International
Team USA Creates History with Back-to-Back Wins in 4×100 Relay at World Championships
In a historic moment for American sprinting, Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles led the U.S. team to back-to-back victories in the 4×100-meter relay at the world championships on Saturday. This remarkable achievement marked the first time since 2007 that the U.S. has swept the short relays at the championships, showcasing their dominance on the global stage.
For Noah Lyles, this win completed a flawless 3-for-3 championships, a feat only accomplished by the legendary Usain Bolt in 2015. Lyles secured victories in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter events, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top sprinters. As Lyles crossed the finish line with a time of 37.38 seconds, he triumphantly raised three fingers, a symbolic gesture to highlight his remarkable achievement.
Looking ahead, Lyles sets his sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he aims to emulate Bolt’s incredible feat of winning all three races in multiple championships.
Following Lyles’ inspiring performance, the men’s team stayed on the track to support the U.S. women’s relay. When Sha’Carri Richardson completed her leg and crossed the finish line, lead runner Christian Coleman playfully tackled her in celebration. Richardson quickly rose to her feet, and laughter filled the air. Alongside her gold medals in the relays, Richardson also earned a bronze in the 200-meter event, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the world of sprinting.
The U.S. women’s team secured victory with a time of 41.03 seconds, narrowly edging out Jamaica by a mere 0.18 seconds, while Britain claimed the third-place spot. In the men’s race, Italy finished in second place with a time of 37.62 seconds, followed by Jamaica.
While the United States has long been renowned for its exceptional sprinters, relay races are not solely determined by speed. Over the years, the U.S. has faced numerous challenges with baton exchanges, which have cost them victories in 12 world championships and Olympics since 1995. The women’s team also encountered their fair share of difficulties, as evidenced by the disqualification of the 4×400-meter team due to lane violations shortly before the 4×100-meter race.
However, any past setbacks seemed insignificant when Sha’Carri Richardson received the baton from Gabby Thomas, the silver medalist in the 200-meter event. Richardson exhibited her lightning-fast speed, overtaking Shericka Jackson, the gold medalist in the 200-meter, and securing a comfortable lead that she maintained until the finish line.
Although the baton exchange between Brandon Carnes and Noah Lyles was not flawless, Lyles managed to maintain a slight lead over Jamaica’s Rohan Watson. Lyles, renowned for his exceptional closing speed, crossed the finish line triumphantly, completing a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the championships.
With a total of 27 medals and one more day of competition remaining, the U.S. team concluded the night on a high note. Many would argue that none of the medals earned thus far can compare to the sweetness of these two relay victories, solidifying the U.S. team’s dominance in the world of sprinting.
International
British Virgin Islands Elected to Leadership Role in Historic UN Decision
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been elected to a leadership role within the United Nations (UN) system, as a Vice Chair of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), solidifying its position as a key player in advancing the region’s economic and social development.
At the 40th session of UN ECLAC held in Lima, Peru, member states from across the Americas unanimously elected the BVI to the Vice Chairmanship, a position it will hold for the next two years. The BVI joins the leadership Bureau alongside Peru, which serves as Chair, and fellow Vice Chairs Colombia, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley accepted the role on behalf of the British Virgin Islands, pledging full support for ECLAC’s agenda and for Peru’s leadership. “I am humbled by the decision of the Governments represented in UN ECLAC to elect the British Virgin Islands to serve as a Vice Chair of this important regional intergovernmental body,” Wheatley said. “It demonstrates the trust and confidence by our neighbours across the Americas in the British Virgin Islands and our commitment to the sustainability, climate resilience, economic development, and social transformation of the region.”
The election coincided with the 40th anniversary of the BVI’s Associate Membership in ECLAC, making the occasion particularly significant. Wheatley noted that the BVI is honoured to represent both its own interests and to be a voice for the wider Caribbean in ECLAC’s senior leadership.
In addition to its new Vice Chair role within ECLAC, the BVI currently serves as a Vice Chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), ECLAC’s subsidiary body dedicated exclusively to the Caribbean subregion.
The 40th session of ECLAC focused on addressing critical development challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean. Delegates debated and endorsed an ECLAC report titled ‘Development Traps in Latin America and the Caribbean: Vital Transformations and How to Manage Them,’ which highlights key obstacles to growth, including low capacity for economic expansion, high inequality and weak social cohesion, and ineffective governance.
With its election to this influential leadership position, the British Virgin Islands will play an integral role in shaping the economic and social development strategies for Latin America and the Caribbean, driving initiatives that support sustainable growth and regional cooperation.
The British Virgin Islands first joined ECLAC as an Associate Member in 1984 and has actively participated in regional efforts to promote economic resilience and governance reforms.
International
Milton Strengthens Into Category 5 Hurricane, Taking Aim at Florida’s Gulf Coast
Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday, threatening Florida’s Gulf Coast and putting the densely populated Tampa Bay region in the path of what could be a direct hit. Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the same coastline, the area now faces a potentially catastrophic storm surge, heavy rainfall, and fierce winds.
Forecasters predict that Milton’s center could make landfall near Tampa on Wednesday, marking the first direct strike by a major hurricane in over a century. Although the storm may weaken slightly before landfall, it is expected to maintain hurricane strength as it travels across central Florida toward the Atlantic, largely sparing regions to the north that were devastated by Helene, which left at least 230 dead from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains.
“This is the real deal here with Milton,” warned Tampa Mayor Jane Castor during a press conference. “If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time.”
Governor Urges Swift Cleanup Ahead of Milton
As Florida prepares for Milton’s arrival, Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the urgency of removing debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, fearing it could become deadly projectiles in the storm’s high winds.
“It’s imperative we clear this debris before Milton hits,” DeSantis said on Monday. Evacuation orders have already been issued, and forecasters warn of a potential 8- to 12-foot storm surge in Tampa Bay, with widespread flooding expected from 5 to 10 inches of rain across Florida and the Keys. Some areas could see up to 15 inches of rainfall, creating hazardous conditions for the 3.2 million residents in the Tampa metropolitan area.
Kerry Emanuel, a meteorology professor at MIT, highlighted the vulnerability of Tampa Bay, noting the region’s lack of experience with storms of this magnitude. “It’s a huge population. It’s very exposed, very inexperienced, and that’s a losing proposition,” Emanuel said.
Milton Gathers Strength in Gulf of Mexico
Milton, a compact yet powerful storm, intensified quickly over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph by Monday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was located about 700 miles southwest of Tampa, moving east-southeast at 9 mph.
Much of Florida’s west coast, including Lake Okeechobee, remains under hurricane and storm surge watches, with hurricane warnings issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The Tampa Bay region is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which caused 12 deaths and left a trail of destruction along barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater. In an effort to clear the remnants of Helene before Milton arrives, more than 300 vehicles were mobilized on Sunday to collect debris. However, cleanup crews faced delays when they found a landfill locked, forcing state troopers to break open the gate with a rope tied to a pickup truck.
“We don’t have time for bureaucracy and red tape,” DeSantis said.
Residents Prepare for Impact
Residents along Florida’s west coast are bracing for Milton’s arrival. Lifeguards in Pinellas County, located on the peninsula that forms Tampa Bay, have begun removing beach furniture and other items that could become dangerous in the storm’s winds. In many neighborhoods, appliances and furniture still await collection after being damaged by Helene’s storm surge.
Sarah Steslicki, a resident of Belleair Beach, voiced frustration over the delayed debris removal. “We’re facing another hurricane, and there’s still so much left to be picked up. It’s frustrating.”
As the state braces for Hurricane Milton, officials urge residents to heed evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
International
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