Black Immigrant Daily News
door Arjen Stikvoort PARAMARIBO— Al geruime tijd wordt er flink geoefend om het optreden van de kinderen tot een groot
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Black Immigrant Daily News
The Minister of New Growth Industries, Hon. Kareem Musa, says the hefty price tag of the referendum is the reason for the delay, not concerns raised by the banking community
BELIZE CITY, Wed. Aug. 3, 2022
The process of legalizing cannabis in Belize and launching a cannabis industry has been put on pause after a recent meeting between the churches and government officials. There had been speculation that concerns raised by the banking community may have been the impetus behind the shelving of the marijuana legalization bills, which have gone through three readings—in both the lower and upper houses of the Belizean parliament—with only final assent from the Governor-General being necessary for them to be put into effect. The recently amended Misuse of Drugs Act and the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill 2022 had laid the legal framework for a legal cannabis industry in Belize, but an offensive from the churches, which garnered the requisite number of signatures to trigger a referendum on the matter, has brought efforts to get that industry off the ground to a sudden halt.
The referendum, which was set to take place by early September, has been put on hold after the government and churches agreed to hit the pause button. When recently interviewed by local reporters, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño said that his Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Chris Coye, had a meeting with key players in the banking community who expressed concern over the legalization, and how the industry could affect correspondent banking relations.
Minister of New Growth Industries, Hon. Kareem Musa, for his part, has acknowledged those concerns and how critical it is to preserve correspondent banking relations in Belize, but pointed out that the cannabis industry in Belize would be entirely cash-based — meaning revenue from the cannabis and industrial hemp industry would not be deposited in, or handled by, local banks with international correspondent banking relationships.
He noted that it had always been the intention within his ministry to have the cannabis industry operate on a cash-only basis, and he went on to point to the fact that the industrial hemp industry, among others in Belize, is considered cash-based.
“Correspondent banking is a live issue at all times for Belize and for the Caribbean, but what I can tell you is that countries like Jamaica, and Antigua, are moving towards it; Trinidad is about to pass their legislation, and St. Vincent. Those countries are moving toward the legalization of cannabis. As I always say, it is a cash industry, so when you ask me about banking– banking does not necessarily come into the picture unless you are banking your cannabis dollars,” he said.
He further noted that even the United States’ cannabis industry is a cash-based enterprise.
“In the Caribbean and the great United States, where it is a 92-billion dollar industry, it is a cash industry, so individuals who are engaged in the cannabis sector do not go and deposit their funds within the banks. That does not happen even in America,” Hon. Musa said.
Minister Musa went on to suggest that maybe a local institution with no international correspondent banking facility may be an option for the handling of earnings within the industry.
He pointed out, however, that the greater concern at this juncture of the process is the cost of the referendum, which the government has already set aside $5 million to cover in a recent supplementary appropriation. The process of having Belizeans vote on whether they support or oppose marijuana legalization, however, could cost much more than what was budgeted, and has caused the government to decide to stall the process.
“The real point is that it is a costly referendum, and so it’s $5 million it would have cost for us to do this referendum, and to me that is the real reason, but at the same time as we put a pause on the legislation, we have time to tighten up whatever loose ends there may be in terms of correspondent banking, but in my respectful opinion that will never be tied up,” Minister Musa outlined.
He also indicated that the government and other stakeholders will have to figure out a way to work around the global banking reality facing the cannabis industry.
“We will have to figure a way—whether it [be] opening community banks or credit unions that do not have correspondent banking in order to bank the dollars here in Belize. That is the solution, and there are several international companies who have expressed interest to come and open these community banks here, so there are solutions to that, but like I said, the primary concern at this time is the cost of the referendum,” Hon. Musa said.
Minister Musa emphasized, however, that commercial banks in the country would need to do additional due diligence to ensure the funds being deposited at their institutions are not proceeds from the cannabis industry—a concern that had reportedly been raised by one of the country’s major banks.
“What it does is that it imposes obligations on the local banks to do their due diligence to make sure that the funds that they are receiving are not related to, whether it is a cultivation license or a dispensary license, the banks just have to ensure that they are not receiving funds from the cannabis-related businesses. There are several other cash industries already in existence in Belize; for example, the cattle that we transship to Guatemala, tobacco, and the cigarette industry at the Free Zone—that is a cash industry. The hemp business right now in Belize … the funds received in relation to that industry is not accepted by the banks, and so cash industries are normal in Belize. We have to understand that, but there is a greater concern, because there is so much revenue to be earned from cannabis that in fact, the local banks are saying, ‘we want to make sure there are no issues for us’,” Hon. Musa outlined.
For now, however, the legalization of cannabis in Belize is on pause.
Late this evening, the churches and the Government of Belize released a joint statement which made that pause in the holding of a referendum (and the legalization of marijuana) official. The release states, “The Church Leaders on behalf of the petitioners and the Government of Belize request of the Governor General to defer the issuing of the Writ of Referendum until a date to be determined.”
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Black Immigrant Daily News
Alrick Smith, 36, a well-known street figure who escaped death multiple times, was fatally gunned down after leaving the Rene Villanueva Media Center following his participation in a short radio segment on MORE FM.
By Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 4, 2022
The man who was referred to in the streets as “a cat with 9 lives”, 36-year-old Alrick Smith, an affiliate of the PIV Bloods gang who had escaped death after being shot on a number of previous occasions, was executed a little after 10:00 p.m. after briefly being a guest on a MORE FM radio show at the Rene Villanueva Media Center on Slaughterhouse Road on Thursday night, July 28.
Smith’s final moments were captured by the surveillance camera, and in that footage, he could be seen entering the building along with a female companion at around 9:46 p.m. The footage also shows a silver Chevy Equinox stopping in front of the building for a few seconds after Smith entered, then driving off. That same vehicle would return to the scene a few minutes later.
While in the building, Smith and his female companion made their way to the studios of MORE FM, where a regular Thursday night radio show featuring Blue Steel Sounds was in progress, and Smith, in a short segment, joined the hosts on-air to promote his business, Car Guys, and to give away cash prizes to some listeners.
After Smith’s participation in that segment was done, he exited the building at around 10:03 p.m. and was casually greeted by some bystanders who were in front of the media center. At that point, he stepped outside the frame of the surveillance camera and was no longer visible in the recorded footage. That was the point at which he was besieged by bullets that purportedly were fired by the occupants of the silver Chevy Equinox that was seen earlier. He reportedly died on the spot. The car, with the gunmen inside, then sped away.
Notably, dents could be observed on the doors of the Chevy Equinox that had been seen in the surveillance camera footage of the shooting, and over the weekend, images of burnt remains of that same vehicle (which was found on the John Smith Road) were circulated throughout social media. On Tuesday, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams confirmed to local media that it was the getaway vehicle used by the shooters.
On the following day, Commissioner Williams informed the media that his department had found out that the Chevy Equinox used in the murder was brought into the country by Jody (Jedd) Burgess of the St. Martins De Porres area and was sold to Justin Usher, who flew out of the country on the day after the murder took place. Williams additionally noted that on the night of Smith’s murder, two persons were seen in the vehicle—one being a relative of Burgess and the other being Burgess’ close associate, according to reports.
“From what we made to understand, is that the day after the shooting, Justin Usher left the country. Certainly, him leaving the country may have been pre-planned, because you can’t just go to the airport and show up and catch a plane. You need to book your ticket at least 48 hours ahead. Notwithstanding that, though, we do believe that Justin Usher has some questions to answer. The two persons who we have been told were in the vehicle, we also have been reliably informed that one of them may be on their way to the US through the back; we’re still trying to confirm that. So what we have done is that to inform our Mexican counterparts, we have also put out wanted posters for Justin Usher and we will see if we can locate the other individual who is [a] close relative to Jody Burgess, who we believe is still in the country. But that group of four, we believe has all the answers to the murder of Alrick Smith, as we have now confirmed that his murder was inter-gang related,” explained Compol Williams.
Williams then went on to point to possible motives for the murder: “Certainly, from what we have obtained, it is over a woman. We also have second information that it may be over money, but the most credible one is that it is over a woman,” he said.
Before turning his life around and becoming a reputable car dealer, Smith was a notorious gang figure in the streets of Belize City and had been charged with numerous offenses. In 2014, he was accused of attempting to kill four on-duty police officers. Also, in 2016, he was accused of seeking to murder an entire family.
Notably, Thursday night’s shooting was the most recent of a series of attempts over the years to end his life, and the success of that final attempt startled many of his loved ones, who had begun to believe that he could defy death. In 2019, a gunman attempted to end his life, but only grazed him at the back of his head. Later that same year, he was shot at while socializing on Curl Thompson Street.
Kayla Flowers, Smith’s sister, told local reporters that his family had expected that he would become the target of gunmen again, but they did not expect another shooting to occur so soon, and they had begun to believe that he would survive any such attempts.
Flowers recalled how close she and her brother were during their childhood, when they were inseparable.
“[We] grew up together. Everything that we do together. If he is going to fix a bike, it would be me and him together. If he goes driving around to go look for someone, it would be me and him together. We’re always around. When he was younger, he had a lot of girlfriends, and I used to be the one he would take when he used to buy ice cream, and if he liked you he would buy you ice cream. That’s the way how I know him, that’s the way we grew up. We did everything together,” she said.
Interestingly, the chairman of the United Democratic Party, Senator Michael Peyrefitte, made an explosive claim in relation to the Alrick Smith murder while he was a guest on the UDP’s morning radio show, Fus Ting da Mawning. According to Peyrefitte, a police corporal with ties to the current administration might have been involved in the shooting, but attempts by police to detain him for questioning as a possible person of interest were suddenly halted after a call was made by a person of high rank within the administration, who instructed the officers not to proceed with the detainment of the corporal. Peyrefitte further claimed that the police corporal is a driver for a government official. Commissioner Williams, however, denied those allegations and told reporters that it was he, Williams, who told the officers to refrain from detaining the police officer, since there was in fact no sound basis for believing the officer was in any way involved in the shooting or connected to the shooters.
“In the wake of the murder [of] Alrick Smith, we had received information that the vehicle that was involved in the murder was parked at a particular house in the Japan area of Ladyville. Based on [the] information obtained, I directed that the police go to the house and retrieve the vehicle as well as whoever is the occupant of the particular home. Police visited the area … the house was seen with no one inside. I ordered a surveillance team be put in place to ascertain who lives at the house, because if the policeman that they were saying lived at that particular house, we know for a fact that he does not live there. He lives miles and miles away. And we also know for a fact that his parents also do not live there. They live much more down the road. So at the end of the day, certainly, the police officer that they were saying lived at the house or parents lived at the house, neither of [that] information was true,” said Commissioner Williams.
Williams further explained, “… somehow I was made to understand that, [the] directive was given to go and pick up the particular police officer and detain him. That information reached me, and I was the one who called the team that went to detain the officer and told them to stand down because of the fact that it is clear that he had absolutely nothing to do with the house, where he was alleging the vehicle was parked, and neither did he have anything to do with the investigation … I, again, insisted that we ascertain who lives at the particular house; that was done, and we [learned] that the person who lives [in] the house is a guy who works as an air traffic controller at the PGIA, and we got this information through the landlord. What we also learned, the police officer in question, he did live at the house. Over four years ago he moved out from that house and now resides with his wife miles and miles away.”
Smith leaves behind three children: two girls and one boy.
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Black Immigrant Daily News
By Khaila Gentle
BELIZE CITY, Wed. Aug. 3, 2022
The Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Bill is aimed at ensuring safe working environments for employees in Belize through the establishment of minimum standards for safety in the workplace. The Bill was first tabled in the House of Representatives in January 2014, but the process of implementing it has been a painstakingly slow one. According to Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) president Marcello Blake, though, the bill is being revisited, and the Chamber has finished its final review of it.
“We have actually concluded all the reviews, and what we’ve done now is created a marked-up version of the bill. So, instead of having what we were looking at—documents and Excel sheets and all of that in different parts—we’ve compiled all of that into the bill, so there’s a marked-up version that unions are going to review,” he said.
Blake informed the press that, after the unions have conducted a final review, the Bill’s stakeholders will submit their joint position on it in writing to the Minister of Local Government (Hon. Oscar Requena) for consideration.
When the bill was first introduced eight years ago, the then Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, stated that while the objectives of the OSH Bill were “laudable”, implementing it would come at a huge financial cost.
In the January 28, 2014 issue of AMANDALA, Barrow is reported to have said that “it is perhaps time, and maybe even overdue, that Belize makes this quantum leap forward.”
“But, let nobody be under any illusion about the substantial burden and cost that will come to the Government, as regulator and employer, as well as to the private sector, including small business persons and self-employed individuals, who will also have to become compliant—even if they employ just one person,” he added.
Soon after the bill was tabled, numerous stakeholders in the business sector and various industries raised concerns about various parts of it, including the proposed introduction of fines which, according to the BCCI, could easily cripple any small business.
Back in 2019, shortly after the tragic death of two construction workers at the Belize City Civic Center, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a statement declaring that it fully supported and had always been committed to the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill.
The two workers died after a platform on a scaffolding collapsed and sent six men plummeting to the floor that lay some 50 feet below them. The other four workers received extensive injuries. Jose Contreras, a witness to the tragic incident, told AMANDALA in an article dated Friday, September 13, 2019, that one man had pointed out the fact that the scaffolding was faulty, noting that the 2×6-inch piece of lumber supporting the platform “had a belly” and needed to be replaced.
While the BCCI had called for amendments to be made to the bill, in its 2019 statement it also noted “the record will show that at no point has the BCCI ever opposed the Bill itself.”
Today, the Chamber maintains that while it is important to continue to look out for employees and ensure that they are working in a safe environment, “it can’t be to the detriment of businesses.”
“Also in [the bill], it shares the onus of the responsibility, because the employee is just as responsible as the employer in cases where there are health and safety issues, and so it is important that we continue to ensure that our members are going to be adhering but also covered from certain levels of risk where the employee chooses not to utilize the resources that have been given to them by the employer,” said the BCCI president.
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Black Immigrant Daily News
Deux jours apr?s la c?l?bration du soixante-septi?me anniversaire du Compas direct (26 juillet 1955 – 26 juillet 2022), oeuvre du maestro, saxophoniste Nemours Jean Baptiste, le ”master brain”, l’un des trois <> de ce rythme, la musique ha?tienne a perdu deux (2) grands musiciens. Il s’agit de Joe Charles, 68 ans, (1954-2022), et Jean-Claude ”Charly” Dorsainvil 76 ans (1946-2022). Le premier, bassiste imp?nitent aux doigts tr?s flexibles, ayant boss? avec Z?kl?, Top vice, Tabou Combo, ?tait d’une dext?rit? exemplaire. Le second, chanteur, ancien membre du Bossa Combo et de l’Accolade de New York. Tous deux ont effectu? le voyage ?ternel le mardi 28 juillet en terre ?trang?re. Ils vivaient aux ?tats-Unis depuis de nombreuses ann?es.
En effet, Jean-Claude Dorsainvil, n? un 24 juin, le jour de la saint Jean-Baptiste -anniversaire du Magnum Band, <> des fr?res Pasquet, Andr? et de Tico – a entam? sa carri?re professionnelle avec le Bossa Combo qu’il a int?gr? dans les ann?es 1970 apr?s le passage ?clair de Raymond Cajuste chez les Difficiles de P?tion-Ville. Et, depuis lors, Charly s’imposait avec force, sans difficult? au devant de la sc?ne et avec panache. Il a chant? sur un ensemble de disques avec le Bossa qui, ? l’?poque n’?tait pas encore le <> comme l’aimait scander feu Jo?l Th?odore qui a rejoint dans le courant de l’ann?e 1980 le groupe du maestro organiste Adrien Jeannite.
Depuis son int?gration au Bossa Combo, avec sa voix de t?nor, Charly Dorsainvil avait d?j? conquis le public ha?tien. Il a enregistr? plusieurs disques avec cette formation musicale dont Agwetawoyo, Fo mamit, Bossu, Accolade, et Racines, le tout dernier. Avec l’Accolade de New York, sa voix a ?gay? les m?lomanes sur tous leurs disques, une dizaine environ. Tout au long de sa grande carri?re, Charly demeurait ?gal ? lui-m?me. D’un naturel calme, il n’avait jamais la grosse t?te. Il a permis ? d’autres de partager le devant de la sc?ne avec sa bonhommie providentielle.
Dans l’une de ses chansons portant le titre <>, sur le dernier album Racines qu’il a chant? avec le Bossa, Il disait :
<<Menm si nou pa la ank?,
z?v n ap toujou briye,
l ap rete yon souvni
nan k? tout moun demen>>
Et plus loin il ajoutait, <>. Ce texte est un t?moignage de la sagacit? de l’artiste. Jean Claude Dorsainvil n’avait pas rat? son coup. On ne se lassera jamais d’?couter cette voix pure et d’une rare diction. Ah oui ! Aller auditionner le bol?ro <> qu’il a chant? en deux versions, la premi?re avec le Bossa combo et la deuxi?me avec le groupe dont il ?tait l’un des fondateurs dans les ann?es 1980 : l’Accolade de New York.
Charly chantait avec une justesse et une aisance particuli?re. Il prenait les notes aig?es avec une facilit? admirable. Jean-Claude Dorsainvil chantait les pr?noms de femmes avec une passion d’amoureux. On se souviendra tous de: Rosie, Ramona, Marie Anne.
Dorsainvil dans <> il a exprim? son d?go?t de mani?re cru ? l’?gard des politiques. Il a d?nonc? la dictature, le pouvoir personnel : <>, comme il a chant? son pays natal, Haiti : Ayiti m pa gen dwa bliye w malgre distans ki separe nou… >>
Au moment o? la vie est devenue plus difficile, o? l’inflation galopante faisait rage, Charly avait chant? ce concept ?conomique. Il d?non?ait d?j?, dans les ann?es de Reggan et de Thatcher, la chert? de la vie, le commerce de la monnaie, le march? noir. Aussi dans son titre <>, il d?non?ait <>. L’accolade n’?tait plus en activit? ? New York depuis quelques bonnes ann?es. Entre temps, le march? ?tait transform? dans la capitale ?conomique des ?tats-Unis d’Am?rique et les musiciens avan?aient en ?ge sans parler de la maladie. L’homme, cet ?tre si fragile, tr?s souvent perd le sens de l’humain, donc de la raison.
Apr?s le d?part pour l’au-del? de certains musiciens de l’Accolade tels que, Fritz Coq, Jean-Robert Damas et Pierrot Volcy, aujourd’hui c’est celui du taciturne, du discret Dorsainvil que nous d?plorons. Le compas direct, une fois de plus, est orphelin de l’un de ses grands et talentueux noms. Ha?ti pleure un fils musicien digne de ce nom.
Dans le premier disque de l’Accolade, <>, Charly chantait dans <>:
<< Separasyon se yon bagay ki di,
separasyon se yon bagay ki tris.
Chak jou nou leve sesa wap kontre
Men w pap janm finn abitye o >>.
Jean Claude Dorsainvil est parti pour toujours apr?s avoir consacr? toute sa vie ? la musique ha?tienne. Il a travers? plusieurs d?cennies. Beaucoup se souviendront des mots forts de Charly dans l’hommage rendu ? ses fr?res musiciens disparus en 1985 dans <> une ann?e maudite, disait-il. Il leur rendait hommage avec une voix empreinte d’amertume, de m?lancolie. Il est aujourd’hui frapp?, ? son tour, par la grande faucheuse, la mort face ? laquelle il n’existe aucun g?nie, aucun pouvoir, aucun matador. La cloche va carillonner pour Jean Claude Dorsainvil ce mois d’ao?t 2022 en pr?sence de ses admirateurs, parents, amis et sa famille. Qui vivra verra. Bonne route Jean Claude Dorsainvil, notre Charly, notre cher regrett?.
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Black Immigrant Daily News
World U20: Jamaica shatter women’s 4x100m world record in Cali
World U20 Champs: Lyston wins 200m gold, Reid takes bronze
Ricketts sets Commonwealth Games record to win triple jump gold
‘Unwavering’ NEPA to suspend Windalco’s enviro permit after fish kill
Arsenal open EPL with 2-0 win at Crystal Palace
J’ca 60: Agro-Investment and Forestry Department to plant 6,000 trees
Commonwealth Games: Thompson-Herah cruises into 200m final
‘What recession?’: US employers add 528,000 jobs in July
12 hrs ago
Gold medallist Brianna Lyston (right) and bronze medallist Alana Reid embrace each other following the women’s 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday, August 5, 2022. (PHOTO: World Athletics).
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Jamaica’s Brianna Lyston secured her first major championship medal with gold in the women’s 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday.
The 18-year-old clocked 22.65 seconds for an easy victory.
Jayla Jamison of the USA secured silver in a personal best of 22.77 seconds while Alana Reid, the other Jamaican, took the bronze in 22.95, also a new personal best.
Lyston was the big favourite in light of her notable progression this year. She improved this year from 23.18 to 22.53 in the 200m and 11.44 to 11.14 in the 100m.
Traves Smikle took the bronze medal in the men’s discus with a fourth-round effort of 64.58m.
Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts captured the gold medal in the women’s triple jump at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England on Friday.
Ricketts put down a big marker in the first round. The two
Roshawn Clarke secured a spot in the men’s 400m hurdles final while his teammate Antonio Forbes did not advance
Jamaica’s Brianna Lyston secured her first major championship medal with gold in the women’s 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday.
The 18-year-old clocked 22.65 seco
Jamaica smashed the world U20 record in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday night.
True to their status as powerhouses in the relays, the Jamaic
Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has qualified for the final of the women’s 200-metre race at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
Thompson-Herah ran 22.63 seconds on Friday to easi
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
World U20: Jamaica shatter women’s 4x100m world record in Cali
World U20 Champs: Lyston wins 200m gold, Reid takes bronze
Ricketts sets Commonwealth Games record to win triple jump gold
‘Unwavering’ NEPA to suspend Windalco’s enviro permit after fish kill
Arsenal open EPL with 2-0 win at Crystal Palace
J’ca 60: Agro-Investment and Forestry Department to plant 6,000 trees
Commonwealth Games: Thompson-Herah cruises into 200m final
‘What recession?’: US employers add 528,000 jobs in July
6 hrs ago
From left: The Jamaica quartet of Serena Cole, Tina Clayton, Kerrica Hill, and Tia Clayton celebrate victory and a new world record in the women’s 4x100m relay final at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday, August 5, 2022.
NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!
Jamaica smashed the world U20 record in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday night.
True to their status as powerhouses in the relays, the Jamaican quartet of Serena Cole, Tina Clayton, Kerrica Hill, and Tia Clayton clocked 42.59 seconds to smash the previous world U20 record of 42.94 the same quartet set in Nairobi last year.
The USA took the silver medal in a national Under-20 record of 43.28 while host country Colombia secured the bronze in 44.59.
It was redemption for Jamaica as earlier in the year Tina Clayton teamed up with twin sister Tia, Cole, and Brianna Lyston at the Carifta Games on April 17 in Kingston and clocked 42.58 – significantly quicker than their world U20 record of 42.94, but the mark was unfortunately rejected by World Athletics because the relevant local authorities failed to drug test all four members of the team.
Traves Smikle took the bronze medal in the men’s discus with a fourth-round effort of 64.58m.
Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts captured the gold medal in the women’s triple jump at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England on Friday.
Ricketts put down a big marker in the first round. The two
Roshawn Clarke secured a spot in the men’s 400m hurdles final while his teammate Antonio Forbes did not advance
Jamaica’s Brianna Lyston secured her first major championship medal with gold in the women’s 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Friday.
The 18-year-old clocked 22.65 seco
J’Voughnn Blake secured a spot in the men’s 800m semifinals but his teammate Adrian Nethersole did not progress
Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has qualified for the final of the women’s 200-metre race at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
Thompson-Herah ran 22.63 seconds on Friday to easi
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Black Immigrant Daily News
6 August 2022
Honourable Dr. Terrence Drew
Political Leader
The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
Dear Dr. Drew:
On behalf of the people and Government of Antigua and Barbuda, I express congratulations to the heritage Labour Party on your victory at the polls, during an intense and unrelenting struggle for supremacy.
The long historical ties between The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party are well established and known. The emergence of the trade unions and the political parties which they spawned, more than eight decades ago, cause our populations to invest their faith in Labour’s continued governance.
Despite interruptions from time-to-time, the Labour Movement throughout the Anglo Caribbean is fully established as a superior choice for leadership.
I express the applause of the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda, and look forward to collaboration between our two states and governments in the regional and international issues which require joint action in the immediate future.
Please allow me to reiterate the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.
Honourable Gaston Browne M.P.
Prime Minister
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Black Immigrant Daily News
NEW YORK (PRWEB) AUGUST 05, 2022
When Jeff Redd and Theresa O’Neal met years ago, it was love at first sight. Jeff, a Grammy-Winner, legendary R&B artist had spent time producing, writing, and recording music for himself and others while deepening his roots in his hometown, Mount Vernon, New York. Theresa, a Jamaican born, Brooklyn-bred marketing specialist has worked over the decades with foundations, entertainment entities and most recently BIPOC marketing for Tony award winning productions such as Hadestown and MJ the Musical.
The couple met in 2013 backstage at BB Kings in Times Square after Jeff’s performance. The smitten gentleman walked over to Theresa and introduced himself with these two words “you’re beautiful”. Theresa responded immediately, echoing his sentiments, “you’re beautiful too”. And such was the beginning of a nine-year relationship filled with tremendous growth, understanding and undeniable love.
When the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) team heard that Jeff and Theresa were finally planning their wedding, they decided that they had the perfect couple to help relaunch their famed Romance Month promotion. The annual June campaign had been sidelined since 2019 due to COVID and restricted travel. The couple had also delayed their destination wedding plans due to the pandemic and thought that Antigua and Barbuda had much to offer.
To their delight, the bride and groom were treated like royalty upon arrival! The entire wedding was filled with picturesque, unforgettable moments. Jeff and Theresa were lavishly outfitted and styled by Couture Designer Noreen Phillips. Theresa was moved to tears when she saw how Phillips captured everything she wanted in her bridal dress. It was unbelievable and left her feeling like a queen. Jeff looked like a dapper gent, in a three-piece suit measured to perfection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE9nbTMGGfE&t=2sVideo by Watkins Multimedia Group
It was a week filled with sponsored excursions, delicious cuisine and enjoyable activities which left everyone in attendance breathless and extremely satisfied. To top it off, Jeff and Theresa met with the Honorable Prime Minister Gaston Browne and his wife Maria before their departure. See highlights from their visit here.
Carlisle Bay Antigua was the beautiful host resort, with four restaurants and a luxurious spa. The wedding took place on the beach and the gleeful couple didn’t miss the opportunity to dance barefoot during their reception! The evening was topped with breath-taking fireworks on the jetty.
The day after their wedding, they visited the Interpretation Centre at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard which also holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and danced the night away cliffside in Shirley Heights. Special thanks to Communications Specialist Andy Liburd for arranging the excursions.
The newlyweds departed for New York City but had no time to rest. Within three days, they did it all over again with over 200 guests present in New Rochelle for another epic celebration.
Even though the couple were legally married in Antigua, they decided to do an additional ceremony performed by Assemblyman Al Taylor. Taylor, who is also a minister, was Jeff’s longtime friend, once his road manager earlier on in his career. The reception was held at New Rochelle’s famed restaurant, Alvin and Friends, owned by Gwen and Alvin Clayton Fernandes.
With music hosted by DJ Sir Charles Dixon guests partied and danced along with the happy couple. For those interested in a more laid-back afternoon, there was the John Smith Trio, a live band featured in the Roscoe Lee Brown dining room. It was truly another day to remember. Link to more photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rGGMRzUaP2eDb1949
The couple, who were both previously married are proud of their six sons. They are both in their fifties and look forward to the second half of their lives building more special memories.
Special thanks to Chief Executive Officer Colin C. James, Dean Fenton, Carolyn Punter, Shermain Jeremy and the entire Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) Team. Additional thanks to Rowena Husbands and Myrdith Leon McCormack for the coverage in World Bride Magazine and Sharp Magazine Middle East.
Enormous gratitude and appreciation for eight-time Emmy-Award Winning Makeup Artist Elena George for her sharing expert services with the bride in Antigua and New York City.
Antiguan wedding images were graciously provided by Watkins Multimedia Group and Mohammid Walbrook Photography of Barbuda. New York wedding photos provided by Emmy-Winning Photographer Eshama John.
Participating sponsors include Antigua and Barbuda: Carlisle Bay Resort & Spa; Abbott’s Jewelers & Perfumery; Creative Blush Floral Designs by Sheena Samuel; Sweet Dreams Fine Art Cakes by Danielle George-John; Noreen Phillips Couturiere; Miranda Askie Designs; Antigua Vintage Teahouse; Baptiste Taxi Service and Car Rentals; National Parks of Antigua and Barbuda; Nelson’s Dockyard; UNESCO World Heritage Site; Shirley Heights Lookout Sunday BBQ, Diamond International Jewelry and Catherine’s Café.
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