May 10, 2023

By Ben Jealous - P

AFRICA WORLD BRIEFS

Sudan crisis: Guterres condemns looting of main WFP compound in Khartoum

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, António Guterres noted that “most, if not all, United Nations agencies and our humanitarian partners, have been impacted by large-scale looting”, since the military power struggle between the national army and rival RSF militia began, which fighting now entering a fourth week.

UN calls on Taliban to end corporal punishment in Afghanistan

HEALTH

Speaking to journalists at the daily UN briefing on Monday, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, said that it was mainly office and computer equipment that had been stolen at the weekend, by so far unidentified looters.

Mali: Ban slavery by law, say top rights experts

In a new report, UNAMA said that it had documented “a range of forms of corporal punishment” carried out by the Taliban since their return to power on 15 August 2021 after dislodging the democraticallyelected Government, “includ-ing lashings or floggings, stoning, forcing people to stand in cold water, and forced head shaving”. In the last six months alone, 274 men, 58 women and two boys have been publicly flogged.

According to the report, the legal system in Afghanistan is currently “failing to safeguard minimum fair trial and due process guarantees”.

SPORTS

In a call to the Malian authorities to prevent people from being born into slavery, the experts said that the country is the only one in the Sahel region without specific legislation criminalizing enslavement.

“Nothing can justify slavery, whether it be culture, tradition, or religion”, said the experts, Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, and Alioune Tine, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali.

A ‘widespread’ practice

While there is no data on the number of people born into slavery according to Mali’s National Commission on Human Rights, the experts’ statement highlighted estimates from some organizations of at least 800,000 victims, including 200,000 living “under the direct control of their ‘masters’”.

The rights experts stated that descent-based slavery was “widespread” in the central and northern regions of the country, including Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal. They also quoted examples from the western Malian region of Kayes, where regular attacks on people considered slaves have resulted in death, injury and displacement.

An array of violations

“Continuing to support slavery in the 21st century contradicts the repeated commitments made by Malian authorities to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all”, insisted the rights experts, who report to the Human Rights Council in an independent capacity.

In a previous statement, the experts had stated that people born into slavery in Mali are compelled to work without pay, can be inherited, and are deprived of basic human rights.

UNAMA warned that the Taliban’s refusal to grant licences to women defence lawyers and the exclusion of women judges from the judicial system are impacting women and girls’ access to justice.

Violating international law Corporal punishment has been de-fined as “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light”.

The prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is considered a fundamental principle of international law, the report reiterated.

Israel: UN experts demand accountability over death of Palestinian hunger striker

Mr. Adnan began his hunger strike protest shortly after being arrestedfor the last time - on 5 February, facing terrorism-related charges. Despite the serious deterioration of his health, Israeli authorities refused to release him, or transfer him to hospital, and continued to detain him in a prison hospital facility, reportedly without providing adequate healthcare, the experts said.

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts noted that Mr. Adnan had been arrested at least 12 times in the past, spending a total of around eight years in prison, mostly in administrative detention, and had been on hunger strike five times previously.

“The death of Khader Adnan is a tragic testament to Israel’s cruel and inhumane detention policy and practices, as well as the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable in the face of callous illegalities perpetrated against Palestinian inmates,” the experts said..

California Panel Takes Big Step Toward $800 billion Reparation Payments to Black Residents, and Formal Apology - P 8

12 Teams to Vie for Concacaf Beach Soccer Championships -

Jamaica – No Same-Sex Marriage Says Minister Of Justice

Jamaica has a well-known reputation as one of the few nations where same-sex marriage is prohibited. During a recent parliamentary meeting, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck clarified that the government will not be taking any steps to pass legislation supporting such unions. The Ministry of Justice generated 8,313 marriage licenses last year, amounting to $33.25 million in revenue at Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ).

“We are doing well, but we don’t mind more marriages, so we can provide more money to the Ministry of Finance,” Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said. He was delivering his presentation in the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate, in the House of

Representatives, on May 2.

“We enjoy when people come for their marriage license because it means that a family will be created, hopefully, or at least husband and wife,” he added.

The Minister also informed that the Ministry has been receiving applications for marriage licenses from individuals from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

“Let it be clear; we do not support samesex marriages as yet, or ever. The truth of the matter is people have been coming, asking us for marriage licenses for two same-sex; this, at the moment, is not permissible,” Mr. Chuck emphasized.

Jamaican American Confirmed by Senate as US Federal

Judge

United States Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer on Wednesday announced the confirmation of Jamaican-American, Orelia Merchant, to serve as a district judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY).

Schumer said he forwarded the name of Bronx-born and Brooklyn resident Merchant, whose father is a first-generation Jamaican-American for the EDNY to the Biden administration and championed her nomination.

Merchant is on one of the most diverse rosters of judicial picks by the Biden administration. The Senate confirmed her by a 51-48 vote.

US Senator Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, was the sole member of his party to

vote for Merchant.

“Orelia E Merchant, my fellow Brooklynite, brings extensive judicial and leadership experience to the table,” Schumer told the Caribbean Media Corporation.

“As Chief Deputy Attorney General in New York, she is responsible for managing 8,000 active cases and 250 attorneys in prosecution and defense of actions and complex cases in state and federal court.

“She brings professionalism and integrity with her every day in her work, and I am proud to have championed her nomination to the EDNY bench. Ms. Merchant is a brilliant legal mind, and her confirmation helps ensure that the bench of the Eastern District better reflects the diversity of the people it serves,” he added.

Schumer added that he was confident Merchant would bring “remarkable legal

talent and experience, and her fervent commitment to the public good to the federal court”.

“Ms. Merchant has dedicated herself entirely to serving her community and making sure the law applies equally to all people. She will follow the law where it takes her, in the pursuit of fair and impartial justice,” he said.

She oversees 8,000 active cases and manages 450 employees, including 250 attorneys in the prosecution and defense of actions and complex cases in state and federal court.

Prior, she served in the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and as assistant regional counsel for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, in Chicago, Illinois. She also served as a special assistant Unit-

ed States attorney in the Eastern District of Louisiana in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.

Merchant will join the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York upon receiving her judicial commission and taking her judicial oath. She is a graduate of Dillard, a prestigious historically black university in Louisiana where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics. She also holds a Master’s degree in marine science from the College of William and Mary, a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia.

In addition, she earned her Juris Doctorate (law degree) from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. CMC

Caricom – Calls For End To Russia/Ukraine War

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders Tuesday said they remained “deeply concerned” at the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than a year after the Russian army initiated war in the East European country.

A brief statement issued by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat did not indicate when the regional leaders met to advance the new position, but last month, St Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said he would be briefing the regional leaders following his discussions in Venezuela with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.

“I will report as to the discussion which I had with Mr. Lavrov…as to that particular discussion. So those meetings were very important with a lot of practical consequences for us,” Gonsalves said.

In the statement, the regional leaders

say they “remain deeply concerned at the severe impact of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on energy, nuclear security and safety, the environment and global food security.

“We register, in particular, our grave concern at the negative impact of the war on the global economy, and on the economies in our region, where disruptions in trade and high fuel prices have resulted in extremely high rates of inflation reflected in increased prices for goods and services for the people of our region.”

The Caribbean leaders are urging “a return to mature diplomacy and call on all relevant bodies to intensify engagement, to propel an urgent and enduring resolution to the conflict and to build peace.” CMC

BVI – Premier Wants US Help To Stem Gun Flow Into The Country

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Premier Natalio Wheatley says the United States (US) should do more to help this British overseas territory to stem the flow of guns.

Wheatley, who was speaking during a press conference, made the statement as the community of East End continues to reel from the effects of a recent murder.

“It’s long been a cry by Caricom [Caribbean Community], most of the guns that you find in the Caribbean originate in the US. It’s a concern for all of us and we do believe the US can do more to stop the proliferation of guns in this region. Certainly, it’s something we all have to take into account…in the very same US, they face the same challenge with guns being used in mass shootings,” he said.

The premier also said Caricom continues to lobby the US to do more to stop the illegal weapons that leave their shores and are bound for the Caribbean.

“We’re going to continue pressing along with our Caricom brothers and sisters for greater control of guns in our region and the US has to play a key role in that,” Wheatley stated.

Governor John Rankin has also expressed deep concern over the pro-

liferation of illicit drugs and guns in circulation and the challenges faced in effectively managing the territory’s porous borders.

He said there is also a need for attention to be given to the territory’s youth through training, education, and effective social services so that they will not become involved in gang culture or connected to the drug trade and gun violence.

While the BVI remains one of the safest Caribbean jurisdictions, the community has seen a rise in murders and drug-related crimes in recent years. CMC

Haiti - Dangling Over An Abyss Warns UN

The UN human rights head reiterated a plea for the prompt deployment of an international assistance force, warning that Haiti is “dangling over an abyss” due to escalating gang violence and severe political and economic woes.

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner of Human rights, stated in a video message to the Security Council, where he stated that “The state’s lack of capacity to fulfill human rights has completely eroded people’s confidence.”

Turk shared that on his recent visit to the country back in February, the gang violence situation had driven the country to a point where it is “dangling over an abyss”.

Since President Jovenel Moise was as-

sassinated in July 2021, the Caribbean country—the poorest in the Americas—has been engulfed in a political and economic crisis, with gangs now in charge of the majority of the city. According to a study released by the UN last week, Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, “has reached levels comparable to countries in armed conflict.”

Maria Isabel Salvador, the UN representative in the nation, also issued a similar warning, noting that “gang violence is expanding at an alarming rate.”

The ambassador highlighted statistics from the Haitian National Police and the United Nations that revealed that in the first three months of 2023, the number of recorded violent crimes— including murders, rapes, kidnap-

pings, and lynchings—more than doubled.

Children are among those who suffer from “the most heinous crimes, including killings, kidnappings, and rape,” she continued.

For months, UN representatives have requested that the Security Council dispatch a specialist, non-UN international military force to assist police in re-establishing order.

Turk recently renewed his request, stating that “an immediate need to support Haiti’s institutions by deploying a time-bound, specialized, and human rights-compliant support force, with a comprehensive action plan.” Despite the fact that several countries have supported this idea, no one has stepped up to take the lead.

Haiti – Vigilante Crowds Target Suspected Gangs, Five Killed

In the capital and neighboring districts of Haiti, vigilante killings are on the rise. On Tuesday, a crowd burned five more men alive and dumped one of the remains next to a police station in a wealthy neighborhood.

According to witnesses in the crowd, the male victims were reportedly slaughtered after being transported alive from the Jalousie slum outside of Port-au-Prince. The majority of the corpses were left scattered along the street leading to the residence of the deceased former president Jovenel Mose, who was assassinated in July 2021. In the Petionville area, a fifth corpse was discovered next to the police station.

Jean Marc Étienne, who saw the incident while seated in a park in front of the station, remarked, “It’s horrible for them to be killed in front of the eyes of the police.” He added, “That shows nobody is safe, that anybody can be killed.”

Authorities at the police station present chose not to comment when approached by the AP media in search of a response. Calls seeking information from a police spokeswoman went unanswered.

Recently the masses in Port-au-Prince and the neighboring regions have claimed the lives of at least 18, however, videos and images posted on social media give the impression that the actual number is greater. The majority of the photographs feature mobs beating up guys with heavy boulders and torching tires positioned around or over their bodies that have been doused in gasoline.

The UN reports a 20% spike in deaths from January to the end of March compared to the final quarter of 2022, and

several Haitians have expressed their frustration and rage over the rising gang violence. In addition, there have been 637 documented kidnappings so far this year, a 63% rise over the last three months of 2022.

In regards to the vigilante killings, Étienne stated that “the police and the justice (officials) have to take control.”

As gangs raid homes, torch them, and murder residents in areas controlled by rival gangs, more than 130,000 Haitians have generally fled their communities.

The recent vigilante killings were denounced by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who also urged people to “calm down.” He said, “The insecurity we experience is appalling,” and added that no one should be forced “into mindless violence.”

On social media, several Haitians have denounced the violence, arguing that accused gang members also have a right to live and that they should not be encouraged to join a vigilante movement.

Social media users posted images and videos of Haitians sharpening machetes and blocking neighborhood gates with large trucks as they vowed to eradicate gangs who, according to the UN, control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Haiti’s National Police said in a statement that they are eliminating gangs all around the nation that are terrorizing civilians.

The UN’s special envoy to Haiti reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s urge for the speedy installation of a foreign military force. The UN Security Council has not responded to the request, which was initially made by the prime minister of Haiti in October.

NYS – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Supports ‘Clean Slate Act’

In an effort to have the Clean Slate Act passed before the current legislative session ends, the Clean Slate NY alliance applauded Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for his vocal support of the measure. The Clean Slate Act seeks to stop indefinite imprisonment for more than 2 million New Yorkers, build better and safer neighborhoods, and strengthen the economy of the state.

Before the session ends, “We will definitely consider Clean Slate before the end of the session…It helps public safety,” Heastie said. “It helps deal with the issues of a workforce. So I think there’s more understanding now of the benefits of Clean Slate.”

Labor unions, business leaders, and Fortune 500 firms including Microsoft, Verizon, and JP Morgan Chase have all endorsed the measure.

The Clean Slate Act targets structural obstacles to employment and housing caused by prior convictions. According to a Harvard Legislation Review research, persons were 25%

more likely to make more money and were less likely to be convicted of a crime within two years of having their records cleared under Michigan legislation. They were also 11% more likely to have a job.

The measure, which has received extraordinary support throughout the state, would result in an estimated yearly earnings gain of $7.1 billion for New York State. The Clean Slate Act has received support from fifteen cities and counties, including Albany, Buffalo, Westchester, and New York City. Old criminal records would be erased under the Clean Slate Act, opening doors to housing, education, and the majority of employment, with the exception of jobs in law enforcement and with vulnerable groups. If a person is off parole or probation and has no recent charges or convictions, their misdemeanor convictions will expire after three years and their felony conviction after seven. Crimes involving sexual orientation cannot be concealed.

NY – Minimum Wage Increases To $17 Downstate

ter County to reach $17 in 2026; however, progressive legislators and groups are against the compromise. Democratic legislator Hochul said it will be incorporated into the final budget bill, which lawmakers are anticipated to pass next week.

Here is what the future holds for the minimum wage in New York.

In Westchester County, Long Island, and New York City, the minimum wage is presently $15.

remove the power of the governor and state legislature to raise the minimum salary in the future.

flation. After that, they sought to link it to inflation.

The minimum wage in New York will soon increase. Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders are committed to a three-year plan to raise the minimum wage before limiting future increases to the rate of inflation under a draft state budget recently agreement revealed.

The proposal calls for the wage in New York City, Long Island, and Westches-

According to the proposed budget agreement, that amount would rise in three years to $16 an hour on January 1, 2024, $16.50 an hour on January 1, 2025, and $17 an hour on January 1, 2026.

The remainder of the state, whose costs of living are typically lower, would trail behind by $1. This means that the present minimum wage of $14.20 per hour would rise to $15 in 2024, $15.50 in 2025, and $16 in 2026.

New York is planning to link the minimum wage to the rate of inflation, for the first time ever. In theory, this will

The minimum hourly wage would increase at the same rate as the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, an index that tracks the market prices of consumer goods to account for inflation, beginning in 2027 and continuing through the following year. The cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security benefits are based on the same index.

It remained questionable if the possible budget agreement would have any provisions that would stop an automatic rise in case the economy had a big downturn. When budget legislation is printed, which is anticipated to occur over the weekend and into the first half of next week, that question is likely to be addressed.

Progressive legislators and groups as a whole don’t like the deal.

They said that raising the minimum wage to $21.25 by 2026 would better reflect the recent large increases in in-

“The true cost of living in New York—and particularly within the five boroughs—simply cannot be sustained at $17 per hour,” declared state senator Jessica Ramos, a Democrat from Queens, who was the chief supporter of a measure to increase the minimum wage. The wage that maintains working families in poverty has been effectively entrenched by this agreement. Nevertheless, the $17 proposal will be incorporated into the overall budget agreement. The minimum wage idea would likely be incorporated into a budget package, making it far more difficult for MPs to vote against it without simultaneously voting against dozens of other policies.

Hochul initially advocated for a more gradual increase in the minimum wage by just indexing future increases to inflation. However, she asserts that she supports the compromise, which will impact 900,000 workers statewide.

T&T – PM Rowley Rejects Stand Your Ground Law, It’s Used For Murder

As Prime Minister Keith Rowley attempts to address the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago, he once again rejected a proposal by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to use deadly force, stand-your-ground laws for home invasions.

Rowley rejected the proposal saying it can be used to commit ‘legal murder’. He even went so far to call the proposal “dog whistling” and urged his supporters to reject the notion of crime and criminality linked to race, with one targeting the other.

Speaking at the PNM’s sport and family day at the Toco Composite High School on Sunday afternoon, Rowley said arming citizens was not the answer to the country’s crime problems, and the proposal by the Opposition to enact stand-your-ground legislation is also not a viable solution.

“We will bring legislation to Parliament to create a specific criminal offense of home invasion, which will involve increasing the sentences for larceny, burglary, serious assault, unlawful entry to your properties, whether it be your homes or businesses; and that you will be able to use force – they come using force with guns, cutlasses, whatever it may be.”

Speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Night Forum in April, Persad-Bisessar said if in power, the UNC would

enact such legislation.

She said: “That to me is one of the most terrifying experiences that you could ever imagine. And so we have taken note of this unacceptable situation, and while Dr. Rowley spends two full days talking foolishness at the Hyatt…the UNC will do the following to put an end to this devilish offense of home invasion.

“We will bring legislation to Parliament to create a specific criminal offense of home invasion.

I propose that our next UNC government will create this full offense; this will involve increasing the sentences for larceny, burglary, serious assault, and unlawful entry to your properties, whether it be your home or your businesses, and that you will be able to use force, firearm, weapon, cutlass, whatever it may be…we will create that offense with a penalty of 25 years in jail.”

“We will also bring ‘stand your ground’ laws. At the moment the law is, a man invades your house, a woman invades your house, and… you have to use something they call reasonable force. A man going with a gun in your face and you must do nothing.

“I propose that we adopt the ‘stand your ground’ legal principle…this means putting into our laws the legal principle that allows a person to use force in self-defense without retreating.”

Rowley, however, referred to such laws as American-based legislation, which, he pointed out, were currently being challenged in US states that had passed it, although he admits violent behavior, violent crime, violent crime involving the use of firearms, the associated individual and group mental health trauma accompanying violent behavior, pose a far greater destructive threat than many diseases and on that basis alone qualifies violence as a public health emergency.

He said dealing with crime has become a significant drain on the country’s economy and agrees it must be urgently addressed. Rejecting an invitation to meet with Persad-Bissessar and former police commissioner-turned-politician Gary Griffith on crime solutions, Rowley said the government would win the fight against crime but not through meeting with people who are part of the problem.

The current Section 29 of the Larceny Act states:

“Any person who, with intent to commit any arrestable offence therein—

(a)enters any dwelling house in the night; or

(b)breaks and enters any dwelling house, place of divine worship, or any building within the curtilage, or any school-house, shop, warehouse, counting-house, office, store, garage,

pavilion, factory or workshop, or any building belonging to the State, or to any Government department, or to any Municipal or other public authority, is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

Congratulations to Ambassador Andrew Young on Receiving the Peace and Liberty Award

We heartily congratulate  Ambassador Andrew Young, who was bestowed with the Peace and Liberty Award from the World Law Foundation of Law, which was presented to him by the King of Spain. This award is seen as the highest honor that is given to recognize world leaders who excel in promoting peace through law, according to the King’s pronouncement. In receiving this prestigious award, Ambassador Young joined a prominent group of honorees, which included Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, US Supreme Court Judge.

It could not be given to a more deserving person, Ambassador Young throughout

his entire career, has sought to bring peace through his engagements in the Civil Rights movement in the United States; he sought to bring peace and justice in his term as you and US Ambassador for the United Nations and in his position as Mayor of Atlanta, Member of the US Congress and international warrior for peace traveling throughout the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, and indeed the world.

Ambassador Andrew Young has served as a co-convener of the Carib News Multinational Business Conference for years. Ambassador has promoted the mission of pulling countries together to work for

their own improvement and development. Carib News has had the distinct privilege and honor of working with Ambassador Young through the years, he is man of clean vision determination, and true dedication.

Ambassador Young has just recently continued his th `push for peace’ by endorsing the World Peace Revival, whose aim is to unite people of different backgrounds through prayer and acts of kindness.

Throughout his career. Ambassador Young is known as a distinguished statesman, a beacon of hope and a constant traveler for peace, even at age 91 Ambassador has the energy, constant march for Peace, constant engagement  around the

world. We are so delighted that Ambassador Young is recognized internationally for the work he has been doing and that this Peace and Liberty Award will continue to inspire him in his promotion of peace. A truly deserved honor for this warrior for justice and peace.

The Joys of Mother’s Day, Make Them Feel Special Every Day

Carib News, for forty years, has made it a point to celebrate mothers. As the backbone of our community, indeed the backbone of our country, not to mention the families, of course, it is this determination and commitment to families that we must celebrate each year. Mothers, mothers of all kinds who play such a vital role in keeping our community and our families together.

Being the carrier of the baby, the vessel by which he became a living, breathing and functioning human being doesn’t begin to come close to telling the full story about motherhood.

From our first day of life, mother was there to wipe our tears, calm our fears, nurture us and prepare us for our place in the turbulent world that was around the corner. When we moved from diapers to pants or skirts, she gave us our first important lessons about fashion, straightening our ties or matching our garments, helping us to shine our shoes and giving lessons about a healthy diet., and helped us to understand why education is crucial to our ability to earn a living and prepare for the day when we too become parents.

Of course, mother may not have been trained to be a physician, psychiatrist, nurse or emergency medical technician but when we bruised our knees, twisted an ankle, suffered from a period of anxiety or had a bloody nose, she knew how to respond and how to set the healing process in train.

There was more. She was and remains my counselor, the first person to give me an honest and straightforward assessment of my actions, warning against taking siblings, friends and colleagues for granted while at the same time listening to my stories about how things went today at school, the office or on the playground. It goes without saying she wasn’t always right and when she felt she couldn’t handle what I considered “my crisis” she would advise, even take me to see the priest or pastor for his or her advice.

Just as important, she remains the gate-keeper of the family tradition and holds our secrets like treasures, away from the prying eyes of neighbors or the malicious tongues of those who wish to do us harm.

Reggie Jackson, the baseball hall of

famer, once described himself as the glue that held the Yankee baseball champions together. Mother has been performing a somewhat similar role for our family for decades. She has been holding the family together from my childhood to this day, extending that role to my children as well. Admittedly, she spoils the grand-children with love, affection, hugs and kisses, just like our grandmothers did.

Little wonder that although we may complain that Mother’s Day has been hijacked by commercial enterprises which sell us cards, flowers, meals and gifts for her we enjoy those sentimental aspects associated with the special occasion. That’s why many of us serve her breakfast in bed and do the same for the mother of our children in order to let them know how much we care.

We celebrate Mother’s Day, not simply for our own bloodline but for all mothers, wherever they are. It underscores the universality of the occasion, despite the different way cultures in widely separated regions of the world hail mothers in different languages, music and traditions. For the sons, daughters and grandchil-

dren whose fore parents are no longer with us or are not within easy reach, there is the special pray we say, thanking the Almighty for giving her the strength and wisdom that helped to make the persons we are.

Mother’s Day gives us a chance to reflect on her part in our development and for us to think about how we are approaching our responsibility with our own children.

Re-kindling memories are an exciting part of the day’s celebration and we do it whether mother is sitting across the table or has long since departed from this life.

Happy Mother’s day!

Addressing the Real Need in Real Time

By Ben Jealous

As someone who’s been organizing since I was a teenager, I can tell you that it’s hard to get people to focus on two things at once. Pick a real need and work on it in real time – that’s the way to win people over.

We saw this play out when President Biden announced he would seek re-election.

Considering the record, Biden’s presidency has been a consequential one. Employment is as high as before COVID. While inflation is higher than in recent memory, it’s basically a third of what it was last June. He’s made mistakes around supporting fossil fuels drilling, but President Biden has attacked the three things driving the climate crisis – vehicles, methane and power plants. And he has time to finish the job as he said in the last State of the Union Address by curbing further fossil fuel expansion.

So why was a common response to his announcement handwringing about an “enthusiasm gap” among key voting groups – Blacks, Hispanics, and young people? The White House can’t seem to

cut through the clutter to convince people it has solved a real need in real time, even when it has.

The real need for many continues to be economic stability. I’ve talked to people in every region of the country in the last five months. Many continue to feel the only economic mobility slopes downward. It’s something that President Biden and Congress actually have done something about. They’ve made unprecedented commitments to spend hundreds of billions to take a giant step toward keeping the Earth cool enough to stay livable. It’s our generation’s equivalent of the Apollo moon missions. The changes will happen over a decade, their benefits may take even longer to see.

But there will be immediate impacts, and that’s what is giving people the solution they need. Incentives for school systems to buy electric school buses and families to buy electric SUVs? Jobs. Home energy efficiency programs? Jobs. Tax credits for private sector investment in clean energy? Jobs.

The one thing we need to bring attention

to and to protect are the jobs that come from reshaping the economy from destruction to renewal. They are good-paying jobs that in many cases don’t require a college education, the kind of jobs that have made the American middle class flourish. They employ mechanics, construction workers, electricians, technicians, and people to support their work. And whether it’s the most dollars invested, or most jobs created, the states benefitting are among the reddest politically. t makes sense that flipping the economy in this way would be a growth engine. The biggest subsidy our country ever gave private industry was allowing it to designate certain places and certain people disposable. Poverty is what has always driven people to trade the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the land they love for a paycheck that feeds and house them and their families. Turning that past on its head will create a lasting prosperity, one that doesn’t count on fuels extracted from under another country.

Opinion research makes clear that Americans care about the environment and will

vote to protect it. They care about jobs more. For those of us fighting to reverse the climate crisis and leave a healthier, safer planet to our children, from the White House to a local rally, we must show people that a cleaner economy tomorrow brings jobs they want today.

Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. He is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free,” published in January.

California’s reparations task panel approved recommendations to compensate and apologize to Black communities for centuries of discrimination.

At a meeting in Oakland, the nine-member committee, which first met nearly two years ago, approved a lengthy list of reparations recommendations for state lawmakers to examine.

At the meeting, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), called on states and the federal government to implement reparations legislation.

Lee said reparations are morally justified and could solve historical racial imbalances and inequality.

The panel’s first vote accepted a detailed assessment of Black Californian discrimination in voting, housing, education, disproportionate policing and incarceration, and others.

Other suggestions included creating a new organization to serve descendants of

enslaved people and calculating what the state owes them.

“An apology and an admission of wrongdoing alone is not going to be satisfactory,” said Chris Lodgson, an organizer with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, a reparations advocacy group.

The task force’s draft recommendation requires parliamentarians to “censure the gravest barbarities” on behalf of the state in their apologies.

The task force noted that California’s first elected governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett, was a white supremacist who supported legislation excluding Black people from the state.

The draft report states that California, a “free” state since 1850, did not pass any laws guaranteeing freedom for all. Instead, the state Supreme Court enforced the federal Fugitive Slave Act for over a decade until freedom arrived in U.S. states.

“By participating in these horrors, California further perpetuated the harms African Americans faced, imbuing racial prejudice throughout society through segregation, public and private discrimination, and unequal state and federal funding,” the study authors wrote.

The task team adopted a public apology, admitting the state’s past wrongs and committing not to repeat them.

It would be presented to the descendants

of enslaved people.

California apologized for interning Japanese Americans and mistreating Native Americans.

The panel adopted the draft report’s “cash or its equivalent” restitution for qualified residents.

Oakland’s Mills College of Northeastern University hosted over 100 citizens and activists. All lamented the country’s “broken promise” to give emancipated slaves 40 acres and a mule.

Many claimed it was time for governments to fix the harms that prevented African Americans from living without fear of being wrongly punished, maintaining property, and earning wealth.

Former Black Panther Party chairwoman Elaine Brown encouraged protests.

The task force meeting was viewed as a pivotal moment in the push for local, state, and federal agencies to apologize for African American discrimination.

“There’s no way in the world that many of these recommendations are going to get through because of the inflationary impact,” said University of San Diego School of Law professor and reparations specialist Roy L. Brooks.

Economists predict the state may owe Black residents $800 billion, or 2.5 times its yearly budget.

The newest task force draft report has a

much lower figure.

California Panel Takes Big Step Toward $800 Billion Reparation Payments to Black Residents, and Formal Apology

In 2020, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a former Democratic assemblymember, authored legislation creating the task force to address the state’s historical culpability for African American harms, not as a substitute for federal reparations. The task team initially limited reparations to descendants of 19th-century enslaved or free Black individuals.

As reparations for African Americans have had uneven success elsewhere, the group’s work has received national attention. Black residents in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, recently received housing vouchers as reparations, but few reportedly used them.

A bill to acknowledge the inhumanity of slavery in New York and form a panel to investigate reparations proposals has cleared the Assembly but not the Senate. A decades-old federal proposal to form a reparations panel for African Americans has stalled in Congress.

Oakland City Council member Kevin Jenkins called the California task group “a powerful example” of what can happen when people work together.

Jenkins stated, “I am confident that through our collective efforts, we can significantly advance reparations in our great state of California and, ultimately, the country.”

Fatal Encounter- Protest For Justice For Neely

Jordan Neelys familys attorneys have released a statement claiming that Daniel Penny acted with indifference and should be sentenced to prison. Jordan Neely passed away last week after being placed in a deadly chokehold on a F train by Penny.

The declaration is in reaction to remarks made by Penny that were made public on Friday evening by his attorneys. Penny expressed sympathy to Neelys family in his statement, but he also noted that the homeless man had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior.

According to Pennys attorneys, when Mr. Neely started threatening him and the other passengers violently, Daniel took action to defend them until help could arrive.

Daniel Pennys press announcement is neither an apology nor an indication of sorrow, according to the Neely familys legal representatives, who responded angrily.

In a statement, attorneys Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards, who represent Neelys father, Andre Zachery, and aunt, Carolyn Neely, as well as other family members, said that the incident was a character assassination and a ;clear example; of why Neely thought he had the right to kill Jordan. Lawyers for the Neely family continued by addressing Mayor Eric Adams, who did

not condemn the chokehold killing after it occurred, and said that authorities must carry out a thorough investigation. Adams continued, Theres a lot we dont know about what happened here. The incident shows that there is a need to remove people with mental illness from the subway system. Neely family attorneys retaliated. In their statement, they emphasized that  Jordan’s family wanted his murderer to know that his life;  They added, “You seem to think others are more important than him.”

Alvin Bragg, the district attorney for Manhattan, has not yet filed any charges against Penny or anybody else.

The NYS NAACP Conference of Branches shared a heart felt message to the family of Jordon neely, The NYS NAACP Conference of Branches wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Jordan Neely. The failure of his fellow New Yorkers to acknowledge and respect his humanity,  so egregiously so that someone felt it appropriate to cut his life short because his presence made them uncomfortable, is unconscionable.  His current financial misfortune, or past justice-involvement, should not negate his right to occupy space on a subway car.  The fact remains that Mr. Neely was murdered on that train, and the monster who put his hands on Mr. Neely

must be arrested and charged with his murder immediately.  We are calling on District Attorney Bragg and his office to act expeditiously, provide justice for Mr. Neelys family, and remove an unhinged killer from our citys streets. Myles Hollingsworth on behalf of the NAACP NYS Youth and College release a statement on the murder of Jordan Neely which states:

“Jordan Neely’s public murder in the NYC subway system is a seriously tragic example of the criminalization of being poor in America.  To only say we are saddened by this tragedy would be short cut; we are also deeply enraged by this extremely devastating murder.  Although there is a lot of information we don’t know, there is already a lot that we do, and among that information is the unequivocal fact that this murder delineates from white supremacy and the lackluster responses to its violence from some elected leaders. The pain and uncertainty of homelessness, mental health crisis, and financial distress do not—and under no circumstances—warrant murder, or its excuse. Jordan Neely was a human being and in his tragic death he still deserves humanity.  Full stop.

“To excuse the white male murderer is to excuse white supremacy; a capricious and racist idea that we cannot allow to permeate in

our state, our communities, and in our homes.  To believe there to be “consequences” or justification in a murder like this, screams so loudly, the ignorance and obtuseness some choose to walk with.

“Let’s be very clear—we are not separate nor unaffected socially or politically from anyone unhoused or suffering from mental health disorders. We are more in a community than many know or choose to realize.  Jordan Neely is our family, our kin.  As a body in pursuit of Black liberation, we grieve with our communities across New York state, regardless of economic status or accessibility to resource. ”

“We need to heal, and we must act,” the release noted.

Haiti - Plans Being Developed To Tackle Crisis of Crime And Violence

spaces for debate and presentation of proposals that have been created to reconcile the different criteria of specialists and connoisseurs of the subject.

He added that four work commissions have been formed to address thematic axes such as foreign policy, immigration policy, economic impact, and border control.

The Deputy administrative minister of the presidency, Andrés Lugo Risk, has announced that plans are being developed for the signing of a grand Nation Pact to tackle the Haitian crisis.

According to Lugo Risk, President Luis Abinader called for this pact during his accountability before the National Assembly earlier this year and since then the works have been advancing in a broad, plural, and participatory manner over the past few weeks.

Lugo Risk added that 25 political, intellectual, and academic groups, as well as representatives from various areas of the government, have continued to participate in the

Three of the commissions are already finalizing the proposals that have been agreed upon.

These proposals aim to resolve the Haitian crisis through the development of a comprehensive strategy that takes into account the different perspectives and opinions of experts from various fields.

The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola.

CMC

World Jurist Association to Present World Peace and Liberty Award to U.S. Civil Rights Icon Andrew Young

This is the highest award given by the WJA and recognizes Youngs work for "social, political and economic progress for oppressed people around the world.

»Andrew Young, Martin Luther King s closest collaborator, was the first African-American U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who also promoted the U.S. Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts.

»The award will be presented by H.M. Felipe VI on May Bin Madrid during the presentation of the World Law Congress New York 2023 and the inauguration of the Rule of Law Digital Center. At the event, the WJA will also present the Ruth Bader Ginsburg 2023 Medals of Honor to outstanding women jurists, such as Na; Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2008- 2014), and Lady Brenda Hale, first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

On May 8, the World Jurist Association (WJA) will present to the prominent American civil rights leader Andrew Young Its highest award: the World Peace and Liberty Award. It is a recognition that, as explained by the association, seeks to highlight Youngs international work in favor of social, political and economic progress of the oppressed around the world

Born In the United States in 1932, Andrew

Young is a politician, diplomat, and activist for civil and human rights. He was the closest collaborator of Martin Luther King Jr. who died at his side.

Young was involved In the drafting of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 196S in his country, and was appointed executive vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1968-1970) after Kings death.

A congressman from Georgia, Young was the first African-American US. ambassador to the United Nations. From there he promoted the protection of human rights and economic progress In the underdeveloped countries of the world, and his work made this a foreign policy objective of U.S. President Jimmy Carter. He served as mayor of Atlanta in 1982-1990, developing the city to become the site of the Olympic Games. In 1994, BIB Clinton, Nelson Mandela and the U.S. Congress created the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund (SAEOF), chaired by Andrew Young. The purpose of the Fund Is to provide funding to stimulate the creation and expansion of Indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises throughout southern Africa. In 2003, he created the Andrew Young Foundation to support and promote education,

health, leadership and human rights in the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean. Young represents the values of the World Jurist Association. Throughout his professional career he has been an example to humanity for his defense of the rule of law and, therefore, we are proud to present him with this award, said the president of the WJA, Javier Cremades. TM Nobel Prize in Law

The World Peace and Liberty Award is the highest award given by the World Jurist Association, known as the Nobel Prize in Law. It is awarded to world personalities and institutions that have distinguished themselves for their commitment to the promotion of peace through law and the rule of law as a guarantor of freedom.

In the past, this prize has been awarded to outstanding figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Rene tank, Felipe VI King of Spain, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and, In its last edition, to the Colombian society, in the hands of Its then President Ivan Duque.

On this occasion, H.M. Felipe VI King of Spain and the Commissioner for Justice of the European Union, Oldie, Reynders, will present the award to Young. Opening Session Madrid

The World Peace and Liberty Award ceremny for Andrew Young will dose the Opening

Session.

Madrid, which will serve as a framework for the presentation of the World Law Congress to be held in New York on July 20 and 21. The Rule of Law Digital Center Madrid, the first of the centers for the promotion of the Rule of Law in the world to be inaugurated by the World Law Foundation, will also be inaugurated. The WM 2023 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medals of Honor will also be awarded during the packed program of the Opening Session Madrid. An award that will be given to Lady Brenda Hale, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom 2017-2020 and the first woman to hold this position; Amblers Sreenevasan, lawyer, Malaysian activist for free elections, womens rights and human rights defender; Miami Jalal, chair of the World Bank Inspection Panel, human rights lawyer and founder of the gender equality movement in her native Fiji; and Asifa Raker, Judge of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan and member of the Afghanistan Constitution Drafting Commission In 2003, on behalf of the Afghan Refugee Women Judges Association.

Guyana- Diaspora Vital Source Of Investment Expertise

Speaking to Guyanese in England, President Ali discusses his developmentobjectives.

At the Guyana High Commission, President Dr. Irfaan Ali spoke with Guyanese residents in England. By 2030, Guyana will be self-sufficient in food, infrastructure, healthcare,

housing, and energy, according to the President’s plan for his administration.

Dr. Ali showed a video outlining the aims for economic growth and municipal and local community development undertaken by his government. He expressed gratitude to the diaspora for its support of Guyana growth. He

said that it is a crucial source of capital, knowledge, and ideas that might support the national expansion and advancement.

California - Moves Forward On Reparations

The reparations task committee in California decided to endorse suggestions on how the state might make amends and provide compensation to Black citizens for years of suffering brought on by discriminatory laws.

A lengthy list of recommendations that will now be considered by state lawmakers for reparations legislation received final approval from the nine-member committee during a meeting in Oakland, which it initially convened nearly two years ago.

At the conference, US Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat from Oakland, called on the states and the federal government to implement reparations legislation. Ms. Lee is a co-sponsor of a measure in Congress that would investigate restitution alternatives for African Americans.

Lee commented on the topic of reparation stating, “Reparations are not only morally justifiable, but they have the potential to address longstanding racial disparities and inequalities.”

In its initial decision, the panel authorized a comprehensive description of historical discrimination against Black Californians in a variety of contexts, including voting, housing, education, disproportionate police and incarceration, and others.

Other suggestions on the table included calculating the amount of reparations the state owes descendants of slaves, as well as the establishment of a new organization to offer services to them.

;An apology and an admission of wrongdoing by itself is not going to be satisfactory, said Chris Lodgson, a member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, a group that promotes reparations.

The work forces draft suggestion states that any apology created by parliamentarians must include a censure of the gravest barbarities committed on the states behalf.

In its original ruling, the panel permitted a thorough account of historically occurring discrimination against Black Californians in a range of

settings, including voting, housing, education, disproportionate use of the police and jail, and others. Other ideas on the table included figuring out how much in reparations the state owes slave offspring as well as creating a new organization to provide services to them.

An apology and an admission of wrongdoing by itself is not going to be satisfactory; said Chris Lodgson, a supporter of reparations and a member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California.

The draft proposal put up by the labor force mandates that any apology drafted by lawmakers include a censure of the gravest barbarities done on the states behalf. The document noted, “By participating in these horrors, California further perpetuated the harms African Americans faced, imbuing racial prejudice throughout society through segregation, public and private discrimination, and unequal disbursal of state and federal funding.”

A public apology that acknowledges the states accountability for prior wrongdoing and its commitment to refraining from repeating it was authorized by the task team. It would be presented to those whose ancestors had been held as slaves.

California had already expressed regret for its role in the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II as well as for its treatment of Native Americans and violence against them.

The panel also agreed that qualified residents should get cash or its equivalent; as part of their damages.

In Oakland, the home of the renowned Black Panther Party, more than 100 locals and activists congregated at Mills College of Northeastern University.

Advocating for Mental Health as a Universal Child Right

Globally, more than 1 in 7 adolescents ages 10-19 live with mental health conditions, according to UNICEF. Children and youth globally, including those in the United States, face challenges bridging the gap in terms of mental health needs and proper access to quality services.

The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with school closures and disruptions in learning impacted nearly 1.6 billion children globally. Anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions actively threaten children’s ability to be healthy and happy. Addressing key mental health and psychosocial issues to support their development can allow them to meaningfully participate in society.

Together, UNICEF and UNICEF USA

are advocating on a local, national and global scale to provide children with the tools they need to support mental health. On a global level, the organizations are calling on Congress to pass the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS) Act, the first federal legislation that addresses mental health and psychosocial support through U.S. foreign assistance. It focuses primarily on populations with increased risk factors for developing mental health disorders including children and caretakers in crisis-affected communities, gender-based violence survivors, displaced populations and more.

The Importance of Mental Wellness for a Healthy Heart and Brain

Research has clearly demonstrated negative psychological factors, personality traits and mental health disorders can negatively impact cardiovascular health,” said volunteer chair of the statement writing committee Glenn N.Levine, M.D., FAHA, master clinician and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of the cardiology section at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. “The body’s biological reaction to stress, anxiety and other types of poor mental health can manifest physically through an irregular heart rate or rhythm, increased blood pressure and inflammation throughout the body. Negative psychological health is also associated with health behaviors that are linked to an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, such as smoking, lower levels of physical activity, unhealthy diet, being overweight and not taking medications as prescribed.”

Studies have found some people, including people of color, may face a greater risk of poor health outcomes due to chronic stress, depression and anxiety linked to psychosocial stressors, particularly those related to social and economic inequality, discrimination, systemic racism and other societal factors. A study published in the “Journal of the American Heart Association” found U.S. adults who reported feeling highly discriminated against at work had an increased risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who reported low discrimination at work.

“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being,” Levine said. “It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Practicing mindfulness in all forms allows one to be more aware of and have more control over emotional responses to the experiences of daily life.”

Consider these tips from Levine to improve your mind-heart-body connection:

Practice meditation regularly. Even simple actions such as communing with nature or sitting quietly and focusing on your breath can have a positive impact.

Get plenty of good, restful sleep. Set a regular bedtime, turn off or dim electronics as bedtime approaches and form a wakeup routine. Make connections and stay in touch. Reach out and connect regularly with family and friends, or engage in activities to meet new people. Practice mindful movement. There are many types of gentle mindful practices like yoga and Tai chi that can be done about anywhere with no special equipment to help ease your soul and muscles.

Spend time with your furry friend. Companion animals are often beloved members of the family and research shows pets may help reduce physiological reactions to stress as well as support improved physical activity. Work it out. Regular physical activity – a recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a mix of both weekly – can help relieve tension, anxiety and depression, and give you an immediate exercise “high.”

“Wellness is more than simply the absence of disease,” Levine said. “It is an active process directed toward a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life. When we strive to reduce negative aspects of psychological health, we are promoting an overall positive and healthy state of being.”

T&T- David Rudder Farewell Concert Sold Out

The audience expresses a pure form of joy and love through laughter, movement, hip-swaying, arm-waving, spontaneous singing, jumping, joy, and even a few tears as Rudder displayed the style that earned him the reputation of King of Calypso.

Even though Rudder celebrated his 70th birthday that day, he managed to hold his audience’s attention for over five hours at his Rudder 7.0 show. Proving that Rudder who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease has an iron will indeed.

Seasoned calypso singer led the standing-room-only gathering in singing Rudder Happy Birthday.

VIPs and ordinary attendees mingled in the Sound Forge audience as they gave Rudder their love and complete attention with an explosive vibe.

A member of the audience remarked during Rudder’s performance, “I don’t know how to stay sitting down,” and although some seated individuals originally protested about others standing in front of them, they soon got to their feet and remained there rocking their hips to the sweet sound of calypso music.

Rally Round the West Indies, De Long Time Band, Frontline, Engine Room, Belmont, Nuff Respect, The Ganges Meets The Nile, Adrenaline City, Jump Up, Club Hysteria, Dus’ In Dey Face, Guilty, A Madman’s Rant, and Madness are just a few of the masterpieces Rudder performed.

In the second half of the performance, he turned to social commentary and sang songs like Haiti, 1990, Jerusalem, The Immigrants, Adrenaline City, and a song about a magical land getting out of control. He then pulled the audience to their feet with The Ganges Meets

The Nile and continued the theme of international unity with Cuba and Panama. Ministry of Rhythm and It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This are songs that Rudder dedicated to his longstanding drummer Barry Howard and his musical director, writing collaborator, and dear friend Wayne Bruno.

Guest performers included Carl Jacobs, with whom Rudder performed Trini to the Bone after urging the audience to “stand up and wine to the national anthem of TT,” Vaughnette Bigford, with whom he performed Song for a Lonely Soul; Roger George, performing calypso

music; Kees Dieffenthaller, performing live yuh life like yuh playing mas; Machel Montano, performing oil and music and Happiest Man Alive.

With their unequivocal admiration and affection for the man who had inspired most of them, each attendee brought a special spark to the evening’s event.

Entertainers such as Carl Jacobs singing Trini to the Bone, veteran audio engineer Robin Foster performing a Belmont crawl, Montano entering the stage in the dark, Yung Rudd performing with his father, Rudder singing Bacchanal Lady about Garcia and challenging her to put down a “bacchanal 20” wine, and Verna St. Rose Greaves ringing a bell during Hammer performances made the event even more special and memorable.

The crowd eagerly participated in Bahia Girl, singing along loudly to the first two verses of Rudder and to Madness, A Madman’s Rant, and High Mas.

“Ase. Namaste.Hallelujah. Dance!” was the chorus of the concluding song, Spirits, which caused many audience members to respond

nearly frantically. Those who watched the live broadcast were pleased with the production’s audio and visual quality, and the band and support vocalists added a further level of perfection to it. Rudder then gave awards to Derwin Howell and Dennis Ramdeen, the concert’s co-chairmen.

Jamaican DJ Kool Herc For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Later this year, DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican who holds the honor of being the Father and Inventor of Hip-Hop, will be formally admitted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and presented with the Musical Influence Award. Herc will join Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff as the third Jamaicans to be recognized with a Rock Hall induction; they received their honors in 1994 and 2010, respectively. On November 3, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, there will be an induction ceremony. As a 2023 inductee, Kool Herc will join musicians like Missy Elliot and Willie Nelson, both of whom have previously collaborated on songs with several Dancehall and Reggae performers. Joel Peresman, the CEO and president of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, elaborated on the statement on Tuesday, stating that DJ Kool Herc should be inducted in 2023. He claims that not only does it commemorate the genre’s 50th birthday, but also the fact that the event will be held just 15 miles from the Bronx apartment complex where Kool Herc created it in 1973.“It just kind of worked out that we’re back in Brooklyn for the anniversary.” However, the time was ideal, he told Rolling Stone Magazine. In a post on his Instagram from August of last year, Kool Herc, who is credited as the father and originator of hip-hop, told the tale of how he created the genre.

The post states, “On August 11, 1973, Kool Herc hosted a back-to-school party held on for his sister Cindy in the recreation room of their building at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. This is widely celebrated as the birth of Hip-Hop culture. Herc preferred the more obscure ‘album cuts’ which he would isolate the percussive breakdown parts from and repeat them on two turntables.” Also mentioned was Herc’s inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, the Peoples Hall of Fame Award from Governor Mario Cuomo, and the inaugural VH1 Hip-Hop Honour, among other “several accolades throughout the years.”

While stating that he has never lost sight of

his Jamaican heritage, Kool Herc emphasized his “own historical importance to helping to originate hip-hop music” in February 2020. He did this by pointing out that he was the initial individual to start his style of music “coming from Jamaica” and that he was the first to do so. The Gleaner noted, “This was in the Bronx in the ’70s. I moved to the States with my mother and I started to have jams in an old building. It got very popular and then the American kids got hold of the toasting, that’s the element that they took from us.” According to some accounts, Kool Herc is a living legend who “historically used two turntables at the same time to mix music and create his signature “Merry-Go-Round” technique.” He also created “ground-breaking foundations laid for the global musical genre that has become a cultural dominance.” Willie Nelson and Missy Elliott “will join the class of 2023 in the Performer category” in the interim. In addition to being the first female rapper to be admitted into the Hall of Fame, Missy Elliot was picked in the Performer Category during what is believed to be her first year of eligibility. Regarding her ties to the dancehall, Missy has previously worked with Lady Saw, Vybz Kartel, and Queen of Dancehall Spice. From the rapper’s follow-up album Da Real World, which came out in 1999, Lady Saw made an appearance on the song Mr. DJ. The album later received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album and was rated 49th on Vulture’s list of Missy’s best 115 tracks. In 2011, Missy collaborated with Vybz Kartel on the Spice song Fun and the M.I.A.-featured song Bad Man. In 2005, Willie Nelson released his Countryman album, which featured covers of Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come and Sitting in Limbo. He has also collaborated on a version of Johnny Cash’s Worried Man with the late Toots Hibbert.

The statement highlights what Rolling Stone called “an incredible week for the country icon” who turned 90-year-old and commemorated with a two-day all-star extravaganza at the continues at website at www.nycaribnews.

12 teams toVie for Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship

berths in the 2023 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Headlining the list is defending champions El Salvador, who captured the crown in 2021 when they defeated the United States in the Final.

Nine-tme participants El Salvador are twotime winners of the CBSC (2009, 2021) and have been drawn into Group A along with Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Costa Rica will be making their 10th CBSC appearance and are no strangers to deep runs, having finished as runners-up in the 2009 and 2015 editions.

Four-time champions Mexico head up Group B where they will take on host nation Bahamas, Guatemala and Belize.

El Tricolor are making their 10th CBSC appearance and will be trying to add a fifth crown to their collection, having emerged as champions in 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2019. Bahamas are in their eighth CBSC and reached three straight quarterfinals in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 tournaments. Led by veteran Lesly St. Fleur, who also plays on grass with the Bahamas Men’s National Team, the hosts will look to put on a show for the home fans.

MIAMI, Florida – The 2023 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship (CBSC) will kick off in the Bahamas with 12 teams vying to lift the trophy and the top two teams clinching

Guadeloupe are competing in their fourth CBSC and enjoyed a best finish of fourth in 2017, while Turks and Caicos Islands hope to advance past the group stage for the first time in five appearances.

Guatemala were excellent in their last CBSC in 2021 with a third-place finish and will be aiming for another deep run in what will be their sixth participation, while Belize are seeking a first ever knockout round appearance in their fifth CBSC.

Rounding out the group stage is Group C which boasts a pair of past champions in the United States (2006, 2013) and Panama (2017). The U.S. are playing in their 10th CBSC, while the Canaleros are in their fifth. Trinidad and Tobago and Dominican Republic are also in Group C, with Trinidad and Tobago in their sixth CBSC and the Dominican Republic in just their second. Trinidad and Tobago have reached the quarterfinals of the last four editions, so no doubt they would like to go a step further in the Bahamas, while the Dominican Republic are targeting a first ever knockout round appearance.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, along with the top two third-place finishers.

England Returning to Trinidad After More Than a Decade on West Indies Tour

England Men will return to Trinidad for the first time since 2009 as part of their limited-overs tour of West Indies at the end of 2023. The tour, which consists of three ODIs and five T20Is, will run from December 3 to 21, taking England through Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad. Each island will host two matches, starting with the first two ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The tour will conclude the week before Christmas with the fourth and fifth T20Is at Trinidad’s Brian Lara Academy. It will be the first matches England have played at the stadium, having played all their previous 28 matches in the country at Queen’s Park Oval. The last of which was a T20I in March 2009, which West Indies won by six wickets.

Given the timings of this tour, it is likely England will send a weakened squad, as they have done at times during the previous winter. The first match is 14 days after the final of the 50-over World Cup in India and Jos Buttler’s

side, as defending champions, expect to make it to the knockout stages. England tour of West Indies 2023 England tour of West Indies 2023•ESPNcricinfo LtdLast year, a number of alternates were drafted in for the ODI series against Australia which came immediately after their T20 World Cup win. Though there is no Test cricket between then and the end of the year as there was in 2022 with a tour of Pakistan, some players will likely request time off ahead of a return to India for a five-match Test series scheduled to start in January 2024.That in turn is likely to see a repeat of the situation that arose for the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in March. Beginning a day after the Test series in New Zealand finished, calls were put in to players down the pecking order. A number were rebuffed by those who wanted to honour more lucrative deals at the Pakistan Super League which was taking place at the same time.The West Indies tour will clash with the Big Bash League, and also comes just before the

second seasons of the SA20 and ILT20 which are due to begin in January. Given the usual demand for English and West Indian talent, preserving themselves for those competitions for better remuneration could lead to the series being a second-XI affair. Following the Bangladesh tour, men’s managing director Rob Key and ECB chief executive Richard Gould vowed to increase match fees to ensure that situation does not happen again. Much will depend on the scale of those increases. At present, those without central contracts can earn £5,000 and £2,500, respectively, for any ODI and T20I appearances, along with a tour fee. In a statement released by Cricket West Indies upon the announcement of the tour, CWI’s Chief Executive, Johnny Grave, said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the England match schedule and to welcome once again their many travelling fans to the region for a pre-Christmas white-ball tour.”

“This tour will be a major economic boost to

the host countries, as well as providing our fans with the chance to see some of their favourite players in action against one of our biggest rivals. The tour will also help with our ongoing venue preparation and event planning for one of the biggest events ever to be staged in the region, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place in June next year.”