Team USA Advances To Super 8 Round Of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

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News Americas, LAUDERHILL, Fl., Sat. June 15, 2024: Cricket USA has made history by advancing to the Super 8 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This marks the first time the US team has reached the second stage of an ICC World Cup cricket event.

USA fans show their support prior to the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Ireland at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium on June 14, 2024 in Lauderhill, Florida. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Their final Group Stage match against Ireland was washed out due to rain at Broward County Stadium on Friday, June 14, 2024, resulting in the teams sharing the points. This draw ensured that Team USA finished three points ahead of Pakistan, who have one match left against Ireland.

A Team USA fan shows his support prior to the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Ireland at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium on June 14, 2024 in Lauderhill, Florida. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Team USA’s journey to the Super 8 included victories over Canada and Pakistan, and a narrow defeat to India, who topped Group A and also advanced to the next stage. Team USA will next face South Africa in Antigua on Wednesday, June 19, as part of the Super 8 round hosted across the Caribbean.

Team USA fans show their support during the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Ireland at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium on June 14, 2024 in Lauderhill, Florida. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Reaching the Super 8 stage also guarantees Team USA’s automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, Team USA will receive a minimum prize of $382,500 for making it to this round.

The Super 8 format consists of eight teams divided into two pools of four. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals. Team USA is grouped with South Africa, West Indies, and either England or Scotland, depending on the remaining Group Stage outcomes.

Aaron Jones, Team USA’s representative, shared his thoughts at the post-match press conference in Florida. Fans interested in supporting USA in the Caribbean can purchase tickets at t20worldcup.tickets.com.

USA Cricket Super 8 Schedule:

Wednesday, June 19: vs South Africa @ 10:30 AM in Antigua

Friday, June 21: vs West Indies @ 8:30 PM in Barbados

Sunday, June 23: vs England or Scotland @ 10:30 AM in Barbados

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is co-hosted by West Indies and USA from June 1 – 29, 2024. This event is the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 20 international teams playing 55 matches across nine cities. It is the first time the USA hosts matches in a T20 World Cup, with 16 First Round matches held at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York), Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium (Dallas), and Broward County Stadium (Lauderhill). The West Indies, who last hosted in 2010, will hold matches in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Cricket West Indies and T20 World Cup Inc. oversee the local delivery of the event, supporting the growth of cricket in the USA.

RELATED: CARIBBEAN HERITAGE PLAYERS IN TEAM USA

Top Non-Fiction Books Of Summer 2024

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Sat. June 15, 2024: Looking for some new non-fiction books to read this summer. Here are the Top Non-Fiction Books of 2024 according to Goodreads.

#1

Want to Read

#2

Want to Read

#3

Want to Read

#4

Want to Read

#5

Want to Read

#6

Want to Read

#7

Want to Read

#8

Want to Read

#9

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#10

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#11

Want to Read

Will Rain Stop Play Again This Weekend At Broward Stadium?

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News Americas, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Fri. June 14, 2024: With the first ICC cricket match in Broward County washed out on Tuesday between Sri Lanka vs. Nepal due to rain, fans are wondering if the same will happen today and this weekend?

The LED board reads “Match Abandoned” during a rain delay of the ICC Men´s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between Sri Lanka and Nepal at Central Broward Regional Park on June 11, 2024 in Lauderhill, Florida. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The much-awaited ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket competition is here in Broward County, Florida, but no one thought rain would lead to a wash out. It’s left to be seen what will happen this morning between the USA and Ireland as they are set to clash at 10:30 AM at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium.

The other matches lined up for this weekend are:

Saturday, June 15: India vs. Canada​; match starts at 10:30 AM​

Sunday, June 16: Pakistan vs. Ireland​; match starts at 10:30 AM

PARKING

Convenient onsite parking is available at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, with ample spaces accessible from West Bound, East Sunrise Blvd. Parking opens two hours before the first ball on match days. Arrive early to park and explore the stadium before the event begins.

GETTING TO THE GROUND

There is no public transport to the stadium. General ticket holders are encouraged to use the nearby parking options or ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Ride-sharing drop-off is at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (3800 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311).

Access and Parking

General Access: From North Bound, Road 441, turn right into 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311.

Parking: Access from West Bound, East Sunrise Blvd. General Parking is $40 + tax.

Ride Share: Use the app and specify the stadium as your destination.

Train

If travelling from Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or Orlando, take the train to Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station, less than 5 miles from the stadium. Groups of 4+ save 25% on SMART fares.

ENTRY TIMES

Gates open two hours before the first ball of all matches at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium:

Morning Matches: Gates open at 8:30 am (EST), first ball at 10:30 am (EST).

Evening Matches: Gates open at 5:30 pm (EST), first ball at 7:30 pm (EST).

Arrive early to avoid queues and enjoy pre-match entertainment.

TICKET RESOLUTION

For ticket-related inquiries, visit the ticket resolution office at the Main Gate entry for assistance.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

The stadium offers a variety of food and beverage options, including snacks, meals, and drinks. Alcoholic beverages are available at selected points. Note that outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the stadium.

How The Caribbean Is Reviving Endangered Species

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. June 13, 2024: The Caribbean is home to many unique animals, from marine mammals to rare lizards. Just as many people head off to the Fisherman’s trail to see White Storks and dolphins, the Caribbeans see a lot of wildlife tourism too. 

Over the years, though, many species faced extinction due to threats like overfishing and pollution. But recent efforts show that the tide is turning and the work is helping these species recover.

Recent Success Stories

White Cay Rock Iguana

Thirty years ago, fewer than 150 White Cay rock iguanas lived on a small island in the Bahamas. Today, there are over 2,000. Conservationists achieved this by removing invasive species like ship rats and raccoons. These invasive animals threatened the iguanas by eating their eggs and young, and so today stand a better chance of survival.

Antiguan Racer Snake

The Antiguan racer snake was once the world’s rarest snake. In 1995, only 50 were left on one small island. Conservationists worked hard to protect these snakes and they ended up relocating them to predator-free islands, which increased numbers to over 1,000.

Sombrero Ground Lizard

The Sombrero ground lizard lives on Sombrero Island off the coast of Anguilla. Due to deforestation and hurricanes, their numbers dropped below 100. Conservationists removed invasive species from the island, which helped the lizard population more than triple since 2021. 

Cross-Border and Regional Efforts

Marine Reserves

New marine reserves have played a big role in protecting endangered species. A recent example is the Hermandad reserve in Ecuador. This reserve helps protect migratory species like sea turtles, whales and sharks from industrial fishing and even climate change. It forms part of the East Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, which stretches from Ecuador to Costa Rica, showing that international co-ordination has reaped rewards​​.

Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC)

The CBC is a joint effort by Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. It started in 2007 to protect over 200,000 square km of coastal ecosystems. These areas are key for migratory routes and the reproduction of species like whale sharks and sperm whales.

Comprehensive Management Strategies

Managing invasive species has played a major role in the strategy behind the conservation efforts. The lionfish invasion, for example, poses a threat to local marine life. Efforts to control their population are ongoing. Another issue is the spread of Sargassum, a type of seaweed. Countries are working together to share data and find ways to manage its impact on beaches and marine habitats​​.

Less than half of the countries in the region sufficiently measure how well these areas are managed. Improving this can help ensure that conservation efforts are effective. One step towards this has been the Visión Amazónica initiative in the Amazon, which aims to integrate protected areas across nine countries.

Community and Policy Engagement

Conservation efforts also support local economies. As mentioned, local communities benefit from tourism because it’s a big attraction. Of course, sustainable tourism is important, and this needs to operate on a local level too. Training programs help local people become involved in conservation, such as teaching law enforcement officers how to protect wildlife. 

So far, regional cooperation has been the key to successful conservation. The UN Biodiversity Conference aims to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030, but more localised collaboration and sharing of data has been the real turning point. 

The Caribbean is making significant strides in conservation. As the beach and sea remain a big tourist attraction, the importance of sustaining local wildlife has become a priority. By working together and implementing effective strategies, the region is helping each other to help endangered species recover.

The Caribbean Will See More US Flights

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News Americas, New York, NY, Thurs. June 13, 2024: The Caribbean is set to welcome an increase in flights from the US starting this month, continuing through the year and into next year.

Jamaica will see more US flights.

Southwest Airlines has launched new services from Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida to four Caribbean destinations for the summer travel season. Starting June 4, the airline began daily flights to Grand Cayman, Nassau, Providenciales, and Punta Cana. These new routes complement Southwest’s existing services from Orlando to Aruba and Montego Bay, Jamaica, along with an expansion of service to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

From May 24 to September 2, Southwest expects to connect nearly 57 million customers to destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America, providing over 4,000 daily flights.

Meanwhile, American Airlines is adding new routes and increasing flights to the Caribbean in time for a winter warm-weather escape. The airline will introduce eight new flights, including a new route to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. This daily flight from Miami will start on December 5, operated by an Airbus A319, making American the only US airline to fly directly to La Romana.

Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network and schedule planning, stated, “Customers will have more reasons to choose American than ever before for nonstop fun in the sun this year. We are excited to continue growing our network to the region with more flights this winter to the Caribbean and Latin America than any other US carrier ever.”

American Airlines’ additional new routes this winter include:

Charlotte to St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

New York to Barbados: Daily service starting Nov. 5 on a Boeing 737

New York to St. Lucia: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

New York to St. Maarten: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on an Airbus A319

New York to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

Philadelphia to Barbados: Saturday-only service starting Nov. 9 on an Airbus A321

Philadelphia to Costa Rica: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

Frontier Airlines is expanding its services to include a new route from San Juan (SJU) to St. Croix (STX), starting in April 2024.

Sun Country Airlines has announced new nonstop flights from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, as part of its winter schedule. These flights will operate from mid-December 2024 through early April 2025.

Punta Cana Flights: Starting December 26, 2024, initially running twice per week, with an increase to four times per week from January 23, 2025, until April 7, 2025.

Montego Bay Flights: Commencing January 25, 2025, operating twice a week until April 5, 2025.

The expansion of flight services by these major airlines underscores the growing demand for Caribbean travel, promising more convenience and options for travelers looking to enjoy the region’s warm weather and vibrant culture.

US Official For Guyana

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 12, 2024: US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador, Bonnie D. Jenkins, will travel to Guyana tomorrow.

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador, Bonnie D. Jenkins,

Ambassador Jenkins will be in Guyana from June 13 – 14, 2024.While in Guyana, the Under Secretary will participate in bilateral meetings, meet with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and attend side events to underscore the U.S. commitment to arms control, nonproliferation, and international security.

Her visit comes just days after The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), slapped sanctions on three Guyanese, including a government official.

Ambassador Jenkins, PhD, has served as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security since July 22, 2021. As Under Secretary, she oversees three bureaus: the Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability Bureau; the International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau (ISN); and the Political-Military Affairs Bureau. In addition, as of May 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken named Under Secretary Jenkins as the senior official to lead the Department’s efforts on AUKUS implementation. She is the first African American to serve as an Under Secretary of State.

Jenkins previously served in the Obama Administration as Special Envoy and Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs in the ISN bureau from July 2009 until January 2017. In that role, Ambassador Jenkins coordinated U.S. government efforts on threat reduction programs alongside international programs that prevent non-State actors with intent to do harm from acquiring chemical precursors, biological pathogens, nuclear material, and radiological sources to develop Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). She was also the State Department’s lead for all four of the Nuclear Security Summits held from 2010 to 2016, as well as the U.S. Representative to the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

Caribbean American Sean Kingston Out Of Jail and Performing

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News Americas, New York, NY, Weds. June 12, 2024: The “Beautiful Girls” superstar is back. Caribbean American star Sean Kingston marked his return to the stage with an inspiring performance at Alabama’s Sand Mountain Amphitheater on Saturday, June 8th, following recent legal allegations. He is out on $100,000 bail after spending time in jail in California and Florida.

Sean Kingston is on bail and performing. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)

Last month, Kingston was arrested at his show in Fort Irwin, California, following a raid on his Miami mansion that linked him to a widespread fraud ring allegedly run with his mother, Janice Turner. He was extradited to South Florida and booked into the Broward County jail. Local 10 reports that the 34-year-old recording artist, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, faces several felony charges after authorities accused him and his mother of committing over a million dollars worth of fraud.

His arrest in California occurred soon after Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies raided the mansion he rents in Southwest Ranches on May 23. During the raid, authorities also arrested Kingston’s 61-year-old mother, Janice Turner. Both mother and son now face serious allegations tied to their involvement in a major fraud operation.

Kingston addressed his situation, saying, “I am gonna use this situation and have it be a fuel to my fire, I’m back.”

As Kingston prepares to face a judge, the music world watches closely, awaiting further developments in this high-profile case. The allegations have sent shockwaves through the industry, putting a spotlight on Kingston’s legal troubles and the potential ramifications for his career.

Two Caribbean Heritage Players Are Part Of The U.S. Cricket Team In The ICC World Cup

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 12, 2024: As the US faces India today in the ICC World Cup match in Nassau, NY, two Caribbean heritage players are part of the US Cricket squad in Caribbean American Heritage Month. They are:

Aaron Jones

Caribbean heritage cricketer, Aaron Jones of Team USA, is presented with the Player of the Match award from Ian Bishop after winning the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Canada at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on June 1, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Aaron Jones, the current vice-captain of the US Cricket Team, is of Bajan parentage. A right-handed top-order batsman and occasional leg spinner, Jones made his List A debut in January 2016 and his first-class debut in October 2017. He has been a significant player for the US since 2018, making notable contributions in T20I and ODI formats. Jones was the leading run-scorer for the US in the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament and has continued to excel, including a standout performance in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup where he scored a match-winning 94 off 40 deliveries. Jones was presented with the Player of the Match award from Ian Bishop after winning the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Canada at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on in Dallas, Texas.

Steven Ryan Taylor

Caribbean heritage player Steven Taylor of Team USA poses for photographs with fans after the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Pakistan at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on June 1, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Florida-born Steven Ryan Taylor, of Jamaican parentage, is a left-handed top-order batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler. Taylor has played in West Indian domestic cricket and several Caribbean Premier League (CPL) teams. He has been a key player for the US, becoming the first U.S. batsman to score a century in Twenty20 competition in 2013. Taylor made his ODI debut for the US in April 2019 and achieved his first ODI century in June 2022 against Nepal. Known for his explosive batting and reliable off-spin, Taylor has been an essential part of the US cricket team’s growth and success on the international stage.

Match time for today’s match-up is 10:30 AM EST.

RELATED: Full ICC Cricket Schedule

These Ten Caribbean Nations Are Poised For Positive Economic Growth In 2024

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News Americas, Washington, D.C., Weds. June 12, 2024: Ten Caribbean nations are forecasted to show positive growth this year, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The overall growth for the Caribbean is expected to strengthen to 7.1 percent in 2024, with a continued robust performance in 2025 at 5.7 percent. Excluding Guyana, the growth rate is forecasted at 3.9 percent in 2024 and 4 percent in 2025. Analysts attribute this growth to a moderate recovery in tourism and remittances.

Caribbean Countries Set To Show Positive Growth in 2024

Country2024 Growth (%)Guyana34.3Dominican Republic5.1Saint Vincent and the Grenadines5Dominica4Barbados3.7Belize3.4Suriname3St. Lucia2.9The Bahamas2.3Jamaica2

Global Outlook

The global economy is expected to stabilize for the first time in three years in 2024, although at a weaker level compared to recent historical standards. Global growth is projected to hold steady at 2.6% in 2024 before slightly increasing to an average of 2.7% in 2025-26. This is below the 3.1% average seen in the decade before COVID-19. The forecast suggests that from 2024-26, countries representing more than 80% of the world’s population and GDP will grow more slowly than in the pre-COVID-19 decade.

“Four years after the upheavals caused by the pandemic, conflicts, inflation, and monetary tightening, it appears that global economic growth is steadying,” said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President. “However, growth is at lower levels than before 2020. Prospects for the world’s poorest economies are even more worrisome. They face high levels of debt service, constricting trade possibilities, and costly climate events. Developing economies will need to encourage private investment, reduce public debt, and improve education, health, and basic infrastructure. The poorest among them, especially the 75 countries eligible for concessional assistance from the International Development Association, will need international support to achieve this.”

“Although food and energy prices have moderated globally, core inflation remains relatively high and could stay that way,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group. “This could lead central banks in major advanced economies to delay interest-rate cuts. An environment of ‘higher-for-longer’ rates would mean tighter global financial conditions and much weaker growth in developing economies.”

US Slaps Sanctions On Three Guyanese, Including Government Official

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News Americas, New York, NY, Tues. June 11, 2024: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has slapped sanctions on three Guyanese, including a government official.

OFAC has imposed sanctions on Thomas Nazar Mohamed, his son, Azruddin Mohamed, and their company, along with designating two other entities, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, which are owned or controlled by Mohamed’s Enterprise and Azruddin, respectively as well as on Mae Thomas, the Permanent Secretary of the Guyana Ministry of Labour.

The Guyana government announced on Tuesday that it has placed Thomas on immediate leave following her inclusion in a list of sanctioned individuals by OFAC.

According to OFAC, these sanctions fall under Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act targeting perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption worldwide.

“Today’s action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana’s underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain,” stated Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. He added that the Treasury, in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement, will continue efforts to protect the U.S. financial system from corrupt actors.

The U.S. authorities highlighted that gold is one of Guyana’s main exports but described the industry as highly fragmented, with small-scale mining operations dominating gold production. These small businesses often have informal relationships with larger traders like Mohamed’s Enterprise, leading to international gold sales across markets in the U.S., Canada, UAE, and the EU.

Nazar Mohamed established Mohamed’s Enterprise in Guyana, later expanding to the U.S. and transitioning into gold trading, making it one of Guyana’s largest gold exporters. Azruddin Mohamed eventually took over the enterprise, which now also operates as “Confidential Cambio.”

From 2019 to 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise allegedly underreported over 10,000 kilograms of gold in import and export declarations, avoiding more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Guyanese government. OFAC stated that Thomas, as Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Home Affairs, misused her position to benefit Mohamed’s Enterprise and Azruddin in exchange for cash payments and high-value gifts, influencing contract bids and approval processes for weapons permits and passports.

The Guyana government acknowledged the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s information regarding the three Guyanese nationals. It stated that the Ministry of Finance and relevant statutory agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority, will request further details to support local law enforcement agencies.

“The Government of Guyana takes very seriously the claims contained in the press release and will continue to engage relevant United States entities on these matters. In the meantime, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Mae Thomas, has been sent on leave with immediate effect,” the statement read.

President Irfaan Ali’s administration emphasized its commitment to working with the U.S. government on mutual interests, including upholding the rule of law and order.