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India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
West Indies Test captain Chase reveals
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Roston Chase, the newly crowned West Indies Test captain, revealed how an 'ultimatum he received from his mother during his initial phase of his career served as a 'driving force' and helped carry his cricket to the 'next level'. A couple of days ago, Chase was named the West Indies skipper after Shai Hope opted out of the running for the Test captaincy, preferring to focus on his responsibilities in the shorter formats. Chase, who will now follow in the footsteps of Frank Worrell, Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, and Viv Richards, reflected on his journey and reminisced about the days when he was 18 and looking to break into the Barbados team. 'I was a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill at the time, and I would be taking a lot of leave to go and play like in the first-class competition. I wasn't cemented in the Barbados team at that stage. So my mother encouraged me, but gave me an ultimatum that I will be given two years to make myself a permanent fixture in the Barbados team, or I will have to go to school permanently,' Chase said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. 'I loved cricket more than school. I was always a good student, but cricket was my love. I worked hard, and I'm glad that she gave me that ultimatum because that really was the driving force for me to carry my cricket to the next level,' he added. The 33-year-old, who has 49 Test appearances under his belt, went on to highlight the instrumental role his father played during his journey and added, 'He would come and watch all my games, and talk to me about the game, [like] where I need to improve or I need to work on - the dos and don'ts.' The Caribbean side's Test schedule is thinner than most other sides. However, Chase feels the weight of history, considering that in the 1980s, the West Indies was arguably the best in the red-ball format. 'Captaining the West Indies is a great job to have, and there's a legacy attached to it. Playing for the West Indies means everything to me, so I'm ready for the responsibilities which come with the job,' he said. West Indies will participate in 13 fixtures in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, which is about to commence. Chase's first assignment as West Indies captain will be a three-match home Test series against Australia, set to begin on June 25 in Bridgetown. (ANI)
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How a toxic seaweed choking Caribbean beaches could become a valuable resource
Each year, between March and October, large amounts of brown seaweed called sargassum wash up on the shores of Caribbean islands – choking beaches, damaging marine life and threatening tourism and public health. But a number of local entrepreneurs are hoping the seaweed could create an economic opportunity. From the coast of west Africa to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, climate change is warming the temperature of the ocean. Seas are also becoming more acidic as water absorbs carbon dioxide. This all results in more intense growth of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic. Small Caribbean nations are among the hardest hit. With 20 million tonnes of this seaweed washing up on the beaches in 2024, sargassum is fuelling an economic and public health crisis. The piles of noxious seaweed on the Caribbean islands' white sandy beaches are putting off visitors to these islands and probably dampening tourism revenues. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. The fishing sector is also suffering, with blooms of seaweed getting caught up in fishing nets, often ripping them due to the weight of the seaweed. This makes it hard for fishers to catch fish and make a living. The sheer volume of sargassum left to decompose on land produces toxic fumes that have forced people on islands like Guadeloupe to leave their homes. These toxic fumes have been linked to serious health issues including respiratory infections, sleep apnoea and even preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy). The sargassum problem is just one of many slow-onset events that are being exacerbated by climate change. But gradual changes get much less attention or resources to address the consequences than, say, alarming wildfires or flash floods. Slow-onset events are also much harder to quantify than climate-change-induced extreme weather, such as worsening hurricanes or floods. Our team at ODI Global, a thinktank, recently published a study that estimated the cost of these at US$2,000 (£1,500) per person. Calculating the tourism lost each year due to seaweed inundation is trickier. Read more: Despite these challenges, through small-scale, locally developed solutions, as well as government policies that support small businesses including helping them access climate finance, entrepreneurs can find sustainable solutions to help their populations thrive in an era of climate change. Legena Henry, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, uses sargassum to produce a biofuel that can power cars. Johanan Dujon, the founder and chief executive of St. Lucia-based Algas Organics sells plant tonics made from sargassum and is trialling methods to convert sargassum into paper. Meanwhile, other innovations are helping to minimise the impacts of sargassum in the region. Andrés León, founder of SOS Carbon, a spin-off organisation from the mechanical engineering department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has designed a boat-based harvester to collect sargassum at sea to stop it from beaching and causing damage onshore. Some islands, such as Jamaica, are using early warning systems, typically used to predict hurricanes, to predict the ocean currents that might bring a bumper arrival of the seaweed to their shores. This could give fishers up to 30 days notice of just how bad the inundation will be. But while small businesses are emerging, turning them into larger enterprises across the region remains difficult. As usual, small island nations struggle to get funding because investors think the projects are too small and won't make enough money. As Legena Henry recently told us on the Small Island Big Picture podcast, spending a few million dollars (as opposed to a few hundred million dollars) can feel administratively cumbersome for funders as they often have limited administrative capacity and large sums of money to manage. Another issue is ensuring the benefits from any sargassum solutions flow into the affected Caribbean islands to support local growth and economic development. Several opportunities exist for small island nations to generate some income from sargassum. They could, for example, sell licences to permit companies to harvest sargassum within their exclusive economic zones, which can stretch around many islands for hundreds of nautical miles. They can also sell licences to businesses trialling or operating new sargassum technologies within their exclusive economic zones — for example, SOS Carbon has a patent pending for technology designed to sink sargassum to the seabed to store carbon. Will sargassum continue to be a nuisance, or could it be an important renewable natural resource? It's not yet clear. Ideally, as with other renewable natural resources in developing countries, small island nations that own the sargassum need to find ways to extract a fair share of the value from that ownership, as well as selling to external companies that come in, remove it and profit from it. With tax incentives and low-cost finance for domestic innovators, small islands can manage and sell sargassum and then use the proceeds to develop climate resilience measures. Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation's environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who've subscribed so far. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Emma Tompkins received funding for work on sargassum from the Economic and Social Research Council GCRF (Grant number: ES/T002964/1) Emily Wilkinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hibiscus Brew In Brooklyn: One Of The Few Cafes That Sells Homemade Sorrel
At Hibiscus Brew in Brooklyn, a Caribbean healthy café, the sorrel is homemade, and it's sold in ... More selected stores too. The borough of Brooklyn, with its population of 2.6 million, would be tied for the third largest city in the U.S. with Chicago after New York City and Los Angeles. But its area around Flatbush Avenue, Nostrand and Church avenues is called 'Little Caribbean' because so many residents hail from Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Barbados and other islands. And that's why Allison Dunn opened the Hibiscus Brew café in Brooklyn in 2020, a couple of blocks from Prospect Park in a neighborhood called Prospect Park East. She's originally from Jamaica, came to the U.S. at age 25 in 2011 (she's now 38), after graduating from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. After working in marketing and running Neat Rules, a home-organizing business, she tapped her savings and investments from a previous job to open her café, without any outside investors. Covid dampened her home-organizing business and she thought that opening a café would give her long-term satisfaction. Despite her lack of familiarity of running a restaurant, she thought 'I'm Jamaican. I'll figure it out.' And through trial and error, she learned about food supply, vendors to buy from, etc. Selling Its Own Version Of Sorrel She describes Hibiscus Brew as a 'modern café with a Caribbean twist, or a wellness café that seeks to bring a taste of the Caribbean through our signature sorrel drink that is made from the hibiscus roselle plant.' She describes sorrel as a 'ruby red drink that is sweet and tangy with a hint of floral notes.' She produces sorrel from her own in-house recipe and packages it and is looking to expand its sales. So far, it's sold at its café, online at its website, at Happy Cork, a nearby wine and spirits shop, Fiona's, a local bar, and has been used at corporate events for Goldman Sachs and Chase Bank. Sorrel has 4 simple ingredients and contains no alcohol content. 'We're trying to change how people eat and drink,' she asserts. She's also referring to the fact that many Jamaican dishes such as jerk chicken and jerk pork tend to be heavy on the calories and her food is light. Sorrel sales usually rise around holiday time in December. Currently, Dunn is looking for a co-packer to increase production and therefore sales. Its most popular items ordered at the café include hibiscus match latte, hibiscus smoothie, sorrel and blue power smoothie. It's open 7 days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It started selling sandwiches but no longer does. 'We wanted to scale back, and do a few things right,' she explains. So it offers a variety of pastries, such as banana bread, a mix of vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, and croissants. The Benefits Of Multiple Revenue Streams Hibiscus Brew has 3 different revenue streams starting including: the café that produces about 70% of sales, 20% from its pop-ups and marketplace locations. 5%, catering and 5% sorrel sales, bottled and wholesale. Indeed, it's pop-up locations appear at Bryant Park in the middle of Manhattan, Smorgasburg in Williamsburg, Prospect Park and Vegendale, an annual vegan festival. Having multiple revenue streams helps the café survive any seasonal dips in foot traffic at the café, Dunn points out. In addition, she can test new products in the pop-up locations that can boost sales, and it also raises brand awareness. 'It builds a more resilient business that doesn't rely solely on one course or income,' she notes. The cafe appeals to mostly locals, who live in the Prospect Park and Lefferts Gardens neighborhood, people who are drawn to wellness cafés, and via social media, it attracts people who drive a distance to get there. Social media has been crucial to its marketing. She says Instagram 'drives foot traffic, brand awareness and customer loyalty.' Dunn gained approval to bring a cart into the Prospect Park food court, likely starting in late May or early June. In the future, she envisions sorrel being sold at Whole Foods Market and major supermarkets. 'Once you open a café, you can mostly target people within 2 miles away. You can reach more people with products that are on shelves,' says the affable Dunn.
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
From field of dreams to Olympic glory
On a dusty, sun-bleached grass sports field in Kingston, a crop of Jamaican schoolchildren are being put through their paces with dreams of following in the footsteps of Usain Bolt or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Lines of chalk mark out the lanes of a rudimentary running track, where a few dozen young hopefuls are racing in the kind of athletics meeting that is popular across Jamaica, the spiritual home of sprinting. "Most of these kids want to become professionals; they all dream of becoming the next Usain Bolt or the next Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce," track coach Shanti Blake tells AFP. "Pretty much everybody here that does sports wants to try to become a professional, because everybody wants to become the next Usain Bolt." Blake looks on approvingly as this young crop of runners, some only six years old, strive to replicate the running style of the Jamaican track icons who have been regular visitors to Olympic and World Championship medal podiums over the past two decades. "I'm dedicated to making some of these kids professionals," said Blake, 40, whose own dreams of a sprinting career were cut short by injury. "Most definitely, I am going to." For Joseph Heron, whose daughters Nayeli (10) and Jaya (nine) are both competing in the meeting, the lure of a professional career is only part of the appeal. Athletics also represents a pathway to academia via the possibility of scholarships. "(Running) keeps them healthy and and strong," Heron says. "The track is a very powerful part of our history, not just for those who go on to become professionals, but the impact on general life. Many go on to get scholarships and influence their careers." Shanielle Francis, meanwhile, is further down the road in her sprinting journey. Francis works as a coach at the Tapp Track Academy, where she aims to mould young sprinters "into the athletes that you want them to become." A second-year student of sports kinetics at the University of the West Indies, Francis is an illustration of the kind of high-quality coaching, driven by academic excellence, that can be found in Jamaica.
Globe and Mail
17-02-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Dr. Philip Baldeo Announces Scholarship to Support Future Healthcare Professionals
Richmond Hill, NY - Dr. Philip Baldeo, a compassionate family medicine physician with over two decades of experience, is pleased to announce the establishment of the Dr. Philip Baldeo Scholarship for Medical Students. This scholarship offers a one-time award of $1,000 to an undergraduate student pursuing a career in medicine, healthcare, or a related field. The scholarship is open to students across the United States, with the goal of encouraging and supporting aspiring healthcare professionals who are committed to making a difference in the world of medicine. Dr. Philip Baldeo, who practices family medicine in Richmond Hill, New York, is well-known for his unwavering dedication to improving community health. His extensive medical career is paired with a passion for charitable work, particularly in his homeland of Guyana and the broader Caribbean region. Through his philanthropic efforts, Dr. Baldeo strives to create safe environments for women and children in need, while also providing medical services and educational support in underserved areas. This scholarship is part of Dr. Baldeo's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Scholarship Criteria and Application Process The Dr. Philip Baldeo Scholarship is designed for undergraduate students currently enrolled in an accredited university or college, who are pursuing a pre-med track or majoring in a healthcare or medical field. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to becoming healthcare professionals and contribute positively to the evolving landscape of medicine. To apply, students must submit an original essay of no more than 1,000 words, addressing the following prompt: "Medicine is a constantly evolving field, shaped by new discoveries and technological advancements. In your opinion, what is the most significant medical innovation of the 21st century, and how do you envision contributing to this dynamic field in the future?" The deadline for applications is August 15, 2025, and the winner of the scholarship will be announced on September 15, 2025. Interested applicants can find more information and submit their essays via the official scholarship website: About Dr. Philip Baldeo Dr. Philip Baldeo is a well-respected family medicine physician with a medical degree from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences. He completed his residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System and is licensed to practice medicine in New York State. Dr. Baldeo specializes in primary care for both children and adults, focusing on preventive healthcare, the treatment of common conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol, and in-office lab testing. Throughout his more than 20 years of medical practice, Dr. Baldeo has also made significant contributions to community healthcare and patient advocacy. He believes that healthcare extends beyond the doctor's office and takes an active role in philanthropic efforts aimed at improving the lives of underserved populations in the Caribbean. His charitable initiatives include building homes for underprivileged communities and expanding access to medical care in remote areas. Dr. Philip Baldeo's Vision for the Scholarship Through the Dr. Philip Baldeo Scholarship, Dr. Baldeo aims to provide financial assistance to students who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the medical field. By supporting the education of young individuals who are passionate about healthcare, Dr. Baldeo seeks to foster a new generation of professionals who will contribute to the continued advancement of medicine. "As a family physician, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the profound impact that compassionate, well-trained healthcare professionals can have on their communities. This scholarship is my way of supporting the next wave of innovators who will shape the future of healthcare," Dr. Philip Baldeo said. A Lasting Impact on Healthcare Dr. Philip Baldeo's philanthropic vision extends beyond the scholarship itself. His work in the medical field and his charitable initiatives reflect his belief in the power of healthcare to transform lives. By providing this scholarship, Dr. Baldeo hopes to inspire students to pursue their dreams of becoming healthcare professionals while also giving back to communities in need. The Dr. Philip Baldeo Scholarship is more than just a financial award—it is a testament to Dr. Baldeo's dedication to nurturing the future of medicine and supporting those who will drive its progress. Students interested in this unique opportunity are encouraged to apply and submit their essays by the deadline. For more information about the scholarship, eligibility criteria, and the application process, please visit Media Contact Company Name: Dr. Philip Baldeo Scholarship Contact Person: Dr. Philip Baldeo Email: Send Email City: New York State: New York Country: United States Website:
