National Weekly February 25, 2021

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Healthcare Crisis!

TOP STORIES

Jamaica experiencing COVID-19 spike, limited hospital beds, nurse shortage

By Sheri-Kae McLeod

“An unprecedented crisis” is how Jamaica’s Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton describes Jamaica’s latest spike in COVID19 cases.

Jamaica experienced spikes of the virus in the past but now with limited bed space at hospitals and not enough staff to care for the increase in patients, the current wave of COVID-19 infections is on the brink of overwhelming the island’s healthcare sector.

In the last week, the country has experienced almost 3,000 new cases, with hospitalizations moving from 245 to 270. Tufton said some 13 of 22 hospitals on the island have reached or are close to their max isolation capacity.

The health ministry has assured Jamaicans that the government is working on increasing the country’s bed capacity. Four field hospitals will be established soon, according to Dr. Tufton, and

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In the last week, Jamaica has experienced almost 3,000 new cases, and some 13 of 22 hospitals on the island have reached or are close to their max isolation capacity.

continues on B1 – Healthcare Crisis

Miramar Election: Incumbents Holding Firm The City of Miramar boasts one of the largest Jamaican communities in the nation and is the only city where all members on the commission are of Jamaican heritage. On March 9, three of the fivemember commission will face the polls and seek reelection. At a time where there are no major issues to rile residents, the incumbents stand a good chance of retaining their seats.

Seat 1 If there is one elected official who serves and represents his constituents, it is Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers. An official with his pulse on the

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Chambers

community, he has grown into his role of commissioner and remains connected to the residents.

Incumbent Maxwell Chambers is being challenged by Chris Koval, a magazine publisher with little community support. Kerri-Ann Nesbeth is also in the race and may be the best challenger to Chambers. But, as a newcomer, she will need to work the city a bit harder in a quest to join the commission.

While Chambers is not your typical technocrat, he has earned the reputation as the people’s commissioner. His hands-on approach to leadership makes him a unique member of the commission, continues on B4 – Miramar Elections

President Biden Anticipates Strengthening Ties with Guyana

More Nurses Migrating from Jamaica Amid Another COVID Crisis

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill to Deliver Keynote Address At Tamarac’s Black History Month Virtual Lecture

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WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

COMMUNITY

REGGAE MONTH

SPORTS

Reggae Legend “The Originator” U-Roy Dies in Jamaica A3

Jamaican Media Personality Amashika Lorne Launches Coloring Series in Florida for Children A8

From Revivalism to Reggae Part 2: Reggae B2

Sir Clive Lloyd Believes Brathwaite 'Slightly Ahead' of Holder for Windies Captaincy C3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 BREAKING GROUND: Some Broward County leaders came together on February 24, at the groundbreaking of the first phase of the C-51, which will be used to provide an alternate water supply to South Florida. L-r: Sunrise Assistant Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Guzman, Broward District 9 Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness, and Dania Beach Commissioner Joyce Davis. - Contributed

TAKING THE LEAD: Prime Minister Andrew Holness leads the way for members of the House of Representa ves as they walk toward the entrance of Gordon House for the tradi onal Ceremonial Opening of Parliament for the 2021/2022 Parliamentary Year. - Contributed

HANDS-ON: Ron Daniels, Store Manager of Fresco Y Mas par cipa ng in a day of service at Lauderhill Wolk Park. Fresco Y Mas and Winn Dixie joined in an agreement with Lauderhill to adopt the park. - Contributed

GREEN SPACE: Donna of Grace Kennedy Foods, Vice Mayor Denise D. Grant of Lauderhill and Hazelle Mirage of Grace Kennedy Foods par cipated in a day of cleaning at Wolk Park, as part of the Adopt-A-Park ini a ve advanced by Vice Mayor Denise D. Grant. - Contributed

ROYAL TREATMENT: Lauderhill Commissioner Lawrence “Jabbow” Mar n presents the Lauderhill Royals Cheerleading Junior Peewee team with a trophy for their excep onal season on February 18. The Junior Peewees were crowned regional and na onal champions at the Pop Warner Na onal Cheer & Dance Championships in December 2020. - Contributed

ONE DOWN: Legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Curtly Ambrose snaps a picture a er receiving the first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in An gua on February 22. Contributed

THE JOY OF GIVING: Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief helps to distribute food at Joy's Ro Delight with Feeding South Florida and American Airlines on Sunday, February 21. - Contributed

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

A3

NEWSMAKER singer John Holt, who was the lead vocalist of the Paragons at the time, heard U-Roy toasting over a track produced by record label owner, Duke Reid. Holt told Reid about the performance and U-Roy later snagged a recording deal.

His first two singles released on Reid's Treasure Isle label, “Wake the Town” and “Chika Bow Wow Wow” toasted to John Holt's “Wear You to the Ball,” were perennial Jamaican hits and established his reputation as one of Jamaica's most popular toasters.

Partygoers in Jamaica recall that

EWART BECKFORD

U-ROY

In 1978, U-Roy started his own sound system which he named Stur Gav after his sons. The sound system would launch the careers of a younger generation of toasters and singers including Shorty, Ranking Joe, Super Cat, Jah Screw, Charlie Chaplin and Josey Wales

Reggae Legend, “The Originator” Dies in Kingston, Jamaica

U

-Roy, the famous voice, the original “toaster” that brought reggae fans around the world hits like “Wake The Town and Tell The People,” has died.

The artist passed away on Wednesday (February 17) night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston after undergoing surgery there. The 79-year-old reggae icon had been receiving treatment for a kidney problem.

U-Roy is survived by his partner of 40-plus years, Marcia Smikle, and 16 children.

Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange has expressed

shock and sadness at his passing.

“I am deeply saddened at news that veteran DJ, U Roy, has made his transition to a higher order. Daddy U Roy earned his crown as 'King of the Dancehall' for the role he played in pioneering the art of 'toasting' on sound system rhythms," Grange said in a statement.

Grange said U-Roy's songs will forever remain in the rich legacy of Jamaica's reggae music culture.

U-Roy, born Ewart Beckford, was known as the pioneer of the musical art of toasting. Although he was not the creator of the style, he is credited for popularizing it on reggae

Robinson-produced albums: Natty Rebel (1976), Rasta Ambassador (1977) and Jah Son of Africa (1978).

U-Roy's international popularity led to the album Natty Rebel being released in 1976 on Virgins' imprint Front Line label in Nigeria as well as in France on Virgin and Polydor.

He was featured on the album True Love by Toots and the Maytals, which won the Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Reggae Album.

In 2007, the Jamaican deejay was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for his contribution to music.

rhythms in the 1960s. Toasting is a style of lyrical chanting which, in reggae/dancehall music, involves a deejay “chanting” (toasting) over a rhythm or song. Jamaican-American toaster DJ Kool Herc brought the style of music to America and it became the blueprint for hip hop music.

U-Roy was known as “the originator” and a true pioneer of the current dancehall and reggae sound.

Born in Kingston in 1941, his career began as a DJ in 1961. He worked with several producers including Keith Hudson and Lee “Scratch” Perry. In 1970, Jamaican

during the 70s, when the DJs played U-Roy's “Chika Bow Wow Wow” everyone in the room, dancing or not, would join in the infectious chorus “Chika Bow, Chika Bow, Chika Wow, Wow, Wow.” Even today in Jamaica and the rest of the world where Jamaican old musical hits are played, this U-Roy hit turns dancers to chanting in a melodious frenzy.

Beckford later went on to work with other major producers on the island, including Bunny Lee and Lloyd Daley. In 1972, he first toured the UK with the artists Roy Shirley and Max Romeo.

In 1975, his album Dread in a Babylon was released in the U.S., Europe and Jamaica by popular British label, Virgin Records. The album achieved significant sales in the UK. The success of Dread in a Babylon led to a series of Tony

In reacting to the news of this death, Jamaican-American artist Shaggy hailed U-Roy as “one of Jamaica's music heroes.”

In a post on Instagram, Shaggy said, “A true legend in this game of dance hall/ Reggae if your (sic) a fan of sound system, then you're a fan of Stur Gav sound. With such greats as Colonel Josey Whales (sic) and Charlie Chaplin, pioneers in this game … with a catalogue of amazing recordings U Roy was a master at his craft. Rest Well daddy U-Roy!! R.I.P. walk good.”

Several other musicians, including Buju Banton, Freddie McGreggor and Richie Stephens have also paid tribute to the legendary musician.

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A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CARIBBEAN

Dominica replaces Barbados on EU Blacklist The European Union (EU) on Monday removed Barbados from the so-called blacklist of jurisdictions considered noncooperative for tax purposes, however, it added Dominica because it said the island still does not fully meet international standards.

Barbados was added to the EU list in October 2020 after it received a 'partially compliant' rating from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Forum for Transparency and Exchange of Information.

“Barbados has been moved to a state-ofplay document pending the outcome of a review,” the Council said.

Meantime, Jamaica has been added to that document as it has committed to amend or abolish its harmful tax regime (special economic zone regime) by the end of 2022, the EU Council added.

The changes to the list take into consideration the ratings recently released by the Global Forum as regards exchange of information on request.

The EU requires jurisdictions to be at least 'largely compliant' with the international standard on transparency and exchange of information on request.

Following the latest update released on Monday, which includes Dominica on the blacklist, there are now 12 jurisdictions considered non-cooperative jurisdictions, including Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

JAMAICA

BOJ Says Economy Showing Signs of Improvement

Byles

Governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Richard Byles says Jamaica is beginning to show signs of incremental improvement in economic activity, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He cited the relatively buoyant foreign exchange market inflows, adequate reserves, a sustainable balance of payments position, and the containment of inflation within the BOJ's 4-6 percent target range, as evidence of the progress being made.

And Byles said based on the latest development, “we believe the contraction in the economy is past its worst, and the outlook is for continued, albeit more gradual improvements in economic activity.”

Addressing the BOJ's quarterly digital briefing, the BOJ governor noted that the 10.7 percent contraction in domestic growth recorded in the September 2020 quarter represented an improvement on the 18.4 percent decline for April to June 2020, and the Bank continues to project that for the full 2020/21 fiscal year, real gross domestic product (GDP) will contract in the range of 10-12 percent.

He said, however, that a partial rebound of at least four percent in economic activity is projected to commence in fiscal year 2021/22 “and could possibly be as high as eight percent if there's strong recovery in tourism.”

“This projected growth in the fiscal year 2021/22 represents a first step in getting the economy back to levels of economic activity [predating COVID-19],” Byles added.

REGION

COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out on Agenda for Heads of CARICOM Meeting The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines is included on the agenda when CARICOM Heads of Government hold their 32nd Inter-Sessional Meeting this week.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are expected to address regional leaders on the pandemic. There will

also be discussions on regional economic recovery and transformation.

“Access to vaccines is regarded as crucial to curbing the spread of COVID-19 infections in the region where many member states have experienced increases in positive cases,” CARICOM said in a statement on Monday.

The Heads of Government, meeting under the chairmanship of Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, will also examine the status of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy

(CSME) and any outstanding issues which need to be resolved to ensure full benefits from the CSME are realized.

“The CSME is regarded as critical to the region's strategy to build economic resilience, and it is felt that the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need to accelerate the pace of the integration process,” the CARICOM statement said.

The meeting is also expected to consider recommendations from the CARICOM Commission on the Economy which was continues on A7 – Vaccine Roll-out

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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

editorial

Workers, Prepare for South Florida's Expanding Tech Market The combination of Florida's almost year-round sunshine, relatively easy tax policy, compared to states like California and New York, and stringent efforts of leaders like Miami Mayor Francis Suarez in attracting new businesses, is diversifying Florida—particularly South Florida—from the focus on tourism to technology-based businesses.

Although COVID-19 brought its share of sickness, death and financial hardships to South Florida, there has also been a positive. Over the last few months, new technology and investment businesses migrated to the region from other states.

And, as more entrepreneurs become aware of the financial advantage of doing business in South Florida, more businesses are anticipated to open within the near and medium term.

Mayor Suarez is making his primary mission to target small, medium, and large tech companies to his city, and has received assurances of some of these businesses coming soon, joining vibrant companies already operating in the city.

In a recent Miami Herald interview pertaining to his mission, Suarez asked, “What's the alternative? If they weren't here? If we didn't have intellectual and monetary capital? If we weren't attracting the most productive, innovative people on the planet? It creates lifestyle. It creates livelihoods.

Everywhere these people have gone they have created jobs. They have a track record.”

Among the greatest benefits of the influx of tech businesses to the region is creation of new jobs. The pandemic revealed with the aid of strong and reliable Wi-Fi systems, companies can utilize more employees working from home. As new companies turn to Miami, they are going to need more virtual workers since they no longer have to cram

employees into expensive, air-conditioned buildings.

But is the region—more pointedly, Caribbean Americans in the region—adequately educated and trained to move into new tech jobs?

Over the past decade, as evidence surfaced that America lagged behind technologically savvy countries like China and India in competence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), American students were encouraged to place more focus on these subjects. However, in South Florida, the trend has not been exactly overly enthusiastic, and several students have expressed “struggling” with these subjects, especially mathematics, although reports did indicate a slight improvement in math scores in South Florida schools in 2019.

While a significant percentage of CaribbeanAmerican high school graduates trend in advancing to college education, the move seems to be not toward STEM-oriented degrees but leaning more to education, business, law, and according to admission officers at two local universities, “too much towards courses in the liberal arts.”

Somehow, someway, the means must be found to guide Caribbean-American youth to increase their focus, from an early age, on studying these STEM courses.

Aside from the potential for new technological type jobs and businesses opening in South Florida, there's a very potent job market in the medical industry. The persistence of COVID-19 exposed a critical shortage of medical personnel in the region.

The shortage does not apply only to doctors and nurses, but also to a variety of medical technicians and therapists.

It was very disappointing to learn from the admissions officers referred to, that several Caribbean-American students admitted to pursue medical courses, later switched to non-medical courses, preferring not to cope with the rigors of a medical course.

COVID-19 has also created an unfortunate unemployment problem in South Florida, and other regions of Florida. At the end of January, Florida's

first time unemployment claims increased by 13.1 percent to 71,046 from the previous week's 62,818.

As of February 3, the state had paid 2.23 million unemployment claims out of 5.32 million claims, ranking Florida third behind California and New York in unemployment claims.

Moreover, at the end of December 2020, the unemployment rate of 7.3 percent in Miami-Dade County, accounting for 96,000 residents, was the second highest among Florida counties. Plus, some 80,000 county workers dropped out of the labor force entirely over the previous 12 months, unable to find work.

Most of the unemployed, and those depending on the scanty state unemployment weekly benefit of $275, and facing food insecurity, were people laid off from restaurants, hotels, the cruise industry and non-technical airline jobs. There wasn't much evidence of significant numbers of people laid off from jobs related to the technology, scientific, or medical industries.

There's real indication the job market in South Florida, and other regions of America, is shifting towards the technology, scientific, and medical industries. These are good-paying jobs—allowing workers to enjoy wages that enable them to provide very decent standards of living for themselves and their families.

Too many people, including in the CaribbeanAmerican community, tend to take the easy, lesschallenging route of settling for clerical or middle management jobs in the retail, leisure, banking, cruise and airline industries, rather than attempting to be adequately trained for better-paying tech jobs, for example.

People in South Florida continue to complain about jobs that pay less than a living wage, but they can do much better. Better-paying jobs exist. Betterpaying jobs are coming. People, including high school and college students, are strongly urged to get out of their comfort zones and pursue courses and training that will make them marketable in the expanding tech savvy employment market.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

A7

la section haitienne

DR Deploys Thousands of Troops Along Border The Dominican Armed Forces have deployed 7,200 troops on the border with Haiti and so far this year have intercepted and returned more than 38,000 Haitians who illegally crossed the territorial division.

Speaking with reporters on Friday, the general commander of the Dominican Republic Army, Julio Ernesto Florian Perez, said if more soldiers are needed “we will use them so the country is safe in this part of the territory.”

Florian noted that the Dominican military recently caught “some people wanted” by the Haitian justice system and “some criminals” who were handed over to the Haitian National Police in the border province of Dajabon.

The former mayor of Port-au-Prince Ralph Youry Chevry was arrested last Sunday in Dajabón together with the former official Wenson Pierre, the Haitian policeman Antonine Maquendy and the civilian Wiquenesonnt Despiene because they did not have passports or visas to enter the national territory, said the Ministry of Defense.

Vaccine Roll-out recently reconstituted and mandated to provide advice on implementable solutions to build resilience and push CARICOM economies along the path of sustainable growth and development.

The Heads of Government will also seek to advance the regional agenda on food and nutrition security, which has become increasingly challenged by the COVID-19

Chevry, against whom the Haitian government has issued an arrest warrant, has not requested asylum in the Dominican Republic, said Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, who also affirmed that Haiti had not asked for his extradition.

Florian assured that the surveillance by air and land would be maintained to “provide all the security” as a result of the socio-political situation in Haiti.

“We are vigilant together with the General Directorate of Migration…more than 38,000 people who tried to enter the country illegally have already been captured,” he said.

He also warned that “the persecution against undocumented people who were doing agricultural and construction work will begin to be regularized” since the authorities granted grace for these people due to the coronavirus pandemic.

from A4

pandemic with its disruptions to productivity and access to healthy foods.

Also on the agenda are deliberations on a framework for a joint tourism policy for CARICOM which will, among other things, seek to address the impact of the pandemic on the region's tourism industry and tourismrelated revenue reduction on the Region's overall economic performance.

The meeting is expected to discuss CARICOM relations with the new United States administration, and also deliberate on matters related to Reparations and Regional Security.

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UN Human Rights Office Alarmed by 'Attacks' on Judicial Independence in Haiti The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) is “very concerned” over recent attacks against judicial independence in Haiti, as the country is gripped by political and institutional instability.

According to OCHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell, a judge of the Haitian Cour de Cassation (Supreme Court) was arrested on February 7 “in circumstances that may amount to unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention.”

Throssell said 22 other individuals were also arrested, 17 of whom still remain in pre-trial detention.

“These developments cause concerns about judicial independence and have further eroded the separation of powers in Haiti,” said Throssell at a regular media briefing at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).

Throssell stressed that respecting the rule of law and the system of checks and balances at all times is paramount.

OHCHR called on the Haitian authorities to ensure respect for the established legal and institutional framework, and to comply with their obligations under the country's Constitution and international human rights treaties.

“We urge the Government and opposition to engage in a meaningful and inclusive dialogue to avoid further

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY

Florida: Over 30,000 COVID-19 Deaths Florida Health officials announced on Monday that over 30,000 Floridians have died of COVID-19, but hospitalizations and cases have continued to drop, mirroring the national trend.

Florida's Department of Health reports that 30,065 state residents have died and more than 1.8 million have been infected. Officials say 530 people who live outside the state have died of the virus in Florida.

On Monday, there were 4,147 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida, according to a state online census of hospital beds.

Meanwhile, nearly 1.4 million people in the state have received the two required doses of the

‘Alarmed’ from A7

escalation of tensions, and to resolve the current political and institutional deadlock in a manner that is both lasting and sustainable,” Throssell said.

Earlier this month, the Organization of American States (OAS) said its General Secretariat was “closely monitoring the current situation in Haiti,” and that it was “concerned with the respect for human rights and the independence of powers.”

The OAS said that its General Secretariat “renews its support for the electoral process as the only option consistent with the Democratic Charter to replace the current constitutional President with another President on February 7, 2022.”

Opposition parties in Haiti had declared 72-year-old judge Joseph Mecene Jean-Louis the country's interim leader, a day after an alleged coup plot was foiled, as they insisted that President Jovenel Moise must step down.

vaccine and another 1.3 million have received the first dose. As more elderly people complete their immunizations, some officials are urging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to expand the eligibility list to include people 55 and older, law enforcement personnel, and teachers.

Broward County Mayor Steve Geller says the county will have vaccinated every eligible senior within the month and is hoping DeSantis approves expanding the criteria.

Geller noted there are 340,000 seniors in Broward County of which only about 250,000 were willing to take the vaccine when it was first available. More than 211,000 Broward residents have been vaccinated.

“With the increasing number of vaccines available, it seems clear that within the next month we will have vaccinated everyone over 65 in Broward that currently wants to receive the vaccine,” he said in a letter to DeSantis.

Gov. DeSantis said Monday on Twitter that he won't change his strategy just yet. “Our strategy remains that seniors come first. We will continue to work to ensure that every senior in Florida that wants a vaccine, will receive a vaccine,” he said.

Meanwhile, last week the White House announced that four federal mass vaccination sites will be located in Florida.

The sites are being located in Miami,

Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. The sites and locations were selected based on their proximity to vulnerable populations and officials estimate that the four centers will give up to 12,000 shots a day in total.

The locations identified are Miami-Dade Community College, TGT Poker & Racebook in Tampa, Valencia Community College in Orlando, and Gateway Town Center in Jacksonville.

These locations will open on March 3 and operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

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Jamaican Media Personality Amashika Lorne Launches Coloring Series in Florida for Children The COVID-19 pandemic placed many adults out of work, closed businesses and schools, and left many families to battle loss and grief, and is taking an unthinkable toll on children around the world.

A study done by the Psychiatric Times found that 85.7 percent of parents reported changes in their children's emotions and behaviors during the quarantine period, with the most frequently observed changes being difficulty concentrating, boredom and irritability.

To combat the negative social and emotional impacts of the pandemic on Jamaican-American children, Jamaican TV media personality and author, Amashika Lorne, has added a new layer to the #LetsGetColouring campaign, giving children access to pages from her Jamaican-themed coloring book.

The series was first started in Jamaica through the Jamaica Observer newspaper, and, after receiving encouraging feedback, Lorne decided to expand to the diaspora to reach Jamaican children living in South Florida, through Caribbean National Weekly.

954.861.7272

Lorne

This 5-month long activity will reach households on two levels—through virtual Zoom sessions and donations of activity packs to youth groups.

The virtual series entitled “Color with Aunty Ama,” will include a monthly newspaper page takeover thereafter allowing children to join her online for an hour-long session learning about Jamaican culture and winning prizes for their coloring efforts.

On naming the series, Lorne shared “family is at the heart of everything that I do. Naming the series reminiscent of my role as an aunt

came naturally because I do believe it takes a village to raise a child. I'm now extending myself to more children to provide a space to learn and celebrate Jamaica's culture whether on home soil or overseas.”

Lorne said that with Florida being the home of over 300,000 Jamaican immigrants, ranking 2nd to New York in diaspora numbers, the state was an ideal market to deepen connections.

Consular General of Jamaica to Florida, Oliver Mair, shared that he is pleased to see this home-grown concept take flight to South Florida.

The printed pages will appear in the Caribbean News Weekly on Thursdays effective February 25, continuing on March 25, April 29, and May 27. While the corresponding online activities will be on: February 27, March 27, May 1, and May 29.

Here are the credentials for the next virtual coloring session on Feb. 27, 2021 via Zoom: Meeting ID: 894 2876 0913 Password: COLOUR.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

B1

REGGAE MONTH

FEATURE

The evolution of Jamaican Music From Revivalism to Reggae: PART 3

R EGGAE REGGAE In the late 1960s, Jamaica was blessed with a variety of talented musicians and singers who experimented with and blended different beats of music and recorded their musical renditions at local recording studios like Dynamic Sounds and Treasure Isle. So, while rocksteady, with its smooth rhythmic beat and melodious lyrics and sound, took over from the more pulsating and energetic sound of ska in 1967, by 1969 another new energetic beat was already replacing the rocksteady genre. The new beat would become the phenomenal genre of reggae.

There is no definitive account of where the name reggae originated from. One account is that it emerged from a 1968 single, “Do the Reggay” by the group Toots and the Maytals. Another account claims the late reggae icon Bob Marley said the word reggae came from a Spanish term for “the king's music.” This could have some accuracy as in Latin the word regi means “to the King.”

Whatever the source of the name, the fact is that within a short time the new genre reggae became king on Jamaica's musical scene.

Reggae had a distinctive sound, heavy on the beat of the guitar and piano (or keyboard), and a collaboration of the traditional Jamaican musical genres of mento, ska, and American jazz and rhythm and blues.

Like its predecessor ska, reggae when played immediately summoned people to the dance floor. In Jamaica, reggae had a similar effect on the local population as calypso had on the population of Trinidad.

And if one wasn't dancing to reggae, the new genre, like calypso, evoked great satisfaction as the lyrics in several reggae songs performed by artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, the Third World Band, and others, were strong social commentaries that served to motivate people who were then marginalized, giving hope for their upward social mobility.

Somehow, reggae attracted singers, men and women, who were affiliated, or yearned to be affiliated to the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica, which created a societal conundrum in the late 1960s to early 1970s, as some uptown Jamaicans tended to turn up their

Bob Marley (centre) joins the hands of then Prime Minister Michael Manley (left) and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga at the One Love Peace Concert at the National Stadium In Kingston on April 22, 1978.

noses, not so much at the music, but the artists rendering the sound, but the music grew to so much in popularity that the societal bias was largely removed.

There is little doubt that the music and lyrics of reggae orchestrated change in the Jamaican society in the 1970s—something quickly identified by the emerging populist leaders like Michael Manley and Edward Seaga in the 1970s. Manley came to power in 1972, riding on the rhythm of a popular reggae hit, “Better Must Come” by Delroy Wilson, which he chose as the People National Party's campaign song, and for later campaigns, the hit, “My Leader Born Ya” boasting his Jamaican roots compared to his rival Seaga's U.S. birth. Also, in the mid-1970s, when political violence threatened to destabilize the country, Manley turned to reggae for a solution and sought Bob Marley and several other reggae artists to perform in the legendary Peace Concert held at the National Stadium in Kingston.

And, Seaga who had a keen understanding of Jamaican music and musicians, and the impact of the music on the lives of impoverished Jamaicans, used reggae and other forms of traditional Jamaican music to bind him and his politics to the Jamaican working class.

Although reggae has had great singers like Marley, Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, among others, it also produced great musicians. These included bass guitarists like Carlton Barrett from Bob Marley and the Wailers, Lloyd Brevett from The Skatalites,

Lloyd Knibb from The Skatalites, Winston Grennan, Sly Dunbar, Anthony "Benbow" Creary from The Upsetters, and from Ritchie Daley of Third World. Several reggae sounds also featured organ shuffle sound mastered by keyboard artists like Jackie Mittoo and Winston Wright.

Emergence in Jamaica Reggae began to take over from ska in the late 1960s with hits like Larry And Alvin's "Nanny Goat." the Beltones' "No More Heartaches," and Lee “Scratch” Perry's “People Funny Bwoy.” But, the music had also spread overseas with the legendary English group The

Lee “Scratch” Perry

Beatles recording the hit “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” with a distinct reggae beat.

The Wailers, with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, grew in popularity, and emerged from the rocksteady era in association with Lee Perry's studio artistry with early reggae hits

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like “Duppy Conqueror” and “Small Axe.” The Wailers remained strong on the Jamaican reggae scene and in collaboration with Englishman Chris Blackwell's Island Records, broke reggae firmly on the international scene with the first reggae album Catch A Fire in 1972.

The Wailers went on to release more great hits like “Put it On,” “Get Up, Stand Up” and “I Shot The Sheriff,” which was also covered by British singer Eric Clapton. In 1974 the group produced another classic album, Natty Dread, released in 1975, featuring hits like “Talking Blues,” “No Woman, No Cry” and “Rebel Music.”

The group split in 1975, with Tosh going solo, and became known as Bob Marley and the Wailers, with the background harmony provided by the female trio—The I-Threes

Immigration Filing / Green Card Sponsorship Passport / Renewal / Lost / First Time Updated Birth Certicate Updated Marriage Certicate Other Document Deed Poll Services Late Registration ITIN EIN Late Entry of Name TRN Correction of Error Individual Tax Return Re-Registration Business Registration Add Father’s Name Citizenship / US / Jamaican Renewal / Lost Jamaican Driver’s License Uncontested Divorce Resumes and Business Letters

Peter Tosh

(Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, and Marcia Griffiths).

Tosh became a legend in his own right with hits like “Buckingham Palace,” “Legalize It” and “Momma Africa,” while Marley rose to iconic reggae status with hit after hit including, “Crazy Baldhead,” “Who The Cap Fit,” “War,” “One Love,” “Redemption Song,” “Exodus,” and later, shortly before his death in 1981, reggae love songs like “Waiting in Vain,” and “Is This Love.”

There are too many outstanding reggae artists to include in this limited space, but special mention must be made of the Third World Band that emerged in the mid1970s with a distinctive, very professional reggae sound produced by a talented group including, Ritchie Daley, Steven “Cat” Coore,

Michael “Ibo” Cooper, Irvin “Carrot: Jarett, Willie Stewart (renowned drummer now stationed in South Florida), and vocalist Bunny Rugs.

The groups many hits like, “Now That We've Found Love,” “96 Degrees In The Shade,” and “Try Jah Love” were intensely popular in Jamaica and globally. The band is still playing currently.

International popularity One of the reasons for the lasting popularity of reggae is its influence internationally. Several international artists had Reggae hits. These artists included First Three Dog Night's cover of the Maytones' hit “Black and White” in 1972; Johnny Nash's hit, “I Can See Clearly Now” and Paul Simon's “Mother and Child Reunion” also in 1972.

Reggae's international influence would spread in 1973 onwards with the movie “The Harder They Come” starring Jamaican singer turned actor Jimmy Cliff. The movie was shown in theaters around the world, introducing Jamaican culture, specifically reggae.

Over the years, reggae has grown in popularity in countries like Japan, England, Germany, the U.S., and several African countries, and spawned a hybrid sound called reggaeton with the Latin beat in Latin America.

A powerful indication of the international influence of reggae was that in 1985 the Grammy Awards introduced the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album category.

In February 2008, thenJamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding sanctioned February as Reggae Month in Jamaica, and in February 2008 the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica also staged its first Reggae Academy Awards.

In November 2018, remarkably, reggae was added to the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing that reggae's "contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love, and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual."

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FEATURE

African-American Cabinet Secretaries Throughout American History PART 4 This concludes CNW's Black History Month series highlighting African American men and women who made history when they served as Cabinet secretaries to respective United States presidents.

Jeh Charles Johnson (born September 11, 1957) Johnson, an attorney, was nominated as U.S. secretary of homeland security by President Barack Obama during Obama’s second term in 2013 and remained in the post until January 2017.

Johnson Prior to serving in the Cabinet, from 2009 to 2012, Johnson was the general counsel of the Department of Defense. Johnson was also a federal prosecutor and general counsel of the Department of the Air Force before serving in the Obama administration.

Johnson was born in New York City, and raised in Wappingers Falls, New York. He’s the grandson of sociologist and Fisk University President Charles S. Johnson.

Former Secretary Johnson was named Jeh for a Liberian chief, who was said to have saved his grandfather's life while on a mission to Liberia with the League of Nations in 1930.

With a less than stellar high school career at Roy C. Ketcham High School where he was earning C and D grades, Johnson’s vision of becoming at attorney became a motivating factor when he entered Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Morehouse with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later from Colombia Law School with the Juris Doctor degree.

Since 2020, Johnson has been a partner at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and a member of the boards of directors of Lockheed Martin and U.S. Steel.

American woman U.S. attorney general, she served as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York under Presidents Bill Clinton (1999–2001) and Obama (2010–2015).

Lynch was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and grew up with parents who attended Shaw University—an HBCU where the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was founded.

Young Lynch spend hours with her father watching court proceedings in the Durham, North Carolina courthouse. She also developed a keen interest in assisting people marginalized by racism on hearing stories about her grandfather, a sharecropper and pastor, who in the 1930s helped people move to the north to escape racial persecution in the then segregated south.

Lynch earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and American literature from Harvard College in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1984, where she was a member of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. She also was awarded an honorary degree from Duke University.

Following her graduation from Harvard, she became a federal prosecutor in New York in 1990, rising to head the Eastern District office. From 2003 to 2005, she served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Anthony Renard Foxx (born April 30, 1971) Foxx, another of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet appointees, served as U.S. secretary of transportation from 2013 to 2017.

Fox, who is an attorney, had the distinction of being one of the few cabinet nominees to have received unanimous confirmation by the Senate.

His appointment to Obama’s Cabinet followed his tenure as mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina from 2009 to 2013. When he was

Loretta Elizabeth Lynch (born May 21, 1959) Lynch Lynch, an attorney, succeeded Eric Holder as U.S. attorney general in President Obama’s Cabinet, serving from 2015 to 2017.

Before serving as the 83rd attorney general, and first African-

Lynch

Foxx elected as Charlotte’s mayor, he created history as the youngest mayor of that city.

Foxx was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and as a youth attended and graduated from West Charlotte High School. He would go on to major in history at Davidson College, where he also served as the first African-American student body president. Following his graduation from Davidson College, he went to New York University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1996.

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. (born September 18, 1951) Carson a renowned AfricanAmerican neurosurgeon, author, and politician was the only African American appointed by President Donald Trump to serve in his Cabinet. Carson served as the 17th United States secretary of housing and urban development from 2017

Carson to 2021. Prior to being nominated

by Trump, Carson was one of the many rival candidates for the 2016 Republican presidential nominee.

Carson was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended Southwestern High School, where he developed an affinity for sciences. He later attend Yale University on a scholarship and graduated with a BA in psychology in 1973 and was accepted to the University of Michigan Medical School. After graduating with the MD in 1977 he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and accepted to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine neurosurgery program, where he served one year as a surgical intern and five years as a neurosurgery resident, completing the final year as chief resident in 1983.

He became the youngest director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, and the youngest in the United States in 1984 at age 33.

Following a phenomenal career at John Hopkins where he achieved remarkable success as a brain surgeon he retired in 2013 as professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics. His achievements include participating in the first reported separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head.

John B. King Jr. (born January 5, 1975) King is a Puerto RicanAmerican educator and attorney who was appointed by President Barack Obama as U.S. secretary of education in 2016, serving in the position for only one year when Obama’s second term ended in 2017.

King was born in Flatlands, Brooklyn, NYC, into a family steeped in public education. His father, John B. King Sr., was Brooklyn's first Black principal and later became New York City's executive deputy superintendent of

King

schools. And his mother, a school guidance counsellor. Both his parents died before King was turned 12 years old and he was raised he would subsequently be raised by an uncle in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

He attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree In government from Harvard University, after which he taught social studies and received his master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University.

King graduated from Columbia, and taught for three years including two at a charter school in Boston.

He is credited for being one of the founders of the Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, where he served as co-director for five years and developed its curriculum and rules. Under King's leadership, Roxbury Prep's students attained the highest state exam scores of any urban middle school in Massachusetts, closed the racial achievement gap, and outperformed students from not only the Boston district schools but also the city's affluent suburbs.

King later received a Juris Doctor at Yale Law School and a Doctor of Education degree in educational administrative practice at Columbia.

King later was appointed a managing director for Uncommon Schools, an urban, public charter school organization that operates some of the highest-performing urban public schools in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. In 2013 Uncommon Schools won the Broad Prize for top charter network.

Lloyd James Austin III (born August 8, 1953) Austin is a retired United States Army four-star general who is the 28th and current United States secretary of defense since January 22, 2021 in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet. He is the first African American to serve as U.S. defense secretary. Austin previously served as the 12th commander of United

States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2013 to 2016.

Austin was the 33rd vice chief of staff of the Army from January 2012 to March 2013, and the last commanding general of United States Forces—Iraq Operation New Dawn, which ended in December 2011. In 2013, Austin was appointed as the first Black commander of CENTCOM by President Barack Obama. He retired from the armed services in 2016 and joined the boards of Raytheon Technologies, Nucor, and Tenet Healthcare.

Austin was born on August 8, 1953, in Mobile, Alabama and raised in Thomasville, Georgia. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in counselor education from Auburn University's College of Education in 1986, and a Master of Business Administration in business management from Webster University in 1989. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

Marcia Louise Fudge (born October 29, 1952) Fudge, whose confirmation to Joe Biden’s Cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is still pending, is an attorney and member of the U.S. Congress from Ohio's 11th congressional district since 2008.

She served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 113th Congress.

On February 4, 2021, the U.S.

Fudge Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs advanced her nomination by a vote of 17-7.

Fudge was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated in 1971 from Shaker Heights High School; and earned her Bachelor of Science in business from Ohio State University in 1975. Fudge also earned her Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland–Marshall College of Law in 1983.

She was elected Mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio in 2000—a post she held to November 2008. She has also served on the board of trustees for the Cleveland Public Library.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

B3

KIDS KORNER

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 25 – MAR 3, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CONTINUATIONS

Miramar Elections easily identifiable by his constituents since he shows up not just when election rolls around, but throughout his service. Chambers has maintained a fund to assist residents who fall behind with their water bills and has stepped up personally when their homes and businesses were facing financial or other challenges. In addition to personally delivering food to residents throughout the pandemic, he’s often paid from his own pocket to help those in need. During his tenure, Chambers has consistently voted for initiatives that have helped to move the city forward. CNW believes Chambers has gone above and beyond in his role as commissioner and will continue to be an asset to the people of Miramar.

Seat 2 Darlene Riggs is the lone challenger to incumbent Commissioner Yvette Colbourne, who is arguably the most qualified government administrator sitting on the commission.

Colbourne holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s in business administration both from Nova Southeastern University. As a public servant, she served for 30 years with Miami-Dade County as a member of the County Executive Team that successfully managed a $600 million budget and up to 2,000 employees.

Her accomplishments as a Miramar commissioner are extensive, advocating for a living wage for janitorial staff and school crossing guards. Colbourne was the only

from A1

Seat 3

Colbourne

commissioner to oppose a tax increase in 2018 and asked staff to seek alternate ways to balance the budget. In more recent times, it was Colbourne who was the main voice opposing staff layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She sponsored a ‘No Furlough” bill urging the city manager to find alternate means to retain city employees and keep them on the payroll.

Haitian-American candidate Darlene Riggs, a former Miramar commissioner, was soundly beaten by Alexandra Davis in 2019 and lost her seat. She has been active in the community since leaving office but will not unseat Colbourne, who has garnered support from her constituents. She is also a staunch advocate of diversity—a characteristic that bodes well in a city such as Miramar with a vibrant multi-ethnic population. CNW believes Miramar residents will continue to benefit greatly from another term with Coulbourne on the commission.

Popular radio personality Winston Barnes is facing four challengers, which comes as no surprise. To some residents, Barnes has been a disappointment—particularly due to his lack of visibility in the community. Although he has served the longest of all the commissioners, Barnes seems to be more in touch with his constituents through his radio program, than his work within the community.

Among the challengers, Val B. Glenister is the best-qualified candidate to take seat three.

She has a record of grassroots community activism and has a strong support system for young people, who might just deliver a victory for her. Other challengers vying to unseat

Barnes

Barnes are Sylvia Grandberry, Lixon Nelson and Nari Tomlinson. With so many candidates in the race, the votes will be likely be split among them, giving Barnes the edge.

Healthcare Crisis from A1

existing wards at hospitals are being converted into COVID-19 wards.

But the increase in bed space poses another problem for the health sector.

Who will attend to the patients in these beds?

Tufton noted staffing is more of a challenge than ever, because many of the island's healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, have migrated to find better opportunities across the diaspora.

The minister said the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) has been particularly hard-hit.

“I enquired about the nursing shortage they have and one of the reasons given was that between January of this year to date, that institution lost some 42 public health nurses who have migrated to other jurisdictions based on more attractive offers.

“We don't have a policy to restrict migration; labor is free to move, but you can imagine it has placed significant additional strain on the UHWI and across the board, generally speaking,” Tufton noted.

Earlier this week, the UHWI advised the public and other facilities they need to begin calling ahead of time to request transfers. The hospital said it has very little capacity to facilitate emergencies.

But "very little" is an embellishment. For the past two weeks, residents who visited the hospital said they have been turned away by nurses telling patients they have nowhere to put them.

Victoria Brown, a St. Andrew resident, took her 67-year-old father to the hospital on February 21 after he began coughing blood and having trouble breathing. Brown said that after waiting for assistance for some three hours, she was told to "try another hospital" as doctors were backed up with patients.

A medical intern at the Mandeville Regional Hospital relayed a similar scene. "On the COVID-19 ward, when one patient is moved or dies, there are usually up to five others waiting to get that one bed," she said.

Other major hospitals on the island are also having similar experiences.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Cornwall Regional Hospital has reached 100 percent COVID-19 bed capacity, Noel Holmes Hospital is at 95 percent, UHWI at 100 percent; and Kingston Public Hospital, National Chest Hospital and Spanish Town Hospital all at high numbers. "Patients have to stay on stretchers and wheelchairs until beds can be found for them," a Cornwall Regional official said.

Tufton has advised the public there would be longer wait times at hospitals and appealed to residents not to go to the hospital unless it was absolutely necessary.

The island's medical association is urging the government to consider a nationwide lockdown to stem the increase in COVID-19 cases.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Cricketer Chris Gayle Turns to Music

Special Performance of Marley's Redemption Song Celebrates Reggae Month

Cricketer Chris Gayle, also known as 'The Universe Boss' whose interests have turned to music, shows this isn't a passing fad by officially releasing five recorded tracks, three of them under his new label Triple Century Records.

Kingston-based Harry J Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. where Bob Marley recorded the hit Redemption Song in the 1970s, has teamed up with New York-based indie label Easy Star Records and Kala Music Brand to host a special acoustic performance of Bob Marley's Redemption Song in celebration of Reggae Month.

The performance, which will feature local musicians Hector Lewis, on the cajon, Jerome “Spangy” Small on the UBass, and Nico Groskopf and LaMont “Monty” Savory both on the tenor ukulele, was scheduled to premiere on Kala Music Brand's YouTube page at noon on February 24.

This marks the first occasion these four Jamaican session musicians have directly collaborated. Individually, they record and perform with reggae artists like Koffee, Protojé, Lila Iké, Sevanna, and several other contemporary reggae acts.

Curator of the 'Redemption Song' performance and studio owner of Harry J Studio, Tara Johnson, welcomed the collaboration and thanked Ryan Sullivan from Sully Artist Services who made the collaboration possible.

“I'm grateful we could be the facilitators to deliver new and unique musical instruments to our talented musicians and it was a no-brainer to choose “Redemption Song” because it transcends geographical borders and is relatable to all people who have struggled, or are struggling, with oppression or challenging times. It's Reggae Month, when people look to music for healing; it reminds us that no matter the gravity of the situation, 'redemption' will come. And we hope that in this current global crisis we could remind the world of that fact through reggae music,” said Johnson.

Explaining his choice for collaborating with Harry J Recording Studio, Michael Goldwasser of Easy Star Records said, “We are always looking for ways to collaborate with Jamaican artists and studios because much of the music we love came from many renowned studios in Jamaica. Tara Johnson has made her father's studio a very relevant place for new Jamaican reggae. So. when we had the idea to do this project, Harry J's seemed like the perfect place to do so.”

As the Kala Music Brand spreads its Reggae Month celebration to Jamaica with the delivery of the musical instruments used in the musical collaboration, director of artist relations at Kala, Joe DeMars, foresees a seamless combination of the U-BASS and reggae music because of its uniquely round and booming natural tone that it fits into a reggae mix with true ease.

Gayle

“

Blessings” is a thankful song really because I've been through a lot to achieve my success. I wanted to share that with my fans. I want persons to know they too can achieve greatness if they work hard and never listen to negativity. I know 2020 has been a rough year for so many and 2021 looks bleak sometimes. but just stay the course and commit to your goals, – Gayle

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The record-breaking Jamaican and West Indies batsman's first recording was on a track in collaboration with Akash Mehta. The track, “We Heroes” was done in 2016 for a UNICEF campaign. He started recording officially when Stylo G mentioned his name in his “Too Hot” single. After which he promptly confirmed him for the celebrity remix.

“After the Stylo G remix last year and the reception to the track, I realized that this is something I could really take seriously. For that reason, I started putting a team together. I took a lot of pointers from Stylo about flow and recording correctly. Especially now that my label is up and running the world will see what I can deliver,” Gayle said.

Gayle is now preparing to release an introspective single called “Blessings” following other releases last year, Including collaborations with Tanto Blacks “We Come Out Fi Party” and Hindi British singer Avina Shah with “Groove,” and a single called “Living Di Life.”

“Blessings” is a thankful song really because I've been through a lot to achieve my success. I wanted to share that with my fans. I want persons to know they too can achieve greatness if they work hard and never listen to negativity. I know 2020 has been a rough year for so many and 2021 looks bleak sometimes. but just stay the course and commit to your goals,” Gayle added The “Blessings” single is expected to have a related video within weeks.

Gayle is looking forward to more releases with the help of his writing and recording team Camar “Flava” Doyles and Georvin Briscoe for Triple Century Records.

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SPORTS TENNIS

SOCCER

Naomi Osaka Defeats Serena Williams in Australian Open

Regional Soccer Players Hang up Boots as English Leagues Canceled

Haitian-Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka defeated her tennis idol, Serena Williams at the Australian Open on February 18.

Williams suffered a 6-3, 6-4 semifinal defeat to end her bid for a 24th Grand Slam title.

On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. EST), Osaka will meet first-time Grand Slam finalist Jennifer Brady of the United States for the championship. The 22nd-seeded Brady, who is from Pennsylvania and played college tennis at UCLA, prevailed in an epic, 18point last game to edge No. 25 Karolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the semifinals.

She lost to Osaka in a three-set thriller in the U.S. Open semifinals last September.

“Everyone's just really excited whenever they play their first final,” Osaka noted about what awaits Brady, “but they're also really nervous.”

Williams was hoping to get to her 34th Grand Slam final but, once again, couldn't quite get the job done in order to add one more Grand Slam trophy to her collection of 23 and equal Margaret Court for the most in tennis history.

Naomi Osaka, who also beat Williams in the chaotic 2018 U.S. Open final that concluded with the crowd booing and both women in

Osaka

tears, reached her fourth major title match and stretched her winning streak to 20 matches by claiming the last eight points.

“I don't know if there's any little kids out here today, but I was a little kid watching her play,” Osaka, 23, said about Williams, “and just to be on the court playing against her, for me, is a dream.”

The No. 3-seeded Osaka's Grand Slam collection also includes last year's U.S. Open

and the 2019 Australian Open and she is, without a doubt, the most dangerous hardcourt player in the women's game at the moment.

The pair played for spectators who were back in the stands after they were barred from attending the tournament for five days during a local COVID-19 lockdown. About 7,000 people were allowed into the stadium for WilliamsOsaka, roughly half of capacity.

CRICKET

Sir Clive Lloyd Believes Brathwaite 'Slightly Ahead' of Holder for Windies Captaincy Legendary former Windies captain Sir Clive Lloyd, 76, entering the raging debate over the future of the West Indies Test captaincy, said he believed Kraigg Brathwaite was “slightly ahead” of Jason Holder, to lead the side in next month's series against Sri Lanka.

While pointing out that Holder was competent enough to continue in the role, Sir Clive said Brathwaite's exemplary leadership in inspiring an inexperienced side to a 2-0 whitewash of Bangladesh earlier this month, could not be ignored by selectors.

However, Sir Clive said both men brought vital experience to the squad and if selectors were keen on making a change, it was important to first sit down and discuss the matter with the players.

“If I were a selector, obviously Kraigg would be slightly ahead of Jason because of what [he] has done with the team that they have there,” Sir Clive said earlier this week.

“It's a beautiful position to be in that you have guys with experience, who were captain and vice-captain. I'm sure Jason's is not a guy who will say 'I've got a bad deal or a raw deal.'”

Holder, who has led the side since 2015, opted out of the Bangladesh tour, citing mental fatigue and concerns over the integrity of the bio-secure “bubble” for the series. He was one of 10 players declining selection, leading to weakened sides being selected for both the oneday and Test series.

Brathwaite, however, chose to lead a 15man Test squad which comprised four uncapped players and five others with less than 10 Tests to their names, and he attracted widespread praise for the masterful way in which he marshaled the side in both Tests.

Sir Clive, who inspired West Indies to World Cup triumphs in the first two editions of the tournament in 1975 and 1979, said what made Brathwaite's achievement even more stellar was the fact that leading the West Indies was already a complicated role even with experienced players.

“We must understand that captaining the

West Indies is by far more difficult than any other country,” Sir Clive told Starcom Radio's Mason and Guest. Australia, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka are each one country.

We are 14 islands spread with different cultures and backgrounds. It's not easy to bring people together and Kraigg Brathwaite and those guys, in the matter of a couple of weeks, pulled things together.”

Players like Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Shamarh Brooks and Shimon Hetmyer, all of whom opted out of the Bangladesh tour, are expected to be available for selection for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

But Sir Clive said the accomplishments of the inexperienced side in Bangladesh meant selectors could not simply discard those players when the stars returned.

“We have to reward them. You can't get rid of these guys who did such a marvelous job,” Sir Clive urged.

“The point is, you just can't think this is just a flash in the pan. No, these were excellent performances.”

English National League South and North—divisions featuring a number of Bermudians and players with Caribbean roots—have been declared null and void and this season's remaining fixtures in the sixth tier of the English football pyramid have been scrapped because of the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The North division includes Bermudians Dale Eve, Spennymoor Town's goalkeeper, and Knory Scott and Keziah Martin of Kidderminster Harriers, while the South division includes Billericay Town's St Kitts and Nevis forward Rowan Liburd, Dominic Poleon, a 27-year-old forward of St Lucian descent, who plays for Ebbsfleet United, and Simeon Jackson, a 33-year-old Kingston, Jamaica-born forward with Chelmsford City.

Liburd, 28, who rejoined Billericay in January for a second spell with the club, said on his social media site: “(I'm) gutted the season ended like that.”

In the fifth tier, the National League campaign will continue, despite seven out of 23 clubs voting to end the season.

Two clubs have yet to cast their votes, but the final result cannot be altered, with the 51 percent majority already reached.

The National League board will now take the decision to the Football Association for ratification, where the issue of relegation from the fifth tier and promotion to the Football League will also be discussed.

Despite 12 of the 21 National League South clubs voting to continue the season, there were fewer takers in the North, where only seven of the 22 wanted to play on.

The decision was then taken to scrap the campaign with immediate effect.

The continuation of the season had been in grave doubt since the turn of the year after a dispute over funding to the league's clubs.

The row escalated at the end of last month after the National League's £10 million (US$14 million) share of the British government's winter survival package reached its three-month expiry, with clubs given the choice of accessing individual loans, sharing a central loan or suspending the campaign altogether.

The decision to make any future funding in the form of loans rather than grants angered many clubs across the National League's three divisions, leaving the continuation of the North and South divisions, in particular, uncertain.

Only a handful of clubs had been able to let supporters into their grounds at any point during the season and, after the surge in coronavirus cases, all games have been without crowds.

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