Tag: U.S. State Department

Jamaica Update, July 5, 2021: Elsa swamps us, Mindi stands firm, and Tashekia meets an untimely death

July 7, 2021

What a week of upheaval and apprehension as Tropical Storm Elsa approached, seemingly setting her sights on us. In the end, she squeezed between our island and Hispaniola, dragging a huge bag of rain along with her. And as you know, Jamaica has just “reopened” and the Delta variant is on the horizon (or quite … More Jamaica Update, July 5, 2021: Elsa swamps us, Mindi stands firm, and Tashekia meets an untimely death

Reshuffling, Rousing Up and Reading Reports: Jamaica on April 2, 2018

April 3, 2018

It’s April 1, and I got fooled by one or two tweets today! Also, of course for those who celebrate it, it’s Easter Day. Large quantities of bun and cheese are being eaten, as I write. I am trying to catch up a little on the news, so here goes… Caribbean: Haitian photo-journalist Vladimir Legagneur disappeared on March … More Reshuffling, Rousing Up and Reading Reports: Jamaica on April 2, 2018

The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History, by Anne C. Bailey

June 15, 2017

Dr. Anne C. Bailey is a Jamaican-born academic – an author, writer and historian. She is Professor of History and Africana Studies at the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton. She still maintains close links with Jamaica; we first met when she visited Jamaica during Black History Month. I had the honour of organising her visit … More The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History, by Anne C. Bailey

Saving our Caribbean Sea: Pollution Experts Commit to Support the Development of the First State of Marine Environment Report

September 16, 2016

There is a great deal of focus on our  ≈ oceans these days – as well there should be. Here are some of the current projects under way in the Caribbean: ≈ The U.S. State Department is currently hosting the Our Ocean Conference in Washington, DC. ≈ Last month, I attended the Kingston launch of the … More Saving our Caribbean Sea: Pollution Experts Commit to Support the Development of the First State of Marine Environment Report

The Blue Economy: New World Bank Report Identifies Key Opportunities to Boost Growth in the Caribbean Sea while Preserving its Ecosystem

September 13, 2016

This morning I attended a media call-in with Pawan Patil and Sophie Sirtaine at the World Bank’s Head Office in Washington, DC. as they launched their new report on prospects for a “Blue Economy” for the Caribbean. Thanks to Gerry McDaniel at World Bank’s Jamaica Office for facilitating this. The link to the report (overview … More The Blue Economy: New World Bank Report Identifies Key Opportunities to Boost Growth in the Caribbean Sea while Preserving its Ecosystem

BirdsCaribbean Welcomes New U.S.-Cuba Cooperation on the Environment Ahead of 2017 International Meeting

January 23, 2016

As we are all aware, the process of greater collaboration between the United States and Cuba is ongoing – step by step. This is already changing the dynamics in this corner of the world. Here in Jamaica, it was remarkable to see U.S. Ambassador Luis Moreno sharing a toast with the Prime Minister and his … More BirdsCaribbean Welcomes New U.S.-Cuba Cooperation on the Environment Ahead of 2017 International Meeting

The U.S. Is Exporting Buggery, CHEC is in a Hurry, and We Must Endure: Friday, May 22, 2015

May 23, 2015

This week has been a hard slog, but out in the yard there are puffs of wind, and the lawn is green after several showers that all city dwellers (except the homeless) welcomed joyfully. So now we need to take a deep breath and enjoy the long weekend; Monday, May 25 is Jamaican Labour Day. … More The U.S. Is Exporting Buggery, CHEC is in a Hurry, and We Must Endure: Friday, May 22, 2015

The Unelected

December 17, 2014

“The Unelected.” That sounds like a movie or TV drama title, doesn’t it? “The Unforgiven.” “The Missing.” And so on. Yesterday lunchtime, I was gathering my belongings and about to leave Gordon House as a parliamentary committee meeting drew to a close. Anti-corruption campaigner, former politician and University of the West Indies professor Trevor Munroe had just … More The Unelected

Mario Deane’s Independence Day Death and Mental Health

September 5, 2014

Investigations continue into the beating of Mario Deane at the Barnett Street police lock-up in Montego Bay and his subsequent death on Independence Day (August 6). There are many areas of deep concern that must be addressed – and not in a superficial, “band-aid” way either. We know – everyone knows – that Mr. Deane … More Mario Deane’s Independence Day Death and Mental Health

“Work Hard for a Cause”: Yaneek Page’s Inspiring Words to BK Scholarship Awardees

August 27, 2014

Yaneek Page is Managing Director of Future Services International, Executive Director of the television show “The Innovators,” and a trainer and consultant in innovation and entrepreneurship. She is a woman of boundless energy, drive and enthusiasm, with her feet firmly on the ground. Yaneek was invited to speak to a group of Jamaican students (21 … More “Work Hard for a Cause”: Yaneek Page’s Inspiring Words to BK Scholarship Awardees