November 22, 2023

VOL. XLII NO. 2143 WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2023

WWW.NYCARIBNEWS.COM

BARBADOS

GENOCIDE IN GAZA ON TV Mottley condemns the level of violence, and mass destruction, fatalities of children and civilian lives

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REPARATIONS

GLOBAL SUMMIT TO COMPENSATE FOR SLAVE TRADE Centuries ago during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade

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BARBADOS

RECORD REMITTANCES TO THE REGION

Projected to reach $155 billion in 2023 says the IDB

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P.J. PATTERSON

STRONGER REGIONAL INTEGRATION Critical for the development of the region

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KENYA

APPROVES TROOPS FOR HAITI To help deal with gang violence

Page 3 HAITI

SUSPECT HELD IN ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT MOISE Macky Kessa of Jacmel

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CaribNews OPED Voters Spoke: Climate Action is Here to Stay

by Ben Jealous

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

AFRICA ‘Six days of terror’ in West Darfur: Ethnically-based attacks on the rise

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has voiced alarm over reports of another ethnically motivated mass attack in the Darfur region of Sudan, amidst the ongoing conflict between OPED the national army and a rival military known as the Rapid P.J. Patterson: Global Africans Rising: Support Forces (RSF).

Empowerment, Reparations & Healing Hundreds of ethnic Masalit civilians were reportedly killed -P8 earlier this month in Ardamata town, West Darfur, by the RSF and their allied Arab militia.

The RSF has its roots in the Janjaweed militias which fought HEALTH on the Government side against a rebel coalition in the DarMore than 600 Confirmed Dengue Cases fur war two decades ago. Some of its leaders face outstanding in Jamaica - P 16 war crimes and atrocity crimes charges.

‘Six days of terror’ “Preliminary information we have obtained from survivors and witnesses suggests Masalit civilians suffered six days of SPORTS Mexico, USA Kick Off U17 Men’s World terror at the hands of the RSF and its allied militia after they took control of the Sudanese army’s base in Ardamata on Cup Campaigns- P 19 4 November,” said OHCHR Spokesman Jeremy Laurence, speaking in Geneva.

The army base is located just outside the West Darfur capital, El Geneina. Some of the victims were summarily executed or burnt alive.

Displaced families uprooted by severe floods across Horn of Africa

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Severe floods in the Horn of Africa have affected tens of thousands of displaced families in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, putting lives and livelihoods at risk, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.

The floods were caused by ongoing heavy rains and come in the wake of the longest and most severe drought on record, the impacts of which are still being felt by millions across the region.

Among the greatest needs are food, emergency shelter, kitchen sets, blankets, clean water and hygiene services. Families living in flood-prone areas also require urgent support to relocate to higher ground.

Damage, destruction and drownings More than 795,000 displacements have been recorded in Somalia alone, where many of those uprooted had already been forced to flee conflict and drought.

“Homes have been extensively damaged or destroyed and, in some locations, people are sheltering under trees on higher ground. There are also tragic reports of drownings,” said UNHCR Spokesperson William Spindler, speaking in Geneva.

Flash floods in Ethiopia’s Somali Region have affected more than half a million people, and upwards of 20 have died, according to the authorities.

Close to 40,000 families, including those seeking safety from the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Somalia, are also on the run.

WORLD BRIEFS Transforming lives in Darién jungle A rising number of migrants are attempting the dangerous journey across the Darién jungle spanning the Colombia-Panama border. For Etzaida Rios, 35, the impact of providing hope and help runs deep.

Migrants come ashore from the Chucunaque River after crossing the Darién jungle.

A rising number of migrants are attempting the dangerous journey across the Darién jungle spanning the Colombia-Panama border. For Etzaida Rios, 35, the impact of providing hope and help runs deep.

She works as a Community Officer with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a temporary migrant reception centre in San Vicente, one of the first points of arrival for migrants, who are often exhausted, malnourished, dehydrated, or injured.

“People arrive with pressing needs and many questions,” she said, after attending to Zuleybis, who fractured her leg while crossing the Darién with her husband José and four children. The Venezuelan family received treatment at the centre before continuing their path north.

Gaza crisis: aid agencies warn of ‘tragic, avoidable surge’ in child deaths A “tragic…entirely avoidable surge” in child deaths is expected in Gaza where some 160 youngsters are already being killed every day, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday, after six weeks of aerial bombardment by Israeli forces in response to the 7 October Hamas terror attacks on southern Israel that claimed 1,200 lives and some 240 hostages.

“About 160 children are killed every day; that’s one every 10 minutes,” said UN World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier, echoing concerns from the UN Children’s Fund about the serious additional threat of a mass disease outbreak in the enclave.

“If youngsters continue to have restricted access to water and sanitation in Gaza, we will see a tragic yet entirely avoidable surge in the number of children dying,” UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told journalists in Geneva, who noted that more than 5,350 Palestinian children had reportedly been killed, according to the enclave’s health authorities.

“The death toll among children is sickening,” Mr. Elder said. “Grief is becoming embedded in Gaza. So this then is a stark warning: without sufficient fuel, without sufficient water, conditions for children will plummet.”

The UNICEF spokesperson added that at least 30 Israeli children are still being held hostage “somewhere in this hellscape”, before appealing for their immediate release, to spare them “their fear (and) the torment” their families

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

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Remittances To Region Set New Record

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on Thursday said remittances received by Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries are projected to reach a record US$155 billion in 2023.

The Washington-based financial institution, in a new report, said record revenue would be achieved if the current trends continue.

According to the IDB, the 2023 figure would be an increase of 9.5 percent compared to the US$142 billion received last year completing 15 consecutive years of growth.

It said the sustained growth of remittances reflects new intra-regional migratory flows and the contribution that migrants make to their countries of origin. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, remittances to Latin American and Caribbean countries have shown sustained growth of around 10 percent annually for the past 10 years,” the IDB said.

It said this increase in 2023 is mainly

explained by the growth in remittances received by Central American countries of 13.2 percent, the growth in remittances received by Mexico of 9.8 percent, and the growth in remittances that South America received of 7.9 percent.

In the case of the Caribbean countries, growth in 2023 is a more moderate 2.6 percent.

The new IDB report also offers a detailed analysis of the origins and destination of remittances to the countries of the region based on data published by the Central Banks.

“The amount estimated for the year reflects the increase in the income of migrants, who improved their employment rates, as well as the progress of the migration process in previous periods, which allowed an increase in the flows of remittances received by families in the countries of origin,” the IDB added. (CMC)

Kenya Approved Deployment of Troops to Haiti In an effort to combat the growing gang violence in the Caribbean country, the Kenyan parliament on Thursday authorized the sending of 1,000 police personnel to Haiti.

The national assembly supported a vote, presented by the Committee on Administration and Internal Security of Parliament, granting the government’s request to send security officers as the level of violence in Haiti increased. During a contentious discussion, opposition lawmakers disapproved of the government’s proposal to assign Kenya as the head of a multinational police unit in Haiti, citing constitutional violations.

Proponents of the proposal stated that Kenya had a duty and moral obligation to

assist Haiti.

The main points of contention throughout the discussion were who would pay for the deployment and why security troops should be sent hundreds of kilometers from Kenya to Haiti.

Rozzah Buya, an opposition politician, asserted, “Where is the sense in taking 1,000 police officers to Haiti when Kenyans are dying, in need of protection, in need of service from their police officers.”

The head of parliament’s administration and internal security committee, Gabriel Tongoya, declared that the UN will cover all deployment expenses.

The High Court in Nairobi stopped the deployment plan in October. The UNbacked expedition, according to former

presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot, “was a mistake and a suicide mission,” and the court was scheduled to rule on his case on Thursday.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki recently informed the legislature that Kenya would only send cops to Haiti provided UN members paid for the equipment and funds.

The following countries have committed troops: Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica, and Belize.

The capital city of Port-au-Prince was besieged by a highly armed gang on Wednesday, holding 40 patients, including infants and children, signaling the start of a new wave of violence in Haiti. The individuals were later saved by police.

Since President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in July 2021, gangs have strengthened their influence throughout Haiti, and the frequency of kidnappings and murders has increased.

Ghana- Reparations Summit Proposes Global Fund to Compensate for Slavery At a reparations conference in Ghana, delegates decided to create a Global Reparation Fund to advocate for the long-overdue payment of reparations to the millions of Africans who were held as slaves during the transatlantic slave trade centuries ago.

Over 12 million Africans were forcibly abducted by European countries between the 16th and 19th centuries and sold into slavery on plantations that produced profit at the expense of suffering. The Accra Reparation Conference is adding to the mounting calls for compensation.

People of African ancestry continue “to be victims of systemic racial discrimination and racist attacks” many centuries after the slave trade was abolished, according to a

recent study by a special U.N. committee that backed reparations as “a cornerstone of justice in the 21st century.”

“It is time for Africa — whose sons and daughters had their freedoms controlled and sold into slavery — to also receive reparations,” stated Ghana’s President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo during the conference, which was attended by prominent African authorities as well as members of the diaspora.

Akufo-Addo criticized the British and other European countries that profited from the slave trade, saying that the subject of slave reparations is one that the world “must confront and can no longer ignore.” He added, “enslaved Africans themselves did not receive a penny.”

The details of how such a reparations fund would function were not disclosed by conference delegates in Accra. However, Gnaka Lagoke, an associate professor of pan-African studies and history, asserted that it needs to be applied to “correct the problems” that the continent is dealing with in every area of its economy.

The resolution known as The Accra Proclamation is founded on the “moral and legal rights and dignity of the people,” according to Ambassador Amr Aljowailey, strategic adviser to the deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission.

In addition, the A.U. Commission, working with African countries, will support the Global Reparation Fund through a commit-

tee of experts, “a special envoy will engage in campaigns as well as litigation and judicial efforts,” noted Aljowailey.

Reparations, according to activists, should encompass more than just cash transfers; they should also cover help for national development, the restoration of resources that were colonized, and the structural rectification of laws and policies that oppress people.

According to Nkechi Taifa, head of the Reparation Education Project in the United States, a “negotiated settlement (that will) benefit the masses” will determine the necessary amount of compensation.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

PJ Patterson - Stronger Regional Integration Critical to Development

According to former prime minister PJ Patterson, one of the most important steps required for the Caribbean region’s rise in the global economy is the revitalization of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

Climate change and sustainable development, energy, regional transportation, agriculture and food security, and the knowledge economy are all crucial sectors that, in his opinion, require rapid attention.

During a private Knowledge Forum held on November 8 at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and the UWI organized the event, the statesman-inresidence at the PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Public Advocacy made the recommended speech.

His remarks, which echoed the insight of an experienced leader, were a stern appeal for greater regional creativity and integration.

As he recounted the history of the Caribbean, he emphasized to the audience the region’s lasting influence on world history by saying, “The formation of the Caribbean Community was the inaugural moment of the making of the modern world.”

Patterson assigned the UWI and CAF to lead a push for further regional integration that would go all the way to Latin America. His goal is to see the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) revitalized and propelled by political commitment and will, rather than being inert.

He urged CAF to expand its credit programs and rally support from its Member Countries to revitalize the ACS, seeing it as the cornerstone of a united Caribbean.

Patterson also emphasized the need to tackle climate change and sustainable development in an area where the blue embrace of the waters is a lifeline. He painted a picture of the Caribbean that was vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns, including longer dry seasons,

longer droughts, and rising temperatures, all of which threatened the region’s rich biodiversity and marine life. Recognizing the Caribbean’s susceptibility to natural catastrophes and the disproportionate impact on its economic and cultural fabric, Patterson, with the wisdom of a sage, advocated for more awareness and action on climate financing.

After that, the topic of energy and sustainable development came up. Patterson urged a move away from reliance on fossil fuels while weighing prudence against insight, especially as countries hunt for profitable petroleum reserves. He emphasized the need to strike a balance between environmental protection and economic growth, citing programs like Suriname’s fund for renewable energy. In an effort to reduce the area’s dependency on fossil fuels, he made a clear plea to the UWI and CAF to support research and funding for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.

Patterson’s next area of interest was transportation, which is crucial to economic integration.

He underlined how crucial effective air and marine transportation are to achieving the economic potential of the Caribbean. He called on CAF to give intra -regional transportation infrastructure investment top priority since it is an essential component of the Caribbean’s unity and development, given the region’s distinct topography of being a collection of islands connected and split by the sea.

Patterson presented a compelling case for improving food security, drawing inspiration from the exploits of renowned West Indian cricket players. He supported the president of

Guyana’s initiative to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025, despite growing expenses and particular topographical difficulties. Patterson urged the Caricom countries to set aside at least five percent of their GDP for the purpose of strengthening the infrastructure necessary for food production, and he pleaded with the UWI and CAF to collaborate in research and investment to accomplish this audacious aim.

Patterson then turned to the knowledge economy and challenged the Caribbean to make use of its unrealized potential in this sector. He emphasized to the audience the transformational potential of ICT, which was made clearer during the COVID-19 epidemic, and showed how it could maintain community connections, learning, and growth. He argued for a paradigm change in conventional management, education, and training, emphasizing the need for a more adaptable, dynamic strategy based on the rich heritage of creativity and invention in the Caribbean.

In closing, Patterson passionately urged the UWI to maintain its essential role in human resource development, working with local institutions. He called on CAF, which now has $50 billion in financial assets, to help the Caribbean region achieve greater integration and sustainable development by facilitating finance through public-private partnerships. In his farewell speech, he urged the leaders of the Caribbean to rise beyond their isolationism, let go of colonialism’s legacies, and work together to realize the region’s immense potential.

PM Henry Urges Haitians to Rekindle Spirits of the Battle of Vertiere

PORT AU PRINCE (CMC) – Prime Minister Dr Ariel Henry has urged Haitians to put aside their differences and in the spirit of the Battle of Vertière come together to ensure the future socio-e conomic development of the Frenchspeaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

In a pre-recorded message marking the 220th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Vertières. Henry, who came to office following the July 7, 2021 assassination of then President Jovenel Moise, said Haitians should commemorate the occasion “because it is our pride, because it is our duty.

“There is a lot of noise, a lot of discussion. It’s normal. We are like that. There are many diversions, what many of our compatriots call ‘playing politics,” he said, noting that many Haitians “do not speak out to be heard, but they understand that we are at a crossroads where we must make the best choices for tomorrow, so that Haitians can imagine their life in Haiti, in their country.

“We fought the Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803, proclaimed our independence in 1804, we can still win wars for the present and the future. We must rediscover the unity that led to these victories. The same formula will still lead us to victory.”

Henry said that Haiti today is “rebuilding a national defense force, because the Haitian army needs to renew itself and give itself new missions adapted to the current era and the modern challenges of defending the territory and particularly against increased natural threats which tend to increase significantly with climate change. ”Treating Haiti means working for the restoration of democratic institutions and the rule of law, because it is our choice as Haitians, and because it is high time to give voice to the sovereign people again. and let the ballot boxes speak,” Henry said.

Last week, the parliament in Kenya approved a motion to send 1,000 police officers to the troubled CARICOM country at the head of an international multi-national military force as the

security situation continues to deteriorate.

In October, the 15-member United Nations Security Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of sending a Kenya-led multi-national force to Haiti with Russia and China abstaining, citing fears over Haiti’s troubled history with foreign involvement.

The UN Security Council also authorised the renewal for one year, the sanctions regime on Haiti, continuing a targeted arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze established in October last year to address the widespread violence, criminal activity and human rights abuses plaguing the country.

It said elections are crucial for the sustainable rule of law.

Presidential elections were held in Haiti on 20 November 2016 after having been postponed several times. Moise served as the country’s 43rd President from 2017 until his assassination in 2021.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

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Guyana - US Fact-Finding Mission Wants to Meet with Government The President Irfaan Ali administration’s refusal to meet with a delegation of American politicians, business executives, and civil society representatives over the contentious matter of racial discrimination, primarily against Afro-Guyanese, has left the delegation disappointed. The government has consistently denied the allegations of racial discrimination.

Following a meeting with Dr. Ali in 2021, Team Leader and former Georgia Black Caucus Chair Dee Dawkins-Haigler said at a press conference that “we have received numerous concerns” and that is why she and other representatives were returning to perform an evaluation. He declined to meet with this delegation, which was ” really surprising to us” the speaker stated.

In August, a team from the Guyana administration, headed by President Ali, visited Washington, DC, to reassure American decision-makers that there was no prejudice and that Guyanese people from all walks of life were benefiting from various projects.

While declaring her “high regard” for the Guyanese leader, Ms. Dawkins-Haigler also refuted claims made by the government that her independent team was connected to the Guyanese opposition activist Rickford Burke, based in the United States, who had organized the Guyana Conference in Washington, DC, in mid-September. At a news conference conducted at the Critchlow Labour College, she

stated, “No one on this delegation has ever met Rickford Burke in person and none of these people that is sitting beside me has ever had a conversation with him.”

Prior to its arrival, the mission released a statement stating that it was responding to concerns expressed by David Patterson, Catherine Hughes, and attorney Roysdale Forde. When asked where those concerns had been brought up, Ms. Dawkins Haigler responded that they had “come back and forth to New York City” and attended a number of conferences in Washington, DC, where they had met with representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Yvette Clarke, and Maxine Waters, among others. Statements like this are being made for all Guyanese, not only Afro-Guyanese or Portuguese. There are several people who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the unfair system in Guyana, she shared.

Mr. Burke has denied knowing or being connected to any of the team members. He has frequently charged the People’s Progressive Party Civic, which is mostly supported by Indo-Guyanese, with discriminating against Afro-Guyanese. “Without any evidence, basis or fact, the Government recklessly claimed that Mr. Burke wrote the mission’s terms of reference and has pre-written a report.

Neither Mr. Burke nor anyone else from CGID (Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy)

Queens NY – Jamaican Landlord Held on Murder of Tenants and Girlfriend

An alleged confession of stabbing his lover and two of his tenants to death has put a Jamaican landlord in Queens, New York, on trial for murder. David Daniel, age 54, recently entered a police station, according to the New York City Police Department, and informed the officers that he had been “having issues” with his renters before claiming he had done something horrible at the residence.

Following their rush to the scene, the police said that they arrived at the

landlord’s St. Albans two-story home at approximately seven in the morning and discovered two tenants—a man and a woman—dead in the basement and the suspect’s girlfriend dead in an upstairs bedroom. All the victims had several knife wounds.

Daniel was charged with three counts of murder and criminal possession of a firearm.

Daniel was identified by the police as the tenants’ live-in landlord. According to court documents, he entered a not-guilty plea.

According to reports, the suspect’s neighbors thought he was a kind guy who kept to himself.

The police claim that the guy has never been in trouble before. His birthplace is Kingston, Jamaica.

The victims were identified by the authorities as Wayne Thomas, 57, Coleen Fields, 51, and Evette Sweeney, 55, all residents of Queens.

He may receive a life sentence without the chance of release if proven guilty. Court records stated that he was scheduled to return to court on Friday.

knows or has ever met these legislators. Only a hopelessly deceitful, reckless, and paranoid government can demonstrate such audacious mendacity,” CGID noted.

Ms. Dawkins-Haigler aimed to reassure the government of Guyana that “we have no animosity towards the President for not meeting because he has that right as the sovereign leader to meet or not meet with any group as he deems necessary” and was prepared to have discussions with the government. She added that no one had funded any of the delegation members to travel to Guyana. She refuted claims that the team was meddling in internal matters of Guyana and said they would not have come to grasp the circumstances of the country’s people of color even if they had not been invited.

At the end of the mission, she said a report would be compiled and presented a report to the United Nations, Black Caucus, White House, State Department, Congress, and the National Black Caucus of State legislators. She hoped that her team would be able to meet with the administration so that its perspectives could be included in that report.

According to Ms. Dawkins-Haigler, the accusations included unequal treatment in the legal system, unequal treatment in the distribution of finances, biased contract awards based on an individual’s race, political

affiliation, or public criticism of the government, and educational inequalities.

She stated that some of the assertions were supported by documentation that raised “very alarming” concerns.

In addition to listening to their worries and looking at local and international reports to gauge the level of their deprivation and future expectations, the group is scheduled to visit New Amsterdam, Linden, and Moch-Arcadia.

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Belize – Suspends Diplomatic Ties with Israel Over Gaza War With reference to what it called “unceasing indiscriminate bombing in Gaza” as Israeli troops target Hamas militants in the Palestinian territory, the Belizean government severed diplomatic ties with Israel. This occurs because of other nations severing their connections with Israel in response to its assault on Gaza.

The largest Jewish community in Latin America is found in Argentina, which denounced Israel’s attack on a heavily populated refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Argentine foreign

ministry said that “nothing justifies the violation of international humanitarian law” and demanded the release of Israeli captives taken prisoner by Palestinian Hamas terrorists.

In response to Israel’s airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile withdrew their ambassadors from the Middle Eastern nation.

After the South American nations made several diplomatic steps to denounce Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Israel denounced Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia.

Barbados- PM Mottley- Genocide in Gaza on TV

Regarding the recent Gaza crisis, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths in both Israel and Palestine, calls for an address

by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

The government had already released a written statement. Still, this time the prime minister is stating that this degree of strife, violence, and widespread devastation of homes, cities, and other facilities is intolerable and is claiming the lives of numerous innocent people.

The Prime Minister stated it was difficult to address the country without addressing this matter at a press conference held at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) on November 18, 2023, when she notified residents of a newly created cooperation between CARICOM and Saudi Arabia.

PM Mottley stated, “I would like to speak on another matter. I wouldn’t know how to speak today without addressing it. What is going on in the Gaza is a travesty and it

offends every human sensibility.”

She continued, “We were offended for sure on October 7, when persons were killed in Israel in acts that were utter terror but what has happened since then is dwarfing that in terms of the scale…I don’t even think that horror and terror is sufficient to describe it because separate from the bombs, the notion that people [in Palestine] will not have access to water or people do not have access to fuel or that babies have to lie on beds cuddling next to one another in the pictures that we’ve seen in order to keep some level of warmth, these things are not good.”

Mottley, who said that this was possibly the first genocide to be broadcast on television, stated that it was crucial for people to voice their opinions from both sides.

“It is perhaps the first televised genocide and hence the world is responding.

“In our own country this weekend we have a march and it is right and fitting that people on all sides should be able to express their opinion but it is equally right that civilized nations must be able to hold people to activities that fall outside of the pale.”

“There are certain things that we should not allow any country, any state to engage in. If you want to fight, fight. But don’t have young children, old people and honest civilians become victims of a battle in a way that simply finding a humanitarian cease-fire could have removed from them the threat of loss of life. Simply finding the mechanism to be able to pause because as I said three weeks ago and I mean it, peace will come.”

The Barbados PM stated, “How many more must pay the ultimate price before peace is secured?”

Mottley implored Barbadians to hope that all parties would have the guts to work toward establishing peace, without discounting other conflicts that are now taking place throughout the globe.

“I ask our people to pray for both sides and to pray that they will find in them the courage to build peace that the world needs. And this is not to say that their battle has any more value than what is

going on in Darfur, Sudan and other parts of the world, but this one regrettably has been constant in people’s living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms because it is being televised.”

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Haiti - New Suspect Detained by Police in The Assassination of President Moise In connection with President Jovenel Moïse’s July 2021 murder, authorities in Haiti have detained a new suspect.

The mayor of the seaside city of Jacmel in the south, Macky Kessa, was taken into custody but has not been prosecuted, according to his lawyer Jimmy Jean-Baptiste, who spoke to the news media.

He stated that he intends to pursue Kessa’s release from the infamous National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

The reason for Kessa’s detention was not immediately apparent. Reiterating that the inquiry is still underway, Jean-Baptiste declined to say more.

Kessa spoke with Judge Walther Wesser Voltaire, who is looking into the matter and has spoken with several other defendants who had been detained for longer than two years before the arrest took place.

Voltaire was the fifth judge to be assigned to the case; the other justices resigned for a variety of reasons, including concern for their lives.

Voltaire did not respond to a message

asking for comment right away. He had previously said that he would not speak about the matter in public because it is still pending and there have been several hearings but no trial date set.

In this case, almost forty suspects have been taken into custody; many of them were apprehended soon after Moïse was shot dead at his home, in an incident that also left his wife, Martine Moïse, wounded.

Several high-ranking Haitian police officers and eighteen former Colombian soldiers are among those held on suspicion of involvement in the plot.

Eleven individuals have been extradited to the US, two of whom have already received sentences, while the case in Haiti continues.

Prosecutors in the United States have detailed a complex scheme involving defendants in South Florida and Haiti who sought to profit from large contracts under a Moïse successor following his kidnapping or murder.

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CARIBEDITORIAL

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Global Innovation Driving Change, Collaboration and Growth - “BUILDING A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE” Guest Editorial by P.J. Patterson

Greetings and Salutations It was my supreme honour to welcome the first Caribbean Multinational Business Conference to Jamaica as the Prime Minister 28 years ago.

By virtue of my continuous involvement in successive gatherings over the passing years, it is now my distinct pleasure and indeed my duty now as Patron to once again welcome you back home at your 28th Annual Conference, for no matter what – “Nuh place no better than yaad.”

This year, we have altered somewhat the opening format. I asked to move down the batting order, from opening batsman to Number 3. That allows me the luxury to speak and also preside over this Session as StatesmanIn-Residence of the P. J. Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy at the University of the West Indies.

My original intention was to include as Presenters and Panelists a number of African Leaders and Academics.

Regrettably but fortunately, this Conference coincides with the Reparations Conference in Accra, where the President of Ghana has convened an International Conference under the theme “Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations to Africans.”

The creation of a United African agenda and programme to galvanize Africans and people of African descent to correct historical injustices of the slave trade, colonialism, apartheid and racism is cause for rejoicing. I do not regard the co-incidence of our timing as an unfortunate clash. I believe it is a welcome signal to beckon this Business Conference in making common cause, within the framework of Pan-Africanism, to provide a solid platform for action that enables successful advocacy to satisfy the ten delineated areas where we, the Descendants of the African enslaved are seeking Reparatory Justice.

cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and political renewal, and ultimately, an inclusive and sustainable model of development.

Emancipation, independence and the Civil Rights Act were unquestionably all milestones of tremendous significance. Let us not lose sight that each was preceded by many years of steadfast struggle, determination, and an unwavering desire by our people to create social and economic conditions in which they could experience the values of freedom and dignity, and be optimistic about gaining steady improvements in their daily lives, as well as in their capacity to contribute respectively to the development of Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora.

Without exception, all of these events and other related milestones, prompted widespread public jubilation among the masses of oppressed people, and they are in fact still celebrated today. There has always been a perception, an expectation and determination that things can and could only get better.

Our people are, however, becoming increasingly impatient and restless: some even despondent, with the progress being made, and justifiably so! We see this in the current turmoil in Haiti, the recent coups in the Sahel region of West Africa, and in the desperate and perilous attempts by migrants in Africa and the Caribbean who drown or perish to escape poverty and despair at home.

Vibrant, impactful and sustained development has to be underscored and characterized by more extensive and meaningful AfricaCaribbean –United States cooperation; by determined and honest leadership, inclusivity, and the strategic deployment of technological and other enablers to catalyze and support its resilience.

Framing our discussion My presentation today – “Africa, Caribbean, US – A Necessary Path To Development – A Strategic Alliance” is made within the broader framework of Reinvigorating and sustaining the Pan-African renaissance of optimism and great expectations in Africa, Caribbean and the United States to accelerate sustainable development. Virtually every topic I mention is identified for subsequent presentation in detail.

So I will endeavour to set the broad context and the political environment in which our discussions are conducted.

I believe that we are truly at another pivotal point in our evolution as African people, when we need to take stock, engage in deep reflection, and reinfuse our efforts at achieving the African renaissance, and its promise of

A Strategic Alliance of Africa, Caribbean and the Diaspora is a necessary path to development No one among us can deny that the possibilities and opportunities for shared action in tackling problems and achieving our common ambitions and aspirations are vast. The only question is how fast and efficiently can we execute whatever plans we formulate to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities in today’s economic environment.

Any engagement between Africa, Caribbean and the United States must be based on a new or reconceptualized pragmatic framework, rooted in principles of respect and trust which reaffirm and underscore our common humanity and our equal sovereignity.

The existing geo-political engagement are iniquitous and unacceptable to countries of the Global South who have persistently sought the right to form alliances in the face of a

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rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Our leaders must be resolute in believing that we are the ones who must make choices in the best interest of our people, and not on the dictates of the dominant global powers.

Let me now highlight a number of the great opportunities for us to work together to achieve the type of inclusive and sustainable socio-economic progress our people in Africa, Caribbean and the Diaspora have always desired.

Priority areas for cooperation within the Alliance Both the challenges and the opportunities are many and profound. We have to be careful and strategic what issues we prioritize.

I propose that as our yard stick for prioritization, we focus on those areas which have the greatest potential to harness multidimensional partnerships to unlock the human potential of our societies; to grow our economies, and produce the greatest impact in terms of fundamentally transforming the lives of the majority of our peoples for the better.

Before we can proceed to Global Innovation and Driving Change, we have to deal with the essential factors for our lives and the survival of the human species.

1. Collaboration to tackle climate resilience and secure climate justice Among the most critical and urgent priorities are building climate change resilience and securing climate justice. Almost every year countries in both regions have been severely impacted by :interconnected simultaneous disasters and their cascading and devastating impacts.” Climate related events - floods, landslides, fires, and hurricanes, have caused billions of dollars in damage to property and claimed countless lives. Insurance prices have soared and may soon become unavailable in areas prone to incessant disasters. The compounding impacts of these events have been disproportionately felt by the most vulnerable groups and individuals in society: our children and women; the disabled and the poor who are driven deeper into poverty and despair.

Between 1990 and 2020, only about 3.8% of research funding was spent on Africa, and less than 1% went to African learning institutions,” whereas around 79% was spent for Europe and North America.

Clearly, there is great necessity for Africa, the Caribbean and experts in the Diaspora, to seek greater collaboration and exchange of knowledge and skills through our universities, the designated climate change agencies.

Countries in Africa and the Caribbean have launched major initiatives and programmes KARLISA RODNEY VICE PRESIDENT PROMOTIONS/SPECIAL EVENTS CARIB NEWS welcomes letters from readers. Short typed letters stand the best chance of being published. Include your name address and phone number. Names will be withheld at your request.

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to strengthen climate change resilience. They demand additional financial and technical resources, different engineering designs and architectural structures. Corporate businesses have to step forward as the destruction of global climate will also destroy their enterprise.

2. Achieving agricultural, food and water security.

“Water is life.” “Food is the staff of life.”

In both Africa and the Caribbean, the issues of persistent and worsening food and water insecurity, and the slow pace of transformation of food and water supply systems, have become urgent development concerns.

Food and water systems in both regions lack resilience and are therefore severely affected by shock events like Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, and climate change related events.

“The number of people estimated to be facing moderate to severe levels of food insecurity in the English-speaking Caribbean has risen by an alarming 46 percent over the last six months.

Nearly 4.1 million people or 57 percent of the population now face food insecurity.

Our academics, experts and investment banks must actively engage to increase Caribbean agricultural production quickly to 25% and accelerate to 700%. That would require a commensurate increase in expenditure on food production to 5% of our national GDP’s and greater access to finance by our lending institutions to expand agricultural production in the region.

I regard the commitment of Guyana under President Ali, who has lead responsibility for Agriculture in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, to spearhead the measures in reducing the regional food import bill by 25% by 2025, as one of the most encouraging signs in recent times for the Food and Nutrition Security Initiative. Finance, expertise and technology from the Diaspora can help to make it a reality.

3. Harnessing Africa-Caribbean and Diasporic higher education knowledge and expertise To achieve growth and innovation in the era of the knowledge economy, we must harness and build on our vast intellectual tradition. We must foster cross fertilization in the areas of academic teaching and research in a range of disciplines.

Persons of African descent are involved in leading research in various disciplines in science and technology and innovation, in toptier higher education institutions in the most developed countries. We need to mobilize and harness, in a coordinated way, the vast reserve of expertise resident throughout the African diaspora to secure the requisite outcome.

Continued on next page...

KARL B. RODNEY PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF TONY BEST SENIOR EDITOR KARLISA RODNEY NEWS EDITOR MELL P MANAGING EDITOR

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARIBOPINION

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Voters Spoke: Climate Action is Here to Stay

by Ben Jealous

This month’s election results should be a wakeup call to any politician who had been unsure of Americans’ desire for robust climate action and support for a green economy. In states and counties that are red, blue, and everywhere in between, voters favored forward-looking candidates who embraced both the need for and the economic benefits of aggressive climate action.

As much of the reporting on this election cycle has already pointed out, reproductive freedom was clearly a heavy driver of Democratic performance on Election Day. That shouldn’t overshadow the fact that, in marquee races, well-funded attacks against strong climate policies from the Far Right and fossil fuel interests were ignored or rejected by the voters they hoped to sway.

And it doesn’t diminish the role that issues like clean energy and a healthy future for our planet and our communities played in galvanizing voters.

The climate crisis is here. It’s not politely knocking at our door; it’s banging it down.

Americans in every corner of this country are hyperaware of it, especially after the dangerous and deadly heat waves and

wildfires many of us experienced this year. What we’re seeing in our backyards is connected to a larger, global crisis that is affecting all life on this planet we call home. Just-released research shows that the past 12 months were the hottest on record.

This fight has always been about our future but increasingly it’s also about our present.

Voters get it.

This was especially evident in Virginia, where voters forcefully denied the Republican governor’s bid for full control of the state government. The electoral rebuke of Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his views – in which Democrats didn’t just protect their state Senate majority but also gained control of the state House – effectively ends his push to undo the climate progress enacted under his predecessor.

Youngkin sought to roll back emissions standards aimed at moving Virginia away from the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines as of 2035. And he has been waging an effort to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap-and-trade program.

LaTwyla Mathias, who leads Progress Virginia and worked to mobilize voters in this year’s election, said that among her organization’s digital ads this cycle – which were shown to voters of color, young voters, and women – the ads focused on climate were the top performers.

“Our research shows that climate voters care about freedom: the freedom to breathe clean air, the freedom to live in a healthy environment, and the freedom to make decisions for themselves,” Ms. Mathias said. “Black and brown voters showed up on Tuesday because they know we’ve fought too long and too hard to let special interests take these freedoms from us.”

“By electing climate champions, we can fight back on growing health risks and pollution in marginalized neighborhoods, defend our neighbors with severe medical conditions, make sure that our communities have an opportunity to get trained in new jobs so that the transition to clean energy doesn’t leave anyone behind, and protect the progress we’ve made with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.”

So, as we discuss all the fundamental rights that were on the ballot this year and will be in 2024 – abortion, the right to vote, gender equality, workers’ rights, and more – let’s not forget that the results of this week’s elections prove that the right to a clean environment and a habitable planet is a major election issue an ever growing number of Americans – especially those communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free.”

Guest Editorial: Global Innovation Driving Change, Collaboration and Growth (Cont’d) 4. Accelerating human resources development and employment, especially for youth In both Africa and the Caribbean young people make up the largest and fastest growing demographic. The youth population in Africa is expected to reach over 830 million by 2050.

While a number of developed countries have to confront aging populations and a reduction of their workforce, our population dynamics offer a real opportunity for us to reap significant dividends from our youthful population if the right policies are instituted to facilitate the development of this pool of human resources.

More and better targeted investments will need to be made to support quality education and training, bolstered by a culture of life-long learning. The African Development Bank and CARICOM have both framed initiatives that seek to unlock the potential of this youthful population and to place them at the centre of efforts to create inclusive societies and economies and fuel sustainable development.

5. Leveraging of national strengths and comparative advantages in Culture, and Sports Both regions are strong in the areas of music and many of their artistes have become global superstars including the late Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Lucky Dube of South Africa. Today the global music industry is heavily influenced by a new crop of musicians and artistes from the Caribbean and Africa. These include Afrobeats stars like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Asake, Tems, Tiwa Savage from Nigeria, and Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania, as well as reggae and dancehall superstars.

Caribbean artistes based in the United States including Rihanna (Barbados) and Nicki Minaj (Trinidad and Tobago) have become global superstars.

There is great scope for public-private partnerships focusing on collaborative programmes which could help with the development and promotion of up-and-coming talented artistes in Africa and the Caribbean, and for support to be provided for more collaborations between artistes and actors from the three regions of the alliance, thereby expanding their market share in the global music industry.

6. Accelerating digital transformation and access to ICTs Digital technologies and solutions have become indispensable to the socio-economic transformations globally, including deepening integration initiatives, and the empowerment of people to be productive and live more fulfilling lives.

We need the establishment of a joint electronic mass media platform to facilitate information flows, artistic programming, and exploiting the blue economy. This common agenda with respect to digital transformation will undoubtedly crease enormous possibilities for sharing technologies, knowledge and skills as well as innovations. Consider what further initiatives, policies, strategies and action ought to be developed to ensure that both regions are able to leverage their strengths in digital transformation for the mutual benefit of people in Africa and Caribbean and African Diaspora in the United States!

The economic, social, and cultural disaster that was the Transatlantic trade on Humans and the subsequent era of colonialism have left legacies of life-threatening disparities for black and coloured people across the globe. It will require mass worldwide mobilization to make meaningful generational change to end these centuries of abuse and barbarism. That cataclysmic change must incorporate and be led by the affected persons utilizing today’s leading edge technologies.

We insist that countries, institutions, private industries and families who owned our enslaved ancestors must make material restitution, sufficient to repay for the irreparable damage we have suffered . The Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy will make no compromise in our insistence to get all that is our due. We deserve it for our programmes of health, education, land distribution, shelter and technology for sustainable development.

But at the same time, we will engage all persons who are genuinely persuaded, equipped and able, to help us build that bridge of unity which reconnects all Africans in oneness of purpose and action.

Conclusion The rapid rise of the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions in computing and artificial intelligence offers a real chance for ending aged and existing disparaties and life-threatening conditions. The current lack of diversity in creating content and solutions using AI will only continue the current racism, and

inadequate solutions for people of colour, such as the inadequacies of facial recognition and software Applications..

This is the overarching context in which I invite this impressive and influential Group to conceive inclusive projects and programmes which harness the collective intelligences. The will, skills and knowledge residing in Africa, the Caribbean and the rest of the Diaspora to ensure that a new iteration of the pan-African renaissance in Africa, the Caribbean, the United States, and the broader Diaspora reaches unprecedented levels of vibrancy, impact and sustainability.

As they are doing in Accra today, let this Golden Triangle of Countries and Communities resolve in Ocho Rios here today to cross that new horizon which beckons us further and beyond.

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARIBNEWS

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

28th Annual Caribbean Multi-national Business Conference Returned to Live Participation and Re-fired Up The conference after three years of virtual deliberation finally returned to live audience at Sandals Ochi, in Jamaica and it was a heartwarming coming together again.

Folks felt the need and so expressed it that virtual might be fine, but the networking and the personal interconnection and relationship is really what matters as we look to deal with issues of the world and how we can be a part of the solution.

And so as folks arrive for the conference, you could just see the broad smiles on their faces. The guy were tight and and lingering as they got together again, and it was raining as folks got together on Thursday afternoon but that did not trouble them because they were inside and they were with colleagues, friends looking towards coming together, greeting each other, and it was really a sight to behold.

The warm greeting extended to eve n the staff as they welcome the delegates to the conference. You could see that they got very involved.

There were refreshments for the delegates as they there arrived, and there were even stand-by masseuses to give them back and shoulder rubs as they settled in.

It was a great welcome and Sandals went out of the way to help people feel comfortable as they prepared for our deliberations.

And so with that warm and purposefulness of each and every delegate coming to the conference, the opening session saw everyone was on time, ready, set to go and it was a grade as the host of the day was Dr. Marcia Keizs, Former President of York College who guided the presentations and discussions in an organized and skill that everyone felt comfortable, engaged and involved.

As Bishop Sylvester Gonzalez gave the opening prayer, she remarked that many of those there had many options to exercise to attend, but they chose to be with us in Jamaica, and for good reason because through the 28 years of organizing the conference has brought people together

of value to countries, and the wonderful sense of engagement and involvement and expected no less.

And as we went through her conference, the opening keynote was by Amb. Andrew Young, former US Ambassador to the United Nations of Atlanta, and former member of the US Congress, and co-convening of the conference supported through the years. He was with the conference in Jamaica, but he wanted to have his present, and it was only because of a critical immediate situation that prevented him from being in person. He remarked that year after year when he comes to the conference, he comes to learn to connect and it has never failed him, and he went on to talk about the Golden Triangle of People of Color in the Caribbean, African-Americans and of course, those in Africa and the value power of that theme carried through the conference, the theme that continues to emphasize and he wanted to be sure that this happens.

He went on to remark that the conference is the ideal pay this kind of deliberation, and expect that as you look to face the many crises of the world, when you have leaders coming together like they do at the conference it is a hope, certainly good indication of possibility of good work to be had, and so he wished everyone a successful conference, and promised that he will remain engaged in the mission of the conference and offered his full support.

Next the sessions were up and that was followed immediately by the opening presentation by the Most Honorable, PJ Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, and the Statesman-in-Residence at the Patterson Institute at the University of the West Indies for Advocacy to Advance Economic and Cultural Development in Africa, the Caribbean and the diaspora.

What a presentation that was respect to the urgent need for collaboration to work together, and the value and reminded the

audience that the conference was held when he was Prime Minister.

One of the largest conference held four years later it was also when he was Prime Minister, and that he sees this conference as a continuum of how people can come together and work together, and that’s why he remains engaged and committed to the conference and brings his team to examine how best to deliberate and to go forward with the issues as it impacts us.

The day got off to a wonderful start by the time we got to the leadership forum where we had Hazel Dukes, the civil rights icon, Carl Heastie, the Speaker of the New York City Assembly, Senate Kevin Parker, Hon. Diane Abbott, Member of UK Parliament, a message from Hon. Charles Rangel and the session was moderated by Dr. Moronke Oshin-Martin and we just had a wonderful coming together on what leadership means, and how we need to identify and pull that together and also the need for use, engagement, and involvement at this and every level. By the time this session was over ready, people were literally spellbound, engaged, was so were up to a great, start and so we went through the program from an excellent investment forum around “Investing in Foreign Markets”, again looking at the Golden Triangle.

There was just great engagement that should take place and why it is so necessary for development, for growth, and for wealth creation to change the direction of world economic pattern where poverty is rampant in certain areas while other areas are enjoying major advancement.

People engaged, people were ready to take action and commit to work with this project and the effort for private equity operation to look to these areas for investments.

And so it went on through the day and we have all the programs on YouTube and all the reports are available for you to be aware and fully also get the benefit of what was shared.

It continued for two days, the women empowerment and health sessions were excellent as we talked about health disparities, and demonstrated through statistics and studies what needs to be done to correct these disparities and how in many instances hoe they came about and so it was just engagement there.

The women session of power and influence was absolutely powerful and spell binding as these highly accomplished women spoke of their journeys and how they inspire others about their success.

The trend of engagement was there and in the sessions, people were committed, so much so, that when we wrapped up, pulling together the agenda and capping, the room was full and overflowing and when time came to break for the gala and wards ceremony, people were excited to stay and complete the agenda. We extended the time by 45 minutes to get through more of the items.

People wanted to know that their time was well spent and the mission should be defined, leaving everyone to work on how ready to bring solutions to these problems.

The evening ended with a keynote address

by Hon. Yvette Clarke, Member of US Congress, with a Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Hazel Dukes. She has been with conference throughout the 28 years, and has collaborated with the AfricanAmerican community to the African community and she talks about how much she has learned, almost like a university education.

Coming to the conference year after year and she was just delighted that it’s back in person and the and she President of NAACP sent special message to Dr. Dukes and Hon. Charles Rangel, and a special message of congratulations. The room was just full of love for her and the work she has done and she received a standing ovation when she was presented with the award. The other two awardees were Ms. Diane Abbott and Hon. Carl Heastie.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARIBNEWS

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Beaches® Resorts Welcomes The Elf On The Shelf® Scout Elf® To Sunny Shores This Holiday Season

Holiday carols sung with sun-soaked cheer: that’s the sound of Scout Elf® helpers heading South for the winter this year. Beaches® Resorts ushers in the magic of the season with an irresistible invitation and “V.I.E.” butler-curated perks for everyone’s favorite Christmastime sidekick to hang their tiny hats and bask in a Caribbean winter wonderland.

Joining festive forces with The Lumistella Company – the creators of the beloved annual family tradition The Elf on the Shelf® – Beaches Resorts, the award-winning all-inclusive resort brand for families, is rolling out the candy cane carpet for families and Scout Elf friends alike at all three Beaches Resorts located in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. The elf-tastic happenings kick off November 24 – marking the official start of Scout Elf Return Week (Nov 22 – Dec 1) and a whimsical white sand holiday season at Beaches.

“Holidays are the season for family memoENDING ry-making WEEK and for many, The Elf on the Shelf brand has become a most loved and antic-

ipated part of their annual traditions,” said Luisana Suegart, Director of Public Relations for Unique Vacations, Inc., an affiliate of the worldwide representative for Beaches Resorts.

“It’s why we’re especially grateful to Santa for giving his Scout Elf helpers the permission to join families at Beaches this holiday season, and we can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for them with special treats and activities during their stay with us.”​​ With winding waterslides and unlimited ice cream in store, guests can anticipate Scout Elf stunts galore. In the spirit of all things merry and bright, Beaches Resorts is celebrating with all things festive from day to night: Beaches Resorts’ Sweet Island Soiree ft. The Elf on the Shelf Boasting Santa’s (passport) stamp of approval, his Scout Elf crew will rock around the palm trees during Beaches Resorts’ Sweet Island Soiree ft. The Elf on the Shelf – weekly holiday parties featuring The Elf on the Shelf characters, build-your-own cookie bars, arts and crafts stations, music and more. Holiday story time sessions, festive karaoke and other soul-stirring happenings will indulge every Scout Elf with vacation whimsy.

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice: Rolling Out the Candy Cane Carpet with Very Important Scout Elf Treatment In true Beaches Resorts fashion, Beaches butlers will put the “treat” in butler treatment as they gear up for their jolliest task yet – pampering Scout Elf friends with special, pint-sized

OCTOBER 31, 2023

“V.I.E.” (Very Important Scout Elf) surprises ahead of nights of adventure and trips to the North Pole. Families traveling with their Scout Elf in tow and scheduled to vacation during the month of December in butler-level rooms will enjoy “V.I.E”. - Very Important Scout Elf - treats such as Moonlight Milk & Cookies, Marshmallow Bubble Baths, Festive Trail Mix and a Holiday Movie Night-In. Guests’ butlers will also be on call with Santa-approved gloves and magic elf moving tongs should a Scout Elf doze off to the warm Caribbean breeze. It happens!

All Traditions Start Somewhere For Beaches Resorts guests who want to experience the magic of The Elf on the Shelf for the first time, The Elf on the Shelf tradition, The Elf on the Shelf Official Scout Elf Carrier, and other items will be available at all resort retail shops.

Gifting Toys and Spreading Joy: Beaches Resorts’ Little Helpers Families participating in The Elf on the Shelf festivities can join the Beaches family in spreading the true meaning of the holiday season by supporting the philanthropic work of the not-for-profit Sandals Foundation. Every year, the Sandals Foundation works to provide 15,000 toys to children across the Caribbean and this year, guests can become “Beaches Little Helpers” by volunteering to craft handmade holiday cards to be distributed to local children.

CARIBA&E

Unwind After the Holidays with the “Beaches Resorts and The Elf on the Shelf ” Vacation Sweepstakes When the tree comes down and all is said and done, there’s a chance to win some post-holiday Caribbean fun. From November 24 – December 30, families across North America and the U.K. are invited to enter the Beaches Resorts and The Elf on the Shelf Vacation Sweepstakes for a chance to win a six-night vacation at either Beaches Negril in Jamaica or Beaches Turks and Caicos, along with additional festive goodies including a The Elf on the Shelf tradition and The Elf on the Shelf Official Scout Elf Carrier.

“We are thrilled! The Lumistella Company’s partnership with Beaches Resorts represents two iconic brands coming together to create enormously joyful family moments,” said Christa Pitts, co-CEO of The Lumistella Company. “This collaboration will allow us to provide guests at Beaches with a dose of Christmas magic, The Elf on the Shelf style, and delight both the young and the young at heart.”

To make the Scout Elf season even more fun, families are encouraged to share their Scout Elf ’s most creative and imaginative tropical-themed holiday antics on social media using the hashtag #ScoutElfAtBeaches and tagging @BeachesResorts and @ElfonTheShelf.

For more information about Beaches Resorts and The Elf on the Shelf holiday happenings, visit www.beaches.com/the-elf-on-the-shelf.

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Haiti/ Jamaica - Sign Development MOUs With Saudi Fund Saudi Arabia has expanded its support for the development of Haiti and Jamaica, thereby fortifying its alliance with Caribbean countries.

Memorandums of understanding were inked on November 17 by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry by Sultan Al-Marshad, the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development.

According to SPA, the objectives of the MOUs are to create a framework for advancing development cooperation and to offer assistance in a number of areas to Haiti and Jamaica via SFD. The fund aims to promote the economic and sustainable growth of projects in important developmental sectors in both

countries through the agreements.

To strengthen bilateral ties between the Kingdom and the CARICOM countries, these agreements were made outside of roundtable discussions between Saudi Arabia and the group.

Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, went one step further in showcasing his dedication by concluding a deal with Barbados.

The agreement centers on providing bilateral air transportation services between the two countries and creating a framework of regulations for air transportation movement in line with the Chicago Convention’s tenets.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

St. Lucia Appoints Special Prosecutor CASTRIES – The St Lucia government Monday announced that the Judicial and Legal Services Commission had appointed veteran attorney Robert Innocent as a special prosecutor.

“This appointment underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing cases of misconduct and combating various forms of corruption by persons holding public office. Innocent’s wealth of experience positions him as a dedicated and capable leader in the pursuit of justice,” a brief government statement said.

It said that the appointment of Innocent, who has 30 years of experience in various judicial roles, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Magistracy, “marks a significant step forward in the government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the principles of transparency,

Brazil Records Hottest Temperature Brazil has recorded its hottest ever temperature – 44.8C – as parts of the country endure a stifling heatwave.

The record was hit on Sunday in the town of Araçuaí, in Brazil’s south-eastern state of Minas Gerais.

The unprecedented weather has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change.

Forecasters say some of the heat is likely to ease this week.

According to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), only three state capitals will see temperatures approaching 40C, CNN Brasil reported.

The government agency said Araçuaí’s high of 44.8C had beaten the country’s

previous record of 44.7C, measured in 2005.

The heat has seen red alerts issued across the country, a month before the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere.

Brazil’s energy consumption has soared to record levels as people try to keep themselves cool.

The high temperatures led to Taylor Swift cancelling one of her concerts in Rio de Janeiro after a fan fell ill and died before a show on Friday.

According to the organisers, 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado had sought help at the stadium after feeling unwell.

She was transferred to hospital but died one hour later.

Barbadian Convicted of Smuggling Cocaine At Sangster Airport The agenda for the conference included topics related to developing bilateral ties and areas of energy-related cooperation between the two nations. On November 17, 2023, a 40-year-old Barbadian was found guilty of violating the Dangerous Drugs Act after he tried to smuggle more than 1.8 kg of cocaine into the United Kingdom via the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James.

On Thursday, October 26, Kelvin Charles, a carpenter from Bridgetown, Barbados, was taken into custody by customs officials who claimed to have found the illegal substance hidden in his luggage’s fake compartments while doing security checks.

After that, he was accused of trying to export cocaine, dealing in cocaine, and possessing cocaine.

Charles entered a guilty plea to all counts when he appeared before St. James Parish Court on Friday, November 17. He was given the following sentence: · Cocaine possession: $200,000 fine or six months in jail · Exporting cocaine: 400,000 or a jail sentence of six months · Minimum sentence of six months in jail The fines were to be paid by him right away. Charles will be imprisoned for a total of 18 months if he doesn’t comply.

Official research released two weeks ago showed that the average temperature in the country had been above the historical

accountability and integrity.

“The government of St Lucia firmly believes that this appointment will strengthen the mechanisms in place to investigate and prosecute instances of corruption, sending a clear message that misconduct by public officials will not be tolerated,” the statement added.

It said that the Phillip J Pierre government has “confidence in Innocent’s ability to contribute significantly to the pursuit of justice and the upholding of the rule of law in St Lucia”. (CMC)

average from July to October.

Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense in many places.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARIBNEWS

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CARIBHEALTH

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARPHA Signs Agreement to Strengthen Cancer Data Collection Systems in Jamaica

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), Jamaica, to strengthen cancer surveillance and cancer control.

CARPHA, and Vital Strategies a global health organisation signed a Subgrant Agreement to provide funding support for the project: ‘Using DHIS2 to Strengthen Cancer Registration Data Systems in Low-resourced Countries: From Rwanda to Jamaica’. This project is funded through Vital Strategies’ Global Grants Program, through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative.

The launch of the project took place on October 24, 2023 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, Jamaica. However, the project activities began as early as September 1, 2023.

Activities included a training workshop to strengthen the capacity of the MOHW Jamaica Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) surveillance team to identify, collect and code data on cancer-based recommended standards. Twenty-nine persons representing the four regional health authorities (RHAs) and four persons from the MoHW, Jamaica, participated in the training. Participants included epidemiolo-

gists, NCD coordinators, nursing supervisors, information and communication technology officers, health records administrators and data entry clerks.

Jamaica, one of CARPHA’s Member States, is the first Caribbean country; and second in the world to pilot the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) Oncology module, which was initially developed and implemented by the Rwanda National Cancer Registry.

Under this agreement valued at US$100,000, the project will improve cancer control by operationalising a data collection and reporting system that will improve the availability of national cancer data, which can be used by the Ministry of Health and Wellness Jamaica to guide cancer prevention and control strategies.

Funding support is also being provided by the MoHW, Jamaica.

The launch of the project kicked off with welcome remarks from Dr. Simone Spence, Director, Health Promotion and Protection, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica.

“Cancer registration is critical to informing health promotion efforts and the MoHW looks ahead with great anticipation at the profound impact of the DHIS 2 Oncology module in

WHO Issues New Guideline for Acute Malnutrition in Children Under Five

The World Health Organization (WHO) is advancing the global fight against acute malnutrition in children under 5 with the launch of its new guideline on the prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema (acute malnutrition). This milestone is a crucial response to the persistent global issue of acute malnutrition, which affects millions of children worldwide.

In 2015, the world committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the ambitious target of eliminating malnutrition in all of its forms by 2030. However, despite these commitments, the proportion of children with acute malnutrition has persisted at a worrying level, affecting an estimated 45 million children under five worldwide in 2022.

In 2022, approximately 7.3 million children

received treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Although treatment coverage has increased, children with SAM in many of the worst affected countries are still unable to access the full necessary care for them to recover.

The Global Action Plan (GAP) on child wasting recognized the need for updated normative guidance to support governments in the prevention and management of acute malnutrition. WHO answered this call to action and developed a comprehensive guideline that provides evidence-based recommendations and good practice statements and will be followed by guidance and tools for implementation.

“This guideline helps to support countries to prevent and manage acute malnutrition with a specific emphasis on the continuum of care to deliver the best services possible for children and their families.” Said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “we are calling for more integration of nutrition services into health systems and the strengthening of those health systems. This is a more comprehensive approach to address the complex issue of acute malnutrition in children than ever before.”

This is the first WHO guideline focusing on both prevention and management of acute malnutrition and highlights the vital importance of investing in both these aspects to have real impact on reducing the prevalence and negative impacts of acute malnutrition on children and their families around the world.

See key recommendations at https://www.who.int/news/item/20-11-2023who-issues-new-guideline-to-tackle-acutemalnutrition-in-children-under-five

improving cancer registration in Jamaica.”

Dr. The Honourable Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness delivered the keynote address. “The current cancer burden in Jamaica, as elsewhere in the Caribbean, is stunning and requires our collective and urgent attention, beginning with our attention to data.

Registries are vital. The fact is that there is a prevailing need for local data to guide response, policy development and programme monitoring and evaluation to achieve comprehensive cancer prevention and control. The project is to improve cancer control by operationalising a data collection and reporting system that will improve the availability of national cancer data, which can be used by the Ministry to guide cancer prevention and control strategies locally.”

Also speaking at the launch, CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John stated, “Surveillance systems are critical tools aimed at improving the early detection of diseases, but cancer registration is different. We collect, store, and analyse data for people who are already afflicted with this disease. Access to population-wide information on cancer incidence is critical for understanding cancer

burden; planning and monitoring of national cancer prevention and control programmes; and defining priorities in cancer prevention, treatment, and care. As we expand and strategically enhance the establishment of other registries in the region, we hope that this module can be identified as a tool to support the development of the sub-regional cancer registry for the OECS.” Dr. Magdalena Paczkowski, Director of the Vital Strategies’ Cancer Registry Program, funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative: “Our activities have focused on strengthening human resources and infrastructure to support cancer data collection, technical assistance to inform standard operating procedures and strategic planning, as well as training on cancer registry principles and methods, including using CanReg5. This included the new DHIS 2 Oncology Module, created through working with IARC, the Rwanda Biomedical Center and the Rwanda National Cancer Registry, and CARPHA, alongside other partners. This work will now be strengthened through GPP’s support to implement this new module in Jamaica.”

The project grant will run until December

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARIBA&E

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Miss Universe- Jamaica’s Jordanne Levy in Top 20 At the Miss Universe grand coronation pageant, Jamaica secured its tenth spot in the Top 20, with Dr. Jordanne Lauren Levy making the initial cut.

Levy, who participated in the swimsuit competition as well, expresses pride in her accomplishment.

Levy revealed in a Saturday night interview with Observer Online, just after the spectacular coronation concluded, “I feel immensely proud to be able to represent my country. I stand tall in everything that I believe in, my experiences that gave me the position to be in the Top 20. I am proud of all the work that I put in to reach where I did.”

The finals of the 72nd Miss Universe Pageant was held in magical El Salvador on 18th November, 2023. 84 Miss Universe delegates vied for the prestigious “Force for Good” crown.

The evening culminated with the crowning of the 72nd Miss Universe, Sheynnis

Palacios from Nicaragua by her predecessor, R’Bonney Gabriel.

Sheynnis Palacois of Nicaragua became victorious as the 2023 Miss Universe, with Anntonia Porsild of Thailand and Morayah Wilson of Australia coming in second and third.

At San Salvador, El Salvador’s Jose’ Adolfo Pineda Arena, the 72nd Miss Universe pageant was grandly crowned.

The coronation featured a performance by Grammy-winning American R&B singer John Legend.

In eight previous Miss Universe finals, Jamaica placed among the Top 10.

The nation’s best result in the tournament was in 2010 when Yendi Phillips placed second, just behind Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

Dancehall Star Masicka Set to Celebrate His Birthday in New York

Dancehall sensation Masicka is ready to light up the stage as he celebrates his upcoming birthday in New York City. The highly anticipated event will take place on December 2nd at the renowned club Amazura in Queens, NY. Fans can secure their tickets now through the official website: www.Masickatickets.com.

Known for his infectious energy and captivating performances, Masicka has gained a massive following in the dancehall scene, both in Jamaica and internationally. The Jamaican-born artist has consistently delivered hit after hit, establishing himself as one of the most influential and sought-after

musicians in the genre.

Masicka’s birthday celebration promises to be an unforgettable night for fans and music enthusiasts alike. Partygoers can look forward to a dynamic live performance showcasing his charttoping hits and electrifying stage presence. With his unique style and unrivaled talent, Masicka is set to deliver an explosive show that will leave fans wanting more.

Club Amazura, located in Queens, has become a favored venue for hosting some of the biggest names in the music industry. With its state-of-the-art sound system and spacious dance floor, the venue offers the perfect setting for Masicka’s birthday celebration. Attendees can expect an immersive and exhilarating experience, as they join the dancehall star in commemorating this milestone.

Tickets for Masicka’s birthday celebration are currently available for purchase exclusively through www.

Masickatickets.com. Early ticket purchases are highly encouraged, as this event is expected to sell out quickly. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness dancehall greatness and celebrate with Masicka on his special day!

LET’S GET DOWN to

THE BONE

SoSOBONE.com

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CARIBTRAVEL

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Ocho Rios Main Street to Be Renamed for Butch Stewart A resolution adopted by the St. Ann Municipal Corporation to rename Main Street in Ocho Rios in memory of the late hotel tycoon Gordon “Butch” Stewart has been accepted by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

The following resolution was read aloud at the most recent monthly meeting of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation by Jennifer Brown-Cunningham, chief executive officer.

“And whereas Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has been a significant employer in Ocho Rios, and whereas Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has been, through his Sandals Foundation, contributing greatly to the development and benevolence outfit program, be

it resolved that the St Ann Municipal Corporation look to rename Main Street, Ocho Rios in his honor posthumously. We further resolve that this does not interfere with the mailing address but rather add his recognized name as an addition on signposts and street name, and we further resolve that this recognition be forwarded to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development for approval,” she noted.

Michael Belnavis, a council member representing the Ocho Rios Division, stated that Stewart’s commitment to the parish will be honored by the designation.

He emphasized that Main Street businesses will not be impacted by the change.

He added, “Persons who live and

operate on the stretch, Main Street, will not have to redo their stationery and so on. However, the signposts and so on will get an additional component to the top of the sign itself just to have the name on. So, it’s just a recognition but it doesn’t affect the economics of the businesspeople and so on the Main Street…so I’m asking that we get the support.”

The business tycoon, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 79, is best known for creating an empire in the travel industry with Sandals Resorts International.

The Order of Jamaica, which is Jamaica’s fourth-highest honor, was also given to him.

Dominica – Friendliest Country in The World Says Conde Nast game reserves and safaris are big business here, with open jeep tours treating visitors to fossilized river valleys and rippling grasslands, as well as a wide variety of species, from giraffes to hyenas.”

In the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards, Condé Nast Traveler readers cast their votes and declared Dominica to be the World’s friendliest country. Travelers from all across the world are surveyed to determine which nations are the nicest.

The magazine wrote in an introduction listing the world’s friendliest nations, “They say you can travel the world and never find anywhere as welcoming as home, but we don’t quite think that’s true.”

“From the ever-beaming people of Ireland to the famously open-armed population of New Zealand, our planet is home to some seriously friendly countries, ready to share their love for their country with you. So, once again, we asked our readers to vote for the countries they consider home to the friendliest people in our 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.’

According to the publication, Dominica is “a welcoming island with so much more to offer than the Caribbean cliché of just lying on the beach all day.

“It’s easy to see why this is often called ‘Nature Island’ thanks to its ancient rainforests, flawless beaches, hot springs, dramatic coastline, and colourful hamlets.

This is a place for truly exploring, from the commercial capital of Roseau to the mountainside villages like Scotts Head”, it said.

Fiji is ranked as the second nicest nation in the world by the magazine.

Says Condé Nast Traveler, “Fiji is notorious for its generous hospitality – often called one of the world’s most friendly islands, the air is full of people saying ‘bula!’ (meaning hello and also life) to everyone, even passing strangers. Made up of over 300 islands in the South Pacific, there are fragile and gorgeous coral reefs, dense patches of jungle, stunning mountains, remote yet friendly villages, and lots and lots of tongue-numbing kava to drink.”

According to a survey, Namibia is the third-friendliest nation on earth.

The magazine stated, “Set on the southwest edge of southern Africa, Namibia is one of the continent’s most popular destinations, where affordable stays sit alongside luxury lodges.”

“Outside the cities, there’s stunning nature and wildlife aplenty, but the capital Windhoek is also well worth a trip thanks to its great food and relaxed and friendly atmosphere.”

Botswana is listed next on the list. As stated in the publication, “Botswana’s communities never shy away from being proud of their culture, and open communication is an important part of it. Spread across the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta,

Five-ranked Cambodia, sixth-ranked Lebanon, seventh-ranked New Zealand, eighth-ranked Tanzania, and ninth-ranked Ireland are the other nations that reached the top rankings.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

CARIBDINING

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New Caribbean Restaurant Opens Up in Williamsburg A new plant-based Caribbean restaurant, HAAM, has opened in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at 234 Union Avenue.

The new vegan joint opened its doors on November 15, 2023 as a full-service eatery delivering a unique dining experience drawing from chef and owner Yesenia Ramdass’ Dominican roots and her husband Randy’s Trinidadian heritage.

HAAM stands for Healthy as a Motha, embodies the essence of this culinary haven.

HAAM’s mission is to offer a sustainable and ethical food experience that caters to a diverse range of customers, including vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians.

Chef Ramdass embraced a conscious lifestyle from an early age, which she owes to the book “Skinny Bitch”.

She says her goal was not to become vegetarian, but after learning of the inhumane conditions that animals survived in and the thought of ‘the disgusting chemicals we were ingesting’, she made a lifestyle

change, and she’s been on that journey for over 13 years.

She lost her mother to stage IV Kidney Cancer in 2018.

As a Mom, she revamps traditional recipes to be plant-based, which led to a thriving ghost kitchen in Queens.

Ramdass takes an educational view to her lifestyle and shares her plant-based eating message across New York at festivals, and educational initiatives with local organizations, she aimed to spread awareness.

Each dish at HAAM is a fusion of culture.

Ramdass Yesenia pays homage to the rich culinary traditions of both islands creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

The menu consusts of ceviche, sweet plantain boat, empanadas, island onigiri, and curry mofongo.

Caribbean-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes

Whole Jerk Chicken (Alicia Pepperpot) Ingredients

Sweet Potato Pudding (Grace Foods) Ingredients For 3 Person(s) Recipe 5 pound(s) sweet Potato 3 cup(s) dark Sugar 1 cup(s) flour 1 teaspoon(s) cinnamon powder 1 packet(s) Grace Coconut Milk Powder 5 cup(s) water 1/4 cup(s) Grace Margarine melted 1 whole nutmeg, grated 1 teaspoon(s) salt 1 teaspoon(s) cinnamon powder 1 teaspoon(s) vanilla essence

1 tablespoon(s) white rum 1 tablespoon(s) lime juice 1 teaspoon(s) Grace Browning optional Sweet Potato Pudding Directions Peel cut and grate sweet potatoes and place in a large mixing bowl.

Add dark sugar, flour and raisins.

Combine Grace Coconut Milk Powder with water, mix well and add to the sweet potato mixture.

Add melted margarine,nutmeg,salt, cinnamon powder, vanilla, rum, lime juice and browning and mix well.

Scrape mixture into a greased 10inch baking tin.

Bake in a pre-heated oven 350 F or 180 degrees C for 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours.

Note: 5 pounds sweet potato will yield 12 cups when grated.

6lb whole chicken, cleaned 4 tbsp green seasoning 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp blackened seasoning 4 tbsp jerk paste/marinade (I prefer Walkerswood brand) 1 tsp salt 4 tbsp olive oil or melted butter 1 whole yellow bell pepper, sliced 1 whole red bell pepper, sliced 1 whole orange bell pepper, sliced 1 whole orange, for cavity ½ orange sliced, for pan 1 whole sweet white onion, quartered 10-12 scallions, chopped coarsely Twine for legs Instructions Clean chicken and pat dry.

Season chicken with green seasoning,

paprika, blackened seasoning, salt, jerk seasoning, and oil. Lift chicken skin (around breast area) and rub seasoning under the skin. Rub seasonings inside the cavity.

Place chicken in large zip-lock bag or place in covered bowl and leave overnight in the refrigerator.

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.

Place orange inside the cavity of the chicken. Tie legs with twine.

Arrange bell peppers, orange slices, onion, and scallions in pan around chicken. Roast for 25 minutes at 450 degrees. After 25 minutes, lower heat to 375 degrees. Bake for 30-40 more minutes until chicken juices run clear when pierced or a thermometer reads 165 degrees.

NOTES Additional Tips: Cooking times for this recipe is based on a 6lb chicken. If your bird is larger or smaller, adjust cooking times accordingly.

I prefer the Walkerswood brand paste in the jar.

20

CARIBSPORTS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Nations League - Guadeloupe Down St. Kitts & Nevis While Sint Maarten 2-1 Against Saint Lucia

MIAMI - Guadeloupe completed their campaign for promotion to League A by finishing first in Group A of League B in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League on Sunday.

Sint Maarten secured their stay in League B with an away victory at Saint Lucia. Saint Kitts and Nevis will be relegated to League

C for the following edition after ending last in the group.

Guadeloupe vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis Guadeloupe earned a 5-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis at the Sainte-Anne Municipal Stadium in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe.

Matthias Phaeton struck on frame in the 11’ but was denied by Saint Kitts and Nevis goalkeeper Julani Archibald.

Phaeton opened the scoring in the 19’ after dribbling past defenders into the left side of the box and striking a right-footed attempt into the back netting.

Raheem Somersall of Saint Kitts and Nevis had a good look following a corner kick in the 41’, but his attempt was just high of the mark.

Guadeloupe’s Jordan Leborgne hit tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area in the 42’ but the hit was just wide. Marcus Coco then had one of the final attempts of the first half in the 45’ but was blocked by Archibald.

Archibald’s form continued into the sec-

ond half with a stop in the 50’ on Jerome Roussillon, who struck from around the penalty marker.

Tairyk Arconte extended the lead to 2-0 in the 74’ after converting on a second chance from a corner kick opportunity.

Kilian Bevis added a third in the 76’ following a counter on an interception from Phaeton.

Roussillon struck just outside the box in the 80’ thanks to hold-up play by Arconte.

Roussillon returned the favor with a longrange assist to Arconte in the 90’ as the latter completed his brace for a 5-0 final.

Saint Lucia vs. Sint Maarten Sint Maarten took a 2-1 against Saint Lucia at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

The local side was aggressive early on with Caniggia Elva striking in the 3’, but Sint Maarten goalkeeper Tyrell Richardson got his hands on it to deflect the shot.

Saint Lucia’s Terell Thomas headed in the opening goal in the 17’ off a corner kick

from Kurt Frederick that took a friendly bounce inside the box.

Sint Maarten striker Gerwin Lake tried the spectacular with an effort from near midfield in the 17’ but was denied by the crossbar. Lake had another effort from outside the box in the 23’ but was denied by the hands of Vino Barclett.

Sint Maarten finally broke through with the equalizer in the 38’, as Chovanie Amatkarijo put the finishing touch on a buildup.

Lake extended the lead for the visitors in the 57’ with a dribble into the box and the power hit past Barclett.

Malik St. Prix nearly tied it in the 74’ but his attempt in the box went high of the crossbar.

Barclett had a pair of saves to deny T-Shawn Illidge at the 90’ and Elmer De Vries in stoppage time.

St. Prix had one last header to equalize, but was denied by Richardson as Sint Maarten secured their stay in League B.

Sunil Narine Retires From International Cricket Sunil Narine has called time on his eightyear international career. He last played for West Indies in a T20I in August 2019.

“I appreciate it has been over four years since I last played for West Indies but today I am announcing my retirement from international cricket,” Narine wrote on Instagram. “Publicly I am a man of few words but privately there are a few people who have given me unwavering support throughout my career and helped me realise my dream of representing West Indies and to you I express my deepest gratitude.”

Narine came into limelight in the now defunct Champions League T20 for Trinidad & Tobago in 2011 before making his international debut in an ODI in December later that year. He played 122

international matches, which included six Tests, 65 ODIs and 51 T20Is. He helped West Indies to their first T20 World Cup title in 2012 - their first World Cup win across formats since 1979 - with nine wickets in the competition. He would go on to play just one more edition of the T20 World Cup, in 2014. Since 2012, Narine has been a regular fixture in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad and is now a familiar face in the T20 circuit across the world, which is now “business as usual” for him in the foreseeable future. He continues to play for the Knight Riders franchise across leagues - KKR in the IPL, Abu Dhabi in the International League T20, Trinbago in the Caribbean Premier League and Los Angeles in Major League Cricket. He is

also part of the Hundred men’s competition with Oval Invincibles and also plays in the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and Bangladesh Premier League.

In 2014, Narine was first reported for a suspect action following which he withdrew from the ODI World Cup the following year. That played its part in his sporadic international appearances.

Now 35, Narine also has his sights on a domestic trophy. “[My father] is ever present with me when I take to the field and I am indebted to his support and love, which carried me through the times I questioned whether the pursuit of my dreams was really worth it,” he wrote. “I love representing Trinidad & Tobago, the country of my birth, and to add another title by winning the Super50 Cup will be the perfect send-off.”

The ongoing Super50 Cup will be his last in List A cricket.