January 8, 2025

VOL. XLIV NO. 2200 WEEK OF JANUARY 8 - 14, 2025 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

PM ROWLEY RESIGNED STUART YOUNG IS NEW PM KAMLA WANTS ELECTIONS NOW Country under State of Emergency

Page 4

UN - UNIVERSITY

SIR HILARY BECKLES CHAIRMAN/ CHANCELOR Appointed to one of the finest global universities remaining Vice Chancellor of UWI

Page 5

HAITI

OVER 5,600 KILLED BY GANG VIOLENCE In the last year in an attempt to control more of the country

Page 2 CHICAGO

PAN AND SYMPHONY

Young Panamanian with Trini roots, Jaden Teague-Nunez, plays with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Page 14

BAHAMAS

‘BAN VYBZ KARTEL CONCERT’ In country, demands the Union

Page 11 SPORTS

SIMONE BILES SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Of 2024 by Sports Illustrated

Page 16

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CaribNews OPED 14 States Awarded $1 Million Grants to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Crises

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA - P 7

OPED Gas is Dirty. LNG Proponents Don’t Just Ignore The Facts, They Ignore The Human Toll

by Ben Jealous - P 7

HEALTH NYC H+H/Kings County Welcomes the First Newborns of 2025: Twin Baby Girls, Born Just After Midnight - P 13

SPORTS Simone Biles, 2024 Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated - P 16

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 7, 2025

AFRICA Security Council: ‘Famine conditions are spreading’ as Sudan’s crisis worsens Addressing the Security Council on Monday, Edem Wosornu, Director of the Advocacy and Operations Division at the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) described the unfolding disaster as “a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions.”

This “man-made” catastrophe, driven by relentless conflict, has dismantled food systems and critical infrastructure, leaving millions in imminent danger, she explained.

Evidence of famine mounts “Famine conditions are now present in five areas,” Ms. Wosornu stated, highlighting Zamzam, Al Salam, and Abu Shouk camps for the internally-displaced, as well as the western Nuba Mountains.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that conflict and displacement are the main drivers of food insecurity, “exacerbated by restricted humanitarian access,” according to Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis underscores the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, and the elderly.

Disrupted food production and collapsing market conditions have compounded the crisis.

WORLD BRIEFS More than 5,600 killed in Haiti gang violence in 2024 At least 5,601 people were killed in gang violence in Haiti last year, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday, appealing for greater efforts by the authorities and the international community to address the root causes.

These deaths represent an increase of over 1,000 on the total killings for 2023, according to figures verified by OHCHR. A further 2,212 people were injured and 1,494 kidnapped.

“These figures alone cannot capture the absolute horrors being perpetrated in Haiti but they show the unremitting violence to which people are being subjected,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

Shocking massacre OHCHR recalled that in one of the most deadly and shocking incidents, at least 207 people were killed in a massacre in early December orchestrated by the leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang in the Cité Soleil area of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Many of the victims were older people accused of causing the death of the leader’s son through alleged voodoo practices. To erase evidence, gang members mutilated and burned most of the bodies, while others were thrown into the sea.

UNHCR urges greater support for people fleeing postelection violence in Mozambique

‘It will take years to help people deal with the invisible consequences of war’: A UN Resident Coordinator

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR is deeply alarmed by the ongoing situation in Mozambique, where post-election unrest has forced thousands to flee their homes, including to seek safety in neighbouring countries.

The violence comes after the top court in Mozambique confirmed on 23 December that the ruling Frelimo party won the disputed presidential election held in October, sparking protests.

The southern African country is also still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Chido, which hit just weeks ago.

The current situation is hampering vital humanitarian efforts for communities who lost everything in the storm, while challenging the response to assist them.

Since he began his mandate as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale has seen for himself the devastating effects of the Russian invasion. In this account, written exclusively for UN News, Mr. Schmale shares his impressions of Ukraine, and the efforts of the UN System to support its citizens.

“I am continually inspired by the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people.

As I have travelled to Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and most recently to Kramatorsk and Lyman, I have seen for myself how the disruption of essential services such as electricity, water and heating affects people.

I have spoken to people whose loved ones were killed and whose homes were destroyed during attacks. I have met people in transit sites who had to leave their lives behind carrying whatever of their belongings they could salvage in one small bag. Every day, they show extraordinary determination – not only getting up and continuing their lives but also helping others.

The Ukrainian government and local authorities are doing an impressive job of responding immediately to the attacks so people willing to return could do it as fast as possible. One of the governors told me that after an attack that caused damage to 13 buildings they, with partners, extraordinarily managed to seal all the windows and reconnect water, electricity, and heating for people to return home.

Fleeing to Malawi and Eswatini UNHCR and the Government of Malawi have identified around 2,000 people who crossed the border during the past week, while another 1,000 entered Eswatini.

Among the new arrivals are refugees and asylum seekers of various nationalities who have been living in Mozambique, and the agency is raising concerns over the escalating displacement and its impact on t affected populations.

Chansa Kapaya, UNHCR’s Regional Director for Southern Africa, said refugees and civilians are both facing immense risks, losing their livelihoods and relying on humanitarian assistance.

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 7, 2025

CARIBNEWS

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CARICOM - Unity and Resilience Key to Future says Chairman PM Mottley

Two major themes, “unity” and “resilience,” have been recognized by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the incoming Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as necessary preconditions to propel the organization toward a future influenced by current events like the COVID-19 epidemic and climate change.

In the January 1st announcement, Mottley stated, “Today, we stand at the crossroads of immense challenges and extraordinary opportunities. How we act, united as a people, and as nations will define not only this year, 2025, but the legacy of our generation. The Caribbean is far more than a geographic space. We know it.

It is a living testament to the power of courage, creativity, and our collective strength.”

The Bajan Prime Minister continued, “Ours is a history marked by resilience, a word that we will have to embrace more and more in our future. Time and again we have faced storms most natural and manmade and risen stronger, more determined than ever, united in shaping our destiny; especially in this year as we saw the ravages of Hurricane Beryl make history not just for the history books, but regrettably,

in the lives of too many families across our region… “ Barbados’ prime minister was adamant that the reinstatement of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) was crucial to the region’s objective of fostering prosperity and togetherness. According to CSME Mottley, “is not merely an economic agenda,” but “a vision of unity and opportunity for small states who know that we can achieve so much more together than we do so individually. Full realization of the CSME, including above all else, yes, the free movement of our nationals is essential for unlocking the true potential of our people and our economies. So is the necessity for us to attain and go beyond the target that we set ourselves for food and nutritional security, best exemplified by the `Vision 25 by 2025’ agenda, which we set in 2021.”

CARICOM’s sustainable development efforts are hampered by unfair blacklisting practices and limited access to concessional financing, according to the incoming Chair, who named the global financial system as the root cause of the marginalization of Small Island and Low-lying Developing States. Mottley said CARICOM will, “persist in advocating for reforms championed in the Bridgetown Initiative and working with others, like the 73 vulnerable countries in the Climate Vulnerable Forum as we fight for a better financial landscape regionally and globally, within which we can build resilience, prosperity and yes, equity – fairness – for all our people.”

The Prime Minister identified the availability and accessibility of resources and called for the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to be adopted and refined like a laser in order to protect vital resources for the future of the area as, “we face these crises that are often beyond our control to avoid, but for which we

must strengthen our resilience to survive. In so doing… we must urgently settle a floor of rights as a community for our people so that we agree on what must be the minimum protection and the opportunities that each and every Caribbean person must benefit from while we instill as well in all of us the need for each to live our daily lives to do better by our family, our communities, our country, and yes, our region. Our home will only be as good in this region as we collectively make it.”

Building on the regional symposium in Port of Spain that acknowledged crime and violence as a public health concern in the Caribbean, the Barbados prime minister urged the regional organization to fulfill the promises of the recently ended George-Bridge Declaration.

This statement, which was made in Georgetown, Guyana, under Barbados’ chairmanship, emphasizes the importance of citizen security and safety by treating it as a public health issue and by advancing and bolstering regional and national efforts in law enforcement and the modernization of CARICOM’s criminal justice systems. Mottley explained, “This is absolutely critical for the majority of our people who simply want to ensure that the zone of peace that we aspire to as a region for the Caribbean is a lived reality in each of our communities. We look forward to the meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis this year, which will add to the meetings in Trinidad and Guyana on this most critical of issues that affect every Caribbean person.”

Mottley praised the announcement of the second decade for those of African origin, which got underway on January 1, 2025, but emphasized that “so much remains to be done in this area.”

According to the PM, the successes of PODs are a testament to the region’s unwavering advocacy and the progress made in the first

ten years, which included the creation of the United Nations Permanent Forum for PODs and the international recognition of the tenpoint plan for reparatory justice, “We must continue to press the international community for a mature, face-to-face conversation at all levels, so that we may see them repair the damage from the exploitation through the immoral institutions of slavery and colonialism which our people suffered from… urge the international community to provide resources necessary to improve the dignity, security and material conditions of African descended people worldwide.”

Mottley claimed that 600 million Africans lack access to power in an era of artificial intelligence, which “is in no way morally acceptable to us as a community, which is part of the African diaspora that is a sixth region of Africa.”

Mottley cautioned that the Caribbean must not fall behind as the globe rushes toward a digital future and urged the area to take advantage of the “boundless opportunities.” Adding, “From green energy to artificial intelligence, we must lead with alacrity as innovators, not blindly but responsibly equipping our young people with the tools to drive change and to position our region as a hub for sustainable industries.”

Considering the area’s shifting demographics, the prime minister of Barbados stated, “… when we consider that we equally face the challenge of many developed countries, that is, an aging and declining population. It is for that reason that our young people, therefore, must be given every opportunity to ensure that when they age, there are those who are young enough to help them mature in their gray and silver years.”

Continued online at wwww.nycaribnews.com

St. Vincent - PM Gonsalves Writes to Biden, Putin and Zelensky to End War in Ukraine St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has written to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, and President Joe Biden of the United States, calling for an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“I write in a quest for global peace, justice, security, prosperity for all humanity, grounded in the fundamental tenets of international law, the precepts of the Charter of the United Nations, and multilateral engagement,” Gonsalves said in his December 2 letter which was also copied to the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres.

“I am making a humble plea for an honorable, negotiated end, immediately, to the war in Ukraine,” Gonsalves said in his letter, which was also copied to heads of state and government of members of the United Nations.

Gonsalves in his letter, which his office released to the media on Monday, noted that the war has been raging since February 2022 and has “recently entered a most dangerous phase of escalation which portends unthinkable nuclear Armageddon.

“To civilized men and women across the globe,

this war is senseless as it has been brutal and completely unnecessary. It is as though the most powerful and advanced nations of the world have learned nothing of lasting value from the history of humankind.”

He said the main combatants, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, fully backed by the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led principally by the United States, “appear to the bulk of humanity’s eight billion people to be gripped by an extreme condition of unreason, in practical disregard not only of life and limb, blood and treasure of their own peoples but of the knock-on global effects of additional pain and suffering for the rest of us, including possibly the collapse of human civilization as we have come to know it.

“Ordinary men and women across the world have become helpless bystanders to a seemingly inevitable march to their own destruction, even their extinction. Surely, it is beyond time to stop this war which, to most of us, has a tribal ferocity that is well-nigh incomprehensible.”

Gonsalves said he has followed the course of the war very closely from its beginnings and through its various twists and turns.

He said he has read, from various standpoints of the war’s “origins, meanderings, all the accusations and counter-accusations, and the military operations on the ground.

“It is evident to all persons of reason, who also apply their hearts to wisdom, that this war will not end with military triumph for one side or another. Posturing and protracting this contestation on the field of battle make no sense, practically or ideationally.”

The Vincentian leader said it was not his place to prescribe what a likely negotiated peace

would look like “but I feel sure, conceptually, that neither side in this war would be completely satisfied with any terms of a peace settlement.”

He said each side must, therefore, be prepared “to arrive, in peace, in a mutually-agreed condition of dissatisfaction.

“In time, this agreed condition of dissatisfaction, which is preferable to continued war may evolve, propitiously, into a more settled bundle of satisfactions.”

Gonsalves quoted from the poem “We are the Cenotaphs,” by local poet, Daniel Williams’ in which he wrote “We are all time, Yet, only the future is ours to desecrate. The present is the past; And the past, our fathers’ mischiefs.”

Gonsalves said his “solemn and urgent plea to the distinguished Presidents of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States of America, with the assistance of the esteemed Secretary General of the United Nations, is to bring the war in Ukraine to a negotiated peaceful end now, in honor to the actual combatants, their suffering families, and all humanity who are in pain.”

Continued online at wwww.nycaribnews.com

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 7, 2025

T&T - PM Rowley to Resign from Office, Stuart Young to Succeed as Prime Minister

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced Friday that he would be resigning from office “before the end of the legal limits of this term”, which is due to end by August this year.

Speaking at a news conference, Rowley, 75, told reporters that he had always indicated his intention to step down from politics after 45 years in public life.

“I am here with my colleagues this weekend and one of the things that they will be told is that I will not be offering myself again to represent anyone either in Trinidad or in Tobago. Forty-five years is a long time.

“I would like at this time to say thank you, appropriately along the way to all those who have supported my efforts and benefitted from I hope I have positively impacted this country somewhere, sometime,” he added.

Rowley said while he would continue to be the political leader of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) as it prepares for the general elections due in August, he would not be putting himself up as a candidate for the Diego Martin West seat

which he has represented in Parliament since 1991.

“I will thank them appropriately and ensure they are not left adrift, but I will not be offering myself as I just said, and I will say something else before the end of the legal limits of this term I will resign this office and go off to my family,” Rowley said, ending the news conference.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on Monday said that he will be replaced by the Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Stuart Young as prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Rowley said that the caucus of legislators aligned to the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) had “come up with a situation where they are in support of Member of Parliament Stuart Young.

“We are very pleased to announce that the promise of a smooth transition is going according to plan,” Rowley told reporters.

Young was a practicing attorney before being elected to Parliament on September 8, 2015, as the member for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West. ( (CMC)

T&T – Kamla Calls for Elections Now, Slams PM Resignation Announcement

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the leader of the opposition, has called the prime minister’s decision to step down from politics before the end of his tenure “a clear admission of his failure to lead this nation effectively.”

On January 3, 2025, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced the news at a press conference in Tobago.

The prime minister should now “do the honorable thing and call the (general) elections,” Persad-Bissessar said in a follow-up press statement in reaction to his action.

While people may “celebrate” Rowley’s political career, the opposition leader clarified that there were still several issues that needed to be resolved.

Persad-Bissessar stated, “He and his PNM MPs, most of whom he has foisted on the population as candidates for the 2025

General Election, have brutalized businesses and impoverished citizens, allowed a violent crime crisis, and destroyed every independent institution in this country.”

Along with questioning the timing of the government’s declaration of a State of Emergency, she accused Rowley of bringing the nation into a “failed state.”

She stated, “The government is in chaos.

Why make this announcement after calling an SOE four days ago? It is clear that this SOE was a political gimmick that has already failed spectacularly.”

Persad-Bissessar also charged the prime minister with “leaving the country in darkness.”

“His government’s incompetence has plunged every sector into crisis. Our economy is in shambles, crime is rampant, and the safety and security of our citizens are at an all-time low…His legacy is one of failure, division, and despair, leaving a nation in darkness,” Persad-Bissessar claimed.

However, she emphasized that preparations were already being established to restore residents’ safety and stated that her party was prepared and eager to alter this.

“We have a comprehensive crime-fighting plan that will restore safety and security to our streets. We will rebuild the economy, repair broken institutions, and bring hope back to the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” she stated.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 7, 2025

CARIBNEWS

5

Guyana - Legislation to Combat Regional Crime The Guyana government says new legislation will be introduced this year to address the growing issue of crime in the Caribbean.

It said that the effort is being spearheaded by several bodies, including the Guyanabased Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the Caricom Legal Affairs Committee, and the Caricom Solicitor General Committee.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, said that crime has been identified as a critical priority by the Caricom leaders and that the regional integration movement has officially declared crime a public health issue, recognizing its profound economic and social impact across member states.

“We have about three or four that we will be passing very shortly; one is a Caricom Arrest Warrant Bill. Another one deals

with Caricom advanced passenger information,” Nandlall told reporters.

The Caricom Arrest Warrant Bill was introduced last year at the Second Regional Symposium on Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue.

The legislation aims to address crossborder crimes through standardized extradition processes across member states. This involves streamlining the procedures for handing over individuals accused or convicted of crimes to the jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

The symposium also highlighted that the Caribbean spends an average of 31 percent of its budget on crime prevention and fighting, losing significant investments in the development of human capital.

Between 2019 and 2024, regional security budgets increased by 154 percent, diverting much-needed resources from health-

care and public services to dealing with crime Nandlall said, “It is therefore crucial that targeted efforts be employed to tackle rising crime rates in order to ensure the safety and security of all citizens”.

He said other key legislative interventions aimed at tackling regional crime rates include the Caribbean Gang Database and the Regional Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

Nandlall also said that the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) was a collective response to security threats that were impacting the stability of the region in the early 1970s and 1980s.

“All the countries will sign on to the Regional Security System and we’ll have a regional police force,” the Minister of Legal Affairs said. (CMC)

United Nations University - Sir Hilary Beckles Appointed Chairman/Chancellor

Sir Hilary Beckles, the vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), has been named chairman/chancellor of the United Nations University. This nomination comes after the university’s governing board met in Tokyo, Japan, on December 7, 2024. In May 2025, his appointment will become operative.

Beckles praised the university’s council members and officials from the UN and other organizations for their faith in him when he accepted the position. He gave them his word that as the university approaches its fiftieth year, it will continue to grow into one of the best in the world under the direction of the council and its distinguished vice-chancellor.

He said that the Caribbean, the region, and especially the developing communities in the global south would benefit from his appointment, which is a significant honor for UWI and its reputation and worldwide connectedness.

Beckles has been involved in UN activities for a long time in a prominent capacity. He has held numerous positions, including those of historian and vice president of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) flagship project, The Slave Routes Project; consultant to the United Nations Development Report on Latin America and the Caribbean each year; member

of committees on the Global Future of Higher Education; and, most recently, co-editor of Volume 9 of UNESCO’s General History of Africa series.

His two addresses to the UN General Assembly were on reparatory justice in a multipolar political and economic environment and favor of the international community’s designation of 2015–2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Beckles has also spoken before the UN Security Council about world peace in the face of the widening digital gap between the North and South.

In light of Beckles’ leadership in the creation of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice in 2024, which aims to offer online postgraduate degree programs on the SDGs, the UN Academic Impact Committee recently elected The UWI as the global hub for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action.

He invited and welcomed both current General Secretary Antonio Guterres and former UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon to the UWI, where he had previously worked as special advisor to the latter on sustainable development.

The council stated that it was eager to work under Beckles’ head, citing his international standing as a distinguished researcher and thought leader in development thinking, as well as a strategic planner in higher education.

To maintain the trust of both internal and external stakeholders, including the United Nations leadership, faculty and managers, private sector investors, and students, the chairman/ chancellor position is distinguished. Its duties include assisting the rector/vice-chancellor of the university in leading the council.

With research and teaching facilities spread across several nations, the United Nations University is a multinational university with its main office located in Tokyo.

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CARIBEDITORIAL

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 7, 2025

Embracing Unity and Resilience in the Caribbean and Among Caribbean-Americans in 2025

As we stride into 2025, both the Caribbean region and the diaspora of Caribbean-Americans stand at a crossroads, poised for a future ripe with possibility, and yet fraught with challenges. The converging tides of unity, resilience, and empowerment beckon us to gather our strength and harness our collective potential. In these crucial moments, we find ourselves reminded of the potent words spoken by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her poignant 2021 address at the United Nations: “In the words of Robert Nesta Marley, who will get up and stand up for the rightd of the people?”

This call to action is not merely a rhetorical flourish but a clarion call for community solidarity and a commitment to a shared destiny as we navigate the complex landscape of our realities.

The power of unity, particularly among Caribbean nations and within the vast Caribbean-American community, cannot be overstated. In an era where divisive narratives threaten our social fabric, our collective identity serves as both our shield and our sword. It is through unity that we transcend barriers—be they political, economic, or social. The Caribbean has always been a tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, and it is this rich diversity that reinforces our interconnectivity. By embracing this shared heritage, we can foster collaborative efforts that tackle common issues such as climate change, poverty alleviation, education, and public health.

The resilience within Caribbean communities is palpable. Even in the face of violent crime, economic disparities, and the looming specter of climate change, the spirit of the Caribbean people endures.

We have witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence, which disrupts lives

and communities, while simultaneously eroding the cultural fabric that binds us together. Yet, as history so often shows, it is in times of hardship that we most vividly see expressions of solidarity. Initiatives focused on community engagement, youth empowerment, and educational programs are emerging as bastions of hope. Rather than retreating in despair, countless individuals within the Caribbean and its diaspora choose courage and action.

Moreover, standing in the face of adversity requires vision—an unwavering commitment to empowerment and self-determination. The resounding voice of Buju Banton echoes this sentiment: “I and I, I wanna rule my destiny.” As we reflect on these words, we find an exhortation to take ownership of our futures and forge pathways that uplift not only ourselves but our communities. Empowerment is not merely a buzzword; it is a movement that must be rooted in shared responsibility, encouraging dialogue and infrastructure that support entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation amongst CaribbeanAmericans and our kin in the islands.

However, as we strive for a brighter future, we also face perilous challenges. Issues like mass deportation and the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs threaten the very essence of who we are. The rise of white supremacist rhetoric exacerbates vulnerability, especially for Caribbean-Americans navigating life in a society that often views difference as a liability. In this climate, we must summon the courage to stand up and actively combat discrimination, racism, and exclusion. Our strength lies in our shared narratives and collective advocacy, which can draw upon the vast experiences of Caribbean-American communities across the United States.

The Caribbean itself must bolster its defenses against both internal and external threats. The intersection between criminal violence and systemic poverty creates a cycle that can seem insurmountable.

Yet, it is imperative that we take a bold approach toward sustainable development, addressing not only the symptoms but the root causes of issues. Programs aimed at education, vocational training, and community engagement serve as both shields and swords in the fight against poverty and violence. By investing in the potential of our youth, we can cultivate a generation that prioritizes peace, collaboration, and resilience over discord and despair.

Climate change, too, poses an existential threat to the Caribbean region—a reality that demands urgent attention and action.

Rising sea levels, increasingly severe storms, and the degradation of natural resources require not only immediate relief efforts but proactive sustainability initiatives. Caribbean countries, through regional cooperation and the pooled resources of their diaspora, can implement innovative solutions that address environmental degradation. By investing in education about climate resilience and sustainable practices, we empower future leaders to tackle one of the foremost issues of our time, ultimately bolstering our collective security.

The importance of community solidarity cannot be underestimated; it is within the embrace of our neighborhoods that we find strength. Grassroots movements emerge as potent vehicles for transformation, fostering changes that ascend from the local to the global. By coming together, Caribbean communities can Activate support systems that celebrate our diverse cultures and address issues that impact our collective well-being. Whether through

cultural festivals, shared community spaces, or mobilization for social justice, it is vital that we continue to build bridges across our differences, recognizing that our shared struggles are also our shared strengths.

As we envision the horizon of 2025 and beyond, the constant drumbeat of resistance rings true. The question posed by Prime Minister Mottley should inspire each of us to reflect inwardly: who will step up to lead our communities? A new era beckons, marked by a synergy that empowers the voices at the margins. It is imperative that we dismantle barriers, nurture connections, and foster an environment where collaboration thrives.

The vision for the Caribbean and Caribbean-Americans in the coming years is one where hope triumphs over despair, and the light of unity shines steadfast against the shadows of division. Each individual has a role to play in this evolving narrative.

Every act of kindness, every moment of solidarity, every call for justice culminates in a movement toward empowerment.

In closing, let us heed the lyrics of Buju Banton as rallying cries for our communities: “I and I, I wanna rule my destiny.” By uplifting each other, fostering resilience, and embracing our collective power, together we shall navigate the tumultuous waters ahead. The future belongs to those who dare to dream, to unite, and, above all, to stand up and take action. Our success is bound by our unity, affirming that indeed, we are stronger together, and together we can shape our shared destiny.

The time is now—not just to endure the challenges, but to rise and thrive, fueled by the indomitable spirit of the Caribbean people.

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14 States Awarded $1 Million Grants to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Crises

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has awarded $1 million in planning grants to 14 states as part of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program. Funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, the program aims to address the ongoing mental health and substance use crises nationwide.

The states receiving grants include Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. By 2026, up to 10 of these states will be selected to receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursements to sustain and expand behavioral health services.

“Everyone in this country who seeks help for mental health or substance use issues should be able to receive it, regardless of where they

live or their ability to pay for services,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to transforming our behavioral health care system, we are working to build a better continuum of care and expanding access to mental health and substance use care for all Americans.”

Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows the scope of the mental health crisis varies across the country. In Colorado, 36% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in 2023, while in West Virginia, over 20% of adults experienced frequent mental distress in 2021. Montana, one of the grant recipients, has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, with 29.8 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020.

The CCBHC model requires clinics to provide 24/7 crisis care, timely outpatient treatment, and a full range of services to meet community needs. These clinics must serve

anyone seeking care, regardless of ability to pay, age, or residence. Since its inception in 2017, the program has grown from 67 clinics in eight states to over 500 clinics operating in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

“The planning phase for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics will help states develop sustainable funding to expand access to care for their communities,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. Substance use disorders also remain a critical issue. Louisiana reported a drug overdose death rate of 52.6 per 100,000 people in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Alaska, alcohol use disorder remains a significant concern, with the state ranking among the highest for alcohol-induced deaths.

The CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration

Program provides funding for a comprehensive range of services to ensure that care is accessible and coordinated. The first state planning grants were awarded in March 2023, and 10 states joined the program in June 2024. Officials said these grants ensure clinics can offer sustainable, culturally appropriate, evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment services.

Help is available for those in crisis. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. To locate treatment facilities, visit FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).

Gas is Dirty. LNG Proponents Don’t Just Ignore The Facts, They Ignore The Human Toll

by Ben Jealous

Not long after her adopted twins came to live with her in Freeport, Texas, Melanie Oldham saw their health start to decline.

Both children were diagnosed with severe asthma.

As Oldham sent the twins to school — every day with their inhalers — she realized a lot of the kids in her part of Brazoria County had bad asthma. She also began to see that other serious chronic illnesses were rampant in her community.

“It’s shocking the number of people in their 50s that already have severe COPD, all the skin problems we know are caused by different types of emissions, premature heart attacks, spikes in certain types of cancers — including one form of childhood leukemia — and the number of children with asthma is staggering. “ Those emissions she is referring to are from the oil, gas and petrochemical plants peppering the landscape of her part of the Gulf Coast.

Increasingly, the source of that pollution is the growing number of liquefied methane gas (commonly referred to as LNG) facilities in the region. Freeport LNG, in Oldham’s town, is the third largest LNG export terminal by capacity in the country.

The largest is Sabine Pass LNG, just a few hours along the coast from Freeport. That facility sits just over the Louisiana border from Port Arthur, Texas — which is also home to Port Arthur LNG, currently under construction.

Port Arthur, like Freeport, is a textbook environmental sacrifice zone. John Beard, a Port Arthur community leader, says the entire region is a “sacrifice coast.” Texas Monthly once labeled this part of the state

the “Cancer Belt.” Beard speaks of members of his community like Etta Hebert, a two-time cancer survivor whose daughter also has cancer and whose husband Roy just passed away from a long battle with cancer on Nov. 30. And Beard’s own family has been impacted by the intense pollution in the area. His oldest son had to have a kidney transplant — despite no family history of kidney disease — and his daughter had a brain tumor removed.

This is what the extractive fossil fuel industry does to human bodies and communities. It is the real-life human toll of our continued reliance on fuels like methane gas. And it is a toll that will get significantly steeper if the U.S. expands LNG exports and the infrastructure to support a continued LNG boom.

Despite decades of branding and rebranding efforts by the industry, the fact remains: methane gas is simply yet another dirty, dangerous fossil fuel polluting our communities.

LNG takes the deadly threats methane gas poses to the extreme, not just by increasing the amount of gas fracked, but by adding dangerous and pollution-heavy steps to the process. From fracking to pipeline transmission to the compression and liquefaction of the gas and the shipping of the LNG overseas, virtually every stage of the life cycle leaks methane (which captures 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide), is powered by the burning of other dirty fossil fuels like oil, and carries the risk of catastrophic ruptures and explosions.

Yet fossil fuel interests and their allies in government continue to promote the

fallacy of methane gas as a “bridge” fuel.

Former presidential climate envoy John Kerry rightfully points to a “massive movement in the fossil fuel industry” to sanitize fracked gas’s image and brand it as part of our clean energy future. And the push to further build out LNG exports not only threatens the pace and success of the necessary clean energy transition already underway, it threatens to drive up energy costs for American households.

The Department of Energy released an updated analysis just last month confirming that unfettered LNG exports would drive up domestic energy prices — and clearly showing that approving new or expanded gas exports is bad for the American people.

Part of the fossil fuel industry’s “massive movement” is an effort to use former politicians to sway core constituencies. One industry front group, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, sends out politicians like former Ohio Congressman and presidential candidate Tim Ryan to tout the virtues of methane gas at events and on news shows without disclosing that they’re on the gas industry’s payroll.

According to the organization’s IRS 990 tax form, Natural Allies seems to have compensated Tim Ryan to the tune of $246,943 in 2023 alone. The same 990 shows Natural Allies also spent $290,723 on public relations services from a firm where former Sen. Mary Landrieu (one of their other key voices) works.

Natural Allies also pays Black leaders to deceive Black audiences about how methane gas power is needed to keep their home energy costs down. Former Phila-

delphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek work in tandem to peddle that fossil fuel industry lie at events and in the Black press.

Meanwhile, as former Mayor Nutter and former Rep. Meek make the case that more methane gas will help Black, brown and low-income communities, what about the communities of color and low-income communities bearing the brunt of the deadly pollution from this toxic industry?

What about a place like Port Arthur, a majority Black and Latino city where nearly 30% of its people live below the poverty line?

To that, Port Arthur’s John Beard says: “By bringing more gas into play, you say that you’re helping me? When my town has some of the worst air quality in the country? When we’re already suffering from twice the state and national average for cancer, and high rates of heart, lung, kidney disease? When there’s already rampant air, land, and water pollution in my community? And that’s ‘helping me?’ My God, then I hate to see what you’re going to do if you want to hurt me!”

Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Top Caribbean Countries Poised For Economic Growth in 2025

The Caribbean region is poised for slow but steady economic growth in 2025, with Guyana leading the pack at a projected 13.6% GDP growth, according to the

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, (ECLAC). The projections are part of ECLAC’s Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin

America and the Caribbean 2024, released today.

Excluding Guyana, the Caribbean is expected to grow by 2.6%, reflecting a modest expansion amid ongoing challenges such as slow job creation, high informality, and gender disparities in labor markets.

With Guyana, growth is forecast to be 8.7 percent.

ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, emphasized the importance of strengthening resilience, fostering productive investments, and creating quality employment to break the cycle of low growth capacity.

Caribbean GDP Growth Forecast 2025 Below is a breakdown of Caribbean countries by their projected GDP growth for 2025, ranked from highest to lowest: Country GDP Growth (%) Guyana 13.6 Antigua and Barbuda 5.8

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.7 Dominica 4.2 Belize 4.1 Grenada 3.7 Saint Kitts and Nevis 3.2 Barbados 3.0 Saint Lucia 3.0 Suriname 3.0 Trinidad and Tobago 2.5 Jamaica 2.2 Bahamas 1.7 ECLAC highlights the need for economies to effectively mobilize financial resources, adopt policies that enhance productivity, and stimulate long-term investments in productive sectors to achieve sustained growth.

As Caribbean nations focus on boosting resilience and fostering inclusive development, these growth rates reflect a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2025.

2025: A Legacy Year For The Caribbean As Barbados Takes Over Leadership of CARICOM Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, on assuming chairmanship of the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) rotating presidency from her Grenada colleague Dick¬on Mitchell, said 2025 would define “the legacy of our generation”.

“How we act, united as a people, and as nations will define not only this year, 2025, but the legacy of our generation,” she said. “The Caribbean is far more than a geographic space. We know it. It is a living testament to the power of courage, creativity, and our collective strength. Ours is a history marked by resilience, a word that we will have to embrace more and more in our future,” she added.

“The aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic linger. The worsening climate crisis endangers our homes and livelihoods…

The devastating conflicts in Sudan, and Ukraine, and Gaza, and Lebanon reverberate far beyond their borders, while in our community, the multifaceted crisis in Haiti demands urgent, thoughtful, and compassionate solutions, and we pray for the continued stability of our relations between Guyana and Venezuela,” Mottley also pointed out.

“The Caribbean must not only weather these storms, but we must lead in crafting solutions for a changing world,” she went on while underlining the importance of resuming the full implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labor, and services across the region.

“We paused our coordinated actions on this noble but critical mission as we

applied all that we could muster to fight Covid and its trail of economic and social upheaval. But five years on, we must resume our work on the CSME,” she stressed.

In her view, the CSME is not merely an economic agenda; it is also a vision of unity and opportunity for small states who know that they can achieve so much more together than individually. “Full realization of the CSME, including above all else, yes, the free movement of our nationals is essential for unlocking the true potential of our people and our economies,” she highlighted.

“We must now focus, my friends, to apply the few but necessary recommendations of the distinguished Caricom Commission on Economy, who reported to us in the middle of the pandemic, when we were justifiably distracted. The pooling of our sovereignty must also be better addressed by the pooling of our efforts, from investment to skills to procurement. We can do better together,” Barbados’ Prime Minister also noted.

“We must also confront the injustices of the global financial system, which continue to marginalize Small-Island and Low-lying Developing States (SIDS). Unjust blacklisting practices and insufficient access to concessional financing hinder our sustainable development efforts,” Mottley explained.

Caricom will keep advocating for the reforms championed in the Bridgetown Initiative and working with others, like the 73 vulnerable countries in the Climate Vulnerable Forum “as we fight for a better

financial landscape regionally and globally, within which we can build resilience, prosperity, and yes, equity – fairness – for all our people,” she asserted.

Mottley then underscored the importance “of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to secure critical resources for our region’s future as we face these crises that are often beyond our control to avoid, but for which we must strengthen our resilience to survive.”

“Our home will only be as good in this region as we collectively make it,“ Mottley further elaborated as she recalled the need to tackle violence, which has been deemed a public health issue in the Caribbean. ”We must continue to press the international community for a mature, face-to-

face conversation at all levels, so that we may see them repair the damage from the exploitation through the immoral institutions of slavery and colonialism which our people suffered from,” she also highlighted while underscoring the need to urge the international community to provide resources necessary to improve the dignity, security, and material conditions of Afrodescending people worldwide and “seize the boundless opportunities before us.”

Making up Caricom are Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

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Jamaica - School Principal and Wife Killed in Accident in U.S.

O’Neil Stevens, a popular elementary school principal, perished in a car accident on a South Carolina highway, leaving the education industry in shock. The education ministry describes his demise as a “profound loss” to the country.

On January 3, 2025, Stevens, the leader of the Jessie Ripoll Primary in Kingston, and his wife, Camesha Lindsay-Stevens, met with the unfortunate incident as they were getting ready to head back to Jamaica for school on Monday after just finishing their holiday with their two girls.

Stevens was described as “more than an exemplary leader; he was a beacon of inspiration and dedication” by Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, the minister of education.

She recently stated, “His vision for excellence in education and his steadfast commitment to the holistic development of our students left an indelible mark on the Jessie Ripoll Primary School community. Alongside him, Mrs Stevens was a supportive partner and a cherished presence to the extended school family, always contributing with grace and generosity.”

The Roman Catholic institution’s personnel and students will be supported by the ministry’s trauma and grief counseling teams when they return to school on January 7, one day later than scheduled.

Stevens has served as principal for seven years, and his accomplishments have been praised by Marcia Thwaites, chairman of the Jessie Ripoll Primary School Board of Management.

Thwaites stated, “one of the most promising and dedicated young male educators and principal of our school for the past seven years, O’Neil Stevens, proud graduate of Kingston College and The Mico University College, served with mature wisdom, endearing himself to staff, students, parents, and alumni alike. He has contributed greatly to Jessie Ripoll’s deserved reputation as one of the nation’s finest primary schools.”

Thwaites also conveyed his sadness for the Stevens’ two kids, one of whom attends Jessie Ripoll.

The event was seen as a major setback to the education

system by Dr. Mark Smith, president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

He explained, “This has really been a huge shock to the system. To know this gentleman is to have a profound level of respect for him and the work that he and his team would have done.”

On January 6, the school will host a meeting of friends, ministry representatives, teachers, and school board members.

According to early accounts released by Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston Kenneth Richards, the event occurred on a highway when the Stevens were allegedly attending to an issue with their vehicle, however, official specifics are yet scarce.

He mentioned that the family was getting ready to return home, “The car was giving problem and they stopped on the highway, pulled off to the side. The wife came out after her husband came out, and a car just ran into them.”

According to him, the church is taking action to help the school community and families. Richard stated, “Every time I think about it, it unnerves me to think that such tragedy could take place.”

Marsha Moodie-Benbow, the vice principal, asked everyone to “keep their daughters and the family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this period of unimaginable grief ” as she broke the news to the staff today.

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BAM hosts the 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso are proud to present the 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., New York City’s largest celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King. Featuring a keynote address by civil rights icon Carlotta Walls LaNier, a powerful solo by Ailey II dancer Kiri Moore, and an intergenerational performance by The Fire Ensemble, this free annual event will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 10:30am in BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House (Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave.), bringing together artists, activists, and community leaders to honor Dr. King’s enduring message

of justice and unity.

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Carlotta Walls LaNier, a civil rights icon who, at just 14 years old, became the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine. Her courage in desegregating Central High School in 1957 marked a turning point in American history. In her inspirational speech, Ms. LaNier will reflect on her journey and encourage audiences to stay vigilant in the fight for equality, reminding us of the power of resilience and collective action.

The Tribute will also feature an excerpt from Divining, performed by Kiri Moore of Ailey II, honoring Dr. King’s legacy through the transformative power of dance. Divining is a

New Comic Highlights Jean-Claude Brizard’s Immigrant Story

A new Carnegie-commissioned comic highlights why Jean-Claude Brizard has dedicated his life to transforming educational systems and empowering students to reach their full potential.

Born in Haiti, Jean-Claude Brizard was raised by his grandmother after his parents fled the dictatorship of President François Duvalier, fearing imprisonment. At the

age of 12, Brizard flew to New York to be reunited with his parents.

Recalling his parents’ sacrifice in coming to America and the gift of opportunity they afforded him, Brizard shared his wish that “every child in America will grow up with that same sense of hope.”

landmark 1984 work choreographed by the late Judith Jamison, a trailblazing figure in modern dance and former artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In her autobiography Dancing Spirit, Jamison described Divining as “mysterious, its title suggesting a search or quest”—a theme that profoundly resonates with Dr. King’s journey toward justice and equality.

Adding to the inspirational program is a stirring performance by The Fire Ensemble, an intergenerational choir community led by founding creative director and composer Troy Anthony. Centering BIPOC and queer voices, The Fire Ensemble blends gospel, soul, and musical theater traditions to create music that uplifts and unites. In the spirit of unity and inclusion, the choir welcomes public participation, inviting community members to lend their voices and join in this powerful celebration of Dr. King’s legacy. For more information on how to participate in the Tribute with The Fire Ensemble visit BAM.org.

In addition to the Tribute, BAM will offer free events throughout the day to continue celebrating Dr. King’s impact. BAMkids will present If You Can’t Be the Sun, Be a Star!, a family-friendly program co-curated with the BAMkids Parent Advisory Circle. This event features interactive activities such as

mural-making, a vintage photo booth, and movement workshops, all designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and reflection on Dr. King’s life and mission.

At 1pm, BAM Rose Cinemas will screen Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, a documentary introducing audiences to the groundbreaking work of Ernest Cole, a South African photographer who captured life under apartheid. This screening reintroduces his powerful legacy to new generations and sparks meaningful conversations about justice and resilience.

As part of this year’s celebration of Dr. King, sisters Itiya Mason and Amalya Mason, current BAM Education participants and ensemble members of BAM’s Arts & Justice program, will serve as Citizens Youth Speakers. These young women represent the transformative power of arts education in amplifying youth voices and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

Their participation reflects BAM’s and Citizens’ shared commitment to nurturing leadership and creativity while honoring Dr. King’s legacy of advocacy and hope.

This free annual event is open to all. Tribute tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-seated basis starting at 8am in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House lobby. For more information, visit BAM.org.

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NYC H+H/Kings County Welcomes the First Newborns of 2025: Twin Baby Girls, Born Just After Midnight The City’s public health care system’s first babies – twins — were born at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County this morning just after midnight. The twins have not been named yet. The first baby girl was born at 12:01AM, weighing 6 lbs., 13.9 oz, and the second baby girl was born at 12:02AM, weighing 5 lbs., 15.4 oz.

The twins were born to parents Sheneece Crumbie and Jordan Tomlinson. The twins are the Crown Heights’ couple third and fourth child.

The City’s public health system delivers thousands of babies every year. The City’s public health system’s 11 hospitals provide expert prenatal care, labor and delivery services, family planning, comprehensive gynecology, women’s health and primary care outpatient medical support for women at every stage of life.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Welcomes First Baby of 2025

Olibia Barrios Cifuentes and Marlon Rabanales are pictured with their precious newborn baby girl, Jimena Sulemia.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital joyfully welcomed its first baby of 2025. Baby Jimena Sulemia, born to proud parents Olibia Barrios Cifuentes and Marlon Rabanales, arrived on January 1 at 12:28 a.m. The healthy baby girl weighed 6 lbs., 2 oz. and measured 18.9 inches.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital team members presented baby Jimena Sulemia and her family with an array of thoughtful gifts.

The Episcopal Health Services Execu

tive Leadership Team gifted the family a stroller with car seat attachment, a baby play center, and baby wipes. The St. John’s ICARE Foundation presented the family with diapers, baby books, baby care essentials, a diaper bag, toys, clothing and a baby monitor. The baby monitor was generously donated by Jzanus, a Long Island-based company, valued partner of Episcopal Health Services, Inc., (EHS) and proud supporter of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation.

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Chicago – Young Panamanian Pannist with Trinidadian Roots Creates History

Jaden Teague-Núñez, a musician and pannist born in Panama City, Panama, is beginning to receive a growing number of honors and recognition. Early in 2024, the young pannist became the first to win the Crain-Mailing Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, making history.

His father, Liam Teague, a Trinidadian professor of music and director of steelpan studies at Northern Illinois University, performed Teague-Nunez’s difficult steelpan solo and orchestra piece, A Visit to Hell, as part of his historic triumph. Dr. Jamie Whitmarsh organized it.

A competition judge said after Teague-Núñez’s performance with the Chicago Civic Orchestra was favorably praised, “What a treat to be able to hear this amazing young man and to see the future of the pan in such capable hands!”

Following his triumph in the concerto compe-

tition, Teague-Núñez has persisted in his quest for scholastic and musical achievement. The National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists (also known as YoungArts) has declared him a 2025 YoungArts winner with distinction in classical/percussion.

After a fiercely competitive application evaluated by panels of renowned, discipline-specific artists in a rigorous adjudication procedure, Teague-Núñez, 17, was chosen as the recipient of a YoungArts grant. Teague-Núñez, who won a 2025 YoungArts prize, becomes part of a group of artists who get assistance for their professional and creative growth not just now but also in the future.

YoungArts president and CEO, Clive Chang, stated, “We’re thrilled to award our largest-ever cohort of artists, selected from a record-break ing number of applications this year” Chang added, “We hope this recognition

provides these young people with the encouragement to keep pursuing their artistry, and the assurance that YoungArts will be there as a source of support and community for the rest of their lives.”

As a distinguished winner, Teague-Núñez will take part in National YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida, USA, January 5–12, 2025 (all

costs covered). Throughout the week, participants will have the chance to exhibit their own work, which will be further assessed for monetary prizes of up to $10,000 USD; take part in workshops and multidisciplinary seminars; and get guidance from top artists in their respective disciplines. For YoungArts winners, the opportunity and experience are intense and even overwhelming.

Nonetheless, Teague-Núñez is taking in the event with composure, “I am very proud to have been named a winner with distinction for the National YoungArts competition, considering it is also my first time participating in a national competition, let alone one that is so prestigious.”

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“Cocoa Tea” Tops Reggae Chart on US iTunes For Carnival 2025, Kes’s debut single, Cocoa Tea, has topped the US iTunes reggae chart as well as several streaming services, charts, and playlists in the US and other nations in the area.

According to a media release, the song was made available on November 15, right before the South Trinidadian brothers’ band left on their third yearly East Coast Tour of the United States.

During the November 24 to December 5, 2024 tour, which brought the band to soldout venues in Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia, Silver Springs, Maryland, Norfolk, Virginia, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, the song’s lyric video on the band’s YouTube channel exploded to 1,000,000 views in just two weeks, and it was included in thousands of streaming playlists.

Adam Gross, president of Ineffable Records, released new data in mid-December that demonstrated the song’s widespread popularity and interest expanding quickly in less than a month without a formal music video.

He stated, “Cocoa Tea came out three weeks

ago and the numbers that it is doing are unprecedented for any soca record and are the best numbers any Kes song has ever done out the gate, as it looks to hopefully be the biggest Kes record of all time!”

“The song has three million plays, including 1.9 million on YouTube over 400,000 on Spotify and almost 500,000 on Apple music. On YouTube, it is still doing over 125,000 plays a day without an official music video. It’s number three on Toronto’s local pulse Spotify chart and sits at the top of Shazam charts in 20 different places.”

Kees Dieffenthaller, Michael “Tano” Montano, and Mical Teja, the current Road March King, wrote the song. Tano, emerging star Denzil “Coutain,” and Terri Lyons provided the backing vocals.

Gross stated, “Cocoa Tea is currently number one in Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Anguilla, among several other countries. It’s in the top ten streamed songs as well.”

He additionally noted, “The song is going viral

Bahamas - Union Wants Ban on Vybz Kartel Concert in the Country

Citing the Jamaican Dancehall artist’s criminal history, even though his 2011 murder conviction was overturned, the United Artist Bahamas Union intends to “push back by any means necessary under the law” against the permission of the Vybz Kartel concert scheduled to take place at Fort Charlotte.

Link Scavella-Ferguson, the secretary general, told reporters that the union opposes the Vybz Kartel performance. He stated that laws require that the UABU be contacted before any foreign musician may play in The Bahamas. Foreign performers are increasingly entering the nation to perform, he continued, “bypassing” the UABU and other “relevant government authorities.”

According to him, the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Organization (BMEU), the UABU’s legacy organization, “is behind that,” even though it is the “only legal union at this time” that has the authority to authorize international performers to perform in the nation. According to Mr. Scavella-Ferguson, the BMEU’s lack of certification gave the UABU the authority to allow or prohibit the admission of international musicians into the country. About two weeks ago, he added, during its quarterly meeting with Labor Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, she “advised” that the BMEU was not certified, meaning that the “union should not be approving any foreign artists coming into the country.”

Continued on www.nycaribnews.com

on TikTok, where it has been used in 66,000 different videos including 32,000 using the original sound. All of that together bringing in 61 million views on the song on TikTok.” After the YouTube video received one million views in a single week, lead vocalist Kees Dieffenthaller thanked all of the band’s friends and admirers, recalling a period when Kes was not a well-known figure in the diaspora.

He remarked with excitement, “Real views. A million views, two weeks!”

“Yuh know ah remember de days when we used to get a lotta trouble to get even airplay, so I give thanks for the day to see this. Thank you for the support, thank you for the love of the song and yo, this is the mission: we spreading this to the world, thank you very much!”

Continued on www.nycaribnews.com

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14 , 2025

CARIBTRAVEL

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T&T – Travel Advisories Issued By US, Canada and UK Following the proclamation of a State of Emergency in T&T, many nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, have issued travel advice to their residents.

The US Embassy warned that US citizens in this nation could anticipate a greater police and military presence in their statement dated December 31, 2024.

“As a reminder, US government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the following areas: Laventille (including Picadilly Street and Charlotte Street between Oxford Street and Park Street), Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah and must avoid the following places after dark: beaches, downtown Port-of-Spain, Fort George, Queen’s Park Savannah,” it noted.

The US Embassy urged US residents to comply with local authorities, monitor credible news sources and official Trinidad and Tobago government updates during their

SoE-mandated activities, and always carry identification.

The UK government informed its citizens on the Gov.UK website that during the

State of Emergency in T&T, security forces have the right to search for individuals and property without a warrant, make arrests, and detain people without one. They also

warned that there would be an increased police and military presence and that citizens should always carry identification and obey local authorities.

Winter Travel Deal: Sandals and Beaches Resorts Offer Up to $1350 off a Vacation in the Caribbean

Travelers can beat the ‘Winter Blues’ before Blue Monday – the so-called gloomiest day of the year on January 20 – by booking a stay at any Sandals Resort for up to $1,000 in instant credit, plus a $175 spa credit and a $175 experience credit towards an Island Routes tour for stays of seven nights or more. For those booking at Beaches Resorts, guests can receive up to $400 in instant credit, along with the same $175 spa and $175 experience credits for stays of seven nights or longer.

This sale coincides with the brand’s launch of a bold new global advertising campaign, “Made of Caribbean,” which celebrates the islands’ authentic and vibrant spirit.

Through this sale, guests can immerse themselves in genuine Caribbean experiences – which include the brand-new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where guests can discover the brand’s first-ever Two-Story Overwater Villas and 16 innovative dining and beverage

concepts showcasing local ingredients and communal-style dining experiences. Other highlights include Sandals Royal Curaçao, featuring off-property Island Inclusive dining and MINI Coopers for island exploration in select room categories, and Sandals Dunn’s River, a natural oasis near Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. Families can also take advantage of the sale at all three Beaches Resorts, including Beaches Negril, where multi-gen groups can book a stay in the spacious Firesky Reserve Villas or Eventide Penthouse Suites.

To receive the instant credit, guests can book any qualifying Sandals or Beaches Resort vacation from now through January 31, 2025, for travel anytime now through the end of 2027, using booking code WBS2024. Following booking, registration is required on the applicable Sandals or Beaches sale link in order to receive the spa and tour experience credit.

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CARIBSPORTS

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14 , 2025

Simone Biles, 2024 Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated Simone Biles, a 27-year-old American gymnast, has added another championship to her list of accolades. Sports Illustrated announced the 11-time Olympian as their 2024 Sportsperson of the Year on January 2, 2024.

Biles remarked, “Honestly, it is such a huge honor. I know some of the greats that have won it in prior years, so to just keep gymnastics on the map is really exciting.” She added, “Good Morning America” of the Sports Illustrated accolade. “I know a lot of people love the sport of gymnastics during an Olympic year and have followed my career closely, but I was still very shocked.”

Biles expressed how excited she is receiving this reward, “I feel like I’m always shocked winning any sort of award or being honored.”

Following an incredible year at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she won four additional medals in team, allaround, vault, and floor exercise, Biles was named Sportsperson of the Year.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic

Committee reports that Biles, 27, is now tied for the second-most decorated female gymnast in Olympic history following her performance in Paris.

Shortly after she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics team final due to “the twisties,” a confusing condition in which a gymnast’s head and body feel dangerously out of sync, Biles earned three gold medals and a silver medal in Paris.

A recently published editorial stated that “Simone Biles is Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year because she won gold, and then another gold, and then another; because she changed the face of her sport and the conversations around athletes in general; because she continues to speak out about issues that matter to her.”

It added, “And perhaps most of all because after she wondered aloud to [teammate Jordan] Chiles whether she was about to relive the darkest period of her career, she took a deep breath, she saluted the judges and she broke into a run.”

When Sports Illustrated hosts its annual awards gala in Las Vegas on January 7, Biles will be there to get the 2024

Sportsperson of the Year honor.

Actor Keegan-Michael Key will host the ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas this year.

Cricket West Indies Announces Bangladesh Women’s Tour 2025

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced the schedule for the Bangladesh Women’s team’s whiteball tour of the West Indies, set to be held in St. Kitts from 19 January to 31 January, 2025.

The tour will feature three CG United One-Day Internationals (ODIs) & three T20 Internationals (T20Is), all to be played at Warner Park in Basseterre.

The Bangladesh team will arrive in St. Kitts on 14 January, ahead of the first CG United One-Day International (ODI) scheduled for 19 January. The ODI series will continue with the second match on 21 January and conclude on 24 January.

Following the ODI series, the teams will compete in three T20I matches on 27, 29, and 31 January.

CWI Acting Chief Executive Officer Lynford Inverary expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the matches at Warner Park:

“Warner Park has long been a significant venue for West Indies cricket, and we are pleased to host the Bangladesh Women’s team for this series.”

“These matches not only provide a platform for high-quality cricket but also contribute to the development of the sport in St. Kitts and the wider Leeward Islands.

We encourage the local fans to come out in full support, creating an electrifying atmosphere throughout the series.”

IMG_3121 In his remarks, CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe highlighted the importance of the series: “This series against Bangladesh is crucial for us as we continue our campaign in the 2025 ICC 50-over Women’s Championship. The ODI series carries significant weight for our World Cup qualification hopes, while the T20I matches will provide valuable preparation as we continue to build depth in our squad.”

“We expect competitive cricket from both teams, and these matches will be vital for assessing our progress and fine-tuning our strategies for the challenges ahead in 2025.”

A strong performance against Bangladesh, particularly in the ODI series, is crucial to acquire automatic qualification. However, there will still be another opportunity to qualify through the World Cup Qualifying Tournament scheduled a few months before the event.

The tour schedule includes dedicated prac-

tice sessions for both teams, with morning sessions from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and afternoon sessions from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Some evening practice sessions are also scheduled from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Ticket and broadcast information for the upcoming home series will be announced in the coming weeks.

Match Schedule: - 19 January: 1st One-Day International - 21 January: 2nd One-Day International - 24 January: 3rd One-Day International - 27 January: 1st T20I - 29 January: 2nd T20I - 31 January: 3rd T20I