Caribbean National Weekly January 26, 2023

FBI Heads to Jamaica

Federal Bureau of Investigation to help probe fraud at Jamaican investment firm SSL

The Jamaican government announced that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will assist local authorities in the investigation of the alleged multi-million-dollar fraud at investment firm, Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL)

“No stone will be left unturned,” Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke told a news conference as he delivered a special policy address on regulation of the financial sector in response to the scandal that has rocked the nation

“The investigative authorities have full operational independence and will pursue the facts wherever they may lead They will unearth exactly how funds were allegedly stolen, who benefited from such theft and who organized and collaborated in this ”

Clarke said the probe will also seek to identify whether assets have been acquired locally or overseas with the proceeds of the alleged fraud and if and when such assets are identified, “all legal steps will be taken to restrain these assets with the intention of full forfeiture”

Last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, said no effort will be spared in uncovering the full extent of the fraud at the SSL, whose clients included eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt Bolt has indicated through his lawyer that he had a balance of US$12 7 million at SSL as at October 31, 2022, but that figure declined to US$12,000 on January 11

The attorneys representing Bolt have given SSL ten days to return the track star's investments “ or face a huge lawsuit”

Holness, who indicated that he was briefed on the matter, said he is concerned and sympathetic to the hard-working Jamaicans who are uncertain of the status of their funds invested with SSL

Clarke said the Police Fraud Squad and the Financial Investigations Division had sought assistance from the FBI and other international partners

Clarke also named Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor Richard Byles as the new chairman of the Financial Services Commission, and that BOJ executives Wayne Robinson, senior deputy governor; George Roper, deputy governor; and Jide Lewis, deputy governor will serve on the

continues onA5 – FBI intervenes

15-week abortion ban set to go before Florida Supreme Court

Florida's ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy will be allowed to stand until a hearing before the state Supreme Court The court said late Monday it will hear the case, which has been part of a legal fight since the law took effect last July.

The law prohibits abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions if the procedure is necessary to save the pregnant woman's life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality It does not allow exemptions in cases of rape,

Jamaica-born Hamlin Grange awarded Order of Canada

incest or human trafficking

Violators could face up to five years in prison Physicians and other medical professionals could lose their licenses and face administrative fines of $10,000 for each violation

Reproductive health providers sued Florida last year over the new law, one of numerous legal challenges to such laws passed across the country by Republican leaders in anticipation of a potential U S Supreme Court decision that would limit the procedure

to privacy, “including the right to abortion ” “HB 5 radically curtails the ability of Floridians to make decisions about whether or not to continue a pregnancy and have a child, in violation of their rights under the Florida Constitution,” the filing reads

On Friday, June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, the landmark piece of legislation that made access to an abortion a federal right in the United States The decision dismantled 50 years of legal protection and paved the way for individual states to curtail or outright ban abortion rights

Joynes Jordan

The filing in state court in Tallahassee from Planned Parenthood and other health centers alleges that the law violates a provision in the state constitution guaranteeing a person's right

Haiti’s death toll from Cholera at nearly 500

Aruba Hig Major Tou Developm for 2023

Clarke

Holness

Youth volunteers smile at the Lauderdale Lakes harvest for senior cizens. Approximately 100 pounds of cabbage collards, mustards, kale cauliflower, broccoli were harvested. –Contributed

Commissioner Maxwell Chambers represenng for Miramar at the annual Miramar Community Family Day held recently. – Contributed

NBC6 Sheli Muniz (le) and Equee Consultant, Jackie Vernon-Thompson at the From the InsideOut School of Equee in Sunrise – Contributed

Kids dancing up a storm with Miramar’s commissioner Maxwell Chambers at the Miramar Family Day. – Contributed

Flashback! these ladies were spoed grooving to the music at the AfroCarib Fesval held last year in Miramar. The AfroCarib Fesval will be held on Saturday, February 25 at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater. – Contributed

This eager young patron paently waits while geng her face painted at the Historic Miramar Community Family Day. – Contributed

These kids intently focus on winning the egg and spoon race at the Family Day event held in Miramar. –Contributed

Talented Reggae Boy and Inter Miami Soccer Professional, Damion Lowe and Lauderhill

Commissioner Denise D. Grant at the Lauderhill Sports Park enjoying CASA finals. –Contributed

Jamaica-born Hamlin Grange Awarded Order of Canada

Jamaica-born Hamlin Washington Grange has been awarded the Order of Canada. Grange who is the brother of Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia Grange, was recognized for his “pioneering work in diversity and inclusion” and as a “passionate change agent for social justice ” an active member of the Jamaican diaspora in Canada

He was one of 99 new appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Governor General Mary Simon He is a former track athlete who, for many years, held the Canadian record in the junior 400 meters hurdles

Hamlin Grange is the co-founder and president of DiversiPro, a consulting firm He also trained as a journalist and has had a major career with CBC Television, serving as an editor and producer He also co-hosted a radio news and current affairs show in Jamaica called “Good Evening Jamaica ” Grange works as a diversity and inclusion strategist and has chaired the Toronto Police Services Board For 20 years, Grange has worked with a variety of clients in many sectors and is considered a trusted advisor He is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, which measures and develops levels of intercultural awareness and sensitivity in individuals and teams

Grange is a Diversity and Inclusion Strategist. As President of DiversiPro, he helps organizations to succeed in being reflective, responsive and relevant to the changing markets and communities they serve In this capacity, Hamlin has helped to make organizations more inclusive, productive and culturally competent

Hamlin has served on a number of important boards, including: The Toronto Police Services Board, a Trustee of the Royal Ontario Museum and the Board of the YMCA of Greater Toronto He is currently a Member of the Consent and Capacity Board, an independent provincial tribunal whose mission is the fair and accessible adjudication of consent and capacity issues, balancing the rights of vulnerable individuals with public safety

He has received numerous awards, including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, YMCA’s Peace Medallion, The B’Nai Brith

Human Rights Award for Journalism, A CHUM TV-Black Film and Video Achievement Award and Award for Leadership, The African Canadian Achievement Award, and several others Hamlin is a sought-after keynote speaker and diversity trainer He speaks eloquently and passionately about the power of diversity and the benefits of creating inclusive environments that value the perspectives and life experiences of everyone Hamlin believes a deeper understanding of how culture affects

human interactions is a vital prerequisite in today’s fast-paced transmedia world

Grange has also served in various capacities on numerous other boards, committees and councils in Canada Among them are: the Responsible Gaming Council as chair of the board of directors; public member of the Consent and Capacity Board in Toronto, Ontario; and chair of the African-Caribbean Advisory Group of the Association of Fundraising Professionals

Foundation

The Order of Canada is among the highest honors awarded and is the equivalent of Jamaica's National Honor, the Order of Jamaica Since its creation in 1967 Canada's centennial year more than 7600 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order The contributions of these trailblazers are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country They include scientists, musicians, artists, politicians, athletes, and business people

Kangaloo

Tonya Williams presenting the Reelworld Film Festival Visionary Award to Hamlin Grange in 2019. – via Ronfanfaircom

Guyana allocates more funds for embassy building in Brazil

Another GUY$525 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0 004 cents) has been allocated in the 2023 budget for the establishment of an embassy in neighboring Brazil.

The allocation comes just two months after Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, confirmed that the government had scrapped the contract for the construction of the embassy building

It's reported that despite a flawed contract signed by the previous APNU+AFC administration, the People's Progressive Party Civic government at the start of 2022 had recommitted to completing the construction of the US$4 3 million embassy in Brazil

An ambitious timeline to complete the

facility by July was not met

Now, more money has been allocated but there is no indication of a new contract in place

The project total is listed in the 2023 budget as GUY$978 9 million which will be fully financed by central government

Prior to 2021, $36 2 million was allocated to the project with another $407.3 million allocated in 2021, and $10 4 million in 2022

According to Todd, the government was forced to scrap the entire contract because of mounting inconsistencies A team from the ministry visited Brazil last year and during that visit, the contract was terminated Todd had promised then to revisit the entire process

Previously, the foreign minister said the issues were directly related to the contract and the design submitted He said the delay in completing the physical structure for the

embassy has not hampered cooperation efforts between the two neighbors

Guyana and Brazil are cooperating on several fronts with talks ongoing and agreements signed to support the regional efforts toward energy and food security

There are standing bilateral treaties on civil and criminal matters, health, and business exchanges, particularly in oil and gas

Five years have passed since the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction of a permanent building for the Guyana Embassy in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil The contract for construction was done through a partnership between a local firm and another construction firm in Brazil

Ruling party wins third consecutive victory in Antigua

Prime Minister Gaston Browne led his ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to a nail-biting victory in Wednesday's general election, winning nine of the 17 seats for a third consecutive term in office, according to the preliminary results released early Thursday morning

The party had won 15 of the 17 seats in the 2018 general election

“You know I have always said to people, you must always give thanks, no matter how small the blessing and I see this decision as a blessing upon the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Prime Minister Browne told supporters

He said the results will give the ABLP government the opportunity to re-align “and also create the opportunity for fresh talent

“Truth be told, whenever you try to remove incumbents it is very difficult So when you remove incumbents then it creates the space you could bring in new talent to the organization, to the government

“So we do not see this as a bad thing per se, we see it as an opportunity at the same time However, I want to thank those of my colleagues who would have served this country well over the last eight and a half years and of course we will continue to stand by them, so we will not leave them out in the cold,” Browne told supporters

Prime Minister Browne, who became the first government leader to win three consecutive general elections, headed the victorious ABLP candidates, as the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) won

five additional seats as compared to the solitary seat it had gained in the 2018 general election

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) failed to make any impact in the election with its leader, Joanne Massiah polling only 22 votes

UPP leader Harold Lovell, failed to win the City East seat for a third consecutive time as Information Minister Melford Nicholas held on to win by six votes

Preliminary figures released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) showed that Nicholas, who has defeated the former finance minister on all three occasions, polled 791 votes while Lovell received 785 Leon Smith of the DNA got 13 votes

In the last general election, Lovell lost by 153 votes He has since called for a recount

On the sister isle of Barbuda, the Barbuda People's Movement (BPM), retained the seat with the incumbent, Trevor Walker, comfortably winning against Knacyntar Nedd of the ABLP

Among the casualties of the election were Works Minister Lennox Weston, Samantha Marshall, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Michael Browne, Minister of the Creative Industries and Innovation and Dean Jonas, the Minister of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development and the Blue Economy

Jamaica-based pollster, Don Anderson, who had conducted several opinion polls prior to the general election, said while the UPP “will do much better than they did in 2018,” it failed to drive home the issues during the campaign

Burt

Scott Peets Burt

Campbel

Todd

US Casino Company pulls plug on Bermuda Princess project

The withdrawal of a US firm has dealt a fresh blow to Bermuda's hopes of opening its first casinos — more than eight years since parliament gave them the green light

The Royal Gazette newspaper quoted a leading business source as saying heavy regulation, perception of a lack of independence for gaming authorities and failure by the Progressive Labour Party government to open up the banking sector enough have put the future of Bermuda hosting casinos in doubt

The comments come in the wake of a US firm, Century Casinos, dramatically pulling out of a planned gambling hub at the island's oldest hotel, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club

The source told the Gazette that the government's relationship with the Bermuda Gaming Commission (BGC) was putting off US investors and banks becoming involved in setting up casinos on the island

Century Casinos cited the “current legislative framework” as a reason it had suddenly abandoned the Princess casino

project after eight years' involvement

The source said banks on the island were unwilling to handle gaming proceeds as they could not secure a correspondent foreign bank and the regulatory regime raised doubts about whether profits could be made

The Princess said it had ceased searching

IDB to nance research on trade and environment in the Caribbean

Up to six research proposals related to the challenges of trade and the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean are to be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank's (IDB) Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL) and the Interdisciplinary Institute of Political Economy of Argentina

'The Green Turn' call, directed at researchers, universities, and think tanks in Latin America and the Caribbean is open until February 28, and aims to support research that will contribute to the diagnosis of the current regional situation and

policy recommendations specific on three thematic areas: environmental goods and services and productive/export supply; trade policy and environmental bias; and energy transition and international insertion

The call includes a line open to researchers in general and another aimed especially at young people up to 35 years of age

At the end of the process, six projects will be chosen each of which will receive a contribution of US$8,000

for a new operator until the BGC is able to provide a “viable path forward ”

In 2017, backers of the Princess casino predicted that it could create up to 100 jobs

The collapse of the project is a blow for the government, which made casinos one of its four key areas of economic stimulus quo as the

FBI intervenes

FSC board

The government said it is moving to review several pieces of financial sector legislation to apply more stringent penalties for breaches

The finance minister said the review is necessary to strengthen the country's ability to identify, investigate and prosecute financial crimes in the banking, securities, insurance, and pensions sectors

Among the legislation to be amended

island grapples with a national debt of US$3 35 billion Despite being given a license, there is also still no date for the opening of a casino at the St Regis, the island's newest hotel at the east end which opened in 2021

“There is a problem with the regulatory environment as Century Casinos alluded to The US banks want gaming to be independent, and the BGC looks anything but A major disincentive is that Bermuda gaming regulation just does not look independent,” the source said

However, a government spokeswoman insisted that the BGC was independent, adding: “Any suggestion of influence over the commission is patently false ”

With the collapse of the project drawing international attention, Craig Cannonier, the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) tourism spokesman, has called on Premier and Tourism Minister David Burt, who had earlier confidently predicted the first casino would open by the end of 2021, to hold urgent talks with licensees, banks and regulators to deal with the situation

fromA1

include the Securities Act, Banking Act, Insurance Act, and the Pensions Act

“We will stiffen the penalties for whitecollar crime in the financial sector The discrepancy between the sanctions for white collar crime and other forms of crime must be erased,” Clarke said, adding “if you rob depositors or you defraud investors and you put our financial systems and our way of life at risk, the Jamaican society wants you to be put away for a long time”

The proposed site for the Bermuda Princess project casino

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

How can the diaspora invest in a corrupt system?

Frequently, members of the Jamaican

diaspora have been urged to invest their hard-earned dollars in Jamaica People have been heeding these urgings by investing in Jamaican real estate, the stock market, banks, and other financial institutions But recent news out of Jamaica that Jamaicans, including sprint legend Usain Bolt, and several residents in the diaspora, have been defrauded of their investments in the private investment company, Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) has sent off alarm bells

Ironically, instead of helping investors to recoup their investments, FINSAC too failed

are no reports of the FSC taking any related action

Did the FSC not take action, because it's board of directors, including the chairperson, include members of Jamaica's ruling party?

Rumors now abound regarding alleged collusion between the FSC, SSL and members of the ruling party

The failure of the banks in the 1990, was followed by the debacle of Cash Plus and Olint Marketed as an investor's dream, offering spectacular returns on investment, these once highly hailed companies turned out to be glorified Ponzi schemes, which ended up defrauding thousands of Jamaicans at home and abroad of millions of dollars

Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com editor@cnweeklynews.com

GRAPHIC EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR

One would believe and expect if over two million Jamaicans living in the diaspora are being invited to invest their funds in Jamaica, the authorities, including the government, would have implemented appropriate checks and balances to ensure the investment system is secure, and investors funds are not at risk

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However, reports even before the debacle at SSL, indicate funds invested by members of the diaspora in Jamaica is done with serious risks

In the 1990s, some small banks that entered the Jamaican banking scene, including Eagle Merchant Bank, Century National Bank, and Workers Bank, failed and were closed Prior to their closure, these banks, aggressively targeted the diaspora to invest with them Some, like Eagle Merchant, and Century National, even had representatives working in the diaspora, including here in South Florida, to entice investors When these banks failed, several people lost their investment

Although the government of the time established the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (FINSAC) to assist in recouping the losses by these banks, and related investor losses, not much was recovered As the Jamaican Gleaner reported in a recent article, “People lost their money, properties, lives and livelihood to the financial meltdown in the 1990s There were more than 40,000 victims ” Several of these victims were members of the diaspora

In 2001, the Jamaican government passed the Financial Services Act which created the Financial Services Commission (FSC), an agency intended to regulate the operations of financial institutions, including SSL, and protect investors funds

With Jamaica's central bank, the Bank of Jamaica, monitoring the operations of the nation's commercial banks, and the FSC monitoring the operations of other financial institutions, investors, in Jamaica and the diaspora, cannot be faulted for assuming it was safe to invest in Jamaica Sadly, this isn't so

In recent years there were warning signs which went mostly unheeded These signs included frequent reports of senior bank executives defrauding millions from bank deposit accounts It became apparent that many of these frauds were being committed on deposits made by people living in the diaspora

The warning signs crested with the reports of the massive fraud at SSL Besides defrauding Bolt of over US$12 million, the SSL staffer who confessed to defrauding millions from the company, listed the names of several investors living in the diaspora whose accounts she compromised Interestingly, Bolt's name wasn't included among the investors whose accounts she defrauded

The CEO of the FSC, who has subsequently resigned, indicated at a press conference last week, that the FSC was aware of irregularities with the operations of SSL since 2017 But they

The environment currently in Jamaica, isn't one that encourages investment from the diaspora If the government wants significant investments from the diaspora, it must reset the table Investors must be assured their investments, even a portion, are insured against fraud, and there are checks and balances within the system to avoid such fraud The boards of all financial institutions must enforce implementation of systems within these institutions to eradicate what seems too easy opportunities to defraud investors, especially those living overseas Most unfortunately, Jamaica is currently reputed as one of the more corrupt countries in which to do business The authorities, public and private, must seek immediately to remove this stain, which is added to the stain of violent crime

Undoubtedly, members of the Jamaican diaspora are interested in investing in Jamaica, but this interest will wane the more people realize their investments are not secured or guaranteed

The Jamaican government, the parliamentary Opposition, the financial sector, the general private sector, now has the urgent responsibility of streamlining the investment system

If Jamaica wants investments from its diaspora, fix the investment system now

Haiti's death toll from cholera nearly 500

Nearly four months after the reappearance of cholera in Haiti, the death toll in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state has risen to 496

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) said the country has already registered 25,182 suspected cases and 21,407 hospitalized, 73 new, while 312 of the 496 deaths occurred in health institutions and 184 in communities

In a bulletin, the health authorities stated that the average age of those infected is 19 years, and the positivity rate is 37 25 percent, of the suspected cases – 56 60 percent are men, and the remaining are women

The most affected age group is 1 to 4 years old, with 374 confirmed cases of more than 3,000 suspected cases

The most affected department is the west, where Port-au-Prince is located and where more than one-third of the population lives, with 1,155 confirmed cases for 16,408 suspected cases

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the world is suffering unprecedented cholera outbreaks in countries affected by climate disasters and other crises

Cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by ingesting the bacteria Vibrio cholerae present in contaminated water or food It is mainly linked to inadequate sanitation and insufficient access to safe drinking water

As a result, vaccines to prevent this disease have become “extremely scarce ”

Cholera was first reported in Haiti in October 2010 Nationally, a total of 820 000 cases of cholera including 9792 deaths were

reported between October 2010 and February 2019 The last confirmed case in this outbreak was reported in January 2019 in I'Estère in the Artibonite department of Haiti The country did not report a single case of cholera in the three years from January 2019 to January 2022 The current outbreak is also occurring in the context of a complex humanitarian crisis that is exacerbating the burden of disease and hindering response measures

396 Haitian migrants detained on a boat near The Bahamas

The U S Coast Guard has detained a boat carrying 396 Haitian migrants near The Bahamas in one of the biggest human smuggling incidents in the region, Bahamian officials said

The migrants were detained close to the far-flung Cay Sal island located between Florida and Cuba, immigration officials in The Bahamas said in a statement Sunday

They said the migrants will be processed on the Bahamian island of Inagua and later repatriated

Nicole Groll, a U S Coast Guard spokeswoman, told The Associated Press on Monday that the interdiction happened Saturday afternoon and involved a 50-foot boat

“It was grossly overloaded and very much unsafe,” she said No further details were immediately available

Thousands of Haitians are fleeing a spike in gang violence and deepening political instability in Haiti

Many travel to The Bahamas and other nearby islands in hopes of eventually reaching

Florida The voyages are often deadly, with migrants crowding into makeshift vessels that have capsized in recent months

The exodus comes as the administration of U S President Joe Biden recently announced that it would start turning back Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans at the Texas border who arrive illegally The administration is now offering humanitarian parole for 30,000 people a month from those countries if they secure a financial sponsor, apply online and pay their airfare

Haiti

Haitian man sentenced for shipping weapons from Colorado to Haiti

A Haitian man living in Denver, the capital of the state of Colorado, was sentenced earlier this month for having hidden firearms in cars that were being shipped to Haiti

According to police reports, Peniel Olibris, 32, was indicted in July 2022 and later signed a plea agreement in September 2022, admitting guilt to one of the two contraband counts in the indictment

Federal investigators said that Olibris purchased 77 firearms from gun retailers over a period of 16 months, packaged and concealed them in cars that he then drove to Florida

From there, he shipped the cars to family members in Haiti On arrival, some of the weapons were then sold

According to the plea agreement in the case, a store manager at a Denver-based company, Westminister Firearms, in October 2019, reported that a suspicious customer entered the store

Officers from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, began investigating Olibris and found that he purchased 77 firearms from stores in the towns of Lakewood and Aurora between February 2019 and June 2020

Further investigations revealed that Olibris shipped 13 cars to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state

Documents from a shipping company revealed that Olibris did not apply for or obtain the license to export defense articles Investigators determined that he knowingly exported firearms, knowing that the exportation was contrary to the laws and regulations of the United States

Lambert

Aruba Highlights

Major Tourism Developments for 2023

Aruba continues to enjoy a strong pandemic recovery as the island’s Tourism Authority (A T A ) detailed its upcoming tourism product developments for 2023. The One Happy Island had full-year 2022 visitor arrivals reaching 98 percent of 2019 levels and tourism.

“As we all collectively put the pandemic further into the rearview mirror, Aruba is thrilled to welcome the major developments happening on island, which add to the excitement visitors will feel this year,” said Ronella Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority “From major accommodation developments to new airport resources, we are excited to showcase how the One Happy Island is continuously strengthening visitor resources this year ”

The notable developments are led by the grand opening of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort, which will open its doors to guests on February 1 Ideally located across from the world-renowned Eagle Beach, this all-suite resort will feature 330 spacious and upscale suites with scenic ocean and island views, each equipped with a separate living area, private bedroom, and wet bar Outside of the suites, guests will enjoy an expansive pool, three dining outlets, meeting space, a

St.Barts A TRAVEL GUIDE TO

St. Barts is an overseas collective of France, and is one of the few islands in the Caribbean region to still have direct ties to a European country While the official language is French, most of the sub-10,000 population are trilingual, speaking French, English, and Spanish The island is so small that there are scant street names and no public transportation Visitors typically rent a car, bike, or scooter to get around on their own

This hidden gem is an isle of luxury enticing visitors as diverse as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, international pop star Dua Lipa, the celebrity family, the Kardashians, and boxing legend Mike Tyson It has one of the best high-end shopping scenes in the Caribbean, featuring stores from Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Prada

St. Barts might be a small package, but it packs one-of-akind experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the region

Beaches

fitness center and soon, a spa and casino

In addition to this major opening, several hotels are in the midst of or have recently completed significant enhancements

The Ritz Carlton, Aruba began 2023 with the debut of new, islandinspired designs for all guestrooms, suites, and corridors

At the end of 2022, Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort completed renovations of all one-bedroom suites on the property In December of 2022, Raddison Blu Aruba welcomed the award-winning Senses Fine Dining restaurant to the property, which offers a renowned chef’s table experience, as well as an a la carte option Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort is also undergoing major renovations including updates to all studios and suites by April 2023

For visitors who choose to stay at an Airbnb property, Airbnb experiences now offer a variety of ebike tours courtesy of Stezo Tours Lasting about 90 minutes, tours such as the Full Moon E-Bike Experience allows guests to take in some of the One Happy Islands best views with pedal-powered assistance

Wellness offerings in Aruba have also been recently enhanced by two new businesses – The Now Skin Health & Wellness Studio and Essential Wellness Retreats

Complimenting these hotel developments and new activities are new resources that aim to make travel to and from the island even more convenient

In December 2022, the Aruba Airport Authority and Customs and Border Patrol unveiled a remote Global Entry Enrollment Center for US citizens, allowing US visitors to conveniently apply for this timereducing certification and enhance their departure experience from Aruba

Additionally, Aruba will soon unveil the Aruba Happy One Pass, which will allow travelers to optimize the airport check-in process and health requirements as part of their arrival on island

A stay anywhere in the Caribbean will leave you spoiled on beach picks – soft, white sandy shores and picture-perfect blue waters are the norm St Barts has its share, but for a beach like no other, there’s Shell Beach The mega tourist spot answers a question you probably never asked, what if all the sand on a beach was replaced by colorful sea shells? It’s an incredible experience in person with enough soft spots for you to have a typical beach adventure complete with nearby restaurant offerings

Hiking Trails

The lack of public transportation is more than made up of incredible hiking trails You can hike to beaches, to restaurants, or the unique natural pools located around the island It’s recommended that you hire a guide, if not to navigate the paths, then to make sure the pools are safe to enter, as during certain weather conditions the tide gets rough In ideal conditions, the pools are well worth the trek The pool at the

simplest dishes Their menu is made up of decadent pasta such as their “Local Lobster Ravioli” served with a carrot and ginger puree, fresh seafood dishes like their stuffed squid with paella spices, and a variety of carpaccios Amis also has vegetarian and gluten-free options on offer

Orega is the “break-the-bank” option Reservations need to be made weeks in advance, but if you score a table you’ll be treated to an incredible experience This Franco-Japanese fusion restaurant serves up dishes as beautiful as they are delicious, seamlessly combining the two cuisines to create something wholly unique

Accommodations

Le Barthélemy is an escape from the crowds of tourists who navigate the island It’s luxury, but the highlights of the property are the private villas that are available for rent Each of the six-bedroom luxury cottages has access to all the expected amenities Each villa has access to its own private infinity pool Located on the beachfront, and designed by acclaimed French interior designer, Sybille de Margerie, Le Barthélemy offers a touch of Parisian modernism amidst rustic island charm

St Barts is one of the safest islands to travel to in the Caribbean, boasting virtually no crime It’s said that locals even leave their cars and houses unlocked However, traveling to the island might be an obstacle There are no direct flights from the United States to St Barts, with many of the visitors arriving via private jets, yachts, a stop on a cruise, or indirect flights

Grand Fond is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The water is so clear, yet in beautiful shades of blue, that you can see to the bottom The pool is enclosed by bright orange rock creating a striking contrast that feels ethereal

Cuisine

When it comes to cuisine on the island, you can do no wrong The natural bounty of the land and sea that makes up all Caribbean cuisine is augmented with classic French culinary techniques. The result? Fine dining can hold its own with some of the best restaurants in the world

Amis is a French-Mediterranean restaurant that prides itself on using fresh, natural ingredients to elevate even the

Just north of the Lesser Antilles and off the coast of Anguilla, lies the tiny island of Saint Barthélemy or Collectivité territoriale de SaintBarthélemy, better known as St. Barts.

The casino at the Ritz Carlton, Aruba

Orega Restaurant, St. Barts

Grand Fond

Le Barthélemy

Stush in the Bush

A gourmet, rustic, farm-to-table eatery in St. Ann, Jamaica

Stush in the Bush, a highly revered, must-visit, plant-based, farm-to-table spot in Jamaica, gives you an opportunity to reconnect with the earth in the hills of St. Ann, through a one-ofa-kind holistic experience – where what you eat and where you are, are in perfect

harmony

The hillside eatery, which is enveloped by the ital Zionites farm, offers eager patrons a rustic, yet gourmet, fine dining, al fresco experience It’s an authentic food excursion accentuated by cool mountain air, good food, and separation from the chaos of urbanization

The owners, Chris and Lisa Binns, bring you to their table next to their farm Before eating, Chris takes diners on a tour of the farm, connecting with the produce in the wild In the meantime, Lisa leads the charge in crafting lovingly prepared, gourmet dishes with ingredients grown right on their land The duo are self-proclaimed “Locavores” – lovers of all things local – and they craft a seasonal menu extracting the most of the natural bounty that surrounds them

The culinary team takes patrons on a flavorful journey throughout Jamaica and beyond Their NYC-style pizza pairs artisanal charred flatbread with homemade nut mozzarella and natural toppings The Jamaican Mezze board is a crowdpleaser, consisting of crispy plantain chips, coconutcrusted yams, pineapple croquettes, eggplant accras, and Louisiana-inspired smoky corn beignets, all accompanied with a variety of in-house sauces and homemade hummus

The menu changes with the season and can be adjusted to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies Reservations have to be made in advance, and Stush in the Bush is open on Fridays and Sundays Private bookings are also available

Florida ranked second most travel obsessed state in the US

New research reveals that Florida is one of the most travel-obsessed states in America

The research, conducted by vacation experts Family Destinations Guide, analyzed Google Trends data of the last 12 months for search terms frequently used by travel enthusiasts and often associated with traveling These search terms were then combined to give each state a total travel score to discover America’s most and least travelobsessed states

The study revealed that South Carolina ranks as the most travel-obsessed state in America With a total travel score of 582 out of a possible 800, South Carolina ranks highly across every keyword analyzed in the study For instance, South Carolina is the state most interested in travel agencies, having the highest number of searches for the term ‘travel agent’ in the country, and is the state searching for the phrase ‘beach vacation’ the second-most in the country

Florida ranks as the second most travelobsessed state in the country With a total travel score of 561, Florida is mainly interested in budgetfriendly holidays. For example, the Sunshine State has the second-highest level of searches for the term ‘cheap flights’ and the third-highest level of searches for ‘cheap hotels’ in the country

Delaware ranks third The study revealed that Delaware has the highest level of searches for both the key terms ‘cheap hotels’ and ‘travel insurance’ in the country, giving Delaware a total travel score of 557

The study placed Mississippi next in the ranking, placing fourth overall with a total travel score of 554, followed by Nevada, which ranked fifth with a score of 538

The top ten most travel-obsessed states are rounded out by Georgia ranking in sixth place, Wyoming in seventh, followed by Louisiana, New York, and Hawaii in eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively

Chris and Lisa Binns

Jamaica to launch Global Tourism Resilience Institute

Jamaica is to launch the first ever Global Tourism Resilience Institute that will coincide with the observance of Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has announced.

Bartlett, addressing the launch of the Global Tourism Resilience Conference to be held February 15-17, said the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) “has been expanding its footprints across the world”

“The development of the academic platform for the centre has taken on a new lease on life, and we will be launching the first ever Global Tourism Resilience Institute at that conference as well,” he said

GTRCMC executive director, Professor Lloyd Waller, said the Institute will provide several offerings

“We are in the process of establishing an institute to focus on resilience and not just tourism resilience We will be offering short

certificate courses, diplom an Executive Master Administration (EMBA persons with the skills an terms of methodologies fo he stated

The conference will University of the Wes Headquarters with Prime Holness, participating in t the importance and impa building

The organizers say international speakers are make presentations

Approximately 200 p been invited to physically inaugural hybrid Global Resilience Conference, an more participants are expected to join virtually

PM Holness pledges to uncover extent of fraud at investment firm

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, says no effort will be spared in uncovering the full extent of fraudulent activity at the investment firm, Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) and bringing the perpetrators to justice

The prime minister gave this undertaking in a statement on Friday saying he was “upset and disgusted” at the revelations

Holness, who indicated that he was briefed on the matter, said he is concerned and sympathetic to the hard-working Jamaicans who are uncertain of the status of their funds invested with SSL

He noted that while every investor's distress must be equally acknowledged, “There is a dimension of a heightened public sense of betrayal, which I share, that a national icon who has brought so much pride to all of us, is also a victim of the alleged fraud”

The prime minister said a thorough investigation is being undertaken to identify the perpetrators and colluders involved in the fraudulent activity, as well as to trace the stolen funds and secure forfeiture of assets acquired with these

“The affected investors and the public can be assured that the investigative and prosecutorial agencies have the necessary competencies and resources, and have already started to act decisively to gather information and evidence,” he added

The prime minister said while the matter has sparked immediate fear and general concern, there is no need for panic about the strength and soundness of the financial system

He noted that, as a result of significant reforms implemented over the last two decades, Jamaica has a strong and vibrant financial system in which the public can have confidence, adding that it is recognized as the leading financial market in the region

“The public can rest assured that the Government will be proactive in ensuring that there is accountability and probity in the exercise of public functions, and that our policy and administrative response is effective in continually strengthening the financial sector and protecting the investing public,” he said

An investigation was launched after millions of dollars reportedly went missing from Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt's account at the investment firm

According to reports, a former SSL employee is being question in connection to the massive fraud, including missing funds from Usain Bolt's accounts

Another US$4 million in stocks and securities have reportedly gone missing at the beleaguered financial institution

The police Fraud Squad and Financial Investigations Division announced that questionable transactions were being made on some of the affected accounts for more than ten years

Bartlett

Florida ranks third for most new homes being built in U.S.

A new study has revealed the states where new houses are being built the most across the US with Utah taking the top spot with Idaho and Florida ranking second and third, respectively

The data by portlandrealestate com analyzed U S Census data and Statista to determine which states had the most new construction homes being developed per 1,000 residents

The research found that Utah has the most new homes being built per 1,000 residents at 11 7 This is more than double the United States average of 5 23 new builds per 1,000 residents The average value of a house in Utah is $554,955

The state with the second highest number of new builds being built is Idaho, where there are 11 43 new homes being built per 1,000 residents The average value of a typical family home in Idaho currently sits at $427,410 Florida ranks third with 9 80 new construction homes being built per 1,000 residents The average value of a house in

Florida is $406,426 – up 22 4 percent from last year

South Carolina and Colorado rank fourth and fifth, respectively South Carolina has 9 76 new builds being built per 1,000 residents in the state whilst Colorado has a slightly lower rate of 9 73 new construction homes being built per 1,000 residents

At the other end of the scale, Rhode Island has the fewest new builds being built per 1,000 residents at only 1 27 new builds

Interestingly, when it comes to the states with the fewest new houses being built, most of the states that rank the lowest are based in the east, with the exception of Hawaii and

Alaska Connecticut has the second lowest rate of new homes being built with 1 29 new builds per 1,000 people whilst Illinois ranks third lowest with 1 55 new builds per 1,000

The state of New York has 2 02 new builds per 1,000, making it the state with the third lowest rate of development of new builds West Virginia rounds out the bottom five with 2 07 new builds per 1,000 residents

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for portlandrealestate com said: “In 2021, there were 6 9 million houses sold across the US with this number projected to rise to over seven million in 2023 With this in mind, this study offers a revealing insight into the states where the supply of new housing is increasing the fastest to meet the ever increasing demand and for any potential buyers, this research can serve as a useful guide as to where more property will be available in the coming years ” Scan

the Code to read more.

DeSantis awards $100M for hurricane erosion recovery efforts

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday awarded $100 million for beach erosion projects and other restoration efforts in 16 coastal counties damaged by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole

The Republican announced the funding at a news conference in Daytona Beach Shores, which was heavily damaged by the storms last year

The money is part of a legislative package approved by state lawmakers during a special session in December that focused on property insurance following the storms Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in southwest Florida in late September and tore across the state, causing widespread damage Hurricane Nicole then hit in November, making landfall on the eastern coast of Florida, slamming areas where Ian had caused severe beach erosion just weeks earlier

Off-duty police ofcer kills gunman in videotaped shooting

An off-duty police officer fatally shot a gunman during a confrontation outside a South Florida supermarket Saturday night in an encounter captured on video

Cellphone videos posted on Twitter showed the man in the parking lot outside a Publix supermarket in Homestead holding a gun and firing four shots into an SUV that he says is his Holding the gun in front of him, he told shoppers in the parking lot, “Go home, go home ”

A Homestead police officer confronted him, pointing his gun at him while taking cover about 30 feet away The man tried to open the SUV’s door and then fired two more shots into it He then pulled keys from his pocket and tried again to open the door

“I am going home,” the man yelled at the officer

“Put the gun down, sir!” the officer yelled

“You can’t hit me from here,” the man replied “I am not trying to hurt anybody ”

Seconds later, another voice commanded the man to put down the gun He turned toward it, his gun still in his hand One shot was fired, hitting him He fell on his back The man who fired the shot, dressed in a Tshirt and shorts, came into view, yelling toward the Homestead officer, “I’m a cop, Miami-Dade! Get fire-rescue!”

The Homestead officer approached, his gun pointing at the off-duty officer The Miami-Dade officer pointed out where the fallen man ’ s gun landed, a few feet away The Homestead officer, his gun trained on the Miami-Dade officer, ordered him to put his gun down The officer complied No one else was injured

Miami-Dade police told the Miami Herald that the man was pronounced dead at a hospital Police told the paper that a Publix security guard had confronted the man for looking into cars and he pulled a gun Homestead police were then called Miami-Dade said its off-duty officer is a 30-year veteran His name and the gunman ’ s were not released

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting

US launches partnership to sponsor Caribbean refugees

The United States has launched a new private sponsorship program that will enable Americans to sponsor refugees arriving through the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) amid heightened concern over plans by the Joe Biden administration to limit migrants from the Caribbean and other countries

US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said the Department of State, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, has launched the Welcome Corps that will directly support refugees' resettlement and “make a difference by welcoming these new neighbors into their communities ”

NY Teacher Wins Dream Vacation from JN Money

Sylvester Nugent, a 48-year-old elementary school teacher of Queens, New York, is the grand prize winner of the Jamaica '60 & Boasy' with JN Money promotion, for the northeast USA market.

JN Money is a Jamaican-owned global remittance company, operated by JN Money Services Limited, a member company of The Jamaica National Group Customers became eligible for the promotion by sending a JN Money transfer between August 1 and December 24

“I was thrilled when I heard I was the winner. Coincidentally, Sunday was my birthday so when I heard about the winnings at first, I did not believe that I had won, until I actually got the letter in my hand, because of so many things going on out there such as scamming,” he explained “So when I got the phone call, I was a little hesitant until I went to the JN Money branch

The father of two, who has been a JN Money customer for about seven years, says he has not been to Jamaica in two years and so he is “ecstatic” about winning a trip to his homeland

“I was looking to go to Jamaica this year because a lot of my coworkers want to visit the island so it came right on time,” he stated

He plans to take the dream vacation with his wife

The educator of 23 years says he uses the remittance service three to four times per month to send money to his mother, also to his sister to help pay utility bills, and help out family members

“Sending funds through JN Money Services is better than any other company because the fees are lower, the service is quick and convenient, there are no long lines, the online security is safe, a branch is easy to find, and I get more for my money The biggest advantage is convenience because I can also use it to send money to my account in Jamaica,” he said

Harry Bhoorasingh, senior country manager at JN Money Services (USA) Inc, says the organisation prides itself on giving back to customers as they are grateful for the support they have received over the years

The vacation, Mr Bhoorasingh pointed out, includes roundtrip airfare, a three-night all-inclusive hotel stay, and adventure tour chauffeur services to and from the airport for two

“This program invites Americans to be partners and guides to refugees, as they build new lives in the United States and help them realize their full potential,” said Blinken, adding “the Welcome Corps is the boldest innovation in refugee resettlement in four decades

“It is designed to strengthen and expand the capacity of the USRAP by harnessing the energy and talents of Americans from all walks of life desiring to serve as private sponsors –ranging from members of faith and civic groups, veterans, diaspora communities, businesses, colleges and universities, and more,” he said

In the program's first year, the Biden administration's goal is to mobilize at least 10,000 Americans “to step forward as private sponsors and offer a welcoming hand to at least 5,000 refugees from around the world ”

The US Secretary of State said the Welcome Corps will build on “the extraordinary response of the American people over the past year in welcoming our Afghan allies, Ukrainians displaced by war, Venezuelans, and others fleeing violence and oppression

“In the face of unprecedented global displacement, the United States will continue to lead the international community in humanitarian response, including refugee resettlement By launching the Welcome Corps, we build on a proud tradition of providing refuge and demonstrate the spirit and generosity of the American people as we commit to welcoming refugees in need of our support ”

Blinken's announcement comes as C a r i b b e a n A m e r i c a n D e m o c r a t i c Congresswoman, Yvette D Clarke, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk last week denounced plans by the Biden administration to restrict migrants from the Caribbean and other places

Earlier, the Biden administration announced that it was limiting migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti who enter the US to 30,0000 each month under humanitarian parole, while expelling those who attempt to cross the southwestern border

The White House said in a statement that the new program will expand and expedite legal pathways for orderly migration from Caribbean and other countries, and result in new consequences for those who fail to use those legal pathways

The Gimme-Me-Bit, Clarendon native who sent the winning transaction from the JN Money Merrick Boulevard branch in Queens, New York, said he is looking forward to his vacation

Blinken

From left: Shana-Kay Israel, Customer Service Representative (Teller), Nahomi Hyde-Swazey, Branch Operations Supervisor-both at the JN Money Merrick Boulevard, Queens Branch, and Sylvester Nugent, winner of a the JN Money ‘60 & Boasy’ promotion celebrate Mr. Nugent’s winnings with a photo op!

RAVING REVIEWS for Jashii's Rebel Salute Performance

Dancehall music has had a significant impact on youth culture in Jamaica. The music, characterized by its fastpaced rhythms and explicit lyrics, has been both celebrated and criticized for its influence on young people.

Dancehall music has also had a significant impact on the way that young people in Jamaica interact with each other The genre has been criticized for its negative impact on youth in Jamaica This has led to concern that the music may be influencing young people to engage in harmful and destructive behavior

Recently, dancehall artiste Jashii performed at the 29th staging of Rebel Salute and was applauded for his stellar performance and the messages that he left with patrons

At first glance, people might not expect Jahshii to perform at the show because of the show's culture that has played a pivotal role in the preservation of reggae since its first staging in 1994 However, did he surprise everyone on the first of the two-night show at Grizzly's Plantation in St Ann

The Spanish Town deejay was in fine form when he made his

debut performance Not only did he perform some of his conscious hits, but the deejay also called for an end to violence amid a steep rise in crime across Jamaica. His gesture was well received by the audience as well as co-host of the event, Mutabaruka

Jahshii performed an emotional rendition of his popular single “Born Fighter” as he roamed through the audience He also encouraged young youths like himself to dream big and work hard while lamenting that it took him a lot of hard work to reach the heights of dancehall music

Many patrons praised the young dancehall artiste who has been making his mark in the industry and hopes that he will continue to share his voice and music with the world in a positive way

Jahshii was one of 27 artistes who performed on night one of Rebel Salute on Friday, the first in-person show since 2020 and the 29th staging of the event

Bounty Killer, Kabaka Pyramid, Tony Rebel, Yaksta, and Nation Boss were also part of the night one line-up

The show itself was great The performances were exceptional and Tony Rebel is looking forward to the 30th staging

For Tony Rebel, planning for next year has already begun and it promises to be a big one

Alpha makes history with first of its kind course in applied sound system performance

The Alpha School of Music in Jamaica will officially offer an Introduction to Sound System Performance course starting this month

The course, which is the first of its kind in Jamaica, and perhaps the world, will be a required course for second-year students in the pre-qualifying year of Alpha's Associate Degree of Music Performance program

The course will teach the fundamentals of sound system performance in a group context, from setting up the equipment, to audio selections to microphone work As a unique Jamaican example of performance, the sound system fits appropriately within Alpha's ensemble based curriculum and offers a proven methodology for training youth in audio technology, performance and production

"The sound system is a key part of Jamaica's commercial music and entertainment ecosystem," said Alpha Bandmaster Gay Magnus "It's important not just because it's the foundation of our popular culture but because it's also an important group activity at the forefront of Jamaican music and entertainment for decades We're looking forward to the course and grateful to Dr Dennis Howard for accepting the position of instructor "

In the 1960s, when Sister Ignatius managed the Alpha music program, she operated the Mutt & Jeff Sound System on the Alpha Boys School campus She would use Mutt & Jeff to listen to new songs and discuss what makes 'good music' Students had a chance to also perform and operate the sound system Grammy nominee Winston 'Yellowman' Foster says he first used a microphone on “Sister's sound” Alpha past student and drummer, Ilawi Malawi, a veteran selector for Brigadier Jerry's Jah Love Sound System, credits Sister Ignatius with teaching him how to play on a sound system

Alpha's place in Jamaica's music pantheon can be heard on Alpha Boys School Radio, a 24/7 streaming station that only plays music in whole or in p a r t p e r f o r m e d b y A l p h a g r a d u a t e s (alphaboysschoolradio com)

Fraser-Pryce, Broadbell cop 2022 Sportswoman, Sportsman of the Year awards

Track athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Rasheed Broadbell were crowned Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, respectively, at the 2022 RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards on Friday.

The event resulted in Broadbell winning the award for the first time, while for the outstanding Fraser-Pryce, it was her fifth title Broadbell won the 110 metres hurdles at the Commonwealth Games by equalling the record of 13 08 seconds, and Fraser-Pryce won the 100 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon in 10 67 seconds, to claim the title for an unprecedented fifth time

World Championships 200m gold medallist Shericka Jackson was runner-up to Fraser-Pryce, while cricketer Rovman Powell, who enjoyed an outstanding year leading the Jamaica Tallawahs to their third Caribbean Premier League T20 title and Jamaica Scorpions to their first Super 50 title in 10 years, was second best to Broadbell

Former men's 100m World Record holder Asafa Powell was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award

Inter Miami U19 dethrone Jamaica All-Schools Team at 2023 CASA Youth Classic

Defending champions Jamaica AllSchools Team went down on penalties to Inter Miami FC Under-19 in the Caribbean Americas Soccer Association (CASA) Youth Classic 2023 final on Sunday at the Lauderhill Sports Park in Florida

Captain Romain Blake gave his Jamaican team a 1-0 lead courtesy of a first-half penalty, but the Jamaicans could not see the game through and allowed Felipe Valencia to slot home an equaliser three minutes from the end of regulation time

The Jamaica All-Schools Team spot kickers were clearly second best in the shoot-out from 12 yards as only Blake was able to beat goalkeeper Marcus Steinhouser to register on the scoreboard

Xavier Davidson had Jamaica's second spot kick saved by Steinhouser's leg, while Kevaughn Wilson slid his effort outside of the upright

In the All-Schools Team's first game on Thursday on the artificial surface, they played to a 2-2 result with Lauderhill Lions, despite wasting a penalty kick late on

J'havier Lynch had given the Jamaicans a tenth-minute lead after capitalising on a defensive error before dismissing a couple defenders on his way to slotting into the goal

Sodia Peters on historic Paralympic Journey

By Ian Burnett

The Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) means business in pursuing one of its known mandates of building capacity in technical officials across the spectrum of sports in enabling them to transition to the international stage

The latest beneficiary is Sodia Peters who is creating history in Paralympic sports and will be the first Jamaican technical official in track and field to officiate at pinnacle games and arguably the first athletic official

Selected by the JPA to pursue the WPA International Technical Official (ITO) course in track and field, Peters looks set to clear the hurdle in late January when she will undertake a module of the course which will see her becoming internationally certified and eligible for selection for duties at international games such as the 2023 Santiago Para Pan American Games, the 2023 Paris World Para Athletics Championships, the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games and the 2024 Kobe World Para Athletics Championships

A member of a group of 23 persons selected from a worldwide cohort by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Peters, whose initiation in Paralympic sports came by virtue of an appointee of the JPA in a locally held IPC-sanctioned world qualifying track and field meet, said: “I want to thank the JPA for recommending me and processing the application and in demonstrating continued faith in my ability ”

Jamaica's Minister of Sports Olivia Grange

However, in a frenzied four-minute period, the game turned on its head as Lauderhill Lions found the equaliser two minutes later and before the Jamaicans realised what had happened, the Lions were in front in the 14th minute

However, Wilson went on a solo run to pull the teams level on 30 minutes to ensure the teams entered the half-time interval on level pegging

Late in the game Lynch was fouled

inside the penalty box but Theon Cupee saw his spot kick blocked by the goalkeeper and his follow up effort crashed against the crossbar, much to the chagrin of the Jamaican coach Lenny Hyde and the many supporters The result left them in a precarious position entering Saturday's game against Plantation FC, but the boys rebounded splendidly to run out 3-0 winners

Meanwhile JPA President, Christopher Samuda, in reinforcing the mandate of the governing body for para sports, said: “It is business unusual in inspiring and empowering men and women to grasp horizons of opportunities in placing Jamaica in the corridors of the officialdom in sports We have the ability and capacity to be influencers in shaping the character of sports on the field of play and Sodia is blazing the trail ”

Peters has given the assurance of her commitment to the job at hand and will continue to officiate at local para meets Commenting on the achievement of Peters and her pioneering prospects for the future, JPA Director, Ryan Foster, said, “breaking barriers and taking your place among global achievers are lessons taught to our athletes and coaches in the Paralympic movement as part of their DNA and officials are no different ”

The JPA continues to identify technical officials and classifiers across disciplines as it pursues one of its primary strategic objectives of creating an experienced and internationally recognized cohort of Jamaican Paralympic innovators

Golf Star Alexandra Swayne Showcases US Virgin Islands

Professional golfer Alexandra Swayne says she is excited to team up with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism in 2023 as an official ambassador.

Alexandra Swayne will lend her prodigious talents to the beautiful Caribbean destination with digital and social media promotion, advertising, brand awareness, and brand content creation She will also bring more awareness to the outstanding golf courses and facilities in addition to the islands' natural

beauty Joseph Boschulte, commissioner of the USVI's Department of Tourism, said, “ we are delighted to have Alexandra on board as one of our official ambassadors Her vivaciousness and natural leadership will help the USVI shine as a golf destination for all ages and talent Alexandra will participate in events, advertising campaigns, marketing and promotional materials, live streams and interviews, and events all the while showcasing the islands'

natural beauty and culture ”

Alexandra Swayne took up golf at age 14 as part of the US Virgin Islands prestigious Golf Federation's junior program Then, just eight days after celebrating her 21st birthday, Swayne qualified for her first US Women's Open by shooting 3-under-par 141 in Atlanta

This rising and energetic pro joined the Ladies European Tour in 2022 but she always likes to return to the US Virgin Islands where she conducts youth golf clinics and practices

her game “Promoting USVI is such a great opportunity for me as I can pair my love of my hometown and its gorgeous courses (there are four on USVI) with what I love to do and that is to play golf ”

This year will be exciting for the USVI Already the editors of Conde Nast Traveler put the USVI at the top of its Best Places to Go in 2023 citing the islands' new hotels, resort openings, the national park, and carnival festivals

GOLF

Peters