Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 171

Abolition of Works Permits: An Example for Regional Integration

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

It has been interesting to read the responses in editorials and opinions in some regional media, concerning the decision by the two main political parties in Antigua and Barbuda to abolish work permits for nationals of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and the Dominican Republic.

The significant thing in the editorials and opinions, is that while they have

continued on page 5

USCIS Faces New Class Action Lawsuit for Delays ....12

Extension and Redesignation of Haiti for TPS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register notice for the extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Feb. 4, 2023, through Aug. 3, 2024. DHS previously announced the decision to extend and redesignate TPS for Haiti on Dec. 5, 2022.

This extension and redesignation of Haiti for TPS allows nationals of Haiti (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti)

who have continuously resided in the United States since Nov. 6, 2022, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since Feb. 4,

2023, to apply for TPS. Those who have been continuously residing in the United States since Nov. 6, 2022, and have a pending TPS application with USCIS do not have to refile at this time.

The Federal Register notice explains the procedures necessary for an existing TPS beneficiary to re-register under the extension and for an individual to submit an initial application under the redesignation and to apply for an Employment Authorization Document.l

The Honourable Gaston Browne Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Photo: antigua-barbuda.com

Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla

845 Third Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10022

Tel: 212-745-0200

Antigua & Barbuda

305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A

New York, N.Y. 10020

Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas

231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados

820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize

675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-593-0999

Dominica

685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic

1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036

Tel: 212-599-8478

Grenada

685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana

308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018

Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 555 5th Ave 3rd Floor New York, NY 10017

Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica

767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022

Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022

Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036

Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021

Tel: 212-535-5521

How Putin’s War and Small Islands are Accelerating the Global Shift to Clean Energy, and What to Watch for in 2023

BY RACHEL KYTE THE CONVERSATION

The year 2022 was a tough one for the growing number of people living in food insecurity and energy poverty around the world, and the beginning of 2023 is looking bleak.

Russia’s war on Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain and fertilizer feedstock suppliers, tightened global food and energy supplies, which in turn helped spur inflation.

Drought, exacerbated in some places by warring groups blocking food aid, pushed parts of the Horn of Africa toward famine. Extreme weather disasters have left trails of destruction with mounting costs on nearly every continent. More countries found themselves in debt distress.

But below the surface of almost weekly bad news, significant changes are underway that have the potential to create a more sustainable world – one in which humanity can tackle climate change, species extinction and food and energy insecurity.

I’ve been involved in international sustainable development for most of my career and now teach climate diplomacy. Here’s how two key systems that drive the world’s economy – energy and finance – are starting to shift toward sustainability and what to watch for in 2023.

Ramping up renewable energy growth Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has reverberated through Europe and spread to other countries that have long been dependent on the region for natural gas. But while oil-producing countries and gas lobbyists are arguing for more drilling, global energy investments reflect a quickening transition to cleaner energy.

Call it the Putin effect – Russia’s war is speeding up the global shift away from fossil fuels.

In December, the International Energy Agency published two important reports that point to the future of renewable energy.

First, the IEA revised its projection of renewable energy growth upward by 30%. It now expects the world to install as much solar and wind power in the next five years as it installed in the past 50 years.

The second report showed that energy use is becoming more efficient globally, with efficiency increasing by about 2% per year. As energy analyst Kingsmill Bond at the energy research group RMI noted, the two reports together suggest that fossil fuel demand may have peaked. While some low-income countries have been eager for deals to tap their fossil

fuel resources, the IEA warns that new fossil fuel production risks becoming stranded, or uneconomic, in the next 20 years.

The main obstacles to the exponential growth in renewable energy, IEA points out, are antiquated energy policy frameworks, regulations and subsidies written at a time when energy systems, pricing and utilities were all geared toward fossil fuels.

Look in 2023 for reforms, including countries wrestling with how to permit smart grids and new transmission lines and finding ways to reward consumers for efficiency and clean energy generation.

The year 2023 will also see more focus on developing talent for the clean energy infrastructure build-out. In the U.S., the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will pour hundreds of billions of dollars into clean energy and technology. Europe’s REPowerEU commitments will also boost investment. However, concerns about “buy American” rules within the new U.S. climate laws and an EU plan to launch a carbon border adjustment tax are raising fears that nationalism in trade policy could harm the speed of green growth.

Fixing international climate finance

The second system to watch for reform in 2023 is international finance. It’s also crucial to how low-income countries develop their energy systems, build resilience and recover from climate disasters.

Wealthy nations haven’t moved the energy transition forward quickly enough or provided enough support for emerging markets and developing countries to leapfrog inefficient fossil-fueled energy systems. Debt is ballooning in low-income countries, and climate change and disasters like the devastating flooding in Pakistan wipe out growth and add costs.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has brought together international financial institutions with think tanks and philanthropists to push for changes.

Countries like Mottley’s have been frustrated that the current international financial system – primarily the International Monetary Fund and the multilateral development banks, including the World Bank – haven’t adapted to the growing climate challenges.

Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative proposes a new approach. It calls for countries’ vulnerability to be measured by climate impact, and for funds to be made available on that basis, rather than income. It also urges more risk-taking by the development banks to leverage pri-

vate investment in vulnerable countries, including climate debt swaps.

The Bridgetown Initiative also calls for countries to reflow their IMF Special Drawing Rights – a reserve available to IMF members – into a proposed fund that vulnerable countries could then use to build resilience to climate change. A working group established by the G-20 points out that the “easiest” trillion dollars to access for urgent climate response is that already in the system.

In early 2023, Mottley and French President Emmanuel Macron, with others, will drive a process to examine the possible measures to improve the current system before the annual meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in April, and then at a June summit called by France. Watch in 2023 to see if this is the year the G-7 and the G-20 rekindle their global economic leadership roles. Their members are the largest owners of the international financial institutions, and also the largest emitters of carbon dioxide on the planet. India will lead the G20 in 2023, followed by Brazil in 2024. Their leadership will be critical.

Watch small nations’ leadership in 2023

In 2023, expect to see small nations increasingly push for global transformation, led by the V-20 – the finance ministers of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

In addition to the Bridgetown Initiative, Barbados has suggested a way to pool new funds working off the model of an oil spill damage fund at the International Maritime Organization. In the IMO fund, big oil importers pay in, and the fund pays out in the event of a spill. Barbados supports creating a similar fund to help countries when a climate event costs more than 5% of a country’s GDP.

This model is potentially a way to pool funds from a levy on the windfall profits of energy companies that saw their profits soar in 2022 while billions of people around the world suffered from energy price inflation.

Finally, the breakthrough agreement on biodiversity reached in December 2022 provides more promise for 2023.

Countries agreed to conserve 30% of the world’s biodiversity and restore 30% of the world’s degraded lands. The funding – a $30 billion fund by 2030 – remains to be found, but the plan clarifies the task ahead and nature’s place in it. And we can hope 2023 is a year when signs of peace in our war against nature break out. l

Rachel Kyte is the Dean of the Fletcher School, Tufts University

New York’s Housing Is Falling Apart. Here’s How to Stop That.

BY SAMUEL STEIN AND OKSANA MIRONOVA, URBAN MATTERS

The latest numbers are in, and they are not good. By almost every measure, basic maintenance of New York City’s housing is spiraling downward.

In response, the City needs to be more diligent about enforcing its building codes and to get tough on landlords who flout them. In our recent report Pathways to Social Housing in New York, co-authored with Celeste Hornbach of the New York City Comptroller’s Office and Jacob Udell of University Neighborhood Housing Program, we spell out some of the ways to do that.

First, though, New Yorkers have to face up to just how bad this problem has become.

Almost all the markers of maintenance deficiencies tracked in the triennial Housing and Vacancy Survey, last conducted in 2021 for New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), have gotten worse. For example:

•Some 24 percent of New York City buildings had rodent infestations in 2021;

•More than one in six apartments had leaks and 17 percent had cracks in ceilings or floors;

•Perhaps relatedly, 16 percent needed more heat in the winter and 10 percent saw heat shut off in the winter, which can lead to dangerous reliance on space heaters or open ovens; and

•Roughly 16 percent of buildings with elevators had elevator breakdowns.

The most recent Mayor’s Management Report also states that Fiscal Year 2022 saw a record 583,230 housing complaints, including (another record) 362,180 emergency complaints. The number of heat and hot water and lead paint complaints (131,579 and 39,787, respectively) were higher than any previous year reported. Meanwhile, the percentage of Housing Code violations corrected either by the owner or by HPD declined.

We need to turn these numbers around –immediately. Here are two good ways to start.

First: Increase civil and financial penalties for Housing Code violations. New York City has the most robust code enforcement system, and the steepest penalties for violating it, in the state. City

agencies tasked with enforcement can levy and collect fines either through administrative proceedings or by suing landlords.

However, the reality is that large portions of any resulting fines and penalties sit unpaid for years, or are forgiven in exchange for agreements that the repairs be made over time.

As of the end of 2020, in each of New York City’s five boroughs, between 65 percent and 85 percent of open Housing Code violations in rent-stabilized buildings had remained unresolved for a year or more. That translated into over 550,000 Housing Code violations that tenants had to live with over the course of 2020.

Tenants also often find that reporting poor conditions does not lead to meaningful building improvements. Even when repairs are made, they are often done on the surface level, leaving underlying problems to fester. This cycle, where tenants continually file complaints about issues that are never truly resolved, is demoralizing. Tenants are forced to adjust to unsafe living conditions and lose hope in the potential for collective change. The lack of serious financial consequences undermines the overall code enforcement system.

The City must escalate enforcement against landlords who repeatedly fail to make repairs, and push to recover 100 percent of levied fines and penalties, including the costs of repairs under proactive enforcement programs. For landlords who refuse to pay, public agencies must establish and proactively implement a transparent process to either force collection or initiate municipal foreclosure, and to transfer foreclosed properties to social housing entities, such as the city’s growing network of community land trusts.

Second, expand proactive enforcement. The City already has several proactive enforcement programs. These include the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP), Certificate of No Harassment (CONH), Proactive Preservation Initiative (PPI), and the Emergency Repair Program (ERP). These efforts either trigger active monitoring of a building’s conditions or allow the City to directly make repairs in longdecrepit buildings, at the owners’ expense. While these programs are a start, they do not go nearly far enough. New York City has more than two million renter households. Yet CONH covers only around 1,100 rental properties; the AEP program targets only 250 properties annually. While AEP is an effective enforcement mecha-

nism that should be expanded to additional buildings each year, a significant percentage of buildings remain in the program year after year, indicating that the City lacks an escalation strategy for landlords refusing to comply with increased enforcement. And while the ERP program is used more frequently, it often leads to shoddy and surface-level repairs.

Throughout 2019, New York City spent close to $48 million across more than 10,000 properties to correct dangerous issues in rental buildings through proactive enforcement programs. By the end of 2020, one data source estimated that landlords had paid back less than $8 million of those costs.

In order to compel landlords to reinvest in their properties, the government should make better use of its proactive tools. Code enforcement agencies must implement clear timelines for the resolution of violations and transparent processes by which proactive enforcement is triggered, rather than leaving the decision-making to individual code inspectors.

Further, proactive enforcement must be accompanied by heavier financial penalties, which create points of leverage to convert long-neglected and distressed properties into social housing. And most importantly, agencies proactively enforcing housing codes must work collaboratively with tenants and community groups, who have intimate knowledge of the history of building neglect and of past efforts to force owners to behave responsibly. When landlords continually refuse to keep their buildings in habitable conditions, these enforcement agencies must rely on tenants to drive escalation strategies, up to and including transfer of ownership or conversion to social housing.

As we stressed in recent testimony to the City Council Committee on Housing, strong code enforcement can make housing less attractive to investors seeking lucrative short-term returns. That’s key to reducing the kind of speculative and predatory real estate activity often predicated on tenants living in decrepit conditions.

In December, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a “moonshot” program to build half a million new units of housing over the next decade. But our housing crisis is about quality as well as quantity. When it comes to maintaining our existing housing stock, it’s time for the City to “get stuff done.”l

Samuel Stein and Oksana Mironova are housing policy analysts at the Community

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Did Your Workers' Compensation Benefits Stop Unexpectedly?

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides cash benefits and/or medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. Employers pay for this insurance and shall not require the employee to contribute to the cost of compensation. Weekly cash benefits and medical care are paid by the employer’s insurance carrier, as directed by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The Workers’ Compensation Board is a state agency that processes the claims. If Board intervention is necessary, it will determine whether that insurer will reimburse for cash benefits and/or medical care, and the amounts payable.

In a workers’ compensation case, no one party is determined to be at fault. The amount that a claimant receives is not decreased by the claimant's carelessness, nor increased by an employer’s fault. However, a worker loses the right to workers’ compensation if the injury results solely from their intoxication from drugs or alcohol, or from the intent to injure themself or someone else. There are many circumstances when individuals or companies may stop providing certain services. For example,

neglecting to pay monthly utility bills could result in the cessation of electricity and other services. Similarly, insurance companies may be able to cease payment of workers' comp benefits under certain circumstances. However, you may be able to get the insurance company to continue providing benefits in several ways. Oftentimes, if your benefits stop too soon, it's best to speak with a workers' compensation attorney to help you determine your options. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to file issues with your state's workers' compensation commission to reinstate your benefits.

Workers' Compensation Benefits Aren't Permanent

It's important to keep in mind that workers' compensation benefits are intended

to be temporary, with a few exceptions. The main goal of workers' comp benefits is to provide you with the financial support you need to recover and return to work following a workplace accident and subsequent injuries. Benefits could cover a variety of expenses, including medical bills and lost wages resulting from time taken off from work to heal. Ultimately, workers' comp benefits are intended to help you recover enough to get back to work within a reasonable amount of time following an accident.

In some cases, health care providers may determine that a worker won't recover beyond a certain point and is eligible for permanency benefits.

Permanent loss of bodily function and an inability to return to work could also warrant permanent disability benefits.

Why an Insurance Company Might Stop Paying Workers' Comp Benefits

Some of the reasons why an insurance company could cut off benefits include:

•A healthcare provider determines that a worker has reached a level of maximum medical improvement, which means that the worker won't recover any further and won't benefit from any additional treatment.

•The doctor designated by the insurance company determines that a recipient suf-

fers from a pre-existing medical condition that doesn't warrant compensation benefits.

•The employer's insurance company determines that the worker didn't suffer an injury as a result of a work-related accident.

•A healthcare provider provides a written report that indicates a worker is capable of returning to work.

Regardless of the circumstances, you may be able to file issues with your state's workers' compensation commission to appeal the decision to cut off benefits. From there, the commission will schedule a specific hearing date to discuss your case.

Consult with a Workers' Compensation Attorney

If you are cut off from workers' compensation benefits and believe that you still qualify to receive them, you should speak with an experienced workers' comp attorney who can provide some additional advice on these matters. A reliable attorney will help determine if you have a case and may be able to help you seek reinstatement of benefits from an insurance company. For a consultation on workers’ compensation, visit www.askthelawyer.us or call 855-768-8845. l

Abolished Work Permits/ continued from page 1

freely expressed opinions on the decision made by the two main political parties in Antigua and Barbuda to deal with this long contentious issue in CARICOM, they have been silent on the attitude of governments and opposition political parties in other CARICOM countries. The exception to this has been the editorials in the Jamaica Gleaner.

There is no question that the two political parties in Antigua and Barbuda have now put the cat among the pigeons in CARICOM. The decision of the Antigua and Barbuda Labor Party (ABLP) and the United Progressive Party (UPP) to liberalize the system by which CARICOM nationals migrate to, and work in, Antigua and Barbuda, raises questions about how far other members of the Caribbean Community are prepared to go to realize the purposes of the CARICOM Treaty.

The Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda allows its nationals to bestow citizenship on their grandchildren wherever they are born. Many of those grandchildren from the Dominican Republic took advantage of this Constitutional right to migrate to Antigua and Barbuda. This situation – unique to Antigua and Barbuda – is not relevant to CARICOM. Therefore, it is not discussed here.

When the Revised CARICOM Treaty was signed in 2001, it committed all the governments who were its ultimate signatories “to the goal of free movement of their nationals within the Community”. The governments raised the expectation that their people would be able to travel to each country freely; that they would have a single currency; and that there would be no duties and tariffs on goods moving from one country to the other. That was why the notion of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) was born – the nations of CARICOM would become one community and one market. The exception was The Bahamas, which does not participate in the group’s single market and economy arrangements.

Throughout the existence of CARICOM, preceding the signing of the Revised Treaty in 2001, its member states have had a checkered history regarding the acceptance of the movement of people between them. The exemplary country, during its previous economic heyday up to 1973, was Guyana, which welcomed Caribbean migrants from the region – a welcome that was taken up by many from Dominica, Saint Lucia and St Vincent who, among other things, became farmers in Guyana’s productive agricultural hinterland.

Now with its wealth in oil and gas, Guyana has once again become a magnet for Caribbean migrants and businessmen. This time it is nationals of Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago who are flocking to Guyana – not only ordinary people, looking for work but businessmen seeking to profit from selling goods and services.

But in the lean economic times of Guyana, when imports had to be restrict-

ed to preserve scarce foreign exchange, and the value of its currency slumped dramatically, Guyanese had a forbidding experience when they migrated to other CARICOM countries to find work. There were special benches for Guyanese immigrants at the Airports in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on which they endured confined circumstances before being deported.

Let it be said that the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, the late Barbados prime minister, Owen Arthur and the present prime minister, Mia Mottley were the three leaders who constantly stood up for the principles of movement of nationals within the Caribbean community.

However, Antigua and Barbuda was one of the few countries in CARICOM where Caribbean migration, while not without its restrictions, was far more tol-

erant. The reason was consistent commitment to Caribbean integration by its leadership, particularly Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, Sir Lester Bird and now prime minister Gaston Browne.

Sir Vere was one of the founders of the West Indian labour movement for independence from Britain, dating back to 1947. He conceived of West Indian independence from Britain in the context of a West Indian Federation with all the freedoms and rights for the people that such a federation offered. He saw the West Indian people as one, and was deeply disappointed at its collapse, triggered by a referendum in Jamaica. In the referendum campaign, ironically, one of the arguments used against the Federation was that “Jamaica would be overrun by the small islanders”. Today, it is Jamaicans that are heading to the small islands.

For his part, Sir Lester, while upholding the objectives of CARICOM, was a founder of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and was a strong and influential voice for the maintenance by its six independent member states of one currency, one central bank, one judiciary, one civil aviation authority and one economic space. The complete freedom of movement of nationals within the OECS today is due, in large part, to the leadership given by Antigua and Barbuda. Sir Lester saw the OECS as a successful model of regional integration

that CARICOM should emulate.

For all these reasons, Antigua and Barbuda, opened its doors to migration from CARICOM countries. Today it hosts people in relatively large numbers from Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Many of those people have become nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and their children are born Antiguan and Barbudan.

One of the lessons for the rest of CARICOM, is that migrants have brought value to development. Caribbean migrants in Antigua and Barbuda have contributed towards the transfer of skills and knowledge, and they endeavored alongside native Antiguans and Barbudans to achieve development from which all benefitted. This is reflected in Antigua and Barbuda’s steady economic growth which reached 8.3 percent in 2022, second only to Guyana with its new wealth in oil and gas.

The decision by the political parties in Antigua and Barbuda gives testimony to the part that freedom of movement of CARICOM nationals can and does play in attaining regional and national development objectives. It is a big leap forward, and an example to the region. l

Sir Ronald Sanders is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and the Organization of American States.

What’s Happening With Twitter Is a Threat to Democracy

BY DAVE TOOMEY

Two years ago, in a catastrophic reminder of the fragility of our democracy, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by far-right extremists attempting to overturn the free, fair, and secure 2020 presidential election. This violent insurrection did not happen in a vacuum. It was paired with numerous hurdles that voters faced during the 2020 election cycle amid a pandemic. And it was exacerbated by relentless efforts to spread disinformation on social media platforms to threaten civil rights, escalate hate speech, undermine election integrity, impose barriers to the ballot box, and discount the votes of communities of color.

Our already fragile democracy was tested again just a few months ago during the midterm elections. Many of the efforts to save democracy by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and those of other civil rights groups, paid off — helping to keep elections running smoothly and reducing the effect of election sabotage messaging and disinformation. In addition, almost all of the election deniers who ran for office in contested states lost and conceded their races.

However, Twitter’s performance on addressing election disinformation was particularly poor during the entire 2022 cycle. They started from a weak founda-

tion, as the major social media platforms largely did not acknowledge or take many steps to address election disinformation after the 2020 election — particularly around the Big Lie — and only restarted efforts in the weeks before the 2022 election. Most major platforms’ enforcement of their own disinformation policies continued to be erratic and inconsistent, particularly against high-profile users. As a result, the disinformation that spread widely led to false claims about voting processes and attempts to overturn the certified results of our elections, leading to direct threats to our democracy. Moreover, reports are emerging that the January 6 Committee found evidence that Twitter and other platforms ignored or downplayed warnings about violent rhetoric spreading on their platforms leading up to the insurrection and failed to enforce their rules against Donald Trump and other high-profile users.

And now, we face another crisis — this time posed by the recent chaotic management of Twitter, the increased level of hate speech and disinformation spreading on the platform, and the departure of key staff heading and working on trust, safety, and data security at several platforms. All of this demonstrates the real and adverse impacts that social media platforms can have on the health of our democracy and civil rights.

Reports show there is an alarming and unprecedented rise of hate speech regarding racial slurs on Twitter since Elon Musk took over on October 27, 2022. He has spread falsehoods on the platform, enabled easier spread of hate and disinformation on Twitter, and allowed accounts back on the platform that were previously banned — something that can result in offline harms, particularly for communities of color. It is now unclear who at Twitter is handling content moderation issues or whether there is sufficient staff to address them. Since Musk’s takeover, the company has shown a disdain for managing the spread of disinformation and the security of content on its platform.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now taking steps to determine whether Twitter may be violating an existing consent decree over the handling of users’ security information. The FTC is questioning key former executives about whether Twitter has complied with the agency’s 2011 consent order since Musk took over the company. Violation of this agreement that Twitter entered into with the FTC is a serious matter. It could result in billions of dollars of fines and potentially new obligations on Twitter and Musk himself that would remain in effect even if he leaves the company. The Leadership Conference recently sent a

continued on page 7

Editorial credit: Sergei Elagin / Shutterstock.com

President Biden and FEMA Urged to Accelerate Aid to NYC for Asylum Seekers

New York, NY: In a letter sent to President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell earlier this week, organized by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a majority of New York City elected officials urged the federal government to accelerate funding to municipalities to support arriving asylum seekers. The elected officials pressed for the City of New York to get its due share of the $800 million in assistance for municipalities allocated by Congress to FEMA in December, under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Schumer, as well as other categorical grants. The elected officials write:

“The right to flee persecution, and to seek asylum in another country, is a human right guaranteed under both international and U.S. law. Under those laws, guaranteeing that right is an obligation of the federal government. While New York City, as a city of immigrants that has

thrived on the contributions of newcomers for more than 400 years, is proud to play a significant role in helping our nation meet that obligation, the costs of meeting this national obligation should be borne by the federal government.”

The letter also urged the federal government to move quickly to accelerate work authorization for recent arrivals, noting the significant backlogs in immigration courts that may mean years before those arriving in recent months can receive work permits.

Many of the signatories have repeatedly called for increased state and federal support in recent months.

Comptroller Lander and Public Advocate Williams spoke with Senator Schumer about accelerating resources and work authorization for asylum seekers in October 2022. As part of the budget agreement in December, Senator Schumer negotiated changes to the structure of FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program to better enable cities like New York City to access these funds.

The letter is signed by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Borough Presidents Vanessa Gibson, Mark Levine, and Antonio Reynoso, and twenty-eight members of the City Council.l

What’s Happening With Twitter Is a Threat to Democracy/ continued

from page 6

letter to the FTC in support of this investigation.

The internet has created immense positive value by connecting people, facilitating civil rights advocacy, and adding new voices to our culture and public debate. But if Twitter (and other platforms) allow disinformation about our civil rights to spread largely unchecked, they will become known as the dominant threat to a democratic process that is becoming more vulnerable to social harms.

There are still major gaps that need to be addressed in the platforms’ management and enforcement of their own rules that are designed to curb this content. Stronger accountability measures

must be implemented to ensure disinformation does not spread widely. We have expressed our concerns about disinformation, trust, safety, and data security on Twitter and other platforms as these changes have occurred, and we will continue to do so. We stand ready to work to find solutions that will keep our democracy safe and stop the suppressive effect that disinformation has on civil rights and racial justice. Our civil rights and the integrity of our democracy are at stake.l

Dave Toomey is the voting rights and technology fellow at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

Online Racial Harassment Leads to Lower Academic Confidence for Black and Hispanic Students

BY ALVIN THOMAS THE CONVERSATION

Online racial discrimination or harassment has a negative effect on the academic and emotional well-being of students of color. That is the key finding from a study I published recently in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

For the study, I surveyed 356 Black and Hispanic teens across the U.S. I analyzed their responses to questions about their social media use and experiences. I also asked about their mental health and beliefs about their academic potential. The adolescents were 16 years old on average.

Girls in this study had on average one to three more social media accounts than boys. Girls reported depression levels that were four points higher than those of boys. This suggests more depressive symptoms among girls. Black teens reported social media activity that was three points greater than that of Hispanic

teens. They also reported more online experiences of discrimination – almost 10% more – than their Hispanic counterparts.

Black and Hispanic teens who used social media more were more likely than not to encounter online racial harassment or discrimination, whether as direct victims or observing their racial group or another racial group being demeaned or discredited. Brendesha Tynes, a researcher at the University of Southern

California, describes online discrimination as “disparaging remarks, symbols, images, behaviors that inflict harm through the use of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.”

Additionally, students who observed more online racial harassment or discrimination suffered more depression and anxiety than those with fewer of these negative online experiences. Higher levels of depression and anxiety undermined Black and Hispanic adoles-

Party Rentals for All

cents’ confidence in their academic abilities.

Students didn’t experience more depression and anxiety only when they personally, or members of their own racial or ethnic group, were targeted. They also experienced more depression and anxiety when they observed other people and racial or ethnic groups being targeted.

Why it matters

When teens encountered online discrimination during their social media use, they had fewer positive beliefs about their academic skills. This is noteworthy, because if it weren’t for this discrimination, teens who use social media often had more positive perceptions of their academic skills and abilities than those who used less social media.

Online racial discrimination and harassment represents a unique risk for teenagers of color. Not only are they more likely to see and post more racerelated content, but when this race-related content is negative it has harmful effects on their mental health, academics and overall behavior.

If society has a better understanding of how online racial discrimination and harassment affects teenagers’ mental health and academic well-being, then schools, parents and youth agencies could be better able to help reduce the harm.

What other research is being done

My lab and other researchers are conducting studies to determine other effects that online harassment may have on young people of color. For instance, I am currently exploring whether these negative online experiences may influence young people to engage in social and political activism. This includes protests, voting, canvassing, writing to legislators and community organizing.l

Alvin Thomas, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and the Phyllis Northway Faculty Fellow at the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a clinical psychologist and the founder and host of the Black Fatherhood Podcast. Dr. Thomas' research explores positive youth development and father involvement especially among Black families.

Students of color become less confident in their academic abilities when they encounter racially demeaning content online

Divorce and Foreclosure: What You Need to Know

BY VICTORIA FALK

What do you do when “I do” turns into “I don’t,” and you can no longer stand to be in the presence of the person that you imagined you would spend the rest of your life with? You vowed to be together “…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health….” However, the sight of this person now ‘makes you sick,’ and you wonder if things can get any worse. Divorce becomes inevitable.

Divorce can be devastating, as two people who legally joined their lives together return to living separate lives. Gone are the hopes and dreams of “forever,” and in many cases, there may be a loss of income. As a result of divorce, individuals who enjoyed, in many cases, shared savings and shared living expenses are now faced with the challenge of maintaining a household without the same level benefit of financial assistance from another person that was previously received. It may be a financial challenge for one spouse to purchase the house from the other or maintain the full responsibility of taking care of the homeowner’s expenses on their own.

The relationship between the divorce rate and the foreclosure rate is evident, with the foreclosure rate increasing as the divorce rate increases. According to a study conducted by Citywide Home Loans, divorce is one of the most common foreclosure causes. “Frequently, divorce means that one person is designated as responsible for making mortgage payments. This can put financial stress on the individual making mortgage payments, especially if there are missed spousal support payments. The stress that the divorce process brings (both emotional and financial), along with impaired communication, can also mean missed mortgage payments,” found Citywide

Home Loans.

However, divorce does not have to lead to foreclosure. There are things for the divorcing couple to consider. According to AllLaw, “A couple going through foreclosure at the same time they are going through a divorce should be aware of several issues such as: Who is responsible for the remaining debt on the home? How will the debt be repaid? What will happen to the house?” They may decide that one spouse may ‘become the sole owner’ of the property, or if neither of them wants the house, …they can attempt a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure. If one spouse will take over the property and the mortgage, that

spouse can then apply on their own for a modification or refinance.”

Most divorcing couples cannot communicate on the level needed to come to a compromise regarding the home and the mortgage on their own due to the deterioration of their marital relationship. As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for one spouse to want the other “to get out of the house” and/or to accuse the other person of wanting to miss required mortgage payments to spite the other spouse intentionally. Thus, increasing the likelihood of foreclosure.

An experienced divorce attorney and real estate expert, such as Mr. Brian Figeroux, of Figeroux and Associates, can assist those going through a divorce who are also facing foreclosure. Missed mortgage payments and foreclosure can affect your credit history years after the divorce. So, know your rights and responsibilities. If you or someone you know is in the process of divorce and facing foreclosure, then it is a critical time to speak to a lawyer.

Visit www.askthelawyer.us to get expert legal advice today or call 855-768-8845. The lawyer you hire does make a difference!l

Join the Bes t Online Paralegal Program N ow!

BY THE CHAMBER COALITION

The rise in popularity of online education programs means that it is easier than ever to find the right one for you. Deciding on the best paralegal online program requires research and time. By weeding out the level mills and sub-standard institutions, you can earn a quality certificate at an affordable price. When researching online paralegal programs, you will want to consider several factors: cost and institution reputation are the most important. With this in mind, one program rises above the rest.

The Chamber Coalition, which comprises the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), and the Hispanic American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC), offers the best online Paralegal Studies program. The competitive tuition rate, coupled with the impeccable reputation of the Coalition, makes this an obvious choice for anyone serious about their education. This is a program of the highest standard.

Additional certificates include LexisNexis and CLIO. We also use CALI which is what is used in law schools.

Requirements

To be admitted to the Chamber's Paralegal Certificate program, you must be at least eighteen years old, have strong computer skills, and have a high school diploma. If these qualifications fit you, you can continue the admission process. Applications are accepted online anytime during the year. A mandatory orientation describes your upcoming classes, guidelines, and expectations.

The tuition for this respected program is very competitive with other online paralegal degrees. It costs less than $1000 for the entire program. The average student can finish the degree in anywhere from six to twelve months. Books

are extra and will run around a few hundred dollars for everything. If you want the best paralegal online program at the best price, the Chamber Coalition Paralegal Certificate Program is the answer. The program is excellent for aspiring and current paralegals, individuals who plan to attend law school, community advocates, persons who want to understand the law and their rights, and prospective political candidates.

Is Being a Paralegal Worth It?

Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% job growth between now and 2029. The median salary nationwide in 2019 was $51,740, and the average mean wage was $61,810. It truly is a prestigious and significant profession. Simply put, paralegals help people. They help their employers be more efficient in their jobs, increase a firm's revenue and productivity, and help the clients.

A career as a paralegal can be rewarding professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help others; options vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area. l

Ready to take the leap, the next step? Visit www.freeparalegal.org

Looking

We are looking for persons to sell advertisements. Experience in advertising sales is needed and preferably experience or a sincere interest in marketing.

Interested?

Six Key Reasons You'll Want to Work With a Real Estate Agent When Pricing Your Home

Whether you know a little bit about the market, or you've sold a home before, you may be considering pricing your own home to avoid the assistance of a real estate agent. However, there are a number of benefits associated with consulting an agent when selling your home. Before making a final decision, consider the following tips:

They Know the Neighborhood

It's great if you have familiarity with market prices, but knowing a neighborhood is key when it comes to determining price. The right agent will be able to help you arrive at a price that is good for your home and practical for the area you're selling in.

Is the Market Hot?

The price may be right, but if the market has cooled off, you may have to make a compromise in order to sell it. Instead of trying to arrive at this on your own, an agent will be able to provide insights into the best strategy.

They've Sold in the Area

A local agent may have sold properties in

your area recently and may be well aware of the price potential. With this added expertise, they can walk the line between your ideal price and what you can get.

Preparing a Plan B

An agent may agree to go with a higher selling pricing if you're committed to it, but they will also help you make another plan if the price doesn't work out. It's disappointing to not get what you're asking for, but it's better to have a plan just in case.

Saving on Stress

your home, but it's quite another to deal with all the stress if it lingers on the market without an offer. If an agent assists you in determining your price, they'll also be there to shoulder some of the stress.

When It Comes to Negotiating

The negotiation following a home offer is make-or-break for selling your home, so having an agent is a great benefit. While they won't be able to make the decision for you, they can serve as a helpful guide in determining an appropriate counteroffer.

Many homeowners want to embark on selling their home on their own, but a real estate agent can be very helpful in determining a purchase price and assisting with the negotiations. If you're currently getting prepared to sell your home, you may want to contact one of our real estate professionals for more information.

To learn more about the home selling process or to list your home for sale, contact us today. Our real estate team is happy to assist. Call Equity Smart Realty Inc at 888-670-6791. We would be happy to share our guidance.l

USCIS Faces New Class Action Lawsuit for its Extreme Delays in Processing Waivers

BY AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL LEGAL STAFF

Many families in the United States live in a frightening limbo when processing delays prevent one family member from becoming a lawful permanent resident. A lawsuit was recently filed against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of 248 people, and a class of tens of thousands more, to end the delays, which have increased exponentially to about three years.

USCIS has already approved the immigrant petitions for the plaintiffs—all of whom are spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. But plaintiffs and their families cannot move forward until USCIS processes the waiver applications plaintiffs filed at least 12 months ago. USCIS previously decided these applications in under five months.

Plaintiffs can only complete the green card process after a personal interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and being admitted to the United States on the immigrant visa. But if plaintiffs leave the United States before USCIS approves

separated from their families potentially for years. They cannot proceed with their immigrant visa applications while the waiver application remains pending.

While they wait for a decision from USCIS, plaintiffs cannot work lawfully and have no protection against being removed from the United States. As undocumented noncitizens, many cannot drive if their state does not afford undocumented noncitizens a driver’s license.

All are suffering emotional and financial

-

not make plans for the future with their families because they cannot move forward with the immigration process. They and their families lose economic opportunities because they have no work authorization while their waiver applications languish. And the delays ultimately add additional months and years before they are eligible to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

The agency’s provisional waiver program was supposed to streamline the

application process and thus lessen the harm to families—but USCIS’ growing processing time instead inflicts greater harm.

The plaintiffs seek to certify a class of noncitizens who have filed or will file this type of waiver application and whose application has been pending for at least 12 months. For applications filed in the future, the lawsuit asks USCIS to decide the waiver application within six months from the date the application is filed.

The lawsuit was filed in the federal district court for the Western District of Washington by the American Immigration Council and the law firms of Gibbs Houston Pauw, Bless Litigation, Joseph & Hall PC, Kuck Baxter Immigration Partners LLC, and Siskind Susser, PC.

No family should be left in this bureaucratic limbo. Two years into the Biden administration, USCIS needs to be held accountable and ensure that it processes applications without delay.l

Read

How Can SIJS Help Immigrant Children Obtain a Green Card?

BY CHEREEN JAMES 311IMMIGRATION.COM

Quite often, the welfare of immigrant minors is raised among news outlets. In recent news, we heard about an alarming number of children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexican border and held in detention facilities. But what about children who overstayed their visas or were brought to the United States by other means? They, too, can obtain permanent residency through a Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) proceeding.

SIJ status is granted to children under 21, but preferably under 18. To obtain a Green Card through SIJ status, a Juvenile Court of their State of residence must deem those children as abandoned or neglected by their parents. A child can be considered abandoned or neglected when at least one parent refrains from providing adequate food, shelter, education, or emotional support, and other issues that can be brought to a Court to prove abandonment—including the death of a parent.

Once it is established that a child has

been abandoned or neglected, the Court will order a guardianship or a related custody order to meet their needs. The guardian or custodian does not need to be a citizen of the United States; however, they must not have any criminal records neither should other members of their household. An Order from the Juvenile Courts will be used to petition USCIS for the child to be granted a Green Card.

In 2017, Eber, from Guatemala, was granted SIJ relief and obtained his Green Card after his older brother was appointed to be his guardian. He left home because his father physically abused him, and both parents abandoned him. He faced deportation when he came to the United States

illegally. His application for guardianship, with the Court finding that his parents abandoned him, enabled him to receive Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Thus he was able to obtain his Green Card.

Not all cases are as extreme. Sometimes a Court will find neglect if a parent passes away and there is no one else to care for the child in the home country. Other times, the Court will determine that an abusive parent is neglectful and will place the child with an appropriate guardian.

Brian Figeroux, Esq., the attorney who advocated for Eber’s SIJ petition, said, “too many children who are abandoned in the United States don’t get proper advice

because the people they live with do not care, or they don’t get multiple consultations from seasoned AILA lawyers.” He also pointed out that social workers who work with immigrant children need to understand that SIJ proceedings are the solution to many of these children’s problems. He further said, “my concern is that those children are missing out on many opportunities to get a proper education and jobs, which can lead them to be frustrated, depressed, and suicidal.”

Many children brought to the United States by family members or who came on their own should know there is a way to find relief and obtain permanent residency. The SIJ status is one way whereby they can remain with loving relatives or be appointed new guardians who would care for them in the United States. They can find assistance from an immigration attorney with experience with family law matters, specifically with the Special Immigrant Juvenile petition. A legal consult will open the door to a future without fearing deportation. Call 855-768-8845 to schedule a consultation or visit www.askthelawyer.usl

Guyana, India to Create a Regional Agri-tech Campus to Expand the Agriculture Sector

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the strong bilateral relationship between India and Guyana will continue to produce fruitful outcomes.

As part of its efforts to expand the agriculture sector, President Ali noted that a regional agri-tech campus will be created to support the regional food hub. This is in keeping with the government’s commitment to advance the region’s food security strategy.

This was highlighted by the president during his address at the 74th anniversary of the Republic of India on Thursday, hosted by the Indian High Commission in Guyana.

He highlighted the discussions were comprehensive and covered areas related to the oil and gas sector.

Dr Ali underscored the discussions with Bangalore Bio-Innovation Centre will help to build Guyana’s agriculture sector with an ecosystem that includes a regional food hub.

This forms part of an ambitious strate-

gy to stimulate a biotech ecosystem to expand the agriculture sector.

Additionally, this will help to create an agri-tech campus that will deal with the technological aspect, research and development, technology, human resource training, and improvement in policies that will lead to greater yield and productivity.

Over the next few months, President Ali noted a plethora of measures aimed at creating a new ecosystem centred around agriculture, which will focus on highvalue, new areas, and innovation.

He added that technological innovation plays an integral role in nation-building.

The head of state underlined that Guyana is building a food production and agriculture system on a platform that will make it competitive and resilient to operate in an economy in 2023 and beyond.

The president noted that his administration will continue to position Guyana to be a strong, responsible leader, regionally and internationally, on the environment, climate, energy, and food security, among other areas.

“We must find strategic partners bilaterally, to work with us on a governmentto-government relationship, and basis to advance the energy sector. This is a policy position of the government. I am very pleased with the discussions we had at the highest level in India. And their overall deep interests in being a part of the

entire ecosystem of our energy sector,” the president asserted.

India’s support to Guyana has been outstanding, President Ali acknowledged while stating that their collaboration has touched nearly every facet of national development “through education, scholarships, training, technology transfers, and evolution of cultural development.”

President Ali also lauded India for its technological innovations which include the metro stations and harnessing the water source for electrical consumption.

“I look forward to India playing a key role in developing and helping economies, especially in transforming themselves from technological and human resource perspectives,” President Ali underlined.

The president was joined by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Former President, Donald Ramotar.l

Guyana President, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Carrot Cake

Pancakes

Kitchen Corner Watch Rihanna at the Superbowl Halftime Show on Feb 12

How does "cake for breakfast" sound? The spices in these pancakes take you right to the flavors of a carrot cake. They are drizzled with a thin frosting and topped with raisins, coconut flakes, nuts, and candied ginger. By Laura Kanya, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

Pancakes

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon table salt

1 cup whole buttermilk

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup finely grated carrot

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for griddle

Frosting

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon whole milk

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

3 tablespoons golden raisins

3 tablespoons toasted chopped pecans or walnuts

3 tablespoons toasted unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tablespoon finely chopped candied ginger (Optional)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the Pancakes: Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until combined. Add buttermilk, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla; stir until just combined. Stir in carrots and melted butter until just combined. Set aside.

Step 2

Prepare the Frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together cream cheese, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3

Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together raisins, pecans, coconut, and ginger, if desired. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium. Grease skillet or griddle with butter.

Step 5

Working in batches, scoop 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the skillet, being sure not to overcrowd skillet. Cook until bubbles begin to form on surface of pancakes and edges look dry, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, and cook until fluffy and slightly firm, about 1 minute. Repeat with remaining batter, adding butter and adjusting heat as needed.

Step 6

Divide pancakes evenly among 4 plates. Drizzle Pancakes evenly with Frosting, and sprinkle evenly with Topping.l

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 458 calories; total fat 25g; saturated fat 14g; cholesterol 96mg; sodium 630mg; total carbohydrate 49g; dietary fiber 4g; protein 11g; potassium 374mg

Cook Time: 5 mins

Active Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

International icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Rihanna will take center stage at State Farm Stadium for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII, on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

"Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn. A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment," said Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage," said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music. "Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another historic Halftime Show performance."

"Rihanna is an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats. "We're excited to partner with Rihanna, Roc Nation and the NFL to bring music and sports fans a momentous show — what an incredible artist for the inaugural Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show."l

16

PAHO: Five Billion People Unprotected from Trans Fat Leading to Heart Disease

GENEVA, 23 January 2023: Five billion people globally remain unprotected from harmful trans fat, a new status report from WHO has found, increasing their risk of heart disease and death.

Since WHO first called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat in 2018 – with an elimination target set for 2023 – population coverage of best-practice policies has increased almost six-fold. Forty-three countries have now implemented best-practice policies for tackling trans fat in food, with 2.8 billion people protected globally.

Despite substantial progress, however, this still leaves 5 billion worldwide at risk from trans fat’s devastating health impacts with the global goal for its total elimination in 2023 remaining unattainable at this time.

Industrially produced trans fat (also called industrially produced trans-fatty acids) is commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils and spreads. Trans fat intake is responsible for up to 500 000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year around the world.

“Trans fat has no known benefit, and

huge health risks that incur huge costs for health systems,” said WHO DirectorGeneral, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “By contrast, eliminating trans fat is cost effective and has enormous benefits for health. Put simply, trans fat is a toxic chemical that kills, and should have no place in food. It’s time to get rid of it once and for all.”

Currently, 9 of the 16 countries with the highest estimated proportion of coronary heart disease deaths caused by trans fat intake do not have a best-practice policy. They are Australia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Nepal, Pakistan and Republic of Korea.

GREEN CARD SLAVERY?

Best-practices in trans fat elimination policies follow specific criteria established by WHO and limit industrially produced trans fat in all settings. There are two best-practice policy alternatives:

1) mandatory national limit of 2 grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat in all foods; and 2) mandatory national ban on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils (a major source of trans fat) as an ingredient in all foods.

“Progress in eliminating trans fat is at risk of stalling, and trans fat continues to kill people,” said Dr Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives. “Every government can stop these preventable deaths by passing a bestpractice policy now. The days of trans fat killing people are numbered – but governments must act to end this preventable tragedy."

While most trans fat elimination policies to date have been implemented in higher-income countries (largely in the Americas and in Europe), an increasing number of middle-income countries are implementing or adopting these policies, including Argentina, Bangladesh, India, Paraguay, Philippines and Ukraine. Bestpractice policies are also being consid-

ered in Mexico, Nigeria and Sri Lanka in 2023. If passed, Nigeria would be the second and most populous country in Africa to put a best-practice trans-fat elimination policy in place. No lowincome countries have yet adopted a best-practice policy to eliminate trans fat.

In 2023, WHO recommends that countries focus on these four areas: adopting best-practice policy, monitoring and surveillance, healthy oil replacements and advocacy. WHO guidance has been developed to help countries make rapid advances in these areas.

WHO also encourages food manufacturers to eliminate industrially produced trans fat from their products, aligning to the commitment made by the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA). Major suppliers of oils and fats are asked to remove industrially produced trans fat from the products sold to food manufacturers globally.

The report, called Countdown to 2023 WHO Report on global trans fat elimination 2022, is an annual status report published by WHO in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives, to track progress towards the goal of trans fat elimination in 2023.l

Scientists on Hunt for Better Ways to Treat Slipped Discs

They bulge, they slip, they rupture. But scientists continue searching for novel ways of diagnosing and treating diseased spinal and cervical discs that can cause debilitating pain, lower quality of life, and affect as many as 20 of every 1,000 adults in the United States, says renowned spinal surgeon Dr. Kaixuan Liu.

Dr. Liu refers to at least two recent studies, one, in a 2021 issue of Nature Communications, suggesting a cocktail of drugs that remove age-associated cells and prevent disc deterioration, and a 2022 article, published in Biomaterials, proposing use of human stem cells –regenerative therapy – for rejuvenating discs.

Aging is a prime culprit in disc disease, says Dr. Liu, founder of Atlantic Spine Center in New Jersey and New York. “The aging process dries out spinal and cervical discs. It makes them brittle and sometimes forces them out of their normal positions in the spinal column, causing them to protrude (bulge), slip, and rupture.”

But aging is not the only villain. “Back injuries; undue spinal stress from heavy

lifting, sports, and various repetitive activities; years of poor posture; genetics; and, of course, obesity – too much weight in the abdomen pulling on the spine – are all causative factors for disc disease,” Dr. Liu says.

Indeed, some experts even blame evolution — from four-footed to bipedal movement — on the human tendency to break spinal discs. In a presentation at an annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a scientist from Case Western University noted that just normal walking —moving a foot and leg forward while

swinging the opposite arm – results in a twisting of the spine, and this twisting, after millions of steps, eventually causes wear and tear and an eventual breakdown of the intervertebral discs.

Dr. Liu describes discs as “rubbery, elliptical pads” located between vertebrae in the neck and back. They serve as natural “shock absorbers,” protecting the spine and cervix from stressors and giving it flexibility. Each disc consists of a tough outer shell — the annulus fibrosus, which surrounds a soft, gel-like center –nucleus pulposus. A disc may “slip” if the tissue connection between disc and spinal bone is torn. Rupture occurs when the tough outer membrane of cartilage cracks, and a portion of the disc’s inner core material leaks out.

Although often asymptomatic, slipped and herniated discs can compress spinal nerves, cause nerve and tissue inflammation, and lead to development of multiple complications, such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal); spondylolisthesis (resulting in lower back pain); and sciatica. With sciatica, a patient may experience intense pain radiating down a leg or arm; the pain follows the pathway of the nerve irritated by the deteriorated

disc. The sciatica patient also may complain of numbness, burning and tingling, and muscle spasms and weakness. In extreme cases, the herniation may impact a patient’s bladder and bowel control.

“The spine is a complex system of nerves, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and bone, so pinpointing the source of a patient’s neck or back pain is not always a straightforward process. But disc herniation is frequently the underlying cause of the discomfort,” notes Dr. Liu.

Meanwhile, researchers are seeking more advanced imaging methods and analyses to pinpoint disc disease even earlier in its course. Authors of a study appearing in a 2022 issue of European Radiology indicate “the diagnostic sensitivity of MRI for cervical ruptured disc is [currently] very low (about 35-45 percent)” when health professionals use only “the standardized definition of lumbar disc nomenclature.” However, these same scientists evaluated “two novel [preoperative] MRI signs,” which, they suggest offer “a more accurate diagnosis…of ruptured disc in the cervical spine.”

conitnued on page 19

Dating the Aquarius Man

BY MARY CAMPBELL

The regular Aquarius man traits include being a rebellion, unique, charismatic, and spontaneous. They are creative and always think out of the box and are known for doing something against societal rules and agendas. Aquarius traits in a man are dominant in every aspect of life, be it personal or professional.

Are Aquarius Men Loyal?

Aquarius is a fixed sign, which means they're loyal, independent, and stubborn as hell…not exactly a recipe for getting along with the two other notoriously stubborn fixed signs, Taurus and Scorpio. There's just too much fixed energy here! Dating the unpredictable Aquarius man is certain to be an adventure. The idea of a conventional date is foreign to this gentleman, so don't accept his invitation unless you're ready to experience life to the fullest.

Dating

With an imagination often described as "wacky", the curious Aquarius man will always choose the path less followed. Plans are often thrown out the window in favor of a spontaneous decision to try

something else.

The Aquarius man won't ride a rollercoaster unless he's in the front seat and he'll never go someplace simply because it's popular. Normal tourist attractions will be ignored, and obscure cafes will be visited before any conventional eatery. Be wary of this gentleman's penchant to disagree with your opinion. You can be annoyed by his argumentative quirk or accept it as an opportunity to test wits with this gregarious Aquarius man. Your friends may mention their dates,

but you'll talk about yours. That's the difference when you date an Aquarius man.

Relationships

Ask an Aquarius man and he'll tell you that friendship is the foundation of all successful relationships. Taking time to build an emotional and intellectual connection with his partner, the Aquarius gentleman will never rush into a serious commitment.

The Aquarius man's non-traditional dating style mirrors his love-life. A strong relationship will necessitate a continual change in routine because complacency leads to this man's downfall: boredom and monotony.

Romance

Comfortable with his sexuality, the Aquarius man's open-minded attitude about sex makes him the perfect lover. Experimentation isn't shunned, it's expected. If you're ready to move passions to another level, the Aquarius man is the one to do it with.

Dating the Aquarius man is like opening a long awaited birthday present. He'll wrap a bow around one whimsical plan after another and deliver each as a gift to be enjoyed in the moment but remembered for a lifetime.l

Slipped Discs/

continued from page 17

Many disc tears and herniations will clear up on their own without treatment, but Dr. Liu advises conservative measures first for patients who do develop painful symptoms. “These measures can include prescribed or over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and light aerobic exercises like swimming, yoga, and walking.”

Some patients may require second-line therapies, including pulsed radiofrequency or injections of epidural corticosteroids, which temporarily block pain signals coming from irritated nerves and limit the body’s natural release of inflammatory biochemicals, Dr. Liu says.

He adds that surgery, like discectomy, endoscopic microdiscectomy, or laser disc decompression, becomes an option only when all non-surgical approaches have failed, and the patient continues struggling after six weeks to eight weeks of conservative care.

The optimal approach, of course, is to protect the overall health of the spinal column.

“Most importantly, if you are experiencing serious back pain that is not clearing up on its own, contact an orthopedic spine specialist. Significant treatment delays could lead to nerve damage or other complications,” Dr. Liu warns.l

Protecting Individuals With Dementia from Wandering During the Winter

Wandering is a very common and potentially dangerous behavior among individuals living with dementia. It is of particularly great concern in areas where freezing temperatures, ice, and snow create additional safety hazards. To help families protect their loved ones living with dementia this winter, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing tips to reduce the chances of wandering, and prepare care partners to respond quickly if their loved one is missing.

“Every family care partner wants to keep their loved one safe, which is why it’s important to take steps to reduce the risks associated with wandering. During the winter, it’s especially important for families living in areas affected by cold weather, snow, and ice,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Being proactive by understanding and addressing the reasons someone may wander, while also having a plan in place in case of an emergency, are the best ways to protect the person’s safety and quality of life.” Here are some tips for families:

Address the motivation for wandering. There can be many reasons why someone with dementia wants to walk outdoors. It may provide a feeling of purposefulness, excitement, or pleasure. Wandering can also be a response to excessive stimuli, triggered by the need to get away from noises and people. It could be an expression of an unmet need (i.e., hungry, thirsty, a need to use the bathroom). Identify consistent and sustainable ways to support these experiences in a safe environment. You might try: creating walking paths around the home with visu-

al cues and stimulating objects; engaging the person in simple tasks; offering stimulating and enjoyable activities (i.e., exercise, music, crafts). Ensuring basic needs are met can reduce the chances of wandering.

Safeguard the home. Facilitate safe movement by avoiding clutter and eliminating tripping hazards. Be mindful of how objects like car keys, jackets, and purses might trigger the person to leave suddenly. Install electronic chimes or doorbells on doors so someone is alerted

if the individual tries to exit. Consider utilizing a smart doorbell with an app that can notify you when someone is entering or exiting the home.

Be aware of your loved one’s patterns. Know what times of the day may be more activating than others, and try to provide stimulating activities during that time. Encourage healthy sleep habits to reduce the chances of the person leaving during the middle of the night. If your loved one does wander, keep a record of their patterns (frequency, duration, time of day, etc.) to help guide you in the future.

Develop a safety plan. Keep a list of places the person may go (i.e., previous home or place of employment, favorite spots around town), a recent close-up photo, and medical information readily accessible to give to first responders if needed. Maintain a list of people to contact if the person goes missing and ask neighbors to call you if they see the person out on their own. See if your community has a safety program for families affected by dementia, such as Project continued on page 21

Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association Names New CEO

When Barbados hosts the 41st annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace this May, the first time in CHTA’s history, the island’s local hotel and tourism association will introduce to the global travel community one of its newly minted leaders.

Following the recent departure of two chief executive officers – Rudy Grant, now Barbados’ Consul General in Miami, and then cruise industry veteran Geoffrey Roach – Ryan Forde will become CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) on February 13.

Renée Coppin, Chairman of the BHTA and a distinguished local hotelier, said the association’s board of directors and members were unanimous in their excitement and pleasure at his selection. “In our 70th year of existence as an association, as a mature tourism destination coming out of a pandemic, we feel it is time for our industry to take fresh guard,” she commented, referring to the cricket expression when a batsman marks where he or she will stand in relation to the

stumps and gets ready to build or resume an innings.

With more than 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Forde, 34, has held various management positions and joins the BHTA having served as a sales and marketing manager at Jamaica’s acclaimed tour company, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which operates across five Caribbean destinations.

The bilingual Barbadian holds a master’s degree in tourism and hospitality from EADA Business School (Barcelona,

Spain) and a bachelor’s degree with honors from the Barcelona Business School (UIBS) in international business and a minor in tourism management.

According to the BHTA, he is the first Barbadian to be accepted and graduate from the Elevator Management Trainee program for Hilton Worldwide, where he trained as a manager across multiple Hilton brands and departments throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

With a proven track record of successfully delivering on significant marketing projects and sales initiatives, Forde explained that he is up for the challenge of being one of, if not, the youngest CEOs to join the BHTA team. He noted that his main mission is to work towards the continuous improvement, growth and success of the Barbados tourism industry.

“Ryan represents the new face of the organization while incorporating the best of our traditional values of excellence, which we hold dear as an association. He is a young, intelligent, well-educated, and trained industry professional and totally symbolizes our commitment to bring the best and brightest into this, our island's leading industry,” said Coppin.l

Lifesaver, which allows you to voluntarily enroll your loved one to receive locating technology which first responders can activate if the person goes missing. To the greatest extent possible, utilize input from the person when developing the plan.l

AFA’s Helpline, staffed entirely by licensed social workers who are specifically trained in dementia care, can provide additional information about wandering prevention tips. The Helpline is available seven days a week by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-5865283), and web chat (www.alzfdn.org).

Ryan Forde, incoming CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association Photo via Marketplace Excellence

Jamaican-Born Dr. Marsha Harris Honored by NCAA for Her Collegiate and Professional Achievements

BY STEPHANIE KORNEY, JAMAICANS.COM

On January 11, 2023, Jamaicanborn Dr. Marsha Harris, a member of the New York University’s Athletics Hall of Fame, was one of six former student athletes honored at the convention of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for her outstanding achievements during her college years and in her professional life. Harris was recognized with the Silver Anniversary Award on the 25th anniversary of the completion of her college athletics career. She and the other five honorees were nominated for the award by the administrators of their former undergraduate schools and chosen by a panel comprising former student athletes and representatives of NCAA member schools and conferences.

Dr. Harris was twice named the firstteam All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and brought New York University’s team its first national title at the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship in 1997, scoring the basket that won the game in the last 1.5 seconds. She was

also named University Athletic Association Player of the Year twice and an All-UAA honoree four times. Harris holds the school record number of career points with a total of 2, 140, as well as the school’s record number of field goals made with 779. She tied the record for making the most points in a single game with 41. Harris was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame at New York University in 2004.Harris was the recipient of the NCAA Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship in 1998 and attended the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University, where she completed her surgery residency. After completing a fellowship at the Colon and Rectal Clinic of Orlando, Harris became a colorectal surgeon board certified in specialties of minimally invasive and robotic surgery for colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, and among other colorectal disorders.

Dr. Harris is the owner of Park Avenue Colon and Rectal Surgery in New York and serves as clinical assistant professor of surgery at the Grossman School Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. From 2018 to 2022, she was voted one of the Castle Connolly Top Doctors in the New York Metro Area. She was named

one of the top doctors by New York Magazine in 2021 and 2022 and has received the Vitals Compassionate Doctor Award and the Vitals Patient Choice Award. She was also listed on the Healthgrades Honor Roll. Dr. Harris is a

member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The other NCAA awardees were Phil Dawson, Allison Feaster, Lenny Krayzelburg, Peyton Manning, and Kate Markgraf.l

Dr Marsha Harris. Photo via Jamaicans.com

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