Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Thu Sep 20 2018
For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
1. A concentrated area of thunderstorms associated with a westward-
moving tropical wave is located about 850 miles east of the
Windward Islands. Although this disturbance shows some signs of
organization on satellite imagery, there is no evidence of a surface
circulation at this time. Some additional development is possible
today before upper-level winds become highly unfavorable for
tropical cyclone formation starting tonight and continuing through
the weekend.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…low…20 percent.
2. A non-tropical low pressure system is forecast to develop by Friday
night over the central subtropical Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda
and the Azores. Conditions are expected to be conducive for the low
to acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics, and a
subtropical or tropical cyclone could form over the weekend or early
next week while the low meanders over the central Atlantic Ocean.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…medium…40 percent.
Generation Next Saint Vincent And The Grenadines (SVG) Present Bursaries To 33 Students.
Thirty-three students of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Community College received bursaries on September 18th, from Generation Next SVG, a local foundation created by Senator Hon. Carlos James.The bursaries were handed out at a ceremony held at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hon. Deborah Charles, urged the students to give back to their communities by helping a child with his/her homework or encouraging youths on the street to choose different life paths. Senator Charles referred to her upbringing and that of Senator James’ to highlight that they did not come from affluent families yet through education and perseverance they were able to forge successful paths.
Founder of Generation Next SVG, Senator Hon. Carlos James said Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is well on the way to have one university graduate per household in SVG by 2025. Senator James described the recipients as the future of SVG adding that every young person should be given the opportunity to make a difference. James urged the bursary recipients to continue to succeed and to make the best use of their time in school.
According to the Generation Next SVG founder, recipients were pulled from several communities including Sandy Bay and Ottley Hall. One of the prerequisites for receiving a bursary, James stated, is a parent being unemployed and/or earning a basic minimum wage. Senator James extended thanks to all the donors who gave of their time and their resources.
Bursary recipient, Delano King, delivered the vote of thanks. King thanked Senator James for starting this initiative which has come to their aid. He also expressed gratitude to sponsors and the parents and guardians who attended the award ceremony. King said the contribution will go a long way in meeting their needs and assist parents with sending their children to school.
Some of the sponsors of the access to college education programme bursary award included Silky Da Silva, Gloria Stapleton, and proprietors of Cloud 9. The bursary handover was witnessed by parents, guardians, other executive members of Generation Next and well-wishers.
The SLTA – Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s UK Showcase provided the ideal preface for many key industry meetings with travel partners and the media. During the week of September 10 – 14, 2018, Saint Lucia tourism officials headed by Minister of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Hon. Dominic Fedee conducted face to face meetings with officials from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Saint Lucia officials had two update meetings: the first was with ABTA’s head of media, Sean Tipton; and the second, with the organisation’s head of destinations and sustainability, Nikki White. Topics during the meetings included the impact of Brexit on tourism and the growing trends for British holidaymakers such as sustainable tourism.
Speaking on the Importance of the UK visit and showcase Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of the SLTA – Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Tiffany Howard stated “the UK is our second largest market and we are encouraged by its continued growth. There is a strong connection with the destination and as trends move toward more authentic experiences we know that our village tourism project will fill that growing demand.”
Saint Lucia also hosted a UK media lunch at Daphne’s, Kensington with twenty-five prominent media houses in attendance including; The Telegraph, The Times, National Geographic, Hello! Magazine and Wisden magazine. Minister Fedee also had an interview with Ben Gardner of Wisden discussing the upcoming English cricket team’s tour of the West Indies in February and March of 2019. Hon. Fedee also participated in a magazine radio programme on Colourful Radio – one of London’s most popular commercial radio stations for people of colour – focusing on why Britons should visit Saint Lucia. The Telegraph also conducted an interview with the Tourism Minister on the new airport developments. The press was provided with an Island Update, which highlighted recent developments across the tourism sector and gave an outlook on Saint Lucia’s tourism product for 2019.
Latest year-to-date stayover arrivals figures as at July 2018 show the UK market up 7% from 2017. The Saint Lucia tourism contingent also conducted two other important trade sessions. The first was a Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (M.I.C.E) buyer networking session on Monday, September 10, 2018 where destination officials presented to potential clients and had a chance to have one-on-one interactions. The second trade event was an appreciation dinner with senior airline officials and tour operators on the evening of September 11.
Belize Revises Status of Forces Agreement – SOFA with the United Kingdom.
The Government of Belize and the Government of the United Kingdom signed the revised Status of Forces Agreement ( SOFA ) and its Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Status of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom while in Belize. Signing on behalf of the Government of Belize was Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security and on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom, the Rt. Hon Mark Lancaster, Minister of Defence.
The revised Agreement sets out the new legal framework within which personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces will operate while in country. A number of revisions have been included to give balance to the Agreement, and to provide for an equitable approach, where appropriate, in the application of the Agreement. This is the first revision of the Belize-UK SOFA since the original in 1994, supplemented by a subsequent Exchange of Notes in 2004, which covered international training activities.
Over the past year, a technical team of representatives led by senior officers in the Ministry of National Security, which included the Attorney General’s Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, collaborated with members of the UK Technical Team which was led by the UK Department of Defence and included the High Commission to Belize and the British Army Training and Support Unit Belize (BATSUB).
The revised agreements provide for a strong platform for increasing activities of UK forces in Belize which should take place in the near future, and for the continued strengthening of the partnership between the two countries.
The signing of the Agreement took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Belize City.
Barbados’ debt restructuring is the way back to the path of stability!
This was the clear message from Government’s Special Advisor on the Economy, Professor Avinash Persaud, as he addressed a media conference today at the Grande Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, to discuss the exchange offer of new instruments by Government, as part of its Debt Restructuring Programme.
Professor Persaud said: “I think people see the default as saying, finally, you are going to get your act together and that default is the route to credibility. The default is the platform that puts us back to a sustainable position. I think bondholders ultimately will view this as the credible path because where we were before was just not credible.
“…Everyone in Barbados is suffering pain; taxes are going up; Government expenditure is going down, because that is how you get from 175 per cent of GDP to a sustainable point of 60 per cent and the kind of surpluses that we have to run to repay all. There is no easy option and we managed to make this as fair as possible. So, the bond holders will feel pain. They are taking about half the pain; and the other half is being taken by tax payers…and government expenditure.”
Government recently announced that it had launched an offer to exchange the vast majority of Barbados dollar-denominated debt it owed and certain public sector obligors for new debt instruments.
Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, Debentures, loans and bonds owed by the Government, loans and bonds owed by state-owned enterprises and other entities that receive transfers from the state budget and certain arrears owed by the Government and its public sector are included in the exchange offer or affected debt.
Holders of the affected debt are currently receiving letters with details of the exchange offer, which they must respond to by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 5.
Governor of the Central Bank, Cleviston Haynes, said Government would have to pay off the arrears and avoid new ones if it wanted to bring stability back to the economy.
“We have structured the progamme in such a way that there will be no further build-up of arrears in the system, and that is going to be very important,” he stated.
He noted that the debt was outside the acceptable international norms, and added that Government wanted to bring it back in line, so as to give itself fiscal space to do necessary things, particularly as it related to infrastructural development.
“The debt restructuring is a critical component in helping us to restore our overall macroeconomic balances to engender confidence to potential investors and that is how you regain your access to capital markets….
“We want to bring the debt ratio down to approximately 60 per cent by 2033. It is a tough act, but one that is achievable if one is able to consistently have the primary surpluses, strengthen growth, reduce interest costs and then spread the maturities out,” Mr. Haynes stated.
The Governor said it would be in the national interest for persons to accept the exchange offer, pointing out that without the debt restructuring, the adjustment would be much more difficult.
Independence Day Message from the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow.
Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow
As we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of our Independence, I have been reflecting on just how glorious an achievement it was. Consider the circumstances. We were confronted by twin, seemingly insurmountable odds: a large, militarized neighbour with an unjust and illegal claim to our country, threatening our extinction; and a colonial power reluctant to do what was necessary to help finalize our secure freedom. But we would not be deterred. And history records the tremendous persistence and skill with which Belize persevered and overcame. The nations of the world all remarked the force of our campaign. No one doubted that its triumph stamped our small country as one destined for greatness.
Now, it is 37 years on. And the maintenance of our Independence with our territory intact is vindication of all those qualities that made our original struggle so wonderful to behold.
But this is the year 2018 and there are still multiple challenges that beset us. Many are new. They are not peculiar, though. Indeed, they are no more than should be expected from any nation-building process and are shared by all small, developing countries. One, however, remains the same bane that confounded our Independence campaign. But we defeated it then and we will defeat it now. And if next April, we decide to deploy the newly available legal tool of our impregnable ICJ court case, it will mark the beginning of the end for Damocles and his sword.
As for the rest, the durability of the Belizean spirit, the imperishability of the Belizean soul, are what will see us through. Our hard-won Independence has been enriched by our own human capital and the world’s recognition of our fantastic natural wealth.
On September 21st this year then, I ask Belizeans to think on all these things and be glad. Let us celebrate the success of an Independence well won – a job well done. Let us celebrate the confidence given us by our history, by our victory. Let us be assured that metal forged in fire is unbreakable. And that mettle produced by struggle is unconquerable.
Thus it is that we march straight on. Nothing can daunt us, nothing can stop us. Let us remember those architects of Belizean Independence, of Belizean exceptionality. And long may they inspire us.
Let our celebration, therefore, be unconstrained. For carried by the past and confident of the future, our nation moves unstoppably forward.
And so, Happy Birthday Belize and God bless our native land.
Saint Lucia continues to prove why she is a destination that inspires travelers to visit and explore her beauty and splendor.
Visitors can now enjoy a stress-free vacation while they play and stay at 22 properties on the island that are offering guests a holiday guarantee if their vacation were to be interrupted by adverse weather in Saint Lucia.
Though Saint Lucia is seldom affected by hurricanes, hotel operators associated with the St. Lucia Hotel Association and Tourism Association created the holiday guarantee, so visitors could book their vacations with confidence at any time of the year. This unique Holiday Guarantee programme covers cancellations made prior to arrival and if the vacation is cut short because of a hurricane.
The guarantee becomes effective when a hurricane warning is issued by the St. Lucia Meteorological Service and offers a waiver of cancellation penalties and an opportunity to rebook the vacation.
Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Mrs. Tiffany Howard said, “Given the impact of the 2017 hurricane season on the region, it is utterly important that this guarantee remains in effect to assure visitors that Saint Lucia takes pride in its tourism product. While Saint Lucia is rarely affected by hurricanes, this guarantee provide another security blanket to our visitors.”
Hotels offering holiday guarantees include Coco Palm Resort; Rex Resorts; Harmony Marina Suites; Hotel Chocolat; Ti Kaye Resort & Spa; Villa Beach Cottages; Bay Gardens Resorts; Cleopatra Villas; Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort; Stonefield Villa Resort; Sugar Beach- A Viceroy Resort; Villa C’est La Vie; Marigot Beach Club; Dive Harmony Marina Suites; St. James Club; Calabash Cove, and Castles in Paradise.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, looks at some of the plastic products that the Government will ban starting January 2019.
Gov’t Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags, Plastic Straws and Styrofoam.
Starting January 1, 2019, the Government will be imposing a ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of specific categories of plastic packaging materials.
These include single-use plastic carrier/shopping bags; expanded polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as styrofoam; and plastic drinking straws.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who made the disclosure at a press conference at Jamaica House on Monday (September 17), said the restriction has become necessary due to the fact that “Jamaica is literally inundated with all types of plastic”.
These items, he said, are improperly disposed of and are causing increasingly harmful effects to human as well as animal life.
Mr. Vaz explained that the restriction on single-use bags applies to carriers with dimensions at and below 24 inches by 24 inches (24”x24”), and includes bags commonly referred to locally as ‘scandal bags’ and ‘T-shirt bags’, which are used primarily in the retail and wholesale trade.
He noted that the ban will not apply to bags used to maintain public health or food-safety standards, such as those utilised to package raw meats; flour; sugar; rice and baked goods, such as bread.
“With regard to single-use shopping bags made of polyethylene, commonly branded by retailers, the manufacturers and importers of such products must apply to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for limited exemptions. These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for continued manufacture and importation, allowable not later than January 1, 2021,” he informed.
“Consumers are encouraged to utilise reusable carrier bags, particularly those produced by local enterprises,” he said.
Mr. Vaz said the Government will work with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the Ex-Im Bank to look at assisting local bag-making companies to reconfigure and/or retool in order to manufacture more environmentally safe products.
As it relates to the ban on styrofoam, he said that this applies to importation of the product for use as food and beverage containers.
“The local manufacture and distribution of polystyrene foam for use as finished goods in the food and beverage industry will be banned as at January 1, 2020,” he said.
He indicated that the use of polystyrene for the packaging of food items such as raw meats will be exempt, and producers who utilise such packaging must apply to NEPA for limited exemptions.
“The industry is encouraged to manufacture/distribute paper-based and other environmentally friendly alternatives for the domestic market,” Mr. Vaz said.
Meanwhile, the Minister said the importation of plastic straws attached to lunch juice boxes and drink pouches will be banned as at January 1, 2021. He said there will be no restriction on wax-lined paper straws or other non-plastic straws.
Mr. Vaz said it is recognised that drinking straws made from alternative materials such as paper or bamboo are not always suitable for the medical sector and persons with disabilities, and exemptions will be examined in consultation with key stakeholders.
He noted that the guidelines for application for exemptions will be developed by NEPA in consultation with the relevant public-sector agencies.
“These guidelines will be posted on the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and NEPA websites as well as circulated to the affected private-sector stakeholders,” he indicated.
Mr. Vaz informed that the Government has been examining the problem caused by the improper management of single-use plastics at the macro-level for some time now, noting that the matter was brought to the fore by a motion on the subject moved by Government Senator Matthew Samuda in the Upper House.
Consequently, a multisectoral working group was establishment by the Cabinet, which was chaired by Dr. Paris Lyew-Ayee Jr. and involved industry players.
“Since that time, a lot of work has been done, not only by the working group but also by the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA), the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) on this issue. The Government has been having positive discussions with key stakeholders, including the JMEA, to arrive at a consensus on the measures to be implemented,” he said.
VISIT of EU Court of Auditors to the OKEU Hospital.
The Office of the National Authorising Officer (NAO), would like to clarify to the General Public that the presence of Representatives of the European Union (EU) Court of Auditors, is an integral part of the Process of Monitoring, Evaluation, Management and Accounting of programmes funded under the European Union/African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP/EU) Development Co-operation.
It is noted that the last mission of the EU Court of Auditor’s was in January 2017. At that time the Office of the NAO along with relevant stakeholders, facilitated the verification exercise of the Mocha Housing Project. The auditor’s expressed satisfactory implementation of the tender and contractual arrangements related to the Infrastructural design and works of the Mocha Housing project.
The current visit of the EU Court of Auditors is a standard practice in keeping with the principles of accountability and transparency. The objective of the audit is to ensure that EU funds are correctly accounted for and spent in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations. The auditors will engage in reviewing information related to the design, construction and supply of equipment to the New National Hospital, otherwise known as the OKEU Hospital.
The Department of Continuing Education (DOCE) of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College is pleased to announce the commencement of classes for the new academic year. In addition to the regular part-time programme and access courses, the Department will be delivering several technical and practical offerings as well.
The programmes that can be pursued on a part-time basis via the DOCE include Business Administration, Office Administration, Criminal Justice and Social Work. Persons not desirous of pursuing full programmes, may register for individual courses from these various programmes. Technical courses are available in Electrical Installations, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Plumbing. These courses are ideal for anyone with an interest in professional and or personal advancement, or persons desirous of acquiring skills to handle everyday household maintenance projects.
With the high costs associated with basic household maintenance issues, it would be a great investment of time and money to embark on a path to Do-it-Yourself.
