Hurricane Beryl was a big and destructive storm that struck the Caribbean in June and July. Forming as a tropical storm in late June, Beryl quickly strengthened right into a Category 2 hurricane because it moved westward across the Atlantic. In early July, it made landfall on several Caribbean islands, including Saint Lucia and Dominica, between July 2 and 4.

The hurricane’s strong winds, reaching 110 mph, and heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides, particularly in Dominica, where many areas were rendered inaccessible by damaged roads and debris. The storm also led to widespread power outages and damage to infrastructure, including homes and public buildings.

In Saint Lucia, coastal areas experienced significant storm surge and flooding that destroyed businesses and disrupted every day life. As Beryl continued its path, it also affected parts of Puerto Rico and the northern Leeward Islands, exacerbating existing threats in those regions.

Hurricane Beryl was no match for the strength, perseverance and determination of the Caribbean people. Carnivals across the Caribbean went ahead as planned. From the Spice Mas in Grenada to the Carnival in St. Lucia, the spirit of celebration was unstoppable. Saint Lucia Tourism and Carnival participants spoke with BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP about your experiences.

“As the head of promoting in Saint Lucia Tourist authorities “Carnival played a key role in reviving the island’s spirit following Hurricane Beryl, especially given its effects felt throughout the region. The festival acted as a vibrant symbol of resilience and unity, bringing locals and tourists together in celebration. It provided a much-needed boost to the island’s economy and morale. National activities, private events, colourful parades and the energetic Dennery Segment and Soca music helped restore a sense of normalcy and joy, proving that even in the face of adversity, Lucian Carnival remains a source of strong cultural heritage and happiness,” said Jenelle Ernest, Head of Marketing at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

She continued: “Carnival, to me, is so much more than just a festival; it is a profound expression of cultural identity and community spirit. It is a time when people come together to celebrate life, music and tradition in a way that transcends everyday concerns. The vibrant costumes, infectious rhythms and collective energy capture the essence of our shared heritage and joy. It is a reminder of the power of unity and the importance of celebrating our roots, which is both refreshing and deeply meaningful. Carnival is all about it – the culture, the people, the vibes.”

When asked how we are able to further enhance the profile of Saint Lucia Carnival and other events, she replied, “A series of ongoing efforts are needed to promote Saint Lucia Carnival and similar festivals across the Caribbean.”

She explained: “First, investing in high-quality marketing and branding campaigns to showcase the unique aspects of each Carnival is key. Building partnerships with international travel and tourism agencies, as well as celebrities and influencers, has helped us reach a wider audience. Finally, fostering collaboration between international Carnivals and Caribbean islands to create joint marketing strategies and shared events has helped to strengthen Saint Lucia’s appeal as a Carnival destination.”

Carnival enthusiast Mellisa Deandre has traveled the world attending carnivals from Brazil to Trinidad and Tobago. She explains, “One of the many reasons I love carnival is that it gives everyone, from lawyers to construction workers, a chance to let loose and enjoy beautiful music, people and culture. I travel with a group of people from both the Caribbean and beyond, who are doctors, entrepreneurs, politicians and more – who use carnivals as a way to take their minds off work and immerse themselves in something much bigger. Being here in St. Lucia was exactly what I needed after witnessing the devastation wrought by Beryl. Carnival is a celebration of freedom from oppression that everyone can enjoy!”

Between the vibrant and loving culture of Saint Lucia and Caribbean carnivals abroad, joy seems to be the theme. As the Caribbean islands proceed to grapple with climate change brought on by many larger nations, tourism officials and carnival enthusiasts agree on one thing: strengthening and protecting carnivals around the world is imperative to proceed bringing joy to the islands that deserve it most.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors on Tuesday charged 4 Milwaukee hotel employees with accessory after the very fact to murder in connection with the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell.

Mitchell was black. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for about nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked a nationwide depending on race that has been marked by protests across the country.

Charged are hotel security guard Todd Erickson, front desk clerk Devin Johnson-Carson, baggage handler Herbert Williamson and security guard Brandon Turner. Each faces up to 15 years and nine months in prison if convicted.

Erickson was reached by phone Tuesday evening. Erickson referred a request for comment to his attorney, Michael Steinle, who didn’t respond to voicemails or emails.

It was unclear whether any of the opposite three employees had lawyers. Online court records didn’t list any of them Tuesday evening. Williamson’s phone records have been disconnected, and The Associated Press couldn’t immediately locate phone numbers or other contact information for Johnson-Carson or Turner.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that arrest warrants had been issued for all 4 employees. The office and the Milwaukee Police Department didn’t immediately respond to emails asking if the workers had been arrested or had attorneys.

According to a criminal grievance, 4 employees dragged Mitchell from the Hyatt on June 30 after Mitchell went into the ladies’s bathroom and held him on his stomach for eight or nine minutes. One worker told investigators that Mitchell was having trouble respiratory and was repeatedly asking for help, according to the grievance.

An autopsy showed Mitchell was morbidly obese and had used cocaine and methamphetamine, the grievance said.

Hyatt surveillance footage shows Mitchell frantically running into the hotel lobby after which into the gift shop before entering the ladies’s restroom, the grievance says. Just a few seconds later, a lady comes out and Turner, who was off-duty but visiting with staff, drags Mitchell out of the lavatory and into the lobby by his shirt.

The two begin to struggle, and Turner punches Mitchell, knocking him to the ground. He then punches Mitchell six times and drags him out of the hotel with the assistance of a bystander. Mitchell gets up and tries to get back inside.

Williamson, Johnson-Carson and Erickson, who was acting as a security guard, join the fight. He and Turner hold Mitchell in a prone position for eight to nine minutes before police and paramedics arrive. During that point, Mitchell is seen on video trying to break free several times, and Erickson hits him with a baton before he eventually stops moving, according to the grievance.

A video recording taken by a witness shows Mitchell groaning and saying he was sorry. An autopsy showed Mitchell was morbidly obese and had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system.

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The health worker ultimately determined that Mitchell died of “asphyxia due to restraint.” He might need survived if workers had allowed him to turn onto his side, the health worker said, according to the grievance.

Erickson told investigators that Mitchell was very strong and resisted them and tried to bite him. But the guard said he never did anything to intentionally hurt or harm Mitchell.

Turner told the detective he heard women screaming in the lavatory after Mitchell entered and thought Mitchell was high. At one point, while the group was holding Mitchell down, he pulled Mitchell’s clothes away from his face, he said, according to the grievance.

Johnson-Carson told investigators that Mitchell was “not in a mentally stable state” and was speaking “in gibberish,” the grievance says.

He said he remembers Mitchell saying “stop” and “why” and something about respiratory while he was being held down. He told Williamson to stop pushing, which he did. Johnson-Carson said Mitchell showed “obvious signs of extreme distress, including choking, difficulty breathing and repeated requests for help,” according to the grievance.

The grievance says the workers should have known Mitchell was in danger. “All of these factors, DM’s panting, his actions and words, the distress he was in, show that all four defendants knew that holding DM face down was ‘virtually certain’ to worsen his physical condition,” the grievance says.

Mitchell’s relatives and their attorneys had previously reviewed hotel surveillance footage provided by the district attorney’s office. They described seeing Mitchell being chased into the hotel by security guards after which dragged outside, where he was beaten.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is a component of the legal team representing Mitchell’s family, said video footage recorded by a bystander and circulating on social media shows security guards kneeling on Mitchell’s back and neck.

On Tuesday evening, Crump posted a press release on X calling the fees (*4*)

DeAsia Harmon, Mitchell’s widow, said Tuesday the choice was a relief. But she wondered why it took weeks.

“These people are on camera taking my husband’s life,” she said. “They should have been charged the moment they did it.”

Aimbridge Hospitality, the corporate that manages the hotel, previously said several employees involved in Mitchell’s death had been fired.

The company released a press release Tuesday evening saying it had fully cooperated with law enforcement and would proceed to cooperate with prosecutors. “Our hearts are with Mr. Mitchell’s family and loved ones as this matter moves forward,” the statement said.

In response to some European airlines withdrawing from the 3-1-1 rule, some U.S. airlines are also considering relaxing it. The 3-1-1 rule gets its name from the necessities: liquids have to be in containers of three.4 ounces or less (“3”), slot in a single 1-quart bag (“1”), and passengers are only allowed one such bag (the last “1”).

This guideline, introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks, was a part of a broader reassessment of airline security protocols. Technological advances may now pave the way in which for changes on this long-term limitation.

According to , although European airlines had anticipated rolling out their liquid-limit rules by June 1, the slow rollout of new computed tomography (CT) scanners has prevented them from doing so. The new machines have the power to detect any hazardous materials packed in a passenger’s suitcase or bag, eliminating the necessity to limit liquid sizes to three.4 ounces.

In America, nevertheless, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has only admitted that it expects to “lift the liquids limit in the coming years,” and that limit stays in effect. Despite this, there are There are still some liquids that could be packaged in containers larger than 3.4 ouncesbut most of those are measures mandatory for medical reasons.

These items include: clearly labeled prescribed medications for the passenger, medically mandatory liquids, gels and sprays (have to be in reasonable quantities and reported to security officers prematurely), breast milk and infant formula, infant and toddler food and beverages, liquid teethers, ice, gel and freezers, IV bags, pumps, syringes and other medical supplies, fresh eggs (the carton could also be separated and inspected by a TSA officer), live fish and coral in water (some airlines also allow live lobsters in a transparent, spill-proof plastic container), biological specimens (provided they’re non-infectious and in solution, and are clearly marked and labeled), spill-proof wet batteries and duty-free items in sealed bags.