National Weekly December 5, 2019

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48

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W I D E L Y

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Reggae Girl Khadija Shaw Ranked among 100 Best Female Footballers

by Sheri-Kae Mcleod

Poor People

Fed Up!

by Sheri-Kae McLeod

While Jamaica is painting a rosy picture of its booming economy, most of its citizens are expressing frustration with their current economic situation. Amidst steady economic growth, a decline in unemployment, and a booming stock market, the reality is that the majority of Jamaicans are condemned to a low standard of living and are still struggling to make ends meet.

According to a report published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2017, Jamaica's per capita income was US$8,350, with 14.5 percent of its citizens (an estimated 406,000 of 2.8 million) living either near or in extreme poverty. Based on the statistics provided by the UNDP, Jamaica would be defined as a lower-class county, with the average income per person being less than

US$700 per month.

The extremely low wages coupled with the high cost of living pushes many Jamaicans below the “growing middle class” (as per the government) and near or below the lower class. Most civil servants in Jamaica, those who are employed to Jamaica's most important ministries, earn an estimated JMD$100,000 - $150,000 (approximately

In the photo: Leader of the Opposition, Peter Phillips (left) shares a joke with Prime Minister Andrew Holness (center) and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Karl Samuda.

US$750 - $1100) each month after taxes.

Considering that many of these public sector workers have children or other dependents that require them to find money for food, housing, utilities, clothing, transportation, and toiletries, most can hardly afford to work and live comfortably in Jamaica.

Even worse off than civil servants, are the auxiliary workers, security guards, domestic workers, and other low-income workers who earn minimum wage—a shocking JM $7000 per week (about US$52). To put things into perspective, in some parts of Kingston and St. Catherine, one small bedroom rents for JMD$15,000, so basic housing, basic food, and public transportation are all these people can afford, month by month.

Wages have become the deciding factor for young Jamaican college graduates who are faced with the option of staying in the country or leaving to find better-paying jobs. Needless to say, many graduates have chosen the latter, as Jamaica currently battles with the issue of a “brain drain,” depriving Jamaica of some of its

Jamaica's Reggae Girlz star player Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has been named among the 100 best female football players in the world.

On the annual list published

by British newspaper, The Guardian, Bunny Shaw was ranked at number 80 and is the only Caribbean national to be featured.

The 22-year-old has had an impressive 2019 season, which began when she contributed to Caribbean history, being part of the first Caribbean team to ever qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup this summer.

“There was plenty of talk about Shaw being the exciting new talent going into the World Cup and, while Jamaica struggled in continues on B4 – Shaw

continues on B4 – Not Beneting

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

MOTTLEY LEADS BARBADOS THROUGH INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS A3

60

CARIBBEAN

SURINAME PRESIDENT SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS A4

%

ENTERTAINMENT

FAMOUS SONGWRITER IRIVNG BURGIE DIES AT 95 B3

SPORTS %

WEST INDIES NAMES ODI AND T20 SQUAD FOR INDIA TOUR C3

%

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Kiwanis Gi : The Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes donates $1,500 to the SOS Children's Village, to help kids in foster care. From le to right: Dis nguished President Barry Smallhorne (Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes), Kiwanis Florida District Governor Allen Yergovich, Kiwanis Florida Division 23 Lt. Governor John Francis and SOS Children's Village Volunteer Director, Brenna Hova er. – Contributed

Happy Santa: Santa Claus was out spreading Christmas joy for all at Blas ng For Runs Christmas Edi on So ball Fete Match in Royal Palm Beach, promoted

by Trinidad and Tobago Ci zens Associa on, Sourntecc BBQ and Guyana Day USA. – Contributed

Announcer Extraordinaire! Don Daley (right) receives an award from Lorrimer Buford, President of the United Friends of Highgate at the United Friends of Highgate Grand Gala held at the Charles F. Dodge city Center in Pembroke Pines.

Photo Credit: Tracy

Bahamian Love: The Na onal Associa on of The Bahamas hosted Bahamian evacuees and students at a Thanksgiving luncheon at The Ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami Gardens. – Contributed

Raising The Flag: A flag raising ceremony was held in Downtown Orlando's City Hall to recognize Barbados' Independence Day. L-r: Barbados Consul General Neval Greenidge, Corporal Dario Pilgrim of the Barbados Defense Force, and Sonia Moore of the Coali on for the Barbados Associa on of Central Florida (CBAOCF) who is also a former member of the Barbados Defense Force. – Contributed

Exquisite Performance: Ballet Elite Dance Studio performed “The Nutcracker” at the United Friends of Highgate Grand Gala in Pembroke Pines. Photo Credit: Tracy Ann Simmonds Swans Galore: Members of St. Hugh's Alumnae gathering for a quick pic at the Holiday Jam Session held in St. Benedict's Episcopal Church Hall in Planta on. L-r: Arlene Richards Barr, Audrey Paul, Susan Chang, Karen Lee Murphy, Tasmine James, and Sheryl Nandrum. – Contributed

Giving Thanks: Members of the Jamaican Women Of Florida (JWOF) came out in full force for the Thanksgiving service at Living Word Open Bible Church in Cooper City. – Contributed

True Blue Crew: JC Old Boys were out in support of the Swans this past weekend. L-r: Hylton Dennis, O s Croney, Xavier Murphy, Richard Bryce, and Ian Bryan. – Contributed

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NEWSMAKER

Mia Mottley Barbados Prime Minister Leads Nation In Celebrating 53 Years Of Independence

O

n November 30, Barbados celebrated its 53rd anniversary of political independence from Britain with an entire weekend of street parades, concerts, and other cultural events.

This year's independence parade in Bridgetown included some 5,000 students, lifesized portraits of the island's national heroes, community group projects, and an individual guest performance by Bajan soca artist, Edwin Yearwood.

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, highlighted the most important economic achievements of the Caribbean country during her independence address to the nation.

“Our financial indicators have all shown significant improvements, the approach we have taken to the management of our economic affairs has been commended at home and abroad, and is already bearing fruit. Simply put, the economy of Barbados is on the right track,” she said.

Mottley announced that “our preparations for a significant number of investment and development projects are now well underway.”

Though she shied away from the details of the development projects, she said that the people of Barbados next year would see “the beginning of a transformation that will touch just about every aspect of our daily lives.”

This year's celebration is Mia Mottley's second independence anniversary as prime minister of Barbados. The 54-year-old took office in May 2018, becoming the nation's first woman prime minister.

Prior to becoming the leader of her nation, Mottley trained as an attorney and received a law degree from the London School of Economics. As a child, her keen interest in politics came from her grandfather Ernest

Deighton Mottley, who was the first elected mayor of Bridgetown in 1959.

Following her legal studies, Mottley officially entered Bajan politics in 1991, joining the Barbados Labor Party (BLP). Between 1991 and 1994, she was one of two opposition senators in the Upper House, Senate of Barbados, where she was shadow minister of culture and community development.

Following the BLP's victory in the 1994 general election, Mottley was appointed to the minister of education, youth affairs and culture, under Prime Minister Owen Arthur. At the age of 29, she became one of the youngest Barbadian ever to be assigned a ministerial portfolio.

In 2001, Mottley became the first appointed female attorney-general and minister of home affairs. She is also the youngest ever Queen's Counsel in Barbados.

In addition to being a member of the Privy Council of Barbados, she was leader of the House and a member of the National Security Council and the Barbados Defense Board. She is also credited with being the visionary behind the Education Sector Enhancement Program, popularly known as "Edutech," which aims to increase the number of young people contributing to the island's sustainable social and economic development. The revolutionary program involves the widespread use of information and communication technologies to assist in improving the quality of the teaching/learning process.

In youth affairs, Mottley directed the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme and a National Youth Development Program.

In the years following, Mottley served as Barbados' second female deputy prime

minister and chairman of the Social Council of Barbados and the deputy chairman of Barbados' Economic Council, a position she held until 2008 that allowed her extended responsibilities.

Following the BLP's defeat in the 2008 election, the then leader of the party, Owen Arthur resigned. Mia Mottley was elected as BLP party leader in a leadership election and subsequently became the first woman to lead the party, as well as the country's first female opposition leader.

Two years later, Mottley's appointment as leader of the opposition was revoked following a vote of no-confidence by five of her parliamentary colleagues. Owen Arthur was reelected as leader of the BLP until after the 2013 general elections when Mottley again replaced him as leader.

Five years later, at the 2018 polls, the BLP, under the leadership of Mottley, recorded a historic win, securing all 30 seats in parliament and over 70 percent of the popular vote. Mia Mottley became the first woman prime minister of Barbados, ushering in a new era as the island's eighth Prime Minister and 14th female head of state in the Caribbean.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Mottley, who is unmarried, has attained several social and economic achievements; from steadily clearing a massive $7.5 billion debt, obtaining an IMF loan which was not possible for years prior to her leadership, to being removed from the European Union's blacklist which opened the door for much international investments and revenue, and resuming full payment of university fees for Bajan students.

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Grand Bahama Welcomes First Visitors Since Dorian

Both Parties Claim Victory In Trinidad Local Gov’t Election

Nearly three months after Hurricane Dorian, a category five storm slammed in Grand Bahama, tourism officials have welcomed the first official flight to the Fixed Based Operators at Grand Bahama International Airport.

The Bahamasair Boeing 737 jet arrived from Tennessee in the United States late Tuesday, bringing 138 passengers for the 21st Annual Tabernacle Falcons Thanksgiving Basketball Classic.

They were met on arrival by representatives from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (BMOTA), Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Grand Bahama Airport Company, Bahamas Customs and Immigration, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Hurricane Dorian slammed in the archipelago on September 1, killing at least 65 people and leaving damage estimated at more than US$7 billion.

In addition, several people are reported missing from the storm that severely hit Grand Bahama and Abacos Islands.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) and the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) each won seven of the 14 electoral districts in Trinidad in Monday’s Local Government elections (LGE) with both parties indicating that the electorate had sent differing messages.

While Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley acknowledged that “we are not surprised by the outcome but we are quite pleased,” Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said “the people have spoken.”

In the last LGE, the PNM had controlled eight of the 14 electoral district, winning seven outright and the eight by the fact that its member had been elected chairman because both parties had gained the same number of seats.

Both parties had contested the 139 electoral districts across Trinidad’s 14 municipal corporation electoral areas, while the fringe political parties, such as the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) and the recently formed Port of Spain People’s Movement (PPM) headed by former mayor,

Louis Lee Sing, failed to make any impression among the voters.

The preliminary results show that the PNM had won 71 of the seats with Rowley saying “there has not been any significant change.

“We are rather disappointed that we haven’t picked up in one or two areas where we had hoped to improve our position,” he said, while admitting that the party had lost ground in some areas, but the situation was “not calamitous.”

Rowley told reporters the party had won “in a very similar vein as 2016 and lost a few seats here” and acknowledged that the policies of his administration in seeking to turn around an ailing economy played a role in the voters’ choices.

“But we have done remarkably well to maintain our position,” he said, adding “when you have a toothache and you have a rotten tooth, you have to go to the dentist.

And there is a period of pain. And after that, you realize you have done yourself a service.”

But he dismissed political observers who had earlier indicated that the LGE could

have been viewed as a barometer ahead of the general elections that could take place within the next eight months.

He told reporters the LGE and a general election are not the same noting that the turnout at the LGE as below 40 per cent of the more than one million voters.

On whether the local government was a litmus test for the general election next year Rowley replied that they were not the same.

But Persad Bissessar, who has been calling for the government to call general elections, said that the results show that the voters were dissatisfied with the policies of the PNM administration and that no amount of money could influence the outcome of the election.

“Talk done. The people have spoken,” she told jubilant supporters at a celebration in Couva in Central Trinidad on Monday night.

Persad Bissessar said the UNC won 68 seats while the PNM secured 71, but that the ruling party had outspent the opposition party in the campaign.

Suriname President Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison Bouterse, who was on an official visit to China when this sentence was announced, called the sentence as politically motivated on his return to Suriname on December 1 and promised to challenge the results, saying he will “stay within the law and regulations. Politics needs to be answered with politics.”

Addressing some 1,500 supporters who met him at the airport, Bouterse said the decision of the three-panel Military Court was not

unexpected. “It was clear the verdict was political…but I have been advised by my lawyers not to discuss the ruling.”

He said he planned meetings with his advisers and Members of Parliament of his ruling National Democratic Party on the strategy to follow and was also focused on the general election to held next May. Meanwhile, Suriname's opposition parties are calling for Bouterse to step down.

Despite pronouncing the sentence after the years-long trial, the military court has not ordered his detention. Bouterse was given two

Bouterse

weeks to appeal the sentence.

In the trial, prosecutors claimed that on December 8, 1982, military officers reprimanded, tortured and executed 15 men, including journalists, military officers, union leaders, lawyers, businessmen and university lecturers at Fort Zeelandia, former headquarters of the Surinamese National Army.

The then military Government claimed the men had conspired to stage a coup. Bouterse later became president of Suriname through in democratically held elections in May 2010 and re-elected in May 2015.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48 –

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Talk UP The hashtag '#DeleteFacebook' is trending on social media, how do you feel about this?

Shamola - I have mixed feelings about Facebook.

That tends to be the social media platform that I use to keep up with family and old classmates, so I don't want to delete Facebook. However, I have been careful about what I share - there have been data breaches that exposed the personal data of Facebook users, also there have been apps that collect data on Facebook users without asking for permission or disclosing how it is being used.

Toussiant - I understand the sentiment as Facebook is not doing enough to shut down false claims in political advertising and also enabling far right hate groups to have a voice. Freedom of speech needs to be reigned in when it harms vulnerable people in any society. On the other hand, Facebook has become a major media platform for many generations to stay in touch socially and politically. Too many positive relationships have resurfaced in my life for me to give up Facebook.

Therefore, I would not delete Facebook.

Dave - The answer to the question is challenging but I do agree with the “#DeleteFacebook” trending as the owners or controller of the platform is not protecting what information is being posted on their site and as witness from the past, any argument or post can be aired without proof checking, needing for more accountability of what is allowed and what is uploaded. I personally have deleted Facebookf or some time and am about to delete it again. I support this argument.

Garfield - While I think Faceook is good to help stay connected to family & friends, I don't think I want to share my life with the general public. I think I missed the whole Social Media craze because I can't wrap my head around sharing every detail of my life with the world. I'm more of an introvert and that may have something to do with it. I can do without Facebook.

Tiffany - I don't think this hashtag should exist because even though there are some negative sides to Facebook, it does have its purpose as well. It's done a lot for me in terms of finding old friends that I haven't seen in many years and being able to keep up with what everybody is doing via Facebook. I can see all the advertisements that are taking place, from events to what people are selling.

Brianna - I think that deleting Facebook could make it a little more difficult to target others as it would remove a large social media platform that many people still use. However, I think that it would only hinder their tactics until another target is created. Personally, I deleted Facebook a long time ago for privacy reasons, and can understand why many others would be doing the same.

Lorrimer - As I understand it, in late 2018, the hashtag #DeleteFacebook was trending on Twitter causing Facebook users to delete their Facebook accounts. This resulted from a report that data from over 50 million Facebook users was used to target voters and influence the 2016 US Presidential election, as well as the 2016 “Brexit” referendum. If indeed this is so, then certainly I agree, unless of course Facebook creates conditions that prevents illicit, dishonest and unsavory behavior, and declares to users how their information is being used.

Karen - Actually, I haven't been on FB all week as it keeps showing the same FB friends or FB friends whose newsfeed is unfollowed and they haven't addressed it in the months thus started happening with their new algorithm. The feeds are repetitive and I spend too much time "hiding" feeds I'm not interested in. It has become boring.

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Accept It! South Florida Is Bilingual Last week in West Kendall a young Caribbean-American woman vented her frustration inside a popular sandwich chain restaurant as the servers didn't speak English and could not understand what she was trying to order.

Coming to the U.S. where English is the predominant language, few people from the Englishspeaking Caribbean anticipated one of the challenges they would encounter is communicating in languages other than English. For those who have settled in South Florida, especially in Miami-Dade County, they often find one of the requirements to get a job is being bilingual, usually English and Spanish.

In Miami-Dade, characterized by large Hispanic communities in Hialeah, Sweetwater, parts of Coral Gables, South Miami, and West Kendall, Spanish seems to be the primary language. Several businesses have signage in Spanish and English-speaking Caribbean migrants contend daily with customers and staff in supermarkets, small stores, large department stores, and professional offices who speak little or poor English.

Naturally, the inability to communicate freely in English, not to mention barred from securing jobs for which one is otherwise qualified, because of the bilingual criterion, is frustrating. As a result some Caribbean-Americans often question why English isn't the mandated language in the region, especially in the workplace.

Historically, the English/Spanish issue has been controversial in South Florida. In 1980, as the Hispanic population in then Dade County increased, a group called Citizens of Dade United proposed a ballot initiative to make English the official language of the county. With the late Cuban President Fidel Castro opening the gates of Cuba for thousands of convicts and other undesirables to leave his country during the early 1980s in the “Mariel Boatlift” for Miami, county voters easily passed the initiative.

From 1981 to 1993 English was the official language in Dade County. The Dade County English Only Ordinance forbade the county government to fund programs not conducted in English or

Over 40 percent of South Florida's population speak languages other than English, and mostly Spanish.

This pattern expands nationally and large percentages of the population of states like New York, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada speaks Spanish and other languages. conducting business in any other language. At the time, only a few jobs required the bilingual criterion.

However, not surprisingly as the county's Hispanic community began to rapidly increase, opposition to the ordinance grew. In 1993 following the redistricting of the Dade County commission into 13 voting districts, the expanded bloc of Hispanic voters gave the commission a Hispanic majority.

Shortly after, the commission voted down the English-only ordinance, and many Caribbean and other immigrants who did not communicate in Spanish were increasingly frustrated with jobs that required applicants to be fluent in English and Spanish.

This resulted in more Caribbean-Americans following those who already relocated from Dade County after Hurricane Andrew devastated the county in 1992, to Broward and Palm Beach counties where Spanish was far less prevalent.

This intra-migration has not, however, ended the region's language controversy. South Florida's Hispanic community continues to grow exponentially, with increasing numbers of immigrants from countries like Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico coming annually to South Florida. These

immigrants have located not only in Miami-Dade County, but in Broward and Palm Beach counties as well. Currently, some employers in these counties are using the bilingual requirement for employment.

Despite the frustration of people who speak only English, it's unlikely Florida voters will ever again approve an English-only policy for any county or the state. Over 40 percent of South Florida's population speak languages other than English, and mostly Spanish. This pattern expands nationally and large percentages of the population of states like New York, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada speak Spanish and other languages.

During his tenure as president, among reports that Florida, Arizona, and Texas planned to submit a national English-only bill, President Obama signed an executive order making those initiatives unconstitutional, calling them “anti-American.”

Despite President Trump being critical of some of his fellow Republican candidates speaking in Spanish during the 2016 presidential campaign, he hasn't insisted on an English-only national policy.

On the other hand, although a national Englishonly policy is unlikely to be implemented, it's indicative lawmakers want to ensure immigrants learn and speak English. Several proposed immigration bills since 2013 include the requirement that undocumented immigrants seeking legal immigration status must learn English.

In the future, unless some Draconian immigration policy sweeps the nation officially requiring all immigrants to speak English only, it's quite possible the U.S., or states like Florida, could officially be bilingual, English-Spanish, similar to Canada's official English-French bilingual situation.

As this bilingual pattern maintains, it becomes more necessary for English-speaking CaribbeanAmericans, especially young people, to learn Spanish in schools, colleges or elsewhere, to effectively compete in the job market, and communicate effectively with other ethnicities.

Years of immigration have made America a starkly diverse nation of races and languages. It's unlikely the nation will ever have an “English-only” label. It's therefore practical that citizens strive to be multilingual, especially learning the second dominant language, Spanish.

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LA SECTION HAITIENNE

U.S. Marine Charged With Smuggling Guns Into Haiti

France Warns Against Travel To Haiti, After The Killing Of French Couple As a result of the murders of a French couple in Haiti, France has called on its nationals to postpone any trip to Haiti. The couple was shot and killed in front of their hotel soon after arriving in Port-Au-Prince on Sunday to adopt two children.

A Haitian-born United States Marine was arrested and charged with trying to smuggle firearms into Haiti last month, in what Federal authorities said was his attempt get rid of the “thugs” ruining his country and to become president.

Haitian police arrested Jacques Yves Duroseau, a military firearms instructor who arrived on a flight from New Bern, North Carolina, to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, carrying eight guns and ammunition in his luggage, according to the criminal complaint. Last week, charges were filed with a U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to Federal authorities, Duroseau, who is in the 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is believed to have traveled with the guns to “defeat the thugs

that have been creating a little bit of part of the instability in Haiti.” The island nation has been embroiled in an extended political crisis, including violent riots in an attempt to oust President Jovenel Moïse—effectively bringing the government to a standstill, crippling the already fragile economy, and causing numerous setbacks for Haitians.

A member of the army reserve identified only as “KI” (known individual), who was arrested with Duroseau, told officials that Duroseau contacted the U.S. Embassy and told them he wanted to become Haiti’s president.

According to the indictment, Duroseau told investigators he “picked every gun”— five handguns and three military-style rifles—at least five of which he bought himself, some in Jacksonville, Florida.

Duroseau, a survivor of Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010, was featured in a story by Marine Corps in 2016 detailing the kinds of challenges he had to overcome and his strong desire to join the military. The indictment also said he told Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents in Haiti he just wanted to help the Haitian people.

FOR NEWS, AND MORE LOG ON TO

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was recommending to French citizens to postpone any trip to Haiti until further notice, except in a case of absolute necessity, adding, “the whole of the Haitian territory is to be avoided.”

Police said that the two French citizens, identified only as 41-year-old Mélina and 44-year-old Alexandre from Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche in France, were shot dead in Port-au-Prince, where they had just arrived after completing the adoption procedure.

The couple were on their first visit to the French-speaking Caribbean Community country and had come to meet the two children—a brother and sister—as part of a two-week socialization visit. They were due to leave with the children at the end of the visit.

We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of two compatriots in Haiti, as a result of an attack. We extend our condolences to their families and friends.

We are liaising with the local authorities in order to ensure that full light is shed on this tragedy.

Police are working on the theory that the couple may have been the targets of robbers, who may have tracked them from the Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport.

“It was with great emotion that we learned of the deaths of two compatriots in Haiti following an assault. We express our condolences to their families and loved ones. As soon as it was informed, our embassy mobilized. It is in contact with the local authorities so that all the light is shed on this tragedy,” the French authorities said in the statement issued from Paris.

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A D V E R T O R I A L

After Courts Blocked Public Charge Rule –

What Immigrants Applying For Green Cards Or Visas Need To Know job or health insurance, against negative factors, like using certain programs, English proficiency, or having a health condition.

Remember that we all have a right to use certain programs, and they exist to make us healthier and our communities stronger.

Last month, district courts blocked the Trump administration's rule that attempted to deny green cards to immigrants who fail to meet tough income tests or use public programs. This victory for immigrants means that the rule that was supposed to take effect on October 15 will be stopped while the court battles proceed.

1 – Find out if you or your family members would be affected by the rule change. It doesn't apply to those applying for citizenship, humanitarian migrants such as refugees and asylees, and those applying to renew their DACA.

It's still important to understand how the rule might have affected those applying for green cards. While the policy change expands the public programs the government considers in deciding some immigrant applications, it won't affect many immigrants living here. The public programs are limited to Medicaid, nutrition assistance (SNAP), and public

2 – If your family is affected by the new rule, learn more about how participation in public programs might affect you before disenrolling. Using public benefits will not automatically make you a public charge – immigration officials must look at your overall circumstances to decide whether you pass the test. They weigh positive factors, like having a

housing (Section 8).

Here are three steps to take to see how this policy change might affect you and your family if the courts eventually allow it to be implemented.

3 – Speak out against these changes and advocate for inclusive policies in your community. Visit www.protectingimmigrantfamilies.org to learn more about how to fight back against this rule change, and find out whether your state or community is working on immigrantinclusive policies. There is power in using your voice to make sure all our communities are healthy and thriving.

Questions about your immigration status or use of public benefits? Consult a pro bono immigration attorney near you: www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/legaldirectory.

This advisory was sponsored by Protecting Immigrant Families, a national campaign to combat the Trump administration's public charge rule. For more information: www.protectingimmigrantfamllies.org

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Donates Fire Truck To Bahamas During extensive Hurricane Dorian Relief efforts last September in The Bahamas, the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) learned that the Volunteer Fire Departments in The Bahamas were greatly affected by the storm's impact and could no longer aptly service their communities. FLFR immediately reached out to Fire Chief Danny Ross of Marsh Harbor Volunteer Fire Rescue to see how it could help.

Chief Ross informed FLFR that all their fire equipment had been lost in the storm and any donations would be greatly appreciated. FLFR went to work and began to inventory what was scheduled to be replaced in the coming year.

Included in this long list of items was the possibility of a fire truck that was going to auction. FLFR's Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr approached City Manager Chris Lagerbloom with this idea and it was immediately approved.

The next hurdle would be how to get a 44,000 pounds fire truck to a remote island.

FLFR took to social media and was quickly contacted by Alan Davies of Hydro-Dynamic Solutions. Davies has had ties with Marsh Harbor for a long time and was able to contact SEACOR Island Lines, LLC in Dania Beach who agreed to transport the truck free of charge.

On Tuesday, December 3 at 5 p.m., the Fort Lauderdale City Commission and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue held a brief ceremony in front of City Hall where the key for the fire truck was handed over to personnel from Marsh Harbor Volunteer Fire Rescue.

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HEALTH and Wellness

HIV AIDS More Work Needed In Treating The Disease In The Caribbean Although progress has been made in the Caribbean in reducing new HIV-infections and AIDS-related deaths, the gains appear “tenuous.” This, according to the report Communities at the Centre — The response to HIV in the Caribbean released ahead of World AIDS Day 2019 on December 1.

According to the study, under the theme “Communities make the difference,” national responses are highly dependent on donor funding, especially for programs focused on key populations.

The study noted that the financial resources available for HIV responses in the Caribbean have fluctuated over time, reaching the same level in 2018 as in 2010.

In total, US$326 million was available for the Caribbean's HIV programs in 2018, considerably less than the US$600 million needed to achieve its Fast-Track Targets by 2020.

The availability of domestic resources for the HIV response increased by 69 percent during this eight-year period, reaching 27 percent of the total resources for HIV in the region.

International donors decreased their share from 84 percent in 2010 to 73 percent last year.

During that period, bilateral contributions from the United States Government increased by 13 percent, while disbursements from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) and all other international sources decreased by 32 and 91 percent, respectively.

It said access to evidence-informed combination prevention services varies markedly, and scale-up of these services is needed, including increased investment in community programs, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high risk of HIV infection, and assisted partner notification following an HIV diagnosis.

“Many people living with HIV are diagnosed several years after they acquire the virus.

Innovative testing strategies are required to reach those who have never been tested and to increase early diagnosis. In 2018, progress towards the second 90 (90 percent of people who know their HIV-positive status are accessing treatment) has stalled in the region due to slowing treatment uptake.”

The publication also notes that discrimination against people living with HIV and key populations is a “formidable barrier” in the Caribbean, often fueled by a lack of knowledge of HIV and human rights.

“Furthermore, there is little information on key populations; national health information systems should be strengthened to collect data to guide and monitor services for these populations. Rates of intimate partner violence experienced by women also are high in countries that report these data.

“The region has made great strides towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission, with Cuba being the first country to reach elimination in 2015; an additional six countries and territories reached that target in 2017. Cuba has since been re-certified.

“Treatment coverage among pregnant women living with HIV increased from 75 percent in 2017 to 86 percent in 2018, but programs must be further scaled up to ensure elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, Chagas disease, and perinatal hepatitis B.” Figures released show that an estimated 16,000 people acquired HIV in the Caribbean last year, 16 percent fewer than in 2010.

Belize is the only Caribbean country to have recorded an increase in HIV incidence between 2010 and 2018.

“All other countries reported declining incidence, with the decline in The Bahamas and Cuba exceeding 20 percent. There has been a 38 percent decrease in the annual number of AIDSrelated deaths since 2010, with 6,700 deaths in 2018.”

The region's incidence-prevalence ratio continued to decrease slowly, reaching 4.6

CARIBBEAN Progress Towards 90-90-90 Targets CARIBBEAN 2018

340,000 people living wth HIV 1.2% adult HIV prevalence (ages 15-49) 16,000 new HIV infections 6,700 AIDS-related deaths 56% adults on antiretroviral treatment 42% children on antiretroviral treatment Distribution of new HIV infections among population groups

13% 1%

Sex Workers

23% 1%

Male Homosexuals

30%

Clients Of Sex Workers And Other Sexual Partners Of Key Populations

32%

Rest Of Population

People Who Inject Drugs

Transgender Women

percent in 2018. Key populations and their sexual partners accounted for nearly half or 47 percent of new HIV infections in the region in 2018, including nearly one-quarter or 22 percent among gay men and other men who have sex with men, and five percent among transgender people.

The study notes that median HIV prevalence was 18 percent among transgender people and nine percent among gay men and other men who have sex with men.

Data were available from six countries in the region on the population size of sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people or prisoners. Five of those countries had a national population size estimate for at least one key population.

The publication states that progress along the HIV testing and treatment cascade in the region has slowed. It said of the estimated 340,000 people living with HIV in 2018, at least 72 percent knew their status, 55 percent were on treatment and 41 percent were virally suppressed.

In 2014, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and partners launched the 90–90–90 targets; the aim was to diagnose 90% of all HIV-positive persons, provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 90% of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression for 90% of those treated by 2020.

In 2017, treatment coverage and viral suppression among people living with HIV were 54 and 40 percent, respectively. Viral suppression among men was lower than among women in nearly all of the countries in the region with available data, highlighting an acute need to improve services for men.

“The slowing progress in the region is in great part due to insufficient scale-up in treatment services among people living with HIV in Haiti, the country with the largest HIV burden in the region. However, once on treatment, 86 percent of diagnosed Haitians are virally suppressed. Other notable successes in the region include Guyana, where 93 percent of people living with HIV know their status, and Barbados, which has reached 88 percent viral suppression among those on treatment,” the study noted.

In 10 of 13 countries providing data, more than 20 percent of people living with HIV presented with advanced HIV disease (CD4 count).

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48

HEALTH and Wellness

The leaves of the breadfruit tree can be used to brew a tea that is useful for lowering blood pressure and treat diabetes.

Trumpet Leaves A tea from the trumpet leaves can be used for toothaches, whooping cough, fever, and as a heart tonic. It is also used for asthma, hoarseness, and to expel the placenta after childbirth.

Tamarind Leaves The leaves of the tamarind tree are useful as a laxative and as a gargle for sore throat, the tea made from the leaves is useful for treating measles.

Leaf of Life The leaf of a succulent plant with a reddish tinge on the stem. The leaves have indented edges from which other mall plants can grow.

The juice from the Leaf of Life is used to treat colds and coughs. The juice can be mixed with salt and/or honey to treat headaches, colds, bronchitis, and high blood pressure.

data, so we can more appropriately and accurately generalize to the greater population of patients using cannabis to manage these conditions.”

Cuttler and her colleagues saw no evidence that cannabis caused “overuse headache,” a pitfall of more conventional treatments which can make patients' headaches worse over time.

However, they did see patients using larger doses of cannabis over time, indicating they may be developing tolerance to the drug.

The study found a small gender difference with significantly more sessions involving headache reduction reported by men (90.0 percent) than by women (89.1 percent). The researchers also noted that cannabis concentrates, such as cannabis oil, produced a larger reduction in headache severity ratings than cannabis flower.

There was, however, no significant difference in pain reduction among cannabis strains that were higher or lower in levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol

(CBD), two of the most commonly studied chemical constituents in cannabis, also known as cannabinoids. Since cannabis is made up of over 100 cannabinoids, this finding suggests that different cannabinoids or other constituents like terpenes may play the central role in headache and migraine relief.

More research is needed, and Cuttler acknowledges the limitations of the Strainprint study since it relies on a self-selected group of people who may already anticipate that cannabis will work to alleviate their symptoms, and it was not possible to employ a placebo control group.

“I suspect there are some slight overestimates of effectiveness,” said Cuttler. “My hope is that this research will motivate researchers to take on the difficult work of conducting placebo-controlled trials. In the meantime, this at least gives medical cannabis patients and their doctors a little more information about what they might expect from using cannabis to manage these conditions.”

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The study, published online recently in the Journal of Pain, is the first to use big data from headache and migraine patients using cannabis in real-time. Previous studies have asked patients to recall the effect of cannabis use in the past. There has been one clinical trial indicating that cannabis was better than ibuprofen in alleviating headaches, but it used nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid drug.

“We were motivated to do this study because a substantial number of people say they use cannabis for headache and migraine, but surprisingly few studies had addressed the topic,” said Cuttler, the lead author on the paper.

In the WSU study, researchers analyzed archival data from the Strainprint app, which allows patients to track symptoms before and after using medical cannabis purchased from Canadian producers and distributors. The information was submitted by more than 1,300 patients who used the app over 12,200 times to track changes in headache from before to after cannabis use, and another 653 who used the app more than 7,400 times to track changes in migraine severity.

“We wanted to approach this in an ecologically valid way, which is to look at actual patients using whole-plant cannabis to medicate in their own homes and environments,” Cuttler said. “These are also very big

ersit y Dr

Ackee is popular as the culinary partner of cod fish, but the leaves of the ackee tree, grown all over Jamaica is said to be useful to make a tea for colds, flu, asthma and mucus congestion. When mixed with salt the tea is also useful as a mouthwash for the oral disease, pyorrhoea and gum problems.

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Ackee Leaves

Inhaled cannabis reduces selfreported headache severity by 47.3 percent and migraine severity by 49.6 percent, according to a recent study led

by Carrie Cuttler, a Washington State University assistant professor of psychology.

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Jamaica, as do other Caribbean countries, has a wide variety of vegetation including herbs that are fixed in the national lore for their alleged curative prowess. However, there are also many trees with leaves that have been used to treat a variety of illnesses and ailments. Some of these leaves and their healing effect follows:

Ganja Cuts Migraine Pain By Almost 50%

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Some Jamaican plants found best for herbal treatments

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48 –

Irving Burgie

Preliminary Nomination for IRAWMA 2020 Now Open Until January 20

Writer of Barbados' Anthem And Belafonte Hits, Dead at 95 On the eve of Barbados' commemoration of its 53rd anniversary of political independence, composer Irving Burgie, who penned the nation's national anthem passed away at age 95.

Burgie was instrumental in introducing the popular musical genre, calypso, to America composing hits like “Jamaica Farewell” and “Day-O” (The Banana Boat Song) which American singing legend Harry Belafonte made into perennial hits.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Burgie's death at the nation's Independence Day Parade on Saturday, November 30, Independence Day. Burgie who lived on and off in Barbados was born in Brooklyn, New York to a Barbadian mother.

“Day-O” was written in 1952 and apart from

thrilling fans globally and appearing in the movie and stage version of the musical Beetlejuice, was used for the wake-up call for the astronauts on two Space Shuttle missions in the 1990s.

Burgie's songs have sold over 100 million records globally. Most of his songs were recorded by Belafonte, including eight of the 11 songs on Belafonte's 1956 album Calypso—the first album to sell over one million copies in the United States.

Burgess also wrote songs for the Kingston Trio (The Seine, El Matador, and The Wanderer) and other groups. Other popular songs written by Burgie included hits like “Island in The Sun,” “Angelina,” and the poignant Christmas song, “Mary's Boy Child.”

Empress Miriam Simone Making Moves After collaborating with top Jamaican music producer Bobby Digital on her 2012 EP, Surinamese singer Empress Miriam Simone believed it would be a sound idea to work with him again on songs for her debut album.

She traveled to Jamaica in late October for recording sessions with Digital, one of dancehall/reggae's most successful producers.

During the three-week stay, she also worked with producers Sheldon “Calibud” Stewart and Everton “Caveman” Moore and performed at the Dub Club in Kingston.

“I decided to record in Jamaica because I started to work with Bobby. His studio is based in Kingston, and he offered to do a project and we started to do some work together,” Empress Miriam Simone said.

Her Jamaican sessions produced seven songs including a duet with Sizzla, whose biggest hit songs are produced by Digital. They are expected to be on her album which is due for release in February, designated Reggae Month in Jamaica.

Digital, whose impressive list of credits include Sizzla's “Black Woman And Child” and “Don't Haffi Dread” by Morgan Heritage, produced two songs from Follow my Dreams, Empress Miriam Simone's debut EP. That project was her first major release since going solo in 2009.

Empress Miriam Simone remembers having diverse musical tastes growing up in Paramaribo, the Suriname capital. Sizzla, Bob Marley, and the I Threes, as well as soul singers Aretha Franklin and Mary J Blige, were some of her favorite artists.

Prior to launching a solo career, she was a member of Postmen, a reggae/hip hop group in Suriname. This was followed by a stint with Dutch group Dredda Youthz.

Empress Miriam Simone lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, which has one of the most vibrant reggae communities in Europe. There, she hosts Sweetmediation, a reggae show on the Radio RAZO station.

According to Empress Miriam Simone, “I started this radio program one year ago when I moved back to Amsterdam from Suriname. I bring different subjects to the front to meditate on such as spiritual enlightenment, selfawareness, mental freedom, black history, Chakra healing sessions and a lot of conscious reggae music.”

Christmas Edition

B3

DEC 13

Nominations for the 38th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) are now open to Reggae and World Music Industry members and others contributing to the entertainment industry.

The ballot will be available online on the official website www.irawma.com until January 20, 2020, for preliminary nominations.

IRAWMA, which is a product of Martin's International, will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica under the theme “Reggae Rise.”

For South Floridians who want to make the trip to Jamaica for the event, the website features a special discounted hotel/VIP package with two to three nights options between March 27 and 30, 2020.

IRAWMA organizers say that patrons will be treated to a weekend of Island fun in the sun in beautiful Jamaica. Also packed into the weekend treat for patrons is the experience of mingling with celebrities on the red carpet and the black-tie reception and Awards showcase, specially made for television, to be post televised on CBS/NBC TV and other global broadcasts.

The nominees will be announced at an official media launch on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Immediately after the announcement of the nominees, online voting will be opened to the public to select winners in several competitive categories. Voters will also have the option to mail-in the voting ballot.

Earlier this year, the 37th Annual International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in Kingston was televised on TVJ and RETV in Jamaica. On December 15, the 37th IRAWMA will be televised on CBS TV in Chicago and other selected markets in the United States.

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B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48

ON THE COVER

Not Beneting brightest and most promising young minds.

The depreciating dollar also contributes to the low standard of living. In November, the Jamaican dollar hit an all-time low of $142 to US$1. A significant slide in the value of the Jamaican dollar results in higher prices of goods and services, which puts a strain on local manufacturers, business owners, and consumers who are already struggling to afford their necessities.

For survival, many Jamaicans rely on remittances from family and friends overseas, particularly the United States. Remittances are Jamaica's second-leading contributor to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), behind tourism. President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Richard Pandohie, recently pointed out that Jamaica's remittances inflow is valued at $US2.3 billion out of a total GDP of US$15.8 billion per year (a 15% contribution).

Those who don't receive remittances as extra income have to find other means of survival. Many citizens, including university students, leave Jamaica for short periods of time to go work in foreign countries, like the United States, for better wages. Others migrate permanently (whether legally or

Shaw

from A1

illegally), having concluded that Jamaica has nothing better to offer them.

In 2018, the United States Homeland Security reported that a total of 10,626 Jamaicans overstayed their United States non-immigrant tourism/business (B1/B2) visas between October 1, 2017, and September 30, 2018. This practice of overstaying one's visa has long been a trend for Jamaicans desperate to escape poverty. Many try to find work “under-the-table” while others will attempt to marry a U.S. citizen in order to become permanent U.S. residents.

But this practice is proving not to be the best solution. Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in 2017, his administration has worked aggressively to reduce the number of illegal migrants entering the U.S. His tactics have put fear into many Caribbean nationals, including Jamaicans, who now doubt if they can flee to America to enjoy a higher standard of living.

Notwithstanding, Jamaicans either resort to migrating or stay and hang on to the promise of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, that prosperity can and will be achieved for all Jamaicans.

a tough group, Shaw's talent was evident. She scored four goals in two games during Jamaica's warm-up friendlies and since going professional in Division 1 Féminine with Bordeaux, Shaw has rarely looked back,” The Guardian wrote about Shaw.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) also extended congratulations to the player, who now plays for French professional club, Bordeaux.

“The JFF commends this outstanding athlete, footballer, woman, and Jamaican brand representative par excellence,” the federation said in a release.

Some of Shaw's achievements include scoring nine goals in 10 games to date for Bordeaux, which is currently the second-highest at the women's professional club level.

She is also the all-time leading goal scorer for Jamaica (male or female). This October during the Caribbean leg of the Women's Olympic Qualifiers, she also became the youngest female player to achieve 40 goals for her national team.

It is not the first time that Shaw is being acknowledged by The Guardian. In 2018, Shaw was named as The Guardian's Footballer of the Year, having been awarded for setting exceptional sporting example.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48 –

C1

COMMENTARY

Point Of No Return For Reggae Girlz Head Coach Hue Menzies

By L. Bronson

From all accounts it appears that the honeymoon between Hue Menzies, head coach of the Reggae Girlz, and his employer, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has ended, having reached a point of no return.

According to the England-born, Jamaican-raised American, the JFF has severed all communications with him, which leaves him no choice but to step aside.

It should be remembered that Menzies was absent for the first round of Caribbean Olympic qualifiers in late September to early October when his assistant Lorne Donaldson successfully led the Girlz through to the next phase.

And even before, there were signs that all was not well between the local governing body and the head coach.

That the relationship had been strained for a long time would be an understatement. Who can forget the many run-ins and public spats during this calendar year alone? The numerous unflattering utterings from the coach during financial negotiations and disagreements between the players and the JFF. During the preparation phase of the senior Reggae Girlz for the World

Cup Finals when FIFA had earmarked funds to help the 2019 FIFA World Cup participants, it was rumoured that Menzies made the unforgivable mistake of directly inquiring of the world governing body about funds due to the JFF, for which he was promptly lectured about the protocols of the FIFA operations.

It is our understanding that from then, his days were numbered, as he was seen as being out of order.

So the fact that he has been ostracized by his employers is not at all puzzling.

Said he: "I have not been communicated to by them (JFF) for 60 days after I reached out to them several times. We (staff) have put a lot of time and investment into the game for the last five years without pay. The JFF gave us a contract that expired in August, so I would like for them to pay what is owed on the contract and then pay off the rest of my reimbursement from the World Cup." In a statement to the media late Wednesday evening, Menzies said: "The JFF has ceased communication with me which makes it impossible for me to carry out my duties as head coach. Also, the JFF is presently in breach of their agreements, as they have not paid a single member of my entire coaching staff under the contracts they signed before the World Cup, yet somehow they found the funds to bring a large contingent of executives and back-office personnel to France in June. In good conscience, I cannot help an

organization that asks my people to work under these conditions."

He expressed gratitude to the late Captain Burrell and Marley, who invited him to be a part of the country's program, as well as his backroom staff and the players for a successful journey.

"We proudly celebrated the Caribbean Championship as well as being the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the World Cup. Our players have played for and graduated from colleges, and some have signed professional contracts, but most importantly, as a group, we have made the Jamaican nation proud on the world stage.

"My very special thanks go out to the players for their commitment and determination on and off the field in the face of crippling adversity and meager resources. I thank my devoted staff for grinding tirelessly and without pay from day one," he said.

Meanwhile, JFF President Mike Ricketts told the Jamaican media

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that he could not comment on the development until official communication is received from Menzies.

"We, the JFF, have not gotten a letter of resignation from Coach Menzies, so I would not want to comment. When a letter of resignation has been submitted, then a comment will be forthcoming," the JFF boss added.

So, reading between the lines it is clear that the JFF has had enough of Menzies. They have not responded to the coach but are ready and waiting to accept his resignation letter.

All good things, though, must come to an end, and Menzies' great work in qualifying the Reggae Girlz to a historic FIFA Women's World Cup Final in France this past summer, will never be forgotten.

The 55-year-old Menzies has played his part and nothing that has happened can overshadow that great achievement.

Who will forget that the women's program was shut down due to

scarce resources under the Captain Horace Burrell-led JFF Administration?

Cedella Marley was appointed as an ambassador of the women's program and she promptly pulled together a group of Jamaicans living in the U.S. to spearhead the technical staff and the rest is history.

Make no bones about it, Hue Menzies and his technical team including Lorne Donaldson, among others, have certainly made an indelible mark on Jamaica's football landscape, and that can never change.

But even as he prepares to depart this chapter of his life, Menzies was willing to offer genuine advice to the JFF leadership. "We need to maintain our status on the world stage and it is going to take an administration that is willing, first to care about the female game, and secondly, willing to invest in the growth of the game.

“I want them to understand that Jamaica is a brand and they need to figure out business strategies on how to market and secure that brand globally. Don't be afraid to invest, Jamaica is more recognized globally than we can even imagine in the women's game. We have put them on the map with women's football and they need to sustain it.”

The breaking up might have been acrimonious, but words to the wise should suffice. The Jamaican people are eternally grateful for your intervention, Mr. Menzies, and your impact on the women's program. We thank you!

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West Indies Names Squad for India Tour THE SQUAD

The West Indies recently announced its ODI and T20 squads for the upcoming tour of India, beginning next month.

Kieron Pollard will continue to lead both the ODI and T20 squads with Nicholas Pooran as his deputy in the shorter format and Shai Hope taking over the role of the vice-captain in the ODIs. The selectors decided to keep faith with the players who recently played against Afghanistan in Lucknow. West Indies, the reigning ICC World T20 champions, will begin its tour with the threematch T20 series, starting with the opening match in Hyderabad on December 6.

It will be followed by the second T20 in Thiruvananthapuram on December 8 and the third match to be held in Mumbai on December 11. The two teams will then meet in three ODIs in Chennai (December 15), Vizag (December 18) and

Cuttack (December 22).

Coach Phil Simmons said, “We have three matches in each format, so we wanted to give each squad a chance to compete against India.

“No disrespect to Afghanistan, but facing India will be a more difficult series, especially in the ODI. Our players really got the hang of thing with the 3-0 series win and I believe we will move from strength to strength.”

Talking about the T20 squad, Simmons said, “In the T20s this will be another chance for them to play and develop, and again no disrespect to Afghanistan, this should be a stronger T20 country and we will look to see how they perform against India.

“The next World Cup is in Australia (2020) and the one after that is here in India (2021) so there is a lot of preparation to be done for first for Australia, so we have given the players here a chance in this series and we know we have players outside who may be coming in later on as well, so it's good to give those here another opportunity.”

ODI squad: Kieron Pollard (C) Sunil Ambris Shai Hope Khary Pierre Rostan Chase Alzarri Joseph Sheldon Cottrell Brandon King Nicholas Pooran Shimron Hetmyer Evin Lewis Romario Shepherd Jason Holder Keemo Paul Hayden Walsh Jr. T20 squad: Kieron Pollard (C) Fabian Allen Brandon King Denesh Ramdin Sheldon Cottrell Evin Lewis Sherfane Rutherford Shimron Hetmyer Khary Pierre Lendl Simmons Jason Holder Hayden Walsh Jr Keemo Paul Nicholas Pooran Kesrick Williams.

Three Miami-Dade High Schools Head To 2019 Football State Champs Three Miami-Dade senior high schools will compete in the 2019 Florida High School Football State Championships. The three schools are Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami Central Senior High, and Miami Northwestern Senior High.

“These remarkable athletes have given our community an early holiday present. They have proven that Miami-Dade County Public Schools students are stars in the classroom and on the field,” said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. “We congratulate them and their families, as well as the staff of Booker T. Washington, Miami Central, and Miami Northwestern senior high schools.”

“It fills me with great pride to think of the enormous success these amazing scholar-athletes representing District 2 schools have achieved,” stated School Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall. “We must celebrate the children and salute the parents, administrators, coaches, faculty, staff, the community, and alumni for their never-ending support.”

The three championship games will be played at Daytona Stadium, 3917 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32124. Following is the schedule: Class 4A

Booker T. Washington Senior vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) Wednesday, December 11 / 7:00 p.m.

Class 6A

Miami Central Senior vs. Jones (Orlando) Thursday, December 12 / 7:00 p.m.

Class 5A

Miami Northwestern Senior vs. Jones (Orlando), Saturday, December 14 / Noon

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| THURSDAY, DEC 5 – DEC 11, 2019 | VOL. 16 NO. 48

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