CARICOM calls for end to US embargo against Cuba
Secretary Gneral of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Irwin LaRocque, Monday called on the United States to lift the “unwarranted economic embargo and sanctions” against Cuba.
Addressing the 22nd meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), LaRocque said that next month, the 15-member grouping will host the Sixth Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CARICOM and Cuba.
“Cuba has been a long-standing, supportive partner particularly in building the region's human capital in fields such as public health and sport. Our Community reiterates its call for the lifting of the unwarranted economic embargo and sanctions on Cuba which were strengthened recently,” he added.
Washington strengthened the decades old embargo on the Caribbean island after it publicly stated its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro whom the United States and several other western countries are seeking to remove from power.
CARICOM has called for non-intervention in the internal affairs of countries and that it has adopted this principle with regards to Caracas.
LaRocque said that the meeting here was taking place “at a time when our hemisphere continues to face great challenges.
“The ongoing political situation in Venezuela is worrisome and requires an urgent and concerted response from all actors. Since the beginning of the year, CARICOM has been very active on the issue and spared no effort on its own as well as working with like-minded countries and other parties, towards a peaceful internal outcome to the crisis, an objective on which all member states agree,” he said.
The Secretary General said that CARICOM has been operating within the framework of the Montevideo Mechanism process established with Mexico and Uruguay.
“The Community has been resolute in reaffirming its guiding principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, prohibition of the threat or use of force, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for the constitutional framework, human rights and democracy,” he said.
Last week, CARICOM chairman, Dr Timothy Harris, led a CARICOM delegation to the outreach session of the third Ministerial Meeting of the International Contact Group in Costa Rica, where perspectives on the situation in Venezuela were exchanged.
LaRocque said, Venezuela and Cuba apart, other issues of interest to the Community's welfare also feature on the agenda for the two-day meeting.
He said: “The implications of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), and the ongoing Post-Cotonou negotiations which will determine CARICOM's and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) future relationship with the EU.
“Our meeting today will have to consider several issues as we formulate the Community's position going forward. We are facing a world where major actors are showing a decreasing interest in a collective approach to global problems. It is an era where the multilateral architecture has come under increasing strain.
"Geopolitical competition in a multipolar world has increased, as well as the exercise of state power by the powerful to the detriment of international law and of smaller countries.”
LaRocque said that CARICOM, as small states, must therefore rely more than ever on focused and coordinated diplomacy, bolster its relations with like-minded states and continue to advocate for multilateralism.
The two-day meeting is being held under the theme ““Leveraging the Community's Voice in an Era of Challenges and Disorder” and LaRocque said it is more than timely and “constitutes a wakeup call that reminds us as small states that the best way to protect the region's interests in such a challenging time is to be cohesive, to work together as a collective, and to speak with one voice”.
Nadidja Parker Appointed as Communications Coordinator
The Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service is pleased to congratulate Ms. Nadidja Parker on her appointment to the post of Communications Coordinator within the Office of the Premier.
Ms. Parker graduated from the British West Indies Collegiate in 2009, after which she moved to the UK to advance her tertiary education, completing her A Levels in 2011 at York College in York, North Yorkshire, UK. She continued her studies at the University of Winchester, UK and graduated in October 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts Single Honours Degree in Journalism and a Broadcast Journalist Training Accreditation allowing her to practice Journalism anywhere in the world.
During her 4 years at the University of Winchester, Ms. Parker had the opportunity to work with professionals from a variety of employers in the UK broadcast industry including BBC, ITV, ITN, Aljazeera, Sky News, Channel 4 News, The Guardian, National Union of Journalists and Heart Radio. Following her studies in the UK, Ms. Parker returned home to the Turks and Caicos Islands where she worked as a Broadcast Journalist/Reporter and News Anchor with People’s Television Network. Eventually being offered a full time position as Newsroom Supervisor/Manager until April 2019. Ms. Parker was nominated and subsequently selected to receive the National Young Achiever’s Medal at the 2017 National Honours and Awards. She volunteers with Junior Achievers Turks and Caicos and actively participates in developmental youth programmes.
Commenting on her appointment Ms. Parker stated; “I am proud to have been appointed for the position of Communications Coordinator within the Office of the Premier. It is a privilege to be a part of the Turks & Caicos Islands Civil Service, where I will have the opportunity to work with many influential women. Being a young woman, I admire the professionalism and drive of all influential women in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“I look forward to executing my role to the best of my ability using my knowledge of information dissemination and my contacts throughout the Turks and Caicos to properly communicate the work that goes on in the Office of the Premier. Also through this role my goal is to reach out into the communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands and to bring pressing issues and concerns to the attention of the Premier and her team.”
Whilst highlighting Ms. Parker’s appointment Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams stated; “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Nadidja Parker to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service and we wish her a long and rewarding public service career. Ms. Parker has an extensive background in broadcasting and journalism and will bring very vital communication skills not only to her role as Communications Coordinator within the Office of the Premier, but to the Turks and Caicos Government as a whole. Congratulations Nadidja!”
HOT TEMPERATURES IN THE TCI
GENERAL SITUATION: A SURFACE TROUGH IN VICINITY OF THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SUPPORTS
INCREASED CLOUDS AND SHOWER CHANCES TODAY. WHILE A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE ACROSS THE
AREA SHIFTS EASTWARDS AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT.
AREA: CENTRAL-SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS & TURKS & CAICOS
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR
HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: SOUTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS TODAY, BECOMING VARIABLE, LESS
THAN 10 KNOTS TONIGHT.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN TODAY, FALLING 3 FEET OR LESS TONIGHT.
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT.
MOONRISE: 3:43 PM
MOONSET: 4:17 AM WED.
LOW TIDE: 9:55 AM
HIGH TIDE: 4:09 PM
LOW TIDE: 10:25 PM
HIGH TIDE: 4:29 AM WED.
EXTENDED FORECAST (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS): A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE
NORTHWEST BAHAMAS EARLY ON WEDNESDAY AND BECOME STATIONARY THROUGH THURSDAY.
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
ADVISORY: EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR
THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: VARIABLE, LESS THAN 10 KNOTS.
SEAS: 1 TO 3 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
ADVISORY: EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR
THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS BUT FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES.
SEAS: 1 TO 3 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
TCIG CIVIL SERVICE ENGAGES IN YOUTH CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Her Excellency Anya Williams. MBE, Deputy Governor of the Turks & Caicos visited her alma mater, HJ Robinson High School in Grand Turk to speak to the 3rd and 5th Form students on the importance of making the right career decisions as well as other key choices throughout their lives.
Departments across Turks & Caicos Islands Government Civil Service will assist in hosting career day expositions for both HJ Robinson and Long Bay High School this Friday, May 10th to assist in helping them to make their subject choices for their senior years in high school, whilst a number of 5th form students from the HJ Robinson High School will be participating in a 4 week Job Experience Work Program facilitated by the Human Resource Management Directorate under the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Commenting on these initiatives Her Excellency the Deputy Governor had this to say; “My office is pleased to assist in helping our young students make the best choices for their career and lives. It is important that they are made aware of the job opportunities that are available in both the public and private sector as well as the requirements for these positions so that they can adequately qualify themselves by taking full advantage of the educational opportunities that are available.
We are pleased to work with the HJ Robinson High School to provide real hands on work experience to several of their senior students over the next four weeks that will be completing their secondary education this upcoming year. It was a pleasure speaking to them and we look forward to further engagements with the other high schools throughout the other islands as well.”
Late Seymour Nurse hailed as 'true legend'
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has hailed late former West Indies stroke-maker Seymour Nurse as a “true legend”.
Nurse, who played 29 Tests between 1960 and 1969, passed away here Monday at age 85 after a long battle with illness.
He also served as a coach and administrator following his playing career, and remained a seminal figure in Barbados cricket.
“Seymour was one of the greatest batsmen ever to play the game and typified all the best of West Indian batting — flamboyant stroke-play combined with powerful hitting and an insatiable appetite for runs,” said CWI president Ricky Skerritt.
“Like most of the West Indian players of his generation, he not only enjoyed playing internationally, but he displayed his batting artistry on every opportunity he got in club matches for his beloved Empire and for Barbados in the West Indies first-class championship.
“Seymour will be fondly remembered not only for the legacy he created on the field of play, but the way he represented the game off the field.”
A stylish batsman, Nurse scored 2,523 runs at an average of 47.60, along with six hundreds and 10 half-centuries. He enjoyed a sparkling first-class career, gathering 9,489 runs at 43.93 with 26 hundreds.
His maiden Test hundred was a double — 201 against Bob Simpson's Australia at Kensington Oval here in 1965. Nurse made three hundreds in his final four Tests, hammering a career-best 258 against New Zealand in Christ Church in his very last international innings before retiring prematurely at age 35.
Skerritt also praised Nurse's contribution to the game following his playing days.
“On his retirement from the game, he served as a mentor and coach to many great West Indies players and was an astute administrator and selector,” he said.
“I was rather fortunate to work closely with Seymour when he was the liaison officer for the West Indies Under-19 team in the 1980s, and over the years, I always enjoyed our conversations about the game whenever we had a chance to speak.
“He was always humble and helpful, and never hesitated to give support and advice to young players.”
Legendary former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes also paid tribute to Nurse, labelling him a mentor.Nurse is survived by twin daughters Roseanne and Cherylanne Nurse.
Source-CMC
Chinese trade officials visiting US 'to make a deal'
Chinese trade officials intend to "make a deal" when they arrive in Washington this week for talks, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, reviving hopes for negotiations that had appeared to hang by a thread.
However, Trump continued to ratchet up pressure on Beijing, pressing ahead with plans to raise US duty rates on US$200 billion in Chinese merchandise — a prospect that has sent shivers through the global economy since last year.
US officials on Monday effectively canceled a six-month trade truce, accusing Chinese negotiators of backsliding on major commitments agreed to thus far in months of talks.
"China has just informed us that they (Vice-Premier) are now coming to the US to make a deal," Trump said on Twitter, referring to top trade envoy Liu He.
But Trump suggested he was comfortable either with making a deal or with leaving the tariffs in place.
"We'll see but I am very happy with over US$100 Billion a year in Tariffs filling US coffers...great for US, not good for China!"
Meanwhile, the office of the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer released an official notice that duty rates on a vast array of Chinese-made electrical equipment, machinery, auto parts and furniture would more than double after midnight (0400 GMT) on Friday.Following Trump's first Twitter announcement Sunday on tariffs, stock markets around the world sank for two trading days. Wall Street was about flat shortly after 1400 GMT on Wednesday.
The world's top two economies have exchanged tariffs on more than US$360 billion in two-way trade, gutting US soy bean exports to China and weighing on the manufacturing sectors in both countries.
Trump also tweeted Wednesday that Chinese officials mistakenly hoped they could hold off to negotiate with a "very weak" future Democratic president "and thereby continue to ripoff the United States... for years to come."
Amid robust US economic growth, American officials have long believed however that they are better positioned than Beijing to withstand the pain of a trade war.
Trump also repeated on Wednesday his view — with which economists and fellow Republicans in Congress differ — that it is trade adversaries like China who pay such duties and not US importers and consumers.
Washington has demanded far-reaching and profound changes to the Chinese economy, such as submitting state enterprises to market principles, reducing massive subsidies and ending the alleged "theft" of US technology.
Source-AFP
NYC measles cases reach 466
The number of measles cases in New York City has reached 466 since the outbreak began in October.
The city's health department said Tuesday that 43 new cases were recorded since it last reported figures in April.
The new cases include two public school students who do not identify as members of the Orthodox Jewish community, but had religious exemptions that allowed them to attend school without being vaccinated.
Health officials said the children, who live in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, did not attend school while infectious.
Orthodox Jewish communities in the Williamsburg and Borough Park sections of Brooklyn account for most measles cases in the city.
Health officials say 84 individuals in Williamsburg have received summonses subject to fines for not complying with a mandatory vaccination order.
Jamaica becomes 1st C'bean country to host IACHR
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has expressed hope that the high-level interaction afforded by the the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) 172nd Period of Sessions will “deepen the country's understanding of the function of the commission and its strategic priorities for 2017 to 2021.”
Johnson Smith was speaking at the Welcome Breakfast for the IACHR Delegation held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Monday.
This is the first time a Caribbean country is hosting the IACHR.
The foreign affairs minister said the event could serve to share the perspectives of the Region in the implementation of "our obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights”.
Meanwhile, President and Rapporteur on the Rights of Children and Adolescents, IACHR, Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitiño, said that holding the sessions in Jamaica fulfills one of the commitments of the IACHR, which is to “raise awareness of the Inter-American system in the Caribbean”.
The IACHR's 172nd Period of Sessions continues at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters with public hearings currently underway, to end on Friday.
Petitions will not be heard against Jamaica as host country.
Source-Jamaica Observer
China vows 'necessary countermeasures' on Trump tariffs
Beijing has said it will respond in kind if President Trump imposes higher tariffs on Chinese exports on Friday.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry said that if the US tariff measures are implemented, it would take "necessary countermeasures".
The warning comes as US and Chinese officials prepare to meet over the next two days.
On Wednesday President Trump tweeted that Vice Premier Liu He "is now coming to the U.S. to make a deal. We'll see."
On Sunday Mr Trump said on Twitter the US would more than double tariffs on $200bn (£152bn) of Chinese goods on Friday and could introduce fresh tariffs.
US trade representative Robert Lighthizer later accused China of backtracking on commitments in trade talks.
However, he insisted a deal with Beijing was still possible.
The US stock market is down over 2% since Sunday but did not react to the comments on Wednesday from China.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry said in its statement: "The escalation of trade friction is not in the interests of the people of the two countries and the people of the world.
"The Chinese side deeply regrets that if the US tariff measures are implemented, China will have to take necessary countermeasures."
Mr Trump's claim that Beijing is looking to strike a trade agreement followed an earlier tweet, in which he claimed to know why China had reneged on its promises.
He said that if a Democrat was elected in the 2020 US presidential election, Beijing hoped the new administration would take a softer line on trade.
Source-BBC
Duke and Duchess of Sussex name son Archie
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have named their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Introducing him to the cameras earlier in the day, Meghan said: "He has the sweetest temperament, he's really calm. He's been the dream."
As they laughed, Prince Harry said: "I don't know who he gets that from."
The announcement came after the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh met their eighth and newest great-grandchild for the first time at Windsor Castle.
By deciding to call their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Harry and Meghan have chosen not to use a title for their first born.
As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, but instead he will simply be Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
Talking about their first few days as parents, Meghan said: "It's magic, it's pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy."
The duke added: "It's great. Parenting is amazing.
"It's only been two and a half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy."
On which parent the baby resembled more, Harry said: "Everyone says that babies change so much over two weeks.
"We're basically monitoring how the changing process happens over this next month really. But his looks are changing every single day, so who knows."
Meghan added: "Thank you everybody for all the well-wishes and kindness, it just means so much."
Source-BBC