N.I.P.: Whaa Gwaan?
D.M.: Long Time Mammy, you good?
N.I.P. Yeah Man it’s been great. You’re looking good, how have you been doing?
D.M. You know we keep working it is what our is all bout.
N.I.P.: Yeah I understand. So tell me Doza, for the purpose of those who might not be familiar with you, who is Doza Medicine?
D.M.: Doza Medicine along with Deva Brat are founding members of the Portmore Empire. At that time it was all about music and bringing together all Portmore base artiste. Vybz Kartel being the first major break through artiste, licensed the name.
N.I.P.: We’ve heard so much drama about Gaza/Portmore Empire, tell us what are some of the most memorable moments you had being apart of this illustrious, controversial group?
D.M.: [Chuckling softly] Portmore Empire members were talented and represented an evolution to Dancehall and Dancehall music. We think out of the box and wanted to do things differently, Kartel made things happen. Overall the greatest joy was the ‘family like unit’ shared among member you know, yeah man da something deh.
N.I.P.: What was it like watching Vybz Kartel excel/
D.M.: Vybz Kartel’s progress was exhilarating for me and I guess every member at the time. Every Empire member felt proud of his success, for me it felt like a me buss.
N.I.P.: How did Doza fit into the Empire?
D.M.: Kartel the ‘Teacha’ say Doza Medicine a di Top Student cause him lyrics and metaphors nuh normal. So much so Kartel as the Teacha would seek Doza Medicine opinion and ideas for making songs.
N.I.P.: What happened, how have the ‘Top Student’ not gotten his big break just yet?
D.M.: I guess, it’s hard for someone in the same field and as good as you are to turn around and manage your career.
N.I.P.: Yeah I guess, but having said that, what has Doza been up to lately?
D.M.: The focus now is on getting people to warm up to Doza’s music, building fan base.
N.I.P.: So What do you want to tell Dancehall fans about Doza Medicine now?
D.M.: Wow, the time has come for me to make you believe in me. I’m working hard and have songs out now you may want to download on your ipods. The most current, are Pretty Lil Thing produced by Flex Rich Records and Hot Gal produced by Cash Bag. I might have been overshadowed but the opportunity to shine is here now and I am making the best of it. Follow me on Facebook, twitter and youtube.
N.I.P.: Thanks Doza, all the best with your career.
D.M.: Thanks mammy big up yourself.

For Crystal, the win was a confidence booster: “I got a chance to show the judges that I can be dramatic and over the top and very intense, moods I usually reserve for my poetry and drawings. Avant guarde is highly regarded in fashion, so for me it was a validation of my design acumen.”

Inspired by the Crusades, Crystal wanted her design to be pretty but unsettling to reflect “how something which purportedly started out with good intentions could have such devastating and ugly results. “

The garment’s top was made from newspaper with a unique amour-like stencil made by applying black spray paint over a polyflex sink protection mat. The collar and belt of the dress (made from folded newspapers spray painted in red) formed both a sword and cross. The skirt was made of cut newspaper folded into flower-like shapes, still using the same stencil pattern but this time sprayed in red. The bold and dark effect was accentuated by black flowers, lipstick and gloves. The purple feather earring and cobalt (blue) tights were used to incorporate the traditional colours of priesthood- purple, red and blue and continue the theme of the Crusades. Copper and steel wires added for further dramatic effect.

Crystal’s effort won her a feature in OCEAN Style Magazine. Guest judge and editor of OCEAN Style, Douglas Gordon thought her work was “creative, interesting, well-constructed and editorial-ready.” Equally impressed were the regular judging panel: Keneea Linton-George, host and executive producer of Mission Catwalk, Novia McDonald-Whyte Jamaica Observer Lifestyle editor and Carlton Brown, celebrated menswear designer.

Though Ryan Berkeley of Guyana did meet the challenge requirement, the episode five runner-up received the lowest score and was sent home. Of the remaining seven designers, three are Jamaican (Crystal Powell, Janel Jolly and Gregory Williams), two are from Barbados (Kesia Estwick and Kerin Scott) while Trinidad and Belize have one representative each in Ryan Chan and Rebecca Stirm. Mission Catwalk originally started with an all Jamaican cast, with season two seeing participants from five countries from around the region.

The series will climax with a grand showdown at Caribbean Fashion Week with the top three designers in June. To find out ‘Who will rule the catwalk?’, keep watching the show which airs Tuesdays at 8:30 PM on TVJ and is simultaneously streamed online at http://www.televisionjamaica.com/livetv.aspx. Episodes also repeat Thursdays at 5:30 PM. Presented by NCB, Supreme Ventures and Digicel, Mission Catwalk is now shown in six regional countries: Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Guyana and Belize.

Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar made the statement in response to the invitation by Panamanian President, H.E. Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal at the opening of the second Caribbean Investment Forum. It was held at the Hilton Hotel on Monday.

Berrocal said he has already held talks with CAL and has requested that CAL conduct direct flights into Panama.

Persad-Bissessar said the new south south connection would make it easier to fly to Central and South America.

“In order to travel South we had to travel North, thanks to Panama and COPA and finding a new way of flying to the South. So when we go to Brazil, when we go to other American countries, we fly through Panama. And now we thank for the offer for Caribbean Airlines to fly direct to Panama, as we will be able to penetrate Central America, South America without having to travel North to come back down South.”

“I do believe that Trinidad and Tobago has a tremendous amount to benefit from our friendship with the President of Panama and the Government of Panama,” Persad-Bissessar added.

Persad-Bissessar added that “indeed, tomorrow I leave for Belize for the Commonwealth Local Government Forum” she added that she would have to travel to Miami and what should have taken her a few hours she would spend a day and a night getting to Belize.

Details of these projections are included in the Estimates of Expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives on Thursday May 10th by Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Public Service gets the largest sum in the allocations, with $187.84 billion for recurrent expenses and $199.5 billion for capital expenditure. Much of the amount will go towards meeting Jamaica’s debt obligations.

The Ministry of Education receives the second largest sum with $73.8 billion for recurrent expenses and $2.3 billion for capital spending.

Ministry of National Security has received $44 billion for recurrent expenditure and $1.78 billion for capital, while the Ministry of Health gets $32.1 billion for recurrent expenses and $1.3 billion for capital projects.

For the Ministry of Justice, $3.69 billion has been allocated for recurrent and $433 million for capital; Office of the Prime Minister, $1.65 billion recurrent, $2.96 billion capital; Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, $3.46 billion recurrent, $2.6 billion capital; and the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, $2.18 billion recurrent and $14.91 billion capital.

Allocations to other Ministries are: Agriculture and Fisheries, $3.11 billion recurrent, $3.77 billion capital; Industry, Investment and Commerce, $1.60 billion recurrent, $11 million capital; Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, $2.13 billion recurrent, $1.88 billion capital; Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, $2.61 billion recurrent, $91 million capital; Labour and Social Security, $2.13 billion recurrent, $4.17 billion capital; Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, $1.51 billion for recurrent; Ministry of Youth and Culture, $2.93 billion recurrent, $726 million capital; and Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, $7.5 billion recurrent, $537 million capital.

The Office of the Cabinet has received $494 million for recurrent spending, and $300 million for capital expenditure.

The Auditor General has received $346.5 million recurrent; Office of the Services Commissions, $148.5 million recurrent; the Governor-General and Staff, $118.5 million recurrent; Office of the Public Defender, $76.5 million recurrent; Office of the Contractor General, $209.6 million recurrent; Office of the Children’s Advocate, $84 million recurrent; Houses of Parliament $712 million recurrent; and Independent Commission of Investigations $288 million.

The Standing Finance Committee of the House will consider the Estimates of Expenditure from May 15 to 17, and Dr. Phillips will open the Budget Debate on Thursday, May 24.

Mexico’s President, Felipe Calderon, is expected to lead a high-powered delegation to the one-day summit, which will also bring together regional Heads from the 15 CARICOM nations.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, President Calderon and the current Chairman of CARICOM, President Desiré Bouterse, of Suriname, are expected to address the opening ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton Hotel.

CARICOM leaders are also expected to discuss a number of pressing issues, including tourism, trade and investment and technical cooperation. They will also deliberate how to exchange ideas on the Inter-American system; and the identification of means by which CARICOM and Mexico could collaborate in hemispheric multilateral fora such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the recently constituted Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Another key agenda item will be next month’s United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) Rio+20 in Brazil.

Convening the summit is representative of Mexico’s ongoing commitment to fostering South-South cooperation and hemispheric collaboration.

Mexico assumed the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) earlier this year and will also take the opportunity to brief CARICOM Heads of Government on its strategic vision for the G20, as part of its overall goal to establish a forum in which open and constructive dialogue may be facilitated.

Barbados and its CARICOM partners have identified Mexico as one of the Latin American states with which closer relations should be encouraged as a means of increasing economic activity.

Mexico has the second largest economy in Latin America and is a major oil producer and exporter. It has been listed as an emerging market, which, along with Britain, Russia, India and China (countries of the BRICS) and Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Argentina (VISTA groups), has the potential to be ranked among the world’s largest economies in the next three decades. Mexico is considered to have an excellent outlook for investment and future economic growth.

It is envisaged that ongoing dialogue fostered by regional meetings with other countries could assist CARICOM in developing as a unified entity, with a shared regional foreign policy strategy.

Monday’s summit will be a precursor to the 42nd General Assembly of the OAS.

At the first CARICOM- Mexico Summit in February 2010, Heads examined such issues as: support for Haiti in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake; boosting trade and growth across the region; protecting and developing tourism; boosting regional security, and tackling climate change.

In early April, in response to Burmese government pledges of reform and electoral gains by Burma’s main opposition party, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that the US government was prepared to relax certain business-related sanctions. A presidential order restricting business activities in Burma expires on May 20. A new order easing those restrictions is expected to be issued soon.

“The US government should not reward the Burmese government’s nascent and untested changes by allowing an unregulated business bonanza,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Tough rules are needed to ensure that new investments benefit the people of Burma and don’t fuel human rights abuses and corruption, or end up strengthening the military’s control over civilian authorities.”

In two recent joint letters to President Barack Obama and his senior advisers, Human Rights Watch and other organizations expressed concern that the administration would lift business-related sanctions before progress was made on key reform efforts. The groups noted that a current US Treasury Department list of “Special Designated Nationals”­– people and companies implicated in human rights abuses in Burma with whom American companies are banned from doing business – had not been updated for at least three years, and needed to be corrected based on new developments.

“The US government shouldn’t lift investment restrictions unless it first updates the Treasury Department list,” Sifton said. “Otherwise US companies could end up going into business with human rights abusers.”

Secretary Clinton, when she announced plans for a “targeted easing” of sanctions in early April, pledged that, “Sanctions and prohibitions will stay in place on individuals and institutions that remain on the wrong side of [Burma’s] historic reform efforts.”

Undertaking business in Burma raises a variety of human rights related risk factors, Human Rights Watch said. These include: weak rule of law and a judiciary lacking independence, the military’s extensive involvement in the economy as well as its use of forced labor and other abusive practices in connection with providing security for business operations, poor regulation and enforcement of labor and environmental laws, widespread corruption, and the mismanagement of public funds. The Burmese government is dominated by the military, which under Burma’s constitution enjoys legal supremacy over civilian authorities.

Human Rights Watch called on the US government to develop and impose binding, enforceable rules prior to permitting new business activities by American companies. In developing appropriate safeguards, the government should hold more extensive consultations with nongovernmental groups inside and outside Burma.

In April, the European Union announced a “suspension” of sanctions for one year. The suspension is likely to be permanent since reimposing sanctions would require consensus from every EU member country, which is highly unlikely given the new business opportunities, Human Rights Watch said. Other governments, including Australia, Canada, and Switzerland, have also announced in recent weeks that they would remove sanctions. Some governments have called for businesses to engage responsibly but none have mandated binding standards.

“It’s not sound policy to relax sanctions just because other countries are doing so,” Sifton said. “The U.S. has led the international community in pressuring Burma to reform and it should continue to do so.

Specific recommendations to the US Government
Human Rights Watch identified several key elements for business standards in Burma that should be featured in any US decision to relax sanctions:

A careful, calibrated approach featuring the gradual and select easing of sanctions tied to concrete progress on reform in Burma and based on close consultation with nongovernmental groups inside and outside Burma.

Screening of investment and other business activities. Prior to allowing any American company to invest or otherwise engage in business in Burma, the US government should undertake pre-screening processes to review and approve proposed US business activity, taking into consideration its potential impact on human rights and armed conflict. Scrutiny should include activities that companies may carry out under contract for foreign or Burmese companies. Activities that entail a considerable risk of harmful impacts should not be permitted to proceed.

A prohibition on any business engaging directly or indirectly, with individuals or entities linked to human rights abuses, including the Burmese military and militias, the military’s private-sector allies, and state-owned businesses.
A prohibition on involvement in any activity that entails large-scale appropriation or leasing of land, whether from private or public entities.

An explicit requirement that companies respect human rights and undertake thorough due diligence procedures to prevent rights abuses and remedy them if they arise. Such requirements are consistent with accepted international standards reflected, for example, in the 2011 OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, and should be made binding for Burma. Among other elements, required procedures should include independent and transparent human rights impact assessments that address all relevant social and environmental concerns, as well as the preparation of human rights implementation or mitigation plans.

Imposition of binding measures to enforce all applicable obligations, subject to verification and with tough penalties for non-compliance, including fines and withdrawal of permission to invest in Burma.

Mandatory public reporting requirements for all companies permitted to do business in Burma, including the publication of social and environmental impact assessments, full contract transparency, and the timely and detailed disclosure of all payments made to the government of Burma.

An effective complaints mechanism accessible to individuals and communities in Burma and those representing them who allege harmful conduct or impacts by US companies investing or doing business in Burma, with findings and decisions binding on companies.

A requirement that companies affirm that they submit their activities in Burma to the legal jurisdiction of US courts, including activities involving subsidiaries or sub-contractors, or activities companies carry out as a contractor for another party. In addition, the US government should take all necessary steps to ensure that judicial avenues are available to provide recourse to victims and accountability for human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch highlighted several human rights-related risk factors for business in Burma, include the following:

The extensive role of the military and its closest business allies, who dominate many sectors of the economy and are more likely to benefit from new business deals than ordinary Burmese citizens.

The abysmal human rights record and absence of accountability of Burma’s security forces, which continue to carry out serious abuses in Kachin state and repression in other parts of the country. The military has a track record of using forced labor and engaging in illegal land confiscation, forced displacement, and unlawful use of force against villagers, among other serious abuses, in the context of clearing land and providing security for business projects.

Inadequate domestic regulation and enforcement on key issues such as environmental protection, resulting in business activity that has harmful consequences for human rights.

Persistent labor rights problems. Despite recent legislative reform efforts, serious labor rights problems persist in Burma, including forced labor in ethnic and conflict zones and sweatshop labor conditions in factories, including excessive hours, low wages, and health and safety violations.

Major tensions over the acquisition and use of land, which has been a flashpoint for forced evictions and other human rights abuses. Such problems are especially likely to arise in connection with extractives industries (oil, gas, and mining), major infrastructure projects (e.g., hydroelectric dams), timber, agribusiness and large-scale tourism projects.

Lack of community consultation, consent, or benefit in government-approved projects. Local communities in Burma have little or no say in how land and natural resources are used by businesses. Although these communities bear the costs of such projects, for example in terms of displacement and lost livelihoods, they have no effective means to secure adequate compensation or to ensure that the government channels the proceeds to promote socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. Recently passed laws such as the Farmland Bill, and the Vacant and Fallow Land Bill, fail to guarantee rights to land.

Opaque and unaccountable management of government revenues. The immense revenues Burma has generated from exports of natural gas, which are slated to rise dramatically once twin oil and gas pipelines to China are completed, have bypassed the national budget and fueled outsized spending on the military. Recent moves to bring those revenues on-budget and adjust spending priorities have been insufficient. Despite modest increases in social spending, health and education still receive a minimal share of the budget, while spending on the military, down as a percentage, is up overall.

Rampant corruption. The country is tied with Afghanistan for the second-worst ranking in the 2011 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. Only North Korea and Somalia fared worse.

HRW

The film has been selected by renowned international programmer Danny Lennon to screen at Telefilm Canada’s Not Short on Talent program representing Canada’s newest cinematic voices, in the Cannes Markets’ international short film showcase. For more information about Canadian films at Cannes:http://www.canada-cannes2012.ca

Harnarine remarked, “It’s the dream of any filmmaker to screen at Cannes, so I’m especially proud to be given this prestigious opportunity. I hope that this will spotlight the talent of everyone involved in this production, especially the actors.”

Shot entirely on location in Trinidad and Tobago, comprising a local cast including famed Trinidadian actor, Errol Sitahal and first timer Sanjiv Boodhu as well as Susan Abraham-Hannays, “Doubles with Slight Pepper” is a poignant story which explores the changing relationship between a father and son. The local crew included sound recordist, Cedric Smart, gaffer Leroy Smart, boom operator Richard Gobin, producer Jason Harnarine and associate producer Mariel Brown. “Doubles with Slight Pepper” was also the recipient of a Spike Lee grant and a Trinidad and Tobago Film Company PASD post-production grant.

SHORT SYNOPSIS
In rural Trinidad, Dhani struggles to support himself and his mother by selling doubles. When his estranged father returns from Canada unexpectedly, Dhani must decide if he will help save his father’s life despite their strained relationship.

For more information on the film Click Here.

From the TIFF Jury
“Through the humble but moving story of a family in crisis, this film expresses truths that resonate in Canada and around the world. It is the debut of an exciting new voice from whom we hope to see a great deal more.”

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Doubles With Slight Pepper is not an autobiographical story, but it was conceived during the recent experience of my Father’s terminal illness. In the latter days of his life, he became a person that was completely different from the man that I knew. It was like meeting a stranger for the first time. I began to wonder what it would have been like to have never known a Father until his final days. Is there an intrinsic affinity between a Father and Son that cannot be destroyed? What could test this fundamentally human relationship? These questions inspired me as I investigated the dynamic between Father and Son. I also wanted to challenge the clichés of the standard immigrant story, by having a character that has failed in his new country and returned home. The film is set on the Caribbean island of Trinidad – my familial home. Even though the country boasts a distinctive food, language and music, it is my hope that the emotions of the film resonate with a universal audience. Above all, the movie is a tribute to my Father, who passed away before he could see it.

Writer/Director/Producer Ian Harnarine is available for media requests at 646-591-3113 or harnarine@gmail.com

Malaysia: A disturbing 4-minute home video shows Ira beating, kicking, pinching, and throwing objects at the defenseless 8 month old baby.

Another person who is taping the action is heard telling Ira, to stop her cruel actions. Most of those who have watched the video are deeply enraged by both the mother and the video taper – the former for abusing the baby, and the latter for letting it happen without intervening.

The local Malaysian police have taken action against the woman and it is said that the woman was charged and jailed for 18 months in Petaling Jaya last year.

What is “new” is that the video has been released, is going viral, and gives us opportunity to protest against ALL child abuse, regardless of country or culture, and request appropriate sentences against perpetrators.

He expressed this sentiment while accepting letters of credence from Mexican Ambassador, Francisco Olgoe yesterday.

“I am hopeful that this dialogue will lead to a more enlightened partnership between Caricom and Mexico as chair of the upcoming G20 summit we have noted with interest the issue of green growth, food security and infrastructure identified for priority attention.”

President Ramotar noted that greater support is expected to develop the region’s agriculture sector.

The Caribbean-Mexico summit will also seek to address reforms within the international financial institutions framework, as this will affect the level of assistance countries receive.

The summit will be held on May 20 in Barbados.

Saturday, May 12th @ Pulse 48 (formerly CPAC) in Brooklyn
Sunday, May 13th @ Garage Night Club in the Bronx.

After his long absence from the New York area fans are clamoring to see the Messenger back on stage where he belongs.

Some 20 years into his internationally acclaimed career, Luciano continues to score chart and radio hits around the world while spreading his Rastafarian messages. Luciano’s nickname, the Messenger, comes from his landmark 1997 album and single of the same name, and his hits over the years have included such live-show favorites as “It’s Me Again Jah,” “Who Could It Be,” “Where There Is Life,” “Heaven Help Us All” and more.

Tickets are General Admission – $39 and VIP – $60 (VIP ticket sales only at the Brooklyn Event). For further information and tickets call 718.282.8041 , 646.434.5390 and 646.533.9300 .