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South African Rastafarian Student Sikhokele Diniso Returns to School After Dust-Up Over Dreadlocks

April 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Sikhokele Diniso, a 10th grade student at Siphamandla High School in Khayelitsha, South Africa, was asked to leave because of his dreadlocks. Sikhokele Diniso, who is a Rastafarian, was ordered to stay away from school until he cut his hair, the Equal Education (EE) said on Thursday. That decision has since been reversed, but it just goes to show how ignorant some people in authority can be.

The non-governmental organisation met the principal of Siphamandla High School in Khayelitsha, the school’s governing body (SGB), and staff on Wednesday to discuss the pupil’s grievances, said EE chairwoman Yoliswa Dwane.

“It was agreed that the learner would be allowed back into school and that a catch-up plan would be provided,” said Dwane. He would not have to cut his hair.

The Cape Times reported last week that the Grade 10 pupil Sikhokele Diniso was told to leave the school last month. The education department said at the time Diniso could return to school as he had not been suspended.

Department spokeswoman Bronagh Casey said that according to the school principal, the pupil was asked to bring his parents to discuss the matter.

“The boy returned with his brother. The principal insisted on discussing the matter with the parents. “The parents eventually met the principal and agreed that the son should clean, comb, and tie his hair. The boy did not want to do this,” said Casey. Source

When I was a student in the Jamaican school system, we had to follow a strict code of conduct, including the dress code. If Sikhokele Diniso’s hair was unkempt, the school had a right to address that issue. Being a Rastafarian doesn’t mean one’s hair has to look like a hot mess.

Filed Under: African News Tagged With: , , , ,

Anna Pierre Claims Voodoo Tactics Being Used Against Her in North Miami Mayoral Race

April 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
anna pierre 217x300 Anna Pierre Claims Voodoo Tactics Being Used Against Her in North Miami Mayoral Race

Former Haitian Pop Singer Anna Pierre Says Voodoo Being Used to Force Her Out of Mayoral Race (Facebook)

Anna Pierre, former Haitian pop singer and North Miami mayoral candidate is crying foul, saying someone is using voodoo to keep her out of the mayoral race. She said she reportedly found chicken feathers, candles, food scraps and other items outside her office.

Pierre told the Miami Herald, “I found little dolls with needles in it. They put a lot of pennies at front of my office door. I’m from Haiti I know what it is.” She also said similar items have been left outside her office periodically over the last three months.

Ms. Pierre said that in addition to the voodoo paraphernalia, she has also received threatening phone calls from an unknown number. She said, “The voodoo stuff, I don’t know who’s doing it, but I’m not afraid. It’s just intimidation to slow me down. But you know what? I’m not going to slow down until the finish line. The election is scheduled for May 14.

Anna Pierre was a 1990s singer best known in the Haitian community for hits such as ”Suk Su Bon Bon.”

Filed Under: Black Politics, Caribbean News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The ‘Iron Lady’ Speaks: 10 Memorable Margaret Thatcher Quotes That Live On

April 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
300px Thatcher loc The Iron Lady Speaks: 10 Memorable Margaret Thatcher Quotes That Live On

The ‘Iron Lady’ Speaks: 10 Memorable Margaret Thatcher Quotes that Live On (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher wasn’t called the “Iron Lady” for nothing. She was tough and had a strong conviction to do what she thought was right. She was also known for her sharp comments that have gone down as noteworthy quotes. Here are 10 memorable Margaret Thatcher quotes via Wikiquote:

  • The Russians are bent on world dominance, and they are rapidly acquiring the means to become the most powerful imperial nation the world has seen. The men in the Soviet politburo don’t have to worry about the ebb and flow of public opinion. They put guns before butter, while we put just about everything before guns. They know that they are a super power in only one sense—the military sense. They are a failure in human and economic terms. Speech, Jan. 19, 1976 (The Russians response was to call Margaret Thatcher the “Iron Lady”)
  • “No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions; he had money as well.” Weekend World, Jan. 6, 1980
  • “I came to office with one deliberate intent: to change Britain from a dependent to a self-reliant society — from a give-it-to-me, to a do-it-yourself nation. A get-up-and-go, instead of a sit-back-and-wait-for-it Britain.” Speech, Feb. 8, 1984
  • “To those waiting with bated breath for that favorite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say: You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.” Reacting to doubt over her economic policies at a Conservative Party Conference (10 October, 1980)
  • “I never hugged him, I bombed him.” Referring to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, specifically to pictures of Tony Blair embracing him.

There are more interesting quotes from Margaret Thatcher.

The Iron Lady Speaks: 10 Memorable Margaret Thatcher Quotes That Live On
Filed Under: European News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Jamaican MP Daryl Vaz Offers to Take Pay Cut, Urges PM Portia Simpson Miller & Colleagues to Follow Suit

April 7, 2013 by 3 Comments
4625304394 351a48f00b m Jamaican MP Daryl Vaz Offers to Take Pay Cut, Urges PM Portia Simpson Miller & Colleagues to Follow Suit

Jamaican MP Daryl Vaz Offers to Take Pay Cut, Urges PM Portia Simpson Miller & Colleagues to Follow Suit. (Photo credit: bbcworldservice)

(HinterlandGazetteEditorial) — Jamaican Member of Parliament for West Portland Daryl Vaz has offered to take a five percent pay cut and is urging his colleagues, including Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, to follow suit. He is proposing what many politicians, including members of the U.S. Congress are unwilling to do in the face of a continuing economic crisis that has spread across the world. The only issue I have with this offer from Daryl Vaz is that while he was Information Minister he didn’t make a similar proposal, since Bruce Golding’s cabinet salary totals were very high.

MP Daryl Vaz said, ”Some may view my call as optics/symbolism or perhaps both, but if we legislators are to be true to our calling as public servants, then we must ask ourselves to share in all of the sacrifices which are being asked of our fellow Jamaicans,” the Jamaica Gleaner reports. You see, the University of the West Indies (Mona) is having problems paying its bills because the government has cut its funding and students are late in paying their student loans. The unemployment rate has skyrocketed on the island, while members of parliament seem to be living the high life. I believe the PM’s salary is JA$7 million+, along with a ton of perks. In 2012, Jamaicans paid $111,349,381 to Portia Simpson Miller and her Cabinet, which numbered 20. That’s compared to $50,887,128 in 2006, when there were 14 cabinet members.

Daryl Vaz is right, his colleagues need to “demonstrate their understanding of the crisis facing the country and lead by example.” Jamaica is a beautiful island but it has been transformed into something most people don’t recognize. I have been very critical of former PM Bruce Golding and I have been equally critical of the current PM for not putting the country first. The size of the cabinet is bloated with too many unnecessary positions that could be eliminated and the money put to good use such as paying of its debts and helping improve the aging infrastructure. There are far too many “consultants and advisers” getting rich off the Jamaican people. I personally know of one consultant who doesn’t have a background in what she was hired to do, but yet is raking in millions. Would Norman Manley or Alexander Bustamante allow such waste under their watch? I think not.

Job creation and growth, along with reducing the high crime rate, should be the focal point of the Jamaican government. Investors should be flocking to the island but instead, that’s not the case. They are running away due to an impenetrable bureaucracy and ridiculous red tape impeding their attempts. I salute Daryl Vaz for publicly taking a stand and throwing down the gauntlet. I wish more politicians, like some in the U.S. Congress would step up to the plate and put the needs of the country ahead of partisan bullsh*t.

***CORRECTION:  An earlier post erroneously stated Jamaican PM Portia Simpson Miller’s salary was more than President Obama’s. That has since deleted.***

Jamaican MP Daryl Vaz Offers to Take Pay Cut, Urges PM Portia Simpson Miller & Colleagues to Follow Suit
Filed Under: Caribbean News

Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay JA Sold to Playa Hotels and Resorts for Reported US $70 Million

April 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ritzcarltonlogo Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay JA Sold to Playa Hotels and Resorts for Reported US $70 Million

Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay JA Sold to Playa Hotels and Resorts for Reported US $70 Million (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay has been sold to Playa Hotels and Resorts for more than $70 million. The 427-room resort, set on 5,000 acres of ocean-front property, has been on the sale block for the last nine years. The Ritz-Carlton company operated the resort for the last 12 years.

Under terms of the purchase agreement, US-based Playa will rename the resort. The plan is now to transform the resort, including building 100 new rooms, into a more upscale luxury facility than before.

 

Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay JA Sold to Playa Hotels and Resorts for Reported US $70 Million
Filed Under: Caribbean News Tagged With: , , , ,

1970s Top Reggae Producer Harry Johnson, Known for ‘Breakfast in Bed’ Hit, Dies at Age 68

April 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

RIP Harry J:  1970s top reggae producer Harry Johnson died Wednesday at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland, Jamaica, from complications to diabetes. He was 68.

Johnson, popularly known as Harry J, launched his record label Harry J label in 1966 and had several big hits including, “Young, Gifted and Black,” sang by Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths.

“The Liquidator,” by the Harry J All Stars was another of his hits. The opening  guitar riff was the inspiration behind the Staples Singers’ hit “I’ll Take You There.” Harry Johnson also produced Lorna Bennett’s “Breakfast in Bed.”

Bob Marley and the Wailers recorded their first four Island Records studio albums at the Harry J studios in Kingston. Harry Johnson is survived by his four children and three grandchildren.

As a top reggae producer Harry Johnson left an imprint on reggae music as we know it today. He was a pioneer in his own rights. Rest in peace!

Lorna Bennett’s ‘Breakfast in Bed:”

Filed Under: Caribbean News, Latest Music News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Guinea-Bissau Ex-Navy Head Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto Arraigned on Drug Trafficking Charges in U.S. Federal Court

April 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Guinea Bissau Ex Navy Head Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto Arraigned on Drug Trafficking Charges in U.S. Federal Court

Guinea-Bissau Ex-Navy Head Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto Arraigned on Drug Trafficking Charges in U.S. Federal Court  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(HinterlandGazette) — Former head of Ginea-Bissau navy Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto was arrested and appeared in federal court Friday on cocaine trafficking charges. He was apprehended while he traveled on a yacht in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Guinea-Bissau is a known point of entry and departure for drug-smuggling. Along with Rear Adm. Na Tchuto, Manuel Mamadi Mane, Saliu Sisse, Papis Djeme and Tchamy Yala were arrested. According to the federal indictment, Na Tchuto and two others face charges of conspiring to import narcotics into the U.S. He has been designated a drug kingpin by the U.S. Treasury Department, the indictment says.

Inspector Ron Kubisty said cocaine is smuggled into Guinea-Bissau from Colombia, or other Latin American countries. The drug shipments are then rerouted to European countries and the United States. The indictment also says Na Tchuto and others worked together to receive cocaine shipments transported by ships from South America to Guinea-Bissau. They then stored the shipments before final shipment to other locations. Also arrested were two Colombian nationals, Rafael Antonio Garavito-Garcia and Gustavo Perez-Garcia.

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michele M. Leonhart, the Administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) announced that five defendants – JOSE AMERICO BUBO NA TCHUTO, the former head of the Guinea-Bissau navy; MANUEL MAMADI MANE; SALIU SISSE; PAPIS DJEME; and TCHAMY YALA – arrived in the Southern District of New York on April 4, 2013. In a related action, RAFAEL ANTONIO GARAVITO-GARCIA and GUSTAVO PEREZ-GARCIA, both Colombian nationals, were arrested in Colombia today pursuant to Interpol Red Notices. MANE, SISSE, GARAVITO-GARCIA, and PEREZ-GARCIA are charged with conspiring to engage in narco-terrorism; conspiring to import narcotics into the United States; and conspiring to provide aid to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia (the “FARC”), a South American paramilitary group long designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (“FTO”), by storing FARC-owned cocaine in West Africa. MANE, SISSE, and GARAVITO-GARCIA are also charged with conspiring to sell weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, to be used to protect FARC cocaine processing operations in Colombia against U.S. military forces.

On April 4, 2013, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Operations Division (SOD), Bilateral Investigative Unit (BIU) Narco-Terrorism Group (NTG), working in conjunction with the DEA Lisbon Country Office and the DEA Bogota Country Office concluded a long-standing undercover operation conducted in Guinea-Bissau and elsewhere. The operation consisted of two separate undercover investigations. During the first part of the operation, NA TCHUTO, DJEME, and YALA were arrested on April 2 by the DEA Foreign-deployed Advisory Support Team (FAST) and the NTG off the coast of West Africa while onboard a vessel under DEA control in international waters. During the second part of the operation, MANE and SISSE were apprehended on April 4 in a West African Country and transferred thereafter to the custody of the United States. NA TCHUTO, DJEME, YALA, MANE, and SISSE were transported to New York for prosecution. GARAVITO-GARCIA and PEREZ-GARCIA remain in Colombia pending extradition to the United States.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “The narco-terrorism conspiracy alleged in these indictments shows the danger that can grow unchecked in far away places where unfortunate circumstances can allow narcotics traffickers and terrorism supporters to transact unseen at great risk to the United States and its interests. The link between narcotics traffickers and terrorists, their financers and supporters, needs to be broken wherever it is found. But thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our DEA partners, who have for years attacked the narco-terrorism threat, this conspiracy was thwarted and we can claim yet another victory in our unrelenting campaign against those who would harm Americans and American interests abroad.”

 

Guinea Bissau Ex Navy Head Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto Arraigned on Drug Trafficking Charges in U.S. Federal Court
Filed Under: African News, Crime News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Uganda Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo Proposes Bill to Arrest Women for Wearing Miniskirts, Ban Beyonce from TV

April 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
simon lokodo Uganda Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo Proposes Bill to Arrest Women for Wearing Miniskirts, Ban Beyonce from TV

Uganda Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo Proposes Bill to Arrest Women for Wearing Miniskirts, Ban Beyonce from TV

(HinterlandGazette) — Uganda’s government is living in the dark ages. Women living in Uganda who go out wearing miniskirts could face jail or a heavy fine under new anti-pornography laws. The legislation, if passed, will also ban television shows and films. That would also extend to entertainers such as Beyonce and Madonna.

The bill was proposed by Simon Lokodo, Uganda’s ethics and integrity minister. Lokodo said, “Any attire which exposes intimate parts of the human body, especially areas that are of erotic function, are outlawed. Anything above the knee is outlawed. If a woman wears a miniskirt, we will arrest her.”

It’s interesting to learn that Simon Lokodo was a former priest who was kicked out by the Vatican for his involvement in politics. So, it should come as no surprise he is trying to force his views on the women of Uganda. He said the bill would mean celebrities like Beyoncé and Madonna would be banned from his country’s airwaves and television should not broadcast a sexy person. Makes one wonder what skeletons are in this man’s closet. 

Lokodo said the bill was needed to protect women and children against exploitation and curb increasing immorality. You will recall dictator Idi Amin banned short skirts during his reign of terror. So, I guess Simon Lokodo is Idi Amin-lite.

The Anti-Pornography Bill 2011 proposes that any one found guilty of abetting pornography be fined heavily or face up to 10 years in prison, or both. There are some countries, some right wingnuts in the U.S., who want to keep women in a subservient position. The internet would also be monitored under this bill.

Show your support for the women of Uganda by using the hashtag #saveminiskirt.

 

Filed Under: African News, Women's Rights Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

NBCUniversal’s South African Network Apologizes for Airing Nelson Mandela Obituary “Remembering Madiba”

April 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Nelson Mandela NBCUniversals South African Network Apologizes for Airing Nelson Mandela Obituary Remembering Madiba

NBCUniversal’s South African Network Apologizes for Airing Obituary About Nelson Mandela’s Death. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NBCUniversal’s South African division, Universal Networks apologizes for airing Nelson Mandela obituary, entitled “Remembering Madiba 1918-2013.” Wow, how incredibly insensitive!

The anti-apartheid legend was admitted to a Pretoria hospital last week with a recurrence of pneumonia. The president’s office continues to indicate that he is improving, saying, “his doctors say he continues to respond satisfactorily to treatment and is much better now that he was when he was admitted to hospital” and “he has been visited by family and continues to make steady progress.”

Running the clips were in poor taste and Nelson Mandela deserves better than this. Why am I not surprised it was a network connected to a U.S. media company that jumped the gun? It’s shameful that they have this clip ready for when Nelson Mandela, 94, dies. The network issued a statement apologizing for the “technical error” and said it regretted the “alarm and offense” caused by the mistake. The statement also said, “like any international broadcaster, Universal Networks holds obituaries ready for every major statesman in the world.” 

There’s no need to start the race to see who get issue a Nelson Mandela obituary first, he’s still with us. Let him live the rest of his life out in dignity and not start inciting hysteria in South Africa and across the world.

NBCUniversals South African Network Apologizes for Airing Nelson Mandela Obituary Remembering Madiba
Filed Under: African News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Faces Arrest for Insulting President Mohamed Mursi, Islam

March 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment
6281677578 f4aea0bf09 m Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Faces Arrest for Insulting President Mohamed Mursi, Islam

Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Faces Arrest for Insulting President Mohamed Mursi, Islam (Photo credit: Hossam el-Hamalawy حسام الحملاوي)

Egypt’s public prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for popular satirist Bassem Youssef over allegations he insulted Islam and President Mohamed Mursi. The Sydney Morning Herald reports several complaints were filed against Bassem Youssef over comments he made on his weekly television program Albernameg (The Show).

He is accused of offending Islam through “making fun of the prayer ritual” on his show, and of insulting Dr Mursi by “making fun of his international standing”, the sources said.

In one of the suits filed against him, the plaintiff asked that legal measures be taken against Youssef  to discourage others from following his example, a source said.

Youssef confirmed a warrant had been issued against him.

“The warrant against me is true. I will head to the public prosecutor’s office tomorrow [Sunday] unless they send me a police car today and help me save on transport,” he wrote on his Twitter account.

Dubbed the Egyptian answer to Jon Stewart, the heart surgeon-turned-comedian has repeatedly poked fun at the ruling Islamists and Dr Mursi in particular.

 

 

Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Faces Arrest for Insulting President Mohamed Mursi, Islam
pixel Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Faces Arrest for Insulting President Mohamed Mursi, Islam
Filed Under: Middle East Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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