TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Declared PM Rowley in addressing the state of the country - government performed in difficult period THE COUNTRY IS STRONGER THAN MANY Page 4
Demanding a swift change of the Dangerous Drugs Act HAITI
Young children are forced to work to survive says Amnesty International CHILDREN ARE JOINING CRIMINAL GANGS
Page 4
Governor Hochul signed legislation to expand insurance coverage of breast cancer screening and imaging Page 5
To UK Royal Historical Society for her enormous contribution to historical studies GUYANESE DOCTOR ELECTED FELLOW NEW YORK NEW LAW ENHANCES BREAST CANCER COVERAGE
RASTAS WANTS RESTRICTIONS ON GANJA USAGE Page 13 A&E The reggae icon captivates the audience after a fifteen-year hiatus
Groundbreaking Study Links WholeGenome Duplications in Black Cancer Patients to Worse Outcomes and Environmental Carcinogen Exposure - P 9
Triple Threat: The Battle Black Women Face Against Breast Cancer - P 8
Dr. Vivian Bea Shares Important Facts Black Women Should Know About Breast Cancer - P 14
Noah Lyles to Marry Jamaican Girlfriend Junelle Bromfield - P 20
‘Africa must continue to rise,’ says General Assembly President
To meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN General Assembly President on Monday emphasised Africa’s potential and the urgent need for both international support and systemic reforms across the continent.
In a speech delivered during a debate on African development, Assembly President Philémon Yang addressed the continent’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s (AU) related framework, known as Agenda 2063.
“There has never been a better time to accelerate progress towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development,” he stated.
Mr. Yang highlighted the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future which acknowledges the special challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries, in particular African States, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
He stressed that despite Africa’s vast energy and agricultural resources, many nations suffer from electricity deficits and food insecurity.
Moreover, debt distress and the unjust global financial system have exacerbated Africa’s financial pressures, resulting in a development financing gap of $1.6 trillion.
He called for a more just financial system, expressing that the current system “prioritises high interest rates and debt servicing over investments in resilience and social services.”
The number of Sudanese refugees in South Sudan has surpassed half a million, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, announced on Friday, as ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan continues to drive massive displacement.
South Sudan now ranks as the second largest recipient of people fleeing Sudan, with more than 810,000 new arrivals since April 2023, including returning South Sudanese refugees who were sheltering in Sudan and refugee and asylum seekers from other countries.
UNHCR warned that the situation is likely to worsen, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian challenges in the country.
“The conflict in Sudan is hitting South Sudan harder than any other country in the region and adds to the immense challenges the nation is facing,” said Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan.
“UNHCR and other humanitarian actors have been on the frontline of the humanitarian response and are now calling for others to join efforts to help South Sudan integrate the hundreds of thousands who have arrived.”
Rising needs amid economic strain
Over half of South Sudan’s refugees are currently hosted in Maban region, with another 135,000 in the Ruweng Administrative Area. An increasing number of refugees are also settling in urban areas...
Lebanon crisis: UN human rights office calls for probe into Israeli strike
With no let-up to the ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict, the UN human rights office on Tuesday called for an independent probe into an Israeli airstrike that hit an apartment block in northern Lebanon a day earlier that left a reported 22 dead.
“What we’re hearing is that amongst the 22 people who were killed were 12 women and two children,” said Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“We understand it was a four-storey residential building that was struck. With these factors in mind, we have real concerns with respect to [International Humanitarian Law], so the laws of war and principles of distinction, proportion and proportionality. In this case, [OHCHR] would call for a prompt, independent and thorough investigation into this incident.”
Since the Israeli military escalated its offensive against Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon last month whose deadly rocket attacks into Israel have not stopped, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported that the death toll in Lebanon is now more than 2,200 since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
Gaza: UN chief condemns rising civilian casualties in the north
The UN Secretary-General on Monday condemned the large number of civilian casualties inflicted by Israeli forces amidst their intensifying military campaign in northern Gaza.
Israeli forces struck tents sheltering displaced civilians near al Aqsa hospital, in an area where people from northern Gaza were told to relocate. At least four people were burned to death, and scores of others, including women and children, suffered severe burns.
Just hours earlier, another strike on a school turned shelter in Nuseirat killed more than 20 people and injured scores of others, according to local reports.
“[The Secretary-General] strongly urges all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law and emphasizes that civilians must be respected and protected at all times,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at the regular press briefing in New York.
People stranded
In the past two weeks, over 50,000 people have been displaced from the Jabalia area, which is cut off, while others remain stranded in their homes amid increased bombardment and fighting.
The military operation has also forced the closure of water wells, bakeries, medical points and shelters, as well as the suspension of protection services, malnutrition treatment services, and temporary learning spaces. Hospitals have also witnessed an influx of trauma injuries.
In appreciation of Guyanese Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves’ enormous contribution to historical studies, the Royal Historical Society (RHS) of the United Kingdom has chosen her as a Fellow.
Having earned a PhD in History, Dr. Collins-Gonsalves is the author of the highly regarded book Iris de Freitas Brazao, Legal Luminary and Trailblazer: Caribbean, Canada, Wales, England 1896-1989, which the University of London named one of three “fascinating items from the collections” of 312,000 volumes housed in the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library.
From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Guyana) 1914-2014 (2014) and Portuguese in Business in Guyana
1835-1935: A History of Entrepreneurship, Expansion, and Diversification (forthcoming 2024) are two more books written by Dr. Joanne Collin-Gonsalves.
The RHS Council elected 65 Fellows, 58 Associate Fellows, 52 Members, and 73 Postgraduate Members during its most recent meeting on September 13, 2024, making a total of 248 new members of the Society.
Most of the recently appointed Fellows are university professors with a broad range of specializations; nevertheless, there are also independent researchers, authors, museum curators, librarians, heritage professionals, and history publishers among them. Our most recent class of Fellows comes from nine different countries: Australia, Canada, France, Fiji, Ireland,
Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Society is an international community of historians.
In addition to historians in higher education who are just starting their careers, the new Associate Fellows are professionals and private researchers with backgrounds in teaching, heritage, archives and libraries, learned societies, public and community history, and libraries.
A comparable breadth of historical interests unites the new members, who include historians and genealogists from independent and community organizations and professionals in academia, media, public service, culture and heritage, and education.
Students were agog at Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA I), situated in Harlem, New York, for an incredible occasion featuring a motivational visit from Ashley Marie Myatt, the reigning Miss Black America. On September 16, 2024, the event took place in connection with the Mentoring in Medicine initiative. A partnership to promote academic success and personal development, it offered the kids a special fusion of mentorship, education, and empowerment.
Miss Black America made an appearance at Frederick Douglass Academy for more reasons than only ceremonial purposes. The visit was centered on fostering student leadership, self-confidence, and academic ambition in collaboration with Mentoring in Medicine, a non-profit organization devoted to assisting students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuing professions in medicine and healthcare.
Miss Black America gave an enthralling keynote speech that started the event, and the crowd found great resonance in her remarks. She talked about her own experience, which involved overcoming setbacks and being steadfastly focused on her objectives. Ms. Myatt has more than 10 years of experience as a skilled veterinarian technician. During her speech to the kids, Ms. Myatt stated that she wanted to become a veterinarian and that her dream was to create a one-stop animal hospital where animals could be managed holistically. She addressed the students, “You have the power to change the world.”
Myatt added, “With determination, education, and the right support, you can achieve anything—whether it’s becoming a veterinarian, an entrepreneur, or the next Miss Black America.” Aleta Anderson, Miss Black America’s executive producer, continued, “The Miss Black America organization is dedicated to uplifting and inspiring young Black women and men to pursue their dreams unapologetically.”
She noted, “Our goal is to provide representation, foster confidence, and help them break barriers, knowing they are powerful, capable, and deserving of success in every aspect of life.”
Additionally, speakers from Mentoring in Medicine discussed the value of pursuing careers in healthcare, particularly for students of color. They drew attention to the unequal presence of Black and Latino professionals in the medical industry and the necessity of increasing their numbers to address health disparities in marginalized areas.
The many healthcare profession paths—from physicians and nurses to biological engineers and public health advocates— were presented to the students. They were also told about the scholarships, internships, and mentoring programs that Mentoring in Medicine offers to support students in their academic endeavors.
Following the main presentation, Hershey Fullerton Douglass, a kind and beautiful bunny, was introduced to the kids by Miss Black America, who astonished them with a practical lesson in animal care. She gave a demonstration of how to hold and tend to the bunny appropriately and stressed the need to remain composed and kind with little animals. Students gained knowledge on how to safely support the rabbit’s body while ensuring its comfort and safety.
Miss Black America stressed the responsibility that comes with being an animal caregiver, showing the children how important it is to feed, groom, and provide a secure environment for the rabbit to live in. She taught the students useful skills via this experience, but she also gave them a feeling of empathy and compassion.
In the end, the rabbit was given to the school, where Mr. Ma, the librarian, is currently in charge of its maintenance. Speaking on the rabbit’s arrival to the library family, Mr. Ma expressed his excitement. “I couldn’t be more excited about the rabbit joining our library family.”
He added, “It’s going to spark curiosity and give our students a hands-on experience with animal care. I think it’s a wonderful way to blend learning and nurturing, and I can already see how
much joy it will bring to everyone who visits.”
Frederick Douglass Academy students were profoundly affected by the occasion. Many said they had developed a better sense of purpose for their future and a renewed interest in the healthcare industry.
“I never thought about becoming a veterinarian before today,” Only one student was let in.
“But hearing from both Miss Black America and the people from Mentoring in Medicine made me realize that it’s possible. They really made me feel like I can achieve something great.”
One student, who was already determined to become a doctor, claimed that the occasion inspired her to work even harder.
“Seeing so many people who look like me succeeding in medicine, and hearing Miss Black America talk about overcoming obstacles—it just made me realize that nothing is impossible.”
Frederick Douglass Academy students found great benefit from the partnership between Mentoring in Medicine and Miss Black America. The messages of optimism, resiliency, and opportunity conveyed by both groups supported the school’s objective of empowering and uplifting its students, which includes the school slogan, “Nothing is impossible.”
It became evident how Miss Black America’s presence and Mentoring in Medicine’s mentorship influenced the students as they exited the event, many with new objectives. For many students, it was more than simply an inspirational day; it marked the beginning of a path to success, one that would be paved with growth opportunities and driven by the conviction that all is possible, education, and mentoring.
Principal Fullerton stated, “Having Miss Black America at Frederick Douglass Academy is a truly transformative experience for our students.”
“Her message of resilience and empowerment resonates deeply, reminding them that they have the potential to be leaders and change-makers. We’re grateful for the opportunity to foster such meaningful connections.”
There’s little question that this occasion will have a lasting impact on Frederick Douglass Academy, inspiring students to pursue excellence in their personal and academic endeavors with the confidence that their community is behind them. Please visit MissBlackAmerica.com to request that Miss Black America attend your upcoming event.
According to the prime minister, Trinidad and Tobago’s economic situation and standard of living are both superior to that of many similar nations, including neighboring Caribbean states.
On October 10, 2024, he participated in the House of Representatives’ budget discussion.
“The Government has done a wonderful job. We have been managing a very difficult period.” In response to opponents who called Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) a hellhole, Dr. Rowley pointed out that the country is ranked well on the human development index by international agencies.
“T&T ranks number 60 on this scale of the countries around the world.” PM Rowley revealed that T&T’s rating is 0.814. He added, “That, on the system, is very high human development, which means life expectancy, access to education, health care, and income distribution and so on. All of these things are put together to determine what goes on in a country and the quality of life.”
According to him, Barbados is ranked 62, the Bahamas is ranked 57, Belize is ranked 118, and Jamaica is ranked 115. T&T is ranked at 60. He continued, pointing out that despite a 200 percent inflation rate, Argentina’s quality of living was rated 48th internationally.
“Judge us by how well we are doing compared to others.”
In addition, Rowley included T&T’s economic metrics in comparison to others. He contrasted Jamaica’s GDP growth of 1.8% and Barbados’ 3.7% with T&T’s 1.9% growth. Trinidad and Tobago is “booming at 33 percent,” Antigua is at minus 2.8 percent, while the three Gulf States that rely on hydrocarbons are each at 1.2–2.0 percent.
“So that indicator tells us we are doing something good.”
Out of a list of 18 comparable nations, the PM claimed that T&T had the lowest inflation rate, at 0.4 percent.
He made a positive comparison between T&T’s 5.4% unemployment rate and the Bahamas’ 8%, Barbados’ 8.2%, and the average of 8.0 percent
for a group of eighteen nations.
“We manage pretty decently, with the rest,” Rowley said.
He praised T&T’s per capita income as well, stating that it had recovered from a decline in 2020 that he blamed on the COVID-19 epidemic.
“That is good realism, a good situation, a good performance.”
Rowley claimed that the opposition’s comments on the reorganization of Atlantic LNG revealed their ignorance of the fact that T&T was not the owner of Trains Two or Three.
While the PM claimed that Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee had been scrutinizing the Dragon agreement, which would have provided T&T with natural gas from Venezuela the government had kept the public updated at every stage of the process. He defended his visit to BP in Houston, Texas, in response to criticism from the opposition on his foreign travels, stating that negotiations between BP in T&T and the National Gas Company (NGC) had collapsed, putting the Point Lisas Estate in jeopardy.
“We did not go to Houston to negotiate any gas price.”
“Why is that so difficult for you to understand?” he questioned the Opposition. “Either you are dumb or you are wicked.”
Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George was informed by Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh of his complaint, and she responded
by telling him to “continue, prime minister.” “Point proven!” Rowley sneered.
Using the opportunity, Rowley defended the property tax’s continued application by pointing out that the previous People’s Partnership government’s exemption had run out in 2015. Accusing the PP of setting the tax at seven percent (which was never collected), he added that although his government had set the levy at two percent of rentable value, the opposition was “mischievous underminers.”
Subsequently, Rowley explained how the Prime Minister’s mansion was financed, ostensibly mocking Winston Dookeran, the head of the Congress of the People, who had suggested that it be used as a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
“The Prime Minister’s residence is not a home for battered women. It is a home to house the Prime Minister of T&T.”
According to Rowley, the PM’s house and the Diplomatic Center were operated for over $170 million during the PP administration between 2010 and 2015, but only $52 million under his government from 2015 to 2020.
According to him, the $170 million was made up of $48 million for events and $122 million for running costs. He said that the $52 million was made up of $42 million and $9 million for the corresponding amounts made by his administration.
The London-based human rights group, Amnesty International, has expressed “deep concern” over gang-related violence, particularly against children, perpetrated in what it describes as “total impunity” in Haiti.
“We have documented heartbreaking stories of children forced to work for gangs: from running deliveries to gathering information and performing domestic tasks under threats of violence,” said Ana Piquer, director for the Americas at Amnesty International.
“Additionally, girls have been subjected to rape and sexual violence. The desperation of their situation is truly disturbing; many have been displaced or have nowhere to go. The violence in Haiti is devastating, and Haitian children are paying the price. Children are sustaining serious injuries that will change their lives due to stray bullets or targeted attacks.”
She pointed to reports, stating recently, that 70 people, including children, died in a gang attack against the population in the Department of Artibonite in Haiti.
“The need for resources to comprehensively protect children’s rights and prevent further abuses and violations is urgent, as is ending the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators,” Piquer said.
In an oral statement to the UN Human Rights Council earlier this week, Piquer said concerns were raised about widespread violence in Haiti, “driven by armed gangs that exploit and recruit children.
“Reports highlight the severe impact on minors, including sexual violence and injuries from gang-related violence. The ongoing impu-
nity for these crimes exacerbates human rights violations, particularly regarding social and economic rights.”
With the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, led by Kenyan police, Amnesty International reiterated the urgent need “to ensure the mission establishes safeguards to prevent human rights violations, provides child protection training to its personnel, and commits to operating with the highest standards of transparency.
“It is truly concerning that the deployment of the Kenyan police contingent to Haiti is going forward, without transparent information regarding whether or how it has implemented human rights safeguards,” said Piquer, adding that among these protections is the need to ensure the MSS is prepared to encounter children during its operations, including children who have been recruited by gangs.
Piquer noted that, in July, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reported, for the first time in his Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, that the UN had verified 383 grave violations committed against children in Haiti last year.
They included recruitment and use, killing and maiming, and sexual violence predominantly by criminal gangs engaged in widespread violence and clashes with authorities, Piquer said.
“Kenya and Haiti have a shared responsibility, as do their allies like the United States, among others, to stop overlooking the suffering of thousands of Haitian children.
“Introducing foreign troops into Haiti without
proper human rights training, use of force protocols and accountability mechanisms further endangers the population, particularly children, who endure the daily onslaught of violence.”
Amnesty International said, despite UN Security Council Resolution 2699 (2023) requiring the highest standards of transparency, pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training, and an accessible complaint mechanism amongst other human rights safeguards, “there is still a lack of detailed public information about the MSS Mission’s rules, procedures and human rights violations accountability
mechanisms.
“This lack of transparency raises significant concerns about all countries involved in the deployment of the MSS’s failure to comply with these obligations, and the potential human rights abuses once deployed,” it said, calling for the implementation of “rigorous vetting procedures and thorough training on United Nations principles, human rights law, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and children protection before and during deployment.”
Moreover, Amnesty International stressed the necessity of “an accessible, independent, and transparent complaint mechanism to investigate all allegations of misconduct and human rights violations by MSS personnel.
“Comprehensive training on UN principles and human rights law is essential for mission personnel. An independent mechanism to handle complaints and ensure accountability must be established to protect children’s rights effectively.”
Amnesty International said Haiti’s crisis has worsened significantly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, “leading to rampant gang violence and widespread human rights violations.
“Historical peacebuilding missions in Haiti have often resulted in abuse and impunity, underscoring the need for rigorous human rights safeguards in any security mission,” it said. (CMC)
Rastafarians are demanding a swift change of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which would eliminate “dark areas” and give judges and law enforcement more choice over what to do with members caught in possession of ganja.
Rastafarians from all over the world flocked to Montego Bay to hold a press conference to express their displeasure at being arrested and brought before the courts for ganja possession.
According to Ras Iyah V, the Rastafarian’s spokesperson, two members were recently detained and brought before the court for possessing ganja. He added that one was fined and the other was let free.
He emphasized that Rastafarians were
allowed to consume ganja as a sacrament under the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act of 2015.
Iyah V noted, “I and I call on the Government now that the laws must be enacted in such a way that there are no grey areas because it is not to be left up to the discretion of the police to arrest or not to arrest. It is not to be left up to the judges to fine or not to fine.”
He continued, “We are asking that when these laws are amended that they be placed in the police stations just like how the pictures of wanted people are posted in the police station. That means you cannot use ignorance as an excuse to say you didnt know. We want it to be stated in a way that
there is no mistake by the police.” He contended that Rastafarians have endured too much harassment because of ganja, “I and I have gone through a lot from the days of when you were caught with a seed or a leaf, it was mandatory that you go to prison for a month. If [after] having one conviction you were caught with a next seed or leaf, or have one plant, it was mandatory that you go to prison for five years. I and I have gone through all of these things until 1972 when the laws were amended under the Michael Manley Administration but to see Rastafari continuing to experience these harassment.”
Amidst the crippling burden of poverty and exorbitant cost of living, President Irfaan Ali said during his speech during the 12th Parliament Special Sitting of the National Assembly that every home in Guyana will get a one-time cash handout of $200,000.
To loud acclaim from government Members of Parliament, Ali stated that this program, which would infuse $60 billion into the economy, is scheduled to start soon as authorities implement a fair and transparent distribution mechanism. Members of the Opposition who abstained from the session organized a demonstration outside the House to draw attention to the country’s cost of living issue and charges of corruption leveled against the administration. President Ali emphasized the government’s commitment to putting the welfare of all Guyanese first. He noted that since taking office, the administration has taken several steps to increase disposable income, such as eliminating more than 200 taxes and fees that the previous administration had imposed, including the VAT on basic food, water, and electricity. Other steps taken include raising the cap on low-income mortgage loans, doing away with taxes on the use of data for residential purposes, and removing the gasoline excise tax, which saves consumers over $90 billion yearly. Members of the disciplined services, teachers, and public employees received a $25,000 onetime, tax-free cash award last year as part of a $5 billion cost-of-living allocation.
President Ali stated, “This is how we are promoting prosperity, ownership, and the distribution of wealth… The resources and revenue of this country are being spent every single day to lift the lives of people.”
Later, during a press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo addressed questions about the definition of a “household” to allocate monetary grants. He mentioned the results of the most recent national census, which showed 264,000 homes, although he conceded that not every person may have been included. Jagdeo said that to ascertain eligibility, the government will use information from utility providers including Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc. (GWI).
Jagdeo noted, “We have about 200,000 people who pay electricity rates who are on the GPL database…So clearly, if someone is paying their electricity bill that is going to be a household.” He pointed out that utility data might not be enough to guarantee fairness, even though verification might be simple in some places. He emphasized the need for close examinations to stop system abuse and the involvement of the Auditor General’s Office to ensure accountability.
Jagdeo noted, “We try to see as far as possible how we can make it fair without people ripping off the system too. So, we still must work it through in great detail, but we believe we can do it… The aim is once it is a legitimate household. If you have a bill, that will be easily accessed.”
Furthermore, Jagdeo said that foreign nationals are ineligible for the grant of money, saying, “These are Guyanese families; if you are not a Guyanese household, you are not getting the money.”
The database will not, Jagdeo noted, contain information about people of regions 1, 7, 8, 9, and other coastal riverine districts. Due to the tiny size of the villages, Jagdeo said that these households can be readily confirmed in these situations and will receive verification from the Toshaos in those areas.
Continued on website at nycaribnews.com
Dr. Amery Browne, the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, has joined the chorus of nations and well-known figures denouncing the Dominican Republic’s widespread expulsion of Haitians. It was announced last week by the Dominican government that up to 10,000 Haitians will be deported each week.
The DR government claimed to have deported or returned close to 11,000 Haitians. An “excess” of immigration was mentioned.
Browne took the matter to X formerly known as Twitter stating, “Deeply concerned by recent
reports of mass deportations of persons of Haitian nationality (10,000 per week) from the DR, with associated infringements of human dignity, at a time when systems in Haiti can least cope with such a rapid influx.”
Dominique Dupuy, the foreign minister of Haiti, is meeting with OAS officials in Washington to discuss these and other concerns confronting the island, and CARICOM is anticipated to release a statement shortly.
Posting on X, OAS Head Luis Almagro stated, “I held a timely meeting with Haiti’s Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Religious Affairs, and Haitians Living Abroad, Dominique Dupuy, to discuss the dire humanitarian and security challenges in Haiti that require urgent attention from the international community. One of the core principles of the OAS is to promote good neighborliness and respect for the human rights of all without distinction as to race, sex, creed, or nationality. We must not depart from these democratic principles in order to maintain a peaceful and stable region.”
Kenya’s police chief announced on October 12, 2024, that an additional 600 police personnel would be prepared for deployment in early November as part of a UN-backed operation to attempt to stem the widespread gang violence in Haiti. In response to a plea by both leaders for further action from the international community, President William Ruto recently promised the extra officers after the meeting with Haiti’s acting prime minister, Garry Conille.
Douglas Kanja, Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, stated, “A contingent of 600 officers will soon join the Kenyan police already stationed in Haiti after completing pre-deployment training.”
Kanja stated during a Nairobi press conference where Conille accompanied the
Inspector General, “Once this training is complete, the officers will be ready for departure early next month.”
With 400 police officers dispatched so far, the East African nation is spearheading the worldwide effort to combat the nation’s spiraling insecurity in the crime-ravaged Caribbean.
Kanja responded to worries over the wait times for officers’ paychecks who had already arrived in Haiti by saying, “The payment issue has been sorted out, and the officers are happy.”
Ruto has called on the world to support the effort, which has been hindered by a persistent shortage of funds, “urgently.”
In an appeal that Conille reiterated, he declared, “This is the moment to provide that critical support for us to be able to undertake the exercise at hand.”
The visit by the Haitian leader to Kenya occurred one week after gunmen opened fire in the Haitian hamlet of Ponte Sonde, around 60 miles (or 100 kilometers) from the capital Port-au-Prince, murdering 109 people and injuring at least 40 more.
The UN Security Council did not convert the policing operation into a UN peacekeeping mission, as proposed by Port-auPrince when it decided to prolong it for a year last month.
As per the UN human rights office, over 3,600 individuals have lost their lives because of “senseless” gang violence in Haiti this year.
The American Cancer Society has introduced a groundbreaking initiative called VOICES of Black Women, a research study aimed at improving cancer survival rates among Black women. Led by Dr. Alpa Patel and Dr. Lauren McCullough, the initiative focuses on addressing disparities in cancer care and creating more equitable health outcomes for Black women. Dr. Patel emphasizes the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for the American Cancer Society to collaborate with Black women across the nation. By truly listening to their stories and understanding their experiences, we can begin to break down barriers to better health.”
Gina Meeks, a member of Rockford City
Council and a survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, shares a personal connection to the mission. Diagnosed a year ago, Meeks says the project resonates deeply with her. “When I heard that Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer and twice as likely to die before age 50 compared to white women, I knew I had to get involved,” she said. Despite advancements in cancer research, the disparities remain staggering. In Illinois alone, 78,200 residents are expected to be diagnosed with cancer, with over 23,000 deaths projected for 2024. These statistics highlight the critical need for initiatives like VOICES of Black Women. The study aims to gather data from 100,000 Black women between the ages of
25 and 55 who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Participants will come from a range of diverse backgrounds across 20 states, contributing to a long-term effort to better understand the factors affecting Black women’s health outcomes.
Meeks passionately encourages eligible women to take part in the study. “Those of us already diagnosed with cancer can’t participate, but if you haven’t been diagnosed, you have the power to make a difference,” she urges.
To join the VOICES of Black Women study, visit the American Cancer Society’s booth at Rock Valley College during the October 5 cancer walk. Your involvement could help shape the future of cancer care for generations of Black women.
Several organizations are making a significant impact on improving the health and wellness of Black women facing cancer. These groups not only offer support but also work to close the gap in healthcare disparities and provide vital resources to those in need.
Sisters Network Inc.
Sisters Network Inc. is a national organization with 22 survivor-run affiliate chapters across the country. Their mission is to improve Black women’s access to mammograms and quality breast cancer care, while also providing essential resources and education about the disease. The organization hosts various events, including an annual fundraising walk and educational webinars. On their website, they offer a breast cancer fact sheet, questions to ask
doctors, and a glossary of relevant medical terms. Additionally, Sisters Network Inc. runs a financial assistance program for women undergoing treatment and offers free mammograms for underserved and uninsured women.
Creating a Community That Was Needed
Founder Karen Eubanks Jackson established the organization after recognizing a lack of support for Black women with breast cancer. Her goal was to create a space where these women could find the assistance and community they deserve.
African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA)
The African American Breast Cancer Alliance has been promoting breast health awareness in Black communities for over
30 years. The alliance produces culturally specific educational materials and offers programs like a virtual support group via Zoom for Black women and men diagnosed with breast cancer. They also host an annual retreat for female survivors of all backgrounds affected by any type of cancer.
Carrie’s TOUCH
Carrie’s TOUCH provides connection and support for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer. Their free app, **Survive and Thrive**, includes features like meditations, affirmations, access to support groups, and a directory of oncologists of color. They also offer financial resources and therapy options, creating a holistic support system for survivors.
Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African-Americans (ECANA)
ECANA is dedicated to supporting Black women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. They offer weekly virtual gatherings and share survivor stories and research updates on their website. Their educational section includes a glossary of key terms, an overview of diagnosis and treatment, and printable worksheets with questions to ask healthcare providers. ECANA aims to empower women to make informed decisions about their care.
For the Breast of Us provides a vibrant, supportive community for women of color battling breast cancer. They offer numerous ways to connect, including a **Breast
Cancer Baddie Directory** and a private Facebook group. Women can also attend virtual or in-person events, follow their Instagram @forthebreastodus, and listen to their podcast, “Baddie 2 Baddie,” available on major streaming platforms.
SHARE Cancer Support serves all women affected by breast, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers, with special programming designed for Black women. They offer monthly virtual support groups for Black women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and additional groups for women of African descent with ovarian or breast cancer.
The Tigerlily Foundation works to ensure that women of color, especially those facing health disparities, are included in clinical trials for breast cancer treatments. Through their clinical trials initiative, they aim to increase the participation of women of color and provide tools to help them find the right trials. Their website offers an array of resources, including downloadable toolkits on self-advocacy, health literacy, and finding culturally competent care.
These organizations are doing vital work to support Black women in their cancer journeys, offering resources, education, and community to help close the gap in healthcare disparities.
Breast cancer is a universal threat to women’s health, but for Black women, it presents a “triple threat” that has devastating consequences: disparities in care, insufficient screening and prevention, and significantly higher mortality rates. As a medical professional deeply committed to health equity, I witness firsthand the unique challenges faced by Black women in the fight against breast cancer. These disparities are not just a matter of genetics; they stem from a confluence of social, economic, and systemic factors perpetuating inequality. Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach, grounded in science, community engagement, and systemic reform. The first prong of this triple threat is disparities in care. Black women are often diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages than their white counterparts, despite similar screening rates. This delayed diagnosis is partly due to biases in healthcare systems that result in suboptimal care for Black patients. Studies reveal that Black women are less likely to receive timely follow-up after abnormal mammogram results, less likely to be referred to genetic counseling, and less likely to be offered the latest, most effective treatments. One stark example is the disparity in access to hormone therapies and targeted treatments, such as HER2 inhibitors, which have significantly improved outcomes for other populations. The biases that influence these gaps are both conscious and unconscious. Physicians, healthcare staff, and even diagnostic tools may operate on assumptions that underestimate the severity of disease in Black women, leading to delayed interventions. Black women are also more likely to encounter hospitals and clinics with fewer resources, less access to specialists, and longer waiting times for essential diagnostic procedures. For women living in low-income areas, particularly rural ones, these disparities are compounded by geographical barriers and fewer healthcare facilities. Early detection remains one of the most critical factors in reducing breast cancer mortality. However, Black women are disproportionately affected by
the aggressive “triple-negative” breast cancer subtype, which tends to occur at a younger age and is harder to detect through traditional screening methods. Despite similar overall mammography rates between Black and white women, Black women are less likely to undergo genetic testing, MRI screenings, or ultrasound follow-ups — all of which are crucial for early detection of aggressive cancers.
The guidelines for mammograms, which recommend starting screening at age 50, are not sufficient for Black women, who are more likely to develop breast cancer in their 40s or even earlier. While recent changes have encouraged earlier screenings starting at 40 for all women, Black women need even more tailored preventive measures. Education around breast cancer risks and early signs must begin in the community long before a woman walks into a doctor’s office. Yet, in many Black communities, there remains a persistent lack of awareness about risk factors, prevention, and the importance of regular screening.
Healthcare providers must take the initiative to educate their patients, especially those with a family history of breast cancer or genetic predispositions such as BRCA mutations. Empowering Black women to advocate for themselves, push for earlier and more frequent screenings, and seek out specialized genetic counseling are critical components of prevention. More importantly, outreach efforts must go beyond clinical settings. Community-based health initiatives can make a significant difference by addressing the cultural and socioeconomic barriers that often prevent Black women from seeking preventive care.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this triple threat is the disproportionately higher death rate from breast cancer among Black women. While the overall breast cancer incidence is slightly lower for Black women compared to white women, Black women are 41% more likely to die from the disease. This is a tragic and preventable disparity, rooted in a complex interplay of biology, access, and care quality.
Triple-negative breast cancer is more common in Black women, and it carries a worse prognosis due to its aggressive nature and lack of targeted therapies. However, biological factors are only part of the equation. Socioeconomic disparities — including lower rates of insurance coverage, greater financial instability, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system — also contribute to delayed diagnoses and inferior treatment options. Moreover, many Black women face cultural and psychological barriers that exacerbate these outcomes. Distrust in the healthcare system, born from historical mistreatment and ongoing racial biases, leads to reluctance in seeking care. Fear of the financial implications of treatment, compounded by lack of adequate health insurance, results in postponed or abandoned treatments. These factors contribute to a cycle of poor outcomes that is difficult to break. Breaking this cycle of inequity requires bold, systemic change. The healthcare community must confront the implicit biases that permeate care delivery. Addressing these biases through better training, diverse hiring practices, and patient-centered care models will help reduce the disparities in diagnosis and treatment that Black women face. Here are a few key solutions that could transform outcomes for Black women battling breast cancer.
Hospitals and clinics must prioritize culturally competent care by training healthcare providers to recognize and address racial disparities. Physicians and staff should be educated on the unique health needs of Black women, including the prevalence of aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer, and the socio-cultural factors that influence health-seeking behavior.
Expanding access to advanced screening methods, such as MRIs and genetic testing, is essential. For high-risk groups, including Black women, insurance companies should cover more frequent and comprehensive screenings starting at a younger age. Healthcare systems must also ensure that Black women have equal access to follow-up care after abnormal
results, including timely biopsies and referrals to specialists.
Community outreach plays a vital role in addressing healthcare disparities. Mobile mammography units, local health fairs, and partnerships with trusted community organizations can bring preventive care directly to Black women in underserved areas. These programs should focus not only on providing screenings but also on educating women about their risk factors and the importance of early detection.
Insurance policies and healthcare funding need to be reevaluated to ensure that Black women have equal access to cutting-edge treatments, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Policies that expand Medicaid, provide subsidies for cancer treatments, and reduce out-ofpocket costs for life-saving therapies are crucial. Moreover, public health initiatives must advocate for fair reimbursement rates that incentivize hospitals to offer top-tier care to all patients, regardless of race or income.
Given the higher incidence of aggressive breast cancers among Black women, genetic counseling should become a standard part of care for women with a family history of breast cancer. Expanding access to genetic counseling services in Black communities and ensuring that healthcare providers understand the importance of BRCA testing for their patients is vital for early detection and prevention.
The battle Black women face against breast cancer is not one of biology alone but of inequity, bias, and systemic failures. Medical professionals have a responsibility to not only provide care but also to advocate for a more just and equitable healthcare system. By addressing the disparities in care, improving screening and prevention, and tackling the root causes of higher mortality rates, we can help rewrite the narrative for Black women and breast cancer. The future demands that we prioritize health equity, ensuring that every woman — regardless of race or background — has the opportunity to survive and thrive in the face of this disease.
A comprehensive new study published in Nature Communications has revealed a significant link between whole-genome duplications (WGDs) in cancer and the higher mortality rates observed among Black patients in the United States. The research, which analyzed cancer samples from over 1,800 self-reported Black patients, found that tumors from these individuals were significantly more likely to exhibit WGDs—an aggressive genomic alteration—than those from white patients.
The study’s findings highlight the critical role of both genetic and environmental factors in driving racial disparities in cancer outcomes.
“We observed that cancers from self-reported Black patients had a significantly higher incidence of WGDs across multiple cancer types,” the study authors stated. The increased prevalence of WGDs in Black patients, ranging from 11% to 35% higher depending on the dataset, was most prominent in breast, endometrial, and lung cancers. That genetic alteration, which leads to increased metastasis and disease progression, was also associated with shorter survival times, suggesting a potential mechanism for the well-documented racial disparities in cancer mortality. WGDs are large-scale chromosomal events in which a cell duplicates its entire set of chromosomes. The process creates genomic instability, promoting more aggressive cancer behavior, metastasis, and drug resistance. Tumors with WGDs tend to be harder to treat due to their adaptability.
“These duplications allow cancers to ‘sample a wider range of karyotypes,’ making them more capable of resisting treatment and spreading throughout the body,” the study noted.
The findings are particularly concerning given the existing disparities in cancer outcomes between Black and white Americans. Black women, for instance, have a 41% higher mortality rate from breast cancer and a 21% higher mortality rate from endometrial cancer than their white counterparts, even when diagnosed at similar stages of the disease. The study’s authors suggested that the higher frequency of WGDs in Black patients’ tumors may contribute to these disparities. “The increased incidence of WGDs in Black patients may be contributing to racial disparities in cancer outcomes,” the study concluded.
In addition to genetic factors, the study pointed to environmental exposures as a significant contributor to the higher WGD rates observed in Black cancer patients. The researchers discovered that combustion byproducts, such as those resulting from the burning of fossil fuels, can cause WGD events in cell cultures. “We further demonstrate that combustion byproducts are capable of inducing WGDs in cell culture, and cancers from self-reported Black patients exhibit mutational signatures consistent with exposure to these carcinogens,” the authors said. The study tied the increased frequency of WGDs to carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pollutants that are prevalent in urban environments where many Black Americans live.
Due to historical redlining practices and continued economic inequality, Black communities are disproportionately located near industrial areas and high-traffic zones, exposing residents to higher levels of environmental pollutants. “Black individuals are more likely to live in areas with elevated levels of air pollution, including diesel exhaust and other combustion-related pollutants,” the researchers explained, suggesting that these environmental factors may be driving the increased frequency of WGDs in Black patients.
The study also explored the genetic factors that might contribute to the higher frequency of WGDs in Black patients, focusing on the tumor suppressor gene TP53. Mutations in this gene, which is inactivated more often in Black patients, were strongly associated with the presence of WGDs. “TP53 mutations have consistently been linked with poor prognosis and aggressive cancer behavior,” the study noted. This gene plays a crucial role in regulating cell division, and its inactivation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the spread of cancer.
The presence of TP53 mutations in combination with WGDs creates a hazardous situation for patients, as these tumors are more likely to metastasize and resist treatment. However, the study pointed out that while TP53 mutations were more common in Black patients, they were not the only factor driving the increased frequency of WGDs. Environmental factors, particularly exposure to carcinogens, were likely
contributing as well.
While WGDs were associated with worse outcomes across the board, the study found that Black and white patients with WGD-positive tumors had similar survival rates. “Among patients with WGD-positive tumors, there was no significant difference in survival time between self-reported Black and white patients,” the study reported. However, among patients without WGD-positive tumors, Black patients had significantly shorter survival times than their white counterparts. This suggests that while WGDs play a critical role in cancer progression, other factors—such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and broader environmental exposures— are likely influencing overall survival. “What this paper hints at is that we’re seeing something which looks like a genetic difference, but the source of that might actually not be genetic—it’s more environmental,” Kanika Arora, a computational biologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, who was not involved with the study, told STAT, a health, medicine, and life sciences journal. Arora’s observation underscored the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental exposures in determining cancer outcomes.
The underrepresentation of Black people in genomic research is one significant limitation that the study highlights. Black people made up just 7% of the patients in the datasets analyzed despite comprising 13% of the U.S. population. The underrepresentation limits researchers’ ability to fully understand how genetic and environmental factors influence cancer in Black patients. “The genomic data that we have from people of African ancestry is small, and so we’re not as well powered as we could be to detect these sorts of molecular associations,” said Rameen Beroukhim, a neuro-oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School.
The lack of data makes it more challenging to draw definitive conclusions about the impact of environmental exposures, such as specific pollutants, on cancer subtypes in Black patients. Nevertheless, the study’s findings highlight the need for more inclusive research and targeted public health interventions.
Experts agree that the study’s findings could have profound implications for cancer treatment and prevention. “If pollutants are driving disparate cancer rates, cancer treatment and prevention methods need to change accordingly,”
Melissa Davis, head of the Institute of Genomic Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine, told STAT. Davis emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to cancer care—one that addresses not only the genetic and biological factors driving cancer progression but also the environmental conditions that contribute to these disparities.
“We treat patients, we treat their tumor, and then we send them right back into the environment, which we’re saying is causing their cancer, but then we don’t give them any additional information,” Davis said. “If it truly is that exposure that’s driving the cancer, we need to then work with our communities to be more informed, and then drive policies around that.”
The study’s authors echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of reducing environmental carcinogen exposure as a key strategy for addressing cancer disparities. “Targeted prevention strategies and interventions to reduce exposure to environmental carcinogens may offer hope in reducing the incidence of WGDs and, in turn, reducing cancer mortality disparities,” they concluded.
The study’s findings point to the need for a multi-faceted approach to reducing cancer disparities. While genetic alterations like WGDs are a critical piece of the puzzle, they do not exist in isolation. Environmental exposures, social determinants of health, and access to care all shape cancer outcomes. Future research must focus on these intersections to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing cancer disparities in Black communities.
As Jason Sheltzer, a geneticist at Yale School of Medicine and co-author of the study, put it, “These are not changing the sequence of the gene, they’re changing its dosage in the cell, and this has been recognized to influence cancer in a variety of ways.” The complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors requires equally complex solutions, but with targeted interventions and further research, addressing these disparities is within reach.
Christine Carla Kangaloo was confronted with her death twenty years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
And while there were many difficulties in getting rid of the unwanted guest, it also gave her life lessons that she may not have otherwise learned. “It did change my life,” she stated.
Kangaloo added, “It has strengthened me and made me deeply appreciate life.”
This, for women who are not accustomed to having others notice their vulnerability, may occasionally be challenging, “It showed me that there was strength I had that I didn’t know I had; it taught me resilience; it taught me to lean on other people.”
The president noted, “I don’t like being vulnerable, and I don’t like people seeing me vulnerable. I grew up like a little tomboy with my brothers, and having gone through what I did, I realized it’s okay to be vulnerable.”
She noted, “So I was able to rely on people, and let those close to me see that I wasn’t okay all the time, and I opened myself up to the love they were all willing to give me.”
In an October 8 discussion with reporters at the President’s House, Kangaloo said, “But those were some difficult lessons.” Kangaloo was 42 years old when he received a diagnosis of Stage 2 receptor-positive cancer in March 2004. This form of cancer permits cancer cells to thrive by using the hormone estrogen.
“I actually felt the lump in my breast, and I immediately went to my ob/gyn and she was concerned, so she sent me to do a biopsy.”
The president stated that she had a persistent suspicion that the outcome would not please her even while she awaited the report.
“So, when I received the news, I wasn’t as shocked as I would have ordinarily have been.”
She added that as soon as possible, she and her spouse, fellow lawyer Kerwyn Garcia, enquired about the doctor’s alternatives for her course of treatment and began to formulate a strategy.
Her initial thought was to tell her mother what was going on, but she claimed not to have reacted emotionally in any way.
She then reported to Parliament for duty as a government senator and a minister in the Office of the Prime Minister despite everything that was going on.
“I remember having to go to the Senate that day, but I needed to speak to my mother and tell her in person. I knew I needed to do it that day.”
She requested Dr. Lenny Saith, the thenhead of government business, for permission to go early.
“He said ‘yes,’ and I headed straight down to San Fernando to meet with my mother.”
Talking about her mother’s 1993 automobile collision loss of her younger daughter, 29-year-old Caryl, made it a challenging topic.
“My mother is very stoic, but you could see the worry and emotion on her face when I told her.”
After that, she disclosed her diagnosis to her brothers.
Kangaloo underwent a lumpectomy, four rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. She added that her friends and family had supported her through it all.
“I remember all my brothers and my husband gathering around me just as I was going into surgery and were waiting for me when I came out. They were all there, except one brother who stayed back with Mom at home. But my other brothers were calling to tell them exactly what was happening.”
She added that up until then, she had kept her cool about the whole thing. Before moving on to the next stage of her treatment, she had to undergo testing following the operation to see if the disease had spread. This was when the emotional rollercoaster began.
“I remember waiting for the test results and that was when emotions started to play. ‘If it had spread, what do I do?’
“We already knew it was cancer, just not how far. So the waiting and not knowing was difficult.”
She began chemotherapy approximately a month after the operation, thankfully,
because the findings were positive.
“It was brutal,” the president said. “I remember I would schedule the therapy for Saturday mornings and then rest for the rest of the day and on Sunday, because I was still determined that I had to be at work on Monday…”
Kangaloo noted, “At that time I was the minister responsible for social services delivery.”
She appeared to do better in the first round because it did not appear to have a significant physical impact on her.
“I said, ‘Okay, I’m not feeling too bad.’
“By the second round, I started to feel ill, and the worst part was when my hair started to come out in clumps. Of course I had thought I could have willed my hair not to fall off,” she said with a chuckle. “But that didn’t happen.”
Of course, the sickness made things much more difficult.
“There were some foods I couldn’t tolerate at all.”
Even though Kangaloo made an effort to have an optimistic attitude during her therapy, she admitted that occasionally accepting reality was upsetting.
“Your emotions are all over the place – you have bouts of sadness and fear, but then you pick up because you know you have to keep up with your treatments, because you know this is to ultimately get you better.”
She found radiation to be far less taxing, but the resulting exhaustion was another obstacle. “Before I was diagnosed I used to go to the gym and exercise. I thought after the chemo and radiation I would be able to start exercising again, but I couldn’t.
“While doing radiation I was able to eat, because I didn’t have the aversion to food that I had with chemo. But I was always extremely tired.”
Despite her exhaustion, Kangaloo was adamant that her job would not be impacted by her treatment, and it even became a type of coping technique.
“I rested on the days I could and work was a focal point that helped prevent me from getting over emotional with what I was going through.”
“I had a very demanding ministry, so there was a lot required to be done. When I look back I wondered how I was able to do it.
With the grace of God, I say.”
She received care at the St. James Radiology Centre in addition to private institutions.
Kangaloo feels that her support system was “a form of healing,” and although her medications were crucial to her recovery, she is unsure how she would have survived that incredibly trying period without it.
“My mother, she made sure that whatever I wanted to eat, she would cook and send for me… my husband was with me every step of the way – for every chemo session he was there.”
She added, “My brothers stepped in to help in whatever way, my friends as well.
I got so much emotional and tangible support, and I thank God for that.”
The president expressed her sympathy for women who might not have access to such a network and expressed her happiness that certain non-governmental organizations, such as the T&T Cancer Society (TTCS), which she supports, provide some support.
“It was a no-brainer when they (the TTCS) reached out to me to be its patron.
“The fact that there are women who may not have the support of family and friends, and that an organization allows them to feel that connection and to get the help they need – I thought it was very important, because of my experiences, to align myself with the Cancer Society. I am very proud to be the patron.”
Kangaloo makes sure she attends her checkups, and although though she is constantly aware that the disease may come back after 20 years, she has long since moved past her obsession with dread.
“That is how life is – there is joy and sorrow. I am grateful that all has been well with me.
I can’t speak for every cancer survivor, but I think there is always that concern that something could happen.
She recall the process, “I remember initially, after my treatment had finished, being concerned and being openly focused on tests, reminding myself, ‘I have to take this test in six months or a year,’ to let me know that everything is fine.”
“And that is something I’ve had to let go; that fear. There is always a concern that something may happen, but I try very hard to live in the mindset that I’m doing all that I can do, and just leave it at that.” Women should be conscious of their health and be examined, she says, since early diagnosis improves the chances of a better result.
Even while it can be challenging, Kangaloo advised people who have already received a cancer diagnosis not to live in dread, particularly if the disease was discovered early.
“I wasted many years living in fear… It took a long time for that emotional healing, and I am not going to let fear of cancer coming back dominate how I live.”
She asks that these ladies pay attention to their medical plan of action and become informed about what is happening to them.
“Take the advice from your doctors, and not people who come to tell you, ‘Do this,’ and, ‘Don’t eat that.’”
The president also advised the “village” that keeps these women’s heads above water to “be there for them, but take the lead from them.” Avoid giving them too much to think about. Let the patient ask you for what they require.
“Just let them know that you are there for them unconditionally.”
On the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to expand insurance coverage of breast cancer screening and imaging to include procedures as recommended by nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines for the detection of breast cancer.
“Every woman in New York State should have access to the full scope of coverage options for breast cancer screening and imaging, which is key to early diagnosis
and treatment,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation ensures that critical preventative services are available without financial constraint – saving lives and setting a new standard of care for New Yorkers.”
Legislation S.2465C/A.1696C changes parts of the Insurance Law to require individual, group, and non-profit (including HMO) health insurance plans to cover breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging. This coverage applies if a doctor recommends it based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The screenings include diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and MRIs.
The legislation also clarifies that cost-sharing will not apply to these procedures except to the extent it would result in health savings account ineligibility under IRS guidelines.
The legislation defines “nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines” to include evidence-based standards developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies using a transparent methodology and reporting structure.
State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said,
“With the signing of this critical legislation, we take a significant step forward in the fight against breast cancer. This expansion of insurance coverage for screenings and imaging will empower individuals to prioritize their health without the burden of cost and ensure that early detection becomes a standard, not a privilege. I thank my colleague Assembly Member Hunter for joining me in the advocacy and Governor Hochul for signing this legislation.”
Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter said, “Expanding insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and imaging based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines is a vital step in ensuring that women across New York have access to lifesaving early detection. This legislation, signed during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, removes financial barriers to critical diagnostic procedures like mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs, which are essential in the fight against breast cancer. I am proud to have championed this bill in the Assembly, and I want to thank Governor Hochul and Senator Persaud for their leadership and support in making this a reality for women across the state.”
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is now the leading cause of cancer death, for Black women.
Dr. Vivian Bea, director of the breast program at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and an assistant professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, suggests there are “multiple reasons contribute to breast cancer disparities, and a nog one is inconsistencies in
breast cancer screening recommendations.”
1. Know the facts.
Research indicates that genetics may play a part in this higher risk disparity, and the risk may differ depending on a Black woman’s ancestry, specifically in cases of triple-negative breast cancer. Black women are more likely to have triple-negative breast cancer, a rarer but more aggressive form that does not respond to hormonal treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, triple-negative breast cancer is about twice as common in Black women than white women in the U.S., and a contributor to the lower breast cancer survival rate among Black patients. “It’s important that Black women know their risk for breast cancer, so that they can educate themselves and be proactive about their health,” says Dr. Bea.
2. Get screened — and bring a friend. Early detection is the best protection. “Even though Black women are more likely to have triple-negative breast cancer, if we catch these
women at the earliest stage of that breast cancer, there is a better chance for survival,” says Dr. Bea.
Dr. Bea says it’s essential that Black women get screened early.
“Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age with the more aggressive tumor subtype, so I recommend that Black women have a risk assessment completed at age 25 — and definitely by age 30 — by a breast expert and, if possible, one who has experience in treating diverse populations,” Dr. Bea says. She follows guidelines that recommend that average-risk women start screening at age 40.
“For patients who are at high risk for breast cancer based on a risk assessment, screening should start before the age of 40,” says Dr. Bea.
3. Don’t believe myths.
There is understandably a lot of fear around a breast cancer diagnosis, but it is important to be aware of the many advances made in care.
For example, Dr. Bea says some patients have expressed concern that if they receive a diag-
nosis of cancer and have surgery, the surgery could cause the cancer to spread. “This is false,” she says.
Women may believe that surgeons will have to remove their breasts, which is also not true.
“We can offer modern approaches to breast surgery, such as lumpectomy or breast-conserving surgery, which only removes a portion of the breast,” says Dr. Bea. “Those myths may be widening the gap of women not getting their mammograms right now. But it’s important to remember early detection saves lives.”
4. Know your breasts.
Dr. Bea encourages women to do a breast self-exam every month. “If there is an abnormality, you’d be the first to detect it,” she says. Signs to look for include nipple discharge, a palpable mass (a lump), or any skin changes. “If you’ve never had eczema, a condition that makes your skin red and itchy, in your life, and you see skin changes on your breast, do not assume it’s eczema. Go and see your provider,” she advises.
BCRF recognizes the continued need for more research to end disparities faced by Black women across the U.S. A snapshot of the current BCRF-supported projects specifically in this area include:
Drs. Christine Ambrosone and Chi-Chen Hong are studying the types of immune cells found in and around breast tumors from both Black and white women to determine if they affect tumor aggressiveness.
Dr. Fergus Couch has identified inherited mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes that confer an increased risk of TNBC and may be important for screening in high-risk Black women. His team examined gene mutations in a large, racially diverse population of American women. This study showed that mutations in the BARD1, RAD51C, and RAD51D genes, while very uncommon, appear more frequently in Black women with breast cancer and are associated with an increased risk of both TNBC and estrogen receptor (ER)–negative breast cancer.
In a cohort of 100 breast cancer patients with African ancestry, Dr. Melissa Davis is studying the relationships between social determinants of health, ancestry, the tumor micro-environment, and survival.
Dr. Laura Esserman is examining the immunological features of breast cancers in Black women to gain a better understanding of the spectrum of disease and the types of interventions that might improve outcomes.
Dr. Neha Goel is evaluating how neighborhood factors and stress may affect the breast cancer tumor microenvironment in diverse populations.
Recognizing that access to clinical trials that test new therapies is vital to Black women’s survival, Dr. Carmen Guerra is investigating ways to mitigate unconscious bias that may decrease their enrollment.
In her BCRF project, Dr. MacGregor is looking at underrepresented or understudied populations, including racial and ethnic minorities as
well as older people and evaluating the rates of treatment completion and how treatment-related toxicities and access to care impact these groups.
Dr. Kathy Miller is identifying differences in immune pathway activation between Black and white women with breast cancer in order to exploit any unique biologic vulnerabilities inherent in Black women’s tumors to improve outcomes.
Dr. Lisa Newman is conducting a pilot study to both tackle breast cancer disparities related to race and ethnicity and to provide a platform for Black physicians to be more engaged in research.
Drs. Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade and Dezheng Huo are identifying genetic factors responsible for TNBC and those that specifically predispose Black women to this aggressive disease. Dr. Olopade and colleagues were the first to discover that Black women have a higher incidence of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes—as well as other inherited susceptibility genes—compared to their white counterparts.
Work led by Dr. Charles Perou and BCRF collaborators has uncovered differences in the genes and gene mutations found in Black women’s breast tumors compared to those in white women. His team is building on their findings to identify the drivers of metastatic disease, determine the adaptive immune system’s role in breast tumor progression, and improve therapeutic targeting of TNBC tumors to decrease disparities in outcomes. Utilizing data from completed and ongoing clinical trials, Dr. Priyanka Sharma is studying the relationship between race and treatment response biomarkers in TNBC. Ultimately, her research will move us closer to personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to an individual’s cancer biology.
(Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
Fritz-Earle Mc Lymont was an entrepreneurial development expert with more than 50 years of experience in developing and managing private, not-for-profit, and quasi-government enterprises in the United States and internationally. He was a co-founder of the National Minority Business Council, Inc., and the founder and managing partner of Mc Lymont, Kunda & Co., a New York-based international trade and business development strategies firm with clients and projects in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean.
Since the 1970s, Fritz has created innovative business-related programs and initiatives, utilizing small businesses and organizations in such diverse industries as chemical, transportation, agriculture, energy, and media. He has developed and implemented award-winning education and training programs for small businesses in the U.S. and Caribbean and has served on numerous boards in the private and not-for-profit sectors, as well as on a key U.S. federal government commission on minority business.
Fritz conducted his undergraduate studies in business at Sir. George Williams University (now Concordia University) in Montreal, Canada, and graduate studies in Community Economic Development at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
His awards and recognitions include Induction into the Concordia Univer-
sity Sports Hall of Fame; recipient of the Malcolm X Unity Award 2013; appointed Roving Ambassador for the Caribbean America Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Wanadu-Aroo (Advisor) to Amiiru Songhoy, Paramount Chief; Bronx Frontier Development Corp. Order of the Pioneer Award. He served on the Boards of Directors of the Coffee Industries Ltd. in Jamaica; the Institute of African Affairs, USA; and as a Member of the University Council, Marcus Garvey Pan African University, Kampala, Uganda. Among his career highlights, he started and operated a chemical specialty manufacturing company in New York that served the federal government, and industrial, institutional, and consumer markets. Technical competence earned the firm “favored supplier” status for chemical specialty products to the United States government and its innovative partnership with a major corporation earned its coverage in The Wall Street Journal; he developed a municipal bus transport system for Montego Bay, Jamaica, a major tourist destination city in the Caribbean; managed the Export Trading Company of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/ NJ), representing more than 100 regional firms in global markets, and played a key role in reversing the Port Authority’s position on doing business in South Africa.
Students were agog at Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA I), situated in Harlem, New York, for an incredible occasion featuring a motivational visit from Ashley Marie Myatt, the reigning Miss Black America. On September 16, 2024, the event took place in connection with the Mentoring in Medicine initiative. A partnership to promote academic success and personal development, it offered the kids a special fusion of mentorship, education, and empowerment.
Miss Black America made an appearance
at Frederick Douglass Academy for more reasons than only ceremonial purposes.
The visit was centered on fostering student leadership, self-confidence, and academic ambition in collaboration with Mentoring in Medicine, a non-profit organization devoted to assisting students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuing professions in medicine and healthcare.
Miss Black America gave an enthralling keynote speech that started the event, and the crowd found great resonance in her remarks.
Trinidad’s Finance Minister Colm Imbert Monday said he will investigate the decision by the Hyatt Regency hotel to no longer accept the T&T dollar for transactions, preferring currencies from the United States and Europe instead.
In a statement posted on Facebook and other social media platforms over the weekend, the state-owned hotel said the measure would go into effect from November 1.
“All transactions at Hyatt Regency Trinidad will be mainly cash-free for a faster, smoother, and more secure experience.
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and only US dollars, British pound sterling, and Eurodollars.”
But in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Imbert said that the Hyatt recently announced a “contentious decision to stop accepting TTD cash while accepting USD and GBP cash, which it quickly rescinded.
“As corporation sole the MOF (Ministry of Finance) has no oversight role over the operations of the Hyatt but will investigate the currency aspect of the matter,” Imbert said.
October 10, 2024: A local official informed reporters that the number of fatalities from the vicious gang attack on a tiny community in central Haiti last week had increased to 115.
The attack on the inhabitants of PontSondé on Oct. 3 was one of the largest atrocities that Haiti has experienced in recent history.
The mayor of the adjacent city of SaintMarc, Myriam Fièvre, stated that the death toll had reached 115 and will probably continue to grow because the search for
more victims is ongoing and significant parts of the town are inaccessible to the authorities.
“We are working to make sure that the population is protected,” stated during a phone conversation.
The Gran Grif gang attacked the village in the central Artibonite area last week, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 people, according to earlier reports from the U.N.
A local human rights organization claims that the gang surprised the people of PontSondé by approaching the town on boats...
Two Trinidadadian police officers - Acting Cpl Ashraph Mohammed, 45, of Chin Road, Cunupia, and PC Jason Dan Michael, 34, of Charlieville – appeared virtually before Master Margaret SookrajGoswami charged with the capital offence in the murder of Central businessman Sachel Kungebeharry.
They are also accused of misbehaving in public office when they, along with another person, allegedly kidnapped Kungebeharry, a 32-year-old used-car salesman, and demanded a ransom for his release.
The murder was alleged to have taken place sometime between September 24, and October 4.
Kungebeharry’s body was found in the Longdenville area on October 3, after his kidnappers made and received a $500,000 ransom demand.
Kungebeharry, of Pierre Road, Felicity, was kidnapped on September 25, after a marked police car intercepted the car he was in at Endeavour Road Extension, Chaguanas.
After a fifteen-year hiatus, reggae artist Buju Banton made an unforgettable return to Canada, attempting to captivate the audience with a mix of raw passion and theatricality. dazzling the crowd last night at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena with a performance that made them feel happy and proud to be Caribbean-American diasporans.
Before the event, Buju had an interview with Specs Da Boss of Flo 98.7, where he shared his enthusiasm about getting back together with his Canadian fan base as well as some details about his artistic career.
Erue White, the director of basketball at Mississauga’s St Jude’s Academy, spoke at the main event and gave his reflections on the unforgettable evening.
White stated, summarizing Buju’s performance’s breadth, which included his dancehall hits, spiritual tunes, and classic
songs, “I attended the Buju concert last night. It was a great concert – he performed extremely well, very energetic on the stage, sang every tune that was needed. It was a very spiritual concert at the end.”
When Buju asked guests from different islands to reflect on their history, White emphasized a particularly noteworthy moment as the event honored Caribbean togetherness.
White noted “The most memorable moment of the concert for me was when Buju went through just having everybody from the Caribbean kinda represent their heritage, calling out Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica obviously, and Canada“The whole of the Caribbean basically was participating, and even the Canadian people on a whole were supporting Buju.” White also discussed the wider effects of bringing top-tier reggae artists to Toronto.
Events such as this are good for culture. He stated, “Toronto and Canada will support these events on a major scale.” Although Buju was the only performer, he added that more artists might have elevated the occasion to even greater heights.
White remarked, “Nothing was bad about the concert… the best part was just the salute to the crowd and the diversity in the crowd.”
The concert marked Buju’s much-anticipated return to Canada and served as a potent reminder of his appeal among the Caribbean diaspora. Leaving the arena with a sense of unity, energy, and pride, this was one of the most significant historical reggae concerts Toronto has witnessed for over a decade.
Spotify is considered a haven for all music lovers. It consists of all different genres for subscribers to explore the realm of composed sounds with a harmonic tune. Spotify fan base extends to every race and gender portfolio including members from the LGBT community. However, surprisingly the multimillion-dollar corporation still includes among their listing anti-gay music. Jamaican artists have a reputation for voicing homophobic songs. Two popular songs were recorded in 1993 and 2005. Capleton’s song “Buggering” is a harsh indictment of two men having sex and appears to suggest public beheading and shooting as a form of retribution in lyrics that are available on Spotify. The song “Nah Apologize” by Sizzla was released in reaction to the Stop Murder Music campaign, which demanded that dancehall musicians stop performing their anti-gay chants and offer an apology for them. Sizzla not only promotes the deadly stoning in the “biblical days,” but his lyrics also lack remorse. “Hate content that expressly or principally promotes, advocates, or incites hatred or violence against a group or individual based on characteristics, including race, religion, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability,” states Spotify’s hate content policy. But some tunes managed to get past the filters, which goes against the policy.
The disclaimer on Spotify’s policy website reads as follows: “Cultural standards and sensitivities vary widely. There will always be content that is acceptable in some circumstances but is offensive in others.”
This was reasonable on the surface: banning rock, rap, and any other music in between due to questionable content would be the beginning of a slippery slope. After certain acts of white nationalist violence were taken down, some nevertheless managed to stay up on the platform for a while.
A representative for Spotify attested to the fact that the music is known to the business. It released a statement saying, “The tracks and artists in question have been reviewed, and the content does not violate platform policies.”
According to Spotify, the songs were examined by people in addition to an AI looking for trigger phrases. It stated that the songs could be found on YouTube, Apple, and Amazon, offering a broader context for campaigning. The fact that Capleton and Sizzla are Rastafarians was taken into consideration by Spotify’s human reviewers, who comprise a panel of specialists on its Safety Advisory Council, as well as internal and external consultants when making their judgment.
The last point is intriguing yet debatable. Some people assert that Rastafarian readings of the Old Testament are the source of their beliefs on homosexuality: “A member of the militant Bobo Ashanti sect [who] sometimes courted controversy with his strict adherence to their views, particularly his aggressive condemnations of homosexuals,” is how Sizzla is described in his Spotify bio.
While some artist profiles are produced by the artists themselves or by contributors, Spotify was questioned about whether its reviewers had considered Sizzla’s lyrics to be a representation of her cultural and religious values. They remained silent.
Certain musicians have chosen to self-censor. For example, Buju Banton stopped performing his well-known homophobic murder song from 1992, Boom Bye Bye, in 2007...
Jamaica’s tourism sector is set for continued expansion as global travel surges toward 1.5 billion travellers by the end of this year, with projections of nearly 3 billion tourists worldwide in the next two decades.
Addressing the 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) yesterday (October 12), Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett outlined several strategies aimed at ensuring that Jamaica remains a top destination and continues to experience growth in the competitive global tourism market.
Minister Bartlett urged local tourism partners to be innovative and adaptive to emerging trends, emphasising that Jamaica must prepare for the rising wave of travellers by building the necessary capacity and offering superior service.
“The issue is where these travellers will come from and where they will go. Our challenge is to create the capacity within Jamaica to benefit from this growing activity,” said Minister Bartlett.
He underscored the resilience of the tourism sector, which continues to outpace general economic growth globally, growing at a rate of
3% annually over the past 30 years.
“On our shoulders rests the economic fortunes of our country,” he noted, highlighting the vital role of tourism in Jamaica’s economy.
However, the Minister cautioned that Jamaica must stay nimble and innovative in response to the evolving global landscape.
“We have to be nimble, adaptive, and responsive to ensure that the growth we had after COVID isn’t erased by the deluge of disruptions that came with the recovery,” Bartlett remarked.
He encouraged JHTA members to embrace new business models and leverage emerging technologies to enhance Jamaica’s competitive edge.
As part of his presentation, Minister Bartlett announced a key strategy to expand Jamaica’s tourism market by boosting airlift from South America, starting with LATAM Airlines’ new flights from Peru to Jamaica, commencing on December 1.
He also noted that discussions are also ongoing with Azul Airlines to introduce flights from Belem, Brazil, and as well as Avianca regarding other regions in South America including Columbia.
Minister Bartlett stressed that expanding airlift is crucial to tapping into new markets and further diversifying Jamaica’s visitor base.
Additionally, Minister Bartlett revealed plans for a marketing blitz in India, one of the fastest-growing economies globally, with a roadshow planned for November.
“The Asian-Pacific countries will constitute the largest block of outbound tourism in the world.
In 2 to 5 years, India will be the second most powerful economy. We are positioning Jamaica to be part of that growth,” Bartlett shared.
He also highlighted efforts to target Eastern Eu-
rope and the Schengen area, noting that these regions offer tremendous potential for inbound tourism.
To support these efforts, the tourism minister disclosed that the Jamaican government has committed JMD 1 billion to tourism marketing through the end of the financial year.
“This is the largest single amount the government has provided for marketing augmentation in history,” the Minister announced, reinforcing the country’s dedication to solidifying its position in the global tourism industry.
Minister Bartlett also addressed destination assurance, calling on private sector partners to ensure that Jamaica continues to deliver a safe, secure, and seamless experience for visitors. He revealed that “the JTB Act is set to be amended” to require licensing for all tourism players, including those in the sharing economy.
“Tourists are now staying in places we never imagined, but we cannot guarantee the quality of those experiences. This amendment will ensure that we maintain high standards across the board,” he explained.
Continued online at nycaribnews.com
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Some recipes should be kept simple as nature intended them to be, and in my opinion, Pumpkin Soup is one of those dishes. The natural flavor of pumpkin is good enough that you need very little to make a beautiful, creamy, full flavored soup.
And while sometimes it’s nice to have a dolled up version with all the bells and whistles, 99% of the time, this simple recipe is how I make it. It’s just a great EASY Pumpkin Soup recipe, a classic version that has everything it needs and nothing it doesn’t to be can’t-stop-eating-it delicious!
The secret ingredients to make pumpkin soup tastier is onion and garlic!
Thick and creamy pumpkin soup in a black cast iron pot, fresh off the stove, ready to be served. What goes in Pumpkin Soup
To make this great quick and easy pumpkin soup, you will need:
Pumpkin – Peeled and chopped into large chunks (or purchase it pre-cut). See below for the best pumpkin to use and recipe notes for canned pureed pumpkin option;
Onion and garlic – the secret ingredients that adds extra savoriness into the soup flavor!!
Stock/broth and water – for a tastier pumpkin soup, don’t skip the broth! Milk, cream or half and half stirred through at the end. Here’s my view on cream. Does it make it better? Yes, insofar as adding richness to the soup. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. You do NOT need cream to make the soup thicker. All the thickness comes from the pumpkin itself. I usually make Pumpkin Soup with milk instead.
If you don’t have cream but want extra richness in your soup, just add a touch of butter!
What goes in pumpkin soup
Do you have to peel pumpkin for soup? Yes, you do. The skin is too tough and won’t puree properly so you’ll end up with hard bits in the soup.
Best pumpkin for pumpkin soup
Use any type of eating pumpkin you want OR butternut squash (which is called butternut pumpkin in Australia). DO NOT use Halloween carving pumpkin used to make Jack-O-
days, or can be frozen for 3 months – just thaw then reheat using your chosen method. If your soup is too thick, just loosen it with a touch of water when reheating.
If it’s too thin (unlikely, but could happen!), then just simmer on the stove for a while to let it reduce – this will thicken it.
they are not that tasty!
If you’re not a fan of chopping and peeling pumpkin, try my No-Chop Roasted Pumpkin Soup!
A classic, super easy pumpkin soup that’s fast to make. No cream required to make a luscious creamy pumpkin soup! On the table in 20 minutes!
How to make pumpkin soup from scratch
Place peeled pumpkin, onion, garlic, broth/ stock and water into a pot;
Boil rapidly for 15 minutes until pumpkin is very tender;
Use a stick blender or transfer to blender to blitz smooth; and
Adjust salt and pepper to taste, then add either milk OR cream – whichever you prefer. The secret ingredients are the garlic and onion. It makes all the difference to add extra savouriness!
How to make Pumpkin Soup
How to add flavors to pumpkin soup
While plain pumpkin soup is my favorite and the way I serve it most often, sometimes it’s nice to change things up by adding other flavours! Here are a few suggestions:
Curried pumpkin soup – stir in a touch of curry powder once you blitz it, add little by little
Thai red curry – start by sautéing 2 tbsp red curry paste in 1/2 tbsp oil over medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes until really fragrant, then proceed with recipe ie add liquids and pumpkin etc. Then instead of using cream, use coconut cream. Garnish with coriander/cilantro. SO GOOD!
Ginger– saute 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger in 1/2 tbsp oil or butter, then proceed with recipe. Lightly Spiced – stir in 1/2 tsp each cumin, coriander and smoked paprika. Turmeric – 1 1/2 tsp each ground turmeric, coriander and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Thick and creamy pumpkin soup in a rustic white enamel bowl with a silver spoon, ready to be eaten.
Storing pumpkin soup
Pumpkin soup will keep in the fridge for 4 to 5
Junelle Bromfield
Olympian sprinter Noah Lyles proposed to Jamaican girlfriend Junelle Bromfield, a quarter-miler, in a touching show of love and dedication. Without hesitation, Bromfield said, “Yes”, creating a moment as beautiful as the young couple.
Preserving the spirit of their unique relationship, Lyles recently posted the lovely moment on Instagram.
With a cozy candlelight glow, lush flowers, and priceless recollections of their time
spent together as a couple, the beautiful film opens.
Setting the stage for the ideal proposal, Junelle, looking lovely in a silver gown, strolls hand in hand with Noah along a path bordered with petals.
With a broad smile and an expression of joy on his face, Noah approaches Junelle on her knees and proposes marriage.
When she answers “yes,” time stops and they kiss tenderly, relishing their unique moment.
Junelle has recently been the target of cyberbullying, but the couple’s relationship seems to have only gotten better.
The statement from Lyles, “To my future wife, I will love you forever,” perfectly captured their steadfast devotion.
More than 3,000 people have commented on the post, with many of them congratulating prominent track and field athletes from across the world, such as Dina Asher-Smith, Charokee Young, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Britton Wilson, Jelani Walker, and Talitha Diggs.
Dancehall queen Spice, model and second runner-up of Miss Universe 2017, Olympian Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, were among the Jamaican celebrities who attended the event to honor the happy moment of the pair.
