NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUN 30 – JUL 6, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 26
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
JULY 28 – JULY 31
JOIN ME AT THE PARK!
Win Tickets! See back page for details
CARIBBEAN
SIMSPON MILLER MAY FACE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
PAGE A4
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY PRIDE AT CARIBBEAN VILLAGE 2016 PAGE B5
ENTERTAINMENT
FREDDIE MCGREGOR “TRUE TO MY ROOTS” LAUNCHES IN MIRAMAR
PAGE B3
SPORTS
CPL LAUNCHES GAMES IN SOUTH FLORIDA
PAGE B7
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
I N
F L O R I D A
WATCH IT. READ IT. LOVE IT. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
Florida records rst case of microcephaly Baby born from Caribbean mom infected with Zika The Florida Department of Health has reported the first baby in the state with the birth defect microcephaly, related to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, was born this past week in South Florida. According to the reports, the baby was born to a Haitian woman who had contracted the virus and who travelled to South Florida to give birth. This is only the third case of a microcephaly related birth in the U.S., with other reported incidents in New Jersey and Hawaii. According to health officials, there are 232 confirmed Zika virus cases in Florida, including 41 pregnant women. Miami-Dade County leads with 68 confirmed cases, followed by Broward County with 32. All these cases, however involve people who contracted the disease outside the U.S. Meanwhile, Florida's Health Department and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta have issued several alerts cautioning women about the potential dangers to pregnant women from the disease. Since the Zika virus emerged in South Florida last year, state health officials and doctors have been concerned about conditions in the region which could enable its spread. The disease is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is prevalent in South Florida. In response, counties continues on B4 – Microcephaly
Performing at the White House
Former "The Voice" contestant Anita Antoine e performs at the White House during the recent recep on for CaribbeanAmerican Legisla ve Week in Washington D.C.
Millennials focus at Caribbean-American Legislative Week The future of the Diaspora community marked the major focus of this past Caribbean-American Legislative week in Washington D.C., as Caribbean Millennial delegates advocated for the next generation. continues on B6 – Next gen millenials
ORLANDO
Seeking a Game Change Jamaican foreign minister seeks improvement in Jamaican Diaspora issues Jamaica's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has pointed to the need for the passage of a National Consular Policy to improve the relationship between the government the Diaspora. In an interview with Caribbean National Weekly, Johnson Smith, who was in Orlando this past weekend at the Jamaica Diaspora Summit, said the policy recently approved by the Cabinet demonstrates the Andrew Holness-led administration's dedication to create a Diaspora network connected to their homeland in the “real way.” “This will not only standardize the level of service at overseas missions and headquarters; I want a network that will feel a part of Jamaican
Kamina Johnson Smith with Consul General Franz Hall
culture, food, language – even if they live overseas,” said the Minister. “Information needs to be readily available. I want overseas missions understanding that the level and standard of service provided to Jamaicans who live overseas is of real importance to the people of Jamaica.”
Johnson Smith, however, noted the dire need for improvement in many areas, highlighting some progress in the establishment of the Economic Growth council, chaired by investor Michael Lee Chin. “In the upcoming months, Lee Chin will embark on a road show to share the vision and to apprise the Diaspora of a range of investment opportunities as well as any other mechanisms and protocol.” The issue of the Diaspora's involvement in Jamaica's political affairs is another that has been at the forefront of discussions for several years. According to Johnson Smith, this issue isn't being ignored by the present administration. Accordingly, she's determined to look at reestablishing the Joint Select Committee on continues on B4 – Game change