Black Immigrant Daily News

El administrador de la Administración de Desarrollo Socioeconómico de la Familia, ADSEF, Alberto Fradera, informó en RADIO ISLA que el Congreso Federal está evaluando asignar $133 millones de dólares para beneficiarios del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (PAN) en Puerto Rico.

Según Fradera, de ser aprobado ese incentivo, el mismo se reflejará en los cheques del PAN a partir del mes de octubre de 2022. Sus expresiones surgen luego de que llegó a su fin la ayuda económica adicional asignada para la isla por la pandemia del coronavirus, COVID-19. 

“A consecuencia de las emergencias, la última, que todavía estamos bajo ella, que es la pandemia del COVID-19, hemos recibido diferentes asignaciones. La última fue de $900 millones. Estos $900 millones culminaron de distribuirse el pasado mes de julio”, expuso Fradera.   

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Minister Kenneth Bryan is the subject of Cayman’s latest controversy and apology. The source of the controversy is Minister Bryan appearing in a video on Facebook supporting his wife in her new career endeavour as a real estate agent. Minister Bryan’s show of love and affection, however, was referred to by Roy McTaggart, Leader of the Opposition, as “shocking” and a “flagrant breach of the principles of good governance” under the Ministerial Code of Conduct, in particular sections 19.1 and 19.4.

Alleged breaches in detail

Regarding these alleged breaches, McTaggart noted that section 19.1 provides that “no Minister should endorse in any media, product or service,” in connection with which Minister Bryan allegedly offended the provision by appearing in a video on Facebook, reportedly endorsing the real estate services of his wife.

McTaggart also quoted section 19.4 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct which states:

In speeches, it is appropriate for a Minister to speak positively about the objectives and achievements of an organisation or business. It is not appropriate for a Minister to explicitly promote that organisation, or it[s] products or services.

In this case, Bryan was said to explicitly promote his wife’s business.

Capacity unclear

Notwithstanding that Bryan is a minister subject to the Ministerial Code of Conduct, it is unclear what capacity he was acting in the video. That is, the Ministerial Code of Conduct permits any minister to act in a number of different capacities:

Firstly, in a ministerial capacity, making decisions, and determining and promoting policy with particular ministries/portfoliosSecondly, in a political capacity as an elected Member of the Parliament, representing the best interest of the Cayman Islands as a whole, as well as the constituency or particular community interestsThirdly, in a personal capacity as an ordinary citizen.

In order to obtain an objective understanding of what capacity Bryan was acting in, it is useful to review his wife’s statement in the video.

She said:

I have now recruited him to do some ‘flyering’… but don’t worry, I’ve only got him for today for a couple of hours and he’s all yours again tomorrow.

Objectively speaking, the statement by Minister Bryan’s wife suggests that Minister Bryan was acting in a personal capacity as an ordinary citizen for a few hours and not making a policy decision or a political decision and not carrying out any function for a ministry or a portfolio. For emphasis, Bryan’s wife clarified in the video that “he’s all yours again tomorrow,” suggesting that he would return to his ministerial or political capacity the next day. This is a very technical distinction, however, technicalities are important in circumstances such as this one.

Regardless of the capacity, however, the Ministerial Code of Conduct requires Bryan to “act lawfully and to behave in a way that upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest ethical standards.”

A close observation of the requirements here will cause one to highlight that the Ministerial Code of Conduct does not appear to be an official law (had it been a law, it would have been referred to as a law or an Act and not a code of conduct). In addition, no specific reference to an official law was made in the allegations against Minister Bryan in this case, even though one could speculate as to which one might have been applicable in this case.

Examining the second part of these requirements, any minister would have been required to uphold the highest ethical standards in carrying out any actions. Since “ethical standards” is not defined in the Ministerial Code of Conduct, one could refer to the ordinary dictionary definition, one definition being that “ethical standards refer to the principles that promote trust, good behaviour, fairness and governing the conduct of a person.”

Regarding this, McTaggart noted that Minister Bryan’s endorsement of his wife’s business could unfairly impact others operating within the same business, in particular, those offering similar services in Minister Bryan’s constituency. Looking at things from this perspective, an objective person could see how an interpretation could be reached about the particular conduct being fair or unfair.

Accountability

Reacting to McTaggart’s comments, Minister Bryan apologised, explaining that he will redouble his efforts to ensure that his actions are in keeping with the highest ethical standards of the office he is humbled to hold on behalf of the people of the Cayman Islands.

In doing this, Minister Bryan complied with the Nolan Principles – the Seven Principles of Public Life – by being accountable for his actions (submitting himself to scrutiny), being open and transparent about his actions, being truthful to the public and restating that he fully supports the Ministerial Code of Conduct and the principles of good governance it was designed to enhance.

Take-aways

One of the take-aways from the controversy surrounding Minister Bryan is that, perhaps, instead of creating a code of conduct, Parliament should seek an order in council in the UK to amend the constitution or the people of the Cayman Islands should seek to amend the constitution by way of a referendum to expand the consequences for certain conduct of members of Parliament, for example, drunk driving or assault or non-performance of duties, in connection with which voters would have the power to initiate a recall of the relevant member of Parliament, eventually removing him or her from their seat.

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Eugene, Oregon: The 2022 World Athletics Championships begins on Friday, with around 2000 athletes from 200 countries competing at Hayward Field, as the USA stage track and field’s largest event outside of the Olympics, for the first time in its history.

The US topped the medals table three years ago in Doha 2019, ahead of Kenya and Jamaica. However, this time around added attention will be on Jamaica as the trio of reigning champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, the two-time Olympic champion in the 100m and 200m, and Shericka Jackson headline a Jamaican team that threatens to sweep the 100m medals in Eugene.

In Doha 2019, Jamaica won 12 medals (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze), one less than their record achievements in Berlin 2009 where the country secured 13 medals (7 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze).

Jamaica will be hoping to win a medal on the opening day as the final of the mixed 4x400m relay will take place.

The relay heats will run off at 1:45 pm Jamaica time, with the final set for 9:50 pm.

Jamaica took silver in Doha three years ago, but finished back in seventh in Tokyo, albeit without several of their one-lap stars. The mixed 4x400m would play into the hands of the nations with the greatest 400m depth. However, the Caribbean nation has the talent and ability to challenge for a medal.

In reality, though, the mixed 4x400m relay gives nations with just a couple of leading one-lapping men and women to be competitive on the global stage. And no nation illustrates this better than the Dominican Republic, which claimed Olympic silver last year.

But the USA won’t want to surrender their title, especially not on home soil. They won the inaugural world title in the mixed 4x400m in Doha, clocking a world record of 3:09.34 and winning by more than two seconds. They boast six of the nine fastest men’s 400m runners in the world this year – including world leader Michael Norman – while sprint superstar Allyson Felix is also included in their mixed 4x400m relay pool.

Also on the opening day, Jamaica’s Danniel Thomas-Dodd, the World Championships silver medallist from Doha 2019, and Lloydricia Cameron will begin the qualifying round of the women’s shot put at 7:05 pm.

At 8:00 pm, the qualification round for the men’s long jump will get underway. Jamaica is being represented by the defending champion from Doha, Tajay Gayle, and Wayne Pinnock.

Gayle, who holds the Jamaican record at 8.69m which he set in Doha, injured himself at the Jamaica trials last month and it is not certain what condition he will turn up in, if at all.

Gayle indicated earlier this week that the knee was swollen following the flight to Eugene and expressed doubt over his title defence.

And Stephen Francis, coach Gayle is worried about the reigning champion.

“At the moment from what I observed, he cannot sprint. If he comes out tomorrow (today) and he can’t sprint I doubt if he is going to turn up for the event,” Francis said.

Gayle has yet to venture beyond eight metres this season, standing joint 64th on the world list with 7.97m and it will take a brave person to bet on him to defend his title.

Gayle, 25, stunned the world on September 28, 2019, to win the gold medal in Doha, Qatar.

Many in Doha anticipated the coronation of rising long jump star Juan Miguel Echevarria. However, it was instead Gayle who beat him to the punch courtesy of a stunning Jamaican record of 8.69m – the longest wind-legal leap in the world for 10 years.

Also on Friday will be the preliminary round of the men’s 100m where 28 athletes will be vying for 14 spots in round one, which takes place in the afternoon session.

The semifinals and final are scheduled for Saturday’s second day.

The Jamaicans will be led by 32-year-old Yohan Blake, the 2011 world champion who ran 9.85 to win his fifth national 100m title at the Jamaica trial. He’s joined by 21-year-old Oblique Seville, who finished second at the Jamaica trials in 9.88, and 20-year-old Ackeem Blake.

Fred Kerley of the USA, who decided last year to drop down from the 400m to the 100m is the man to beat as he chases his first individual gold on the global stage.

Trayvon Bromell, Marvin Bracy, and Christian Coleman complete the USA contingent.

The men’s 100m offers the prospect of something special for the home fans – a possible USA sweep of the medals.

If the USA men look dominant in the 100m, the Jamaican women appear downright invincible.

The heats of the women’s 100m are scheduled for Saturday with the semifinals and final on Sunday.

The women’s 100m at the World Athletics Championships could easily see a repeat of last year’s Tokyo Olympic Games, where Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce, and Jackson finished 1-2-3.

The three Jamaicans currently top the world list in the 100m, Fraser-Pryce leading the way with 10.67 ahead of Jackson’s 10.77 and Thompson-Herah’s 10.79.

Fraser-Pryce has posted the three fastest times of the year, clocking 10.67 in Nairobi in May and at the Diamond League meeting in Paris on June 18. The 35-year-old “Pocket Rocket” ran 10.70 in the heats of the Jamaica trials, where she pulled up in the semifinals and skipped the final, knowing she has a wildcard into the World Championships.

With the three Jamaicans posting blistering time this year, the current 100m world record, which has stood since 1988 could be in danger. Florence Griffith-Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, became the only woman ever to break the 10.5-second barrier with a run of 10.49 at the US Olympic trials for Seoul 1988.

Since then, many have deemed the mark impossible to beat. But over the last year, both Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce have edged closer to that legendary time, placing themselves second and third on the all-time 100m lists.

Thompson-Herah’s fastest 100m time, set at the post-Olympics Prefontaine Classic in Oregon on August 21, 2021, is a blistering 10.54 seconds, a mere 0.05 off of Flo-Jo’s best-ever mark.

Less than a week later, Fraser-Pryce set her own personal best of 10.60 at the Lausanne Diamond League, beating Thompson-Herah to the line with the third-fastest time in history.

The trio will also contest the 200m, an event in which Jackson clocked 21.55 at the Jamaica trials on June 26 for the third-fastest ever time behind Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record of 21.34 and Thompson-Herah with her 21.53 from Tokyo last year.

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Dale Destin

The past 19 months is the driest such period on record for Antigua, dating back to at least 1928. Since the deluge of November 2020, December 2020 to June 2022 has yielded only a meagre 983.5 mm (38.72 in), for the island-average rainfall.

This broke the record set for a similar period, December 2014 to June 2016, of 994.4 mm (39.15 in), which was also the record lowest for any consecutive 19 months.

Usually, 19 months ending June averages 1656.3 mm (65.21 in).

This means that since December 2020 only 59 percent of the normal amount of rain fell. The 19-month total of 983.5 mm is less than that for 17 full years.

The rainfall total for the last 19 months was less than what usually falls in 12 months – annually.

Rainfall total for Dec 2020-Jun 2022 – 983.5 mm (38.72 in) vs the normal total for the same period – 1656.3 mm (65.21 in). December 2020 to June 2022 is the driest 19 months on record.

Such an extremely low rainfall total for the last 19 months has a less than a 1 percent chance of occurring – 0.8 percent.

 This translates to the dryness for December 2020 to June 2022 having a return period of 1-in-125 years, on average.

It is unlikely that anyone alive has seen this kind of scant rainfall before and there is a less than 10 percent chance of a repeat in the next 13 years.

The last time we saw such dryness we were in the midst of the Great Drought of 2013-2016. At no time during that dearth of rainfall was the dryness this intense for any successive 19 months.

A lot of the dryness seems largely due to dry and dusty air from the Sahara Desert and or cooler than normal sea surface temperatures across the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. The high number of tropical cyclones in 2021 likely contributed, by steering clear of the area and pulling moisture away from the islands.

The dryness has been quite robust. Not only records were set for the last 19 months but also for the last 18, 17, 16 and 15 months respectively. It is also likely that more records will fall in the coming months.

As forecast, it was a drier than normal dry season for Antigua. The period January to June was the 20th driest in a series going back to 1928. The continued below normal rainfall means that drought continues to reign with no predictable end in sight.

With the rainfall at or near record-low levels over the past 19 months, one can appreciate the absence of virtually ALL water from surface catchments and the significant drop in groundwater. Potworks Reservoir, our billion-gallon surface catchment, has been totally dry since late October 2021. If not for water from the increasing number of reverse osmosis plants, “crapo would be smoking our pipes”, at the very least. And for those who say he is smoking our pipes, without the plants, it would be exponentially worse, in unimaginable ways.

Please share this blog, if you found it useful, and follow me for more on the evolving drought and for all things weather and climate – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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