From 2016 to 2023, Guyana saw net migration of 122,000 people — a significant figure for a country with a population of 780,000
To meet with US Administration officials at White House on security and other matters NEW YORK Named by CALA - The JamaicanAmerican awarded for her distinguished career JUDGE MICHELE RODNEY - JURIST OF THE
The US Congresswoman lauds the action of the Biden Administration Page 4
PRIME MINISTER CONILLE IN WASHINGTON Page 4
Pleads attorney Goffe - for their religious rights and practices RASTAS MUST BE PROTECTED WASHINGTON DC REP. CLARKE PRAISES TPS RENEWAL FOR HAITIANS
BERYL BATTERS
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EDITORIAL
60th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act: Reflecting on Progress and Persistent Challenges by Stacy M. Brown - P 9
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From Planting Trees to Cruising in an EV, Combatting Climate Change is an American Duty by Ben Jealous - P 9
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WHO Releases First-Ever Clinical Treatment Guideline for Tobacco Cessation in Adults - P 16
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AFRICA WORLD BRIEFS
UN mission boosts presence in Central African Republic’s conflict-stricken southeast
The UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has expanded its presence in the country’s southeast to prevent further violence in areas heavily affected by conflict and systemic issues.
Briefing ambassadors at the Security Council on the situation in the country, head of the UN mission Valentine Rugwabiza stated that the additional deployment also facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid in the restive and hard-to-access Haut Mbomou region.
Bordering South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the region – which is larger than Switzerland – has been a hotspot of conflict due to its strategic importance and limited accessibility.
“Within a very short time, working closely with national and local authorities, local communities and humanitarian partners, the mission is making tangible and transformative progress on the security, humanitarian and peacebuilding fronts in Haut Mbomou,” she said.
The expansion MINUSCA’s footprint there also paved the way for the extension of civilian authorities and CAR security forces through the ongoing rehabilitation of the Bangassou-Obo-Bambouti axis.
Sudan: UN food convoy attacked, supplies looted amid worsening crisis
Unidentified armed men in Sudan on Sunday attacked UN World Food Programme (WFP) trucks carrying food assistance meant for thousands of civilians in need in central Darfur, the agency reported.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the top UN humanitarian official for Sudan expressed “outrage” at the incident.
“The aid looted from a WFP convoy in Central Darfur will no longer go to the most vulnerable people in need,” she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
In a separate post, WFP called on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable, stressing that “the safe delivery of supplies must be guaranteed by all.”
Alarming situation
The attack comes against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian crisis, driven by the ongoing war in Sudan between rival militaries that has left the country teetering on the brink of famine.
More than half of the population, around 26 million people, are staring at “crisis levels” of hunger and almost 9.4 million people have been driven from their homes, including about 1.9 million into neighbouring countries.
The situation is particularly concerning in the Darfur region, which has seen intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to UN humanitarians, the lives of 800,000 people “are hanging in the balance” as fighting rages...
Haiti: Violence displaces one child every minute, reports UNICEF
Continued violence and instability in Haiti has resulted in the displacement of over 300,000 children, with an estimated one child being displaced every minute since March, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, highlighted the horrific impact of violence on children and adolescents.
“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is taking a devastating toll on children. Displaced children are in desperate need of a safe and protective environment, and increased support and funding from the international community,” she said.
Across the country, an estimated three million children are in need of humanitarian assistance, against a backdrop of years of political turmoil, widespread poverty, rampant disease and multiple disasters.
Facing heightened risks
Displaced children in Haiti face heightened risks of violence, including sexual assault, exploitation, abuse and family separation. Their access to essential services such as safe spaces, healthcare, and clean water and sanitation is severely disrupted.
UN pushes for inclusive future in Afghanistan at Doha talks
UN-led efforts to nudge Afghanistan towards a more peaceful and inclusive future with a more equal role for women and girls continued Monday at international talks, which for the first time included the Taliban de facto authorities. Speaking in the Qatari capital, Doha, after the Third Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan, UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo expressed deep concern over the situation of women and girls in the country.
“Running through all the discussions was the deep international concern – from special envoys and from me – about the ongoing and serious restrictions on women and girls,” she stated.
“Afghanistan cannot return to the international fold, or fully develop economically and socially, if it is deprived of the contributions and potential of half its population,” asserted Ms. DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
The consultations follow talks in May 2023 and February 2024. They build upon the proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, in line with Security Council resolution 2679.
Focused discussions with Afghan women and civil society are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
Civil society’s ‘rightful role’ Ms. DiCarlo further stressed that the concerns and views of Afghan women...
Hurricane Beryl caused destructive winds and heavy rainfall across multiple Caribbean islands on Monday, marking the earliest Category 4 storm on record as it moved westward. Carriacou Island in Grenada faced a direct hit from the storm’s extremely dangerous eyewall, with sustained winds exceeding 150 miles (240 kilometers) per hour, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The neighboring islands, such as Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also encountered catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surges, according to the NHC. Videos captured in St. George’s, Grenada, depicted intense rainfalls and trees swaying in the strong gusts.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada shared a video on Facebook, showcasing large waves while mentioning the state’s exposure to intense winds and damage.
The NHC emphasized the severity of the situation, advising residents to remain in their shelters and stay put during these perilous conditions. Experts have highlighted the rarity of observing such a powerful storm developing this early in the Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from early June to late November.
This represents the first June hurricane to
achieve Category 4 status since the beginning of NHC records.
Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry shared on social media that only five major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher have been recorded in the Atlantic before the first week of July.
Although Barbados appeared to have escaped the worst impact of the storm, it still encountered strong winds and heavy rainfall, with no reported injuries thus far.
The island’s meteorological agency downgraded the hurricane warning to a wind advisory until 6:00 pm local time (2200 GMT) on Monday.
Minister of Home Affairs and Information
Wilfred Abrahams mentioned in an online video that Barbados seemed to have avoided significant damage, but cautioned about expected gusts and storm-force winds. The hurricane warning was also lifted in Tobago, the smaller of the two islands comprising Trinidad and Tobago. The storm led to Monday school closures on several islands, and a scheduled Caricom meeting in Grenada was postponed. Beryl is projected to sustain its strength as a “powerful hurricane” while moving westward, prompting tropical storm warnings or watches in Jamaica and parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The NHC advised the Cayman Islands and areas on the Yucatan Peninsula to monitor the storm’s progress closely.
Beryl became the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season on Saturday, rapidly escalating to Category 4. A storm of Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale is considered a major hurricane, with Category 4 storms featuring sustained winds of at least 130 miles per hour (209 kilometers per hour).
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an “extraordinary” hurricane season this year, foreseeing up to seven Category 3 or higher storms, citing warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures and La Nina conditions in the Pacific as contributing factors. Climate change has caused a surge in extreme weather occurrences, including hurricanes, which have become more frequent and intense in recent times.
Jamaica - PM Holness Urges a State-of-Readiness for Hurricane Beryl
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew
is urging Jamaicans to be in a high state-of-readiness and preparedness for the passage of Hurricane Beryl. The country was placed under a hurricane watch at 10:00 a.m. on Monday (July 1).
“We have an impending disaster and we
have to treat it with the seriousness that it requires. We will have some adverse weather impacts, whether it is a direct hit or a glancing blow… and therefore everyone needs to be now in a mental state of readiness.
“It is easier, in my mind, to stand up for preparedness when you are already up than to try and be prepared when you are knocked down. So, let’s get ourselves in this mindset of preparedness,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
He was addressing a briefing with agencies responsible for disaster preparedness, and members of the Cabinet, at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1).
Prime Minister Holness said the briefing will assist in determining at what point the Disaster Risk Management Act will need to be effected.
“We do have an established framework to treat with emergencies and disasters. So even if something were to happen without notice, there is still a kind of legal framework that we have to abide by, even with limited notice; the framework is the Disaster Risk Management Act,” he informed. The Act is comprehensive and deals with
almost all conceivable forms of disasters that could strike Jamaica.
“We use the Act… quite effectively. It gives effective powers to the Government to control movement and to give other orders for the safety and protection of the citizens,” the Prime Minister further indicated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Holness assured that resources are available to treat with the impact of the storm.
“Resources are always a challenge. But I think we are in a better state now than before, certainly in terms of fiscal buffers and insurance, in terms of policies and various plans that we have invested in for our preparedness for these kinds of events,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also encouraged Jamaicans to get their information on developments related to Hurricane Beryl from credible sources.
He advised that the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) will be the official source of information, supported by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
Mr. Holness urged persons to remain
calm and follow the advice of the relevant agencies regarding their safety during and after the storm.
“We should take precaution. We should take this seriously, but we should not panic,” he maintained.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in his remarks, said all the island’s shelters have been placed on standby and shelter managers are in place for the facilities.
Director of the Meteorological Service Branch, Evan Thompson, advised that there will be continued fluctuations in the strength of the extremely dangerous Hurricane Beryl, as it moves closer to Jamaica. Other entities represented at the meeting were the National Works Agency (NWA), National Water Commission (NWC), Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), and ODPEM. (JIS)
Holness,
Haiti – Prime Minister on Visit to U.S. For Talks With White House
Haiti’s new leader, Prime Minister Garry Conille, arrived in the United States on Saturday for a visit that includes meetings with international financial institutions and a White House official. This trip, which also involves other Haitian officials, comes just days after Kenyan police finally arrived in Haiti on a long-awaited mission to help stabilize the violence-ravaged Caribbean nation. Conille, leading the country’s transitional government, is set to meet with Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer on Monday, according to a National Security Council spokesperson. In addition to this meeting, Conille and his delegation, which includes his economic and foreign ministers, will hold “important working meetings” with the heads of international financial institutions.
The delegation will also visit Haiti’s
embassy in Washington and travel to New York, as stated by Conille’s office.
Haiti has long struggled with gang violence, but conditions sharply deteriorated at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, aiming to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry. In early March, Henry announced his resignation and handed over executive power to a transitional council, which named Conille as the interim prime minister on May 29.
The violence in Port-au-Prince has severely impacted food security and humanitarian aid access, with much of the city under the control of gangs accused of murder, rape, looting, and kidnappings.
The arrival of the multinational Kenyan force, approved last year by the UN
Security Council, had been delayed for months due to deployment challenges in Kenyan courts. The first police officers finally arrived in Haiti on Tuesday.
Rep. Yvette Clarke Celebrates TPS Renewal For Haitians
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of the extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months:
“The Administration’s action to redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians residing in our nation could not come at a more pivotal moment. For years, our cherished Caribbean ally has remained in the grips of
a devastating and destructive series of political, economic, and violent crises. It would be unconscionable for the United States to have returned innocent families to the dire and dangerous situation that Haiti is currently confronting. Thankfully, today’s decision will provide an estimated 309,000 Haitian nationals the safety and security they deserve while their country works to overcome its ongoing struggles. I am grateful to Secretary Mayorkas for both his dedication to protecting vul-
nerable communities from tragic human rights abuses, and his devotion to upholding our foundational principle that this nation must remain a sanctuary for those seeking relief and refuge from persecution. The United States owes a debt to Haiti – and this necessary decision represents but one step in the long road to repaying it.“
Toronto – 14-Year-Old Arrested in Killing of Two Jamaican Fathers
A 14-year-old boy is in custody with Toronto police, facing serious charges, including two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. These charges stem from a June 2 shooting in the parking lot of North Albion Collegiate Institute in northwest Toronto, Canada, which resulted in the deaths of two Jamaican men.
The violence erupted late at night as nine men, who had just played a football game, gathered in the parking lot. Among them were Delroy “George” Parkes, 61, and Seymour “Tappa” Gibbs, 46, both from St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. Gunfire broke the camaraderie, and
Parkes died shortly after being taken to the hospital. Gibbs succumbed to his injuries three days later.
Toronto Police launched a thorough investigation into what they called a random shooting. A breakthrough came on June 3, after a separate incident involving a stolen vehicle in the same area. After a brief foot chase, police arrested the young driver of the stolen vehicle, identifying him as a suspect from the shooting.
The teenager appeared in court earlier this week, connected to these tragic events.
Washington has pledged generous funding for the UN-backed mission but has ruled out sending American troops.
Guyana - Ex-Pats Returning Due to Oil Boom Riches
Bloomberg - Like 80% of Guyana’s college graduates, Richard Singh had left the tiny South American nation for better job prospects abroad. Then, in a surprising turn of events, he realized he could make more money back home.
“It’s happening, and it’s pretty seismic,” his old high school friend Jason Singh, no relation, told him as Exxon Mobil Corp. began producing its first barrels of oil in 2019. Richard, who was working in venture capital in New York City, moved back in 2022.
The pair set up a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain, called Mezze, opening their first location in June 2022. They now have six, mostly in new shopping malls that are springing up around Georgetown, Guyana’s capital city. The average ticket price is about $14 — only slightly lower than similar chains in the U.S. — in a country where nearly half the population survived on less than $5.50 per day
as recently as 2019.
“This wouldn’t have been possible 10 years ago,” Singh said in an interview in Georgetown. “The spending power is different.”
Returning expatriates like Singh are emerging as one of the early beneficiaries of Guyana’s oil boom, which is calling back some of the country’s nearly 40% who moved overseas. Their entrepreneurial ventures will play a key role in determining whether the world’s newest petrostate can grow into a diversified economy. It will take years, if not decades, to know the answer. But what’s clear now is that money is flowing. And expatriates, armed with capital, skills and local knowledge, are well placed to take advantage.
From 2016 to 2023, Guyana saw net migration of 122,000 people — a significant figure for a country with a population of 780,000, about the same as North Dakota.
Dwayne Cummings, 35, spent a decade in the U.S. and went to college in Miami but returned to Guyana in 2015 full time to help his family’s food business as Exxon was preparing to drill the Liza well that transformed the country’s fortunes. He acquired local franchises for Burger King and Thai Express and plans to add Papa Johns later this year. Sales are up 40% yearover-year and Cummings expects 25% annual growth for the next four years.
“It’s tangible that you see a trickle down,” he said. “Guyana is a unicorn to say the least right now.”
Guyana was the world’s fastest-growing economy in 2022 and expanded a further 33% last year, almost exclusively due to oil. The country is on track to pump more crude per person than Saudi Arabia or Kuwait by 2027. President Irfaan Ali plans to use oil revenues — expected to rise 50% to $2.4 billion this year — to
create jobs now, and to ultimately diversify the economy.
Construction is leading the way. Guyana is building 12 hospitals, at least half a dozen hotels, a bauxite mine, several highways and a road to Brazil that will include 45 bridges.
“Infrastructure is going to be nuts, it’s already nuts,” said Rowena Rambaran, who returned to Guyana from Miami when Exxon began producing oil in 2019. “I don’t know how Guyana is going to be able to keep up with this boom. Things are happening so fast.”
In Georgetown, trucks carrying construction materials clog up its single lane road to the airport well before dawn. High-rise cranes dominate its palm-tree lined skyline, and black-limo motorcades whisk oil executives to new glass-panel office blocks that now tower over fading colonial-era buildings. Land prices have quadrupled in some areas since 2019.
Rambaran set up a logistics firm to procure cranes, trucks and lighting for international construction and engineering companies, some of whom work for Exxon. Her extensive network of family and business contacts gives her an edge over newcomers from overseas.
“You know somebody who knows somebody to get stuff done,” she said.
With next to no private equity or venture capital, entrepreneurs in Guyana rely on local banks, who tend to lend only to those with hard collateral like a building or established revenue streams. This favors expats over locals starting a business from scratch.
One local bank conducted a detailed tour of Mezze’s facilities as part of a $300,000 loan application that took more than a month, Singh said. By contrast, he recently got approved for a $100,000 small business loan in the U.S. in less than 15 minutes.
“Whoever has access to cash wins,” Singh said. Like many oil-led booms, Guyana is showing signs of strain. Skilled labor is in short supply and many say inflation is much higher than the government’s official measure. Teachers have been on strike for eight weeks this year demanding back-pay increases of as much as 25%.
All the entrepreneurs interviewed said they’re hiring every week. Cummings raised wages for his 120 restaurant employees by 30% over the past two years to $450 a month. “You have competing factors — government jobs, construction jobs, health care jobs,” he said. “People jump from one food brand to another, and then back again.”
Private-sector employees must now step up to the higher demands of a fast-moving economy or face competition from overseas, said Kishore Angard, Chief Executive Officer of Beharry Automotive Ltd., the country’s official Toyota distributor.
“The economy is moving so fast they risk being left behind,” said Angard, who came to Guyana in 2022 from Trinidad & Tobago. “We’ll import people if we have to.”
Most Guyanese have been through enough economic hardship over the years to realize that the oil boom may not last. But for now, Guyana’s growth is such that there’s money to be made, according to Singh.
“There’s always that chance the operators go out to the bars a little too much and the projects don’t get done,” Singh said. The country’s compound annual growth rate “is so high it will save you if a couple of investments fall out,” he said. “We’re in the very early stages.”
Guyana - Signs Security Agreement with France
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, recently visited France as part of the bilateral relations between the two countries. During this engagement, Brigadier Khan signed a security agreement with his French counterpart aimed at enhancing military cooperation. The agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to work closely on regional defence and security matters. In addition to this pivotal agreement, Brigadier Khan held high-level meetings with the Chief of Defence Staff of the French Armed Forces Army General Thierry
Burkhard and the Director of Foreign Relations and Strategy in the Ministry of Defence Major General Patrik Steiger. These discussions focused on strategic partnerships, collaborative defense initiatives, and shared security goals. France continues to be an important
strategic partner, and this visit marks a significant step in bolstering the existing partnership.
T&T -Two Students to Represent at U.S. Youth Science Camp
Two (2) local students have been selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp). The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago announced that Dominique Henry and Reginald Mohammed were selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the 2024 NYSCamp. Every year the U.S. embassy and the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) accept applications from forth to sixth form students between the ages of 16-18 years old for a scholarship to attend the NYSCamp in West Virginia, USA.
Now in its 61st year, the NYSCamp is a residential Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programme in the eastern mountains of West Virginia designed
to honour and challenge some of the world’s rising STEM leaders, provide them with opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities.
Support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (https://eca.state.gov/) of the U.S. State Department allows Dominique Henry and Reginald Mohammed to attend the NYSCamp programme free of charge.
Dominique Henry, a student at Bishop’s High School in Tobago, is actively involved in numerous extracurricular activities. These include Christmas charity drives, the Interact Club of Southwest Tobago, and a youth business summer program. She has designed websites and tutored her peers. Dominique is also a member of her school’s tourism, art, and animation
clubs and previously participated in the archery club.
According to a press release from NIHERST,
Dominique is excited to experience next-generation technology and learn from innovators in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), as well as explore new cultures.
Reginald Mohammed, a student at Naparima College, has a strong background in environmental preservation and sustainability essay competitions. He has earned certificates of distinction in various math olympiads and received a bronze award in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. Reginald is an active member of his school’s science club, literary and debating society, IT club, and Indian cultural club.
He is eager to engage in hands-on experiments and cutting-edge learning at the camp.
Barbados - PM Mottley Praises Rum Industry For Collaboration
Prime Minister Mia Mottley recently praised the Caribbean rum industry for its exemplary regional cooperation and significant economic benefits, underscoring its global excellence. She
said, “The expansion of rum production in the Caribbean exemplifies how regional collaboration with a shared goal can benefit everyone.”
During a joint event where Mount Gay Distilleries and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery unveiled two special rum editions to commemorate CARICOM’s 50th anniversary, Mottley emphasized the industry’s role in showcasing Caribbean talent on the global stage, comparing its excellence to that of cricket. Mottley also noted the industry’s strides toward gender equality, particularly in traditionally male-dominated roles like master distillers.
Reflecting on CARICOM’s 50-year journey, she said, “Being here 50 years after Errol Barrow signed the treaty establishing the community is a testament to our commitment and our vision that we can achieve more together than individually.”
She welcomed international investment in the
rum industry, calling it “a positive development” that has helped create global brands. She stressed the importance of maintaining high production quality and volume to sustain economic growth.
The event featured the presentation of two commemorative rum editions celebrating CARICOM’s economic and cooperative achievements.
Antoine Couvreur, managing director of Mount Gay Distilleries, highlighted his company’s historical significance: “Mount Gay has been pivotal in shaping Barbados’ national and global identity in the spirits industry since 1703, marking the island as the birthplace of rum over 320 years ago.”
He added, “It is a privilege for us to honor CARICOM’s heritage, established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973, with this limited edition 50th anniversary label of the Mount
Gay Black Barrel Cask Strength expression.” He introduced a limited edition 50th Anniversary label of Mount Gay Black Barrel Cask Strength, describing it as “our toast to people across the region, working side by side to create a dynamic future.”
Andrew Hassell, managing director at Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery, acknowledged CARICOM’s crucial role in the development and protection of Caribbean rum. He called for ongoing support, stating, “The rum sector will need CARICOM’s continued focus and support in developing and protecting the CARICOM rum industry.”
Hassell dedicated their Planteray Legacy 120 rum to three influential figures in Barbadian rum-making: Henderson ‘Digger’ Skinner, Mark Walker, and John Kinch.
NY – Ex-President of Honduras Gets 45 years on Drug Charges
The former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, 55, also known as JOH, was sentenced today to 540 months in prison and 60 months of supervised release for cocaine importation and related weapons offenses. The former two-term president was in office until weeks before his extradition to the United States in April 2022. Hernández was convicted on March 8 following a three-week jury trial.
“As President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández abused his power to support one of the largest and most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world, and the people of Honduras and the United States bore the consequences,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Thanks to the diligent work of the Justice Department’s agents and prosecutors, Hernández will now spend more than four decades in prison. The Justice Department will hold accountable all those who engage in violent drug trafficking, regardless of how powerful they are or what position they hold.”
“The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is relentlessly focused on dismantling drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández financed his political career with drug trafficking profits and abused his authority as President of Honduras to traffic hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States. Let me be clear, political actors who use their power to traffic in drugs and corruption will be brought to justice in the United States.”
“As the former two-term president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández had every opportunity to affect positive change for his country,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “Instead, Hernández helped to facilitate the importation of an almost
unfathomable 400 tons of cocaine to this country: billions of individual doses sent to the United States with the protection and support of the former president of Honduras. Now, after years of destructive narco-trafficking of the highest imaginable magnitude, Hernández will spend 45 years where he belongs: in federal prison.”
According to court documents, from at least in or about 2004, up to and including in or about 2022, Hernández, the former two-term president of Honduras and former president of the Honduran National Congress, was at the center of one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world. During his political career, Hernández abused his powerful positions and authority in Honduras to facilitate the importation of over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S. Hernández’s co-conspirators were armed with machine guns and destructive devices, including AK-47s, AR-15s, and grenade launchers, which they used to protect their massive cocaine loads as they transited across Honduras on their way to the United States, protect the money they made from the eventual sale of this cocaine, and guard their drug-trafficking territory from rivals. Hernández received millions of dollars of drug money from some of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking organizations in Honduras, Mexico, and elsewhere, and used those bribes to fuel his rise in Honduran politics. In turn, as Hernández rose to power in Honduras, he provided increased support and protection for his co-conspirators, allowing them to move mountains of cocaine, commit acts of violence and murder, and help turn Honduras into one of the most dangerous countries in the world. During his time in office, Hernández publicly promoted legislation and the efforts he purported to undertake in support of anti-narcotics measures in
Honduras. At the same time, he protected and enriched the drug traffickers in his inner circle and those who provided him with cocaine-fueled bribes that allowed him to obtain and stay in power in Honduras. For example, Hernández selectively upheld extraditions by supporting and taking credit for extraditions to the United States of certain drug traffickers who threatened his grip on power, while at the same time promising drug traffickers who bribed him and followed his instructions that they would remain safe in Honduras. In addition, Hernández and his co-conspirators abused Honduran institutions, including the Honduran National Police and Honduran military, to protect and grow their conspiracy. Among other things, members of the conspiracy used heavily armed Honduran National Police officers to protect their cocaine loads as they transited through Honduras towards the United States for eventual distribution. Members of the conspiracy also turned to violence and murder to protect and grow their drug trafficking enterprise, attacking and murdering rival traffickers and those who threatened their grip on the Honduran cocaine trade. Several of Hernández’s co-conspirators
have already been convicted and sentenced in connection with this investigation. Among others, Hernández’s brother, Juan Antonio Hernández Alvarado, also known as Tony Hernández, was convicted after trial in October 2019 and sentenced to life in prison, and Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez, a violent cocaine trafficker who met with Hernández on multiple occasions to discuss their drug trafficking partnership, was convicted after trial in March 2021 and sentenced to life in prison. Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, also known as El Tigre, the former chief of the Honduran National Police, pleaded guilty to his participation in the cocaine importation conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 1, and Mauricio Hernández Pineda, a former member of the Honduran National Police and Hernández’s cousin, pleaded guilty to his participation in the cocaine importation conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2.
In total, Hernández and his co-conspirators trafficked more than 400 tons of U.S.-bound cocaine through Honduras during Hernández’s tenure in the Honduran government. This amounts to well over approximately 4.5 billion individual doses of cocaine.
The DEA investigated the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing Hernández’s arrest and extradition.
Trial Attorneys Andrea Broach and Jessica Fender of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob H. Gutwillig, David J. Robles, Elinor L. Tarlow, and Kyle A. Wirshba for the Southern District of New York prosecuted the case. (USDOJ)
Jamaica - Lawyer Pleads for Respect for Rastas
Attorney-at-law Marcus Goffe has voiced his frustration over the ongoing harassment and convictions faced by members of the Rastafari community in Trinidad and Tobago, who cultivate ganja for sacramental purposes. Despite the 2015 amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act granting the group the right to use ganja as a sacrament, Goffe argues that law enforcement continues to target Rastafarians. Goffe emphasized the need to stop this harassment, pointing out that the amendment explicitly recognized Rastafari ganja
rights. He highlighted the discrepancy between the law and its implementation, calling for a clearer and more expansive interpretation.
“There seems to be some confusion in interpreting the law. It needs to be clarified and implemented properly,” Goffe stated. He suggested a re-education plan for government agents to ensure they understand and respect the Rastafarians’ exemption under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
A recent case illustrating this issue involved Goffe’s client, Nickoy Morgan (Ras
The Bahamas – US Yogi Missing, Mom Heads to Country For Answers
The mother of a Chicago woman who disappeared during a yoga retreat in the Bahamas traveled to the Caribbean country on Wednesday, seeking answers and revealing a perplexing new detail in her daughter’s case.
Colette Seymore, the concerned mother of Taylor Casey, shared that her daughter’s phone was found at the bottom of the ocean. This puzzling discovery has added to the confusion surrounding Casey’s disappearance, prompting Seymore to travel in person to assist in the search and gather information.
Taylor Casey, 41, was last seen on Wednesday, June 19, at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island, Bahamas. Seymore’s concern intensified after receiving a call from a young woman at the retreat inquiring about Casey’s whereabouts, and who advised that she did not show up for classes.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force reported that Casey was last seen on Wednesday evening. The yoga retreat center confirmed she missed Thursday morning classes, promptly notifying
Jabali Seba), who was arrested and charged for possession of approximately two pounds of ganja found in his ‘sacramental space’ at House of Seba in Salt Marsh, Trelawny. This incident occurred just after the Rastafari Mansion and Organisation (RMO) hosted a community gathering at the same location.
“The police cannot decide that a shop is not a Rastafari space because it sells other items. Using the sale of other products to prosecute someone for selling ganja, which they are allowed to use as a sacrament, is unfair,” Goffe explained. He believes this constitutes a violation of his client’s religious freedom and amounts to blatant discrimination.
Goffe also criticized the refusal of security forces to recognize Rastafarian ‘mansions’ as places of worship, noting that the current law to register places of worship often applies a Christian context that doesn’t accommodate traditional Rastafarian gathering places.
Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Justice were unsuccessful, as the ministry’s legal officer was unavailable. Under the current law, anyone in possession of eight or more ounces of ganja is presumed to be dealing in ganja. This presumption, along with the nature of
ganja packaging and cash exchanges, complicates interactions between Rastafarians and law enforcement. The lack of clear definitions for Rastafarian practices and sacramental use of ganja further exacerbates these issues.
Years ago, the Ministry of Justice attempted to create a registry of sacramental sites — known as Rastafarian mansions — where Rastafarians could use ganja in their rituals. However, this initiative faced significant challenges, including raids on these sites, which led to increased mistrust between the Rastafarian community and the authorities.
Goffe remains critical of the authorities’ handling of these situations, asserting that places like House of Seba are clearly Rastafari spaces and should be recognized and respected as such.
The ongoing frustrations reflect broader challenges within the local cannabis industry, which has struggled to fulfill its potential as a major job-generator and income-earner. The lack of a clear, longterm strategy from the government has left many, including Goffe, feeling disappointed and frustrated with the industry’s current state.
her family, local authorities, and the US Embassy in the Bahamas.
Seymore last communicated with her daughter on Tuesday when Casey sent photos of herself swimming at the beach. The retreat center confirmed that Casey attended classes on Wednesday evening. Emily Williams, a close friend of Casey, is also traveling to the Bahamas to assist with the case. She expressed frustration over the limited updates they have received, telling ABC News, “We want to make sure that they are taking this case as seriously as we are taking it. And we know that we need to be there face to face so that we can get all the information that we need and advocate fully for Taylor.”
Casey, a dedicated yoga practitioner for 15 years, was attending the retreat to deepen her studies. Her family said she was eager to return to Chicago and share her new knowledge with her community. The Royal Bahamas Police Force informed ABC that they met with the family on Wednesday.
“We need to know where Taylor is,” Williams told CBS. “We need to know what happened, and we need the full story.”
In January 2024, the US Embassy in Nassau issued an advisory to US citizens visiting the country to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of year. Apparently, murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets, and retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders.
The Conservative Right and the New Jim Crow
by By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper
Most African Americans know that the term “Jim Crow” represented the personification of segregation in America following Reconstruction as a means of reuniting a post Civil War America. The Jim Crow segregation laws represented the American version of the “separate but equal” doctrine of the then U.S. Supreme Court’s response to Plessy vs. Ferguson Decision which created “separate but equal” for the races in America.
The Conservative Right, which is manifesting itself in election officials of the Republican Party and now the United States Supreme Court itself, would seek to roll back all social gains made since the Brown Decision of 1954, which in effect reversed the “separate but equal” Jim Crow doctrine
which was further outlawed with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965. This law and the Voting Rights Act gave new meaning to the “Equal Protection Clause” of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
What we see today in the halls of the United States Congress is a Conservative Right Republican movement that no longer honors the Constitution nor the Oath of Office these people took when they were sworn into office.
What we see at all levels of State government where members of this Conservative Right hold office or positions of influence, is an effort to either reverse, abolish or gut any laws or public policies that appear to speak to the rights of individuals who are
not a part of the Conservative Right. These changes, if successful, will ultimately lead to the restoration of “Jim Crow” living conditions, especially for people of color and anyone who appears to have rights that are in conflict with the Conservative Right. Such a government will eliminate the concept of “due process.” These actions will lead us closer to the goals of Project 2025, which is the Blueprint for the next conservative President of the United States.
What can those of us who see what is coming and disagree with the new order the Conservative Right has in mind, do? We can vote like never before. We can register in such numbers and wait in such long lines and vote by mail and early bal-
lot, that the ground swell of our numbers will out vote the Conservative Right and perhaps even vote some, if not most, of them out of office.
We can make sure that we get Jury Duty for the trials of those Fake Electorates and that we watch very closely the selection of people for the Electoral College in all States. We can treat every state as a battleground state and make no assumptions. We can remember what Thomas Jefferson spoke when he said, “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Freedom.”
Where do you stand?
A Deluge of Deceit Highlighted The 2024 Presidential Debate
by Stacy M. Brown
Forget alternative facts and political spin: the first presidential debate of 2024 was an overwhelming flood of falsehoods. The twice-impeached and 34-times convicted felon and former President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of misinformation on topics ranging from terrorism to taxes during the first debate of the 2024 general election. Poorly moderated to the point of farce by two CNN anchors, the debate will likely go down in history for the sheer volume of lies broadcast to the American people.
Trump, who boasted that he could grab women by their private parts and later was found responsible for sexually assaulting a woman, lied about everything from the economy to racism and having sex with an adult film star.
“I spent 90 minutes debating on a stage with a guy who has all the morals of an alley cat. I mean, did you see Donald Trump last night? He must have set a new record for the number of lies ever told in a single debate,” President Joe Biden said after the June 27 debate.
“He lied about what a great economy he created when we all remember the pandemic. He lied about how great he was for veterans when we can recall how he called veterans who had given their lives for this country ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’ And he even lied about how he had nothing to do with January 6,” Biden asserted.
The president reminded debate viewers that they had all witnessed a Trump-supporting mob attack the U.S. Capitol, including assaults on police officers. “The Capitol was ransacked,” Biden asserted.
“Folks, for all of Trump’s lies, we did learn some important truths. We learned he is still proud of being the person who killed Roe v. Wade. Donald Trump showed us who he is last night. We have to believe him.”
Although Biden received poor marks and criticism for his performance, backlash against Trump also proved swift and severe. Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker, Chair of the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council, Army veteran Terron Sims II, Chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, and Air Force veteran Sean Monteiro called out Trump for his long record of disrespecting Americans in uniform. They highlighted his past comments, referring to those killed in service as “suckers” and “losers.” They criticized his efforts with MAGA GOP extremists to cut veterans’ benefits, which would have a significant impact on the Hampton Roads area — home to nearly 120,000 active-duty military members and 220,000 veterans.
“Donald Trump’s record, rhetoric, and actions have all proved that he is against everything that our military stands for and works to protect,” Swecker stated. “There is
only one man on the ballot in November who has stood up for veterans time and again. That man is Joe Biden, a father who knows what it feels like to have a son fighting for his country, and a president who has delivered the most significant expansion of benefits and services for veterans.”
“President Biden and Democrats are working to protect freedom and defend democracy, standing up against aggression abroad and hate at home,” said Sean Monteiro. “Donald Trump only cares about himself – and, with the backing of his MAGA Republican allies, he’s willing to insult service members and destroy the very ideals of democracy in his own pursuit of personal power, revenge, and retribution. We have to defeat Trump and MAGA Republicans once and for all — so he doesn’t have a chance to do any more damage to our democracy and our values as a country.”
The litany of key questions Trump refused to answer on the debate stage further highlighted his evasion and dishonesty. Instead, Trump deflected, blamed others, and continued his pattern of misinformation. He also made racially charged claims about immigrants taking jobs from Black and Hispanic Americans. “They’re taking Black jobs now, and it could be 18, it could be 19, and even 20 million people,” Trump said, showing just how racist he can be. “They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re
taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.” Derrick Johnson, CEO of the NAACP, responded succinctly, “There’s no such thing as a Black job or a white job.”
The debate has revealed the stark choice facing American voters. On one side is Biden, 81, who has spent four years cleaning up his predecessor’s misdeeds. Biden has worked tirelessly to rebuild the economy, navigate the country through a devastating pandemic, and restore America’s global reputation. He has fought for healthcare, veterans’ rights, and the middle class, as well as relieving tens of millions of dollars of student debt.
On the other side stands Trump, 78, whose presidency nearly decimated the economy, whose inaction during the pandemic allowed countless people to die, who spews hate, racism, and violent rhetoric, and who all but ruined America’s standing in the world.
“For over a century, the NAACP has worked tirelessly to ensure Black voices are heard in every election,” Johnson stated.
“This year is no different.
We need candidates who are going to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, not attempt to mischaracterize Black workers as anything but American workers.”
CARIBOPINION
60th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act: Reflecting on Progress and Persistent Challenges
As the United States commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the nation reflects on a transformative law that reshaped American society by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The landmark legislation emerged from a period of intense struggle and demand for the fulfillment of the 14th Amendment’s promise of “equal protection of the laws.”
Due to widespread opposition to desegregation and the assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, President John F. Kennedy urged Congress to pass a comprehensive civil rights bill in June 1963. After Kennedy’s death, President Lyndon B. Johnson, with crucial support from civil rights leaders Roy Wilkins and Clarence Mitchell, championed the bill’s passage.
On July 2, 1964, Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law prohibited discrimination in hiring, promoting, and firing, extending these protections to public accommodations and federally funded programs. It also strengthened the enforcement of voting rights and mandated the desegregation of schools.
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the nation’s benchmark civil rights legislation, and it continues to resonate in America,” said Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. The Act dismantled “Jim Crow” laws upheld by
the 1896 Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, which had deemed racial segregation constitutional under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
The Act’s impact has been profound and far-reaching. “It propelled a movement that was able to make major civil rights gains,” stated Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. “It has not only changed the arc for Black people. It has changed the arc for women and for other people of color in a profound way.”
Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, highlighted the tangible benefits of the Act, particularly in healthcare and education. “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 added years, literally about three to four years, onto the life expectancy of Black people when healthcare had to open its once-segregated doors,” Wiley explained. The Act also significantly reduced segregation in Southern schools, benefiting both Black and white students.
Despite these advancements, the 60th anniversary comes amid concerns over recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings perceived as eroding civil rights protections, including affirmative action, legalized abortion, and diversity initiatives. Critics argue that the Court’s favorable ruling in former President Donald Trump’s immunity case further threatens American democracy. The ruling,
by Stacy M. Brown
which rejected Trump’s sweeping immunity claim but maintained protections for actions tied to presidential duties, has sparked intense debate about the boundaries of presidential power and accountability.
“Securing our civil rights remains the unfinished fight of our time,” President Joe Biden said in a proclamation commemorating the anniversary. “Our country is still facing attacks on some of our most fundamental civil liberties and rights, including the right to vote and have that vote counted and the right to live free from the threat of violence, hate, and discrimination. That is why my administration is remaining vigilant—fighting actively to protect the rights of every American.”
Biden emphasized his commitment to reversing the legacy of segregation and creating new opportunities for all Americans. “My administration is investing more money than ever in Black families and Black communities,” Biden asserted. “We are reconnecting historic business districts and neighborhoods cut off by old highways, redlining, and decades of discrimination and disinvestment. We have invested over $16 billion in historically Black colleges and universities, which will help raise the next generation of Black leaders. At the same time, we are creating good-paying jobs on which people can raise a family; making capital and loans for starting small business-
es and buying homes more accessible; and making health insurance and prescription drugs more affordable.”
In popular memory, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was seen as a legislative response to the demands of the March on Washington. “Sixty years later, we must be honest: the federal minimum wage, indexed for inflation, is lower than it was in 1964,” said Rev. William Barber, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign. “What’s more, because the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in its 2013 Shelby decision and Congress has failed to remedy it, we have less voting rights protections today than we did on August 6, 1965.” Barber continued, “The celebration of historic wins alongside this egregious decay is a source of discontent among everyday Americans. But we have no time for despair. We are determined to channel discontent for a resurrection rather than an insurrection.”
From Planting Trees to Cruising in an EV, Combatting Climate Change is an American Duty
Independence Day at its best is a call to action to leave our children an America as good as its promise.
This time of year makes me think about my family’s journey in this country. My father’s family is white. He descends from the youngest combatant at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. My mother’s family is Black. She descends from two Black Virginia statesmen who helped to rebuild the Commonwealth after the Civil War. One of them descended from Thomas Jefferson’s grandmother.
Today, both families, like many Americans, live at or near some version of the same address. It is that place where there used to be factories and when they shut down, what shot up was poverty, despair, suicide and opiate addiction. And as if all that were not enough to deal with, it keeps getting hotter. The floods come more often. The super storms do as well. If there is a silver lining in all this struggle, it is this: There is one solution that can tackle all these problems, and that is throwing everything we’ve got at stopping the climate crisis. If we do that, we will turn around the economy, our neighbors’ lives and the fate of the planet itself. The next five years will define who leads
the world economy, us or China. Our leadership in innovation and design allowed us to take an early lead in the areas of electric vehicles (EVs) and other green technologies. But China leads in manufacturing. Today they dominate solar panel production and have overtaken the U.S. on EVs as well. Still, we have not given up the fight, despite calls from Fox News and others for us to do just that.
Georgia is home to the largest solar panel production facility in the Western Hemisphere. The same company that owns that plant, Qcells, is about to open another one in Georgia that will be the only plant outside of China producing every component of the panel, from ingot to finished product.
Tennessee, North Carolina and other southern states have a battery belt. EVs are rolling off the assembly lines in Detroit and elsewhere. Illinois has very recently become home to a boom in production of both EVs and EV components. In short, because of the green economy America has helped the world give birth to, and the investments in manufacturing and infrastructure made under President Joe Biden, we are opening new factories with increasing frequency and beginning to see
by Ben Jealous
the signs of an economy that will lift all boats again. This means thousands upon thousands of good jobs coast to coast. It has been revolutionary in places like Dalton, Georgia, the location of Qcells’ existing plant. There, a wall is decorated with the artwork of employees’ children showing their parents as heroes saving the planet.
The other part of the equation to save the planet requires us to protect and rebuild our forests. Expanding wild areas and protecting nature brings more jobs to rural America and helps preserve ancient ways of hunting, fishing and connecting with the natural world.
The benefits of protecting and planting more trees are not just for rural areas. Restoring our urban tree canopies is one of the most effective things we can do to combat the urban heat crisis in cities across the country. Recently I have been out visiting cities around the country, from Phoenix, Arizona to Lansing, Michigan, with U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Homer Wilkes promoting the administration’s $1.5 billion tree planting initiative.
Every new tree casts shade and its shade makes the temperature feel 10-15 de-
grees cooler than it does in the sun. That encourages people to get outdoors. More people outside and on the street means communities are better protected, safer and more connected. And better connected communities are more content and, due to reduced social isolation among its members, experience less suicide.
The pursuit of America’s promise is an ongoing journey. Although we may feel separate from each other at times, we walk this road together. And we will all rise or fall together. On America’s birthday, let us choose to rise by meeting the challenge of the climate crisis and making the world a better place for everyone along the way.
Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
NEW YORK, NY – On June 30th, the planned implementation date of congestion pricing in New York City pursuant to the Traffic Mobility & MTA Reform Act of 2019, adopted by the Legislature and signed by the then-Governor, which remains legally in-effect, New York City
Comptroller Brad Lander and Professor Michael Gerrard of Columbia Law School issued the following statements about the impact of the Governor’s last-minute decision to pause the policy, as well as the path forward toward litigation:
“Subway and bus riders are the bread and
butter of our city’s working class and the whole region’s economy. Today should have been the day they had confidence in investments for new signals, on-time trains, accessible stations, and expanded service. Instead, as a result of the Governor’s eleventh-hour, unlawful decision to indefinitely postpone the legally-mandated congestion pricing program, working New Yorkers will face preventable subway delays, worsening gridlock, air quality alerts, and even MTA service cuts,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.
“The capital improvements funded by congestion pricing would have finally delivered high-quality service to outer borough neighborhoods that are too-often left behind. As the MTA Board made clear: halting congestion pricing means no Second Avenue Subway extension to Harlem, no Interborough Express, no elevators or accessibility improvements at numerous stations that were promised–and according to a new study, this decision could cost the City over 100,000 jobs. We have convened a coalition of legal experts–led by
Michael Gerrard, one of the nation’s foremost environmental lawyers–along with transit riders, disability justice advocates, business leaders, and other stakeholders to explore all possible legal paths to challenge the governor’s unlawful decision.”
“Today would have been the start of a new New York City–one with faster and more frequent subway trains and buses, cleaner air, lower levels of traffic, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” said Columbia Law Professor Michael Gerrard. “The MTA Board’s June 26 resolution makes clear that the agency is prepared to enact congestion pricing, and the State is solely responsible for the ongoing pause, which potentially violates multiple state and federal statutes. Legal action provides an opportunity to get New York City and its transit system back on track. Our coalition–composed of experts in environmental, disability, and administrative law–will make further announcements on litigation in the coming weeks.”
BET Awards 2024- “Bob Marley: One Love” Wins Best Movie
At the 2024 BET Awards held on Sunday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, USA, “One Love,” the Paramount Pictures biopic depicting the life of reggae icon Bob Marley, emerged victorious in the Best Movie category.
Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter and one of the film’s producers, expressed her elation at the win, emphasizing the significance of Bob Marley’s connection with black culture in the United States. She highlighted how the film reflects her father’s understanding of being a black man in America during his time. She said, “It’s a great feeling. The BET
Awards are all about recognising and celebrating black American entertainment and culture. One Love winning best movie is a reflection of Bob Marley’s resonance with black culture in the United States. Daddy spent time living and working in Delaware and knew what it was to be a black man in America during that time. As he said in Roots Rock Reggae, ‘Play I on the R&B. I want all MY people to see’.”
The movie, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley, was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. Cedella commended the dedicated efforts of the entire production team, cast, and
crew that contributed to the film’s success. Marley also shared, “A lot of work went into making the film. What you see on the screen is the result of every member of our production team, cast, and crew giving their all.”
Released globally on February 14, “Bob Marley: One Love” ranked as the ninth highest-grossing film in the United States, grossing over US$179.4 million worldwide. Cedella Marley also praised the casting process, particularly the performances of Kingsley and Lashana, alongside the sons of the Wailers stepping into their fathers’ roles.
She said, “...Kingsley and Lashana were amazing, and seeing the Wailers’ sons step into the roles of their fathers was incredible.”
Additionally, at the BET Awards, YG Marley, son of Rohan Marley, performed with his mother Lauryn Hill, showcasing his new single “Survival” and the chart-topping “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” which has achieved gold certification in the United States and platinum status in Canada.
The legend of Bob Marley lives on!
Other Good News for Caribbean Artists at BET Awards
Dancehall artist Skillibeng brought some Jamaican flair to the 2024 BET Awards stage for the second time, performing alongside South African singer Tyla and American rapper Gunna on their Billboard-charting hit, “Jump.”
“Jump,” a track from Tyla’s self-titled debut album, has been making waves on rhythmic radio in the United States and has secured spots on multiple Billboard charts. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, and No. 38 on the UK Singles chart. On the US Afrobeats Songs chart, “Jump” returned to its original peak at #3. In 2023, Skillibeng participated in a tribute to Busta Rhymes, who had received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 staging.
The BET Awards were held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, where Tyla won two awards: Best International Act (Africa) and Best New Artist. Although Tyla is South-African, she is managed by Jamaican Colin Gayle, originally from Manchester, so it’s a win for the Caribbean.
T&T – Beauty Contestant Gunned Down Near Hospital
Police are investigating the murder of a woman in Princes Town on Wednesday afternoon. Forty four year old Sadna Gangoo, of Mohammed Drive, Princes Town,
was gunned down near the Princes Town District Health Facility at around 4pm. Gangoo, a nurse at the Princes Town Health Facility, was the victim of a drive-
by shooting. According to reports, Gangoo was walking on the road outside the health facility when she was targeted. She was said to be a contestant in the recent Mrs.
India Worldwide Pageant. Her husband, Kevin Gangoo, 32, died in a similar fashion in September, 2019, a week after he was involved a road accident.
Jamaica – UK Residents Sue Jamaican Housing Developer for Lack of Performance
A housing developer, DCR Hardware Construction & Development, is in hot water with a couple who claim the company didn’t deliver a habitable two-bedroom house in Ocho Rios Country Club, St Ann. The couple, Ernest Francis (a quantity surveyor) and Yvette Francis (a baker), who live in London, are behind this lawsuit.
Remittances
They said in court documents filed on May 1 that they had agreed to buy this house for $34 million back in March 2022, with the understanding it would be built within a certain timeframe.
Represented by attorney Anthony Wil-
liams from the firm Usim, Williams & Co., the Francises explained that in January 2023, they got an unsigned completion certificate and, when they visited the property in April 2023, it was in no shape to be lived in.
Their lawyers sent a letter on April 13,
2023, listing all the property defects and asking for the original specifications and a new completion timeline. In response, on April 24, 2023, the developers sent some documents, including a letter of possession and a duplicate certificate of title.
Slowed in 2023 says World Bank
Washington, DC – After a period of strong growth during 2021-2022, officially recorded remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) moderated in 2023, reaching an estimated $656 billion, according to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief. The modest 0.7% growth rate reflects large variances in regional growth, but remit-
tances remained a crucial source of external finance for developing countries in 2023, bolstering the current accounts of several countries grappling with food insecurity and debt issues. In 2023, remittances surpassed foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance (ODA). Looking ahead, remittances to LMICs are expected to grow at a faster rate of 2.3% in
2024, although this growth will be uneven across regions. Potential downside risks to these projections include weaker than expected economic growth in high-income migrant-hosting countries and volatility in oil prices and currency exchange rates. Migration and resulting remittances are essential drivers of economic and human development,” said Iffath Sharif, Global
Director of the Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice at the World Bank. “Many countries are interested in managed migration in the face of global demographic imbalances and labor deficits on the one hand, and high levels of unemployment and skill gaps on the other. We are working on partnerships between countries sending and receiving migrants to facilitate training.
CARIBHEALTH
WHO Releases First-Ever Clinical Treatment Guideline for Tobacco Cessation in Adults
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a comprehensive set of tobacco cessation interventions, including behavioural support delivered by health-care providers, digital cessation interventions and pharmacological treatments in a first guideline on tobacco cessation.
The guideline focuses on helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all forms of tobacco. The recommendations are relevant for all adults seeking to quit various tobacco products, including cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
“This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.”
Over 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users – more than 750 million people
– wish to quit, yet 70% lack access to effective cessation services. This gap exists due to challenges faced by health systems, including resource limitations.
“The immense struggle that people face when trying to quit smoking cannot be overstated. We need to deeply appreciate the strength it takes and the suffering endured by individuals and their loved ones to overcome this addiction,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO. ”These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best possible support and assistance for those on this challenging journey.”
Effective therapies for quitting tobacco Combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions significantly increases quitting success rates. Countries are encouraged to provide these treatments at no or reduced cost to improve accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO recommends varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine as effective treatments for tobacco
cessation.
In 2023, WHO initiated a pre-qualification procedure for medicinal products against disorders caused by tobacco use to improve global access to recommended tobacco cessation medications. In April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified NRT products.
WHO recommends behavioural interventions, including brief health worker counselling (30 seconds to 3 minutes) offered routinely in health-care settings, alongside more intensive behavioural support (individual, group, or phone counselling) for interested users. Additionally, digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programmes can be used as adjuncts or self-management tools.
WHO encourages health-care providers, policy-makers, and stakeholders to adopt and implement this guideline to promote tobacco cessation and improve the health of millions of people in need worldwide.
PAHO and World Bank Launch PROTECT Project to Strengthen Pandemic Response in South America
Washington, D.C. – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Bank today launched the PROTECT Project, an initiative to improve pandemic response in seven South American countries. The initiative, funded by a grant from The Pandemic Fund of almost US$17 million, will focus on optimizing surveillance and laboratory systems in border regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The PROTECT Project, presented at the PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C., aims to improve the early detection, characterization, and response to emerging zoonotic diseases that can trigger a pandemic and will focus on rural and remote communities in the Amazon Basin. These areas face unique challenges, including a biodiversity with high potential for the emergence of pathogens that can drive epidemics or pandemics, such as animal reservoirs or vectors of diseases.
“PROTECT represents a crucial step towards more robust preparedness for epidemic and pandemic threats in the Amazon Basin,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said. “By strengthening capacity to detect pathogens with epidemic potential and implementing surveillance and early warning systems for emerging and re-emerging diseases, we will be protecting vulnerable communities in border areas and reducing the impact of future pandemics in the Americas.”
Engaging a diverse coalition, PROTECT brings together Ministries of Health and Agriculture, PAHO/WHO, the World Bank, and PAHO’s Pan American Foot and Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health Center (PANAFTOSA).
“We welcome this joint collaboration. At the World Bank, we are committed to offering our experience, knowledge, and support to strengthen the One Health approach in Latin America and the Caribbean, and to prevent
pandemics like COVID-19 from taking us by surprise again,” said Jaime Saavedra, Human Development Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank. “There is an urgent need for political commitment from governments and better coordination between all sectors to save lives together,” he added.
Over the next three years, PROTECT is expected to benefit more than 2.4 million people, including indigenous, non-indigenous, and riverside communities. Activities will focus on strengthening early warning surveillance, modernizing and increasing the efficiency of laboratories, and promoting regional coordination for a more effective and collaborative pandemic response.
“The Pandemic Fund’s PROTECT project marks a major milestone in our collective efforts to promote global health security”, said Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund. “The investments focus on building integrated early warning and surveillance systems for zoonotic diseases, laboratories, and a fit for purpose workforce, through a One Health approach. Furthermore, the project is galvanizing cooperation and coordination among sectors, partners, and countries. I want to thank our partners for their commitment, and I look forward to the results.”
The One Health approach focuses on the interconnections between human health, animal health, and the environment. One Health allows for comprehensive and sustainable activities to address public health threats.
The launch event for the initiative was attended virtually by representatives from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment from the seven countries involved, as well as the PANAFTOSA team.
CARIBTRAVEL
Guyana - Growing in Tourism With New Visa-Free Policy
Thanks to the Guyana’s new visa-free policy, entering the country has become significantly easier for nationals from 76 countries. This streamlined entry process enhances Guyana’s appeal as a destination for holidaymakers, leisure travelers, and business professionals alike.
This new visa-free policy significantly enhances its attractiveness as a prime travel destination, promising a seamless and enjoyable experience for visitors from around the world.
Business and corporate travelers also benefit from the visa-free entry, simplifying the logistics of attending conferences, meetings, and corporate retreats. Guyana’s growing infrastructure, combined with its unique blend of cultural heritage and
modern amenities, provides an ideal environment for business engagements.
For those seeking leisure and adventure, Guyana offers an array of natural wonders. Visitors can marvel at the breathtaking Kaieteur Falls, explore the lush Iwokrama Rainforest, and encounter diverse wildlife, all contributing to a memorable and hassle-free vacation experience.
Additionally, the country offers ample opportunities to explore its diverse landscapes and cultural sites during downtime.
For a list of the the visa-free countries for Guyana passport holders, please visit https://visaindex.com/visa-requirement/ guyana-passport-visa-free-countries-list/
CTO Celebrates Winners of Caribbean Media Awards
NEW YORK – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) celebrated the winners of the 2024 prestigious Caribbean Media Awards, presented at a luncheon event held during Caribbean Week in New York at the InterContinental New York Times Square last week.
Celebrating excellence in journalism, photography and digital content that highlights the diverse and vibrant cultures, landscapes and experiences available throughout the Caribbean region, the Caribbean Media Awards competition honors the journalists and media professionals whose work not only conveys and presents news and information relevant to the region’s tourism industry, but also captures the unique essence of the Caribbean story.
“After a five-year hiatus, it is incredibly rewarding that the 2024 Caribbean Media Awards attracted submissions from some of the most talented and promising journalists and influencers covering the region. The level of talent represented by the work submitted bodes extremely well for the future of media coverage for our most critical industry,” stated Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
A panel of judges reviewed entries submitted by public relations agencies, CTO member countries, and the media community to determine the winners, using a range of criteria, including content, structure and form, title, quality of language, and originality. To be considered, entries must have been published or broadcast in 2023.
In announcing their decisions, the judging panel noted not only the impressive breadth and depth of the subjects covered but also the outstanding quality research and reporting demonstrated in the published works.
See the full list of Caribbean Media Awards winners on our website.
“The CTO is proud to honor these exceptional professionals who have dedicated their talents to showcasing the Caribbean’s allure and beauty. On behalf of our member countries and the judging panel, I extend congratulations and gratitude to every storyteller whose work was reviewed,” stated Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. She also thanked the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism for its sponsorship and invaluable support in reviving the media awards event.
Ready or Not: The Fugees Are Back! Trio Hints at First New Album in 27 Years
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras are not just reuniting as the Fugees for a tour; they’re also gearing up to release a new album. According to Page Six, the New Jersey-born rappers are working on their first album together in 27 years. They’ve been keeping the project under wraps, but all three have hinted at a new Fugees album over the past few months. Recently, Hill and her son YG Marley dropped a subtle hint about new music coming soon. The last time the Fugees released new music as a trio was back in 1996 with their album The Score, featuring hits like “Ready or Not,” “Killing Them Softly,” and “No Woman, No Cry.” The album topped the Billboard 200 chart and won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 1997. While the trio has pursued solo projects
since then, they’ve reunited several times over the years.
The news of their third album broke just days before the BET Awards 2024. Lauryn Hill performed songs from her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, with a massive live band. She was later joined by her son YG Marley, who performed “Survival” and “Praise Jah In The Moonlight.” Hill also brought out Wyclef Jean to perform “Fu-Gee-La,” giving fans a taste of their upcoming joint tour, “The Miseducation Anniversary Tour.”
Before Lauryn’s hint about the album, both Wyclef and Pras had signaled that new music might be on the way in separate interviews. It looks like the Fugees are ready to make a big comeback.
Shaggy Throws Ceremonial First Pitch at Blue Jays Game
Dancehall superstar Shaggy took the mound before Friday’s game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The “It Wasn’t Me” singer, sporting a customized Blue Jays jersey with “1” and his name on the back, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Despite managing to get the ball to home plate, Shaggy admitted he’s more comfortable with a cricket ball than a baseball.
“I’m more of a cricket guy, that’s the only thing I’ll throw. So I got to figure out how to throw this ball,” he told MLB. “I had a quick practice, but I’ve been going since 6:00 am with all the press, so I haven’t had a chance to focus on it. Fingers crossed.”
The Yankees dominated the game, winning 16-5 against the Blue Jays. Reflecting on
his hit “Mr. Boombastic,” which is nearing its 30th anniversary, Shaggy mused on its lasting popularity.
“It’s a gift that keeps on giving. It just gets bigger and bigger. It just went over a billion streams, which is different because it sold so much before and then became a billion streams afterward,” he said. “I’ve heard it everywhere, man. All around the world.”
“It’s the identity of Shaggy. When you think of Shaggy, it’s like Mr. Boombastic, and it’s a record that’s just, you know, those songs are magic. You don’t know what they’re going to do or how to do it, but you know when you do that there’s something special and you just got to hold on to the coattails and run with it.”
Culinary Maven Celebrates Cookbook’s10th Anniversary With Second Edition Release
Haitian-American chef and author Nadège Fleurimond is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her cookbook, Haiti Uncovered: A Regional Adventure into the Art of Haitian Cuisine, with an updated second edition.
Over the past weekend, Fleurimond hosted book signings in Brooklyn and Queens to mark the release of the new edition. The book combines traditional recipes, captivating storytelling, and vibrant imagery,
creating a journey into the heart of Haitian cuisine.
Chef Fleurimond, who runs BunNan, a food stall in the Flatbush Central Caribbean Marketplace, has introduced new recipes in the second edition. These additions reflect the evolving tastes and influences in Haitian cooking. The book also features a foreword by Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat, adding depth and context to Fleurimond’s exploration of Haitian culinary traditions.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Haiti Uncovered with this second edition,” Fleurimond said. “This book has always been a labor of love, and it is incredibly rewarding to see it resonate with readers across the globe. With the addition of new recipes and the refined text, I hope to continue sharing the vibrant flavors and stories of Haitian cuisine with a new generation of food enthusiasts.”
The launch event at Manhattan’s Times Center on May 25 will celebrate Haitian culture, cuisine, and community. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Nadège Fleurimond, sample delicious Haitian dishes inspired by the book, and take home signed copies of Haiti Uncovered.
Haiti Uncovered: A Regional Adventure into the Art of Haitian Cuisine, Second Edition, became available for purchase online and at select retailers on May 25th, 2024.
For more information on Fleurimond and her cooking journey, visit www.nadegefleurimond.com. Books are available at www.roariorshop. com and www.amazon.com.
Make Every Bite Count with Whole-Grain Popcorn Snacks
As many people start getting back into normal routines, they’re returning to familiar on-the-go lifestyles by heading back to work, traveling to new destinations and enjoying time with loved ones. While you get out to explore and gather with family and friends again, remember you’ll need fuel for your adventures. According to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, most Americans fail to get enough whole grains each day, opting instead for mostly refined grains. Foods like tasty whole-grain popcorn offer an easy health hack so you can make every bite count. Try getting in the habit of popping 9 cups of popcorn in the morning and dividing it into two containers. Season
one container with salt and herbs, the other with a pinch of sugar and cinnamon so you can alternate between sweet and salty throughout the day. Bringing delicious options like these while on the go can help satisfy hunger pangs while adding the fiber your body needs.
Because mouthwatering whole-grain popcorn is versatile and 3 cups is equal to one serving of whole grains, it’s a simple yet flavorful option for meeting dietary recommendations. It can be a breeze to add it to snacks like Blueberry and Pomegranate Power Bars or Crunchy Popcorn Trail Mix. Visit popcorn.org to find more nutritious snack ideas.
Blueberry and Pomegranate Power Bars
Yield: 12 bars
Nonstick cooking spray
8 cups popped popcorn
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup dried blueberries
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup whole natural almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
Line 13-by-9-inch pan with foil; spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In large bowl, combine popcorn, oats, blueberries, pomegranate seeds and almonds.
In small saucepan over low heat, boil honey, brown sugar and butter 2 minutes. Pour over popcorn mixture and mix thoroughly.
Using damp hands, press mixture firmly into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into 12 bars.
Dip bottoms of bars into melted chocolate.
Place on wax paper-lined pan; refrigerate until ready to serve. Store in tight covered container in refrigerator.
Crunchy Popcorn Trail Mix
Yield: 9 cups
5 cups popped popcorn
3 cups whole-grain oat cereal
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup peanuts or other nuts
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
6 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
In large, microwavable bowl, stir popcorn, cereal, raisins, nuts and seeds; set aside.
In small saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup until boiling; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat evenly.
Microwave 3-4 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after each minute.
Spread onto greased cookie sheet; cool. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.
India - New T20 World Cup 2024 Champions
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 was a truly spectacular event - and it went down in the history books for lots of reasons. Here we take a closer look at just some of the amazing feats and records broken in West Indies and USA.
The finalists
With two thus-far unbeaten sides meeting in the final, it was clear that the champion would set a new record for most wins in a tournament. In fact, India and South Africa both finished with eight match wins - with India missing out on a possible victory due to one
of their matches (against Canada in the group stage) being a washout.
India’s 176/7 in the final, however, was the highest by any team in the final of a Men’s T20 World Cup - edging past Australia’s 173/2 against New Zealand in 2021.
And at the age of 37 years and 60 days, Rohit Sharma became the oldest man to captain a side to T20 World Cup glory.
On the attack
It was a tournament that was great for the bowlers, and both Fazalhaq Farooqi of semifinalists Afghanistan and Arshdeep Singh of
champions India took 17 wickets, the most at a single edition, one more than previous record-holder Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka. The sensational Jasprit Bumrah of India finished with the best bowling average in an edition, with 8.3 - ahead of Anrich Nortje’s figures of 8.5 in 2022. Bumrah, who also went at an economy of 4.17, was a unanimous decision for the Player of the Tournament award.
And it was England’s Chris Jordan who smashed the record for the best bowling strikerate in a tournament, with 8.3 - ahead of Fazalhaq Farooqi (8.9) and Tabraiz Shamsi (9.2) this year, as well as previous record-holder Jacques Kallis (9.4) from 2012.
Jordan claimed four wickets in an unseen quadruple-wicket maiden over against the USA. Curtis Campher, who claimed four wickets in four balls against The Netherlands in 2021, conceded two in his over.
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson also created history as the first man to bowl four maiden overs in a T20 World Cup spell. He finished figures of 3/0 (4) against Papua New Guinea in the kiwis’ last group-stage match at the tournament.
High scoring
In spite of the bowling prowess there was plenty of big hitting - and 2024 recorded the most boundaries in an edition of the T20 World Cup thus far, with 1,478, eclipsing 2021’s 1,349. Unsurprisingly, within that, 2024 also had the most sixes - 515, more than 100 more than 2021’s 405.
And West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran hit the most sixes in a T20 World Cup - his 17 beating the record of 16 set by his legendary compatriot Chris Gayle.
Jamaica - Elaine Thompson-Herah to Miss Olympics Due to Injury
Five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah will not be able to defend her 100 and 200 metres titles at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The Jamaican sprint star was forced to withdraw from the Jamaican Track and Field Trials that begin on Thursday (27 June) with injury.
Thompson-Herah sustained an Achilles tendon injury during her last race at the New York Grand Prix in early June, where she clocked 11.48 seconds. Shortly afterwards, she opted out of the 200m at the National Championships Trials, but was hopeful that she would still be able to compete for a slot in the 100m.
“It’s never fun sharing news like this but at the New York Grand Prix, I felt something in the race and still insisted to push, couple steps to the line I realise something is really wrong,” Thompson-Herah posted on Instagram on Wednesday (26 June).
“I sat on the ground because I couldn’t apply any pressure to the leg whatsoever as I was carried off the track. I went quickly to get [a] medical check-up, and to find out that I have a small tear on my Achilles tendon.”
“I got back home with a strong mindset to keep pushing and prepare for my national trials … but the leg wouldn’t allow me to.”
