Jamaica has witnessed a decrease in birth rates in recent years, with medical experts attributing lower sperm counts among young men to the use of skin-bleaching creams.
During the American College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists (ACOG) West Indies Section’s Infertility Update, held at the Summit Kingston hotel in New Kingston, Dr. Kamali Carroll highlighted the global decline in sperm quality. She emphasised the role of various risk factors, including obesity, chronic illnesses, and excessive marijuana use, with skin bleaching creams emerging as a significant concern locally.
Dr. Jordan Hardie, chairman of the ACOG West Indies Section, said that the rising infertility rates in Jamaica, citing data that indicated a decline in birth rates and fertility in both genders.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Saturday that one of its aid containers, containing crucial supplies for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, was looted at Haiti’s main port, amidst increasing control of the capital by gangs.
Associated Press
Approximately 260 humanitarian-owned containers are under the control of armed groups. Bruno Maes, UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, condemned the looting. He emphasised its detrimental impact on children in urgent need of assistance. The looted container contained essential items such as resuscitators and related equipment. Maes called for an immediate end to looting and emphasised the necessity of ensuring safe humanitarian access amid the escalating crisis. Armed groups breached the main port a week earlier, disrupting the flow of essential food and supplies to the capital.
Haiti is experiencing a critical shortage of basic healthcare and nutrition access for women in the Port-au-Prince area. Nationwide shortages of electricity, fuel, and medical supplies have crippled hospitals, with six out of ten facilities unable to operate effectively.
AFP via Getty Images
Haiti continues to grapple with a protracted political and humanitarian crisis, resulting in severe hunger and life-threatening malnutrition in parts of Port-au-Prince.
In response to the crisis, unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced plans to step down once a transitional council is established. However, the capital remains heavily influenced by armed gangs, leading to widespread violence, including killings, kidnappings, and sexual assaults.
The Privy Council in London has overturned the murder conviction of Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel. The forty-eight-year-old was given a life sentence in 2014 for the killing of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Kartel’s successful appeal argued that a juror accused of trying to bribe others should have been thrown off his trial. The Court of Appeal in Jamaica will now decide whether the case should be retried.
The US State Department has urged Americans to avoid travel to Haiti due to escalating gang violence. Haiti’s situation has deteriorated rapidly, prompting a Level 4 travel advisory. A state of emergency was declared, with the US Embassy warning of unpredictable danger. Caribbean leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met to address the crisis. Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to step down, pending a transitional council. However, Kenya cancelled a security mission due to the lack of a functioning government.
Protesters set fire to tyres in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday/David Lorens Mentor/Sipa/Rex/Shutterstock
Recent violence includes attacks on police stations and prisons, freeing thousands of inmates. Armed groups have seized control of government facilities and airports. A proposed ruling council was rejected by Haitian political figures, who advocate for a three-person council instead.
Street gangs, initially leveraged by political leaders, have now gained significant power. The prime minister’s whereabouts remain uncertain, as Haiti teeters on the brink of chaos, with experts attributing the violence to the government’s reliance on gangs rather than just historical factors like poverty and colonialism.
Drought-breakers and history-makers, those are the titles being given to the women who were able to break the trend of years of non-placement at the seventy-fourth Miss World Pageant. Among those women was Belizean representative Elisa-Gayonne Vernon, who placed among the top forty of the one hundred and twelve women competing. This placement makes history as it is the first time Belize has placed since joining the competition in 1987. The contest was held in Mumbai, India on Saturday, March ninth, where Vernon competed in a series of events such as fitness, beauty, talent and public speaking. In a statement from Vernon, she reflected on her final answer issued during the pageant, reading, (quote), I am a farmer. A phrase I included in my final answer during the last segment of the Miss World Belize 2022 pageant. I said this, because I am proud of who I am and my heritage. I want to be a representation of every Belizean face and every child with a dream. I want to inspire others to be proud of their roots and know that that they are capable of anything they put their mind to. We are all royalty, because I share this crown with every Belizean, (end quote). Vernon returned to Belize this afternoon where she was met by family and supporters congratulating her on her achievement.
Japan is celebrating sixty years of diplomatic relations with the Caribbean. So, in an effort to strengthen relationships, the Embassy of Japan has embarked on a campaign to educate youths in the Caribbean about the Japanese animation industry. A seminar was held today at the Belize Elementary School Gym, where Belizeans received an in-depth view into the industry and its prospects for aspiring artists. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the seminar to learn more about the endeavor.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
2024 marks sixty years of diplomatic relations with CARICOM for Japan. As a result, representatives from the country are embarking on a trip around the Caribbean to countries such as Belize, Barbados and Jamaica in order to educate Caribbean youths on Japan’s booming animation industry in hopes of fostering an interest in the field. Japanese Ambassador Shirakata Nobuyuki explained the endeavor to us.
Nobuyuki Shirakata
Nobuyuki Shirakata, Ambassador Of Japan
“This year, 2024, for Japanese side, is Japan CARICOM year. We want to let Belizean people know the Anime industry is very important for Japanese and the world. So we invited the professor Takahashi to teach how it functions, anime industry. Because industry is not gaining much money but it is a soul of Japanese culture, one of the very important industries in Japan.”
According to the ambassador, Japan’s animation industry is open to anyone.
Nobuyuki Shirakata
“Because anime is very popular in Belize, so we’d like to tell young people of Belize anime has origin in Japan. And how it functions. I’d like to let young people know how to functions, this industry and how to, if they want, how to enter that industry, even out Belizean people.”
Professor Takahashi Mitsuteru was brought in to give an in-depth overview of the industry and its functions.
Mitsuteru Takahashi
Mitsuteru Takahashi, Animation Professor
“It’s not only about watching anime but how to make this animation or how much people are involved to make this animation and then how to spread this animation. If you understand maybe more people will understand animation better.”
Attending the event was comic artist and aspiring animator, Maya Pollard, who states that this seminar was a success in her eyes, as it gave her access to difficult information needed to enter the field.
Maya Pollard
Maya Pollard, Comic Artist
“Honestly, I learned a lot about the market in Japan. Since we live in the West, we don’t really get a lot of information about how it is over in the East. So, I definitely am happy that I learned, basically, how the industry works on that side. Because it’s very easy to find the information on how it works, like, in the United States, in Canada, and that sort of thing. But in, like, China, Japan, Korea, that kind of information is a bit harder, especially because of the language barrier. So that’s mainly my takeaway from here. That’s why I wanted to come. That’s what I got. So I’m very, I’m very satisfied honestly.”
Pollard explained that, in the future, she hopes to be able to work as an animator in Belize, but is hopeful at the prospect of learning abroad first.
Maya Pollard
“That is the plan down the line. Uh, actually, my main goal really is to build a market here in Belize, the Caribbean in general, but mainly in Belize. I want to continue living at my home, of course, but I do understand that I have to probably move abroad to learn more information. How, basically, because they’re literally like the number one in the world. So I have to learn how it works over there to bring it over here to make it work as well.”
