Caribbean National Weekly October 21, 2021

THE MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED CARIBBEAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN FLORIDA

CNWEEKLYNEWS.COM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21, 2021

TOP STORIES Elaine ThompsonHerah Conrms Split from MVP Track Club

LEADERS REMEMBER JAMAICAN-AMERICAN TRAILBLAZER

COLIN POWELL

Under-pressure Chris Gayle Fails Again in Windies Warm-up Defeat

Kelis Is Back In Tasty New Music Video ‘Midnight Snacks’

Caribbean leaders from across the diaspora have paid tribute to JamaicanAmerican General Colin Powell, a highly-respected national security trailblazer, who died on October 18, at 84.

Dwayne Bravo and CSK Win Fourth Title

continues on B4

Jamaican Gov’t Revokes Al Miller’s National Award

Dale Holness Your Man For Congress A crowded field of 11 candidates will be contesting the November 2 Democratic primary election to select the nominee to represent the Democratic Party in the January 11 elections to fill the Florida US District 20 congressional seat vacated by the death of US Congressman Alcee Hastings earlier this year.

CNW Political News In the district that encompasses portions of Broward and Palm Beach County, 52 percent of the population consists of African and Caribbean Americans. It's therefore not surprising that all eleven candidates are black, but only one, former Broward Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness is a descendant of the English-speaking Caribbean which represents some 30 percent of the district's population.

We are confident that Dale Holness based on his years of experience as an elected official in Broward County, and his continues on A9 – Holness for Congress

Trinidad PM Brushes Aside Move by Opposition Leader to Impeach President

Maragh and Joseph Grab the Headlines at Gulfstream Park

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

LA SECTION HAITIENNE

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

Sculptor Basil Watson to Design UK's National Windrush Monument A3

Haiti Gang Seeks $1M each for Kidnapped US Missionaries A7

DJ GQ, Casely, & Byron Salas Set For Reggae Girlz Pre-Game Show C1

The Reggae Girlz Arrive for Match Against Costa Rica C3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2

Jamaican government ministers pay a visit to Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Aubrey Marks (center) during a recent trip to Washington D.C. From le : Minister of Science, Energy and technology Daryl Vaz, Minister without Por olio in the Na onal Security Ministry Ma hew Samuda, Ambassador Marks, Senator Aubyn Hill and Minister of Educa on and Informa on, Faylval Williams. – Contributed

Jamaican-American Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mo ley on October 13, 2021, to discuss the United States' rela onship with the Caribbean, COVID-19 relief efforts, climate change and other important issues. Photo: Barbados Embassy

Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam hosts the Hispanic Business Awards at the Miramar Cultural Center Artspark on October 14, 2021, in celebra on of #HispanicHeritageMonth this October. Photo: AJ Shorter Photography

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (le ), lays a floral tribute at the shrine of Na onal Hero, the Rt. Excellent Alexander Bustamante, at Na onal Heroes Park in Kingston. Guiding the proceedings is Chief of State Protocol in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Sandra Grant Griffiths. The event forms part of ac vi es commemora ng Na onal Heroes Day being observed on Monday (October 18). – Contributed

Donovan White, director of tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board (le ) celebrates success at the World Travel Awards on October 18, with Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartle .

Jamaica won several awards including top Caribbean des na on. – Contributed

Jamaica's Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia "Babsy" Grange (right) unveils a new sign in Top Coffee Grove, Manchester dedicated to Jamaican Olympian 800-meter runner Natoya Goule. The road in the Olympian's na ve community was also renamed "Natoya Goule Avenue". – Contributed

Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith takes a selfie with the Jamaican ice hockey team a er their win against Argen na at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs on October 16, 2021. – Contributed

Miramar Vice Mayor Yve e Colbourne (le ) and Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis a end the 'Art In The Go' event at the MCC Ansin Family Art Gallery on October 16, 2021. – Contributed

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MARIJUANA.

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

A3

NEWSMAKER

Sculptor Basil Watson to Design UK's National Windrush Monument Renowned Jamaican sculptor and painter, Basil Watson has been chosen to design the United Kingdom's National Windrush Monument, which will stand at London Waterloo station. He was selected from a group of four artists, all of whom are of Caribbean heritage.

The monument, which is backed by £1 million of government funding, will pay tribute to the Windrush generation of Caribbean migrants, who arrived in Britain after the Second World War and the generations that followed over the years.

The UK government says the monument delivers on a manifesto commitment that aligns with the nation's Black History Month celebrations. It is expected to be unveiled on Windrush Day 2022, on June 22.

UK Communities Minister Kemi Badenoch MP, congratulated Watson on being selected, saying the government was very pleased to sponsor the monument.

“His design will celebrate and honour the contribution of the Windrush generation, right at the centre of our nation's capital. The Monument will become a perma-

“I feel privileged that I now have this opportunity to express the aspirations, vision and courage of my parents, who took the long sea voyage to England in 1952 as part of that Windrush generation in search of a brighter future.” – Watson A rendered image of how the statue will look at Waterloo Station in London

nent place of reflection and inspiration for all, reminding us of our shared history and heritage,” he said.

Basil Watson has designed public sculptures and monuments across the world including statues of Martin Luther King Jr, Usain Bolt and Merlene Ottey. This will be his first public artwork in the United

Kingdom, where he lived for part of his childhood with his family, who are part of the Windrush generation.

Basil Watson was born in Kingston in 1958. He is the son of Jamaican painter Barrington Watson, and the younger brother of sculptor Raymond Watson.

“My father being an artist/painter I grew up around art and

at an early age, I developed a love for drawing that only grew through high school. From high school, I went directly to college to study art, and that's where I found sculpture,” Watson was quoted as saying.

He attended the Kingston College High School in Kingston and then later, the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts located in Kingston.

After leaving university, Watson quickly established himself as one of Jamaica's most talented artists. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he sculpted works including the George Headley statue at Sabina Park in Kingston, and other statues at the University of Technology and the Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica.

He immigrated to the Georgia in 2002 and established his studio in Atlanta, from which he has created public works for international locations including China, Guatemala, and the USA. Watson said that he was honored to be chosen to design the monument in the UK. “I feel privileged that I now have this opportunity to express the aspirations, vision and courage of my parents, who took the long sea voyage to England in 1952 as part of that Windrush generation in search of a brighter future. I look forward to bringing my design to life, because I know how much this means to the Windrush community,” Watson said.

Basil, who was awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2016 by the Jamaican government in recognition of his artistic accomplishment, will now begin work to convert his maquette into the 12-foot-high bronze monument.

LOG ON TO cnweeklynews.com

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CARIBBEAN Bahamas Opposition Leader Critical of New Government's Response to COVID The leader of the Bahamas opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Dr. Hubert Minnis, is calling on the new government of Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis to “articulate and execute comprehensive public health measures” as he criticized the new administration of leading “a disastrous, incompetent and chaotic” response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement, Minnis, whose FNM administration lost the September 16 general elections by a 32-7 margin, Minnis said the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government's response is “uncaring and indifferent to the pain and suffering of those who are getting sick and their families.

“As he did in opposition, Prime Minister Philip Davis clearly does not have an understanding of nor a plan as to how to respond to the deadly virus, as more Bahamians are dying daily from the virus,” said Minnis, a medical practitioner.

“With mounting deaths, outbreaks on various islands and the Bahamian public frightened that the number of cases may increase in the near future, the government has failed to articulate and execute comprehensive public health measures.

“The PLP promised that it had a plan and a way forward on the pandemic. Tragically, there is no plan as promised. They do not have a way forward.”

Minnis said that his administration had sought to bring balance by saving and protecting lives and livelihoods and that it had “quickly put in place comprehensive measures to limit outbreaks on the Family Islands.

“We also regularly reported to the country through national addresses, press conferences and press statements. What is the current government's strategy to deal with outbreaks throughout the Family Islands? What is the capacity for airlift if the number of severe cases increases significantly throughout the Family Islands?”

Minnis is calling on his successor to address the country on the measures his administration will take “to remedy a variety of matters related to the pandemic”.

St. Lucia PM to Lift State of Emergency Prime Minister of St Lucia, Phillip J Pierre has announced an end to the existing state of emergency (SOE) that had been put in place by the last administration to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“On October 16, the state of emergency will end and will not be reinstated,” Pierre said, acknowledging that some of the existing protocols would remain in place until the end of the month.

He said while the science validates the restriction of movement of people has led to a decline in the number of COVID-19 positive cases, however 'these restrictions come great personal challenges.

'As we strive to find the right balance between securing some level of normality in our daily lives and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 virus looks like it will be with us for the foreseeable future and we must therefore commence the process of living with that reality while taking the necessary measures to avoid a dysfunctional society,” Pierre said in a radio and television broadcast on Thursday night.

He said, however, the restrictions to the opening of business hours where citizens meet for socializing will be maintained to assist Pierre

continues on B4 – St. Lucia SOE

Trinidad PM Brushes Aside Move by Opposition Leader to Impeach President Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley brushed aside efforts by the Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar to remove President Paula Mae Weekes from office, announcing also that over a year ago he had written to the Police Service Commission (PSC) indicating that he had lost confidence in then-Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.

“What exactly has the President of Trinidad and Tobago done that warrants impeachment? I am not here talking about a story in the newspapers about who visits whom, what might have been said, if it was

so, it seems so, or I think so.

“I am here talking to the population to tell me specifically what do you know that the President of Trinidad and Tobago has done that requires impeachment,” Rowley told a news conference, adding that he is aware of the requirements being made for him to resign because it “is an ongoing requirement where the Opposition Leader is concerned.

“So let’s impeach the President. She and her 19 imps, pimps and chimps, they put their name on a list and will come to the Parliament and debate the conduct of the President. It is for good reason that our

Constitution says that the action of the President cannot be queried in a court of law because they want to save us from ourselves.

‘But the Opposition Leader wants to get around that by bringing the President’s name into the Parliament in a substantive motion so that she and her imps, pimps and chimps can scandalise the President in the worst way,” Rowley said, telling reporters that the ruling People’s National Movement “we will have none of it.

‘She has no idea what the Constitution says. Walking around this country selfappointed Senior Counsel talking about continues on B4 – Impeachment

FREIGHT CONSOLIDATORS

l a i c e p S s a Christm BARRELS 3! pay FOR ING BR

4

GET 1 FREE! Mon to Thur: 9am - 5pm Fri: 9am - 4pm Mon to Fri: 11am - 7pm Sat & Sun: 10am - 6pm

Tuesday 9am - 6pm Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm Mon & Tue: 9am - 6pm Wed: 9am - 7pm Thur: 9am - 8pm Fri: 9am -5pm

Best Service & Fastest Turnaround Times

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

Talk Up!

TALKUP

Should Corporal Punishment Be Banned?

The Jamaican government is moving forward with legislation that would ban corporal punishment. Earlier this year, several reports of abuse against children sparked outrage in the Jamaican society; with one particular incident - a four-year-old boy who was beaten to death for eating too slowly in July - being the trigger for the legislation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said there is a link to corporal punishment and violent behavior in adults.

He proposed that parents be fined for even slapping their children.

Junior Minister in the Ministry of Education, Robert Morgan said his ministry will soon introduced the legislation to parliament and embark on a public education campaign about other ways to discipline children. Corporal punishment is considered a cultural tradition, and thus its potential ban has sparked some controversy. We asked our readers to give their opinions on the ban. Here are the responses: Dr. Nicole Jackson - Until researchers, clinicians, and parents can definitively demonstrate the presence of positive effects of corporal punishment, including effectiveness in halting future misbehavior, not just the absence of negative effects, I don't see the benefits it has for corrective behavior and I can not responsibly condone its use.

Meisha Samuels - The act of corporal punishment itself is different across parents parents vary in how frequently they use it, how forcefully they administer it, how emotionally aroused they are when they do it, and whether they combine it with other techniques. Each of these qualities of corporal punishment can determine which child-mediated processes are activated, and, in turn, which outcomes may be realized.

Savannah Stewart - If parents exercised corporal punishment appropriately (not abusively), then I don't see a problem with it. When I started school, corporal punishment was permissible, but rarely used because most parents spanked their children when they misbehaved.

This practice has largely ceased in the U.S. The behavior of children in the classroom has worsened; they often threaten teachers, not because the teachers have modeled threatening behavior but because students know they can get away with it. Isolation is now used to maintain order, but that really has no effect on certain students. I suppose the same might be true of corporal punishment.

Hakeem Reynolds - Since this is something I grew up with, I have a different take than most Westerners. Is it effective? No doubt. It was very effective on me. And it was very effective on the friends I grew up with. Did it work on everyone?

No, obviously not. But it worked on the vast majority of people. Part of the reason I never felt abused is because corporal punishment was the cultural norm. Everyone got whipped by their parents. In fact, we used to exchange stories of being beaten. Note that I don't use the word spanked. People really do beat their kids. But if you apply the same punishment in a context where it is not culturally-congruent, you will make the kid feel targeted for cruel and unusual punishment.

Daniel Thompson - It depends. The key to effectively giving a discipline spanking is can you make clear to the person you spanked how they can avoid a spanking in the future? And I do think we need to start by remembering that children and teenagers are people. I think a great many people who spank their children or teens or students don't understand either of these ideas.

Roshel Bailey - I don't agree with spanking, hitting, beating or any of that. Yes, we should teach our children that certain actions have consequences, but I don't believe we should teach them that those consequences have to be violent or aggressive. I think corporal punishment has a lot to do with the parent and their inability to do just that - some people don't have the patience or emotional maturity to teach or explain consequences so they would rather hit.

A5

You can also look for us in Jamaica

Dental Place Cosmetix Spa Winchester Business Center 15 Hope Road, Shop #5, Kgn 10 Ph: 876-630-4710 Fax: 876-630-4276

A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

EDITORIAL

Congratulations to President Mason of Barbados Congratulations are in order for current Barbados Governor General, Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, who was elected as the first president of Barbados. She will assume her new office when the country moves to a republican status of government on November 30th.

The 72-year-old will join the ranks of President Paula Mae Weekes of Trinidad and Tobago, as the only two female presidents in Caribbean countries, with a republican system. Her new role does not make her the head of the Barbados government, however. She will continue her job as head of state.

The vote, which was objected by only one legislator in the Barbados government, shows confidence in Dame Sandra's performance as head of state representative for Queen Elizabeth. It also gives her another stroke in her list of firsts. She was the first Barbadian female attorney to have graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School, the first female Court of Appeal Judge of the Supreme Court of Barbados, and the first Barbadian to be appointed as a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). She later became the first female President of CSAT. Born on January 17, 1949, she was educated at the University of the West Indies, before attaining her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree in 1973 from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad. She has also acquired comprehensive training in dispute resolution, having completed courses in Alternative Dispute Resolution at the University of Windsor, Canada and Stitt Field Hendy Houston

In 2005, Dame Sandra Mason was appointed to the Inner Bar of Barbados, as Queen's Counsel. Later that year, she got her appointment as a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, where she served until 2008. She was then sworn in as the rst female Court of Appeal Judge of the Supreme Court of Barbados.

ADR Ltd, the University of the West Indies, and the University of Windsor, Canada.

Dame Sandra began her career as a teacher at the Princess Margaret Secondary School but left the classroom for banking at Barclays Bank. In addition to working for Barclays in Barbados, she also did a stint with the banking giant in Jamaica.

After a brief time as a private attorney, she worked as a Magistrate of the Juvenile and Family Court, while simultaneously tutoring in Family Law at UWI. She served on the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child from its inception in 1991 until 1999, serving both as Chair and Vice-Chair.

The incoming president was also one of two women appointed to the 13-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Commission, charged with evaluating regional integration.

She was President of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT) UK; Chairman of the Community Legal Services Commission; Member of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Member & former Vice Chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Dame Sandra also served as Ambassador to Venezuela, Chile, Colombia and Brazil for the period 1993-1994. Upon her return to Barbados, she was appointed as Chief Magistrate and later became the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In 2005 she was appointed to the Inner Bar of Barbados, as Queen's Counsel. Later that year, she got her appointment as a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, where she served until 2008. She was then sworn in as the first female Court of Appeal Judge of the Supreme Court of Barbados.

Dame Sandra takes an avid interest in reading, playing scrabble, watching cricket and travelling.

However, her greatest achievement is being the mother of son Matthew, who is also an attorney.

We wish her well in her new role, one that is significantly historical for Barbados.

P.O.Box 551712 Davie, FL 33355 advertising@cnweeklynews.com www.cnweeklynews.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com

MANAGING EDITOR Hugh Ferguson hferguson@cnweeklynews.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

EDITORIAL editor@cnweeklynews.com

SPORTS EDITOR Don Anthony sports@cnweeklynews.com

ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION Hugh Ferguson advertising@cnweeklynews.com hferguson@cnweeklynews.com

Tel: 954-739-6618 Fax: 954-765-6199

LOG ON TO FOR MORE

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

A7

la section haitienne

Haiti PM Lays Floral Offering in Memory of Jean-Jacques Dessalines Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry says he has “deposited a floral offering” at a ceremony marking the 125th anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, even as video recordings emerged showing that Henry and other government ministers were forced to retreat after they came under gunfire from a gang on Sunday.

“On the occasion of the 215th anniversary of the assassination, at Pont Rouge, of the illustrious founder of the nation, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, I have just deposited, in memory of the Emperor, a floral offering, at the Altar of the Fatherland where his imperishable remains lie, “ Henry said on his Twitter account.

Haiti's Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry, center, places a bouquet of owers at the independence hero Jean Jacques Dessalines memorial in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Joseph Odelyn)

“To commemorate the 215 years of the assassination of the Emperor Jacques I, this visionary who nourished the majestic dream of freedom and progress, I made a floral

offering on the public square of Marchand Dessalines, the first capital of the free and independent,” he added.

But video recordings published

on social media and other platforms show armed security officials hurrying the government and other officials out of the area as gun shots could be heard.

The videos also showed former policeman, Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue,” the reputed leader of the Gang “G9” dressed in white and surrounded by many hooded and heavily armed men attending the ceremony.

Media reports said that Chérizier had earlier announced that the government officials would not be allowed to enter in Pont-Rouge on October 17.

The videos showed him smiling as he and his followers went to the Emperor's monument, where he placed his floral offering. They also

carried a photo of President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated at his private residence on July 7.

While several people, including former military officials from Colombia, have been detained in connection with the assassination, the Haitian police say they are still searching for the main suspect, Joseph Félix Badio, who once worked at Haiti's Ministry of Justice and at the government's anti-corruption unit.

Last month, the chief prosecutor, Bed-Ford Claude, announced that he asked a judge investigating the assassination of Moise to charge Prime Minister Henry with involvement in the case over alleged phone calls he made to the main suspect.

Haiti Gang Seeks $1M each for Kidnapped US Missionaries A gang that kidnapped 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group demanded $1 million ransom per person, although authorities were not clear whether that amount included the five children being held, a top Haitian official said Tuesday.

The official, who was not authorized to speak to the press, told The Associated Press that someone from the 400 Mawozo gang made the demand Saturday in a call to a leader of the ministry group shortly after the abduction.

A person in contact with the organization, Christian Aid Ministries, confirmed the $1 million per person demand, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. That person spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

The adults range in age from 18 to 48, the children from 8 months to 15 years, according to a statement from the organization on Tuesday. Sixteen of the abductees are Americans and one Canadian.

“This group of workers has been committed to minister throughout poverty-stricken Haiti,” the Ohio-based ministry said, adding that the missionaries worked most recently on a project to help rebuild homes lost in a magnitude-7.2 earthquake that struck on Aug. 14.

The group was returning from visiting an orphanage when it was abducted, the organization said.

Responding to the recent wave of kidnappings, workers staged a protest strike that shuttered businesses, schools and public

SUNDAY DEC. 12

transportation starting Monday. The work stoppage was a new blow to Haiti's anemic economy. Unions and other groups vowed to continue the shutdown indefinitely.

In a peaceful demonstration Tuesday north of Port-au-Prince, dozens of people walked through the streets of Titanyen demanding the

release of the missionaries. Some carried signs that read “Free the Americans” and “No to Kidnapping!”

“They built our schools. They pay our bills,” Zachary Celus said. “They do everything for us.

So now we can't do anything because they kidnapped them.”

Meanwhile, an ongoing fuel shortage worsened, and businesses blamed gangs for blocking roads and gas distribution terminals.

Hundreds of motorcycles zoomed through the streets of Port-au-Prince as the drivers yelled, “If there's no fuel, we're going to burn it all down!”

One protest took place near the prime minister's residence, where police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd demanding fuel.

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY Broward County School Officials Attempting To Fix The District's Enrollment Crisis The Broward County Public School system is dealing with low enrollment numbers after schools were closed because of COVID-19. Officials say there are students they can not locate. They're estimating that a few thousand are missing from their system.

Despite a county population surge in Broward County, more than 10,000 fewer students enrolled in public schools this year than before the pandemic.

For this reason, Broward School teachers and school board members began going door to door in communities to locate missing children.

Dr Rosalind Osgood, the chair of Broward School Board, who has been a part of the weekend event said it is important to have children back in the classroom to get the support they need.

“It's so important to the board that the community work along with us in ensuring that we're in the best position to prepare our students for their future. We believe the best position is to have them in school so they can get the educational and mental health service that they need,” Broward officials have noted that their biggest lost is among students between the age of 5 to 12 years old, who are not yet eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The reengagement community exercise began in September.

LOG ON TO cnweeklynews.com

Restaurants to Participate in #NationalJerkDay Several Jamaican restaurants in South Florida will participate in #NationalJerkDay celebrations in the United States, on Sunday, October 24th.

Jerk Day will bring food connoisseurs and lovers of jerk together to highlight spicy, flavourful jerk dishes, with a dash of history, a pinch of art, and a splash of culture.

To also engage Jerk stakeholders from across the diaspora, Grace Foods has invited local restaurants, Food Trucks and caterers to create and offer Grace-themed dishes with special offers to customers during the week of October 19 - 24. Patrons of participating outlets will savor the experience of its authentic jerk seasonings, coconut water, and Tropical Rhythms.

“We are delighted to support the global

recognition of Jerk cuisine, which we feel is a worthy flag-bearer for the awesome culinary offerings and distinct culture of Jamaica. We encourage all restaurants, foodies and lovers of Caribbean cuisine far and wide to join us in paying tribute to this delicious masterpiece of flavours, which has had such remarkable impact around the world.” says Kimberley Lue Lim, Global Category Manager responsible for Jerk at Grace Foods.

Several restaurants in New York and South Florida will be participating in this initiative. New Yorkers can head over to Island Spice Grill Food Truck, The Door,

Smokehouse, and Miss Lily's to indulge in their jerk offerings.

South Floridians can stop by Donna's Caribbean Restaurants, Island Fusion Grill, Jerk Machine, What a Jerk Food Truck, Dynamic Cuisines Food Truck, Kingston Delight, Dutch Pot, and GoldenKrust to get a taste of delectable jerk goodness.

“Island Fusion Grill made a conscious decision to ensure our vegan meals are the healthiest selections for our guests. We intentionally procure the freshest, locally grown whole food ingredients as a standard operational policy for our company. Our Jerk Coconut Cutlet is a customer favorite because it's tasty, healthy and spices up the tastebuds.

We salute National Jamaican Jerk Day. Come by and celebrate with us.” - Chef Dea, Founder & CEO Island Fusion Grill.

If you're not close to any of these restaurants, you can still participate in the celebrations virtually, by cheffing up your favorite jerk dishes at home and using the #NationalJerkDay hashtag on social media.

Leon County Fined $3.5M for Mandating Vaccines Florida has issued its first fine to a county it says violated a new state law banning coronavirus vaccine mandates and for firing 14 workers who failed to get the shots.

The Florida Department of Health on Tuesday issued the $3.5 million fine for Leon County, home to the state capital, saying the municipality violated Florida’s “vaccine passport” law, which prohibits businesses and governments from requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

“These are people that, presumably, have been serving throughout this whole time and

now all of a sudden they’re basically getting kicked to the curb,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference in St. Pete Beach.

Later, the governor tweeted, “No one should lose their jobs because of COVID shots.”

The law took effect last month and can result in a $5,000 fine per violation. It is being challenged in court and conflicts with a Biden administration order that companies with more than 100 employees require their workers to be vaccinated or face weekly testing.

In a statement, Leon County Administrator Vincent Long said the county believes its vaccination requirement is legally justifiable and necessary to keep people safe.

“The governor’s position in this instance unfortunately appears to be less of a public health strategy and more about political strategy,” he said.

Democratic lawmakers from Tallahassee derided the decision to issue a fine, saying local governments should have the authority to protect their residents as they see fit.

“Unbelievable! We don’t need the state continues on B4 – Fined

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

B1

COMMUNITY

Remembering A Legendary Pastor It is with personal sadness in announcing the death of an emblematic stalwart of the Christian community Pastor Reverend Dr. Wilberforce Alexander Morgan, who suddenly passed away on October 9th, 2021. He would have celebrated the milestone of Ninety-Two Years (92 YRS) old on November 18, 2021; and did not pass up on being vaccinated to serve as a preservation of life.

Dr. Morgan started his education at Excelsior High school in Jamaica and moved through the channel of learning where he ended his professional training in the United States at Brooklyn College. Being an advocate for education and practiced what he preached he completed a master's degree in Education and steadfastly trekked on to completing his

PhD in Ministry.

Concurrently, while nurturing his family, studying in college, Pan American Airlines was blessed to have employed a dedicated employee, who served there for twenty years (20 yrs.). Being the extraordinary human being he was, he was called to Ministry while fully engage in the other tasks to win souls for Jesus Christ. His last assignment ended at Lauderhill Baptist where he led, build, and dedicated his time the church for sixteen years (16 yrs.).

He is survived by his beloved wife Thelma Tyrell Morgan, six of seven children birth to his 1st deceased wife Pamela Morgan: Wilberforce Jnr., Coleen, Milton, Franz, Maxine, Leeroy, one child who passed on before him Eileen Reid; brother Timothy, grand and great

Holness for Congress knowledge of the core needs of residents of the community will serve the district competently, especially in these difficult times.

He has over 17- years experience representing South Floridians in public office. First elected to the City of Lauderhill Commission in 2004, and later a Broward County District 9 Commissioner in 2010, an office he held until he resigned a few months ago to seek the congressional seat. He served Broward County as ViceMayor in 2019, and as Mayor in 2020.

A realtor by profession, throughout his tenure representing South Floridians Holness has focused his policies on business and economic development, affordable housing, education, and immigration.

Among his notable achievements, Holness was the architect of Florida's International Trade & Cultural Expo (FITCE); led the effort to build 120 new and affordable single-family homes in Broward; and successfully championed increased contracting opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses.

As Chairman of Broward Black Elected Officials, Holness devised and implemented the

grandchildren, sons and daughters-in-law, Sister-in-law Marjorie Joy Gale, other relatives, his church family, and hundreds of friends. He was a fearless pastor of pastors, lover of music, classical arts, had a great sense of humor and never lost a game of scrabble. His passing has left an unfillable void in many lives.

We the family wish to express our deepest appreciation for all the prayers, and kindness that has been shown to us in our time of grief.

Pastor Morgan would want us to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day.

Sister Wiggie Washington and church family.

from A1

county's first Broward Black Action Plan. He is also Co-Chair of the United Negro College Fund's Annual Fundraising Luncheon.

As the 2020 Mayor of Broward County, Holness competently guided the county through the drastic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having served regions of District 20 throughout his tenure as an elected officer, Holness is intimately knowledgeable of the district's needs, especially in the areas of economic development, education, healthcare, affordable housing, and immigration. This knowledge will assist him in representing District 20 in the US Congress.

In building his platform to seek voters to elect him to represent District 20, Holness has given assurances he'll follow in Congressman Hasting's footsteps in seeking economic prosperity for the district. He said, residents in the district “can be confident I will bring the money back home to the people in the district to help them grow.” With the economy still in the grips of the effects of COVID-19, Holness' experience is vital in securing the development of the districts business sector, and in securing

well paid, living-wage, jobs for residents.

Referring to his plans to grow the district's business sector, Holness said, “As we continue to rebuild our economy, I can truly say that no one has fought harder for our small, minority, and women-owned business than I have. As the next District Congressman, I will continue to fight to rebuild and mitigate the economic impact from COVID, work to ensure there is a streamlined process to manage the challenges of unemployment. Just as I have over the past 11 years on the Broward County Commission, I will continue to fight for the people of Florida in Broward and Palm Beach Counties as the next Congressman for District 20.”

Affordable housing has become a very serious problem throughout South Florida, as the cost of renting increases. Holness is convinced the key to coping with the problems is to create home ownership opportunities for residents. “I will work to ensure congress provide affordable housing for all people,” he said, “so opportunities are provided for homeownership to everyone who wants to be a homeowner. I plan to work with communities

within the district to expand the number of First Time Home-buyer Workshops while expanding and enhancing participation in homeownership training/mentoring. I plan to foster and identify construction opportunities with local municipalities on vacant lots, and target governmentowned and non-profit vacant property and work to ensure they build a comprehensive plan for an affordable housing program”.

District 20 is home to a large immigrant community, most of which are from the French (Haiti) and English-speaking Caribbean. We believe Holness has the experience gained in the Broward County Commission to address the challenges immigrants are facing in Washington, DC, and work with other members of the US House to construct an improved immigration policy.

Accordingly, the Caribbean National Weekly, without hesitation, endorses Dale Holness to be elected in the District 20 primary elections on November 2.

LOG ON TO cnweeklynews.com

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Jamaican born Dale V.C. Holness is a veteran, 17-year elected Democrat, and public servant who served as a City of Lauderhill Commissioner from 2004 to 2010, Broward County District 9 Commissioner since 2010, including serving as the Broward County ViceMayor in 2019 and Broward County Mayor in 2020. Holness has been a Real Estate Broker and business owner for more than 30 years.

Holness has a record of invaluable support to the Democra c Party at the local, state, and na onal levels. He organized grassroots campaign support for Jesse Jackson’s presiden al bid in 1984. His office has supported the campaigns of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama, Biden/Harris, and many local and state elected officials.

Throughout his poli cal career, Holness has focused his policies on business and economic development, health care, educa on, immigra on, and social development. Holness is running as a candidate for U.S. Congressional District FL-20 to extend the legacy of his decades long friend and mentor, Congressman Alcee Has ngs, who endorsed him as his successor before he died from pancrea c cancer on April 6, 2021.

• • • • • • • •

Led Broward County as Mayor through the worst crisis in history, the global COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the community together to save lives.

Increased Broward County Government contrac ng opportuni es for small, women and minority-owned businesses from 10% to 44%, providing over $136 Million in contracts for these businesses in 2020.

Delivered over $20 million in economic development packages for community improvement programs.

Led efforts to increase the living wage Created the Annual Florida Interna onal Trade & Cultural Expo (FITCE) - the largest in the Southeastern U.S. Sponsored the Ban the Box Ordinance for greater equity and access in Broward County’s employment process.

Sponsored ordinances to establish a Broward County Racial Equity Taskforce and Police & Criminal Jus ce Review Board.

Sponsored the Crown Act to prohibit discrimina on against employees who ethnically and/or culturally fashion their hair.

Economically and poli cally empowering the people, strengthening families, households and businesses, crea ng policies that improve access to opportuni es and greater economic outcomes, and unifying everyone across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Rebuild America’s Middle Class for the 21st Century Ensure Health Care is a Human Right Enhance Climate and Environmental Protec ons and Sustainability Reimagine Policing for the Benefit and Safety of the American People Provide a World-Class Educa on in Every Zip Code to Every Child Create a 21st Century Immigra on System.

HolnessForCongress.com // 954-3798683 // 4325 W. Sunrise Blvd., Planta on, FL 33313

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

B3

STRICTLY LEGAL

Immigration Questions Answered QA &

By Attorney Caroly Pedersen CNW Legal Analyst Question: I got my citizenship this year and for the past few years my fiancée and I were going back and forth to visit each other because she was still in nursing school. But because of the pandemic it's been really hard and with new testing and even covid shot requirements we don't know what to expect in the future. Thankfully she made it here a few weeks ago to visit me in Fla and we are talking seriously about getting married and having her stay here with me. Our families had been planning on us having a big wedding in Bahamas but the pandemic put that on hold and we decided we don't want to put our lives together on hold any more. Our question is after we get married, can she stay

here with me and not have to return home or is there some requirement that she has to go back? If she is allowed to stay, would she be able to start back in college here so she can finish her nursing degree?

Answer: Since your fiancée entered the U.S. legally, once you get married, we can file her adjustment of status case and she can stay in the U.S. and live and work here while waiting for your residency interview, then her green card issuance. Due to covid-19 processing delays, it will likely take about 6-8 months for her work and travel permit to be issued and perhaps another several months for your marriage interview to be scheduled. Under strict immigration regulations, foreign nationals are not permitted to attend college here without the issuance of a student visa,

Work Permits For F-1 Students Eligible For OPT Will Now Be Processed In 120 Days Or Less Under a new policy recently implemented by the USCIS (pursuant to a court order) , F-1 Students filing form I-765 (request for work authorization) for OPT and STEM OPT are guaranteed to receive a decision on their application within 120 days of receipt.

This policy will continue until at least October 31, 2021. The policy change is due to significant USCIS delays in processing such applications, which prompted a lawsuit against the agency.

During this period, the USCIS will also retroactively correct work permits which were issued between Oct 1, 2020 and up to October 31, 2021 for less time than was recommended on form I-20, as well as accept previously rejected OPT/STEM applications (up until November 30, 2021) which were originally filed on time between October 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021 and later rejected.

The USCIS will also accept of Form I-765 post-completion OPT applications 120 days before completion of program, instead of the regular 90 days, from July 23, 2021 through October 31, 2021.

however, once she obtains her green card she can finish up her nursing program here. Let me know when you plan to get married and we can get started.

Question: I am a naturalized U.S. citizen and filed to sponsor my mom for her green card a few years ago. Her case was approved last year and her embassy interview was scheduled, then it got cancelled, so now we are just waiting for it to be rescheduled again which looks like it may not happen this year or even next! She doesn't have any relatives there except her sister because all her kids live in the U.S.. She has come up a few times to visit and is staying with my sister in Orlando now. We are wondering if it is possible that we can convert her case from the embassy to the U.S. and do her case here. Can she stay

Expedited Service May Soon Be Available For Work Authorization And Other Immigration Applications Last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began consideration of expanding expedited immigration processing services, called “premium processing” to a wide variety of immigration applications.

Current, only employment-based applications such as the I-129 and I-140 qualify. However, under a policy which may be announced in the next few months, the USCIS may expand premium processing services to include forms I-765 request for work authorization (work permit) and form I-539 requests to change or extend status in the U.S. (for instance to change status to an F-1 student visa or extend the time a foreign tourist can stay inside the U.S.).

If the new policy does go into effect, individuals will be able to request expedited USCIS processing for I-765 & I-539 applications for an additional fee of $1,750, in order to obtain a decision on the application in 30 days, rather than the current processing time of 8 to 12 months or more.

here legally? Is that something that you can help us with or do we need to contact the embassy where her case is? Thank you.

Answer: The great news is that we can file your mother's residency case here in the U.S. now and she can process for her green card here, rather than through the U.S. Consulate abroad. No need to wait for the consular interview to be rescheduled. The adjustment of status process for parents in the U.S. takes about eight months or so and often does not even require an interview at the USCIS office.

Your mother will be in legal status throughout the entire residency process and will receive her residency here in the U.S.. I hope this is helpful to you.

New Policy Eliminates The Requirement For F-1 Applicants to File 'Bridge' Applications The USCIS recently changed its policy on the need for F-1 Student Visa applicants to file B-2 extension applications while waiting for a decision from the USCIS on a pending F-1 application in order to remain in legal status.

Under the new policy, F-1 applicants need only file form I-539 to change status to an F-1 visa and may remain in the U.S. legally while awaiting a decision on the case.

Previously, under Trump administration policies, F-1 applicants were forced to file one or more I-539 B-2 extension requests, called “Bridge” applications, in order to maintain legal immigration status through the process that can take a year or more.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CONTINUATIONS

Colin Powell Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants, became the first black man to rise to one of the highest positions in U.S. diplomacy. He served as National Security Advisor to former President Ronald Reagan (1987-1989); Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for former President George H. W. Bush (1989-1993), and then later, becoming Secretary of State to former President George W. Bush (2001-2005). He was the first Black person to occupy all the positions listed.

According to Powell's family, he died from COVID-19 complications.

In a Facebook post they wrote: “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the Powell family wrote on Facebook. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” they said. Powell had multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses the body's immune response.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness was among the scores of Caribbean and Caribbean-American leaders who paid tribute to

Fined

from A1

the respected diplomat.

Prime Minister Holness, in extending tribute to Powell's family as well as the people of the United States, said the 84-year-old had “lived a distinguished life of service.”

“In 2018, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him. We have had many good conversations and very interesting discussions about Jamaica and the developments taking place. General Colin Powell is the first Jamaican- American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as Chairman,” Holness said in the statement posted on his twitter account.

Powell was born in Harlem, New York on April 5th, 1937 after his parents, Maud and Luther moved to New York City in the 1920s.

Both parents immigrated from Jamaica separately. Luther was from Top Hill, St Elizabeth and Maud was from Western Jamaica.

At the invitation of then Prime Minister Michael Manley, Colin Powell went back to Jamaica in 1992 after the Gulf War. He was also one of the specially invited guest for Jamaica's Grand Gala, celebrating the 50th anniversary of

St. Lucia SOE

from A8

bullying our communities or private businesses who are simply trying to serve the people and get on the other side of this pandemic,” said Florida Sen. Loranne Ausley.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Monday barring any entity, including private business, from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on workers and called on state lawmakers to pass a similar ban into law.

At the White House on Tuesday, Press Secretary Jen Psaki compared the actions of the Florida and Texas governors.

“Governor Abbott’s executive order banning mandates and I would also note announcement by Governor DeSantis this morning, essentially, banning the implementation of mandates, fit a familiar pattern that we’ve seen of putting politics ahead of public health,” Psaki said during a briefing.

The decision to fine Leon County comes a day after the Orlando Sentinel reported the state of Florida is investigating dozens of local governments, performing arts centers, the Miami Marlins, a law enforcement counter-terrorism unit and a concert by singer Harry Styles for suspected violations of the law.

Around 120 cases are being reviewed for violations, according to a public records request from the Orlando Sentinel.

In central Florida, the list includes Orange County government; the Orange County Convention Center; AdventHealth, one of the state’s largest health care systems; several performing arts venues; and the Amway Center, which is home to the Orlando Magic and recently hosted a concert by Styles whose tour mandated that attendees either be vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test.

Impeachment going to debate. Debate what. She doesn’t even know the Constitution, but she probably think she sees an opportunity to scandalize the President in the Parliament…”

On Friday, Persad Bissessar told reporters that she had filed a motion in the Parliament for the establishment of a tribunal to investigate the removal of President Paula MaeWeekes.

Persad Bissessar said that the motion had the backing of all of her other 18 opposition legislators and that the move was in keeping with her commitment to “use all the powers available to me under the constitution to hold those in office accountable.

The Opposition Leader, who has been calling for the resignation of the Head of State, in the wake of the imbroglio surrounding the appointment of a police commissioner, said that the motion gives four reasons why the President should be removed from office.

She claims that President Weekes, who has not made any public statement regarding the controversy surrounding the appointment of a new police commissioner, including the resignation of the entire membership of the Police Service Commission (PSC) “behaved in such a way as to bring her office into hatred, ridicule, or contempt by interfering and/or facilitating interference with the PSC and by proceeding in the circumstances to appoint new members of the PSC”.

In addition, Persad Bissessar claims that the Head of State “willfully violated the provisions of the Constitution securing the independence of the PSC in the performance of its functions and wilfully violated section 123

independence.

At a press conference just before the celebration, he told Jamaicans to, “Keep believing in yourself; keep believing in the strength of your society and your culture. Keep being proud of your heritage, but recognize that there are problems that we all have to deal with.

The US is facing the same kind of problems, and those are infrastructure, the education system, and creating jobs for people.”

Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who had also accompanied him to the gala in 2012, said that he was “a trailblazer in the US military establishment.”

“Like me, he was born and raised in New York to Jamaican immigrant parents and was a proud Jamaican American. Though my tenure in Congress began after General Powell's retirement, I was honored to have been sent alongside him by President (Barack) Obama to represent the United States to Jamaica for the celebration of their 50th Independence Anniversary.,” she said.

Wayne Messam, the Mayor of Miramar also a Jamaican-American, said the legacy of

in reducing the opportunity for spreading the virus.

“The Cabinet of Ministers has agreed to adopt the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act to invoke adjusted protocols and restrictions that are necessary to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.” He said, adding that these new measures will come into effect from Sunday until the end of the month in the first instance.

“Let me assure you that as soon as the rate of infection reduces to a relatively safe level, the restrictions will be relaxed. I take no measure in announcing that for the time being, we will have to undergo continued restrictions in your movements because these are still necessary to control the spread of the virus.

“I empathize with you as we continue to live with the many inconveniences brought on by this global COVID-19 virus. I believe the majority of St. Lucians have done well in observing the protocols, “Pierre added.

Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs Minister, Moses Jn Baptiste

Colin Powell is one that immigrants, especially those from the Caribbean, is look to for inspiration.

He noted that Powell's appointments as the first black man to be chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and secretary of state were outstanding achievements. Importantly, he never hid his Jamaican roots.

“I think that was very significant. To people like myself, we saw that as an example that anything is possible because he succeeded in an area that was dominated by white males,” Messam said.

General Powell is on a long list of outstanding Caribbean-Americans who contributed significantly to their country of birth and heritage.

In October, 2005 the American government passed a special senate bill to renamed the Crowne Plaza, which hosted the US Embassy in Kingston, the Colin L. Powell Residential Plaza.

Colin Powell retired in 2004 and has written a best selling autobiography, 'My American Journey.' He is survived by wife Alma and children Linda, Michael, and Annemarie.

from A4

under the new measures, the confinement to residence on weekends will be in effect Monday to Saturday from 7:00 pm and ends at 4:00 am (local time) while there will be 24-hour confinement on Sundays.

They said a person may attend a religious ceremony on Sundays during confinement but must return to his or her residence by 1:00 pm on that day.

A person shall not host or attend a mass crowd event, social event except with 10 or less persons of his or her immediate family or household.

Recreational/social activities at hotels will be permitted on the property during curfew hours, provided that such activities take place on the property. An educational institution may open for face-to-face engagement to facilitate structured supervision from October 18, 2021, for Grade K, Grade 6, Form 4, Form 5 and Special Education Schools.

“During this period, the Government of Saint Lucia will meet with stakeholders and the newly reconstituted COVID-19 Management Center to review the COVID-19

situation and provide a further update on the protocols. Let us all continue adhering to the protocols to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus and return to some level of normalcy.”

Meanwhile, the government has announced the Cletus Springer to chair the National COVID-19 Management Centre consistent with its mandate “for a more inclusive and depoliticized advisory body on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

It said that Springer, who once served as the director of the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organisation of American States (OAS) “brings to the Centre his experience in public sector management, environmental health, sustainable development and communications.

The government said the National COVID-19 Management Centre will also benefit from the appointment of representatives from various organizations including the private sector, trade union movement and the St. Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association.

from A4

of the Constitution” and that “she behaves in a way that endangers the security of the State” and “has otherwise failed and/or neglected to execute her duties under the Constitution.

“This is an unprecedented move as no such procedure was ever triggered in the history of our country since Independence. It is my view that this motion is warranted having regard for the circumstances in the public domain.”

The Opposition Leader said that the Office of President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago sits at the very top of Trinidad and Tobago’s constitutional structure and that “the person occupying it, was supposed to embody our collective pride as a nation, our collective hopes for a society described in the Preamble of our Constitution which there is fairness, equal opportunity and most of all, a society based on the Rule of Law – where no one is above the Law and the Law is applied equally.

She said that the tribunal should hear from the President, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and the Attorney General, Faris Al Rawi “as witnesses…to provide answers for the unprecedented calamitous collapse of the PSC and the interference in the process for the appointment of a COP”.

Rowley told reporters Saturday that he has observed “particularly from some persons who believe that their opinion is greater than other people’s opinion in this country and rather than be responsible and provide professional guidance to the population, general mischiefmaking seems to be where they are located.

“There is no public entity that is cloistered to independence. I see people asking they want

to know if the Prime Minister went to the President House and until the country knows that we will not know if our democracy has been breached and our democratic future is in peril and so on. Absolute hogwash,” Rowley said, reminding reporters that as Prime Minister he has communicate with “the Office of the President by law.

Regarding his statement that he had lost confidence in Griffith as Police Commissioner,

Rowley told reporters that he had written to the PSC on three occasions regarding the top cop.

“One year ago, in my capacity as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, I wrote to the Police Service Commission a letter under my hand with my signature and the most important thing I could do as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is to attach my signature to any document.”

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

C1

ENTERTAINMENT

DJ GQ, Casely, & Byron Salas Set For Reggae Girlz 'Football Is Freedom' Pre Game

Jah Cure Still Behind Bars In Amsterdam

By Ramona Samuels

Reggae Singer Jah Cure will remain behind bars in Amsterdam for another week after allegedly stabbing an event promoter during a brawl in the city.

DJ GQ

Musical entertainment from official match DJ GQ and special guests Casely and Costa Rica's own Byron Salas will set the vibe for the International Friendly showdown between Jamaica's Reggae Girlz and Costa Rica on Sunday, October 24 in Fort Lauderdale.

Byron Salas

The event will kick off with music by DJ GQ, who was born in Miami and raised in Jamaica

by Cuban/Chinese Jamaican parents. He has served as tour DJ for some of the biggest names in music including Akon, DMX, Mr. Vegas, Kevin Lyttle, and Skip Marley.

Musical guests include Casely, a Miamibased son of Trinidadian and Panamanian parents, was previously signed by Epic Records before forming his own Casely Music label (distributed by Tuff Gong Intl) in 2018. Byron Salas, a native of Costa Rica, also lives in Miami.

The international friendly fundraising match centers around the launch of Cedella Marley's Football Is Freedom initiative, which will provide tools and resources for the development and growth of women's football throughout the Caribbean and Latin America as well as diaspora communities in the United States.

Casely

In addition to helping fund the new initiative, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to each national team. The Reggae Girlz and Las Sele both arrive in South Florida on October 18th for a week of training and a two-game series.

In adherence to FIFA- mandated COVID protocols, the delegations will be housed in protective isolation during the camp. The first match will be a closed-door scrimmage, and the finale will be a fundraising match open to the public. The camp is the result of a combined effort by the Bob Marley Foundation and Rita Marley Foundation.

The match will be held at Fort Lauderdale's DRV PNK Stadium on October 24th, starting at 5 PM.

LOG ON TO cnweeklynews.com

On October 1, a 45-year-old event promoter later identified as Nicardo 'Papa' Blake was stabbed in the abdomen by a man, at Dam Square, the City center of Amsterdam. Though dutch police has remained tight-lipped about the suspect, he was later identified as Jah Cure.

The singer was arraigned a few days later and remanded for fourteen days by the examining judge on suspicion of attempted manslaughter, aggravated assault or attempted aggravated assault.

On October 18, the last of the fourteen days, Jah Cure appeared in the Council Chamber, where the public prosecutor made a request for a further ninety days in remand. It was decided that his remand will be extended until Monday, October 25.

No date is known or if there will be a trial.

Until then, celebrity supporters to the likes of Wyclef Jean, Eek-A-Mouse and his fans across the world eagerly await the singer's fate.

Jah Cure celebrated his forty-third birthday while remanded.

C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

MARKETPLACE BANKRUPTCY - FORECLOSURE DEFENSE

www.DsouzaLegalGroup.com

Email: dtdlaw@aol.com

8751 W. Broward Blvd St 301, Plantation FL 33324

1451 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 300, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

Free Initial Consultation

954.535.0827

Payment Plans Available

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisement.

Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

MEDIX URGENT CARE CENTER Don’t spend hours in the emergency room. Come to us for...

Cough, Colds, Flu, Pregnancy Tests Suture Repair & Removal

Medication Re ills Immunizations ...and all minor care

G License Physical....... $45 CPR............................. $45/$65 Inservices.................... $10 each IV Vitamins..................$65 & up

Immigration Medicals

SISTER ALBERTA GOD GIFTED SPIRITUAL ADVISOR & LIFE COACH Live Life Without the Problems that are Blocking your Inner Peace & Joy. Jealous people Can Set You Back & Block You From Obtaining Your Goals More Than You Will Ever Know.

Sister Alberta has Over 30 Years of Experience in Solving All Troubles of Life Such As Generation Curses, Evil Influence, Sickness, Reuniting loved ones, etc,

One call will truly convince you free reading by phone

954-770-0984 All Readings & Spiritual Cleanings are dobe in the privacy of here home in Broward 100% Guaranteed.

35

$

School, Sports and Work Physicals Mon.-Fri: 9am – 7pm Sat: Closed Sun: 11am – 5pm

954.484.8444

954.589.1238

2331 N. State Rd. 7, Suite 102, Lauderhill, FL 33313

3829 Hollywood Blvd. Ste A Hollywood, FL 33021

www.medixucc.com

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 –

C3

SPORTS SOCCER

TRACK & FIELD

The Reggae Girls are Here!

Thompson-Herah Comes Clean About MVP Departure

By L. Bronson

The Reggae Girlz, Jamaica's senior women's football team, arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday and is undergoing intense preparation for their international friendly against Costa Rica. The game which is part of the teams' preparation for the FIFA 2023 World Cup, will be played on Sunday at the DRV PNK Stadium at 5 pm.

The 22 players that arrived in Fort Lauderdale has two new faces. They are Leicester City's Page Bailey-Gayle and University of Notre Dame's Kalyssa van Zanten. Soccer fans will also get to see the skillful and productive striker Khadijah

'Bunny' Shaw, who currently plays for Manchester City. Shaw has scored 42 goals in 30 appearances for Jamaica.

The weekend soccer festivity is a production of the Football is Freedom initiative, spearheaded by Global Ambassador for the team, Cedella Marley.

The organizers are hoping for a big turnout, especially on Sunday, to support the team with crowd energy and much needed funding for its World Cup program.

Both teams are slated to take part in a scrimmage contest on Saturday at the same venue, before the big game on Sunday. On Sunday, spectators will be treated to a pregame party, entertainment, food trucks, a community marketplace, and a musical halftime show that will be of epic proportion.

The Region's number four ranked Costa Rica is coming off a two-game match against Panama last month, in which they secured a win and lost the other. Jamaica's last game was a 0-4 loss against the United States on June 13. Before the US game, the region's

fifth ranked Reggae Girlz eked a 1-0 win over Nigeria on June 10th.

Jamaica's team is expected to come from: Sydney Schneider (Washington Spirit), Chantelle Swaby (Glasgow Rangers FC), Jade Bailey (Liverpool FC), Vyan Sampson (Charlton Athletic), Konya Plummer (Orlando Pride; on loan to AIK Stockholm), Chinyelu Asher (Washington Spirit), Kayla McCoy (Glasgow Rangers FC), Atlanta Primus (London City Lionesses), Khadija Shaw (Manchester City FC), Sashana Campbell (Unattached), Rebecca Spencer (Tottenham Hotspurs FC), Allyson Swaby (AS Roma), Tiernny Wiltshire (KUPS), Drew Spence (Chelsea FC), Cheyna Matthews (Louisville FC), Marlo Sweatman (Haladas FC), Satara Murray (Bristol City FC), Yazmeen Jamieson (P18 IK), Olufolasade Adamolekun (University of South California), Trudi Carter (FC Gintra), Kalyssa Van Zanten (University of Notre Dame) and Paige Bailey-Gayle (Leicester City FC).

Less than a month after claiming that reports of her planning to cut ties with the MVP Track Club and its Head Coach Stephen Francis were rumors, Elaine Thompson-Herah has now come clean on the matter.

A statement circulating on social media last night confirmed that the five-time Olympic gold medallist has indeed resumed training, but not with the MVP Track Club.

“In light of an abundance of requests from my fans and concerned Jamaicans, I want to assure everyone that I have begun my training independently and will continue to do so while I finalize all aspects of my team for the upcoming season,” the fastest woman alive, is quoted.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and express appreciation to those who have reached out in concern. I remain committed to representing my country and to lead with courage and grace as I am aware that I inspire young women across the world who have dreams and who dare to see those dreams come to pass,” she added.

Last month the Jamaican national 100m record holder with 10.54 seconds and national 200m record holder with 21.53 seconds, was reported to have signaled her intention to quit the club, and that her husband Derron Herah would be taking over coaching duties.

However, later that same day when the reports emerged of the pending split, ThompsonHerah, while a guest on NBC's Brother from Another program, called the reports “rumors”.

Said she then: “I am the fastest woman alive so they are going to create some sort of news to distract the world so it's rumors of course.

“It's probably because I didn't show up at practice. I am still on my rest period, so maybe they are just speculating why I am not at practice, but I just came back from the international circuit and we normally get like a month's rest and I am in my second week.”

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 21 – OCT 27, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T