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Canadian & US Intervention taking the long road, Haiti still in dire crisis

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By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

#Haiti, January 24, 2023 – On the ground, Haitians are terrified.  The gangs they’d thought would be nuetralised by now, are thriving and have enveloped much of the impoverished country in a fog of fear.  Kidnappings, targeted killings of law enforcement and others who dare to speak out and raging control over parts of the almost leaderless Caribbean country have inspired even more attempts to flee; Haitian men, women and children are risking  it all in an unrelenting flow driven by hope and desperation.

Despite sanctions on so-called elites and allegedly corrupt ex-politicians and promises of military intervention to disarm the gangs terrorizing and threatening the government of Haiti, the occupation of US and Canadian soldiers is having little effect, it seems, on the worsening humanitarian crises, raising questions about the effectiveness of the strategy.

The US, Canada and others stepped up late last year with the intent to send a multinational military force into the Republic after Ariel Henry, Haitian Prime Minister publicly requested it in October 2022.

The request came after gangs demanded Henry’s resignation.

The United Nations reports that at least 60 percent of Haiti is controlled by the country’s 200 gangs; residents however say the footprint of lawlessness and takeover is much, much higher.  Police are afraid and are being slaughtered in the streets.

No one is coming when back-up is called.

Canada took the lead on the combined military charge, described by the UN as a security assistance mission and authenticated by a UN Security Council resolution. Canada, in November, had maintained they would not put significant boots on the ground until all Haitian leaders agreed on the decision.

While politicians fought amongst themselves on this tactic, assistance arrived in the form of Haitian-bought armoured vehicles for the police and sanctions began to be laid against certain Haitians. The list of those to be sanctioned and declared ‘enemies of the state’ was compiled by US and Mexican authorities and included gang leaders and other elites who were summarily placed under travel bans, had their assets frozen and were banned from purchasing arms and doing business in the US and Canada.

But that has not stopped the chaos and mere weeks into 2023, the final cohort of democratically  elected leaders dramatically left office;  their terms having expired in early January, collapsing the last shreds of democracy.

The US and Canada have met to discuss the situation, but no concrete way forward was announced other than the sanctioning of two more ‘elites’.

Despite Henry’s cry for help and the UN agreement, Bob Ray, Canadian ambassador to the UN, has indicated that major military operations in Haiti would not have a lasting impact on the Caribbean nation and Canada is instead looking at more long-term options.

“We have to admit there’s been a history of what I would call large-scale military interventions that have not worked,” Ray told Canadian media houses. “The question is what form of intervention would be the most sustainable, and that is what we are still discussing.”

The assessment comes as Henry indicated he hoped the multinational force would arrive in the country this year. And as the crisis worsens, Haitians have continued to finance their exodus, even in dangerously small boats, hungry for a taste of a better life, albeit on another shore and without the welcome mat.

Record numbers of migrants have now illegally turned up in countries like the Turks and Caicos, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the United States, exposing a worrying trend mere weeks into the New Year.

Bahamas News

EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US

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Ribbon cutting

By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services



NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.

The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.

She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.

She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater.  We want our young people to see themselves in that way.

“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university.  It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”

The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary institution abroad to help build national capacity.

President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.

Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students.  “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”

She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.

“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration.  BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”

The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.

She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.

“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education.  Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”

PHOTO CAPTION

BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna

Header : Ribbon Cutting

The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.  US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

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Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.

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Bahamas News

Black Island Girl Relaunches with Expanded Features and Multimedia Focus

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Jael Josephs Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity

 

Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.

The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.

One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.

Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.

The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.

This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.

As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.

www.blackislandgirl.com

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Bahamas News

Desalination Contract Signed for Cat Island

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From: Bahamas Information Services
September 14, 2024
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Signing of a Desalination Contract between the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. for two desalination plants for Cat Island, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
“With the signing of this Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Consolidated Water, we set in motion the design, construction, and operation of two desalination plant facilities in Cat Island – as you have heard, one at New Bight in the South, and the other at Bennett’s Harbour in the North,” he said.  He added that the agreement was a “much-welcomed extension” of the infrastructural upgrades he oversaw as Minister of Works and Utilities in 2016.  At that time, he noted, three million dollars’ worth of funding from the Caribbean Development Bank was put toward the installation of eleven miles of new water mains and about 300 service connections.
“Now, after four years of stagnancy during the previous administration, this government is continuing water upgrades through the ongoing Cat Island Road Paving and Public Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project,” Prime Minister Davis stated.  “Already, we have allocated over $32 million to install 95 miles of new water mains and 800 service connections in Cat Island.  I am pleased to share that these works are well underway, with final completion slated for early 2026.”
(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

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