DR WORK PERMIT WAIVER COMPLETE - REPORT ON CARICOM, Pointe Xpress
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FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023 | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 34 | WWW.POINTVILLE.AG REPORT ON CARICOM, DR WORK PERMIT WAIVER COMPLETE Story on Page 2 The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) recently announced that it has received a donation of an electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) machine from the Friends of Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (FoMSJMC). The equipment, valued at over EC$15,000.00 is earmarked for the hospital’s outpatient clinic. (L-R): Lawrence Blackman (FoMSJMC Treasurer), Dwayna Derrick (FoMSJMC President), Ann-Marie Browne-Isaac (SLBMC Departmental Nurse Manager), Evon Challenger (FoMSJMC member), Salma Crump (SLBMC Marketing & Comms. Manager). Story on page 8
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 2
Local News
Report on work permits,
fate of Africans complete A report compiled by recommendations in the re-
technicians in the Minis- port, he did indicate that it
try of Legal Affairs, Public will be presented to the cab-
Safety and Immigration has inet next Wednesday before
been completed and is to be being made public.
presented to the minister to- One of the concerns
day, Friday 17th February, raised by the Immigration
2022. Department, according to
That was the word of In- Nicholas, concerned the
formation Minister, Melford protocols that will be re-
Nicholas as he spoke during quired to accommodate Do-
Thursday’s post-Cabinet minican Republic nationals,
Press Briefing. as that country is not a full
The report examined member of CARICOM.
ways in which the govern- It is expected that this
ment could implement its issue will be addressed in
election campaign pledge to the report.
do away with work permit Minister Nicholas also
fees for CARICOM nation- disclosed that the fate of the
als and residents from the Cameroonians stranded in
Dominican Republic. Antigua and Barbuda will
While Nicholas did not be covered in the report.
Information Minister, Melford Nicholas disclose the details of the cont’d on pg 3
Local News
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 3
African man arrested for
masterminding suspected scam
A group of Africans, ap- part of the obligation that
parently scammed by one of we gave to the minister of
their own, is desperate to re- labour and of immigration,
cover their money. to look at both the matter
Reports indicate that relating to the CARICOM
the man allegedly tricked a citizens and their work per-
group of about twenty peo- mit and to help the cabinet
ple into giving him money to define a legal method of
under the pretense that he absorbing these persons,
would obtain airline tickets given the criteria we had es-
for them on a charter flight tablished.
back to Africa. by police. ed and a civil war raging “For those [Africans]
After some time had On Thursday afternoon, in Cameroon where some who want to leave, we will
passed, the man failed to more than a dozen visibly of them originated, Infor- make arrangements for
provide the tickets or issue worried African men and mation Minister Melford them to go back to their
a refund, which roused the women stood sentry outside Nicholas says the way for- home country, or for those
suspicion of his countrymen St. John’s Police Station. ward in deciding their fate who choose to stay, we are
who began to suspect that It is believed that they in Antigua and Barbuda will awaiting the report from the
they may have been duped. were awaiting an update be based on the findings of Ministry of Labour and Im-
The victims reported from law enforcement of- a report that is to be sub- migration,” Nicholas said.
the man, whose address has ficers about whether they mitted to Attorney General The information minis-
been given as Dickenson would be able to recoup and Minister of Labour and ter added that the principals
Bay, to the Criminal Inves- their money. Immigration, Steadroy Ben- of Antigua Airways have
tigations Department of the Meanwhile, a decision jamin. confirmed, “that they will
Royal Police Force of Anti- on the future of the approx- “I would expect that that be prepared to fund the ex-
gua and Barbuda. imately 800 Africans who will be a part of the report traction aircraft”.
After an initial investi- have been stranded in Anti- that the minister of labour is When this flight will
gation, the fake business- gua and Barbuda is pending. awaiting that will be on his leave St. John’s for the Af-
man was arrested, however, With the operations of desk tomorrow [Friday]. rican continent, however, is
he has not yet been charged Antigua Airways suspend- “It was a contingent unknown.
cont’d from pg 2 ment was considering sev- turning to Nigeria where to remain here may be given
“They have different eral scenarios regarding they boarded their flight to the opportunity to integrate
security issues, different se- their continued presence in Antigua and Barbuda will into society, obtain work
curity interfaces and other Antigua and Barbuda. have the option to do so free permits and possibly resi-
methods of due diligence Those desirous of re- of cost. The others who opt dency.
and that’s why we submitted
this matter to them for their
consideration,” he stated.
The objective, Nicholas
emphasised, is to explore
how the Africans who re-
main in Antigua and Bar-
buda can do so lawfully as
they integrate into society.
Last week, he an-
nounced that the govern-
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 4
Local News
Opposition displeased with
limitations on swearing in attendance
On Friday morning, the
members of government
and the parliamentary op-
position will be sworn in
and formally commence
their five-year term of na-
tional service in the Parlia-
ment.
Cries of foul surfaced
on Thursday, however,
when both the United Pro-
gressive Party (UPP) and
the independent elected
representative for St. Pe-
ter, Asot Michael, said
they were being limited liament can accommodate the people’s participation post-Cabinet Press Brief-
to inviting only ten family 290 people. in the swearing-in cere- ing, information minister
members, friends or sup- With eight elected monies for Members of and MP for St. John’s City
porters to the swearing in members of the opposition, Parliament provides for East Melford Nicholas
ceremony. this means their well-wish- attendance on a first-come said he too had been issued
In his response to the ers will only occupy 80 first-served basis. It has with a similar request from
notice from the Clerk to seats in the House. always been up to the peo- the Clerk of the House and
Parliament in which the The United Progres- ple, in the spirit of their in- could not give a reason for
ten invitations to each op- sive Party, which won six volvement in the election the decision being made.
position member of Par- of the seventeen seats, is- process, to witness their “I am not in any bet-
liament were enclosed, sued their own statement elected representatives ter position to respond. I
Michael said the move to on Thursday afternoon in take the oath of office. am an elected Member of
extend invitations to fam- which they condemned the “Accordingly, we note Parliament as well and I
ily and supporters was un- move by the Clerk. the convenient departure received a package of invi-
precedented in the history “We have extended from settled practice – sup- tations as well.
of Antigua and Barbuda. open invitations to our posedly to invite Members “I imagine based on
Michael said that he constituents to attend the of the Diplomatic Corps to the interests that will be in
would not honour the ceremony and therefore the ceremony and thereby tomorrow’s proceedings,
Clerk’s request, as he ex- demand, in the spirit of limit the space available that the Parliament offi-
pected as many as sixty of ‘government of the peo- for members of the pub- cials - the Clerk to Parlia-
his supporters to attend. ple, by the people, for the lic,” the UPP statement ment - would ordinarily be
He further noted that people,’ that appropriate continued. concerned about ensuring
for the first time in his arrangements be made to Ahead of the UPPs that there is a measure of
long service as a Member accommodate all those statement, Kelvin Simon, order and control.
of Parliament, that invita- who wish to attend this ex- the elected representative “So, I do not know. I
tions had been extended to tremely important event in for St. Mary’s South wrote can’t speak to what went
members of the diplomat- our parliamentary democ- to the Clerk to Parliament into the consideration, but
ic corps to the swearing in racy,” the UPP defiantly to request that the limita- like any other MP, I would
ceremony of Members of stated. tion applied to opposition have received an allotment
Parliament. “In this country, the MPs be reconsidered. of persons to attend,” MP
The gallery at the par- democratic practice for At Thursday morning’s Nicholas explained.
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
Local News PAGE 5
More drugs seized at VCB Int'l
Law enforcement of-
ficials have seized more
drugs that were smuggled
past the country’s border.
On Wednesday, 8lbs of
marijuana were discovered
at the V. C. Bird Interna-
tional Airport’s cargo shed.
According to police, in
collaboration with customs
officials, the controlled
substance was discovered
during an anti-narcotics
operation.
The marijuana was con-
cealed in vacuum-sealed
packages that were secured
inside a box.
Authorities say the
cannabis has an estimated This is just the latest the country’s borders since to date, total more than
value of $48,000.00. of several drug seizures at the start of the year, which $400,000.00.
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 6
Local News
Wanted Potters man still on the run
Almost two months a quantity of alcoholic
after police first made an beverages, two electri-
appeal for help finding cal transformers, a water
Potters resident, Darius pump, an undisclosed sum
Williams, he is still on the of money and several other
run. valuable items.
A wanted bulletin was Williams is scheduled
issued by police on 29th to appear at the St. John’s
December, 2022 for Wil- Magistrates’ Court on 2nd
liams, who is wanted for March before Chief Mag-
breaking and entering and istrate Joanne Walsh to
larceny, among other of- answer to these crimes,
fences. however, it is unlikely he
Despite the plea from will appear if he is not ap-
police, Williams, who is in prehended before then.
his twenties, has managed Anyone with informa-
to evade the law. tion about his whereabouts
Sometime between is asked to contact any
30th November and 1st police station or call the
December, 2022, Wil- Criminal Investigations
liams broke into a building Department on telephone
on Long Street and stole number 462-3913.
A whole new dining experience awaits you.
Call us at 562-5724 | Whatsapp 736-7165
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
Local News PAGE 7
Counsellor calls for more acceptance
of people living with mental illnesses
Counsellor Lisa Harris many years, Antiguans and
says the time is long past Barbudans have nurtured
due for society to accept a negative, self-defeating
that individuals affected culture of stigmatising and
by mental illnesses are a labelling people who suf-
part of our society. fer from mental illnesses.
The creator of Lisa In her conversation
Harris Ministries told with Vernon Springer, Har-
Pointe FM’s Pointe On ris issued a challenge to
De Streetz this week that all members of society to
a healthy state of mind is embrace and support those
integral to the wellbeing of among us who are affected
each individual. by mental illnesses.
Sadly, however, over “As you mentioned
Ministry of Education, Sports & Creative Industries
mental health, it’s time for of mental health as a part
Government Complex, Queen Elizabeth Highway us to stop thinking, from of us.”
St. John’s, Antigua the moment you hear men- Harris, who operates
Tel: 462-0192/462-0193/462-0198/462-0199 tal, crazy. the counselling firm Com-
Overseas: 268-462-4959/1051 “We need to stop think- passionate Couch, added
Fax: 268-462-4970 ing that,” Harris stated that it is imperative that
during an interview on caregivers receive training
OAS Scholarship Application Announcement Pointe On De Streetz on which will equip them to
The Organization of American States announces its 2023 call Pointe FM Radio, 99.1 provide the best treatment
for scholarship applications for undergraduate and graduate FM. to people suffering from
academic studies and graduate research. “If you think about mental illnesses.
health on a whole, if your “If we are really deter-
More information can be obtained through the links listed mind is not healthy, then mined and serious about
below.
nothing else in your life helping, we need to up-
· Call for applications for Graduate Studies: https:// makes sense. If your brain grade ourselves. There are
www.oas.org/en/scholarships/Academic_Program_ is not functioning in the workshops, there are so
OAS_2023.asp fullest capacity as the way many programmes online
· Call for applications for Undergraduate it should be, then nothing and they are reasonable,
Studies: https://www.oas.org/en/scholarships/ in your life matters. I am not saying they are
specaf_2023.asp “You wouldn’t know free,” Harris said.
· Scholarship application form for Undergraduate what is going on, you “You can do online
Studies (last two years of a Bachelor’s
wouldn’t be able to func- courses and it will make
degree): https://www.oas.org/fms/Announcement.
tion to take care of your you a better person and
aspx?id=1137&Type=1&Lang=Eng
· Scholarship application form for Graduate skin or to maintain a proper better equipped because
Studies: https://www.oas.org/fms/Announcement. diet, because as you know, when you sit in a coun-
aspx?id=1136&Type=1&Lang=Eng the mind controls the body. selling session, you don’t
“So if the mind is not want to appear to the indi-
Deadline for submission of applications and accompanying healthy, then you cannot vidual like you don’t know,
documents to the Director of Education, Ministry of Education, function as a healthy per- and you need to know. You
Sports and Creative Industries is Friday 31st March, 2023. son. So, we need to think need to equip yourself.”
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 8
Local News
Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre
receives donation of new ECG machine
The Sir Lester Bird in our communities.” advance the mission of nation’s hospital—We’ve
Medical Centre (SLB- “We support the peo- the hospital,” said Dway- been supporting them for
MC) recently announced ple of Antigua & Barbuda na Derrick, President of decades and will continue
that it has received a do- through the work that we FoMSJMC. “Sir Lester to do so for many more to
nation of an electrocar- do raising funds to help Bird Medical Centre is the come.
Pointe Xpress Weekend Puzzle
diograph (ECG or EKG)
machine from the Friends
of Mount St. John’s Med-
ical Centre (FoMSJMC).
The equipment, valued at
over EC$15,000.00 is ear-
marked for the hospital’s
outpatient clinic.
An electrocardiogram
records the electrical sig-
nals in the heart. It is one
of the simplest and fastest
tests used to evaluate the
heart.
“The generosity of
FoMSJMC has been a pillar
of SLBMC’s growth-story
over the years,” said Salma
Crump, Head of Market-
ing & Communications at
SLBMC.
“This dedicated chari-
table organization has do-
nated funding for just about
every area of our hospi-
tal—equipment, facilities,
training. All of us at SLB-
MC are so grateful for the
continuous support from
the Friends of MSJMC—
Happy to announce, soon
to be Friends of SLBMC.
This donation increases the
number of ECG machines
at our hospital which will
help improve the expert
care delivered by our team.
They are a true friend; the
positive impact of this do-
nation will be felt by many
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
Opinion PAGE 9
End sexual violence against
women in the interest of mankind raped (1992-1995); in Democratic Re-
By Sir Ronald Sanders
(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s public of the Congo, more than 200,000
Ambassador to the United States and the women were raped in a decade of con-
Organization of American States. He is flict. None of this takes account of rapes
also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of that certainly occurred during conflicts
Commonwealth Studies at the Univer- in Central and South America.
sity of London and Massey College in Rape is prohibited, under the Rules
the University of Toronto. The views ex- of War, particularly the “Geneva Con-
pressed are entirely his own) vention Relative to the Protection of Ci-
Rape, and other forms of sexual vio- vilian Persons in Time of War (1949)”,
lence against women in war and conflict, and its 1977 protocol. However, this Sir Ronald Sanders
represent one of the great silences and prohibition is not a deterrent, since the subject to physical and/or sexual intimate
suppressed issues in modern-day histo- governments, that send their soldiers partner violence in their lives. Globally
ry. into war, have not made rape, committed 81,000 women and girls were killed in
Yet, women remain the greatest vic- during conflicts, a criminal offence. In- 2020, around 47,000 of them (58 per
tims of war and other forms of conflict deed, as has happened in the war against cent) died at the hands of an intimate
in many parts of the world. Recently, Ukraine, Russia has described reports of partner or a family member. This latter
in Haiti, rape has become a weapon for rape as lies. figure equates to a woman or girl being
members of the 200 gangs which now Wars and conflicts create refugees killed every 11 minutes in their home. In
control 60 per cent of the Capital, Port- who are forced into camps with little 58 per cent of all killings, perpetrated by
au-Prince. Women and girls are deliber- protection from predators – in some cas- intimate partners or other family mem-
ately targeted for rapes, torture, kidnap- es, officials who manage the camps. In bers, the victim was a woman or girl.
pings and killings. Tragic stories have such vulnerable situations, women again While these figures are deeply dis-
emerged of schoolgirls being captured, become victims. turbing, the silent acceptance of the situ-
gang raped and becoming pregnant; Unacceptable and wrongful as is ation is worse, condemning all societies
their lives stripped of dignity or choice. rape of women in wars and their af- in which such tolerance prevails.
In the war in Ukraine, rape is also termath, it is in daily life that violence Against this background, an interna-
used as a deliberate weapon of terror, against women, including rape, is most tional coalition of 2,100 women’s rights
or by soldiers taking advantage of their despicable and inexcusable. The situa- advocates in 128 nations called “Every
position to rape women in the absence tion cries out for action to end it. U.N. Woman”, is proposing the adoption
of any deterrent. U.N. findings suggest figures paint a grim picture. of a global treaty to eradicate violence
thar the incidents of rape are underre- Globally, an estimated 736 million against women and girls. It is a treaty
ported in Ukraine. Similarly, the num- women—almost one in three—have whose creation and adoption should be
ber of rapes, reported in Haiti, are far been subjected to physical and/or sexu- fully supported.
less than accounts given by victims, who al intimate partner violence, or both at The treaty will not cause violence
either have no means of making an offi- least once in their life. More than 640 against women to end overnight, but it
cial report or are too frightened to do so. million women aged 15 and older have will be a potent international instrument
Women have been a target of war been subjected to intimate partner vio- that would bind governments to take the
wherever it has occurred. U.N. statis- lence. During the COVID-19 pandem- necessary legislative, preventative and
tics show that, in Rwanda, up to 500,000 ic, violence against women increased protective measures to save millions of
women were raped during the 1994 dramatically. women from the killings and violence
genocide, in acts known as ‘genocidal It is significant that, globally, vio- that now exist. The urgency for a global
rape’; in Sierra Leone 60,000 women lence against women disproportionately treaty is driven by the fact that, although
were raped during the civil war (1991- affects low- and lower-middle-income several conventions have been adopted
2002); in Liberia, 40,000 women were countries and regions. Thirty-seven per globally, and legal frameworks have
raped and mutilated (1989-2003); in cent of women aged 15 to 49, living in been established nationally, violence
Bosnia in Europe, 60,000 women were “least developed” countries, have been cont’d on pg 10
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 10
Travel
Guyana slams American Airlines over poor
treatment of CARICOM prime ministers
The Guyana govern- communicate its displeasure
ment Wednesday criticised of this most recent action by
American Airlines for con- the airline that has caused
tinuing to “pay scant re- “embarrassment not only
gard” to its requests after nationally, but also to our
two Caribbean Community regional friends”.
(CARICOM) prime minis- The ministry said it
ters became the latest high “sincerely regrets the incon-
level officials to fall victim venience” caused to the two
to the airline’s policy. visiting prime ministers,
In a statement, the Min- who were travelling to Mi-
istry of Foreign Affairs said ami, en route to The Baha-
the airline had refused to al- mas for the 44th Caribbean
low Trinidad and Tobago’s Community (CARICOM)
Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley (left) and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves summit in Nassau.
Rowley and his St. Vincent during the 2023 International Energy Conference and Expo in The Foreign Ministry
and the Grenadines col- Guyana said the Guyana govern-
league, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves the carrier had been asked of check in on departure ment had previously pro-
to check in through the VIP formally to accord the nec- from the VIP Lounge, the tested against this position
Lounge at the Cheddi Ja- essary treatment to the two airline refused to acquiesce taken by American Airlines
gan International Airport leaders to no avail. to the ministry’s request against its own high and se-
(CJIA). “All government proto- and insisted that the prime nior government officials,
Noting that it was not cols were in place to facili- ministers leave the lounge but without success.
taking any blame for the tate their departure. Despite to present themselves to the “They have continued
undignified treatment of the American Airlines having check-in counter,” the For- to pay scant regard to the
visiting Caribbean leaders, been written to, prior to the eign Ministry said. Government’s requests for
the ministry said based on arrival of the prime minis- The Foreign Ministry entitlements to the positions
previous similar experience ters in Guyana, for them to said the Guyana govern- held to be respected,” the
with American Airlines, be accorded the courtesies ment intends to formally ministry said.
cont’d from pg 9 endorsed the concept of a Global Trea- actionable solution. Women and girls
against women has persisted. The ex- ty, recognizing that much more has to are waiting. They are asking that we do
isting frameworks have failed to deliver be done to protect women from vio- better”.
the strong measures that are clearly re- lence. Caribbean governments and civil Women are restricted to contribut-
quired. society should not hesitate to join in the ing only 37 percent of global produc-
In truth, many of the existing Con- treaty’s promotion. tion even though they are 50 per cent
ventions have serious gaps that have Even with the best will in the world, of the world’s population. Yet, a McK-
allowed governments to sidestep their a global treaty cannot be negotiated, insey Global Institute report finds that,
responsibilities. And, even where agreed and ratified with the swiftness it by advancing women’s equality, US$12
Conventions have not been strong, deserves. It could take years, by which trillion could be added to global output
some governments have not agreed to time many more millions of women by 2025. The global circulation of that
them. The global treaty seeks to remedy – mothers, daughters, sisters – will die money would make a huge difference to
the obvious weaknesses and gaps in ex- or be seriously injured as victim of vi- the economic wellbeing of all countries.
isting Conventions. olence. Ending violence against women is
The government of Costa Rica, As the advocates of the treaty argue, in the interest of all mankind.
which has an outstanding record in ad- “It’s time to come together to outpace Responses and previous commen-
vocating for human rights, has already the violence with a concrete, clear and taries: www.sirroaldsanders.comEntertainment
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 11
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp:
Quantumania’ kicks off Marvel’s
next phase but comes up short
By Brian Lowry
CNN — Ant-Man is a somewhat
ironic choice for a very, very big job:
Kicking off the next phase of Mar-
vel movies. “Ant-Man and the Wasp:
Quintumnia” works on one key level,
establishing Kang the Conqueror as a
truly formidable and worthy villain.
Yet with its plunge into inner space,
“Ant-Man” comes up short in almost
every other way that matters.
Actually, the rapid descent into the
Quantum Realm, a sprawling universe
within our own, makes this feel as
much like “Guardians of the Galaxy”
as Ant-Man, with a vast assortment Kathryn Newton as Cassandra “Cassie” Lang and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man
of strange characters and outlandish, in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quintumnia.”
otherworldly and too often murky pro- recognizable reality. The most identi- upcoming role in “Creed III,” asking
duction design. fiable aspect involves this hidden uni- a lightweight to go toe-to-toe with a
With much of the action unfolding verse chafing under the rule of a being heavyweight, one that got his start in
on that plane, the movie bears scant so powerful that its occupants exhibit the comics sparring with the Fantas-
resemblance to the original “Ant- a Voldemort-like reluctance to even tic Four. It’s a point overtly made by
Man,” or even its sequel, which over- speak his name, that being Kang the Kang himself, who sneers at Ant-Man,
came its potentially mockable premise Conqueror, played by Jonathan Ma- “You’re out of your league.”
with plenty of comedy and a modestly jors. A global pandemic, obviously, sig-
scaled story. Although he made an appear- nificantly altered the theatrical play-
Director Peyton Reed is back for ance in Marvel’s “Loki” TV series, ing field for everyone in Hollywood
the third time, and the movie begins that didn’t prepare audiences for the after Marvel’s smashing success with
with a similar sense of whimsy, but Thanos-level threat that Kang rep- “Avengers: Endgame,” but the studio
similarities to the franchise’s 2015 in- resents, and Majors invests him with hasn’t felt quite as much like a big-
troduction pretty much end there. quiet menace and majesty – a sense of league player since that climatic event.
“Quantumania,” by contrast, has a gravitas that’s no small feat given the Thanks to its emphasis on Kang,
bad case of gigantism, as Paul Rudd’s contours of some of the dialogue. If the third “Ant-Man” has taken a nec-
Ant-Man/Scott Lang is drawn into the Kang is destined to become the central essary step toward something bigger,
Quantum Realm along with the Wasp antagonist as the next batch of movies with the aforementioned “Guard-
(Evangeline Lilly), her parents (Mi- again build toward an Avengers-sized ians” and “The Marvels” sequels still
chelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglas) showdown, Majors is the one thing to to come this year. But it is, at best, a
and Scott’s now-grown daughter Cas- emerge from “Quantumania” on which small step, and like much of Marvel’s
sie (Kathryn Newton, a nice addition anyone could hang their hat. recent output, only makes “Endgame”
to a family of heroes that keeps grow- One structural problem, in fact, is loom that much larger in the rearview
ing through shrinking). that Kang’s power and the scope of his mirror.
What ensues is an especially evil plans make the hero-villain pair- “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quin-
psychedelic trip, with precious little ing feel like a decided mismatch – to tumnia” premieres February 17 in US
grounding in anything that resembles couch it in terms suited to Majors’ theatres. It’s rated PG-13.Entertainment
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 12
Olaplex products cause
hair loss, lawsuit claims
By Tiffany Wertheimer
BBC — Popular hair
care company, Olaplex,
is being sued by 28 wom-
en who claim its products
cause hair loss, blisters
and other conditions.
The Olaplex range in-
cludes shampoos, condi-
tioners and treatments that
claim to safely “repair bro-
ken bonds and rejuvenate
hair”.
But the lawsuit says
Olaplex uses harmful
chemicals that left the
women’s hair and scalps in
Olaplex has released test results it claims prove its hair products are safe
a worse condition.
Olaplex has released is offered - at an addition- one of the legal firms in- phenyl methylpropional.
test results that it says al price - as a treatment for volved in the suit. The plaintiffs said they
show the products are safe. those getting their hair co- The plaintiffs are col- carefully considered any
“We are prepared to loured. lectively seeking $75,000 other factors that may have
vigorously defend our The company has en- (£62,200) in damages. caused the women’s hair
company, our brand, and joyed massive success The lawsuit also claims loss and scalp conditions,
our products against these and has been endorsed by that Olaplex products con- but found that “the prod-
baseless accusations,” it celebrities including Kim tain lilial and panthenol, ucts alone are to blame”.
said in a statement on In- Kardashian and Drew Bar- chemical compounds that Olaplex has strongly
stagram. rymore. can lead to hair loss and denied the allegations, in-
Olaplex has not re- The lawsuit, filed last conditions including “in- sisting its range does “not
called any of its products week in a Californian flamed, blistered, flaking cause hair loss or hair
in the wake of the lawsuit. district court, claims the or scaling skin”. breakage”.
Launched in California plaintiffs’ hair was left Lilial was once used “Independent
in 2014, Olaplex claims “dry, brittle, frizzy and as a perfume in cosmetics, third-party laboratory test
that its products, using pat- dull”. until the European Union results show that Olaplex
ented chemistry, are scien- One woman said her banned it from March products are safe and effec-
tifically proven to restore hair became split and bro- 2022 due to its impact on tive,” the company wrote
damaged hair. ken, making it look as if it fertility. on its website, with links
It is particularly mar- had been cut using a “weed Olaplex says it re- to several studies from in-
keted towards people who whacker”. moved the ingredient from dustry standard tests.
bleach their hair, and while Several photos of its products globally, “out The company’s CEO
it is widely available to the plaintiffs showing bald of an abundance of cau- JuE Wong said on Twitter
public, several products spots that they claim were tion”, however the lawsuit that hair loss was a painful
are only sold to trained caused by Olaplex have claims it is still selling the and emotional topic “how-
hair professionals. In many been released by the Law older products that contain ever for our products this
salons around the world it Centre of Amy E. Davis, lilial, also known as butyl- is not true”.Entertainment
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 13
Rio’s first all-female samba
school prepares defiant parade
By Eléonore Hughes Patriarchy in Brazil re-
AP — As Carnival ap- mains persistent. Women are
proaches in Rio de Janeiro, the majority of Brazil’s elec-
members of a samba school torate, yet in October con-
perfect a minutely-tuned gressional elections claimed
performance with danc- only 18% of the Lower
ers twirling in blue, red and House seats. There’s an even
white skirts and 40 drummers smaller proportion of female
pounding the rhythm with senators. In business, wom-
gusto. en hold leadership positions
There isn’t a single man in 38% of 250 mid-market
in sight. This samba school, companies surveyed by con-
in Rio’s Madureira neigh- sultant Grant Thornton. That
bourhood, is the city’s first to Members of the Turma da Paz de Madureira, or TPM, samba percentage has climbed from
be run by and for women. school rehearse in preparation for Rio’s Carnival parade, in Rio 15% in 2015, but remains
The community-tied mu- de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. TPM is the first all-fe- short of parity.
male samba school in Rio. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Meanwhile, sexual ha-
sic and dance clubs have al-
ways included women, most “Here, a woman can ex- ens of drummers is Gisele rassment and assault remain
commonly as seamstresses press her desires, her ideas, Rosires, 47. She is proud of widespread in Carnival’s
and dancers. They’ve played her opinions, which increas- her big, bulky surdo drum, street parties. Over the last de-
the schools’ smaller instru- es self-esteem,” said Rigaud, but the blowback is strong. cade, however, women have
ments and Carnival queens a Black woman who wears “Men look me up and increasingly been standing up
lead processions in elaborate, beaded earrings and a wide down, they think I’m not ca- for their rights and spreading
sequined outfits. But rarely smile. “It is empowering.” pable,” she said. A year and a the message “No means No!”
do women call the shots on TPM started in 2011 as half ago, she was playing in on stickers and pamphlets.
finances, themes or even cos- a bloco, the name for musi- Madureira’s park for her first When women are in the
tumes. cal groups that flood streets show with the school, when a spotlight for Carnival, they
“The big samba schools with parties during the Car- man took the instrument from are often sexualized — partic-
are coordinated by men, nival season. Rigaud decided her. “He said, ‘You’re a wom- ularly Black women. During
which means women are used she wanted to take the wom- an, get out’”, said Rosires, its coverage of Carnival each
to receiving orders,” Barbara en-only group further and who, not wanting to make a year, behemoth TV network
Rigaud, a 54-year-old cultural compete in the city’s samba fuss, ended up leaving, an- Globo airs vignettes with the
producer and hairdresser who leagues. She successfully noyed. so-called Globeleza, meaning
is the head of the new Turma sought approval from city Challenges start at the “Globo beauty,” played by a
da Paz de Madureira samba councillors and the school very mention of TPM’s name; Black actress whose role is
school, or Group of Peace was inaugurated last Septem- the acronym is the same in to promote the spectacle by
from Madureira, known by ber. Portuguese for premenstrual dancing suggestively while
the initials TPM. The school has 320 mem- syndrome, or PMS. While virtually nude.
During a recent rehearsal, bers, and rehearses in the low- Carnival’s street bands often “Being part of this school
the musicians played under er middle-class neighbour- employ clever puns, this was is a way of saying we are to-
a huge red and orange mar- hood of Madureira in Rio’s an unintended coincidence gether. I think women need
quee, offering some protec- north zone, along with some that often elicits laughter and this, Black women in partic-
tion from the sweltering sun, of the city’s most prestigious mockery from men. Some ular,” Margaret Oliveira, a
while older women and a samba schools, including call them the Turma de Putas 55-year-old Black housewife
young girl sat in chairs lined Portela and Império Serrano. de Madureira, or Group of who is part of TPM’s group of
against the wall. Among the group’s doz- Whores from Madureira. dancers, said at the rehearsal.
cont’d on pg 14FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 14
Health & Wellness
Cameroon finds suspected cases of
Marburg virus, an illness similar to Ebola
Cameroonian authorities ployed the COVID-19 teams
detected two suspected cases that were there for contact
of Marburg disease on Mon- tracing and quickly retro-
day in Olamze, a commune fitted them to really help us
on the border with Equatori- out.”
al Guinea, the public health Equatorial Guinea quar-
delegate for the region, Rob- antined more than 200 peo-
ert Mathurin Bidjang, said ple and restricted movement
on Tuesday. last week in its Kie-Ntem
Equatorial Guinea offi- province, where the hemor-
cially declared its first out- rhagic fever was first detect-
break of the Marburg virus, ed.
an illness similar to Ebola, Marburg virus is a high-
on Monday. A microscopic image of the Marburg virus. ly infectious disease that can
Neighbouring Cameroon meeting in Cameroon’s capi- ported nine deaths as well have a fatality rate of up to
had restricted movement tal Yaounde. as 16 suspected cases of 88%, according to the WHO.
along the border to avoid Forty-two people who Marburg virus disease, with There are no vaccines or an-
contagion following reports came into contact with the symptoms including fever, tiviral treatments approved
of an unknown, deadly hem- two children have been iden- fatigue, and blood-stained to treat it.
orrhagic fever in Equatorial tified and contact tracing was vomit and diarrhoea, accord- “We’re working on a 30-
Guinea last week. ongoing, he added. ing to the WHO. day response plan where we
“On the 13th of Feb- The World Health Orga- “Surveillance in the should be able to quantify
ruary, we had two suspect- nization (WHO) said earlier field has been intensified,” what are the exact measures
ed cases. These are two on Tuesday that it was in- said George Ameh, WHO’s and quantify what are the ex-
16-year-old children, a boy creasing its epidemiological country representative in act needs,” Ameh said.
and a girl, who have no pre- surveillance in Equatorial Equatorial Guinea. He added that the coun-
vious travel history to the Guinea. “Contact tracing, as you try’s authorities had not re-
affected areas in Equatorial The small Central Af- know, is a cornerstone of the ported any new suspected
Guinea,” Bidjang said at a rican country has so far re- response. We have…rede- cases in the last 48 hours.
cont’d from pg 13 en the procession is required by parade I am sure that thanks to their union and
Making time for oneself in a soci- protocol to include two men as masters strength, they will overcome.”
ety that values and expects self-sacrifice of ceremony. At dusk on the day of TPM’s recent
from women is an act of resistance, Ol- “It has to be a man for now, until rehearsal, the group spilled out from the
iveira added. it changes, until this machismo ends,” courtyard, with the sound of their drums
With rare exception, women who Rigaud said. reverberating up and down the narrow
contributed to samba over time are omit- As in any power dispute, the school street leading off Madureira Park.
ted from its history, said Maira de Deus is going to face problems and oppo- This year, the school will make its
Brito, who researches samba and the af- sition, said Paula Dürks Cassol, who debut in Rio’s lowest-tier samba league.
ro-Brazilian religion Candomblé at the wrote a paper about women’s rights and If the women perform well enough, they
University of Brasilia. samba in Rio de Janeiro published in the can climb the ranks for next year’s pa-
For their first parade, on Feb. 19, Journal of International Women’s Stud- rade. Already, Rigaud has her sights on
TPM will honour Iansã, a female deity ies last year. reaching the Sambadrome, where only
and warrior of Candomblé. Carnival is “Every time women try to create the top schools compete.
just a few days off, but costumes remain new methods of resistance, emancipa- “We’re not here to play around,”
incomplete due to a lack of funds. Their tion and empowerment, there are going Rigaud said. “We’re here to fight, to
vision also will fall somewhat short giv- to be barriers,” Dürks Cassol said. “But win.”Regional News
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 15
CARICOM leaders open
annual summit overshadowed
by unfolding events in Haiti
CMC — Caribbean efforts to deal with the on-
Community (CARICOM) going socio-economic and
leaders began their 44th political situation in his
regular summit in The Ba- country.
hamas on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Henry,
overshadowed by the con- who succeeded the assas-
tinued deterioration of the sinated President Jovenel
situation in the member Moïse, as head of the gov-
country of Haiti. ernment in July 2020, has
“The situation in Hai- said to deal with this sit-
ti requires our urgent at- uation, his administration
tention. The turmoil and Caricom Chairman Prime Minister Phillip Davis is urging the international
suffering there continue to uation. on some fronts, CARICOM community to participate
worsen. As a near neigh- “We have learnt that in- and indeed the wider inter- in a specialised multina-
bour, The Bahamas is under action has its own costs and national community contin- tional force to help the Hai-
great strain and many other consequences,” Davis add- ue to struggle to help Haiti tian security forces to fight
countries in our region are ed. resolve its multifaceted cri- against the proliferation of
already heavily impacted,” Earlier, outgoing CAR- ses. organised crime, the illic-
Bahamas Prime Minister ICOM chairman and Su- “We will continue our it trafficking of arms and
Phillip Davis told the open- riname’s President, Chan- efforts to assist all stake- ammunition, and eradicate
ing ceremony. drikapersad Santokhi, said holders in Haiti to ensure a the gangs that have held the
Davis, who is the chair- Haiti “is in need of our Haitian-owned resolution to country hostage.
man of the 15-member re- concrete, and feasible assis- the crises,” she said, adding United Nations Secre-
gional integration grouping, tance. “we will have to show the tary General, Antonio Gu-
said the region will benefit “We must support the resilience and fortitude of terres reiterated his urgent
“if Haiti is again fully func- Haitian people. Building the Haitian people, as we appeal to member states to
tioning as a state. on our discussions in the strive to overcome chal- understand the urgency of
“We should learn from past year, I look forward to lenges and advance the ini- acting quickly to support the
the failures of past efforts how and in what way this tiatives to improve the lives solutions chosen by Haitian
to help rather than use these assistance can be provided. of all citizens of our Carib- actors.
disappointments as an ex- Democracy, free and fair bean Community. So far, Jamaica is the
cuse for inaction. I pray that elections, rule of law and “That goal – to create a only CARICOM country
we can agree on a series of certainly the protection of safe, sustainable, prosper- that has publicly said it is
concrete steps to help move fundamental human rights ous and viable community willing to participate in a
towards a solution for the are indeed at the core of for all – has been the guid- multinational security assis-
Haitian people and the re- the Caribbean civilization,” ing principle of our efforts tance deployment to Haiti.
gion as a whole,” Davis told Santokhi said, adding “we over the last 50 years and The Caribbean lead-
the audience that includ- must foster and protect will continue to guide us ers will over the two days
ed Haitian Prime Minister these also in the sister na- over the next 50 and be- discuss a wide range of is-
Dr. Ariel Henry and Cana- tion in need”. yond,” she added. sues, ranging from climate
da’s Prime Minister Justin CARICOM Secretary Haiti has called on the change to food security and
Trudeau, who has pledged General, Dr. Carla Barnett international community, the impact of the ongoing
his country’s support in told the ceremony that even “especially those countries coronavirus (COVID-19)
finding a solution to the sit- as progress is being made that can help” to support pandemic.FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 16
Regional News
Suriname National Party
leaves Coalition government
CMC — The Surina- general election.
me National Party (NPS) “As of today, we are
Wednesday left the coali- withdrawing from the part-
tion government of Pres- nership of the government
ident Chandrikapersad coalition.
Santokhi after two of its “We leave the coalition
ministers were instructed and form an autonomous
to submit their resigna- group in the National As-
tions. sembly. We will act as re-
Education, Science & sponsible DNA members,”
Culture Minister, Marie NPS chairman, Gregory
Levens and Spatial Plan- Rusland, told a news con-
ning and the Environment ference.
Minister, Silvano Tjong- He said the party made
Ahin have been instructed the decision to quit the co-
to leave the government as alition and the government
the NPS also announced it because President San-
was leaving the coalition tokhi and Vice President
that included Santokhi’s Ronnie Brunswijk have
Progressive Reform Party been making policy deci-
NPS chairman, Gregory Rusland (VHP) that won the 2020 sions for some time with-
out involving the NPS.
“After internal deliber-
ations in the party, we have
come to the conclusion
that we do not expect the
situation within the current
set-up to change to such
an extent within the next
two years that the NPS can
make a respectable con-
tribution to shaping and
implementing government
policy,” said Rusland.
“We have never really
experienced what we are
experiencing now in a co-
alition that included the
NPS,” he added.
With the departure of
the NPS, the coalition gov-
ernment now has 30 of the
51 parliamentary seats.
Political commentators
said the straw that broke
cont’d on pg 17FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
Regional News PAGE 17
Jamaica declares
states of emergency in
Clarendon and St. Ann
CMC — Jamaica has enforcement measures to
declared states of public protect law-abiding citizens.
emergency (SOEs) in Clar- “The government is
endon and St Ann, as well committed to taking the ac-
as the Kingston Western tions necessary to protect its
police division, following a citizens. In free and demo-
surge in criminal activities cratic societies like Jamaica,
in these areas. focused short-term enforce-
“The declaration of ment measures are justifi-
States of Public Emergen- able to save lives.
cy will allow the security “The use of the States of
forces to carry out targeted Public Emergency in these
operations to disrupt and instances is a necessary and
dismantle criminal gangs effective response to the
and their networks and pre- high level of criminal vio-
vent the occurrence of seri- Andrew Holness lence within the identified
ous crimes,” Prime Minister midnight on February 15. Clarendon, St. Cather- areas,” he said.
Andrew Holness said. “Organised gangs are ine and specified areas of Figures released by the
A statement issued by the main source and cause Kingston and St Andrew to Jamaica Constabulary Force
the Office of the Prime Min- of violence, leading to fear deal with the criminal activ- for the period January 1 to
ister said Holness on the ad- and terror in some com- ities in these areas. February 12, show 20 peo-
vice of the Commissioner of munities. The Government Deputy Prime Minister ple have been murdered in
Police, the Chief of Defence must protect innocent cit- and Minister of National Kingstown West, as com-
Staff, and the Governor izens from these criminal Security, Dr. Horace Chang, pared with 15 for the cor-
General, Sir Patrick Allen, gangs, and, therefore, must stressed that extreme crim- responding period last year,
had indicated these SOEs act,” Holness said. inality, as recorded in the St. Ann 11 as against 9 and
will be for an initial peri- In December, SOEs specified areas, requires Clarendon 15 as against five
od of 14 days, beginning at were reinstated in St Ann, equally strong and decisive last year.
cont’d from pg 16 as a result, more people will go into suspected corruption at a company
the camel’s back were recent deci- poverty given that an adequate social where he was the chairman.
sions made by the government to safety net has not yet been set up. “We were not involved in this de-
phase out the subsidy on fuel, result- The NPS has also accused the cision,” said Rusland.
ing in prices increasing significantly former coalition partners of appoint- It was only a matter of time that
from Monday. ing relatives and friends to top posi- the NPS would withdraw from the
The government has also indicat- tions in government and state-owned government after 12 of the 17 sub-
ed that the price of diesel will further companies. divisions of the Paramaribo constit-
increase in March and the subsidy on Rusalnd said last week, a younger uency, the largest division of the
cooking gas and electricity will also brother of Brunswijk was appointed NPS, had made the decision during
be phased out. as the chief executive officer of the an emergency meeting last Friday
The NPS said that citizens are Suriname Energy Companies, while that the party should leave the gov-
not able to absorb the new fees and he is under criminal investigation for ernment.International
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 18
AROUND THE WORLD
Nicaragua strips citizenship
from 94 political opponents
AP — Nicaragua can- vember 2021, Nicaraguan
celled the citizenship of authorities arrested seven
94 political opponents potential opposition presi-
Wednesday, including dential candidates to clear
writers Sergio Ramírez the field.
and Gioconda Belli. The government also
Appeals Court Justice has closed hundreds of
Ernesto Rodríguez Mejía nongovernmental groups
read a statement that de- that Ortega accused of tak-
clared the 94 people to be ing foreign funding and
“traitors” and said they using it to destabilise his
had lost their Nicaraguan government.
citizenship. Peter J. Spiro, an in-
Mejía said their proper- ternational law professor
ties would be confiscated. at Temple University, and
He said those on the others say stripping away
list — among them rights Nicaraguan writer Sergio Ramirez attends a meeting at Cervant- citizenship in this context
es Institute’s headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Sept. 13, 2021.
activist Vilma Núñez, for- violates a treaty adopted
The Nicaraguan government on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023,
mer Sandinista rebel com- declared 94 opponents and critics “traitors to the homeland”, in 1961 by countries in the
mander Luis Carrión and among them Ramirez and fellow author Gioconda Belli, who United Nations, includ-
journalist Carlos Fernando were stripped of their nationality and confiscation of their prop- ing Nicaragua, which sets
Chamorro — were guilty erties. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File) clear rules meant to pre-
of “spreading false news” 222 imprisoned political est book. The 79-year-old vent statelessness.
and “conspiracy to under- leaders, priests, students, writer served as vice pres- The treaty states that
mine national integrity.” activists and other dis- ident during Ortega’s first governments cannot “de-
It was not clear what sidents on a flight to the government from 1985 prive any person or group
law the declaration was United States. to 1990. But in the mid- of persons of their nation-
based on. Nicaragua’s con- Shortly after, Ortega’s 1990s he distanced himself ality on racial, ethnic, reli-
gress has not yet fully ap- government voted to strip from Ortega, along with gious or political grounds.”
proved a bill that would the expelled former pris- other intellectuals and for- Spiro noted there are
allow the government to oners of Nicaraguan citi- mer guerrillas. some circumstances when
strip people of their citi- zenship. Thousands have fled governments can terminate
zenship. Analysts, legal experts into exile since Nicaraguan citizenship, such as ending
Most of those named and human rights groups security forces violently nationality for someone
have fled Nicaragua since call it a political ploy. They put down mass anti gov- who acquires citizenship
President Daniel Ortega contend it also violates in- ernment protests in 2018. in another country when
began arresting opponents ternational law and say Ortega says the protests the first nation prohibits
two years ago, and Me- it is unprecedented — at were actually an attempted dual citizenship. But, he
jía said they had been de- least in the Western Hemi- coup with foreign backing, said, ending citizenship is
clared “fugitives.” There sphere — in terms of scale aiming for his overthrow not allowed when it is used
was no mention of what and impact. and encouraging foreign as a political weapon.
might happen to those Ramirez announced in nations to apply sanctions Spain has offered its
named who are still in Nic- 2021 that he would live on members of his family citizenship to the 222 ex-
aragua. in Spain, after Ortega’s and government. iles, while the U.S. grant-
The move comes days government tried to arrest In the run-up to Or- ed the Nicaraguans a two-
after Ortega packed off him and banned his lat- tega’s re-election in No- year temporary protection.International
FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023
PAGE 19
AROUND THE WORLD
China, Iran call on Afghanistan
to end restrictions on women
AP — China and Iran have urged
mutual neighbour Afghanistan to
end restrictions on women’s work
and education.
The call came in a joint statement
Thursday issued at the close of a vis-
it to Beijing by Iranian President
Ebrahim Raisi during which the two
sides affirmed close economic and
political ties and their rejection of
Western standards of human rights
and democracy.
Since taking over Afghanistan in
August 2021, the Taliban has banned
women and girls from universities
and schools after the sixth grade and
forced out those in elected offices
and other prominent positions.
“The two sides ... called on the In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, visiting Iranian President Ebrahim
Afghan rulers to form an inclusive Raisi, right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping after reviewing an honour guard
government in which all ethnic during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, Feb.
14, 2023. China and Iran have urged mutual neighbour Afghanistan to end restrictions
groups and political groups actually on women’s work and education. The call came in a joint statement Thursday, Feb.
participate, and cancel all discrimi- 16, 2023, issued at the close of Raisi’s visit to Beijing in which the sides affirmed close
natory measures against women, eth- economic and political ties and their rejection of Western standards of human rights
nic minorities and other religions,” and democracy. (Yan Yan/Xinhua via AP, File)
the statement said, adding that the have faced internationally criticised, guarding national sovereignty” and
U.S. and its NATO allies “should be rapid, closed-door trials. “resisting unilateralism and bully-
responsible for the current situation The bulk of the China-Iran joint ing,” Xi said in a statement carried
in Afghanistan.” statement emphasised strong politi- by Chinese state TV on its website.
The U.S. had backed Afghani- cal and economic ties, the quest for Xi and Raisi attended the signing
stan’s elected government against peace and justice in the Middle East of 20 cooperation agreements includ-
the Taliban, but withdrew amid the and denuclearization in spite of Teh- ing on trade and tourism, the Chi-
rising costs and dwindling domestic ran’s alleged drive to produce atomic nese government announced. Those
support for a government that was weapons. add to a 25-year strategy agreement
unable to counter a Taliban revival. In a meeting earlier with Chinese signed in 2021 to cooperate in devel-
The call for women’s rights is leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed oping oil, industry and other fields.
notable coming from Iran’s hardline support for China’s crackdown on China is one of the biggest buy-
Shiite Muslim regime, which has democracy in Hong Kong and claim ers of Iranian oil and a major source
been challenged by months of pro- to self-ruling democratic Taiwan. of investment.
tests sparked by the death of a young China and Iran portray them- Iran has struggled for years un-
woman in police custody for alleged- selves, alongside Moscow, as coun- der trade and financial sanctions
ly violating clothing requirements. terweights to American power, and imposed by Washington and other
The country’s theocracy has ex- have given tacit, and in Iran’s case, Western governments. The U.S. gov-
ecuted at least four men since the material support to Russia’s invasion ernment cut off Iran’s access to the
demonstrations began in September of Ukraine. network that connects global banks
over the death of Mahsa Amini. All “China supports Iran in safe- in 2018.You can also read
