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CPL 2025 – Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales Fire Trinbago Into Finals — Can This Be Their Redemption Run?

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Sept. 17, 2025: The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) are back in business — and back in contention for their first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title since 2020 — after a commanding nine-wicket win over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Tuesday’s Eliminator at Providence Stadium, Guyana.

Usman Tariq (R) and Nicholas Pooran (L) of Trinbago Knight Riders celebrate the dismissal of Andries Gous of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons during the Men’s 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Eliminator, match 31 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Guyana National Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Providence, Guyana. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Coming into the knockout fixture on a three-match losing streak, TKR’s form had been under heavy scrutiny. But Nicholas Pooran and Alex Hales produced a masterclass in controlled aggression, putting on an unbroken 143-run stand that powered the Knight Riders to victory with 15 balls to spare and sent a warning shot to the rest of the playoff field.

Falcons Falter After Strong Start

The Falcons, playing their first-ever CPL knockout match, appeared well-set to post a daunting total after a magnificent 108-run second-wicket partnership between Andries Gous (61 off 45) and Amir Jangoo (55 off 49). At 129-1 with four overs remaining, a score in excess of 180 looked likely.

But the innings unraveled spectacularly. Spinner Usman Tariq struck twice in quick succession, removing both set batters to trigger a collapse. The Falcons lost four wickets for just five runs in a 12-ball span, finishing on 161-8 — well short of what their position had promised.

Tariq finished with 2-19, while Saurabh Netravalkar (3-23) and Andre Russell (2-30) were clinical in the death overs, strangling the scoring and denying the Falcons a strong finish.

Pooran, Hales Seal It In Style

TKR’s reply was clinical. Although Colin Munro fell early for 14 to Rahkeem Cornwall, any hopes the Falcons had of a fightback quickly evaporated. Hales anchored the innings with a composed 54* from 40 deliveries, while Pooran unleashed his full range of strokeplay, blasting an unbeaten 90 from 53 balls.

Their partnership dismantled the Falcons’ bowling attack and ensured there was no repeat of TKR’s recent batting collapses. By the halfway stage of the chase, the result was already a formality, and the Knight Riders coasted home comfortably.

Momentum at the Right Time

This victory could prove to be a turning point for TKR, who looked in danger of crashing out early after a poor finish to the group stage. Snapping a three-match losing run in such emphatic fashion gives them renewed confidence as they look ahead to the next playoff clash against the loser of Qualifier 1 between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Saint Lucia Kings.

TKR will need two more wins to capture their fifth CPL title — but with Pooran and Hales in sublime form and their bowling unit back to its best, they suddenly look like a team peaking at the perfect time.

For now, TKR fans can celebrate a performance that brought back memories of their dominant campaigns of the past — and keeps alive hopes of reclaiming CPL glory in 2025.

Scores

FALCONS 166-8 in 20 overs (Andries Gous 61, Amir Jangoo 55, Shakib Al Hasan 26 not out; Saurabh Netravalkar 3-23, Usman Tariq 2-19, Andre Russell 2-30).

KNIGHT RIDERS 168-1 in 17.3 overs (Nicholas Pooran 90 not out, Alex Hales 54 not out, Colin Munro 14).

Maduro Warns U.S. “Wants A War In The Caribbean”

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 16, 2025: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is accusing Washington of provoking a potential armed conflict in the Caribbean following a second U.S. military strike on what the Trump administration claims was a drug-laden boat from Venezuela.

Speaking at a press conference in Caracas, Maduro lashed out at the United States, saying the latest strike — which killed three people aboard the vessel — is part of a broader campaign to “intimidate and seek regime change.”

A US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster takeoff at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, on September 11, 2025, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The Trump administration recently carried out a drone strike in the southern Caribbean against a boat that had left Venezuela and was suspected of transporting drugs. Eleven people died in the attack. The president claimed that the vessel was operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodríguez Carrillo/Getty Images)

“They are looking for a military incident,” Maduro charged. “When 18 armed Marines raid a tuna fishing vessel in Caribbean waters, they are not looking for snapper — they are looking for war.”

The comments come as Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jets were spotted flying over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, a move seen by military analysts as a show of force just miles from Venezuelan waters.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro makes a speech at the end of a press conference with international media at Hotel Eurobuilding in Caracas, Venezuela on September 15, 2025. (Photo by Ivan Mcgregor/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The U.S. military footprint in Puerto Rico is expanding as F-35B stealth fighters touched down last Saturday at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads — now José Aponte de la Torre Airport — transforming the once-surplus base into a major staging ground for Washington’s counternarcotics operations and pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The arrival of the fifth-generation fighters comes amid heightened tensions in the southern Caribbean following two recent U.S. strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats.

Even before the F-35s landed, the base had seen a flurry of activity. Heavy-lift cargo planes including the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III have been spotted delivering equipment, alongside Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors and CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. The aircraft are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which began a training exercise on the island on August 31st.

The surge in operations has reignited debate over whether Roosevelt Roads — decommissioned more than two decades ago — should be permanently reopened as a U.S. military installation, especially as the Trump administration leans on Puerto Rico’s strategic location to project power into the Caribbean.

Trump’s Expanding “War on Cartels”

President Donald Trump confirmed a second strike on a Venezuelan boat on Monday, calling it a necessary step to protect U.S. communities from narcotics.

“These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels pose a threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and vital U.S. interests,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Big bags of cocaine and fentanyl were found all over the ocean.”

Trump hinted the campaign could expand beyond maritime operations, saying cartels smuggling drugs by land could also face military strikes: “We’re going to stop them the same way we stopped the boats.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the president, warning cartels the U.S. would “track them, kill them, and dismantle their networks throughout our hemisphere.”

A Growing Risk for the Wider Caribbean

Regional security experts warn that the militarization of anti-narcotics operations in the Caribbean could destabilize a region already struggling with gang violence and illegal trafficking routes.

The Caribbean has increasingly become a transshipment point for cocaine and fentanyl entering the U.S., but human rights advocates question whether drone and missile strikes are a proportional response.

“This is not just a war on cartels — this is extrajudicial killing at sea,” said Amnesty International’s Daphne Eviatar, who called the strikes “murder” under international law.

Regional Governments on Edge

So far, CARICOM leaders have stayed largely quiet on the escalation, but Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has rejected an accusation by Maduro that she “went crazy… threatening to authorize attacks from Trinidad and Tobago against Venezuela. That is like declaring war against Venezuela.”

Responding to the comments, she clarified her position. “I am not concerned about their comments. The U.S. has never requested access to our territory for any military action against Venezuela,” she told the Express. “I have no issue with a respectful relationship with the Venezuelan government — but it must be mutual.”

She pressed Caracas to accept the repatriation of roughly 200 Venezuelan nationals, saying their government had stalled the process for over two months.

“The relationship between our two countries would improve if they helped curb illegal drug, arms, and human trafficking across the Gulf of Paria, which fuels gang violence here,” she added.

Meanwhile, during the inauguration of Guyanese President Irfaan Ali in Georgetown on Sunday, two U.S. AV-8B aircraft conducted a flyover, which “symbolizes our full solidarity with the people of Guyana,” the U.S. Embassy in the South American country said. This as Guyana, which established a partnership with the U.S. in 1966, has a centuries-long border dispute with its western neighbor Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region, a Guyana-administered territory that makes up two-thirds of the country’s land area.

For now, the Caribbean Community watches anxiously as Washington and Caracas edge toward confrontation — a standoff that threatens to turn the region from a tranquil tourism haven into the next front line in America’s war on drugs.

FAKE NEWS – Charlie Kirk Has No Ties To St. Kitts And Nevis – Government

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News Americas, BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Sept. 15, 2025: The government of St. Kitts and Nevis is pushing back forcefully against fake online reports suggesting that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah State University student accused in the fatal shooting of right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk, had visited the Caribbean nation and did target shooting there.

Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, has no ties to St. Kitts & Nevis, official say.

Robinson, who was arrested some 33 hours after Kirk was shot during a public event at Utah Valley University, was later killed during a police confrontation in Orem. Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox has said Robinson “is not cooperating” with investigators, leaving many questions about motive and connections unanswered. Robinson has been booked on aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice. These are all state charges.

In a detailed statement Monday, St. Kitts and Nevis officials said they found “no evidence” that Robinson or his family had ever entered the Federation. “Our official records show no evidence that neither the individual nor his family entered St. Kitts and Nevis,” the government said in a statement. “We remain open to reviewing any credible information to the contrary, as accuracy and truth are paramount.”

Authorities also used the opportunity to reassure both citizens and visitors that border controls and firearm regulations remain strict. “We also wish to clarify that in the Federation, access to the shooting range is tightly regulated and permitted only to individuals holding a firearm license issued in St. Kitts and Nevis, under Police authorization and strict supervision. Those without such a license are prohibited from access,” the statement added.

Protecting Tourism and CBI Reputation

St. Kitts and Nevis, home to just over 47,000 people, has long marketed itself as a high-end travel destination and as the birthplace of the region’s pioneering CBI program. Industry observers say that any rumor linking the country to a high-profile U.S. political assassination could harm its global reputation — and by extension, its tourism-driven economy.

Tourism accounts for nearly 40 percent of the Federation’s GDP. In addition, CBI — which allows vetted foreign investors to obtain citizenship through significant financial contributions — is a key revenue stream. Both sectors rely heavily on the perception of safety, stability, and strong governance.

“Negative headlines, even unsubstantiated ones, can impact investor confidence and visitor arrivals,” noted a regional economic analyst. “That’s why the government moved so quickly — they cannot allow viral misinformation to undermine decades of work positioning St. Kitts and Nevis as a secure destination for tourism and investment.”

Disinformation in the Digital Age

The swift response also underscores how small states must now navigate a global information environment where rumors can spread in minutes. Officials urged residents and the diaspora to share only verified information and to help “protect the reputation of our beloved country.”

This plea comes amid a wider Caribbean debate on how to balance freedom of expression with the need to counter online disinformation that can damage economies reliant on foreign perception.

Looking Ahead

For now, there is no evidence of any Caribbean connection to Robinson’s actions. U.S. law enforcement continue to investigate the case, and Turning Point USA, the group Kirk co-founded, has called the shooting an attack on free speech not hate speech.

St. Kitts and Nevis officials say they will continue monitoring developments while focusing on safeguarding the country’s borders and reputation.

The government said it is urging all nationals “to act responsibly in sharing information and to help protect the reputation of our beloved country by ensuring that only verified facts are circulated.”

“Citizens and residents are encouraged to rely on official government sources for reliable updates and information,” it added.

24 Years Later, Caribbean Victims Of The September 11th Attack Risk Being Forgotten

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Sept. 11, 2025: As the United States marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the ceremonies at Ground Zero and across the nation remain solemn and moving. Bells toll, names are read, and politicians, including those with xenophobic agendas, pledge to “never forget.”

But for many in the Caribbean diaspora, the phrase “never forget” feels incomplete. More than 100 victims of 9/11 were born in Caribbean or CARICOM nations — from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Haiti, to smaller islands like Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Antigua. They died working in offices, kitchens, and security posts high in the World Trade Center towers or as first responders rushing toward danger.

The Caribbean victims of September 11. (Copyright: NewsAmericasNow.com)

Yet their stories rarely get the same attention even though their names are listed in the 911 Memorial. As the years pass, their names risk fading into the tide of history.

Take Patrick Adams, born in Georgetown, Guyana, who worked security at Fuji Bank on the 80th floor of Tower Two. Or Karl Henry Joseph, a Haitian firefighter with Engine 207 in Brooklyn, who was among the first to respond and never made it out. John Sylvester White, from St. Ann, Jamaica, was working a shift at ABM Industries that morning, while Rena Sam Dinnoo of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, was at her desk at Marsh & McLennan.

These were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters — Caribbean immigrants who helped keep New York’s economic engine running. They were the embodiment of the immigrant dream, working hard and building lives for their families.

But in official ceremonies, their Caribbean roots are largely ignored. Their home countries hold no national memorials. Many of their names are absent from Caribbean history lessons. For a region with such a strong diaspora presence in New York City, that silence stings.

Immigrant advocates argue that this lack of visibility reflects a broader erasure of immigrant contributions in American history. This is not just about symbolism — it’s about memory and belonging. Honoring Caribbean victims is honoring the immigrant backbone of New York. It is acknowledging that these men and women were part of the city’s heartbeat.

Some have called for Caribbean-specific commemorations each September, whether through school programs, church services, or cultural centers across the region and diaspora. Others want scholarship funds and community initiatives established in the names of those lost.

The examples are there: Sweden, after a 2017 terror attack, built a dedicated memorial listing each victim’s name. Rwanda has made genocide remembrance a central part of its national identity. Why not the Caribbean for its own fallen?

As we pass the two-decade mark, there is a danger that 9/11 will become history only read in textbooks. The immigrant stories – the Caribbean stories – risk vanishing even faster.

This September 11, as the world pauses to remember, the Caribbean diaspora must call for something more: to keep these names alive, not just on plaques in lower Manhattan, but in the collective memory of the islands they once called home.

Because “never forget” must mean remembering everyone — not just the most prominent, but also those who left early for work that day, never knowing they would not return.

The Insurance Association of the Caribbean appoints Equisoft’s insurance expert as new board member

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Equisoft, a leading global provider of digital solutions for the insurance and wealth industries, is pleased to announce that Ruben Veerasamy, Equisoft’s leading insurance expert in the Caribbean, has joined the IAC Board of Directors. The announcement was made during the 43rd Annual Caribbean Insurance Conference in Panama.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ruben as a new member of our Board of Directors. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the industry, we believe Ruben will significantly contribute to fulfilling IAC’s mission of promoting and fostering the advancement of the Caribbean insurance industry,” said Patrick G. W. Ward, President, IAC.

Ruben brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership to the IAC board. In his current role overseeing sales, project delivery, and account management for the Caribbean region, Ruben has helped 18 Caribbean insurers modernize their legacy systems. His hands-on experience guiding insurance carriers through complex digital transformations, ensuring optimal solutions are delivered on-time and on-budget, positions him to provide valuable insights that will help shape the future direction of the Caribbean insurance industry.

“I’m deeply honored to join the IAC Board of Directors. I’m excited to contribute to help drive forward IAC’s mission in fostering the advancement of the Caribbean insurance industry,” said Ruben Veerasamy, Equisoft Senior VP, Caribbean. “Partnering with IAC is part of Equisoft’s global mission to make financial services accessible to all through innovative technologies and industry collaborations,” added Veerasamy.

About IAC

IAC was the brainchild of a small group of visionaries (industry leaders from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Barbados) who wanted to prepare the indigenous insurance industry for the future challenges of the remaining century. Its mission is to promote and foster the advancement of the Caribbean insurance industry through research, education and advocacy, in so doing to create a platform for regional harmonisation and integration in the industry.

About Equisoft

Founded in 1994, Equisoft is a global provider of advanced insurance and investment digital solutions. Recognized as a valued partner by over 300 of the world’s leading financial institutions, Equisoft offers a complete ecosystem of solutions, from innovative front-end applications to extensive back-office services and unique data migration expertise. The firm’s flagship solutions include SaaS policy administration, CRM, financial needs analysis, financial planning, asset allocation, fund and portfolio analysis, quotes and illustrations, electronic application, agency management systems, as well as customer, agent and broker portals. With its business-driven approach, deep industry knowledge, innovative technology, and multicultural team of experts based in North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, Equisoft helps its clients tackle any challenge in this era of digital disruption. For more information, please visit www.equisoft.com.

Safer Nicotine Alternatives Could Save Thousands Of Lives In Barbados And Trinidad And Tobago, Experts Say

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News Americas, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, September 10, 2025: International health experts are urgently advising for immediate policy reform in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, insisting on the adoption of life-saving tobacco harm reduction strategies. They point to a proven global blueprint that has already empowered more than 150 million people to quit smoking.

Analysis from Smoke Free Sweden shows that more than 14 million lives can be saved globally by 2060 if governments act decisively to integrate tobacco harm reduction into traditional control methods. For the Caribbean, this depends on the speed with which governments can act. Adopting safer nicotine alternatives like vapes and oral pouches will prevent thousands of needless, premature deaths, but only if the correct policies are enacted now.

This urgent call to action is set against a backdrop of stubbornly high smoking rates, with nearly one in three men in Trinidad and Tobago and 11% of men in Barbados still dangerously addicted to cigarettes.

“Policymakers face a clear choice: lead a public health revolution or fail their citizens. The strategies to make smoking obsolete by making less hamrful alternatives accessible, affordable and acceptable are proven,” said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden and a former secretary general of the World Medical Association. “Act now to save thousands of lives. ”

For example, in the United Kingdom, smoking rates fell by 41% as vaping became a popular alternative. Japan saw cigarette sales plummet by more than 40% following the introduction of heated tobacco products. Meanwhile, Sweden, which adopted safer alternatives decades ago, is on the verge of becoming officially ‘smoke-free’ and has the lowest rate of smoking-related death in the European Union.

“Let us use the evidence we have at hand. A constructive, evidence-based approach in the Caribbean will yield life-saving results. We are not just urging, but demanding that policymakers look at this global blueprint and act decisively. Hesitation will be measured in funerals,” Dr. Human added.

This demand for a science-backed policy shift comes just ahead of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control conference (COP11), where Caribbean delegations have a duty to champion public health innovation over outdated, ineffective and ideological dogma.

“For too long, the debate has been crippled by misinformation that ignores a fundamental truth: people smoke for the nicotine, but they die from the tar in combustibles,” said Dr. Human. “By denying smokers access to products that are up to 95% less harmful, governments are actively protecting the lethal cigarette trade. It is past time to put public health first and implement policies based on science, not fear.”

About Smoke Free Sweden:

Smoke Free Sweden is a movement which encourages other countries to follow the Swedish model when it comes to Tobacco Harm Reduction. Sweden’s smoke-free success can be attributed to its open attitude towards regulated alternative nicotine products.

For more information on Sweden’s successful approach to becoming a smoke-free nation, please visit www.smokefreesweden.org

Caribbean Roots Kamala Harris Breaks Silence In Tell-All New Book On Biden And 2024 Run

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Sept. 10, 2025: Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has broken her silence on one of the most consequential political decisions in modern American history, calling President Joe Biden’s 2024 re-election bid an act of “recklessness.” In excerpts from her forthcoming memoir, 107 Days, published in The Atlantic today, Harris reflects candidly on the mistakes, missed opportunities, and strained loyalties that shaped her historic tenure as the first Black and first Caribbean American vice president of the United States.

FLASHBACK – The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Vice President Kamala Harris during Thursday’s July 31, 2025 show. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)

Harris, the daughter of Jamaican economist Donald Harris and Indian-born cancer researcher Shyamala Gopalan, roots her political identity in the immigrant values of resilience, service, and justice. Her father’s Jamaican heritage and her mother’s South Asian background gave her a unique lens on the challenges of marginalized communities, something she has repeatedly described as central to her public life.

“Recklessness” and a Missed Opportunity

In the memoir, Harris writes that Democrats, herself included, made a grave mistake in allowing Biden to decide unchallenged that he would seek another term at the age of 81. While she never directly questioned his physical or mental fitness to serve, she said it became clear that “at 81, Joe got tired.” The signs of age, from verbal stumbles to visible exhaustion during grueling schedules, underscored her view that the stakes were too high to defer to “an individual’s ego” or ambition.

“During all those months of growing panic, should I have told Joe to consider not running? Perhaps,” Harris admits. “But the American people had chosen him before in the same matchup. Maybe he was right to believe they would do so again. In retrospect, I think it was recklessness. This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego. It should have been more than a personal decision.”

Her candor is striking given her loyalty throughout Biden’s presidency. Harris publicly defended him after his faltering debate performance against Donald Trump in 2024, insisting then that the president was up to the job. But her memoir paints a more complicated picture of private doubts, internal tensions, and frustration with Biden’s inner circle.

Undermined and Underestimated

Beyond the election question, Harris details how members of Biden’s team often failed to support her — and at times, actively undermined her. She recalls being sidelined in speeches, inadequately defended against conservative attacks on her competence, and denied effective backup in responding to media narratives about “chaos” within her office.

“Their thinking was zero-sum: if she’s shining, he’s dimmed,” Harris writes. “None of them grasped that if I did well, he did well. Given the concerns about his age, my visible success as his vice president was vital. It would serve as a testament to his judgment in choosing me and reassurance that if something happened, the country was in good hands.”

Despite these slights, Harris emphasizes her commitment to loyalty — to Biden, to the Democratic Party, and most importantly, to the country. Yet her tone is one of clear disappointment that the team around the president did not see her success as part of Biden’s legacy.

A Caribbean Voice in U.S. Politics

For many in the Caribbean diaspora, Harris’ rise to the vice presidency was proof of the region’s enduring impact on global politics even though she did little to celebrate that side of her heritage. In critiquing Biden’s re-election bid and recounting her challenges in office, Harris frames her honesty as a duty.

Looking Ahead

Harris’s memoir arrives as Democrats continue to assess how the 2024 loss reshaped the party and as she carves out her next chapter. By publicly admitting she regrets not challenging Biden’s decision to run, Harris strives to distinguish herself from many party leaders who remain hesitant to criticize him directly.

Her words also raise questions about how future leaders will handle the balance between loyalty and candor, particularly when the stakes are existential. 107 Days is set for release on September 23rd.

Charlie Kirk’s Controversial Remarks on Haiti, DEI, Immigration and Race Resurface Amid His Death

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News Americas, OREM, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025: Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot today while speaking at a Utah Valley University event, prompting immediate shock across political spheres. As the nation processes this tragic news, attention is turning to the inflammatory rhetoric that defined much of his public persona – remarks that targeted Haitians, Black professionals, immigration, and diversity initiatives.

Death at Utah Event

Kirk, age 31, was shot in the neck during his “American Comeback Tour” keynote. Authorities said the gunman fired from approximately 200 yards away and had not yet been identified or captured as of Wednesday evening. The university assured students and faculty that safety protocols were in place, and the FBI has joined the investigation.

FLASHBACK – Charlie Kirk debates with students at The Cambridge Union on May 19, 2025 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. (Photo by Nordin Catic/Getty Images for The Cambridge Union)

Comments That Stirred Controversy

Among Kirk’s most incendiary remarks were vivid attacks on Haitian culture, especially his claim in March 2024 that “Haiti is legitimately infested with demonic voodoo,” complete with haunting references to supernatural incidents like “quasi-levitation” and Haitians turning into cats at night per Media Matters

He also implied that Haitian immigrants threatened to “become your masters” if former President Trump lost to Vice President Kamala Harris- comments widely denounced as racist and anti-immigrant per Medium

Kirk’s rhetoric extended beyond cultural attacks. In January 2024, he admitted he would question the qualifications of Black pilots—a remark many saw as reflecting racial bias in professional spaces as reported by Newsweek.

He also disparaged DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs as “anti-White” and criticized Martin Luther King Jr. as “awful,” labeling the Civil Rights Act a “huge mistake” that birthed a “permanent DEI-type bureaucracy,” arguing it had supplanted the U.S. Constitution as reported by WIRED.

In 2023, in Missouri, Kirk said according to the Springfield News Leader that immigration to the U.S. should be entirely stopped and any person who hated America or its allies should leave.

“There’s nothing racist or xenophobic about loving the country so much that you don’t want people who hate your country to come into your country,” Kirk was quoted as saying.

 In an 80-some-minute speech in 2021, Kirk called George Floyd a “scumbag,” railed against urban areas — especially Minneapolis.

On Immigration:

Kirk frequently called for a halt to immigration, citing a perceived decline in American culture and national identity. He controversially noted that America was at its “peak” when immigration was halted for a 40-year period and the foreign-born population was at its lowest point.

He also strongly condemned illegal immigration, arguing that entering the country illegally is a criminal act and those who do so should be deported. Kirk often used biblical interpretations to argue that a Christian nation of laws must maintain order, stating that God does not smile upon chaos caused by uninvited entry into a country.

He maintained that immigrants should fully assimilate into American culture, rather than maintaining “hyphenated American” identities. He emphasized that speaking English is a critical component of becoming American. He also argued that a country cannot survive if it accepts people who do not share its core values.

Kirk also prioritized the needs of American citizens over those of people in other countries. He used the analogy of putting on one’s own oxygen mask first on an airplane, stating that America must prioritize its own citizens before helping others. This view underpinned his opposition to foreign aid and his skepticism of arguments that immigration benefits the U.S. economy. And he frequently challenged the idea that immigration is necessary for economic growth, especially in skilled labor fields. Instead of importing foreign labor, he suggested that the U.S. should invest in national training programs to prepare Americans for those jobs.

Legacy at Turning Point USA

Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to promote conservative activism on college campuses and used it to inflame racial divides and stoke outrage. He became a prominent voice in right-wing media with a following among younger audiences. His stances on race, immigration, and DEI increasingly reflected a shift toward aggressive cultural critiques that energized some constituents but alienated others.

Broader Implications

Political analysts say Kirk’s passing raises urgent questions about political security, media ethics, and extremism. His track record of provocative commentary – now underscored by a sudden, violent death – demonstrates how incendiary rhetoric can leave lasting scars, especially for communities directly targeted in public discourse.

Continuing Investigation

Authorities urge eyewitnesses and media outlets to review any relevant footage that could assist with identifying the shooter.

Guyanese Roots David Lammy Makes History As UK’s First Black PM

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By NAN News Editor

News Americas, LONDON, England, Fri. Sept. 5, 2025: David Lammy, the son of Guyanese immigrants who built their lives in Britain, has etched his name into history as the first Black Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and its new Justice secretary. His appointment, following the resignation of Angela Rayner in a tax scandal, is not only a political reshuffle but also a profound moment of representation for the Caribbean Diaspora.

From Guyana to North London

Lammy was born in 1972 at Whittington Hospital in Archway, North London, to Guyanese parents David and Rosalind Lammy. His parents, like many from Guyana and the wider Caribbean, migrated to the UK seeking opportunities promised in the era following World War II. They joined the community of Windrush descendants who would shape Britain’s cultural and political fabric for generations.

Raised in Tottenham, Lammy’s early life was far from easy. His father left when he was just 12, leaving his mother to raise five children on her own. That upbringing in a working-class Caribbean household profoundly influenced his values. He has often credited his mother’s resilience, faith, and insistence on education as the foundation for his career.

“The lessons I carry are Guyanese lessons,” Lammy once told an interviewer. “You work hard, you give back, and you never forget where you come from.”

A Guyanese Heritage Intertwined With British Politics

Lammy has long embraced his dual identity. He holds both British and Guyanese citizenship, and his family history stretches back to Guyana’s complex story of migration. His great-grandmother migrated to Guyana from India as part of the indenture system, tying Lammy’s roots to both the African and Indian diasporas that make up Guyana’s multi-ethnic identity.

This layered heritage, he has said, gave him an innate understanding of injustice and resilience. It has also fueled his advocacy for Caribbean immigrants in Britain, especially during the Windrush scandal, when thousands of legal Caribbean residents were wrongfully targeted by immigration authorities.

Education and Early Firsts

Lammy’s talent and determination opened doors. At the age of 10, he won a choral scholarship to sing at Peterborough Cathedral, later attending The King’s School, Peterborough. He studied law at SOAS, University of London, and in 1994 was called to the bar.

But his biggest “first” came in 1997 when he became the first Black Briton to attend Harvard Law School, where he earned a Master of Laws degree. That milestone made headlines in both Britain and the Caribbean, where Lammy was celebrated as a son of Guyanese soil making history abroad.

Political Rise

Lammy entered Parliament in 2000 at just 27, winning the Tottenham by-election after the passing of veteran MP Bernie Grant, another trailblazer of Caribbean descent. In his early years, he served in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, holding portfolios ranging from public health to higher education.

After a decade on the backbenches, Lammy returned to prominence under Labour leader Keir Starmer, serving as Shadow Foreign Secretary before being appointed Foreign Secretary in 2024. His appointment as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary, and Lord Chancellor in September 2025 represents the pinnacle of a career defined by persistence and advocacy.

Symbolism for Guyana and the Diaspora

Lammy’s appointment resonates far beyond Westminster. In Guyana, commentators have hailed the achievement as a “Diaspora triumph,” a reminder that the Caribbean continues to shape leadership on the global stage. Across the Caribbean and its Diaspora in North America, Lammy’s rise is being celebrated as proof that the children of Caribbean migrants can ascend to the very top of British politics.

For Lammy himself, it is also personal. He has often spoken about how his heritage shaped his politics — from his insistence on addressing inequality in the justice system to his calls for reparative justice for slavery and colonialism. His leadership, he argues, is not just about representation but about reshaping the systems that excluded people like his parents.

A Historic Moment With Caribbean Roots

David Lammy’s story — from a Tottenham boy raised by a single Guyanese mother to the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom — is one of perseverance, identity, and heritage. It is also a reminder of the Caribbean’s deep and lasting impact on global politics.

For Guyana, his appointment is not simply symbolic. It is a proud moment of recognition that its sons and daughters continue to help shape the destiny of nations far beyond its borders.

Observers Urge Major Reforms To Guyana Elections Commission, Voter List And Campaign Rules

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News Americas, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Weds. Sept. 3, 2025: With nearly all Statements of Poll posted but most of the final tallies still pending from Guyana’s Sept. 1, 2025 vote, three major observer missions on Wednesday praised a peaceful election day and laid out a reform to-do list they say would strengthen confidence before the next national contest.

The Commonwealth Observers group delivering a analysis of the 2025 Guyana elections. (Commonwealth image)

The Carter Center, the Commonwealth Observer Group and the CARICOM Election Observation Mission each urged faster, clearer rules, less politicization at the elections commission and tighter controls on campaign conduct and financing. GECOM’s website shows roughly 98% of SOPs uploaded nationwide. Region 7 remains the laggard all SOPs still to be posted.

Depoliticize and professionalize GECOM.
All three missions flagged the structure and perception of the Guyana Elections Commission as a core risk. The Carter Center said the current formula – three commissioners aligned with the governing party, three with the opposition and a chair chosen from a list acceptable to the president – has produced gridlock and eroded trust. It recommended moving to a more independent, less political model and publishing full written polling and tabulation procedures well ahead of any vote. The Commonwealth team likewise called for a review of GECOM’s composition and urged the immediate appointment of a substantive legal adviser to the body.

Voters wait in line to cast ballots at a polling location during the general election in Leonora, West Demerara, Guyana, on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. Photographer: Yancey Haywood/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Make tabulation and communication more transparent.
Observers commended GECOM’s new step of publicly uploading SOPs and displaying them during tabulation, but noted delays where staff had to both upload and later re-display the same documents. They recommended streamlining the sequence and improving public guidance on how tabulation works. All three missions encouraged more frequent, consistent briefings and easier access to information for parties, media and citizens to cut space for rumor and misinformation.

Fix the voter list — and publish the census.
The size and integrity of the voters roll dominated stakeholder complaints, the missions said. The Carter Center urged GECOM to fully implement 2022 legal changes that allow removal of deceased voters using official data, and to explore methods for identifying electors who died overseas. It also recommended an independent “people test” sampling of the list before the next election. The Commonwealth and CARICOM teams said releasing results of the 2022 census would bolster transparency around demographics and the roll’s size.

Consider biometric verification.
Both the Commonwealth and CARICOM missions pressed for renewed, early-cycle consideration of voter-identification biometrics to reduce the risk of impersonation and restore confidence, noting GECOM cited technical and legal hurdles this year.

Curb misuse of state resources and modernize campaign finance.
Citing multiple complaints and evidence of blurred lines between state functions and party activity, observers urged clear legal prohibitions and enforcement against the use of public assets in campaigning. The missions also called current campaign-finance rules outdated and largely unenforced, and recommended a comprehensive framework covering donations, disclosure and oversight to level the playing field.

Broaden inclusion — women, persons with disabilities and smaller parties.
Women were highly visible in the process — making up roughly half of registered voters and the great majority of polling staff observed — but missions urged stricter enforcement of the legal requirement that party lists include at least one-third women and asked parties to publish gender data on their slates. All three groups faulted persistent accessibility barriers: many polling places lacked ramps; tactile ballot guides were not provided this cycle; and proxy voting, while available, compromises ballot secrecy for some voters with disabilities. The Commonwealth team recommended extending early voting to other essential workers beyond the disciplined services and offering more support so newer and smaller parties can participate on equal footing.

Strengthen domestic civic oversight and fact-checking.
The missions noted Guyana lacks a well-resourced, nonpartisan domestic observer network capable of nationwide coverage. They urged investment in civil society election monitoring and suggested an independent fact-checking mechanism to counter online misinformation that spiked during the campaign.

Implement recommendations — with deadlines.
Each mission stressed that many of these proposals echo past cycles. They urged the new Parliament to empower the Constitutional Reform Commission and enact priority electoral reforms — including GECOM restructuring, campaign-finance rules, access-to-information guarantees, and media-equity provisions — at least two years before the next vote.

Election day itself drew broad praise, however. The Carter Center said teams visited 234 polling stations across all 10 regions and reported orderly openings, trained staff and party agents present at nearly all locations. The Commonwealth and CARICOM groups observed punctual openings, calm voting and transparent counts, with SOPs signed and posted at polling sites and uploaded for public view.

As tabulation wraps up, the missions urged parties and supporters to remain patient and channel any disputes through the courts. The test ahead, they said, is not only announcing winners but converting a largely smooth election day into lasting confidence through visible, timely reforms.