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OOOPS! Poland nabs octogenarian with 5 kilos of heroin in suitcase Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

An 81-year-old Danish woman travelling from Africa to Canada was arrested at Warsaw airport on suspicion of illegal possession of heroin worth over US$515K, officials in Poland said on Friday.

Customs officers at Frederic Chopin Airport decided to check the woman’s luggage Sunday after becoming suspicious of her itinerary and her uneasy behaviour.

Packages with five kilograms (11 lbs) of heroin were discovered under a false suitcase bottom.

The woman, travelling from Malawi and Kenya through Doha and Warsaw, denied any wrongdoing and said family members had given her the suitcase with gifts for relatives in Canada, according to Aleksandra Skrzyniarz, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office in Warsaw.

She was detained for three months and prosecutors have opened an investigation; under Polish law, she faces up to 15 years in prison for illegal possession of narcotics.

Denmark officials confirmed that a Danish citizen was detained in Poland and said the ministry is “providing consular assistance”.

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Jah Hands Baas neemt fans mee in muzikale beleving

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

door Shanavon Arsomedjo PARAMARIBO — Als de naam Jah Hands Baas geen belletje bij je doet rinkelen, zal het nummer

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GameNation platform brings new energy to online play Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

E-sports teams, players and fans were in for powerful and exhilarating experiences as the online gaming battles kicked off at the launch of the Jamaica’s newest online gaming platform, GameNation.

Hundreds of excited gamers converged at Digicel’s Ocean Boulevard headquarters last Saturday to witness the high-energy event that signalled a new way to enjoy gaming and e-sports.

“GameNation gives players access to hundreds of fan-favourite games from an impressive roster of categories, including action, racing, arcade, and puzzles, with no download required,” noted SportsMax marketing executive, Orion Aitken. “We’re supporting the growing gaming community by giving players the chance to compete to win real-life prizes, plus perks including bragging rights through leader-board rankings.”

The event doubled as the venue of an intense FIFA 22 online tournament, hosted by SportsMax, WYLDE and the Jamaica E-Sports Initiative (JEI). Thirty-two players were selected from over 162 applicants to battle for the title of best FIFA 22 player in Jamaica.

The GameNation launch was a gamer’s paradise, with every feature well thought out to provide the perfect gaming ambience – from interactive screens to enhanced audio systems, lighting, and cool gadgets.

FIFA fans across Jamaica came out to compete at the GameNation Game Pod – a dedicated area for interactive gaming using a touchscreen interface. There, they got an exclusive, first-hand look and feel of the games available on the online platform.

Following several rounds of fierce battle, gamer Tahjay Solomon, (gamer name “LS_21Don”) took home the grand prize of a Sony PS5 and a trip to the WYLDE boot camp in Ireland.

Solomon used this handle to honour the legacy of his late brother-in-law and former national player, Luton Shelton.

Taje Bogle (gamer name “BigNoseBalla”) won the second place prize of an Xbox and an ultimate game pass.

David Seiveright (gamer name “MacSeiv”) took home the third place prize of a Nintendo Switch and three months Switch membership.

“Our mission is to continue contributing to e-sports for generations to come and to encourage players to be the best they can be,” noted CEO of WYLDE, Steve Daly. “E-sports has been around for less than 10 years and has already attracted millions worldwide. This partnership with Digicel, SportsMax and the JEI will strengthen our efforts to promote and to make e-sports more accessible across the Caribbean.”

Speaking at the GameNation launch event, president of JEI, Gregory Moore, gave a rundown on the growth of the local e-sports community.

He shared, “The JEI was formed in 2018, and we have made considerable progress over the past four years. Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to form a national e-sports team, the first to join the International E-Sports Federation and the first to travel to the International World Championships. Jamaicans have travelled to Las Vegas, Singapore, South Korea and even competed in the recent Commodore E-Sports Competitions.”

The launch of the GameNation online platform is one of the latest initiatives to show support for the fast-growing online gaming community, as Digicel continues to support the needs of this emerging group of customers by delivering superfast Digicel mobile data or home internet speeds to help them gain the competitive edge and maximise their potential.

GameNation is available to all Digicel customers. To play, visit www.playgamenation.com and sign up with your name and the phone number or email address linked to your Digicel account.

Gamers can also download the SportsMax app to enjoy a Summer of E-sports. All JEI events will be available on the app, and users can stream live action from FIFA, Valorant and more.

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Man United reach deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

MADRID (AP) — Manchester United reached a deal Friday to sign midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, ending the Brazilian’s successful stint in Spain and giving the struggling English giant a much-needed reinforcement.

Both clubs confirmed the deal but did not provide financial details, although Spanish media said the deal for the 30-year-old Brazilian was worth about 70 million euros ($70 million) plus variables.

United said the transfer is subject to the agreement of personal terms, UK visa requirements and a medical. United, which have lost their opening two games of the Premier League season, have been in the market for a central midfielder since the transfer window opened.

Casemiro’s arrival should be a boost for beleaguered United manager Erik ten Hag, who unsuccessfully deployed playmaker Christian Eriksen in a deeper-lying midfield role in last weekend’s 4-0 loss at Brentford.

Madrid thanked Casemiro and called him a club legend. He had been with Madrid since 2013 and helped them to win 18 titles, including five Champions League and three Spanish leagues.

The club said Casemiro will be honoured at an event at the team’s training center on Monday.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had said earlier Friday that Casemiro was in negotiations for a move and a deal was imminent.

He said he spoke with Casemiro and felt “there was no way back,”

“He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity,” Ancelotti said in a news conference. “The club understands. With all he’s done for this club and the person he is, we have to respect it. There are talks right now, he’s still a Real Madrid player at this stage, but he wants to leave.”

Ancelotti said he didn’t try to change Casemiro’s mind about leaving.

“I haven’t tried to convince him, I just listened, because I have spoken to Casemiro throughout my time here and he has helped us so much,” Ancelotti said. “Having heard what he wants, there’s no way back. If he doesn’t stay, we’ll have an enormous sense of gratitude to him for all he’s done.”

The 30-year-old Casemiro is regarded as one of the world’s best holding midfielders. Madrid’s midfield has been one of the best in the world in recent years with Casemiro playing alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

He has more than 60 appearances with Brazil’s national team and is set to play in the World Cup in Qatar. He helped Brazil win the 2019 Copa Am?rica.

Ancelotti said Madrid has replacements for Casemiro, though, including young France midfielder Aur?lien Tchouam?ni, who was signed in the offseason. The club has other players who can fill in as well, including Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and even David Alaba, a defender who can play in midfield if needed.

“Tchouam?ni was signed for this position and he’s one of the best central midfielders on the market right now,” Ancelotti said. “Then we’ve got Kroos, who can play in that position too, just like he did in my second year here, and there’s Camavinga as well.”

Ancelotti said the six midfielders he still has in the squad would be “enough to negotiate the season.”

“They are six top quality players,” the coach said.

Ancelotti said Madrid’s targets will remain the same despite Casemiro’s departure.

“Real Madrid’s plans don’t change,” he said. “Our plans are to fight and compete in every competition, which we will do with or without Casemiro. That said, everyone is well aware of how important the player is and how much we love him.”

Madrid won the Champions League, the Spanish league and the Spanish Super Cup last season. They opened this season by winning the UEFA Super Cup.

Casemiro will join former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at United, although the Portugal forward’s future at the English club is still in doubt.

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Marigot Resident Recalls Stabbing Victim’s Last Words – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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A Marigot resident says his brother’s last words to him after being stabbed were that he was ‘starting to black out’ and needed to go to the hospital

Eliseus Harper said he took his brother, Asher St. Rose to the medical facility.

Asher St. Rose – Deceased

But St. Rose did not survive the August 11, 2022 stabbing at Fond Mange, Marigot, allegedly at the hands of a female neighbour.

Harper told St Lucia Times that a post-mortem examination of the deceased determined that St Rose’s death was due to ‘stab to the chest and lungs’.

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According to Harper, Thursday’s examination found that his deceased brother had no organ or health issues.

Earlier, the deceased’s mother had disclosed that her son, who would have turned 24 in November, was preparing to leave Saint Lucia to take up a sailing job.

Suzanna Harper – Deceased’s Mother

He was due to leave Friday.

“Today was supposed to be a very joyful day for us and him. Instead, it is just the opposite. It is a sad day. He is not here to enjoy what he had been working so hard for and spending so much money towards,” his distraught brother told St Lucia Times.

“The incident should not have reached this extreme,” he lamented, adding that the family held a vigil for the deceased.

“He could not have left so we did something to show him if he is up looking at us, we did something to show him he was supposed to leave today, we showed him some respect. He wanted to leave today but not in that manner,” St. Rose’s brother explained.

The brother said the deceased had promised that when he got through with his job overseas, he would have made sure to take care of their mother and his nieces and nephews.

But Harper declared that the dream did not materialise.

Headline photo: Eliseus Harper – Deceased’s brother

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NY officials laud Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival at event’s 10th staging

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival has been endorsed by New York state officials for its significant contributions to culture and diversity.

This endorsement came in the form of two proclamations at the 10th annual staging of the festival which was hosted by GK Foods USA in New York on July 31, 2022.

This year’s festival saw over 15,000 patrons turning out to the Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, to indulge in rich Jamaican heritage through food, music, fashion, and games.

The proclamations, which are official declarations made by mayors and governors for historical, cultural, and civic celebrations of city and state-wide impact, were received from New York Mayor Eric Adams, and New York State Senator Leroy Comrie.

Mayor Adams commended GK Foods USA for the annual event which shares Jamaica’s rich heritage with people from all backgrounds and exemplifies New York’s multiculturalism and resiliency.

He also acknowledged the 100th anniversary of the GraceKennedy Group, which is being celebrated this year, and lauded the value the company continues to add to life in New York by providing quality Jamaican food.

Derrick Reckord, president and CEO of GK Foods USA, said that GraceKennedy has been delighted to sponsor the festival by way of the popular Grace brand, since its inception in 2010.

“We are proud of the association with such an event that brings recognition to the food and culture of Jamaica to the world,” Reckord said.

“As the GraceKennedy Group celebrates its 100th year,” he continued, “and Jamaicans everywhere celebrate the country’s 60th year of independence, it was thrilling to see over 15,000 people coming out to enjoy the flavour of real Jamaican jerk from Grace, as well as other aspects of the culture…”

Kimberly Lue Lim, GraceKennedy Foods global category manager, who participated in the event, commented on the growth of the annual fest, noting that it has become one of the most anticipated and culturally significant events for Jamaicans living in the diaspora.

“Jamaican and Caribbean nationals, as well as foreigners who adore our culture, look forward to this festival each year, and we are proud to have grown from strength to strength over the last 10 stagings,” she said.

“This year is extremely special to us as we celebrate not only the festival’s 10-year milestone and [two] major proclamations from New York state officials, but also the 100th-anniversary celebration of the Group,” Lue Lim proudly noted.

This year, festival-goers enjoyed scintillating performances from popular dancehall and reggae artists such as Laa Lee, Protoje, Lila Ik?, Nadine Sutherland, Spragga Benz, Romain Virgo and Christopher Martin.

The Grace Culinary Pavilion featured over 30 Caribbean restaurants and food vendors, who prepared jerk-themed dishes, infused with the flavours of Grace Jamaican Jerk Seasoning.

Celebrity chefs competed for the coveted “Dutch Pot Trophy” while other influencers competed in a Jerk cook-off game.

The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival is a partnership between GK Foods USA and the event organisers, Jamaican Jerk Festival NY LLC, in association with VP Records.

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MoBay man pleads guilty to defrauding elderly Americans in US court Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

A Jamaican man pleaded guilty in Miami federal court on Friday to participating in a lottery scam targeting elderly victims in the US.

According to court documents, Greg Warren Clarke, 29, of Montego Bay, St James, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a Jamaica-based lottery scheme that convinced American victims to pay money to collect fictitious lottery winnings.

An indictment was filed against Clarke in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida in April 2019 and unsealed upon his extradition to the US, which occurred in May of this year.

The US Department of Justice quoted Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division: “This guilty plea demonstrates the Justice Department’s dedication to prosecuting those responsible for fraudulent lottery schemes, even when they commit their crimes from foreign countries. We will continue to aggressively combat scams that seek to prey on older Americans.”

As part of his guilty plea, Clarke admitted that, from September 2013 to August 2015, he worked with co-conspirators, including Claude Anthony Shaw, in a scheme to defraud people.

According to the court, the victims were called and falsely told that they had won over a million dollars in a lottery and needed to pay fees or taxes to claim their winnings. Victims were instructed to send their money through wire transfers or the mail to Shaw and other individuals.

Clarke further admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, he and Shaw discussed (over the phone and through cell phone text messages) plans to receive victims’ money.

At Clarke’s direction, Shaw received money from victims through wire transfers and the mail. Clarke further admitted that he and Shaw discussed arrangements for victims to send money to other individuals with whom Shaw worked. Clarke then instructed Shaw to send the victims’ money to Clarke in Jamaica, usually through wire transfers.

Victims who sent money to Clarke and his co-conspirators never received any lottery winnings.

Shaw previously pleaded guilty to mail fraud in the US District Court in Fort Lauderdale. In June 2017, he was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Clarke is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28.

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Ameen offers options at career fair

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen (left) with the help of little In this … file photo, Rishaan Hosein and Councillor Richard Rampersad planting a coconut tree,the first of her 1000 tree project at the Helping Hand Recreational Ground, Streatham Lodge Road Extension , St Augustine. File photo/Sureash Cholai

St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen says she wants to continue doing her part in helping people to maximise their potential.

Speaking to Newsday at a career fair she held on Friday, Ameen said, “One of the things that most young people come to the MP’s office for is concerning jobs. There are people with master’s degrees whose fields are saturated, and they are working in minimum-paying jobs. What we want is to bring the ideas to young people and to parents about what opportunities exist.”

She stressed the importance of people broadening their horizons and not limiting themselves, saying it is vital to be aware of every possibilitye.

The career day, hosted at the Tunapuna Community Centre, Centenary Street, was held under the theme Connections for Success. It featured a number of tertiary-level educational institutions including: UWI; SBCS Global Learning Institute; the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of TT (COSTAATT); SITAL College of Tertiary Education Ltd; and CTS College of Business and Computer Science Ltd, among others. Industries providing guidance on the culinary arts, as well as skills training, were also present, such as the Academy of Baking and Pastry Arts, Electrical and Plumbing and the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC). They offered information and brochures on what types of careers people can go into, as well as the prerequisites and qualifications needed. Many developmental courses were also promoted, to help people boost essential everyday skills such the ability to carry on conversations.

In addition to providing academic guidance and personal development, the event also aimed to help people discover potential job or internship opportunities, as well as enabling a smooth transition into the world of work and practising and enhancing their networking skills.

Ameen said although the event was held in St Augustine, because the venue is so close to the Priority Bus Route, many people from other parts of the country also attended.

She was pleased how well-received the event was, saying, “I must say, the stakeholders, the participants, both the service providers as well as those coming in, have been really warm in their reception.”

She added that this great reception had led to requests from other communities to host similar events, which she is more than happy to do.

“In Oropune Gardens area, where we have a lot of young unemployed persons, we want to have barbering and hairdressing, along with entrepreneurship. In the St Augustine south area, where there is a high concentration of agriculture, we want to have things like agro-processing and so on.”

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WATCH: Four Saint Lucians For Undergraduate Studies In Hungary

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Four young Saint Lucians are heading to Hungary to pursue undergraduate studies as part of a 3-year co-operation memorandum signed between the Ministry of Education Saint Lucia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hungary.

Danielle Dubois reports:

SOURCE: Ministry of Education

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Saint Lucia Records 81 New COVID-19 Cases – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Today Friday August 19, 2022 the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs reports a total of 81 new cases of COVID-19 from samples processed on Wednesday August 17, 2022 and Thursday August 18, 2022.

This is from a total of 326 samples, of which 297 samples are from the Ezra Long Laboratory and 29 samples from the Laboratory Services and Consultations Limited.

These samples were collected from August 13, 2022 to August 18, 2022. This number of positive cases makes up 24.8% of all the samples processed on these dates. These new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 28, 542.

Confirmation was also received of the recovery of 91 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. This brings the number of active cases in country to date to 127. Currently, there are eleven positive cases of COVID-19 admitted at the Respiratory Hospital, of which one is critically ill.

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To date, a total of 54, 739 individuals have been fully vaccinated. Another 5, 166 are partially vaccinated and 7, 765 have received their booster shot.

Vaccination will take place at various Wellness Centres as per the published COVID-19 vaccination schedule.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will continue providing frequent updates to the public as new information becomes available.

SOURCE: Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs

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