New York Liberty Star Newspaper

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

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APRIL 23-MAY 6, 2009 Copyright © 2006, New York Liberty Star

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ENTERTAINMENT

BEENIE MAN, BOUNTY DRAMA IN BROOKLYN

BOUNTY KILLER shares spotlight with longtime nemesis Beenie Man during Brooklyn Reggae Festival.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

JAM. HIGHJACKING ENDS PEACEFULLY

PRIME MINISTER BRUCE GOLDING launches investigation into security breach at Montego Bay airport.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 159

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

C CO TS S ONTEN NT TRINIDAD HOSTS OBAMA

PONZI SCHEME

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ST. LUCIA SET FOR JAZZ EXPLOSION

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LEADERS LOOK TO FUTURE

The opening ceremony of the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain was filled with fiery speeches.

BUSINESS FEATURE

BILLIONAIRE ACCUSED Sir Allen Stanford has again denied involvement in a multibillion dollar Ponzi scheme.

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NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR EDITORIAL STAFF

ZIGGY REMIXES BOB

LENECIA HINES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEIRON DENOBRIGA SENIOR EDITOR

DELMAR GOMEZ MARKETING & SALES IVROL HINES

COMMUNITY RELATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SIMMONS SPECTACULAR IN CENTURY RUN BEAUTY ON A BUDGET Women can still feel great from the inside out without spending a fortune.

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REGGAE FOR KIDS Children's music is dominating Ziggy Marley's melody making these days.

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West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons got his tour of England off to a brilliant start with a polished century against Leicestershire County Club on the second day of their three-day first-class match at Grace Road. The stylish right-hander made 102 before he retired.

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DIASPORA MOVEMENT ALIVE AND WELL

By Aubrey Campbell

NEW YORK, NY -- Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator, the Honorable Dr. Ronald Robinson, is of the opinion that the Jamaica Diaspora Movement has not been affected by the change of government since September 2007.

At the first in a series of community/town hall meetings at the Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Robinson said that the Jamaica Diaspora Movement has not been affected by the changing fortunes of political parties and continues to enjoy bipartisan support.

Underscoring the work done by his predecessor Senator Delano Franklin under the previous administration, Dr. Robinson who now has portfolio responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, touted the progressive improvements seen in the Diaspora Movement.

These he said included the creation of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, chaired by Professor Rex Nettleford and the Jamaica Diaspora Institute under the executive direction of Professor Neville Ying.

Dr. Robinson told the audience that finding the right mix of per-

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To submit an article, send email to: nylibertystar@yahoo.com.

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SERVING THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES:

BR OOKL YN BROOKL OOKLYN

(L-r) Ivrol Hines, Publisher of New York Liberty Star, speaks with Honorable Dr. Ronald Robinson, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his wife Karen Robinson. (Photo by Delmar Gomez) sonnel to access funding and provide proper representation at the global level is underway. He used the occasion to announce the appointment of Vincent HoSang, CEO of Caribbean Food Delights/Royal Caribbean Bakery to the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board.

“We have come a far way as a Diaspora Movement if we are to

reflect on where we were ten years ago. A lot of work has been done,” Dr. Robinson noted.

Senator Robinson said that in the context of the global village and with the Diaspora now accounting for the single largest industry – remittances, the matter of government representation from then Diaspora will be delayed until the

issue of dual citizenship is sorted out.

Senator Robinson, who was on an a four state official visit, heared from Jamaicans in New Jersey at a town hall meeting held at the East Orange High School, Wednesday.

The meeting was hosted by the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey (JON-J).

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Ja. Government Investigates Mobay Hijacking

By Kathy Barrett

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Prime Minister Bruce Golding has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances that led to a lone gunman bypassing security arrangements and hijacking a Canadian chartered plane at the Sangster International airport here late Sunday.

Police said that Stephen Fray, 21, surrendered after holding crew members and a number of passengers hostage on the plane for nearly nine hours.

A release from the charter company, CanJet, said Flight 918, which departed Halifax at 7:15PM on Sunday, was scheduled to travel from Montego Bay to Santa Clare, Cuba with 182 passengers, including eight crew members, aboard.

Golding, speaking at a joint new conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is here on a two-day official visit, said he had ordered the Transport and Works Minister Michael Henry to conduct the probe.

"I have instructed the Minister of Transport and Works to have an immediate investigation carried out as to the systems in place and I expect to have that report as soon as it is completed," he said.

Harper praised local authorities for their handling of the hostage situation after Fray, reported to be mentally challenged, forced his way through security checkpoints and onto the plane after 11PM local time.

"It's simply a day of gratitude, we are delighted in how the situation had turned out, not just on behalf of the Canadian government but all Canadians.

“I want to think Prime Minister Golding for his personal engagement in this. The Jamaican authorities have demonstrated professionalism...it's really been quite a performance of which all of you should be very proud."

"Today is a testament of the personal bravery of all those involved and the close cooperation between friends to enable to save lives. I also want to repeat my thanks through the Jamaican Prime Minister to all of the Jamaican authorities," Harper said.

The Canadian Prime Minister was forced to cancel most of the official events as part of his visit here, but was scheduled to return to the capital later on Monday to address a joint sitting of the Parliament.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said he was pleased that the Sangster International Airport has since re-opened.

Gunman Surrenders Peacefully After Nine Hour Standoff Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Hon. Anthony Johnson

Jamaica Urges US To Impose Stronger Gun Trafficking Laws Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, embraces Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding at the conclusion of a news conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Monday. Harper is hailing the cool heads who helped secure the safe release of the 167 passengers and crew aboard CanJet Airlines Flight 918.

“We are relieved that the efforts of security authorities in Jamaica were able to successfully negotiate the release of all 174 passengers and eight crew members without harm, bringing this matter to a peaceful end.

Bartlett, who is in the United Kingdom, said he had been advised that MBJ Airports Jamaica Ltd. is advising that “all systems for international flights are ready and in place for all arrivals and departures”.

Earlier, Information Minister Daryl Vaz said while there was no injury to any of the passengers, "a number of them are reporting that they lost money that the gunman took away their money and also a lot of them left their stuff on board, including medication.

"I have made arrangements with the Ministry of Health to make sure that those who need medication for diabetes etc are dealt with.

"We have taken down their names, the amount of monies that they lost and the government of Jamaica is committed to make sure that they leave here with everything that they came with.

"It's a most unfortunate situation ... this is not something we are accustomed to and in a sensitive time like this with what is happening in the world, any little thing that can throw us further into the re-

cession and depression that we are in, we take very seriously," Vaz said.

Meanwhile, the opposition People's National Party's (PNP) has also called for an investigation into the incident.

"The hijacking of the airline raises serious questions about the security at the nation’s airports... the Airport Authority of Jamaica and the management of the Sangster International Airport must provide an immediate explanation as to circumstances that led to this colossal breach of security," said Peter Bunting, the party’s spokesman on National Security.

Bunting said that the matter must be dealt with urgently warning that it had serious implications for the tourism industry.

Bunting also praised the local authorities for ensuring that the incident ended without any loss of life.

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA), Wayne Cummings, said that incident could pose a serious problem for the industry.

"We are in the business of selling a product that is safe and attractive, clearly we have had a security breach and we have to assess how it happened and why it happened and how it is going to be fixed,” he said.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jamaica’s Ambassador to Washington Anthony Johnson has called on the American government to put strong legislation in place to stem the trafficking of small arms to Jamaica and other Caribbean territories.

The Ambassador, who is Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), told JIS News, last week, prior to his departure for Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Fifth Summit of the Americas.

He said that “Jamaica is concerned about the trafficking of small arms into the country, and tougher measures must be put in place to eradicate this major

problem once and for all.”

He pointed out that the trafficking of drugs through the region is also of great concern and “it is my hope that this topic will be seriously addressed at the Summit.”

Turning to the economy, Ambassador Johnson said it is clear that a path has to be found to ensure that the world gets out of the economic recession, and the meeting should look at “the level of funds needed to float the region’s economy.”

He also called for focus to be placed on energy, including measures to encourage greater use of alternative energy to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel.

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

PREZ CALLS FOR CHANGE Obama Tells Leaders To Forget Past And Work Towards Better Future

BY OSCAR RAMJEET

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The opening ceremony of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain was filled with fiery speeches from leaders of Latin American countries and more sober presentations from US President Barack Obama; Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dean Barrow and Chairman of the Summit, Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the host country, Trinidad and Tobago.

The President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, blasted the United States and other developed countries in his 20-minute presentation and with President Obama stating that he should not be blamed for “things that happened” when he was three months old.

Speaking on that note, Obama said, “I did not come to debate the past. I came to discuss the future where we can work in partnership” and he stressed that he sought equal partnership. He received loud applause when he emphasized that there will be no junior or senior partner, and said that there must be mutual respect and, in a respectful manner, submitted that “we must move forward in a new sense of partnership.”

He admitted that the United Sates should not interfere with other countries, but said that does not mean that “you can blame the United States for problems”. He acknowledged that his country had made errors in the past, but said that America will have to get positive reinforcement if it is engaged to lift other countries.

He said that it will take time and that nothing will happen overnight, but that “the US will be there for you.”

He announced that $448 million will be spent to assist countries beyond the border. He said that this is not charity, and also disclosed that the Caribbean will get an additional $30 million to beef up security in the region.

He said that his government is taking aggressive action against guns and drugs, the two areas which were also raised by CARICOM Chairman, Dean Barrow and Prime Minister Manning.

Obama said that America is changing; in fact, it has changed, and he said that his presence is an indication of the move.

Touching on Cuba, the American leader said the United States seeks a new beginning with the communist island. He said that there is a longer journey that must

President Obama (R) speaks with Caricom Secretary General Dr Edwin Carrington (L) and Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsales (C) while at the family photo during the Summit of the Americas.

be travelled because of mistrust, but he said that he has already implemented certain changes by allowing Cubans to visit the island when they chose.

But both Barrow and Manning advoc a t e d more.

They

U.S. President Barack Obama arrives for the Summit of the Americas at the airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad, last week. want the trade embargo to be removed.

Obama said that for the past two years he has indicated the need for a change of wide issues in human rights, freedom of speech, economic issues and said that “we believe we can improve relations in a new direction.”

Barrow, who is also the prime minister of Belize, and Manning made the same point when they said that the Caribbean is sandwiched between the Latin American countries, which are producers of drugs, and North America and Europe, the largest consumers.

He thanked the OAS for contributing to Haiti and said that CARICOM is the longest surviving grouping and said that the region has also produced Olympic champions in sports.

He pointed out that the collapse of Wall Street, and other big businesses were not due to offshore operations and asked why a move should be made against the countries that engaged in financial services. Manning went further than Barrow to say that guns are also shipped, and made the point that some of the drugs and arms remain in the region as payment for transshipping the illegal drugs, and that posed a serious problem in the Caribbean.

The Trinidad prime minister pointed out that the Caribbean countries have been very unfortunate and referred to the failed European market, which led them to diversify to tourism, and since 9/

11 there has been a reduction, and it got worse since the downturn of the economy.

He said several Caribbean countries moved into the offshore financial sector and now that is under serious threat. He asked what will be the future of the Caribbean.

Manning asked how the US$1.1 trillion voted by the G-20 countries will be allocated, and said that the bulk might go to Europe and the western hemisphere may be shortchanged.

The Trinidad and Tobago leader said that the Caribbean leaders would like to see a proper reintegration of Cuba into the Western Hemisphere, and added that recent announcements by President Obama gave him “great optimism.” He pointed out also that it would be a mistake if one issue is allowed to dominate the summit, and said that there must be mutual respect and that the Fifth Summit of the America should herald a new approach in the Western Hemisphere.

Earlier Nicaragua President Ortega said that the G-20 countries dictate to the smaller nations and this practice should not continue.

He said that Nicaragua and other Latin American countries have taken a decision not to support the Declaration that has been drafted for the Summit.

He said that “we want the world, big and small to have the same rights” and added that the Latin American countries are demanding that the embargo on Cuba be removed.

Grenada's PM Tillman Thomas

Grenada PM Says Political Union Vital PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas says recent regional and international events underscore the need for a political and economic union between Trinidad and Tobago and the sub-regional organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

“The recent developments indicate that there is need for that political and economic union,” he said.

Last week, a senior regional banker hinted that efforts to forge a union may be halted as a result of the ongoing global economic and financial crisis that has significantly affected the Trinidad and Tobago economy.

“What I would basically say is that essentially the OECS/Trinidad political union discussions may be put on ice for the time being until there is some form of recovery of the economy of both parties," said Desmond Brunton, the Vice President Operations at the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The OECS leaders have already given their full commitment to the proposal to establish a political union with Trinidad and Tobago by 2013.

Thomas told a news conference that the recent financial problems of the Trinidadbased conglomerate CL Financial showed there was a general need for the union.

He said that the CL Financial group that also includes the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO), had extended its empire throughout the Caribbean, however, when it collapsed, it was discovered that only citizens of Trinidad and Tobago would have been able to access the company's statutory fund.

"So in a sense you are doing business within the region but when a difficulty arises there is discrimination, so we need a regional legal framework,” he said, adding that if such machinery had existed, all the citizens of the Eastern Caribbean would have been entitled to that fund.

“If we have political union there is obviously going to be that legal framework,” he said, adding “of course the Government of Trinidad and Tobago said it would take steps to ensure that all CLICO policyholders and investors in the region will get what is due to them," he added.

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Domincan Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit with House Recipient Feverina.

A Portsmouth resident in tears upon receiving a new home.

Lydia Hamilton enjoys her new home in Portsmouth, Dominica.

GOVERNMENT DELIVERS ROSEAU, Dominica – Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth constituency and Minister for Tourism, Hon. Ian Douglas has said that the Labor Party Government is delivering to the people of Portsmouth.

Hon. Douglas made the announcement at a ceremony in Chance, Portsmouth to hand over the keys of 12 newly built homes, financed by the Government of Venezuela.

“Like the Prime Minister likes to say, this is actually an activity that should have happened not only in our constituency but around Dominica twenty years ago. We had governments before this Labor Party Government headed by the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit who actually made promises particularly to us in this constituency but these promises were never fulfilled and so I take particular pleasure in voicing and giving volume to the fact that this Government is actually delivering in a very tangible and positive way not only to the people of the Portsmouth constituency but around Dominica,” Hon. Ian Douglas said.

Por tsmouth Residents Land 12 New Homes The Minister also spoke about the deplorable conditions some persons in his constituency live in and of Government’s “legal and moral responsibility” to alleviate their plight.

Hon. Douglas admitted that although it took some time for his Government to deliver to the people of the Portsmouth constituency, he knew that the Administration would come through for the people.

“I want to tell you that I know it has been long in waiting. I know that in the early part of the decade and in the early part of the first term of this Government the delivery to this constituency was a bit slow in coming.

And a lot of you all had concerns about that and I told you to be patient. I told you it would take time because I knew and I was

“Ambassador, I want you to take back to Venezuela our sentiments of gratitude and I want you to tell President Hugo Chavez that the people of this constituency and Dominica stand resolutely behind him and with him.”

HON. IAN DOUGLAS, Portsmouth MP

confident and I had faith in this Government that we would come through for the constituency of Portsmouth.”

The Portsmouth MP also expressed his gratitude and respect for the Venezuelan President, His Excellency, Hugo Chavez Frias.

“Ambassador, I want you to take back to Venezuela our sentiments of gratitude and I want you to tell President Hugo Chavez that the people of this constituency and Dominica stand resolutely behind him and with him.”

Hon. Ian Douglas, who became Parliamentary Representative for Portsmouth in December, 2000, following the death of his uncle, former Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Douglas, listed a number of projects that have been completed in Portsmouth and a number of projects currently ongoing.

These include: EC$2 million is now being spent on infrastructure in Chance; $1.02 million was spent on the construction of thirteen( 13) houses in Chance, Zicack and Glanvilla; $6.6 million on a new Indian River Bridge; $2.2 million on the Lagoon Bridge; completion of the Ma Wade Bridge and the sum of $7 million on the new Roosevelt Douglas Primary School.

Over $500,000 has been spent on road infrastructure in Portsmouth, Chance and Glanvilla through the Portsmouth Town Council in the last two years. Government

has committed the sum of $1 million for the new Cabrits Ecology and Heritage Centre.

Government’s contribution towards the construction of the St. John’s Catholic School was $500,000. Work will commence later this year on a US$7.6 million Fisheries Centre in Portsmouth, funded by the Government of Japan.

The Minister also promised even more development for the town in the future. “We are continuing to work for the people of Portsmouth, we are continuing to work for the development of Dominica. This Government has a program of development, however slow it may have been in coming but right now we can see the outpouring of favor on this constituency. And it is a vision of development. And I can tell you for a fact there is more to come. There is in fact more development to come for Portsmouth…,” Hon. Douglas stated.

In his address Hon. Douglas dismissed talk that the Labor party Government of Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is not following in the footsteps of the late Edward Oliver Leblanc.

“I am proud to say without any fear of contradiction it is this Government of Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit that is following in the footsteps of Hon. EO Leblanc. So when they want to spread their propaganda and their rumors that the party has forgotten about its people, this constituency has the greatest example of who the Labor Party is taking care of and it is our people because we have always been Laborites.”

Addresses at the handing over ceremony were also delivered by Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and Minister for Housing, Hon. Reginald Austrie.

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Kristi Grayston

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Haitian Prime Minister Michele Duvivier Pierre-Louis, speak to reporters at the State Department, last week.

Clinton Promises More Aid To Haiti U.S. Pledges $302 Million To Impoverished Nation In 2009

BY JONATHAN M. KATZ

Information Technician 2nd Class Emily Garcia assists Kervins Guerrier and his mother Lonna Mercy with hearing protection for a helicopter ride back to Haiti from hospital ship USNS comfort after receiving sergury onboard the ship.

(USAF / Airman 1st Class Clara Karwacisnki)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton assured Haitians last Thursday that the latest aid from America is not just a short-term fix for a country still struggling from last year’s devastating storms and grinding poverty that is among the worst in the world.

Clinton told reporters after riding in her motorcade through Port-au-Prince that she and President Barack Obama have a shared goal of creating jobs and ensuring stability in a country that has had little of either in recent years.

“The president and I had an excellent conversation reiterating what is his great hope: that he will see progress begun and finished to give the future back to the people of Haiti,” she said at a news conference inside the National Palace.

The U.S., Haiti’s largest benefactor,

pledged $50 million in new aid at a donors conference last week in Washington, bringing the American total for the year to $302 million. Clinton, at a joint news conference with Haitian President Rene Preval, said the U.S. commitment to Haiti goes beyond what emerged at the donors conference.

“When we start to build roads, we must finish the roads. When we start to help farmers once again make their land rich and cultivatable, we want to be sure they harvest their crops,” she said.

Preval said Haiti is grateful for the foreign assistance, which makes up about 60 percent of the government’s budget, but said his country must become self-reliant.

Clinton, who is stopping in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic en route to the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad, also planned to visit a clothing factory that could benefit from a trade deal with the U.S. that is intended to spur Haiti’s dormant textile industry and create jobs. The secretary of state’s visit comes at yet another crucial time for Haiti. The country has not recovered from last year’s food riots or from four tropical storms that killed nearly 800 people and caused $1 billion in damage.

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Poor Outlook For Bermuda Retail Business HAMILTON, Bermuda – A senior business executive is predicting a bleak future for retailers after sales tumbled by nearly six per cent in February.

Kristi Grayston, who chairs the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce's Retail Division, said that March figures are likely to be even worse and the sector is certain to shed more jobs over the coming months.

According to Retail Sales Index figures, sales in February reached US$76.9, down from US$4.6 million last year.

"I suspect the numbers will be even worse for March. I think it's largely a confidence issue. For some people, nothing has changed, but they feel they should be tightening their belts. People have to feel confident that their jobs are safe and they don't have that confidence right now."

Grayston warned that the retail sector would inevitably shed more jobs as companies struggled to survive.

"I think more people will lose their jobs. I don't think we will see big tourist numbers this year,” she said, noting that retailers were traditionally major employers of students in the summer and this job market would likely be impacted.

"If we're selling less, then we're also importing less and that hurts government revenues too," she said, urging consumers to support local production.

According to the figures, only food stores achieved growth in February, registering an 8.3 per cent gain in sales.

Apparel stores were particularly badly hit, with sales down by 21.2 per cent compared to February 2008.

The motor vehicles sector saw its weakest sales month since May last year, with gross turnover down by 19.7 per cent.

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APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Public Workers Appear Set To Strike

By Ernie Seon

CASTRIES, St. Lucia -Public sector workers Monday voted unanimously to reject a request by the St. Lucia government that they accept a delay in the payment of the EC$20 million (US$5.7 million) promised increase in salaries and wages this month.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the St Lucia Teachers Union (SLTU) and the Civil Service Association (CSA) with teachers warning that they were prepared to stay away from their classrooms from Thursday, if the 7.5 per cent wage hike is not paid.

Education Minister Arsen James had called on the trade unions to recognise the reality of the global recession and its effect on the government.

“If the Unions and workers understand and appreciate the economic realities of today’s world then coming together to make a sacrifice to secure the economic stability of the country shouldn’t be too much to ask,” he said.

But there are reports that the SLTU and the CSA are planning to coordinate their activities with the umbrella Trade Union Federation (TUF) which is meeting on Wednesday to discuss the request by the Stephenson King government.

SLTU general secretary Wayne Cumberbatch said the teachers felt disrespected by the timing of the government request.

“It is generally known that salaries are processed by the seventh of the month and therefore if you are going to come to us with a proposal on the 17th it clearly suggests that you have already taken a decision and you are asking us to make a decision after the fact.

“So the teachers feel very disrespected by that action and I guess to a large extent that influenced the decision that was arrived,” Cumberbatch said.

CSA president Joseph Dosserie said that the union had been informed that public servants would not be receiving their salary increases this month, saying such a decision was a breach of the agreement signed between the two parties.

“There is a clause in the collective agreement that says for there to be a change in any negotiated agreement between two parties, there must be a three months notice and the Prime Minister called on Wednesday requesting a meeting on Thursday to discuss those issues,” Dosserie said.

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Texas Billionaire Accused Of Antiguan Fraud Scheme HOUSTON, Texas – American financier Sir Allen Stanford has again denied involvement in a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme and is accusing United States regulators of lying against him.

In his second interview since the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused him of conducting the scheme from his Antigua and Barbuda-based Stanford International Bank (SIB), Sir Allen said if the allegation turns out to be true, his chief financial officer, James M. Davis, should be blamed.

“It’s devastated me to the core of my soul to see over 25 years of blood, sweat and tears, my life’s work, to be taken from me,” he told reporters.

An emotional Sir Allen, who faces civil charges filed by the SEC in February, accused the US regulators of squandering his assets and engaging in “Gestapo tactics”.

He also said the court-appointed receiver was “not up to the job”, and accused the media of making him into a “caricature” of a maverick, boisterous Texan who threw money around the Caribbean.

“It’s debilitating, devastating, horrific,” he said, adding that the credit cards in his wallet were worthless and that he was penniless and did not even have money to pay his lawyer.

“But I am going to fight for my name, and I am going to win,” he added defiantly.

In a revised complaint, the SEC accused the Texas-born billionaire and Davis of executing a “massive

Ponzi scheme” over the last decade.

The SEC charged that both men misappropriated funds and made more than US $1.6 billion in “bogus” loans to Stanford. The agency has accused the men of falsifying financial statements to investors who bought US$8 billion worth of certificates of deposit whose large returns turned out to be too good to be true.

Sir Allen and Davis are yet to be criminally charged in the alleged scheme, but the FBI has arrested and charged Laura PendergestHolt, the chief investment officer for obstructing the SEC’s inquiry into one of the largest suspected international financial frauds.

Authorities said PendergestHolt “failed to reveal the extent of her knowledge” about where as much as US$5 billion of the banks’ assets were when she testified before the agency in early February.

She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment.

The Antigua and Barbuda government has since moved to repossess lands Stanford owns in the country, and, along with some other Eastern Caribbean governments, has re-claimed the Stanfordowned Bank of Antigua.

In addition, a United Kingdom receiver has frozen SIB assets and laid off hundreds of employees.

“It’s no Ponzi scheme, it’s no fraud,” said Sir Allen repeatedly.

“Everything was there, real assets backed up by real investments,” he added, stating that the SEC “took an organisation that had a net value of about US$3.5 to $5

Sir Allen Stanford maintains his innocence. billion and basically crippled it.

They rendered it almost worthless.”

“The investment and risk committee reported to Jim Davis, not to me,” he said, with his lawyer, Dick DeGuerin at his side.

“The Stanford International Bank quarterly report was produced in Tupelo, Mississippi, under Davis’s direction and signed off by him. I trusted his integrity,” he said.

Davis, who is reportedly ready

to cooperate with prosecutors, said, through his lawyer, David Finn, that he was duped by Sir Allen.

“Stanford told my client what the quarterly numbers for the firm had to be. He used Davis, and if Davis didn’t go along with it, he said he could easily find someone else who would,” Finn added.

“Having said that, Davis did allow himself to be used, and he will accept responsibility for his actions,” he added.

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR CALL 718-785-9722

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Help Your Business Weather The Recession

A mother painting her daughter's fingernails.

Beauty On A Budget (ARA) -- Feeling fabulous is something all women crave. But tough economic times can bring cutbacks in all areas of life. Luckily, your daily beauty routine doesn't have to suffer. You can still feel great from the inside out without spending a fortune. Try these tips to get beauty luxury for less.

Tip 1: Grab your gal pals for some pampering -- at home!

No matter how well you paint your nails, they never seem quite a good as when someone else does it. Don't run to get a pro manicure though. Instead gather your female friends and swap painting skills while you spend some quality time together.

Whether just two people or an entire party, invite others to bring their favorite colors to share. You might find a new fun shade, plus you'll get that smooth paint coat that only someone else's steady hand can provide.

Tip 2: Look for new advances in the health and beauty aisle.

Advances in skin care technology are providing women with products that multitask so you can have healthy looking skin. You can skip the expensive brands and often find what you're looking for simply by walking down the health and beauty aisle at your local retail store.

Want an affordable body care product that leaves your skin looking and feeling great? Try new Olay Body Wash plus Tone Enriching Ribbons, the first-ever body wash to add a ribbon of mineral shimmer, and it decreases the appearance of uneven tone and discolorations. The best part is it works after just one use. So you can easily provide your skin with the hydration it needs to stay smooth and healthy looking with the subtle sheen you desire to make your skin look radiant.

Tip 3: Skip costly professional tooth-whitening.

A bright, sparkling smile can make anyone feel more confident. But the dentist bill for professional cleaning and whitening can be costly.

You've probably seen at-home whitening kits and wondered if and how they work. With a variety of affordable, at-home options you're sure to find one that brightens your teeth without weighing down your wallet.

Many whitening kits contain a disposable strip. This can be found as a quick daily dose or a week long treatment, both using a thin piece of disposable plastic. There is even a new version that seals tightly against teeth allowing you to talk and even drink water while you whiten. If you are looking for an easy way to maintain the color you have and simply remove topical staining, mouth wash options now include whitening agents as well.

Tip 4: For a fresh cut, consider beauticians in training.

Don't want to spend $100 getting your hair cut and dyed? You're not alone. One option that is growing in popularity is to use a student beautician. Visit a cosmetology school in your area where students are training in their profession.

If it sounds a little scary, don't worry. Students are supervised by professionals who can answer any questions that might arise. And of course, the cost can be less than half of what you would pay at a salon.

Keep in mind, some schools might offer other services such as pedicures and massages, so you can indulge in a wallet-friendly way.

(ARA) -- With all the news reports featuring grim economic forecasts for the nation's largest companies, it's easy to forget that small and mid-sized businesses represent the most vital component of the nation's economy. If you're part of this important sector, it's not time to give up hope, but instead time to strategize to help your business weather the recession.

In the U.S. small and mid-sized businesses create 75 percent of all new jobs and generate 50 percent of all national revenue. But when economic times get tough businesses can band together and come out ahead on the other side of a downturn.

Here are some tips from executive performance company, Vistage International, to help your business survive, and even grow, during a recession: * Take a whole office inventory: Be sure to include not only supplies, but also talent and assets. This will allow you to see the big picture, find opportunities that exist and see how resources can be better utilized. * Tap into local talent: Many colleges and universities are filled with students willing to intern for free to build their resumes. Younger students also tend to be tech savvy and can help improve your company's Web site, find new ways to interact with customers online and raise your search engine rankings. * Don't go it alone: Communicate with other business owners and share ideas. Peer-to-peer groups, like Vistage International, help companies stay connected with the communities in which they operate and help businesses find new solutions to their problems.

Dana Borowka, chief executive officer of Santa Monica-based Lighthouse Consulting Services, is a member of Vistage, a CEO peergroup organization. Vistage-member CEOs spend one day a month with other executives examining their own businesses and economic issues and offering each other guidance and support.

"Well in advance of the market shifts, we anticipated that companies would be looking for ways to make more targeted hiring decisions and do more in-depth em-

Small and mid-sized businesses account for 75 percent of all new jobs and generate 50 percent of all U.S. revenue. ployee screening," says Borowka.

"My Vistage CEO group challenged me to think ahead and their advice has proved indispensible to our success today." * Build strong relationships: In tough times, customers feel the same level of anxiety as business owners.

Pay attention to their needs and look for ways to be more relevant to customers and help them solve their problems. Find ways to reward loyal customers and be more involved in the community -it sends the message that your company is listening and is investing in the future. * Communicate: Now more than ever, communication is key.

The economic situation is changing too quickly to ignore and you must communicate changes to staff, clients and prospects. By being overly communicative with your staff, you give employees the opportunity to get involved and be creative to find solutions to you business challenges. * Determine the health of your competitors for growth opportunities: Economic struggles for one company can translate into huge opportunities for another. Sound out your competitors and see if

there's the possibility of an acquisition. Buying out the competition when they're struggling gives you greater market share and access to a new customer base.

Dominique Raccah is the owner and publisher of Sourcebooks, an independent book publisher just outside of Chicago. Nationwide, the publishing industry is struggling and the environment isn't expected to improve for some time. With the support of her peer-group, Raccah is protecting and growing her business by closely scrutinizing price points, customer demand and product mix, and extending the publishing firm's distribution network.

"Although the publishing industry takes economic slowdowns harder than most, and competitors are conservative, my Vistage Chair and group helped me realize my company is better positioned than I thought and it might be an opportune time to make an acquisition," says Raccah. "I was in survival mode and wasn't even thinking about growing. The acquisition idea came up within the last six months, we just closed the deal, and the feedback and excitement is amazing."

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Sixty percent of working moms say they have more household responsibilities on their plate this year than they did in 2008. (IRA Photo)

Work Smarter And Save (ARA) - In today's economy, when one overlooked deadline can cost you business or your job, and one late bill can lower your credit score, it's important to have the edge that organization gives you in both your personal and professional lives.

Working moms especially need superior organization and scheduling skills, as 60 percent say they have more household responsibilities on their plate this year than they did in 2008, according to a survey of 500 working mothers by Braun Research on behalf of Office Depot. Eighty-seven percent say they want to be more organized this year, and 65 percent believe that being well organized will help their families save money.

"Being organized and working smarter starts with creating new habits and systems," says Monica Ricci, Office Depot's organizing expert. "By making small changes and choosing the right products

for their needs, busy professionals and moms can dramatically improve their productivity as well as save money in 2009."

Ricci offers some simple advice to help you get organized:

Work Smarter * Learn to delegate. Just because something needs to be done, don't think you are the only one who can do it. Focus on your core strengths and delegate other tasks to trusted colleagues and outside vendors who can do the job quicker and better than you. * Lighten your load when traveling. When you fly, save time and checked bag fees by carrying everything aboard in your carry-on bag. Opt for a light, travel-friendly laptop like the Acer Aspire Netbook. Taking everything you need on board allows you to work on the plane and hit the ground running, without having to wait at a baggage claim carousel.

* Set up for business at home.

If you are thinking about starting a business out of your home, create a separate workspace by purchasing essential supplies such as a separate business phone, all-in-one printer, computer you can take on the go, data protection service like the HP Upline Data Storage Service and a shredder like the Fellowes Jam Proof Shredder to dispose of confidential customer information.

Get Organized to Save Money *Trade in outdated technology for cash. Outdated computer peripherals, cameras, monitors and other equipment can clutter your work environment and slow you down. Take advantage of technology trade-in programs that allow you to bring in certain electronic items for a cash credit. Office Depot's Tech Trade-In Service provides store gift cards for customers that trade in their old technol-

ogy. *Create a bill-paying system.

In today's economy, on-time payments have never been more important, yet over half (58 percent) of working moms say they've forgotten to pay a bill on time. Save money by creating a bill paying station in your home. Set up an "Inbox" and "Outbox" for all your bills. *Buy only what you need.

Retailers are now repackaging essentials like Sharpie's in single packs so you save money and get only what you need for the time being.

Don't purchase anything without getting added value in this economy - sign up for loyalty programs and look out for bundled product offerings to save.

Smart Tax Tips * Don't wait until April to begin sorting your receipts and tax documents from last year. Organize

them throughout the year by collecting, sorting and categorizing tax-related paperwork into separate files. At the end of each month, run a tally and staple the tape into the inside of the folder. Then, at the end of the year, just total all the tapes and store the files with your completed tax return. * Whenever you generate a receipt that has tax implications, immediately write on it what it's for.

You won't remember what that February 2009 receipt was for when you next look at it in April 2010.

Also, if you're ever audited, your notes will help substantiate deductions on your tax return. * Use a highlighter to mark the date and total amount of the receipt.

This will save you time and effort at the end of the month when you're totaling receipts because the important information will stand out.

You won't have to re-read every receipt to find the information you need.

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

ENTERTAINMENT

Etana, Queen Ifrica Set For IRAWMA

Reggae singer Etana will perform live at the 28th

Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards, May 3, at York College in Queens, NY.

Queen Ifrica will join Beenie Man, Mighty Sparrow and others in performance at the annual reggae awards next month.

NEW YORK, NY -- The 28th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) returns to the Big Apple on Sunday, May 3, 2009. The ceremony will host the top names in reggae, soca and world music at its new venue at the York College Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York.

Performing live will be top nominees Etana and Queen Ifrica, joined by Beenie Man, Cocoa Tea, Mighty Sparrow, Alison Hinds, Tarrus Riley, Dean Fraser, Calypso Rose, Tony Rebel, Gramps Morgan, Lt. Stitchie, Awilo-Soukous Band, Barbee, Mutabaruka, D'Angel, Duane Stephenson and poet, Malachi Smith.

The official press conference, which took place on March 31 at swanky BLVD in Manhattan, revealed the nominees, led by dancehall deejay Mavado with nods in eight categories. He's followed by Beres Hammond and Elephant Man with seven nominations, Etana and Queen Ifrica each grabbing five nods, and Mr. Vegas with four nominations. Other nominees include Shaggy, Machel Montano, Morgan Heritage, Duane Stephenson, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Wyclef Jean, Serani, Jazmine Sullivan, Luciano, Tony Rebel, Tarrus Riley and Stitchie, among others.

"We are very pleased with the response we are now receiving from the Caribbean and the rest of the world, and the respect that IRAWMA has been getting," states

Ephraim Martin, President of Martin's International and Associates. "When we think back 28 years ago, there was no form of recognition for reggae or world music entertainers. Today, from all corners of the globe, world beat music entertainers now have their special awards to look forward to each year."

The 28th IRAWMA kicks off at 6 p.m. for VIP ticket holders, and 7:30pm for general admission. This year the ceremony takes place at the state-of-the-art York College

Performing Arts Center, located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens.

Tickets for this celebration of music are now on sale at ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000, and also from IRAWMA at 877-9REGGAE, and the York College Performing Arts Center box office at 718-262-2840. Advance VIP tickets are $150 and general admission tickets $75, with more at the door.

Tickets are also available from selected sponsors' locations.

Tammy Chin announces the nominees for the show during a press reception, held in New York City earlier this month. (Photo by Delmar Gomez)

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Reggae Fest Gives Financially Strapped New Yorkers An Island Vacation ...

In Their Backyard NEW YORK, NY – While job lay-offs and economic hardship continues to plague residents throughout the City, many New Yorkers will be sticking close to home for relaxation and recreation instead of vacationing this year.

In response to the need to boost local affordable entertainment, Jammins Entertainment is introducing the Brooklyn Music Festival, a day-long carnival-style celebration featuring food, crafts, entertainment, and music from around the world specifically for Brooklyn’s culturally and economically diverse communities.

Slated for Aviator Sports and Recreation’s Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn on Sunday, June 21st, residents and visitors will enjoy the sounds of Reggae, Dancehall, Ska, Soca, Hip Hop, Oldies, Rhythm &

Bounty Killer

“With the current financial situa-

tion—massive job lay-offs, budget cuts, company closings—that we give people something to look forward to this summer, something that they can enjoy with friends and family.”

George Crooks

Brooklyn Music Festival Promoter

Blues, and Reggaeton with live per- Festival promoter George Crooks, formances from some of the world’s CEO of Jammins Entertainment.

“This summer you will find more highly acclaimed artists.

Legendary Hip Hop emcee Big and more people sticking to home Daddy Kane will be sharing the bill instead of traveling and vacationwith Dancehall’s superstars ing as usual. The goal of the BrookMavado and Serani, while ac- lyn Music Festival is to give claimed Japanese band The Brown Brooklynites and New Yorkers a Rice Family will be pumping the taste of the tropics—give them that up-tempo sounds of Ska, island vacation right here in their and the original ‘Jew- backyards. We’ve got the music, maican’ Benny Bwoy the food, the will be ‘toasting’ to the heavy drum and bass beat of Caribbean music. Rising sensations Berbice and Patch will be on hand to tantalize audiences with pulsating rhythms of Soca, and Guyana’s Natural Black and Jamaica’s Tarrus Riley will spread the Rastafarian message of love, unity, and faith through Roots music.

The versatile New Kingston Band will be playing everything from American soul standards to original Reggae compositions, while upcoming singer Kendra Granville’s sultry R&B vocals are sure to enchant patrons of all backgrounds. Acclaimed actor Leon will be performing with his Reggae/Soul band The Peoples. The ‘King of the Dancehall’ Beenie Man, the “Poor People’s Governor” Bounty Killer, the ‘Energy God” Elephant Man, ‘Jamaica’s Stevie Wonder’ Frankie Paul, and the ‘Fire Man’ Capleton will pack on a heavy dose of spicy Reggae flavor. More acts are to be confirmed.

“During these hard economic times the first thing that people trim from their budgets is recreBeenie Man ation,” states Brooklyn Music

crafts and entertainment, everything they need to relax and have a great time.”

In response to the economic downturn, Crooks and Jammins Entertainment are keeping ticket prices as low as possible, putting their early-bird general admission tickets under $50, and encouraging patrons to buy tickets ahead of time.

“We want as many people as possible to come out and enjoy the festival,” states Crooks. “It is important, with the current financial situation—massive job lay-offs, budget cuts, company closings— that we give people something to look forward to this summer, something that they can enjoy with friends and family.”

The Brooklyn Music Festival will be held at the Aviator Sports and Recreation’s Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY, on Sunday, June 21ST. Featured acts include Mavado, Beenie Man, Serani, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Tarrus Riley, Big Daddy Kane, Ding Dong, Brown Rice Family, Patch, Berbice, Natural Black, New Kingston Band, Benny Bwoy, Ska Bands NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, The Rudie Crew and King Django, Leon and the Peoples, and K e n d r a Granville.

More acts to be announced.

Ziggy Marley

Ziggy Remix es emixes Bob's Reggae For Kids

By Gary Graff

DETROIT, MI -- Children's music is dominating Ziggy Marley's melody making these days -- both for himself and on behalf of his father, Bob Marley.

His new album, "Family Time" (May 5 on Tuff Gong Worldwide), is a collection of what he refers to as "family music." Tracks include originals as well as covers of Woody Guthrie's "This Train" and the Jamaican children's standard "Hold Em Joe," along with two spoken-word pieces by actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

Other guests include Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Toots Hibbert and his mother, Rita Marley, and sister Cedella Marley. His 3-year-old daughter, Judah, who Marley calls his "muse" on the album, appears on the title track.

He'll follow "Family Time" with the June release of a set of Bob Marley song's, revised and remastered with a children's audience in mind.

"I never really thought about doing music for children before," said Marley, who's donating proceeds from "Family Time" to the Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica. "I kind of realized why I'm being led into this world of family/children's music is because we have to speak to the children now. The children have the open-mindedness. They're going to grow up and make the world a better place, so it's them we have to have some kind of discussion with.

"So this is what this record is about, really, is the beginning of a discussion with children and families to make the future a better place for the world family. But it starts with our own families."

Marley hopes to continue that dialogue with the Bob Marley album, for which he took the original masters of eight classic songs and revised the instrumentation and arrangements, even using some of his father's alternate vocal tracks.

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JEFFREY OSBORNE

ST. LUCIA SET FOR JAZZ EXPLOSION

Coco Palm's Feolla Chastanet Says Island Is Preparing For Strong Jazz Festival RODNEY BAY VILLAGE, St. Lucia (April 15, 2009) - St. Lucian hotelier Feolla Chastanet is hopeful the 2009 Jazz festival, slated from May 2 to 10, will be a big draw for the traveling public with British Grammywinning stars Amy Winehouse and Estelle recently added to a stellar line-up of musical greats, including Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, James Ingram and Bebe Winans.

Chastanet, managing director of the boutique Coco Palm property in Rodney Bay, said the decision to feature Winehouse - who won five Grammys at the 2008 awards and whose absence from the United States entertainment arena has been noticeable - has generated great attention and press coverage for the upcoming festival, especially in the mainstream entertainment media in North America.

"We hope this translates into more aficionados visiting St. Lucia for the18th edition of the festival," said Chastanet, who believes that top local musicians such as guitarist Ronald "Boo" Hinkson, saxophonist Barbara Cadet, singers Michel Aubertin, Teddyson John, Nicole David, and a host of other local performers, will help to boost St. Lucia's music industry, its Creole culture and the island's appeal in the international marketplace.

Veteran festival performer "Boo" Hinkson reflected: "In terms of dollars and cents, we could not even quantify the value of the publicity we get from the festival. It makes us a far better known destination and it has exposed our people to the best music and musicianship in the world."

He recommended that St. Lucian music continue to be used as a platform to promote the island, especially with the incred-

ible amount of talent yet to be fully showcased.

Set to perform on Pigeon Island's main stage on Thursday, May 7 will be Jamaica's Original Wailers, the former reggae band of Bob Marley; Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo from Benin; and the popular French Antillean group Kassav.

On Friday, May 8, Amy Winehouse, KC and the Sunshine Band and local singer Shayne Ross have been confirmed.

Saturday's line-up features the legendary George Duke who will team with Grammy winners Bebe Winans and James Ingram as well as Jeffrey Osborne and Teddyson John.

Also on Saturday's program are "Boo" Hinkson, Michel Aubertin, Estelle and Michael McDonald.

George Duke returns on Sunday to support performances by Grammy winners Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan as well as local singing sensation Nicole David. The UK-based Fate Sister; a local Pan Jazz band with Allison Marquis; famous American rock band Chicago; and reggae sensation Beres Hammond complete the line-up.

Slated for the indoor venue at Gaiety in Rodney Bay on Tuesday, May 5 are Jamaica's Monty Alexander Jazz and Roots as well as a Dean Fraser ensemble. On Wednesday, May 6 at Gaiety, The Luther Franรงois and Emerson Nurse Quintet from St. Lucia as well as Barbara Cadet and Frenchman Khalid Kouhen will take center stage.

Chastanet encourages visitors to make plans expeditiously for the festival. "We still have rooms for the final weekend of Jazz, but they won't last for very long," she predicted.

Grammy winner Bebe Winans will be a part of the Saturday night lineup.

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LEISURE

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Travel will lead you in new directions. Face any emotional problems head-on to avoid situations getting out of hand. You may need a physical outlet that will help you relieve your tension. Put your efforts into being creative.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Don't let the erratic behavior of someone you live with interfere with your professional performance. Opportunities for travel must be carefully considered. Your energy will be high. There could be disappointment regarding investments.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Take time to catch up on gossip and make plans to do a little adventure travel. You will be able to get along well with colleagues.

You may have ignored or neglected your mate lately. Take time to do some writing, whether it's correspondence, poetry, or keeping a journal.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You need to refrain from being the generous one in the group. You should teach children some of your unique creative talents. You should visit a friend or relative who hasn't been feeling up to par. Emotional disputes will only end in sorrow.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You should visit a friend or relative who hasn't been well. Pleasure trips will be most enjoyable and should lead to new and lasting friendships. Channel your energy into decorating or household chores. You may be sensitive concerning friends and their situations. Your lucky day this week will be Friday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You need more space for the whole family.

Pamper yourself this week. You can get your point across if you don't beat around the bush.

Empty promises will cause confusion.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Everything is moving quickly, just the way you like it. Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles. Either way, you're up for a passionate encounter with someone special. You will be able to pick up on future trends if you keep your eyes peeled for unique ideas.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your emotional life may be up in the air if your mate has been going through a change of heart. Put financial speculation with family members or friends on the back burner for now. You will feel tired and rundown if you have allowed yourself to get into a financial mess. You can make money through your creative efforts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Having your own business is a good idea.

Visit friends you don't get to see that often.

Do not reveal personal information to those you feel may be untrustworthy. You are able to make changes in your home that will be favorable to all involved.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You can accomplish the most if you travel for business purposes. A change of attitude has probably disrupted your home environment.

Look after financial transactions this week.

Don't take your frustrations out on loved ones.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Your outgoing charm and obvious talent will be admired. Your compassion will be appreciated more than you can imagine. Secret enemies may be holding a grudge that you're not even aware of. You will have excellent ideas for changing or renovating your home.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Don't let relatives stand in the way of your personal plans. Look into alternate means of sup porting your financial burdens. Your temper could be short if someone criticizes your efforts. Secret information will be eye opening.

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Gold Cup Favors Mexico

Trinidad Gets Host Egypt For U-20 World Cup

USA Has Tough Summer Ahead

NEW YORK, NY – Both Mexico and the United States will have multiple challenges this summer, and that doesn’t even take into account another potential meeting for the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

The two are in the midst of the final round of World Cup qualifying, with Mexico having to adjust to Javier Aguirre, the team’s fourth different manager in less than a year.

In addition to qualifying, the United States also must play in the Confederations Cup, and all of this on top of the biennial CONCACAF nations championship.

"We have a challenging summer ahead of us with three major international competitions going on, so it will be an excellent opportunity to further scrutinize our player pool as we continue to build our team towards qualifying and competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup," USA manager Bob Bradley said.

By comparison, Aguirre must stabilize a team that has won only three of its last 10 matches, two of the victories coming in friendlies and its only competitive victory at home.

"This year’s Gold Cup is key for the Mexican national team," Aguirre said. "Apart from being the most well-known competition in the region, it will be part of a very important summer for our team, which has not only the Gold Cup, but also two World Cup qualifying matches and friendly games, finishing with a World Cup qualifying game against our archrival, the United States, at the Estadio Azteca on August 12."

At the Gold Cup, Mexico will open against Gold Cup debutante Nicaragua and then face Central American champion Panama on July 9 in Houston, where it should have overwhelming support and likely will have its toughest firstround test.

"We have faced Panama’s national team on many occasions.

This team has grown a lot in the past years, and it plays well," Aguirre said. "In a stadium like Houston, where there are a lot of fans, it will be important to get a good result in order to not leave everything up to the third game."

The Americans will face Grenada, Honduras and Haiti in

Jozy Altidore (L) of the U.S. fights for the ball with Trinidad and Tobago's Makan Hislop (R) during their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month.

Group B, opening on July 4, American Independence Day, in Seattle.

The city, which was home to a team for 10 years in the old North American Soccer League, has seen a revival of the sport this year with the launch of the latest team in Major League Soccer, the Sounders FC. "We are thrilled with the op-

SCHEDULE:

2010 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING SOCCER JUN 3 JUN 6 JUN 6 JUN 6 JUN 10 JUN 10 AUG 12 AUG 12 AUG 12 SEP 5 SEP 5 SEP 5 SEP 9 SEP 9

Costa Rica - USA T&T - Costa Rica El Salvador - Mexico USA - Honduras Mexico - T&T Honduras - El Salvador Honduras - Costa Rica T&T - El Salvador Mexico - USA Costa Rica - Mexico USA - El Salvador Honduras - T&T El Salvador - Costa Rica Trinidad & Tobago - USA

portunity to open the Gold Cup in Seattle," Bradley said. "The city has a great soccer tradition, and it has been very exciting to how the community has embraced the Sounders. We often speak of the pride and humility we feel in representing the United States, and there is no better way to start the

tournament then on a day that all Americans share in those feelings."

This year’s Gold Cup will be the 10th since the tournament was inaugurated in 1991, and for the first time will be played in 13 cities across the United States, beginning in Los Angeles July 3 and finishing July 26 outside New York.

LUXOR, Egypt – Trinidad & Tobago will face host Egypt, Paraguay and Italy while the United States will have to take on Germany, Cameroon and the Korea Republic in the first round of the Under-20 World Cup later this year.

CONCACAF U-20 champion Costa Rica will have to play against Brazil, the Czech Republic and Australia in Group E in Port Said, while Honduras will play against the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Hungary in Group F in Alexandria.

"We’ve landed in an exotic group with strong opponents," Costa Rica coach Ronald Gonzalez said. "It will be very interesting."

Trinidad will play in Group A which will be based in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, while the USA will be based in Suez in Group C. The other two groups for the September 24-October 16 tournament will consist of Nigeria, Venezuela, Spain and Tahiti in Group B in Cairo, while Ghana, Uzbekistan, England and Uruguay will comprise Group D in Ismalia.

"I’m extremely pleased with the draw," said CONCACAF President Jack Warner, the chairman of FIFA's U-20 World Cup committee. "We have six evenly matched groups. I’m sure we’ll see lots of exciting matches. Naturally, it’s a happy coincidence that my home country of Trinidad and Tobago will contest the opening match against host nation Egypt."

2010 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF FINAL ROUND TEAMS

GAMES PLAYED

WINS

DRAW

LOSS

+/-

POINTS

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IN SPOTLIGHT AGAIN Bolt Named Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year

KINGSTON, Jamaica -Jamaica’s Beijing Olympics double sprint champion, Usain Bolt, is in line for another prestigious sports award.

Bolt has been nominated for the Laureus world sportsman of the year award following his fantastic world record runs in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He is also in line for a second award as the Jamaican sprint relay team, of which he was a member, has been nominated for the Laureus world team of the year.

The nominations were announced following a ballot among 873 journalists from 112 countries.

In Beijing last August, Bolt became the first man in history to win the 100 meters (9.69 seconds), 200 meters (19.30) and 4x100 meters gold medals (37.10) in world record times in the same Olympiad. Bolt’s 200 meters time broke the longstanding record of 19.32 set by American Michael Johnson at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Fantastic performance Laureus World Sports Academy chairman, former world 400 meters record holder, Edwin Moses, said: “In Beijing, Usain Bolt produced one of the most fantastic performances in the history of the Olympic Games. Not just of this Olympics, but in the last 120 years. For me it was the sprinting performance of the century. The 100 and 200 meters are two of the classic races of the Games and, for Usain to dominate both, shows what a brilliant athlete he is.”

At the Games, the Glen Millscoached Bolt broke the 100 meters world mark of 9.72 he had earlier set in May in New York. In the Laureus world sportsman of the year category, Bolt is up against Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, who won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing, plus his fourth straight French Open title and his first Wimbledon crown, Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals, motor sport racers Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi and Portugal and Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jamaica made a near clean sweep of Olympic sprinting gold medals in Beijing, overwhelming the United States, the traditional power house of sprinting. It was the first time one country had claimed so many sprint medals since 1912.

Bolt won gold medals in the

Veronica Campbell

Reigning World Champ Set For Reebok Grand Prix

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt currently holds the title of "World's Fastest Man." men’s 100 and 200 meters, Veronica Campbell-Brown successfully defended the 200 meters and ShellyAnn Fraser became the first Jamaican woman in history to win an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters. She was followed home by Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, who dead-heated for silver medals. Stewart also won a bronze medal in the 200 meters.

Additionally, the men’s team of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Bolt and Asafa Powell won the 4x100m gold medal.

The 10th Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognize sporting achievement during the period January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008, is regarded as one of the premier honors on the international sporting calendar.

TEAM OF THE YEAR The list of nominees for the 2009 Laureus world team of the year are NBA champions Boston Celtics (USA); China Olympic Team - best

ever Olympic result, led medals table with 51 gold, 21 silver, 28 bronze; GB Olympic Cycle Team (United Kingdom) - dominated the Beijing velodrome with 8 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze; Jamaica Olympic sprint team beat US favorites for a near clean sweep of Olympic sprint medals ; Manchester United (UK) - won third European Champions League and also English Premier League; Spain’s football team - won European Championship, their first major title for 44 years.

Laureus is a universal movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good. Laureus is composed of three core elements - the Laureus World Sports Academy, the Laureus World Sports Awards and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation - which collectively celebrate sporting excellence and harness the power of sport to promote social change.

The patron of Laureus is former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS Due to the current economic situation, Laureus, in a release yesterday, stated that it would be inappropriate to stage a full-scale Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony this year. The winners of this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards will receive their awards individually at a series of presentations during May and June.

The 46-member Laureus World Sports Academy which is chaired

by Moses, includes sporting greats Sir Vivian Richards (cricket), John McEnroe (tennis), Daley Thompson (athletics), Severiano Ballesteros (golf), Franz Beckenbauer (football), Boris Becker (tennis), Ian Botham( cricket), Sergey Bubka (athletics), Bobby Charlton (football), Sebastian Coe (athletics)and Nadia Comaneci (gymnastics).

NEW YORK, N.Y. – World champion Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, American sprint star Tyson Gay, Ethiopian distance standout Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam and reigning three-time world champion Swedish heptathlete Carolina Kluft will be among the headliners at the 2009 Reebok Grand Prix, organizers announced today.

The Reebok Grand Prix is the third stop of USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series and will be held at 3 p.m. on May 30, at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.

Campbell-Brown, 26, the reigning 100-meter world champion, will attempt to win her third straight Reebok Grand Prix title in the 100-meters. A fivetime Olympic medalist, she captured gold in the 200-meters at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, becoming only the second woman in Olympic Games history to successfully defend her title.

The 26-year old Gay was a three-time world champion in 2007 in the 100-meters, 200meters and 4x100-meter relay and is the current American record holder in the 100-meters.

For his 2007 performances, Gay was named IAAF Male Athlete of the Year, USOC Sportsman of the Year, Track and Field News Man of the Year and awarded the Jesse Owens Award.

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

25

Simmons Strokes Superb Ton As West Indies Make 320-6

West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons tallied a century against Leicestershire County Club, Wednesday.

LEICESTERSHIRE, England - West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons got his tour of England off to a brilliant start with a polished century against Leicestershire County Club on the second day of their three-day firstclass match at Grace Road. The stylish right-hander made 102 before he retired as the West Indies made 320-6 declared in reply to the home side’s 182. Leicestershire will start the final day on Wednesday on 51 for 1.

The 24-year-old Simmons, who made his Test debut against England in March, hit 11 fours and a six off 195 balls in fours hours, to register his seventh first-class century. He reached triple figures with an exquisite drive which rocketed into the cover boundary.

“It feels really good to get a century and get ready for the Test Series against England. I played against England in Trinidad and got a feel of Test cricket so I’m now looking to continue from there and make more progress,” said Simmons, who started the day on 21 not out.

“Today I decided to keep my cool. At the start it was a bit difficult but as time went on it got much easier and I was able to play my

strokes. It is a good start and I will be looking for more good scores in the upcoming matches,” Simmons added.

The knock was extra special as it was made at the ground where his uncle Phil Simmons, the former West Indies opener, played for five seasons and helped Leicestershire to two County Championships. It was Lendl’s second century at the ground. In 2006 he made a ton for West Indies ‘A’ Team.

“I am aware that he [Phil] played here and did very well so I was looking forward to making an impact as well. I played here before and got a score so I came back looking for more. I felt really confident and I enjoyed the way I was stroking the ball.”

He added a partnership of 154 with left-hander Brendan Nash, who also looked in fine touch making 78 with 11 boundaries as they dominated the bowlers in the morning session. Later in the innings Denesh Ramdin played well hitting four boundaries in a fluent 36 while Sulieman Benn made 23 not out with a six and three fours.

The 1st Test at Lord’s on May 6-10. The 2nd Test will be at Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street, starting May 14.

Joseph Nails First Goal In Revs’ Draw With DC United Narsingh Deonarine

Narsingh Nabs 1000 Runs JARRETT PARK, Jamaica -Narsingh Deonarine became the first batsman to make 1 000 runs in a regional first-class season when he stroked an attractive half-century recently for Guyana against Jamaica on the second day of the 13th round of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Four-day Tournament.

The 25-year old left-hander scored 63 to move his aggregate for the season to 1013 runs, in the process also breaking the record of 974 runs held by former Leeward Islands captain Stuart Williams.

Deonarine, who has played four Tests and five One-Dayers for West Indies, struck seven fours in an innings that required just 81 balls. He shared an important 48-run, third wicket stand with Sewnarine Chattergoon who also scored 63 but was guilty too of wasting a good foundation as Guyana reached 268-6 responding to Jamaica’s 389 all out, at Jarrett Park.

Chattergoon who played the last of his four Tests and 18 One-Day Internationals against New Zealand in January, struck nine fours off 93 balls.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Grenada international Shalrie Joseph registered his first goal of the new US Major League Soccer (MLS) season this past weekend but his New England Revs were held to a 1-1 draw

by DC United.

Joseph’s 50th minute header appeared set to give the Revs a win on the road but Ben Olsen hit a stoppage time goal to snatch

a share of the points for the home fans at RFK Stadium.

The highly regarded Joseph was perfectly positioned to score the go-ahead goal five minutes into the second half.

After Steve Ralston and Wells Thompson exchanged passes down the left flank, Ralston floated a cross to the far post where Joseph charged in and headed into the goal

New England Revolution's Shalrie Joseph reacts after scoring a goal against DC United during the second half of an MLS soccer game, last Friday, in Washington. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

from seven yards.

Olsen got the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.

Another Caribbean player featured in a goal this past weekend, the speedy Jamaican Dane Richards assisting one of New York’s goals that saw them beat Real Salt Lake (RSL) 2-0 at Giants Stadium.

Darting down the right side, Richards eluded David Horst and after keeping the ball alive on the touchline, hit a low cross that RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando deflected to the feet of Macoumba Kandji, who smashed the ball into the goal.

RSL had the Jamaica international Andy Williams in their side.

At the Home Depot Centre, Chivas USA toppled rookie side Seattle Sounders and beat them 2-0 through Chukwudi Chijindu and an own goal by James Riley.

Chivas had Jamaican Shavar Thomas and Kittitian Atiba Harris on their roster and veteran Jamaican defender Tyrone Marshall played for Seattle.

Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, MLS Player-of-the-Week last weekend, was beaten once for Los Angeles Galaxy in a 1-1 draw with San Jose Earthquakes at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

In other weekend fixtures, former US international Brian McBride scored twice for Chicago Fire in a 2-2 draw with Kansas City Wizards and Houston Dynamo won 1-0 over the Colorado Rapids, who had Jamaican Omar Cummings in attack.

The Guyanese star forward Gregory Richardson was on the bench throughout for Colorado and saw no playing time.

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

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* APRIL 23, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

SPORTS

BOLT NAMED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

P. 23

SIMMONS STROKES TON AS WEST INDIES MAKE 320-6

P. 25

FULL STORY, SEE PAGE 25