigrants brought the Masquerade tradition with them to the islands. According to legend, slaves who were emancipated in 1838, used carnival rituals to commemorate their sufferings on the plantations and at the same time lampooned the lifestyle of their former masters through costumed characters. From TNT Carnival spread to other Caribbean islands like Haiti.

Carnival is always a time of fun in Trinidad and Tobago
Carnival is always a time of fun in Trinidad and Tobago

For decades. the annual Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, begins with plans and events from early January, peaking on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Visitors from all over the world descend on Trinidad and Tobago every year to celebrate Carnival, primarily for the last two days, which are described as a celebration of life, color and the artistry of the people of Trinidad. It is usual for those who visit Carnival, even for multiple times, to praise the festivities especially the colorful costumes worn by various bands, and the pulsating rhythm of calypso, steel drums, and soca, as an experience they cannot forget.

Visitors to Carnival are advised to be well rested before going down to Trinidad for the fun as they say “never stop, and you can ‘grine and wine’ till you drop.” This is no idle advice, as during the build up to the climax, men and women of all ages, races, and colors wine through the streets, drinking rum under the sun and under the stars.

Before the highlight of Carnival next Monday and Tuesday, those who arrive in Trinidad over the weekend and bring the children with them, can take in the Kiddies Carnival which starts at 11:00 am on Saturday at the Queens Park Savannah in Port-au-Spain, the central location for Carnival events. Later that evening, visitors will be in for a unique thrill at the Panorama National Finals also at the Savannah, where large and medium steel orchestras will be thrilling the crowd with phenomenal steel pan music as they vie for the title.

On Sunday, there is a wide variety of events across the land, but for those who are unconcerned of the realities of not getting sufficient rest before the grand two-day celebrations, they can take in the Dimanche Gras, which is the King and Queen Competition finals, also at Queens Park Oval.

Thousands line the streets in Port-au-Spain and other major cities like San Fernando and Point Fortin from all walks of life to experience Carnival Monday and Tuesday; the grand finale where months of preparation and artistry are displayed for the world to see.

The big event which officially kicks off Carnival on Monday morning is J’Ouvert (or “day break“) which starts at 3am at Queen’s Park Savannah, ending after sunrise. This is a mass party like no other, referred to as “dutty mas” where revelers parade with painted bodies covered in mud, oil coca or many other forms of body paint, as they jam to calypso and soca music.

While people jam till the wee hours of the morning, street vendors serve the ever popular “doubles”, bake and shark and corn soup and steel pan and rhythm percussion sections continuously play the latest soca tunes of the season.

Those going to carnival to participate in Tuesday’s grand parade, Masquerade or “Mas” as it is commonly called, can join one of the all-inclusive bands like Tribe, Bliss, Fantasy, Yuma or Ronnie and Caro. With hundreds of bands to choose from, carnival revelers have their pick based on the vibe, costumes, or social setting they prefer.
Young and old alike have made Trini carnival a staple travel destination for good reason. Whether you go for the popular (fetes) or all-inclusive parties, the delicious cuisine, the Mas or just the overall Carnival experience, be sure to give yourself at least a week to take in the unlimited vibes and soak in the sweet TNT culture. There’s truly nothing like it on earth.

US concerned about T&T nationals being recruited by ISIS

We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community.  Today is Thursday, February 23rd.

And now our top stories:

The United States is worried about the number of Trinidad and Tobago Nationals who have been recruited by the terrorist group: the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS. The eastern Caribbean country is now regarded as a breeding ground for extremists. The Donald Trump-led administration is fearful – that Trinidadian ISIS fighters – might return from the Middle East and attack American diplomatic and oil installations in Trinidad.

Officials who monitor Haiti’s jails have revealed that overcrowding, malnutrition and infectious diseases have led to a surge of inmate deaths, including 21 at the Port-au-Prince penitentiary in January alone. Prison authorities say they repeatedly receive insufficient funds from the state to buy food and cooking fuel, leading to deadly cases of malnutrition-related ailments.

A Jamaican teacher is among 10 finalists selected from a pool of 20,000 nominations and applications from 179 countries for the Varkey Foundation, Global Teacher Prize 2017. She is Tracy-Ann Hall, an automotive technology teacher at Jonathan Grant High School in Spanish Town, St Catherine. Now in its third year, the US $1 million award, is the largest prize of its kind

In Sports

The City of Lauderhill in South Florida will host the T20 Night Cricket tournament, for the 15th straight year this coming Saturday, February 25th, at the Lauderhill Sports Park. Teams representing the Combined Islands, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Trinidad and Tobago, will compete for the 2017 Championship Trophy.

Now Here’s What’s Trending

The revised executive order targeting immigrants from seven majority Muslim countries, that was expected to be signed by President Donald Trump yesterday, has been put off until next week. The announcement was made by the Trump administration late last evening.

For tomorrows weather forecast

It will be partly cloudy in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties with a High of 79 degrees and a low of 57.  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 Tanya Ragbeer.

Three outstanding Caribbean Women honored by Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce

Three influential Caribbean women will be honored as “Women of Distinction” at the fourth annual Women of Distinction (WOD) Awards Breakfast hosted by the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC), in collaboration with the Florida Panthers on Friday, March 3.

The awards function will be held at  the BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida.

Sandra Carey, (Bahamian descent), is the Deputy Consul General of the Bahamas; Donna Borland, (Jamaican descent),  is General Manager at VITAS Healthcare; and Karen Pandy-Cherry, (Belize descent), is President of Refresh Live Foundation.  They will be recognized with six other prestigious women for their professional achievements and community contributions. This year’s Master of Ceremoniesd is South Florida’s television host and attorney Suzette Speaks.

This year’s function is being held under the theme “Rise Up!” and the Chamber has selected another group of powerful women who exhibit qualities of strength, excellence, and empowerment. The 2017 LRCC Woman Of Distinction honorees also includes Veda Coleman-Wright, Public Information Office Director at the Broward Sheriff’s Office; Dr. Traci Lynn, Chief Executive Officer of Traci Lynn Jewelry; Nerissa Street, Founder of Be Your Own Answer; Dee Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Dee Thompson Speaks; Sherry Friedlander-Olsen, Founder of A Child is Missing, Inc; and Ilene Lieberman, the First Female Strong Mayor in Broward County.

Melissa P. Dunn, MBA – President of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce— is ecstatic about this year’s honorees.

“These Caribbean Women of Distinction Honorees represent thousands of women who migrate to this country and achieve the American dream by working hard and serving others while balancing family and career. By honoring them, we are honoring girls who aspire to become them.  We are affirming that women can lead and succeed,” Dunn said.

The Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization dedicated to serving businesses in Lauderhill and throughout Central Broward County.

 

Lisa Hanna wants a ban on Vybz Kartel’s songs

Lisa Hanna wants to ban Vybz Kartel's songs from radio

Jamaican former minister of Youth and Culture and present Member of Parliament for South Eastern St Ann, Lisa Hanna, wants to put a ban on the music of VYbz Kartel from radio.

Speaking on Nationwide 90Fm on Wednesday, Hanna argued that the popular dancehall DJ is a convicted murderer who is serving a life sentence and should not be allowed the freedom of producing songs that sways the minds of impressionable youngsters.

She cited the case of Reggae artiste Buju Banton, who is serving a ten-year sentence in the United States on drug-related charges.

“The issue where Kartel’s music keeps coming out [more] than any other person, because I haven’t heard any new songs from Buju since he has been incarcerated,” Hanna said.

The former beauty queen said a thorough investigation needed to be done in order to find out the method the DJ is employing to reel off hit songs at regular intervals and as a result keep himself relevant in the dancehall sphere.

“I think we need to get to the root cause of that. I think we need to find out how the songs are made. How they are getting out? Is there corruption in the prison system? And I am not only singling out Kartel alone, I am singling out all persons across the spectrum who are having an imprint on our children’s value systems,” Hanna said.

Hanna was adamant that Jamaica needs to set rules and make sure they are adhered to.

Vybz Kartel...Lisa Hanna wants his music banned from radio
Vybz Kartel…Lisa Hanna wants his music banned from radio

“We need to come to a decision that says in the best interest of our country to set examples we have to identify what rules are rules and what privileges are privileges. If you are convicted, until you are not convicted perhaps it is that your music needs not be played on the radio,” Hanna said.

Vybz Kartel was recently transferred from a maximum security area of the New Horizon Remand Center to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Center as concerns grew about the number of new singles that were hitting the streets since his five years behind bars.

He was found guilty of and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years for the murder of his crony, Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

Barbados opposition calls for fresh elections

mia mottley
Mia Mottley

The main opposition Barbados Labor Party (BLP) on Wednesday announced plans for a “National March of Disgust” on March 11 as the first step into to forcing the Freundel Stuart government to call fresh general elections.

Opposition Leader Mia Mottley told a news conference that Barbadians must now be given an opportunity to have a say in the economic decline of the country and the ongoing battle by the government to dismiss Central Bank Governor Dr. Delisle Worrell.

The High Court is expected to rule on the matter on Thursday.

Stewart...BPL wants him to call fresh elections
Stewart…BPL wants him to call fresh elections

“We will be marching on the afternoon of Saturday, the 11th March 2017, and we call upon all civic minded Barbadians to join with us in sending a message to Freundel Stuart and his cabinet that their style of governance is not cute, but above all else that Barbados cannot bear the weight of the indifference and the incompetence of Freundel Stuart and his cabinet for another 12 months,” Mottley told reporters.

“Ironically, yesterday was the fourth anniversary of Barbadians going to the polls at the last elections and several commentators have said over the last two weeks and we have sat back and listened to them, including some of their own, this crisis situation is bigger than each of us”.

Mottley said that the BLP is determined “that no one, not even the titular leader of this country must be allowed to stand in the way of the urgent need to stop the hemorrhaging, to stabilize the country and to put us back on the proper path to recovery.

This Day in History: Saint Lucia becomes independent

Flag of Saint Lucia

By Celina DeCastro

On this day in 1979, February 22, the island of Saint Lucia became fully independent from British control. Allowing John Compton of the United Worker’s Party (UWP) to become the first Prime Minister.

Saint Lucia, one of the Windward Islands, was originally home to the Arawak tribe until 800 A.D. when the Carib tribe dominated the island.

England first attempted to colonize the island 1605 and 1638, but failed due to the aggressiveness from the Carib tribe. The first official settlement was achieved by the French in 1746.

Control of the island has changed 14 times between the English and the French between the 17th century and 1800’s. England gained final control in 1814 as part of the Treaty of Paris after the Napoleonic Wars.

English became the island’s official language in 1842.

The island developed a plantation economy based on sugar cane and labor of enslaved Africans until slavery was abolished in 1834. In 1882, indentured Indians arrived to work the agricultural industry, where many remained.

In 1951, all citizens over the age of 21 were granted the right to vote, in an attempt to move towards independence.

In 1967, Saint Lucia received its constitution to be included in the Federated States of the Antilles, allowing the island to self-govern.

Saint Lucia remains a parliamentary democracy within the British commonwealth after gaining its independence in 1979.

 

Mosul suicide bomber identified as Jamaican

Mosul suicide bomber Ronald Fiddler

A suicide bomber from the Islamic State (IS) group was a Jamaican-born British citizen who was detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The British fighter who IS claimed detonated a suicide bomb against Iraqi forces outside Mosul was named in British media as Jamal al-Harith, who was detained at the United States base between 2002 and 2004.

An image released by IS and published on Monday by the SITE Intelligence Group was confirmed as al-Harith by his brother Leon Jameson.

A photograph shows him smiling, dressed in camouflage clothing and appearing to be sat in a vehicle with wires and switches in the background..

Harith, a Muslim convert of Jamaican origin, who was born Ronald Fiddler, was jailed in Afghanistan by the ruling Taliban because he held a British passport.

After the regime was toppled he was arrested by US troops in early 2002 and sent to Guantanamo, where he alleged experienced beatings and inhumane treatment.

When he returned to Britain in 2004 he was briefly questioned by police and released without charge.

Harith reportedly travelled to Turkey and crossed into Syria in April 2014.

The following year his wife, Shukee Begum, travelled to Syria along with her five children in what she said was an effort to convince her husband to abandon IS.

Harith is numbered among several Jamaicans who have been linked to radical Islam and terrorism.

Shortly after the September 11 bombings in New York, another Jamaican, Richard Reid, attempted to blow up an airliner with a bomb in his shoe. He became known as the shoe Bomber.

Rishard Reid known as the 'Shoe Bomber' is now serving a life sentence
Rishard Reid known as the ‘Shoe Bomber’ is now serving a life sentence

Reid is now serving a life sentence in a Colorado prison.

el-Faisal deported from Britain and Kenya
el-Faisal deported from Britain and Kenya

Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal was deported from Britain to Jamaica after serving several years in prison there for inciting terrorism. Now domiciled in the land of his birth, el-Faisal, was also deported from Kenya after authorities there accused him of stirring up trouble.

 

 

 

Lauderhill T20 cricket bowls off

The City of Lauderhill in South Florida is known as Cricket Capital of the United States of America and its long-standing T20 Night Cricket tradition continues for the 15th year starting on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Lauderhill Sports Park.

Teams representing the Combined Islands, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Pakistan and Trinidad & Tobago will compete for the 2017 Championship Trophy.

The traditional tournament All-Star game featuring the North Invitational Youth XI against South Invitational Youth XI will bowl off the tournament while the first competition fixture will be a clash of last year semi-finals Jamaica and Guyana. Jamaica will be seeking to reverse the results from last year after persistent heavy showers left the Lauderhill Sports Park outfield in unplayable condition. The match was declared abandoned and Guyana advanced to the finals due to a better net run rate. Jamaica will be captain by Steven Taylor who recently returned from representing the Jamaica Scorpions in the just concluded West Indies Regional Super50 Tournament.

On Saturday, March 4, 2017 the Combined Islands will play India followed by Guyana versus Trinidad and Tobago.

Alia Atkinson sets second world record

Alia Atkinson

Jamaican swim queen, Alia Atkinson, has broken the 50 meters breaststroke short course world record at the FINA World Cup Tour in Tokyo, Japan.

Atkinson won the event in 28.64 seconds, in the process shaving 16 hundredths of a second off the old mark of 28.80 seconds which was set by Jessica Hardy in Berlin in 2009.

This is Atkinson’s second world record as she is currently tied with Ruta Meilutyte for the 100 metres breaststroke record.

Atkinson won the event ahead of Russia’s Yulia Efimova and American Molly Hannis.

She is one of only three women ever to have broken the 29-second barrier in the 50 metres breaststroke.

A US$10,000 bonus will be presented to Atkinson from FINA for breaking the world record, along with 20 points towards her cluster bonus.

Security concerns prompt Gayle to miss PSL final in Lahore

Chris Gayle

West Indies batting superstar Chris Gayle is among several high profile players that have refused to travel to Lahore for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final.

Security concerns were recently raised about playing cricket in the country after a February 13 suicide bombing, in Lahore, which resulted in 13 people deaths.

However, following a meeting between the teams and PSL organizers a decision was made that the final would still take place in the capital.

Jayawardene...also refuses to play in Lahore final
Jayawardene…also refuses to play in Lahore final

Some 50 cricketers have reportedly expressed their desire to participate in the final game, if their team qualifies. The PCB will offer between US$10,000 dollars and US$50,000 in addition to player salaries in order to attract international players.

The promise of big bucks seems not enough to convince  the swashbuckling batsman, who along with Karachi Kings teammates Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have already said that they will not travel to the city.

Inaugural State of Black Broward gets underway on February 28

On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, the Broward Black Elected Officials (BBEO) in association with Broward County Commissioner and BBEO’s chairman, Dale Holness will host the inaugural State of Black Broward event at the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center (AARLCC).

The event present an opportunity for the members of Broward County black community to hold discussions and take an introspective look at various issues including economic development and black economic growth, employment, criminal justice, education, health, housing and the participation in county politics.

Commissioner Holness says he decided to be involved in the inaugural event as he believes it’s critical for the community.  “The purpose is to come up with an action plan for the pivotal issues we face and identify clear solutions on how we can work together and bring about real change.”

Broward County Commissioner, Dale Holness
Broward County Commissioner, Dale Holness

He also said there is significance in having the event at the  AARLCC as “it is often the center of educational, social, and cultural events, and moreover its celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year.

Moderated by WHQT Hot 105 FM’s Rodney Baltimore, executive producer and co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the event will include a number of panel discussions  where the panelists will Panels discuss the prevailing issues, seek solutions, develop a plan of actions including short and long term goals, and lay out a realistic implementation schedule.

Some of the panelists for the various panels include:

Political – U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings, Commissioner Holness, State Representative Bobby DuBose,  Dr. Brenda Snipes, Supervisor of Elections, Commissioner Ken Thurston, City of Lauderhill.

Economic Development/Black Business Growth/Increase Net Worth – Sandy Michael McDonald, Director, Office of Economic and Small Business Development, Commissioner Michael Carn, City of Oakland Park, Professor Frank Schnidman, Former Distinguished Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, Sheryl Dickey, President,Dickey Consulting Services, and Barron Channe, Real Estate Developer.

Employment – Newton Sanon, President & CEO, OIC of South Florida, Carol Hylton, Executive Vice President,Career Source Broward, Lt. Keith Martin, Broward Progressive Firefighters, and Scott Strawbridge, Director, Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority.

Criminal Justice – Gordon Weekes, Chief Asst. Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, Chief Dwayne Flournoy, City of Hallandale Beach Police Department, Marsha Ellison, President, NAACP Broward County Chapter, Kimm Campbell, Director, Broward County Human Services, Senator Perry Thurston, and Judge Elijah Williams. 

Education – Superintendent Robert Runcie, Broward County Public Schools, President Avis Proctor, Broward College, North Campus, Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward County School Board Member, Gwyn Clarke Reed, Mike Olbel, CEO, Team Saving Our Youth, Inc., and Marcus Burgess, Vice-President of Advancement, Florida Memorial University.

To date the panelists for the health and Housing panels are yet to be finalized, however, Dr. Germaine Baugh, President & CEO, Urban League Broward County and others has agreed to serve on the health pane.

Those attending will have an opportunity to network and visit booths to receive information on services provided by different organizations and businesses located in Broward County.

Growing number of Trinidad ISIS recruits raise US eyebrows

ISIS recruiting fighters from trinidad

The United States is worried about the number of Trinidad and Tobago Nationals who have been recruited by the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The eastern Caribbean country is now regarded as a breeding ground for extremists and its close proximity to the American mainland has counter-terrorism officials in the Donald Trump-led administration fearful that Trinidadian ISIS fighters might return from the Middle East and attack American diplomatic and oil installations in Trinidad.

There are also fears among the US Government that extremists might take a three-and-a-half-hour flight to Miami and carry out attacks there.

President Trump is reported to have discussed  the troubling issue with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, during a telephone conversation on the weekend.

Trinidad has a growing Muslim population and many of the island’s disenfranchised youths have taken to the faith and have been attracted to extremist values.

American counter-terrorism experts believe that some 125 fighters and their relatives have travelled to Turkey from the twin island republic in the last four years. If the projections are it would make Trinidad and Tobago the largest per capita supplier of Islamic fighter to ISIS in the western hemisphere.

ISIS has also released propaganda videos featuring militants with Trinidadians accents to bolster the point. The fighters can be seen training and sporting assault rifles and encouraging others from their country to join them.

In August last year, nine Trinidadians were detained before they could travel to Syria allegedly to join the ranks of the extremist group.

A Syrian man was also held and accused of attempting to smuggle the Caribbean militants into Southern Turkey.

It is not a breach of the country’s law to enlist among the ranks ISIS and legislators in the land of the hummingbird are moving with haste to plug that legal loophole in a bid to deter their citizens from further dragging the country’s name through the mud.

Officials there have implemented heightened surveillance of the Islamic loyalists who they claim have joined forces with criminal elements. They country has also imposed penalties for anyone caught sending money to the group.

 

Gayle refuses to play in Lahore, after suicidal bomb attack

Today is February 22. We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community. The coverage today is brought to you by Grace Soups: Spice up your kitchen with Grace Soups today.  Genuine Caribbean taste enjoyed worldwide!.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is projecting that the Region will experience economic growth of approximately 1.7 percent in 2017. Director of Economics at CDB, Dr. Justin Ram, is warning that this will not be enough to stimulate employment, particularly among youth, and reduce high regional debt levels. He points to the need for a long-term action plan that will allow the Region to participate in global supply chains, and drive sustainable economic growth.

A revised travel ban inked by President Donald Trump will exempt travelers who already have a visa to travel to the U.S. but will still target the same seven countries listed in his original executive order. The order will target only those same seven Muslim-majority nations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and Libya.

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has indicated that it will be moving to discourage Jamaicans from holding large amounts of U.S. dollars. In the policy change announced earlier this week, the BOJ said that will reduce the incentives deposit taking institutions have for keeping U.S. dollar deposits. The central bank said it will ask financial institutions to put more of the U.S. dollar deposits they have in the Bank of Jamaica.

In Sports

West Indies batting superstar Chris Gayle has reportedly refused to travel to Lahore for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final. Fresh concerns were recently raised about playing cricket in the country after a February 13 suicide bombing in Lahore, resulted in 13 people deaths.  It was, however, decided that the competition final would still take place in the capital following a meeting between the teams and PSL organizers.

Here’s What’s Trending

The Dominican Government has expressed joy over a recent Caribbean Court of justice (CCJ) ruling against a promoter who attempted to stage a concert with controversial dancehall DJ, Tommy Lee. Tommy Lee and members of his entourage were detained on their arrival in the country and deported the following day after evangelical groups objected to him performing in that country.

For tomorrows weather forecast

It will be cloudy with showers in Broward County and Miami-Dade County with a High of 75 degrees and a low of 57.  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!”

Katherine Fernandez Rundle to be sworn in as Miami-Dade State Attorney

Katherine Fernandez Rundle will be sworn in as Miami-Dade County’s State Attorney on Thursday, February 23, 2017. She was re-elected to office unopposed.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald Kogan will administer the Oath of Office to State Attorney Fernandez Rundle and Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Bertila Soto will administer the Oath to her 300 prosecutors at the Investiture ceremony which will take place at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Auditorium.

Former Circuit Court Judge and television personality Cristina Pereyra Alvarez will moderate the event. Notables who will take center stage alongside the State Attorney include Honorary Consul of Israel to Puerto Rico David Efron; United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wifredo Ferrer; Professor Alan M. Dershowitz, lawyer, jurist, author, and prominent scholar; United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida Amos Rojas; Reverend Arthur Jackson III, Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens; and Rabbi Pinchas Weberman, President of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of South Florida and Chaplain to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as well as the Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County Police Departments.

Enforcment!

Department of Homeland Security

On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security released policies meant to stringently enforce existing immigration laws across the US. Most of these laws existed under the former Obama administration, but were mainly applicable to illegal immigrants found guilty of serious crimes, and deported.

However, the enforcement of the policies included in memos issued by the DHS applies to illegal immigrants who are liable to be detained, convicted and deported for any criminal offense.

Plans have also been announced by DHS to hire 10,000 new immigration and customs agents, and expand the number of detention facilities nationwide. This is indicative of the federal government’s harsh plans against illegal immigrants.

Also indicative of the harsh enforcement measures, the DHS policy will expand to a wider swath of immigrants. Under the Obama administration immediate deportation was applied to immigrants who committed a criminal offense within 14 days of being in the US. The measures to be enforced expands to immigrants in the US for up to 2 years and, unlike the Obama administration which applied the immediate deportation order to people within 100 miles of the border, immediate deportation now applies to illegal immigrants located anywhere in the 50 states.

Another policy that was not the focus of the Obama administration which the DHS directive now enforces is the 287g program. Under this program, US immigration officials, including ICE and agent that patrol the US borders, can utilize the services of local law enforcement officers to help detain immigrants.

According to Miami immigration attorney, Rhonda Bariffe, an affiliate of the Florida Immigration Coalition this measure could have serious implications for municipalities that serve as sanctuary cities. “This is bound to cause conflicts between declared sanctuary cities and federal immigration officials.”

Last year when the Florida Legislature tabled legislation to have local law enforcement assist in detaining and placing immigrants into deportation procedures this was soundly defeated. The proposed legislation also met with strong opposition from most of the residents of South Florida.

Bariffe also believes the proposed enforcement of the existing immigration measures will have “a painful impact on South Florida since the region has one of the largest migrant community in America.” She said she’s among several immigration advocates who are “very concerned” what laws will be interpreted as criminally offenses likely to result in immigrants being detained and processed for deportation. “There are a wide variety of laws. Which of these laws if broken could lead to deportation?”

Following the release of the DHS memos on Tuesday, DHS representatives on a conference call with the media, indicated the department did not plan “on mass deportations.” The enforcement of the laws will be a phased process because of logistical and legal procedures to be addressed before some measures can be implemented.

An upside in Tuesdays announcements is that the measures to be enforced does not directly affect DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which through executive order President Obama created legalizing the children of undocumented immigrants born in the US, or brought to the US as infants.

However, Bariffe said the immigration laws to be enforced would still apply to DACA recipients “if they are determined to have broken criminal laws.”

Miramar remains the choice destination for global sports

Miramar

The City of Miramar’s Ansin Sports Complex will host the Complete Athletes LLC and South Sask Selects Football annual Canada vs USA Football All-Star weekend,  from February 22 -February 26th. 

More than 600 of the most talented youth football players in South Florida and Saskatechewan Canada  will come together for a full-week of all-star competition.

Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam says the city od the choice destination for sports
Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam says the city od the choice destination for sports

The tournament week will conclude with a game played by up and coming, senior high school student athletes; already qualified to receive college scholarships.

“A lot of planning goes into making certain this sort of an event run smoothly, so I’m delighted for the support we have received from the City of Miramar and the tireless efforts of those that help put a competition like this together,” said Faheem Ali, President of Complete Athletes.  

“The hosting of this event and others has placed the City of Miramar in the fold of choice destinations desired for international, national, regional and local sporting events; complementary to track and field, football and soccer.  City venues possessing state of the art Olympic qualifying amenities like Ansin Sports Complex and Miramar Regional Park (16801 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33027) has attracted these type of events and their sport trainers to the city,” Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam said.

 

 

Jamaican teacher makes elite list of Global Teacher Prize finalists

Tracy-Ann Hall

When Tracy-Ann Hall was going through high school none of her peers or teachers would harbor the thought that she would be an outstanding educator.

Hall’s school years were difficult as she was afflicted with undiagnosed dyslexia and never matriculated to tertiary education immediately after graduating from high school.

Instead she trained as an automotive technician and worked in a garage. But driven by a fierce will to succeed, the young woman sought to qualify herself further and entered into teachers college where she graduated top of her class after a three-year course..

This was would prove to be her best roll of the dice.

Hall now teaches an automotive technology class at the Jonathan grant high School and her love for the classroom and her undying passion to see her students succeed has borne fruit.

Hall has been nominated as one of the 10 finalists for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher award for 2017. She was selected from a pool of 20,000 nominations and applications from 179 countries..

Now in its third year, the US $1 million award is the largest prize of its kind, and was implemented to recognize an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the teaching profession as well as magnify the important role teachers play in the world.

The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on Sunday, March 19.

Hall’s firsdt classroom experience was one that most teachers would dread. She was assigned to a class of young males who were written off as below average with poor literacy skills.

However, she was not daunted and motivated the class of 30 boys. She established a class library, encouraged her charges to read and deliver a book review on completion of each volume.

Soon the students began to excel in grade ten and by grade 11 were so transformed that eight of them joined the school choir and one became head boy at the school. Her class was also the first automotive exam class to score a 95 percent pass in the history of the school. She also started and oversaw a programme for her class to feed street people, launch a junior automotive club and serve on the school magazine committee.

Her students have taken on careers as policemen, scuba divers, hotel managers, chefs, and, without a doubt, automotive technicians. Hall has never wavered in encouraging all her students to get enrolled in a tertiary institution.

Tracy-Ann Hall has taught at various schools, all with the same success. She has convinced business leaders in the automotive sector to sponsor scholarships for exceptional students, ensuring they start with a firm foothold in the industry. With resources scarce, she has been ingenious in finding materials and components for her automotive classes, which are difficult to attract funding for, again forming partnerships with those in the automotive sector to use their facilities and spare parts. She has hosted summer schools for low-income families, bolstering her community. Her contribution has been recognised with a number of awards from the schools she has taught at.

The other nine finalists for the Global Teacher prize 2017 are:

Raymond Chambers, a computer science teacher from Brooke Weston Academy in Corby, Northamptonshire

Salima Begum, Headteacher at Elementary College for Women Gilgit, Pakistan

David Calle, from Madrid, Spain, the founder and creator of the Unicoos educational website

Wemerson da Silva Nogueira, a science teacher at the Escola Antônio dos Santos Neves in Boa Esperança, Brazil

Marie-Christine Ghanbari Jahromi, a physical education, maths and German teacher at Gesamtschule Gescher school, in Gescher, Germany

Maggie MacDonnell, a teacher at Ikusik School, Kativik School Board, Canadian Arctic

Ken Silburn, a science teacher at Casula High School, south-west Sydney, Australia

Yang Boya, a psychology teacher at The Affiliated Middle School of Kunming Teachers College, China

Michael Wamaya, a dance teacher from Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya.

Jamaican Police now wearing body cameras

Today is February 21. We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community right here in South Florida

Thousands of Americans turned out across the island to march in what was dubbed ‘Mot Not My President Day. Marchers came out in cities across the nation including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington DC. The protesters were showing their disagreement with Donald Trump executive order against undocumented immigrants among other issues.

Police in Jamaica are now wearing body cameras. The cameras were fitted on cops in the capital city of Kingston as the initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis. The move was welcomed by human rights groups in the island who have long complained that the police have carried out extra-judicial killings and human rights excesses.

Extradited former Haitian rebel and elected representative, Guy Philippe has been arguing his case from behind bars in a Miami, Florida jail. Philippe posted a rant on social media where he pleaded his innocence, called on supporters to continue demonstrating for his immediate return to Haiti and accused former classmate and Haitian Senate President Youri Latortue of conspiring against him.

In Sports

The Barbados Pride defeated Jamaica Scorpions by 59 runs in the final of the Regional Super50 at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Sunday. The Pride scored 271 for nine off 50 overs to beat the Scorpions who tallied 212 all out off 44.3 overs.

Here’s What’s Trending

Singer Lauryn Hill and businessman and son of Reggae king, Bob Marley, Rohan Marley are grandparents following the birth of their first child Zion’s son on the weekend. The child has been named Zephaniah.

For tomorrows weather forecast

It will be partly cloudy in Broward County and cloudy in Miami-Dade County with a High of 81 degrees and a low of 61.  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!”

Final settlement reached in massive Robocalling case

Robocalling

Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Federal Trade Commission and nine other state attorneys general announced on Tuesday the entry of the last consent judgment shutting down an illegal robocalling scheme used to sell Florida cruise line vacations.

The unlawful telemarketing campaign flooded consumers from across the country with billions of unwanted robocalls, averaging 12 to 15 million illegal calls a day, and generated millions of dollars for the companies. The fifth and final consent judgment announced bars owner Fred Accuardi and his companies from assisting or participating in actions that violate telemarketing laws.

Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
Attorney General, Pam Bondi.

In 2015, Attorney General Bondi, in partnership with the FTC and other state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against Caribbean Cruise Line, Inc., a marketing company, as well as seven other companies, for alleged involvement in a scheme that used political survey robocalls to illegally sell cruise vacations. The joint complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The complaint alleged that the defendants’ robocalls violated both Florida and federal law by unlawfully using political surveys as a pretext to place sales calls pitching Bahamas cruises and related vacation packages to individuals on do-not-call lists and other individuals they were prohibited from calling.

Accuardi and his companies allegedly assisted and facilitated the illegal calls by providing robocallers with hundreds of telephone numbers. The defendants also allegedly made it possible for robocallers to change their caller identification information, funded a portion of the robocalling campaigns, and hid the robocallers’ identities from authorities.

In addition to barring Accuardi and his businesses from illegal telemarketing, the consent judgment imposes a judgment of $1.35 million, which will be suspended after the defendants pay $2,500. If the court finds that the defendants misrepresented their financial condition, the entire judgment will become due.

Florida and the FTC led the joint action and were joined by attorneys general in nine other states: Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Washington.

This is just the latest action taken by Attorney General Bondi in partnership with the FTC to clamp down on illegal operations in Florida.

Consumers who receive robocall solicitations can report the calls to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling (866) 9-NO-SCAM or file a complaint by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

Man charged for sexually assaulting 11-year-old girl in Jamaica

Child rape

Police in Jamaica have charged  a man for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in the western parish of St James.

He has been identified as 21-year-old Ricardo Grey of Norwood, St. James. He has been charged with a number of sexual offences after he allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted the 11-year-old girl in his community on Saturday, February 18.

Grey has been charged with abduction, sexual touching, grievous sexual assault and rape.

Reports from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) St. James base, are that about 12:30 p.m., the child was walking along the roadway when she was allegedly abducted by Grey and sexually assaulted.

Ricardo Grey is scheduled to appear in the St. James Parish Court on Friday, March 3.

Draft Gov’t plan calls for 100,000 National Guards to nab undocumented immigrants

National Guard

As reported by AP News, a January 25th Draft Memorandum outlines government options to deputize  troops in order to carry out the administration’s planned Immigration enforcement actions. AP News reports that White House spokesman Sean Spicer denies plans to use the National Guard for Immigration enforcement and a  DHS official noted that the memo was only a draft and deployment has not been seriously considered.

In response to criticism against the Trump Administration’s recent raids by  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Immigrant communities, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly defended the actions and issued a statement on February 13th, indicating that the raids which have lead to the arrest of 700 Immigrants are “targeted enforcement operations” aimed at criminals and individuals who violated immigration laws.

According to POLITICO, top  ICE officials then met with a bipartisan group of congress members on February 16th and indicated that more similar type raids, arrest and removals of “unauthorized” Immigrants should be expected throughout the year. Concerns were further heightened last week, as a 23 year old DREAMER, Daniel Ramirez Medina,  protected under the DACA program (with no criminal record) who was brought to the U.S. at age 7, was arrested and detained.

Daiel Ramirez...arrested by ICE
Daiel Ramirez…arrested by ICE

And while Immigration attorneys are fighting ICE on his behalf, this may be a foreshadowing of a very troubling policy shift emerging from the Whitehouse, to make good on Trump’s campaign promises, even if it means deporting innocent Immigrants like Daniel.

The big question which looms large in the minds of many Immigrants’ rights advocates,  is what now constitutes a “crime” and a “criminal” and has the definition been expanded by the new Trump administration to include any individual in the U.S. who does not currently have lawful immigration status? If this is the case, then simply being in the U.S. without legal status would be a crime, making millions of Immigrants subject to arrest and removal. Does this really mean that Trump is quietly beginning to implement a policy he promised during his campaign of the mass deportation of millions of Immigrants? It’s hard to imagine, but almost nothing is too crazy now, given recently events.

In response, many Immigrants rights organizations like Americasvoice.org are gearing up to provide resources to Immigrants, including  publishing a “Raid Watch” and urging those who see Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in a community use the hashtag #ExposeICE.

You can read more about these new enforcement measures by visiting our website at: www.Immigratetoday.com and clicking on the Immigration Newsletter link.

Jamaica’s central bank implements measures to discourage hoarding of US dollar

dollar stacks

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has  indicated that it will be moving to discourage Jamaicans from holding large amounts of U.S. dollars.

In the policy change announced on Monday, the BOJ said that will reduce the incentives deposit taking institutions have for keeping U.S. dollar deposits.

The central bank said it will ask financial institutions to put more of the U.S. dollar deposits they have in the Bank of Jamaica.

This aspect of the new policy will take place in two phases, with financial institutions required to put 15 per cent of all U.S. dollar deposits they have in the Bank of Jamaica by April.

That move will effectively force local banks to pay lower interest rates to their customers on U.S. dollar deposits, which it is hoped will act as a deterrent to those who hold  onto the U.S. dollar.

CDB projects 1.7 percent growth for Caribbean this year

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is projecting that the Region will experience economic growth of approximately 1.7 percent in 2017.

Director of Economics at CDB, Dr. Justin Ram, is warning that this will not be enough to stimulate employment, particularly among youth, and reduce high regional debt levels. He points to the need for a long-term action plan that will allow the Region to participate in global supply chains, and drive sustainable economic growth.

In a presentation at the Bank’s Annual News Conference, Dr. Ram urged regional policymakers to create an environment which increases productivity and enhances competitiveness, including a more welcoming doing-business environment, access to financing for MSMEs and labour market reforms.

Director of Economics at CDB, Dr. Justin Ram,
Director of Economics at CDB, Dr. Justin Ram,

“In this endeavor, it would be necessary to reform governance structures and institutions to support the new paradigm. Governments would have to be willing to stabilize their economies through fiscal and debt consolidation, implement structural reforms that enhance growth and develop strong, targeted social development programs,” he said.

Dr. Ram notes that fiscal reforms are necessary if the Region is to break the cycle of high debt and low growth. These must include proper institutions and frameworks to manage and mitigate debt.

“Given the vulnerabilities to natural disasters and how this has contributed to debt accumulation, it is important for countries to use revenue windfalls to set up contingency funds or sovereign wealth funds, so as to reduce the debt burden and ensure greater economic and social resilience,” he added.

With respect to specific policy actions, Dr. Ram says that some reforms can be implemented immediately, and will have an impact on inclusive growth. These include the reduction of trade barriers, the use of public-private partnerships to close infrastructure and service gaps, the promotion of green energy production, the divestment of state owned assets to enhance value and efficiency and strengthening of the banking sector. Dr. Ram also recommended that governments make efforts to engage the Caribbean’s vast regional diaspora.

He noted that underpinning such reforms is the need for a good governance agenda. He pointed out that governments must strive for accountability, and fiscal discipline, with a focus on ensuring value for money.

“Systems of government should be transparent, foster inclusion, security and growth. Moreover, government operations and resources should be managed in such a way to ensure good value for money,” said Dr. Ram.

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