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Taking its cue from Guyana, which is earning nearly $7 million daily from offshore oil production, the government in neighboring Suriname says it will give every citizen living in the country a cash grant of US$750.00 each from future oil revenues. Announcing the package at the 49th independence anniversary celebrations on Monday, President Chan Santokhi clarified that the government will pay the money from royalties and other revenues after actual oil production begins in 2028   Total Energies of France, which is the lead player in the offshore production effort, had earlier this year made the crucial final investment decision…

The long-awaited and promised Caribbean Community arrest warrant and treaty are about to be rolled out across the region, making it easier for law enforcement to corral criminals and suspects who try to hide out in other jurisdictions. The legislation is harmonized, meaning that it will be broadly similar, if not the same, in nearly all 15 members of the CARICOM grouping. While in Guyana for the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, leaders stayed on for a workshop on worsening violent crime in the region, its impact on national budgets, crime as a mental health issue, and, of course, a…

Legendary Jamaican comedian Oliver Samuels brings bellyful laughter with his “Luck Money” to the stage, adding two extra shows to his Northeaster show schedule.   The tour in New York City will be held on Nov. 30 at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd., Bronx; Dec. 1 – JPAC, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, Queens; Dec. 7 – NYC College of Technology, 300 Jay St., Brooklyn. Showtime for all performances: 7:30 p.m. Ticket Prices: $76-$86, available for purchase at www.whirlwindlive.net. According to the CEO of Whirlwind Live Performances, Michael Dawson, “One would think that after 50 years in the theater, even a great comedian…

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have clashed with riot police in Georgia over the past five nights in protests against the governing Georgian Dream party’s decision to suspend talks aimed at joining the European Union until 2028.  Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the populist Dream Party, announced the decision after the European Parliament rejected the results of Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections. He accused the European Parliament and “some European leaders” of “blackmail”. Why are people protesting in the country of 3.7 million people in the South Caucasus? And what could happen next?   Who is protesting in Georgia and why? Protests erupted…

French government led by right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier is on the brink of collapse after opposition parties announced a push for a vote of no confidence over a social security budget dispute. Barnier’s decision to force through budget measures without a vote has infuriated both France’s left and the far-right parties. Barnier, the EU’s former Brexit negotiator was personally appointed by President Emmanuel Macron as the prime minister in September after a snap election in July resulted in a hung parliament. The 73-year-old leader has been heading a minority government. French lawmakers will put forward two no-confidence motions on Wednesday. A no-confidence vote…

The 32nd annual African Diaspora International Film Festival returns to New York City  (ADIFF-NY) from Nov. 29 to Dec. 15. The festival will present its traditional selection of award winning independent narratives and documentaries from across the globe, many of which are directed by women and spotlighting historic figures with Caribbean roots.   Some of these include “Breaking Boundaries” (2024), directed by Dina Burlis. The film is about Nastasya Generalova, the daughter of an African-American father and a Russian mother. Throughout the film, the audience will follow Generalova as she pursues her goal of becoming a member of the USA…

New York City Mayor Eric Adams last Wednesday announced the appointment of Jessica Tisch as commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), effective Monday, Nov. 25. Tisch is the second female to serve as commissioner of the NYPD in its 179-year history; the first, Commissioner Keechant Sewell, was also appointed by Mayor Adams. Tisch — a 12-year veteran of the NYPD and the current commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) — will take the helm of the nation’s largest police department as overall crime continues to drop across the five boroughs for the 10th…

(StatePoint) Every student deserves a fair shot. Fortunately, opportunities exist to help people with disabilities pursue the education and training they need to succeed in their chosen career path. Since 2017, Wells Fargo has partnered with Scholarship America to award 253 renewable scholarships to students with disabilities. Recently renamed “The Stacey Milbern Scholarship” after the pioneering activist, the scholarships open doors to new opportunities and foster greater accessibility for all.   Stacey Milbern was a Korean American activist who helped create the disability justice movement and advocated for fair treatment of all disabled people. Born with congenital muscular dystrophy, a…