Monthly Archives: May 2022

FARGO Tropical storm and hurricane activity has been on the rise in the Atlantic Basin in recent years, and this summer and fall are likely to be a continuation of that trend. The Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, says the June 1 through Nov. 30 Atlantic Hurricane Season has a 65% chance of an above average number of storms, a 25% chance of near average and only a 10% chance of a below average season.

The forecast calls for 14 to 21 tropical storms, six to 10 of which will become hurricanes, with three to six major (Category 3 or higher) hurricanes. Warmer than average sea-surface temperatures and weak trade winds will create an active environment, and an active African monsoon is expected to generate stronger Easterly Waves which are capable of producing more of the very strong Cape Verde hurricanes, especially during the fall months. What cannot be predicted is where these storms will hit.

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WeatherTalk: Expect an active hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean - INFORUM

Tom Cruise led Top Gun: Maverick played exceptionally well having a box office debut on its opening weekend. The Top Gun sequel returning after 36 long years performed better than what was being expected, giving Tom Cruise a major achievement in his career.

You May Also Like: Director Reveals Tom Cruise Didnt Want Top Gun 2

Joseph Kosinski directed Top Gun: Maverick starring Cruise is set after 36 years when Maverick returns to the Top Gun, where events will make Maverick confront his past as he trains a group of younger fighter pilots, including the son of his late best friend Goose, for a dangerous new mission unlike any other.

Also Read: Why Tom Cruise Ditched 21 Pilots To Get Lady Gaga For Top Gun 2 Song, Revealed

The sequel to the biggest movie of 1986 grossed $156 million in its 4-day opening weekend. The sales are higher than Johnny Depps Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, which grossed $153 million in its long weekend, making it the biggest Memorial Day Debut in history.

Though Paramount and Skydance had originally expected it to $151 million in its opening weekend, the film had a great turnout on Sunday with $126 million. Not only that but The movie was also played in 4,732 North American cinemas making it the widest release of all time.

Related: Top Gun: Maverick Soars High With $124M Opening, Sets New Record For Tom Cruise

This is a promising movie especially for Tom Cruise as he got the biggest debut in his 40-years of a long career. That being said, this is Cruises first movie to surpass $100 million in a single weekend. Before the Top Gun sequel, 2005s War of the Worlds stood as Cruises biggest opening weekend with $64 million followed by 2018s Mission: Impossible Fallout with $61 million.

Top Gun: Maverick has earned the first A+ rating on CinemaScore and has a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes which makes it one of Cruises best-reviewed films. At the international box office, the Top Gun 2 grossed $124 million, making the global estimate of around $248 million.

Joseph Kosinski directed Top Gun: Maverick a sequel to 1986s Top Gun starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer.

Top Gun: Maverick is now available in theatres.

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Top Gun: Maverick Beats Pirates Of The Caribbean For Biggest Memorial Day Weekend Opening - FandomWire

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Labour Minister Steadroy Benjamin has pledged the governments commitment to addressing violence and harassment in the workplace.

Benjamin said in a press statement that government is poised to legislate against such, and that a national policy will be drafted with help from the Gender Affairs Department.

He was speaking as Antigua and Barbuda became the first nation in the Caribbean and just the fourth in the Americas to ratify the International Labour Organizations (ILO) convention against workplace violence and harassment.

The ministry said all other ratifications in the wider region are in South America.

Just 15 of the ILOs total 187 member states have ratified the convention to date.

The ratification of this important convention signals the governments commitment to guaranteeing workplaces free of all forms of violence and harassment, including bullying, a statement from the Ministry of Legal Affairs said.

The mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce is of utmost importance to this government and all workplaces are expected to adhere closely to the conventions tenets, it added.

The convention covers both private and public sector spaces. It applies to workers irrespective of their contract status, and establishes the right of every worker to freedom from violence and harassment in the workplace, recognising it as a human rights violation.

It encompasses physical, psychological, sexual, and economic harm, along with gender-based violence and harassment.

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A&B becomes first country in Caribbean to ratify convention on harassment at work - Antigua Observer

Basseterre:Travellers Worldwide has named St Kitts and Nevis among the seventeen safest Caribbean islands to visit in 2022. The country is constantly becoming safer and more secure for tourists as the country moves ahead with adopting modern security technologies, including the installation of CCTV cameras across the twin-island nation.

TheTravellers Worldwideranked St Kitts and Nevis as the twelfth safest Caribbean island. The website is renowned for providing reviews of countries, flights, and other things associated with travelling and is run by two travel enthusiasts named Tom and Tori, based in California, United States.

St Kitts and Nevis is known for its mesmerizing beauty. It is also the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere, but it is big enough to explore for a lifetime. Thousands of tourists are attracted by its stunning white sand beaches and sheer blue water. It is also highly popular among cruise ship visitors, with the country reaching more than 1 million passengers mark in 2018.

Crime in St Kitts and Nevis decreased to a great extent in recent years and it has been declared a minimally threatening country by the US Department of State. The island of St Kitts is known to be party-friendly, whereas Nevis island is all about nature and peace. One may expect fascinating activities such as bobbing yachts, swaying palm trees, and jaw-dropping sunset sights. Tourists may explore the islands rich history or kick back at one of the many incredible resorts.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris also declared that the people of St Kitts, and Nevis are living in a safe environment after the homicide cases witnessed a reduction. He crowned the success to the governments substantial investment in the security infrastructure, which includes building new and renovating police stations, strengthening of defence force and coast guard facilities.

Furthermore, he added that the government of St Kitts and Nevis had been massively investing in the installation of CCTV cameras, which will bolster the monitoring system in the Federation.

He also promised the residents of the country to provide a new and safe environment. Prime Minister outlined, We have been bold, united and courageous in tackling crime creating the stronger, safer future we all deserve.

The twin-island government has been installing street lights and CCTV cameras and establishing police stations in various regions to safeguard the residents. It is worth noting that major advancement in St Kitts and Nevis is being done through the funds generated via the citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, under the Sustainable Growth Fund.

A large proportion of socio-economic activities taking place in St Kitts and Nevis have been managed via the CBI Programme. To support the development island-wide, the government established the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) in the year 2018. The investments that arrive through SGF are utilized to build infrastructure in the country.

The SGF, which is popularly known as the Fund Option, also helps in providing income support to people and more. This option allows the investors to make a contribution to the social prosperity as well as the economy of the twin-island Federation.

The country gained praise at the world level for its multi-layered due diligence checks on all applicants seeking alternative citizenship. Any applicant or their dependent over sixteen years of age undergoes vigorous government and independent third party background checks, which ensures that people of a higher standard of character are granted citizenship. This shows the countrys commitment to national and international security.

To apply for the alternative citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis, the applicant has to donate to the Sustainable Growth Fund. The applicant has to invest a minimum of USD 150,000 to become a part of the CBI programme under SGF.

An applicant can also add his family members in the same application, including the spouse, children (under the age of 30) and parents as well as grandparents (over the age of 55).

The dual citizenship of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis can be attained if the investor qualifies some of the eligibility criteria, which are:

St Kitts and Nevis is the pioneer of citizenship by investment programme industry. Launched in 1984, it has been regarded as the Platinum Standard of CBI and also bagged the top rank in CBI Index by the Financial Times Professional Wealth Management (PWM) magazine. It has been regarded as the worlds fastest, safest, most secure and transparent Programme.

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St Kitts and Nevis ranked among 17 safest Caribbean islands to visit in 2022 by Travellers Worldwide - WIC News

Marriotts growing Caribbean all-inclusive portfolio will add another new resort later this year, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The company has announced the signing of the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun to its all-inclusive portfolio, with plans to open at the end of this year.

The property is owned and managed by Blue Diamond Resorts; it will join the fast-expanding All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, which now includes almost 30 properties in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Its yet another addition to Marriotts major push in to what is easily the hottest concept in the travel industry, particularly in the Caribbean: all-inclusive.

We are thrilled to continue working with Blue Diamond Resorts to add another exciting all-inclusive resort to the All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International. The Autograph Collection Hotels brand champions individuality with each hotel being a product of passion, making this brand an exceptional fit for this significant project and the other 20 Blue Diamond Resorts that have joined the collection.

The 1,049-room hotel, which also includes a waterpark, will have amenities like a theater, a bowling alley, 12 different dining concepts and nine bars.

Its the latest step in the two companies growing alliance; last year, Marriott announced a long-term agreement with Blue Diamond that added 20 hotels in the region to the Marriott all-inclusive portfolio.

Marriotts current all-inclusive resorts are located in Antigua, Barbados, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, and Saint Lucia.

We are excited for Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun to join Marriotts Autograph Collection brand, said Jordi Pelfort, President of Hotels and Resorts at Sunwing Travel Group, Blue Diamonds parent company. Todays announcement reinforces Blue Diamonds position as one of the fastest growing hotel chains in the Caribbean.

For more, visit All-Inclusive by Marriott.

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Marriott Is Opening a New All-Inclusive in Cancun - Caribbean Journal

In recent weeks Johnny Depp's actions and deeds have been called into question by Amber Heard and her lawyers. He has been accused of hitting her during their marriage, while she has been accused of the same. But before the stars were confined to a courtroom, Depp spent most of his time on set - usually on a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

And in 2011 he covered the backs of everyone on set when things got a bit rough during filming.

A lot of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies are shot on location in the Caribbean. And during the filming of the fourth movie in the series, 2011's On Stranger Tides, a Caribbean storm rolled in to ruin the shoot.

Depp described the shoot at the time by saying: "Things became a little creaky," regarding how rough things got on the giant pirate ships in the middle of the ocean. And things got even worse for them when the Pirates of the Caribbean crew returned to Pinewood Studios in the UK.

Depp, the cast and the crew were subjected to even more torrential rain and endless downpours.

So, to stay safe from this constant onslaught of weather, he gifted the crew some defence. He paid a staggering $60,000 on thick winter coats for the cast and crew to keep them warm and dry. He reportedly bought around 500 coats that were given out to everyone on set.

READ MORE:Pirates of the Caribbean star lashes out at 'detested' Amber Heard

A source also told The Sun: "Johnny paid out of his own pocket for all 500 of us to have a nice warm waterproof." They added: "It's a great morale boost and another example of why his is one of the nicest people in Hollywood."

Shortly thereafter, the film, On Stranger Tides, was released in cinemas around the world - and to great success. And the Disney movie was a great success, earning more than $1 billion at the box office.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides broke some box office records and became one of the highest-grossing movies of the year.

Just a few years later, a sequel was released: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales - but this film was markedly less successful. The movie took home $795 million at the box office.

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are available to watch on Disney Plus now.

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Johnny Depp spent thousands to keep Pirates of the Caribbean crew warm - Express

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Amid concerns regarding food security in the Caribbean, the leader of Saint Lucias National Green Party (NGP) has accused the region of turning its back on agriculture.

Now it has come back to bite them, Andre de Caires told St Lucia Times.

The NGP leader expressed that its late for the region to be promoting self-sufficiency in food due to supply challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The full-time farmer by profession recalled growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, where farmers used to produce all the vegetables.

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But de Caires lamented that arable lands had been lost and converted to commercial use.

As the population is growing we are actually losing arable land that our generations to come will need to feed themselves. So the whole region has turned its back on agriculture and I believe that is a colonial rejection of working in the fields, the NGP leader observed.

He noted that enslaved people and indentured labourers came to the Caribbean to work in the fields.

The NGP leader told St Lucia Times that, as a result, people look down on agriculture as a means to support themselves.

In this regard, the de Caires asserted that many neo-colonialist leaders with their neo-colonialist attitudes want to move away from the slavery mentality and make forays into tourism and industry.

Nobody wants to be a farmer. Were on the lowest peg of the social ladder and now it has come back to bite us because now we are beginning to appreciate how important it is to feed ourselves, the NGP leader declared.

And pointing to the independent Caribbean countries, de Caires asserted that an inability to feed oneself could not constitute true independence.

True independence is food independence, he told St Lucia Times, noting that his party has been voicing that position since the 2011 election.

However, he said administrations in the Caribbean have not focused on food security.

Now the horse is out of the stable, how are we get it back? the NGP leader stated.

He said backyard gardens, recently promoted by Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere, are a means to help people feed themselves.

Nevertheless, de Caires expressed that it will take a lot of administration and planning to get Saint Lucia to where agriculture will pay, and people can feed themselves.

But we cant just be doing talk shops. We must have an implementation phase where we get it off the ground land prepared, drainage done, irrigation set up, , marketing set up, post-harvest activities, adding shelf life and value. We need to have every link in the chain so we do not starve to death, the NGP leader told St Lucia Times.

(Story updated to correct typos in the spelling of the name of the NGP leader)

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NDP Leader Accuses The Caribbean Of Turning Its Back On Agriculture - St. Lucia Times Online News

Midwestern engineering firm Fehr Graham, which has an office in Champaign, helped design one of the states top projects the Kickapoo Rail Trail recently recognized by the American Public Works Associations Illinois chapter.

The Kickapoo Rail Trail project in Vermilion County was named the top transportation project among those in the below-$5 million cost category.

Fehr Graham completed topographic surveys and prepared construction plans and bid documents, the company said.

When the trail is completed, it will run from Weaver Park in Urbana to Kickapoo State Park in Danville.

Fehr Graham provides engineering, environmental and funding solutions and has 11 offices in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The company also announced it has a new senior project manager, Michael Hansen.

He works on business development in central and southern areas of Illinois and specializes in managing water, wastewater, water resource, civil and transportation projects. He also has a strong focus on business development.

Hansen is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee. He has a bachelors degree in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University and is a member of the American Water Works Association.

Caribbean Grill at 2135 S. Neil St., C, has paused its service for the summer, through August.

A main reason for that is the shortage of dependable workers, according to Mike Harden, executive chef and owner.

We employ a number of college students and grads who will be transitioning out of Champaign for the summer or permanently, he said. Its been a challenge to attract and retain a reliable workforce due to the pandemic as well as shifting preferences and expectations from potential workers.

All staff members were notified to give them a chance to find other jobs for the summer, and hes asked other business owners to see about possible job opportunities for them, Harden said.

Harden also said its important for him to maintain his mental and physical health after 12 years of building the business without a break.

My top priority is to maximize Caribbean Grills footprint, and I need to be at full capacity to do that, he said.

Harden said he plans to begin hiring to reopen after the summer, and all current employees will be invited to return.

Piatt County Public Transportation (Piattran) plans to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a free community celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 in downtown Monticello.

It will include family-friendly games, food, prizes, giveaways, bus tours and more.

We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone and reaffirm our commitment to making public transportation in Piatt County affordable and accessible for members of our community, said Piattran Director Jami Trybom. We are an organization that values our employees, riders and our community, and weve always prioritized that.

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It's Your Business | Caribbean Grill hitting pause for the summer - News-Gazette