Tag Archives: caribbean

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PM Harris: Government Committed Establishing Police and Fire Retirees Center

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — In commemoration of its third anniversary, the St. Kitts and Nevis Police and Fire Retirees Association observed a week of activities that had started with a church worship service on Nevis and ended with a similar service on St. Kitts.

It was at the service that Prime Minister the Hon. Dr.Timothy Harris assured the congregation his government was committed to finding a home and center for police and fire retirees.

“The week began last Sunday, November 28 with a church service in Nevis because we want the Nevis aspect to feel that we are one big family,” said Force Chaplain (Retired) Pastor Leroy Benjamin. “We are concluding this week with the service here this morning.

Pastor Benjamin make the remarks on Sunday, December 5 at the Antioch Baptist Church in Lime Kiln, West Basseterre, where members of the Association were joined by Prime Minister, and Minister of National Security, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, for the morning worship service

Also present at the worship service, which was conducted and sermon themed ‘Measuring God’s Love’ delivered by Lead Pastor Lincoln Connor, were Governor General’s Deputy, His Excellency Michael and Mrs Cynthia Morton.

“One of the things we were yearning for – we are looking a place where we can go and socialise,” pointed out Pastor Benjamin. “The police fellows and the fire fellows, after we have taken all the dew and the rain for all those years, now we are retired we need a place to go. And so, with all the government buildings around in the place, we are begging for one.

According to the Retired Force Chaplain, the association has been agitating for it to have a home and that they would have met with the Prime Minister. He appealed: “Mr Prime Minister that is still on the agenda for 2022, help us out.

In a post-worship service interview, Prime Minister Harris thanked the St. Kitts and Nevis Police and Fire Retirees Association for recognising that there is continuing validity to recognition and honouring of the work of those who have served in National Security

“They have our fullest support as a government, and I commit to work with them in identifying a home which can become their centre of operations,” said the Minister of National Security, Dr Harris.

The association is headed by its President, Commissioner of Police (Retired) Austin Williams. Those present at the worship service included its Vice President, Sergeant (Retired) McLean Hobson; Secretary, Inspector (Retired) Natalie Fough; and Treasurer, Assistant Commissioner (Retired) Joseph Richardson.

Others included Past President of the Association, Superintendent (Retired) Ivor Blake, Assistant Commissioner (Retired) Merclyn Hughes, Assistant Commissioner (Retired) Vaughn Henderson, Fire Sub Officer (Retired) Clarence Henderson, and their awardee on St. Kitts, Superintendent (Retired) Uriel Hensley who served for over 37 years.

According to Pastor Benjamin, during the worship service held on Nevis on Sunday November 28, the association honoured Inspector (Retired) James Dyer. Also worshipping with them was Minister of Communication and Works in the Nevis Island Administration, the Hon Spencer Brand.

During the week of activities, they visited the homes of retired officers, some who are shut in, and also had a social evening on Friday December 3 at the New Town Community Centre, East Basseterre, where among others they participated in a domino competition.

“In addition to visitations, we have added visits to our members when their birthdays come, to afford us the opportunity to reach them in a tangible way,” noted Pastor Benjamin. “We also intend to be giving them food baskets during Christmas time.”

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More Than 2,000 Hospitality Workers Trained in Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 Sensitization Sessions

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS — An official of the Ministry of Tourism on Nevis is voicing satisfaction with the response to a series of COVID-19 sensitization training sessions for hospitality industry employees.

Ms. Nicole Liburd, Product Development Officer in the ministry, was charged with organising and executing the sessions. She says the sessions has drawn hundreds of participants from a wide section of the industry.

“Our estimation is that we would have seen approximately 2,000 or just over 2,000 individuals trained on the island of Nevis. This would include persons working in the water transport sector, the entertainment sector, hotel and accommodation, food and beverage so that’s restaurants/bars.

“We would have seen also artisans being trained. We would have seen a number of other small sectors like the events providers. We would have seen baby sitters and all of those; some who may not be direct as in some of the providers for specialty events like a personal chef and stuff like that so it’s been a real broad-based response to the training,” she said.

The last sensitization session for 2021 is slated for 8:15 p.m. on December 07, 2021, at the Jessups Community Centre.

The Ministry of Tourism embarked on the training sessions in mid-summer 2020 to sensitize all tourism employees to the ongoing pandemic, to expose them to what COVID-19 is, the preventive and control measures, the non-pharmaceutical measures, the importance of sanitizing, cleaning and disinfecting of their work areas, and how to operate using new customer service techniques for going forward.

Monthly training sessions are geared towards persons getting ready to return to work or those who are new to the hospitality sector or any anyone who missed earlier sessions. The `Ministry has included in the training in recent times information on the various vaccination options for tourism employees

On com.pletion all who attend the training sessions are certified. Ms. Liburd noted that employers have been seeking proof of the training for those who wish to be employed at their establishments.

“Certification is provided for all employees as well who attend, as many employers within the tourism sector are asking for proof of COVID-19 certification to show that you know the basics, you know the minimum and have been exposed to this training,” she said.

Responding to whether the objective of the training sessions has been met, Ms. Liburd expressed the view that the Ministry has been successful in that regard.

“The objective of the training was to ensure that all tourism workers directly or indirectly employed would be adequately prepared to ensure that they are well trained considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its implication to the tourism industry as we are frontline employees, and to continually give updates and new information as we continue to move forward into the new normal.

“We feel that the objective for training has been met…Of course, there will always be instances where more training could be needed but it also falls back to the fact that it is a personal responsibility where you’re trained.

“You’re aware of all the various protocols, the non-pharmaceutical measures and also the vaccine options, so it then becomes a greater personal responsibility but most places are adhering to the protocols. Most employees do adhere to the various protocols that are in place at their work place and they have been exposed to COVID-19, and they are aware now of the implications of the COVID-19 on our industry and what we must do to safeguard,” she said.

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Dominican Republic Expels, Mistreats Haitians, Activists Say

 

Loop- Bien-Aimé St. Clair frowned as the stream of older Haitian migrants pushed past him. Accused of living in the Dominican Republic illegally, they knew they had no choice but to go back across the border to Haiti.

But St. Clair, 18, hesitated. He shouted at an immigration agent.

“Boss! Hey! I don’t know anyone there,” he yelled in Spanish, motioning toward Haiti as he stood on the frontier that the two countries share on the island of Hispaniola.

St. Clair was a child when his mother brought him to the Dominican Republic, and though his life has been hard — his mom died when he was young, his father disappeared, and he was left alone to raise his disabled brother — it’s the only life he has known.

And now, he was being forced to leave, like more than 31,000 people deported by the Dominican Republic to Haiti this year, more than 12,000 of them in just the past three months — a huge spike, observers say. As the rest of the world closes its doors to Haitian migrants, the country that shares an island with Haiti also is cracking down in a way that human rights activists say hasn’t been seen in decades.

The increasing mistreatment of the country’s Haitians, they say, coincided with the rise of Luis Abinader, who took office as president in August 2020.

They accuse the government of targeting vulnerable populations, separating children from their parents and racial profiling — Haiti is overwhelmingly Black, while the majority of Dominicans identify as mixed race. Dominican authorities, they say, are not only seeking out Haitians who recently crossed illegally into the Dominican Republic, but also those who have long lived there.

“We’ve never seen this,” said William Charpantier, national coordinator for the nonprofit National Roundtable for Migration and Refugees. “The government is acting like we’re at war.”

They’ve arrested Haitians who crossed illegally into the Dominican Republic; Haitians whose Dominican work permits have expired; those born in the DR to Haitian parents but denied citizenship; even, activists say, Black Dominicans born to Dominican parents whom authorities mistake for Haitians.

Haitian officials and activists also say the government is violating laws and agreements by deporting pregnant women, separating children from parents and arresting people between 6 pm and 6 am

Meanwhile, activists say hostility against Haitians is spiralling as Abinader unleashed a flurry of anti-Haitian actions.

He suspended a student-visa program for Haitians, prohibited companies from drawing more than 20% of their workforce from migrant workers and ordered Haitian migrants to register their whereabouts.

He announced an audit of some 220,000 people previously awarded immigration status to determine if they still qualify, and he warned that anyone who provides transportation or housing to undocumented migrants will be fined. And he suspended pension payments owed to hundreds of former sugarcane workers — most of them Haitian.

The measures follow Abinader’s announcement in February that his administration would build a multimillion-dollar, 118-mile (190-kilometre) wall along the Haitian border.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic have long had a wary and difficult relationship, stained by a 1937 massacre in which thousands of Haitians were killed under Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo.

The racism and rejection of Haitians is still palpable, with Dominicans cursing them or making disparaging comments when they see them on the street.

Still, hundreds of thousands of Haitians were believed to live in the Dominican Republic, even before many fled Haiti in recent months in the wake of a presidential assassination, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, a severe shortage of fuel and a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings.

“We don’t come here to take over the country. We’re trying to survive,” said Gaetjens Thelusma of the nonprofit group We Will Save Haiti.

The government has repeatedly said it treats migrants humanely. Abinader recently told the United Nations that his country had borne the burden of dealing with the ripples of Haiti’s crises on its own, without much help from the rest of the world.

While his country has demonstrated solidarity and collaboration with Haiti and will keep doing so, he said, “I also reiterate that there is not and will never be a Dominican solution to the crisis in Haiti.”

His own ministers have referred darkly to Haitians as invaders: In early November, Jesús Vázquez, Dominican minister of the interior and police, inaugurated the first of several dozen offices where foreigners will be required to register.

He told reporters: “The main threat that the Dominican Republic faces nowadays is Haiti, and we are called upon to defend our homeland.”

The raids, deportations and mistreatment by the government have dissuaded some Haitians from crossing into the Dominican Republic, according to a human smuggler who only gave his first name as Luis Fernando.

He was born in Haiti but has lived in the Dominican Republic for 19 years. He paints and works in construction but also helps migrants cross illegally, paying Dominican officials anywhere from $35 to $90 to look the other way. In mid-November, he placed a group waiting to cross on hold.

“For now, it’s best that they stay over there. Until things cool down,” he said.

And yet, some still insist on making their way to the DR.

St. Clair, the teenager marooned in Dajabon, looked around as immigration officials who had detained him left and authorities prepared to close the border for the night. Gone was the stream of border crossers, the rumble of trucks and the roar of motorcycles carrying plantains, onions and other goods.

Apologetic UNICEF workers had told him they couldn’t help — he turned 18 in October and was now considered an adult.

St. Clair began walking back toward the Dominican Republic. One concerned immigration official yelled after him, “Where are you going to sleep? You don’t have any money.”

St. Clair didn’t respond. As the sun set, he slipped past authorities, sneaked into the Dominican Republic and disappeared down a quiet street.

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A&B, Caribbean Mourns Rastafarian Leader King Frank-I

By Makeida Antonio, Antigua Observer

Government officials and dignitaries joined the masses who paid tribute to the late Ambassador Franklyn ‘Frank-I’ Francis who died at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre yesterday.

More popularly known as King Frank-I, the deceased, who was said to be in his 70s, made significant contributions to education, sports, culture, media and religion in the twin island state. Many remember him as being instrumental to the Rastafari movement in the country as well as his banter on radio as a sports and social commentator.

He was also Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia.

In a statement yesterday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne recalled his friendship with King Frank-I during his youth. Browne said he ran errands and cleaned utensils in a restaurant owned by Frank-I and his business partner Lumba where he received sauce and “dread bread” as his payment.

Prime Minister Browne also highlighted that Frank-I played an important role in the decriminalisation of possessing small amounts of marijuana and granting permission for residents to cultivate four marijuana trees in their backyards. The ambassador also lobbied for the legalisation of medical cannabis in Antigua and Barbuda.

“Upon the assumption of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to office in 2014, several steps were taken to give recognition to the Rastafarian faith.

“King Frank-I was appointed Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. He was dispatched to Washington DC to address the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Permanent Council,” the statement read.

“Embracing the apology of Prime Minister Browne for the discrimination and violence visited upon the Rastafari in years prior, Ambassador Frank-I spoke passionately about the new role for the Rastafari faithful in Antigua and Barbuda, and other Latin American and Caribbean states.

“He was very well received,” the statement said, adding condolences to the Francis family.

United Progressive Party (UPP) leader and King Frank-I’s former attorney, Harold Lovell, said that their relationship began in 1996 when the deceased was detained at St John’s Police Station for possession of marijuana.

“We decided, with the help of Lord Anthony Gifford QC, to challenge the law by filing a constitutional motion under the Freedom of Religion section of the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda,” Lovell recounted.

“It was an interesting landmark case, establishing for the first time in the Caribbean and in the world that Rastafari is a religion entitled to protection under the law. In fact, the case of Franklyn Francis vs the Attorney General cleared the way for reform in schools, in the prison and the wider society.”

Lovell remembered Frank-I as an intellectual who lived a simple life, away from the temptations of a materialistic world.

“King Frank-I was a deep thinker with a deep gravelly voice. He was an intellectual with a clear understanding of the global political economy who brought an uncompromising Rastafari perspective to the life we live.

“Though he lived in the system, he was not of the system. He rejected materialism and turned his back on the consumer society. Indeed, he was comfortable within the castle of his skin.”

Commissioner of Sports and media practitioner Colin James indicated that Frank-I had one of the most recognisable voices on many topics, ranging from sports to politics.

“King Frank-I was easily the most recognisable and most distinguished voices ever to have reported, commented and/or expressed his views on life, sports, culture, politics (or poli-tricks as he would say), economics and social issues in Antigua and Barbuda,” James said.

“Africa, Africanism and the diaspora were the wider parts of his kingdom. He spoke glowingly and proudly about his African brothers and sisters; those living in the diaspora were always in his thoughts.”

James added that the passing of King Frank-I was a blow to local journalism as his expertise was invaluable to the media fraternity in Antigua and Barbuda.

“His commentary and insight — from the ZDK sports microphone or the commentary box or through his articles and reports — were always of a high calibre.

“His usual injunction and admonishing “Jah guide, keep fit and be a good sport” will go down in the annals of sports and Antiguan and Caribbean folklore. His passing will be the poorer for the media fraternity, especially those who will be seeking a career in the profession,” he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs EP Chet Greene said that Francis was instrumental to national development and represented Antigua and Barbuda well in African countries other than Ethiopia, to include Ghana, on behalf of Rastafari.

“He will be deeply missed as a friend and colleague for the many lives he affected. He will also be remembered and cherished by many sports enthusiasts, players and athletes for his contributions to sports promotion. His work and character have established a sound legacy that will be venerated for years to come,” Greene shared.

The UPP’s candidate for St John’s City West and historian Alister Thomas gave his thoughts on Frank-I’s contributions to the Afrocentric sentiments in the Caribbean.

“He was a pioneer of the Rastafari movement which spoke a lot about looking to Africa and the relation of the citizens of the Caribbean and their historic roots … he played almost an unparalleled role in raising the consciousness besides the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement,” Thomas said.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Nyabinghi tribe of Antigua and Barbuda, King Osagyefo, spoke fondly of Frank-I on Observer’s Connecting with Dave Lester Payne show yesterday, and stated that his passing has plunged the Rastafari community into mourning.

“You know, he’s an international man, a man of the Caribbean, a man of the nation. His contributions and the passing of the king at this time in life, Jah, you know what is going on. He contributed guidance; he is a man I looked up to and he will be greatly missed,” he said.

King Osagyefo added, “nobody can be Frank-I but Frank-I”.

 

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PM Harris and Mrs Morton Among Antioch Baptist Church Birthday Celebrants

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, December 6, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — When Lead Pastor at the Antioch Baptist Church in Lime Kiln, Pastor Lincoln Connor, on Sunday December 5 invited birthday celebrants for the day and the week to stand, among them were Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, and Mrs Cynthia Morton.

Prime Minister Harris, who is also the Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven (Bellevue to Ottley’s) and National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) one of the three parties in the ruling Team Unity Administration, is celebrating his birthday on Monday December 6.

Mrs Morton, who is the wife of Governor General’s Deputy, His Excellency Michael Morton, will be celebrating her birthday on Tuesday December 7.

“We want to celebrate those who are celebrating,” announced Pastor Connor during the 9:30 a.m. worship service at the church. “So, we want to celebrate those of you who are here celebrating this week, anytime today right down. Kindly stand so we can celebrate with you.”

As he made the announcement, pictures of three persons who had attended the 7:00 a.m. worship service including a young boy were splashed on the screen. Prime Minister Harris, Mrs Morton, and at least three others stood to be recognised, after which the band belted out the ‘Happy birthday’ song.

“Amen – I ain’t hear the band play that birthday song like that for a long time,” remarked Pastor Connor. “To tell the truth, when it was your birthday, they play so good? Truth – not even for my birthday. But Mr Prime Minister – that is another reason.”

Other birthday celebrants were Master Jestin Henry (Dec. 5), Mr Javed Farrell (Dec. 8), twins Miss Zanaya and Miss Janaya Huggins (Dec. 8), Mr Joshua Richards (Dec. 8), Master Ajani Woods (Dec. 8), and Ms Trista Wattley-Stennett (Dec.9).

“Father as we reflect upon your goodness and where you have brought them from, we pray that all the honour and glory would go to you,” said Pastor as he prayed for the celebrants. “Actionise them in their work especially our Prime Minister as he leads. We pray that you will endow him with wisdom, and guidance that you only can give. We pray that you will bless him as he leads his Cabinet, and leads this Federation.”

Added the Leader Pastor in his prayer for the Prime Minister: “We pray God your blessings upon everything that he puts his hands to do, for if he prospers, then we prosper. So, we pray that you would strengthen him physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, as he does his job.”

Governor General’s Deputy His Excellency Michael Morton, and Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr the Hon Timothy Harris had worshipped at the church in support of three organisations that were celebrating important milestones.

Commissioners at the Office of Integrity Commission for St. Kitts and Nevis led by Chairperson Justice Pearletta Lanns were worshipping at the start of a week of activities to popularise the work of the commission, St. Kitts (Basseterre) Lions Club were commemorating 42 years of work in St. Kitts, while members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Police and Fire Retirees Association were observing the association’s third anniversary.

Other celebrants who were recognised were Javid and Shaline Lewis who celebrated their wedding anniversary on Sunday December 5, and Vernon and Olivia Taylor who will be celebrating their wedding anniversary on Friday December 10.

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Virgin Atlantic Inaugurates Long-Haul Flights From Edinburgh to Barbados

By Pranjal Pande

Virgin Atlantic has inaugurated its first long-haul route from Edinburgh. The airline launched its new service from the Scottish capital to Barbados, its third route to the Caribbean nation. It’s the first connection to Barbados from the Scottish capital.

Virgin Atlantic Inaugurates Long-Haul Flights From Edinburgh
Virgin Atlantic is using one of its Airbus A330-300s for the 9+ hour route over the Atlantic. Photo: Getty Images

Hello sunshine!

December 5th marked the first flight of Virgin Atlantic’s new route from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI). The route was first announced in August this year, with the carrier hoping to corner the market for long-haul services to leisure destinations and boost cargo capacity out of Scotland.

VS223 took off from EDI at 11:17 AM local time for the scheduled nine hours and a 10-minute transatlantic flight. The A330-300 operating took a straightforward route, flying southwest over Ireland before entering the Atlantic for much of its journey. The next time the flight was overland, it was on approach to BGI, where it touched down at 16:00 local time, 15 minutes ahead of schedule

Map
Barbados is the first of two destinations Virgin has planned from Edinburgh in the next year. Map and Data: RadarBox.com

This service will operate twice a week, scheduled for:

  • VS223: Departs EDI at 11:05 AM and lands in BGI at 16:15 local times on Wednesdays and Sundays (the schedule varies slightly through Dec-Jan)
  • VS224: Departs BGI at 19:10 and arrived in EDI at 07:30 AM (+1 day) on Saturdays and Tuesdays (no changes to schedule)

Virgin’s trusted Airbus A330-300s will serve both flights. These planes come equipped with 31 seats in Upper Class, 46 seats in premium economy, and 185 seats in standard economy, for a total of 264 passengers.

 

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PAHO: Unequal Living Conditions Affect Health of Afro-Descendants

CMC– The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says  a new study of Afro-descendant populations in 18 Latin American countries demonstrates that they live with “dramatically unequal social and economic conditions that damage health.”

The study, “Health of Afro-descendant People in Latin America,” concludes that in more than 80 per cent of the 18 countries analyzed, Afro-descendants live with “a broad range of disadvantages related to poverty, employment, maternal and child health, and lack of access to adequate ­housing and basic services, such as safe water and sanitation.”

“Let us be frank: health inequities faced by Afro-descendant people occur in a context of discrimination and institutional racism, often exacerbated by gender inequalities,” said PAHO Dominican-born Director Dr Carissa F. Etienne in releasing the study on Friday.

“They are manifested from the first years of life, and accumulated health risks increase with age, producing significant differences in the levels of mortality and life expectancy,” she added. “As a result, different factors related to discrimination and stigmatization, along with gender inequalities and social and economic disadvantages, account for the poor health outcomes of Afro-descendant people.

“As we have noted before,” Dr Etienne continued, “the profound inequities in health faced by these communities have been further exposed and exacerbated by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic in both its direct and indirect effects.”

The report, which analyzes data on socio-economic indicators in the 18 countries, emphasizes that limited access to health care for Afro-descendant people also translates into “high maternal mortality rates, early pregnancy, and epidemiological profiles in which sickle cell disease, chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, and HIV prevail.”

PAHO said that, in Latin America, 134 million people identify themselves as Afro-descendants.

The report finds that, in many countries, disadvantages are stark. For example, it finds that, in Ecuador, the maternal mortality rate for Afro-descendant women triples the overall maternal mortality rate.

In Colombia, the rate for Afro-descendant women is 1.8 times higher, and in Brazil, it is 36 per cent higher, the study finds.

In Uruguay, the proportion of Afro-descendants with limited access to drinking water (42 per cent) is almost double that of non-Afro-descendants (24 per cent), according to the report.

In urban areas in Nicaragua, it says 81 per cent of Afro-descendants have limited access to water, compared to 35 per cent of non-Afro-descendants.

“We are living in a context of systemic racism against Afro-descendants,” said Costa Rican First Vice President Espy Campbell Barr during the launch event. “By systemic, I mean that it is enclosed within the political, economic, social and cultural system and that, as a result, health is incorporated in that reality of racial exclusion of Afro-descendant people and, of course, indigenous peoples.”

La Celia A. Prince, the Vincentian-born Chief of Staff of the Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), said: “While people in situations of vulnerability such as Afro-descendants still face invisibility and exclusion, while they still live in poverty and are not able to access universal health coverage, the achievement of the (United Nations) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will remain out of our reach.

“For this reason, we join the call to action and inclusivity for vulnerable Afro-descendant populations,” said Prince, a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the United States and the OAS.

The report recommends improving public health policies for Afro-descendants by incorporating “specific knowledge and ancestral practices of Afro-descendant people, respect for their autonomy, culture and customs, and the creation of participatory scenarios conducive to equal opportunities for all.

“These are urgent issues that cannot be put off if the aim is to ensure equitable and inclusive processes that guarantee the right to health for all Afro-descendant people,” the report said.

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WORLD VIEW: Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Gets 4 Years, Omicron Less Deadly?, India Greets Putin, More

Dec. 6, 2021

Alternate text
  •  A special court in Myanmar has sentenced the country’s ousted leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison after finding her guilty of incitement and violating coronavirus restrictions.
  • The AP looks at the life of Bob Dole, the three-time Republican presidential candidate who died Sunday at age 98.
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin as India attempts to balance its ties with the United States.
  • In festive news, more than 230 skiing Santas have hit the slopes in Maine to raise money for charity.
  • 101-year-old plans to return to Pearl Harbor for 80th anniversary of attack.
  • Lawyer: Artist didn’t know school shooting suspect’s parents stayed in studio.
  • Italy tightens restrictions for unvaccinated people as holidays approach.

MIKE CORDER, Chief Correspondent, The Hague.

The Rundown

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BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Myanmar sentenced the country’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to four years in prison on Monday after finding her guilty of incitement and violating coronavirus restrictions, a legal official said….Read More

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Bob Dole willed himself to walk again after paralyzing war wounds, ran for Congress with a right arm too damaged to shake hands, and rose through the Senate ranks to become a long-serving Republican leader an…Read More

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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to have settled on a strategy to deal with a handful of Republican lawmakers who have stirred outrage with violent, racist and sometimes Islamophobic comments. …Read More

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss defense and trade relations as India attempts to balance its ties with the United States. …Read More

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U.S. health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge o…Read More

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HONOLULU (AP) — When Japanese bombs began falling on Pearl Harbor, U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class David Russell first sought refuge below deck on the USS Oklahoma. But a s…Read More

A Detroit-area artist whose studio was where the parents of the Oxford High School student charged in a deadly shooting were found by police is cooperating with author…Read More

MILAN (AP) — Italy is making life more uncomfortable for unvaccinated people as the holidays draw near, excluding them from indoor restaurants, theaters and museums to…Read More

NEWRY, Maine (AP) — Santa is back to “sleighing” it on the ski slope. More than 230 skiing and snowboarding Kris Kringles took to a western Maine resort on Sunday to …Read More

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Here We Go Again? COVID Outbreak on Cruise Ship Approaching New Orleans

The cruise ship made stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico.

Ten people aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship approaching New Orleans have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

The Norwegian Breakaway had departed New Orleans on November 28 and is due to return this weekend, the Louisiana Department of Health said in a news release. Over the past week, the ship made stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico.

More than 3,200 people are on board the ship, officials said.

According to the statement, Norwegian “has been adhering to appropriate quarantine and isolation protocols as new cases and exposures have been identified aboard this vessel.”

Prior to disembarking in New Orleans, each person on board will be tested for the coronavirus. Anyone who tests positive will either go directly home or self-isolate in accommodations provided by the cruise line, officials said.

Officials did not release any information about the conditions of those who have contracted the virus.

Cruise ships were an early source of outbreaks last year at the start of the coronavirus pandemic as some ships were rejected at ports and passengers were forced into quarantine. Some passengers died of COVID-19 at sea while others fell so ill they had to be carried out of the vessels on stretchers.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order in March 2020, prompting a standstill that ended last June as cruise ships began to leave US ports with new health and safety requirements. According to Norwegian’s website, the company requires all passengers and crew members to have been vaccinated against the virus at least two weeks prior to departure

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