National Weekly December 23, 2021

CHRISTMAS EDITION 2021

TOP STORIES

‘PHENOMENAL!’ Jamaica Sees Massive Increase in Tourist Arrivals for Christmas

It will be a very merry Christmas for the Jamaican tourism sector as the island is reporting a massive increase in tourist arrivals ahead the final holiday for 2021.

“It's absolutely phenomenal.

Especially during a pandemic,” said Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett.

Since Friday, December 17, Jamaica has had over 159 flights into Montego Bay, putting stopover arrivals into the tourism capital at about 25,000 in three days.

Saturday's 9,153 arrivals from 62 flights is

the biggest single-day record the island has seen since the airports were reopened on June 15, 2020.

A statement released by the Ministry of Tourism noted that over a three-day period, from December 17 to 20th, an estimated 25,000 passengers passed through the Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay. That airport has not seen that many tourists since 2019.

Bartlett said that the number of visitors arriving on Sunday was equally impressive with some 52 flights on record.

“These numbers would be the type of figures we would see in the strongest weekends even in pre-COVID times. We have not even factored in the cruise

Study: COVID Surge Expected in Florida, Peaking in February

Broward Meat & Sheriff’s Dept Give Back to Lauderdale Lakes

Antigua Gov’t Bans All Fetes During the Christmas Season

“These numbers would be the type of figures we would see in the strongest weekends even in pre-COVID times. We have not even factored in the cruise numbers, which have also been growing by leaps and bounds,” – Bartle

South Florida is Set to Get a New Area Code

Bahamas Gov’t Welcomes New Ratings by CDC

continues on B5 – Phenomenal

Jamaican Christmas Black Cake Recipe

CNW Network and our advertisers wish you a happy and holy holiday.

Celebrate with care.

N E T W O R K

West Indies Rising Stars to Add Finishing Touches for World Cup in South Africa Series

Wife of Trinidad Former Attorney General Dies

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

HAITI

FEATURE

SPORTS

One Final Splash for Alia Atkinson

Haiti's Joumou Soup Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists A7

Try out these Traditional Caribbean Recipes A7

Rising Stars to Add Finishing Touches for World Cup in South Africa Series C3

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A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis takes a photo with Jamaican-born ar st Richard Blackford who showcased his “ Celebra ng Jamaica” art exhibi on at the Miramar Cultural Center Artspark on December 16, 2021. – Contributed

Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes Hazelle Rogers par cipates in a Christmas giveaway for the children of the Carefree Cove Mobile Home Park in Fort Lauderdale ahead of the holidays. – Contributed

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks (le ) conferred on Professor Donald J. Harris Jamaica’s third-highest honor, the Order of Merit for his contribu on to Na onal Development, at a ceremony held at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC on Friday the 17th of December 2021. Professor Harris is the father of Vice President Kamala Harris. – Photo by Derrick Sco

On December 17, Mayor of Miramar Wayne Messam delivered toys and hepafilter fans to the students of Miramarvels Voluntary PreKindergarten Program for the Christmas Holidays. – Photo Credits: Mark James

Dancehall ar ste Jeffrey 'Agent Sasco' Campbell (le ) and Minister of Na onal Security, Dr. Horace Chang observe a recording session in the new Black Diamond Music Studio at the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Remand Centre in Kingston, at the official opening ceremony of the facility on December 15. The studio was donated to the centre by the deejay. – Contributed

Jamaica's Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Christopher Tu on plays Santa Clause while delivering gi s to children at the St. Ann's Bay Hospital on December 21, 2021. – Contributed

Residents of Florida Palm Academy enjoyed a Christmas treat from Jamaica's Consul General Oliver Mair on December 21, 2021. Consul General shared words of encouragement while the residents enjoyed carolling with tenor, Steve Higgins and Ma hew Higgins. Gi s were donated by Jamaican Women of Florida, Holy family Episcopal church and Jamaica HI-5 sports group.

Cheryl Wynter of Consulate (center) seen distribu ng gi s with help from Volunteer Santa Claus – Contributed

The recipients of Na onal Honours pose for a photograph with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Audrey Marks (second from le ) following the Ceremony held at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington. From le : GG Diaspora awardee Dr. Trudy Hall; Ambassador Marks, Professor Donald J. Harris; Mr. Michael London; Security A aché Superintendent Gloria Davis-Simpson and Ms. Cassandra Campbell. – Photo by Derrick Sco

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MARIJUANA.

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NEWSMAKER

“

Not the meet I hoped for but I am happy to say I finished every ounce of swimming talent God gave me, the bottle is now empty. Many times, I wanted to quit but I saw it through to the end.

– Alia Atkinson

“

F

ive-time Olympian and Jamaica’s standard bearer in swimming over the last 15 years, Alia Atkinson, made her final splash in a competitive pool on Monday, when she competed in the women’s 100m breaststroke final at the 15th FINA World Short Course Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Alia clocked 1:04.03 minutes in her final international event to finish fourth. Though narrowly missing out on the bronze medal, the 33-year-old, who became the first black woman to win a world swimming title, was satisfied with a glittering career. One she says she would change for nothing.

“Not the meet I hoped for but I am happy to say I finished every ounce of swimming talent God gave me, the bottle is now empty. Many times, I wanted to quit but I saw it through to the end.

“It has been a roller-coaster of fun and not so fun moments, but I've always remembered to make memories and let go of the negatives of the day,” Atkinson posted on her Instagram page. She had earlier been disqualified from the 50m breaststroke on the opening day of the championships.

She added: “I must admit that I'm glad I fought through 20-something years. I wouldn't trade this journey for anything.

“I get to retire with two world records intact,” beamed Atkinson in reference to her 28.56 seconds for the 50m and 1:02.36 minutes for the 100m World Short Course breaststroke records.

“That is something that I never thought would happen and this last race reminded me of just how remarkable my career was. Thanks to everyone who supported me, cheered for me and followed me these past decades,” she added.

Atkinson's retirement comes over a week after she celebrated her 33rd birthday. Born in 1988 in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Atkinson began swimming at the age of three.

When Alia was 12 years old, her family migrated to Florida. There, she began viewing swimming as more than just a hobby and found her niche as a breaststroke swimmer. She swam for Fort Lauderdale Swim team and Comet Swim team in Pembroke Pines where she first met coach, Chris Anderson.

She also swam for Flanagan High School in Florida which resulted in a full swimming scholarship from the Texas A&M University.

Even though Atkinson had moved to the U.S., she represented her home island competitively. At the age of 16, she competed in her first Olympics: the 2004 Athens Olympics. Four years later, she was once again selected to Jamaica's Olympic Team. The breaststroke specialist finished 25th overall in 2008.

In 2010, she became the first female Jamaican swimmer to compete in a final at the world championships, finishing in sixth place in the 50m breaststroke at that year's World Short Course Championships in Dubai.

Two years later saw much improvement when she became the first Jamaican swimmer to win a medal at the world championships. She took silver in the 50m breaststroke at the 2012 World Short Course Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. At the Olympic games that year, Atkinson also made a significant improvement to her Olympic record, only barely missing the medal podium with a fourth-place finish.

In Doha, at the 2014 Short Course World Championships, Atkinson focused on the sprint breaststroke events — the 50 and 100-meter. She won the 100-metre breaststroke and equaled the World record set by Lithuanian swimmer, Rūta Meilutytė in 2013. Her World Championship win in the event made her the first black woman in history to win a world title in swimming, and was Jamaica's first gold swimming medal in the World Championships.

That year she also won two medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, silver in the 50 m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m breaststroke.

In 2015, Atkinson competed at the Long Course World Championships.

She broke the Jamaican National Record in the semi-finals of the 100m breaststroke to finish third. She became the first Jamaican swimmer to win a long course worlds medal. A year later, at the 2016 Summer Olympics, she reached the final of the 100 m breaststroke but failed to medal.

For her contributions to the field of swimming, Atkinson received the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander in 2018. The following year, she was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2021, Atkinson competed at her fifth and final Olympics in Tokyo. She finished 22nd overall.

On November 4th this year, she received an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI) for her outstanding achievements throughout her career.

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CARIBBEAN

Bahamas Welcomes New Ratings

by CDC

Antigua Gov’t Bans all Fetes During Christmas The Antigua and Barbuda government says there will be no fetes allowed in the country during the Christmas holidays amid fears of the Omicron variant.

Health Minister Molwyn Joseph, speaking on Tuesday, said the risk profile would be significantly elevated from having an event with 300 patrons contemporaneous with the removal of the state of emergency (SOE) and curfew as of Friday this week.

“The suspension of the state of emergency on the 24th at 12:01 am (local time) is a game

changer. That would represent the first time in about almost two years that we would be managing COVID without the state of emergency. I support the lifting of the state of emergency, but this is what happens. When the government removed the state of emergency it sort of put down a tool that was used for several months…effectively to control the movement of people in the country and to some extent socialization,” he said.

The Health Minister said by taking the decision to lift the SOE and the daily curfew,

the onus now is on the individual to adhere to every protocol, such as wearing masks, social distancing and washing wands in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.

Sir Molywn said while the situation continues to be reviewed, fetes are being put on hold “for the time being,” and that the Gaston Browne government continues to monitor the emerging situation regarding the Omicron variant, the fifth variant of concern which spreads over five times faster than the Delta variant.

Trinidad Announces Vaccine Mandate Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has issued a mandate for all government workers to be vaccinated by mid-January.

Speaking on Saturday during a media conference, Rowley said that while there will be exemptions for those with medical issues, unvaccinated employees will be expected to abide by certain rules and regulations.

“Outside of that, the government's workplace will require, if you are a government employee, that you show your vaccination status, failing which you would not be encouraged in the workplace. (And) if you are not in a position to come to the workplace, you will be on leave on your own and you would be furloughed. Meaning, you will still have a job at the establishment, but you choosing not to be able to come to work under the conditions laid down, you then will not be paid.”

The prime minister also announced that the Public Service, except those in essential services, will be shut down from December 24

to January 2 and urged employees to use the period to get vaccinated.

In addition, the Prime Minister said that as of Monday, the beaches will reopen from 5 am to 12 noon (local time), however, rivers will remain closed.

He added that no consumption of alcohol, loud music or partying will be allowed and beachgoers will be required to wear their masks when not in the water.

Meanwhile, in response to the mandate, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce, has commended the Rowley administration for “taking a firm stance on the issue of vaccination in the workplace.”

In a statement on Saturday, the Chamber of Commerce said the government has taken visible leadership on this next phase of dealing with COVID in the workplace.

The statement added that the country is in a very difficult situation – and as the single largest employer in the country (the pandemic) “ has left the government with no choice but to take the actions it did to deal with the low vaccination levels, they have set also the framework for other employers to follow. This

approach must be a joint effort and we are committed to assisting in whatever way we can.

We see this as a key imperative to address the level of vaccination.”

The release added that the mandate is not meant to restrict personal freedoms.

“It is to preserve them and prevent lockdowns or heavier restrictions.”

Concerning the decision to open beaches, the TT Chamber said that this will help to balance mental stress.

The chamber noted that all citizens must be responsible for doing the right thing for our country – “our families and our co-workers by obeying the health protocols in place and getting vaccinated. We can overcome this challenge but we need every citizen, every business and every politician working together with a single-minded focus on protecting our people and our economy.”

Trinidad currently has over 15,000 active COVID-19 cases. (CMC)

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The Bahamas government has welcomed the decision by the United States' Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lower the country's COVID-19 Travel Risk Advisory Rating, saying that it bodes well for the economy.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness said that the CDC had lowered the ratings from level three to level two, and that the reclassification “should continue to bode well for our economy and benefit our tourism sector”. A level three rating represents a high risk while level two is moderate risk.

“According to the CDC, a level two rating advises international travelers to be fully vaccinated before coming to The Bahamas. It also advises that unvaccinated travelers who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid nonessential travel and if travel is necessary to discuss any concerns with a doctor.”

In November, the CDC reclassified the COVID-19 threat in The Bahamas from a level four “do not travel advisory to a level three warning”.

Prime Minister Phillip Davis is due to address the nation on Thursday night providing an update on the COVID-19 situation here following a briefing by the COVID-19 Task Force on Monday.

Former prime minister Dr Hubert Minnis had earlier urged the government to address the nation on the situation.

“The government should be in discussions with the healthcare providers and the healthcare providers will guide them as to the way forward, but they must address the nation as to what we are seeing now,” he said.

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TALKUP

How Will You Be Spending Christmas 2021?

All across the diaspora, people are preparing for a Christmas still impacted by COVID-19. Even with a vaccines accessibly in most countries around the world, many states and countries still have COVID-19 restrictions. As a consequence, the festive season will be celebrated differently for some people. We asked some members of the diaspora how they are planning to celebrate the holidays.

Chrystal - I'm gonna go to work like normal on Christmas Eve and then have dinner with my family on Christmas day. There's less restrictions now but I'd still rather spend the holidays at home with my family. It’s been a while since we’ve spent Christmas together.

Hopefully we can get pass this pandemic soon enough to have more of these moments.

Ben - This Christmas will be somewhat normal. We get to have church in the morning and our usual dinner party. Last year, we were not able to do so because of the curfew. Other traditions like the grand market shopping on Christmas Eve will also continue this year now that we have some freedom.

Kareem - My plans haven't really changed this Christmas. I will be having Christmas dinner with family and then hopefully try and get together with friends. That's normally what happens during Christmas for me so COVID-19 hasn't really stopped anything. I know for other people, they usually want to party or go to the beach on Boxing Day [December 26] but I can do without those activities.

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Iyanna - Christmas 2020 will be normal this year. My family and I will attend Church Service in the morning to celebrate the reason for the holiday followed by a family dinner.

The number of relatives may be reduced this year just the same, but its good that we will be able to enjoy a normal Christmas dinner.

Sarai – This year for Christmas nothing much is changing for my family, just like last year we all take a Covid test before Christmas meet up in hopes of everyone being healthy. Once the results are negative, the festivities begin! One thing for sure, even though we all get tested first- majority of the family is vaccinated so the covid test is extra precaution. Other than the covid testing, we will celebrate the holiday season jus as we usually do, maybe minus a few people.

David – My family doesn’t usually celebrate Christmas however, we still sit down and have a lovely meal as a family then make hot chocolate and watch movies at the end of the night. Now due to covid, it’s just the 5 family members in the household and we all eat. Prior to the coronavirus, we did extend the dinner invite to other family members. Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, we still do a gift exchange game called the “white elephant”.

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Maria – Every Christmas is a big one for my family & I. Unfortunately this year our Christmas holiday is definitely different amid the coronavirus. Usually, we all come together and have a huge celebration, a bunch of kids and loads of gifts and games for everyone. This year a few people tested positive as we get approach Christmas, so this year we aren’t doing anything like we used to. It’s gonna be zoom call kinda of Christmas.”

Andrea - I know this Christmas will be different for a lot of people because of the pandemic. Everyone's major priority will be to stay safe. For me, I plan to go to church and have a small dinner with my family. But the rest of the holidays will be spent indoors. In case people forgot, there is a new variant on the loose. And there are possibilities of more to come. Who knows when this nightmare will end.

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EDITORIAL

The Choices We Make this Christmas Matter C

hristmas 2021 is a mere two days away. By now most of the gifts would have been bought, wrapped and placed under the trees. The exception, of course, are the procrastinators and those still looking for last-minute deals on gifts. Many homes with Caribbean heritage have by now bottled their sorrel and other favorite drinks, covered up the delicious Christmas cakes and baking delicacies, and applied the last chops or sprinkles of seasonings on their meats.

For those of us who made it through this year, enough gratitude cannot be expressed for having the breath of life. 5.37 million persons worldwide were robbed of this opportunity because of the wretched covid virus. In 21 Caricom countries, 10,587 persons left us and up to press time, 436,691 reported cases.

Christmas should be a happy and joyful period. It is a time of celebration and family togetherness. Unfortunately, because of the actions of some, our activities will not be normal for the second straight year. There was hope for a brighter Christmas in mid-October, when the number of cases reported was dipping below 404,000 cases on a 7-day average. Now that number is nearly 667,000.

Governments continue to take actions aiming to reduce the heavy toll on economies, social lives, and livelihoods. They tried hard to put in place measures to balance mitigation with livelihood.

This covid virus has become an existential threat and there seems to be no light or end to the tunnel.

The diverse and polar views that we have on how tto end this menace are not helping to pull us out of this crisis either. People are still refusing to wear masks, keep away from crowds, or get vaccinated, even though evidence and scientific data suggest that these measures will reduce community spread, the severity of illness, and deaths.

Having to mingle pandemic with Christmas is a disastrous mixture that will kill. If you act as if things are normal by where you go, what you do, and how you do, then you are putting more than

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

EDITORIAL editor@cnweeklynews.com

SPORTS EDITOR

In the US, the CDC predicted that up 13,000 more deaths could occur by January 15, 2022.

Worldwide, data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation suggests that total deaths could reach 6,420,164 by March of 2022.

It is incredible to think that so many lives could be snuffed out when we have some control over the results. your own life at risk. If death knocks on your door today, would you be willing to take the journey?

What lengths would you be willing to go, so that your door can be kept closed to death or severe illness? What about your family and loves ones?

from

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Georgia D.N. Robinson, Esq. wishing you season’s greetings and all the best for the new year.

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What would you be willing to do to save their lives?

As you enjoy your Christmas this year, be mindful that your actions or lack thereof have debilitating and life-ending consequences. Wear your mask if you must go out. If you must invite family or friends over, make sure they have taken the necessary precautions to protect your life and that of your family. Thoroughly research without bias, the effects of vaccination and make your own judgment on its merit and benefits. If you must attend crowd-gathering events, do not take any chances. Talk to your friends and family about how to protect themselves and encourage them to do the same.

This pandemic will come to an end, just like previous ones. Do you want to be there at the end to celebrate and tell your story? We would love to share your journey. Therefore, we are imploring you to make the best choices this Christmas. It really matters!

Don Anthony sports@cnweeklynews.com

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la section haitienne

Haiti's Joumou Soup Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added Haiti's Joumou soup among 43 elements inscribed on the agency's intangible cultural heritage lists.

UNESCO said that, during its annual meeting, held online, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed four elements on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 39 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

UNESCO said the Intergovernmental Committee also added four projects to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices and allotted US$172,000 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund to a safeguarding project presented by Mongolia, US$116,400 to a project in Djibouti and a further US$266,000 to a project in Timor-Leste.

For the first time this year, UNESCO said the Intergovernmental Committee decided to inscribe elements from Haiti, Congo, Denmark, Iceland, Federated Republic of

Micronesia, Montenegro, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Seychelles and Timor-Leste to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage lists, which now feature 630 elements from 140 countries.

UNESCO said its Intergovernmental Committee decided to add Haiti's Joumou soup to its inscription “based on the advice of the Evaluation body and following a fast-track procedure, given the specific circumstances due to the hardships recently endured by the country.

UNESCO noted that Joumou, or giraumon soup, is a traditional Haitian pumpkin soup made with vegetables, plantains, meat, pasta and spices.

“It is a celebratory dish, deeply rooted in Haitian identity, and its preparation promotes social cohesion and belonging among communities,” said UNESCO in a statement, adding that originally reserved for slave owners, Haitians took ownership of the soup when they gained independence from France, turning it into a symbol of their newly-acquired freedom and an expression of their dignity and resilience.

“It is made from giraumon, a variety of pumpkin once cultivated by the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, and is prepared and consumed specifically on the first of January – Haiti's Independence Day – when it constitutes the first meal of the year. It also serves as traditional Sunday breakfast.”

UNESCO said the preparation of Joumou soup is a “family and community affair: women manage the overall activities, children help to prepare the ingredients, artisans make the aluminum pots and other utensils used to prepare the soup, and farmers work the land to harvest the vegetables.

“Today, several variations of the soup can be found in the Caribbean and Latin American cuisines,” UNESCO said.

“It is a great joy and a point of pride to see this project come to fruition today, just two weeks before the Haitian Independence Day,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

Haiti, the world's first Black republic, gained its independence from France on January 1, 1804.

“It is an important gesture of recognition for the entire Haitian culture and identity, which will further strengthen its influence throughout the world,” Azoulay added.

The Haitian delegation to UNESCO said the inscription was “not only a fabulous sign of hope and encouragement but also a unifying call for a Haitian people currently facing an exceptionally difficult moment in their rich history.

US to Provide Weapons, Armed Vehicles to Haiti The United States has announced plans to provide Haiti with weapons and armed vehicles in an effort to counter the numerous challenges facing the country.

This was disclosed during a high-level virtual meeting convened on Friday, at the initiative of the United States to address the security, political and economic challenges in Haiti and to offer possibilities of support to the Haitian people.

Haiti was represented at this meeting by the Haitian Chancellor Jean-Victor Généus and the Ambassador of Haiti in Washington, Edmond Bocchit.

The meeting was led by the Assistant Secretary of State for Americas Affairs, Brian A. Nichols.

According to Chancellor Généus, the Haitian Government had made specific requests – for “ the training of police officers, the equipment of armaments necessary to face the firepower of the gangs and an intelligence service to accompany the dismantling of the gangs.”

“We agree that the Haitian National Police need additional support from the international community,” he said while stressing that a broad consensus existed that the situation in Haiti was above all “ a police challenge and not a military one.

Meanwhile, Todd Robinson the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) announced that in the first half of 2022, trainers will be in Haiti to support the national police.

“There will be armored vehicles, troop carriers, lethal weapons to fight the gangs,” said Généus, who said that “Americans seem to have changed their minds whereas previously they were opposed to providing lethal weapons to Haiti.

For his part, Nichols said a lot of work still needs to be done, but the Haitian police are looking forward to the promised delivery.

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY

GraceKennedy Delivers Festive Cheer to Hollywood Grace Kennedy Foods USA Spreads Christmas Joy at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital's Conine Clubhouse Ahead of the holidays, GraceKennedy Foods USA delivered festive cheer to parents and staff at the Conine Clubhouse Lodging at the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.

The Conine Clubhouse, a nonprofit residence named after World Series champion Jeff Conine and his wife Cindy, provides accommodation for families of children receiving medical care at the hospital.

With the assistance of Dynamic Cuisines Food Truck, 150 meals with Grace Coconut Water & Tropical Rhythms were provided to parents and staff at the lodging. Additionally, Grace Foods also donated 100 small bags with Grace dry seasoning and recipe cards to the recipients and approximately 100 books and

games to the children.

The Grace team also made a stop in Fort Lauderdale in support of a drive through grocery distribution by the LA Lee YMCA and other partners, where single mothers were the recipients of hot festive meals.

“On behalf of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Conine Clubhouse, I want to personally thank GraceKennedy Foods for taking the time to bring gifts for the children as well as feeding the children, their families, and staff," said Robert Liguori, Sponsorship Chair

Conine Golf Classic.

“Their commitment to help others is truly what makes the hospital and clubhouse do the amazing things they do. We truly appreciate this special event during the holiday season.”

Earlier this month, with the assistance of Truck Stop Food Truck, Grace Foods also delivered hot meals to frontline workers and staff at Broward Meats & Fish, Key Food Store, Fresco y Mas, and Bravo Supermarkets, all in Broward County, Florida. A total of 600 meals were delivered at all locations.

The initiative forms part of Grace Foods' Festive Feasting campaign, which invites holiday cooks everywhere to add Caribbean spice to their Christmas recipes with a variety of Grace Seasoning and Sauces. Cooks can visit https://gracefoods.com/festive-feasting/ to buy Grace Foods products and to view exclusive holiday recipes to create their own festive feasts.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Grace Foods has been actively executing great corporate social responsibility projects to support families in their retail footprint.

Through its Food Truck program, Grace Foods has fed the homeless in New York and North Miami, along with frontline workers, essential workers, retail supermarket workers and more between Florida, New York and New Jersey.

Broward Teacher Fired For Refusing to Wear Mask A South Florida teacher has been fired for repeatedly refusing to wear a mask. The school board in Broward County on Tuesday unanimously voted to fire John C. Alvarez, a science teacher at Piper High for gross insubordination.

Alvarez plans to appeal the decision to an administrative law judge, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The school board had required students and employees to wear masks in schools for most of the school year, citing a large number of COVID-19 cases, as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration has prohibited student mask mandates, leading to months of bitter legal disputes with Broward and other counties.

DeSantis' orders, which were codified into law by state lawmakers last month, do not apply to employees, only students.

Alvarez repeatedly refused to follow orders from his supervisors to wear a mask and he was fired for insubordination, even though the district no longer requires anyone to wear masks on school campuses, according to Broward County Public Schools.

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FEATURE

COVID-19:

The Grinch Threatening to Steal Christmas Again

By Sheri-Kae McLeod

Just as it seemed like the United States and much of the world were on a path to normalcy, a new COVID-19 variant is upending plans for a normal festive season.

“It's like experiencing deja vu or being stuck in a Groundhog Day loop,” Sabrina Campbell, a Jamaican-born healthcare worker in Palm Beach County, told Caribbean National Weekly.

For Caribbean nationals and those in the diaspora, the Christmas season is a time to travel, visit the homes of friends and family, massive Christmas dinners and church services.

Many people had already made plans to do the aforementioned before the Omicron variant took hold of the United States and became the dominant version of the virus.

According to federal officials, the new variant accounted for 73 percent of all new COVID-19 cases within the last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimated that over 1 million new cases will be detected this week.

As a result of the spread of the variant, which is more transmittable than others, many cities and states are adjusting their holiday plans.

Los Angels, London and Paris all called off their New Year's Eve celebrations this week due to the spread of the virus. In New York City, which has seen a spike in infections over the last two weeks, Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to announce changes to the city's famous New Year's Eve bash in Times Square. In Boston, a sweeping vaccine policy was announced for businesses and in Miami-Dade, county officials expanded COVID testing and reinstated its mask mandate for county-owned buildings.

Campbell said it is frustrating to be experiencing the same thing over and over.

“This happened last year. In 2020, it was more disastrous of course. With the vaccinations and everything, you'd think that we would be over this, but we're not. We've been experiencing the same thing over and over for two years now,” she lamented.

Campbell said as it was in 2020, she and her coworkers are anxious for the next wave of COVID19 in the United States.

President Joe Biden attempted to quell panic over the variant by announcing the purchase of a half-billion, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and the mobilization of 1,000 military medical personnel to overburdened hospitals. Biden said Americans will be able to request the free-at-home COVID-19 tests be mailed to their homes by accessing an online website.

"I know you're tired. I know you're frustrated.

We all want this to be over but we're still in it. And this is a critical moment. But we also have more tools than we've ever had before,” Biden said in his remarks from the White House.

While acknowledging the concerns of the virus and the new variant, Biden said that Americans have no reason to pandemic and that the country had made progress in its fight against COVID-19.

“This is not March of 2020. Two hundred million people are fully vaccinated. We're prepared.

We know more. We just have to stay focused."

But its not just the U.S. that is experiencing COVID-19 Christmas jitters. Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, France, Israel and the United Kingdom are among the countries globally that have imposed new COVID-19 restrictions within the last month.

And across the Caribbean, officials are urging caution and putting restrictions in place to prevent another crisis.

The Omicron variant has been detected in several islands, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Trinidad has imposed a vaccine mandate for government workers, while the governments of Antigua and Guyana have warned against fetes and parties.

Jamaica too has also warned residents that no party permits will be issued over the holidays. But the warnings have not swayed those experiencing COVID-19 fatigue. For many Jamaican residents, it will be a normal pre-COVID Christmas this year.

“This is the first Christmas since 2019 where we will be allowed to be out after midnight. I'm vaccinated and plan to enjoy it to the fullest. They say we should learn to live with COVID-19 so that's what I'm doing,” Shaquille, a Jamaican event promoter, told Caribbean National Weekly.

Mark Moore, another event promoter, sees this year as “the time to make up for all that has been lost in 2020”. His Christmas plans will include dinner with several relatives from the diaspora for the first time since 2019.

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B3

FEATURE

And The Most Popular Christmas Song Is...

With the airwaves resonating with Christmas songs and music, Caribbean National Weekly conducted a recent survey among 421 Caribbean Americans in South Florida to determine what is the most popular Christmas carol or song.

The results showed that the carol, “Silent Night,” with 21 percent, closely nipped the song, “O Holy Night,” which received 20 percent nods in popularity.

It seems that the popularity of the traditional carol is buoyed by its rendition by the American pop group, 'The Drifters', as over 50 percent of those surveyed preferred this version.

The ranking of the most popular Christmas songs and carols are as follows:

21 % 20 % 13 % 11 % 9% 8% 5% 5% 4% 4%

Silent Night O Holy Night The Christmas Song Away in a Manger O Little Town of Bethlehem I’ll be Home for Christmas Mary’s Boy Child Jingle Bells White Christmas Little Drummer Boy

The other songs and carols just missing the top ten are: “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to The World” and “I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

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B5

FEATURE

Christmas Across The Caribbean

By Garth A. Rose

Christmas is a very special time in the Caribbean, highlighted of course by Christmas Day, but with the festivities beginning from around December 1. Regionally, the season is characterized by a heavy rotation of Christmas carols and music on the radio; office, school and house parties; shopping, including special Christmas markets; cultural dances and masquerades; concerts, feasting, caroling by church groups, exchange of gifts, and of course, Christmas Day church services heralding the birth of Jesus Christ.

In recent years, as the North American and European influence permeates the region, aspects of Christmas in the Caribbean have adapted a foreign flavor. This includes the decoration of artificial Christmas trees, Santa Claus at malls and shopping centers, decorations of houses with Christmas lights and a more profound commercialism than in former years.

Despite the influence from the First World, there is something about Christmas in the Caribbean that is special, more inter-personal, offers a greater expression of love and carries a more poignant religious message than in either North America or Europe.

Some of the features of Christmas in the Caribbean include:

Christmas Preparation Preparations for Christmas in the region begin weeks before Christmas Day. For most families, regardless of how humble, the focus is on home and children. The period leading up to Christmas is a time to repaint or do repairs around the house. Those who cannot afford to repaint the house repaint the fence, but the house must look 'good' for Christmas.

Christmas is also the time for new curtains, bed spreads, utensils, furniture and electrical appliances. Several people save during the year in traditional bank accounts, Christmas clubs or informal 'partners' to have 'Christmas money' to “fix up the house.”

In the modern Caribbean homes, families decorate real or artificial trees, and several hang colored or white Christmas lights from their roofs. As Christmas approaches parents spend

some of the 'Christmas money' to purchase new clothing and toys for children. On Christmas Day, children and their parents too, are usually seen in church or Christmas markets in their new outfits from head to toe. Girls are proud of their Christmas dress and boys their new Christmas shoes.

Certain drinks and food are key components of Christmas in the Caribbean. In Jamaica, housewives set about “drawing” sorrel, by steaming the fleshy buds from the plant in water, white rum, blended ginger, pimento and sugar. The longer the sorrel drink is set to brew, the better the drink tastes when it is served on Christmas Day. In some countries in the region, women purchase and season portions of pork days before Christmas Day. In Antigua, for example, pork cooked in a variety of forms is very popular at Christmas. In countries like Jamaica, a leg of ham is purchased and baked in the days just before Christmas.

Another traditional Christmas treat is the Christmas pudding, and cake. These pastries are made from a blend of mixed dry fruits, including currants, raisin, prunes, mixed peel, and a very liberal application of red wine and/or rum.

Caribbean homes have a special aroma in the immediate days before Christmas emanating from hams, puddings and cakes being baked in ovens. continues on B8 – Across the Caribbean

Phenomenal from A1

numbers, which have also been growing by leaps and bounds,” he added.

Bartlett said that barring any fallout from the Omicron variant of the virus, there is every reason to believe that Jamaica will record increase visitor arrivals.

Much of the tourist arrivals are Jamaicans living overseas who were urged by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in 2020, not to travel to the island during Christmas, unless it was necessary. Earlier this month, in relaxing some of the island's measures, Prime Minister Holness said he was giving all Jamaicans to opportunity to enjoy the holidays safely.

Tourists looking to escape to a tropical destination for the holidays are also flocking to Jamaica, according to the tourism minister.

“Whether it's the United States, Canada or Great Britain, there's a lot of interest in Jamaica and its people. Our partners have also been impressed by how we have managed our health and safety protocols. We have also managed to make a lot of inroads in other areas, some as fertile as the Middle East, the Eastern bloc in Europe and even parts of Asia. We have spent our time wisely and now we are seeing the results,” Bartlett said.

Meanwhile, Chief Strategist/Senior Adviser in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, said that Jamaica's cruise numbers will see an exponential increase in early 2022 when the western Caribbean route is fully opened.

“We share the same itinerary route with Grand Cayman, which is still closed. Cruise shipping should be resuming in Cayman in early February and that's when we should be seeing the huge Royal Caribbean Oasis-styled vessels coming our way,” he added.

Additionally, a recent survey conducted by the Jamaica Tourist Board revealed that the island is currently the leading travel destination in the world.

Figures show that Jamaica leads the world in demand (searches for the destination) at 38 percent of 2019 levels, compared to the rest of the world at 24 percent, capacity (air seats flown or scheduled) at 65 percent of 2019 levels, compared to the rest of the world at 44 percent and international air passengers at 45 percent of 2019 levels, compared to the rest of the world at 31 percent. Beyond the increasing visitor numbers, visitors to Jamaica in 2021 are also staying longer and spending more.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White, says that barring no major crises, Jamaica's tourism industry will see a return to 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 2023, at which point, the island would have welcomed over 4 million visitors.

B6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

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COMMUNITY

Broward Meat & Sheriff's Dept Give Back to Lauderdale Lakes

LAND FOR SALE Southeld St. Elizabeth, Jamaica 1½ Acre and 2 Ch

Some of the children and their parents who collected Christmas bikes from the Broward County Sheriff Department in collaboration with Broward Meat and Fish. In the front row, store manager Alfred Lora (2nd, left) is between Deputy Bernard (L) and Sergeant Randy Gresham, while Deputy Nicolene Johnson is front-right. Photo: Ashley Robles

By Patrick Green

Children in Lauderdale Lakes will have a merrier Christmas this year, as the Broward Sheriff department and neighborhood supermarket, Broward Meats & Fish, teamed up to give back to the community. The delivery of 75 Christmas bikes took place at the grocery store's location along State Road 7 on Tuesday evening.

Broward Meat & Fish is a household name in the Caribbean community and has been giving back since it first opened its doors in

1991. In addition to bikes for the children, the grocery chain has also donated food to other charities benefitting the communities that it serves.

Store manager Alfred Lora was delighted by the response from the community and the effect on the children. “We do this to give back to the community and to make the kids happy.

It is our way of showing our appreciation, as one of the most trusted and compassionate companies that benefit from them,” he said.

Alfred is also mindful of the pandemic effects on families, which according to him, makes the gesture even more important. “This is important to us and the community, especially at this time. So many families are not able to make Christmas merry for their kids. It is such a joy to partner with the Sheriff's department to make this a possibility.”

The Broward Sheriff's Department was thrilled with the opportunity to give back to

Across the Caribbean

from B5

Christmas Church Service In the old days, families dressed in their brand-new Christmas dresses, suits, hats and shoes some much too tight and painful - and attended early morning Christmas services, some starting as early as 5 a.m. However, as crime has become an unfortunate problem, the early morning Christmas service has moved to around 7 or 8 a.m.

Regardless of the time, the Christmas Day service is a big tradition in the Caribbean, where choirs, joined by the congregation, sing rousing renditions of Christmas carols. In recent years, some churches hold a Christmas service late on Christmas Eve, ending a little after midnight on Christmas Day. Portions of these Christmas Eve services are sometimes held in candlelight, with the congregation singing carols like “Silent Night.”

The Christmas Meal Christmas Day, after the opening and exchange of gifts on Christmas morning, is one long day of feasting and drinking in the Caribbean; but the focal meal is Christmas dinner.

The content of the meal varies in every Caribbean country, depending upon the culture of that country. In Jamaica, baked ham, fried or jerked chicken, roasted beef, curry and rice and peas, is almost a certainty, Many countries have now adapted the roasted turkey.

In Antigua, the meal will consist of baked, corned or stewed pork. Trinidadians will have pastelles - a cornmeal pocket stuffed with minced beef, highly seasoned, with peppers and olives, and varieties of roti. In Barbados the specialty is jug-jug, a dish made with ground meats, guinea corn and pigeon peas and in Guyana it is pepper pot, a dark meat stew.

The drink is either rum punch, sorrel, ginger beer, mongay (Trinidad), rum-popo (Belize), anisette (Haiti), or a fruit punch, and dessert all over the Caribbean is the famed Christmas fruit (black) cake or pudding.

The Christmas meal is a main event for the gathering of families, old and new, and friends who may have no family or visiting from overseas. Usually, there is food for anyone who wants to share in this great Caribbean Christmas tradition, which is akin to what the Thanksgiving meal is in the USA, plus some.

In Haiti, Haitians attend midnight mass and return home to enjoy the "reveillon” meal, a breakfast that begins very early on Christmas morning lasting until the sun comes up.

Christmas Masquerades And Traditional Music In several islands, Christmas is characterized by colorful masquerade groups that parade and dance to musical bands featuring drumming and the blowing of fifes.

Among the most popular of these bands are the Junkanoo dancers. Some 50 years ago, Junkanoo bands were very popular in Jamaica. These bands including players dressed in costumes depicting the devil, policemen, dragons, horse heads, pregnant women and clowns, paraded the streets dancing and prancing. Although they were usually a festive attraction some of these masqueraders scared some children and even adults. These bands are rarely seen in Jamaica nowadays.

However, Junkanoo is more popular in the Bahamas, where several bands parade attracting large, enthusiastic crowds. There are similar bands in other islands, including the Highlanders, Jumba-Ben and Tall Ghosts in Antigua.

In some islands, Christmas is a time to break out traditional music. On Christmas Eve, mainly in rural communities, groups of residents still go out caroling with a Caribbean flavor. In some areas of rural Jamaica one can hear mento bands on Christmas Day at fairs, or see folk groups dancing the Quadrille, and young girls performing the colorful Maypole dance.

the community. Sergeant of the Neighborhood Support Team, Randy Gresham said: “We are very happy to connect with our community in this way.” He said it gives the law enforcement agency an opportunity to show that they are more than law enforcers. “Through efforts like this, we are able to enhance our relationship and provide needed social support,” he stated.

The Broward Sheriff's Office has been donating bikes to kids for about ten years and Sergeant Gresham said, “it is really important to give back to the community, especially to the children.” He said the kids really love and enjoy the gifts as they “get an opportunity to have something they wanted for Christmas.”

Children were selected from schools in the city and were given their bikes in the company of their parents.

Tel: (347) 623.9120 Contact : Cammelita

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 –

C1

ENTERTAINMENT

Spice, Shaggy and Sean Paul Score Spot on Obama's 2021 Playlist With her massive collaboration 'Go Down Deh' featuring Sean Paul and Shaggy, dancehall artist Spice landed a spot on former U.S. President, Barack Obama's 2021 music playlist.

It is now a tradition for the former President to end the year by revealing his list of favorite books, movies and songs.

In the 2021 edition shared to social media recently, Obama listed the hit song from Spice as one of his favorite songs of the year.

Spice reacted to the post on Instagram, saying “Just when I

thought my year couldn't end any better Mr. President @barackobama announced that he has been listening to my song.”

'Go Down Deh', released in May this year, is the lead single off Spice's debut album, '10'. The album, which was released on August 6, peaked at number six on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.

Executively produced by veteran international artist Shaggy, the album also earned Spice her first Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category at the 64th annual Grammy awards.

Spice

Shaggy

SeanPaul

Koffee Premieres Video For 'Harder They Fall' Soundtrack

By Ramona Samuels/CNW Entertainmemt

Fast-rising international Reggae recording artist Koffee has premiered the official music video for her song, 'The Harder They Fall' from the Netflix movie of the same name. The song and video's release comes by way of Geneva Club and Roc Nation Records on Koffee's YouTube Channel.

The British-Nigerian filmmaker Jeymes Samuel, who made his feature debut with the Netflix Western, co-wrote the motion picture with Boaz Yakin, has also produced Koffee's record, and composed the lyrics with Jay-Z for the award-winning film's soundtrack. The

Koffee

music video's direction is done by 'Child Artiste'.

The dancehall track has close to 1 million Spotify plays and starts with these lyrics- “Hold up your lighter and come, flame inna di air, fire haffi bun. Holla from a top of a mountain and cry, tell dem seh my love will never die.” The Spanish Town native's familiar tone deejays, while decked in a turquoise feathered, turtlenecked bodysuit.

Prominent scenes with the movie's all-star cast are rapidly intertwined as the songwriter dominates the essence of each capture. The Western-clad dance ensemble entertains with hardcore moves that add even more diversity to the theme of the video.

On the 24th of June this year, Netflix revealed the official trailer for the action-packed western which included Barrington Levy's 1985 hit song 'Here I Come', that drove dancehall fans into an online mania. From then on the

film's anticipation rode high through to its Netflix and theatre premiere on November 3.

Levy's second song on the soundtrack is the conscious “Better Than Gold”.

Jeymes recently won the first-ever 'Composer Of The Year' award from Composer Magazine for the fourteen-song soundtrack, which debuted on streaming platforms on October 29.

Other stars on the soundtrack include the iconic Lauren Hill, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Ceelo Green, British star Seal, who is the big brother of Jeymes, Jada Kiss, and Jeymes himself who comes in on track 13, and many others who all complete the impressive body of work.

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C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

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SPORTS

CRICKET

SOCCER

Rising Stars to Add Finishing Touches for World Cup in South Africa Series Finalizing roles and enhancing situation awareness will be high on the agenda for West Indies Under-19s head coach Floyd Reifer when his side faces South Africa Under19s in a four-match series bowling off in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Boxing Day. The series, comprising 50-over matches, will be played at the Arnos Vale Stadium and Cumberland Playing Field with fixtures also on December 28, December 30 and January 3.

And Reifer said the tour would be critical in helping the Rising Stars put the finishing touches on their preparation for next month's start of the International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean.

“It's great for us to have these matches as part of the build-up to the World Cup,” Reifer said.

“We are really looking forward to this series against South Africa, as we are at the stage where it is important for the squad to play together, to see players in various roles, see how they respond to situations and how well they execute the plans we put in place.”

West Indies Under-19s have spent the last six months in intense preparation for the January 14 to February 5 ICC Under-19

C3

Reifer

World Cup carded for Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, and Guyana.

Cricket West Indies staged a competitive internal tournament for the players here in the summer, before the squad traveled to England in September for a sixmatch series against the hosts which they lost 4-2.

Reifer, who has overseen the squad's selection and development over the last year, said the series against the Young Proteas would also assist with unity and creating an all-important “team culture”.

“It is for us to also make sure we get the team going well together and have synergy, so the players fully understand each other,” he explained.

“This is very crucial for us as we look to build the team energy and the team culture.

I can't stress enough how vital these

matches are, and we will be taking them very seriously.

“We want to thank the Government and Cricket Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for working with our operations and medical teams over the past week to put things in place for us to get some much-needed playing time in the middle and preparations.”

South Africa Under-19s were scheduled to arrive in Barbados on Monday and travel by charter to Kingstown to begin their preparations for the series.

West Indies Under-19s and South Africa Under-19s are two of 16 teams that will play 48 matches in the upcoming ICC World Cup. The hosts will do battle in Group D alongside Australia and Sri Lanka and Scotland.

Andrew Price elated as Nicholson signs to Spartak Moscow

By L Bronson / CNW Sports Seasoned Jamaican coach Andrew Price was an extremely happy man yesterday after news emerged that Reggae Boy striker Shamar “Boza” Nicholson had signed a contract with Russian club Spartak Moscow.

The Russian outfit, currently lying ninth in the Russian Premier League with 23 points from 18 games – winning six, drawing five, and losing seven, announced the signing of the 24-year-old from Belgian side RSC Charleroi until 2026.

Nicholson bagged 13 goals and had five assists in 18 games this season. He scored a hat-trick in his last game on the weekend.

Prior to joining RSC Charleroi in 2019, Nicholson suited up for Slovenian club NK Domžale after leaving Boys' Town in the National Premier League in Jamaica.

“I'm really happy for Shamar, he has really put in the work, he deserves all the success that he is currently having and now this multi-million, mega move from Sporting Charleroi to Spartak Moscow where he'll have the opportunity to play in the Europa Cup and possibly in the Champions League next year,” stated Price who introduced the thenteenager to first-team football in Jamaica's top-tier league.

“SO it's a good move for him, he has proven quality, he has scored goals in the Premier League in Slovenia, he has shown that he can score goals in the Belgian Premier League so I don't see why it should be a problem for him to get goals in Russian Premier League,” Price told the NationWideNews yesterday.

Nicholson has been capped 29 times for Jamaica, scoring 10 goals, two of which came in the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign.

Spartak Moscow did not disclose details of the transfer fee, but www.archysport.com website, suggested that the transfer is around 10 to 12 million euros, the second-largest transfer out of Sporting Charleroi after a certain Victor Osimhen to Lille in 2019.

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 23 – DEC 29, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM