National Weekly April 20, 2017

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16

N E T W O R K T H E

M O S T

W I D E L Y

C I R C U L A T E D

C A R I B B E A N

A M E R I C A N

N E W S P A P E R

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F L O R I D A

117 not out!

WATCH IT. READ IT. LOVE IT. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

First Lady to address South Florida Gala

by Garth A. Rose

Juliet Holness, wife of Jamaica's prime minister, Andrew Holness, is eagerly anticipating addressing Jamaicans in South Florida next week.

“The partnership between Jamaica and the Diaspora is invaluable. Over the years, the Diaspora has offered Jamaica strong support in advancing the country's growth objectives.

– Juliet Holness

Jamaican is world's oldest person When Violet Moss Brown was born in March, 1900, Jamaica was still under British rule. She has seen her country go through a lot ---- Independence in 1962, democratic socialism a decade later and the first female prime minister in 2007.

Moss Brown, who is from Trelawny in rural Jamaica, turned 117 last month.

That makes her the oldest person in the world. According to the U.S.-based Gerontology Research Group (GRG), she is one of 300 to 450 supercentenarians (persons 110 and older) who are alive.

Family and friends say Moss Brown, affectionately called “Miss V”, is still “healthy, haughty and sharp mentally.” Greta Bertram is a resident of Ulster Spring, a Trelawny A6 – Oldest person

In the hunt for gold!

by Kathy Barrett

The quest for gold in Jamaica has been in progress for several years.

It started in 2001 with the island's first gold mine located in the quiet community of Pennants in the central parish of Clarendon.

That was operated by an Australian company Ausjam, but despite extracting 12,000 United States President Donald Trump gives Jamaica the “thumbs he shares ouncesup”ofas gold, ita closed operations in 2003, light moment with Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Audrey citing financial woes due to the ore's low grade.

Marks in the Oval Office at the White House during a courtesy call on the US President.

The hunt for gold continues and in the latest development, a Canada-based exploration company, Carube Copper, has received the official transfer documents from Jamaica's Ministry of Transport and Mining for seven Special Exploration and Prospecting Licenses previously held by the Australian mining company OZ Minerals.

As a result, Carube Copper now has 100 per cent ownership of 11 licenses covering 535 square kilometers in the island.

"Now that the licenses are 100 per cent in the company's name, we can move forward with aggressive exploration programs on our flagship

Mrs. Holness, who is also a Member of Parliament, is keynote speaker for the April 29 Protect The Children Gala being held by the Female Development World Organization (FDWO).

“The partnership between Jamaica and the Diaspora is invaluable. Over the years, the Diaspora has offered Jamaica strong support in advancing the country's growth objectives. We are particularly grateful for their investments and providing support for social programs for children. We look forward to building a stronger bond to leverage the wealth of skills and resources of the Diaspora," she said.

FDWO, formerly known as Jamaica International Female Football Development (JIFFD) and Kiwanis Club of Lauderhill will host youth and children advocates, community, business, faith leaders and dignitaries at the gala which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Fort Lauderdale.

A mother of two sons, Mrs. Holness is tackling the issue of child sexual abuse in Jamaica. She is also involved in community development, gender equality and disenfranchised youth.

A trained accountant and real estate developer, Mrs. Holness holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting and Economics from the University of the West Indies.

Lavern Deer, a co-founder of FDWO and organizer of the gala, said “guests to the gala will enjoy an evening of networking, learning and

A7 – The hunt for Gold

A6 – Diaspora gala

WHAT’S INSIDE EDITORIAL

STRICTLY LEGAL

CARIBBEAN

SPORTS

RELEASING TAX RETURNS IS RESPONSIBLE AND RELEVANT A6

THE ADVANTAGES OF FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY B1

U.S. CLOUD PROVIDER EXPLORES TAKING SERVICE TO T&T A4

MARLON SAMUELS DONATES TO BLIND FOUNDATION C3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16

Black and White Members of the Lauderhill Chamber show of their matching styles at the recent Lauderhill Chamber breakfast. Photo Credit: Don Parchment

New CLSA Board Congratula ons to the newly elected 2017-2018 Board of Directors of the University of Florida Caribbean Law Students Associa on. – Contributed

Take a Bow Must Laugh Produc ons' God Over Obeah cast members take a bow a er a recent performance. Photo Credit: Roy Sweetland

Must Laugh Stephan Peninsilin in full character leaving the audience in s tches. Photo Credit: Roy Sweetland

Lucky Winners Jamaica Ex-Police Associa on's 2017 Scholarship recipients Tatayana Lue and Dylon Wilson.

Photo Credit: Alphonso Dunn

LRCC Networkers A endees of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce's April Breakfast Mee ng at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.

Photo Credit: Don Parchment

HANA of Florida Reaches Out Hai an American Nurses Associa on member gives a hand to support the Peru flood relief efforts coordinated

by Miami Dade College and the Peru Consulate General in Miami. – Contributed

Enjoying the Music A couple enjoying the music at the Jamaica Ex-Police Associa on of South Florida's 25th Anniversary Ball at the Woodlands Country Club. Photo Credit: Alphonso Dunn

Easter Smiles Mayor Oliver Gilbert III enjoying the Miami Gardens Easter Family Fun Day ac vi es with children from the local community.

– Contributed

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16 –

A3

LOCAL

Suicide by train on the rise in Florida

by Cellina DeCastro

Within the past five years in Florida, suicide by train has been steadily increasing.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, since 2011 there have been over 220 train-related deaths in the state.

Over 80 of them have been suicides.

In 2016, there were 11 reported suicides by train in the state. This is a decrease from 19 in 2015.

Railroad officials, however, report that death by train has been on the rise for the past four years.

On March 26, a male pedestrian was struck and killed by a Tri-Rail train in Oakland Park in what appeared to be

another suicide. Five days earlier, a Deltona woman, 61year-old Jeanmarie Baker, was killed when she lay on railroad tracks in Flagler County.

In February there were two other suspected suicide by train incidents in Volusia County.

Death by train is not new. It has been around since the introduction of railroads in America during the mid-19th Century.

In 1893, US Federal law mandated all trains have air brakes and a coupler to stop them, due to the rise of accidents involving fatalities of brakemen and other railroad workers.

Even with the required brakes system, it's difficult to stop a train in time to avoid striking a suicidal person as the locomotive, travelling at high speeds and weighing tons, needs time and distance to stop.

Jamaican attorney achieves highest worldwide score in STEP Excellence award Jamaican attorney at law, Jo-Anne Jackson-Stephens, is recipient of the STEP Excellence Award for highest score worldwide in the STEP Advanced Certificate in Company Law and Practice.

Jackson-Stephens, who is a former Jamaican Independence Scholar, also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford where she graduated in 2012 with Distinction. She has been an associate at the Higgs and Johnson firm in the Cayman Islands since October 2015.

STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) is a professional association with over 20,000 members in 95 countries. It consists mainly of trust and estate attorneys, accountants and trust specialists.

STEP announced the first 38 student winners in a new awards scheme recognizing student achievement on a worldwide level.

Jackson-Stephens, a past student of Immaculate Conception High in Jamaica, completed her law degree at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and Barbados before going on to receive her CLE at the Norman Manley Law School in 2006.

Becoming a member of STEP gives lawyers the TEP designation, making them eligible for consideration among the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates. Applicants are required to take a number of exams or prepare papers for presentation.

JAMAICA DIASPORA

Finally! Advisory Board elections on tap

by Karyl Walker

Over six months has passed since the election for a South-East USA Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board member was scheduled. But, it seems an election is finally being organized.

This was related by Reverend Horace Ward, the SE USA Electoral Officer for the Diaspora Advisory Board, in an interview with National Weekly.

He said logistical hitches related to assembling personnel for election machinery, is the reason for the six-month delay.

“It was just that we didn't have the time to get it done. Folks were extremely busy. This is a voluntary effort, so we have to work with people's schedules,” Ward explained.

Nominations are not yet open for the board post, which is currently held by Orlando attorney Wayne Golding. According to Ward, an announcement inviting nominations from Jamaicans in the SE US region, including Florida, Georgia, Texas and seven other states, will be made shortly.

“I cannot give you a definite date but nominations will be open in about two weeks and the election will be held and results announced in June, before the next Jamaica Diaspora conference in July,” he said.

Two other regions – North-Eastern and Western --- have opened nominations for their respective Advisory Board members. Ward is not perturbed nominations are yet to open for the South-East region.

“While we will not all have our elections on the same date, they will be all held within the same time frame. This is a first,” he said.

Haitian workers file iscrimination lawsuit against South Beach hotel At least 15 Haitians formerly employed to a South Beach hotel have filed a discrimination lawsuit in U.S. district court in Miami, claiming they were repeatedly discriminated against by hotel management on the basis of race, national origin or skin color before being fired in 2014.

Their suit was filed through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the SLS Hotel .

The Miami Herald reported that the lawsuit claims the workers (dish washers and stewards) were treated differently than Hispanic workers with similar duties.

According to the report, a manager at the hotel, responding to a request from the Haitians to fix a broken service elevator which would make it easier for them to carry heavy items up the 13-floor hotel, responded, “Let the slaves do the work.”

The lawsuit claims workers of other nationalities were not required to do the same chores. It also alleges the Haitians were assigned tough cleaning jobs, and told not to speak Creole on the job.

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

GUYANA

New political party launched by ousted opposition member

Guyana to explore mining of rare earth minerals

Antigua and Barbuda's news political party – the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) was launched on Tuesday by ousted opposition legislator Joanne Massiah.

With the launch, Massiah is the first woman in the country's history to lead a political party.

Massiah, who was booted from the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), earlier this year, said the party will rely on support from the average person for financing, adding that it will not be pleading with well-known wealthy political financiers for its campaigns.

“We do not subscribe to all that is involved in what has become known as money politics. Where will our money come from? The few cents we have come from the people … one, one full basket,” Massiah said at the long awaited launch.

The party was launched on Tuesday at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre.

Massiah, who is represents the constituency of All Saints East and St Luke, was once touted as the first woman to attempt to lead the UPP, but she was expelled after a meeting of the party's Disciplinary Council.

In January 2016, Massiah said she had entered the race to succeed former prime minister Baldwin Spencer at the “urgings of the party faithful, after much prayer, broadbased consultation and sober reflection as well as through a process of objective assessment of the legacy of the UPP and the overwhelming sense of duty to introduce the country to a different type of politics.”

She was kicked out of the UPP following a row, which started almost two years ago when she accused her UPP colleagues of lying about her refusal to cooperate during the dispute over the leadership race .

The Government has announced plans to place more focus on the mining of rare earth minerals in the coming year, particularly lithium.

According to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, a survey will be carried out “to get a better sense of what exactly we have.”

Last year, a permit was given to a Canadian company for prospecting of lithium.

“That company has started doing some drilling and has seen signs of lithium. I believe they are now in the process of looking for financiers to go further,” Trotman said.

The Canadian based company, Guyana Strategic Metals (GSM) Incorporated that is operating in Region Sevenr signed an agreement earlier this year with an Australian company, Greenpower Energy to acquire interests in the exploration.

In the coming months, Greenpower Energy is expected to carry out an airborne geophysical survey to focus on the follow-up work.

Lithium was discovered in Guyana five years ago. It is said to be the lightest known metal and is commonly used to make rechargeable batteries such as those found in cell phones. The metal was said to be discovered some five years ago in Guyana.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

US cloud provider explores taking service to TT The number one cloud provider in the world, Amazon Web Services (AWS), that is a subsidiary of Amazon.com, has expressed an interest in taking its services to the twin island republic.

This was disclosed during a recent meeting between Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie, representatives from AWS and Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon.

The meeting was held to present the benefits Government stands to gain from using Amazon's public cloud services.

“Their visit here is very timely because the

Government is in the process of developing a cloud policy. The Government is also going to the market for a solution for data processing and the evolution of the Gov Net platform,” said Cuffie in a release issued following the meeting at his ministry.

According to Cuffie, with AWS having only one data centre located in the Latin America/Caribbean region, among its 16 locations, the company could consider Trinidad and Tobago as an ideal location to expand its services to the region.

The AWS team that was on a three-day visit also expressed interest in providing cloud services to various educational institutions and the establishment of reseller and partner relationships with businesses and service providers in the country.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16 –

Talk UP

A5

TALKUP

Do you think that President Trump should release his taxes, and why?

Schnyder: Haitian-American/North Miami – I don't have a problem with President Trump not releasing his taxes. At the end of the day he has the right and choice to withhold them from the media. If that is what he chooses to do, no one should fault him for that. People only care for it now that he is President. There are greater issues in the world to worry about and his taxes should be the least of peoples' concern.

Blair: Trinidad/Pembroke Pines – No. The rich stay rich, what difference would it make? He is in a higher tax bracket, he is basically untouchable because he is rich. It really doesn't make a difference now since he is already president of this country.

Courtney: Jamaica/D.C. – Yes! For the purposes of gossip, at least we can confirm what's suspected re his business dealings and possible ties to Russian investors etc. etc. But in the grand scheme of things, revealing his taxes will not change a single thing. Pre his election, revealing his taxes may have had a motivating effect on the people who chose not to vote, but at this stage, his taxes will certainly not have a negative effect on his presidency, given everything else that's happening.

Jason: Jamaica/Orlando – Yes. #1- One of the wise things that the founding fathers did was to create the Emoluments Clause to make sure that no president can be influenced by any foreign state as there can be a conflict of interest. Donald Trump has companies in other countries. #2 - Transparency. The president has already shown that we cannot trust his declarations with public announcements of things that are so easily verifiable as a lie. We need to see what is truth vs alternative facts.

Tulio: Venezuela/Orlando – Yes, even though he doesn't necessarily have to. As to why, it's because it will either end his good poplularity or it will silence those that have been wanting the release of his, if only for a moment. He has already shown that he cares more about companies than people when he overturned Obama's internet privacy act.

Violet: Jamaica/Boca – I think President Trump should release his taxes because he is the president and we are all citizens just like him, and we are middle class people who are working, and they come down hard on us to pay our taxes, and if he is the leader of the country, he should set the example by paying his taxes. It is the American policy, and he should set the example for the American people. It's very important.

Bob: U.S./Miami – I personally don't care. I see the priority as: how are we going to get through ISIS, all these Islamic Nazis, all the other Nazis? He paid $35 million in taxes in 2005; he's a billionaire, who cares?

I'm concerned whether or not we're going to survive.

I've been involved in Carnival, travelling the world for almost 30 years as a stress reliever. There's a bigger picture. I'm also an activist, I was involved in the integration of Miami; this guy in Fresno would cut me down just because I am white. I'm over it.

Una: Jamaica/Sunrise – Yes, he should. I'll go on further to say things like that should be mandatory.

Personally, #1- I think that he's being dishonest; #2the fact is that he doesn't have to do it, for there are laws protecting him. You shouldn't be able to get into office without declaring it, just like how you have to declare your birth certificate. The constitution is archaic and needs to be amended; when it was done women couldn't vote, women couldn't own houses, but we've come forward now.

Jackie: Ft. Lauderdale – I think that all presidents should release their tax returns, because that will show things that we might not ordinarily see or know of. In this president's case, for example, there are a lot of innuendos there and this will help to clarify a lot of things if he would just produce it.

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| THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16

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Releasing tax-returns is responsible and relevant

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town near to Duanvale where Moss Brown lives.

She describes her as “a strong God-fearing lady and has been very active in the local church. She was the town's chief musician who taught music to several people, some who have long passed, and she was the church organist for over 80 years, up to a few years ago. Miss V was also the record keeper for the Duanvale cemetery. She is something else and could easily see many more years.”

Moss Brown, who was married and had six children, was predeceased by husband and two of her children. Eldest son Harold lived long enough to see his mother recognized as the world's oldest woman, but died on Wednesday at age 97.

He was believed to be the world's oldest living child with a living parent.

Bertram, who is 88, contributes the longevity of Moss Brown and other Trelawnyborn Jamaicans to “good old yellow yam. Is the same yam that make Usain Bolt run so fast.”

Bolt, the Jamaican superstar sprinter, was

born and raised in the neighboring Trelawny town of Sherwood Content.

In a 2013 study related to centenarians, gerontologist Nir Barzilai of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, claimed longevity was related to genetics, rather than a healthy lifestyle.

“Behaviors and risk factors do not get you to 100. For that you need the right genetics,” he argued.

Moss-Brown's parents died at age 96. In an interview with the Jamaican Observer, she credited cutting cane for many years, and her faith in God for long life. She also avoids eating pork and chicken.

“This is what God has given me, so I have to take it, long life. I was a cane farmer and would do every work myself along with my husband," she said.

Last year, Violet Moss Brown got some royal treatment. She received a commemorative plaque from Queen Elizabeth II when she became the oldest living person in the British Commonwealth.

Diaspora gala giving; culminated by words for mobilization from the spouse of the Jamaican Prime Minister. More importantly, her visit should highlight the focus the local community, and the Jamaican Diaspora in general, place on the unfortunate issue of sexual child abuse.”

Several awards will be presented during the event. They include the Dr. Rita Marley Ambassador Award which will be given to “someone with the similar mission of Rita Marley who has strove to promote good health

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and welfare among socially and economically disadvantaged communities.”

Pastor Marcus D Davidson, senior pastor at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, will receive the International Leadership Award. The Protect the Children Freedom Award will be made to Barbara-Ann Weinstein, president and CEO of Family Central Inc. Juliet Murphy Roulac, Regional Manager for Corporate External Affairs at Florida Power and Light, will receive the Humanitarian Award.

Garth A. Rose, PhD editor@cnweeklynews.com

EDITORIAL Kathy Barrett kbarrett@cnweeklynews.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

SPORTS EDITOR unknown if Trump is contributing to the financial welfare of the Union. Is he “rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars” or does he regard himself as Caesar, the mighty emperor who doesn't have to pay taxes?

Trump is refusing to release his tax returns against a background where his administration is contemplating reducing and eliminating vital social services, while cutting taxes for the wealthy. A recent poll indicated most Americans don't mind paying taxes if services vital to their everyday life are provided.

America can adequately provide for its citizens if taxes are collected equitably across the board. It cannot be fair for the rich to pay less taxes while vital services are removed. It cannot be right that most people maintain transparency related to the filing of their tax returns, but others, most importantly the nation's President, does not share that transparency.

Don Anthony sports@cnweeklynews.com

MEDIA SPECIALIST Karyl Walker kwalker@cnweeklynews.com

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Some tax-payers are fortunate in receiving refunds upon filing their annual taxes to the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). Others find they actually owe taxes upon filing their returns, and must either repay this debt upon filing or make arrangements to repay in installments.

Whichever way the tax returns indicate, it remains the responsibility of Americans to file an annual tax return. Invariably, if a tax return isn't filed for a particular year or years, the IRS contacts taxpayers to find out the reason for not filing.

Inexplicably, while most Americans have either filed their 2016 returns, or still in the process of doing so, it remains a mystery if the nation's first citizen, the President, paid or even filed taxes in recent years.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, relentless calls were made for then Republican candidate Donald Trump to release his tax returns. However, the candidate refused, explaining he couldn't release them as they were being audited by the IRS. It was highly unusual for a presidential candidate not to release his tax returns, and apprise voters re their earned income and tax liabilities. Every presidential candidate in the last 40 years routinely released their tax returns.

Despite not releasing his, Trump was elected

president. Since taking office on January 20, he still has not released these returns. Adding to the mystery, during the presidential campaign it was reported that Trump's business losses in 1995 were so large they could have allowed him to avoid paying federal income taxes for some 18 years.

Then, last month a copy of Trump's 2005 tax return suddenly surfaced. This revealed he and his wife made $150 million in 2005 and paid federal income tax of $5.3 million.

The 2005 return also showed Trump still benefiting from the $916 million business loss he claimed he incurred in 1995.

But what has happened since 2005 with respect to Trump's income? Has he paid more taxes since? Has his income increased? The American public have no answers, and the majority, as indicated in several polls, believe this is not right especially as Trump is their president.

Last Saturday was Tax-Day, the final day for Americans to file their tax returns. Thousands staged protest rallies in several cities demanding Trump release his tax returns.

These protests were among the biggest antiTrump demonstrations since January's Women's March.

Since the rallies, Trump hasn't indicated he'll be releasing his tax returns. Instead, in a tweet responding to the rallies he said, “I did what was an almost impossible thing to do for a Republican --- easily won the Electoral College!

Now Tax Returns are brought up again?”

That certainly doesn't sound like someone who plans to release his tax returns. However, if Trump continues to refuse, this doesn't convey a message of a president who takes responsibilities as a taxpayer seriously.

By not releasing his taxes, it's simply

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In recent days, Americans have scurried to file their 2016 income tax returns to meet the April 18 midnight deadline. It's the responsibility of every American who earned an income to pay taxes irrespective of his/her race, color, nationality, religion, or social status.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16 –

A7

LA SECTION HAITIENNE

MINUSTAH mission to Haiti to end in six months

The hunt

Bellas Gate Project and the newly acquired highly prospective licenses. Armed with the C$14M exploration data package from OZ Minerals as well as our recently closed C$1.6M financing, we plan to start our programs immediately,” said Jeff Ackert, President and CEO of Carube Copper.

He added that Jamaica is a highly favorable, stable jurisdiction for exploration and mining with strong support from Ministry of Transport and Mining, as well as the Commissioner of Mines and Geology.

The company says Jamaica's Cretaceousaged inliers host numerous copper and gold porphyry occurrences. And to date seven porphyry centers have been identified at the Bellas Gate Project in the neighboring parish of St. Catherine.

“Many identified prospective areas on all licenses have yet to be drill tested. Drill results have indicated strong and consistent mineralization in well altered porphyry style sequences,” Ackert said.

Clearing the way for the Canadian outfit last year another Australian company Oz Minerals announced its withdrawal from Jamaica after three years of exploration activities.

Oz Minerals operations included five whollyowned tenements at Bellas Gate and the Rodinia in the eastern parish of Portland.

Chief Executive Officer of Oz, Andrew Coles, said the company decided to quit operations there because the mineral deposits it discovered were not satisfactory.

The head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) Sandra Honoré, says the mission will cease operations in Haiti within six months.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, Honoré said that the progress achieved during the past 13 years in Haiti's stabilization process is notable and it “is therefore timely to reshape the partnership among the international community, the United Nations and Haiti with a view to ensuring the sustainability of this progress It is with this in mind, that the SecretaryGeneral has recommended the closure of MINUSTAH in six months from now and the establishment of a smaller peacekeeping operation with concentrated focus on the rule of law and police development, with strong good offices and human rights monitoring roles.

“With your support, the transition from MINUSTAH to a new and smaller Mission would be guided by a Joint Transition Plan that underpins the gradual transfer of tasks to the Government, and the UN Country Team, – Honoré The UN mission, established in June 2004 by a UN Security Council resolution, succeeded a Multinational Interim Force (MIF) after then President Bertrand Aristide departed Haiti for exile in the aftermath of an armed conflict which spread to several cities across the country.

In January 2010, the Security Council, by resolution, endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendation to increase the overall force levels of MINUSTAH to support the immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts in the country.

Town in Haiti gets water supply system The United Nations has inaugurated a water supply system in the Lascahobas Commune as part of its anticholera fight in Haiti.

On Monday, the top United Nations humanitarian official in Haiti said all efforts to ensure the provision of safe water and sanitation are “crucial to eliminate cholera” in

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the country.

Elimination of cholera can be achieved in the medium term – two or three years – if emphasis is placed on immediate action,” said El-Mostafa Benlamlih, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti.

“That is to say, an emphasis [must be] put on response capacity, management and immediate treatment of water,” he added. “But nothing can be done without an investment in

water, sanitation and hygiene.”

Historically, the UN said the people in the Madan Mak and Loncy areas of the Lascahobas Commune have always had serious problems with access to safe drinking water.

Situated in a mountainous region of Haiti's Central Plateau, a few hundred kilometres from the capital Port-au-Prince, the two communities – up to just a few weeks ago – were among the 42 per cent of the country's population still without access to safe drinking water.

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A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Free tuition for college students Over the years, South Florida high school graduates have been unable to pursue courses in higher education because their families are unable to afford it.

Early this week, Florida International University (FIU) announced its Golden Promise program; a scholarship under which students who proves they are financially-challenged will receive the full cost of tuition and other fees. The program takes effect in September.

FIU, the college of choice for many CaribbeanAmerican students, says that under the Golden Promise students can receive financial aid to cover 30 credit hours a year and earn a bachelor's degree in four years. The normal time for completing a bachelor's degree is three years.

Student beneficiaries must be registered fulltime, attend at least 12 hours per semester and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. To be eligible for assistance under the program, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and prove that the Expected Family Contribution is $0. The benefits are only applicable to Florida residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The school estimates it will provide assistance to 1,200 students under the program in the 2017/18 academic year.

FIU president, Mark B. Rosenberg, said “FIU's Golden Promise removes economic barriers for students who are academically qualified and ready to work hard at FIU. We want them to be successful and graduate in four years.”

High school graduates and other individuals interested in applying for assistance under the program should apply by June 30. However, the college has advised that students who apply earlier than the stated deadline may be eligible to get larger financial assistance than those who wait until the last moment.

South Miami resident Dorcas Bridges, a Caribbean-American factory worker who earns an annual income of $28,000, is assisting her daughter Olivia, who graduates from high school next month, apply to the Golden Promise program.

“This program is such a timely God-send. I just don't have the funds to afford the fees, and we are trying to stay away from the long-term burden of student's loans. This program is a real help.”

South Florida launch of Jamaica Diaspora Conference on April 24 On April 24, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, will launch activities leading to the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, scheduled for Jamaica in July.

The launch takes place at Miramar City Hall, 2300 Civic Center Place, starting at 6:30 a.m.

Franz Hall, Jamaican Consular General to Miami, is inviting Jamaicans in South Florida to attend the event and hear about plans for the conference. They will also be able to make an input into its planning.

Held every two years, the Jamaica Diaspora Conference will take place July 23-26 in Kingston. This year, it coincides with Jamaica 55 Independence celebrations. The conference culminates with a Diaspora Day of Service on July 27.

SOUTH FLORIDA

Water restrictions in effect for South Florida While other regions in the US endured adverse weather over the past three months, South Florida enjoyed idyllic conditions. The flipside has been scarce rainfall, which is characterized by brown, dry lawns and parched vegetation.

With more rainless days forecast, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has introduced water restrictions to ensure there is adequate supply to serve the public until the rains come. Traditionally, the next wet period is in late May to June.

The recently announced water restrictions extend north from South Florida to Orlando southwards to Key West. According to SFWMD water shortage manager Peter Kwiatkowski, there will be a restriction on watering lawns and gardens.

In Broward County, watering is restricted to Wednesdays and Saturdays to homes and businesses with odd-numbered street addresses, and on Thursdays and Sundays for those with even-numbered street addresses.

New landscaping can be watered every day except Fridays for the first 30 days. For the next 60 days, it can be watered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Palm Beach County residents and businesses with an odd-numbered addresses can water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; and those with even-numbered addresses, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The city of Lantana is restricted to a two-day schedule.

In Miami-Dade, residents and businesses with an odd-numbered street address are permitted to water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and those with even numbers on Thursdays and Sundays.

In Broward and Miami Dade, watering of lawns is prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. New landscaping can be watered every day except for Fridays for the next 30 days in the three counties. If there is no significant rainfall, watering of new landscapes will be restricted to four days per week.

Southwest Miami landscaper, Martin Haughton, thinks this is a “harsh restriction as it impacts my business directly. When lawns aren't watered grass doesn't grow so the need for landscaping declines.” However, Haughton admitted to being selfish, saying, “Water for domestic purposes must come first.”

Kwiatkowski says he wants residents to take the restrictions seriously. He said they could tighten if there is no significant rainfall soon.

Persons caught flouting the restrictions will be subject to a fine. First-time offenders are given a warning, and if they are caught again, will be charged $125 with repeat offenders paying $250.

Should restrictions tighten, they could involve restricting the washing of motor vehicles, and fewer days and hours to water lawns and gardens.

Since November 1, rainfall in the SFWMD has been 6 inches below normal.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16 –

B1

The Advantages of Bankruptcy For families struggling with the overwhelming burden of debt, caught in an exhausting cycle of juggling bills, debts and mortgage payments, the financial pressures can be devastating. And to make matters worse, many older Floridians, ages 55 and older, who have worked hard all their lives, lose their jobs, only to discover that their age makes it difficult to find a new one. But, just when all hope seems lost, bankruptcy may offer a positive solution!

In addition to providing individuals with financial freedom…and the opportunity to begin their financial lives again with a clean slate, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy can also put families back on the path to building a solid financial future. Finances that were once gobbled up by credit cards and other consumer debts, can be used to pay household and living expenses without stress, and as circumstances improve, money can be set aside as saving for educational expenses, emergencies, retirement and other necessities of life.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy has many advantages, but there are also many commonly held misconceptions as well. The most common is that it is impossible to get credit or to buy a car or house for 7-10 years after filing for bankruptcy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Normal credit can be easily reestablished within several years, including automobile and home mortgage loans, since a person is virtually debt-free. Once the bankruptcy process is complete, many consumers find that credit scores have improved, since late payments, write-offs and delinquencies on the credit report have all been discharged through the bankruptcy. Bad credit stays on an individual's credit report for 7 years, and a bankruptcy for 10.

The truth is that for those who qualify, Bankruptcy may eliminate credit card, medical and other consumer debts and judgments, stop pending and threatened lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments and harassing telephone calls and letters from debt collectors and provide a fresh financial start!

Factors in qualifying for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy include level of income and amount of assets. Qualifying homes, retirement

accounts and other important exemptions are generally not counted towards assets in Florida, allowing many consumers to keep what they own and complete the entire bankruptcy process in as little as 90 days. So, when financial problems seem overwhelming, the good news is that the first step to solving debt problems may be the easiest one – finding out your options are taking control of your future.

Alternatives to Chapter 7 Debtors should be aware there are several alternatives to filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For example, debtors who are engaged in business, including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, may prefer to remain in business and avoid liquidation. Such debtors should consider filing Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Under Chapter 11, the debtor may seek an adjustment of debts, either by reducing the debt or by extending the time for repayment.

Sole proprietorships may also be eligible for relief under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Also, individual debtors who have regular income may also seek an adjustment of debts under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. An advantage of Chapter 13 is it provides individual debtors with an opportunity to save their homes from foreclosure by allowing them to "catch up" past due payments through a payment plan. Moreover, the court may dismiss a Chapter 7 case filed by an individual whose debts are primarily consumer rather than business debts if the court finds that the granting of relief would be an abuse of Chapter 7.

If the debtor's "current monthly income" is more than the state median, the Bankruptcy

Code requires application of a "means test" to determine whether the Chapter 7 filing is presumptively abusive. Abuse is presumed if the debtor's aggregate current monthly income over 5 years, net of certain statutorily allowed expenses, is more than (i) $12,850, or (ii) 25 percent of the debtor's non-priority unsecured debt, as long as that amount is at least $7,700.

The debtor may refute a presumption of abuse only by indicating special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income. Unless the debtor overcomes the presumption of abuse, the case will generally be converted to Chapter 13 (with the debtor's consent) or will be dismissed.

Debtors should also be aware that outof-court agreements with creditors or debt counseling services may provide an alternative to a bankruptcy filing.

B

LI LS

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S

Bankruptcy may eliminate debts and judgments, stop pending and threatened lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments and harassing telephone calls and letters from debt collectors and provide a fresh nancial start!

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16

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Vegas responds on Kartel Fans Last week, during an interview with Entertainment Report's Anthony Miller on Television Jamaica, Mr. Vegas said Vybz Kartel is living in hell and called his fans fools.

After backlash for his comments, the deejay cleared the air in a YouTube vlog. He said he was referring to the imprisoned Kartel joking about himself on a previous edition of ER. “I saw Kartel on your show already… where he said, 'I know I am going to hell, Jeffrey already put in the a/c','' Vegas told Miller.

1 Lovesick Romain Virgo

2 Borrowed Time Sasha Dias

3 One Draw Fab 5 / Marcia Griffiths

4 Nail Pon Cross Damian Marley

5 Rockabye

Lauryn Hill performs at Coachella During his Coachella Festival performance last weekend, DJ Snake invited Grammy winner Lauryn Hill to join him on stage. They performed songs from her days with The Fugees including Ready or Not and Killing Me Softly, as well as her solo hit Lost Ones.

The annual Reggae Festival starts Sunday with its Beach Party at Pirates Den Beach. The following event, Vintage Reggae Night, takes place on April 28 at the 3Ws Stand in Kensington Oval; then Reggae Party Cruise on April 29 aboard the Jolly Roger. The festival concludes with Reggae On The Hill on April 30 at Farley Hill National Park.

Soca singer Benjai clouted with beer bottle in Guyana Trinidadian soca artiste, Benjai, received 12 stitches to his face after being attacked by an angry patron outside a Guyana club on Easter Sunday.

The incident reportedly occurred at the popular Night Court venue in Georgetown, the capital.

Benjai, whose real name is Rodney Le Blanc, had just finished performing on the club's “Easter Phenomenon” event and was mingling with fans outside when he got in an argument with the man. His attacker allegedly used a beer bottle to strike Benjai with such force it shattered on impact.

The singer was rushed to a private hospital where he was treated for the wound. Benjai made a formal report to the police.

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7 My Love Christopher Martin

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Marley's hot on the box

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10 Dis A Kind Of Loving Nana McLean

House of Marley, a company named after 11 Blood Money reggae icon Bob Marley, launches a new Proteje turntable on April 22. The “Stir it Up” turntables are created from environmentallysustainable material. Marley's son, Rohan, told CNBC that the company's eco-friendly products are part of his desire to “bring life” and “enhance life” instead of destroying the community with harsh material.

Chris Brown looks to Red Rat Chris Brown's new single, Privacy, samples Red Rat's 1997 hit song, Tight Up Skirt. “Ever since Chris Brown was in the studio recording the song Privacy and posted it on social media, I have been getting many calls left and right from many people asking me about my thoughts regarding him sampling Tight Up Skirt, and all I can say is, 'Give God all the glory'," said Red Rat. Brown is set to release his eighth studio album, Heartbreak, this year.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 20 – APR 26, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 16 –

B3

Chronixx moves out of “Babylon” Chronixx has teamed up with Brooklyn hip-hop artiste Joey Bada$$ on the single, Babylon. They had a minor hit in 2015 with Belly of The Beast.

Babylon is from the latter's new album, Amerikkkan Badass.

Chronixx is currently touring the United States to promote his highly-anticipated debut album, Chronology.

The tour of the same name also features Jesse Royal and Jah9.

The initial leg of the jaunt is scheduled to end in late April. Chronixx is scheduled to return to the US in June for the annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in northern California.

He will also travel to the United Kingdom for the first leg of his European tour in May. In the summer, he has dates confirmed for Japan and France.

Got to have Kaya now There are many images of Bob Marley smoking a ganja cigarette, or a spliff as they call it in Jamaica.

Going jerk in Palm Beach The 14th Palm Beach Jerk and Caribbean Culture Festival will be he held May 29 at South Florida Playgrounds. A Full-A-Vybez Inc. promotion, it once again has the popular jerk cooking contest among its highlights.

Display of the versatile jerked product (lobster, chicken, shrimp, pork and ice cream) will be complemented by performances from Tarrus Riley, Agent Sasco, Wayne Wonder and Half Pint.

Another feature expected to be a hit with fans is the Jerk Explosion Party Pavilion which will host a deejay and dance contest.

Next to music, ganja was his passion. On Saturday, the reggae legend's family pays homage to the virtues of the weed with Kaya Fest which takes place at Bayfront Park in Miami.

Though it will feature his Grammy-winning sons Damian, Ziggy and Stephen, as well as Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill and Inner Circle, it won't be a smoke fest.

Stephen Marley told National Weekly that the event's theme, 'Education Over Recreation' speaks for itself.

“Di whole thing over di years is I born an' si my

family as advocates for di plant an' now it get freer an' freer. There are so many benefits of di plant, not jus' people getting high,” he said.

Today, on the eve of the show, there will be a symposium focusing on those benefits which the Marleys have tapped into with Marley Natural, a line of ganja products they launched in 2016.

Marley Natural hit the market at a time when the weed was being decriminalized in Jamaica, where Rastafarians like Bob Marley were prosecuted for smoking it for many years.

The Rastafarian has long claimed they smoke ganja as a religious sacrament.

But Stephen Marley believes the days of smoking for recreational purposes are coming to an end. “Recreation a di last thing pon wi mind now, people know sey wi smoke an' play music to di plant but di thing bigger than dat now,” he said.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

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34. Diva’s song 35. Timelessly popular 36. Ball-shaped objects 39. Quiet!

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27. Pitfall 29. _____ Beta Kappa 30. Time unit (abbr.)

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C1

TRACK & FIELD

Jamaica underline CARIFTA dominance with record-equaling 86 medal haul Jamaica underlined their strength in the CARIFTA Games with another dominant showing in the April 15-17 championship in Curacao. The team amassed 86 medals: 39 gold, 28 silver and 19 bronze.

The regional athletics competition for Under 18 and Under 20 athletes was attended by IAAF President Sebastian Coe, NACAC President Victor Lopez and fellow IAAF Council Members Stephanie Hightower and Pauline Davis-Thompson.

From opening day, the Jamaicans stamped their authority, breaking two field event records. Roje Stona, competing in the Under 20 boys' discus, launched his first attempt out to 66.41 meters, erasing countryman Chad Wright's seven-year-old record of 63.11 meters. Fiona Richards threw 54.19 meters in the girls equivalent to smash the 15-year record by Claudia Villeneuve of Martinique.

In the Under 18 girls' high jump, Janique Burgher and Lamara Distin collected Jamaica's first two medals, claiming gold and silver with clearances of 1.77 meters and 1.74 meters, respectively.

In the afternoon, the Jamaicans, led by team captains Christopher Taylor and Junelle Bromfield, captured three of the four 400 meters finals.

Bromfield, the IAAF World Under 20 bronze medallist, was commanding as she destroyed the field in 53.51secs. The battle

for second between Barbadian Tiana Bowen and Jamaica's Kimorla Mushette was extremely close after both athletes registered 55.62secs; Bowen got the nod by .001.

Taylor, the 2015 World youth champion, made light work of the opposition, registering his second sub-46 clocking this season as he cruised to victory in 45.97secs in the Under 20 boys' 400 meters.

Caymanian Jamal Walton-Taylor was a distant second in 46.46secs. In the Under 18 boys' 400 meters, Jamaica's Antonio Watson (47.86secs) and Ramone Lindo (47.99secs) copped gold

CRICKET

Chris Gayle slams 10,000 T20 runs T20 cricket batting giant, Chris Gayle, became the first man to score 10,000 runs in that form of the game when he slammed a commanding 77 off 38 balls for Royal Bangalore Challengers in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.

Gayle was only three runs short of the target when he strolled to the wicket and 68 short before the tournament bowled off. He experienced a poor run of form and was dropped for two matches.

He rebounded in style, blasting the bowling to all parts of the ground to celebrate another personal milestone. He hit seven sixes and five fours.

The hard-hitting Jamaican has 18 T20 centuries to his credit and is the first to score a ton in the shortest format of the game. Some 74 per cent of his runs have come from boundaries.

His 10,074 runs is 2,550 more than second-placed Brendan McCullum of New Zealand. Gayle scored his runs in 290 matches with a strike rate of 149.51.

He has struck a remarkable 743 sixes, while Kieron Pollard of Trinidad and Tobago is second with 459.

Gayle has represented 19 different T20 teams. He was a member of the West Indies team which won the World Cup T20 tournament in India.

and silver, respectively.

Megan Moss of The Bahamas halted Jamaica's winning streak in the quarter-mile events with a convincing victory over Kimara Francis (54.24secs) in the Under 18 girls' 400 meters.

Moss won in 53.69secs, a new personal best.

The Jamaicans continued their gold rush, winning the four 1500m finals.

Trinidad and Tobago's Tyriq Horsford set a new record in the boys' Under 18 javelin, throwing 76.50 meters. Latia Saunders of The Bahamas won the Under 18 girls' javelin with 45.29 meters.

Homeboy Glenn Kunst, who won the Austin Sealy Award, sent the home crowd into rapturous celebration when he soared 4.65 meters in the pole vault to erase the meet record (4.60m) set

by Jamaica's K'Don Samuels in 2008. He was involved in a keen tussle with Baptiste Thiery of Martinique who led up to 4.50m.

Jermaine Francis of St. Kitts and Nevis etched his name in the record books when he raised the high jump bar to 2.22 meters and cleared it to replace joint record holders Damon Thompson (Barbados) and Jamal Wilson (The Bahamas) who both cleared 2.20 meters in 2001 and 2007, respectively.

Daniel Cope became the first Under 18 athlete to launch the shot put beyond 18 meters. The Jamaican did it with his final effort (18.17 meters). Cope returned on final day to set another record (61.25 meters) in the Under 18 discus. Lacee Barnes won the Cayman Islands' first gold medal when she threw 13.06 meters with her last effort in the Under 20 girls' shot put to upstage early leader Sah-Jay Stevens (13.02 meters) of Jamaica.

Panamanian soccer player shot dead outside his home Panamanian soccer player, Amilcar Henriquez, has been murdered in the country's Colon province, police in Panama are reporting.

They say the 33-year-old midfielder was leaving his home last Saturday when a gunman shot him several times. Henriquez was taken to a nearby public hospital where he died. Two people were also shot and wounded during the incident.

President Juan Carlos Varela condemned the killing on his Twitter account and called for authorities in Colon to hunt down the murderers.

Henriquez was a member of Panama's national team and played the last 10 minutes of their recent CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against the United States last month. The game ended 1-1. He played club soccer for Panamanian giants Arabe Unido and started both legs of their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final defeat to FC Dallas earlier this year.

C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

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TRACK & FIELD

McLeod faces top-class eld

C3

Caribbean soccer goes pro A professional soccer tournament is set to kick off in the Caribbean in the summer of 2018. The Islands Cup Open – dubbed 'the biggest football festival in the world' – will feature franchise clubs from the region. It was officially launched during a press conference at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex in Barbados.

Clarence Seedorf, John Barnes, Russell Latapy and Everald Cummings are in negotiations to be involved as managers, while Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Florent Malouda have been tapped to play as 'Marquee Managers/Players'.

The tournament is the brainchild of Trinidad and Tobago businessman and former footballer, Chris Anderson, who is CEO of Caribbean Football Trust Limited (CFTL) – a Barbados-registered company with offices in Orlando and Toronto.

According to Anderson, the project has been in the pipeline for some time. The inaugural season will be strictly promotional and used to generate interest and momen-

tum.

It is scheduled for July 6-16 in Dominica, Suriname, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.

The five franchise clubs that will be competing are: Combined Islands, Trinbago Oilers, Barbados Challengers, Suriname Gladiators and Jamaica Ruffnecks.

The first competitive season will kick off in June 2018 and last three months, featuring eight franchises in separate four-team conferences.

A maximum of 12 franchises will be established within the first three years of the tournament. All squads must include 50 percent domestic players.

With games scheduled during the Carnival season in some participating islands, the Islands Cup Open will deliver a sports tourism product showcasing the Caribbean as festival hub of the world. The tournament is expected to feature performances by the region's top artistes.

Marlon Samuels donates to blind foundation Jamaica's 2016 Olympic 110-metres hurdles champion, Omar McLeod, takes on a crack field in his pet event at the May 2627 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

McLeod, whose best time is 12.87 seconds, will compete against four athletes who have also run under 13 seconds.

They are world-record holder Aries Merritt (12.80) of the United States, Russia's Sergey Shubenkov (12.98) who is the defending world champion from Beijing in 2015, and American David Oliver, who boasts a personal best of 12.89.

Also in the lineup is Frenchman Pascal Martinot-Lagarde who has a best time of 12.95 seconds.

Olympic bronze medalist Dimitri Bascou (13.12) of Russia and 2016 European champion, Andrew Pozzi of Great Britain, will be in the race which is expected to be completed by Devon Allen, the 22-year-old rising star from the US.

Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels has donated J$1.5Million (US$11,700) to The Jamaica Society for the Blind.

The donation will help fulfill the organization's mandate of promoting the welfare, education and employment of persons who are blind or visually impaired in Jamaica.

Samuels made the donation during a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday. It was accepted by Lola Marson, Executive Director of the Jamaica Society for the Blind.

Samuels also made a presentation of J$350,000 (USD$2700) to a visually impaired student from Church Teacher's College (CTC), 23-year-old Garfield Mitchell who has seven Caribbean Examinations Council subjects and hopes to become a teacher.

Samuels has been supporting Jamaica's

blind community since 2013 after suffering an eye injury while playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 tournament. It left the righthanded batsman/offspinner confined to an hotel room and unable to see for two weeks.

"Well, the urge for this is definitely two weeks of closing my left eye and not being able to see anything out of my right eye. It was total darkness, so I can imagine what they are going through for their entire life being like that," said Samuels.

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