Unexpectedly, Miami has become the sports capital of America, with two of its sports teams, the Miami Heat and the Florida Panthers, having advanced to national finals in basketball and ice hockey, respectively.
continues onA6 – Life lessons
Social media outrage and organized protests continue to spark from the May 17th announcement of salary increases for the Jamaican political directorate
Announced by the Minister of Finance and Public Service, the Honorable Nigel Clarke, the directorate including the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, members of parliament, the speaker of the house, and the cabinet ministers would all be slated for a drastic increase in salary of approximately over 200% on average
The negative reception has continued despite Prime Minister Andrew Holness declining his salary increase which would have
Astronaut takes rs
ight to space, hails
Jamaican mother for sacrices
taken his salary (as recorded in 2021) from 9,169,617 JMD to 28,587,893 JMD in 2024
“There are those who genuinely feel that, you know, politicians have a higher moral duty to act in concert and solidarity with those who are suffering,” the Prime Minister commented, “I am particularly moved by that argument ”
The Prime Minister encouraged ministers to accept the new rates while promising accountability reforms for greater transparency These new measures include fines for missing parliamentary seatings, written job descriptions tabled in parliament, written accountability reports from members of parliament, special training courses, and added transparency as
Citizens have taken to the streets in both organized and impromptu protests. The Advocates Network spearheaded a lunchtime protest on Wednesday, May 24th opposite the Ministry of Finance Another protest was held at Emancipation Park on Saturday, May 27th
Disgruntled citizens marched and chanted with placards demanding a rollback of the increases The Advocates Network drew parallels between the plight of Jamaican National Hero Sam Sharpe who was killed on
May 23, 1832, for leading a rebellion combating the iniquitous system of slavery and British colonial rule, and the recently announced pay rise
Furthermore, the Advocates Network is demanding the immediate disclosure and wide dissemination of the already established series of accountability measures, a rollback across the board of the increases for the political directorate to no more than 20% in line with other public sector workers until an independent report is produced on the performance of each Member of Parliament and each minister of government, and further expansion of the accountability framework continues on B2 – Protest spark
City of Miramar officials Mayor Wayne Messam (le ), Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis (3rd from le ), Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers (2nd from right), and Commission Yve e Colbourne were joined by guest speakers Sergeant Ludesh Dumesil (2nd from le ) of the US. Marine Corps, and Richard Georgi, Re red US. Army Colonel at the citys first ever Memorial Day Ceremony (Photo: City of Miramar)
Jamaican
who is a local educator, art director and event curator, poses for a photo at the Network and Mingle event held recently (Contributed)
The founder of the Florida Jerk Fes val Mr Damian Tater (2nd from right) accepted his award from Mr Oliver Meir as Luciano and Commissioner Grant in the run for mayor of Lauderhill looks on proudly (photo credit Tamara H)
Consul General Oliver Mair (right) accepts a proclama on on behalf of Jamaica celebra ng Caribbean Heritage alongside fellow Consul General Stephan Giles (Hai ) and Lauderhill Vice Mayor, Karlene MaxwellWilliams (Contributed)
The Florida Jerk fest had all the patrons out including 3 year Abraham Levy the son of one of the sponsors of Status Pro holding the Jamaican flags from Jamaica Na onal Money with pride (Photo credit Derrick Levy)
his
the crowd said it never gave up an opportunity to take a photo with Jerky the Mascot for the Florida Jerk Fes val (photo credit Tamara H)
As always Ghost with his seduc ve but soulful voice serenading one of his fans as the crowd screams and cheers for a chance to get a piece of the ac on (photo credit Alecia Reynolds)
Christopher Huie, 35 and the son of Jamaican immigrants, is one of four crew members who undertook the final assessment on Unity 25 on Thursday, May 25, before commercial trips begin in late June
Huie shared that his parents left Jamaica looking for better opportunities, adding that his mother sacrificed a lot so he could have the opportunities she did not have growing up
“Looking down at our beautiful planet from space, something that so few humans have experienced, was such a humbling, awe-inspiring, and reverent experience,” said Huie, who is a senior manager at Flight Science, Virgin Galactic
The provisions made by his mother became more apparent following the divorce of his parents
His mother, who is from Harvey River in Hanover, Jamaica was only 17 years old when she moved to Chicago She then migrated to Florida, where Huie grew up Embracing his Jamaican roots, he wore his US and Jamaican patches on the planned test run involving a mothership and spaceship, both of which he is well familiar with as a senior engineer
Huge graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Aerospace Engineering He also worked in the industry’s private sector before joining Virgin Galactic in 2016 as a loads and simulation engineer
He lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, and is a co-founder of Virgin Galactic’s Black Leaders in Aerospace Scholarship and Training (BLAST) program, which includes mentorship for college students
“As one of the first 20 black people who have
gone to space, I hope that I can inspire the next generation of astronauts who look like me to set their goals high and break down the mental and institutional barriers that have held people of colour back,” he said in a release from Virgin Galactic “This is just the beginning, and I look forward to continuing to push boundaries with Virgin Galactic and shine a spotlight on the doors that commercial space travel can open for innovation ”
Huie’s Unity 25 fellow crew members included Beth Moses, Luke Mays and Jamila Gilbert While he has a detailed knowledge of the VSS Unity and VMS Eve craft, as he had worked on virtually every part of the spaceship and mothership, he took a more passive role in the recent mission
The launch was designed to make a final assessment of the flight and astronaut experience before taking paying customers on 90-minute flights in the near future
A Virgin Galactic astronaut who took his first space flight, credited his accomplishment to his Jamaican mother, who made numerous sacrifices for him to have greater possibilities.Christopher Huie
United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, will meet with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders early next month in the Bahamas
Government Press Secretary Clint Watson said that Harris, who will be the highest US government official to visit the Bahamas since 1973, will arrive in the country on June 8 to meet with the heads of government
CARICOM chairman and Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis will co-host the US Caribbean leaders meetings with Harris
“This gathering will convene leaders from CARICOM and other key regional stakeholders,” Watson said during an Office of the Prime Minister press briefing
The agenda for the discussion comprises pressing global concerns including climate
change, energy management, food security, and the process of rebuilding in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic
Watson said that the dialogue will continue to highlight the importance of climate change and mitigation and will address the region’s energy crisis
He noted strategies will also be discussed to reduce the region’s reliance on fossil fuels
Harris previously met Caribbean leaders at the June 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles “The Vice President’s trip delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean, pursue shared prosperity and security, and celebrate the common bonds between our nations,” according to a US Embassy statement
“The Vice President is travelling to The
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most Hon Andrew Holness, says the Government is seeking to expand its partnership with the church to build more schools in Jamaica
Mr Holness said the aim is to enforce a value-based education in the society, after recognizing a “transition” in the country’s foundational values
“I believe the church can play and is playing a very important role in fortifying the society and in ensuring that there isn’t a total collapse of the moral base of the society,” he stated
“I want to use this opportunity to commend the church, in as much as asking for the church to see if more can be done to protect and support our Jamaican civilization,” he
added
The Prime Minister was speaking at the 2023 Pentecost Assembly, hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, at the National Arena in Kingston on Sunday,
May 28
Additionally, Prime Minister Holness informed that schools managed by the church continue to perform exceptionally well
“Our education system is not as bad as some would have it to be We have schools that continue to produce world-leading talent,” he stressed
It is against this background that Mr Holness noted that, faith-based education is still valuable, “even as society becomes modernized and takes an agnostic view ”
“Being grounded in a faith-based educational program is still powerful and valuable in today’s world,” the Prime Minister said
Bahamas during Caribbean-American Heritage Month and will celebrate the longstanding people-to-people ties between the Caribbean and the United States ” US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Usha Pitts, said her visit commemorates not just 50 years of Bahamian independence, but also and 50 years of enduring partnership between our two nations
“Next year, the embassy team will move into our new US$310 million complex in downtown Nassau From this base of operations, we look forward to strengthening our bilateral ties for the next 50 years and beyond Vice President Harris’ visit demonstrates the value of our friendship and solidifies our commitment to address climate change and advance our shared democratic principles ”
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Jarbas Barbosa, has urged Caribbean and other ministers of health and high-level delegates to utilize all available knowledge and resources to ensure that people’s health is placed at the very centre of the global response to future pandemics and emergencies
“We, the survivors, have the great responsibility and urgent imperative to
‘Bold actions’ needed to reduce risks and respond to current, future health issues inHarris (L-R) Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, Prime M nister Andrew Holness and Archbishop of K ngston, Roman Catho ic Church, Kenneth Richards (Photo credit: Donald De La Haye/ JIS)
For the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia is taking an intense interest in Cuba as Moscow has become increasingly isolated over its invasion of Ukraine
Top Russian officials have flocked to the island nation this year, starting in March with Nikolai Patrushev, Moscow’s secretary of the Security Council, alongside the executive director of state oil company Rosneft, Igor Sechin
A representative of Russian business owners, Boris Titov, also visited
The most high-profile visit was from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in April on a week-long trip to Latin American allies, including Venezuela and Nicaragua, which like Cuba and Russia are the subject of Western sanctions
“Russia needs trading partners and political allies, with Latin America offering the possibility of both,” Mervyn Bain, from Aberdeen University in Scotland, told AFP
Last week, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko drew up a road map to accelerate cooperation with Cuba, which is mired in its worst economic crisis in three decades, with chronic shortages of food, fuel and medicines
The two countries have signed around a dozen agreements to relaunch trade relations in construction, information technology, banking, sugar, transport and tourism
“But to what level” this cooperation can go “is unclear,” said Bain, an expert in Russia’s relationships with Latin America
Chernyshenko’s plan also referenced Cuba’s need to change certain laws to loosen restrictions on private enterprise
Communist Cuba had already been forced to open up its centralized economy to small and medium-sized private businesses due to its increasing economic woes
Cuba has announced the reopening of direct flights between Moscow and the seaside resort of Varadero, and Russian tourists have been able to use the Russian Mir payment system in the country since March
The Russian visits to the Caribbean island nation have come only months after Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow
The two communist entities were close allies during the Cold War, but that cooperation was abruptly halted in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet bloc
Until then, 75 per cent of Cuba’s commercial exchanges were with its communist ally
Having almost ended completely, relations started picking up again from 2005, with the current levels of exchange the highest since then
implement bold actions that take stock of the experience of countries in responding to COVID-19,” Barbosa said
Speaking on Wednesday at a session on strengthening the global architecture for health emergency preparedness during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Barbosa highlighted that while preventing a pandemic may be extremely difficult, “ we must break the historic pattern of panic and neglect regarding pandemic threats ”
He said this will require a proper analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic response involving all sectors, the international community and beneficiaries to review “the challenges we faced, the failures and the strengths we showed, and identify the actions that we need to implement immediately and in the short- and long term ”
According to Russian figures, commercial exchanges between the two countries reached $450 million in 2022, with 90 per cent of that in sales of oil and soybean oil to the island nation
The strengthening of ties is paying off for Russia in geopolitical ways
Havana had maintained a position of neutrality over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, abstaining from United Nations votes on the issue
But this week, Diaz-Canel assured Chernyshenko of “Cuba’s unconditional support” in its “clash with the West” and on Wednesday, Havana voted against a World Health Organization resolution condemning Russian attacks on Ukrainian health systems
The PAHO director underscored that many countries, including those in the Americas and the Caribbean, faced challenges in responding to the pandemic, particularly regarding surveillance and access to diagnostics, medicines, vaccines and qualified health personnel
Barbosa said, that PAHO member states fully engage in the discussions led by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the development of an international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as those regarding the update of the International Health Regulations
PAHO said it continues to work with member states to share information about these negotiation processes and facilitate dialogue to ensure equitable participation of the region, including small island developing states (SIDS)
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS
For most Caribbean-Americans, their focus is on the Heat’s unbelievable achievement as the Number 8 seed in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Eastern Conference Championships, in beating number 1 seed, Milwaukee Bucks, Number 2, Boston Celtics, and Number 5, New York Knicks, and becoming Eastern Conference Champions
While the Florida Panthers, also number 8 seed in its conference, achievements are just as spectacular as the Heat’s in making it to the championship finals in the National Hockey League (NHL)
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athletes, through hard work and dedication, never give up trying, and win medals when they are counted out This is seen in outstanding achievements of athletes like Jamaican worldclass champion sprinter Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, who has been resilient since 2010 despite various odds
Addressing the media, after the Miami Heat’s win on Monday night, the team’s coach in an interview commented, “Damn, winning a championship is hard, but our guys just kept on putting in the hard work to win ” It’s just like life Little about life is usually easy It takes hard work to be really successful
and putting in hard work to meet their goals
These principles can be applied to various aspects of life
Perseverance and Resilience: Sports often involve setbacks, failures, and obstacles
Athletes learn to persevere through challenges, rebound from defeats, and maintain positive attitudes This resilience is needed to help individuals face and overcome life’s adversities
Teamwork and Cooperation: Many sports require teamwork, trust, effective communication and cooperation to succeed These skills are crucial in professional settings, relationships, and collaborative projects
Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com
Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com editor@cnweeklynews.com
GRAPHIC EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR
Sports include an assortment of games, which can take participants to lofty, dizzying heights, but in a split second can take them to crushing disappointments, and humiliating defeats Sports can show a type of resilience which motivates athletes to rebound from defeat and disappointment, to amazing success
EDITORIAL
Don Anthony sports@cnweeklynews.com
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Last Saturday night, the Miami Heat came within 2 1 seconds of winning Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics and advancing to the National Championships However, a miraculous play by the Celtics resulted in a very late basket giving Boston victory and robbing the Heat of advancing This defeat was so painful, hardly any of the thousands of Heat fans attending the game in Miami left the arena Most basketball commentators thought Miami couldn’t rebound from the crushing defeat to play effectively in the crucial Game 7, just two days later But, on Monday night in Boston, the Heat defeated the Boston Celtics convincingly to win the Eastern Conference Finals
In life, outside of sports, people often experience bitter, crushing defeats, and disappointments, when everything points to success Unfortunately, some lack the strength to rebound from these disappointments and their lives go awry But, in several sports, athletes rebound to win medals and championhi th t i l l d d th
Last year, at the soccer World Cup in Qatar, several teams, not known for their soccer prowess, defeated powerhouse teams. Notably, Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina; Japan defeated Germany and Spain; and Morocco defeated Spain These lesser-known teams toppled legendary winning teams, not by luck, but through persistent hard work, determination and heart; qualities too often lacking in life
Sports teaches valuable life lessons, way beyond the field of play The following are some important lessons sports teaches as we watch our favorite team or athlete perform
Discipline and Hard Work: Sports i di i li d d di ti t i
Integrity: Sports emphasize the importance of fairness, integrity and respect for opponents Athletes learn to lose and win with grace and dignity, while upholding ethical standards Such standards and qualities of integrity are sorely needed in several aspects of life today
Time Management and Prioritization: Balancing sports with other commitments, like academics or career, requires effective time management and prioritization skills. These are also invaluable life management skills
Goal-Setting and Motivation: Sports provide opportunities for setting specific goals and working towards them Athletes usually set realistic targets, develop action plans, and stay motivated Too many people live without setting goals
Handling Pressure and Dealing with Success/Failure: Sports often involve highpressure situations and competitions Athletes learn to stay focused under pressure and challenging circumstances They learn to cope with success and failures, and keep on going, while managing their emotions and maintaining a balanced perspective
Health and Well-being: Sports promote physical fitness, healthy habits, overall wellbeing, maintaining proper nutrition, regular i d ffi i t t Th i l
The World Bank says as of May this year, its portfolio in Haiti amounts to US$1.25 billion comprising 18 active projects of which 38 percent is allocated to the infrastructure sector, supporting territorial balances and climate change adaptation.
The announcement by the Washingtonbased financial institution follows the visit last week of a high-level delegation that visited the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) holding discussions with Prime Minister Dr Ariel Henry and other stakeholders
According to a World Bank statement, the delegation led by Ayat Soliman, Regional Director for Strategies and Operations, and including Lilia Burunciuc, Country Director for the Caribbean, renewed the continued commitment of the World Bank Group (WBG) to the socio-economic development of Haiti and also discussed future engagements with the country
It said consultations were held with the various stakeholders, including representatives of the Haiti Central Bank on the potential priorities under a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) that will guide WBG support to Haiti’s development efforts over the next five years
The Framework builds on the achievements and lessons from the ongoing programs of the World Bank Group
“Thanks to significant financial and technical support from the World Bank Group, we have made remarkable progress in the areas of governance, agriculture, education, health coverage, and disaster management, and access to basic infrastructure such as rural transport, water and sanitation,” said Finance Minister, Michel Patrick Boisvert
“This new partnership framework should
enable the World Bank Group to continue to engage effectively with the country for the next five years For us in the government, these consultations ensure that the new partnership framework is well aligned with the needs of the country and our identified priorities,” he added
The World Bank says Haiti faces deep structural challenges which are difficult to solve in the context of a protracted political and institutional crisis
It said the current deteriorating political, economic, social and security situation in Haiti requires a significant and concerted effort among key stakeholders to address urgent governance deficits and improve transparency
“There is also the need to improve basic key services and economic opportunities, restore some degree of macroeconomic stability and public security, while identifying entry points for longer-term strategic
A local human rights group says violence by armed gangs in the French-speaking CARICOM country has declined significantly following the emergence of a vigilante group, known as Bwa Kale, in April
The Centre d’analyse et de recherche en droits de l’homme (CARDH) in a report said that the vigilante group, linked to at least 160 killings in April, began after residents in Port-au-Prince lynched and set fire to more than a dozen suspected gang members on April 24
It said the activities of Bwa Kale have resulted in no kidnappings taking place from April 24 to May 24, while 43 gang-linked slayings occurred during the same period CARDH said 146 gang murders were recorded between April 1 and April 23
Last week, CARICOM leaders appointed three former prime ministers as members of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) as the regional integration grouping seeks to extend its Good Offices to the government of Haiti and other Haitian stakeholders
engagements to address the fundamental drivers of fragility and opportunities for growth ”
The Worlds Bank said the combination of political crises, escalating gang violence, successive natural disasters and disease outbreaks in recent years have deepened Haiti’s fragility
Burunciuc said the dialogue between Haitian authorities and development partners is a necessary step to explore pathways to breaking out of the crisisfragility trap, adding “together, we should identify opportunities to help Haiti address its challenges, for the benefit of its people ”
The overarching goal of the Framework is to support Haiti at this critical juncture in its history in identifying pathways for restoring effective governance, sustaining basic public services, and resuming growth
At their summit in the Bahamas in February, the regional leaders reiterated that CARICOM must play a leadership role in addressing the deteriorating situation in Haiti, “towards which there are moral and political obligations” ”
Earlier this month, United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, described Haiti as a “tragic situation” and appealed to the international community to do more to help the French-speaking CARICOM country overcome its present political and socio-economic conditions
The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said in the month of April alone, more than 600 people were killed in violence in the country’s capital This follows the killing of at least 846 people in the first three months of 2023
BINUH said that overall, the number of victims of killings, injuries and kidnappings increased by 28 percent in the first quarter of the year, with a total of 1,634 cases reported
Despite mental health awareness month coming to an end, society must remain informed on the signs and symptoms of some of the most common mental health issues, one of which is anxiety disorders While everyone experiences fear and worry to some degree, some people suffer from extreme anxiety, ultimately affecting their ability to function normally
According to American Psychiatric Association, “Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety ”
Studies state that anxiety disorders affect nearly 30 percent of adults at some point in their lives These people may suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder
Kerrian Ewan, a Jamaican registered nurse who resides in the United States, said that anxiety becomes a disorder and a great concern when it interferes with a person ’ s ability to function in daily life
This can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental factors
Ewan, who also specializes in mental health, noted that some of the common signs of anxiety disorders include, but are not limited to, racing thoughts, lack of concentration, excessive
Due to the adverse effect anxiety disorders may pose to one ’ s mental state, Ewan said that managing the symptoms depends on how well the individual can cope, noting that some people isolate themselves or try to avoid certain places
“While avoiding the situation gives shortterm relief, the anxiety often returns the next time the situation arises This can eventually lead to depression, since a person is not able to carry on as he or she usually would,” Ewan said
In light of the recurrence of the symptoms, Ewan believes that people should find coping mechanisms that can help them function normally. She recommends that people:
Deal with family personal drama at once
• Talk to someone who they trust about what they are going through Think positively
• Tell themselves that they are doing the best they can in this situation
• Relax
• Take a vacation
• Try breathing exercises
• Meditate
• Pray, pray, and pray some more
“There’s no topic on mental health I won’t speak publicly on,” Juliet Bodley, better known as JulieMango, said. While the comedian is best known for her viral internet presence on TikTok and Instagram satirizing Jamaican life, she’s also a vocal champion for mental health safety and mental illness education.
Her Testimony
In a piece shared with Caribbean National Weekly, she shared the realities of the beginning of her career “When I just started out, there were times when I would have posted a funny video, and while the world is laughing, I am writhing in emotional pain, because cognitive distortions and imposter syndrome took over my mind,” she explained in the bareall piece
Her transparency concerning suicide and self-harm made her the perfect correspondent to give approachable, actionable advice for Mental Illness Awareness Month “Mental Health Awareness Month is important as a step towards breaking the stigma towards mental illness,” she started, “but it’s not enough It needs to be a lifestyle practice ”
Bodley wants to see attitudes towards mental illness change across the board, specifically, she wants the institutions that hold up Jamaican society, such as the church and the government, to tackle the problem at the foundation — with the children
“The church sometimes operates out of fear and not in step with Christ,” she explained, Bodley herself is a devout Christian She’s quick to clarify that there’s nothing malicious at play but it’s an institution run by humans and humans make mistakes The elders in the church need to challenge the notion of “possession” when a child is displaying symptoms of mental illness
The stigma regarding mental illness treatments and medication is especially dangerous Bodley sees the divide between faith and medicine as a false binary “Every good thing comes from God,” she explained, “ so
“When I just started out, there were times when I would have posted a funny video, and while the world is laughing, I am writhing in emotional pain, because cognitive distortions and imposter syndrome took over my mind,”
when doctors do years of research or create psychotherapy programs, or create medication, [that’s of God] ” The comedian cannot help slipping into a bit of a performance “I know many people don’t like medication but I know right now if you have a flu, you going to take Panadol or Cetamol so don’t play with me ”
Bodley wants the government to push mental health more in the high school curriculum She proposes that the subject be made mandatory from 1st to 3rd form (grades 7 to 9) and then made an elective at higher levels “The best way to change attitudes towards mental health is to teach children from a formative age,” she theorized, “nip the problem in the bud ”
She explained that schools are where many people develop lifelong mental issues “You learn how to process [childhood trauma] when you ’ re a teenager You develop coping mechanisms and the education system doesn’t
teach you how to [do that healthily],” she explained from first-hand experience Bodley wants schools to try and instill principles and techniques ranging from conflict resolution to relationship advice
On the topic of cutting and self-harm, Bodley, who has recovered from the practice, wants to both demystify why people do selfharm and give tips that might help bridge the gap and talk to someone who you suspect is practicing self-harm “People cut because it is ‘pain to pain therapy,” she explained It’s a coping mechanism where someone struggling for control in their life exercises controls over their body through enacting pain. It’s immediate feedback A cut, blood, pain “What this control does is provide a brief toxic episode of happiness and relief,” she explained, “ you are now distracted by this new pain and you ’ ve forgotten in the moment that old pain ”
Needless to say, this can lead to an addicting downward spiral Cutters often target parts of their bodies that can be hidden under clothes If you suspect someone is cutting Bodley urges you to approach calmly “Ask them what’s going on, give them the opportunity to talk about it,” she advised She stresses that this first interaction is key You want to signal that you’re safe. “Do not react with ‘why are you doing that to yourself?!” she gave an example Cutting might not make sense to you but Bodley pushes for empathy She stresses that you cannot be a person ’ s therapist While you can be there for someone, you need to guide them toward professional help
“The term can be a trigger for people in denial of their mental illness,” she noted, but it’s important to plug into the conversation nevertheless If someone, especially a child, doesn’t feel safe talking to you, they’ll get advice, of potentially dubious quality, from someone else — their friends or maybe their partner
Bodley believes that attitudes toward mental health can change She is realistic about the gargantuan task ahead of her and other people passionate about the topic, but she believes that once Jamaicans connect and are able to see mental illness like any other sickness, attitudes towards the condition can change sooner than later
While there are various coping techniques, she suggests that those who suffer from anxiety disorders find activities that best suit them, noting that everyone deals with challenges differently
However, she encourages seeking professional help if they are unable to regulate their emotions and operate normally
“If it’s (the excessive anxiety) recurrent, especially with negative thoughts and behaviors, one should seek help,” Ewan advised Physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be easily confused with other medical c o n d i t i o n s , l i k e h e a r t d i s e a s e o r hyperthyroidism Therefore, a doctor will likely perform an evaluation involving a physical examination, an interview and lab tests After ruling out an underlying physical illness, a doctor may refer a person to a mental health professional for evaluation
Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) a mental health professional is able to identify the specific type of anxiety disorder causing symptoms as well as any other possible disorders that may be involved. Tackling all disorders through comprehensive treatment is the best recovery strategy
About 10 percent of people appear to suffer long COVID after an omicron infection, a lower estimate than earlier in the pandemic, according to a study of nearly 10,000 Americans that aims to help unravel the mysterious condition
Early findings from the National Institutes of Health’s study highlight a dozen symptoms that most distinguish long COVID, the catchall term for the sometimes debilitating health problems that can last for months or years after even a mild case of COVID-19
Millions worldwide have had long COVID, with dozens of widely varying symptoms including fatigue and brain fog
Scientists still don’t know what causes it, why it only strikes some people, how to treat it -– or even how to best diagnose it Better defining the condition is key for research to get those answers
“Sometimes I hear people say, ‘Oh, everybody’s a little tired,’” said Dr Leora Horwitz of NYU Langone Health, one of the study authors “No, there’s something different about people who have long COVID and that’s important to know ”
The new research, published Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, includes more than 8,600 adults who had COVID-19 at different points in the pandemic, comparing them to another 1,100 who hadn’t been infected
By some estimates, roughly 1 in 3 of COVID-19 patients have experienced long COVID
That’s similar to NIH study participants who reported getting sick before the omicron variant began spreading in the US in December 2021 That’s also when the study opened, and researchers noted that people who already had long COVID symptoms might have been more likely to enroll
– Bodley
Immigrant workers, religious leaders, and concerned families united in Homestead on Saturday May 27, to push back against Florida’s new anti-immigration law
In a “March for Unity” hundreds gathered in front of Homestead City Hall to protest Senate Bill 1718 Gov DeSantis signed into law last month that some consider the “strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country ”
The new law requires any hospital that accepts Medicaid to ask patients whether they are United States citizens
People could be charged with felonies if caught transporting five or more undocumented immigrants or a minor
Employers will be required to use E-Verify to check employment eligibility If not, businesses will be fined
Miami has banned smoking at all city parks and beaches
The ordinance — introduced by Commissioner Manolo Reyes — was approved Thursday and prohibits the consumption of tobacco, cannabis and the use of electric cigarettes It will take effect in 10 days
“City beaches and parks are public spaces where residents enjoy time outdoors Mainly, they are places where parents take their children to enjoy sports activities,” Reyes said “It would be contradictory to think that we are taking our children and the elderly to places where they will be affected by secondhand smoke that causes such a negative effect on health ”
The city will post notifications around buildings, parks and beaches to inform the population
Those who do not comply with the new ordinance could face fines
The city of Miami Beach adopted a similar ordinance back in January, but vaping and unfiltered cigarettes and cigars are still permitted in city parks and beaches
And students with dreams of practicing law will also be impacted Starting in 2028, Florida will not allow undocumented immigrants to receive a law license
According to the Florida Immigrant Coalition the law has caused tremendous fear, anxiety, and misinformation among the immigrant communities of Florida Families have left the state, and many more are making plans to leave in the coming months
In response to these concerns, WeCount! and a coalition of faith leaders, communitybased organizations, and immigrant families gathered to denounce SB1718 and to say, “We’re here, and we ’ re not going anywhere There is no Florida without us ”
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According to a joint study performed by the Boston University, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Chicago Booth School, and Aria Foods, titled “Labor Supply of Politicians,” they found no positive empirical correlations between performance and increased politician salaries in Europe
Various organizations join the criticism
Mark Golding, leader of the opposition party People’s National Party (PNP) lent his voice to the chorus of criticisms, “It’s unjustifiable for Jamaica to be paying the political class at levels which are way out of whack of our regional peers,” he expressed in an address on Saturday, the 27th of May
The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has joined other organizations including the Jamaica Civil Service Association, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Associations, the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, and the Jamaica Council of Churches in lambasting the increase
“Much greater transparency around matters such as this is almost as important as the solution itself, as we have seen time and time again Especially after the announcement of the increases to parliamentarians, questions abound about the reasonableness of those increases relative to our socioeconomic position versus other countries of comparable size and economic challenges. This is exacerbated by the longstanding unkept promises of accountability,” the group expressed in a statement
The proposed increases would take the annual salaries of each Cabinet Minister and the speaker of the house to approximately 23 million JMD in 2024 or the equivalent in USD of 149,000 per annum
At this rate, that annual salary would be competitive with Governor salaries in the United States despite the Jamaican GDP per capita (a measure of economic prosperity) as recorded as less than 8% of the GDP per capita of the United States
When Peter Brown died alone in London without any known family, neighbors made sure that the humble 96-year-old Jamaican man who had volunteered as a teen to fight for Britain in World War II was not forgotten.
Hundreds of people – mostly strangers — touched by his story answered the call Thursday, May 25 and packed St Clement Danes Church to give the former flight sergeant a proper send-off
The Reverend Ruth Hake said that when Brown left his Jamaican home at 17 in 1943 there was no promise he’d return home — like millions of others who gave their lives in World War II
“The willingness that he showed then and the next seven years that he served in the Royal Air Force to put his life on the line on behalf of this nation is a debt that all of us who have certainly lived our lives in freedom in this country have to honour,” Hake said
“That is why there are so many people here at the funeral of such a modest and unassuming man ”
Brown was one of about 5,500 men from the Caribbean who volunteered after the RAF dropped its “colour bar” in 1939 and began recruiting in its colonies in what was then known as the British West Indies
The largest group, some 3,700, came from Jamaica
Brown
Jamaica’s Industry Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Aquarium, as the country explores opportunities in the blue economy towards national development
The signing took place at a reception hosted by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta at the Georgia Aquarium on Wednesday, May 24, and formed part of the Minister’s two-day trade visit to Atlanta
Most of these recruits were ground staff; only 450 were aircrew
Brown trained in Jamaica and Canada and became a radio operator and gunner, flying five missions on Lancaster bombers in the final year of the war
He was one of the last of a generation that is rapidly disappearing and likely one of the last of the group dubbed the “Pilots of the Caribbean ”
The youngest of those who served are in their 90s
In his remarks, the Aquarium’s president and CEO Dr Brian Davis explained that the Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the western hemisphere, is a multi-disciplinary entity, which spans scientific research, ocean conservation, education, tourism, entertainment, and guest experience “The memorandum that we sign today was made possible “from our previous meetings as well as work that we have conducted over the last two (2) years in Jamaica with local partners,” Dr Davis said
“We believe that we are in a strong position to explore working closely with the Government of Jamaica in a number of aspects,” he continued
In his remarks, Minister Hill said Jamaica was pleased to be a part of this important Blue Economy initiative and will help to drive this new initiative
He commended Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami with responsibility to Atlanta Oliver Mair whose initiative it was to partner with the Atlanta Aquarium
Under the signed MOU, there is expected to be Commercial Cooperation
He can read your Past, Present and Future about Family Life, Children’s Problems, Love Life, Business, Health, Financial Issues, Court Case Matters, Lucky Numbers, & Sexual Problems.
Popular Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel is reportedly battling an autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease and two alleged heart conditions
The condition of the 47-year-old incarcerated entertainer is said to be life-threatening
According to Mayo Clinic, Graves’ disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism)
Reports state that broadcaster Lisa Evers of FOX5NY obtained a sworn medical affidavit from the artiste’s private doctor, endocrinolo-
gist Karen Phillips, which outlined that Kartel has been battling Graves’ disease for seven years
It is said that though he was being treated, it has not gone into remission
Evers also shared that Kartel has two heart conditions that are worsening and that if he does not get surgery, “he could die ”
Attorney-at-law Isat Buchanan spoke of his client’s poor condition during an interview with Evers on Tuesday, after visiting the deejay on Monday, May 29
“Fighting for his life? Yes It can be dangerous we do not want to get a phone call to say because he was under this 24 (sic) this 23hour lockdown and unable to breathe, that he succumbed to his illness,” Buchanan said
Buchanan further described his client’s features, noting that his face have become swollen
“He always wears glasses because the condition that he has causes his eyes to protrude,” he added
The deejay’s medical condition allegedly worsened after a 23-hour prison lockdown was imposed following the recent discovery of cell phones within his cell
The 2023 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will close out its five-day event with the annual Community Day taking place on Sunday, June 18, at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, in Miami, from noon to 5:00 p m
The event is free and open to the public
This year ’ s program will feature two special screenings from Max, the hit comedy series Rap Sh!t, and the all-new animated Young Love The Rap Sh!t screening will be followed by a talkback with creator and executive producer Issa Rae and showrunner Syreeta Singleton
Following the Young Love screening, Oscar-winning director Matthew A Cherry will discuss his highly anticipated upcoming series ABFF’s Community Day, now in its 9th
year of partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), provides a place where festivalgoers and the local Miami community can experience dynamic programming from emerging artists and established industry creatives
Inspired by family and community, GMCVB supports ABFF’s mission to facilitate more involvement from Miami natives, provide education about television and film entertainment, exposure to resources, and promote artistic collaboration
“Maintaining community engagement is a priority of our festival, said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO, ABFF Ventures LLC “Each year we look forward to partnering with the GMCVB team to bring new and interesting content to the Overtown community ”
“ABFF’s Community Day embraces the power of art to inspire and uplift We are proud to support this vibrant celebration of diversity and culture that spotlights the incredible talent
within the Black film industry”, said David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau “We welcome visitors joining us for the ABFF and hope they enjoy the electric energy of our beautiful destination during Community Day and beyond ”
GMCVB’s Senior Vice President of Multicultural Tourism & Development, Connie Kinnard, added, “True partnerships mean a lot and we are honored to be a partner with ABFF on this annual Community Day of film and conversation Many thanks to Nicole and Jeff Friday, along with the ABFF leadership team, for their commitment to the elevation of Black and Brown voices in the film industry This type of support also helps economic development opportunities for our heritage communities ”
Proverbs 21, verse 11 of the King James
Authorised Version of The Bible, states:
“When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge ”
For the context of this article, it means that the average person learns from the misdeeds of others, and when one teaches the wise, he acquires knowledge
I have postulated the above passage to say that it is full time professional athletes surround themselves with management teams - as a matter of course - to preside over all their needs while the pros direct their full attention on their field of endeavour
To be more specific, I am alarmed by the recent news of another of our professional athletes being charged by the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) for a breach of its code
For me, sports in general and track and field athletics, in particular, are replete with athletes erring by not engaging experts to help manage the various aspects of their professional careers
The latest appears to be Mr Christopher Taylor, a standout sprint athlete throughout his secondary school career at Calabar High School He has been steadily rising up the ladder and is poised to assume the mantle of being Jamaica’s leading quarter-miler
He was a finalist (6th) in the 400m at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and 7th at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, last year
Taylor was charged last week for evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection last November when he was on the island
If found guilty, Taylor would breach the WADA Code Article 2 3, which states: “Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection. The Evading Sample collection, or without compelling justification, refusing or failing to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorized in applicable anti-doping rules ”
Taylor, 23, faces a minimum two-year ban from the sport according to WADA)Anti-
Doping Rule 10 3 1, and a maximum of four years
“For violations of Article 2 3 or Article 2 5, the period of ineligibility shall be four years unless, in the case of failing to submit to Sample collection, the Athlete can establish that the commission of the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional (as defined in Article 10 2 3), in which case the period of ineligibility shall be two years,” the rule states
Obviously, the case has not yet been heard, but there are unconfirmed reports that the athlete was contacted at home by anti-doping officials as he had indicated on his whereabouts form
A sample was not provided, for whatever reason, and the athlete and the doping officials
travelled to the Norman Manley International Airport from where he was booked to travel
Again no sample was provided, and it is understood that the doping officials made a copy of his boarding pass to confirm that he was indeed scheduled to travel
Again, it is unclear if he travelled with the blessing of the doping control officers, or of his own volition
But being au fait with the anti-doping regulations is crucial for any professional athlete and Taylor is no different Furthermore, ignorance, it is often said, is no excuse
And that’s why it is so important for professional athletes to arm themselves with expertise to help them navigate the minefields of pro sports
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has hailed Jamaica international Ethan Pinnock as “ a mountain in defence” after the center back penned a new four-year contract with the Premier League outfit last Saturday
The new deal will see the 30-year-old, sixfoot, two-inch standout extend his stay in west London until 2027, a massive boost for the club after they completed an impressive ninthplace finish in their second straight stint in the top flight
“This is great news for Brentford, and I am incredibly pleased that we have Ethan with us for four more years I am sure our fans are delighted,” Frank said
“Ethan has been a mountain in defence for us for the last four years He played a key role in our journey to the top half of the Premier League He is a top, top player and a great person
“He has stepped seamlessly in the Premier League and it is an amazing story for him, and
CRICKET
for football, that he can progress from nonleague to the top of the game so quickly ”
Pinnock, who has been capped six times for the Reggae Boyz, joined Brentford in 2019 from Barnsley and quickly became a key player, helping them gain promotion to the Premiership two years later
Eight goals
All told, he has scored eight goals for the club, nicknamed “the Bees”, the latest coming on Saturday as the hosts shocked newly crowned champions Manchester City 1-0 at the Community Stadium on the final day of the season
“His impact in both boxes has been very important for us,” Frank continued
“He is superb defensively in the air and on the ground and plays a key role in our setpieces I think we will see even more goals from him next season
“Ethan has been so reliable and consistent for us, and I am sure that will continue He will be spending the prime years of his career with us, and we look forward to him helping the team be successful in the coming seasons ”
Pinnock, who started his career with nonleague Dulwich Hamlet in 2010, has made 154 appearances for Brentford – 62 of which have now come in the Premier League
The Jamaica Tallawahs have confirmed their Caribbean player retentions ahead of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
The tournament gets underway on 16 August with the final taking place on 24 September There will be matches in Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago
The Tallawahs have also brought in Hayden Walsh Jr who was transferred from the Barbados Royals
Krishna Persaud, owner of the Jamaica Tallawahs, said: “We are delighted to be the defending champions, but that was last year Now we will focus on this year ’ s team as we look forward to another great tournament We are excited and our team will seek to defend the CPL championship ”
The overseas players and draft picks will be announced during the Republic Bank CPL draft show which will be broadcast at the end of June
Indeed, it was only the month before Taylor’s incident with the anti-doping officials that another Jamaican professional athlete, cricketer John Campbell, was suspended for four years for a similar anti-doping violation And there are many others before who would have run afoul of the WADA Codes because of simple errors in judgement on their part
I’m almost certain that on reflection Taylor would have delayed his travel plans in order to meet the requirements of the doping officers at the airport, rather than risk being suspended for between two and four years
Clearly, that can’t be up for debate
This breach has the possibility of being career-changing, at the least, or even careerending, as four years can be a very long time And it could have been avoided if the athlete had been fully cognizant of the WADA Codes and their repercussions
The proverb, “It’s better to be safe than sorry” aptly describes this scenario Also, it’s better to incur the added expenses of constructing a proper management team to help athletes navigate the minefields of professional sport than to fall prey to same and lose out on everything
I wish Christopher Taylor all the best as the Athletics Integrity Unit takes charge of his case However, for the umpteenth time, I hope other athletes take stock of what has happened here and learn from it One doesn’t have to personally experience the ills of life to learn from them. Enough said!
The retained players:
• Brandon King
• Fabian Allen
• Shamarh Brooks
• Raymon Reifer
• Amir Jangoo
• Shamar Springer
• Nicholson Gordon
• Kirk Mckenzie Joshua James
by way of the purchase of ornamental fish for their location as well as the Aquarium industry in the USA Jamaica will facilitate the growth of the industry
In addition, there will be a level of Capacity Building by the Atlanta Aquarium in working with the Government of Jamaica to assist in the provision of Skills & Capacity training and development to support Aquatic sustainability including Animal Care and Life Support Systems
They will also work towards the protection of important marine areas through the establishment of fish sanctuaries in Jamaica This would build on the work we have done so far in Jamaica for the two(2) new sanctuaries being gazetted
Yet another initiative will be a Shark Research, Conservation & Education component where the Georgia Aquarium will work with the government of Jamaica to conduct research and education on sharks, towards the possible establishment of a shark sanctuary in Jamaica
As part of the initiative, an exchange program Exchange Program will be implemented to explore facilitation of exchange of students and early career professionals to gain exposure to relevant training programs and environments both in the USA and Jamaica
Both parties will work towards the establishment of a Port Royal Exhibition at the Georgia Aquarium, highlighting Port Royal and the marine protected areas
The Georgia Aquarium is the most popular visitor attraction in the state of Georgia, generating over US$120 million in estimated annual revenues, and has stimulated over US$5 billion of investments in the city of Atlanta
While in Atlanta, Senator Hill met with a number of business interests, addressed a business breakfast sponsored by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce of Altana as well as town hall meeting attended by members of the Jamaican community in Atlanta
