Caribbean National Weekly May 25, 2023

Returns for 20th Anniversary Celebra

Caribbean culture will be the main highlight at the Florida Jerk Festival's 20th anniversary celebration, which will be held on Memorial Day at the John Prince Park in Palm Beach.

The Florida Jerk Festival was launched by Damian Tater in downtown Palm Beach at the Meyer Amphitheater, which it outgrew after 10 years It was later moved to the South Florida Fairgrounds, and, since 2022, the event has been held at its new home at John Prince Park

According to Tater, the CEO of Full-AVybez Entertainment, the promotion company behind the event, this year ’ s event promises to be the biggest and best of all as organizers’ celebrate the milestone of 20 years

"The Florida Jerk Festival has always been about bringing our community together to share food and good times, while celebrating the cities we love," Tater said, noting that the

WHAT’S INSI

UWI public health ex among winners of global team science award

Tina Turner dead at 83

Tina Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ’70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” has died at 83

Turner died Tuesday, after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her manager

She became a Swiss citizen a decade ago

Few stars traveled so far — she was born Anna Mae Bullock in a segregated Tennessee hospital and spent her latter years on a 260,000 square foot estate on Lake Zurich — and overcame so much

Physically battered, emotionally devastated and financially ruined by her 20-year relationship with Ike Turner, she became a superstar on her own in her 40s, at a time when most of her peers were on their way down, and remained a top concert draw for years after

“If you have not been to a Florida Jerk Festival in years, this is the one not to miss. It will be the best food festival for Summer 2023. Live performances will include veteran reggae artists Luciano and Ghost, as well as dancehall artists Ding Dong and minister Marion Hall.”

Orlando edition of the event is held every October

"If you have not been to a Florida Jerk Festival in years, this is the one not to miss It will be the best food festival for Summer 2023," he added

The Florida Jerk Festival showcases Caribbean culture in a day full of food, music, and activities for the entire family

Live performances will include veteran reggae artists Luciano and Ghost, as well as

The Cayman Islands: Where the Rich reside

dancehall artists Ding Dong and minister Marion Hall

Taking place from 3 pm - 10 pm, the event will feature an array of authentic Caribbean food representing the broad and diverse culinary flavors of the region, emphasizing jerkinspired dishes

Lovers of Jamaica’s world-famous jerk will be served by the region’s most passionate chefs and some of Florida’s top Caribbean restaurants Between 3pm - 5pm, patrons can sample jerked dishes such as jerk ice cream and jerk fish on entry, plus enjoy free whiskey cocktail samples Foodies will have an opportunity to sample unique dishes such as Jerk Pork Sliders, Jerk Ackee, Jerk Fried Rice, Jerk Lobster, and even Jerk Ice-cream as part of the Jerk Experience

Also, the best chefs from Florida will compete in the Florida Jerk Festival Cook-Off

Catering to families, entry to the Florida Jerk Festival is free for children 12 and under, and there will be a special kid's entertainment area at the event

in Florid

With admirers ranging from Beyoncé to Mick Jagger, Turner was one of the world’s most successful entertainers, known for a core of pop, rock and rhythm and blues favorites: “Proud Mary,” “Nutbush City Limits,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” and the hits she had in the ’80s, among them “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “We Don’t Need Another Hero” and a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay T h ”

Draw delivers gr for 2023 Road to CONCACAF W Gold Cup

Popular danceha artiste Squash arrested

(L-R) City of Tamarac's Commissioner Morey Wright, Jr, Commissioner Elvin Villalobos

Commissioner Kicia Daniel State Rep. Lisa Dunkley

Mayor Michelle J. Gomez and Vice Mayor Marlon Bolton kicked-off Tamarac's 60th Anniversary during the annual One Tamarac Mulcultural Fesval held Saturday, May 20, at Tamarac Sports Complex. –Contributed Tamarac firefighters share a smile at the annual One Tamarac

President of Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce (JAUSACC), Marie Gill (seated le), and President of Jamaica Promoons Corp. (JAMPRO), Shullee Cox, signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at JAUSACC’s Howdy & Tenky

Networking Recepon

Official witnesses standing le to right: Senator the Honorable Aubyn Hill, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Ms. Calibe Thompson, President of Island Space, and R. Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s Consul General. – Contributed

The Honorable Aubyn Hill, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce addressing the audience at the JAUSACC event at Island Space museum. – Luke Ballenne photo

JAMPRO President Shullee Cox, Royal Caribbean’s Wendy McDonald, Aleck Brailford and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Associaon’s Nicole Madden-Greg at the JAUSACC event at Island Space

UWI public health expert among winners of global team science award

An interdisciplinary group of researchers who worked collaboratively to address cancer and health disparities in patient populations of African descent, has received the prestigious American Association for Cancer Research Team Science Award for their innovation and meritorious science

Lecturer in Public Health at The University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus, Dr Natalie Greaves, was a member of the winning African Caribbean Cancer Consortium Team (Ac3)

The team, led by Professor Camille Ragin of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, was recognized for furthering the study of viral, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors for cancer in patient populations These factors have demonstrated far-reaching implications for the improvement of cancer etiology, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in black patient populations worldwide

On receiving the award, Dr Greaves stated that she was immensely grateful and humbled by the acknowledgement of the AC3’s contribution to science; and that she was “deeply honored and privileged

to be among a global community of like-minded scholars who continue to aspire to make a difference in the lives of persons impacted by cancer ”

She also acknowledged fellow members of The UWI community contributing to the advancement of cancer research through the African Caribbean Consortium namely, Professor Simon Anderson Director, George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), The UWI, and fellow public health experts Drs Heather Harewood, Waneisha Jones, and Natasha Sobers

Dr Greaves shared her elation that transdisciplinary research in the developing world was gaining momentum and she hopes that the AC3 achievement would serve to inspire a future generation of physician scientists and attract funding for cancer research into the region

The medical sciences lecturer noted that her achievement would not have been possible without knowledge imparted by her science teachers and various academic mentors throughout her career including at The UWI

Dr Greaves graduated from the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program at The UWI’s Cave Hill campus in 2002 with honors in Surgery Although her start at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown was in oncology, she has spent most of her career providing primary palliative care in Barbados, while also advocating for education and palliative care service delivery throughout the region

Dr. Greaves joined The UWI full time in 2016, and as a Physician Scientist she has concentrated her work in the last five years on noncommunicable diseases, especially cancer

Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Cave Hill campus, Dr Michael Campbell lauded the team’s achievements stating “The faculty is extremely proud of Dr Greaves and the rest of the AC3 Team for this remarkable achievement Their award is testament to the caliber of work by our Caribbean colleagues as key collaborators in global cancer research”

The 2023 AACR was held April 14 to 19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida

“I am deeply honored and privileged to be among a global community of likeminded scholars who continue to aspire to make a difference in the lives of persons impacted by cancer.” – Greaves

Greaves

Regional police commissioners meet in T&T amid increased levels of crime

Caribbean police commissioners began a five-day meeting in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday overshadowed by the increased level of crime, particularly murders, in the English-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries

Addressing the 37th Annual General Meeting of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister, Fitzgerald Hinds, said in the Caribbean Basin, the challenge of avoiding the scourge of transnational crime, the illegal drug and gun trade, the attendant laundering of funds, as well as other international criminal activities, has been amplified because the world is now a global village

He said many countries of the region have surpassed previous records, with eight of them falling in the top 20 of the world’s most dangerous countries, based on high rates of homicides per capita

In addition, Hinds told the conference, which is being held under the theme “Transnational Organized Crime: A Growing Threat to Regional Security,” that daily in Caricom at least 14 people are killed due to interpersonal violence

“The rate of violent deaths in the Caricom member states is almost three times the global average,” he said, noting that firearms are used in more than 75 percent of all homicides on average in Caricom

Caribbean leaders commit to regional digital integration

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) says at least nine Caribbean countries have signed the Port of Spain Commitment on Digital Integration, signaling a commitment to collective action in pursuit of sustainable digital transformation across the region

It said in addition to the nine countries, two senior advisors with responsibility for digital transformation signed the agreement that marked the culmination of discussions that took place during the executive sessions on Digital Leadership in the Caribbean last week

The event was hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago government in partnership with the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) and the CTU and reaffirmed the priority to be placed on advancing digital transformation (DT) to support social and economic growth in the Caribbean

“The sessions created an enabling space in which the region’s most senior DT policymakers with the support of internationally-renowned thought leaders and speakers, discussed and shared information on their DT efforts,” the CTU said in a statement

It said as a result, the meeting agreed to consider the creation of a Regional Government Cloud leveraging existing or planned government data centres across the Caribbean region, establish a regional data centre to provide a more cost-effective and resilient solution for data storage and management as well as develop a Regional C-SIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) to coordinate collaboration among national CSIRTS

Hinds said in some countries, this Taylor continues onA5 – Commissioners meet

Delegates also agreed to enhance cybersecurity education, training, and awareness to build capacity, to address the

skills gap in the cybersecurity industry; and to promote safe online practices and educate citizens on the risks associated with cyber threats as well as develop a Critical

Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Regional Framework to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats, identify vulnerabilities, and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures

They agreed to pursue cross-border recognition of digital IDs, addressing issues such as data protection, and privacy and establish a shared repository of digital solutions (government-owned source code) allowing governments access to solutions required for their digital transformation efforts

The meeting also agreed on the development of a region-wide validation of national forms of identification and credentials based on an interoperable digital identity

The 11 countries which formed part of the Commitment are: Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Suriname, St Kitts-Nevis; and St Vincent and the Grenadines

“The CTU is eager to assist in moving this digital agenda forward, to promote regional ICT integration and accelerate digital transformation within the Single ICT Space ” said CTU Secretary General, Rodney Taylor

“Cut More Emissions”

Region calls on developed nations to increase measures

Regional foreign ministers are calling for developed nations to do more to cut their emissions and assist small islands and low-lying coastal developing States to build climate resilience

The call was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, Dominica, Dr Vince Henderson, during the opening session for the 11th United Kingdom (UK)-Caribbean forum at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew on May 18

“As we get closer to COP28 we must face the looming climate crisis with a sense of realism and a spirit of innovation to achieve our sustainable development goals and, ultimately, meet our target of keeping average global temperature rise below 1 5 degree Celsius The window of opportunity closes with every passing day,” he said

He noted that the cooperation and influence of developed countries like the UK are essential in this regard

Dr Henderson said that the Caribbean region highly values its relationship with the UK, noting that the forum underlines the collective desire to enhance and deepen levels of partnership

“We share a bond built on culture, history, trade and crucial contributions made by the people of the Caribbean to the development of the UK and acknowledge the value of the connections, as they serve as the basis for our strong relations,” he noted

Dr Henderson said that opportunities for trade and investment are vital to the partnership

“The Cariforum-UK economic partnership agreement ensures continuity of preferential trade between our respective parties. However, key to the success of this agreement will be the ability to take full advantage of the opportunities that it provides, which will include addressing the

capacity constraints that we face,” he noted Dr Henderson said he is looking forward to the deliberations coming out of the forum as well as the targeted and strategic plans that will redound to the benefit of citizens of the region

“We must engage our collective will and resources to ensure that engagements such as these are meaningful and productive,” he said This yea r ’ s UK-Caribbean forum is the first in-person staging in seven years

It is being held under the co-chairmanship of Senator the Hon Kamina Johnson Smith and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom (UK), the Rt Hon James Cleverly

Jamaica’s PM announces accountability measures for politicians

The Jamaican Government is to implement several accountability measures for the political directorate Prime Minister, the Most Hon Andrew Holness, who made the announcement during a press conference held on Monday (May 22), informed that written job descriptions for Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers are already in place and will be tabled in Parliament shortly

“Those were done in 2021… . We will table those so the public can see what the job entails,” Mr Holness said He further informed that a code of ethics to govern the conduct and duties of MPs has been developed

“The Minister of Justice and the Minister of

Legal and Constitutional Reform… were tasked to do that They completed that late last year and they have now submitted that to me, and at the next Cabinet we will review it and turn it over to Parliament to review it,” Mr Holness said

“They may want to make some adjustments, or they may accept it as it is, and then that code of conduct will be in force,” he pointed out

The Prime Minister also informed that financial penalties are to be instituted for unexcused absences from sittings of Parliament and committee meetings

“That is a serious measure So, MPs are

getting more pay and if they do not turn up, their pay will be docked So, that will be implemented right away. Each MP will have to provide a written accountability report to Parliament detailing activities undertaken and highlighting achievements in their constituency,” Mr Holness said

He noted, further, that while MPs use the State of the Constituency debate to outline work undertaken in constituencies, “what we will do is set up a more systematic approach to it, and they will actually table their reports and it will be reviewed by a committee of Parliament, and the public obviously can review that”

proportion has reached 90 percent and that last year in Trinidad and Tobago, of the 605 murders, 87 percent were with the use of firearms

“Illicit small arms are fuelling armed violence, gang warfare, and organised crime, have enormous health, social and economic consequences that thwart sustainable development efforts in Caricom The diversion and trafficking of firearms is a significant security threat for Caricom and its partners,” Hinds said, reminding the conference that Caribbean leaders had at their special summit this year declared a war on guns, particularly, assault weapons

He also noted that serious crimes such as armed robbery and aggravated assaults continue to increase in the region and that irregular migration continues to be a threat emanating from within and externally

“Migration routes are shifting, and the Caribbean is now seen as a means of reaching the final destination, the United States of America The transshipment of cocaine is also increasing, and routes are more diverse than ever; with much more cocaine heading to Europe through very creative and varied routes

Hinds said as the more developed countries strengthen their defense against the invasion of such criminal activities, it is clear that perpetrators are diverting their attention to the Caribbean region

“They see us as frail and having “low fences” We have to develop muscle and height We have to put up resistance,” Hinds said, noting that the Council of Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement agreed that the region should focus on firearms, human trafficking, cyber security and maritime security

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Internationa Business, Trade and Energy, Dominica, Dr. Vince Henderson (centre) addressing the opening session for the 11th United Kingdom-Car bbean forum at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on May 18. He is anked by Secretary General, CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett (left) and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, the Rt. Hon. James Cleverly. (Photo credit: Mark Bell/JIS)

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

Disgraceful, shocking and insensitive

No one is denying political leaders of a

nation should be decently compensated financially After all, theoretically, the better politicians are paid, the less likely they are to dip their hands into the national coffers But, for a relatively poor country like Jamaica, to grant the so-called “political class,” consisting of the nation’s prime minister, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, leader of the opposition, city mayors, parish councilors, and permanent secretaries, salary increases ranging from over 200 to 300 percent is disgraceful, shocking, and insensitive

gain million-dollar salaries Historically, most Jamaican politicians were men and women who emerged from Jamaica’s grassroots, committed to serving their constituencies and Jamaica Some of these people were the subject of raucous humor, by the educated and upper class Some were criticized as being devoid of social graces, but they nonetheless served the people diligently, and unselfishly There were also several politicians who sacrificed potential financially rewarding careers in the private sector, to enter the political arena and serve the Jamaican people with utmost commitment

there are no indications, despite the tepid protests from some Jamaicans, the government plans to postpone the shocking increases Unless the PNP’s leadership indicates it rejects the increase, they will be complicit in its acceptance

How can Jamaicans trust a “political class” that appears oblivious and uncaring to their needs? How can a teacher who can hardly find money to pay her rent give her best in the classroom when she sees the undereducated MP she voted for earning salaries multiple percentages higher than hers?

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The shocking increases were announced last week on the heels of unsatisfactory negotiations between public sector workers, including police, teachers and nurses While the government finds it possible to grant these public servants only a 30 percent increase in salary, spread over three years, it is a slap in the faces of these workers to offer such hefty pay hikes to the “political class ”

Granting this salary increase, which compounding the shock, is retroactive to April 2022, is for the Andrew Holness administration to either be totally insensitive to the financial struggles of the Jamaican people, not care about their struggles, or simply have no respect for them

The increases now make the Jamaican prime minister earn a salary of J$25 2 million, up from J$9 2 million, the highest paid prime minister in CARICOM Well, in fact, Jamaican parliamentarians as of April 2022, are the highest paid in the Caribbean community

Reacting to mostly social media protests over these disgraceful increases in a nation struggling to find economic equilibrium, Jamaica’s finance minister, who announced the salary increases in parliament said, the intent is to pay the “political class” significantly high salaries so as to attract skilled and talented politicians This hog-wash was later endorsed by Prime Minister Holness

A career in politics was never seen as one to

There’s no recollection of an issue where Jamaicans with interest in politics complained of parliamentarians’ salaries being too low to seek political representations Most enter politics because they seek to serve the people, and bask in the power of winning a parliamentary seat, and possibly higher political office If there is a shortage of qualified people entering the Jamaican political arena, the main reason is the potential for exposure of their personal lives; exposure which is often very intimate and embarrassing

Many of the individuals currently seated in parliament lack formal leadership skills, and college education normally required for high skilled, high paying jobs in the private sector So, why are these otherwise unqualified parliamentarians being compensated with salaries more suitable for people with administrative skills and quality education? Why didn’t the government therefore tie the increased salaries to the skill and educational level of the sitting parliamentarians But, no, some very unskilled, undereducated politicians are to be paid millions of dollars in salaries

Interestingly, Jamaica’s opposition party, the People’s National Party, is objecting to the increases, asking the government to postpone the increases, until outstanding issues relevant to public sector workers’ salaries are settled But,

An interesting commentary circulating on social media criticizes the Jamaican government for taking Jamaicans “for fools ” This certainly seems so But, it also seems the majority of Jamaicans are allowing themselves to be taken for fools If people struggling to make their financial ends meet only give tepid lip-service to the arrogance and insensitivity of a government that first seeks to feather the nest of its own members, and those elected to parliament, don’t aggressively protest this action, then the government will continue to treat the people as fools

One may argue, the best way for people to protest this disgraceful, shocking and insensitive salary increase is at the polls at the next general elections But, recent polls indicate some 46 percent of Jamaicans are either not interested in voting, or not sure if they’ll vote in the next general elections

If people aren’t willing to protest, nor turnout to vote, the government will continue to treat them with contempt, disrespect and insensitivity to their needs

US government advises citizens to leave Haiti

The United States government is urging Americans that they should “consider departing Haiti now” as it issued a Level 4 advisory for the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

“Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure US citizens in Haiti should consider departing Haiti now by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges US citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe,” said the US State Department

It said kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include US citizens

“Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and US citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings Victims’ families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members,” it said

The State Department said that violent crime, such as armed robbery, carjackings, and kidnappings for ransom that include American citizens are common

“Mob killings against presumed criminals have been on the rise since late April Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport Robbers and carjackers also attack

private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion and often target lone drivers, particularly women As a result, the US Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport,”’ the statement said

Last week, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, described Haiti as a “tragic situation” noting that a number of people have been killed, several are unable to

Artisans at Haiti Design Company craft jewelry for independence

Like every other fashion brand on social media, Haiti Design Co ’s (HDC) Instagram is covered with images of their products– beautiful handmade brass and bone jewelry, impeccable beadwork, and masterfully crafted leather bags and purses

As you scroll down their feed you notice more and more images of people and landscapes P technical training, leadership development, business management training, design support, access to market, and capacity building,” shared a representative of the company

live their lives and that the country also faces dramatic food insecurity

The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said in the month of April alone, more than 600 people were killed in violence in the country’s capital This follows the killing of at least 846 people in the first three months of 2023

In its advisory, Washington said that protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent and that the “US government is “extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Haiti”

It warned US citizens that should they decide to travel to Haiti, avoid demonstrations and crowds and do not attempt to drive through roadblocks

It listed a number of measures American citizens should take while in Haiti as well as purchasing travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance ahead of time

The political situation in Haiti is in a state of flux Now more than ever it is important to platform Haitian stories and art Travel to the island has steadily declined over the years This is especially hard on outfits such as HDC “We used to have many tourists in and out of the workshop This was due to the fact that we are so well located (near the airport), the representative shared, “No need to say that these visits are a thing of the past All of this has affected us and our artisans greatly and made it difficult for us to support them like we used to ”

Thankfully, it is still possible to directly support HDC, their sustainably crafted fashion, and their troupe of artisans Their website features items across the diverse catalog and a subscription service called the “Maker’s Box” where every 3 months a new box of hand-crafted goodies steeped in Haitian culture is delivered to your doorstep The ambitious company delivers to anywhere within the US and Canada

BINUH said that overall, the number of victims of killings, injuries and kidnappings increased by 28 percent in the first quarter of the year, with a total of 1,634 cases reported.

Where The Rich Reside CaymIslands The

Why are the uber-rich and wealthy moving to the Cayman Islands? The reasons are many. The Cayman Islands offer an incredible location to live, unparalleled privacy and safety, and one of the best bases to conduct business from

Piece of Paradise

Firstly, it’s the Caribbean, so winter coats get swapped for short sleeve shorts and sundresses Living in the Cayman allows you to carve out a piece of paradise for yourself Its hotels, beaches, and cuisines are on par with any to be found in the region

What separates the Cayman from most other Caribbean countries is how it blends the urban luxuries of North American and European life with the rustic charm and relative escapism the Caribbean provides Caymanians and visitors have their pick of world- class hotels and photo-perfect beaches alike The culinary scene is perhaps only topped by Anguilla, but boasts its own selection of diverse European and fusion fine dining options to complement the local flavor

Little Crime and Small Population

With a small population of well under 100,000, the Cayman offers unparalleled freedom compared to its congested alternatives in Monaco and Singapore This, coupled with a stellar crime record, makes it one of the best places to live if you can afford it, while also being an ideal area to raise a family

Proximity

The Cayman Islands have an added bonus as one of the easiest countries to travel to with direct flight options from most of the richest nations and is only a 70-minute flight from Miami

Tax Haven

Like Monaco and Singapore, the Cayman Islands are considered a tax haven While tourism makes up much of the country's economy at more than 50 per cent, the other big contributor is foreign investment Cayman is one of the premier offshore banking sites in the world, paying generous dividends on investments, while protecting the identities of the account owners and shielding their assets The tax rate for both citizens and foreigners in Cayman is zero percent

The Cayman Islands looks to maintain its “twin pillars of economic development” with tourism and international finance, and as long as it continues to lean in this direction, the financial capital of the Caribbean will continue to attract the ultra-wealthy for years to come

Inuencer’s tasting table event unveils exquisite avors at Vicky Colas’ Pro Kitchen Hub

An exclusive Influencer’s Tasting Table event took place at the Pro Kitchen Hub in Sunrise, Florida. This highly anticipated gathering brought together notable guests of esteemed influencer food bloggers, television and radio personalities, celebrity chefs, and socialites.

This included from Jamaica Maxine Hogarth-Spence, Kamila McDonald, renowned local family and matrimonial attorney Natasha Mayne, Loretta Barsotti, Alison Higgins, ABC Local 10 News Anchor, Alexis Frazier, Eddy Edwards, and Bridget Edwards, and Chef Abdul, among others

The event was hosted by awardwinning chef and James Beard fellow Vicky Colas, who showcased an exquisite culinary experience centered around the theme “Easy with Grace Jerk,” capturing the essence of Jamaican cuisine’s bold and flavorful character

The tasting table featured an impressive menu curated by the talented Chef Colas, known for her innovative approach to Caribbean cuisine Attendees were treated to an array of mouthwatering dishes, each meticulously crafted to embody the essence of Grace Jerk

The menu highlighted the

tantalizing Stir Fry Callaloo with Fried Dumplings, the delectable Crab-less Heart of Palm Cake, and the spicy Jerk Chicken Gumbo. Guests also savored the delightful Grilled Salmon Bites, the succulent Jerk Lollipop Chicken Drumettes, and the irresistible Sorrel Jerk BBQ

Baby Back Ribs Guests were given refreshing and invigorating palate cleansers created with Grace Tropical Rhythms to cleanse between courses

The culinary journey culminated with the grand finale of Coconut Bread Pudding and Basil Avocado Mousse, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails Attendees indulged in the tropical flavors of Tropical Rum Punch Runners and Coconut Water Rum Coolers Each dish was perfectly paired with a carefully selected wine, elevating the overall dining experience

An impromptu Influencer’s Quick-Fire Challenge took place,

adding excitement to the event

Under the directions of Chef Vicky and Chef Irie – Food bloggers, local radio and television personalities, and other well-known influencers from South Florida enthusiastically participated in this captivating competition The challenge showcased the guests’ culinary prowess as they demonstrated their skills and creativity under time pressure

“Our team worked exclusively to bring the taste of Grace Jerk to new audiences Many food enthusiasts love to eat authentic island foods, inclusive of Jerk but don’t know how to make them on their own Our job was to show them that you can jerk anything, and that Grace Jerk makes it easy to create your own authentic jerk dishes at home ” Kimberley Lue Lim, Global Category Manager, Grace Foods said

The exclusive Influencer’s Tasting Table event proved to be a remarkable success, igniting the taste buds and captivating the hearts of all attendees It celebrated the rich flavors of Jamaican cuisine and fostered connections among influential personalities in the food and media industry With Chef Vicky Colas’ culinary expertise and the exceptional offerings from Grace Jerk, this event set a new benchmark for gastronomic excellence

NAACP issues travel advisory for Florida, claiming ‘all-out attack’ on Black Americans

A leading civil rights organization has issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida after what it called an “all-out attack” on Black Americans and other groups with the passage of recent bills

The NAACP issued the advisory Saturday, May 20 in response to what they called “aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida schools” by Florida Gov Ron DeSantis

“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals,” the advisory said in part “Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the

Florida sued over new law blocking Chinese citizens, other foreigners from buying property

A group of Chinese citizens living and working in Florida sued the state Monday, May 22 over a new law that bans Chinese nationals from purchasing property in large swaths of the state

The law applies to land near military installations and other “critical infrastructure” and also affects citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea But Chinese citizens face the harshest restrictions

The law “will codify and expand housing discrimination against people of Asian descent in violation of the Constitution and the Fair Housing Act

It will also cast an undue burden of suspicion on anyone seeking to buy property whose name sounds remotely Asian, Russian, Iranian, Cuban, Venezuelan, or Syrian,” the American

Civil Liberties Union said in a press release announcing the suit

The suit says the law unfairly equates Chinese people with the actions of their government and there is no evidence of national security risk from Chinese citizens buying Florida property

US-China ties are strained amid growing tensions over security and trade In nearly a dozen statehouses and Congress, a decades-old worry about foreign land ownership has spiked since the US military shot down a Chinese spy balloon last month after it traversed the skies from Alaska to South Carolina

state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color ”

The advisory mentions bills passed, including the so-called “Stop W O K E” Act, bills regarding voting rights and recent bills restricting access to medical care for members of the trans community along with signed bills that ban gender surgical procedures for minors, restricts pronoun use in schools and forces people to use the bathroom corresponding with their sex

“Let me be clear – failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and

inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight We’re not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation ”

New College of Florida students attend ‘Alternative Commencement’

Hundreds of New College of Florida students, family members and friends gathered at an offcampus art gallery Thursday evening for an “alternative commencement” in defiance of state officials working to change the character of the traditionally progressive school

The ceremony preceded Friday’s official graduation on the tiny public liberal arts college’s Sarasota campus, the Tampa Bay Times reported The college, which had less than 700 students enrolled this year, has become the focal point of Gov Ron DeSantis to rid higher education in the state of what the Republican governor calls left-leaning “woke” indoctrination on campuses ahead of his expected presidential candidacy Sarasota is located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Tampa

The governor and his allies say New College, a progressive school with a prominent LGBTQ+ community, is indoctrinating students with leftist ideology and should be revamped into a more conservative institution

New College became nationally known this year after the governor appointed a group of conservatives to its board of trustees Among the DeSantis appointees’ first moves was to eliminate the New College’s diversity, equity and inclusion office Earlier this week, DeSantis signed a bill into law at the school that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs

The takeover has led to pushback among students at New College, long known for its progressive thought and creative course offerings that don’t use traditional grades

NAACP President, Derrick Johnson

Returning residents urged to use Jamaica Business Gateway

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, who gave the advice, said the electronic platform will assist persons to overcome obstacles associated with business development.

“Please go to the Jamaica Business Gateway or come to the Ministry We have 20 agencies that will help you to get settled The Jamaica ‘Business Ministry’ is here to help you,” he said Senator Hill was responding to questions from members of the public during the LOVE 101 radio segment, ‘Good Morning Minister’ on May 17

Mr Hill said the platform is one of the mechanisms being used to facilitate the ease of starting a business, providing entities with the

information and resources needed

Through the platform, persons can register local and overseas companies, individuals and firms that are carrying on business in Jamaica; acquire a Clearance Letter which is a prerequi-

Infinity IMC encourages businesses to take visibility region-wide

With the increase in globalization and internet accessibility, businesses within the diaspora and Caribbean have the increased opportunity to tap into new markets across the region

However, accessing these markets can be challenging or tedious when done on a country-by-country basis Development Communication strategist and CEO for Infinity Integrated Marketing Communications Limited (Infinity IMC), Shanoy Coombs is bridging that gap

site for obtaining a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC); acquire the TCC, Tax Registration Number (TRN) and a General Consumption Tax (GCT) certificate

ICE nabs Caribbean nationals in immigration sweep

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia has detained nationals from Haiti and the Dominican Republic among 29 noncitizens with criminal convictions in a 10day surge operation in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware

ICE said those arrested included a 66-yearold citizen of Haiti convicted of felony rape in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and a 54-yearold citizen of the Dominican Republic convicted of felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

ICE also said that, of the 29 noncitizens arrested, five individuals were convicted of

assault and other related offences; one for rape; eight for theft and other related offences; five for controlled substance violations; nine for driving under the influence and one for an accident involving death or injury

“The success of this operation is attributable to the skill and dedication of our deportation officers,” said ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley about “Operation Cross Check”

“Every day, our deportation officers, without regard to their personal safety, apprehend noncitizens who have proven that they pose a threat to the American public,” she added “I am extremely proud of everything ERO Philadelphia accomplished ”

Wamsley said “Operation Cross Check”

focused on noncitizens who “ pose a danger to the American people and exhibit a disregard for US laws ”

Regardless of nationality, ICE said it makes custody determinations on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with US law and US Department of Homeland Security policy, considering the individual merits and factors of each case

“ICE officers make associated decisions and apply prosecutorial discretion in a responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement professionals and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland,” the statement said

Infinity IMC is a full service Integrated Marketing communications firm that helps local, regional and international brands to meet both their short and long term goals Services range from public relations and marketing to event planning, training, diverse content creation and social media management

Coombs says accessing regional visibility does not have to be overly expensive or time-consuming, as her company Infinity IMC seamlessly offers Public Relations, Advertising, and other integrated communications support across the Caribbean

She adds that the organizations that have taken on the region-wide services have experienced real value from being able to utilize a single firm to help them to deliver their messaging across multiple markets, especially at a time when the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) projects that the region is set to grow by 5 7 per cent this year

This, the CDB says, is due to the revitalization of the tourism and energy sectors in several Caribbean countries

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Popular dancehall artiste Squash arrested in Florida

Jamaican dancehall artiste Squash has reportedly been arrested in Florida on immigration-related charges

Reports are that the entertainer whose real name is Andre Whittaker, has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) He is being held at the Krome North Service Processing Center

According to reports, Squash was taken into custody for overstaying on his work visa

Florida’s Gov Ron DeSantis recently signed Senate Bill 1718 to tackle the dangerous effects of illegal immigration The new law cracks down on the smuggling of immigrants, stops municipalities from issuing ID cards to people in the state illegally, and ensures that employers are hiring American citizens or people in the country legally

The law also requires that hospitals that receive Medicaid question patients about whether they are U S citizens and are legally present in the country Hospitals are also expected to report the responses to the state

NEW YORK

Charlie’s Records seeks redress from Angostura Trinidad

A video and audio commercial done by alcohol brand, White Oak during Carnival 2023 has triggered an avalanche of sorts, as New York city based, Charlie’s Records is now taking Angostura Trinidad Limited, to task over it

‘Taxi, Taxi Airport Kennedy,’ a familiar sample created as an impactful and easily remembered line to introduce Calypsonian Explainer’s ‘Lorraine,’ is owned by Charlie’s Records’ Rawlston Charles He owns the synchronization rights for that simple sample and was never approached by Angostura or anyone acting on the company ’ s behalf, for permission to use his work

Efforts to deal with the matter privately, have continues on C3 – Charlie’s Records

Miami Gardens to host annual Juneteenth celebration honoring Black service organizations

The City of Miami Gardens Vice Mayor Katrina Wilson, Councilman Reggie Leon, and Councilman Robert Stephens, III announced the third annual Juneteenth celebration, a community-wide event that honors excellence among Black service organizations and will showcase outstanding local talent

Dubbed in 2021 as one of the largest and best Juneteenth celebrations in the country by Essence com, the Juneteenth: Parkin & Party – We are One event will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens with the special headliner to be announced

Juneteenth is an important day in American history It commemorates the day when the last enslaved people in America were notified of

their freedom on June 19, 1865, two a n d a h a l f y e a r s a f t e r t h e

Emancipation Proclamation was signed

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and it is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the black community

Over the past two years, this event has consistently attracted upwards of 4,000 attendees from the community and surrounding South Florida cities Juneteenth represents strength and resilience, while it also highlights the rich culture, talents and accomplishments of black people from all over This year ’ s event will feature live music, food and merchandise vendors, spoken word performances, and more

The Miami Gardens Juneteenth Celebration will not only be a time to celebrate freedom, but also to recognize the impactful contributions that black professional service organizations have made to the progress of our communities throughout this nation Their work is interwoven into the fabric of the

health, education, housing, employment and business initiatives that have yielded positive results among men, women and children of all ages These organizations serve as shining examples of excellence in service and achievement and will receive the 3rd Annual Juneteenth “We Are One” Award W h e n r e fl e c t i n g o n t h e s i g n i fi c a n c e o f c e l e b r a t i n g

Juneteenth, Vice Mayor Katrina Wilson reiterated the words of Coretta Scott King, “Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation ”

The City of Miami Gardens encourages the community to participate in the celebration to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a brighter future for all

Draw delivers groups for 2023 Road to CONCACAF W Gold Cup

CONCACAF on Thursday conducted the official draw for the 2023 Road to CONCACAF

W Gold Cup

The live event in Miami was hosted by sports anchor Carmen Boquin and included the participation of Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani, as well as former players Maylee Atthin-Johnson (Trinidad and Tobago) and Wendy Acosta (Costa Rica)

The road to the first-ever CONCACAF W Gold Cup will begin this September, after the conclusion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup which takes place this summer in Australia and New Zealand, and will include a record six competing CONCACAF women ’ s national teams

Thirty-five CONCACAF women ’ s national teams, excluding the two who will compete in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games

Women’s Football Tournament (USA and Canada or Jamaica), have been split into three leagues according to their CONCACAF Women’s Ranking as of March 2023, and subdivided into groups

The 2023 Road to CONCACAF W Gold Cup groups are as follows:

League A

(nine top-ranked teams divided into three groups of three)

Group A: Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Puerto Rico

Group B: Canada or Jamaica, Panama, and Guatemala

Group C: Costa Rica, Haiti, and Saint Kitts and Nevis

League B

(next 12 best-ranked teams divided into three groups of four teams)

Group A: Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, and Dominica

Group B: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Martinique

CRICKET

Haynes

proven ineffective as according to Charles, after more than five calls to the Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago, most of which went unanswered, he was met with a lackluster response by one of the company ’ s employees

“But that’s just a little part of the song,” she said to me,” said Charles

Since that time, Charles and his team in Trinidad and Tobago, have submitted a letter to the advertising agency tasked with creating the advertisement Charles, a music producer who has been responsible for most of the calypso hits known and loved from the mid 60’s onward, has made clear his terms, informing of his right to compensation

The advertisement, used primarily as a Carnival 2023 product campaign, was aired on radio, television and certainly multiple digital platforms As such, a global reach in the millions, is estimated

Group C: Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados

League C

(14 remaining teams divided into two groups of four teams and two groups of three teams)

Group A: Belize, Aruba, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bonaire

Group B: Cuba, Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe, and Saint Maarten

Group C: US Virgin Islands, Grenada, and Bahamas

Group D: Curacao, Cayman Islands, and Anguilla

After home and away group stage play, within each League, in the FIFA Women’s International match windows of September, October, and November 2023, the top finishers in each of the League A groups (three teams) will qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup Group Stage

says selectors are

looking to identify players for future leadership roles in Windies team

The Selection Panel under the leadership of former Test star batsman Desmond Haynes, plans to provide to Cricket West Indies a list of players that should be groomed for leadership in the West Indies team

Haynes said they were looking to create a leadership group for the future, and players such as current “A” Team captain Joshua Da Silva, Windward Islands Volcanoes captain Alick Athanaze, and white-ball specialist Brandon King were high on the list

“What we are trying to do is to encourage and get a group of players who we can have that can play leadership roles,” he said

“We have got our eye on someone like Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, who has captained the Windward Islands this year, and we were very impressed with his leadership Also, it did not affect his batting, which we thought was very important,” Haynes said

“We had to be consistent as well We have Joshua Da Silva, who captained the “A” Team against Bangladesh last year, and instead of chopping and changing, we thought we gave him one season, why not give him another?

“He also captained in the HeadleyWeekes tournament, and we just thought that we will be consistent and allow Joshua

to captain the “A” Team at this time ” Haynes added: “Going forward, what we plan to do is to make some recommendations to Cricket West Indies where they will look at a list of players that we can start grooming for leadership

“I think Joshua would be one of them, you ’ ve got Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, and then we have Shai Hope, who is captaining now in the 50-over, and there would be plenty more that we would be looking at in the future ”

West Indies “A” arrived last Thursday in Bangladesh to play a series of three “Tests” under Da Silva in Sylhet. The squad included King and Athanaze

The series is the reciprocal visit for the Bangladesh “A” Tour of the Caribbean last August, when the teams drew both a series of two “Tests”, and three One-day, 50 oversa-side matches

Furthermore, the second-place finishers in each of the League A groups (three teams) and the first-place finishers in each of the League B groups (three teams) will advance to the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup Prelims

CONCACAF will announce the 2023 Road to W Gold Cup schedule at a later date

2024 CONCACAF W GOLD CUP

The W Gold Cup is the region’s premier competition for women ’ s senior national teams and is a key part of the ” CONCACAF W” women ’ s football strategy the Confederation launched in 2019

The inaugural edition will be played between February 17 – March 10, 2024, in the United States, and will include a six-team Prelims, a 12-team group stage, and a threeround Knockout Stage

CRICKET

Jamaica Tallawahs conrm retentions for 2023 season

The Jamaica Tallawahs have confirmed their Caribbean player retentions ahead of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL)

The tournament gets underway on 16 August with the final taking place on 24 September There will be matches in Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago

The Caribbean players the Tallawahs have retained are as follows:

• Brandon King

• Fabian Allen

• Shamarh Brooks

• Raymon Reifer

• Amir Jangoo Shamar Springer

• Nicholson Gordon

• Kirk Mckenzie

Joshua James

The Tallawahs have also brought in Hayden Walsh Jr who was transferred from the Barbados Royals Krishna Persaud, owner of the Jamaica Tallawahs, said: “We are delighted to be the defending champions, but that was last year Now we will focus on this year ’ s team as we look forward to another great tournament We are excited and our team will seek to defend the CPL championship ”

The overseas players and draft picks will be announced during the Republic Bank CPL draft show which will be broadcast at the end of June

“Many times, what we put into the song, as music creators, is done to attract people so that when they hear the beginning of certain songs, they then drop what they’re doing and react,” explained Charles That simple line at the top of ‘Lorraine’ has always had such an impact It was used in the Angostura White Oak commercial, to undoubtedly trigger such reaction

Relentless in his pursuit, Rawlston Charles who still operates a thriving Charlie’s Records, home to a state-of-theart recording studio in New York, is prepared for the long haul

“They never sought the rights, never cared to do it, never did their research In the US, if something like this happened, those who committed the illegal act, would try to iron out the situation out of court, before it had to reach the court,” he highlighted, lamenting that since this situation surfaced, no one at Angostura has contacted him

A veteran and certainly a pioneer in the Caribbean music business, Rawlston Charles and his business namesake, Charlie’s Records is deserving of the respect of even major companies like Angostura Trinidad Limited

Major Calypsonians like Sparrow, The Black Stalin, Christopher Tambu Herbert, Calypso Rose, Lord Kitchener, Maestro, Ras Shorty I, Explainer, Super Blue, David Rudder and Charlie’s Roots, which was formed by Charles, among countless others, have all been produced under the Charlie’s Records Label

“The Soca genre started under my umbrella with Ras Shorty I, and Machel Montano still records at my studio He recorded last year and the year before that,” said Charles

His hope is that those responsible for this act of theft, will acknowledge their misdemeanor and in turn contact him to avoid litigation proceedings

“Many times these issues must have attorneys involved and I am cognizant of that I am seeking redress via compensation because Angostura used my sample to sell their product I will not stop until the matter is fairly addressed and compensation is received,” said the record executive