Posts

Caribbean Roasted Leg Of Goat

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: As the festive season continues, Caribbean chefs and cooks are now preparing for their New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Parties and Balls! They are determined to buy the freshest ingredients for their dishes. Their guests must be treated with best foods and everyone should have a good time!

The menu for my New Year’s Eve Party is as follows:

Appetizer
Jamaican Pepper Shrimp
Jerk Chicken wings
Mini Ackee and Salt Fish Pizza
Mango Pineapple Salad
Honey Baked Ham

Main Course
Roasted leg of Goat /carrots / Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and celery
Red Rice & Peas
Stream String beans with pickled Beets
Creamery Cornmeal cheese   soufflé

Dessert
Blue Draws/ Caribbean Black Cake

Rum Punch
Sorrell
Champaign

Here is my recipe for Oven Roasted leg of Goat

Print

Leg of Goat

To prepare oven-roasted leg of goat, season the meat with salt, pepper, garlic, and soy sauce. Sear it in a hot, oiled cast iron skillet until browned on all sides. Toss vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, celery, Brussels sprouts, and onions in oil, season them, and add them to the skillet around the goat leg. Cover and roast in a 375°F oven until fork-tender. Let the meat rest while preparing the gravy by deglazing the skillet with wine and beef stock, then whisking in flour to thicken. Slice the goat leg thinly and serve with the roasted vegetables and gravy.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean
Keyword Goat Leg Roasted
Servings 6 People

Ingredients

1 4 -5 pound leg of goatSalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste4 tablespoons olive oil divided8 ounces button mushrooms2 small onions quartered4 Cloves of Garlic crushed1 large Carrots sliced4 stalks of Celery diced8 Brussel sprouts1/4 cup soya sauce

Gravy

1 cup red wine1 cup low-sodium beef stock1/4 cup of flour

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Season the Goat leg with salt and pepper, crushed garlic and Soya Sauce to taste.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, 1/4 cup soya sauce
Heat 2 tablespoons the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add the meat and sear on all sides.
4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 4 -5 pound leg of goat
Add the mushrooms, carrots, celery, Brussel Sprouts and onions to a bowl and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss. Add to the skillet around the roast. Cover with lid
8 ounces button mushrooms, 2 small onions, 1 large Carrots sliced, 4 stalks of Celery diced, 8 Brussel sprouts, 4 tablespoons olive oil
Put the skillet in the oven and roast until fork tender.
Remove the roast from the oven to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Remove the carrots, celery, brussel sprouts, onions and mushrooms from the skillet.
While the goat leg is resting, prepare the gravy.
Put the skillet on low heat. Add the wine and stock, while scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the flour until the sauce is thickened and smooth.
1 cup red wine, 1 cup low-sodium beef stock, 1/4 cup of flour
Slice the beef into very thin slices. Transfer to a platter and serve with the carrots, celery, brussel sprouts, mushrooms and onions and gravy.

Serve hot.

Bon Appetite and a prosperous and  Happy New Year!

By Minna LaFortune

EDITOR’S NOTE: Minna LaFortune is a trained Caribbean caterer and also president, Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD). Check out her food group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bestfoodscaribbean/

Caribbean Recipe Of The Week – Pot Roasted Fresh Pork Leg

/0 Comments/in /by

 News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: Tomorrow is Christmas Day and for Caribbean nationals in the region and those in the Diaspora, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus must be finalized this week so that the big shopping can begin!

The shopping list will include the following food items: fresh green gungo peas, Ackee, flour, cod fish, sorrel , ginger, fresh pork leg, cured ham, goat meat, Fresh beef, calaloo, beef  liver, beef kidneys, condense milk, hard-dough bread, rice, butter, brown sugar, port wine and Jamaican White Rum!

The meals these items will be included in will bring smiles to faces as they will be included in some of the “Best Foods in the World!”

Foods such as Gungo rice and peas, pot roasted pork leg, baked ham Roast beef, beef liver and soft green bananas, sorrel drink, ginger beer and Caribbean Black fruit Cake!

The taste, the smells of the feasts across the region and in the Diaspora will be memorable!

I have had several memorable Christmas meals but the ones that remain prominent in my mind were the Christmas dinners prepared by my mother.

My mother, apart from being a folklorist, was excellent at cooking. One of the classic Christmas dishes that were her trademark was Pot Roasted Fresh Pork Leg.

Today, I will share with you my mother’s the recipe for pot roasted fresh pork leg.

Print

Pot Roasted Pork Leg

To make a pork leg roast, prepare a seasoning mix of onion, scallion, scotch bonnet, garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Score the pork skin, make holes in the roast, and stuff them with the seasoning. Season the exterior with salt and pepper, then marinate overnight. Brown the pork on both sides in hot coconut oil in a Dutch pot, then add water and simmer on low heat, adding water as needed, until tender. Let the roast rest before serving. For the gravy, use the drippings, add onion, thyme, and Pickapeppa sauce, then thicken with a cornstarch-water mixture. Serve with rice, peas, and vegetables.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean
Keyword Pot Roasted Pork
Prep Time 12 hours hours
Cook Time 1 hour hour
Servings 10 People
Author NewsAmericas

Ingredients

5 lbs Fresh pork leg2 large Onions finely chopped1 large Garlic minced1 tbs fresh Thyme finely chopped2 tsps Salt2 tsps Black Pepper1 small Scotch Bonnet Pepper-minced1 small bunch Scallion – minced1/4 cup coconut oil

Pork Leg Roast Gravy Ingredients

1 small Onion slicedI sprig of thyme1 tsp Jamaican Pickapepper Sauce1/2 cup Water1 tsp Corn Starch

Instructions

Mix together onion, scallion, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, thyme, salt and black pepper.
2 large Onions, 1 large Garlic, 1 tbs fresh Thyme, 2 tsps Salt, 1 small Scotch Bonnet Pepper-minced, 1 small bunch Scallion – minced, 2 tsps Black Pepper
Score the pork skin then pierce roast to make 10 holes and stuff with equal portions of seasonings using your fingers.
5 lbs Fresh pork leg
Sprinkle outside of roast liberally with salt and black pepper
2 tsps Salt, 2 tsps Black Pepper
Cover roast and put in fridge to marinate overnight.
In a large Dutch pot, add oil and when oil is hot, put marinated fresh pork leg in the pot.
1/4 cup coconut oil
Brown roast on both sides on high heat, about 5 minutes each side, in cast iron Dutch pot.
Add 10 oz of water to pot. Cover the Dutch pot.
Put the flame low and monitor pork leg roast while it is cooking. Add water as needed. Until pork leg roast is tender.
1/2 cup Water
Remove pork leg roast from pot, place on platter and leave to rest.

Pork Leg Roast Gravy: Method

Pour drippings into a small pot and skim off fat 2. Add onion, and Jamaican Pickapepper  sauce  to drippings and bring to a boil 3.
1 tsp Jamaican Pickapepper Sauce, 1 small Onion
Mix together water and cornstarch and stir into gravy 4.
1 tsp Corn Starch
Stir gravy until it thickens; remove from heat.

Notes

Serve with Rice and Gungo Peas and vegetables.

Bon Appetite

By Minna LaFortune

EDITOR’S NOTE: Minna LaFortune is a trained Caribbean caterer and also president, Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD). Check out her food group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bestfoodscaribbean/

Ethics Committee Report Reveals Shocking Details of Matt Gaetz’s 2018 Bahamas Trip

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, December 23, 2024: News Americas, New York, NY, December 23, 2024: The House Ethics Committee has released a bombshell report detailing allegations of misconduct by former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, including revelations about a controversial 2018 trip to the Bahamas. The 42-page report accuses Gaetz of violating House Rules and engaging in potentially criminal activities at the state level, including prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and accepting impermissible gifts.

FLASHBACK – Matt Gaetz attending a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation hearing about artificial intelligence on Capitol Hill July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing focused on barriers that prevent the Department of Defense from adopting and deploying A.I. effectively and the risks from adversarial A.I. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The investigation highlights the September 2018 Bahamas trip, where Gaetz reportedly traveled with at least five young women, flying separately from the group on a commercial flight while others used private planes. Gaetz was joined by GOP allies Halsey Beshears, a former state legislator, and Jason Pirozzolo, a hand surgeon and Republican fundraiser for Governor Ron DeSantis.

The report alleges that Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with multiple women during the trip and was under the influence of drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy. Testimony from a woman in the group described the trip as payment for sex, and the committee claims it found “ample evidence” that Gaetz used a pseudonymous email account from his House office to arrange for the purchase of marijuana. The report says that Gaetz used illegal drugs — including cocaine and Ecstasy — on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2019. It also says that he accepted gifts of transportation and lodging, in excess of dollar limits on what members of Congress are allowed to accept, as part of a trip he took to the Bahamas where he had sex with women whom he paid.

The committee also accuses Gaetz of using his congressional office to expedite a passport for a woman he was in a sexual relationship with, with his chief of staff falsely claiming the woman was a constituent.

On Monday, Gaetz attempted to block the release of the report by filing a temporary restraining order, arguing that the committee had no jurisdiction over him as a former member and alleging violations of due process. “The Committee’s apparent intention to release its report after explicitly acknowledging it lacks jurisdiction… represents an unprecedented overreach,” Gaetz’s lawyers argued.

Despite his efforts, the report was made public. In a series of posts on X, Gaetz denied paying for sex or engaging in illegal activities. He pointed out that a previous Justice Department investigation into similar allegations concluded with no charges.

“I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court — which is why no such claim was ever made in court,” Gaetz stated on X. Reflecting on his past, he admitted to partying and womanizing but insisted, “I live a different life now.”

House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, R-Miss., confirmed the findings but noted he did not vote to release the report. The investigation and its revelations mark a significant chapter in Gaetz’s tumultuous political career, casting a shadow over his recent nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for U.S. attorney general, a role he later withdrew from amid mounting scrutiny.

Caribbean Recipe: Haitian Griot

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: Like many Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora, Haiti is on my mind now, and as I get my donations together to help the victims there of Hurricane Matthew, I am also thinking about the wonderful cuisine of Haiti.

My favorite Haitian dish is griot (gree-o) with rice and peas, fried plantains and lettuce and tomatoes. The reason I love this dish is it’s a unique way to cook and serve pork.

Pork as we all know – for those of us who eat it – is a delicious meat when it is seasoned properly and cooked stewed, grilled or roasted. So try to imagine the taste of Griot, which  is cooked by two different cooking methods, served with a homemade Vinaigrette sauce, and then pared with fried plantains, rice and peas – it’s mouth watering! Good caan dun as we say in Jamaica!

This dish is very popular among Haitians and when this dish is served at a Haitian party, it’s the first to finish as it a favorite!

The following is the recipe for my version of Haitian Griot. Please try to make the dish; you will love it and as you do, please do whatever you can to help with the relief efforts for the people of Haiti  who are once again severely impacted by another natural disaster. Your support will be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your support.

Here’s the Haitian Griot recipe!

Print

Haitian Griot

To make this pork dish, juice sour oranges and set the juice aside. Rub cubed pork with salt and the squeezed orange halves, then marinate for 4-8 hours. Rinse the meat to remove excess salt and combine it with the orange juice, scallions, thyme, parsley, green pepper, and scotch bonnet (whole for mild, chopped for spicy). Cook the pork in a Dutch pot with enough water to cover until tender, then drain. Heat oil in a separate pot, add the pork, and simmer covered on low heat for 30 minutes. Finally, increase the heat and brown the pork until golden.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean, Haiti
Keyword Haitian Griot
Prep Time 8 hours hours
Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
Servings 6 People
Author NewsAmericas

Ingredients

2 pounds pork shoulder chopped in cubesJuice of 3 sour oranges1/4 teaspoon of salt1/4 cup of chopped scallionI sprig of thyme1/4 teaspoon of parsley1/4 teaspoon green pepper1 scotch bonnet pepper

Instructions

Take the sour oranges, cut them in half. Make one cup juice from the Sour oranges. Do not discard.
Juice of 3 sour oranges
Place cubed  pork  in one bowl. Add salt to the meat. Rub the oranges over the pork. Marinate 4 hour to 8 hours.
2 pounds pork shoulder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Rinse the meat with water to make sure it’s not salty.
Add the juice and all the other ingredients to the pork in the bowl.
(If you like spicy cut the scotch bonnet pepper. If not, leave the pepper whole.)
1 scotch bonnet pepper
Put all the ingredients in a Dutch pot.
1/4 cup of chopped scallion, I sprig of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of parsley, 1/4 teaspoon green pepper
Add enough water to boil everything. (Only enough to cover the meat in the pot.)
Boil the Pork until tender.
Drain the water off the pork.
In a separate Dutch pot heat 1/2 oil
When the oil gets hot place the pork in some heated oil; cover the pot and simmer for half an hour over low heat.
Then turn the heat up again and brown pork until the chunks of pork become golden brown.

Serve hot as is or sprinkle Vinegrette saucer pickles over meat.
Side dishes recommended: rice and peas, fried plantains and lettuce tomato salad!

Bon Appetite

By Minna LaFortune

EDITOR’S NOTE: Minna LaFortune is a trained Caribbean caterer and also president, Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD). Check out her food group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bestfoodscaribbean/

A Caribbean Christmas – Part II

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, BROOKLYN. NY:  Christmas is finally here and as I wrote in my last article, for Caribbean nationals, it is excitement and merriment until New Years Day in the homes of all Caribbean Nationals who celebrate the holidays! The excitement and merriment starts increasing on Christmas Eve! This is of course after the multitude of office parties and surprise get togethers, church services and Christmas cantatas and plays,

The special dishes that you will find in  homes will be the tastiest and most delicious you will find anywhere in the world! The biggest feast and merriment will begin on Christmas Eve into Christmas and New Years Day!

For Spanish and French Caribbean nationals, including those living in the Diaspora – Puerto Ricans and Dominicans mostly, they will be feasting on pickled bananas, yuca, tamales, pernill , Coquito, Plain Cakes and beers while the Haitians will partake of  Black rice, Red rice& Peas, griot, lambi (stewed Conch), Creamy potato and red beets salad, baked ham with pineapple and cherries, Lasagna, Creme, Haitian Rum and Haitian Cake.

It should be noted, because of the fact that there are so many Caribbean nationals that have intermarried in the Diaspora, each major meal will reflect the mixed influences. For example, you will find influences of Haitian cuisine in my menus.

Among the English-speaking Caribbean for the most part, the large feastings will include Christmas Souse, Black pudding, honey Baked ham with Pineapple and cherries,  escoveitched fish, special Breads like sweet breads and of course black cake, eggnog and rum punch. Parties and every get together will undoubtedly continue into Christmas morning , which will be greeted with a large breakfast  consisting of Johnny cakes,  bakes, liver with onions, kidney with bacon , scrambled eggs, bacon, corn flakes and milk, slices of ham, steak and onions,  calaloo and cod fish, hard dough bread, hominy corn  porridge , Ackee  and Saltfish, salted mackerel with green bananas and roast breadfruit, fried sweet plantains, boiled yellow yam, boiled dumplings and Steam fish and pepper pot washed down with chocolate tea, coffee, English tea, Milo, Ovaltine or Horlicks. Breakfast menus will invariable continue into lunch.

Dinner will usually consists of the following dishes: Roast beef, potato salad, rice and peas, curried goat, stewed fowl, jerk chicken, jerk pork, pot roast pork shoulder, roast turkey, green salad, macaroni pie, yellow  Yam balls, potato au gratin.

For my personal festivities on Christmas Eve, my Dinner menu is as follows:

Spicy Fish Tea
Cubed honey baked ham
Carrots , Cabbage and Lettuce Salad with mint dressing
Baked chicken legs stuffed with bacon and breadcrumbs
Haitian  Pork Griot
Roasted leg of Goat with Scotch Bonnet /red onions
Jelly Black Rice with cashew and baby Lima Beans

Dessert

Black Cake with creamy rum sauce
Blue mountain  Demi Tass Coffee
Rum Punch/ Port Wine/ Eggnog/Sorrell

Christmas Morning Breakfast Menu

Spicy Shad with sautéed grape tomatoes and sweet peppers
Firm young Green Bananas
Sautéed onions and goat liver
Fried dumplings
Roast Breadfruit boats stuffed with Ackee and Salfish
Fried Sweet Plantains
Steam Okra/ Pack Choy with garlic and olive oil
Steam Doctor Fish Jamaican hard dough bread
Coco tea/ mint tea/ coffee/Milo/Lemonade

Christmas Dinner Menu

Pepper Pot Soup
Five Spice Parsley, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, chickpeas salad with honey mustard dressing
Pot Roasted Pork Shoulder
Spicy Fricassee of Rooster Or (Coq au Vin)
Roast Beef and vegetables (Carrots, Celerey, Brussels sprouts)
Lambi (Stewed Conch) in tomato sauce
Green Pigeon Rice and Peas
Hot Sweet Yellow Yam Cakes/ butter
Creamy Potato with beets salad
Honey Baked Ham

Dessert

Mango Ice Cream, Pineapple Upside down Cake, Black Cake , cassava pone
Blue Mountain coffee
Sorrel, Rum punch, Port Wine, Fruit Punch
I will now share my recipe for Hot Sweet Yellow Yam Cakes and Lombi(Stewed Conch):

Hot Sweet Yellow Yam Cakes

Print

Hot Sweet Yellow Yam Cakes

To make yellow yam cakes, peel, boil, and mash yellow yam until creamy with melted butter, nutmeg, and cream, then let it cool. Mix in condensed milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and chopped onions, adjusting the texture with flour if needed. Shape the mixture into slightly flattened balls, brush with melted butter, and bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot with butter for a delicious treat.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean, jamaica
Keyword Yellow yam Cakes

Ingredients

2 pounds of Fresh yellow yam3 whole Eggs beaten10 oz of melted salted butter1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp white ground pepper3/4 cup Condensed Milk1/2 Heavy Cream1/4 Tsp nutmeg1 medium white onion chopped

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheet with butter.
Peel and boil yellow yam until cooked.
Remove from water
Heat drain and add 8oz melted butter, nutmeg  and cream.
Crush yam and ingredients until creamy.
Allow to cool at room temperature.
Add condense milk and eggs.
Mix thoroughly.
Form mixture into ball, press slightly between palm.
If mixture is too wet add a little flour to make it manageable.
Place cakes on a greased cookie baking sheet.
Brush with melted butter.
Bake for 30-40 mins. until golden brown.
Makes 8-10 cakes
Serve hot with butter!

Lamb Curry

Print

Lamb Curry

To make Caribbean lamb curry, start by seasoning lamb chunks with a blend of spices like curry powder, turmeric, and allspice. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil until fragrant, then add the seasoned lamb and brown it. Stir in fresh herbs like thyme and Scotch bonnet peppers for heat. Add chopped tomatoes, coconut milk, and water to create a rich sauce, and let it simmer until the lamb becomes tender. Adjust the seasoning, and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving, often with rice or roti.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean
Keyword goat curry, Lamb Curry, mutton curry
Prep Time 1 hour hour
Cook Time 1 hour hour
Servings 4 People

Ingredients

2 lbs. lamb cut into stewing pieces2 tbsp olive oil1 medium onion finely chopped1 whole garlic peeled and chopped1 tsp freshly grated ginger1 tbsp vinegar1 tbsp white rum1/2 scotch bonnet pepper finely chopped or any other hot pepper you prefer2 sprigs fresh thyme2 tbsp curry powder1/3 cup water1 tsp cumin1 tsp garam masala1 tsp turmeric2 tsp salt2 medium potatoes peeled and quartered.

Instructions

To make Caribbean lamb curry, start by seasoning lamb chunks with a blend of spices like curry powder, turmeric, and allspice. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil until fragrant, then add the seasoned lamb and brown it. Stir in fresh herbs like thyme and Scotch bonnet peppers for heat. Add chopped tomatoes, coconut milk, and water to create a rich sauce, and let it simmer until the lamb becomes tender. Adjust the seasoning, and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving, often with rice or roti.

Lambi (Stewed Conch)

Print

Lambi (Stewed conch)

To prepare conch (lambi), tenderize the meat with a mallet and clean it using lime or sour orange juice. Season and marinate overnight. Cook the meat in a pressure cooker with oil, tomato paste, onions, and shallots for 30-45 minutes, adding hot water as needed to maintain moisture. Then, add boiling water to cover the meat and cook for about an hour until tender. Finish by mixing in additional onions, shallots, tomato paste, and seasonings, stirring well. Add thyme shortly before serving.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean
Keyword Lambi
Servings 8 People

Ingredients

1 5lb box of conch (lambi)1 lime and sour orange juiced1 tsp of garlic powder1/2 tsp of thyme1 tsp of black pepper1 scotch bonnet pepper1 tbsp of Adobo seasoning salt1 Maggi chicken bouillon cube1 tsp of baking soda1/2 cup of olive oil1 cup tomato paste4 large onions diced6 small shallots diced1 gallon of boiling water1 sprig of thyme

Instructions

Using a meat mallet, pound the conch until tenderized.
Clean the meat thoroughly with the lime and/or sour orange juice.
Season well.
Marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
Using a pressure cooker, place the meat and half of the  tomato paste, shallots, onions and  oil into the cooker and allow the conch meat and seasonings  to cook for  30-45 minutes.
Do not burn.
Add hot water to provide moisture as needed.
After 30-40 minutes, add  1 gallon boiling water, covering meat and close cover securely with regulator in place.
Cook for an hour until the meat is tender.
Lower the fire and add the rest of the onions and shallots, tomato paste and pepper to taste. Stir the meat and combine all ingredients.
Add thyme minutes before it is finished.

Eat, Drink, Pray, together and have a Merry, Merry Caribbean Christmas and  a Happy Kwanza!

By Minna LaFortune

EDITOR’S NOTE: Minna LaFortune is a trained Caribbean caterer and also president, Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD). Check out her food group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bestfoodscaribbean/

Lone Caribbean Scientist Among OAS Prestigious Honorees

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, December 19, 2024: A Caribbean-born scientist has been honored among the Hemisphere’s brightest minds by the Organization of American States (OAS). Dr. Cardinal Warde of Barbados was the lone Caribbean scientist among seven distinguished individuals from the Americas, awarded the prestigious Science, Technology, and Innovation Award of the Americas during the VII Meeting of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Science and Technology, (REMYCT).

Barbados-born US scientist and MIT Professor Cardinal Warde.

The ceremony celebrated trailblazers from Barbados, Canada, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay, and the United States for their exceptional contributions to science and technology, as well as their commitment to fostering cooperation and development across OAS member states.

A Champion for Caribbean Science

Dr. Warde, 79, a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was recognized for his groundbreaking work in optoelectronics and his leadership in advancing science education in the Caribbean. As President of the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology, and Innovation (CADSTI) and Interim Executive Director of the Caribbean Science Foundation, Dr. Warde has dedicated his career to equipping the next generation of scientists and engineers with tools for success.

Born in Christ Church, Barbados, Warde showed an early passion for science, converting his father’s carpentry shop into a makeshift chemistry lab. After excelling at Harrison College, he pursued higher education in the United States, earning his doctorate in physics from Yale University in 1974.

Pioneering Research and Innovations

At MIT, where he has served since 1974, Dr. Warde is a leading expert in materials and systems for optical information processing and displays. His research spans diverse fields, including optical computing, wireless communication, and holography. He has developed innovative optical neural network processors and light modulators that have advanced brain-like computing and high-resolution imaging technologies.

Beyond academia, Dr. Warde founded multiple successful technology ventures, including Optron Systems and Radiant Images, Inc., specializing in optoelectronic systems and displays. His inventions have earned him 12 patents, underscoring his impact on the tech industry.

Advocacy for Education and Development

Dr. Warde is equally celebrated for his contributions to education policy in the Caribbean. He has worked tirelessly as a scientific advisor to the Government of Barbados and other regional entities to enhance STEM opportunities for Caribbean youth.

Through the Caribbean Science Foundation, Dr. Warde oversees the Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE), a rigorous summer initiative that prepares gifted students for careers in science and engineering. He also established the Rosetta Irene Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund, supporting higher education for students from English-speaking Caribbean countries.

Global Recognition

Dr. Warde’s accolades include the Barbados Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence and the Caribbean American Heritage Award. He is also a Fellow of The Optical Society and holds honorary doctorates from the University of the West Indies and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

As a scientist, educator, and advocate, Dr. Warde exemplifies the power of innovation and collaboration. His recognition by the OAS highlights the vital contributions of Caribbean professionals to global science and technology.

Caribbean National Among 51 Sentenced in Gisele Pelicot Rape Case

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, December 19, 2024: A Caribbean-born man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the shocking case in France, where a woman was drugged and sexually assaulted by dozens of men over nearly a decade.

Gisele Pelicot leaves the courthouse next to her lawyer Stephane Babonneau (L) after a verdict in the Pelicot case on December 19, 2024 in Avignon, France. Gisele Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and 50 other men were convicted today on charges of raping her over a multiyear period, in encounters arranged by Mr. Pelicot while she was drugged and unconscious. (Photo by Julien Goldstein/Getty Images)

Joan Kwai, 26, originally from French Guiana, was among 51 men found guilty in the case involving the abuse of 71-year-old Gisele Pelicot. The assaults occurred after her now-convicted husband, Dominique Pelicot, drugged her and allowed others to attack her without her knowledge. Kwai was found guilty of aggravated rape during the trial in Avignon and sentenced to 10 years.

The case has drawn international attention due to its disturbing nature. According to prosecutors, Dominique Pelicot, a retired electrician, orchestrated the abuse from 2011 to 2020. Kwai, who had moved to France as a teenager, admitted to visiting the Pelicot home twice and acknowledged knowing Mrs. Pelicot was unconscious during the assaults. He was the youngest rapist and was 23 at the time of the assaults.

Mrs. Pelicot, who waived her anonymity, has become a symbol of resilience and courage for survivors of sexual violence. Throughout the proceedings, she has received applause and support from the public.

The trial, involved 51 defendants, and was divided into smaller groups for efficiency. Fourteen of the accused had confessed to their involvement, while others denied the charges, claiming they were misled by Dominique Pelicot. They were all found guilty today.

Dominique Pelicot was arrested in 2020 after being caught filming women without their consent in a supermarket. Authorities discovered thousands of incriminating photos and videos at his home, linking him to numerous crimes. He has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the drugging and abuse of his wife and for his role in other heinous acts, including the rape and murder of a woman in Paris in 1991.

Gisèle Pelicot spoke of her “very difficult ordeal” after the 51 men were all found guilty Thursday in the drugging-and-rape trial that turned her into a feminist hero, expressing support for other victims of sexual violence whose cases don’t get such attention and “whose stories remain untold.”

“I want you to know that we share the same fight,” she said in her first words after the court in the southern French city of Avignon handed down prison sentences ranging from three to 20 years in the shocking case that stunned France and spurred a national reckoning about the blight of rape culture.

“Your messages moved me deeply, and they gave me the strength to come back, every day, and survive through these long daily hearings,” she said. “This trial was a very difficult ordeal.”

“It’s also for them that I led this fight,” she said of her grandchildren. “I wanted all of society to be a witness to the debates that took place here. I never regretted making this decision. I have trust in our capacity to collectively project ourselves toward a future where all, women and men, can live in harmony, with respect and mutual understanding. Thank you.”

10 Fast Facts About Trump’s Bahamas Ambassador Nominee

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, December 19, 2024: Former President Donald Trump has nominated ex-NFL star and former Senate candidate Herschel Walker as the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas. Here are 10 key things to know about this controversial pick:

FLASHBACK – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker speaks to supporters at a campaign rally on November 16, 2022 in McDonough, Georgia. Walker, the University of Georgia Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back, continues campaigning across the state ahead of a runoff election against incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) on December 6. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

1. Walker is Trump’s Second Caribbean Ambassador Nominee

If confirmed, Walker would serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, a role currently vacant. This marks Trump’s second nomination of an ambassador to the Caribbean region and the first black pick from the administration to date.

2. A Football Legend and Olympian

Walker is celebrated as a former NFL star and a member of the U.S. bobsled team at the 1992 Winter Olympics, showcasing his diverse athletic career.

3. No Diplomatic Experience

Despite his prominence in sports and health advocacy, Walker has no prior diplomatic experience, a trend observed among some of Trump’s past ambassadorial nominees.

4. Close Ties to Trump

Walker previously co-chaired Trump’s Council on Health, Nutrition, and Fitness during his first administration and has been a longtime supporter of the former president.

5. Failed Senate Bid in Georgia

Walker rose to political prominence in 2022 when Trump endorsed him as the Republican candidate in Georgia’s Senate race. He lost to Democrat Raphael Warnock in a campaign fraught with personal and political scandals.

6. Controversial Personal Life

Allegations surfaced during Walker’s Senate campaign that he had paid for two ex-girlfriends to have abortions, despite his publicly staunch anti-abortion stance. He has denied the allegations.

7. Domestic Violence Allegations

Walker’s ex-wife accused him of holding a gun to her head and threatening her life, a claim that drew significant attention during his Senate race.

8. Criticism of Absentee Fathers While Concealing His Own Children

Walker faced backlash for criticizing absentee fathers in Black households, only to later admit he had fathered children he had not publicly disclosed. He has since said he loves and supports all his children.

9. Exaggerated Claims

Throughout his Senate campaign, Walker made several false claims, including that he graduated in the top 1% of his class at the University of Georgia (he did not) and had served in law enforcement (he had not).

10. Trump’s Endorsement of Walker

Announcing Walker’s nomination on his Truth Social platform, Trump lauded him as “an NFL great” and a role model who has served as “an ambassador to our nation’s youth.” Trump expressed confidence that Walker would “put America First” in his new role.

Walker’s nomination will now require Senate confirmation, where his past controversies and lack of experience may face scrutiny.

8 Key Facts About Trump’s First Caribbean Ambassador Nominee

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, December 18, 2024: Former President Donald Trump has nominated Leah Campos Schandlbauer, a former CIA operations officer and seasoned foreign affairs expert, as the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. If confirmed, Campos will be Trump’s first ambassadorial pick for the Caribbean region, bringing extensive national security and policy experience to the role.

Leah Francis Campos is Trump’s First Caribbean Ambassador Nominee

Here’s what you should know about Campos:

Distinguished CIA Career: Campos Schandlbauer is a former CIA operations officer with over 10 years of experience.

Foreign Affairs Expertise: Campos previously served as a senior advisor for the Western Hemisphere on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, focusing on Latin America.

Educational Background: She holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh (1997) and Arizona State University, reflecting her strong academic foundation.

Congressional Candidate: In 2012, she ran for Congress as a Republican in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District, emphasizing border security in her campaign. During her congressional run, she like Trump, made the border a central theme, stating in 2012: “The federal government needs to do its job and secure our border with Mexico, just as Mexico robustly secures its own southern border. Mexico is undergoing a bitter, violent and widespread assault at the hands of vicious drug cartels, which threatens to completely destabilize the Mexican nation. Anyone who asserts that this has not had a huge impact on Arizona is simply not telling the truth. “

Family Connections: Campos’ sister, Rachel Campos-Duffy, is a Fox News contributor, and her brother-in-law, Sean Duffy, was named Secretary of Transportation by Trump. “Her sister, the outstanding Rachel Campos-Duffy, of FoxNews, and brother-in-law Sean Duffy, who will be Secretary of Transportation, are also wonderful Patriots. Leah will take her love of Country, and commitment to our National Security and Prosperity, to her post as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.

Private Sector Role: Since 2019, she has worked as Senior Strategic Adviser for SAS Institute, focusing on Latin America, Southern Europe, and other regions.

Devout Faith: A lifelong Catholic, she credits her mother, a catechist, with shaping her strong religious values.

Personal Life: She resides in Arizona with her husband, Alfred Schandlbauer, and their four children: Christian, Isabela, Soledad, and Xavier.

Jamaican-American Ozy Media Co-Founder Gets Almost A Decade In Jail

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, December 17, 2024: Jamaican-American entrepreneur and co-founder of Ozy Media, Carlos Watson, has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison after being convicted of defrauding investors and lenders through falsified financial information. The sentencing marks a dramatic fall for Watson, who founded the digital media company in 2013, aiming to carve a space in the competitive media landscape.

Jamaican American Carlos Watson, co-founder of Ozy Media, speaks with press after his sentencing hearing at Brooklyn Federal Court on December 16, 2024 in New York City. Watson was sentenced to almost 10 years in prison for trying to defraud investors and lenders by lying about the company’s finances after being convicted in July. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The sentence, handed down in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, follows a federal jury’s July conviction of Watson on charges of conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft. Witnesses detailed how Watson orchestrated fraudulent activities between 2018 and 2021, including impersonating executives, falsifying contracts, and inflating Ozy Media’s revenue figures.

While prosecutors had sought a 17-year sentence and $65.6 million in forfeiture, the court sentenced Watson to 116 months, with the exact financial penalties yet to be determined. Judge Eric Komitee described the case as a tragedy “of Mr. Watson’s own making,” pointing to “exceptional dishonesty” in the schemes.

Watson denied the allegations throughout his trial, maintaining his innocence and attributing the fraud to other former employees of Ozy Media. His defense team argued that any misrepresentations to investors were based on good-faith assessments and reflective of a “scrappy start-up” mindset. Watson also claimed selective prosecution due to his race, a defense the judge rejected.

“I made mistakes,” Watson admitted during the hearing. “But I’m also saying I don’t feel good about what has happened here.”

Ozy Media, once seen as a rising star in digital media, folded under the weight of financial misrepresentation and mounting scrutiny. Watson’s former associates, including co-founder Samir Rao and ex-chief of staff Suzee Han, pleaded guilty to fraud charges and testified against him during the trial.

Watson’s lawyers attempted to overturn his conviction, alleging judicial bias and racial discrimination in prosecution, but their efforts were dismissed by Judge Komitee, who deemed the claims “frivolous.”

Prosecutors highlighted a 2021 fundraising call where Rao impersonated a YouTube executive to secure investment from Goldman Sachs, an incident they claimed Watson orchestrated. Watson denied involvement, but Judge Komitee cited his testimony as “egregious perjury.”

The case also revealed inflated claims of financial commitments from high-profile figures and companies, including Oprah Winfrey and Live Nation Entertainment, as part of Ozy Media’s bid to secure funding. Samir Rao, the other co-founder of Ozy, and Suzee Han, a former Ozy chief of staff, pleaded guilty last year to fraud charges and both cooperated in the case and testified against Watson.

“Carlos Watson’s schemes and dishonesty brought about Ozy Media’s collapse,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, following the conviction. “Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his crimes.”

ABOUT WATSON

Watson, a Miami native born to Jamaican parents, rose to prominence through an impressive academic and professional journey. A Harvard graduate, Watson later earned a law degree from Stanford, where he served as an editor of the Stanford Law Review and president of the student government. His early career included roles at McKinsey & Company and Goldman Sachs, as well as founding and selling Achieva College Prep Service to Kaplan, Inc.

Watson co-founded Ozy Media in 2013, leading it to raise over $70 million and producing TV shows, podcasts, and events like Ozy Fest. However, allegations of fraudulent practices – including inflated metrics and misrepresentations to investors—led to Ozy’s collapse in 2021.

In 2023, Watson faced federal charges of fraud and was convicted in 2024, accused of deceiving investors and fabricating financial data.