10 Fast Facts About The UK’s New Caribbean Roots Foreign Secretary

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News Americas, LONDON, England, July 8, 2024: David Lammy’s appointment as the UK’s Foreign Secretary underscores the vital role of Caribbean heritage individuals in shaping global leadership.Here are 10 things to know about David Lammy, the UK’s new Foreign Secretary with Caribbean roots:

Caribbean roots David Lammy, UK foreign secretary, during a bilateral meeting with Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister, in London, UK, on Monday, July 8, 2024. Lammy said, in May, that if his side wins, it would “get into negotiation” when the post-Brexit trade agreement is reviewed in 2025. Photographer: Neil Hall/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Guyanese Heritage:
David Lammy, 51, is the son of Guyanese immigrants. His appointment as Foreign Secretary highlights the significant contributions of Caribbean immigrants to British society. Lammy was born on 19 July 1972 in Whittington Hospital in Archway, London, to Guyanese parents David and Rosalind Lammy. He and his four siblings were raised solely by his mother, after his father left the family when Lammy was 12 years old.

Educational Background:
Lammy grew up in Tottenham, and went to Downhills Primary School. At the age of 10, Lammy was awarded an Inner London Education Authority choral scholarship to sing at Peterborough Cathedral and attend The King’s School, Peterborough. He went on to study law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and later attended Harvard Law School, becoming the first black Briton to do so.

Legal Career:
Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1994, Lammy also worked as an attorney in California and is a visiting professor of practice at SOAS.

Political Career:
Lammy was elected as Labour MP for Tottenham at the age of 27 in June 2000. He has been a prominent figure in British politics for over two decades.

Ministerial Experience:
Lammy served nine years as a Minister in the Labour government and was appointed to the Privy Council in 2008. He has held various ministerial roles, including Minister for Culture and Minister for Higher Education.

Author and Advocate:
He authored ‘Out of the Ashes: Britain after the riots,’ a book exploring the causes of the 2011 riots and proposing solutions to prevent future unrest. He also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood.

Labour Party Victory:
The centre-left Labour Party won a landslide victory in Thursday’s parliamentary election, ending 14 years of Conservative government and promising to bring change to Britain.

Focus on International Relations:
In his first international trip as Foreign Secretary, Lammy plans to address key issues like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel–Hamas conflict, while seeking to reset the UK’s relations with the European Union.

Commitment to Regional Issues:
Lammy has expressed continued support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He is also aware of the impact of regional events, such as Hurricane Beryl, and advocates for international support and collaboration.

Critical of Slavery and Windrush

Lammy has spoken extensively on Britain’s history of slavery, calling for a deeper acknowledgment and understanding of its impact. He has also criticized the University of Oxford for its low admission rates of black students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He has also been vocal about the Windrush scandal, highlighting it as a grave injustice to a generation of British citizens who have contributed significantly to the country and deserve fair and respectful treatment.

“Being part of the Commonwealth means being part of an immense Caribbean diaspora living across the globe. Having an inter-generational connection to people on the other side of the world gives me a sense of belonging, comfort and solidarity,” Lammy said as MP of Tottenham. “Every day I am inspired by my mother who came to Britain from Guyana as part of the Windrush Generation. She worked so hard to look after me and my siblings – without her efforts I would not be where I am today. As somebody who walks on the same pavement, past the same shops and through the same parks as I did as a boy, I want my constituents to know that people like them can and should sit in the Palace of Westminster.”

Caribbean Roots Hamilton Secures Emotional Victory at British Grand Prix

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News Americas, New York, NY, July 8, 2024: British racing driver Lewis Hamilton, whose roots trace back to the Caribbean, clinched a dramatic win at the wet-dry British Grand Prix, marking his first victory since December 2021.

Caribbean roots Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 is reacting after being sprayed with Champagne during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit in Towcester, England, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The race saw Hamilton triumph in a gripping battle against Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, securing his 104th career win and a record-breaking ninth victory at Silverstone.

Hamilton, whose father is of Grenadian descent, managed to fend off Verstappen’s late surge, despite the Red Bull driver’s strong performance in the closing laps, to take second place. Norris completed the podium, finishing third.

This race was particularly poignant for Hamilton, who was driving his final British Grand Prix for Mercedes before moving to Ferrari next year. Overcome with emotion, Hamilton told his team, “This means so much to me,” as they celebrated the victory over the radio.

Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington echoed the sentiment, saying, “This one means a lot to us all,” to which Hamilton replied, “I love you, Bono.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the win as “a fairytale” for both Hamilton and the team.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, finished fourth, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz rounding out the top five in a thrilling race at Silverstone.

Grenada Keeps Old Citizenship by Investment Fee For Now Following Hurricane Beryl

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By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, New York, NY, July 8, 2024: On the heels of Hurricane Beryl, officials in Grenada have extended the fee increase deadline for applicants to its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program.

A family stands outside their home destroyed by Hurricane Beryl in Grenada. ( UNICEF/Sam Ogilvie image)

A statement issued by the Investment Migration Agency (IMA), which manages the program, noted that a revised pricing structure was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024. However, Grenada, along with other countries in the Windward Islands, was impacted by the category 4 storm, which caused widespread damage and disruption on the same day the new pricing structure was due to be implemented.

“Acknowledging the unforeseen challenges faced by our valued partners during this period, the Agency has decided to extend the application submission deadline to July 12, 2024,” the IMA said. “This extension aims to provide agents and the bank adequate time to effectively manage their responsibilities considering recent events, thereby ensuring the smooth processing of applications under the updated pricing framework.”

The IMA emphasized that the hurricane impacted the ability of agents and the Grenada Co-operative Bank to meet the original application submission deadline, as it required time for preparation, recovery, and subsequent operational adjustments.

Grenada, alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts-Nevis, and St. Lucia, is part of the sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a minimum investment threshold of US$200,000, effective July 1, 2024.

Grenada’s revised pricing structure, published in an extraordinary government gazette on June 26, sets the threshold for a single applicant under the National Transformation Fund at US$235,000. For those investing in an approved project, the cost is US$270,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four.

The IMA clarified that only fully completed applications submitted to Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited by June 30, 2024, with all required documents, will be accepted under the old price structure. Applications submitted by this date but incomplete will be processed under the new price structure once all required documents are provided.

Furthermore, any applications accepted under the old price structure but pending bank clearance must resolve all matters to the bank’s satisfaction and have funds received and cleared for submission to the IMA by July 31, 2024.

This extension is intended to ensure that all stakeholders can manage their responsibilities effectively in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, thus supporting the continued success of Grenada’s CBI program.

Machel Montano, Kes Extend Support for Hurricane Beryl Victims

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BY NAN ET Editor

News Americas, New York, NY, July 8, 2024: In the wake of the devastation and deaths caused by Hurricane Beryl across the Caribbean, especially in Grenada’s Petite Martinique, Carriacou, Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica, soca star Machel Montano has expressed his readiness to support the affected communities.

Machel Montano performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Writing on Instagram, the soca king said: “Sending out prayers for our Caribbean brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Beryl. . St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Bequia, Grenada, Carriacou, Barbados, Tobago, Jamaica… and all others affected or still in her path. Together we stand ready to support wherever and however we can!”

Fellow soca artist Kes also shared his support, sending “prayers to every Caribbean country currently affected and in the path of Hurricane Beryl” and encouraging “all to come together as a community in a trying time like this for those in need.”

The messages from Montano and Kes reflect a strong sense of solidarity within the Caribbean music community, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual support in the face of natural disasters. As the region continues to recover, the support from influential figures like these soca stars is a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Caribbean spirit.

Beryl has been blamed for at least 7 deaths across the Caribbean even as the scope of the damage is coming into focus in the Windward Islands, which took the brunt of the storm’s wrath when Beryl was near peak strength.

Beryl damaged around 95% of all homes in Mayreau and Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as in Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada, where it made landfall on July 1st.

The island of Carriacou in Grenada has been virtually “flattened” by the devastating Hurricane Beryl, reported a senior UN official on Friday, July 5th, as humanitarian teams intensify support to affected Caribbean communities.

Speaking via video link from Grenada, Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, described a scene of total devastation in Carriacou, where Beryl made landfall on July 1st.

“The entire island is completely affected … that is literally 100 percent of the population,” he emphasized.

Hurricane Beryl, the strongest June hurricane in Atlantic history, transformed from a tropical depression to a Category 4 storm, briefly reaching Category 5 status with winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph).

Nations near and far are dispatching aid. A French ship arrived in Carriacou later on Friday, along with assistance from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, according to Mr. Springett.

“We have a large outpouring of international response … it is really an international effort, and the UN is proud to be a part of this,” he said.

The damage extends to rural Jamaica, particularly in the southern parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and Saint Elizabeth.

Food For The Poor (FFTP) is assessing needs and responding with emergency relief supplies in Jamaica to help families affected by Hurricane Beryl, which blew off roofs, knocked out power, and battered the country with intense wind and rain on Wednesday.

Before Beryl approached, FFTP-Jamaica prepositioned food items in areas that could be cut off during the storm.

Critical aid ready for deployment includes:

Disaster preparedness kits for 500 families

16 containers of food

Six containers of healthcare supplies

Five containers of other essential items

A water filter unit from partner Water Mission with the capacity to filter up to 10,000 gallons of water per day

“Our distribution network in Jamaica reaches more than 30 end points, typically churches,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “We have a very large network to distribute aid.”

FFTP is also assessing needs in the southeastern Caribbean islands devastated by Beryl on Monday.

The charity prepositioned disaster preparedness kits in St. Lucia, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago to empower local response, each kit containing supplies for at least 250 families. Many countries are supporting each other through the network partner Caritas Antilles.

Cash donations are encouraged to expedite the delivery of aid and to make in-country purchases, assisting FFTP partners with grants. Support FFTP’s response at foodforthepoor.org/hurricaneberyl.

These Are The Athletes Representing Jamaica at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

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By NAN Sports Editor

News Americas, New York, NY, July 8, 2024: The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, (JAAA), has announced its star-studded line-up for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, showcasing a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Here are the athletes who will be representing Jamaica on the global stage:

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, seen crossing the finish line during the women’s 4x100m relay heats during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 25, 2023 returns to the 2024 Olympics. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Sprints:

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: Making her fifth Olympic appearance since her debut in Beijing 2008.
Kishane Thompson: The fastest man in the world this year, headlining the men’s 100m team.
Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake: Key contenders in the men’s 100m.
Tia Clayton, Lanae-Tava Thomas, and Niesha Burgher: Making their Olympic debuts in the women’s sprints.

Hurdles:

Janeek Brown and Ackera Nugent: Newcomers in the hurdles, joined by two-time world champion Danielle Williams.
Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, and Hansle Parchment: Competing in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Rushell Clayton, Shiann Salmon, and Janieve Russell: Representing Jamaica in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, and Malik James-King: Competing in the men’s 400m hurdles.

Middle-Distance:

Natoya Goule-Toppin and Adelle Tracey: Competing in the women’s 800m, with Tracey also running the 1500m.
Navasky Anderson: Representing Jamaica in the men’s 800m.

Field Events:

Romaine Beckford: NCAA National Division One high jump champion making his Olympic debut.
Lamara Distin: Joining Beckford in the high jump.
Chanice Porter and Ackelia Smith: Competing in the women’s long jump.
Tajay Gayle, Carey McLeod, and Wayne Pinnock: Representing the men’s long jump.
Shanieka Ricketts, Kimberly Williams, and Ackelia Smith: Competing in the women’s triple jump.
Jaydon Hibbert and Jordan Scott: Representing the men’s triple jump.
Samantha Hall: Competing in the women’s discus throw.
Roje Stona, Ralford Mullings, and Traves Smikle: Representing the men’s discus throw, with Fedrick Dacres as a reserve.
Lloydricia Cameron and Danniel Thomas-Dodd: Competing in the women’s shot put.
Rajindra Campbell: Representing the men’s shot put.
Nayoka Clunis: Competing in the women’s hammer throw.

400m

Junelle Bromfield, Stacey Ann Williams, and Nickisha Pryce: Representing the women’s 400m, with Stephenie Ann McPherson as a reserve.
Sean Bailey, Deandre Watkin, and Jevaughn Powell: Competing in the men’s 400m, with Rusheen McDonald as a reserve.

Relays:

Women’s 4x100m Relay Team: Tia Clayton, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, with Alana Reid as a reserve.
Men’s 4x100m Relay Team: Ackeem Blake, Jehlani Gordon, Oblique Seville, and Kishane Thompson, with Jelani Walker as a reserve.
Women’s 4x400m Relay Team: Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Nickisha Pryce, and Stacey Ann Williams, with Ashley Williams as a reserve.
Mixed 4x400m Relay Team: Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young, Zandrian Barnes, and Raheem Hayles, with Stephenie Ann McPherson and Kimar Farquharson as reserves.

Three New Caribbean Flights to Know

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News Americas, New York, NY, July 8, 2024: Travel enthusiasts have three exciting new flight options to the Caribbean, enhancing accessibility to some of the region’s most beloved destinations. From New York to St. Martin, San Francisco to Belize City, and Miami to Ocho Rios, these routes promise to make Caribbean getaways more convenient and enjoyable. Here’s what you need to know about these new flights.

New York to Saint Martin
Starting December 7, American Airlines is introducing a weekly non-stop flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to St. Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport. The Airbus A319 service will make it easier for New Yorkers to enjoy the French side’s renowned restaurants, beautiful beaches, and boutique accommodations.

San Francisco to Belize City
United Airlines is launching a non-stop flight from San Francisco to Belize City on December 21. This new route aims to boost tourism from the West Coast and connect Belize with major Asian markets via San Francisco. Travelers can explore Belize’s rich history, stunning reefs, and vibrant culture with this convenient new service.

Miami to Ocho Rios
American Airlines will begin daily non-stop flights from Miami to Jamaica’s Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios starting December 5. This new service significantly reduces travel time, offering direct access to one of Jamaica’s most luxurious and iconic destinations, known for its upscale resorts and beautiful coves.