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G-77 protests move to slash U.N. budget
UNITED NATIONS, Apr. 18 - The Group of 77 (G77), the largest single coalition of developing countries, has issued a strong letter of protest against a proposal to cut some 155 million dollars from the U.N.’s 2012-2013 biennium budget beginning next January. Comment.
Howard’s Gilman scholars stage combat workshop
Arts & Theater: The opportunity to study abroad is a dream for many, requiring substantial financial investment for tuition, housing, meals, insurance, books, health and transportation. It can cost as much as $30,000 or more per semester, making it prohibitive for many college students; but necessary for students with eyes on the international marketplace. Comment.
Royal wedding fever hits some in U.K. Caribbean
Jamaica: KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — In some of Britain’s Caribbean territories and former colonies, judges wear thick wigs of white curls in the tropical heat, sports fans follow cricket religiously, and Queen Elizabeth II is the titular head of state. That doesn’t mean people here will be breaking out the tea and crumpets to watch this week’s royal wedding. Comment.
Concerns about Haiti’s internally displaced people
Haiti: Three prominent United States Democratic congressional representatives have written Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing “deep concern” about the fate of the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who, 14 months after the devastating earthquake, “remain homeless, unprotected and with little or no access to basic services.” Comment.
Intimate evening of Latin music
Music & Fashion: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents a special Mother’s Day concert produced by West Side Beat Productions in association with Latin Media Marketing -- an intimate evening of sublime, romantic music with the legendary Puerto Rican ensemble Cuarteto Los Hispanos on Saturday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. The concert will also feature celebrated bolero singer Blanca Iris Villafañe, Trio Ideal and Grupo Típico Boricua. Comment.
Carib, Latin forum to counter U.S. influence By Nelson A. King 2011_04_27_NK_CELAC Caribbean Life all Page 2 Region Carib, Latin forum to counter U.S. influence By Nelson A. King 2011_04_27_NK_CELAC Caribbean Life all Page 2 Region Carib, Latin
Venezuela: Caribbean and Latin American foreign affairs ministers met in Venezuela last week in anticipation of the presidential summit scheduled for July, when a new regional integration organization is set to be born, according to delegates. Comment.
Son of a NYC slumlord
Viewpoints: As many of us, I am extremely disturbed by the accusations, etc. directed towards our president by the likes of Donald Trump, that I feel we must be compelled to take action. Comment.
Caribbean Round-Up
Trinidad and Tobago: Several Caribbean governor generals and prime ministers have made the coveted invitation list to the much-talked about royal wedding this year. Comment.
MEET VERA STARK
Arts & Theater: Theater goers have a handful of great musicals opening on the Great White Way this spring. Many are song and dance documentaries of people behind the sceances. One new comedy to catch is Second Stage Theatre’s world premiere comedy, “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark.” Comment.
Sun Kulcha
Community Event
Petland Discounts, 7417 Grand Ave., Stop & Shop Center, Maspeth, Queens will be holding a pet adoption event from the NSAL-Mobile Unit, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. For information, contact Amy Eisenberg at (631) 273-6363 or visit www.petlanddiscounts.com. Comment.
Concerns over aging autistic population
New York: Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee, and Senator Shirley L. Huntley are deeply concerned over the rising number of individuals with autism who are aging out of schools and have few places to turn. Comment.
Volunteers sought for Alzheimer’s study
Health: More than 5.1 million people across the U.S. are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, and every 70 seconds another person develops this devastating disease. Comment.
Consuming the right amount of water
Health: Periodically, the public is bombarded with articles describing people who drank too much water and suffered serious consequences leading to questions from patients wanting to know “How much water is the right amount” and “How much is too much?” Comment.
CARICOM reviews free movement of people
Caribbean: The CARICOM Secretariat has begun a series of meetings, which will focus on the free movement of persons and contingent rights in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Comment.
Legislators save annual Westchester County festival
Westchester: Preparations are in fiull swing for Hudson Valley’s favorite international festival series, which takes place throughout the spring and summer . Comment.
Reap to defend Cinco de Mayo title
Sports: Jorge Reap is expected to defend his title in the 14th annual Cinco de Mayo 3.1-mile race Sunday, May 1 in Prospect Park with the start and finish near Bartell Pritchard Square. Comment.
Lonette McKee At the Oak Room
Music & Fashion: The business of entertainment has changed over the years with fewer artistic men at the reigns. Hollywood and the music world find the decision makers making decisions based on finance rather than art. This leaves many of the artists between a rock and a hard place. If they do not have a gimmick or something that can guarantee to make money, artists are generally left out in the cold. Most artists now find themselves having to wear many hats within the industry. Comments (1).
Planned Parenthood re-opens Bronx Center
Bronx: Community members, elected officials, and staff members gathered to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Planned Parenthood of New York City Bronx Health Center. Comment.
SVG’s school makes trip to Penn Relays
St Vincent: After years of explorations and negotiations, the leading athletic secondary school in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is finally able to compete in the prestigious Penn Relays in the United States. Comments (2).
Raising environmental awareness
Queens: In celebration of Environmental Awareness Month, Assemblyman Scarborough’s Annual Environmental Summit was held at York College Friday, April 15, featuring a collaboration between community based organizations, city government, and state agencies in order to observe the environmental conditions and challenges within Southeast Queens. Comment.
Venezuela to boost minimum wage
Venezuela: CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez has announced a 25 percent increase for Venezuela’s minimum wage starting May 1. Comment.
Haiti delays certification of 19 legislative races
Haiti: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — International observers began examining contested tallies from 19 legislative races Monday shortly after Haitian officials announced they would delay certification of results of last month’s runoff election. Comment.
New events added to Bronx Week 2011
Music & Fashion: Forget Will and Kate. The biggest celebration this side of the ‘Pond’ will be Bronx Week 2011. The 40th annual salute to the best of the Bronx begins May 12 through May 22. Comment.
REAL SPARKS
Sports: Javier Morales scored in the 89th minute from a hard right-footed shot to rally the team for the draw. Monterrey forged ahead in the 18th minute on a goal by Aldo De Nigris, but Nat Borchers headed in a Will Johnson cross to tie the game for RSL in the 35th minute. Comment.
U.S Treasury sets new limits on money transfers to Cuba
Cuba: The United States Department of State on Thursday published the long-awaited rules defining who can travel freely to Cuba, accompanied by an increase in the amount of cash Americans could send to the Caribbean country. Comment.
Searching for a new CARICOM chief
People: A special search committee appointed by Caribbean leaders last year to hire a new secretary general for the 15-nation Caribbean trade bloc is expected to have a short list in time for a special summit in Guyana late next month officials said at the weekend. Comment.
Gayle in top 20 ICC rankings
Hard-hitting opening batsman Chris Gayle is the only Windies player in the top 20 of the ICC One-Day International rankings released recently. Comment.
Guyana couple flees to Canada for safety
Guyana: It is certainly not the first time that a governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) home affairs or national security minister has found himself embroiled in scandal linked to members of a still active death squad that terrorized the country a few years ago. Comment.
Irreparable human deficit looms in wake of budget-cutting frenzy By Riane Eisler and Rene Redwood 2011_04_20_Eisler & Redwood_Human Deficit Caribbean Life all Page 12 Irreparable human deficit looms in wake of budget-cutting frenzy
Viewpoints: A financial debt can be paid back. But the debt we’ll owe our children if investments in health, nutrition and education are slashed is irreparable. Investment in human infrastructure – providing the human capacity development for optimal economic productivity and innovation through both government and business investments – is essential for success in the post-industrial economy, and this should be our policymakers’ guiding economic principle. Comment.
Peter Tosh’s musical legacy released
Music & Fashion: The first two solo albums by Peter Tosh on Columbia Records, cornerstones of the roots-rock-reggae movement, will be commemorated with the releases of “Legalize It: Legacy Edition” and “Equal Rights: Legacy Edition.” Comment.
Sun Kulcha
Arts & Theater: The Tea Lounge, 837 Union St. (Subway: Q to 7 Ave., 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza or R to Union St.) presents The Jeff King Band featuring Jeff King, Richard Howard, Craig Harris, Yoechi Uzeki, Bryce Sebastian & George Gray, 8:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. For information, call (718) 789-2762. Comment.
Pop star declared Haitian president
Haiti: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Michel Martelly, a popular singer known by the stage name “Sweet Micky,” was officially declared the next president of this earthquake-devastated country, election officials said. Comment.
Movement builder wins award
People: Trinidad native and Queens resident Irving Jackson has won the coveted Movement Builders Award. Comment.
Independent & Foreign Films
Movies: 13 Assassins (R for graphic violence, disturbing images and brief nudity) Remake of the 1963, black & white classic of the same name, set in feudal Japan, about a band of samurai warriors who conspire to ambush a sadistic mobster (Goro Inagaki) with political aspirations. Cast includes Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada and Yusuke Iseya. (In Japanese with subtitles) Comment.
Season of Cityparks Seniors Fitness
Health: City Parks Foundation welcomes all New Yorkers, 60 and over, to participate in CityParks Seniors Fitness. The Spring 2011 season of Seniors Fitness programs will begin the week of May 2 and will offer free tennis lessons, yoga instruction and fitness walking in 14 parks across the city, including new locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Comment.
Ailey’s stars, students at Apollo stage
Arts & Theater: Stars of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the rising young dancers of Ailey II, and gifted students from The Ailey School will come together for a spectacular one-night performance on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. on the world famous Apollo stage. Comment.
Caribbean tourism feels the pinch
Caribbean: The Caribbean tourism industry is having its worst period in its history due to the ongoing global financial crisis and government taxation policies. Comment.
The Bahamas’ DeVINE Treasures
Music & Fashion: “All Over This World,” the recently released single of The Bahamas’ multi-talented vocal group, The DeVINE Treasures, has made musical history for both The Bahamas and the Forbes family from which the youth are descended. Comments (1).
Cricketers must demonstrate their commitment
Sports: Whether the younger cricketers are selected to play or not there is a low level of commitment to West Indies cricket overall and some action had to be taken to try to retain some form of respect for the sport thorough commitment from players. Comment.
Flavor up with Down Home Cookin’
Food: What do you get when the tastes of Africa, France, Spain and the Caribbean meet up with Southern hospitality? You get the big flavors of Lowcountry cooking - and they are something to be savored. Comment.
FABULOUS FASHIONS
Music & Fashion: Kittitian-American Eversley Liburd’s passion for fashion, and his exuberance to give emerging designers a space to showcasing their creations, was realized in fine form at the launch of Fabulous Fashions Weekend, in Harlem. Comments (1).
Caribbean Round-Up
Trinidad and Tobago: A new low-cost airline will begin operations in the Caribbean from next month. Comment.
UWI vice chancellor chairs Commonwealth University panel
People: University of the West Indies vice chancellor, Prof. E. Nigel Harris has been named the new chairman of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Comment.
A billion acts of green
People: What if one billion people got together and created green actions ahead of the 2012 U.N. Climate Change Summit in Rio? Comment.
Mentorship program to help nurture young lives
St Vincent: LaCelia Prince, the St.Vincent and the Grenadines U.S. ambassador, has reiterated a call she made a year ago for a “sister-to-sister” mentoring network for Vincentian women at home and abroad. Comment.
Free cancer screenings for uninsured women
New York: SUNY Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital of Brooklyn is urging uninsured community residents to take full advantage of the hospital’s free cancer screenings. Comment.
Brooklynite named Summerstage manager
Manhattan: Brooklyn resident Kahlil T. Goodwyn was recently named venue manager of Central Park Summerstage, the seasonal presenters of concerts held at the Rumsey Playfield. Comment.
Island cuisine on your TV screen
Food: The Caribbean Express, a cooking show with a difference, is coming to a television screen near you, and much sooner than you think, promise the producers of this exciting soon-to-be-aired special. Comment.
‘Sweet Mickey’ looks to Washington
Haiti: WASHINGTON, April 8 - With hundreds of thousands of Haitians living in destitution as the country flounders under political, economic and climate wreckage, critics say celebrations of the inevitable profits of disaster capitalism have already begun between the right-wing President-elect Michel Martelly and his neoliberal allies in Washington. Comment.
Reparations and the Garinagu people
St Vincent: As a Garifuna person from Dangriga Town, Belize and a descendant of the people who lived in the country of Saint Vincent under the leadership of our great King Joseph Chatoyer, I applaud the bold move by the prime minister of Saint Vincent, Ralph Gonsalves, who is about to recommend legislation to the House of Assembly that any person who is a Garifuna will be eligible for citizenship in the country of Saint Vincent, no matter where in the world he or she resides. Comment.
Another leader scoffs at what’s right
Africa: The most striking thing in checking out Laurent Gbagbo, whose determined effort to illegally hold on to power in Ivory Coast was violently terminated recently, is how much his profile gainsays the view of him the world got following the country’s presidential election last November. Routine references to Gbagbo with terms like “strongman” would tend to conjure up an Idi Amin type coarseness, perhaps. Not so, this man Gbagbo, whose background as a history professor lends a surreal cast to what went down after he lost at the polls. Comment.
Localized flood disasters in Grenada
Grenada: ST.GEORGE, Grenada, April 14, - The Grenada government has declared a “localized disaster emergency” in St. John’s and St. Mark’s following Tuesday’s heavy rains, which left dozens of homes and business places damaged, roads blocked and a several fishing boats along the west coast destroyed. Comment.
RED BULLS’ BEST WIN
Sports: The New York Red Bulls came up with its best performance of the year so far that resulted in a 3-0 win over MLS foe San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena last Saturday night. Comment.
Robert Couche Adult Center celebrates 37th anniversary
Queens: The Robert Couche Adult Center celebrated 37 years of service to seniors with their Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, April 9 at Antun’s, Queens. Comment.
Party humiliates former P.M. in parliament
Trinidad and Tobago: As was the case in the run-up to general elections almost a year ago, voters have turned against eccentric former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, this time not to kick him out of government but to dramatically defeat a controversial motion he had brought to the house to have his attorneys participate fully in a parliamentary disciplinary hearing in which he will be the defendant. Comment.
Carib News publisher pleads guilty
Jamaica: The Justice Department said Rodney, who is also the chief executive officer of the weekly Carib News newspaper and its foundation, pleaded guilty to the charge in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Comments (1).
Denis captures two events in meet
Sports: Gregory Denis is one of the better athletes on the track and field team at the State University of New York at Farmingdale. During the outdoor season Head Coach Arnie Minkoff is counting a great deal on him for team points in any meet that goes for team scores. Comment.
Guyana Cultural Association’s Mother’s Day honors
People: Guyanese women of courage and vision will be celebrated at a lavish soiree on Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 8, at 5:00 p.m., to kick-start the Guyana Cultural Association’s 10th Anniversary of events scheduled to run from June to September, in Brooklyn, Comment.
POP’s NEW EDGE
Music & Fashion: Fresh from several critically acclaimed performances at Carnival 2011 in Trinidad and Tobago, KES the Band -- featuring lead singer Kees Dieffenthaller (Trinidad’s reigning 2011 Groovy Soca Monarch), will appear live at Amnesia NYC, on Sunday, April 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Showtime is at 7:00 p.m. Comment.
Recounting the years as a Tuskegee Airman
People: History was seen through the eyes of Air Force Lt. Col. John Mulzac, a decorated WWII volunteer fighter-pilot and Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn resident, who was the guest-of-honor Wednesday, April 6 at the Bed-Stuy YMCA for the taping of a Black Entertainment Television (BET) historical documentary. Comments (2).
Biopic pays homage to pyromanic wizard ‘Scratch’ Perry
Music & Fashion: Inside a small space in Harlem, fans of Jamaican, music producer Lee “Scratch” Perry huddled recently to watch a film that took more than a decade to fully portray his life’s worth of eccentricities. Comment.
Gayle, Chanderpaul and Sarwan dropped
Caribbean: West Indies selectors delivered a blow on some of the senior players sending a clear message that business will not be conducted as usual. As the West Indies team prepares to face Pakistan in the One-Day Series, the selectors led by Clyde Butts did not include veteran players Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramneresh Sarwan for the first two One-Day games. Comment.
Independent & Foreign Films
Movies: The Bang Bang Club (Unrated) South African saga recounting the daring exploits of a quartet of intrepid combat photographers (Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Phillippe, Frank Rautenbach, Neels Van Jaarsveld) determined to document the fall of the country’s Apartheid regime. With Malin Akerman, Patrick Lyster and Russel Savadier. Comment.
Lowell Hawthorne is new AFUWI Chair
People: University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. E. Nigel Harris, has announced Jamaican-born U.S. restaurant chain owner Lowell Hawthorne, O.D., as the new chairman of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Partnership Board. Comment.
Passionate about community service
Queens: St. Johns University, Queens Campus, has a mission not just to give students an education but to engage them in service experiences, so says Dr. Pamela Shea-Byrnes, vice president, University Ministry & University Events. As a result, many of their students have committed themselves to helping in their communities and beyond, through various charities at home and abroad. Comment.
Guyana, U.S. sign anti-narcotics pact
Guyana: Guyana and the United States have signed a Letter of Agreement to establish and support projects aimed at countering money-laundering and narcotics operation over the next three years. Comment.
Candido Camero’s 90th Birthday Jam
Music & Fashion: Brooklyn Public Library presented NEA Jazz Master Candido Camero’s 90th Birthday Jam with special guests The Arturo O’Farrill Quintet on Thursday, April 7 as part of the Jazz Appreciation Month’s 10th anniversary and the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival. Comment.
Sun Kulcha
Music & Fashion: Astoria Federal Savings & Neighborhood Housing Services is having a free Homebuying Seminar: Making The Process Easy For You, focusing on getting started, closing cost assistance, affordable mortgages, homebuyer education & more, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Astoria Federal Savings, 1045 Flatbush Ave., between Duryea Place & Tilden Ave., Brooklyn. To reserve space call (718) 469-4679. Comment.
Caribbean-Round-Up
Trinidad and Tobago: The Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OCUR) is suggesting that there is a prospect of market failure arising from the acquisition of mobile telephone operator Claro Jamaica by rival Digicel Group and has called on regional governments to closely monitor the situation in the interest of the consumers and the economies in general. Comment.
Reckless playboy risks inheritance
Movies: Bon vivant Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) stands to inherit a billion dollars as the sole heir of a fortune controlled by his widowed mother, Vivienne (Geraldine James). But because the eligible bachelor’s been nothing but a constant source of embarrassment, the imperious, family matriarch is considering cutting him out of her will entirely. Comment.
ASP raises $$millions for after-school programs
People: Celebrating its 30th anniversary Thursday, April 7 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, the All Stars Project (ASP) held its national gala benefit entitled, “Give Back, Get Back” and raised $2.27 million for its innovative after-school youth development programs. Comment.
Recounting the years as a Tuskegee Airman
People: History was seen through the eyes of Air Force Lt. Col. John Mulzac, a decorated WWII volunteer fighter-pilot and Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn resident, who was the guest-of-honor Wednesday, April 6 at the Bed-Stuy YMCA for the taping of a Black Entertainment Television (BET) historical documentary. Comment.
ASP raises $$millions for after-school programs
People: Celebrating its 30th anniversary Thursday, April 7 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, the All Stars Project (ASP) held its national gala benefit entitled, “Give Back, Get Back” and raised $2.27 million for its innovative after-school youth development programs. Comment.
What’s lies ahead for the steelband Panorama Competition
Arts & Theater: The spirited discussion and widespread interest generated by the Trinidad & Tobago Folk Arts Institute’s symposium earlier this year on the format of the steel band Panorama Competition has prompted the organization to schedule a panel discussion on the topic as its next forum at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, whose School of Professional & Community Development is the collaborating partner for this ongoing series centered on the indigenous folk culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Comment.
Congress and the Courts: What matters is balance
National: A year after the passage of the health-care reform law known as “the Affordable Care Act,” its legal future is up in the air. Judges in five federal courts have weighed in on it, two of them declaring it unconstitutional and three supporting it. These decisions underline anew the tensions between Congress and the courts that our system of government creates. Comment.
Tax Day: Time to examine jowmour money is spent
Viewpoints: As Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.” It costs money to make this country hum. Anyone can see that it would be impossible to have roads crisscrossing the country, federal jails and courts, national parks and monuments, environmental protection that has no boundaries, and a whole raft of other essential services without a nationwide system in which we all have a stake. Comment.
Why I don’t use the word ‘brand’
Viewpoints: Words are not simple. Maya Angelou said they are things. They are absorbed by people, they fill up rooms, they settle on furniture maybe...like dust. Further, I believe that words carry spirits and intentions. They are magic in that they have the ability to transform, be it for creative or destructive purposes. Comment.
Easter Inspiration
Food: Enjoy an inspired Easter feast with ham plus seasonal favorites that will impress your guests. The savory flavors of Roasted Ham Saltimbocca showcase ham’s versatility in this succulent centerpiece dish. Comment.
Protecting victims of sexual abuse
Queens: Working to protect victims of sexual abuse, the New York State Senate passed a package of bills aimed at improving public safety, creating harsher penalties for perpetrators of sexual abuse and strengthening adherence to penal laws, Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced on April 8. Comment.
Knicks and Nets go in different ways
Sports: The New York Knicks are now preparing for the National Basketball Association playoffs as the regular schedule recently closed. With a playoff spot set and at press time the first round opponent not as yet determined, the situation is another matter. The question remains is who do the Knicks prepare for? Comment.
High-level Chinese visit to Antigua
Antigua: The Baldwin Spencer administration says three high-level Chinese delegations will this week conduct a one-week visit to the country to hold discussions with government officials and tour a number of facilities constructed with Chinese grants and loans. Comment.
LatAm relations with China grow in stature
Venezuela: WASHINGTON, Mar.30, 2011 (IPS/GIN) - On the heels of U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip to Latin America, Washington’s traditional role as “regional hegemon” is being reevaluated as its attention focuses on the Arab Spring and an emerging commercial competitor - China - focuses on the U.S.’s backyard. Comment.
‘Moore’ music at Café Carlyle
Music & Fashion: Tony Award-winner (Purlie) Melba Moore will begin her debut engagement at the Café Carlyle,New York starting Tuesday, April 26 (and playing through Saturday, May 7). Comment.
Standing up for ‘the American people’
Viewpoints: Once again it would be nice to have had a peek into the Republicans’ play book for the early-stage budget battle that just ended with the Capitol Hill crowd avoiding tipping over the Gingrich cliff, with all the peril this portends. Not that the GOP manual would lay bare anything we didn’t already know. Hell, we’ve seen them run those plays so many times before…and it goes without saying that the Tea Party influence lately in the ranks would necessitate a ratcheting up of the group’s patented “piranha” m.o. in treating with affairs of state. Comment.
REAL SALT LAKE MAKES HISTORY
Sports: Real Salt Lake, the 2009 MLS champion, made history on Tuesday, April 5, when it became the first MLS team to reach the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Americans defeated Costa Rica’s champion Deportivo Saprissa, 3-2, on aggregate in the semifinal series of this regional club championship. Comment.
Three’s A Crowd
Guyana: ‘A U.S. State Department human rights assessment report for last year has highlighted serious overcrowding at Guyana’s main maximum security prisons and growing corruption in the local police force as challenges authorities should deal with in the future. Comment.
Haiti candidate won’t challenge ‘Swseet Micky’ win
Haiti: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The second-place finisher in Haiti’s presidential runoff will not challenge the preliminary results, a spokesman said Friday, putting musician Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly closer to becoming president. Comment.
Saving New Yorkers from this fraud tax
New York: On March 23, the New York State Senate passed a bill, sponsored by Sen. James Seward, which would make it a felony to intentionally cause a vehicle collision. The legislation, now going to the New York State Assembly for consideration, would hopefully be a deterrent for the criminals who prey on innocent motorists in an effort to benefit from insurance fraud. Comment.
Easy tips to help you de-stress
Health: Stress is on the rise nationwide, and experts say it’s endangering our physical and emotional health. Comment.
Jamaica gifts ‘Ancestral’ art to Canada
Jamaica: Jamaicans in Canada are already celebrating the golden anniversary of their country’s independence. They were given three reasons for an early start to next year’s milestone when the island’s Member of Parliament Olivia Grange shipped artistic creations to Toronto recently. Comment.
CARIBBEAN DANCE
Arts & Theater: Circuit Productions, Inc., the Brooklyn Public Library, PS 39K, and the Park Slope Senior Citizens Center (PSSCC) will be hosting World Beat: A Study of Diverse Cultures in NYC through Dance and Music. Comment.
Guyana’s Surama Eco-Lodge wins award
Guyana: Surama Eco-Lodge in Guyana was named one of the best hotels in South America in the April publication of an online issue of travel giant - National Geographic. Comment.
Haiti’s leader criticizes U.N. military focus
Haiti: UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Haiti’s outgoing president criticized the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday for being too slow to switch its peacekeeping mission in the Western hemisphere’s poorest country from military operations to development and peacebuilding. Comment.
Haiti’s pop star president takes conservative tack
Cuba: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s pop star president-elect is making the media rounds to thank voters for his easy election victory while showing off a persona considerably toned down from his extravagant bad-boy days on stage. Comment.
Sun Kulcha
New York: Preferred Health Partners is holding a Meet & Greet with Ophthalmologist George Malayil, MD, 12 noon - 2:00 p.m,. at the Downtown Center, 447 Atlantic Ave. at Nevins St., Brooklyn. Seminar is free; refreshments will be provided. RSVP to (866) 791-0993. Comment.
Unions protest Republican attacks
New York: A photo of Martin Luther King centered in a red button reads: April 4, 1968, Union Martyr. Another button reads: Labor & Civil Rights, Two Movements, and One Goal. Comment.
Trini calypsonians kick off Easter
Music & Fashion: As it has for the past couple of years, the Easter weekend will once again be cueing fans of first-rate entertainment for a Tropical Paradise smash presentation, when David Rudder, Black Stalin and Singing Sandra headline a show and dance Saturday evening, April 23 at the Tropical Paradise Ballroom. Comment.
Wounded war vet tracks terrorist
Movies: Air Force Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) has been comatose ever since his helicopter was shot down during a rescue mission over Afghanistan. The incapacitated pilot had no way of knowing that while languishing in a vegetative state he was being recruited for the “Source Code,” a top secret program aimed at enabling him to inhabit another person’s brain, telepathically. Comment.
CARICOM faces increasing oil prices
Caribbean: CARICOM energy ministers called for urgent action at the national and regional levels to address the escalating challenges associated with increasing oil prices. Comment.
Figure Skating in Harlem a huge success
Arts & Theater: For the 14th consecutive year, more than 1,200 enthusiastic family, friends and community members flocked to Riverbank State Park’s skating ring at 145th St. to watch their girls perform in Figure Skating in Harlem’s annual ice show last month. Comment.
Michel ‘Sweet Micky’ Martelly wins Haiti election
Haiti: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitian musician Michel Martelly has pulled off a come-from-behind victory in Haiti’s presidential race. Comment.
Cab drivers fearful about City’s five-boro taxi plan
New York: A new five-borough taxi plan now under consideration by the city Taxi and Limousine Commission may change the way New Yorkers get around, but not in the way authorities intended. So say those closest to the issue, the drivers. Comment.
Caribbean Round-Up
Trinidad and Tobago: Barbados police arrested and charged five men with possession of Bds $13million worth of cocaine. Comment.
Barbados, Jamaica move to avoid immigration dispute
Jamaica: The issue of immigration and Barbados has again raised its ugly head, with high-level delegations from Barbados and Jamaica holding second round of talks on Mar. 31 aimed at preventing a major diplomatic row over claims by a Jamaican woman that she was abused by Barbadian immigration officials early last month. Comment.
Need to prevent a Libyan albatross
Viewpoints: Recent news on the economy, specifically the employment picture, has been good for the Obama administration. If the trend holds, continuing into 2012, it will deprive the other side of a formidable bit of weaponry they’ve anticipated using to bludgeon the president and derail his reelection bid. A still-reeling economy was the reason Democrats paid dearly at the polls last November, and more of the same would be the kind of albatross that one would expect to create serious havoc for Obama and other Democrats facing a not-too-forgiving electorate. Comment.
SWEET VICTORY
Sports: MUMBAI, India (AP) — Sachin Tendulkar was lifted onto his teammates’ shoulders and carried around Wankhede Stadium. India had won cricket’s World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and the party was on. Comment.
Grand centennial celebration for SVG high school alumni
St Vincent: Alumnae of one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ more prestigious secondary schools, the Girls High School (GHS), will on Apr. 10 celebrate in grand style the 100th anniversary of their alma mater. Comment.
Walter Dawes stars in doubles Raymond Dawes stars in doubles
Sports: Raymond Dawes, originally from Jamaica, West Indies, didn’t indulge in any sports at an early age. But later on when he came to the United States he tried some activities. Comment.
Grenada assumes presidency of OAS Permanent Council
Grenada: Grenada on April 1 assumed the presidency of the Washington-based Organization of American States (OAS), when its permanent representative, Gillian Bristol, received the mallet that represents the authority of the hemisphjeric body. She replaced Carmen Lomellin, of the United States. Comment.
Audrey & Frank Peterman: Groundkeepers of the Earth
People: They love each other, their six (combined) children, 16 grand children and three great-grands, and along with that, the nation’s leading Black environmentalists, Audrey and Frank Peterman of Florida, love the grandeur, breathtaking beauty, and sustainability of an ecological system that many lovingly call “mother earth.” Comments (7).
Reggae ambassadors return to New York
Music & Fashion: After a whirlwind year capped by a stellar appearance at the Jamaica Jazz Festival earlier this year, reggae super group Third World is back on the touring circuit. On the first Tuesday in April, fans of the acclaimed reggae ambassadors were able to share in a double celebration with a performance that also marked the launch of the group’s 23rd CD. Comments (1).
Black women in business honored
People: The Marriott Marquis was the venue for the 13th Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Award on March 24. Comment.
Busy Carib storm season forecast
A major United States weather service is predicting a busy hurricane season this year. Comment.
Adolescent angst and sibling rivalry
Movies: Geeky Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) has resigned himself to returning to Westmore Middle School after spending most of the sixth grade getting picked-on by bullies. At least the scrawny, 98-pound weakling and his beefier best friend, Rowley (Robert Capron), have buried the hatchet, even if they remain social outcasts as they start the seventh. Comment.
Carter leaves Cuba without jailed U.S. contractor
Cuba: HAVANA (AP) — Former President Jimmy Carter left Cuba on Wednesday without gaining the release of a U.S. government contractor jailed the past 16 months, a deflating end to what was otherwise a groundbreaking visit. Comment.
