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Haiti’s presidential campaign kicks off with only one candidate

An opposition candidate in Haiti’s upcoming presidential runoff has refused to participate in campaigning unless there are sweeping  reforms to the electoral process.

On Friday, Jude Celestin declared that he will not launch his campaign and will not participate in the January 24 polls until recommendations that an independent electoral commission presented earlier are fully implemented

That commission issued a series of recommendations that included an end to voting in private homes and the use of indelible ink on voter’s thumb to prevent multiple voting.

Not all of the recommended measures have been implemented.

Celestin, the runner-up in Haiti’s first-round vote in October, had earlier refused to campaign until an independent electoral commission was established to study voting problems.

However,Celestin’s rival, Jovenel Moise started his campaign on Friday in the suburb of Petionville.

On Friday,  hundreds of opposition supporters took to the streets of Port-au-Prince to protest against what they said was “an electoral coup”.

The march ended outside parliament, which is scheduled to reconvene on Monday

In the October 25 first-round election, Moise drew 32.8 per cent of the vote against 25.3 per cent for Celestin, who dismissed the results as a “ridiculous farce.”

The sparked angry and sometimes violent street protests, with several opposition candidates sharply criticizing the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).

Last month , the CEP postponed the December 27 presidential runoff to allow a five-member commission to address allegations of multiple voting and ballot tampering.

The opposition is demanding an independent review of the late October first round of voting, which it insists was rigged in favor of Moise, who is backed by the government.

Food for the Poor honors Haiti 2010 Earthquake anniversary

Interdenominational Christian ministry Food For The Poor is commemorating the six-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake by keeping its promise to help the Haitian people recover from one of the worst natural disasters in the Caribbean country’s history. Since the Jan. 12, 2010 tragedy, the charity has built 5,900 permanent two-room concrete block homes with water and sanitation, providing more than 35,400 people with a safe and secure place to live. The charity also has built or restored 37 schools in the Port-au-Prince area, and shipped 6,260 tractor-trailer loads of essential aid.

“After the catastrophic earthquake, Food For The Poor made the commitment to be there for the long haul. Building secure homes for displaced families living in inhumane conditions became our priority, along with restoring as many schools as possible,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor.

Since the earthquake, the organization also increased their efforts last year, responding to 2015 deportation crisis between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which exacerbated the number of homeless in Haiti.

“This immigration battle has sent thousands of people, many with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a few personal items, flooding into Haiti.,” said Mahfood. “This organization is making the same promise to families living in dangerous conditions along the border. Our goal has been, and will continue to be, to help victims of natural or man-made disasters – one person, one family at a time.”

MLS Soccer Combine highlights

Caribbean Airlines flight attendant jailed in US for drug smuggling attempt

Rohan Myers

A flight attendant for Caribbean Airlines has been sentenced to 2 and a half years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle 6.5 pounds of cocaine. Rohan Mayers was arrested at the Fort Lauderdale International airport, immediately confessing after officers questioned him.

The Jamaican father of 2 asked the court for leniency for his first offence, but the District Judge decided on prison time based on the sheer amount of drugs involved.

Myers was arrested in September at Fort Lauderdale’s Hollywood International Airport after working on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Montego Bay.

Buju Banton’s sentence reduced

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, January 11, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Federal authorities have reduced Dancehall star Buju Banton’s prison sentence by almost 2 months. His new release date is scheduled for December 8, 2018. The reduction follows months after Banton agreed to waive all future appeals of is 2001 case for reduced charges. Banton is currently serving his term at the Federal Correctional Institution, Miami.

Despite calls from Florida’s Democratic Party leaders to join this year’s race for Mayor of Miami-Dade, current county commission chairman Jean Monestime says he will not be running. In a public statement, the Haitian-American said he was “greatly honored…by the encouragement, he believed he could do much more “by expanding my campaign for greater prosperity as the Chairman.”

Cricket fans and philanthropists gathered in style this weekend for the “Lawrence Rowe “The Legend Birthday bash in Tamarac. Featuring the musical stylings of DJ Shalamar, the event raised proceeds for the Lawrence Rowe Legendary Cricket Foundation, specifically for their upcoming “Legends of Cricket” showcase.

Several Caribbean soccer hopefuls strutted their stuff in the 2nd round of showcase games this Sunday for the MLS Soccer Combine at Central Broward Regional Park. The event featured over 70 players from across the country and around the world, with recruiters from top MLS teams on hand scouting for new talent for this year’s draft.

What’s trending:

Dancehall star Sean Paul has donated $1 million to fellow Jamaica DJ, Shaggy, for his foundations for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Mostly sunny in Broward County with a high of 73 and a low of 60. For Miami-Dade, mostly sunny with a high of 71 and a low of 60.

For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com. 

Guyana president calls emergency meeting on suicide prevention

President David Granger says he will implement a national programme in an effort to address the high rate of suicides in the country.

He made the announcement on Thursday at an emergency meeting called following yet another suicide on Wednesday. 

“I am concerned as President that Guyana has a higher rate of suicide than other countries. It is not as though there is an average around the world and we are just average. We are above average and that is disturbing,” Granger said.

During the meeting, the President was also updated on the implementation of Guyana’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy, launched by the Ministry of Public Health, last September, with a view to ramping up Government’s response to the on-going problem.  In addition, the President was provided with updates on work being done within the other subject Ministries.

The outcome of the meeting is a plan of action, which will see Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Religious organisations and other Civil Society organisations being engaged to work together with Government on a centralised approach to suicide prevention.

The President  urged parents, guardians, teachers and church leaders to be more sensitive and understanding of the emotional matters that affect young people.

“The church needs to be more careful, the home needs to be more careful, peers need to be more careful.  It is a delicate period but the state cannot bear the full burden of counselling, the home is where these matters should be resolved.”

Granger  affirmed that his Administration intends to do all that is possible especially since many of the victims of this scourge are young people in whose hands the country’s future lies.

He added that the circumstances and conditions under which people live needs to be examined to understand the underlying factors responsible for the high suicide rate. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Guyana, has a suicide rate four times the global average, ahead of North Korea, South Korea, and Sri Lanka.

BCPS to host “Conversation With The District” event Series

On Thursday, January 21, at 6:30 pm, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will host their “Conversation With The District” series at Deerfield Beach High School.

The free event is a community forum, providing an opportunity for parents, students, staff and community members to share input and thoughts with School Board members and the Superintendent about what the District is doing well or where improvements can be made.

For a complete schedule of Conversation With The District events, visit browardschools.com or contact the Legislative Affairs Department, at 754-321-2608.

M-DCPS Superintendent celebrates opening of two new academies

On Monday, Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho, celebrated the opening of two new academies that will prepare students from  Miami Central SHS, Ronald Reagan/Doral SHS and Alonzo & Tracy Mourning SHS for careers in cybersecurity and trade and logistics.

These are two of the most in-demand fields in Miami-Dade, according to the skills gap report produced by JPMC’s New Skills at Work local initiative and information from One Community One Goal.

The new Academies are supported by a $230,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase and will help expand participation from the city’s diverse youth in these industries.

Carvalho was joined by school Board members, community leaders, district and school administrators, teachers, and students of Miami Central Senior High School, Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Senior High School and Ronald Reagan/Doral Senior High School.

 

Dominica PM denies allegation of involvement in offshore company

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is denying internet reports which have implied that he is connected to companies in the offshore financial sector.

Skerrit who responded to the allegations on radio late Thursday, blamed the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) as being the source of the article “From Rags to Riches? In search of Roosevelt Skerrit’s millions”.

In the article, it is alleged that Skerrit has close connections with offshore companies in the UK and this could be the source of “what has been rumoured to be significant wealth quietly amassed over the years.”

“I know of no such companies, I know of such transactions and I am no shareholder…” said Skerrit who said the UWP has used the article as a form of distracting the government from building the country.

“I want to go further to say I have absolutely no intention of engaging (opposition leader) Lennox Linton and the operatives of the UWP on any his pen name scribes in this useless discussion contrived totally to distract the government from the job it has to do to build this country.”

According to Skerrit, the article threatens to undermine the island’s offshore services sector.

“The man grab for power and to tinge Roosevelt Skerrit, they are saying to the world that there is no confidentiality about offshore financial services in Dominica and that an investor’s private information can be easily ferreted across the globe as part of politics in Dominica.”

The article also alleged that “Skerrit is wealthy man …his rumoured holdings include villas, land deals, foreign real estate holdings, and private bank accounts….”

The Prime Minister said while he is not worried about “the nonsense that they are writing about me, that is an occupational hazard for anyone in public life or anyone who is a Prime Minister of a country.

“I am so angry with this near treasonous act because it is a treasonous act in Dominica…..I am not worried about How can these vagabonds be happy and contented sitting down week after week penning this nonsense and circulating across the globe? Do they really understand the damage that this is doing to the image of Dominica?” the Prime Minister said.

Gastro outbreak in Baramita, Guyana leaves one dead

The Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the community of Baramita in Guyana, following an outbreak of gastroenteritis that has led to one death.

The Government Information Service (GINA) on Friday reported that 60 others have also been stricken by the illness in the community where residents are reportedly reluctant to use treated water or take the full course of medication.

According Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, the situation is under control but at the same time the issue is of great concern to the Ministry, and a team of officials will be deployed to the area, to educate the residents about the illness and measures they can take to avoid it.

Norton also pointed to challenges in terms of getting into some of the satellite villages that are only accessible by All Terrain vehicles.

“We do have it under control, we have enough medication there…the other situation is we find that the population is not cooperating. They don’t want to use the bleach in the water or the tablets that we’re using in the water because they said, it tastes bad. Secondly, they’re not carrying through with the medications we’re giving them to use and they are not all attending the clinics, even though the clinics are there, available for them. So we’re running into some difficulties there. But the situation has improved from what it was from the beginning.”

Baramita, which has a population of about 3,000 persons at 20 satellite villages, has one Health Center, which is manned by a Community Health worker, a medic and a doctor.

The occurrence of gastro-enteritis is seasonal, with the highest incidence occurring during December to March.

In 2013, there was an outbreak in the North West District area, where a total of 529 residents from Port Kaituma and surrounding communities were infected, most of whom were children. There were three reported deaths. 

Prior to that, there was an outbreak in 2009 and six residents died.

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the digestive system  with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea and headache.

 

Cayman based CONCACAF office slapped with lawsuit

The Cayman based office of Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)  – the regional football association, has been slapped with a lawsuit by a woman who was employed as head of International Affairs.

In a lawsuit filed at the end of December, Lerina Bright claims she was forced out of her job after she was placed on leave following the arrest of former boss Jeffrey Webb in Zurich in connection with the corruption probe into FIFA  – football’s global governing body.

Claiming she was made to appear guilty by association, Bright is also seeking damages for working with dishonest people.

In the lawsuit Bright, a sports administrator with eight years experience reveals how she was told in a letter that her post was among the jobs under scrutiny as part of the CONCACAF review in the wake of the arrests in Switzerland.

Bright claims that on the same day as the arrests were made  in Switzerland, Dr Laila Mintas, CONCACAF Director of Sports Integrity, announced to other staff that Bright and two other employees had been sent home because investigations were underway into their roles in the case relating to Jeffrey Webb.

The suit states that Bright was then denied access to her place of work, computer, emails, cell phone and corporate bank accounts and was interviewed by CONCACAF lawyers a few days later.

In September Bright received another request for a meeting with lawyers but this time she requested that the questions be put in writing and warned that CONCACAF was in breach of her contract. She then received a letter threatening to sack her if she did not show up for the interview.

In November Bright’s lawyer wrote to CONCACAF and stated that unless the association provided work for his client by November 13, she would consider the contract at an end.

Bright claims that the way she was treated by CONCACAF was designed to make her working life intolerable and damage or destroy the relationship of trust and confidence.

Sean Paul donates JMD $1 mil to Shaggy’s children charity

Dancehall star Sean Paul has donated JMD $1 million to fellow Jamaica DJ, Shaggy, for his foundations for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital.

Paul, a past performer at Shaggy’s Shaggy & Friends Show made the pledge at the ScotiaBank tent, through booking agency Headline Entertainment, as he was unable to attend the show.

The donation was made during the charity concert on the lawns of Jamaica House in St Andrew, last Saturday.

FMU’s hot shooting in second half crushes Thomas University

Florida Memorial Men’s Basketball team used a big second half of precision shooting to defeat Thomas University 82-66 and pick up a key conference win at Thomas University’s Gymnasium.

The first half was an even contest as neither team broke out to a significant lead. Florida Memorial led by as many as nine points in the half, but Thomas never allowed the Lions to pull away. Florida Memorial entered the locker room down, 37-36.

Coming out of the break, the game adjustment by Coach Maddox seemed to work as the Lions poured on the offense at the start of the second half to take the lead 43-40.  With 16:17 to go, the offensive explosion continued as the Lions hit five baskets in a row and put up 46 points in the half. The Lions went on a 12-2 run to dominate Thomas and extended their lead to 12, 58-46. They turned up the heat and held Thomas scoreless for most of the second half.  The back breaker came when Thomas went on a run of their own and cut the Lions lead to 10. Familiar with close game situations, the Lions slowed the tempo, controlled the clock, and scored down the stretch to close out the game and seal the win.

Florida Memorial out-shot Thomas 48.1% to 40 % percent.  The Lions shot 33.8 % from the three point line to Thomas’ 25 %.

Florida Memorial Lions will return to the hardwood on Tuesday, January 12th, when they host Warner University with Tip-off at 8:00 p.m.

4 ways to go green this new year

This new year means fun-filled celebrations, spending time with loved ones and the excitement of new changes in the coming year. It’s also the perfect opportunity to break old habits and create new, healthy ones. While many put exercising, eating healthy or traveling at the top of their resolution list, this new year is a great time to start thinking green!

Some items that can be recycled are thrown away mostly because people do not know what items can be recycled or where to recycle them. For instance, rechargeable batteries that power the portable products on holiday gift lists (such as laptops, cordless power tools, tablets and even remote controlled toys), should be recycled when they can no longer hold a charge. These batteries contain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel, which could harm the environment when improperly disposed.

Environmental concerns have become one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. From climate change to the rise of e-waste, making a choice to do our part to help the environment can seem like a daunting task. The key is to start small. While we don’t have the answers to the larger questions surrounding environmental conservation, we can do our part to help preserve our environment. It can be as simple as recycling or donating pre-owned items to family or friends to reduce the impact of waste on local landfills.

By starting small and making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance you will keep them throughout the year. You should also encourage your family and friends to join you in incorporating environmentally-friendly behavior into your everyday lives.

So how do you start recycling and making a difference in your community? Here are some tips to help incorporate green resolutions into your busy lifestyle:

* Your “fourth bin” — Set up a bin or bag (ideally near your front or back door) for your family to leave recyclables.

* Sound the alarm — On your smartphone or computer, set up a regular reminder to gather up your rechargeable batteries to take to your local retailer or collection site.

* Regularly clean out the junk drawer — On a regular basis, task a family member with going through the junk drawer for recyclables and other unused or old items.

* Keep your errand list on hand at all times — This will help you prioritize stops while you’re on the go, as well as remember to drop off your items to be recycled.

Once you’ve made the commitment to start recycling your old stuff and you know how, you need to know where to go. Organizations such as Call2Recycle offer an easy and free way to care for the environment year-round through battery recycling. Call2Recycle works with a network of businesses, communities and retailers in the U.S. and Canada — including Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Staples — that serve as drop-off locations. Additional participating collection sites can be found at call2recycle.org.

It’s never too late to learn about environmental issues and why they are important. Setting sustainability goals is your commitment to support the environment for yourself and future generations. Resolving to change your habits could not only have a huge impact on the rest of the world, but can also help you feel good because you know you’re making a difference. As you get ready for the new year, take that extra step to be prepared to maintain your green resolutions throughout the year.

A conversation with Barrington Levy

How the reggae legend’s just getting started

For Jamaican pop music fans, it’s hard to believe that the iconic Barrington Levy is just receiving his first Grammy nod this year, for his latest album “AcousticaLevy” – a collection of soulful acoustical revamps of his classic hits. A win would be a juicy cherry on top of a stellar career of the artiste who helped shepherd the then young genre of dancehall into her own with his signature (and superhuman) scats, trills and yodels that no electronic beat could ever quite match. But, if you ask the veteran crooner, he’s just warming up.

The National Weekly chatted with Levy about inspirations and New Year’s resolutions.

NW: “AcousticaLevy” marks your first studio album in over a decade What persuaded you to return?

BL: It’s actually been about 23 years since I did a real, full album. I did a song call “Love the Way She Love” [with Mr. Vegas] that got really big. People loved the song, loved the video. Went number 1. Th song just wake them up for something more. Though I wasn’t making an album, I was still making records, getting them down on tape.

NW: What made you decide on the stripped-down concept for “AcousticaLevy?”

BL: Acoustic music has been a passion of mine for a long time, and I just get a chance to do it now that I’m a producer. With my company Black Roses putting the album together, I get a chance to do what I want do. An opportunity to flex my dream. It’s really now that I get the freedom of doing whatever I want.

NW: What’s your favorite cover on this album?

BL: I would say “Life is Great” ft. Patrice. Because the lyrical content is true. It’s reality.

NW: You’ve made many comments calling today’s Jamaican music “disposable.” Do you still hold the same dim view now? Or do you see some progress?

BL: Dancehall can be perfect. I have a problem with the lyrical content. Maybe there is a market for it out there, but to me I wanna make music that withstand the test of time. On the reggae side, I see a couple of them doing good things. I work with Chronixx and he has some good stuff. But the majority of them till need to get with the program.

NW: With British, R&B singer Joss Stone copping Billboard’s Best Reggae Album of the year, there’s been talk about foreign acts usurping Caribbean artists in their own genres. What are your thoughts? Is it foreign market being more comfortable with their own singers? Or is there something on the part of Caribbean entertainers?

BL: The Jamaican artist, the true defender of reggae music, is not getting to chance to do that. You don’t really get the promotion from these entities in power. But with Joss Stone, I still think she’s representing reggae music. They’re all still sharing Jamaica, though it would be nice if Jamaica can come with that award. Regardless, I have nothing bad to say. Rather more love to reggae music. It’s nice to see that different cultures are throwing their love to reggae music.

NW: What’s your plan for the future? Any New Year’s goals?

BL: Get out another new album – get it mixed. Really proper reggae album, with all new tracks for 2017. I’m actually in the writing process at the moment, as we speak.

Communities search for solutions to violence against youth

Miami-Dade residents are calling for action to stem the increasing number of youth affected by gun violence in the community.

Following the recent death of 7-year-old boy Amiere Castro, was killed two days after Christmas in a drive-by attack on his aunt’s home in Southwest Miami, members of the community held a special community forum to determine what actions could be taken. However, some were frustrated even as they sought solutions.

“How can we fight this violence?” said Myrtle Barnett, mother of three sons. “The youth finds it so easy to get guns. It’s hard to determine who is armed and who is a potential threat. Then there’s drug dealing in homes and on the street, which in itself attracts violence. As long as there are wide-scale guns and drugs, our youth are in danger.”

Speaking at the forum, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he and the county commission are very concerned. “We have an epidemic. There are children killing children, and we need to wipe it out.”

But former police officer Gervias Daley say “youth-on-youth violence has no easy solution, especially as they are being segregated into gangs characterized by fast cars, guns, drugs, and disrespect. These young people respect no one, fear no life, not even theirs. When they shoot, they shoot to kill. This is a major challenge for law enforcement, but it must be overcome.”

Despite the challenge, some community groups have formed to begin to address these underlining issues. Miami-Dade public school students, dubbing themselves the “Peace Ambassadors,” launched the “Declaration of Independence from Violence Against Miami-Dade County Children” to unite social service providers, mentors, and educators in a joint partnership with MDPS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

And in response to several incidents affected students at Northwestern High School in Liberty City, local mother Tangela Sears, whose son was a victim of gun violence, formed a support and advocacy group called Mothers of Murdered Children.

Group member Regina Morales, who also lost a niece to gun violence, believes such community initiatives play an important role, as “there is too much dependency on the police to deal with this crisis.”

“”It’s imperative that every parent and relative closely monitor our children to make sure they’re not the ones with the guns, and also not the ones being hurt by the guns,” says Morales. “While police may arrest the offenders, it’s parents and relatives who must rally to curb the violence from within the homes and the community.”

One crucial reform that’s needed, says Sears, is to reduce the lengthy time that elapses after a youth is killed or injured before parents get a response from detectives investigating these incidences. “These investigations need to be swift to apprehend those who are responsible for this violence against the youth.”

Top US general warns about ISIS fighters in the Caribbean

A top United States general has expressed deep concern that a small number of motivated Islamic State fighters could commit acts of terror in Caribbean nations.

General John Kelly, commander of the Miami-based US Southern Command, or SouthCOM, told reporters Friday at the Pentagon that about 150 Islamic extremists left the Caribbean region to join Islamic State fighters in the Middle East last year, about 50 more than in the previous year.

However, he said, the biggest threat might not be the extremists who leave to train and fight with the Islamic State, but the ones who stay behind.

Kelly, who oversees US security in Latin America the Caribbean, said Islamic extremist groups seem to have a new message for would-be jihadists.

He estimated that about 150 radicals have attempted to join the Islamic State group as of this year, up from his estimate last year of roughly 100.

Last year, Kelly told the United States Congress that those who succeed in reaching Islamic State group territory “get good at killing and pick up some job skills,” such as working with explosives and beheading enemy fighters for propaganda purposes.

Business major focus for Diaspora, says Minister Labrousse

Minister Robert Labrousse,

In his New Year’s message to the Diaspora, current Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, Robert Labrousse, declared that business will be the major focus of his remaining term for 2016.

Labrousse says he intends to “devote all my energy during the short time I still have to lead this ministry” to boosting Diaspora financial investment into Haiti. To channel these efforts, the upcoming Direct Investment Fund of the Diaspora (FIDD), says Labrousse, “should help us to create conditions for the diaspora to invest massively and confidently in the sustainable development of our common homeland.”

Though the foundation will not be officially launched during his term, Labrousse marks the organization as his major accomplishment, and “it is with pride that I can say this is our work.”

The Minister said the organization is being established in response to various calls from the Diaspora for more streamlined channels of investment into Haiti. “We visited our compatriots in the Diaspora, Miami, Atlanta, Savannah, Boston, Montreal, Paris… everywhere we heard the same requests, we felt the same hopes, we have seen the same disappointments,” says Labrousse. “When can we vote ? When you will facilitate us the task for we can invest and invest ourselves in Haiti?”

The Minister also cited successful Diaspora investment partnership from 2015, including the establishment of the first phase of public clinics in Fond Fred, in partnership with the New York-based Haitian Diaspora non-profit, the Gaskov Clergé Foundation (GCF). Minister Labrousse also referred to the many MoUs signed with numerous Diaspora non-profits, including business and medical associations.

Five tips for hot savings

It’s difficult to save money, but with smart budgeting you can still enjoy everything the warm weather has to offer. Instead of forgoing the fun, consider cutting the costs instead.

Sound too good to be true? Follow these five tips for hot savings:

1. Maximize your rewards. Whether a credit card or vacation points program, you can save big when you take the time to understand your rewards program. Many offer cash back, mileage, you name it! Spending wisely throughout the year may help you save up for a rewards splurge later!

2. Cell savings. If you’re phone bill is busting at the seams, kick it to the curb.

3. Save on energy. You may not realize one of the biggest energy hogs in your home isn’t large appliances – it’s your cable box. A simple flip of the switch at the end of the day can save you big time. And don’t forget to keep boxes off in rooms where the TV isn’t used as often. If no one’s watching, then you shouldn’t be paying.

4. Don’t let your thermostat stray when away. Many brands now offer apps that let you control all of the appliances in your home right from your smartphone. Home automation technology can even tell you how much power you use on your electronics, giving you valuable insight into which electronics are costing you the most each month. Many also feature auto-away settings. By monitoring your habits you can program your settings for a more cost effective lifestyle.

5. Implement the 30-day rule. Evading instant purchasing-gratification is hard, but it’s an often overlooked tactic for balancing personal finance. By waiting 30 days, shoppers typically find after a month has passed, the urge to buy has passed as well. You’ll have saved yourself some money simply by waiting. In the instance you’re on the fence about a purchase anyway, waiting a while can give you a better perspective on whether it’s truly worth the money. If you still want it at the end of 30 days, then go ahead and buy it!

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US, Cuban universities sign bilateral corporation agreement

The United States and Cuba have signed an agreement to promote bilateral academic collaboration agreement between the University of Havana and Virginia Commonwealth University.

The agreement was signed at the University of Havana by Virginia’s governor Terence R McAuliffe, who is visiting the Spanish speaking Caribbean country.

The accord will facilitate the exchange of documents, publications and other material as well as joint implementation of summer courses and semester programs for regular Virginia students at the University of Havana.

It also includes reciprocal visits by professors, researchers and postgraduate students.

During the meeting, the Chancellor also known as the Rector of the University of Havana Gustavo Cobreiro said the University has exchange programmes 450 universities from around the world, including 45 higher education centers in the US.

McAuliffe, who is in Cuba on a political and commercial mission also hopes to boost the export of agricultural products from Virginia to the island, promote closer links in maritime transportation as well as higher education and culture .

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph calls for support from Jamaican diaspora

American actress, singer, and activist; Sheryl Lee Ralph,of Jamaican descent is calling on the Jamaican diaspora to support beneficiaries of the 2016 Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run, one of the Caribbean’s largest charity events slated for Sunday, February 22 in New Kingston, Jamaica.
Ralph, who recently accepted the role as a Patron for charity event will make one of many trips to Jamaica for the launch of the 5.5 kilometre road race on Thursday, January 14, 2016.
The Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run over the last seventeen years has donated over J$166 million to various child health focused foundations and institutions across Jamaica.
This year, donations will assist children with cancer across Jamaica, the Black River Hospital’s Paediatric Unit and Lounge, and purchase a Mammography machine for the Jamaica Cancer Society’s mobile breast cancer screening project.  This target is to raise J$50 million for these beneficiaries.

4 cooking secrets to help you bake like a pro at home

When it comes to food and cooking, Americans are becoming more adventurous and inspired to try new things. They buzz about the latest food trends with friends, share picture-worthy meals on their social feeds, binge on cooking shows and aspire to bring the unique dishes they eat in restaurants or see on TV to their own kitchens, recreating them for the entire family to enjoy.

And it’s not just the parents who have become swept up in this cooking revolution. An impressive 93 percent of parents with children 4 to 17 years old report that their kids help out with food preparation at home, according to results of a national survey conducted for appliance maker LG Electronics.

Here are some tips to help achieve professional cooking and baking results at home:

1. Season smarter.

While the quality of your cooking skills and the dish ingredients are key, never underestimate the power that smarter seasoning can have on ensuring your dish is a real crowd pleaser. Any professional chef will tell you that it is essential to keep an extensive supply of fresh seasonings on hand, and not to be afraid to experiment to achieve new flavor combinations. The pros commonly add a little acid (think citrus or vinegar) to seasonings to help brighten food and take away the perception of some ingredients tasting bitter. You’ll also see them add woody herbs like rosemary, oregano, sage or thyme at the beginning of the cooking process, when they’re most effective at flavoring. Leafy herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon and basil do a better job of heightening flavors if you add them toward the end of the cooking process.

2. Upgrade your range/oven.

Does it seem like the food on restaurant menus and cooking shows gets more complex, perfectly executed and delicious every year? It probably does, and improved cooking technology plays a big part in producing these amazing results. While the cooking technology of bygone years was decidedly low-tech and made it difficult to achieve consistently great results, modern innovations like “ProBake” convection ranges from LG make it easier for home chefs to enjoy professional-style cooking at home. This new technology is a real game-changer for baking; the heating element is located at the back of the oven (rather than on the bottom), providing even heating on the top and bottom of every dish. Home chefs can take comfort in knowing that this kind of new professional baking technology means burnt cookie bottoms and unevenly cooked dishes are things of the past.

3. Bake better.

A great oven can inspire you to be bold with your baking. The more versatile you become in the kitchen, the better you will be at cooking those tried and true favorites, maybe even giving them a new spin. If you’ve always stuck to cookies, try your hand at pastry making. If cakes have always been your forte, experiment with bread. There are so many professional tips to help you make the plunge. One pro-level tip to achieve a crust on your yeast breads entails preheating your oven to a higher temperature than the recipe recommends. Then once you put the bread in the oven, lower the temperature back down to what the recipe specifies. Keep chocolate baked goods moist and flavorful by removing them from the oven exactly on time; crumbs should be moist when you take chocolate items out of the oven. Bake cookies until the edges are just firm and they look the tiniest bit underbaked — when they cool, they’ll be soft and chewy.

4. Maximize your meats.

Roasting can be a healthful and flavorful way to prepare meats of all kinds, from beef roasts to whole chickens, turkeys and ducks. Most cuts of meat will taste better if marinated before cooking. To make the most of your marinade, remember to prick the meat or make shallow slashes with a knife so the marinade can soak into the meat. Always marinate meats, fish and fowl in the refrigerator. Most roasted meats will taste better if you allow them to ‘rest’ outside the oven before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Ready to try your hand at baking like a pro at home? Here’s a palate-pleasing recipe from Longoria’s cookbook “Eva’s Kitchen” to get you started:

Pan de Polvo (Mexican shortbread cookies)

Yield: About eight dozen cookies.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup shortening

1/4 cup sugar

For the sugar coating

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

In a medium bowl, place the flour and cinnamon. Whisk together until thoroughly blended. Set aside.

In the work bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the shortening and sugar on medium-high speed until well blended and fluffy — about 20 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water and beat until thoroughly combined.

Add the flour mixture and blend on medium-low just until completely blended. Press the dough into two equal disks. Place each disk between two sheets of wax paper. Use a rolling pin to roll out each disk to 1/8-inch thick, lifting and smoothing the top of wax paper if necessary. Slide the two sheets of rolled dough onto a baking sheet. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 10 minutes in the freezer.

Preheat the oven to 300 F.

Place one rolled dough on the work surface. Lift off and replace the top sheet of wax paper. Flip the dough over and lift off and set aside the sheet of wax paper. Use a 1 1/2 -inch or smaller cookie cutter to cut into desired shapes. Transfer the cookies to an ungreased baking sheet, placing about 1 inch apart. Gather the scraps, reroll them between the sheets of wax paper, and refrigerate until firm. Repeat with the other sheet of dough.

Bake until firm when gently touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes on the cookie sheet. Use a thin spatula to transfer them to cooling racks to cool completely.

To prepare the sugar coating, place the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Stir with a fork until completely combined. Roll the cooled cookies in the sugar and serve. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature for three to four days.

Barbados monitors 8 suspected cases of Zika virus

The Ministry of Health says it is monitoring eight suspected cases of the Zika virus.

At a press conference on Friday, Minister of Health John Boyce said samples will be sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago for confirmatory testing and the results will be shared with the public as soon as the ministry receives word from the agency.

In the wake of this, Boyce has warned the public to be on alert and “use simple measures to prevent mosquito breeding around our homes, business places and communities.”

“The fact that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the Zika virus, is the same mosquito that spreads dengue fever and chikungunya, we are all very familiar with the prevention and control measures which we need to undertake… Inspect your surroundings to search out and remove mosquito-breeding places on your properties. The Ministry of Health recommends that this should be done once per week.”

New Broward county programs provide new options for a high school diploma

Residents in Broward county seeking to complete their high school diplomas can now head to library, thanks to the new Career Online High school program, available throughout the county library system. The Broward program, which will offer high school degrees and career certifications, is one of 11 pilot projects being introduced by the state.

To participate in the program, an individual must be at least age 19, a resident of Broward County, a member of the Library system, and completed at least Grade 9 in high school. Participants must also take and pass courses in Math, English Social Studies, Science, and a career elective. The course takes approximately 18 months and is available online daily. Under the program, full scholarships valuing $1,300 will also be offered to 75 county residents to complete their diplomas.

In addition to the GED test, County librarian Matthew Union explained the pilot program will also provide career training electives in childcare and education, homeland security, transportation services, office management, retail customer service, food customer service, and general career preparation.

The new program means good news for Martha Champion, who operates an adult career center in Miami that offers GED course and tests. Champion says her program has seen a “significant increase, of over 300 percent,” in individuals seeking to pursue their GED. “Unlike other tests that can be taken online, the GED tests cannot. This has created a choke in the high demand for the certificate.”

Although 22-year-old Canute Smelly obtained his GED last May, he says he is most interested in the career-focused component of the online program.

“I now have the GED, but I don’t have a career,” Smelly said. “I want to be an airport security officer, but need training. I would love to get into this new program and improve my qualifications.”

ERM Instagram Photo Contest highlights county’s natural areas

Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is hosting the “Wild Lands are Wonderlands” Instagram Photo Contest during January to highlight Palm Beach County’s natural areas.

The winning photographer and four guests will receive a guided tour of the natural area of their choice.

To be enter, participants must follow ERM on Instagram, @pbcerm.  Then, photos should be uploaded on Instagram using #ermnatareas in the post and tag @pbcerm.  The name of the Palm Beach County natural area where the photo was taken must be included. All photos must be shared between January 1 and 31, 2016.

To find a natural area near you, visit the natural areas website at www.pbcgov.com/erm/natural/natural-areas.

ERM manages more than 31,000 acres of pristine habitat that can easily be explored and photographed.

 

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