|
Trinidad-Born
Teacher Jailed In Cricket Bat Killing |
CaribWorldNews, LONDON,
England, Weds. Dec. 18, 2008: A
Trinidad-born, UK-based school teacher will spend the next two-and-a-half
years of his life in jail for killing his daughter's abusive
husband with a cricket bat.
Kenneth Bassarath, a 64-year-old teacher and church goer, was
sentenced in Old Bailey after a jury cleared him of murder but
convicted him of manslaughter.
The jury had heard how Bassarath rushed to see his daughter Celosia
after she called himself from the apartment she shared with her
husband Sergio Mendes, 32, to say he was attacking her.
Celosia had told the court that she had locked herself in their
sosns' bedroom to escape her husband and was cowering with the
children when she called her father.
He arrived with her brother Kendal, but a drunken Mendes threw
a metal pole at Kendal and chased him away.
Bassarath told the court that Mendes then went inside and fetched
the cricket bat. But he said he managed to disarm him and hit
him once because he was scared he had a knife.
'I thought he might attack me, so I swung the bat to fend him
off. I knew I had struck him on his head, and I saw him fall
back,` he said.
Mendes, a supermarket worker suffered brain injuries from which
he later died. Bassarath was charged with the murder.
Jailing Bassarath, Judge Gerald Gordon, in sentencing the Trinidad
national commented: 'For a man of your age, with your impeccable
character prior to that moment, doing that must have been a complete
aberration, particularly since it is clear that you were fond
of your son in law. I cannot understand how or why you came to
do it.'
But the judge said he had to take into account that Mendes's
parents had lost a son and his children had lost a father as
a result of what happened.
|
Broward schools
OK sending portable classrooms to Haiti |
Broward County, FL, December
16, 2008: The Haitian
government hopes to have a school campus created from old Broward
school district portables by late January.
Broward School Board members Tuesday approved the donation of
about 100 portables to hurricane-ravaged Haiti. These are the
first of some 3,000 portables Florida school districts have pledged
to the country.
''We are witnessing today an unprecedented and historical event
that will transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of children
in Haiti,'' said Charles Manigat, minister of Haitians living
overseas.
Former education minister Leslie Voltaire said the portables
will also be used as health centers.
Both Manigat and Voltaire attended the Broward School Board meeting
Wednesday.
Once the country negotiates a contract with Bahamas-based Carey
Marine International, the marine construction company has pledgee
to get the first shipment to Haiti within 20 days, Voltaire said.
Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Martin County school districts have
also pledged gifts of portables to Haiti.
|
Caribbean Nationals
Remain On FBI`s Wanted Lists |
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK,
NY, Tues. Dec. 16, 2008:
Caribbean nationals making the FBI`s most wanted list continue
to evade the agency, CWNN has found.
Several continue to dominate the roll call of alleged criminals,
including a Haitian national wanted for crimes against children.
Meet Frantz Dieudonne, 39, who has been on the lam since 2003.
According to the FBI, Dieudonne allegedly traveled across state
lines from Pennsylvania to Utah to engage in sex with a 15-year-old
minor.
Dieudonne was indicted in Illinois on October 1, 2002, and in
Utah on February 26, 2003 for the alleged crime. He was scheduled
for a pre-trial motion on September 22, 2003, in the Northern
District of Illinois, but he failed to appear, and a bench warrant
was issued for his arrest.
Dieudonne also failed to appear for trials, which were scheduled
for October 20, 2003, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and November 3,
2003, in Chicago, Illinois. He has been on the lam since and
FBI agents need your help in finding him.
Also making the FBI list is alleged Jamaican drug dealer, Dwight
S. Williams. Williams is wanted for drug charges and money laundering.
During 1997-1998, Williams was allegedly involved in a large-scale
drug conspiracy and distribution network which originated from
the San Diego, California, area. He was indicted federally on
December 14, 2000, by the United States District Court, Western
District of Missouri, for conspiracy to possess and distribute
controlled substances and money laundering. Additionally, a federal
arrest warrant was issued for him in 2000, but he remains missing
in action.
Then there is Belize-born Hilbert Cutkelvin, who is also wanted
on a drug charge and is considered armed and dangerous as well
as alleged terrorist, Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, who has Trinidadian
and Guyanese roots and carries a Guyanese passport. El Shukrijumah
is wanted in connection with possible terrorist threats against
the United States. The Rewards For Justice Program, United States
Department of State, is offering a reward of up to $5 million
for information leading directly to the capture of El Shukrijumah.
|
Carolina Man
Charged In Murder Of Daughter Of Former Trinidad Coach |
CaribWorldNews, CHARLOTTE,
NC, Tues. Dec. 16, 2008:
The apparent boyfriend of a 38-year-old Trinidad and Tobago woman
has been charged with her murder, police in Charlotte, North
Carolina say.
Gabrielle Vidale-Kinard, the daughter of former Trinidad and
Tobago national coach, Edgar Vidale, was shot dead at her home
in North Carolina by Scott E. Davis Sr., on Saturday night, police
say. Police say Davis shot Gabrielle Kinard, 38, during a domestic
disturbance about 11:45 p.m. Saturday on Thornwood Road in north
Charlotte.
Davis, 46, also allegedly shot and killed the 18-year-old son
of Vidale-Kinard, Anjelo Kinard, who died Monday morning at Carolinas
Medical Center. Investigators say Davis also shot at Kinard's
children, critically injuring an 18-year-old woman fleeing with
her 5-month-old sister in her arms. A 15-year-old girl escaped
the home with only minor injuries.
A friend of Gabrielle Kinard said Davis was her boyfriend and
the 5-month-old infant's father. Vidale-Kinard migrated to the
United States more than 20 years ago.
Davis Sr. has been charged with one count of murder and three
counts of attempted murder in connection to the death of Kinard,
38, and the shootings of Anjelo and Gabriella Kinard. He also
was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with
intent to kill inflicting serious injury and one count of child
neglect in connection to the shooting.
Vidale on Monday told the Trinidad Express, `I did not know she
was having problems with her marriage. I spoke to her regularly,
but she never told me. I only found out after this incident.`
He is set to travel to North Carolina today to make funeral arrangements
for his daughter and her son.
Davis remains in jail.
|
Haiti: Nutritional
value of World Food Program rice in question |
London, UK, 15 December 2008: The British solidarity organization, the Haiti
Support Group, today wrote to Josette Sheeran, the Executive
Director of the United Nations
World Food Program (WFP), requesting information about the type
of rice that the organization is distributing in Haiti.
The Haiti Support Group is concerned about the nutritional content
of the rice that the WFP is distributing to hundreds of thousands
of
hungry and starving Haitians. In particular, the organization
is seeking reassurance that the WFP is not distributing imported
rice that
has undergone the usual commercial milling process, thereby considerably
reducing the rice's mineral, vitamin, and fibre content.
 The letter states
that most mass-produced rice produced in developed countries
undergoes a milling process stripping the rice grains of
their hulks and then polishing and bleaching to make the grains
more appealing to the consumer's eye. Because this milling process
considerably reduces the nutritional content of the rice, it
is then usual to artificially 'enrich' the rice. This enriching
is a
post-milling process of adding nutrients by coating the exterior
of the rice grain with a nutrient mixture.
In most developed countries it is normal to cook this enriched
rice straight from the packet, without washing the grains first,
and thus
the rice that is consumed has a good nutritional content. However,
as the Haiti Support Group letter points out, in Haiti, as in
many
developing countries, the cultural norm is to thoroughly wash
and rinse rice before cooking.
The letter continues: "If commercially-milled and artificially-enriched
rice is being distributed by the WFP in Haiti, and if, as is
likely, it
is being thoroughly washed and rinsed by the recipients before
cooking, it will have next to no nutritional value."
The Haiti Support Group's Charles Arthur said, "It is very
important to know what sort of rice the WFP is handing out to
hungry people in
Haiti. We know that it distributes a variety of foodstuffs -
beans, corn soy blend, and vegetable oil - but it also distributes
a massive
amount of imported rice. Over six months, up to the end of April
2009, the WFP plans to distribute nearly 15,000 metric tons of
cereals -
mostly rice - to around 800,000 victims of the recent floods
in Haiti."
Arthur continues, "We know this rice is imported from outside
Haiti. We understand that a large quantity of it is donated to
the WFP by the US
Agency for International Development (USAID), and that the WFP
itself has, in the recent past, procured rice for Haiti from
US companies such
as the Archer Daniels Midland Company, one of the largest agricultural
processors in the world. We are worried that this is 'stripped'
and
enriched rice, and that - unbeknown to the Haitian recipients
- if it is to provide any nourishment, it should not be rinsed
before cooking."
The Haiti Support Group (HSG) has contacted a number of the international
non-governmental organizations that are currently assisting the
WFP with its emergency food distribution programs in Haiti. The
HSG's Arthur said, " One of the responses set off alarm
bells for us - the project coordinator of one international NGO
told us that they were sure that the WFP rice that they were
distributing to flood victims was "both bleached and enriched",
and that they would not personally eat it themselves!"
Arthur added, "The WFP is spending millions of dollars purchasing
rice in foreign countries and then transporting it to Haiti.
I think it is a
matter of public concern to ascertain whether this rice has any
significant nutritional value or whether - as some have opined
- it would be just as good to eat boiled cardboard!"
"This issue is all the more important as we have recently
discovered that, contrary to many news reports about the complete
collapse of the
Haitian rice sector, there are in fact rice farmers cooperatives
in Haiti which have had, and still have, surplus rice for sale
in the months since the hurricanes disaster of August and September.
Haitian rice farmers' c ooperatives produce rice that undergoes
a very basic
milling process and therefore it has a much higher nutritional
valuethan commercially-milled, imported rice."
The letter is being sent as concerns mount about the extent of
the severe malnutrition problem in many parts of Haiti, and just
days after
thousands of peasant farmers demonstrated in the capital, Port-au-Prince,
to demand more support for local agricultural production.
|
IDB wants recognition for Caribbean Afro-descendents |
 WASHINGTON, United States, December 12,
2008: The President of
the Inter-American Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno, called
on the international community to increase recognition and support
for the Afro-descendent peoples in the Caribbean.
"Cultural expressions of all kinds constitute a necessary
and integral condition for the economic and social development
of the Latin American and Caribbean populations," he said.
"Promoting inclusive cultural policies will allow us to
establish the necessary bridges to incorporate Afro-descendents
into the region's development goals."
Mr Moreno was speaking during a forum on culture and development
to advance equality and racial inclusion in Latin America and
the Caribbean held at the IDB this week, on the 60th anniversary
of the United Nation's adoption and proclamation of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
The forum focused on culture as a means to achieve social and
economic inclusion of people of African descent in Latina America
and the Caribbean.
Discussions centered on the role of governments, civil society
and mass communications as agents of change to find common ground
on best practices in the promotion of cultural diversity and
racial equality and to enhance future initiatives for inclusion
in the region.
|
Haitian American
State Senator Speaks On Chicago Governor Scandal |
CaribWorldNews, CHICAGO,
Il, Fri. Dec. 12, 2008:
Haitian-American Senator Kwame Raoul, who replaced President-elect
Barack Obama in the Chicago state senate, has revealed a few
details about his interaction with the office of embattled Governor,
Rod R. Blagojevich and the choice for a replacement for Obama
in Washington.
As President-elect Obama urged Blagojevich to step aside following
his arrest on Wednesday, Raoul said he had received a call about
a month ago confirming that he was under consideration for the
D.C. seat vacated by Obama.
Raoul did not respond to a press query from CWNN, but was quoted
by the New York Times as saying `he ran head-on into the message
that the governor was looking for a candidate who offered something
of tangible value to him.`
 `It was open knowledge
among people in and around Springfield, legislators and lobbyists
alike openly talked about the fact that the governor would want
to appoint somebody who would benefit him,` Raoul was quoted
as saying. `I can firmly say that I've had these conversations,
that I've spoken with both legislators and lobbyists that felt
that that would be the consideration in his appointment.`
Raoul added that interest in his candidacy died when it became
obvious `that I didn't have anything to give other than my service.`
Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff, John Harris, were arrested
today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that
they and others are engaging in ongoing criminal activity: conspiring
to obtain personal financial benefits for Blagojevich by leveraging
his sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening
to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company
in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field to induce the firing
of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of
Blagojevich; and to obtain campaign contributions in exchange
for official actions both historically and now in a push
before a new state ethics law takes effect January 1, 2009.
Blagojevich, 51, and Harris, 46, both of Chicago, were each charged
with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation
of bribery. They were charged in a two-count criminal complaint
that was sworn out on Sunday and unsealed on Tuesday.
The 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted
on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring
to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect
Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself
and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment,
Blagojevich discussed obtaining: a substantial salary for himself
at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated
with labor unions;
placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated
she might garner as much as $150,000 a year; promises of campaign
funds including cash up front; and a cabinet post or ambassadorship
for himself.
If convicted, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud carries
a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while solicitation of
bribery carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, and each count
carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
Obama has reiterated that he and his staff had no involvement
in deal-making over an appointment to his vacated seat.
Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the United States attorney for the Northern
District of Illinois, has said Obama was not implicated in the
investigation.
|
New Year Jury
Selection In Case Of Guyana Drug Accused |
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK,
NY, Fri. Dec. 12, 2008:
Jury selection is set to begin in the new year in the trial of
accused Guyanese drug dealer, Shaheed `Roger` Khan, CWNN has
learnt.
 Jury selection is
set for January 20th at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Dora Lizette Irizarry.
The trial will commence immediately following the jury selection,
the judge said.
Khan was indicted in April 2006 on eighteen counts of importing,
exporting and selling five or more kilograms of cocaine between
2001 and 2005 and for heading a criminal enterprise.
Khan was subsequently arraigned in June of 2006 in a Brooklyn
court, after federal agents arrested him in Trinidad as he was
enroute on a flight back from Suriname to Guyana, where he had
been arrested over alleged weapons and drug smuggling offences.
Khan, aka `Shortman,` has pleaded not-guilty to the charges.U.S.
prosecutors say the ledger belonging to murdered boutique owner
Davendra Persaud with a list of names of drug dealers is among
a pile of evidence they have submitted to the court that will
be used in Khan's case. Persaud was gunned down at Palm Court
in October of 2004 by unknown persons. The prosecution has argued
that it has close to 800 pages of evidence on Khan; wire taps
and witness testimony from Guyana and persons in the US who have
been around Khan while he allegedly ran his drug trafficking
organization.
In September, his then defense attorney, Robert Simels, was arrested
and charged with plotting with Khan to `eliminate` a key government
witness. Khan`s new defense team and Simels have since been arguing
over key evidence in the case.
Before he fled Guyana, Khan in a paid advertisement in local
newspapers, admitted his involvement in a phantom death squad
there that assisted the current government in its crime fighting
tactics.
|
Accused Trinidad-Born
JFK 'Plotter' To Be Transferred |
 CaribWorldNews,
NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Dec. 12, 2008: One of four Caribbean men
accused of plotting to blow up gas pipes at the J.F.K. airport,
is set to be transferred to another medical facility, CWNN has
learnt.
Kareem Ibrahim, 63, was being held at a prison hospital in Springfield,
Missouri, after starving himself and refusing medical treatment.
But prison officials had been forced to feed him through a tube.
On Thursday his lawyer said Ibrahim has begun eating `sweet breads
and taking nutritional supplements` and that he had gained 13
pounds up from 85.
Defense Attorney Michael Hueston requested he be moved to another
facility and Judge Dora Lizette Irizarry agreed. She ordered
the government to coordinate the transfer to prevent a relapse.
Ibrahim and three others Russell Defreitas, Adbel Nur and
Abdul Kadir, are charged with conspiring to attack the JFK Airport
in 2007 by planting explosives to blow up the airport's major
jet-fuel supply tanks and pipeline.
|
Haitian Found
Guilty Of Bank Fraud |
CaribWorldNews, HARTFORD,
CT., Thurs. Dec. 11, 2008:
A 43-year-old Haitian national has pleaded guilty to federal
bank fraud charges.
Jean Andre Aine, of Brooklyn, admitted that he stole checks at
the Navy Federal Credit Union in Groton, Connecticut.
The fraud was part of a scheme that involved cashing stolen federal
tax refund checks at the Navy Federal Credit Union and the federal
prosecutor says Aine convinced others to cash federal tax refund
checks. Aine faces up to 30 years in prison.
|
Census Figures
Show Only Paltry Growth Among Caribbean Nationals |
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK,
NY, Weds. Dec. 9, 2009: People
of West Indian ancestry in the U.S. continue to register only
paltry growth, according to the U.S. Census` latest figures.
The latest sampling report of the American Community Survey puts
West Indian non-Hispanics at a mere 2,391,604 nationally for
the period 2005-2007. That's compared to 2,233,125 in 2005, according
to the ACS sampling. Guyanese, who are counted as a separate
group, are put at 202,759.
But many nationals believe the numbers listed in the latest American
Community Survey report are very wrong, especially when compared
to New York City figures, which show a conservative count of
813,515 Caribbean nationals across the city alone.
Patrick Beckford, President of the northeast Jamaican Diaspora
called the numbers `a gross undercount.` While Chuck Mohan of
the Guyanese American Workers United group in New York, says
Caribbean nationals across the city alone number close to or
more than the national figures put out by the Census Bureau.
`These figures show why it is necessary that we get counted as
a separate group in the Census,` said Mohan. `It is urgent if
we are to truly get an accurate count of our community since
a lot of Indo-Caribbean now count as Asians while Afro-Caribbean
count as African Americans, so the true number of West Indians
is not known because there is no way to self-identify.`
 Beckford agreed.
`This basically highlights the point of why we need CARIBID,
the movement to get an origins category of the U.S. Census form,`
said Beckford. `Given the many ethnicities of the Caribbean there
is only one way to accurately count this community and that is
with a true self-identifying category. Congressional representatives
and especially Congresswoman Yvette Clarke who represents the
large Caribbean populated district of Brooklyn should urgently
take up this issue so we can get a better count of all Caribbean
people.`
Bruno Gaston, a journalist in Atlanta and a second generation
Caribbean, agrees with Mohan and Beckford that the number cannot
be `accurate.`
`The growth is clearly visible in Atlanta and the growth has
never subsided in South Florida where I grew up,` said Gaston,
while supporting the call for CARIBID.
`The black experience has blinded many second generation Caribbeans
like me from self-identifying as Caribbean but we have to be
careful that we not lose our own identity,` said Gaston. `Our
children and grand children need to have these values instilled
in them and federal self-identification is a big first step.
We have to do this to ensure our legacy to this country is remembered,
honored and cherished.`
`CaribID2010,` a movement initiated by Hard Beat Communications`
Felicia Persaud, is a gigantic effort to get Caribbeans from
the English, Dutch and French-speaking Caribbean, who have no
way now of self-identifying themselves on the U.S. Census form,
secure a category.
Irwine Clare, of the Caribbean Immigrants Services, and Sherra
Pierre Marche, of CbeanMedia.tv, co-initiators in the effort,
insist the economic, political and social importance of the Census
is part of the main reason why Caribbeans should be accurately
counted by the U.S. Census.
The movement is lobbying for a bill to be introduced in Congress
to push for a single line to be added to the U.S. Census form,
calling for a Caribbean origins category.
Nationals who number millions across the U.S. and are from English,
Dutch and French-speaking Caribbean nations are now forced to
choose between checking the box misidentifying themselves as
either African American, Asian American or Hispanic or simply
as other. For more on CARIBID log on to www.caribid2010.com.
The `discriminatory` move keeps the community undercounted, under
empowered and disrespected, says Persaud, as they remain invisible
to mainstream Americans.
Meanwhile, the new ACS Survey claims forty seven percent of the
West Indians nationally, according to the Census, are men, compared
to 53 percent of women. Most are 35-64 and are married with families.
Many are also naturalized citizens with a minimum of a high school
education who are employed in the management or service sector;
own their own homes and earn a median income of $46,000 annually.
|
Florida Sherriff
Warns Of Jamaican Lottery Scam |
CaribWorldNews, LEE COUNTY,
Fl., Weds. Dec. 10, 2008: The
Jamaican Lottery Scam is reportedly re-emerging in Southwest
Florida, with several people falling victims.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said that in recent weeks, several
Lee County residents have been contacted by people purporting
to be representatives of `Global International.`
Residents are told they have won $2 million or $3 million in
the Jamaican Lottery. The catch, of course, is that the `lucky`
residents have to wire money in order to receive the documents
needed to claim their `winnings.` The victims then receive calls
from several individuals, each claiming they need money to ensure
delivery of the necessary `documents.` Once the money is wired,
the victim receives a variety of excuses why the important `documents`
aren't being delivered, such as a sick child, etc.
One local victim lost $18,000 in this scam, while another wired
between $40,000 and $70,000 to strangers over the past two months,
the Lee County Sheriff's Office said, while issuing a warning
to residents.
`Never, ever send money to someone on the premise that you've
won a bunch of money or some type of lottery,` warned Detective
John Scheall of the Lee County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes
Unit. `Any legitimate lottery is not going to ask people for
money upfront before paying them their winnings. If you're contacted
and asked to pay money to collect money, hang up immediately...and
save yourself a lot of money and heartache.`
|
Dominican Republic
Consular Employee Accused Of Migrant Smuggling |
 CaribWorldNews,
NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Dec. 9, 2008: An employee at the Consulate
of the Dominican Republic in New York City has been arrested
on charges of migrant smuggling.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested
48 year-old, Francisco Estevez, also known as "Danilo,"
on charges of using his family's passports and consular visas
to bring dozens of illegal aliens into the United States from
the Dominican Republic during 2007 through 2008.
According to the indictment unsealed Monday in Manhattan federal
court, as a full-time employee at a consular post, Estevez held
a diplomatic visa that allowed him and his family members-his
mother, wife, and six children-to enter and reside in the United
States. In addition, he and his family were entitled to receive
expedited process at passport control at the airport.
Commencing in approximately October 2007, up to and including
July 2008, Estevez allegedly took advantage of his A-2 visa status
to smuggle into the United States numerous Dominican nationals
who posed as members of Estevez's family, using the family's
passports and A-2 visas. Estevez made on average two trips per
month to the Dominican Republic to identify aliens who could
pose as members of his family and charged each alien approximately
$10,000 to bring the migrants into the country illegally.
Estevez is charged with two counts of alien smuggling and if
convicted, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He
was arrested Friday upon his entry into the United States and
is scheduled appear today before a United States Magistrate Judge
in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
|
Cuban-Americans
Now Favor Ending U.S. Embargo |
CaribWorldNews, MIAMI,
Fl, Tues. Dec. 9, 2008:
On a day when CARICOM leaders issued a call for an end to the
Cuban embargo, a new poll in Miami showed that a majority of
Cuban-Americans now favor ending the U.S. embargo as well.
 The poll by Florida
International University shows that for the first time in the
survey's 17-year-history, fifty-five percent of those asked supported
a change in the decades old policy. The majority of those supporting
the lifting of the 1962 law are largely between ages 18-44, second
generation
Cubans born in the U.S. and registered voters. Some 65 percent
favored ending current restrictions on sending money to Cuba
while a majority also supported ending the current restrictions
on travel to Cuba, both issue that President Barack Obama has
talked about changing.
The survey was done by the Institute for Public Opinion Research
of Florida International University among 800 randomly selected
Cuban-American respondents were polled in Miami-Dade County,
Florida. Five hundred interviews were done to land-line phones
and 300 to cell phones. The survey was done in Spanish and English
with all bilingual interviewers. Interviews were completed on
December 1, 2008.
Most also said they did not think the new Cuban President, who
replaced his brother, Fidel Castro in the post, will bring much
change.
Raul Castro has insisted his country survived the U.S. embargo
for 50 years and they are prepared to survive it another 50.
On Monday, Current CARICOM Chair, Antigua & Barbuda's Prime
Minister Baldwin Spencer, said he hoped the US embargo would
finally be `relegated to history.`
`As we gather today in Cuba, the economic, commercial and financial
embargo imposed by the United States of America is still in place,`
Spencer told the gathering of 14 CARICOM leaders in Santiago
de Cuba. `The Caribbean community hopes that the transformational
change which is underway in the United States will finally relegate
that measure to history.`
|
Haitian Freed
In Liberty City 7 Case Ordered Deported |
CARIBWORLDNEWS, MIAMI,
FL, MON. DEC. 8, 2008:
A Haitian Man who beat a terrorism conspiracy charge has now
been ordered deported from the U.S.
Lyglenson Lemorin was ordered deported back to Haiti on Friday
as an immigration judge ruled that he did provide ''material
support'' to a group he knew had plans for attacks against the
U.S.
Judge Kenneth Hurwitz said Lemorin's knowledge of surveillance,
along with his pledging a contested ''oath'' to al Qaeda, was
sufficient to classify him as a terrorist supporter, even though
the judge he was ''technically'' not a member or supporter of
al Qaeda.
Lemorin was accused in 2006 of being part of a terror plot that
conspired to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago and Miami's FBI
building. But he was acquitted of the criminal charges last December
after a federal jury decided he was only marginally involved
in the Liberty City 7, as the group came to be known.
Lemorin`s attorney, Charles Kuck, is set to appeal the judge`s
ruling, leaving the Haitian migrant languishing in detention.
|
Convicted Drug
Dealer For Deportation To Trinidad |
CaribWorldNews, MIAMI,
Fl, Mon. Dec. 8, 2008: A
man who was convicted of drug trafficking in the U.S. in July
of 2006 is set to be returned to his Trinidad and Tobago homeland.
Ray Nurse was arrested Friday on a charge of Violation of Community
ControlSale of Crack Cocaine and of his criminal record
which makes him deportable.
Nurse originally entered the United States legally with a visa
that allowed him to stay until April of 2006. But when his visa
expired, he stayed on and ended up becoming a drug dealer.
He was convicted at trial in 2006 and received probation. But
he recently violated his probation and was placed on Community
Control. He subsequently violated that and a warrant was issued
for his arrest.
Nurse is currently in detention in Orlando awaiting deportation
back to T&T.
|
Barbados defends
human rights record |
GENEVA, Switzerland,
December 5, 2008: Barbados
has made it clear to the United Nations that it will keep the
death penalty and maintain its position on keeping prostitution
and homosexuality illegal.
Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and
Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler asserted that position
as he defended Barbados's human rights record before the United
Nations Human Rights Council's  Universal
Periodic Review process this week.
In a presentation hailed by the President of the Council and
other members as "outstanding and refreshingly complete"
Mr Sinckler argued that the government had neither mission nor
mandate from the people of Barbados to abolish the death penalty
as was being called for by a number of member countries of the
Council.
"It is a part of the legal system of Barbados and would
remain so until further notice, but obviously there was not a
clear desire in the country for abolition of the death penalty,"
he said.
However, he indicated that the David Thompson administration
had begun to engage, at the level of the Attorney General's Office,
an internal examination of existing domestic laws making the
imposition of the death penalty mandatory in cases of murder
and treason. This, he conceded, was in contravention of some
human rights obligations to which Barbados was subject, and assured
that it would be reviewed holistically.
The Minister was equally as firm in defending the country's maintenance
of laws criminalising homosexuality and prostitution.
"Government does not intend to consider any recommendations
to legalise homosexuality, prostitution, or allow for the distribution
of condoms in prison until such time as a full and proper national
discourse on the issues can be engaged," he said.
Mr Sinckler also stoutly defended interventions which raised
questions about the professionalism of the Royal Barbados Police
Force (RBPF), saying that it had one of the best reputations
for fairness, transparency, and professionalism in the world.
He also dismissed views from some quarters that there was widespread
national discontent with the image and professionalism of the
country's security forces.
Mr Sinckler further highlighted the existence of a new independent
Police Complaints Authority, as well as the Office of The Coroner,
which had jurisdiction to review and investigate actions of the
police at varying levels, as a further effort by Barbados to
ensure due process for citizens.
The Universal Periodic Review of Barbados's human rights situation
ends today, after Minister Sinckler fields additional questions
from member states and issues his closing remarks on the process.
|
Defense Vs.
Defense In Case Of Accused Guyana Drug Dealer |
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK,
NY, Fri. Dec. 5, 2008:
The case of accused Guyana drug dealer Shaheed `Roger` Khan has
gotten weirder with the current attorneys for Khan turning again
his former defense attorney.
Steven L. Brounstein, the new lawyer for Khan, wants a judge
to deny a request by the Guyanese businessman`s former lawyer,
Robert Simels, for access to information in the case that could
help Simels in his witness tampering case.
Simels, a top New
York attorney, had represented Khan up to September, when he
was nabbed by federal prosecutors on charges that he planned
to `eliminate` witnesses who would testify against Khan.
Brounstein, of Papa, Depaola And Brounstein, wants Judge John
Gleeson to now deny a request by Simels to access information
he gleaned in preparing his defense of Khan.
`This material was gathered for the purpose of defending Mr.
Khan against the very serious allegations he faces,` argues Brounstein.
`Exposure of that information and material to any third party
seriously jeopardizes Mr. Khan's ability to defend himself.`
Brounstein further argues that `exposure and later use at Mr.
Simels' trial would provide to the government a road map of Mr.
Khan's defense and undermine his ability to present evidence
in his own behalf against the very serious charges and possible
life sentence that he faces.`
Khan faces a twenty year mandatory minimum and a maximum of life
imprisonment if convicted of charges that he participated in
a continuing criminal enterprise involving the importation and
distribution of cocaine in the United States. He has been jailed
in New York since 2006.
Brounstein claims any disclosure of the information sought by
Simels, who represented Khan prior to his September arrest, will
violate the attorney-client privilege and should be denied. He,
however, concedes, that the information can be made available
once Khan's narcotics matter has been resolved.
|
Family With
Caribbean Roots Remember Horrors Of Mumbai Attack |
CaribWorldNews, MIAMI,
FL, Fri. Dec. 5, 2008:
Maxine and Luis Allen had always wanted to visit India. The Maitland,
Florida couple, both of whom have Caribbean roots, have friends
from India, like Indian food and textiles and overall find the
country fascinating.
But what started out as a highly anticipated family trip turned
into a nightmare as the couple and their two sons found themselves
trapped in a hotel with a group of terrorists' intent on exterminating
everyone in their path.
Scattering their belongings around their hotel room to feign
a hasty retreat, the family spent 48-terrifying hours huddled
under a king-sized bed at Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel, afraid even
a whisper would attract certain death.
`It's a miracle I'm talking to you tonight,` Mrs. Allen told
CWNN.
 Mumbai was one of
several Indian cities that the family, which also includes 13-year-old
Brandon and 10-year-old Jonathan, had planned to visit during
a seven day excursion to India, said the Belize-born Maxine Allen,
whose husband has Panamanian and Jamaican roots.
But the dream vacation began to turn into a nightmare Wednesday
night after a visit to the hotel's fabled swimming pool.
Upon returning to their second-floor room, they at first thought
they were hearing fireworks, but soon realized it was gunfire
and hand grenades.
They thought initially that two factions were using the hotel
to settle their differences.
But soon they realized it was much worse than that.
`We heard this woman screaming at this man yelling 'no, no no
followed by a barrage of bullets, then it sounded like people
kicking or breaking doors down,` said Maxine Allen. `It sounded
like they were pulling people out and shooting them.`
The family became even more fearful after hearing news reports
on Luis Allen's I-phone that the terrorists were looking for
people with U.S. and British passports, recalled Maxine Allen.
Maxine Allen, who carried the family's passports in a pouch hung
from a chain around her neck, quickly hid them by tucking them
under her blouse and into her pants.
Unable to call out on the I-phone, they began to text message,
family, friends and the U.S. Embassy or help.
On the advice of a woman calling from another Taj Mahal hotel
in the city, they unplugged the room phones so they wouldn't
ring.
They then piled under the bed, with Brandon and Jonathan in the
middle so that they might escape the killers - even if their
parents didn't.
`I said, 'this is the position you are in when you're in a coffin,'
` Mrs. Allen said.
The family climbed out from the bed occasionally to stretch and
to grab snacks from the hotel mini-bar.
But the boys mostly slept `like they were sedated` through the
ordeal. `That's exactly what you needed, quiet. Even whispering
was dangerous,` she added.
Brandon Allen said he was initially terrified. `The shooting
was going on around us, my body was in shock the first day,`
he recalled. `Then the shock started to wear off and I started
not to worry as much.`
On Friday night Mumbai's chief of police called them, saying
commandos were on the way. When heavily-armed commandos finally
arrived, they avoided the main staircase, carefully leading the
family downstairs via a rear staircase, Maxine Allen said.
They left the hotel through the kitchen. `That's where they (the
terrorists) first came in so there was a lot of blood everywhere,
but thankfully no bodies,` said Brandon Allen.
Brandon Allen said he is somewhat afraid of the dark after the
experience.
His mother said her priorities have changed.
`There will be the time before Mumbai and the time after Mumbai,`
she said. `The things that used to bother you really don't matter.
What matters is that your family is together.` - By Kirk Jackson/CWNN
|
New York Governor
Takes Blame For Haiti Aid Delay |
 CaribWorldNews,
NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Dec. 5, 2008: `This situation has been
messed up. The fault lies with me.''
That`s the admission of New York`s Governor David Paterson, who
on Thursday took the blame for the lengthy delay in the delivery
of donated food, water and clothing to victims of hurricanes
in Haiti.
Paterson`s response came following a complaint from Brooklyn
Borough President Marty Markowitz, who said donations meant for
the victims of the floods in Haiti, which occurred in August,
have yet to be delivered.
The aid collection by the state began more than 10 weeks ago
as Haitians in the Caribbean nation struggled with the impact
of back-to-back floods.
`The supplies should have been there in two weeks,` the governor,
who has Caribbean roots and trekked to two Caribbean nations
last month, said. `We apologize to the people of Haiti. We didn't
come through. We're going to do so now.`
He added that the deliveries will now be expedited to Haiti.
|
Family Of Haitian
American Slaps Lawsuit On Wal-Mart |
 CaribWorldNews, BRONX, NY, Thurs. Dec. 4, 2008: The sister of the 34-year-old Haitian
American trampled to death in Long Island by Wal-Mart shoppers
last Friday, have slapped a lawsuit on the retail giant.
Attorney Jordan Hecht of the Hecht, Kleeger, Pintel and Damashek
Law Firm filed the suit in the Bronx Supreme Court on Wednesday
on behalf of Elsie Damour Phillipe, the surviving sister of Jdimytai
Damour.
The suit alleges Damour died as a result of `the carelessness,
recklessness negligence, wanton disregard for public safety and
gross negligence of the defendants ... in the staging, conducting
and advertising for sales events.` No dollar amount was listed.
Wal-Mart, Green Acres Mall in Nassau County, N.Y., Vornado Realty
Trust and Securitas Security Services USA are all named in the
suit. The family also filed notice that Nassau County, on Long
Island, and its police department will be sued.
Funeral arrangements for Damour, 34, are still up in the air.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has not yet commented on the lawsuit but
on Friday called the incident a `tragic situation` and said it
had tried to prepare for the crowd by adding staffers and outside
security workers.
Nassau County Police Commissioner, Lawrence Mulvey, told reporters
on Monday that temporary worker Damour, of Queens, died of `positional
asphyxiation.`
`He was trampled to death,` Mulvey added. Damour was in a vestibule
of the Green Acres mall, Valley Stream store early on the day
ironically dubbed `Black Friday,` when hundreds of bargain crazed
shoppers broke through the exterior doors, knocked down Damour
and stepped over him, police said.
|
Brooklyn Man
Faces Murder Charge In Death of Caribbean Bus Driver |
 CaribWorldNews,
BROOKLYN, NY, Thurs. Dec. 4, 2008: A 20-year-old ex-con was
on Wednesday arraigned on second degree murder charges in the
death of a 46-year-old Haitian bus driver.
Horace D. Moore, of 1327 Park Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
has confessed to the Monday killing of Edwin Thomas, police said.
He is being held without bail.
He was taken into custody at 11:30 p.m. on Monday at the home
of his girlfriend in Brownsville, Brooklyn, the police said.
He was taken to the 81st Precinct station house for questioning,
and witnesses picked him out of a lineup. Moore has a rap sheet
that includes previous arrests for weapons possession and assault
charges.
Thomas was driving the B46 route when Moore allegely boarded
the northbound bus at Fulton Street. He inserted an invalid MetroCard
but despite the rejection walked to the back of the bus. Thomas
apparently said nothing to avoid a confrontation. But when he
asked for a transfer at Gates Avenue, the driver refused, telling
him according to police, he did not pay and was not entitled
to one.
Moore reportedly got angry and punched Thomas twice in the head
and then stepped off the bus. But as Thomas was about to close
the door behind him, Moore allegedly turned suddenly, stepped
back onto the bus, pulled out a knife and stabbed the Caribbean
immigrant repeatedly in the chest and torso.
He then ran off the bus and down the block with two passengers
on his heels. But the two soon lost him.
Thomas was fatally stabbed by the passenger at a bus stop on
Malcolm X Boulevard at Gates Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant
section of Brooklyn shortly after 12:30 p.m. Monday. He died
minutes later at the Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center.
New York City Transit officials said it was the first slaying
of a city bus driver in more than 27 years. |
|
