Shelly Ann clocks world leading 10.77 in 100m semi; loses final

MONTEGO BAY, St James -- After running a world Leading 10.77 seconds in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m, defending World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce was fourth in the finals in 10.94 seconds on today’s final day of the two day London Diamond League at the Olympic Stadium.

Fraser Pryce, who also won the Olympic 100m title on the same track a year ago, appeared to have backed off in the final as she wrapped up her preparations for the IAAF World Championships set to start in two weeks in Moscow, Russia. Kerron Stewart was sixth in 11.02 seconds as Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare won in an African Record 10.79 seconds ahead of American Barbara Pierre (10.85) seconds and Trinidad’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste- {10.93) seconds. Schillionie Calvert also ran in the first round of the 100m clocking 11.32 seconds but failed to advance. Read more: 

Selena looks Buju Banton's way.... Selena 'walks like a champion'

Selena Gomez uses Buju Banton’s
original lines, ‘Walk like a
champion/ talk like a
champion/ ram-pa-pa-pam-pam’
for her introduction and hook.

 

AMERICAN pop sensation Selena Gomez has sampled Buju Banton's 1995 hit song Champion for her latest single, Like a Champion. The song is from Gomez' new album Stars Dance which was released this month.

The 21-year-old uses Banton's original lines, 'Walk like a champion/ talk like a champion/ ram-pa-pa-pam-pam' for her introduction and hook. Banton, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence in the United States on drug-related charges, recorded Champion for producer Donovan Germain.

The song is from his seminal 1995 album 'Til Shiloh. Germain said he heard of the Gomez remix this week. "I didn't hear about the track until Wednesday when someone sent me a YouTube link," he told Splash. "All I can say is that it is a 'good look' for the industry. While we are busy trying to copy the pop stars, they are busy trying to copy reggae, a genre that some critics say is dying," he continued. Read more:  

 

JUST IN: USAIN BOLT Runs Season's Best In London, Wins In 9.85 Seconds.

Usain Bolt (second right) wins the
men's 100m race during the
Diamond League athletics meet
 at The Stadium in the
 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Usain Bolt wins Men's 100m in 9.85 seconds at the IAAF Diamond League athletics meet at The Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. 

Michael Rodgers, USA, ran 9.98 to take second place and Jamaica's Nesta Carter ran 9.99 seconds to take third place. 

Earlier Warren Weir won the Men's 200m in 19.89 seconds, Jason Young ran an impressive time of 19.99 seconds to take second place, Wallace Spearmon of the USA took third place in 20.18 seconds. 

Usain Bolt will compete in the Men's 100m later today at the athletics meet marks the anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Read More...

IN JAMAICA: 20-y-o Sasha Gay McDonald and 2-y-o daughter missing

CLARENDON, Jamaica -- Twenty-year-old Sasha Gay McDonald and her two-year-old daughter Niqehlea Taylor both of Summerfield in Clarendon have been missing since July 14.

McDonald is of brown complexion, medium build and is about five-feet-four-inches tall. Niqehlea is also of brown complexion and medium build. The police report that McDonald and Niqehlea were last seen in Spanish Town, St Catherine about 2:00 pm. 

McDonald was dressed in a white blouse and cream shorts while her daughter was wearing a pink blouse, pink jeans pants and a pair of multi-coloured shoes. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the two is being asked to contact the Stadium Police at 946-1831, Police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station. Read more: 

USAIN BOLT says I'm clean,... says doping scandals have ‘set us back’

Bolt at Press Conference in London

The world’s fastest man stopped short of condemning Jamaican teammates Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson or American rival Tyson Gay, whose failed doping tests have left the sport in turmoil ahead of the Worlds in Moscow next month.

“Definitely it’s going to set us back a little bit,” Bolt said in London, ahead of a Diamond League meet, his first competition in the city since his three gold medals at last year’s Olympics. “But as a person I can’t focus on this. “I still have World Championships, everyone is stepping up their game, so I have to really focus on that. ... I am just trying to work hard, run fast and hopefully help people to forget what has happened, and just move on.”

Bolt will run the 100 metres today and the 4x100 relay tomorrow at the Olympic Stadium in a meet marking the anniversary of the start of the 2012 London Olympics. In his first public comments since news of the high-profile doping cases broke, Bolt promised that he won’t be the next sprint star to be embroiled in a scandal.

“I was made to inspire people and to run, and I was given the gift and that’s what I do,” the six-time Olympic champion said. “I am confident in myself and my team, the people I work with. And I know I am clean.

“So I’m just going to continue running, using my talent and just trying to improve the sport.” Read more:  

'You Can't Sit For Justice' - DPP Blames Frightened Witnesses For Collapse Of High-Profile Cases

With at least three high-profile cases falling apart in the last four months, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn has cautioned her critics against laying the blame on her office or police investigators.

Llewelyn

Shields

Instead yesterday, Llewellyn, who was speaking with The Gleaner hours after a Supreme Court judge instructed a jury to return a not guilty verdict in one of two murder cases against popular entertainer Vybz Kartel, sought to focus attention on what she described as the country's "intimidatory environment" that is scaring away witnesses.

She said very often witnesses are refusing to go into the witness protection programme and end up returning to the same communities where the accused person resides.

Reiterating concerns expressed while speaking with The Gleaner earlierthis month, Llewellyn said in some cases, witnesses will accept money from relatives or friends of an accused person to discontinue a case or simply refuse to attend court.

"So even if the prosecutor or the investigator is a genius, if the witness refuses to testify, there is nothing we can do. We are not a banana republic, we have standards," the DPP insisted. Read More...

Ardenne High Past Student Tops Class In Ukraine Medical School

Two years ago, on the advice of a close friend, at the age of 19, Tashae Amanda Smith, despite her mother's reservations, made the decision to travel 6,000 miles from Jamaica to the Ukraine in pursuit of her dream.

Now 21, Smith is blazing the trail on her path towards becoming a medical doctor and possibly finding the cure for cancer in the near future.

She has managed the difficult feat of topping her medical science class at one of Ukraine's most prestigious and oldest higher medical institutions, Kharkiv National Medical University.

A former head girl of Ardenne High School, Smith said her friend who left Ardenne before her told her about his experience attending the same school in the Ukraine, and that sparked her interest.

"He was telling me that he was going to this college and about theopportunities - in terms of the equipment in comparison to what we have here in Jamaica and the other vast opportunities over there - so he said I should apply because I had the ability to get through," Smith recalled.

Taking her friend's advice, Smith said she began to do her research on the university and found out that the fees for international students attending schools in the Ukraine were heavily subsidised, and this further compelled her to apply.

She said in total, she pays approximately US$5,000 (J$500,000) for school fees and living expenses for the year. Read More...

Gleaner Celebrates GSAT High Achievers

Gleaner Managing Director
Christopher Barnes is flanked
by county scholarship winners 

On a day when the world celebrated Nelson Mandela International Day under the theme 'Take Action, Inspire Change', The Gleaner took time out to honour four of the country's young scholars.

As laughter and tears of joy flowed throughout The Gleaner'sChildren's Own Spelling Bee Awards luncheon yesterday, four outstanding performers in this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) were lauded with accolades and cash prizes.

Three of the winners, who were outstanding participants in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee Competition, received awards and scholarships for being the top performers in their counties.

Cornwall's top performer was Joanna Turner from Hanover Pre and Preparatory; Middlesex's outstanding student was Ashley Ricketts from Knox Junior School; and Shanae Graham from Middleton Primary was Surrey's recipient. Barrieanne Foster was named the Editor's Scholar for 2013. Read More...

7 Embassy Scholarship Awardees Grateful, Excited About China Trip

Hunter

Garfield Hunter was among seven students who were on Wednesday awarded with a Chinese-government scholarship during an awards ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in St Andrew.

The 28-year-old, who will be pursuing his doctorate in urban and regional planning, told The Gleaner that his aim is to enhance the energy sector in Jamaica.

"As an urban and regional planner, and given that Jamaica is trying to kickstart its renewable energy drive, I think that doing further studies in this area will enable me to implement ways to reduce our energy bill," he said with confidence.

Hunter pointed out that the only barrier would be the difference in language but emphasised that he was eagerly awaiting the experience.

"My course will be taught in Chinese (Mandarin), so that will be my only problem. I'm in the process of learning the language, so I will not be worried too much about that," he said.

"I'm really happy for the opportunity, and I'm just going with an open mind and a positive attitude. I'm also very grateful for the support of my parents. I couldn't have done it without them," said Hunter. Read More...

George Zimmerman Trial Juror B29 Says He 'Got Away With Murder' (VIDEO)

The only minority on the jury that found George Zimmerman not guilty for fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin sat for an exclusive interview with Robin Roberts for Friday's "Good Morning America" and revealed very strong feelings abouthow the 29-year-old fared in his trial.

"George Zimmerman got away with murder," she said. "But you can't get away from God. And at the end of the day, he's going to have a lot of questions and answers he has to deal with. [But] the law couldn't prove it."

Although formerly only known as juror B29, she allowed her face to be shown and chose to withhold her last name, only using her first name Maddy.

A 36-year-old Puerto Rican nursing assistant, Maddy was the only minority on the six-person jury. She admitted she was the juror who originally wanted to convict Zimmerman of second-degree murder, but eventually realized that the evidence didn't support a guilty verdict with respect to his claim of self-defense.

"I was the juror that was going to give them the hung jury. I fought to the end," she said. "That's where I felt confused, where if a person kills someone, then you get charged for it. But as the law was read to me, if you have no proof that he killed him intentionally, you can't say he's guilty." Read More...

Peace and Love Academic Scholarship, Inc. (PALAS) awarding fifty-five (55) new scholarships to students in Jamaica for the 2013-2014 school year. PALAS awarded a total of 110 scholarships over the past 2 years. This year there are 16 High School and 39 University/Tertiary students. We still need donation, please share and spread the word to donate: Please donate online at www.PALAS1.org or send a check payable to PALAS, P.O. Box 5461, Alpharetta GA 30023 USA.

USAIN BOLT & RIHANNA MAKES FORBES TOP 100 LIST: The World's Most Powerful Celebrities List - Forbes The Celebrity 100 · Forbes 400 Richest Americans · World's Most Powerful People ·

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Usain Bolt

Earnings

 

$24 M As of June 2013

Follow (9)

At a Glance

• Athlete Track
• Salary/Winnings: $0.2 M
• Endorsements: $24 M
• Age: 26
• Source of Wealth: Track
• Residence: Kingston, Jamaica
• Country of Citizenship: Jamaica
• Marital Status: Single
• Agent: Ricky Simms, Gina Ford

      repeated his gold medal trifecta at the 2012 Summer Olympics by winning the 100 and 200 meter finals, as well as the 4x100 meter relay. He introduced himself to the world at the 2008 Games when he set world records in the 100 and 200 meter events. Bolt earns little in prize money, but cashes in through endorsements, appearance fees and sponsor bonuses for record race times. His biggest endorsement [...] more. Read More....

'We Will Not Quit' - Powell, Simpson Vow To Hurdle Drug Scandal, Continue Careers

Powell and Simpson

"I have never considered quitting." That was the message from embattled Jamaican sprinting standouts Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson as they sat before a specially selected media conference, for the first time, since they both tested positive for banned stimulant Oxilofrine at the Jamaican trials.

Powell, the former 100 metres world record holder, sporting a blue shirt and khaki slacks, spoke of the emotional turmoil experienced since his June 21 positive test but made it clear that he was committed to putting everything into clearing his name and prolonging his career, which has yielded almost 90 sub-10 seconds clockings and two bronze medals at the IAAF World Championships.

"I have never thought about it (retiring). I was just shocked by the news. I have been thinking a lot but never once thought about giving up," said Powell, who was in his hotel room at his MVP Track Club's camp in Italy when he was informed of the test results. Read More...

SEE: Vybz Kartel not guilty ... Acquitted after prosecution offers no further evidence ....Kartel's Lawyer Says Verdict Was Expected; Prosecution Said It Did All It Could

Kartel

One of Vybz Kartel’s attorneys, Christian Tavares-Finson says today’s not guilty verdict was expected. 

He says the defence is now awaiting instructions from Kartel regarding the filing of another bail application in relation to the Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams matter. Tavares-Finson says today’s not guilty verdict could impact the Crown’s arguments against bail as previously, the just-ended murder case was part of the Crown’s strategy to oppose bail. 

SEE: Vybz Kartel not guilty ... Acquitted after prosecution offers no further evidence 

Lead prosecutor on the Bossy Burton murder case, Maxine Jackson says the Crown did all it could to secure a conviction. The Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions says, the case was affected by witnesses who refused to be available for the trial despite numerous attempts to have them do so. Read More...

JAMAICAN, David Panton builds wealth, relationships.....He was the youngest member of his undergraduate class at Princeton University at the age of 20. Then, at Harvard Law School. He is also among the youngest Ph.D. holders from Oxford University.

Excerpt from Atlanta Business Chronicle, May 24, 2013

David Panton is no stranger to trailblazing. He was the youngest member of his undergraduate class at Princeton University at the age of 20. Then, at Harvard Law School, he was one of two black presidents in the history of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. The other was President Barack Obama. He is also among the youngest Ph.D. holders from Oxford University.

David Panton-Princeton, Harvard, Oxford Graduate

Now, the 41-year-old is one of the select handful of minority leaders at a private equity firm, a field that rarely shows much diversity. But Panton remains humble about his accomplishments, citing hard work as the reason for his success.

“I believe success is defined by what you have overcome to accomplish what you accomplish,” he said, emphasizing his respect for people who achieve great things without a support system.

“The people I am most impressed by are those who have done more than I’ve done, with less support than I had,” he said, in a lyrical Jamaican lilt.

For Panton, that journey began by flying to Princeton, N.J., from Jamaica at the age of 16, to convince admission officers he deserved a spot, even though he hadn’t completed high school — a requirement for all applicants to Princeton University.

“I was very determined to get in,” he said, simply.

A lot of that determination came from the Rev. Keith Panton, his father. Born in Mandeville, Jamaica, Panton found an inspiring role model in his father, who worked his way “from growing up poor” to becoming the first black chief executive of a Jamaican company. The senior Panton later became a priest, but the allure of business had been embedded in his son.

“Seeing my father made me realize I wanted to run a business, be an entrepreneur,” he said. Panton got his first taste of running a “multimillion-dollar business” in his 20s, as president of the Harvard Law Review. Since then, running companies has been very much part of his career.

Panton maintains a close relationship with his family in Jamaica. He said he speaks to his parents every day. In fact, he moved to Atlanta in 2004 to be closer to his sister who lives here.

He joined Mellon Ventures that year, and within three years, became part of the team that brought over the portfolio of investments from Mellon Bank to form Navigation Capital Partners. The company has deployed more than $1.5 billion to invest in notable companies including SecureWorks Inc. (SecureWorks eventually was bought by Dell Inc.)

Despite living an affluent lifestyle, which includes taking private jets and a reserved table at Buckhead restaurant Chops, Panton said “wealth in life is about health, family and satisfaction. Monetary wealth is a good way of keeping score, but without the first three, it means nothing.”

Panton talks candidly about his failures too. As a senior at Princeton, he applied for a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, where selected foreign students get a full scholarship to attend Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

“I was fairly confident I would win. And when they announced the winner, I was about to step forward, but then I lost,” he said. “It was difficult. I reapplied the next year and I won. But it was a tough year for me.”

So motivated is he by his belief “in the passionate pursuit of perfection” (carmaker Lexus’ motto) that Panton spends much of his spare time mentoring.

Larry Mock, managing partner of Navigation Capital Partners, explains that Panton’s personal and professional strengths converge around his desire to help others.

“The way I describe David to people that don’t know him is that he’s the ‘consummate deal guy.’ Most people leave a cocktail party having said hello to five old friends. David will walk out of a party with five new friends and offer to help them with either introductions to others, or to look at their business. It’s not unusual for David to schedule two to three lunches in a day.”

In turn, Panton said Mock is one of his greatest mentors, who he would “have never gotten into private equity without.”

More...

Royal Baby Name: George Alexander Louis Is Kate And William's Choice

The royal baby name is here: George Alexander Louis.

That makes the new baby's name, including his title, HRH Prince George of Cambridge.

"George was the expected choice, George was the obvious choice," Nameberry's Pamela Redmond Satran tells HuffPost Parents, explaining, "There have been many more king Georges in recent centuries than any other name, so I think they went for tradition on that one -- but broke with tradition in terms of giving him three names instead of four. And I think Alexander and Louis in the middle place, versus honoring [George's] father, grandfather, or great-grandfather, is a departure." Read More...

How This Boy's Story Would Have Been Told If He Were White : Two 7-Year-Old Boys, One White...One Black....Two Dramatically Different News Stories (VIDEO)

Leontine G. sent in a troubling example of the framing of children’s deviance, and their own complicity in this framing. She included two links: one to a "Today" show story about a 7-year-old boy who took his family’s car on a joyride and got caught by police, and one to a CNN story about a 7-year-old boy who took his family’s car on a joyride and got caught by police. Different 7-year-olds. One white, one black.

The white boy, Preston, is interviewed with his family on the set of the "Today" show. Knowing his kid is safe, his Dad describes the event as “funny” and tells the audience that if this could happen to a “cotton candy all-American kid like Preston,” then “it could happen to anybody.”

When the host, Meredith Vieira, asks Preston why he hid from the police, he says, “cause I wanted to,” and she says, “I don’t blame you actually.” With Preston not too forthcoming, his Mom steps in to say that he told her that “he just wanted to know what it felt like to drive a car.” When Vieira asks him why he fled from the police, he replies with a shrug. Vieira fills in the answer, “You wanted to get home?” Read More...

Steven Galindo Diaz, 13-year-old Ga. boy, shot dead in attempted carjacking, report says

Steven Galindo Diaz 

/ CBS Atlanta

(CBS) CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - A 13-year-old boy was shot and killed in an attempted carjacking Monday night, according to CBS Atlanta. 

Clayton County police reportedly said Steven Galindo Diaz was helping his sister put air into one of her car's tires when two men pulled up in a red SUV and demanded keys and belongings.

The station reports the girl handed over her keys and one of the suspects allegedly snatched her necklace, police say.

The second suspect allegedly tried to crank the vehicle but when it didn't start he started shooting the siblings.The boy reportedly died of gunshot injuries at the hospital.

Authorities have not released additional details on the incident and no suspects have been arrested,  according to CBS Atlanta. Read More...

Peace and Love Academic Scholarship, Inc. (PALAS) awarding fifty-five (55) new scholarships to students in Jamaica for the 2013-2014 school year. PALAS awarded a total of 110 scholarships over the past 2 years. This year there are 16 High School and 39 University/Tertiary students. We still need donation, please share and spread the word to donate: Please donate online at www.PALAS1.org or send a check payable to PALAS, P.O. Box 5461, Alpharetta GA 30023 USA.

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IN JAMIACA: Today's headlines

Today's headlines

• I found love with an ex-con
• Sandals Negril promotes 'Blood for Life'
• Expectations high as Jamaica begin CASA Junior Champs
• The 'right' to die?
• West Kingston's new era
• Seabed Authority members shun meetings
• President Obama's words hold significance for us
• Bunting's mistake will hurt us big time
• 8 found dead off coast of Grand Bahama
• Congresswoman welcomes plans to aid Caribbean immigrant 
• Read more: 

BABY ON THE WAY: Kate Middleton Labor: Duchess Of Cambridge Goes Into Labor With Royal Baby

Kate Middleton has gone into labor!

Buckingham Palace confirms that the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, where she will give birth to her first child. In accordance with her pre-announced birth plan, Kate is being attended to by Dr. Marcus Setchell, the Queen's former gynecologist, with Dr. Alan Farthing assisting.

St Mary's Hospital is where Princess Diana gave birth to Princes William and Harry and where Princess Anne gave birth to her children. At this time, we don't know the sex of the baby, as the duke and duchess chose not to find out before the birth. Despite previous reports that Kate is "too posh to push," she'll be having a natural birth.

As for the baby's gender? We'll have to wait until a proclamation is posted on the gate of Buckingham Palace. Our best wishes go out to the royal couple! Read More...

Foods For Brain Health: 5 Yummy Ideas

No doubt we've written a lot about brain power here at the Huffington Post. We've written about how reading, writing and playing a wide assortment of games can lead to healthier brains later in life. We've covered how exercise and participation in new and complex activities also can boost your brain.

But what about diet? Certainly the Mediterranean diet has been associated with brain health and longevity.

To simplify things even more, we've come up with five top foods to enjoy for ultimate brain health. Check out our slideshow below. Have we missed anything? Let us know in comments. Read More...

In JAMAICA: Two Killed In Nightclub Shooting In Lucea

Residents of Lucea, Hanover, were left in shock yesterday after a double murder at the Clipper Nite Club in the wee hours of the morning.

Reports are that about 4 a.m., three men armed with guns entered the club, located along Seaview Drive in Lucea, and fired several shots before fleeing.

Two of the five persons hit died on the spot while the others were taken to the Noel Holmes Hospital.

One of the injured persons was later transferred to the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

The dead men have since been identified as 31-year-old Lee McFarlane, also known as 'Lee Buck', of an Elgin Town address, and Ishmael Perez, a 40-year-old Mexican who was once employed to a hotel in the area. Read More...

Bill Maher: 'Why Are We Electing So Many Gynecologists To Congress?' (VIDEO)

At the end of his latest episode of "Real Time," Bill Maher posed a question you don't hear very often: "Why are we electing so many gynecologists to Congress?" Or, more specifically, "OBGYNs who know nothing about reproduction?"

After declaring his "New Rules" for Hooters, Asiana Airlines and Juror B37 in the clip above (about 3:00 in), Maher lamented "the resurgence of the smart stupid person," such as the neurosurgeon who recently wrote about his experiences in heaven.

"He isn't even the only brilliant brain surgeon who's a also a drooling idiot," Maher said before going on to deride other prominent doctors and politicians for being "accomplished scholars on the outside and on the inside, a creamy layer of Michele Bachmann."

Which lead Maher to his question about the aforementioned OBGYN Congressmen, such as Ron Paul, Michael Burgess and the guy who defended Todd Akin's "shut that whole thing down" theory. Read More...

6-Year-Old Girl Shot During Memorial For Relative Who Was Shot : Quianna Tompkins, 6-Year-Old Girl, Shot During Family Memorial In Chicago

6 y-o Quiana

A 6-year-old girl was shot in the back and critically wounded along with another woman as the two attended a memorial for a victim of gun violence.

Quianna Tompkins and about 40 others were at a vigil for Brandon "Bones" Snipe, 24, who was killed exactly five years ago on Friday in Chicago. Gunfire erupted, and Tompkins was hit by a stray bullet, NBC Chicago reports. Witness Vanessa Rose said she saw Tompkins run from the sidewalk to the grass, where she collapsed.

One person is in custody, but there may be other suspects.

"[Quianna] is fighting for her life as we speak," Tompkins' mother, Juannakee Kennedy, told ABC News. She pleaded for the group of teens many saw running from the scene to come forward.

"Please, I know you didn't mean to do this on purpose," she said. "Please don't go through life with guilt on your heart. We forgive you. We just want some justice for our baby." Read More...

STILL NOT FREE : Far From The Mountaintop: Black America Still Reaching For MLK's Dream

This article is the first in a Huffington Post series examining the state of Black America.

WASHINGTON -- Elijah Cummings, 62 years old, has lived and seen the best -- and the worst -- of what this country means, offers and does to a black man. He knows the promise and pain of Black America.

His parents were Southern sharecroppers who moved to Baltimore for a better life. The budding civil rights movement was active in the city, and schools and public facilities became integrated when he was a boy. They were excellent, and he went on to become student body president at Howard University, earned a law degree and now serves as a Democrat in the House, representing the city in which he grew up.

He recently took his 86-year-old mother, Ruth Cummings, to meet his close friend, Barack Obama. A Pentecostal preacher, she told the president, "I want you to know, son, I pray for you every day." Read More...