September 13, 2023

Biden Needs a Reparations Commission for 2024

by BlackPress of

AFRICA WORLD BRIEFS

FAO launches emergency plan to combat hunger in Sudan

Over the coming year, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will distribute seeds, livestock treatment kits and provide veterinary and fisheries support to boost crop production, improve seed diversification and protect animal stock from depleting.

Lebanon: School occupations condemned as violence grips Palestine refugee camp

Clashes between rival factions in the Ein el Hilweh camp, the largest in Lebanon, has also displaced thousands of refugees, according to reports.

Protecting a Way of Life and the Planet

by Ben Jealous - P

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The initiative is expected to meet the cereal requirements of up to 19 million people for the upcoming 2023 harvest, FAO estimates. Battle for survival

HEALTH

Sleep Smart: Improving Your Sleep Quality and Your Wellbeing

by Nzinga N. Garvey, MBA - P 16

TRAVEL

CTO’s New Secretary-General Shares

Vision for Regional Tourism - P 18

“Millions of people across Sudan are facing a battle for survival as the food security crisis worsens”, said Hongjie Yang, FAO Representative in the Sudan.

“This emergency response plan aims to provide farming, herding and fishing families with the basics they need to keep production going and feed themselves and their communities.” The urgency cannot be overstated. More than 20 million people, representing over 42 per cent Sudan’s population, experienced high levels of acute food insecurity between July and September, nearly double the figure from May last year.

This situation has been hugely exacerbated by the descent since April into all-out war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has displaced nearly 5.1 million people within Sudan and across the country’s borders.

Morocco earthquake: UN stands ready to support relief efforts

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that the UN was ready to assist the Government in any way needed, to help those impacted. According to the UN humanitarian hub Reliefweb, the powerful quake struck shortly after 10pm local time, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale at a depth of 18.5 km, with the epicentre located in the High Atlas mountains, some 71 km southwest of the historic city of Marrakech. According to media reports, several houses in the city of 840,000 collapsed and other buildings suffered structural damage. The epicentral zone is not densely populated. The earthquake with an epicentre in the High Atlas mountains caused devastation in the historic city of Marrakech, Morocco.

“The Secretary-General was profoundly saddened to learn of the earthquake that hit Morocco today which claimed many lives,” the statement read.

‘The UN is by your side’

Mr. Guterres addressed his most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.before this crisis.

In a tweet, the President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, offered his heartfelt sympathy and condolences, calling on the international community “to stand together in support of Morocco in this time of sorrow.”

Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, also responded on social media platform X, saying that her “prayers and thoughts” are with the people of Morocco.

Armed groups have taken over eight schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency providing support to Palestine refugees, preventing around 6,000 children from accessing the classroom as a new school year gets underway.

‘Safe and neutral spaces’

“Education institutions must be safe and neutral spaces, critical for children’s learning, well-being, and growth,”

Imran Riza, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, said in a statement.

He underscored that use of schools by armed groups are not only a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws but also jeopardize the future of the entire community.“I urge armed groups to stop the fighting in the camp and vacate these schools immediately.”

“I also call for the facilitation of the work of UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations to provide much-needed protection and assistance to families in need in the camp,” Mr. Riza added.

‘Immense challenges’ block justice for Ukrainian war victims, rights experts warn

Mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate violations committed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Commission said that it has “followed closely” discussions about reparations. Commission member Pablo de Greiff said reparations initiatives should be designed in close consultation with victims.

“The establishment of a comprehensive reparations programmes is a long-term process, which should be distinguished from, but also coordinated with, national reconstruction programmes, and property restitution and repair programmes,” he said.

Such initiatives should also be designed in close consultation with the victims, he added.

The rights experts also stressed that the delivery of urgent mental health and psychosocial support to victims remained a challenge.

The Commission has visited Ukraine more than 10 times. The current visit began in the Cherkasy region and continued to Kyiv, where the experts met with authorities and civilians affected by the war.rejected all legal challenges to the law. The Court based its decisions on the grounds that the use of the armed forces and the exercise of power by State bodies were prerogatives of the national Government.

America - P 9

Washington DC – Biden Administration Urges Migrants to Apply for Work Permits

On Thursday, in response to intensifying pressure from officials in New York and other cities struggling to house new migrant arrivals, the Biden administration sent notifications to tens of thousands of migrants across the US reminding them to apply for work permits. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started sending texts and emails to migrants who are eligible to apply for work authorization with the agency, including asylum-seekers and those who arrived in the US under programs the Biden administration created to discourage adults and families from crossing the southern border without authorization.

The notifications read: “You are receiving this message because you were paroled into the U.S. You can apply for a work permit online.” They included a link to the USCIS work authorization application. The notifications are being sent to migrants who entered the US under a process that allows Americans to sponsor the entry of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, as well as those

processed at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border after securing an appointment through a government phone app. The Biden administration has been processing both populations under the immigration parole authority, which allows migrants to work and live in the US legally on a temporary basis, typically for two years.

Naree Ketudat, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees USCIS, confirmed the department had “launched a first-of-itskind national campaign for noncitizens who are work-eligible but have not yet applied for employment authorization.” Migrants whose cases have been pending for at least 150 days and who’ve filed asylum cases will also receive a version of the notification. US law only allows asylum-seekers to receive work permits 180 days after they submit their applications.

NYC – Harry Belafonte Scholarship Offered by City University

which will provide them the tools to inspire change themselves.”

This new scholarship will cover the full cost of attendance – including tuition, room and board, fees, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses – for five CUNY students who, like Harry Belafonte, demonstrate a commitment to social justice and the performing arts, have overcome significant challenges to pursue their dreams, and embody the experiences and principles that he represented. Applications will open in Spring 2024.

City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “CUNY thanks Governor Hochul for honoring the memory of Harry Belafonte with this generous scholarship that will help our students pursue educational paths that bring together the passions for the arts and social justice that he championed throughout his long and illustrious life.”

it plays in creating healthy communities is a profound recognition of his legacy. We want to thank Governor Hochul for shepherding this scholarship and ensuring young people get an opportunity to thrive.”

Harry Belafonte, the son of Jamaican immigrants, was a world-renowned musician, artist, and champion of the civil rights and social justice movements. Like so many New Yorkers, his parents worked hard to ensure he had the opportunity to make a difference in the world. This scholarship will help more students who have defied the odds succeed, create a lasting legacy, and make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers.

Harry Belafonte Award for Social Justice

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the new City University of New York Harry Belafonte Scholarship to honor the legacy of civil rights activist and world-renowned musician Harry Belafonte, who passed away earlier this year.

The Governor made the announcement at the 2023 West Indian Day Parade.

“The son of Jamaican immigrants, Harry Belafonte was an incredible artist, activist, and voice for the people of New York,”

Governor Hochul said. “To honor his legacy, this scholarship will open the door to new opportunities and help ensure more passionate and talented students can make their mark on the world, debt free.”

“Harry Belafonte was a giant of a man. He broke barriers and uplifted communities through the power of the arts and activism,” said Lieutenant Governor Delgado.

“I thank Governor Hochul for honoring his legacy through investing in our youth,

Gina Belafonte, Daughter of Harry Belafonte, said, “We are absolutely honored and thrilled that New York State is recognizing the legacy of Harry Belafonte. How a high school dropout, his desire for learning, and the tools for deeper strategic understanding never ceased. By offering this opportunity to those who are deeply interested in furthering your education, and deepening their understanding of art and activism, and the role

The annual award for best essay on social justice carries a $300 prize. It is presented to a deserving City College undergraduate, regardless of major, by the Black Studies Program in CCNY’s Division of Humanities and the Arts.

Sample topics include police profiling of people of color, housing discrimination, segregated schools and economic disparities -- issues on which Belafonte has taken a strong stand. Essays should be within a 2,500 word limit.

Guyana – Impressive 59.5% Growth says President

entire year.

The other mining and quarrying industry which comprises sand, stone, diamonds, and manganese-is estimated to have grown by 45.2 percent in the first half, driven by greater activity in the construction sector. This industry is now projected to grow by a 17.1 percent in 2023.

Manufacturing, Services and Construction

The manufacturing sector is estimated to have grown by 17.7 percent in the first half, largely driven by increases in the manufacturing of wood products, fabricated metal products, non-metallic products, paints, and plastic products. The sector is now projected to grow by 7.8 percent this year.

willingness to lend – an indication of growth in private and public sector borrowing.

Total credit to the private sector grew by 5 percent when compared to December 2022, to $345.3 billion at the end of June 2023, on account of increased lending to businesses and households.

Credit to business enterprises in the services and manufacturing sectors grew by 3.3 percent and 8.9 percent to $121.8 billion and $40 billion, respectively.

Lending for the purposes of real estate mortgages grew by 7.3 percent to $112.7 billion driven by mortgages granted for private dwellings, and industrial and commercial properties.

Georgetown, Ministry of Finance: Guyana continues to achieve strong, resilient, broad-based economic growth. In the first half of the year, the Mid-Year Report of 2023 highlights that our growth in overall real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at 59.5 percent in the first half of the year, with the non-oil economy growing by 12.3 percent. This reflects the focus of Government’s policies on modernising the traditional pillars of the economy and catalysing a growing and competitive non-oil economy. The revised full year real GDP growth in 2023 is now projected at 28.2 percent and 9.3 percent for the non-oil GDP.

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, while reflecting on this year’s Budget presentation under the theme ‘Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow’, explained that it reflects Government’s commitment to address the most immediate issues and irritants facing the Guyanese people while at the same time laying the foundation for a bright and secure future for all citizens for the longer term under President Ali’s One-Guyana philosophy.

“Despite the challenging external and domestic environment, the Guyanese economy continued to achieve strong positive real growth, coming from both the oil and non-oil sectors. Particularly in the non-oil economy, strong performances have been returned by agriculture, other mining and quarrying, as well as services,” the Finance Minister indicated.

The key macroeconomic highlights are as follows:

SECTORAL PERFORMANCE

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

The agriculture, forestry and fishing industries expanded by an estimated 7.6 percent in the first six months of the year, with growth observed for all subsectors – other crops, rice, livestock, fishing, forestry and sugar.

The sugar industry grew by 30 .1 percent when compared with the first half of 2022 with the full-year projection maintained at 29.3 percent.

The rice industry grew by an estimated 3.2 percent in the first half of 2023 with a revised growth rate of 7.4 percent for the entire year.

The other crops subsector is estimated to have grown by 9.4 percent in the first half, with a revised growth rate projection of 4.9 percent for 2023.

The livestock industry expanded by an estimated 4.7 percent in the first half of the year and is now expected to grow by 10.4 percent for the entire year.

The forestry industry is estimated to have grown by 4.5 percent and is expected to grow by 4 percent for the year.

The fishing industry is estimated to have expanded by 9.9 percent in the first half is expected to grow by 8.4 percent in 2023.

Extractive Industries

The mining and quarrying industries are estimated to have grown by 89.9 percent in the first half of the year, driven by growth in the petroleum and other mining industries.

The petroleum subsector grew by 98.4 percent, with 68.7million barrels of oil produced in the first six months of this year. The industry is now projected to grow by 39.6 percent for the

The services industries are estimated to have expanded by 9.1 percent, driven largely by growth in administrative and support services and wholesale and retail trade and repairs. The overall 2023 growth rate for services is now 7.8 percent.

The construction sector is estimated to have grown very substantially by 44.1 percent in the first half, reflecting large growth in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and intensified private construction. The sector is now expected to grow by 26.9 percent in 2023.

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

The overall balance of payments recorded a deficit of US$196.4 million at the end of the first half of 2023, with a smaller surplus on the current account and some improvement was observed on the capital account. With respect to trade, export receipts continued their upward trend growing by 38.8 percent to US$6,039.3 million at the end of June 2023, largely on account of higher oil export earnings, which amounted to US$5,374.1 million in the first half of the year. Total import payments also grew substantially over the review period reaching US$3,717.3 million, growing 111.8 percent over 2023. This is largely attributed to the importation of the Prosperity Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which arrived in April, and imports of fuel and lubricants.

MONETARY DEVELOPMENTS

Domestic Credit

Net domestic credit expanded in the first half of the year, reflecting households’ and businesses’ demand for credit and banks’

Inflation

On account of Government’s commitment to easing the burden of growing commodity prices, a suite of measures was put in place over the last two years. This has contributed significantly to the slowing inflation rate observed locally.

When compared with the end-2022 position, the consumer price index declined by 0.3 percent, reflecting some reversion in the spikes observed last year. When compared with June 2022, the index grew by 1.9 percent, on account of declining food prices.

Inflation is projected to be in the order of 3.8 percent for 2023.

The Government will continue to be proactive to prevent persistent hikes like those observed last year, as some level of uncertainty still clouds the outlook for 2023,

Dr. Singh has concluded that in its just over 36 months of the current term in office, Government’s implementation of Budget 2023 during the first half-year of 2023 saw significant gains being recorded on all fronts. The economy continued to record strong positive economic growth, work commenced and advanced on major transformative infrastructural projects, more community roads are being rehabilitated than ever before, and jobs are being created in every sector of economic activity.

The Government is committed to ensuring the delivery of all the promises made in the Manifesto and in so doing improve the life of every single Guyanese citizen and harness the advantages of our rich and beautiful diversity as One Guyana.

PJ Patterson Wants Visa-Free Travel for Caribbean-Africa

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, P.J. Patterson wants to see fewer restrictions in the process of travelling between the Caribbean and Africa. Mr. Patterson was speaking at Thursday’s Africa-CARICOM Day public forum titled ‘Unity Across Continents and Oceans’ at at the University of the West Indies’ Regional Headquarters in St Andrew. Mr. Patterson believes ease of travel between the two regions can help foster a symbiotic relationship. We must reduce, and where feasible, remove visa requirements and all barriers in the

customs halls to facilitate easy travel as our heads envisage. It’s a new brand of tourism that encourages cultural festivals, competitive sports, student exchanges. Our aim is to promote a truly symbiotic relationship.

Patterson noted, adding that there is a desire to get to know and embrace one another.

“The relationships we seek to restore and strengthen are akin to a great and grand family union. We in the Caribbean need to see from where we came, and our African uncles and aunts need to visit where their nephews and nieces now dwell.

Patterson addressed the issues of intra-regional travel within the Caribbean, said that the current circumstances surrounding this topic were “mind-boggling”. He explained that the situation of travel within the region was “worse than it has ever been” and said that the current travel crises of CARICOM nations having to travel through the American state of Miami was “offensive”.

Despite the travel situation causing much vexation, he said he had every reason to believe that regional travel would be high on the agenda for next year’s’ Inter-Sessional Meeting

of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

T&T – US Southern Command Deputy Director with Trini Roots Vows to Help Native

Command’s J7/9 exercises and coalition affairs directorate, and based in Florida. US Ambassador Candace Bond observed and participated in some of the exercises at the academy.

personnel from the Burlington will be engaged in a series of activities throughout the country.

citizens in community clinics. This deployment marks the 13th Continuing Promise mission to the region since 2007.

After a series of exercises at the TT Defence Force (TTDF) Military Academy in Corinth on Wednesday, as part of Continuing Promise 2023, TT-born military officer David Greene said it was an honor for him to be involved in the command’s continuing promise mission to help his native land.

“For me it’s not a pleasure. It’s actually an honour for me to be able to come back here, represent Southern Command and do something that is worthwhile and it’s going to benefit my country.”

The US Southern Command officer is part of a mission involved the donation of field hospitals to the Government. He serves as deputy director of the Southern

A statement on the Southern Command’s website said, “By developing a well-trained workforce focused on innovative and cooperative solutions, the J7/9 establishes and enhances partnerships across the US government, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the business sector, academia, and all aspects of civil society.”

Greene was born in San Fernando, and is a former student of Pleasantville Junior Secondary School. He left T&T for the US when he was 18, and has been working with the US Department of Defence for the last 30 years.

Green added that he was “born and raised right down the street here in San Fernando.”

He was pleased to be part of the Continuing Promise 2023, Medical Mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean which involves the visit of the US Navy transport ship Burlington to T&T between September 2-10.

During that time, US military

Greene said, “The whole thing about Continuing Promise 2023 is really to build the capacity of nations such as TT and build your resiliency to better respond to humanitarian crises and health pandemics.”

Earlier in the day, Greene briefed Bond and TTDF Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Air Marshall Darryl Daniel about the two field hospitals donated by Southern Command to the Government.

He said, “Those two field hospitals were given in 2021 at a cost of approximately US$1.3 million and there is more.”

Greene added, “We will be working constantly with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) as well as TEMA (Tobago Emergency Management Agency) in Tobago.”

USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) is deployed to Latin America and the Caribbean August – September 2023 as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2023 mission. U.S. military medical teams will work alongside host nation medical personnel in Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada to provide care to

The Burlington will be in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago for eight days. During the ship’s time in port, the Continuing Promise 2023 team will work alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s medical experts and primary care providers to conduct medical engagements, reconstruction projects, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) training, Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) symposiums, subject matter expert exchanges, and host several live performances by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band.

“The Continuing Promise 2023 mission allows us to learn from partner nations and collaborate in potential contingency operations,” said Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Ebenezer Atekwana, Senior Enlisted Leader for Continuing Promise 2023. “We’re thrilled to team up with medical experts from Trinidad and Tobago to enhance our partnership. Our time here is a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and improving the interoperability of our medical teams.”

T&T – Indefinite Economic Sanctions Against Haiti

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament Friday approved a motion extending economic sanctions against Haiti in keeping with a United Nations resolution, and dismissing opposition claims that Port of Spain and other CARICOM countries have done nothing to ease the situation in the French-speaking country.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Reginald Armour, said under the existing Economic Sanctions Act, Trinidad and Tobago is keeping with its mandate to take economic measures against a foreign state or various actors. The motion notes that there is extremely grave concern about the high level of gang violence and other criminal activities including kidnappings, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants and homicides and sexual and gender based violence as well as the implications of Haiti’s situation for the region. It also makes provisions for the transmissions of arms to non-state actors in the French-speaking country “engaged in or supporting gang violence”.

The motion states that the situation in

Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. It said that Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the United Nations, and by virtue of its international obligations to prevent and prohibit illicit financial flows, trafficking and diversion of arms and related material needs to adhere to the UN Security resolution on Haiti.

The resolution requires member states to impose economic sanctions against entities and individuals and that Port of Spain must take measures to ensure compliance. He told legislators that the President had signed the order against Haiti in June this year and it was debated and approved by legislators.

He said the measure, unless revoked. would remain in force for three months and the motion on Friday seeks to have it extended indefinitely by a resolution supported by a simple majority in the Parliament. But the opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, Rodney Charles said Trinidad and Tobago should have followed the practice of countries like Canada and the United States that brought regulations to put the

UN sanctions into effect since November and December last year. “Their regulations required no extensions,” he said, adding “however in Trinidad and Tobago, under the Economic Sanctions Act, we have to come before this House multiple times to do the same thing”.

“Why not just amend the Economic Sanctions Act so that we do not have to return to this House time and time again to do the same thing? That is how first world countries operate Madam Speaker.”

In his contribution, Charles said Venezuelan nationals going to Trinidad

and Tobago for years have had access to registration procedures, work permits and are being fully integrated into the local society.

“That is a welcomed humane approach. Soon their children will be in our schools. And we are not complaining, we are happy that we can help our Venezuelan brothers and sisters in their time of crisis.

“But what about our Haitian cousins?

Madam Speaker Haitian citizens must obtain visas before entry in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said, adding “we are treating citizens of a non-CARICOM country, that is, Venezuelans better than we are treating fellow CARICOM citizens of Haiti.

“CARICOM is not doing well by Haiti. And we on this side say individually and collectively: Haiti, I am sorry,” Charles said.

But the Attorney general, in brushing aside Charles’ remarks, said “remarkably he allowed himself in my view to trivalise the fact that we have come to this House to renew the Order which has already been passed by this House and to renew it for an indefinite period.

Read more at www.nycaribnews.com

Jamaica

Women Extradited to US on Murder, Fraud Charges

WASHINGTON (CMC) – The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) says a Jamaican has been charged in a debt relief scam. Goodison is wanted in the US for mail fraud, wire fraud and lottery scamming activities while Reynolds is wanted for murder and other serious offences. 39-year-old Iyana Reynolds was also apprehended during separate special operations in Jamaica and extradited to the US.

According to the DOJ, Sereika Savariau, also known as Sereika Savariau-Goodison, 36, of Jamaica, appeared in US federal court on Friday and was arraigned on an eight-count indictment charging her with creating a series of fraudulent debt relief companies that tricked US victims into paying fees and disclosing personal identifying and sensitive information, and identity documents, to obtain debt relief, “which did not actually exist”.

On December 2, 2021, a US federal grand jury returned an eight-count sealed indictment charging Savariau with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, four counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

The indictment states that, between 2016 and 2018, Savariau conspired with others to profit from fees paid by victims of fraudulent debt relief companies.

The indictment alleges that conspirators created and operated fraudulent businesses and websites that marketed and sold fraudulent debt relief services to members of the public.

“Conspirators fraudulently misrepresented that members of the public could apply for and obtain thousands of dollars’ worth of debt relief on their outstanding, unpaid bills in the form of grants, all in exchange for payment of a service processing fee,”

the indictment says. “Conspirators also claimed that the purported debt relief was funded and administered by the US government.”

Through their false representations, the DOJ said Savariau and her co-conspirators are alleged to have induced or attempted to induce victims throughout the United States to pay over a million dollars’ worth of service processing fees to Savariau and her co-conspirators via Western Union, Money Gram, PayPal and other payment mechanisms.

The DOJ said Savariau arrived in the Washington, DC metropolitan area on Thursday after being extradited from Jamaica.

At Friday’s initial appearance, the DOJ said Judge Zia M. Faruqui ordered that Savariau be held without bond pending her next hearing, which is scheduled for September 20.

NYC – Mayor Adams – Caribbean Carnival Weekend was Safest

and Labor Day weekends we have seen in recent memories and probably the safest J’ouvert celebration in history. Coming off of last year’s J’ouvert celebration, you’re seeing a continuation of how we are crafting and tuning our craft and introducing new principles and tools to make it even safer.”

New York Mayor Eric Adams took time Monday to celebrate their handling of the city’s Labor Day weekend events, especially the Caribbean Carnival celebrations in Brooklyn. He was joined by Police Commissioner Caban and his leadership team to talk about J’ouvert… Labor Day weekend.

Mayor Adams said, “No one does it better than the New York City Police Department. US Open, is happening, the parade is happening. People are barbecuing. People are in Times Square. This is just really something that the people of the city of New York should be proud of the men and women who are donning the blue uniform and carry out the practice of public safety.”

“It was the combined effort of not only our precision policing of the NYPD, but also brings together all of our partners. It’s going to be a hallmark of this administration on how we dismantle walls and barriers to execute plans and ensure that we can just get stuff done. We teamed with our crisis management team, our [peer] violence team, community partners, community leaders, technology.”

“This was one of the safest J’ouvert celebrations

“Major crime was down city wide nearly nine percent this weekend compared to the same four day period last year. For J’ouvert and West Indian Day Parade, we created a comprehensive deployment plan, and all of our agencies were involved: DEP, DOT, FDNY, NYPD, everyone came together to make sure we utilized every asset we had to implement a well thought out, comprehensive, executed plan.”

“So, I want to make it clear that when it comes to handling these large scale events and weekends, we are the best. We’re the best not only because of the Police Department, but we’re the best because of the other agencies and we’re the best because of New York City residents. They play such a vital role in how we implement and execute these procedures.”

Police Commissioner Edward Caban said, “Everyone knows New York City is unlike any other city in the world. There’s always so much going, from major sporting events to concerts, parades and more. And where there are large crowds, you can always be sure the NYPD is always there. We saw this on full display over the Labor Day weekend; and like the mayor said, we had the U.S. Open in Flushing, the Electric Zoo on Randall’s Island, multiple parades and cultural events, Orchard Beach and Coney Island open to the public, and the many local neighborhood parties happening each of our five boroughs.”

New York State Honoring and Celebrating Harry Belafonte

We are delighted that Governor Hochul made the announcement at the New York Caribbean Carnival, that the State of New York will be granting scholarships in the name of Harry Belafonte, that icon of entertainment, civil rights, human rights freedom fighter and humanitarian. We welcome the gesture of Governor Hochul, and see it as a start in the recognition of this great man and what he has done for the country, the world, and indeed, New York State.

But the contribution of Harry Belafonte, as some have stated over the years, needs to be recognized not just in some symbolic gesture, but in some permanency that would represent his true, full contribution to the world. And there is the knowledge that too few institutions of Advanced Education have been named for black heroes and black heroines, and whenever opportunities present itself to correct that, that opportunity should be grasped. One such opportunity, we think, and has been mentioned over time with the notion

that the Performing Center at Purchase College in Westchester is an ideal institution that should carry the name of someone such as Harry Belafonte. It could easily be the Harry Belafonte Performing Center at Purchase and it would represent to the students the magnitude of the man who has adopted the motto of Paul Robeson to the point that the artist is the gatekeeper to society. In the traditional art world there is the entire structure as endorsed Art - Art As the gateway artist, as gate keepers of society, scholars, curators, museum collectors, critics and art galleries are all in one opinion that the art, the artist is the gatekeeper and that their opinions are critical to the advancement of a society. And s,o when we have these institutions of excellence like the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, it is important that it has a vision and a mission that ties performance and the visual arts to the greater good of society.

That is what Harry Belafonte stands for

and that is what New York State knows as an opportunity to do. It would be wonderful to rename the entire campus - The Harry Belafonte College. Why? Because 48% of the graduates are in the visual and performing arts program and another12% in the communication and journalism related subjects. So more than 60% of the graduates are in the critical part of shaping the vision and the arts that we will come to understand and appreciate as a society. And so we are urging Governor Hochul to take the next step in the recognition of this great man. He has done a lot for the world, the country, and he has done quite a bit of work for New York State. He headed the Martin Luther King Commission for years, that worked to bring peace, normalcy and understanding among all elements of this State of New York and was close to working throughout the State with Governor Cuomo. He led several delegations when there were frictions between different groups within the State, and the Commission on

the Harry Belafonte leadership stepped in to help to bring about understanding and peace. And so it would be fitting that his work and his mission, his contribution, be a guiding principle for the State of New York and its higher education program, particularly the program in the visual and performing arts at Purchase.

That it should bear his name and that his effort, legacy, philosophy, humanitarianism. Philanthropy is embedded in the culture of what artists stand for and what artists should strive for.

So Governor Hochul, we are thankful for the scholarships, and urge that we move to the next step where We know that Harry Belafonte would be pleased that he is celebrated in the area that he has used and leveraged to be an impact, and it’s not just ceremonial, but has its impact in an ongoing way on society. Let’s move to the task.

Highlighting St. Kitts/Nevis Independence Day

Music. Dancing. Parades. All feature in Independence Day celebrations across the world; add a little limin’, and you have the makings of a proper nationwide party.

Every September 19, Kittitians and Nevisians gather to commemorate their independence from Great Britain. Since gaining its statehood 36 years ago, the Federation has carved a bright future for itself in the Caribbean.

Independence Day, though, serves to ensure that the nation’s citizens never forget their past — and how far they’ve come to arrive at this point.

Saint Kitts had been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before 1493, when Christopher Columbus spotted the island on his voyage to the New World. The explorer named his discovery after his patron saint — Christopher — but continued on sailing west. Another two centuries would pass before Europeans established their first settlements. The British came first, in 1623; the French followed in 1625. Battles between

the two superpowers — and a joint massacre of the local Kalinago people — followed, ultimately leaving the British as the sole rulers of the island.

Over time, St. Kitts came into its own: At one point it was Britain’s richest colony, thanks to its sugar production. It weathered natural and economic disasters, and in 1882, the island linked up with Nevis and Anguilla to form a tripartite federation.

Despite this change in status, St. Kitts remained attached to the Crown. Internal autonomy followed in 1967 — when the island became an associated state of Great Britain — but it wasn’t until 1983 that it gained full independence from its former sovereign.

Today, St. Kitts and Nevis remains part of the British Commonwealth. However, the sister islands have their own lively culture, and at no time is it more evident than on Independence Day.

True to its jubilant nature, the day’s events are spontaneous, changing on a yearly

basis. The one constant is Basseterre’s military parade; the country’s sitting Prime Minister delivers an annual Independence Day speech before kicking off a procession of uniformed personnel and marching bands. The parade is part of a two-day Community Festival: Other events, including calypso shows, colorful dance processions, youth concerts, and more fill the schedule. With its vibrancy, it’s as if Carnival came early. However, simply explaining Independence Day doesn’t do it justice. The best way to experience this unique occasion is by seeing it yourself: clap along with spectators in the grandstand during the parade; sing and roam the streets of Basseterre; and ask a local how they felt when independence was first announced. You’ll be singing “O Land of Beauty!” in no time.

Biden Needs a Reparations Commission for 2024 by

Black Press of America

Joe Biden Mr. President, the call for justice in America is at a historic high. This current call for justice is founded squarely on the issue of Reparations. This is an American call for justice – not only has it been identified as the major issue by Black Americans via a 2021 Congressional Black Caucus poll, but in a recent USA Today poll, 83 % of Americans said racism is a problem facing the US. This explains why an array of Americans has enthusiastically joined this call for reparatory justice – allied ethnic groups, many of the largest social justice organizations in the country,

a diversity of religious orders, America’s most prestigious universities, major US corporations, some of the largest philanthropies in America, and of immense importance, following Evanston, Illinois – numerous municipalities and States within the Union. This is proof that much of America wants to see this issue addressed and resolved now!

Leaders within the Democratic Party in the last Congress demonstrated their political will for a reparations commission. 217 confirmed yes votes in the House and half of the Senate Committee chairs, along with the Senate Leader, and many of their colleagues, signed on to the Senate bill. However, as you are aware, Mr. President, the bipartisanship that is

needed to pass the bill in the Senate does not exist. Thus, the only way to move this issue forward, which much of America is demanding, is through an Executive Order. This must be done immediately as the next Presidential election is approaching. On one side of this issue are those calling for “No Reparations No Vote”, in their attempt to drive Black voters to the Republican Party. On the other side, are those of us who fully understand the significance of the Black vote for a Democratic Party win. Statistics have shown that since 1960, except for 1964, the Black vote was the deciding factor in each of the Democratic Party’s wins in presidential elections. In essence, the Black vote gave American Presidents Kennedy, Carter, Clinton,

Obama, and you Mr. Biden.

A growing number of major publications have recognized this dependence of the Democratic Party on the Black vote. Immediately after your election, Vox reported – “The Black Vote is key to Democratic success”- saying you “could not have been competitive without it.” At this same time, the New York Magazine shouted, Joe Biden Owes It All to African American Voters.

In April of this year, Time Magazine wrote, Black Voters Gave Biden the White House. They May Determine Whether He Stays There – the writer concluded “Put plainly: you can’t win the nomination or the White House as a Democrat without the Black vote. And finally, just last month, the Washington Post echoed the Times writer, by saying the Black vote “will

be crucial in a Biden bid for reelection.” We are 20% of your base Mr. President, more than all other people of color combined. When we come out and vote, Democrats win! Certainly, Mr. Bidden, the Republicans are fully aware of this as they have directed enormous resources to suppress the Black vote– by spending nearly $1 billion in the last election and introducing over 900 pieces of legislation, according to Marc Morial of the National Urban League. The Democratic Party needs to both counter these efforts by Republicans and address the low enthusiasm for the Democratic Party in the Black community. This counter-offensive must be an immediate statement announcing the implementation of an HR 40-like Reparations Commission via Executive Order by the President of the United States of America. This, and only this, will generate the turnout in the Black community necessary for a Democratic Party victory in 2024. The Democratic Party can no longer waffle on this issue of reparations. We need a Reparations Commission Now! You, Mr. President, need a Reparations Commission now – for any hope of a 2024 victory.

Protecting a Way of Life and the Planet

by Ben Jealous

The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.

That’s what the Gwich’in people call the coastal plain of Alaska where they live. The Porcupine Caribou on who the Gwich’in have relied for tens of thousands of years for their subsistence way of life migrate hundreds of miles each spring to give birth to their calves there. So that Gwich’in name rings true. It was that life that the Biden administration protected for years to come with the announcement last week that it was cancelling oil and gas drilling leases in the 19.6-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and moving to prohibit drilling in another 13 million acres of protected lands bordering the refuge. It wasn’t just the Gwich’in, who have been fighting drilling for nearly 50 years, and the caribou who won. The Inupiaq people who live at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, polar bears, musk oxen, Dall sheep, and birds you can find in all 50 states have roots in the Arctic Refuge.

That corner of Alaska is one of the world’s last untouched wild places, our country’s largest wildlife refuge, and the only one designed specifically for wilderness purposes. Its continued existence in its pristine, rugged state signals our commitment to nature and our appreciation of its wonder. It’s a sign of our national character.

But the value isn’t just symbolic. We’re on pace this year to produce more oil in the United States than ever before. Creating a glut will only extend our addiction to fossil fuels when we know that we need to move swiftly in the direction of burning less. And the trade-off is infrastructure needed to drill that will destroy the refuge forever. It’s a trade that the American people repeatedly have said they don’t want to make. In polls in recent years, roughly two thirds of voters opposed drilling in the Arctic Refuge. After the President’s decision to allow another Alaskan drilling project to proceed months ago,

this is the leadership most voters want. The argument of proponents that Arctic drilling will boost U.S. energy independence and national security fall short when you know that all the oil under that part of Alaska is barely a year of the nation’s consumption by many estimates. We won’t drill our way out of the need for fossil fuels, but we certainly can drill our way to irreparable damage to the climate in just a few years. Protecting indigenous people and their way of life in Alaska should demonstrate that we can stand firm to defend more communities on the front lines of climate change against the unabated greed of Big Oil. An unscathed, unmatched landscape shouldn’t be the test for doing right be our neighbors and by the planet. Too often, we’ve allowed a few people lacking political power and desperate for economic opportunities to bear the immediate cost of bad environmental choices. The flaw is that more often than

not, we all end up paying.

Whether it’s the cancer alleys created in the communities neighboring refineries along the Mississippi or coastal towns repeatedly crushed by extreme weather, they’re only the first to feel the burden. As the hottest temperatures ever recorded showed us this summer, no one can escape the toll that fossil fuel charges the planet.

NY – Ruschell Boone, Jamaican-born TV Anchor Dies

Ruschell Boone, award-winning reporter and anchor for New York City TV station NY1, passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer over the last year. A news release from NY1 said Boone, 48, died on Sunday.

She was a beloved colleague, and friend. Tributes have been pouring in and several elected officials had only good things to say about Boone.

Mayor Eric Adams spoke to NY1 about what he will remember most about her. “That laugh, she had an unbelievable laugh m. She looked at me all the time and said you know Eric, why are you frowning? I think about it on the podium know all the stuff she went through, I don’t have any way I can complain because she didn’t complain. She was the heart and soul of the greatest city on the globe, New York City, and we were even better because we had her in our lives.”

Senator Chuck Schumer also shared his thoughts on social media calling Boone a great New York journalist.

Congress member, Alexandra Ocasio Cortez also wrote on social media – she called Ruschell a legendary journalist who left an indelible impact on NYC. Cortez recalled that Boone was the first reporter to tell her that the won her first election. Boone joined the all-news station as a reporter covering the borough of Queens in 2002 and moved to the anchor desk in 2021 with a noon slot. She was known for her coverage of the city’s diverse immigrant communities.

Charter Communications, who owns NY1 said Boone “had a unique ability to connect with New Yorkers — through the screen and in person — in a way that made her feel like a trusted friend.”

She reported on big stories like Superstorm Sandy and protests following the

killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, and she also was a fixture at celebrations including Brooklyn’s annual West Indian American Day parade and the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop. Boone won several awards over the course of her career, including a New York Press Club award for best feature reporting and a New York Emmy award for her series “New York: Unfiltered.”

After her cancer diagnosis, Boone took a leave from NY1 from June 2022 to March of this year for a grueling series of chemotherapy treatments.

But she announced on social media on July 27 that her cancer had taken a turn for the worse. “Unfortunately, my cancer has metastasized in my liver and I’m back in treatment,” Boone said on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s rough, but the chemo is working.”

She added, “Prayers have carried me

through the difficult moments. Thank u for rooting for me.”

Boone is survived by her husband, Todd Boone, and two sons.

NYC - City Paid $50 Million This Year for Police Misconduct

The Legal Aid Society has released an analysis of data revealing that the City paid out $50,523,914 million in lawsuits alleging police misconduct from January 1, 2023, to July 28, 2023, as reported by the New York Daily News.

At this rate, payouts for the entirety of 2023 could balloon to roughly $100 million, and surpass payout amounts for calendar years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Total payouts for police misconduct are likely to be substantially higher because these data do not account for matters that were settled with the New York City Comptroller’s office prior to formal litigation.

“In only seven months, the City has

shelled out over $50 million to compensate New Yorkers who were brutalized by the NYPD, wrongfully arrested and detained, and more,” said Jennvine Wong, staff attorney with the Cop Accountability Project at The Legal Aid Society.

“This culture of impunity cannot continue, and we implore recently appointed Commissioner Edward Caban to prove to New Yorkers that NYPD will finally take the steps needed to truly hold officers accountable who infringe on the rights of our clients,” she continued. “Anything less will only perpetuate this suffering with taxpayers footing the bill.”

T&T – Rocked by Two Earthquakes

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 rocked several parts of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St Augustine campus of the University of

the West Indies (UWI) said that the quake occurred at 7.34 am (local time) at a depth of 32 kilometres (km).

It said it was felt in the capital, Port of Spain, as well as 100 km north west Arima, east of here, 105 km west north west of San Fernando, in south Trinidad.

the government is working on lowering taxes on healthy foods.

In an interview with Barbados Today, the Minister of Energy and Business Development Senator Lisa Cummins said it has been suggested that price reductions for some of the healthy foods, should be in the 20 to 30 per cent range. Cummins who was speaking at the opening of the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (BCOP Coalition) workshop on The Pathway to Octagonal Front of Package Warning Labels said the time had come for a review of the tax structure on healthy foods.

The quake is the second to be felt here on Sunday, the SRC said, noting that at 2.13 am (local time) a tremor with a magnitude of 3.5 ratlled the capital, and was also felt 119 km south west of St. George’s in Grenada and 111 km north east of Carúpano in Venezuela

The quake was located at a depth of 132 km, the SRC added.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC –  A government legislator in Barbados has disclosed that

“We are committed to also working with you to see what that healthy basket of goods looks like. We are committed to seeing with you how I could pay less for healthier items upfront as opposed to paying a surcharge for if I want to eat brown rice versus white rice, if I want to

be able to eat things that are lean versus things that are cheap ,” she said. “We have to be able to make it affordable for people to eat healthy food. That is also an important part of the conversation. It is fine to label it, it is fine to say it is high in salt. Things like [packaged noodle soup], for example, which are incredibly popular are very high in salt, but they are inexpensive and easily accessible. We also have to make things which are healthier just as accessible, as we do things which are filling but are also going to result in cost a little later by way of the health system,” she explained.

In 2022, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) commissioned the study, led by Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Professor Winston Moore, and Lecturer Dr Antonio Alleyne,

to examine whether food prices were prohibitive to healthy eating and to recommend a policy approach to making healthy foods more affordable.

It pointed to the high tariffs attached to food imports such as fresh vegetables and fruits, compared to the low taxes placed on items high in salt, sugar and fat, including cookies, ice cream and chips.

It also illustrated that unhealthy foods, on average, carry an import tariff of 35 per cent, while healthy foods are taxed at around 45 per cent, and proposed that the Government flip the tax rates.

Cummins did not commit to a time line for completion of the tax review but said the Government was now considering the matter and that collaboration among stakeholders would be required.

Sleep Smart: Improving Your Sleep Quality and Your Wellbeing

by Nzinga N. Garvey, MBA

For far too long I have underestimated the role that sleep plays in my life; not fully recognizing that quality sleep is the foundation for my overall wellbeing. Now, having studied the research, I consider sleep a biological necessity rather than a luxury. While I have been well acquainted with the recommendation of ‘getting a good night’s sleep’; I never fully understood why eight hours was suggested or what would happen if I didn’t adhere to that amount on a regular basis. And I am not alone, as more than half of American adults are not getting enough uninterrupted sleep on a regular basis. Yet scientific evidence has shown me that there is a direct link between chronic sleep deprivation and a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and shorter lifespans. Ultimately, my need to change my sleeping habits was fueled by the negative consequences of sleep deprivation playing havoc on my physical health, mental clarity, emotional resilience and creativity.

What is the right amount of sleep to optimize our wellbeing?

The Sleep Foundation suggests that different age groups require different amounts of sleep. For Adults 18 years and older the recommended range is 7-9 hours; for Teens the range is 8-10 hours and for School-age Children the range is 9-12 hours. Knowing how much sleep we require is just half of the sleep equation. Equally crucial is sleep quality; ensuring that the time that we spend asleep is truly restorative. A key aspect of achieving high-quality rest involves smoothly progressing through the four distinct stages that comprise the sleep cycle (including one for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and three that form non-REM (NREM) sleep). Further, our sleep-wake cycle is orchestrated by a complex interplay of biological mechanisms, with the circadian rhythm and various hormones (melatonin and cortisol) and neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) taking center stage. The functioning of these mechanisms ensure that we experience restful sleep at night and wakefulness during the day. Any disruption to this delicate balance, such as exposure to artificial light at night or irregular sleep schedules, can lead to a phenomenon known as “circadian misalignment.” And it is this misalignment which can result in sleep disorders, impaired cognitive function and a host of health issues.

What actually disrupts our sleep?

I dare say that when speaking with my work colleagues we all acknowledge that there have been times (seasons actually) when we have redefined boundaries between work, play and rest. I was brought up during a time when extended work hours were the norm and the concept of “burning the midnight oil” was celebrated. As a result, sleep was seen as an

obstacle to productivity and social networking. For many of us, the widespread use of smartphones, laptops and tablets have led to an ‘always on’ culture, where we are constantly engaged with screens well into the night. Furthermore, the incessant barrage of notifications and information has kept our minds hyperactive, preventing us from winding down before bed. So instead of retreating to rest, we are tempted to engage in late-night scrolling or binge-watching, sacrificing sleep for instant gratification. And creating further disruption to our circadian rhythms was the rise of global connectivity which blurred the line between time zones allowing many of us to work and play at odd hours. These shifts in behavior have disrupted our body’s internal clock and compromised the quality of our sleep, leading to a myriad of physical and mental health issues.

What are the hidden costs that accompany poor sleep?

Actually, it is quite alarming to note the health issues that stem from chronic sleep deprivation; showing up as profound consequences on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Physiologically, sleep deprivation is shown to wreak havoc on our body’s intricate systems. Our immune system becomes compromised, making us more susceptible to infections and illnesses. And our disrupted hormone regulation leads to imbalances that contribute to weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems. In addition, sleep deprivation also elevates our levels of stress hormones, triggering inflammation and exacerbating chronic conditions. Researchers from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School have found that medical conditions emerge slowly when we are sleeping consistently less than eight hours per night. Research findings demonstrate that even a reduction of two to three hours of sleep per night can result in significant health ramifications including:

Obesity: Numerous studies correlate insufficient sleep with weight gain. For instance, individuals sleeping less than six hours nightly are considered more prone to excess body weight, whereas those with an average of eight hours exhibit the lowest relative body fat.

Diabetes: Research reveals that people sleeping less than five hours per night are at a significantly elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Encouragingly, improved sleep can positively impact blood sugar control and mitigate the effects of type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular Disease/Hypertension: Modest sleep reduction (six to seven hours nightly) is associated with a notably augmented risk of coronary artery calcification, a predictor of future heart attack and cardiovascular-related deaths.

Immune Function: Sleep deprivation heightens inflammatory mediator levels, and infections. Recent findings indicate that individuals averaging less than seven hours of sleep per night are about three times more susceptible to cold symptoms.

Our mental health bears a heavy toll as well. Ongoing sleep deprivation has a detrimental impact on our cognitive function, leading to impaired memory, reduced attention span and diminished problem-solving skills. For those of us that count ourselves as sleep deprived, we are more vulnerable to mood disorders such as

depression and anxiety, as the brain’s capacity to manage emotions becomes compromised. Emotionally, we can find ourselves incapable of regulation resulting in heightened irritability, emotional instability and decreased resilience in the face of stress. Sleep deficiency also escalates the risks of accidents and injuries to ourselves or others. Cognitive impairments compromise our ability to focus, react quickly and make sound judgments. This impairment is likened to the effects of alcohol intoxication, highlighting the dangers of driving or operating heavy machinery while sleep deprived.

What can we do to improve our sleep?

According to Dr. Wayne Giles, Director of CDC’s Division of Population Health, Americans are just not getting enough sleep. He stated that “Lifestyle changes such as going to bed at the same time each night, rising at the same time each morning; and turning off or removing televisions, computers, mobile devices from the bedroom, can help people get the healthy sleep they need.” I concur with his findings and recognize that the solution lies in meaningful behavior changes. When I am having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or adhering to my sleep schedule, I look to improve my sleep by: Exercise: I remind myself that regular physical activity is a way to enhance my sleep hormones such as melatonin. I am, however, mindful that I should not exercise close to bedtime because

it hinders my body to effectively settle down before sleep.

Disconnect Devices: I am mindful that my bed is not my office for working or an entertainment center for gaming or watching TV. I know that light exposure, especially from screens, can disrupt my natural sleep-wake cycle.

Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment: I like to make sure that my bedroom is quiet, dark and that the temperature doesn’t feel too hot or too cold.

Develop a Sleep Routine: I not only set a schedule that ensures eight hours of sleep with a fixed wake up time but also include a bedtime ritual of reading, gentle stretching or gratitude list writing before rest.

Mindfulness and Meditation: I like to incorporate mindfulness techniques and guided meditations to calm my mind before bedtime. Eliminate After Dinner Snacks: I avoid eating big meals close to bedtime and I do not eat snacks after my last meal.

Limit Caffeinated Beverages: I keep an eye on my caffeine intake and avoid it later in the day. 3:00pm is my cutoff time for any type of caffeinated beverage.

Talk to a Doctor: I recommend consulting your healthcare professional for personalized guidance on severe sleep issues or if your sleep problems worsen.

Continued on the website at nycaribnews.com

VP Kamala Harris – Hip-Hop ‘The Ultimate American Art Form’

On Saturday, US Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with appearances by some of the music genre’s pioneers and stars like Common, Jeezy, MC Lyte and Roxanne Shante, among the hip-hop artists invited.

During the event at her residence, Harris said hip-hop is “the ultimate American art form” that “shapes every aspect of America’s popular culture.”

“Hip-hop culture is American culture,” she told the crowd. She noted that Public Enemy rapper Chuck D has described rap as “Black America’s CNN.”

Hip-hop has grown into a global artform,

becoming one of the world’s most influential cultural forces, an integral part of social and racial justice movements and a multibillion-dollar industry built on generations of rapping, emceeing, deejaying, breaking and graffiti.

“It has always channeled the voices of the people. It tells the stories that don’t make the news,” she said before joining her husband, Doug Emhoff, to watch performances by musicians. “This is a hip-hop household!”

The celebration on Saturday was a collaboration with Live Nation Urban and Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective.

Buju Banton Releases Highly Anticipated New Album ‘Born For Greatness’

collaborations.”

As a prelude, he dropped the catchy dancehall anthem “Coconut Wata (Sip).” Vibe wrote, “Powered by a breezy backdrop, the track finds Banton in a languid state, urging listeners to lay life’s troubles to the wayside and enjoy the moment,” going on to proclaim, “The Grammy Award-winning Roc Nation artist continues to make a big splash in 2023.” Rap Radar hailed it as “fresh” and noted, “the Dancehall legend urges his followers to stay resilient during difficult times.”

The moment has finally arrived! GRAMMY® winning, multiple Billboard chart-topping artist, and international reggae icon Buju Banton unveils his anticipated new album, Born For Greatness, today via Gargamel Music/ Roc Nation Records / Def Jam Recordings. This rich body of work continues his legacy as one of reggae’s most influential, impactful, and inimitable figures. Among many highlights, the single “Body Touching Body” [feat. Victoria Monét] highlights his uncanny ability to seamlessly merge not only sounds and vibes, but cultures as well. Buju charismatically flows over a fluid beat anchored by steel drums and wah-drenched guitar, while Victoria heats up the song with a hypnotic R&B hook, “I wanna lie with you. Bonnie and Clyde with you, so I never have to miss you.”

From the introspective acoustic guitar-driven opener “Ageless Time” through a choral chant for liberation uplifted by horns on the finale “Let My People Go,” the album moves with the momentum of a big-screen epic, dipping in valleys of emotion only to rise with peaks of joy and victory as evidenced by “We Find A Way” and “Trial By Fire.” Buju locks into a bold backand-forth with Stephen Marley on the standout “Feel A Way.”

Buju paved the way for the album with the title track “Born For Greatness.” Receiving plugs from The Source and more, Reggaeville professed, “Born For Greatness is a testament to his lyrical talent, an opus with 17 pieces,” and Ebro in the Morning sat down with him for wide-ranging interview about the record. DANCEHALLMAG noted, “Born For Greatness consists of 17 tracks, featuring an eclectic mix of solo performances and notable

“Coconut Wata (Sip)” arrived on the heels of the global banger “High Life” featuring Snoop Dogg. In addition to plugs from HYPEBEAST, TMZ, and more, REVOLT hailed it as “perfect for the stoners’ holiday,” and HotNewHipHop proclaimed, ‘High Life’ is a perfect combination of their respective styles.” Rap Radar attested, “the Kingston-native and the O.G. from the L.B.C. spread good vibes with the finest herbs,” and Rolling Stone summed it up best as “Bumping.”

Born For Greatness arrives as the full-length follow-up to 2020’s universally acclaimed Upside Down 2020, which garnered a GRAMMY® nomination in the category of “Best Reggae Album” and earned rave “4-out-of-5 star” reviews on both sides of the pond from The Guardian and Rolling Stone, respectively.

ready to experience Born For Greatness! TRACKLISTING

CAYMAN ISLANDS – Addressing a group of local, regional and international media during a live press briefing in the Cayman Islands yesterday, Dona Regis-Prosper, SecretaryGeneral and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) presented some of her initial plans for leading the intergovernmental body that serves as the tourism development agency for 25 Caribbean countries and territories.

Regis-Prosper, who is St. Lucian by birth, was joined by Kenneth Bryan, Chairman of the CTO’s Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism, who also serves as Minister of Tourism & Ports of the Cayman Islands, and Rosa Harris, Chairman of the CTO’s Board of Directors and Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands. Acknowledging the strategic, multidimensional nature of the CEO’s responsibilities, Minister Bryan lauded Regis-Prosper for her “wealth of experience, a passion for tourism and a commitment to the Caribbean that aligns perfectly with our organization’s vision”.

Regis-Prosper has held prominent leadership roles in the public and private sectors within the Caribbean region. “Her qualified under-

standing of the challenges and opportunities we face positions her as an ideal leader to guide the organization into a prosperous future,” said Minister Bryan.

As Secretary-General, Regis-Prosper will be charged with providing strategic direction and leadership to the CTO staff, collaborating with more than two dozen member countries and territories, and working closely with partners and stakeholders to advance the organization’s mission.

In addition to re-imagining and transforming the organization, Director Harris noted that Regis-Prosper’s role also involves addressing a range of pressing issues facing the Caribbean’s tourism industry, including advocacy, research, airlift, sustainability, and resilience. During the past week, Regis-Prosper was introduced to the focus areas that the organization’s members and partners have indicated are most important to them, including delivering membership benefits and value; generating greater tourism linkages between the industry and other economic sectors nationally, regionally, and globally; promoting multi-destination tourism as a collaborative strategy; climate change; crisis management; establishing

tourism standards to ensure the region’s continued competitiveness and attractiveness; human resources capital and workforce management; and the promotion of the Caribbean’s diverse heritage and culture.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Secretary-General of the CTO. The Caribbean is a dynamic region with immense tourism potential. With the support of my Chairmanship and the CTO team, I am confident that we will implement the best strategy for leveraging our Caribbean brand for the benefit and greater good of the people of the Caribbean region,” stated Regis-Prosper, who added that she is committed to “collaborating closely with all our members” to grow the region’s tourism industry.

Before fielding questions from media on topics ranging from airport management and capacity to marketing and the sharing economy, Regis-Prosper pledged to have open ears for members’ concerns.

“My first order of business has been and will continue to be listening in the coming months. I intend to learn and be informed as much as possible about the challenges faced by each member and to develop workable solutions that

will be beneficial nationally and regionally,” she assured.

Next up on the agenda for the new Secretary-General and her team is the returning State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), the Caribbean’s premier forum for the presentation and exploration of the major issues impacting the development of the sector in the region, which will be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands, October 9-13, 2023.

Prior to the appointment of Regis-Prosper, Neil Walters, CTO’s Director of Finance and Resource Management, had been filling the position as Acting Secretary-General and CEO since 2019.

CTO’s New Secretary-General Shares Vision for Regional Tourism Direct Caribbean to Africa Airlift Proposed

The participating leaders decided to establish 7 September for an annual acknowledgement and celebration to signal an ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships.

Echoing the call for visa-free movement between Caricom and African nations by PJ Patterson, the Grenada National Reparations Committee (GNRC) said direct Caribbean-to-Africa airlift should be a focus of ongoing attempts at strengthening ties between the them.

GNRC Chairman Arley Gill said, “There is perhaps no better way for Africans on the continent and those in the Caribbean Diaspora to reconnect than to be able to fly direct to one another’s countries on a regular basis.”

He made the remarks on Thursday on the commemoration of Africa-Caricom Day. The annual observance of the day was a decision of 7 September 2021, when Kenya hosted leaders of the first Caricom-AU Summit.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who is Caricom’s Chairman, used Thursday’s commemoration to urge the people of the region to maintain momentum at fostering an increasingly important and fast-developing relationship with Africa and the AU. “As Caricom, we continue to prioritise efforts to build on our deep historic and cultural ties with our sister African nations. We are keen to identify new avenues for partnership and collaboration and advance existing initiatives to expand trade and commercial relations between our 2 regions,” Skerrit said.

Gill also identified cultural exchanges and economic collaboration as specific areas offering potential mutual benefits to the Caribbean and Africa. “The Caribbean, with a large percentage of its population descended from Africa, and Africa itself, are both renowned for their exciting artistic and musical talents. There’s a natural synergy that we can build on,” said Gill.

“The GNRC also believes that in the quest to diversify our economies and find new markets for our products, Grenada and the rest of Caricom ought to look for opportunities in Africa and other countries of the south.”