Caribbean National Weekly December 15, 2022

No Imme e Relief!

Florida Senate Passes Property Insurance Overhaul

Homeowners in Florida are being crushed right now by the cost of housing and insurance costs are a major part of that and unfortunately, there is no immediate relief in sight.

Average annual premiums have risen to more than $4,200 in Florida, which is triple th national average About 12 percent of homeowners in the state don't have property insurance compared to the national average of 5 percent according to the Insurance Information Institute a research organization funded by the insurance industry

The Florida Senate on Tuesday approved sweeping legislation that would overhaul the state's property insurance system, which has struggled due to insolvencies, high costs and major storms

The bill would create a $1 billion reinsurance fund, reduce litigation costs and compel some customers to leave a state-created insurer It also would force insurers to respond more promptly to claims and increase state oversight of insurers' conduct following hurricanes

The Republican proposal was put forth

The GraceKennedy (GK) Group was the proud winner of the Governor General's Award for Excellence at the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Best Practices Awards for 2021

The prestigious award honors the listed company which consistently upholds international best practices to be declared the overall winner of the annual JSE Best Practices Awards GK also received the coveted award for 2004, 2018, and 2020

GK was also declared winner of the PSOJ/JSE Corporate Governance Award and

Annual Report Award for companies listed on the JSE Main Market; and was the first runner up and second runner up respectively in the Corporate Disclosure & Investor Relations and Website categories The announcement of the awards was made during a ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston, Wednesday, December 7

Commenting on GK's win, CEO of the GK Group, Don Wehby said, “This amazing win has added meaning for us as we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year Our aim has always been

excellence in corporate governance and as a global consumer group, we strive to achieve international best practice This commitment is grounded in the core values established by GK's founders over 100 years ago – Honesty, Integrity and Trust Congratulations to the entire GK team – our staff and directors – for all the work you consistently put in to ensure that we continue to live up to our solid reputation of being responsible corporate citizen We are also so grateful for the unwavering support and confidence our business partners, shareholders

during the GOP-led Legislature's second special session this year aimed at stabilizing the state's property insurance market The state House is expected to give the measure final passage this week

Florida has struggled to control rising property insurance costs and hold onto insurers in a market where natural disasters weigh heavily on the cost of business The session comes after Hurricane Ian smashed into the southwest coast in late September and caused an estimated $40 billion to $70 billion in insured losses

The bill, which builds on insurance legislation passed in May, is not expected to immediately lower rates for policyholders, which has drawn criticism from Democrats Backers of the bill argue that it is meant to stabilize the market, which then could lower rates in the future

“As we look forward, and as these reforms take place and work their way through the ratemaking process, I absolutely believe it will drive their costs down,” said Republican state Sen Jim Boyd, who sponsored the bill “While it might not happen today, I absolutely believe we will have rate relief as we move forward in the future ”

“Any action that does not address the instability and costs to the consumer and does not provide meaningful near-term relief for policyholders, I believe falls short of our goals ” said Democratic state Sen Darryl Rouson

continues on B4 – No Immediate Relief

and customers place in our business It's an honor to be recognized in this way by the Jamaica Stock Exchange ”

GraceKennedy has received over 40 Best Practices Awards from the JSE since the awards program was established in 2004 The JSE Best Practices Awards promote best practice standards for companies listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Each year awards are handed out to companies listed on the main and junior market of the Stock Exchange recognizing excellence in corporate governance

CWI congratulates legendary cricketer on prestigious award from University of Guyana

Commonwealth SG urges countries to honor pledge to deal with impact of climate change

Sizzla

destroys plaques over alleged disrespect from DJ Khaled

Its Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi as Argentina face off with France in the World Cup nals

JAMAICA

Kiwanis Club members pose with Jamaican Internaonal visual arst, Andy Ballenne (3rd le) at the recently held Volunteer Awards Dinner, put on by Miramar Commissioner Maxwell Chambers. Members of the group were gied art pieces by Ballenne to recognize their support to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic (Photo: Markajamesphotography)

Miramar Commissioner Maxwell B Chambers strung the runway at the Miramar Fashion show held at the City Center on December 11 (Photo: Markajamesphotography)

Beauful designs. Models (including Commissioner Maxwell - front right) from the City of Miramar’s

Internaonal Art & Fashion Weekend (Dec 10 - 11)

(Photo: Markajamesphotography)

Taking me to recognize & be recognized for stellar volunteer services during the COVID-19 pandemic (L-R) Dr. Alan Silber, Rachel Tourgeman, Vice Mayor Yvee Colbourne, & Mari Carmen are all smiles at the City of Miramar’s Volunteer Awards (Photo: Markajamesphotography)

Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis (center) with Melissa & Jackie along with their spouses at her birthday party. – Contributed

Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis with her son Chevone and cousin Camilla at the Bayside dock before the yacht party! –Contributed

Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis & Chrisne at the Commissioner’s 60th Birthday Yacht Party Dec 10. –Contributed

Famed Jamaican Visual Arst, Andy Ballenne (le)

signed and presented one of his art pieces to Kadene (center) and Richard Rutherford (right) at a recently held art show In Miramar (Photo: contributed)

trust for his colleagues were the driving forces behind his immense success as he drove the West Indies to become a sporting dynasty We celebrate with Sir Clive as he receives this valued award for his service to Guyana and West Indies cricket ”

In 1971 he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year. He captained the West Indies between 1974 and 1985 and oversaw their rise to become the dominant Test-playing nation, a position that was only relinquished in the latter half of the 1990s He is one of the most successful Test captains of all time: during his captaincy the side had a run of 27 matches without defeat, which included 11 wins in succession (Viv Richards acted as captain for one of the 27 matches, against Australia at Port of Spain in 1983–84) He was the first West Indian player to earn 100 international caps Lloyd captained the West Indies in three World Cups, winning in 1975 (with Lloyd scoring a century) and 1979 while losing the 1983 final to India

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday congratulated Sir Clive Lloyd on being awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Guyana, a “well-deserved” honor according to CWI president Ricky Skerritt.

The legendary former West Indies captain received the honor for being an exemplar in the field of sport, management, and leadership during the university's graduation ceremony in Georgetown last Friday

“We want to congratulate Sir Clive on this well-deserved honor bestowed on him by the University of Guyana,” said Skerritt

“Sir Clive's leadership style brought unity and pride to his team His vision and passion on the game and his respect and

Lloyd was a tall, powerful middle-order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler In his youth he was also a strong cover point fielder He wore his famous glasses as a result of being poked in the eye with a ruler His Test match debut came in 1966 Lloyd scored 7,515 runs at Test level, at an average of 46 67 He hit 70 sixes in his Test career, which is the 14th highest number of any player He played for his home nation of Guyana in West Indies domestic cricket, and for Lancashire (he was made captain in 1981) in England He is a cousin of spin bowler Lance Gibbs Since retiring as a player, Lloyd has remained heavily involved in cricket, managing the West Indies in the late 1990s, and coaching and commentating

In 2009, Lloyd was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame He was knighted in the 2020 New Year Honors for services to cricket

Commonwealth SG urges countries to honor pledge to deal with impact of climate change

Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, has pledged the support of the 56member grouping in helping members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) secure the US$100 billion committed by major carbon-emitting nations to combat the worst impacts of climate change

“We have to make sure that when people promise they actually deliver And so there's a lot of work to do ” Scotland told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) after attending the two-day 10th OACPS Summit of Head of States and of Governments that ended here last weekend

“And we in the Commonwealth, linking hands with everyone with the Organisation of African Caribbean states, with CARICOM, with the African Union, with the Pacific Island Forum, with the UN with the World Bank, with Dr Tedros [Adhanom Ghebreyesus] of WHO, we are linking hands with all of our partners, because we have to deliver this,” she said

“The clock is ticking And we know that if we don't move, then there will be millions of those we love who will lose their homes, their lives and their livelihoods,” she added

At the start of the OASCPS summit, the Caribbean and the Pacific flagged climate change among the major challenges affecting

their development and Scotland told CMC “So it's on us to push to deliver and to make sure that those who are not listening, actually get to feel what it means for them to ignore those who are suffering

“So, we ' re all raising our voices I was delighted to be here Delighted to hear the strong statements coming from all over the African, Caribbean, Pacific region And we are

one and we will remain one until this is done ”

She said the Commonwealth has a real role to play in terms of supporting the sustainable agenda and the delivery of the climate change agreement made in Paris in 2015

Scotland noted that it was the Commonwealth, back in 1981, before the first United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) was held in Langkawi in Malaysia, had

identified that climate change poses an existential threat

“And the reason the Commonwealth highlighted that issue is, of the 42 small states in the world, the majority of them, 33, are in our Commonwealth So, it's really critically important that our Commonwealth countries in the Pacific, in the Caribbean are literally drowning as the sea rises ” Scotland told CMC

She said also it was at the Commonwealth meeting in Rwanda this year that 54 leaders came together and agreed that they would put loss and damage on the global climate talks agenda

“It's in our communique; in paragraph 53 And when our leaders went from Kigali to Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt where COP27 held in 2022), which was the first African COP, they all insisted that loss and damage should be on that agenda And you know, we fought for it and we got lost and damaged agreed ”

Scotland told CMC, however, that just agreeing to have the money is not the same as getting the money, noting that in 2009, developed countries pledged US$100 billion to help developing countries adapt to climate change

Belize PM announces new debt relief program with Venezuela

Prime Minister John Briceño Monday announced that the Belize government has negotiated more than a quarter billion-dollar (One Belize dollar=US$0 49 cents) reduction in the debt owed to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe initiative

Briceño told Parliament this will result in a six to seven percent decline in debt to gross domestic product ratio

PetroCaribe is a regional oil procurement agreement between Venezuela and several Caribbean countries that was founded in 2005

in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela during the presidency of Hugo Chavez Venezuela offered member states oil supplies on a concessionary financial agreement

Petrocaribe fell apart by 2019 after sanctions, dwindling oil production, corruption, and oil price fluctuations took their toll on Caracas, which is now in discussions to restart the agreement

“I am happy to announce today yet another decisive step in our campaign to reverse the fiscal and debt crisis left to us by the United

Democratic Party government,” Briceño told legislators, adding “Belize and Venezuela have agreed on restructuring the terms of the PetroCaribe debt which will reduce the amount Belize owes under PetroCaribe by anywhere between BDZ$267 million and BDZ$327 million”

He said there is ‘still need to balance the books between Belize and Venezuela, but the country’s debt to GDP will “therefore fall by another six to seven percentage points

Scotland

Briceño

Diplomat Jane Owen to be Cayman’s next governor

Career diplomat, Jane Owen, 59, has been appointed as the Cayman Islands' next governor when current government Martyn Roper demits office next year Owen will be the second woman to be appointed governor

She will be coming from her current post as the British ambassador for Switzerland and the non-resident ambassador to the neighboring principality of Liechtenstein

Owen began her civil service career with the Foreign Office in 1987 as the desk officer for the Central America Department

Since then, she has served in Japan, Vietnam, India, and Norway as well as Switzerland, with stints also working for the department of trade in London

According to a release from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Owen said she was delighted with the appointment, which she will take up in April

“I look forward to developing a close partnership with the elected government and I will do my utmost to support the people of all three Islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman,” she said

She may also become the first Cayman governor who will not reside on Seven Mile Beach for her full tenure, as Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has announced that government is considering moving the governor's residence, Government House, and taking it over to create a bigger attraction at Governor's Beach for local people and tourists, given the lack of access elsewhere along the famous stretch

Grenada suspends mail delivery to the Caribbean and Canada

The Grenada Postal Corporation (GPC) says it has suspended mail delivery service to Canada and the Caribbean for the Christmas season blaming a lack of air cargo transportation from Grenada

GPC said it hopes it is hoping for a return of normal service by mid-January 2023

“Right now, we use commercial carriers for the service but because of the increase in passengers traveling with the airline we use, there is no room for carrying out mail, priority with the airline is for passenger ’ s luggage,” said Genelle Bowen, the marketing and communications customer relations officer

Mail delivery service to the Caribbean and Canada was a guaranteed service the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT offered to the GPC before 2020 Though LIAT has resumed service with limited flights to Grenada it is unable to continue the mail-carrying

and delivery service

The current arrangement is with American Airlines Bowen explained that mail from Grenada to the affected jurisdictions must first go to the USA before it reaches its final intended destination

“It therefore means that mails are taking longer to arrive and having received notice that the passenger ’ s luggage is the priority, we cannot guarantee when mails will be delivered, so that is why the service is suspended,” she said

It was also explained that mail from the United Kingdom will be affected because of planned industrial action Airport staff working for the U K Border Force are due to walk out from December 23 to 26, and again from December 28 to New Year’s Eve It will impact services at the U K ’ s busiest airport, London Heathrow, as well as London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Glasgow

Guyana announces salary increases for healthcare workers

The Guyana government has announced salary increases payable to specified positions within the health sector with President Dr Irfaan Ali saying that these adjustments “ are on top of the eight percent across-the-board increase already announced”

Ali said the additional adjustments will take effect from January 1 next year

He said in order to ensure that the public healthcare system is able to attract talented young professionals, the government will be making salary adjustments to several categories of doctors working in the system

He said medical Interns will have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$151,374 (One Guyana dollar=US$0 004 cents) to GUY$200,000, representing an additional 32 1 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a medical intern

In addition, medical officers, whether employed at the Georgetown Public Health Corporation (GPHC) or elsewhere, will have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$219,878 to GUY$300,000, representing an additional 36 4 percent increase on their current minimum salaries

“Medical officers who have completed one year of post-employment experience, for example, a second year GMO, will now have their current minimum salary adjusted to GUY$351,204 in line with the current practice at the GPHC ”

President Ali in his broadcast on Monday night, said medical officers who have completed two years of post-employment experience will have their current minimum salary adjusted to GUY$414,032 in line with the current practice at the GPHC

Medical officers who have completed three years of post-employment experience will have their current minimum salary adjusted to GUY$446,160 in line with the current practice at the GPHC

Specialist doctors such as obstetricians and gynecologists, neurosurgeons, dermatologists, orthopedic surgeons, will have their minimum salaries adjusted upwards of GUY$276,536 to GUY$450,000, representing an additional increase

continues on B4 – Salary Increase

Owen

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

Don't make the holidays bad for your health

The Christmas holidays are traditionally a time of happiness, joy, and celebrations. But it is important that people don't let the celebrations be reason to ignore habits that ensure they live healthy lives A medical doctor appearing on a national news program recently, cautioned the Christmas holidays can be the unhealthiest time of the year

Year resolution to lose weight. People who overindulge at the table, should focus on continuing to exercise regularly

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

Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

EDITORIAL

GRAPHIC EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR

Don Anthony sports@cnweeklynews.com

ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION

Hugh Ferguson advertising@cnweeklynews.com hferguson@cnweeklynews.com

Tel: 954-739-6618 Fax: 954-765-6199

For years in America, traditionally during December, because it falls in the cold and damp of winter, cases of influenza escalate To prevent the possibilities of coming down with the flu and spoiling the holiday fun, people, especially seniors, are advised to get the flu vaccine But some people object to be being vaccinated For those who object to vaccinations, they should try their best to take vitamin supplements, or natural herbs, that may strengthen their immune systems

But the flu wasn't the health danger the doctor appearing on national TV was referring to She pointed out that during the end of year holidays people tend to ignore healthy eating and fitness habits

The holiday season beginning from Thanksgiving in November, can be filled with several dinner dates, house and office parties, and night clubbing Some people deliberately throw sensible eating habits away during the holidays and overindulge in eating food chock full of sodium and sugar, which are all bad for their health

It's not unusual for people suffering from illnesses like diabetes,

heart disease, sensitive stomachs, and high blood pressure to knowingly indulge in the wrong foods, saying “It's Christmas, I will shut my eyes and eat what I don't normally eat all year ” But this is extremely irresponsible and dangerous Ignoring healthy eating habits during the holidays can worsen prevailing health problems

Often over the holidays, people who overindulge in unhealthy foods must be rushed to hospital emergency rooms for one health problem or the other It doesn't make sense to endure days of suffering, and the possibility of being hospitalized for eating excess portions of ham, roast pork, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pudding, and that calorie laden Jamaican Christmas pudding

Even those fortunate to have no prevailing health issues, are advised not to overindulge in the wrong food

over the holidays If they do, they should try to get enough exercise to work off the extra calories

But people also tend to ignore their commitment to exercise regularly during the holidays, although some younger folks may say they get plenty of exercise by dancing more than usual attending back-to-back holiday parties It's easy to stop exercising either at home, or at a gym, over the holidays, but the longer one postpones his/her normal exercise routine, the harder it is to resume The cardiovascular system still needs a workout over the holidays, and the muscles, especially those that control the stomach, need to be toned up without stopping The more people eat is the more they are likely to put on weight Not keeping up with regular exercise, including simply walking, makes it more difficult to keep up the usual New

Perhaps, as the good doctor indicated on the TV program, the unhealthiest, and potentially deadly habit, over the holidays is excessive, uncontrolled drinking of alcoholic beverages Some people seem to be able only to enjoy “happy holidays” or a “Merry Christmas” by drinking until they cannot help themselves Again, some people utter similar words as those who overindulge in food over the holidays People who usually don't drink, will have several glasses of wine, or some other alcoholic drink, to, according to them, “feel good” over the holidays, saying, “It's the holidays, I need a drink to feel the holiday spirit ” But too many people who over imbibe on alcohol, also drive motor vehicles from parties, or other situations from which they have lost their sense of control This can have serious repercussions for themselves, and other people as they drive on the roads

People are expected to enjoy the holidays, and they should It's a time to be merry, but reasonably merry It really makes no sense to throw caution to the wind, and overeat, over drink, and compromise one's health over the holidays which last only a few days One must be careful that living an irresponsible lifestyle over the holidays does not ruin their heath or their lifestyle for the immediate future

Eat, drink, and be merry over the holidays, just do so responsibly

from CNW Network

A Worrying Trend

Top UN official laments cholera's continued spread in Haiti

Ulrika updated reporters at UN headquarters on the deadly outbreak, which was declared on October 2

She said, so far, 283 people have died, nearly 12,000 have been hospitalized, and more than 14,000 suspected cases have been recorded

“What we are seeing, in fact, is not only the continued increase of cholera cases but also the spread to the regions In eight of the ten departments, there are confirmed cholera cases, and this is a worrying trend for us and for the country ”

Richardson is at UN headquarters for a three-day visit to meet with senior officials and colleagues on the outbreak, which is unfolding amid political instability, gang violence and unprecedented hunger

The UN said the flash appeal was launched last month to support emergency cholera response and to provide life-saving assistance to 1 4 million people living in affected areas, but Richardson said only US$23 5 million has been received to date as she highlighted the immense needs as

the new year approaches

“In fact, the humanitarian needs continue to increase,” she said, adding that the UN is currently preparing the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti, which calls for US$719 million, or roughly double the amount requested this year

Meanwhile, “insecurity continues to be rampant, with really chilling reports of human rights violations,” she said

The UN said gangs dominate nearly 60 percent of the capital, Portau-Prince, and use terrifying means to keep the population in control, including sexual violence and that women and girls are affected, but so are men and boys, as the gangs fight over territory

“That territory is worth both fighting for and defending at all costs, and the cost here is a human cost,” Richardson said, noting that the insecurity has also sparked massive displacement, particularly in the capital

An estimated 155,000 people have been uprooted, a nearly 80 percent increase since August, Richardson said, pointing also to a positive development where more than half of schools have reopened, despite all the challenges

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti underscored the UN's continued support to the country, whether in cholera response, education, or distribution of food and other items to vulnerable families

The General Inspectorate of National Police of Haiti (IGPNH) has sent its investigation report on the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse to the Ministry of Justice, the spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH), Divisional Inspector Garry Desrosiers, has announced

Moïse was gunned down at his private residence on July 7 last year His wife Maritine, who survived the assassination had to be flown to the United States for medical treatment

While several people have been arrested and appeared in courts in the United States, no one has been formally charged in Haiti even though several former Colombian soldiers have been arrested in Haiti in connection with the killing

Desrosiers gave no details of the investigation but told reporters that the IGPNH had sent its report on the assassination to the Ministry of Justice for the necessary follow up He did not elaborate

Meanwhile, he said 82 police officers have been imprisoned on the orders of the authorities on several alleged crimes

Desrosiers said the IGPNH also recommended the dismissal of the police officer whom it has linked to the criminal group “Barikad Crew”, accused of having assassinated Vertil Élie in Canapé-Vert on Wednesday January 26, 2022

Desrosiers said the General Inspectorate of the PNH is working with the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) on other cases of arms and ammunition trafficking in which police officers are involved

Desrosiers also disclosed that at least 40 bandits were fatally injured in exchanges of gun fire with the police between September and November across all the police jurisdictions of the country and that more than a dozen weapons and ammunition were seized, and more than 1,550 bandits arrested

He said the police have also seized 27 276 kg of marijuana, 1 2 kg of cocaine and more than US$30, 000 seized during the various operations

The authorities estimate that there are now an estimated 200 gangs operating across Haiti, and around 95 in the capital, Port-auPrince, resulting in a major insecurity crisis, with large-scale attacks on communities, politicians and journalists, high levels of violence, mass kidnappings and forced displacements

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

Ulrika Richardson says the continued spread of cholera in Haiti is a “worrying trend”, lamenting that a US$145 million appeal to support the response is only 16 percent funded.

JCF targets thirty US-based criminals directing crime in Jamaica

Major General Antony Anderson, Jamaica's Commissioner of Police, says 30 people living in the United States who are influencers of crime and violence in Jamaica are being sought by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

He made the disclosure recently during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime (OPM) when Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced states of emergency (SOEs) in several parishes

Anderson emphasized that SOEs are about more than merely arresting individuals and the JCF is also targeting criminals who live in the US

“As the prime minister says, we ' re also working with our overseas partners on some of this We have a target list of 30 who reside in the US who we ' re doing some work on,” Anderson said

He added: “Those who are over there who believe that they are supporting violence and crime in Jamaica and they are doing so without anybody paying any attention to them they're sorely mistaken ”

officials in Washington

The meeting was called to discuss the increasing danger posed by transnational criminal gangs, organized criminal violence, and the trafficking

According to a media release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), during the meeting, the police commissioner noted that “closer cooperation will ensure that criminals do not feel they have a safe haven in the United States from which to sponsor crime in Jamaica ”

As for the issue of the illegal export of firearms, Holness said the United States is taking even greater steps to deal with the problem of the illegal export of firearms

“We are pleased to note the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act which creates a legal framework to interdict and prosecute persons illegally exporting guns from the United States,” he added

Holness asked that the new Act give special attention to Jamaican traffickers and firearms intended for Jamaica

According to the OPM, the meeting reviewed current programs and alliances, highlighted gaps that need to be filled, and looked into possibilities for advancing cooperation

The OPM said possibilities for expanding institutional and human resource capacitybuilding and training were also explored

Jamaica pays tribute to countries for 60 years of diplomatic relations

Jamaica has paid tribute to 12 countries with which it celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations since 1962

They are the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federative Republic of Brazil, Canada, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of India, the State of Israel, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, the Swiss Confederation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States

“We pay tribute to these countries which have been with us from the very beginning Their faith in our ability to chart our own destiny and their commitment to lending support in this regard have not gone unnoticed,” said Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, during a recent sitting of the Senate

“We salute their resolve to be a part of our journey when we were keen to assert our newfound freedom and independence, and they

shared our vision and determination to do so ”

According to Johnson Smith, Jamaica's engagement with the countries recognized, is aligned with the Government's drive to foster economic growth and prosperity

“To this end, we have welcomed investments in areas such as infrastructural development, energy, transport, security, justice reform, agriculture, as well as land management and administration

Other critical sectors from which we have

benefited include information and communications technology, including cybersecurity,” she noted

“Our ongoing challenges as a country is reason enough for us to continue to work with partner countries to strengthen our justice systems, identify sustained solutions to our security problems and find viable options to empower our young people and youth ”

Johnson Smith pointed out that Jamaica's relations with the countries are strong not only

On Thursday, senior representatives from the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) met with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Major General Antony Anderson, and other government

of illegal guns into Jamaica

continues on B4 – Pays tribute

Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson speaking at a press conference recently

Trinidad High Court grants injunction to former police commissioner

The Office of Trinidad’s Attorney General Tuesday said an appeal will be filed following a High Court ruling that granted former police commissioner, Gary Griffith, an injunction restraining Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley from laying any part of a controversial Firearm User’s License (FUL) audit report in the Parliament

“The Office of the Attorney General assures the public that proper process was indeed followed,” it said in a statement

“The facts are and the evidence demonstrates that Mr Griffith was informed that consideration was being given as to whether there were persons adversely affected by findings in the FUL Audit Report, who may not have an had an opportunity to comment and make representations on the matters giving rise to those findings and, if there are such persons, as to what steps ought to be taken to afford those persons an opportunity to comment and make representations prior to the Report or any summary thereof being reported to Parliament ”

The statement said the Attorney General, Reginald Armour “assured Mr Griffith that there would be no publication authorized by the State or its agencies of the Audit Report or any summary thereof, unless and until all persons affected by findings therein are given that opportunity”

It said as a result of ruling by the High Court “the Office of the Attorney General advises that an immediate appeal is being filed urgently to correct errors made by this ruling”

Justice Devindra Rampersad in his ruling on Tuesday said “the force of the vehemence born out of this report, and expressed in public as alleged by the claimant, suggests that its premature presentation or production would have far-reaching effects in the public domain

“The court grants an injunction restraining the seventh respondent from laying an executive summary or any part of the said audit report before the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago or otherwise publishing any portion of the contents of same ” Griffith had filed the injunction against Rowley, the seventh

defendant as well as the members of the National Security Council (NSC) and an audit committee comprising retired police officers

The former top cop has asked the High Court to restrain Prime Minister Rowley and his NSC from taking the report to Parliament, challenging the legality of the setting-up of the committee to perform the audit and its investigation Griffith had also asked the High Court to quash the report or any part of it that concerns him

In his argument, Griffith said from his experience as a former national security minister he knows neither the prime minister nor the National Security Council had the authority to appoint anyone to investigate the operations of the police service, so he was concerned about the legality of the appointment of the audit committee

Trinidad’s Discussions with US company for purchase of oil renery terminated

The Trinidad and Tobago government says discussions with the American company, Quanten LLC regarding the sale of the oil refinery that was closed in 2018 due to billions of dollars (One TT dollar=US$0 16 cents) in losses have been terminated

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley told Parliament on Friday that by a public open international request for proposals, the stateowned Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd (TPHL) and its advisors had “identified an initial preferred proposal from Quanten LLC who they engaged in due diligence and discussions

“This process has recently concluded on December 5, 2022 (and) TPHL on the advice of their international advisors terminated all discussions with Quanten LLC,” Rowley said, adding that “there have been a number of entities who have expressed an interest in exploring the re-start of the refinery and TPHL will continue assess these expressions of interest and we are also exploring whether there is any regional interest”

Rowley told the Parliament that the stateowned company is also exploring all its options, reiterating “I said that TPHL will continue to assess and when that assessment is done but the door is still open for interested parties to talk to TPHL or we may very well go back out again

“Going back out does not guarantee that you will find someone, we are always available, so the door is open ”

During his response to opposition questions on the matter, Rowley insisted that there was no deadline given regarding the sale of the refinery in south Trinidad

“As of the fifth of December, that is correct because the process did not deliver a useable, workable arrangement and that was probably terminated,” Rowley said, adding that he wanted to clarify the situation so that the opposition would not be confused regarding the sale of the refinery

Grifth

Sometimes a good idea hits you in the face, and sometimes you fall face-first into one You just have to recognize the opportunity

Felecia Hatcher always recognizes the opportunity No one else has gone from a faceplant chasing an ice cream truck, to starting a vegan-friendly gourmet popsicle and ice cream catering company

She's made a habit of smart entrepreneurial decisions that date back to high school where she flipped a C average into over $130,000 in scholarships That creativity, and a keen eye for disruption, have led to the creation of many innovative start-ups – from college prep programs, to experimental marketing and product launch campaigns for the likes of Nintendo, Sony, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, and even the Minnesota Lynx

Today, Hatcher is the CEO of music mogul Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition, which awards Black and Latinx entrepreneurs prizes of up to $1million

The five-time author and winner of numerous awards across a wealth of categories, talks to us about growing up at the intersection of American and Caribbean culture, the importance of community empowerment, and so much more

CNW: As someone who is truly exceptionally accomplished, how has your Jamaican heritage influenced your drive to work hard and achieve?

Hatcher: Man, so much! My mom is from Jamaica, and is big on education I would have to couple that with my grandmother who passed away seven years ago now She had to drop out of the 2nd grade, because her mother passed away, to take care of her brothers and sisters She's one of the smartest people I've ever met She taught herself everything She was big on education Then, just the way that she loved on us It was all of those things I

mean being self-taught and thinking what my daughter at eight can and cannot do; that is what drives me in so many different ways

Being able to be a massive return on her sacrifice is probably the biggest driver for me, more than anything We often say that we stand on the shoulders of giants and I 100 percent agree with that I get to do what I do because of my mother, my grandmother, and definitely because of my Jamaican heritage Trying to keep this answer relatively short is hard

I remember going to Jamaica for a bunch of summers as a kid, and thinking about entrepreneurship We have the luxury of entrepreneurship here in the United States, but what I witnessed in Jamaica was that entrepreneurship was something done out of necessity Not having the jobs, the opportunities, or the upward mobility – and people literally saying: 'that's not going to stop me; the system is not going to stop me; we're going to create something ' Seeing the sheer amount of homes that the verandah was turned into a shop, a hair salon, a bar – so many different things It's in

the veins of the people of Jamaica That flows through my veins

And the fun part – you know when people joke about Jamaicans having a lot of jobs – I got a lot of jobs But, because of that, we have a lot of experience and a lot of insight There's a lot of trial and error to guide our steps moving forward

CNW: Has your Caribbean upbringing ever created challenges for you in terms of cultural assimilation? If so, how have you handled this?

Hatcher: My mom's from Jamaica My dad's from south Georgia, so that made for a

very interesting childhood

I think being in south Florida and all these conversations that kind of come up between the American community and the Caribbean community, being at the intersection of that has made for some interesting conversations and dialogue

How Caribbean American Felecia Hatcher is impacting Black entrepreneurship “

People sometimes say Jamaicans or Caribbean people are arrogant But, it's not arrogance; it's audacity Although the Caribbean has a lot that it goes through – a lot of things from systemic issues, to political, financial and socio-economic issues – being a kid and seeing everybody around you look like you will do something to you in a very positive way You see your image and your likeness represented on TV The prime minister, the managers in the bank, the people in all these leadership positions… That's where that audacity comes from

Those are the things that you don't see growing up in America You constantly have to seek that out You see very rare glimpses of that even as you start to ascend in your career That's what I experienced being in the middle of a Caribbean parent and an American parent, and having those two sides of the family

CNW: If there was one message you'd give young, Caribbean American women who dream of success in entrepreneurship and tech in the U S , what would you say?

Hatcher: The quality of your questions determines the quality of your life, and that's a quote from Tony Robbins Ask bigger, richer, more expansive, more expensive questions of yourself and of the people who are around you Use that insight to figure out your next best move You cannot do this by yourself You should not do this by yourself Surround yourself with really dope, smart people, even if it scares the crap out of you, and ask those big bold questions, every chance you get

Hatcher

Florida grand jury calls for new laws on illegal immigration

A statewide grand jury empaneled at the request of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for lawmakers to create new criminal penalties for harboring undocumented immigrants

The recommendations were released Wednesday DeSantis this summer asked the Florida Supreme Court to empanel a grand jury to investigate human smuggling and so-called sanctuary city policies

The move comes as DeSantis, a Republican, frequently criticizes federal immigration policy under Democratic

President Joe Biden and makes illegal immigration a key issue as he contemplates a potential 2024 GOP presidential run

The grand jury report recommends creating a third-degree felony for a person who conceals or harbors an undocumented immigrant or shields an undocumented immigrant from law enforcement detection It also proposes a third-degree felony charge for those who transport undocumented immigrants to or within Florida

The Florida Legislature is set to meet for its regular session in March and no formal

BSO employee arrested for grand theft, organized scheme to defraud

A veteran Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) civilian employee was arrested by the Broward Sheriff's Office Public Corruption Unit for defrauding multiple individuals of nearly $19,000 related to the filing of their tax returns.

According to investigators, BSO detectives began investigating Mickalon Bullard, a research specialist in BSO's Policy and Accountability Division, in March 2022, after receiving information from an individual who hired Bullard to do her taxes The individual noticed a discrepancy on her taxes that showed one refunded amount to be deposited into her account and a second sum to be deposited into an unknown account Detectives determined that Bullard, without the individual's permission, had split the refund and routed a large portion of funds to be deposited into her personal account

BSO's Public Corruption Unit continued investigating and identified similar incidents involving at least two

other people who paid Bullard to do their taxes between 2018 and 2022 The investigation revealed that Bullard used her access to the victim's personal identifying information in order to surreptitiously reroute funds to herself At no time did the victims give Bullard consent to use their personal information for this purpose

In total, investigators determined that Bullard rerouted $18,993 in her clients' tax refund money to her personal accounts

“BSO's Public Corruption Unit fully investigated these allegations against a civilian employee, found probable cause and worked to hold this individual accountable for her actions,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said “The work of these investigators proves once again that when employees break the law, they will face appropriate consequences ”

With Bullard's arrest, her employment status changed from suspended with pay to suspended without pay

Detectives believe there may be additional victims in the community Anyone who believes they may have been victimized in similar incidents involving Bullard should contact the BSO Public Corruption Unit at 954-321-1104

legislation has been filed on the grand jury's recommendations. Still, the Republicandominated statehouse has shown a willingness to carry out the governor's policy agenda

The Florida Legislature in 2019 passed a law banning so-called sanctuary cities but a federal judge in September 2021 blocked the state from enforcing it The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by the city of South Miami and other organizations against DeSantis The state is appealing the decision

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez sworn in

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez, who represents District 10, today was ceremonially sworn in, alongside other new members of the County commission, at the Adrienne Arsht Center Knight Concert Hall

During his swearing-in speech at the ceremony, Commissioner Rodriguez cited his passion and calling for giving back to his community –something that he has felt from a young age

“From a young age, I watched as other community leaders selflessly gave of their time and gave back to the place we call home,” said Commissioner Rodriguez. “I wanted to not only follow in their footsteps but blaze a trail of my own – unique to our changing state and region ”

Looking ahead at what he hopes to accomplish and building off his success during his tenure in the Florida Legislature, Commissioner Rodriguez said the quality of life for residents and small businesses are priorities for his four-year term He also listed “creating and incentivizing affordable and workforce housing” as being at the top of the list as well, with the goal of finding “ ways to make housing attainable so our workforce can continue to grow and thrive ”

DeSantis

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at the bilateral level, but the regional and multilateral levels, “where we pursue issues of common interest and concern ”

“Over the years, we have been able to collaborate closely through membership of organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), where all 12 countries are either members or have permanent observer status, or the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), where several collaborate on the margins as observer states The Caribbean has also been able to engage with some of the countries through third-party arrangements, thereby providing an additional layer and opportunity for dialogue,” she said

“We have been able to coalesce around central principles, including the promotion and protection of human rights, respect for the rule of law, as well as the sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” the minister added She said Jamaica stands by its commitment to these principles and looks forward to continued engagement to ensure adherence to them

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Peter Bunting, joined the Government and also publicly acknowledged the countries, adding that there has been close cooperation in several areas

of 62 7 percent on the current minimum salaries

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The head of state said nurse aides and patient care assistants will ow have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$80,892 to GUY$100,000, representing an additional 23 6 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to each worker

He said nursing assistants will have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$88,525 to GUY$115,000 and this represents an additional 29 9 percent increase on the current minimum salary

Midwives will have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$96,974 to GUY$169,438, an increase of 74 7 percent while staff nurses will have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$111,628 to GUY$169,438, an increase of 51 8 percent increase

President Ali said staff nurses and midwives will also have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from GUY$127,963 to GUY$195,000, representing an additional 52 4 percent increase on the current minimum salary

Senate Democrats filed a round of amendments to the bill and peppered Boyd with detailed questions about the state of the insurance market, insurance litigation and various elements of the complex proposal

Republicans rejected the Democratic amendments following several hours of debate and eventually approved the legislation

The insurance industry has seen two straight years of net underwriting losses exceeding $1 billion each year in Florida Six insurers have gone insolvent this year, while others are leaving the state

The insurance industry says litigation is partly to blame Loopholes in Florida law, including fee multipliers that allow attorneys to collect higher fees for property insurance cases, have made Florida an excessively litigious state, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute has said

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has said the state accounts for 76 percent of the nation's homeowners' insurance lawsuits but just 9 percent of all homeowners insurance claims

The legislation would remove “one-way” attorney fees for property insurance, which require property insurers to pay the attorney fees of policyholders who successfully sue over claims, while shielding policyholders from paying insurers' attorney fees when they lose

Attorneys groups have argued that the insurance industry is at fault for refusing to pay out claims and that policyholders sue as a last resort The alternative, arbitration, tilts in favor of insurance companies, they say

“Is the answer punishing the people of Florida? They're not going to have any chance to oppose a decision an insurance company makes unless they're independently wealthy,” Ron Haynes, a Tampa attorney speaking for the Florida Justice Association, told the House Appropriations Committee “Insurance should be a blanket of coverage and not a blanket

that smothers you ”

The bill would provide $1 billion in taxpayer funds for a program to provide carriers with hurricane reinsurance, which is coverage bought to help ensure they can pay out claims It would offer “reasonable” rates in a market where companies have complained about rising costs

The proposal will also speed up the claims process and eliminate the state's assignment of benefits laws, in which property owners sign over their claims to contractors who then handle proceedings with insurance companies

“This is groundbreaking legislation In fact, it is the strongest insurance reform package we have ever seen proposed in Florida,” said Mark Friedlander, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute He called litigation abuse and assignment of benefits abuse the “root causes of Florida's property insurance crisis ”

The unstable insurance environment in Florida has pushed homeowners unable to get private coverage to the state's public insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance, which this summer topped one million policies for the first time in almost a decade

The bill would force people with Citizens' policies to pay for flood insurance and require moves to private insurers if they offer a policy up to 20 percent more expensive than Citizens

Lawmakers this week are also expected to pass separate bills that would provide property tax relief to people whose homes and business were made uninhabitable by Ian and give 50 percent refunds to commuters who pay more than 35 highway tolls in a month with a transponder

Sizzla destroys plaques over alleged disrespect from DJ Khaled

Jamaican

Khaled and Sizzla has collabor on previously collaborated multiple tracks In 2019, Sizz appeared on Khaled's 11th stud album, Father Of Asahd as well a his tenth album, which featured Sizzla on the opening track I'm So Grateful

The plaques were sent to Sizzla to commemorate his recent album being certified platinum Kalonji's followers say they need a magnifying glass to recognize his name on the plaque

After destroying the plaques, Sizzla's followers then lit fire to the gift

The gift appears to have vexed the reggae icon and his followers who reiterated while destroying the plaques that they need a magnifying glass to see what's written

In 2022 the pair teamed up once again for These Streets K n o w s M y N a m e t h e dancehall track on the American producer's 13th studio album God Did

The track featured reggae dancehall greats Carleton, Buju Bounty Killer and Skillibeng Th was shot in sections of Kingston in hotspots August Town and Tivoli G and is undoubtedly an ode to Ja musical culture and beauty

Sizzla Kalonji

Rapper Offset celebrates birthday in Jamaica with wife Cardi B

American rapper Offset and his wife Cardi B are in Jamaica celebrating the rapper’s birthday. In a series of posts shared on Instagram, the two can be seen in a good mood as they enjoyed their downtime on the tropical island

The couple has been keeping fans abreast of their vacation activities, posting clips of their romantic getaway In one of the videos Cardi and Offset, who turns 31-years-old on Wednesday, were seen riding in a golf cart

Lila Ike joins lineup for Burna Boy concert

The voice of Reggae neo-soul Lila Ike is the newest addition to the highly anticipated Burna Boy Live lineup joining Jamaican dancehall superstar Popcaan

The African music legend brings his Love, Damini tour to Kingston, Jamaica, this festive season Burna Boy continues to dominate the globe with his world tour and Jamaica is a prominent stop on the lineup for the Caribbean

Lila ramps up the lineup for the show as many fans can't wait to see Burna Boy live on stage Many are looking forward to seeing him and Popcaan perform for the first time in Jamaica with their collab track TAS, an ode to former Miss World Toni-

Ann Singh

Popcaan recently released a brand new single with the Jamaica beauty Toni- Ann, which has over a million views on YouTube since its release Popcaan has appeared on the cover of The Fader, obtained four consecutive nominations for MOBO Awards, two of which he won in 2015 and 2016

His recent monster hit “Saturnz Barz”, with the English virtual band, Gorillaz, resulted in him being the only Jamaican artiste listed on Rolling Stone's 50 Best Songs of the Year for 2017

The Tomorrow 2 hitmaker looked pretty in a purple top and began giggling as Offset put on his best Jamaican accent and said, “We’re on the island, catch the island ”

Cardi also shared a short clip of Offset enjoying a tasty meal on the beach in a stunning scene

More highlights from her videos showed her sister Hennessy Carolina also enjoying herself with the group Offset certainly seems to be enjoying the scenery as another clip showed him smoking next to the pool while overlooking the ocean

It appeared the group travelled in style to Jamaica as Cardi shared a snap from what looked like a private jet

A day before Cardi was back at home showing off her dazzling new set of lengthy acrylic nails on Tuesday as she got ready for the festive season

reggae artiste Sizzla Kalonji has destroyed multiple plaques reportedly sent to him by DJ Khaled's team over alleged disrespect from the American music mogul.

Soccer's latest superstar against perhaps the sport's greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.

France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a muchanticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco's historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday

In front of the country's president, Emmanuel Macron, France beat Africa's first ever semifinalist 2-0, with Mbappé playing a part in goals by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th

Mbappé became a global phenomenon by leading France to the title in Russia in 2018 and has a chance to emulate Brazil great Pele as a champion in his first two World Cups when he comes up against the 35-year-old Messi, who has dominated the game with Cristiano Ronaldo for the past 15 years

It's the dream final for many, with France looking to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1962 and Argentina on a mission to win soccer's ultimate prize for the third time in what is likely to be Messi's last World Cup

“We need all our strength, all our energy to face a very competitive team with one of the legends in the sport with Messi,” France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said

There will be no team from the Arab world in the final of the first World Cup in the Middle East, a prospect that seemed nigh impossible before the tournament yet nearly happened in Qatar

Morocco has been widely lauded for breaking ground for Africa and generated an outpouring of pride among Arab nations after

topping a group containing Croatia and Belgium and eliminating two more European powers Spain and Portugal in the knockout stage Their players gave France a farfrom-easy ride, too, before collapsing on the ground in despair after the final whistle

“We are disappointed for the Moroccan people — we wanted to keep their dream alive,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said “We felt we could have gone further but we have given a good image of Morocco and of African football That was important to us ”

Remarkably, Hernandez's early goal was the first scored against Morocco by an opposition player in the tournament — the other had been an own-goal in the group stage — but the team responded to that and injury

issues in its defense with a fearless performance in front of tens of thousands of fans who dominated the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium France was forced into some last-ditch defending at times but has developed a knack of pulling out victories despite not playing its best The country will be playing in the final for the fourth time in the last seven World Cups, more than anyone else

“It wasn't easy, ” France coach Didier Deschamps said, “and we showed our quality, experience and team spirit ”

Mbappé failed to add to his five goals in the tournament but helped create the opener for Hernandez when his shot deflected off a defender and into the path of the left back Hernandez let the ball bounce before driving a

downward effort into the net from a tight angle

Typically a defense-first team, Morocco was forced to come out and play even though it was reeling from losing Nayef Aguerd to injury in the warmup and another center back, captain Romain Saiss, after only 21 minutes because of a hamstring injury Both players were doubts ahead of the game but were risked by Regragui along with left back Noussair Mazraoui, who has had the flu and only lasted until halftime

Roared on by its red-and-green-clad fans, Morocco came closest to scoring when Jawad El Yamiq hit the post with an overhead kick in the 44th minute and forced France to defend in numbers, with Antoine Griezmann the team's playmaker — effectively playing as a deep-lying midfielder and often clearing balls from inside his box

However, Mbappé enjoyed more space as Morocco tired late in the second half and he was moved into a central position After dribbling past two defenders, he took a shot that deflected toward Kolo Muani, who tapped in having been on the field for less than a minute

The goal was celebrated in the VIP seats by Macron, who flew in for the match and had earlier visited the Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha before traveling to the stadium The president congratulated France's players in the locker room after the match

They might need to raise their game against Argentina, though

“Any team with Messi in,” Griezmann said, “is a totally different proposition ”