Mykal Rose delivers at Sierra Nevada reggae festival

International reggae star Mykal Rose delivered an incredible set during the recently concluded Sierra Nevada reggae festival held in Boonville, California between June 21 and 23.

“I had a really great time with Sly and Robbie. The fan response was amazing, we rocked the venue, we had a good time, the fans had a good time. Reggae music still has the ability to bring people of all creeds, colours and religions together,” he said.

Mykal Rose is in the middle of his ‘Showdown in a Bloody Town’ tour of the USA.

Earlier this week, the former lead singer of Black Uhuru teamed up with Inner Circle, aka the ‘Bad Boys of Reggae’ and with a young artiste called Bizerk to create a brand new World Cup anthem called All About The Ball. Rose has also teamed up with Canadian rapper Snow of Informer fame to do a song called Shame, which will be released soon.

“It was great being in the studio with Snow, and people are going to love the song when it is released in July. It was produced by Kent Jones and Kool and Drake in a studio called Record Room Studio, in Florida. It was an amazing experience,” he said.

Later this week, he will jet off to the ‘hippie festival’ in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. He will be headliner on the annual ‘Reggae On the River’ show in California before ending his tour on July 4th with a festival in South Carolina.

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Mykal Rose delivers at Sierra Nevada reggae festival

Deep Jahi enters another competition - Former "Kings and Queens" winner tries JCDC stage

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Deep Jahi

Despite being the crowned king during the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition a couple years ago, recording artiste Deep Jahi says he aims to promote Jamaica with his entry in this year’s Festival Song competition.

Deep Jahi, given name Rushane Sanderson, has entered the Festival Song competition with a song titled I Love Ja.

He explained that the decision came after the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) approached his manager, Serani, to do production work for the competition. He said he was then consulted to participate in the competition and he decided to do it.

“I was kinda hesitant at first, but given the fact that the JCDC is a competition… it goes across the board. It will be on TV and radio… it is good promotion and known to Jamaica at large. It will be beneficial to my career. I decided to do a song to help promote Jamaica and the beauty of Jamaica and help make JCDC more mainstream,” he told THE STAR.

The other contestants in the competition are Pehtrol, Bono G, Sanj and CG Smart, Kahni, Clearance, Oliver Smoothe, Rasta Keekee and Rojjah.

Although he was the winner of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall in 2012, Deep Jahi says it is quite different from the Festival Song competition.

When he entered the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall, Deep Jahi said the main aim was to win the million dollar prize. This competition, he says, is a different experience.

“This one (Festival Song) is not about money. I don’t even know the prize I would get if I am the overall winner. I don’t see this as a competition, I see it as something to promote Jamaica,” he said.

The Festival Song finals will take place on July 26, and not many persons were made aware that Deep Jahi is a contestant prior to this. However, he says he is already bracing for possible negative feedback.

“In the music, there is always negative feedback. Even to this day you have persons who can’t put a face to my music and you have some who ask why I don’t put out any songs and I have been recording,” he said.

“Me just sing good music and the good nuh necessarily come up to the forefront. Any opportunity as it relates to good music, that’s what I am going to do.”

Deep Jahi stressed that although he has entered the competition, his music career is still very much active. The music video for Harsh Reality was scheduled to be premiered on CVM TV’s On Stage last Saturday and he also plans to do music videos for Conversation and Family Over All Things in coming weeks.

sadeke.brooks@gleanerjm.com

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Deep Jahi enters another competition - Former "Kings and Queens" winner tries JCDC stage

Craigy T"s schedule pulls him from Rising Stars

Craigy T (right), Alaine and Anthony Miller share lens space during a recent Digicel Rising Stars audition. – Contributed

Digicel Rising Stars has announced that Craigy T will no longer be able to fulfil his responsibilities as judge due to his hectic summer schedule with TOK.

Though he was able to start Season 11 with the five islandwide auditions through May-June, Craigy T’s summer obligations with his internationally acclaimed group now requires him to travel more than he originally expected.

“Yeah, I’m kinda bummed about not being able to finish the season, I love working with new talent. However, it just couldn’t be avoided. With my schedule, coupled with TOK’s calendar, I would miss about 10 of the 12 live performance shows. That wouldn’t make sense. So it go. All things considered, I’m looking forward to seeing you all again next year,” Craigy T said.

DRS producer Sharon Schroeter says the team is disappointed but understands: “We will definitely miss Craig this season, but we understand completely.”

The Digicel Rising Stars producers have decided to invite weekly guest judges to replace Craigy T for Season 11. Live shows for Season 11 began yesterday on TVJ with the first seven of the top 14 chosen from auditions.

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Craigy T"s schedule pulls him from Rising Stars

Deep Jahi enters another competition - Former "Kings and Queens" winner tries JCDC stage

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Deep Jahi

Despite being the crowned king during the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition a couple years ago, recording artiste Deep Jahi says he aims to promote Jamaica with his entry in this year’s Festival Song competition.

Deep Jahi, given name Rushane Sanderson, has entered the Festival Song competition with a song titled I Love Ja.

He explained that the decision came after the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) approached his manager, Serani, to do production work for the competition. He said he was then consulted to participate in the competition and he decided to do it.

“I was kinda hesitant at first, but given the fact that the JCDC is a competition… it goes across the board. It will be on TV and radio… it is good promotion and known to Jamaica at large. It will be beneficial to my career. I decided to do a song to help promote Jamaica and the beauty of Jamaica and help make JCDC more mainstream,” he told THE STAR.

The other contestants in the competition are Pehtrol, Bono G, Sanj and CG Smart, Kahni, Clearance, Oliver Smoothe, Rasta Keekee and Rojjah.

Although he was the winner of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall in 2012, Deep Jahi says it is quite different from the Festival Song competition.

When he entered the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall, Deep Jahi said the main aim was to win the million dollar prize. This competition, he says, is a different experience.

“This one (Festival Song) is not about money. I don’t even know the prize I would get if I am the overall winner. I don’t see this as a competition, I see it as something to promote Jamaica,” he said.

The Festival Song finals will take place on July 26, and not many persons were made aware that Deep Jahi is a contestant prior to this. However, he says he is already bracing for possible negative feedback.

“In the music, there is always negative feedback. Even to this day you have persons who can’t put a face to my music and you have some who ask why I don’t put out any songs and I have been recording,” he said.

“Me just sing good music and the good nuh necessarily come up to the forefront. Any opportunity as it relates to good music, that’s what I am going to do.”

Deep Jahi stressed that although he has entered the competition, his music career is still very much active. The music video for Harsh Reality was scheduled to be premiered on CVM TV’s On Stage last Saturday and he also plans to do music videos for Conversation and Family Over All Things in coming weeks.

sadeke.brooks@gleanerjm.com

View the original article here

Deep Jahi enters another competition - Former "Kings and Queens" winner tries JCDC stage

Former Barbados prime minister rallying constituents against new solid waste tax

Former Barbados prime minister, Owen Arthur (File photo)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Monday June 30, 2014, CMC - Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, is mobilising members of his constituency to protest payment of a new tax by claiming that they are unable to pay.

The Municipal Solid Waste tax is a new government revenue measure introduced last year as a levy on all Barbados landowners, but Arthur and several members of the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) have complained that it places another financial burden on Barbadians.

Arthur is seeking to capitalise on a provision in the new law that empowers the Minister of Finance to write off that tax payment for anyone who claims to be facing financial hardship and can prove it.

On Sunday, the former Prime Minister told supporters in his constituency of St Peter to seek out those who can show that the new tax is too much to bear, and write letters on their behalf to the finance minister.

“The people who are going to want relief most from this tax are the people who don’t know about writing no minister, [they] don’t know about using the law to help themselves,” Arthur said.

When announcing his protest plan one week earlier, Arthur said, “I am going to organise my constituency office, and bring all of my key people in St Peter together. And I am going to identify all who are living in house and shed, all the pensioners”.

In a message to Minister of Finance, Chris Sinckler, he said, “I shall on behalf of the people of St Peter, start assembling a team to make sure that all of my constituents – who I can show are facing undue hardship by this most pernicious piece of backward and bankrupt legislation – that you shall have on your desk, all of the representation of the suffering poor from St Peter who can take it no more”.

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Former Barbados prime minister rallying constituents against new solid waste tax

Venezuela soldiers allegedly beat several Guyanese at border

Guyana, Venezuela (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Monday June 30, 2014, CMC - A number of Guyanese were reportedly beaten by Venezuelan soldiers at the north-western border Guyana shares with its Spanish-speaking neighbour days ago.

While offering no comment on reports of the assault on the Guyanese, the Guyana Defence Force’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, was Saturday quoted assuring that it was not a clash of armies as no Guyanese soldiers were involved in the alleged incident, Friday.

“We have some reports of an altercation that we are investigating… nothing to do with Guyanese soldiers. There are no Guyanese soldiers stationed there,” he told one local media house.

According to a number of media, reports are that ‘rogue’ Venezuelan soldiers crossed the border and assaulted a group of men and women miners in an area called ‘Bruk- up Falls’, located on the Guyana side of the bordering Amakura River, in the North West District.

“They were taken from Bruk-Up Falls after more than two dozen armed soldiers attached to the Venezuelan military descended on the location and proceeded to beat and handcuff the Guyanese men who were in the area at the time” one report stated.

There have so far been no further reports on the location and well-being of the Guyanese.

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Guyana has a decades-old land dispute with Venezuela, which has laid claim to a significant portion of the CARICOM country. During the rule of late Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, he agreed with Guyana authorities to have the issue settled through a United Nations-appointed ‘Good Officer’. A process which continues.

But since his passing there have been several incidents between the two countries on land and in the territorial waters, with the latest being an incursion of Venezuelan soldiers into Guyana last year.

Observers believe that the 2013 incursion and other similar incidents were instigated by forces opposed to the Government of Chavez’ successor, President Nicholas Maduro, hoping to soil his declared continued friendly relations with Guyana.

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Venezuela soldiers allegedly beat several Guyanese at border

Trinidad COP leader Ramadhar re-elected

Trinidad & Tobago COP leader, Prakash Ramadhar (File photo)

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday June 30, 2014, CMC – Prakash Ramadhar held onto the reigns of leadership of the Congress of the People (COP), with just over 55 per cent of the votes in Sunday’s internal party election.

Ramadhar gained 1,473 votes while his closest contender Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, got 1,030 votes.

The other candidates in the race for leadership were Dr Lincoln Douglas who got 162 votes, and despite announcing his withdrawal from the race last Thursday, Rufus Foster got four votes.

Shortly after the results were announced Ramadhar said the party will hit the ground running, with a return to its street talk public forum and efforts to strengthen the COP’s position with the ruling People’s Partnership coalition.

The COP holds six seats among the 42 representatives in the legislature of the twin island state.

Ramadhar won the party’s leadership election in 2011 with 3,338 votes. His closest competitor then was Anil Roberts who received 1,026 votes.

Some COP members had reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Ramadhar’s leadership and called for the return of former COP leader, Winston Dookeran.

In addressing supporters, Ramadhar said the party will likely engage in some healing and team-building exercises, though he did not feel any of the wounds inflicted on the party during the internal election were severe.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has congratulated the COP leader on his victory.

“Today, the COP’s peaceful democratic exercise has consolidated the belief of all partners of the People’s Partnership and indeed all citizens who looked on with interest, in standing together and providing a strong, compassionate leadership that listens.

She added, “I trust that the COP will now put aside any differences that may have come about during the campaign so that we can all continue working towards a successful completion of our first term as the People’s Partnership and a strong campaign for re-election in 2015”.

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Trinidad COP leader Ramadhar re-elected

Bicycle thief gets thirty days

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

A man accused of stealing a bicycle was sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court recently.

Charged with simple larceny is 26-year-old Onazan Bennett of Greenwich Farm in St Andrew, who pleaded guilty to the offence.

Allegations are that on April 2, about 12 p.m., the 19-year-old complainant left his bicycle valued at $11,000, outside a Digicel retail outlet on Half-Way Tree Road, and went inside to purchase a mobile phone. The complainant returned to the spot where the bicycle was parked, and saw the accused riding off.

The court heard that the complainant gave chase, alerting nearby police officers who joined in the pursuit.

The complainant told the court that the accused man appeared determined to steal the bicycle, and that he did not falter while making his escape. Police personnel were able to apprehend the accused.

Urging Bennett to provide a reasonable explanation, the senior resident magistrate quizzed him as to why he should not serve time for the offence. Bennett then said it was an act of desperation, as he had discovered that he had a cyst near his right armpit that required an expensive x-ray.

Acknowledging that the offence carried a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment, the sitting magistrate sentenced Bennett to serve 30 days in prison, since the bicycle was returned to the complainant in fair condition.

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Bicycle thief gets thirty days

District constables retire in style

Horace Fisher, Star Writer

Sergeant D. Powell (left) presents an award to District Constable (DC) Lebert Lloyd of the Mocho Police Station for serving the JCF for 23 years. – Horace Fisher

In 1978, Hubert ‘Mr MC’ McDonald joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as a District Constable (DC). Thirteen years later, his colleague, Leebert ‘Mr Lenny’ Lloyd, also enlisted, and with close to 60 years of exemplary service between them, both men served the JCF with dedication.

However, as the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end,’ and for DCs McDonald and Lloyd, theirs come in a lavish and well appreciated retirement dinner at the Lennon High School in Mocho, Clarendon, recently, where they were lauded by the community, their families and peers.

“On behalf of the Mocho police, let me say a special thank you for almost 60 years of dedicated, loyal service to the JCF and the community of Mocho that you served with honour, dignity and selflessness,” Sergeant D. Powell told both retirees.

Sergeant Powell, the sub-officer in charge of the Mocho police, invited the retirees to continue to lend their support in the fight against crime by imparting their years of experience to the younger DCs.

In a humble acknowledgement of gratitude, the retirees said when they first enlisted, they did so with the sole intentions of giving service to their country, but have got so attached and accustomed to their job, that leaving is somewhat a bit regretted.

“It has been 36 years since I became a DC, and I get so use to getting up and coming to work, leaving the people I served with for so many years is a bit sad, I tell you. and the body feel like I could do another 36 years,” DC McDonald said with a sad shake of his head.

Lloyd also expressed a desire to continue serving: “I still believe I could do another 26 years, but when mango ripe, it have to fall, nuh true?”

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District constables retire in style

No breakthrough in killing of Portmore businessman

The Portmore police say they have not made any breakthrough, but are following several leads into the abduction and killing of a 54-year-old businessman on Friday.

The dead man has been identified as Keith Murray, who is of a Caribbean Estate address in Portmore, St Catherine.

Police say investigations have so far revealed that Murray returned to the island from a trip to the United Kingdom on Friday, the same day he was killed, and was abducted along the Fort Augusta Road in Portmore.

A body was later found in Spanish Town, St Catherine, and confirmed to be that of the missing man.

The police say they are again appealing to persons who are returning to the island to be careful who they inform on their return, as some of these incidents regarding people returning to the island are not coincidental.

According to the lawmen, some of the robberies and abductions of people who just arrived in the island and are on their way to their location are oftentime orchestrated by individuals who know that the victims are returning on the particular date and time.

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No breakthrough in killing of Portmore businessman

Cop Taped Giving Oral sex - Video circulating in rural town

A video of a policeman giving a woman oral sex in a car in May Pen, Clarendon, has become the hot topic on the lips of almost everyone in the rural town.

The 18-minute-long video which began circulating last Wednesday, has become so popular that it has gone viral on social media and DVD copies have been made and are selling like hot bread in and around May Pen. The DVD reportedly costs $200.

Reports reaching THE STAR are that the policeman, a constable, who is well known in the town has hardly been seen in the area since the video went viral, much to the delight of many people, mostly vendors and transport operators. Many have complained of being targeted and verbally abused by the constable.

Vendors wasted no time in ‘bunning out’ the policeman, who many have now renamed Constable Namsterdom, apparently a spin off from deejay J-Amderstam who has publicly admitted to giving women oral sex.

“Him mek we can’t sell in peace, everyday him come run we down, and you see what him go do? Tell him say come run we down now nuh,” a vendor told THE STAR. “You see the boy tongue how it big and long. No sah, a no tongue that, a vacuum cleaner.”

enormous tongue

A colleague of the policeman complained that his indiscretions have brought the force into disrepute. “We can’t even walk on the road without people a trouble we … but a run them fi run wey that and make him go a him yard with him nastiness,” the cop insisted.

The tape, which was reportedly made in a car parked at the May Pen Police Station, begins with the policeman issuing a number of orders to his female companion. “Mek sure you video me good enuh, mek sure,” he ordered, at one point, while sticking out an enormous tongue in the direction of the camera.

After paying attention to the woman’s breasts, the cop quickly sat down to ‘eat’ as the woman lets out a few moans. “You know say me a dog,” the cop, who is reportedly married, declared.

The act was interrupted briefly when a curious intruder stumbled upon them, but they quickly resumed after the unashamed policeman raised his head and let off a string of bad words, before returning to the act.

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Cop Taped Giving Oral sex - Video circulating in rural town

Accused on assault charge gets bail extended

A man accused of assaulting his girlfriend had his bail extended when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court recently.

Charged with assault occasioning bodily harm is Raphael Wilson.

On the day in question, it is alleged that Wilson punched the complainant, who is his girlfriend, all over her body and in her face.

Wilson, however, insisted that the complainant fabricated the entire account, later filing a false report to the police.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey ordered the accused to return on July 25 for a mention hearing, pending an outstanding medical report. A fingerprint order was also made.

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Accused on assault charge gets bail extended

Warrant issued for Jamaican man in the US

Following a shooting that injured two people in Maryland, United States, the police have issued an arrest warrant for a Jamaican man, who they say is the responsible for incident.

The Baltimore County police in Maryland are reported to have an arrest warrant charging 21-year-old Ashani John Salmon in connection with the June 16 shooting of two people.

Reports are that two people were believed to be arguing with Salmon in front of the Pejus Restaurant and Lounge located in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, Maryland, when he allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire hitting the two.

According to police personnel, Salmon is a Jamaican male of light complexion, with short hair, 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 150 to 160 pounds, whom they consider to be armed and dangerous.

Salmon is still on the run as the Baltimore County Police Department urge persons with information to come forward.

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Warrant issued for Jamaican man in the US

34-y-o US citizen reported missing

Thirty-four-year-old Clembert Robinson, of North West, Florida in the United States of America has been missing since last Wednesday, June 25.

He is of dark complexion, medium build and is about 170 centimetres (5 feet 7 inches) tall. He is also said to be mentally challenged.

Reports from the Coral Gardens police are that about 11 a.m., Robinson along with other family members went to the Sangster International Airport. His mother allegedly placed him on a bench and went to process his documents for departure.

On her return, Robinson was not seen. At the time he disappeared, he was dressed in a plaid shirt, khaki shorts and a pair of grey sneakers. He has not been heard from since.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Clembert Robinson is asked to contact the Coral Gardens police at 953-2229, police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.

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34-y-o US citizen reported missing

New St Vincent coast guard base expected to end haven for crime

Canouan coast guard sub-base (Credit: iwnsvg.com)

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – The St Vincent and the Grenadines government has commissioned a coast guard sub base on the southern Grenadine island of Canouan, which Prime Minister Dr Rlaph Gonsalves said will help to protect the “soft underbelly” of this multi-island nation.

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles said the new base will also help to make less porous an area of the country that is a haven for criminals from South America, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

The two million US dollar facility was constructed under the United States government’s Secure Seas Programme with the government contributing EC$400,000 (one EC dollar=US$0.37 cents).

The base, which was completed last October and became operational in November, comprises a two-storey, operational centre that has 4,500 square feet of floor space and can house 24 Coast Guard personnel; a 50 feet long pier that allows for six feet of water depth at low tide; fuel and water storage and dispensations systems; and a communications tower.

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Gonsalves, who is also National Security Minister, said the sub base is an extension of the central coast guard base at Calliaqua in St Vincent, and will perform all the operations conducted at the main base.

Twelve coast guard personnel and coast guard vessel SVG 09, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) vessel donated by the U.S. government, are stationed at the sub base.

“The Southern Grenadines is the soft under belly security wise,” Gonsalves told the ceremony and expressed appreciation for US President Barack Obama’s Safe Seas Programme.

The coast guard has also received two RHIBS, a pick-up truck, and spare parts under the programme and Gonsalves said the sub base is important to tourism investment on the island.

“It is magnificent because the people who are coming with the marina and the people who are here would know you are going to be relatively safe from bandits who want to use the sea to come in and disturb our safety and our security,” he said.
He said the facility would be responsible for Coast Guard operations in the Southern Grenadines and support the main base operation whenever required.

It has 24-hour very high frequency and digital selective call in watch on channels 16 and 17 respectively and can be contacted easily by VHF channel 16, Gonsalves said.

“This Coast Guard base fits strategically into our coastal surveillance plan. This operation is linked to the coastal radar system that was financed by the government of Trinidad and Tobago with three sites on the mainland,” he said of the system that allows maritime officials to track traffic in the nation’s waters.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Larry Palmer said that St Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States are part of a shared security partnership to address the transnational security challenge in the hemisphere.

“This partnership is underscored by the cooperative working relations between the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and especially its coast guard and the United States’ military and law enforcement agencies.

“You have all been strong partners and have taken an aggressive stance to keep this nation safe from narcotics trafficking and other threats to the maritime borders of our shared region,” Palmer said.

“The base’s key location between St Vincent and Grenada will strengthen your coast guard’s maritime law enforcement and search and rescue capabilities as well in this remote area…. This coast guard base is only part of the long-term United States commitment to support your on-going capacity building efforts to increase the country’s national security,” Palmer further said at the ceremony.

The Police Commissioner said that the island now has another point from which it can bring the fight to the criminals and protect citizens and visitors.

“For many years, the Grenadine islands have been a security challenge to law enforcement agencies. Being a multi-island state, there are many bays, beaches and inlets to the policed and patrolled. And because of our limited resources to do such, our borders can be considered as porous.

“As a result of these prevailing circumstances, these islands have been a haven for criminals from South America, Trinidad, Grenada.”

Charles said criminals have capitalised on the nation’s limited capabilities to man its borders, to traffic illegal drugs, smuggle guns and launder money.

“But today, as we commission this Coast Guard base, I want to assure the general public and our visitors alike that we will use this facility to optimal potential and to bring to justice those persons who contravene the maritime and other laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” the police chief said.

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New St Vincent coast guard base expected to end haven for crime

Henry S. Fraser: Things that delight me over and over!

Jamaica national flower, Lignum Vitae

Henry S. Fraser

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sunday June 29, 2014 - In 1949, a splendid little book, Delight, by English author J.B. Priestley, was published, to the delight of thousands of readers. It was described as a collection of short essays on the little things in life that caused even him, a self-confessed old monster, to stop and smile! A few years ago a new and equally whimsical version appeared – Modern Delight by Nick Hornby and others – a collection of the little things that delight a wide range of people. It encouraged me, ever since, to enjoy even more the many things of great beauty and charm that we often take for granted. So this column is, in a way, a personal confessional.

One of my greatest delights at this time is the spectacular carnival of bougainvillea, in every colour, on every corner, around the country. But I’m equally delighted by the sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic sequence of flowering trees bursting into bloom. This display in our garden usually starts with a few lonely frangipani flowers, and the delicate blue flowers of the lignum vitae. This elegant tree has perhaps the hardest wood in the world and its flower is the national flower of Jamaica. Its reputation for producing abortions (and a haemorrhagic cystitis) allegedly led to a law banning it in Barbados, and so there are only a few really old specimens – the avenues at Harrison College and Queen’s Park House – but happily it’s popular once again, and I have both mature and younger specimens.

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The lignum vitae is followed sometime in April / May by our two yellow classics… the poui and the cassia fistula. I planted mine side by side, but they rarely coincide exactly in their proud displays. And then there are the hundreds of flamboyants everywhere (Poincianas in the rest of the Caribbean, named for the Duke de Poince, the seventeenth century French Governor of St. Kitts). Temperature and humidity determine their day of display – April in the drier coastal Christ Church, but not until May or early June on higher ground, in our “mountain districts”!

Other simple delights: the wonderful warm, wet welcome of our many dogs. The affection of the tough “rescue dog” Bruno, the Rottweiler-Mastiff, which I found at the RSPCA. He’s the best of watch dogs, but has a really soft heart for his rescuer, and eyes that would melt the hardest heart. And then there’s my big Dog de Bordeaux; Simba who loves to give paw, and Tiger the Doberman, who can smell a stranger a mile off and barks like mad! What’s great about them all is that the later I come home the happier they are to see me!

And the beauty of trees … in my garden; at Queen’s Park, with our magnificent baobab; at Andromeda; at the Flower Forest; at Welchman Hall; at Bath; those splendid palms along the highway; the spiritual silk cottons and ficuses everywhere. Stand and look up at them at dusk and sense their majesty and the power and beauty and grace of God and all creation.

And the sea – the glorious sea, that most Bajans ignore. Enjoy its calm on a sunny day, when you can float at peace, and enjoy the sense of strength and health as you swim and feel truly part of the universe. And enjoy the energy and beauty of the surf at Accra or the Crane or Bathsheba, our most sacred place in the great cathedral of the Scotland District.

Other simple delights I enjoy every day are the warm and sincere exchanges with people I meet every day. A greeting, a word of “Hello”, “Good morning” or “How are you”; and simply “making four eyes” with the other person is a pleasure for everyone who shares in that way, and a privilege many in this world never have. (And yet how many people move through life with eyes averted, sullen, sad, bored or rude, never caring to share the warmth of a simple greeting.)

And then there are the gastronomic delights, which for some seem to be the only pleasures, creating morbid obesity, illness and early death. I can think of nothing more delightful than Greek yoghurt with honey – one of my few imported favourites, with which I’ve had to replace my favourite Pine Hill yoghurt, now no more; and then there’s my wife’s hot coconut bread and cassava pone – to die for! And as a West Indian, nothing delights more than my first taste of red pea soup and ackee and salt fish whenever I go to Jamaica, or a shrimp roti in Trinidad!

But what is life without love. The delight of sharing with close friends and family is exceeded only by the infinite joy of going to sleep and waking up with the most wonderful wife in the world! Amen!

Brickbat: To FIFA, the World Cup and the entire game of football, which has deteriorated into an aggressive, all-in wrestling match. The fouls that are allowed, the fisticuffs and wrestling, the tripping and the dramatic histrionic displays of pretended injury with instant recovery have made a mockery of the game, formerly known as football and now more correctly designated “Wrestle ball”. I’ve been frankly disgusted by the whole charade. And I condemn equally the local game, where photographs show wrestling players with the caption “fighting for the ball”.

Professor Fraser is past Dean of Medical Sciences, UWI and Professor Emeritus of Medicine. Website:  profhenryfraser.com

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Henry S. Fraser: Things that delight me over and over!

Third oldest Commonwealth parliament wants to dump British political system

The Parliament buildings in Bridgetown, Barbados (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – With experience of the Westminster parliamentary system for 375 years in their consciousness, Barbadian politicians are saying they want a change from this adversarial mode of governance.

Speaker of Parliament, Michael Carrington, on Thursday said the one reservation he had regarding Barbados’s Parliament is that the adapted the British Westminster system, which, “appeared to pit Government and Opposition inexorably against each other in aggressive, contentious and oftimes seemingly unnecessary confrontation”.

Carrington, an elected member of government, was speaking at a joint meeting of the two chambers of parliament – House of Assembly and Senate – to mark the 375th anniversary of that institution in Barbados.

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“Hunkering down behind traditional battle lines of political tribalism cannot help this country,” Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley, said, adding “bipartisan cooperation, led by a new generation of patriots who put the national interest above all else, is what Barbados needs”.

“Genuine parliamentary reform must find creative ways to embrace all talents and welcome all constructive contributions,” she said.

Within the Commonwealth, only the British Parliament, started in 1215, and the Bermuda Parliament, that began in 1620, are older than the Barbados Parliament.

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Third oldest Commonwealth parliament wants to dump British political system

Peter Binose: Fraud against the IMF, Argyle Airport?

Peter Binose

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, Sunday June 29, 2014 - For you all to consider that what I write is true to public records and political fact. Public records that are held in Grenada, and Micro Fiche copies in the US.

It worried me greatly when Ralph Gonsalves announced in Saint Vincent that he is here to finish the work of Maurice Bishop. I am still seeking an explanation of exactly what that statement means and what part of Bishops work Gonsalves wants to adopt?

We must remember that Gonsalves was very close to Bishop, shortly after the Marxist Grenada revolution, travelling with Bishop in his car and writing political speech’s for him. [its all a matter of public record, and a written record by Gonsalves himself] We know that Bishop was capable of writing his own speech’s but these were busy times and he needed help, help by like minded Caribbean people.

So when Gonsalves announced he is here to finish the work of dead Marxist, Maurice Bishop, I previously asked the question on several sites such as this, “what part or parts of Bishops work does he intend completing”. Is it some, is it a selection, or is it all?

Bishop did a lot of dreadful things, one of the things that Bishop did was undertake to obtain money fraudulently from the IMF and other lending institutes.

I am sure that Maurice Bishop was not the first and will not be the last MARXIST even non Marxist Caribbean leader or ruler to deceive the IMF.

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Some present day governments today may well be using the same method. Falsifying finance figures, also tourism, agriculture, fishing, large project figures, even crime records, and other statistics. Whether CUBA still offers advice on how to do this is another consideration, even a question we should verociously ask. Ask in the expectation that we are given an answer, if not by our own government, perhaps by some other entity. Is it still a service offered to its associates, its Caribbean political admirers and followers.

On the advice of Russia and Cuba Maurice Bishop of Grenada had suggested to his party Central Committee how to overcome the IMF and World Bank requirements, by keeping two sets of books and records, so as to defraud the IMF.

When the Americans invaded Grenada, they found, confiscated and shipped to the US 6 tons of paper records. The best kept records of a Communist revolution ever to be found anywhere. There were thousands of records some as government central committee records, some even written in the hand of Bishop.

They found all sorts of records, including the diaries of Maurice Bishop, and all the secret official agreements between Bishops regime and Cuba, East Germany, Russian USSR, Vietnam, North Korea, and dozens of other communist bloc countries, most of whom had required that such contracts and agreements be kept secret. Kept secret because they included contractual intentions, also numbers and details of arms and military supplies, made or proposed.

The records were copied in the US by the microfiche method, and then returned to Grenada. Returned to Grenada where they were made fully available for the public to scrutinise.

With regards to the fraud against the IMF, here are the US record office and Grenadian record locations and references.

US PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE MARYLAND

www.dod.gov/pubs/foi/reading_room/153.pdf

Micro Fiche, page 9
Grenada Revolution, Deception on Economic Matters
Minutes of Central Committee:
At a meeting in Grenada on August 3, 1983, the political/Economic Bureau of the NJM noted that International Monetary Fund requirements for badly needed assistance would be difficult to meet -
“Comrade Maurice Bishop suggested that we use the Suriname and Cuban experience in keeping two sets of records in the banks for this purpose”
Later in the same meeting -
“Comrades again highlighted the urgent importance of training Comrades to adjust the banking figures. Someone should be sent to Cuba or the Soviet Union”
And again -
“The comrades from Nicaragua and Cuba must visit Grenada to train Comrades in the re-adjustment of the books.”
Extracted from documents found by the U.S. forces when they invaded Grenada in 1983, stored on Micro Fiche in Maryland, USA. available to the public. Originals returned to Grenada Public Records Office.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS HELD AT THE GRENADA PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE:
Box 1 Folder 72
Minutes of Meetings – August 1983
Date: 3 Aug 1983: Description: Minutes of Central Committee, Political Bureau, Economic Bureau and other Meetings refer to the economy, fraudulently readjusting the books for IMF.

This opinion is not meant to infer or imply that Ralph E. Gonsalves is involved in the altering of any records whatsoever in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, or of committing or planning any illegal act.

But as the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister who makes statements about the dead criminal Marxist, Maurice Bishop, we really do require some answers to his statements. Exactly what work of Maurice Bishop does PM Gonsalves intend emulating or completing?

Its a simple question. Because without the answer people may rightly or wrongly assume that Gonsalves intends to adopt all the work of Bishop.

That may well lay them open to being sued by Gonsalves, so for the sake of Justice, please PM Gonsalves, lets have the low down of your intentions.

There have recently been another opinions, one by ‘Simon Rouse’ quoting the International Airport that was being built by the Cubans in Grenada, being built for the use as a military airport. An opinion that asks if St. Vincent’s Argyle airport project is a military project.

I first raised the above questions about Maurice Bishops fraud, on several occasions since 2011. To date no answer, no explanation, no rendition to the Vincentian people who are owed an explanation, nothing except silence.

Some say silence is golden but in this matter its not, it hangs like a lead weight around the neck of those decent non-Marxist members of Vincentian society. Those people who are coming to feel tricked and deceived by their leaders, those people who want to know the truth and want an answer from the Gonsalves family leadership.

I say Gonsalves family leadership because PM Gonsalves is an elected member, his son is an unelected member, selected by him as a senator and minister, his cousin Julian Francis has stood for election on several occasion, always to be rejected by the people, an unelectable and unelected member of parliament, except by Gonsalves choice of him as a senator and minister. Between them the trio hold all the important post’s and ministries, between them the trio control parliament and every ministerial meeting. Between them the trio are effectively the government of SVG., the central committee. Between them, by some, the trio may well be described as a family dictatorship.

Wake up people and smell the sulphur. Wake up Diaspora and seeketh the way of the Lord, reject those that claim to only work Obeah for the Lord.

“If I work Obeah, I only work Obeah for the Lord“, Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Peter Binose. Peter Binose,self appointed keeper of the bugle, thrown the whistle away.

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Peter Binose: Fraud against the IMF, Argyle Airport?

New St Vincent coast guard base expected to end haven for crime

Canouan coast guard sub-base (Credit: iwnsvg.com)

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – The St Vincent and the Grenadines government has commissioned a coast guard sub base on the southern Grenadine island of Canouan, which Prime Minister Dr Rlaph Gonsalves said will help to protect the “soft underbelly” of this multi-island nation.

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles said the new base will also help to make less porous an area of the country that is a haven for criminals from South America, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

The two million US dollar facility was constructed under the United States government’s Secure Seas Programme with the government contributing EC$400,000 (one EC dollar=US$0.37 cents).

The base, which was completed last October and became operational in November, comprises a two-storey, operational centre that has 4,500 square feet of floor space and can house 24 Coast Guard personnel; a 50 feet long pier that allows for six feet of water depth at low tide; fuel and water storage and dispensations systems; and a communications tower.

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Gonsalves, who is also National Security Minister, said the sub base is an extension of the central coast guard base at Calliaqua in St Vincent, and will perform all the operations conducted at the main base.

Twelve coast guard personnel and coast guard vessel SVG 09, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) vessel donated by the U.S. government, are stationed at the sub base.

“The Southern Grenadines is the soft under belly security wise,” Gonsalves told the ceremony and expressed appreciation for US President Barack Obama’s Safe Seas Programme.

The coast guard has also received two RHIBS, a pick-up truck, and spare parts under the programme and Gonsalves said the sub base is important to tourism investment on the island.

“It is magnificent because the people who are coming with the marina and the people who are here would know you are going to be relatively safe from bandits who want to use the sea to come in and disturb our safety and our security,” he said.
He said the facility would be responsible for Coast Guard operations in the Southern Grenadines and support the main base operation whenever required.

It has 24-hour very high frequency and digital selective call in watch on channels 16 and 17 respectively and can be contacted easily by VHF channel 16, Gonsalves said.

“This Coast Guard base fits strategically into our coastal surveillance plan. This operation is linked to the coastal radar system that was financed by the government of Trinidad and Tobago with three sites on the mainland,” he said of the system that allows maritime officials to track traffic in the nation’s waters.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Larry Palmer said that St Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States are part of a shared security partnership to address the transnational security challenge in the hemisphere.

“This partnership is underscored by the cooperative working relations between the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and especially its coast guard and the United States’ military and law enforcement agencies.

“You have all been strong partners and have taken an aggressive stance to keep this nation safe from narcotics trafficking and other threats to the maritime borders of our shared region,” Palmer said.

“The base’s key location between St Vincent and Grenada will strengthen your coast guard’s maritime law enforcement and search and rescue capabilities as well in this remote area…. This coast guard base is only part of the long-term United States commitment to support your on-going capacity building efforts to increase the country’s national security,” Palmer further said at the ceremony.

The Police Commissioner said that the island now has another point from which it can bring the fight to the criminals and protect citizens and visitors.

“For many years, the Grenadine islands have been a security challenge to law enforcement agencies. Being a multi-island state, there are many bays, beaches and inlets to the policed and patrolled. And because of our limited resources to do such, our borders can be considered as porous.

“As a result of these prevailing circumstances, these islands have been a haven for criminals from South America, Trinidad, Grenada.”

Charles said criminals have capitalised on the nation’s limited capabilities to man its borders, to traffic illegal drugs, smuggle guns and launder money.

“But today, as we commission this Coast Guard base, I want to assure the general public and our visitors alike that we will use this facility to optimal potential and to bring to justice those persons who contravene the maritime and other laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” the police chief said.

View the original article here

New St Vincent coast guard base expected to end haven for crime

Canada, US issue Haiti travel advisory following upsurge in crime

Haiti anti-riot soldier (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

OTTAWA, Canada, Saturday June 28, 2014, CMC – The Canadian and United States governments have warned their nationals about traveling to Haiti in light of what they view as an increase in crime in some parts of the earthquake-ravaged, French-speaking Caribbean country.

“There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Haiti. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to high crime rates in various parts of the country and ongoing political tensions,” said Canada in a statement, warning against non-essential travel to the neighbourhoods of Martissant, Carrefour, Bel Air and Cité Soleil, in the Port-au-Prince area, “as the security situation is particularly unstable and dangerous.

“The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice.

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“In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. The Government of Canada will assist you in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted,” the government said in the statement.

It said that the neighbourhoods of Martissant, Carrefour, Bel Air and Cité Soleil, in the Port-au-Prince area “continue to be dangerous due to criminal activity,” adding that local authorities lack the “capacity to ensure order.

“Personal safety and a police presence are not guaranteed. The police are unable to respond in a timely manner to calls for assistance in these areas, and it is strongly advised to avoid going out after nightfall,” it said.

The Canadian government also said that the security situation is “hazardous and very unpredictable.

“Remain extremely vigilant wherever you are in the country. Criminal activity is especially evident in large centres such as downtown Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs continue to operate,” it said.

“There has recently been an increase in armed robberies targeting travellers, particularly foreigners of Haitian origin, arriving on international flights at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince,” it said, noting that in most cases the victims’ vehicles are followed by criminals on motorcycles.

“Criminal gangs have committed robberies by erecting roadblocks. If you have to travel through this area, remain extremely vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities,” Canada said, noting that murder, kidnapping, armed robberies, burglaries and carjackings have been known to occur even in daylight hours.

The Canadian government said the general Haitian population, regardless of social class, ?can be considered at risk of being kidnapped.

In issuing a similar travel advisory, the consular section of the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince said it has “noted a recent increase in the number of travelers who have been victims of robbery shortly after departing Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

“In most cases, victims report that they were followed by armed individuals on motorcycles shortly after leaving the airport and robbed of cash and other portable valuables,” the statement said, urging Americans to ensure that they are picked up at the airport by their host.

The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) said 73 people have been murdered so far this month, compared to 54 in May, 66 in April, and 45 in March.

View the original article here

Canada, US issue Haiti travel advisory following upsurge in crime

Arley Gill: A policy of containment may have avoided further Middle East troubles

Rashid Street, Baghdad, Iraq (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

Arley Gill

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Friday June 27, 2014 - ISIS – the group that claims it’s fighting for an “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’’ – is said to be extreme compared to the Taliban, whom we know to be extreme. The goal of ISIS is to carve out an Islamic state, taking portions of unstable Iraq and the dysfunctional nation of Syria. This is not good news for the west and, indeed, the world.

Now, I am no admirer of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi President. For sure, I would not like to live in a country where the likes of Saddam are leaders.

However, it is fair to ask one’s self whether or not the so-called “War on Terror’’, launched by the United Stated in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in America, would not have been better off with a policy of containment on an Iraq led by Saddam Hussein.

Saddam, for all his weaknesses, led a more stable Iraq. One cannot help but wonder whether or not these types of leaders are what is required in societies so volatile.

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So, did the US err in invading Iraq and getting rid of Saddam? Was getting rid of Saddam a shortsighted policy?
It occurs to me that the same questions can be asked for the countries that were part of the Arab Spring of protest and western-encouraged government changes; in places such as Egypt and Libya, for example.

Egypt is back, effectively, with a military Jefe, who has jailed his opponents including a sitting president. He resigned from the army, installed himself as government leader, and then – not surprisingly – ran and won an election. Farcical, isn’t it?

Libya, for its part, now has a multitude of leaders and militias for every district.

Muammar Gaddafi, the former leader who was overthrown and executed, had negotiated a settlement of the Lockerbie airplane bombing (subsequent documentaries and literature I have read indicate that Libya was not to blame for the bombing), and he had opened up Libya to the west; so much so that western leaders had returned to visiting Libya.

But, the west had other plans for Gaddafi and it did not include him remaining in charge of Libya.

They supported rebel fighters against Gaddafi and a no-fly zone was set up over Libya. It’s the same policy that was adopted against Syria; only this time, Syria had powerful friends like Russia to assist.

The west now seemingly appreciates that there is no one opposition group in Syria and it is chaos dealing with the leaders of these groups. Here again, can a policy of containment be a better option rather than military intervention and the overthrow of the government?

Admittedly, there is need for greater freedom and democracy in Syria. But, what is the alternative? Who is the alternative? Those are questions begging for answers. It seems to me that a dance with the devil may be better than a search for the unknown.

Further, on the issue of Iraq, the reasons given by the US for the invasion we now know to be untruthful. So, what were the real reasons for the Iraqi invasion?

Whatever it is, it seems as though it was a bad decision by the US. But, who is going to take the blame? Who is going to accept the responsibility?

The views expressed in this column are solely those of Arley Gill. Arley Gill, a lawyer and magistrate, is a former Grenada minister of culture.

The views expressed in this column are solely those of Arley Gill. Arley Gill, a lawyer and magistrate, is a former Grenada minister of culture.

View the original article here

Arley Gill: A policy of containment may have avoided further Middle East troubles

Canada, US issue Haiti travel advisory following upsurge in crime

Haiti anti-riot soldier (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

OTTAWA, Canada, Saturday June 28, 2014, CMC – The Canadian and United States governments have warned their nationals about traveling to Haiti in light of what they view as an increase in crime in some parts of the earthquake-ravaged, French-speaking Caribbean country.

“There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Haiti. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to high crime rates in various parts of the country and ongoing political tensions,” said Canada in a statement, warning against non-essential travel to the neighbourhoods of Martissant, Carrefour, Bel Air and Cité Soleil, in the Port-au-Prince area, “as the security situation is particularly unstable and dangerous.

“The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice.

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“In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. The Government of Canada will assist you in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted,” the government said in the statement.

It said that the neighbourhoods of Martissant, Carrefour, Bel Air and Cité Soleil, in the Port-au-Prince area “continue to be dangerous due to criminal activity,” adding that local authorities lack the “capacity to ensure order.

“Personal safety and a police presence are not guaranteed. The police are unable to respond in a timely manner to calls for assistance in these areas, and it is strongly advised to avoid going out after nightfall,” it said.

The Canadian government also said that the security situation is “hazardous and very unpredictable.

“Remain extremely vigilant wherever you are in the country. Criminal activity is especially evident in large centres such as downtown Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs continue to operate,” it said.

“There has recently been an increase in armed robberies targeting travellers, particularly foreigners of Haitian origin, arriving on international flights at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince,” it said, noting that in most cases the victims’ vehicles are followed by criminals on motorcycles.

“Criminal gangs have committed robberies by erecting roadblocks. If you have to travel through this area, remain extremely vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities,” Canada said, noting that murder, kidnapping, armed robberies, burglaries and carjackings have been known to occur even in daylight hours.

The Canadian government said the general Haitian population, regardless of social class, ?can be considered at risk of being kidnapped.

In issuing a similar travel advisory, the consular section of the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince said it has “noted a recent increase in the number of travelers who have been victims of robbery shortly after departing Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

“In most cases, victims report that they were followed by armed individuals on motorcycles shortly after leaving the airport and robbed of cash and other portable valuables,” the statement said, urging Americans to ensure that they are picked up at the airport by their host.

The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) said 73 people have been murdered so far this month, compared to 54 in May, 66 in April, and 45 in March.

View the original article here

Canada, US issue Haiti travel advisory following upsurge in crime

US authorities discover marijuana, handgun in Trinidad shipment

US Customs and Border Protection (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

PHILADELPHIA, Unted States, Saturday June 28, 2014, CMC - The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says it has intercepted a 40 caliber handgun and a quantity of marijuana bound for Trinidad concealed in a stereo radio receiver.

It said that the discovery was made during a routine examination of outbound air cargo on Thursday.
The CBP said that officers disassembled the receiver and discovered a Springfield Armory XD semi-automatic handgun, one magazine, and 10 vacuum-sealed bags containing a green, leafy material that field-tested positive for marijuana, the agency said.

It said the marijuana weighed 540 grams, or a little more than one pound and three ounces, and had a street value of less than US$1,000.

CBP did not disclose the name of the sender or intended recipient.

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“This seizure illustrates how US Customs and Border Protection officers effectively employ available technologies to intercept illicit contraband and dangerous weapons while facilitating the expeditious movement of legitimate international commerce,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP port director for the Area Port of Philadelphia.

CBP said Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technologies, which enable it to quickly examine the contents of shipping containers and other conveyances, are “a key component in CBP’s layered enforcement strategy to protect America, our citizens and our nation’s economy”.

Meanwhile, the United States has signed an agreement to provide Trinidad and Tobago with US$1.8 million for security assistance programme.

Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, Margaret B. Diop and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston C. Dookeran signed the agreement that the US diplomat said increases cooperative opportunities between the two countries.

She said the agreement allows for continued development of programs aimed at increasing citizen security by strengthening law enforcement capacities to counter illicit traffickers and deter violent crime. The goal of these programs is to improve security, promote social justice, and counter the efforts of local and international criminal organizations.

Dookeran thanked Washington for its assistance to the country noting that the support will better prepare Trinidad and Tobago to address critical threats of interest to each nation and the international community.

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US authorities discover marijuana, handgun in Trinidad shipment

Antigua coast guard detains Jamaicans in multi-million dollar drug bust

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – Law enforcement authorities say they have intercepted a vessel originating from Jamaica with more than 2,300 pounds of marijuana worth more than EC$30 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents).

A statement from the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) said it participated in a joint operation involving the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (Coast Guard) in intercepting the 65ft vessel on Wednesday.

It said the vessel, which it did not name originated from Jamaica and “was being operated by six Jamaican men whose ages range from 38 years old to 67 years old.

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“The Captain and his crew are assisting the officers with their investigations,” the statement said, noting that the drugs had a street value of over EC$37 million.

The ONDCP said that the seizure is the third successful interdiction during this week and that law enforcement authorities have embarked on a programme specifically targeting young people about the consequences of illegal drugs.

View the original article here

Antigua coast guard detains Jamaicans in multi-million dollar drug bust

Gunman kills bodyguard of senior Trinidad public servant

Curtis Gibson was shot several times at his home in Malabar, east of Port-of-Spain. (File photo)

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – Police were searching for the gunman who shot and killed the bodyguard of a public servant who had recently indicated that threats had been made against her life amid allegations of corruption within a government-funded programme.

Curtis Gibson was shot several times at his home in Malabar, east of Port-of-Spain. Television reports on Thursday night quoted the wife as saying that she could only scream in terror as the gunman fired several shots at Gibson, whom she said had also received death threats.

Gibson, 42, had been identified as the bodyguard of the deputy director of the controversial Life Sport Programme, Ruth Marchan, who had earlier this month gone public with a threat on her life and that of two senior officials at the Ministry of Sport following the suspension of the programme.

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Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar had ordered an audit into the programme and moved it to the Ministry of National Security away from the Ministry of Sport.

Marchan told the Trinidada Express newspaper Friday that the murder of her bodyguard was “very serious” and that he had links to a section of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen that were beneficiaries of the Life Sport programme.

“They come for him …Burst down his door,” she told the newspaper.

View the original article here

Gunman kills bodyguard of senior Trinidad public servant

Report released on controversial sex education at Jamaican private homes

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – The human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) had made a monetary contribution to six privately operated homes where a sex education programme had been implemented, according to an interim report released here.

Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna released the report by the Child Development Agency (CDA) that had been asked to probe the matter.

The controversy over the sex education programme has already led to the resignation of former JFJ executive director Dr Carolyn Gomes from the board of directors. Gomes was executive director when the programme was implemented.

Hanna had instructed the CDA, which has responsibility for the regulation of children’s homes and places of safety, to explain the circumstances which led to the programme being implemented for eight or nine months without the agency’s knowledge as well as the suitability of the material for the children.

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Hanna said she was “concerned about the breaches, particularly since the homes acknowledged that they did not advise the CDA about the programme although visited by monitoring officers of the CDA.”

The minister said she would take appropriate action after receiving the responses from the administrators of the homes.

In its interim report, the CDA found that the programme, titled “Realising Sexual and Reproductive Health Responsibly: JFJ’s Pilot Intervention in Children’s Homes” had been implemented in both boys and girls homes and that the six facilities had indicated that they were contacted directly by representatives of Jamaicans for Justice via telephone and later by email and letter.

“The administrators of facilities gave approval to the JFJ for the implementation of the sexual education programme through MOUs,” the report said, noting that “it was confirmed that the six homes each received a monetary contribution from the JFJ for use of their premises for the training.

The report noted that a review of the content of the material “found that parts of the training material were inappropriate for the age cohort and a departure from that approved by the Ministry of Education for use in public schools and legal advice will have to be sought to determine if its presentation contravened any existing laws.”

The report noted that the children received training in the areas relating to homosexuality and anal sex and that the “training schedule was not noticeably displayed at the home in contravention of the regulations.”

Earlier this month, the JFJ defended the programme saying it got the go ahead from administrators of the homes.

JFJ executive director Kay Osbourne said the administrators did not indicate there was a requirement involving the CDA.

View the original article here

Report released on controversial sex education at Jamaican private homes

Guyana ruling party ready for general election

Guyana president, Donald Ramotar (Credit: caricom.org)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – President Donald Ramotar Wednesday signalled that his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is prepared for a general election if the opposition goes ahead with its threat to move a motion of no-confidence in his administration.

The PPP/C does not hold a majority in the 65-member national assembly with the opposition parties – A Partnership for National unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) – holding one seat majority.

AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo told the privately-owned Stabroek Newspaper that a no-confidence vote by the opposition could come before the Parliament soon.

He said one of the reasons for considering a no-confidence motion was the fact that government has already spent GUY$4.5 billion (one Guyana dollar =US$0.004 cents) of the GUY$37.4 billion which had been cut from the GUY$220 billion budget for the fiscal year 2014-15.

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But as he addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramotar said that his administration was not afraid of facing the electorate. The last election was held here on November 28, 2011.

“We do not take threats. If the opposition wants to pass a no-confidence bill, let them pass it and we will be ready to deal with the consequences of that,” he said, adding “when I say I am going to do it, I am going to do it. I wouldn’t even say it.”

In his address, President Ramotar also responded to a call for a date to be named for the long overdue local government elections.

United States Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt has dismissed government’s latest excuse for not holding local government elections saying it was time Guyanese directly elect their representatives at the local level.

“To my mind, it’s a constitutional requirement, it’s a legislative requirement and there is at this point no obstacle to the holding of local government elections so I would just urge government to set a date, move forward as soon as possible and give people that ability to have effective local governance and start to transform the country,” he told the Guyana-based Demerara Waves Online News.

But President Ramotar, in an apparent reference to United States practice of listening to the phone calls of people worldwide, said such actions were undermining democracy.

“What undermines democracy is when you listen to everybody’s telephone calls and read their emails and ban them from having collective bargaining in their own country in different parts of North America and Europe,” he told the business community.

Ramotar said that while he was eager for local government elections there were some uncertainties in the body politic reiterating that the lack of local government elections meant that his administration was undermining democracy.

The last Local Government elections were held on August 8, 1994 with the ruling PPP-C winning 80 percent of the Councils.

But for various reasons, the Local Government elections planned for 1997 did not materialise and the National Assembly deferred the 1997 elections to one year later. Since then, numerous obstacles have impeded Local Government elections even though the government in 2004 had named the month of October as the month for the polls.

In January 2013, a joint statement issued by the United States Ambassador D Brent Hardt, the United Kingdom High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, his Canadian counterpart David Devine and Robert Kopecky, the European Union diplomat here, recalled that during the 2011 national elections “one issue on which all political parties were in full agreement was the need to hold local government elections.”

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Guyana ruling party ready for general election

Bermuda lawyer set to chair FIFA panel hearing over Suarez appeal

Bermudian lawyer Larry Mussenden (File photo)

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – Bermudian lawyer Larry Mussenden could hold the key to the fate of banned Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez, media here reported.

Mussenden, who is president of the Bermuda Football Association, chairs a FIFA panel that is likely to hear an appeal against a four-month ban imposed on Suarez after a World Cup biting incident.

Mussenden confirmed his role by text from Brazil.

Bermuda football legend Clyde Best said Suarez acted like a “pitbull” and should have been suspended for a year.

Suarez was banned on Thursday for four months worldwide from any footballing activity, banned from international football for nine games and slapped with a fine of US$118,000 for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder.

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But former West Ham striker Best, 63, said Suarez, leading scorer last season for English Premier League runners-up Liverpool, was fortunate not to get longer.

“He’s pretty lucky if you ask me,” Best told the Bermuda Sun.

“If it had been down to me, it would have been harsher than that.

“He’s done it three times now. The game has no room for that sort of behavior. He did it — there’s no doubt about that. He was like a pitbull, the way he attacked him.

“I’d have given him a year, myself. It’s ridiculous. He’s done it in Holland, in England and now the biggest stage of all, the World Cup. It’s embarrassing for his family and his country.

“I’ve never seen it before, never when I was playing. I have seen plenty of people kick each other but never bite each other.”

The Uruguay FA has said it will appeal the FIFA ruling, which it describes as “excessive”, insisting there was “not enough evidence”.

FIFA procedure states the matter then goes to FIFA’s Appeals Committee, of which Mussenden is chairman. If still unhappy with the verdict, the Uruguay FA can then take its appeal to the Court of Abitration. It’s the biggest ban handed down in World Cup history.

The chairman of FIFA’s disciplinary committee, Claudio Sulser, said: “Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and, in particular, not at the FIFA World Cup, when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field.”

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Bermuda lawyer set to chair FIFA panel hearing over Suarez appeal

2014 CB Pan Chicken Championship in full swing

Tyroun Kenton

The CB Pan Chicken Championship is the ultimate food and entertainment experience in Jamaica.

The 2014 season, launched at the Bank of Jamaica lawn on Wednesday, gets even better with a wider reach, and more prize money.

“The Pan Chicken Championship takes place over a six-month period throughout the island and has quickly become the go-to event on the social calendar. The championship series brings together the best of food, fun and entertainment. Families, friends, and communities come together to celebrate great food from real people,” Alicia Bogues, CB Chicken brand manager said. “And, one of the greatest things about the CB Pan Chicken Championship is that every event is free to the public and participants.”

Firing up on Saturday, July 5 at 10 a.m. at the Manchester High School, the 2014 CB Pan Chicken Championship kicks off with the central regional elimination. From here the competition will move to the east on August 23, then west on September 27 before crowning the champion at

the grand final on November 23. Two parish winners will be selected at each regional event, resulting in 26 finalists vying for more than $1 million in cash and prizes.

Now in its 9th year, Bogues revealed that the championship has joined forces with the Social Development Commission (SDC) in a move to enhance the competition.

Another new addition to the ‘Pan’ family, she explained, is Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) who brings more prize money and business development workshops. Courtesy of JNBS, the grand champion will receive a $250,000 business grant and, for the first time, the first and second runners-up will also receive business grants valued at $100,000 and $50,000, respectively. This is in addition to the $500,000 plus prize money from CB Chicken.

Comedian Pretty Boy Floyd will host the central regional elimination with entertainment by Jermaine Edwards, Goddy Goddy and Bugle. The fun starts at 10 a.m.

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2014 CB Pan Chicken Championship in full swing

Bikini Sundayz invades East Kingston

Unleashed Entertainment, the promoters of Wray & Nephew White Rum Bikini Sundayz, made a stop in east Kingston with a dashing road party at 121 Windward Road (Skateland) last Sunday.

The party vibes were not turned up until minutes after 11 p.m. as the Team Unleashed disc jocks – Santana, Scientist, Krazy Dean, and Simple raised the tempo. The selectors – played one of Vybz Kartel’s lastest songs, Backas, and requested the girls to set in new positions for summer 2014.

The girls obliged and gyrated, much to the delight of their male counterparts.

The next event for Unleashed Entertainment is Bikini Sundayz beach party at Ultra Beach Club (Beside Waves Beach) in Hellshire, St Catherine.

Anthony Minott photos

Scenes during Wray & Nephew White Rum Bikini Sundayz Road party at 121 Windward Road (Skateland) in East Kingston last Sunday.

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Bikini Sundayz invades East Kingston

Conductor jumps through station window

DEON P GREEN, Star Writer

A St Thomas bus conductor who has been accused of jumping through the window of a police station recently is to go on trial next month.

The accused man will appear in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court on July 28 for destruction of property.

When the accused man, 28-year-old Dwayne Panton, of a Morant Bay address appeared in court on June 25, the judge dismissed his explanation and set the trial date.

An informed source told THE STAR that it is being alleged that; “Him fly through the window and knock it out . Him land in the grass and was motionless for a while, then him get up, rush to the pipe to wash out his eyes. The police chased him and caught him again.”

It was said that Panton received several cuts from the window and had to be taken to hospital for treatment,

Allegations are that the conductor was travelling in a van that was reportedly stopped by the police concerning a traffic offence. It’s alleged that the conductor became violent and had a scuffle with the police officer, resulting in him being restrained and taken to the police station.

Panton told the court that at the time of the incident he was taken to the police station in handcuffs. He added that he was being roughed up and beaten with a baton. As for jumping through the window he said he could not tell what had happened as he was pepper sprayed by a policeman, “I can’t accept your explanation,” the judge said as she set the trial date.

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Conductor jumps through station window

Fashion Meets Reggae for Devon House tonight

Shereita Grizzle, Star Writer

Fashion Meets Reggae, set to take place on the lawns of Devon House tonight, has added international recording artiste Julian Marley to the star-studded line-up.

Marley, who admitted to not performing in the island for a while, has expressed gratitude for the inclusion. In a release sent to our newsroom, the entertainer said he is looking forward to the show.

“I will be doing some new materials including performing my collaboration with Junior Reid, Inna di Gideon, which is coming out on his upcoming album,” he said.

The concert will be hosted by Miss Kitty and DJ Amber and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with the fashion show. The reggae show is expected to start at 10 p.m. Patrons are promised an entertaining night with performances from Junior Reid, Cocoa Tea, Sizzla, ‘Etana’, Spice, Yung JR, JuJu Blood, Pashon Minott, Emperor Mangasha and Major Manzie.

The event is the first of its kind in Jamaica and the first of a series of musical events organised by Junior Reid’s JR Productions.

Tickets for general entry to the event are $1500 presold and $2000 at the gate while VIP tickets are $3500 presold and $4000 at the gate.

Fashion Meets Reggae is sponsored by Rainforest Seafood, Calico Jack Rum Punch, True Juice, BOOM Energy Drink, Best Dressed Chicken and Salada Foods.

shereita.grizzle@glenaerjm.com

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Fashion Meets Reggae for Devon House tonight