Category Archives: Caribbean

ST. THOMAS The Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs Conference and Exhibition, held annually around the region, takes place in the territory from May 22-26 at theSugar Bay Resort and Spa in St. Thomas.

The event brings together fire service administrators, firefighters, paramedics/EMTs, vendors and other professionals in a regional forum, enabling the exchange of the latest advances in both fire-rescue and pre-hospital care within the fire service community, according to a release issued Thursday.

Through a variety of lectures, round-table discussions, workshops and sessions, the conference will have a special focus on raising the bar in pre-hospital care through training and credentialing, and enhanced leadership sessions geared towards improving junior and senior fire service personnel, according to the release. The five-day affair is the largest organised fire and rescue event in the Caribbean.

Three challenges will be hosted this year: 1) The Firefighter Challenge, which is comprised of firefighters in full bunker gear and breathing apparatus, from nations across the Caribbean, competing in a timed course of 5 stations. 2) The EMS Challenge, which puts EMT teams against a timed simulated medical emergency, testing their ability to demonstrate their knowledge, skill and attention to life saving details. And 3) The Extrication Challenge, which engages rescue teams from around the Caribbean, placing them under pressure to bring their skill of vehicle extrication to the field of intense competition.

This years conference will present another wonderful opportunity for the men and women in the fire and rescue community to come together for professional development and competitive excellence, according to the release.

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Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs Conference Comes To St. Thomas - VI Consortium (press release)

Johnny Depp is back as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" for the fifth time, and rumors are swirling that fans could expect two more films.

When asked on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" about the possibility of more films, Depp joked: "Are we doing this until I'm 150? I'll be doing it at your local fast food restaurant, just outside."

The fifth installment of the film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales," will be released on May 26, and no one is more surprised at the success of the franchise than the actor himself.

"I didn't think I'd make it past three weeks," Depp told Ellen DeGeneres. "I was right on the way out of the Disney premises."

Depp, 53, said he has never even watched one of the films in its entirety until "Dead Men Tell No Tales."

"I can't stand watching myself," the actor explained.

He said he did watch this film for quality control.

"But this one I did see because it's the fifth one. I thought, you know, I want to make sure that we're delivering what we need to deliver to the people," Depp said. "Because the people, you went and saw the thing three, four, five times -- who knows? You deserve to not be spoon-fed formula."

Depp said he also "tried to up the stakes a little with some of the jokes" in this film.

ABC News is part of parent company Disney.

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Johnny Depp jokes about the possibility of 2 more 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films - ABC News

Wall Street Journal (subscription)

The Most Comforting Thing to Eat Right ... Wall Street Journal (subscription) The Most Comforting Thing to Eat Right Now: Caribbean Stews. When summer beckons yet a chill still lingers, Caribbean stews hit the spot. Recipes for Haitian lgumes, St. Lucian pepper pot and Jamaican-style brown stew oxtails deliver both the warmth ...

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The Most Comforting Thing to Eat Right ... - Wall Street Journal (subscription)

Lauren Mowery, Special for USA TODAY 6:46 a.m. ET May 17, 2017

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Or try the Mango Mary, a tropical twist on a bloody, rimmed in jerk seasoning. For dinner, book the five-course food and rum pairing for proof the popular liquor can match an array of foods, from sticky, sweet ribs to pineapple dessert.(Photo: Lauren Mowery, for USA TODAY)

Just as Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue, approaching Nevis in 1493, sotoo, do most tourists first see the Caribbean island from a boat. And that vision, astonishingly, hasnt changed much: at its center lies a lush green volcanic peak capped in white clouds. In fact, the islands name derives from Columbuss romantic misnomer Nuestra Senora de Las Nievesor Our Lady of the Snows. Eventually, Nieves would become Nevis.

Unlike Columbus and his intrepid crew, todays visitors arrive by fast ferry from St. Kitts, usually one or two rum punches deep by the time they disembark. Myriad reasons lure mostly Americans to the isle. The trove of historic sites, loosely organized along a heritage trail, traceback to Alexander Hamiltons birth. An authentic capital, Charlestown isfilled with small businessesand nary a fast food chain in sight. Bountiful, fresh seafood is served in boutique hotels and relaxed, beachfront bars roadside ribs and chicken on Friday afternoons. The waterfall hike up Mt. Nevis, golf and tennis at the Four Seasons, and diving with PADI center Scuba Safaris off Oualie Beach all allure. Plus, the discreet populationhaslittle interest in the rich and famous who anchor their yachts off Pinneys beach.

Regarding fine, white sand beaches, thats one feature common to Caribbean islands, lacking on Nevis. The western side has a narrow golden strip framing sparkling turquoise water, but thats about it. However, what may be viewed as a deficit to some, has worked in other ways to the islands advantage. The big building boom never came to Nevis, preserving its small island charm and leaving the scenery unspoiled. There's no mega-Marriott sprawl or jumbo cruise ship hordes to be found. The handful of hotels are colorful, quaintand trimmed in gingerbread. Many occupy former sugar estates, incorporating historic stone structures into their grounds. Even the largest resort, Four Seasons, was built low-slung and sympathetic to the landscape. This also means roads dont snarl with traffic and restaurants always have an open table. The result: a no-stress atmosphere that facilitates rest, relaxationand romance.

But a laid-back island vibe doesnt preclude an afternoon or evening of boozy festivities. In fact, its quite the opposite. Every bar, restaurantand hotel has a signature cocktail. While rum punch dominates, secret ingredients and carefully guarded recipes mean no two drinks will be exactly the same. So, hop on a plane, catch a ferry, then hire a Jeep or taxi to circle this verdant volcanic island for a tour of her finest tropical drinks.

Browse the gallery above for a sneak peek at the drinks, and see more spirited island travel below.

The home of the world's oldest rum brand

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A Caribbean cocktail trail in Nevis - USA TODAY

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Caribbean foreign ministers meeting for two days in Barbados from Thursday are to examine why countries did not vote as a bloc at the Organization of American States (OAS) to support or reject proddings from the United States for regime change in Venezuela and at least one prime minister has formally complained about the unusual breakdown of voting unity officials said this week.

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves has written colleague leaders complaining about the extent to which a small group of powerful nations within the hemispheric body was able to manipulate Caribbean member countries and break up their usual voting as a bloc when they were asked to support or reject a vote for the permanent council to meet to discuss ongoing political and economic upheaval in Venezuela.

CARICOM officials have acknowledged receiving the complaint from Gonsalves.

He did not call any names but officials said that the United States, Canada and a few in Latin American which are unfriendly to Venezuela, were part of the efforts to ensure that the OAS ramped up efforts to push regime change in the South American nation.

Gonsalves said in his three-page letter that a handful of powerful countries with an agenda of naked self interest has strategically invited select CARICOM countries to their meetings and ignored the others. In the result, they have succeeded in disuniting and weakening CARICOM countries whose only strength lies in our solidarity. This worrying development has been particularly manifest in matters relating to Venezuela.

We are all sufficiently seasoned political leaders to know that toppling a government will not end those conditions, particularly when there is no viable, electable single alternative to replace it.

Colin Graderson, an assistant secretary general at bloc headquarters in Guyana confirmed that the issue will be discussed at the foreign ministers meeting in Barbados starting on Thursday as usual foreign policy coordination efforts broke down at the OAS this time.

We always try as a body to coordinate our positions. That is usually the case but some of the countries in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States voted in their own way. Others voted for, some against, some abstained and one was absent, Granderson said. CARICOM has 14 of the 34 votes at the OAS and is widely respected as a powerful bloc because it usually votes as a group.

Gonsalves also attacked Secretary General Luis Almagro calling him a chosen and willing tool of the rich and powerful in efforts to topple the Venezuelan government.

St. Vincent, Dominica, Antigua , Grenada, St. Kitts and St. Lucia are all members of the Venezuelan-led Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas and usually side with things Venezuela.

Some members of this same group were reluctant to support fellow Caribbean bloc member Guyana when ExxonMobil said that it had found oil off the Guyana coast. Venezuela immediately claimed the area, sparking a rearguard effort from Barbados and Jamaica to pull the region in line behind Guyana as the smaller states were hinting at either supporting Venezuela or by giving lukewarm diplomatic support for Guyana.

The letter was dated May 10 and is just being released as foreign ministers gather.

Wrapping up his missive, Gonsalves said suggested that colleague leaders not be ambushed into breaking our solidarity and aligning ourselves with fair-weather friends, noting that these same countries are the ones which lure our nations into supporting their agenda are the ones that are neglectful of our situation and who worsen them by their actions on matters such as the withdrawal of correspondent banking and branding our countries as money launderers, and drugs and firearms traffickers. When they have accomplished their objectives by breaking our solidarity through having some of us side with them, we will all be relegated to the margins of their concerns-only weaker than we were before.

Posted 12:00 am, May 18, 2017

2017 Community News Group

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REGIME CHANGE DEBACLE - Caribbean Life

WWD

What Goes Around Comes Around Links With 'Pirates of the Caribbean' WWD The retailer is offering a limited-edition vintage T-shirt with the Pirates of the Caribbean skull and crossbones graphic, retailing for $150. The T-shirts were designed using a set of 100 authentic blank Ts from the Sixties. They were unveiled ... Couple builds massive 'Caribbean' inspired pirate shipWMC Action News 5 Ahoy, Arizona! Man Builds Pirates of the Caribbean Ship in Backyard | The Weather ChannelThe Weather Channel The latest 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film has been hacked by actual ...WRAL.com Just Jared Jr. -SFGate -Screen Rant all 15 news articles »

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What Goes Around Comes Around Links With 'Pirates of the Caribbean' - WWD

Miami Herald

The secret in paradise: Violence mars Caribbean life Miami Herald Caribbean countries laud themselves on offering idyllic settings where sandy beaches, calming calypso and a laid-back lifestyle beckon. But behind the happy-go-lucky image, the region also harbors a darker side: violent crime and a tolerance for ... Violent crime rates in the Caribbean among the highest on Earth, study showsPRI all 2 news articles »

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The secret in paradise: Violence mars Caribbean life - Miami Herald

Real-life pirates are holding Disney's most valuable pirate for ransom.

Digital hackers have reportedly gotten their mitts on a copy of Disney's new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film.

Deadline reports the hackers are demanding a lot of Bitcoin loot, or they will release the film online before its May 26 premiere date.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney will not pay the ransom and is working with the FBI.

A rep for Disney did not return Fox News' request for comment.

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger said during a town hall meeting with ABC employees Monday that hackers claimed to be holding a Disney film ransom but did not say which one, the Hollywood Reporter reported.

A similar incident happened weeks ago when hackers stole the new season of Netlifx's "Orange is the New Black" but the online streaming service refused to pay.

The "Pirates of the Caribbean" series has earned Disney more than $3.72 billion worldwide since the release of its first film in 2003. The new film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" had a$230 million budget.

You can find Sasha Savitsky on Twitter @SashaFB.

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'Pirates of the Caribbean' held for ransom by hackers, report says - Fox News

This time of year, billions of neotropical migratory songbirds fly from Latin America and the Caribbean to the US and Canada. They come north to eat and nest, but forest habitat at both ends of their trek is shrinking, along with bird populations.

In Washington, DC, theres an effort to help. Steve DrydensRock Creek Songbirdsproject has planted nearly 500 trees. It helps preserve scarce habitat for the birds, and it helps city kids understand that this parknear their neighborhood is a place where the animals eat and breed.

They migrate because in winter they dont like it [here], says a student named Karina. And they go to Central America where its warm. Then they come back here in summer, so they dont die.

Karina has the right idea. Springtime means more insects food for the birds and their young. And they go back south to chase the food supply.

But there are fewer birds flying back and forth now. Nearly half of migratory songbird species have had big declines since 1966, according to theUSGS North American Breeding Bird Survey.Scientists dont know exactly why. Cats and collisions with buildings are partly to blame. Another reason is habitat loss.

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Planting trees in DC to help save Caribbean songbirds - PRI

Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

Symphony of the Seas May 16, 2017 construction photo update Royal Caribbean Blog (blog) Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource ... Royal Caribbean's internship programme with the University of Chester returns for a second yearSeatrade Cruise News all 25 news articles »

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Symphony of the Seas May 16, 2017 construction photo update - Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)