U.N. Secretary General and Jamaica Prime Minister to discuss Haiti and climate crisis

United Nations-Secretary General António Guterres is headed to Jamaica Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness where the two will discuss a wide-range of issues affecting the Caribbean region.

The two men will meet on Monday and the topics to discuss include the impact of the climate crisis in the Caribbean region and the global framework for disaster risk reduction. Also development financing will be a major discussion item.

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U.S. Ambassador, Other Diplomats, Permitted to Enter Jamaica, 7 Days Before The Country’s Own Citizens Were Not Allowed To Because of COVID-19 Shutdown

After the government of Jamaica failed to acknowledge a request by 43 shipworkers to be allowed into their own country in early April, 18º North has learned that, only a week before, the U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica and his personal assistant were among those given special exemptions to enter as borders were closed to incoming passengers to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed the finding at a press conference.

The ban on incoming passengers was implemented March 25, and U.S. Ambassador Donald Tapia entered the country on March 27. According to the Jamaican government’s order at the time, persons were exempt only if “authorised by the Minister responsible for immigration, subject to the approval of the Cabinet.”

In a phone interview with 18º North, the Ambassador said he left Jamaica for his home state of Arizona on March 18, which was the day before the U.S. State Department announced its highest-level alert urging all Americans “do not travel” because of the pandemic. It was also seven days after Jamaica’s second positive case was announced, which happened to be a Jamaican staffer at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston.

Ambassador Tapia said his reason for going to the States was “for a 60th birthday party”, and he was scheduled to return March 23. However, he said his flight was cancelled, so he returned four days later in order to be able to work securely.

U.S. athletes promote reading for young students

Young people often emulate their favourite athletes. Now, many U.S. professional sports teams hope they can use this fact to inspire kids to read. Instead of holding a ball, many prominent athletes meet with young students to read books.

The Washington Nationals baseball team sponsors the Summer Reading Sundays program before scheduled home games. Players such as pitcher Sean Doolittle read to children before the games start.

U.S. Feed the Future program expands in 8 African countries

Justine Konde wanted to remove pests from her small farm in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially the pesky fall armyworm that damages her crops. She learned about effective pest control at a farmer field school organized by Feed the Future, a U.S. government program to combat global poverty and hunger.

U.S. Feed the Future programme expands in 8 African countries

Justine Konde wanted to remove pests from her small farm in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially the pesky fall armyworm that damages her crops.

She learned about effective pest control at a farmer field school organised by Feed the Future, a U.S. government programme to combat global poverty and hunger.

U.S. House of Representatives passes ‘The Crown Act’ banning discrimination based on hair texture or styles

The United States House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act, which would ban hair-related discrimination on March 18th 2022. Measure H.R. 2116 passed 235-189 in a vote along party lines - which was introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Democrat – New Jersey.

“CROWN” stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, and the act prohibits “discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair.” The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration, debate and a vote.

U.S. non-profit group funds affordable homes made with 3D printers

Habitat for Humanity, a U.S. non-governmental organisation, is providing funding for architecture firms to make houses using 3D printers for families in need.

U.S. steps up climate investments in Pacific islands

President Biden announced $810 million in funding for Pacific island nations, part of an increasing U.S. commitment to long-standing partners. “Security in the Pacific and for the Pacific Islanders remains as critical as ever to us,” he said at the first U.S.–Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington, which drew 15 countries.

Over the last decade, the United States has directly provided more than $1.5 billion to the Pacific islands, the White House said in a fact sheet.

U.S. Travel blasts disruptions at Capitol Hill

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement:

“We are profoundly heartbroken by the disturbing actions at the U.S. Capitol that are being viewed around the world. The behaviour we are witnessing has no place in any peaceful democracy, much less in the country that is supposed to be the foremost example of democratic principles.

“Working American families depend on a productive government to facilitate their livelihoods—especially in this time of unprecedented crisis and challenge—and the wilful disruption of our democratic transition is an unacceptable act of harm that is felt not just in Washington, but in every corner of the country.

“With all our hearts, we urge the swift and peaceful end to the chaos and mayhem in our capital city, and that we come together to heal and move forward for the sake of our country and our future.”

U.S. university acknowledging the enslaved people who built it

The University of Virginia, acknowledging its past as an institution that enslaved 4,000 people to build and maintain its grounds, has unveiled a memorial to honour them.

Its ‘Memorial to Enslaved Laborers’ recognizes the men, women and children forced to live and work at the school between 1817, when the school’s construction began, and 1865, when the Civil War ended slavery.

U.S. Virgin Islands returns to business following Tropical Storm Isaias

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has resumed business operations following the passage of Tropical Storm Isaias.  

The storm brought heavy rainfall, but with little to no impact to the Territory’s tourism infrastructure, the Department of Tourism has reported.

The overnight curfew has been lifted, major roads are clear, and government offices are open.

The Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix remain open with normal operations; however, inter-island commuter aircraft reported some delays and cancellations. Travellers are reminded to contact airlines for updates and advisories. 

Seaports have opened, however, the Wilfred "Bomba" Allick Port and Transshipment Center (The Containerport) on St. Croix remains closed to vessel traffic due to high surf conditions. Other maritime and seaplane operations have resumed.

“We once again thank our partners for working in lock step to prepare for this weather event, and pray that those who are now in the storm’s path will be safe,” said Joseph Boschulte, USVI Commissioner of Tourism.

U.S. winter storm puts wicked spin on travel and flights

Weather-related flight cancellations and delays that snarled U.S. commercial air traffic over the holiday weekend dragged on through Monday, with Southwest Airlines accounting for the bulk of the lingering disruptions a day after Christmas. More than 3,800 U.S. airline flights were cancelled on Monday, including 2,800 operated by Southwest, or nearly 70% of the carrier's total scheduled for the day, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.

U.S., Japan and South Korea launch new era of partnership

The leaders of the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea are launching a new era of cooperation among the three countries to build a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

UAE accepts appointment of first SKN Ambassador

Justin Kareem Hawley was recently appointed as the first Ambassador of St Kitts and Nevis (SKN) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In a meeting that took place between Hawley and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, credentials were presented and Hawley was officially welcomed.

Uganda Ebola free as USA lifts entry screening

The US Government lifted entry screening and public health monitoring of travelers to the US who have been in Uganda in the prior 21 days.

This came following The World Health Organization announcement on January 11, 2023, that declared Uganda free from Ebola after 42 consecutive days of no new infections since the last case was recorded.

Uganda moves 200 Kobs to Kidepo Valley National Park

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has commenced the translocation of 200 Uganda Kobs from Murchison Falls Conservation Area to Kidepo Valley Conservation Area.

30 males and 170 females will be translocated from Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Murchison Falls Conservation Area and released into Kidepo Valley National Park. This is the second translocation of Kobs to Kidepo Valley National Park in six years, following the translocation of 110 Kobs to the park.

Uganda to take in up to 2,000 Afghan refugees

Uganda is to take in 2,000 refugees who have fled Afghanistan after Taliban militants took power on Sunday.

The deal was agreed following a request from the US government. The first group of 500 Afghans were expected to arrive on Tuesday, but officials now say discussions about the arrangements are still ongoing.

Uganda tourism stakeholders review tariffs, performance

Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA the body in charge of managing Uganda’s National parks and protected areas organized a stakeholder engagement. The meeting took place on Friday at the Skyz Hotel in the suburbs of Kampala on Naguru Hill.

Present at the meeting were representatives from the Uganda Tourist Association (UTA)  Association of Uganda Tour Operators( AUTO) Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA), Exclusive Sustainable Tour Operators Association (ESTOA ) Tour Guides Forum Uganda  (TOGOFU), freelance Guides and Concessionaires. Presiding over the engagement was UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha, Business Development Director, Stephen Saanyi Masaba, and Paul Ninsiima Sales and Marketing Manager who were later joined by The State Minister for Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka.

Ugandan preachers taking religion to the streets

With the aid of a loud speaker, Kayemba Stephen's voice booms out above the noise of the traffic and bustle as people make their way to work in this busiest part of Uganda's capital, Kampala.

"Receive Jesus today!" the preacher, known on the streets as Sulphur Teacher, urges passers-by with a swagger as if he believes everyone is closely listening to what he has to say.