U.S. Reiterates Support For Haiti

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News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Tues July 2, 2024: US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken today welcomed new Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy to Washington, emphasizing the strong support of the United States for Haiti during a pivotal time in the nation’s history.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (3L) meets with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille (2R) and Haitian Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy (3R) at the State Department in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images)

The meeting also highlighted the deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission, led by Kenya, to assist the Haitian National Police in restoring control over critical areas of Port-au-Prince and the broader country.

Blinken underscored the importance of Haiti’s transition towards free and fair elections and the essential role of international support in this process. He commended Prime Minister Conille’s leadership and expressed optimism about the positive impact of the Transitional Presidential Council and the newly established government.

The Secretary of State also noted the United States’ readiness to provide assistance to Haiti and other partners in the region in the event of any damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, which is being closely monitored.

Prime Minister Conille expressed gratitude for the continued solidarity and support from the American people and President Biden. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but says he remains confident in Haiti’s ability to overcome them with the new governmental structures in place.

TPS For Haitians

The meeting comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants for an additional 18 months. This extension is critical for the many Haitian nationals who have sought refuge in the United States due to ongoing violence and environmental disasters in their homeland.

TPS is a designation that allows foreign-born individuals who cannot return to their home countries safely due to armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to stay in the U.S. temporarily. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas noted in a recent release that several regions in Haiti continue to face severe challenges, including violence, lack of access to basic necessities, and frequent natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.

Originally set to expire on August 4, 2024, Haiti’s TPS designation has now been extended until February 3, 2026. This allows Haitian immigrants to remain in the United States with work authorization and protection from deportation.

Haitians currently holding TPS have until August 29 to re-register, while those eligible to apply for the first time can do so until February 2026. This extension is expected to benefit an estimated 309,000 Haitian nationals, provided they have been residing in the U.S. since before June 3, 2024.

Hurricane Beryl Death Toll Rises To Four

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News Americas, New York, NY, July 2, 2024: Hurricane Beryl has claimed at least four lives in the Caribbean as it slammed into Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a category four hurricane Monday.

Hurricane Beryl devastation in Carriacou, Grenada. Dexter Leggard/Facebook image

In Grenada, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell earlier today said so far, the death toll there from the devastating storm, is three – two on the island of Carriacou and one on the mainland of Grenada. Efforts are being made to secure a helicopter to reach Carriacou, where the hurricane made land fall, due to rough seas hampering Coast Guard operations.

Hurricane Beryl devastation in Carriacou, Grenada. Dexter Leggard/Facebook image

“There is widespread destruction and possibly more fatalities,” Mitchell said, adding that internal movement between Carriacou and Petite Martinique remains restricted.

Hurricane Beryl devastation in Carriacou, Grenada. Dexter Leggard/Facebook image

Meanwhile, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves confirmed one death on the island of Bequia and warned that more fatalities could occur. Gonsalves described the hurricane as “devastating and dangerous,” causing immense destruction and suffering across the nation. Union Island has been particularly hard hit, with 90% of homes severely damaged or destroyed.

Gonsalves reported significant damage to buildings, including the airport and government facilities, and a severe impact on the housing sector. The island is currently without electricity and facing water shortages, but efforts are underway to restore these services.

In response to the disaster, Gonsalves announced the reopening of government facilities and encouraged businesses to resume operations, acknowledging the challenges faced by employees whose homes were damaged. He highlighted the support from regional countries and the need for a coordinated rebuilding effort.

Prime Minister Gonsalves acknowledged the need for financial resources to support the rebuilding efforts. “We have some resources in the Contingency Fund, but it will not be sufficient. We will have to raise other monies and borrow on concessional terms,” he said, highlighting the limited availability of grants.

JAMAICA

At 5:00 PM EDT, Hurricane Beryl was moving west-northwest at about 22 mph (35 km/h) and is expected to maintain this trajectory through Wednesday, before turning more westward on Wednesday night or Thursday. The forecast indicates that Beryl will swiftly cross the central Caribbean Sea tonight, passing near or over Jamaica on Wednesday. The center is anticipated to approach the Cayman Islands on Wednesday night or early Thursday and near the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico by Thursday night.

Beryl has maximum sustained winds of approximately 155 mph (250 km/h), with higher gusts, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Although some weakening is expected over the next day or two, Beryl is projected to remain near major hurricane strength as it passes close to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Further weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is likely to stay a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the south coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d’Hainault.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the south coast of Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque westward to the border with Haiti and the south coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d’Hainault.

WHAT CAN WEST INDIES CRICKET LEADERSHIP LEARN FROM AFGHANISTAN’S FAIRYTALE STORY

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By Dr. Basil Springer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 1, 2024: In a thrilling twist of fate, the Afghanistan national cricket team made it to the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals, while the more experienced West Indies team did not. Their extraordinary journey has captured the hearts of cricket fans worldwide.

Andre Russell of West Indies looks on during the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 Super Eight match between West Indies and South Africa at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda. The West Indies lost and failed to advance. (Photo by Jan Kruger-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

As a passionate supporter of West Indies cricket, I find myself reflecting on the lessons our leadership can draw from this fairytale ascent. Their success is not solely attributed to their batting, bowling and fielding skills but also to their passion, persistence, patience and unyielding desire to win.

West Indies leadership, on the other hand, overlooked several vital elements crucial for success. These include the importance of fostering a strong bond and positive team spirit by keeping the team together well ahead of major events, the strategy to minimize early wicket losses in the opening power play, and understanding the psychological effects of frequent personnel changes on team spirit. In addition, the team should address the dot ball challenge and the ripple effect of disappointing performances on the fans.

Afghanistan’s play offers a masterclass in disciplined cricket. Their players approach batting with a calculated strategy, prioritizing singles and runs between the wicket over reckless attempts to clear the stands without settling in. This patient, intelligent approach contrasts sharply with the sometimes overly aggressive tactics we’ve seen from the West Indies. It’s a poignant reminder that, in cricket and life alike, a steady, measured path leads to success.

Moreover, their bowlers exemplify precision and consistency, with each delivery thoughtfully planned not just to take wickets but to control the game’s pace. This high level of discipline and focus is something our bowlers could emulate. It’s about more than raw talent. It’s about harnessing that talent with a clear, unwavering mental strategy.

However, the Afghan team’s palpable hunger for success truly sets it apart. They play with a fire that suggests they have everything to prove and nothing to lose. This kind of drive is invaluable. In any field, when hiring for a job, you might find a candidate with exceptional skills, but it’s the one with hunger and passion who will go the extra mile. This passion is the mentality we need to nurture within our own ranks.

As West Indies fans, we have always had a soft spot for the underdogs, and Afghanistan’s journey is a perfect underdog story. Yet, as we admire their rise, we must also absorb the lessons they teach. Our team possesses the talent and the potential. We need the heart, the discipline and the unwavering desire to win that Afghanistan has shown the world. By embracing these qualities, we can perhaps reignite the glory of West Indies cricket and chart our path to greatness.

In celebrating Afghanistan’s journey, we must ask ourselves: do we have the same hunger and burning desire to rise again and reclaim our place at the pinnacle of world cricket? If the answer is uncertain, we must consider what are the next steps.

Congratulations to India and South Africa on an enthralling final at Kensington Oval over the weekend. Special kudos to India, who take the coveted trophy to Asia after an undefeated performance in the Caribbean!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is ba*****@ma*******************.com. His columns may be found at nothingbeatsbusiness.com/basil-springer-column and on facebook.com/basilgf.

Guyana Earns $1.4 Billion in 50/50 Profit Share While Oil Companies Report $7.8 Billion in Profits

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Commentary By Darshanand Khusial

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 1, 2024: If you and a partner invest in a boat and decide to split profits equally, you will feel cheated if her share is much greater than 50%.

For instance, if from the day’s catch of 200 pounds of fish, you both decide that 100 pounds of fish should cover the expenses such as bait and fuel, then there will be a profit of 100 pounds of fish to share. Your profit take will be 50 pounds and hers will also be 50 pounds.

Exxon and its partners in the Stabroek Block have a 50/50 profit-sharing agreement with Guyana for extracting our oil. However, when looking at the 2023 accounting profit numbers for the oil companies compared to what was deposited in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) for Guyana, one would question how this can be a 50/50 profit-sharing agreement?

In a Stabroek Article on Feb 10th, 2023 titled, Renegotiating PSA would be ‘very destructive’ to investor confidence – Routledge, the President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge in response to this question, “There is a wide public view that Exxon and its partners are benefiting from the 11 billion barrels of oil more than Guyanese.” is said to have made this point, ” he [Routledge] was quick to point out that the view is unrealistic as the Guyanese people are benefiting more from the deal than the investors. He said it is very clear that under the Stabroek Block PSA, 50% of the profit goes to the country and 50% goes to investors. He noted that an additional 2% from the investors’ share goes towards the payment of royalty which results in Guyanese receiving a total of 52% of profit oil.“

The industrious Chris Ram has published a trio of articles on the 2023 financials of the oil companies, adding to his masterpiece of 132 columns on Oil & Gas, see HERE. If one extracts the 2023 pre-tax profit for the oil companies from his articles, they add up to US$7.8 billion. Now, one would expect in a 50/50 profit share, Guyana in 2023 would receive US$3.9 billion (US$7.8 billion divided by 2) in profits. However, according to the 2023 Natural Resource Fund, Guyana’s 2023 share of profits was only US$1.4 billion. To put it another way, Guyana collected 17.9% of the total reported profits of US$7.8 billion reported in the 2023 oil companies’ financials (see chart below).

Exxon has a billboard claiming Guyana receives 52% of all profits from the Stabroek Block. The 17.9% of profits Guyana received in 2023 appears to invalidate this claim. The perception among Guyanese that Exxon and its partners benefit much more from our oil seems to be accurate based on the 2023 financials of the oil companies.

We can’t pay our teachers a living wage, and 40% or more of our population can’t afford enough protein to eat. The government should explain, how in a 50/50 profit share agreement, Guyana only received US$1.4 billion while the oil companies reported total profits of US$7.8 billion. The government has refused to renegotiate the lopsided Stabroek Block contract. Is it more worried about Exxon’s investor confidence than the plight of Guyanese?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Darshanand Khusial is a director of the non-profit Oil and Gas Governance Network, OGGN

Hurricane Beryl Forces Postponement of CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting

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News Americas, New York, NY, July 1, 2024: As the dangerous Category Four Hurricane Beryl roared through the Windward Islands Monday, delivering violent winds, intense rainfall, and life-threatening storm surges, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) postponed its 47th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, originally scheduled for Grenada from July 3-5.

Sea water splashes on the rocks as hurricane Beryl passes near to Bridgetown, Barbados on July 1, 2024. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Beryl made landfall shortly after 11:00 a.m. EDT today on Carriacou Island in the Grenadines, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The storm triggered power outages, flooded streets, and caused storm surge flooding in parts of the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, and Tobago, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“The primary focus of the Community is now on citizen safety and security. Several Member States, including host nation Grenada, are now engaged in emergency preparations and planning to address the aftermath of the hurricane,” CARICOM said in a statement. “We implore everyone in the path of this hurricane to take all necessary protective measures. The Community stands ready to support our Member States which will be affected by this dangerous hurricane.”

Beryl is the strongest known hurricane to pass through this region, according to data from NOAA that dates back to 1851. Its arrival marks an exceptionally early start to the Atlantic hurricane season. On Sunday, it became the earliest Category 4 on record in the Atlantic Ocean and the only Category 4 in the month of June. The unusually warm ocean waters that facilitated Beryl’s rapid strengthening indicate that this hurricane season will be far from normal in a world warming due to fossil fuel pollution.

“Beryl is breaking records for June because the ocean is as warm now as it would normally be at the peak of hurricane season,” said Jim Kossin, a hurricane expert and science advisor at nonprofit First Street Foundation.