New law proposed to hold parents liable for children until age 23
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
March for laws to protect the LGBTQIA against discrimination, prejudice, and violence
ST. CROIX, USA HONORING SACRED WATERS
African wisdom and creativitygathering in St. Croix - highlighting the connection between water, freedom, and empowerment Page 7 PRIDE PROTEST Page 18
A&E Page 17
Bogdanovich - bought from Roger Steffens - the largest collection of Marley artefacts BOB MARLEY’S ARCHIVES NOW OWNED BY JOE
A&E The 73 year-old singer shared as he discussed his career 30 CHIDREN, 17 WOMEN -
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EDITORIAL
Project 2025: A Dire Threat to America’s Educational and Social Fabric by Stacy M .Brown - P 9
OPED
Emancipation Day Message 2024 by Hon. P.J. Patterson - P 9
HEALTH
Guyana – Chinese Medical Team Making Impact on Healthcare - P 16
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Paris Olympics Preview: Triple Jump - P 19
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AFRICA WORLD BRIEFS
Healthcare in Sudan ‘hanging by a thread,’ warns UN agency
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday strongly denounced the increasing attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan, reporting over 20 such incidents in the last two months.
In one particularly appalling attack, a hospital was struck last Friday alongside residential areas and a livestock market in North Darfur state that killed or injured at least 97 civilians. Attacks against medical facilities, personnel and supplies, which violate international human law and have left healthcare system in Sudan “hanging by a thread”, the UN agency warned.
“Hospitals, health facilities, ambulances and other health assets are a lifeline to Sudan’s people, who endure relentless fighting and frequent displacement due to the ongoing war,” it said in a statement.
“Yet their tenacity and dedication are rewarded with bombardment, harassment, intimidation, injury and death.”
Protect healthcare
WHO has documented 88 attacks on healthcare since the outbreak of the war last April between rival militaries – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The UN agency underscored the obligations of parties to the conflict, under international humanitarian law, to ensure that healthcare, as well as health and medical supplies and personnel are protected from any harm.
Deadly Atlantic shipwreck shows victims’ desperation, says UN refugee agency
News of another deadly shipwreck tragedy off the coast of Mauritania is a clear indication of the desperation people on the move continue to face as they attempt to escape strife, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
The UN agency’s comments follow reports on Monday that dozens of people are missing after a boat carrying hundreds of people capsized in the waters off the coast of the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.
Recent months have continued to see a surge in the number of people setting out from North and West African countries, including Senegal, Mauritania and Morocco. Their final destination is often the Canary Islands.
“UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, is deeply saddened by this tragic shipwreck that has resulted in the deaths and disappearances of numerous people off the coast of Mauritania,” said spokesperson Shabia Mantoo. “The vessel, which was following the West Atlantic route, capsized near Nouakchott, claiming the lives of at least 15 people with many others still missing.”
According to the UN migration agency, IOM, approximately 300 people including women and children boarded a wooden “pirogue” boat in The Gambia, spending seven days at sea before the tragedy happened. Ms. Mantoo noted that this was the second deadly shipwreck in the region reported this month, after one at the start of July.
Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Globally, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child, and the majority of these trafficked children are girls.
According to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP) by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children are twice as likely as adults to face violence during trafficking.
The proliferation of online platforms poses additional risks, as children often connect to these sites without adequate safeguards.
Children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including forced labour, crime, begging, illegal adoption, sexual abuse and the online dissemination of abusive images, and some are also recruited into armed groups.
The reasons for child trafficking are also numerous. Some of the most prominent are: poverty, insufficient support for unaccompanied minors in the face of increasing migration and refugee flows, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and lack of parental care.
To date, the fight against child trafficking has not been effective. There is an urgent need to take comprehensive measures to protect vulnerable groups and help child victims. This requires joint efforts at national and international level.
UN official describes Gaza situation as ‘absolutely catastrophic’ amid severe shortages
The top UN humanitarian official for Gaza said on Monday that the situation in the war-ravaged enclave remains “absolutely catastrophic”, with Palestinian civilians enduring a “horrendous maelstrom of human misery.”
Recently returned from the Gaza Strip, Sigrid Kaag, the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza was speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York via video link from Jordan (► play video).
She said that UN teams and partners are working to address the severe shortages of waste management and sanitation facilities, amid the risk of outbreaks of communicable diseases.
While in Gaza, she also visited a mobile maternity ward, run by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the non-profit International Medical Corps.
“There are truly brave women doctors, nurses, working to ensure safe deliveries as well as a high number of C-sections, but under horrendous circumstances,” she said.
“And normally babies, of course, bring only joy and a momentary sense of relief to the families. But we also know that many of the mothers are deeply worried about the future and the world they are bringing their children into,” she added.
Ms. Kaag also noted that doctors have reported a rise in the rate of miscarriages in the first and second trimesters, though the reasons are not clear, and that this will be studied further by the experts.
Haiti – Kenyan Forces Need Rapid Result in Removing Gang Control
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) is a platform to promote greater debate and innovative approaches to serve as the building blocks of an inclusive global strategy against organized crime. The organization recently released a Risk Bulletin, a periodic publication of the Observatory of Violence and Resilience in Haiti analyzing key trends in the political economy of violence in Haiti.
The report notes that the crisis that began on 29 February, with coordinated gang attacks on the capital, Port-au-Prince, led to a violent reconfiguration of the political situation on the ground. The ensuing months have been marked by an unprecedented level of humanitarian crisis, infrastructure destruction and deep institutional transformation, with the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the creation of a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and the recent formation of a government, led by the appointed prime minister, Garry Conille. Although the crisis undoubtedly marked the edge of the abyss, the gangs have ceased in their conquest of the capi-
tal. Port-au-Prince has returned to the precarious order that prevailed before 29 February, in which daily life coexists with gang shootings and attacks. One major exception is that the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by a Kenyan police force, was finally deployed on 25 June, with 200 troops on the ground. This inaugural issue analyzes these dynamics and more.
The report analyzed how a gang coalition has transformed violence in Port-auPrince following the breakdown of rule of law since President Moise was at the helm and the merger of two former rival alliances: the G9 Family and Allies, and the G-Pèp (GPeople) alliance. ‘Viv Ansanm’ has taken root.
The report notes, and since February, the gangs’ ecosystem has evolved in several ways.
“Under the banner of Viv Ansanm, gangs have not only extended their domination, but have also changed their strategy by systematically targeting key public and private institutions. These include prisons, one of them the capital’s main penitentiary, from which most of the inmates have
escaped in March; a dozen police stations, which have been looted or destroyed; the international airport, which remained closed for almost three months; and the capital’s fuel terminal, which was blocked by the gangs for several days, between April and May”.
What can be done to strengthen the mechanism?
The report suggests that “given the overall degradation in the situation in Haiti and the lengthy delay in the deployment of the MSS force intended to help stabilize the country, a renewed push on sanctions is arguably an important element both to address and shape the criminal threats impacting Haiti and to signal focus to the Haitian population”.
It advises that “a multinational strategy should be developed to address Haiti’s gangs, their logistical suppliers and business partners, and their political and business enablers … a more nuanced focus on the business and political enablers of gang
activity within Haiti”.
“Ultimately, information suggests that international sanctions can have a shaping effect within Haiti, particularly when it comes to deterring business and political elites. Used strategically and in tandem with other elements in the international toolkit, sanctions thus offer an option for responding to the current crisis”.
Dominica – Government Revokes 68 Citizens
By
Investment Passports
Dominica has issued a Citizenship Deprivation Order, revoking the citizenships of 68 individuals who obtained their status through the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP). The order, signed by Minister for Citizenship Miriam Blanchard and published on June 6, 2024, states that these individuals obtained their citizenship through fraud, false representation, or concealment of a material fact.
The affected individuals include a significant portion (53%) of Iraqi origin, followed by Pakistanis (21%), Egyptians and Iranians (6% each), Nigerians and Syrians (4% each), Afghans (3%), and one Sudanese and one Jordanian national (1% each). These individuals obtained their citizenship between November 2019 and May 2022.
The Statutory Rules and Order No.4 of 2024, made by the minister Miriam Blanchard under section 10 (2) and (5) of the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act, Chap.1:10. (Gazetted 6th June, 2024.) reads:
“The scheduled persons are deprived of their citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the grounds that – (a) they obtained registration or certificate of naturalisation by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of a
material fact; and (b) it is not conducive that a scheduled person continue to be a citizen of Dominica,” listing names aka’s, origin, gender and citizenship: 2019 –2022.
This action follows a warning from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at a Caribbean Investment Summit, where he announced that legislation had been enacted to revoke the citizenship of anyone found to have obtained it through the CIP for less than the officially required minimum investment. The revocation cites fraudulent activity, which could include lying or concealing visa rejections to countries with which Dominica has visa-free waivers or other misrepresentations.
Under a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), Dominica and other signatories agreed to a minimum investment of US$200,000 and committed to sharing applicant information through a digital portal hosted by the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) in Barbados. The agreement includes improved post-approval screening of CIP citizens and cooperation in retrieving canceled passports.
The video of the shooting of Sonya Massey has been making its rounds on social media, showing the exact moments that she ducked and apologized to an Illinois sheriff’s deputy just seconds before he shot her three times in her home, with one fatal shot to the head. This tragic incident was captured on body camera footage released on Monday.
The video reveals the tense moment when Grayson, separated by a counter, ordered Massey to put down a pot of hot water and threatened to shoot her. Massey ducked, rose briefly, and Grayson fired. After shooting her, he discouraged his partner from retrieving a medical kit, saying, “There’s nothing you can do, man.”
As Massey lay bleeding, Grayson claimed she had come at him with boiling water.
Grayson, who was fired, is being held without bond. An Illinois grand jury has indicted former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, who is white. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. If convicted, he faces long prison sentences. His lawyer declined to comment.
Authorities said Massey, 36, had called 911 earlier to report a suspected prowler. The video shows the deputies arriving at her home in Springfield around 1 a.m. on July
6. They found a black SUV with broken windows in the driveway.
After knocking on the door, Massey opened it after three minutes, immediately saying, “Don’t hurt me.” She appeared confused, asking for help and referencing God. Inside, as the deputies tried to gather information, Massey got up to move a pot of hot water from the stove to the sink. She suddenly said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson, who had pointed out the pot, responded with a threat, drew his pistol, and demanded she drop it. The family’s lawyer, Ben Crump, called his justification “disingenuous.” Crump said, “She needed a helping hand, not a bullet to her face,” Crump said, noting her mental health issues and invocation of God’s name during the encounter.
During Massey’s funeral, Crump said the video would “shock the conscience of America.” Her father, James Wilburn, demanded transparency in the investigation and prosecution.
Massey’s death is the latest in a series of incidents where Black individuals were killed by police in their homes. President Joe Biden expressed condolences, stating that Americans should be able to call for help without fearing for their lives.
Illinois – Cop Killed Black Woman Who Called for Help Jamaica – New Law to Force Parents to Support Children to Age 23
Jamaican parents eager to end their legal responsibility for their children at age 18 will now be required by law to continue supporting them for an additional five years in specific situations.
This change follows the House of Representatives’ approval on Tuesday of an amendment to the Maintenance Act of 2005. The amendment mandates that parents maintain their children until age 23 if the children are pursuing education or training.
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, who introduced the amendment, explained that the 2005 Act obligates spouses to support each other and parents to support their
children. He noted, “Section 16 (1)(A) of the principal act states that a maintenance order remains in force until the child turns 18.”
Chuck further explained, “Before the child turns 18, section 16 (3) allows for an application to the court to grant or extend a maintenance order if the child is engaged in education or training.” He emphasized that only under these circumstances could the court extend a maintenance order until the child turns 23, reflecting the legislature’s intent to ensure continued support during ongoing education.
However, Chuck pointed out that the principal act currently prevents the court from issuing a maintenance order for a child over 18 unless an application was made before the child reached that age. This loophole allows parents to stop paying maintenance once their child turns 18, even if the child is still in school, leaving no recourse for the child or the parent seeking continued support.
Chuck highlighted numerous cases where lower courts granted maintenance orders, only for them to be overturned by higher courts. The amendment aims to resolve this issue.
The bill will now go to the Senate for approval before becoming law.
Jamaica – PM Holness Vows to Take Spanish Town From the Criminals
Addressing the $2.2-billion contract-signing ceremony for the construction of the St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Prime Minister, the Most Andrew Holness stated that the Government, through his leadership, is determined to take back Spanish Town, St Catherine from thugs who have, over the years, taken control of the nation’s former capital.
He reminded those in attendance that his roots are from the area.
“I am from Spanish Town. I was born in Spanish Town. I love Spanish Town. It is a place of such great history and it pains my heart to see the buildings deteriorating; the Georgian buildings just disappearing, so much history and culture there… but the town [albeit] historic for a long time, has been overrun by criminal gangs that are really strangling the town of its true potential.”
He also said the undertaking forms a significant part of the continued transformation of the JCF, as well as enhancing community safety. A contract was signed on July 23 The contract was signed between the Government and West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) Limited.
The modern fit-for-purpose three-storey building, which will span approximately 43,000 square feet, is being executed under the
National Security Ministry’s Project Rebuild, Overhaul, and Construct (ROC) initiative. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to modernize and transform the organization through continued investments, noting that since 2016, the Government has invested in the human, physical and technological transformation of the JCF.
“Today marks a significant step in the ongoing journey towards a safer, more secure Jamaica and as we gather to sign this contract, we also bear in mind that there are several other projects of this nature, of this magnitude, which we have already signed contracts for… and there are several other projects to come,” Mr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister said no society can grow and prosper without established law and order, noting that the JCF is the first and last bulwark in ensuring the rule of law and public order in Jamaica.
“There will always be questions about the social context in which the JCF operates; there will always be questions about the fairness, the respect for human rights, the application of the best practices, and these are legitimate questions but it doesn’t mean that we must dismiss the JCF, because without the JCF you are looking at chaos; so, what we must all do as citizens of Jamaica is invest in the JCF. The
men and women of the JCF were not imported, they were not recruited from abroad; they are from your communities… and every day, they put their lives on the line for your safety and security,” he argued.
The Prime Minister used the opportunity to offer deep and sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Sergeant Kevin Mayne, who was fatally shot in the line of duty at the Half-Way Tree Police Station, in St. Andrew, on July 22.
Meanwhile, Mr. Holness said the National Security Council and Plan Secure Jamaica continue to play an integral role in addressing violence in the country.
“We have established to monitor this broad
approach to national security, a national security council, with an office of the national council, for which we will shortly present a national security act, and that looks at security from a comprehensive point of view,” the Prime Minister said.
“So, we look at security from Customs, we look at security from the anti-corruption perspective, we look at security from cyber, we look at security from telecommunications, finance – all elements that could threaten the safety and security of the State – and we meet every month and we go through it and that is how we manage Plan Secure Jamaica,” he added.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the Government is committed to providing the police with the requisite tools and transforming their working conditions. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Central, Hon. Olivia Grange, described the undertaking as an impactful investment in the safety and security of the people of Central St. Catherine and the more than 30 communities within the St. Catherine North Police Division.
Commissioner of Police, Dr. Kevin Blake, said the project supports the transformation and renewal of the JCF.
Haiti - Rival Gangs Call Truce in Country’s Largest Shantytown
Two rival gang leaders have signed a truce to end armed conflict in Haiti’s largest shantytown, a community leader announced on Thursday.
Haiti has long struggled with gang violence, but conditions deteriorated significantly in late February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince to overthrow then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry. These gangs control 80 percent of the Caribbean nation’s main roads and are responsible for numerous murders, rapes, lootings, and kidnappings for ransom. Under the agreement between leaders of the G9 and G-Pep groups, roadblocks in the Cite Soleil shantytown, home to around 300,000 people, were removed, said Pastor Jean Enock Joseph, an influential figure in the community.
“A new stage has just been reached,” the pastor told AFP. However, he noted that a similar truce signed in July 2023 fell apart a few weeks later.
Residents of Cite Soleil, like much of Port-au-Prince, have been unable to move freely within the shantytown, which was divided into zones controlled by rival gangs, for fear of being caught in crossfire.
The G9 and G-Pep gangs have not clashed since February when they joined a coalition to overthrow Henry. However, they maintained divisions within Cite Soleil until Wednesday.
Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, head of the G9 and a leader of the coalition, praised the “courage” of Cite Soleil’s gang leaders on Thursday.
Violence in Port-au-Prince has surged in recent months, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis.
According to the UN, nearly 600,000 people are displaced in Haiti, a 60 percent increase since March.
Following Ariel Henry’s departure, transitional authorities have been established to stabilize the country, supported by a UN-backed multinational mission led by Kenya.
The task is daunting in a nation ravaged by violence and corruption and without a president since the assassination of Jovenel Moise in 2021.
NYC – 30% Drop in Black and Latino Unemployment says Mayor Adams
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today celebrated new economic data showing significant decreases in Black and Latino unemployment since the beginning of his administration, building on progress from previous quarters and ensuring that the new all-time jobs high, that New York City is currently at, is bringing prosperity to all New Yorkers. Between January 1, 2022, and July 1, 2024, the Black unemployment rate in the five boroughs decreased from 10.7 percent to 7.3 percent — a 31.7 percent decrease and nearly a full percentage point below the level pre-COVID. In that same timeframe, the Latino unemployment rate decreased from 9.1 percent to 6.5 percent — a 28.6 percent decrease. The labor force participation rates for Black, indigenous, and people of color, including Latino, as well as white New Yorkers have all increased over the same period as well.
“The data is clear: New York City isn’t just coming back, we’re back,” said Mayor Adams. “We have more jobs and more small businesses than ever before in our city’s history, and Black and Latino unemployment are both approximately 30 percent lower than when we came into office. That’s tens of thousands more hardworking New Yorkers able to provide for themselves and their families. We’re not stopping here, though — we won’t stop creating opportunities for all New Yorkers to thrive.”
“New York City’s economy is strong and growing stronger each month, with June setting historic highs for total jobs, private-sector jobs, labor force participation, and the lowest unemployment rate since mid-2022,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, & Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Importantly, we see that this progress shows up in the data for Black and Latino New Yorkers and reflects how the Adams administration
has focused, and will continue to focus, on building an equitable, resilient, and inclusive economy.”
“Three months into office, Mayor Adams outlined a jobs blueprint to guide the city’s recovery while building a more resilient, equitable economy. The results speak for themselves: a record number of private-sector and total jobs, a record workforce participation rate, and a record number of small businesses,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation
(NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “We are thrilled to see real progress in cutting the Black and Latino unemployment rate and will stay focused on working with the mayor on transformative NYCEDC projects that will deliver high-wage, high-growth jobs from Willets Point in Queens to the North Shore of Staten Island, from Hunts Point in the Bronx to the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and from SPARC Kips Bay in Manhattan to Broadway Junction in Brooklyn.”
The Adams administration has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in creating good, family-sustaining, public- and private-sector jobs for New Yorkers. The administration has launched and advanced transformative projects in all five boroughs, including projects ranging from the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, to the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Brooklyn, to SPARC Kips Bay in Manhattan, to Willets Point in Queens, and to the North Shore Action Plan in Staten Island. Cumulatively, these projects will create tens of thousands of permanent and temporary construction jobs, generate more than $100 billion in long-term economic impact, and cultivate good-paying, 21st-century job opportunities.
Additionally, the administration launched “Jobs NYC,” a multi-pronged citywide
effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment, and “Run This Town,” a multi-media advertising campaign to engage diverse New Yorkers and help them apply for thousands of available city government jobs. Both campaigns are expected to further reduce the unacceptable disparities in employment between Black, Latino, and white communities. The city is also on track to deliver over 14,000 apprenticeship opportunities by the end of 2024 — ahead of schedule and nearly halfway towards the moonshot goal announced last year at Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City address.
Last month, Mayor Adams announced the city’s first-ever community hiring effort, which will leverage more than $1.2 billion in city contracts to create job opportunities for underserved New Yorkers. Community hiring allows the city to use its purchasing power, set hiring goals across city procurement contracts, and build agreements and agency-specific hiring programs.
on the success of existing project labor In the last 17 months, Mayor Adams has successfully negotiated contracts with unions representing 96 percent of the city’s workforce and 100 percent of the city’s uniformed workforce — the quickest any mayoral administration has reached that milestone in modern city history. These agreements with District Council 37, Communications Workers of America Local 1180, the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Uniformed Sanitation Workers’ Union Local 831, the United Federation of Teachers, the Police Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Officers Coalition, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, Teamsters Local 237, and dozens of other unions have all included wage increases, including retroactive wage increases for employees that had not received a raise in years. Additionally, many of these contracts included dedicated funding to address retention and recruitment challenges and other important benefits, such as the child care fund established in the agreement with DC 37.
Tenant Demands Court Stop Her Imminent Eviction by Landlord Who Owes Her $400K+
Theresa Primus, a rent-stabilized tenant in central Brooklyn, has been in Housing Court fighting for repairs for over 10 years. In 2022, the NY State Supreme Court awarded her $409,162.17 after she sued her landlord and his agents claiming “serious, significant, permanent and consequential injuries ….. caused solely through the negligence, carelessness and recklessness of [the landlord and his agents.]” ( INDEX NO. 505085/2015, Section 286 & 287). As of today, Cortelyou 2902 LLC, whose agents include Mike Spera, Joe Gugenhime, Shaul Kapelowitz, and Eric Miller, still have not complied with this judgment.
Months after the Supreme Court decision in her favor, Ms. Primus’ landlord took her to court, alleging that she owed him
rent, despite owing her $400,000+. In the cruelty, chaos, and confusion of Brooklyn Housing Court, the judge ignored the Supreme Court judgment against the landlord and instead ordered Ms Primus’ eviction, effective July 31, 2024.
In 2014, Theresa Primus and her daughter, Carlene sued their landlord Cortelyou 2902 LLC, arguing injuries they suffered from repair issues that were never addressed in her apartment. Ms. Primus argued that she and her daughter were exposed to unsanitary conditions, including toxic black mold, fungus, and water leaks; had trouble sleeping, and breathing, and allergy buildup due to dust and mold. Carlene Primus mentioned having a “menthol taste” in her mouth. Theresa
Primus had to visit the emergency room multiple times. After years of fighting for a habitable apartment, Theresa Primus and her daughter were awarded just over $400,000.00 in the case.
According to Who Owns What NYC, 2902 Cortelyou Road has 974 total violations, with tenants filing 287 complaints with HPD in just the last 2 years. Current violations include infestations of roaches and mice, broken flooring, and mold. Theresa Primus demands that the court stop her upcoming eviction as she is still waiting for the $400,000+ that the landlord of her building owes her. This case against Ms. Primus should have never started in the first place. She and her daughter are tired of fighting. Ms. Primus just wants to live in a safe and fully habitable apartment.
T&T – Pride Organizers Call for Laws to Protect LGBTQIA
As nearly 200 people gathered at One Café Alcazar on Maraval Road on Sunday to celebrate Sunday’s PrideTT parade with the LGBTQIA community, organizers highlighted the urgent need for legislation to protect members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community from discrimination.
PRIDETT co-founder Kennedy Everett Maraj explained that this year’s theme, “The Right to…” was intentionally left open-ended to highlight the various issues affecting the community.
Maraj said, “Given that we are such a diverse community and we are not a monolith, not every single issue is going to impact each and every one of us the same way. Different issues impact all of us differently. So it’s really to give the community a platform to come out and say what is affecting them the most and put a spotlight on that.”
While in recent years, several Caribbean nations have struck down laws criminalizing
same-sex relations, as courts in Belize in 2016 and Trinidad and Tobago in 2018 found such laws unconstitutional, and a top Caribbean court ruled some provisions of Antigua and Barbuda’s “Sexual Offences Act” unconstitutional, there is more to be done.
Maraj stressed the importance of PrideTT and the parade in challenging societal misconceptions about LGBTQIA people.
He emphasized that the community faces unique challenges that prevent them from enjoying equal rights, stressing the importance of creating safe spaces where people can feel free and safe.
Maraj mentioned that LGBTQIA representatives have previously engaged in discussions with legislators about the necessary legal changes to ensure equality.
He identified discrimination as one of the most pressing issues facing the community.
“Something that our community has been advocating for well over a decade is changes to the Equal Opportunity Act. We do not have any
protections for LGBTQIA persons that prevent them from being discriminated against. We have been trying to get legislators to put sexual orientation and gender identity into that act to protect us from discrimination, especially within the workplace,” Maraj stated.
Attendees included high commissioners and foreign delegates who spoke to Newsday. European Union Ambassador to TT Peter Cavendish was present and said he was pleased to be a part of the celebrations.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands Cor Hersbach said the parade mirrored his personal beliefs and those of his country.
Argentine ambassador to TT Gustavo Pandiani said he was there in his personal capacity and not a representative of his government, adding the LGBTQIA community could count on his support.
British High Commissioner Harriet Cross said she was there to celebrate the contribution LGBTQIA people make to the economy, the culture, and other aspects of life.
Jamaica – Rachel Silvera is Miss Universe Jamaica 2024
Rachel Silvera is Miss Universe Jamaica 2024 and will represent Jamaica in the upcoming pageant in Mexico this September.
The 25-year-old pharmacy student and entrepreneur was crowned by Miss Universe Jamaica 2023, Dr. Jordanne Lauren Levy, and sashed by Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios, during a ceremony at the AC Hotel Kingston on Monday morning.
The first runner-up title went to Sara-Jade Kow, a 30-year-old real estate professional and entrepreneur, while Keri-Ann Greenwood, 23, representing Miss Universe Jamaica East, was named second runner-up. Silvera, who was the first runner-up in the 2022 Miss Universe Jamaica competition, hails from St. Mary and is passionate about environmental issues. She founded Footprints Jamaica, an organization dedicated to developing and urbanizing rural communities while promoting sustainability.
The Miss Universe 2024 pageant, the 73rd edition, will be held in a North American country for the first time since 2007. Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, who was a special guest at Sunday’s coronation, will crown her successor at the event’s conclusion.
Guest Editorial: Cultural Industry and its Potential for the Caribbean Development
Former Prime Minister of Jamaica the most honorable PJ Patterson at the Carib News Multinational Business Conference 2014 in the Bahamas presented a blueprint for cultural industry and its economic potential for development in the region.
Prime Minister Patterson laid out in a quite detailed manner the elements of the cultural industries that would include music, fashion, film, games, sports, architecture, and other arts, and the richness of these resources in the region. The aforementioned cultural resources offer great opportunities to stimulate investment in these areas that would have a direct impact on the region’s economic development.
The then, Prime Minister of the Bahamas was so impressed with the presentation that Prime Minister Patterson made that he asked for permission to present it to CARICOM and CARICOM endorsed it as part of its official program. There has been a strong realization of the potential of cultural industries for the region and there have been attempts made to carve a path
to realize that potential.
Today that potential has not been realized in the Caribbean and for the most part in any of the countries and there is strong sentiment being expressed not only in the Caribbean diaspora but also in the Caribbean itself that the development of the cultural industries in the region and in the individual countries are directed to the presentation of major events that would attract attendees and we can understand why.
But these events are these large-scale events are not owned by or controlled by Caribbean people but for the most part the beneficiaries are of foreign interests and they direct and control what’s happening for your sponsors which to a large extent are not local and for their enrichment. Sometimes with the support of government funds so while the events are promoted and look attractive in numbers it does not get to the issue of how we use the culture to have a real pathway to economic development that gets to the root of
moving the region forward with the talent that it possess.
It is outsourcing the potential of the cultural industries making any deep impact in the unemployment or the development of homegrown talent with an opportunity of self-directed development and engagement and to understand and guide the business.
When Bob Marley and his song says `Get up, stand ‘ and this has been quoted by many of our Caribbean leaders we should heed that call and we should `get up, and stand up’, for the cultural industries of the region and the governments need to take serious note, stand up to find the structural underpinning that is required to move the economies of the region by the talent and resources that exist in the region with the help and direction of the government. Finding the way to leverage financial and technological, administrative and logistics to nurture generate and expand the cultural industry that it produces for the region.
The PJ Patterson document is a great place
to start and it is understood that it has even been updated by the PJ Patterson Institute at the University the West Indies. So there is a blueprint and what is needed is the political will to move forward, so many of these companies promoting these large-scale so-called cultural events are powerful with direct connection to the government that they are almost untouchable but their interests do not coincide with the interests of the people of the country the most part and so the government has to look at it seriously.
The uniqueness of the cultural industry and its critical importance both in terms of commercial value and national development means a lot for the Caribbean and it is time for the leaders and stakeholders to come together and seriously look at it for its true potential and support and direct that effort that it has the sustainable and long-lasting effect not just a blare of publicity.
Guest Editorial: Project 2025: A Dire Threat to America’s Educational and Social Fabric
Since becoming a focal point of a potential second Trump administration, the conservative Project 2025 has continued to reveal a damaging set of policies that threaten to upend and eliminate many social safety nets and critical programs and push middle-class and low-income people on the brink of financial ruin. The plan also threatens to pull America, and most importantly, Black Americans, back to the early to mid-20th century, when Jim Crow and other oppressive laws kept proverbial knees on the necks of African Americans.
The Center for American Progress (CAP) has conducted an in-depth analysis, revealing even more reasons for concern regarding Project 2025.
The CAP’s recent findings highlight that Project 2025 aims to eliminate funding for low-income schools, jeopardizing over 180,000 teaching positions. Established in 1965, Title I provides crucial financial assistance to schools serving high percentages of low-income families. Project 2025’s plan to abolish Title I funding entirely would be disastrous for the education system.
A comprehensive 50-state analysis by CAP details the severe impact of cutting Title I funding on students and teachers nationwide. Key findings include: Title I supports nearly two-thirds of public schools and low-income students. Teacher turnover rates in high-poverty schools are 10% higher than in schools with lower poverty levels.
Project 2025 would worsen existing teacher shortages by eliminating nearly 6% of the educator workforce, equivalent to over 180,000 positions.
“Since its inception, Title I has been crucial in addressing funding and opportunity gaps between students experiencing high poverty and their more affluent peers,” stated Weadé James, senior director for K-12 Education Policy at CAP. “Project 2025 plans to gut it entirely.”
“Removing Title I funding would mean losing thousands of teachers and ultimately limiting children’s access to quality instruction,” added Will Ragland, vice president of research for Advocacy and Outreach at CAP. “This would be devastating to local schools, students, families, and communities.”
CAP officials asserted that Project 2025’s proposals undermine public education, a cornerstone of democracy. The plan suggests redirecting taxpayer dollars from K–12 public education to private and religious schools for the wealthy, rolling back Title IX protections, eliminating Head Start, blocking student debt cancellation programs, increasing monthly payments for student loan borrowers, censoring anti-racist curricula, and cutting school nutrition programs, particularly for food-insecure children during the summer. Moreover, Project 2025 plans to disinvest in programs supporting the academic needs of vulnerable students, including those
with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and low-income students at Title I-eligible schools. Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), provides supplemental federal funding to ensure all children receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. Title I was created in response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, recognizing students’ more significant educational needs in high-poverty schools and the lack of state resources to close this divide.
Officials insisted Title I funding is critical for hiring and retaining well-prepared teachers. During the 2023–24 school year, every state reported a teacher shortage in one or more subject areas. High-poverty schools face higher turnover rates due to poor working conditions and unmanageable workloads, officials found. Title I provides resources to support and incentivize teachers in hard-to-staff schools, which serve a higher percentage of low-income students and students of color. CAP officials reported that to close the achievement gap, districts need more federal aid through Title I and other programs.
Officials determined that Project 2025 would decimate over 180,000 teacher positions, negatively affecting the academic outcomes of 2.8 million vulnerable students nationwide. Such a loss represents 5.64% of the national teacher workforce. Some states, such as Louisiana, Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Nevada, and Florida, would
by Stacy M. Brown
face significant impacts, with up to 12% of teaching positions eliminated. Further, Project 2025’s proposal to phase out Title I reverses efforts to retain teachers, including legislation to increase teacher pay. Today, the average teacher salary in most states is below the minimum living wage, with teachers earning 5% less than a decade ago when adjusted for inflation. Title I funding benefits teachers and students in suburban, rural, and urban schools by providing direct student support services and enabling districts to hire and retain teachers. The CAP argued that eliminating Title I funding would lead to high teacher-to-student ratios, a lack of schoolbased programs, and diminished quality instruction.
The authors used state data to calculate the equivalent of teacher jobs at risk due to funding cuts. They multiplied the most recent state-by-state pupil-to-teacher ratios by the number of teachers affected to determine the number of impacted students. “Teaching is a foundational profession that prepares workers for every industry,” officials demanded. “Adequate support for teachers and students is essential for workforce preparation, social and emotional development, and fostering informed citizens necessary for a robust democracy.”
CARIBOPINION
Trump’s Remarks Confirm Plans for
Dictatorship by Stacy M. Brown
In a series of alarming rallies, former President Donald Trump has made his intentions clear, signaling plans that many critics describe as dictatorial. At Turning Point Action’s Believers Summit, Trump urged Christian voters to turn out for the 2024 election with an unprecedented promise: “Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. … You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.” With these words, Trump moved beyond veiled rhetoric, outlining a vision for America that directly threatens democratic principles.
Trump’s campaign has highlighted Agenda 47 as its official policy platform for the 2024 presidential election. This agenda, closely aligned with Project 2025, proposes sweeping changes to U.S. governance that align with authoritarian ideals. Both plans, shaped by Trump loyalists, aim to reshape the government and civil society under what can only be described as a
fascist framework, asserting their mission is to rescue the country from radical leftist influences. Project 2025 envisions ending the administrative state by placing the entire federal bureaucracy under direct presidential control, a “Unitary Executive” approach often seen as a pathway to autocracy. Similarly, Agenda 47 aims to dismantle the so-called “deep state” by firing thousands of civil servants and replacing them with loyalists, referred to as “patriots who love America.” According to Trump, this restructuring would make federal bureaucrats and politicians accountable to the American people. However, the plans fail to explain how the people would hold these officials accountable, raising fears of unchecked presidential power.
Authoritarian leaders have long used propaganda to manipulate public opinion, and experts suggest that Trump’s rhetoric follows this playbook. By framing checks and balances as “corrupt obstacles to the popular will,” Trump seeks to justify their
dismantling, creating an illusion of serving the public while concentrating power in the executive branch. Despite ongoing controversies, including the police murder of Sonya Massey, Trump has doubled down on his rhetoric of providing “federal qualified immunity” to all officers. This stance aligns with his earlier declarations that police should have the authority to shoot perceived criminals on sight, a policy that could lead to increased instances of unchecked police violence.
Adding to the controversy is Trump’s legal history. He has received 34 felony convictions, a judge found him guilty of committing significant business fraud, and a civil jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a writer. Many have noted that these convictions and allegations paint a troubling picture of a leader advocating for policies that could undermine democratic norms and the rule of law.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s statements and policy proposals have raised alarms about the future of
Emancipation Day Message 2024
by Hon. P.J. Patterson
The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy joins in the fitting commemoration of Emancipation Day across Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and nations on the African Continent.
“This day of great historical significance commemorates the end of an era of unimaginable suffering and the dawn of freedom for our ancestors, who endured the brutalities of the Transatlantic Trade in enslaved Africans and Chattel enslavement,” asserted the Statesman in Residence, P.J. Patterson.
Moreover, “our celebration must be accompanied by the specific acknowledgement and rejection of the residual aspects of slavery, colonialism, the exploitation and the oppression of black people and nations the world over.” After 190 years of the Emancipation Proclamation, remnants of colonisation persist through continued anti-black racism despite repeated calls by the international community to end racism against all peoples in all lands. Instead of being dismantled, the inequities in the International political economy are evidently more deeply entrenched. The plundering of Africa and within the Americas must be disbanded and not endlessly perpetuated to build a world where peace and equality prevail.
During this memorable commemoration, we should never forget that our journey toward liberation was ignited by the unyielding spirit of our forebears, a spirit manifested by the Haitian Revolution. For it was in 1791, that enslaved Africans in Haiti rebelled against the mighty army of Napoleon Bonaparte to lead the first successful slave revolt in the region and to assert their right to freedom.
Today we cannot fail to condemn the external barriers and burdens imposed on the political
architecture of Haiti which have served to engender and perpetuate poverty, misery, and social degradation in that nation. In this critical period of desperate need, the response of CARICOM and the crucial support of Kenya in restoring the essential ingredients for the workings of an effective democracy are important for fulfilling the dreams of those first brave Haitian revolutionaries.
This expression of solidarity is timely and instructive in underlining the value of a strong fraternity of African descendants and nations coming together to establish unity across Africa, Haiti, and the broader African Diaspora.
The PJ Patterson Institute believes that the entire international community, the United States and France, have a duty and obligation to ensure that we all work together so that Haitians can enjoy real prosperity and true humanity as a sovereign nation. As we commemorate Emancipation Day, let us honour the legacy of those who fought for our liberty. From the resilience of all indigenous communities and palenques to the relentless advocacy of freedom fighters and abolitionists, our history is undoubtedly a tapestry woven with courage, sacrifice, and unyielding determination. Their struggle laid the foundation for our continued pursuit of justice, equality, and empowerment. It must be emphasised that the fight for liberation extends beyond physical freedom; it encompasses the socio-economic, political, and cultural dimensions of our existence. At the centre of this must be the vociferous fight for reparatory justice and the demand for equality and true sovereignty for nations affected by the scourge of Chattel enslavement and colonialism.
Freedom from subjugation also opened the possibility for blacks, indigenous tribes and other peoples who were brought here forcibly to celebrate true individual autonomy, assert self, accept individual identity and exercise agency. We can celebrate the achievements since the abolition of Chattel enslavement and colonial rule. We have made some progress over the years in different areas, especially in education, economic growth, trade and development. The bonds that have been built after centuries of forced displacement and subjugation need to be strengthened to create greater rewards from total solidarity and cooperation.
As we as independent nations reflect on freedom from the scourges of slavery and colonialism, we must continue to learn about who we are, to be able to chart a brighter future for generations to come. There is a need to ensure ongoing acknowledgement of our rich heritage, and of how we can draw on our shared history and cultural legacy to provide cohesion and unity in our struggles. We must continue to reject and fight racism, self-hate and mental slavery, all of which have persisted as a result of the continued discourse that helped to bolster slavery and colonialism. Our efforts must involve a united front, comprising the African continent, the Caribbean, Latin America and the entire African Diaspora. As sovereign nations, we must join forces to confront the obstacles that continue to impede our achievement of true emancipation. “Emancipation is not just a historical milestone; it is a living, breathing aspiration. It is a reminder that our heritage is one of resilience, strength, and an unbreakable will to be free,” stated the former Prime Minister. Increasingly, the efforts of historians, scholars
American democracy. His calls for Christians to vote as if it’s the last time, combined with plans for sweeping governmental changes, suggest a vision of America that could lead to authoritarian rule. “When Vice President Harris says this election is about freedom she means it,” the Kamala Harris campaign said in a statement. “Our democracy is under assault by criminal Donald Trump.” Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal called Trump’s rhetoric “terrifying.” “We cannot let this be the case,” she asserted.
and authors, the Church and Universities have concretised our uncompromising claims for reparative justice and money for reparations and have now permitted a wider embrace of nations within the Commonwealth. In consonance with this spirit of unity and solidarity that is indispensable in the ongoing pursuit of freedom, we note with satisfaction that the upcoming summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Samoa has included the matter of reparatory justice on its agenda. Indeed, the firm support by leaders in Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider Commonwealth has the potential to accelerate the process of implementation and to ensure the success of the project on the global stage. This unique family of Nations can place the spotlight on the search for justice at last.
May this Emancipation Day become an indelible milestone for the freedom of transgressors and victims alike to reflect our common humanity. May we continue to honour our past, celebrate our present, and shape a future that truly reflects the ideals of liberty, justice and equality for all.
Kamala Harris Support Group Launched by NY AG Letitia James
New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a group of Black attorneys generals in supporting Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential campaign after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race over the weekend.
In a statement released on Sunday via social media, James said, “I’m leading a coalition of every Black AG in the nation—Kwame Raoul, Anthony G. Brown, Andrea J. Campbell, Keith Ellison, and Aaron D. Ford—to endorse Kamala Harris as our next President.”
The statement reads:
As District Attorney, Attorney General, Senator, and now Vice President, Kamala Harris has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting and expanding the rights of all Americans.
“She has fought fearlessly to support hardworking families, strong unions, accessible education, reliable infrastructure, and
healthy communities. She has staunchly defended our right to choose and preserved our most sacred right to vote. There is no one more qualified to lead and continue to uphold the values of our great nation.
“With tremendous gratitude to President Joseph R. Biden for years of selfless and dedicated service to our nation, we proudly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul became the first prominent Illinois politician to endorse Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination for President. In a post on social media he shared:
“Today I joined some of my fellow Democratic AGs in endorsing a former AG and current VP @KamalaHarris,” Raoul said Sunday on social media. “I commit to working hard to elect her the 47th President of the United States of America!”
Kamala’s Campaign – Divine Nine Organized to be a Spark
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election looms, Vice President Kamala Harris stands poised to make history once again. An essential element of her campaign’s strength lies in her connection to the Divine Nine, a coalition of historically Black fraternities and sororities known for their profound impact on political activism and community service. This alliance is proving to be a formidable force in bolstering Harris’s bid for the presidency.
How the Divine Nine is Supporting Kamala Harris
1. Voter Registration and Mobilization
2. Community Outreach and Engagement
3.
4.
5.
Who Are the Divine Nine?
The Divine Nine, also known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), consists of nine historically Black Greek-letter orga
nizations. These fraternities and sororities have a rich history of fostering leadership, education, and civic engagement within the African American community. The organizations are:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Kamala Harris and Alpha Kappa Alpha
Kamala Harris is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), the first African American sorority, founded in 1908 at Howard University. Her affiliation with AKA connects her to a vast and influential network of individuals who are deeply committed to civic duty and community empowerment. This connection is playing a
pivotal role in her campaign strategy.
How the Divine Nine is Supporting Kamala Harris
1. Voter Registration and Mobilization
The Divine Nine has a long-standing tradition of organizing voter registration drives and GOTV (Get Out The Vote) campaigns. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that voters, especially those in key swing states, are registered and motivated to cast their ballots. Their grassroots efforts can significantly increase voter turnout, which is vital for Harris’s success.
2. Community Outreach and Engagement
Members of the Divine Nine are deeply embedded in their communities. They use their local influence to engage voters, educate them about Harris’s policies, and emphasize the importance of the election. This grassroots engagement helps build a strong, informed, and motivated voter base.
3. Advocacy and Public Support
Through social media, public events, and community forums, the Divine Nine actively advocates for Harris’s candidacy. They highlight her achievements and policy positions that align with the interests and needs of the Black community and other marginalized groups. This advocacy helps in shaping a positive narrative around her campaign.
4. Fundraising and Resource Allocation
The Divine Nine’s extensive network is also instrumental in fundraising efforts. By organizing events and leveraging their
connections, they help raise essential funds to sustain Harris’s campaign activities. This financial support is crucial for maintaining a robust campaign presence across various platforms.
5. Symbolic Representation and Inspiration
Harris’s membership in AKA and her alignment with the values of the Divine Nine offer powerful symbolic representation. Her candidacy inspires many African Americans and women, showcasing the possibility of achieving high political office. This inspiration translates into increased support and volunteerism for her campaign.
In a tightly contested election, the support of the Divine Nine can be a decisive factor. Their ability to mobilize voters, particularly in urban areas and communities of color, can tip the scales in Harris’s favor. Additionally, their involvement in policy discussions and community advocacy helps Harris craft a campaign that resonates with a broader electorate.
Kamala Harris’s connection to the Divine Nine, especially Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is a strategic advantage that significantly boosts her presidential run. The Divine Nine’s historical significance, community influence, and organizational strength provide a robust support system for Harris’s campaign. This powerful alliance not only enhances her chances of winning the election but also underscores the vital role of historically Black Greek-letter organizations in shaping the political future of the United States.
CARIBNEWS
First in Line: How COVID-19 Placed Me on the Frontlines of a Health Care Crisis
Sandra Lindsay was the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. In her first book, In First in Line Lindsay, she takes the reader on her journey from humble immigrant beginnings in 1980s Bronx to national health equity advocate and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Lindsay lays out her triumphs and setbacks as a single mother and working student who overcomes barriers with the love of her family and the support of mentors and leaders. Her beginnings as a four-dollar-an-hour grocery store fortified her with the resilience to persevere over decades to become an executive at a globally recognized nationally known healthcare system.
Lindsay immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1986 with ambitions of becoming a nurse and living the American Dream. In December 2020, she became the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and was subsequently honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Lindsay tells her inspiring story, from leaving a stable home in Jamaica only to experience years of struggle in the Bronx, NY, as a single mother and struggling student. Her tenacity led to a successful thirty-year nursing career, including her leadership as the director of critical care at Northwell’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center during the country’s worst health crisis in 2020.
Lindsay recounts working through the darkest months of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and leading the critical care units at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. The suffering and losses she witnessed ignited Lindsay’s passion for seeing an end to inequities in healthcare.
First in Line tackles a variety of issues: bias and inequity in healthcare; chronic disease in marginalized communities; maternal, infant, and Black and Brown women’s health; and mental health. While Lindsay continues to beat the drum for vaccination as COVID-19 continues to impact our lives, she advocates for a holistic approach for improved, equitable healthcare for all people who live on the margins.
Through Jamaican Lenses: A Memoir
A compelling memoir of a blossoming life rooted in a Jamaican homeland
Born and raised on the island of Jamaica, Fern June Khan has valued and embraced Jamaica in each stage of her life. Despite the island’s economic and educational challenges during her youth, Khan’s childhood was a colorful one, replete with the vibrant culture of the island, endlessly supportive role models, and a complex social tapestry. Her early experiences empowered Khan to develop an unwavering sense of self as she progressed into adulthood and moved to the United States. Through Jamaican Lenses: A Memoir celebrates Khan’s joyful upbringing, journey to a new environment, and her many educational and professional accomplishments.
Centering on her early life in Jamaica in the 1940s and ‘50s, this memoir reveals Khan’s childhood as one rich with opportunities to observe and experience the complexities of Jamaican life and history. Khan’s childhood memories revel in the community’s vivid folklore, Jamaica’s music and food, and popular idioms and sayings, as well as the implications of color and class. Then a British colony, Jamaica still bore the legacies and social impacts of slavery and emancipation. Jamaica was becoming increasingly globalized and along with that transition came a growing interest in cultural exchange. Stories of economic success poured in from relatives and friends who had traveled abroad, whether as seasonal workers or as immigrants.
As Khan grew, ambition brought her to
the United States as a foreign student. She graduated from New York University with a BSc in sociology and a graduate degree in social work. Following a brief career in social work, Khan next cultivated a fortyfour-year career in higher education, using her social work skills to inform her work developing education programs for children, youth, and adults alike in New York City and beyond. Bolstered by her early education in Jamaica, these achievements would not have been possible without the support of her community. Examining not only Jamaica’s contribution to the arts, its customs and traditions, and its social and cultural heritage, Through Jamaican Lenses explores honestly the diasporic experience of Caribbean immigration, postcolonialism, collective and individual memory, and transnational identity.
Challenged Sovereignty: The Impact of Drugs, Crime, Terrorism, and Cyber Threats in the Caribbean
Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith originated the concept of Geonarcotics in the early 1990s as a way to study the complex relationship involving drugs, geography, power, and politics, outlining it first in International Journal, Canada’s leading international affairs scholarly magazine. He has published widely on Caribbean national security, drugs, and crime issues, including the books The Quest for Security in the Caribbean (M.E. Sharpe), Drugs and Security in the Caribbean (Penn State University Press), The Political Economy of Drugs in the Caribbean (Palgrave Macmillan), and Caribbean Security in the Age of Terror (Ian Randle Publishers), including his upcoming book, Challenged Sovereignty:
The Impact of Drugs, Crime, Terrorism, and Cyber Threats in the Caribbean published by the University of Illinois Press.
The drug trade. Crime. Terrorism. Cyber threats. In the Caribbean, these cross-border Problems Without Passports (PWPs) have shaken the very foundation of nation states. Blending case studies with regional analysis, Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith examines the regionwide impact of PWPs and the complex security and sovereignty issues in play. The interaction of local and global forces within PWPs undermines the governments’ basic goal of protecting their people against military threats, subversion,
and the erosion of political, economic, and social values. Seeking solutions to these multidimensional threats requires addressing both traditional and non-traditional security and sovereignty issues. Griffith focuses on clashes between PWPs and the state including warring drug gangs in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago’s one-time status as a center for terrorism-related activities, the political resurgence of drug trafficker Desi Bouterse in Suriname, and the growing cyber threats across the region.
Informed and up to date, Challenged Sovereignty explains the effects of today’s globalized problems on the contemporary Caribbean.
Bahamas – Texas Man Met Same Fate at Yoga Retreat
A spokesperson from the same Bahamas yoga retreat where Chicago woman, Taylor Casey, vanished last month, confirmed that a decade ago a Texas man went missing. The man, Wesley Bell, was last seen alive while attending a yoga retreat on Paradise Island in Nassau on January 25, 2013.
New interest in Bell’s disappearance comes weeks after Casey disappeared from the retreat. According to a missing persons flyer released by the police at the time. Bell was attending a retreat at the Sivananda
Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, according to the retreat’s spokesperson, Jonathan Goldbloom.
Goldbloom said “After an extensive search, the Bahamian police determined that he had drowned.” He referred further inquiries to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
It appears there is no evidence of foul play in Bell’s case, though the police have not provided any official statement on the matter.
Dominica - ‘Burst of Volcanic Earthquakes’
ROSEAU – The Seismic Research Centre of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (SRC-UWI) Tuesday said that Dominica has been experiencing a “burst of volcanic earthquakes”.
SRC-UWI in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said that from 12:45 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday “a burst of volcanic earthquakes were recorded beneath northern Dominica.
“Some of these events were sufficiently large to be felt but were smaller than magnitude 3.5 which is below the thresh-
old for posting to the SRC’s social media platforms”
It said so far, 345 earthquakes have been recorded in the sequence and that the rate of events has decreased.
“The Seismic Research Centre is continuing to monitor the activity and provide ODM-Office of Disaster Management, Dominica with regular updates,” it added.
Last week, the SRC-UWI said Dominica’s Boiling Lake is “ slowly refilling and the water temperature have ranged between 70° and 80° Celsius”.
Scientist Urges Action After Beryl, Links Early Category 5 Strength to Climate Change
Professor Michael Taylor is hoping that the onslaught of Hurricane Beryl is a wake-up call for the unbelievers in climate change that the concept is indeed real
For over a decade, Taylor has sounded the warning about the wrath future storms could bring to the island, and more so the Caribbean, if the world does not adapt
to the necessary measures that have been suggested to slow climate change.
When the physicist and dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, Mona, began preaching years ago that climate change could herald more intense storms, though less frequent, in the Caribbean,
many locals scoffed at him.
Last Wednesday, as Hurricane Beryl – the first hurricane in history to reach Category 5 strength in the Atlantic Ocean – unleashed her fury on Jamaica, he said it was confirmation of the long-trumpeted message.
The Jamaican scientist says he is not
surprised about the unprecedented results from Hurricane Beryl as he believes it matches near to what he and other climate-change advocates have been warning is to be expected.
“I am surprised on the one hand because there are elements of the unexpected that you see in Beryl,” Taylor said.
CARIBHEALTH
Guyana – Chinese Medical Team Making Impact on Healthcare
Since their arrival in Guyana, the 19th China Medical Team both believes and demonstrates that they have significantly boosted healthcare delivery in the country. Their admiration for the progress of their local counterparts continues to grow.
On Monday, the team inaugurated what is known as Surgery Week at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Running until Friday, this event provides Guyanese access to a range of medical services from the Chinese team.
Surgery Week is a concentrated demonstration of the medical expertise of the 19th China Medical Team. It showcases the cooperative achievements between Chinese and Guyanese doctors while allowing locals to become more familiar with the Chinese medical professionals. Dr. Zhao Changyong, head of the China Medical Team, emphasized the advanced medical technology and the spirit of resilience and sacrifice the Chinese teams have brought to Guyana. Over the years, the establishment of numerous clinical centers and the application of new technologies have significantly elevated the healthcare level in Guyana.
Dr. Zhao Changyong is two decades into his career as a general surgeon, specializing in laparoscopic surgery, particularly in
hepatobiliary and pancreatic operations. As a consultant for Team 1 of the Department of General Surgery at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Zhao leads his team in treating critically ill patients in emergency situations. His expertise includes handling severe liver trauma, stab wounds to vital organs, and other life-threatening injuries. He has successfully performed Whipple surgery multiple times, a procedure considered one of the most challenging in general surgery.
Dr. Zhao recalled a case involving a pancreatic cancer patient from Linden who had been deemed inoperable by others. Dr. Zhao successfully performed the surgery, earning the patient’s heartfelt gratitude. “When the patient left the hospital, he felt lucky after meeting me and said the Chinese medical team was a gift from God to him,” Dr. Zhao shared.
Promoting super-minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Zhao aims to reduce the trauma associated with procedures like laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy, leaving barely visible scars. He selflessly shares his medical expertise with Guyanese colleagues, focusing on training four local doctors. His contributions include donating specialized
Barbados – More Nurses From Ghana Coming Due to Shortage
Barbados is once again recruiting nurses from Ghana, despite reports that many from the initial batch had broken their contracts to pursue opportunities in the United Kingdom.
Minister of Health, the Most Honourable Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, revealed in an interview with the Sunday Sun that they are preparing to welcome a third batch of nurses from Ghana, as well as from the Philippines.
A source affiliated with the programme mentioned that while the Ghanaian nurses
surgical equipment, demonstrating surgeries, and sharing perioperative management techniques, significantly developing GPHC’s hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery capabilities. The establishment of this specialized division marks a milestone in general surgery in Guyana, enhancing the country’s diagnostic and treatment levels for related diseases.
Dr. Zhao provided a brief history of Chinese doctors in Guyana. The first China Medical Team arrived on July 30, 1993, warmly welcomed by then Health Minister Gail Teixeira and later by President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. This marked the beginning of China’s first medical cooperation project in South America. Over the past 31 years, China has sent 19 medical teams and 279 experts to Guyana,
fostering significant progress in clinical medical exchanges, medical education and training, and public health.
The 19th China Medical Team, led by Dr. Zhao, arrived in Guyana in September 2023. Comprising 14 medical experts, they closely cooperate with counterparts at GPHC and Linden Hospital, treating nearly 13,000 patients and performing over 2,000 surgeries. During their rest periods, they organized 14 free medical outreaches, extending services to remote Amerindian villages, benefiting more than 3,400 people.
Responding to the Ministry of Health’s requirements, the team donated cervical cancer screening equipment and collaborated with the Guyanese government to launch the Guyana Cervical Cancer Screening Project. They also trained sample collectors and screening test doctors. Beyond their medical duties, the China Medical Team participates in local activities, experiencing diverse cultures and building friendships, serving as ambassadors of goodwill.
In summary, the 19th China Medical Team has significantly impacted healthcare delivery in Guyana, showcasing the benefits of international medical cooperation and the spirit of cross-cultural collaboration.
faced some administrative issues, particularly with late payments, many of them had used Barbados as a stepping stone to get to the UK.
“Before their contracts ended, they were requesting transcripts to show that they had worked in an English-speaking country, a requirement for nursing in the UK. So after Barbados invested thousands of dollars in chartering a flight for them and essentially training them, many packed up and left for the UK.”
Largest Collection of Bob Marley Artefacts Now Belongs to Josef Bogdanovich
Longtime reggae collector, Bob Marley expert, radio host, and 82-year-old author Roger Steffens has sold his enormous archive of vinyl and other memorabilia — widely acknowledged as the largest and most comprehensive collection of Marley artifacts in the world — for an undisclosed “multimillion-dollar” sum.
The archive, previously valued at up to $3 million, was acquired by Josef Bogdanovich, first cousin of the late director Peter Bogdanovich and one of four heirs to his grandfather Martin’s StarKist Tuna fortune.
“It’s a privilege and a huge responsibility to the culture of Jamaica,” Bogdanovich told Variety about the purchase. “It’s a monumental undertaking, but the work is so powerful.”
Steffens, who has known Bogdanovich for more than four decades, commented, “Of all the people who have tried to buy this collection for the past 37 years, he is the most qualified to do all the things necessary to preserve and promote it, and to return this history to Jamaica without any political control.”
Steffens estimates that he has spent around $500,000 on his collection.
Now in his early eighties, Bogdanovich moved from California to Jamaica in 1999. There, he founded the Downsound label to record and promote reggae and dancehall artists like Nanko, I-Maroon, Fantan Mojah, and Jah Cure. Over the years, he has also acquired the Montego Bay-based summer Reggae Sumfest (the successor to Sunsplash) and Sting festivals — and now he has a unique, world-class collection as well.
“For me, it’s the artifacts that come straight from the people, the trinkets from all over
the world” that make the collection special, Bogdanovich says. He intends to place the artifacts in a museum he originally wanted to build alongside the seaside Catherine Hall Entertainment Center, home of Sumfest. However, geological issues have forced him to look elsewhere for a location. He now plans to build it in Montego Bay and has hired Robert Santelli of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Museum as a creative advisor. Even though there is already a Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Steffens’ archive is acknowledged as the largest collection of the legendary musician’s artifacts in the world.
Steffens’ collection began in 1973 with a used copy of the Wailers’ first album, “Catch a Fire,” which he bought after reading an adulatory article in Rolling Stone. He eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career and ultimately became a voiceover artist and audiobook narrator, as well as the long-running radio host for KCRW’s “Reggae Beat” and the syndicated “Reggae Beat International” show. He was also a photographer, editor of The Beat magazine, and author of eight books on Marley. He first showcased his archives for the public in 2001, curating the collection with a sprawling eight-month exhibit in Long Beach, California, dubbed “The World of Reggae,” which coincided with Marley receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The vast collection includes reggae posters, album covers, buttons, live cassettes and interviews, rare white label Trojan releases, magazine articles, folk art, paintings, and Haile Selassie memorabilia, including an autographed, postmarked envelope
Reggae Legend Horace Andy Claims 30 Children
Reggae veteran Horace Andy, best known for his 1970s hit “Skylarking,” has revealed that he has fathered 30 children with 17 different women.
In a recent episode of the Entertainment Report podcast, the 73-year-old singer discussed the challenges of his five-decade career and his efforts to support his large family.
“We have children and we have to support them, and that’s why we have to come and travel,” he told host Muscle. “I work hard because I have 20 daughters and 10 sons. My youngest child is four years old, so I
have to keep working.”
“One thing…I take care of them. They don’t have to beg anybody for anything. I am always there for them,” he said.
Horace Andy is a Jamaican roots reggae songwriter and singer, known for his distinctive vocals and hit songs such as “Government Land,” as well as collaborations with the English trip-hop group Massive Attack on tracks like “Angel,” “Spying Glass,” and “Five Man Army.” He is also famous for his cover version of “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Andy is often described as one of the most respected and influential singers in Jamaica.
Some of his lyrics have been criticized for being homophobic. Andy confirmed that Trojan Records only agreed to release his album “On Tour” after removing a track containing the lyrics “The Father never make Adam and Steve, he make Adam and Eve.”
The singer also revealed that all of his children were born between America and England. Despite the geographical spread, he has always been committed to his children’s well-being.
commemorating his famed October 4, 1963, speech to the United Nations, the words of which were set to music by Marley in “War.”
Other prized possessions include a poster for Marley’s July 21, 1978, concert at Berkeley’s Greek Theater autographed by Marley and the Wailers. When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame borrowed it for an exhibition, it insured the piece for $75,000, making it perhaps the most valuable single piece in the collection. There is also a T-shirt from Marley’s famed 1978 “One Love” concert in Jamaica, where he famously joined the hands of the island’s two rival
politicians, Michael Manley and Edward Seaga. Steffens also boasts a treasure trove of original Marley singles on the Tuff Gong label, including several white label discs only pressed for sound systems and not intended for the public.
One is a copy of “Knotty (not Natty) Dread,” credited to Bob Marley, Wailers & I Three, and another is a hand-written label, “Red Red Red,” penned by Marley himself, eventually released as “Redder Than Red.” There’s also a photograph of Marley at the moment his shoe was pierced and his toe spiked by a French music journalist during a friendly football match in 1977, leading to the discovery of the cancer that eventually killed him.
Both Stephen Davis and Timothy White, who wrote Bob Marley biographies, used Steffens’ Reggae Archives to research their books, as did the producers and directors of the Marley documentary and the recent “One Love” biopic, along with around 80 other authors over the years.
Determined to find a permanent home for the collection, he received his first offer — for the low six figures — in 1987 from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Institute for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. Since then, he has entertained a number of bids but went with Bogdanovich because of their relationship and his plans to house the collection in Jamaica.
CARIBTRAVEL
Honoring Sacred Waters: African Wisdom, Creativity, and Power Fete
St. Croix, USVI – From August 8 to August 10, 2024, the Creative Justice Initiative Inc., in collaboration with the Afro Caribbean Global Network, Corredor Afro, Corporación Piñones Se Integra (COPI), AST Speaks LLC, ANU Per Ankh Inc., and the Afro Latino Institute, will host the “Honoring Sacred Waters: African Wisdom, Creativity, and Power Fete.” This interdisciplinary gathering will take place in St. Croix, Virgin Islands (US), and is designed to honor the evolution of ancestral philosophy and sacred intelligence in the continued path for freedom, justice, and racial and cultural equity. Our Caribbean nations and islands have been kept separate, denying the innate connections and bridges that unite our cultural and ethnic experiences.
The theme for this year’s event is “Sacred Traditions Imbued with Freedom Manifested in the Power of Water.” The gather-
ing will feature a series of roundtable discussions (academic, artistic, and spiritual), ceremonial openings, creative performances, and exhibitions that highlight the deep connection between water, freedom, creativity, empowerment, and the expansive interlocking of African traditions from our root cultures to the present.
Event Highlights:
- Ceremonial Opening Honoring Sacred Waters: Led by Eldress Amma McKen, Babalawo Filberto Armenterio, and Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina with performances by Bata Drummers and Bamboula Drummers.
- Sacred Wisdom Roundtables: Featuring distinguished scholars like Dr. Kevin Dawson, Dr. Jorge L. Chinea, Dr. Justin Dunnavant, Dr. George F. Tyson, and Dr. Babatunde Lawal.
- Creative Performative Arts Exhibi-
tion: An exhibition and reception at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, showcasing the works of Ase Adama Delphine Fawundu and Celso Gonzalez, among others.
- Sacred Arts of Marronage, Emancipation, Reparations, and Freedom Moving Forward:Discussions led by prominent artists and scholars exploring the wisdom of water divinities and sacred knowledge.
An International Gathering, some our guests are:
- Puerto Rico and its Diaspora: Dr. Mayra Santos Febres, Prof. Lester Nurse, Dr. Maricruz Rivera Clemente, Folklorists Jesús Cepeda and José Cepeda, Artist and Curator Celso González
- St. Croix and Virgin Islands: QM Dr. ChenziRa Davis, Prof. Olasee Davis, George F. Tyson, Gerville Larsen
- New York: Amma Macken and Isis Rakia Mattei
- California: Kevin Dawson
- Jamaica: Okomfo Nana Afia Fofie
- Trinidad y Tobago: Baba Onífádé Olówu
- Barbados: Andrea Wells
- Haiti: Chipo Baker Afamefuma
- West Africa: Adama Delphine Fawundu
- Brazil: Silvana Magda
The Creative Justice Initiative is a racial and social justice non-profit organization committed to eradicating systemic injustices that oppress marginalized communities. Through projects focused on racial and cultural equity, institution building, and the lived experiences of Black and Afro-Latin individuals, we aim to reshape society and amplify unheard voices. For more information or to register for the event, please visit the Creative Justice Initiative’s website, call 787.508.3743, or email olga@braavepr.com.
Jamaica - Sangster Airport Gets Caribbean’s Leading Airport Award 2024
Sangster International Airport has been awarded the Caribbean’s Leading Airport in 2024 by the esteemed World Travel Awards.
Sangster International Airport is claiming the title for the 16th consecutive year. The awards recognize, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
MBJ Airports Limited is the company that manages and operates the Sangster International Airport on behalf of the Jamaican government.
In a statement on Thursday MBJ said the accolade underscores its unwavering commitment to delivering superior service and operational excellence.
“We are immensely proud to receive this award, which reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire airport team. It reinforces our commitment to excellence as we continuously strive to enhance the passenger experience through our ongoing initiatives and upcoming projects,” said Shane Munroe, chief executive officer of MBJ Airports Limited. Commercial, Business Development & Marketing Manager with MBJ Airports Limited, Sharon Hislop-Holt echoed these sentiments adding, “We are dedicated to continuously raising the bar in airport service and operations. This award inspires us to keep striving for excellence and to deliver superior service to our airport users.”
Paris Olympics Preview: Triple Jump
For the first time since 2017, an outdoor global title in the women’s triple jump will be won by someone other than Yulimar Rojas. The dominant Venezuelan, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo three years ago, has unfortunately been forced to skip the entire 2024 season due to an achilles tendon injury, throwing the event wide open.
Leyanis Perez-Hernandez heads to Paris as perhaps the slight favourite. The 22-year-old Cuban has been creeping closer to the top step of the podium at recent major championships, placing fourth at the 2022 World Championships, third at the 2023 edition and second at this year’s World Indoor Championships. She is undefeated outdoors this year, and last month she would have joined the 15-metre club were it not for the wind being a bit too strong. Her 15.16m leap in Guadalajara was aided by a 2.3m/s breeze, marginally over the allowable limit.
In her final competition before the Olympics –and in what turned out to be the most compet-
itive triple jump contest of the outdoor season so far – Perez-Hernandez came within two centimetres of her PB to win with an outdoor world lead of 14.96m.
It’s not the best outright mark of the year, though. That accolade belongs to Thea LaFond, who produced a leap of 15.01m to win world indoor gold in Glasgow. In so doing, the 30-year-old from Dominica earned her country’s first global title in athletics. She now wants to become Dominica’s first Olympic medallist in any sport.
LaFond competed at her first Olympics back in 2016, but finished last in qualifying. Five years later in Tokyo, she reached the Olympic final but placed last. Since then, however, she has become far more competitive on the global stage, placing fifth at the past two World Championships.
Significantly, her outdoor (14.90m) and indoor (15.01m) PBs were set in major championship finals.
Ana Peleteiro-Compaore is another proven
championship performer. The Spaniard set her PB of 14.87m to take bronze at the last Olympics. Her season’s best of 14.85m, meanwhile, was set when winning gold at the recent European Championships – her second major
medal of the year, following world indoor bronze in March.
As a training partner of Rojas, the 28-year-old will be looking to keep the Olympic title in the Ivan Pedroso stable.
World silver medallist Maryna BekhRomanchuk had a delayed start to her season as she was recovering from injury. After missing the World Indoor Championships and the European Championships, the Ukrainian opened her season at the recent Wanda Diamond League meeting in Monaco and produced a highly encouraging 14.81m to finish third behind Perez and LaFond (14.87m).
The 29-year-old finished just outside the medals in the long jump in Tokyo three years ago, but appears to be in with a good shout of a triple jump medal this time around.
Jamaica fields a strong contingent in the form of two-time world silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, NCAA champion Ackelia Smith and three-time Olympic finalist Kimberly Williams.
Kishane Thompson’s Journey Into the Sprinting Spotlight, On Track for Paris
In 2023, a young sprinter appeared on the scene at the Jamaican Championships, leaving many spectators spellbound after the first heat of the men’s 100m. Competing from lane eight, the powerful MVP athlete effortlessly won his race in 9.91. This was Kishane Thompson’s grand introduction to the world. A coaching decision meant he didn’t return for the semifinals, but Thompson re-emerged on the Wanda Diamond League circuit, chalking impressive results including a PB of 9.85 in Xiamen in September. He closed his season with a fourth-place finish in the Diamond League final in Eugene, clocking 9.87. Fast forward to 2024 and the 23-year-old has
Antigua - Tyreek Hill Reveals Offseason Stem Cell Treatment
camp to receive stem cell therapy, a process known to improve blood flow and enhance physical recovery.
Hill said, “I feel like I’m going to be training my whole life because I feel like each and every year I’ve got to prove something to people. Because a lot of people feel like I’m not supposed to be doing what I’m supposed to be doing because of my size and my stature.”
As Hill reaches an age where many athletes in his position start to slow down, he shared how the therapy has significantly helped him maintain peak performance. He is going into his ninth NFL season after recording a career-high 1,799 receiving yards in 2023, it doesn’t sound like he plans on slowing down.
“Stem cells have been great,” Hill said in a press conference. “I just got back from Antigua [on Monday], from doing stem cells, and it’s been amazing. It’s helping me regenerate some of the cells in my body and giving me the correct blood flow that I need. So that’s been great.”
emerged as a frontrunner for Olympic gold in Paris after his victory in a world-leading 9.77 at the Jamaican Olympic trials at the end of June. That performance followed times of 9.82 in the heats and 9.84 in the semifinals, and Thompson now sits joint ninth on the world all-time list.
Less than two weeks later, at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary, Thompson effortlessly cruised to a 9.91 win, beating a strong field including world silver medallist Letsile Tebogo and two-time Olympic finalist Akani Simbine.
Kishane Thompson on his way to a 100m win in Szekesfehervar
“This year is the best I’ve ever been healthwise,” Thompson said after his performance in Kingston.
“Running the three rounds at this championship has helped me better understand my body and the sport. I was never short on confidence, but I believe I have much more to do as I can run way faster. Deep down, I look forward to some great competition and nice vibes from the top sprinters.”
Tyreek Hill, football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, recently revealed that he underwent a unique treatment in Antigua to boost his durability ahead of the upcoming NFL season. The 30-year-old wide receiver made a trip to the Caribbean before training
Paris 2024: Rebeca Andrade Leads Brazilian Women to Historic First Olympic Team Bronze
Rebeca Andrade had one final vault to perform. And she stuck it.
With the team bronze medal on the line in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday (30 July), the reigning Olympic and world champion on that apparatus delivered under the ultimate pressure, sealing them their first Olympic team podium at Paris 2024.
It was a dramatic women’s final inside Bercy Arena, with Simone Biles and Suni Lee leading Team USA to a redemptive gold medal, but the Brazilians hung around all evening, even after Flavia Saraiva had a scary fall on the uneven bars in the waning seconds before the final got underway.
But tough as ever, the Brazilians didn’t let that deter them, with Saraiva being patched up - literally bandaged - by teammate Jade Barbosa after she suffered a cut above her right eyebrow.
It was Andrade who would settle them down in full, hitting solid routine after routine, including a sky-high double layout on floor, which elicited “Ooo’s” and “Ahh’s” from the crowd.
Nothing compared to that final stuck vault, though, a massive Cheng where Andrade nailed the landing for a 15.100 on an event she has delivered on time and again. It was the biggest score on vault all night. It’s a crowning effort for Andrade, the reign-
ing Olympic and world silver medallist in the individual all-around, too. The 25-yearold has scarcely competed internationally in 2024 and has faced a series of injuries that could have ended her career over the last several years.
“It’s so gratifying,” Andrade told Olympics. com. “[This team] is what made me come back from every injury that I had. I was doing it for them and they were doing it for me.
The floor was for them, the beam for them, the uneven… everything will always be for them. I’m so happy and proud of our results.”
Instead, Tuesday saw her legacy build even further, with the Brazilian fans out in force inside the gymnastics venue, roaring and chating their approval.
They erupted for their home hopes at every turn, and after that bronze medal was secured, Andrade scaled the barriers of the lower bowl of the arena to hug some family and friends. One of those hugs went to her mother, Rosa.
“She’s incredible,” Rosa told Olympics.com via an interpreter. “[She has] been able to achieve something she fought so hard, a goal she tried so hard to get through faith, strength and grit. I’m happy, so happy. She continued: “It’s so gratifying, so much joy, I had no way to describe so much emotion.”
