March 12, 2025

VOL. XLIV NO. 2209 WEEK OF MARCH 12 - 18 , 2025 NEW YORK CITY

CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER’S VISION OF LEADERSHIP

Adrienne Adams has laid out her pathway for the City as she announced her candidacy for Mayor

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A&E

DOECHII NAMED 2025 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

By Billboard magazine. She won the Grammy for the best rap album - the third woman to win Page 13 HAITI

TV INDUSTRY EXPLOITED BLACK CREATORS Says Issa Rae - Blacks have nothing to show for it after building success

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CARIBBEAN

‘A CHINESE LAKE’

Chinese political and economic might has grown dramatically in the last decade - foreign policy experts warned the US

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UNITED NATIONS

WOMEN’S RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK Gender discrimination is deeply embedded in societies. Despite some progress, gender rights are under attack

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STOP THE CARNAGE! JAMAICA

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HAITI

NEW PRESIDENT ECONOMIST Fritz Alphonse Jean is Head of the Transitional Council and Acting President of the country

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‘DIGNITY FOR ALL’

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CARIBNEWS

2

CaribNews EDITORIAL Bipartisan Effort Seeks to Protect Workers and Crack Down on Child Labor Violations

by Stacy M. Brown- P 9

OPINION They Cannot Rob Us of Our History and Our Place in America’s Story

by Ben Jealous - P 9

HEALTH Dr. Sandra Lindsay - ‘Dignity for All’ to Help with Female Health Needs - P 16

SPORTS T&T Wins the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup 2025 - P 20

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

AFRICA

WORLD BRIEFS

Women, girls bear brunt of cyberbullying against persons with disabilities

Afghanistan: Top UN envoy calls for ‘a moment of realism’, as Taliban’s isolation grows

States must do more to prevent cyberbullying and overcome unequal access to assistive technology which hampers the rights of persons with disabilities - particularly women and girls - the Human Rights Council has heard.

Recalling the mantra “nothing about us, without us”, which was coined by the disability rights movement, UN rights chief Volker Türk insisted that the international community was failing to uphold a fundamental tenet of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with regard to people with disabilities, namely that all people are born equal.

“In all regions, people with disabilities are discriminated against and dismissed; held back and held down; undervalued and undermined” – in particular women and girls, he said on Monday. “They are targeted and ignored.”

The High Commissioner for Human Rights also highlighted that for today’s online communities, cyberbullying “often means that no place is safe”.

Echoing that warning, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Heba Hagrass, noted that progress in disability rights has stalled or regressed for 14 per cent of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. A full 30 per cent showed insufficient change, according to the 2024 Disability and Development Report.

The top UN envoy for Afghanistan on Monday underscored the need for realistic engagement with the country as humanitarian and human rights crises deepen amid growing international isolation.

Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, warned that political engagement with the Taliban has yielded little progress, while frustration among international stakeholders is growing.

“The space for engagement is narrowing,” she said, adding that some governments now question whether dialogue with the Taliban may be strengthening hardliners.

At the same time, budgetary constraints, shifting global priorities and growing introspection on the part of some nations risk leaving Afghanistan “poorer, more vulnerable and more isolated,” she warned.

“This is an avoidable outcome, but only if all stakeholders recognize the risk and seek actively to avoid it, particularly the de facto authorities,” she said.

“The most helpful development would be a clear signal from the de facto authorities that they are committed to the reintegration of Afghanistan with the international community with all that it implies. This is a moment for realism.”

Scores killed in ‘abhorrent attack’ on UN helicopter in South Sudan

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A UN helicopter attempting to evacuate wounded South Sudanese soldiers in the north of the country was attacked on Friday, killing a crew member and injuring two others.

More than two dozen members of the South Sudanese military, including an injured General, were also reportedly killed when the UN mission (UNMISS) helicopter came under fire in Nasir, Upper Nile State.

According to news reports, the helicopter later landed safely.

The extraction was being carried out at the request of the signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which was signed as part of a commitment to end the civil war in the country.

It was part of UNMISS’ efforts to help prevent violence in Nasir and de-escalate political tensions, following recent clashes between Government troops of the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) and armed youth which caused significant casualties and civilian displacement, according to the Mission.

Call for accountability “The attack on UNMISS personnel is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Head of UNMISS. He expressed deep regret over the loss of UNMISS personnel as well as the killing of the military evacuees, “particularly when assurances of safe passage had been received.”

Gaza power cut impacts safe water access for hundreds of thousands Severe water shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels, with only one in 10 people currently able to access safe drinking water, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Monday.

The situation has deteriorated further following Israel’s decision on Sunday to cut power to the enclave – in a bid to increase pressure on Hamas over hostage releases – disrupting vital desalination operations.

Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF official in Gaza, reported that 600,000 people who had regained access to drinking water in November 2024 are once again cut off.

“It’s really vital for thousands of families and children to restore this connection,” she said.

UN agencies estimate that 1.8 million people – over half of them children – urgently need water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, the UN aid agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed that “the situation is similar to the one which prevailed in October 2023.”

West Bank displacement Mr. Lazzarini highlighted the escalating crisis in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli security operations have led to the largest displacement of Palestinians since 1967.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

CARIBNEWS

3

NYC – Council Speaker Adams Vision for Leadership of NYC

Manhattan, NY – New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams delivered her fourth State of the City address at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, outlining her vision for effective leadership of city government. Speaker Adams highlighted major issues facing the city and the Council’s work to tackle them under her leadership. She also unveiled several new proposals that advance increased resources for New Yorkers and solutions to significant challenges across the five boroughs.

Over the last three years, Speaker Adams and the Council have prioritized critical issues of health, housing, safety, and opportunity for all New Yorkers. Speaker Adams has introduced several major new initiatives through her past State of the City addresses, and the Council has incubated these innovative programs with its own funding and through partnership. These programs can make an even greater impact with the increased funding support of the mayor’s office.

CUNY Reconnect was first established after Speaker Adams proposed it in her 2022 State of the City Address. A university-wide program that re-engages former working-age students who have earned credits to return and complete their degrees, CUNY Reconnect has helped re-enroll 47,000 students, the majority of whom are women and people of color. Over 3,000 returning students have graduated after accessing this new opportunity.

Speaker Adams announced her intention to establish trauma recovery centers, which are designed to provide victim services for survivors of violent crime less likely to receive help and stop cycles of crime. The Council provided the initial funding and support to establish New York State’s first trauma recovery centers in New York City, within the Bronx and Brooklyn. Its multiyear commitment has provided these new services for communities experiencing high levels of violence, contributing to safer neighborhoods.

Speaker Adams first announced the intention to initiate city support for anti-poverty guaranteed income programs in her 2023 State of the City Address. The Council then passed Council Member Crystal Hudson’s Local Law 105 of 2023, clearing the pathway for the City to support guaranteed income

programs. In October 2024, Speaker Adams and Council Members announced a new Council funding initiative to support a guaranteed income program for expectant mothers to improve maternal health and reduce child poverty. The initiative supported The Bridge Project in establishing a new cohort of 161 pregnant women experiencing housing insecurity who receive regular and unconditional income assistance. It is the first time in city history that municipal funds have been utilized for a guaranteed income program.

Speaker Adams also announced several new proposals, including to expand 7-day library service, childcare support for more working families with infants and toddlers, and CUNY programs for working adult and low-income students. Speaker Adams proposed the creation of a minority business accelerator and a new model of holistic community centers, as well as solutions to non-profit contract payment delay solutions. More details on each of these new proposals are outlined below.

Expanding 7-Day Library Service The Council will seek to expand 7-day library service to 10 additional branches citywide. This approximately $2 million expansion will ensure New Yorkers have more equitable access to library services and the educational and economic opportunities they provide across the five boroughs.

Accelerating Minority Business Growth To support the successful growth of minority-owned businesses, the Council will help establish a Minority-Owned Business Accelerator, modeled after a similar effort in Cincinnati. Since 2003, the Cincinnati program has helped several dozen minority-owned small businesses scale up by providing them with strong individualized business strategy and support, greater access to capital to finance expansion, and connections to major regional companies that direct significantly more procurement dollars to them. There are roughly 20,000 Black- and Latino-owned businesses across the five boroughs, but far too few of them ever grow from small businesses into medium-sized or large businesses.

Expanding Child Care for Working Families To expand access to affordable childcare for children two years old and younger, the City should fund a voucher that covers half the cost of childcare, or $12,000 per child annually, for families earning up to $128,000 a year—or 100% of the State Median Income. This expansion would provide much-needed relief for working families that are currently ineligible for support and stretched too thin.

Increasing Access to a CUNY Higher Education CUNY is an engine of equitable economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income

New Yorkers, serving as a pathway to education and mobility.

To expand access to educational and economic opportunities for working adults and low-income students in the City’s public university system, the City should take the following steps to expand and enhance CUNY support programs: Baseline funding for CUNY Reconnect Expand Support for Low-Income Adult Learners by establishing CUNY Flex and CUNY Fresh Start programs that provide academic support and forgive old debt Expand CUNY ACE from reaching 3% of eligible students to 30% to boost graduation rates Expand application fee waivers for more low-income students Establishing a New Model for Holistic Community Centers To address disparities in health outcomes and community safety within certain neighborhoods, Speaker Adams proposes the creation of new community health, wellness, and recreation centers in neighborhoods with significant health and safety challenges. The Council will work with City agencies to develop the necessary planning to create these new centers, beginning in Southeast Queens.

Fixing Administrative Barriers to CityFHEPS As part of its continued commitment to reduce bureaucratic barriers to accessing CityFHEPS and ensure its effective implementation, the Council is releasing a set of improvements to the program’s application and benefit delivery processes that can be administratively implemented by the mayoral administration and Department of Social Services. These recommendations present viable, low-cost solutions to issues related to administrative delays, technology, personnel, policies and procedures, and source of income discrimination, among others.

Reducing Delayed Payments to NonProfits Despite their essential role, nonprofit service providers face significant challenges due to the City’s routinely late contract payments. To reduce payment delays to city-contracted non-profit human services organizations and ensure the timely delivery of critical services to New Yorkers, the Council will take the following actions: Advance legislation to reduce delayed payments to non-profits by shifting contracts to a grant-based model Advance legislation that requires City agencies to submit corrective action plans for Retroactive Contract Registrations Advocate for the Administration to restore funding to the Mayor’s Office of Contracts Services (MOCS) Strengthening Community Planning for

Housing & Neighborhood Development In December 2022, Speaker Adams released a Planning and Land Use Toolkit, which serves as a principled guide and set of options for Council Members, local communities, land use applicants, and city agencies to employ for successful outcomes that balance citywide goals with neighborhood needs in development.

To strengthen more inclusive community involvement and create a more equitable planning process, the Council will release a Community Planning Framework that builds on the Planning and Land Use Toolkit.

Expanding the Continuity of Mental Health Care Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs provide essential, high-intensity treatment and wraparound support services for individuals with severe mental health challenges. However, demand for these services far exceeds capacity. To address the wait lists for IMT and ACT programs and strengthen the continuum of care, the Council will fund the creation of a pilot step-down program for clients who have progressed in their recovery and require less-intensive services.

“Our members in the human services sector continue to face economic uncertainty, despite showing up and doing the delicate work of supporting the city’s most vulnerable populations, including our children,” said Henry Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37. “We applaud Speaker Adams’ commitment to reducing payment delays to city-contracted non-profits and look forward to working with the City Council to push forward legislative solutions that will ensure our human service workers are paid on time.”

“As Speaker of the New York City Council, Adrienne Adams has been a staunch advocate for fair housing policies, social justice, and workers’ rights,” said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU. “We applaud her leadership on behalf of working New Yorkers and thank her for always standing up for 32BJ members.”

“During her time on the City Council and as Speaker, Adrienne Adams has been a strong voice for the injustices that continually plague women and minorities in both the City of New York and the private sector,” said Gloria Middleton, President of CWA Local 1180. “She knows that pay inequality and lack of affordable and accessible child care are significant factors to career stagnation. She knows that increasing maternal death rates during childbirth particularly in Black and Brown communities and tensions between law enforcement and minority populations contribute to the escalating tensions of everyday life. She knows the problems that need addressing and she has been tackling them one by one.”

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

Haiti – New President of Transition Council, Economist Fritz Alphonse Jean

Fritz Alphonse Jean, a Haitian economist and former head of the central bank, became the rotating chair of Haiti’s interim presidential council on March 7, 2025, becoming the highest executive position in

a nation struggling with a bloody war with armed gangs.

After a more tense transfer in October when the first president declined to sign the transition order due to an unsolved corruption problem, Jean succeeded architect Leslie Voltaire in a cordial ceremony.

The event where Jean congratulated Voltaire took place in the Villa d’Accueil, now the government headquarters, rather than the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince, which is currently the scene of regular gunfights.

In a speech, he declared, “Today our country is at war, and it is imperative we unite to win.” He also promised to provide a “corrective war budget” and train over 3,000 new recruits for the army and police this year to overcome persistent staffing shortages.

The national police still lack adequate cash and weaponry, but the government spent around $227 million, or 9% of its

2024–2025 budget, on them, according to U.N. data.

A U.N.-backed force, with roughly 1,000 largely Kenyan troops, has partially deployed to Haiti to aid strengthen police, but since its arrival gangs have continued to gain ground, pushing hundreds of thousands more from their homes.

Currently, more than 1 million people— nearly 10% of the most populous country in the Caribbean—are internally displaced.

In a letter obtained by a popular media house last month, the U.N. stated that Haiti’s request for a more financially stable peacekeeping force is not deemed feasible unless it first significantly lessens the existing control of gangs. Instead, the U.N. suggested a hybrid model to increase the limited amount of voluntary security assistance that has been received thus far. Jean also reaffirmed his pledge to organize protracted elections by the constitution-

al date of February 7, 2026, a measure supported by the US but criticized for potentially legitimizing influential gang leaders.

According to Voltaire, there was “an atmosphere of mutual respect, friendship, solidarity, and continuity” during the recent changeover.

Jean’s tenure will expire on August 7 of this year, and businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr will take over until the deadline in February 2026.

The leadership agenda still does not include three council members who are suspected of wrongdoing but still hold their positions on the nine-member senior executive council.

Several facets of society, including the nation’s two leading police unions, have criticized the transitional council, which was established in April of last year and has been characterized by political infighting, for failing to confront the violence.

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Guyana’s plea for temporary remedies in connection with Venezuela’s declared intentions to hold elections in this nation’s Essequibo County was recognized by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Guyana has appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to impose several provisional measures against Venezuela.

Guyana’s requests are aimed at preventing Venezuela from conducting any election-related activities within the territory that lies on Guyana’s side of the boundary established by the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Specifically, Venezuela should refrain from

extending voting rights to individuals living in that territory, distributing electoral materials, supporting candidates, establishing polling stations or electoral offices, and appointing officials within that region.

Moreover, Venezuela is requested to avoid taking any actions that could be interpreted as annexing the disputed territory, including the incorporation of ‘Guayana Essequibo’ as part of Venezuela. Lastly, Venezuela must not seek to change the current situation in the disputed area, where Guyana administers and exercises control.

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CARIBNEWS

5

Caribbean Becoming ‘Chinese Lake’ US Warned Chinese political and economic might in the area has grown dramatically over the last two decades; one foreign policy expert told Newsweek that Beijing intends to “turn the Caribbean Sea into a Chinese lake.”

Additionally, there are worries that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may become less influential in the Caribbean because of the budget cuts President Donald Trump’s administration has made since taking office in January.

The switch was referred to as a “huge gift” to Beijing by one regional analyst.

China’s economic might has exploded in recent decades, making it by far the United States’ biggest geopolitical adversary. The value of Chinese manufacturing professionals reached $1.81 trillion in 2023, rising 30 times from 2002, according to data from the World Trade Organization, while the US trade imbalance was more than $1.2 trillion.

Chinese investment and commerce in the Caribbean and Central America have grown significantly in recent years. Data from the House Foreign Affairs Committee shows that when $6.1 billion in Chinese exports and $1.9 billion in imports were registered in 2019, commerce between China and the Caribbean increased from $1 billion in 2002 to $8 billion.

The committee recognized significant Chinese initiatives, such as a $600 million investment to upgrade the Dominican Republic’s electrical infrastructure and the construction of a $3 billion deep-water port on Grand Bahama, which is only 55 miles from the U.S. mainland. Forbes

reports that China is investing $773 million in Suriname and $2.1 billion in Jamaica.

Ten Caribbean nations, including Cuba, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, have joined Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative as of 2022.

Critics claim that this significant Chinese economic initiative is a front for geopolitical goals.

According to Evan Ellis, a research professor at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute who focuses on the relationship between China and Latin America, Beijing is closely monitoring the broader strategic picture, even though individual Chinese companies primarily have commercial goals.

Ellis stated, “Although I don’t believe that Chinese companies pursue presence in the region principally because of the military value, the military opportunities that such commercial presence, and political and military relationships potentially provide in time of war, are obvious to the People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese government.”

He further noted, “On a per capita basis, there is no other part of the Western Hemisphere that receives the quantity of trips for its police and defense force officials two Chinese military institutions, gifts of police and military vehicles and material, visits by Chinese hospital ships, and other [People’s Liberation Army] military diplomacy as does the Caribbean.”

According to Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, a security think group located in London, Beijing is actively

Jamaica - PJ Patterson On Bolt Financial Fraud Scam

attempting to undermine the United States in the Caribbean.

“China appears intent on trying to turn the Caribbean Sea into a Chinese lake with its strategic investments and attempts to secure influence in the region,” Mendoza noted.

“The Trump administration could easily employ a carrot and stick approach to roll this back, however, by offering trade and investment inducements of its own while making clear the consequences of ignoring a generous offer.”

According to John Lee, a senior scholar at the Hudson Institute think tank and a former senior national security advisor to the Australian foreign minister from 2016 to 2018, Chinese actions pose a “threefold” danger to American dominance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lee stated, “First, increased economic, financial, and technological dependency on China offers Beijing opportunity to exert influence in the geopolitical decisions and even domestic politics of smaller states…Second, China seeks to redefine and change the rules and standards used by nations to conduct commerce and trade in its favor.”

The unification of Taiwan with the Chinese mainland has been referred to as “inevitable”

by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has not ruled out the use of force to settle the dispute.

To undermine Taiwan’s international credibility, China has been aggressively pressuring nations in the Caribbean and Central America to sever ties with Taiwan. Nicaragua, the

Dominican Republic, and Panama have severed their long-standing diplomatic relations with Taiwan in recent years.

China now has a far greater influence on the trategically important Panama Canal, since Hong Kong-based businesses now operate ports close to its entry. Although some analysts caution against overestimating this threat, this has raised worries about China’s potential to impede canal trade during times of conflict.

U.S. law enforcement has also seen an increase in interactions with suspected Chinese illegal migrants at the Canadian and Mexican borders.

China sees mass migration from Caribbean and Latin American failing nations as a means of snagging American resources.

China may try to shut off U.S. activities on the southern border in the case of a crisis between the two countries. In order to benefit China, the Trump administration has cut staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and intends to shut it down.

This might lessen American influence in the Caribbean and Central America. USAID has provided significant money to civil society organizations in nations that support Beijing, and reducing this support is perceived as a gift to China. In general, the United States finds it difficult to restrain Chinese influence in the area without offering alternatives, and the U.S.’s inability to address the requirements of Caribbean and Central American nations is one factor contributing to China’s increasing influence.

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Former Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) employee Jean-Ann Panton is accused of being the only culprit of the multibillion-dollar scam that has shaken the investment company and the country, but former prime minister and attorney, PJ Patterson has questioned such claim.

Patterson stated, “I know that there is a legal presumption of innocence, to which all accused are entitled. If anyone who thinks that whatever Miss Panton is accused of doing - if, in fact, she did anything - could be done by her alone, must still believe that the world is flat.”

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King’s Counsel Patterson stated that as an experienced lawyer, he focuses on verifiable facts rather than “rumor, speculation, or gossip.”

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2025

Remarks of the UN Secretary-General at the Opening of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Mr. Chair, Excellencies, dear friends, Allow me a particular word of welcome to our friends from civil society – you drive gender equality forward...

In the face of immense obstacles, you strive to make our societies more just, more fair, more representative – and as a result more resilient and more prosperous for everyone.

I salute you and I thank you.

Excellencies, dear friends, We gather as the world marks thirty years since countries convened in Beijing…

Reaffirmed women’s rights as human rights…

And promised and I quote, “Equality, development and peace for all women, everywhere”.

Of course, we always knew that would never happen overnight – or even over years.

But three decades on, that promise feels more distant than we might ever have imagined.

Women’s rights are under siege. The poison of patriarchy is back – and it is back with a vengeance: Slamming the brakes on action; tearing-up progress; and mutating into new and dangerous forms.

But there is an antidote.

That antidote is action.

Now is the time for those of us who care about equality for women and girls to stand up and to speak out.

Now is the time for the world to accelerate progress and deliver on the promise of Beijing.

Excellencies, dear Friends, In the past thirty years, the world has moved forward: In boosting girls’ education, cutting maternal mortality, increasing legal protections, and more.

But immense gaps persist.

Age-old horrors like violence, discrimination, and economic inequality are rife.

The gender pay gap still stands at twenty percent.

Globally, almost one in three women have been subject to violence.

And horrific sexual violence in conflict is happening from Haiti to Sudan.

In many countries, women and girls are still denied the most basic of rights: The right not to be raped by your husband...

The right to own property or confer citizenship on an equal footing with men, or to access

credit without your husband’s permission.

And around the world, hard-won gains are being thrown into reverse: Reproductive rights are under attack, and equality initiatives discarded.

In Afghanistan, women and girls have been stripped of their most basic rights – forbidden even from raising their voices in public.

Meanwhile, new technologies – including Artificial Intelligence – are creating the conditions to allow new platforms for violence and abuse, normalizing misogyny and online revenge.

Up to 95 percent of all online deepfakes are non-consensual pornographic images. 90 per cent depict women.

And unequal access to technologies inflames existing inequalities.

Excellencies, dear friends, Why have we not come further?

No doubt, global crises have hampered progress: COVID-19 saw a swell of violence against women and girls, and labour market participation fall.

The debt crisis is draining funds and shrinking fiscal space for programmes of gender equality.

Escalating climate disasters are hitting women and girls hardest.

And equality for women and girls is a casualty of surging conflicts around the world.

Yet, global crises are not the only obstacles.

New laws on the books have not been matched by investments to make them real on the ground …

Nor have they universally been grounded in international human rights standards and principles.

Discriminatory norms endure …

Political will is often weak…

So is accountability.

Funding for women’s human rights organisations has nose-dived.

Civic space is shrinking.

Women’s rights defenders increasingly face harassment and threats.

And around the world, the masters of misogyny are gaining in strength, confidence and influence.

We see it in the bile hurled at women online.

We see it in attempts to gut women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms.

And we see it in the leaders happy to throw

equality to the wolves.

Dear friends, Equality for women and girls is a human right.

It is a matter of justice.

It is the foundation of sustainable development and lasting peace.

And it is essential for humanity.

By ensuring access to quality education for girls, and opening the doors of opportunity to decent work for women, we kick-start economic growth and we forge stronger economies.

And by giving women and girls their rightful seat at the table, we boost our chances of solving immense challenges – from climate to conflict.

So how do we accelerate progress?

First — by boosting sustainable finance for sustainable development – to deliver sustainable funding for women’s equality.

The Pact for the Future, agreed last year, takes bold strides forward.

The rights of women and girls run through the Pact.

I urge all countries to deliver its commitments in full…

And to prioritize investments in gender equality: Investments in education and training…

Investments in economic empowerment – including adequate pay and pensions for care givers – the majority of whom are women…

And investments to eradicate all forms of violence and harassment – the United Nations’ Spotlight Initiative shows what a difference they can make.

Second – we need to step-up support for women’s organizations.

They play a vital role in accountability – in pushing progress, defending rights, and ensuring women and girls – and their interests – are heard.

We need governments to expand the space for civil society.

And to protect women’s human rights defenders, and ensure those threatening them are brought to justice.

We must also strengthen institutional accountability mechanisms within governments to drive progress.

Third – we need action on technology: The Global Digital Compact commits to action for women and girls:

To encourage their leadership…

To correct gender-biased data…

To address and eliminate all forms of violence using digital technologies…

To ensure capacity-building initiatives are targeted and tailored to women and girls…

And to promote their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Fourth, we need to guarantee women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peacebuilding.

This is a proven path to more enduring solutions – as recognized by UN Security Council resolution 1325, adopted twenty-five years ago.

The Pact for the Future commits to integrate women in all aspects of conflict prevention, and building and sustaining peace. This must be honoured.

Finally, we need action to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership in decision-making – at every level and all walks of life.

We need women leading in government and policy-making – a tried and tested means of improving health, education, and childcare, and of tackling violence against women and girls.

And we need women leading in business.

We know what works: temporary special measures, such as quotas, targeted appointments, and parity goals must help and countries and companies should use them.

I speak from experience.

The United Nations has led by example.

For the first time in history, we achieved and maintained gender parity among senior leadership at headquarters and around the world.

And we did this in a very elementary way: we expanded the search for qualified candidates.

We never compromised on competence.

We simply leveled the playing field.

And we discovered a core truth: a rising pool of talent lifts all boats.

Dear friends, The United Nations is stronger today because we are more representative of the world we serve.

And we are determined to do even more to deliver for the world’s women and girls.

CARICOM Welcomes Albert Ramdin as OAS Secretary-General The Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) has warmly congratulated His Excellency Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname, on his historic election as the new Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Mr. Ramdin was elected for the term 20252030, during the Fifty-Sixth Special Session of the General Assembly of the OAS on 10 March. This landmark election marks the

first time a representative from a CARICOM Member State has been elected as Secretary-General of the OAS. COFCOR is of the view that Mr. Ramdin’s election reflects the confidence of Member States in his abilities. The Council expressed confidence that with a career distinguished by extensive experience in foreign policy and diplomacy, including a previous tenure as OAS Assistant Secretary-General, he is well-equipped to guide the organisation in ad-

dressing critical issues such as peace, security, socio-economic development, democracy, and good governance across the hemisphere.

“The Caribbean Community is confident that Minister Ramdin will serve in his new role with distinction, upholding the OAS Charter and demonstrating the necessary expertise to navigate regional challenges, thereby contributing to the shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous hemisphere,” COFCOR stated.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2025

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T&T - PM Designate Young to Bring Social Media Reform

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Studies at the University of the West Indies, responded to the news by saying, “Minister Young has been raising this as an issue for some years, but we need details before we can assess what’s planned.

The population is skeptical as the minister has been in government since 2015, so anyone would ask; why tackle these now and not all that time? But we look forward to consultation and the right promises made and kept.”

Hosein went on to say that it is encouraging that the minister views women and girls as a group whose needs and rights are important. She went on to say, “That signals a real opportunity for us to lobby for what women really want and need.”

Additionally, the Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s general manager, Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh, praised the announcement, adding, “The platform is also being used as a means for digital disinformation and even extortion. Regulatory procedures, especially around consent, must be introduced to address some of these issues.

Then there are also issues around defamation and consequences for disinformation.

Policies that promote responsible behavior and which penalize harmful behavior on this platform are much needed.”



If the PNM wins the upcoming general election, Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young has promised to introduce laws to regulate social media. Young said this while speaking at the PNM’s National Women’s League’s observance of International Women’s Day yesterday at Signature Hall in Chaguanas.

Although Young pledged to implement more severe sanctions for domestic abuse, he attacked social media.

He stated, “To the young women in our society today, one of the things I also un dertake that we are going to do in the next chapter when the country gives us the

sioner of Police Gary Griffith’s claim that the police utilize surveillance technologies to monitor and analyze social media activity during a Standing Finance Committee hearing in the House of Representatives in October 2019. Speaking at a regional cybersecurity workshop later that month, he declared social media to be the “single largest threat we now have to democracy.”

In T&T, there have been several cases before the court concerning defamatory statements made on social media. Financial sextortion has also become an increasing concern in the country.

Young criticized the “irresponsible use of mandate to continue to lead–for the PNM social media.” Additionally, he attacked to form the next Government until 2030– Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the leader of the what that Government is going to do is opposition, saying, “You will judge who is reform the laws and legislation concernthe party that really appreciates our woming social media, because you see, while en, who is the party that lifted our women social media is a good platform, it has also into their rightful positions of leadership become, unfortunately, a tool for cowards from the presidency right down to a to attack our women, our young girls whole-of-society, which is the party that and our society. I am not going to stand respects our women and listens carefully by idly once you give me the mandate to and attentively to our women as opposed lead this country and allow that to remain to those in positions of leadership who untouched in the laws of T&T.” denigrate, attack and dispose of women as Young has previously attacked social9.875” they have shown over the last 15 years.” media. In his capacity as National Security Dr. Gabrielle Hosein, a lecturer at the Minister, Young supported then-Commis- Institute for Gender and Development

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A Global Effort: Women for Peace At a time when the world seems consumed by war and conflict, when images of devastation flood our screens and the cries of those suffering grow louder, a new movement is rising—a movement led by women. #WomenForPeace is not just a campaign; it is a demand, a collective cry from women leaders across the globe who refuse to stand idly by as bloodshed continues.

Their voices, urgent and unwavering, call for an immediate ceasefire, the safe release of hostages, the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, and a return to peace negotiations with women at the table.

It is a powerful statement, one that asserts a simple but profound truth: wars are not won; they are endured, and those who endure them most are often the ones with the least say in their course. The women spearheading this effort—United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, among others— understand this deeply. They know that the consequences of war disproportionately fall on women and children, that the destruction of homes and communities often leaves women with the impossible task of rebuilding what has been lost. And so they are stepping forward, using their positions not for political posturing, but for a desperate plea to bring an end to senseless violence.

For those of us in the Caribbean, there is a special sense of pride in seeing Mia Mottley among these leaders. The Prime Minister of Barbados has never been one to shy away from

the global stage. She speaks with a moral clarity that cuts through diplomatic niceties, unafraid to call out hypocrisy or demand action from those with the power to change the course of history. In the context of this movement, she carries with her not just the voice of Barbados, but the voice of a Caribbean region that understands the importance of diplomacy, unity, and peaceful coexistence. The Caribbean may not be embroiled in war, but it knows the struggles of small nations, the consequences of economic instability, and the importance of global solidarity. Mottley, in championing this initiative, ensures that our region is not just a bystander in the fight for peace, but an active participant in shaping its future.

The calls for peace are not new, but they are urgent. The world has seen too many conflicts spiral out of control, with leaders justifying the deaths of civilians as collateral damage in their pursuit of power. The current wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and beyond have followed a tragic pattern—bombs fall, families flee, world leaders issue statements of condemnation, and yet the violence continues. What makes #WomenForPeace different is not just the moral clarity of its demands but its insistence that women be central to peace negotiations. Historically, women have been pushed to the periphery of conflict resolution, their voices considered secondary to the men who have waged the wars in the first place. Yet when women are involved in peace processes, the agreements reached are more likely to last, more likely to address the needs of civilians, and more likely to lead

to true reconciliation rather than temporary ceasefires.

This is not idealism; it is a fact backed by history and research. In Liberia, it was a women-led movement that helped bring an end to years of civil war. In Colombia, women played a crucial role in brokering peace after decades of violence. And time and again, when women are included in negotiations, the resulting agreements are stronger, more just, and more durable. The women leading this initiative are not asking for a symbolic seat at the table; they are demanding real influence over the decisions that will determine whether families live or die, whether communities are rebuilt or left in ruins.

The response to their call has been both inspiring and revealing. Across the world, ordinary people are rallying behind this movement, using the simple but powerful act of raising a white flag—whether in public demonstrations or social media—to show solidarity. The growing chorus for peace is a reminder that the majority of people, regardless of nationality, do not want war. They want safety, dignity, and a future where their children do not have to grow up fearing airstrikes or gunfire. Yet the resistance from those in power has also been clear. Those who profit from war—politically, economically, or ideologically—have little interest in these demands. It is a familiar reality: war is lucrative, and peace is inconvenient for those who thrive on division.

But history is shaped not only by those in power but by those who refuse to accept the

status quo. That is what makes this moment significant. Women leaders are doing what too many governments have failed to do—placing humanity above politics, insisting that peace is not just a distant ideal but an immediate necessity. They are not asking for permission to speak; they are speaking because they must, because lives depend on it.

As Carib News, we stand firmly behind this effort. The world does not need more war. It does not need more destruction, more suffering, more headlines detailing yet another city reduced to rubble. What it needs is a commitment to peace—not just from world leaders but from all of us. It needs a collective willingness to demand an end to violence, to push for negotiations, to reject the notion that war is an inevitability rather than a choice.

Mia Mottley, Amina Mohammed, Sima Bahous, and the many others leading this charge are showing us that another path is possible.

They are showing us that peace is not weakness but strength. That diplomacy is not delay but a necessity. That the voices of women, so often dismissed or ignored, are not just relevant to the conversation—they are essential.

The question now is whether the world will listen. Whether those in power will choose to end the bloodshed or let it continue. Whether the voices for peace will be louder than the drums of war.

We can only hope that this time, they will be.

A Global Call to Action: Confronting the Rising Violence Against Women As we observe Women’s History Month, a time meant for celebrating the achievements of women worldwide, it is impossible to ignore the troubling reality that violence against women is on the rise. The United Nations has reported an alarming increase in assaults against women, with more women being killed by intimate partners and more suffering violence in conflict zones than ever before. In a world where women have fought for decades for equality, it is disheartening to see hardwon gains met with backlash. This moment demands global reflection and urgent action.

The statistics are staggering. In 2023 alone, an estimated 51,100 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members, amounting to 140 lives lost every day. This represents a sharp increase from the previous year, confirming that for many women, the greatest threat to their safety is not found in the streets but within their own homes. Beyond domestic violence, war and conflict have proven even more devastating for women, with the number of women killed in war zones nearly

doubling. The UN has documented a 50% rise in conflict-related sexual violence over the last year, highlighting the vulnerability of women in regions torn apart by war.

These numbers are more than statistics; they are a grim reflection of a world that has failed to protect women. The persistence of gender-based violence is rooted in a global system of inequality, where patriarchal power structures normalize abuse and silence survivors.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly warned that women’s rights are under attack, calling for a renewed commitment to gender equality. He has pointed out that gender equality is fundamentally a question of power, and as long as patriarchal control remains intact, the safety and rights of women will continue to be undermined.

This erosion of women’s rights is evident across the world. In the United States, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has severely restricted access to reproductive healthcare, marking a significant setback for women’s bodily autonomy.

In Russia, domestic violence laws have been

blocked or watered down, reinforcing a culture of impunity for abusers. In countries across the globe, efforts to push for gender equity are met with resistance, as ultraconservative movements seek to roll back progress. The backlash is not just about individual policies but a broader effort to reassert male dominance and restrict women’s freedom.

The problem is further exacerbated by the normalization of misogyny in online spaces, where the “manosphere” fosters dangerous narratives that encourage violence against women.

High-profile figures with millions of followers actively promote anti-feminist ideologies, influencing young men to see gender equality as a threat. Jackson Katz, a leading educator in gender violence prevention, has argued that violence against women is not solely a women’s issue—it is a men’s issue as well. Men must be part of the solution, speaking out against sexist behavior and challenging the attitudes that contribute to violence.

While these challenges are daunting, this moment also presents an opportunity to recommit

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to the fight for women’s rights. Governments must take decisive action to strengthen legal protections, hold perpetrators accountable, and fund support services for survivors. Civil society organizations must continue pushing for gender-sensitive policies and demanding accountability from leaders who fail to act.

And on an individual level, people of all genders must challenge the harmful norms that allow violence to persist.

Women’s History Month is more than a time for celebration—it is a call to action. The rise in violence against women, the erosion of reproductive rights, and the broader backlash against gender equality must not be met with silence.

The world must stand in solidarity with women and take bold steps to ensure their safety, dignity, and equality. The fight is far from over, but with collective action, we can hope to see a future where women’s rights are not just protected, but fully realized.

KARL B. RODNEY PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF KARLISA RODNEY NEWS EDITOR MELL P MANAGING EDITOR

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They Cannot Rob Us of Our History and Our Place in America’s Story

by Ben Jealous

My grandfather’s first cousin was Lieutenant Colonel Howard Lee Baugh. Cousin Howard was part of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first unit of the Tuskegee Airmen. This month marks the 84th anniversary of the activation of the Squadron at Chanute Field in Rantoul, Illinois, about 120 miles southwest of Chicago.

A few years ago, I sat with my friend Norman Lear, the late TV legend behind shows like All in the Family and The Jeffersons that became important American cultural staples. Norman and I figured out that my cousin Howard was one of the Tuskegee Airmen who escorted Norman on some of his bombing missions during World War II. (In addition to creating those social consciousness-raising shows and founding People For the American Way, Norman’s patriotic resume also included 52 bomber missions in America’s fight against global fascism.)

It was an amazing connection to make to this piece of my own proud piece of family history. A lifesized bronze statue of Lt. Col. Baugh stands in permanent tribute to him and the other Tuskegee Airmen in the Black History Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

This history is personal to me because of

the family connection to the Airmen – Lt. Col. Baugh was actually one of two of my grandfather’s cousins who were Tuskegee Airmen – but this is history that is important to countless Black Americans. It is also history the Trump administration seemingly wants to erase from existence.

Beyond the federal government no longer recognizing celebrations such as Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the Pentagon is removing every program, mention, image, or individual they say is associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The Trump administration already fired Air Force General CQ Brown, Jr. – another history-making Black fighter pilot like my cousin Lt. Col. Baugh – as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s first female chief.

Now, it was reported last week that more than 26,000 (so far) photographs or online posts have been flagged for deletion in a Pentagon database because they apparently arouse Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s suspicion of DEI. Among them: photos of the Tuskegee Airmen.

To give you an idea of the precision of this white-washing frenzy, also targeted on the list are images captioned with or including

the word “gay.” And, as of last week, that included references to the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb over Hiroshima, and photographs of people whose last name is Gay. And it would not be Women’s History Month under the new Trump administration without targeting references to pathbreaking women among the various war heroes and historic military firsts – women like Air Force Colonel Jeannie Leavitt, the country’s first female fighter pilot, and Private First Class Christina Fuentes Montenegro, one of the first three women to graduate from the Marine Corps’ Infantry Training Battalion. Also listed in the database was an image of Private First Class Harold Gonsalves, who was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during World War II and happened to be Mexican-American.

In his perverse view of DEI, Secretary Hegseth thinks removing DEI initiatives means erasing history. And he says “DEI is dead” in the US military because it puts certain groups ahead of others and erodes cohesion and camaraderie among the ranks. But the truth is the opposite. It is not only just and moral that we recognize the contributions of people from margin-

alized groups (especially when they are military heroes who opened up doors for future generations). It is unifying.

We are all Americans. But some of us have just had our communities’ histories and contributions ignored, and even suppressed. Protecting every community’s, every family’s place in the American story is vital. It is vital for the children who otherwise would not see people they identify with in our history books. And it is vital for America to be what Frederick Douglass knew we could be: “the perfect national illustration of the unity and dignity of the human family.”

Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Bipartisan Effort Seeks to Protect Workers and Crack Down on Child Labor Violations

by Stacy M. Brown, BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have introduced a bipartisan bill to accelerate contract negotiations for newly formed unions and prevent corporations from using delay tactics to weaken collective bargaining. The Faster Labor Contracts Act has drawn support from Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), signaling a rare bipartisan push to strengthen workers’ rights. The legislation targets a major obstacle for unionized workers—securing an initial contract. While current law requires employers to negotiate in good faith, it does not impose a timeframe for reaching an agreement. As a result, many new unions face lengthy delays, often exceeding a year, as corporations stall negotiations. A Bloomberg Law study from 2021 found that, on average, it takes 465 days for newly unionized workers to obtain their first contract.

“Americans deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, and good benefits in exchange for their hard work—and forming a union helps workers fight for fairness in their workplace,” Booker said. “Workers who vote to join a union have the right to form that union quickly, instead of facing years of delays from big corporations.” Hawley said

corporate strategies to undermine collective bargaining must be addressed. “The status quo hurts workers,” he said. “Despite exercising their legal—and moral—right to bargain collectively, workers are often prevented from enjoying the benefits of the union they voted to form when mega-corporations drag their feet, slow-walk contract negotiations, and try to erode support for the union. It’s wrong.” The legislation would require employers to begin negotiating within 10 days of union certification.

The dispute would refer to mediation if an agreement is not reached within 90 days.

If mediation fails within 30 days, the case will move to binding arbitration. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to track workplace contract delays one year after enactment.

Merkley said the bill would help ensure fair treatment for workers. “When unions thrive, working families thrive. Our bipartisan effort is an important step forward to support hardworking Americans by making it easier to form a union, leading to better wages and benefits for all workers.” Peters said corporate interference has denied workers the ability to bargain for fair wages.

“When employees stand together to organize their workplace, they deserve to get to

the bargaining table as soon as possible,” he said. The Teamsters, a major labor union, backed the legislation. “Greedy corporations will stop at nothing to keep workers from getting a fair first contract. Their playbook is simple: stall, delay, and drag out negotiations to deny workers from securing the wages and conditions they deserve,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Teamsters are proud to support the Faster Labor Contracts Act—real labor law reform that forces employers to bargain in good faith and holds them accountable when they don’t.” In addition to pushing for faster union contracts, Hawley and Booker reintroduced legislation on Monday that would bar companies from receiving federal contracts if they have been found to have committed serious, repeated, or pervasive violations of child labor laws.

The bill’s timing coincides with the Senate confirmation vote for Lori ChavezDeRemer, President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary. Hawley raised concerns about child labor violations during Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation hearing and said companies benefiting from federal contracts should be held to a higher standard. “Companies that illegally employ children should not be rewarded with lucra-

tive federal government contracts that make corporations millions,” Hawley said. “This bipartisan legislation would hold companies accountable for engaging in child labor exploitation and rightfully ensure offenders face consequences.” The proposal follows investigations from NBC News and The New York Times, which revealed that several American companies illegally employed young teenagers in hazardous jobs, many of whom were unaccompanied migrant children who entered the U.S. in recent years. Booker and Hawley’s bill would require federal contractors to disclose child labor violations from the past three years, with the labor secretary maintaining a list of ineligible companies. O’Brien said the legislation was long overdue. “This is about accountability. No company that profits from exploiting children should receive a dime of taxpayer money,” he said.

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Music Trailblazer Doechii Named 2025 Billboard Woman of the Year

by Mell Payn

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, music trailblazer Doechii stands out as a defining

figure in music today. The genre-blending artist is set to receive the prestigious 2025 Woman of the Year award at the annual Billboard Women in Music event on March 29, at YouTube Theater in Hollywood Park, Inglewood, California.

Just two years ago, Doechii was honored with the Rising Star award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event. With this latest recognition, she joins an exclusive club of women who have transitioned from Rising Star to Woman of the Year, following in the footsteps of global icons Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.

“After receiving the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2023, Doechii has quickly gained recognition in the music industry for her bold creativity and impressive talent,” said Hannah Karp, editorial director of Billboard.

“With her genre-blending sound, Doechii is redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in the music industry. We are honored to celebrate Doechii and cheer on her continued success!”

The Woman of the Year award is one of the most coveted accolades in the music world, having previously been awarded to legends like Karol G, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo,

Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Madonna.

Doechii’s recognition is particularly significant, as she becomes the second rap artist ever to win the honor, following Cardi B in 2020.

Additionally, Doechii is the second artist from Florida to claim the title—Ariana Grande, born in Boca Raton, was the first in 2018.

Doechii’s meteoric rise continued this year with a historic Grammy win. On February 2, she became the second solo woman to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album, following Cardi B. Her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal” earned rave reviews, and her unforgettable Grammy performance of “Denial Is a River” and “Catfish” was hailed as one of the night’s best by Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz.

Her success didn’t stop there. Just weeks later, Doechii was named Outstanding New Artist at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, cementing her place as a rising star in the industry. “Alligator Bites Never Heal” has charted as high as No. 14 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and two of her songs, “What It Is (Block Boy)” and “Denial Is a River,” have made waves in the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Doechii’s unique sound, bold lyrics, and

unapologetic authenticity have solidified her as one of the most exciting and influential voices in music today. As she continues to break barriers and rewrite the rules, Doechii is proving to be an undeniable force in the industry—and a true trailblazer for Women’s History Month.

Beyond her groundbreaking music, Doechii has also carved out a reputation as a fashion trailblazer. With a fearless and boundary-pushing approach to style, she effortlessly blends high fashion with streetwear, creating looks that are as bold and dynamic as her music.

Whether she’s rocking oversized blazers, daring cuts, or futuristic accessories, Doechii consistently uses fashion as a form of self-expression.

Her wardrobe choices make a statement—she’s not afraid to take risks, mixing colors, textures, and silhouettes in ways that challenge conventional fashion norms. Her unique sense of style has made her a standout on red carpets, at events, and in music videos, earning her recognition as one of the most exciting and fashion-forward artists of her generation.

Through her fashion, Doechii continues to redefine what it means to be an artist in the modern era, proving that style and substance go hand in hand.

Issa Rae Spotlights the History of Black Television in “Seen & Heard”

by Mell Payn

In her recent keynote conversation “A Conversation with Issa Rae” at SXSW, actress and executive producer, Issa Rae, shared that she is working to spotlight the history of Black television with her upcoming HBO docuseries “Seen & Heard”, a project she discussed at length at the conference.

“Seen and Heard” is a two-part documentary that travels through time, creating a kaleidoscopic portrait of Black talent being “seen,” to Black creatives being “heard,” shaping today’s Golden Age of Black television.

The first episode of “Seen & Heard”, as described by Rotten Tomatoes’ Jacqueline Coley, focuses on how studios historically “used Black audiences” and then “abandoned them as soon as it was convenient.”

Rae expressed a deep desire to explore this narrative, calling it “something that sounds like a conspiracy,” but after producing the documentary, she discovered just how true this pattern had been.

“It’s one thing to say it. You might have heard someone say that in the history of television and the history of particular networks,” Rae explained. “But to have the actual creators, showrunners, and writers chronicle the history of that is undeniable.

We wanted to make a comprehensive history and showcase, with evidence, that this is how they built the success of their networks on our backs, and we almost don’t have anything to show for it as a result. It’s tragic, and history repeats itself.”

The docuseries features iconic television figures like Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Norman Lear, and others. While their careers are already well-documented, Rae highlighted how some of them revealed untold aspects of their journeys in the series. “They have these incredible stories, and they may not have been asked questions about their journey and their vision in this particular way,” she said. “To be able to get Oprah, to give Mara Brock Akil her flowers, to have Tyler Perry talk about his journey creating a studio that so many of us aspire to — watching it myself and hearing some of these stories for the first time inspires me.

The end of that documentary inspires me

to do more and get my shit together.”

In addition to the groundbreaking project, Rae also opened up about how reality television played a significant role in motivating her early career, albeit in a negative way. She described the genre as her “villain origin story.” While Black sitcoms like “Moesha”, “Girlfriends”, and “Martin” initially inspired her, she became frustrated with the decline of Black scripted shows in the late 2000s. The rise of reality TV, particularly the portrayal of Black women, became a source of frustration for Rae. “The disappearance of that infuriated me, but then the advent of reality television, specifically where the portrayal of Black women was concerned, made me upset.

And it was just because it was all we had.

As much as I enjoyed watching it and gathered all my friends to my little college apartment, it was still like, ‘Let’s watch this bullshit.’ It was hate-watching.”

Rae went on to recount a specific moment from “Flavor of Love”—the infamous reality dating show featuring Flavor Flav— that motivated her to take action. “There was this girl named Something, because he gave them all nicknames that were sometimes disrespectful, and she needed to use the restroom,” Rae recalled. “They were doing a ceremony, so the producers told her she couldn’t go to the bathroom, and she ended up shitting on the floor. On TV. And they still aired it.”

Rae reflected, “I was like, ‘This is humiliating, and this is all Black women have on television right now.’ Because “Girlfriends” was gone. All these other shows had just disappeared. That’s when I started film blogging and talking a bunch of shit, and someone was like, ‘You talk a lot of mess.

Why don’t you make something?’ So shout out to that person.”

Rae’s journey from frustrated viewer to groundbreaking creator underscores her commitment to reshaping how Black stories are told and represented on screen.

Through “Seen & Heard” and her ongoing work, Rae continues to shed light on the untold histories and overlooked legacies of Black television, inspiring future generations to do more and claim their place in the industry.

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CARIBNEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

Global Leaders Launch #WomenForPeace Global women leaders are uniting in solidarity for peace at a time of escalating war and conflicts. #WomenForPeace – a new global initiative – is demanding to stop the carnage, an immediate humanitarian access, and return to the peace negotiating table with women.

The movement, led by senior women leaders, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley; UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, –is launched ahead of this year’s Women, Peace and Security Week.

Two of the leaders of #WomenForPeace. UN Deputy-Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and Iceland´s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

UN Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

Unite in solidarity for peace Women leaders around the world are amplifying voices and leading the call to unite in solidarity for peace, and for ensuring the safety, dignity and rights of civilians caught in the crossfire of war. With so many on the warpath, women are choosing the path to peace.

Today, they call on leaders to ensure the protection of civilians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Let us remember that wherever there is a

conflict, women and children often bear the brunt. #WomenForPeace is calling for solidarity and action to ensure the safety, dignity and rights of civilians in all conflicts are upheld. #WomenForPeace recognizes that women are active agents for peace, who shape the future of their communities and contribute to a more peaceful world.

Call to action: join #WomenForPeace Stop the carnage!

Allow immediate humanitarian access Return to the peace table with women Take action Join the #WomenForPeace movement and call for action.

Women, Peace and Security Week – during the week, join us, through your presence, voice and action.

Every Friday starting on 27 October – wear a swatch of white and/or raise a white flag to stand up for civilians, especially women and children, caught in the crossfire of conflicts, in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and other conflict zones.

‘We need a reset’ says Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley

Mia Mottley is the 8th Prime Minister of Barbados. She became the first woman to occupy the high office, following the general elections on May 24th, 2018.

Prime Minister Mottley has campaigned extensively for climate action and debt sustainability in middle-income countries and small states. In 2021 she was awarded the Champions of the Earth Award for her

“if ever there was a time to pause and to reset, it is now collectively, collectively as an international community and individually, as leaders in each of our countries.”

She said it was incumbent on leaders to “deliver new opportunities and solutions to these crises which dampen economic growth, which restrict the ambitions of our people and numb our sense of the

“Let us seize the moment to move forward, together, to ensure the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the end of the Decade of Action and Delivery on the Sustainable Development Goals. ” leadership.

In September 2024, Mottley told leaders at the annual general debate that over the last four years the world has faced ‘poly-crises.’

“We continue to wrestle with the climate crisis as a human family, We grapple with the legacy of the pandemic,” she said, adding that “we are now regrettably confronted by multiple theaters of war and scenes of horror and famine flowing from that war, armed conflict, instead of pursuing the development of citizens of every country.”

Citing Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Sudan, Ms. Mottley said that the world could not “afford the distraction of war,” saying that,

beauty and goodness that the world ought to be offering,” She added this reset is what “all of our citizens are demanding.”

Simply put she said that too many people “go to bed with their belly hungry.”

An inability to reset globally will foster “a crisis of confidence in the existing international order, which must become inclusive and responsive for all,” she said.

This global reset should target our rules and institutions, aiming to end discrimination and processes that create first- and second-class citizens depending on your nation of origin, she continued.

Recalling that 2024 was the final year of

UN Photo/Loey Felipe Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados

the UN Decade, Ms. Mottley said that while much had been achieved, Barbados and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) were joining the growing chorus for the immediate proclamation of a second Decade to address the matter of reparations for slavery and colonialism.

As wars continue to rage around the world, the UN she said has an important role. “There are few areas where the world is more in need of the United Nations acting as the United Nations to secure the objectives of the Charter than in the area of peace and security,” she noted.

However, Ms. Mottley added that the UN, and especially the Security Council, needs reform, underlining that the current

configuration of permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council “has no place in the 21st century.”

The Barbadian Prime Minister highlighted areas where she felt reason for optimism including the adoption by global leaders of the Pact for the Future, a landmark declaration that sets out the commitment by countries around the world to foster sustainable development, peace and stronger global governance.

Ultimately, she said “above all else, we need a global reset on peace. There needs to be global peace. It can’t be too difficult to work for peace.”

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

CARIBNEWS

NYC - Jamaican Charged with Taylor Swift Concert Tickets Scam Authorities in New York City have accused a cybercrime crew, which included people “working in Kingston, Jamaica,” of stealing almost 1,000 concert tickets to various high-profile events on the StubHub platform, including the world-renowned Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, and then reselling them for thousands of dollars.

They have been charged with second-degree grand larceny, first-degree and fourth-degree computer tampering, and

fourth-degree conspiracy.

Rose and Simmons are expected to appear in court again. Each face three to fifteen years in jail if found guilty.

Another person who was allegedly involved in the plan is still at large. According to authorities, Swift’s highly sought-after Eras Tour, which made over $2.7 billion in ticket sales last year and became the highest-grossing tour of all time, was the primary target of the stolen tickets.

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Jamaica - 28 Murders in 8 Days The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) released its most recent major crime figures, showing that 28 murders were committed in Jamaica to date in March.

Several cabinet officials, notably Dana Morris Dixon, the minister of education, skills, youth, and information, and Dr. Horace Chang, the minister of national security, have stated that this comes after a record-breaking February in which just 47 homicides were reported, the fewest monthly total since 2000.

Across the 19 police divisions, 117 homicides were reported between January 1

and February 28. As of March 8, there were 145 homicides, 51 less than the previous year.

This amounts to a 26% decrease in homicides.

Regional divisions in double digits include St Andrew South (23), St Catherine South (16), St James (11), St Catherine North (11), St Andrew Central (10), and Westmoreland (10).

The numbers show a 19% decrease in serious crimes, such as robberies, rapes, and shootings.

US - Rubio says US Canceling 83% of USAID Projects

On March 10, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) initiatives will be discontinued.

To allow his administration time to evaluate international expenditures and eliminate programs that do not fit with his “America First” vision, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in Jan-

uary calling for a freeze on all US foreign aid.

Rubio said on social networking platform X, “After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID.” Rubio added, “The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in

some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.”

US humanitarian aid is distributed globally via USAID, which operates emergency and health programs in around 120 nations.

The State Department, which oversees USAID, declared on February 26 that it will terminate 5,800 grants and reduce

92% of the agency’s program financing.

The Department of federal Efficiency (DOGE), which billionaire Elon Musk is spearheading to reduce expenses and lay off employees across federal agencies, was specifically commended by Rubio on Monday. According to Trump and his supporters, foreign aid is unnecessary and does not advance US interests.

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CARIBHEALTH

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

Dr. Sandra Lindsay - ‘Dignity for All’ to Help with Female Health Needs

Dr. Sandra Lindsay, the Jamaican nurse who made history as the first person in the United States to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, has returned home with a new mission—tackling period poverty. On Peace Day, observed nationwide on Tuesday, she launched “Dignity for All” at Camperdown High School in Kingston, providing free pad dispensers in school bathrooms for the next year. Dr Lindsay

was moved to act after hearing the struggles of Jamaican women, especially those with uterine fibroids, who couldn’t afford menstrual pads.

She highlighted the emotional and economic toll, including depression, isolation, and job loss. Determined to help, she researched the issue abroad and is now working to make a difference at home.

“My research revealed that 44 per cent of our women here in Jamaica experience period poverty, and 20 per cent of our girls miss school during their periods because they can’t afford period supplies, as well as cramps and pains, but there is also a huge stigma still, which started when I was growing up here, and the stigma still continues when women are having their periods,” she told GoodHeart.

Dr. Lindsay highlighted that many women lack access to period supplies and feel ashamed to talk about periods due to stigma. She aims to help change this in Jamaican society by giving back to her country in a meaningful way.

“The goal of the Dignity for All campaign/ initiative is really to help our women and girls restore their dignity, to normalize having periods, to uplift them, to empower them; to deal with their periods with confidence and make them feel valued and seen. I wanted to start in the high schools, because if our high schools students are not coming to school because

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Recognized for Organ Donation Advocacy Team members at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, part of at Episcopal Health Services (EHS), were honored by LiveOnNY for their collective efforts in supporting organ donation, transplantation, and advocacy during a Healthcare Hero Appreciation event held March 4 at the EHS Clinical Learning Center.

The event began with remarks from Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer of EHS, who emphasized the importance of organ donation and expressed gratitude for LiveOnNY’s partnership.

“Organ donation is not just a medical procedure; it is one of the most profound expressions of generosity and compassion.

Each act of donation not only saves lives but also offers solace to families, ensuring that their loved one’s legacy endures through the lives of others,” Dr. Morrish said. “LiveOnNY’s unwavering partnership and dedication to this life-saving mission have been instrumental in our efforts to enhance awareness, facilitate donations, and ultimately save lives within our communities.”

Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer of LiveOnNY, commended the St. John’s Episcopal Hospital team for their efforts, which have led to a 500% increase in organ donation over the past three years.

“You are part of a big story – one that’s resulted in 4,000 people over the past three years living who may not have – thanks to

the gift of donation and transplantation,” Achan said.

The event also featured personal stories from Christine Shaver, a heart transplant recipient, and Wajana Pagan, a donor family member, both of whom shared the profound impact of organ donation.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was presented with LiveOnNY’s Donor Advocate Award in recognition of its commitment to organ donation. Several team members were also honored for their contributions to increasing awareness and donor registrations, including registered nurses Cheray Small Adelaja and Emil Domingo; the Perioperative Department; Tessy Peter, MD, Chairperson, Family Medicine Department; Bevin Mathew, Director of Quality Management at EHS; and Karen Paige, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at EHS. Ms. Paige expressed her gratitude to both the LiveOnNY and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital teams for their dedication to the mission.

“When we honor the wishes of a patient and their family, we bring dignity to their decision and hope to those in need,” Ms. Paige said. “It is both our responsibility and privilege to carry out those wishes with the highest level of care and respect. I’m incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished and will continue to do together.”

of their periods and not being able to afford supplies, [they’ll] miss out on their education and future opportunities ... they’ll fall behind and not get that equity in pay and opportunities, and I want to change that. No girl should ever stay home from school because they can’t afford period supplies,” she explained.

As vice president of public health advocacy at Northwell Health, one of New York’s largest health facilities, Dr Lindsay shared her vision, highlighting the generous support from employees who helped gather the sanitary napkins and dispensers she brought to Jamaica last week.

Donations came from BronxCare, Allied Foundation in Long Island, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Egal (which provided a year’s supply of pads for Camperdown High School), and individuals from Ohio and Chicago. Dr Lindsay also mentioned that some supplies were donated by women who had experienced period poverty, accompanied by heartfelt letters.

“So this has really just been a rewarding and gratifying experience for me, and I do feel like I’m making a meaningful difference, and so my goal is to keep going. Our next stop will be Glenmuir High School, my alma mater, the women’s health clinic at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, one of the Mustard Seed Homes, and we hope to expand to more high schools as we

get more donations.”

Dr. Lindsay registered the Sandra Lindsay Foundation in 2024 as a platform to assist others, with the Dignity for All campaign being one of its initiatives. For the past two years, she has been returning to Jamaica to lead surgical missions sponsored by Northwell Health, performing life-changing gynecological surgeries for under-resourced women.

Another hope for Jamaica is to get more men to support women and girls facing period challenges, especially during their time of the month. During the first handover session, Dr Lindsay made sure the boys weren’t just bystanders—she brought them into the conversation. She encouraged them to support their female peers, teaching them about menstruation and how it affects the body. More importantly, she emphasized kindness, ensuring they understood the importance of offering support rather than ridicule if a girl had an “accident” at school.

“We need as many men to support us as much as possible, because men have sisters, mothers, wives, aunts, girlfriends and friends, and we want them to understand that there should be no shame around it. It should be normal. We need to make sure they too are also educated,” she said. (The Jamaica Gleaner)

CARIBA&E

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

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Vybz Kartel Adds Second U.S. Show - New York New York, NY — Vybz Kartel, the king of dancehall, recently announced his long-awaited return to the U.S. stage with his first performance in over 20 years on Friday, April 11, 2025, at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Presale began on Tuesday, March 4th.

Due to the concert’s high demand, Vybz Kartel and the event organizer Reggae Fest have added a second date at Barclays for Saturday, April 12, 2025. General tickets for both shows go on sale tomorrow, March 6th at 10 am ET. More info HERE. The first quarter of 2025 has seen Vybz Kartel plant a flag for Jamaican dancehall. Since his U.S. and UK visa was reinstated at the end of January, the renowned musician has hit the ground running, creating excitement with every move.

“This is a monumental moment for me and the culture.

To be back on U.S. soil performing for my fans is a blessing that I don’t take lightly. The wait is finally over. New York, get ready,” Vybz Kartel states.

Kartel, whose visa was revoked in the early 2000s, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform again in one of dancehall’s most critical markets.

CJ Milan, CEO and Founder of Reggae Fest, adds, “This is going to be the biggest dancehall concert in U.S. history.

To be at Barclays Center with the biggest dancehall artist in the world is epic! It’s about time dancehall got the recognition it deserves. I’m very excited to have Vybz Kartel

for his first U.S. show.”

Fans can expect an electrifying performance as Kartel takes the stage with a catalog of timeless hits and new material that continues to resonate worldwide.

In February 2025, Vybz Kartel returned to U.S. soil for the first time in over two decades. He attended the 2025

Shaggy and Sting New Release, A Tribute to Reggae

One of the most remarkable collaborations in recent years has been established by two legendary artists from different musical backgrounds, Sting and Shaggy.

Sting, originally the frontman of The Police, has an extensive solo career and is known for his unique voice and genre-blending music. Shaggy, the Jamaican reggae sensation, rose to fame with hits like “Boombastic” and “It Wasn’t Me.”

Together, they have released two albums: the Jamaica-focused “44/876” and “Com Fly Wid Mi,” a reggae-style Sinatra tribute.

Now, they are back with their newest single, “Til a Mawnin,” a tribute to the Sound System culture that propelled the growth of reggae. The single showcases the seamless blend of their individual sounds into something truly transcendent, celebrating their love for reggae music.

Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, CA, where he was nominated for his first Grammy for Best New Reggae Album. He also traveled to England to attend the MOBO Awards, where he received the prestigious Impact Award following a heartfelt introduction by fellow dancehall star Spice. Kartel also took to the MOBO stage to perform a medley of chart-toppers like “Fever” and “Clarks.” On July 13, 2025, Kartel will perform at the 20th anniversary of London’s Wireless Festival, joining 3-day headliner Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker, and Burna Boy. The accolades continue to pour in. Vybz Kartel was featured on the Spring 2025 cover of the United Kingdom’s The Face Magazine (on stands now) and graced the cover of Billboard’s first issue of 2025. He recently linked with Twitch streamer Kai Cenat on the Grammy red carpet and chopped it up with Noreaga and DJ EFN on the latest episode of Drink Champs, which has earned over 1M+ Youtube views.

His latest album Viking (Vybz Is King): 10th Year, Anniversary, was released on January 31, 2025 via (Adidjahiem Records/TJ Records), and features classic hits from his 2015 album Viking, including “Unstoppable,” “Gon Get Better” (sampled by pop group Fifth Harmony), “Dancehall,” and “Enchanting” along with seven new tracks like “Amout,” “Str8 Vybz,” and “God Is The Greatest.”

CARIBTRAVEL

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

Island Wave Brings Afro-Caribbean Vibes to SXSW 2025 with Reggae Recipe LIVE! Island Wave is making waves at SXSW 2025, bringing a stunning array of Afro-Caribbean talent to the festival’s mainstage.

In collaboration with Reggae Recipe LIVE!, a live music series curated by Ras Kwame, the event will showcase an exciting and eclectic mix of artists from across the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.

As the first official Caribbean stage at SXSW, Island Wave continues to be a trailblazer, providing a platform for emerging talent from underrepresented genres. Now in its fourth year, Island Wave’s presence at SXSW has been pivotal in supporting Afro-Caribbean artists by offering funding, resources, and opportunities that create a pathway to international recognition.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with Reggae Recipe LIVE! at SXSW this year,” said Island Wave’s founder. “Island Wave has always been about providing space for authentic voices to flourish, and this collaboration is an important step in our mission to amplify the incredible talent coming from the Caribbean and the African diaspora.”

Reggae Recipe LIVE!, an extension of Ras Kwame’s popular Capital Xtra radio show, is a dynamic showcase celebrating the best in Afro-Caribbean talent. With Ras Kwame at the helm, the stage will feature rising stars from Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, Nigeria, Ghana, and more. Known for its positive, high-energy performances, the showcase promises to offer a truly global experience, with music that uplifts and inspires.

Island Wave and Reggae Recipe LIVE! are also announcing the launch of the first-ever SXSW London stage, marking another

significant milestone in their shared commitment to showcasing Afro-Caribbean artistry. This expansion will provide an even larger platform for talent to be recognized, connecting audiences and industry leaders from around the world.

The featured artists at this year’s SXSW stage include: Haile (Grenada/Guyana) Big Zeeks (Jamaica/UK) Island Wave Band X The Waivers (Trinidad & Tobago) Kalpee (Trinidad) Like Browne (Guyana) Mista B (Belize) Nesta (Jamaica) Ras Kwame (Ghana/UK) Shaggy Fowl (Jamaica) XAV (Tobago) This partnership between Island Wave and Reggae Recipe LIVE! at SXSW is a celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, music, and talent. With an incredible roster of artists, industry professionals, and passionate fans coming together, the showcase promises to be one of the most memorable events of the 2025 SXSW Festival.

For Island Wave, this collaboration is more than just a performance—it’s a moment to share the rich, diverse sounds of the islands with the world, and to give Afro-Caribbean creatives the global stage they deserve. With this exciting partnership and future expansion plans, Island Wave continues to pave the way for Afro-Caribbean artists to make their mark on the international music scene.

T&T - Discussing Trade and Travel with Ghana Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, met with a delegation of Ghanaian officials to explore T&T’s desire in strengthening its business, trade, investment, and travel connections with Ghana.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Minister GopeeScoon was pleased with the two nations’ expanding good ties.

A summary of Trinidad and Tobago’s growth prospects was also provided by her, highlighting the country’s energy, non-energy, and agricultural sectors.

Gopee-Scoon noted, “We recognize our shared history, connections, and similarities, and the opportunities for enhancing our relationship are huge. Once we get the connectivity issue addressed, we expect you will be here several times a year. We are an open door and we want to continue doing business with you.”

The Ministry pointed out that Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago have a good commercial relationship that has improved over the last ten years.

Energy and non-energy products like liquefied butanes, mechanical appliances, and medium oils were among Trinidad and Tobago’s top exports to Ghana in 2022. In 2023, the nation’s top exports to Ghana consisted of non-energy items like clothing, manioc (cassava) flour and meal products, and parts for electrical meters, surveying instruments, and other machinery equipment.

During 2022, the most popular items that Trinidad and Tobago imported from Ghana were mostly non-energy items, such as cocoa

butter, vulcanized rubber tubes, machine components, and specific professional clothing and makeup.

In 2023, Ghana’s major imports into the nation comprised cotton clothing for men and women, textiles, musical instruments, basketry and wickerwork, and cosmetics.

The 13-member Ghanaian delegation included: Trinidad and Tobago Honorary Consul to Ghana, Hilton John Mitchell; Managing Director of Prudential Bank Ghana Limited, Benard Gyebi; Business Development & Digital Transformation Banker, Frank Afari Ankama; Co-founder of the Ghana-Trinidad and Tobago Business Chamber, Victor Owusu; Managing Partner of Phoenix Africa Capital Management, Michael Darko; Managing Partner of Agbenoto and Associates, Mawuena Agbenoto; Country Manager of CAGL Oilfields, Awal Karim; Director of Operations at Consolidated Bank Ghana, Samuel Barketey; Managing Director of Donkor Insurance Agency, USA, Yaw Donkor; General Counsel and Business Executive in Oil & Gas/Energy Regulation, Kwame Bona Siriboe; Independent Management Consultant and Advisor, Dr. George Addo; CEO of Medpharma Alliance International Limited, Yaw Asamoah; and Superintendent Karim Atulik of the Ghana Police Service, Head of Operations in the Western Region.

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) President, Roger Roach, escorted them on their visit to the Ministry.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

CARIBNEWS

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CARIBSPORTS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2025

T&T Wins the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup 2025 ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chris Dehring extends his warmest congratulations to the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas on winning the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup 2025 after an exciting tournament in St. Kitts.

Held on the eve of International Women’s Day, this year’s competition showcased the passion, dedication, and growing talent of women’s cricket in the Caribbean, inspiring fans across the region.

In his congratulatory message, Dehring said: “Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas played with great skill and tactical awareness throughout the tournament. Under the leadership of Karishma Ramharack, they capitalized on their strengths to secure the title. Their consistency showcased the rising talent in the Caribbean, and it was inspiring to see so many young players competing at this level.”

In the final, Trinidad & Tobago secured a seven-wicket victory over multiple-time champions Barbados, with captain Karishma Ramharack delivering a Player of the Final

performance. Ramharack’s impressive bowling was supported by Anisa Mohammed, who took three wickets, along with 15-year-old Amrita Ramtahal and West Indies Under-19 captain Samara Ramnath, as they dismissed Barbados for just 71 runs.

Trinidad & Tobago then chased their target comfortably, reaching 75 for 3 to claim their first title since 2017.

Dehring also praised all the teams for their efforts during the two-week tournament: “The progress we’ve seen in this competition reaffirms the importance of cricket, especially women’s cricket, in our region. We remain committed to developing talent and ensuring continued success on the international stage.”

Additionally, Dehring reaffirmed CWI’s commitment to creating more opportunities for women in cricket at all levels: “As we celebrate this victory on International Women’s Day, CWI recognizes the need for greater opportunities for women in the sport.

We are committed to moving towards greater parity and inclusivity, ensuring that more

women have the platform to excel as players, coaches, and administrators.”

He also extended special congratulations to Merissa Aguilleira, the only female head coach in the tournament, who led Trinidad & Tobago to victory in her debut season as head coach.

“Merissa’s achievement is a testament to the invaluable role women play in the growth of the game. Her leadership and experience were

instrumental in her team’s success, and we hope to see more women in the future transition from players to take on coaching and other leadership roles.”

Cricket West Indies extends its heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders who contributed to making the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup a success.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Concacaf W Champions Cup to Provide Qualification for New FIFA Women’s Competitions MIAMI — Concacaf W clubs will have a chance to test themselves on the global scene with FIFA’s introduction of two new women’s competitions: the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. Women’s clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean will have the opportunity to qualify for these new FIFA competitions via the Concacaf W Champions Cup, the region’s premier women’s club competition.

The FIFA Council approved the two new competitions at its meeting last Wednesday. The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will be played annually beginning with its first edition in 2026, except for the years when the quadrennial FIFA Women’s Club World Cup is played,

which plays its inaugural edition in 2028.

FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Kicking off in January 2026, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will consist of six matches featuring the champions of all six confederations.

The 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup winners, to be determined on May 24, will qualify for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. The preliminary stage will feature two knockout rounds. The AFC champions will host the OFC champions in Round 1, with the winners visiting the CAF champions in Round 2.

The Final Four will be played at a neutral venue between January 28 and February 1, 2026. The Concacaf champions will face the CONME-

BOL champions, while the winners of Round 2 will meet the UEFA champions. The winners of the semi-finals will contest the final, with the losing semifinalists competing for third place.

The results of the 2026 edition will determine the seeding for the 2027 edition, which will be held from January 27 to 31. The seeding for the 2029 edition, to be played from January 24 to 28, will be subject to further consultation.

FIFA Women’s Club World Cup Coming in January-February 2028, the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will feature 19 teams.

The tournament will begin with a play-in stage in which six clubs, one from each confeder-

ation, will compete. The three winners will advance to the group stage, joining 13 other clubs that advanced directly.

Concacaf, along with AFC, CAF, and CONMEBOL will each have two direct slots to the group stage, while UEFA will have five berths.

The group stage will feature four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage.

All matches – from the play-in stage to the final – will be held at a neutral venue to be determined by FIFA. The seedings for the 2032 edition will be decided at a later date, taking into account the results and performances of clubs in all competitions played in previous years.