Category Archives: Caribbean

Black Caribbean immigrants play mas at the annual West Indian Day Carnival in Brooklyn, NY. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 17, 2017: There is no denying that black immigrants from the Caribbean are a significant part of the African-American and black population in the United States today. Here are 10 facts you should know about this dynamic bloc this Black History Month:

1: Black immigrants from the Caribbean make up 50 percent of all foreign-born blacks living in the United States today according to the Pew Research Center and are estimated at 1.7 million.

2: Jamaican-born black immigrants make up the largest percentage of foreign born blacks in the U.S, with a conservative estimate of about 682,000 Black immigrants born or 18 percent of the national total of all foreign-born blacks.

3: Black immigrants from the Caribbean account for an estimated 8.7 percent of the entire black population in the U.S. today, according to data from the American Community Survey analyzed by Pew.

4: Researchers, however, have found that black Caribbean immigrants are more likely to assert an ethnic identity as West Indian or Jamaican, for example, rather than a racial identity as a black American.

5: Most black Caribbean immigrants admitted into the U.S. are less likely to be undocumented and are mostly legally admitted based on family ties and family sponsorship, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.

6: Black Caribbean immigrants naturalize at a higher share than all other immigrants in the U.S. and are more likely to be U.S. citizens and less likely to be refugees or asylees or benefit from the diversity visa lottery.

7: Black Caribbean immigrants are most likely to be English proficient than other immigrants, according to Kevin Thomas of the Pennsylvania State University in A Demographic Profile of Black Caribbean Immigrants in the United States.

8: Today, some 813,000 children under the age of 10 have parents who are Black immigrants from the Caribbean, according to the Migration Policy Center.

9: English-speaking Black Caribbean immigrants earn more than Black African immigrants according to Thomas.

10: A new study from the New York City Department of Health, which examined health discrepancies among black New Yorkers, found that Caribbean immigrants tend to have fewer health problems like asthma and obesity than American-born blacks. Further, some 53 percent of American blacks labeled themselves as drinkers, compared with only 44 percent of Caribbean nationals.

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Black Caribbean Immigrants In The US Today 10 Things You Should Know This Black History Month - News Americas Now Caribbean And Latin America Daily...

The Fisheries Department of Belize and researchers with the Florida International University (FIU) registered their discovery of a previously unknown species of Sphyrna or hammerhead shark this week.

They say its range is relatively small and that it needs clean waters to survive, which is indicative of the health of the 300 kilometer long Belize Barrier reef -the longest in the northern hemisphere - where it was found.

Philipp Kanstinger, marine conservation expert with WWF Germany says the find underscores the importance of the reef as a biodiversity hotspot, and signals the need for action.

"The WWF is working with other partners to ensure this valuable location will be preserved in the future," he said in a press release.

The organization isalso calling on the government of Belizeto be actively involved in protectingthe marine paradise, which is home to more than 500 species of fish, over 100 types of coral as well as a rich diversity of flora.

Sharks, dolphins, sea turtles,manta rays and the American marine crocodileare also among the wildlife known to swim in those parts.

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the reef is comprised of seven marine protected areas. But the ecosystem has come under threat in recent years as thousands of hectares of mangrove forest have been destroyed in the name of coastal and industrial development. In 2009, the destruction prompted UNESCO to put the site on its endangered list.

Blame it on Jaws or blame it on the fact that sharks do have rather a lot of sharp teeth, fact is, many humans have a fear of sharks as deep as the waters in which they swim. Any expert will tell you, we kill by far more of these great fish a year than they do us. So should we really be scared?

There are five species of reef shark, of which this is one. Feasting on crustaceans and fish alike, they are the top predator in the fragile ecosystem from which they take their name. They are no strangers to divers either, and have been known to attack when they feel threatened.

There are more than 250 recorded species of shark in the waters around our planet. They range in size and ferocity. The sand tiger shark weighs up to 159 kilos and can reach a length of 3.2 meters. They are big eaters, have a mouth full of frightening looking teeth, but are generally regarded as being docile and unlikely to attack humans unless provoked to do so.

Though it is impossible to know exactly how many sharks are killed annually for their fins, some estimates put the number around 100 million. Finning, as the practice is known, entails the removal of the fin while the shark is alive. The animals are then cast back into the sea where if not dead already, they succumb to a painful end. The fins are used to make soup, which costs up to $100 a bowl.

Recent research revealed that Greenland sharks can live to the extraordinarily ripe old age of 400. These predators have a healthy appetite, but have never been known to go for humans. They like cold waters, through which they move slowly. And that is not the only thing they do at a leisurly pace - they don't even reach sexual maturity until they are around 150.

...it will hurt you. At 18 meters, whale sharks are the longest species in the family, and indeed the biggest fish in the sea. At that rate, dinner should be theirs for the picking, but their penchant is for plankton. Good news for all the other creatures in the sea. But whale sharks are at risk. Not only are they fished for their fins, oil and meat, but are often hit by eco-tourism boats.

Said to be the best researched sharks, the lemon species is considered non-agressive. To date there have been no recorded incidents of a human fatality as a result of a lemon shark attack. They are social creatures that move in groups, where they rarely display aggressive behavior to each other.

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New shark of the Caribbean | Global Ideas | DW.COM | 15.02.2017 - Deutsche Welle

Press Release:-In light of the cordial nature that characterizes bilateral relations between Venezuela and the Caribbean countries, a delegation spearheaded by Mr. Jesus Faria, Venezuelas Minister for External Commerce and International Trade, completed a tour of some Caribbean countries (Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica) with Saint Lucia being its final stop in order to promote inter-regional trade with Venezuela and the rest of the Caribbean.

The delegation was welcomed by Honourable Bradley Felix Minister for Commerce, Industry, Investment, Business Development and Consumer Affairs. This encounter revealed that although both countries belong to the same geographic space, to date, they have yet to achieve satisfactory levels in the areas of commerce and co-operation. Also present at the meeting were Leo Preville, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce; Nancy Francis, Investment Director; H.E. Leiff Escalona, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Saint Lucia; Jos Lin Gmez, Deputy Secretary of Petrocaribe; the technical team of the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry; the Executive Secretary of Petrocaribe and Ministry of Foreign Trade.

Minister Faria expressed that the Venezuelan government is currently in the process of finalizing details to establish a sea route, with minimum obstacles, to facilitate trading amongst the countries of the region. He also stated, We have presented this proposal to the governments of some Eastern Caribbean countries and intend to present it to all of Central America in order to strengthen the economic integration amongst sister countries.

For his part, Minister Bradley Felix expressed his appreciation to the Government of Venezuela for the initiative to create a maritime route in the Caribbean region, and in turn, took the opportunity to invite Venezuela, to participate in the Trade Exhibition 2017 of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), from 9 to 12 March to identify companies from those countries interested in exporting to Venezuela. The Venezuelan minister expressed his thanks for the invitation and in turn invited the Saint Lucian Government and members from the manufacturing and commercial sector to participate in the annual trade fair organized by Petrocaribe. Over 35 countries participated in the Petrocaribe Pavillion 2016 last year.

The Venezuelan minister has expressed his countrys willingness to set up a technical workshop in the coming days geared at studying the production, export and import profiles of the manufacturing and commercial sectors in Saint Lucia so as to establish the link with the National Council of Productive Economy comprising of a variety of Venezuelan companies which has been established in Venezuela for that purpose.

Finally, the Venezuelan government once again reaffirmed its friendship, solidarity and co-operation with the peoples of the Caribbean, and its intention to continue to promote the integration policy promoted by Commander Hugo Chavez which President Maduro has continued to strengthen through ALBA and Petrocaribe.

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Venezuela promotes trade with Caribbean - St. Lucia Times Online News (press release)

A fleet of over 80 yachts is expected for the ninth edition of the 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 in which 900 sailors from 30 different nations will race non-stop around 11 Caribbean islands, starting and finishing in Antigua. Passionate corinthians will be rubbing shoulders with Olympic medallists, Americas Cup winners and round the world sailors in a race to take home the coveted RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy. The 600 mile course is designed to offer a tactical, high speed race with stunning vistas at every corner.

The RORC Caribbean 600 is very different to the other 600 mile races and definitely not a holiday race in the Caribbean, commented RORC Racing Manager, Nick Elliott. The race has many tactical legs with land effects and wind-driven currents which are both difficult to predict. The heat of the day and the long nights are also unusual features for an offshore race making it every bit as challenging as the Rolex Fastnet Race, and just as exciting. It is interesting to note that the records for the Rolex Fastnet Race and the RORC Caribbean 600 are very similar.

Featuring a magnificent collection of yachts, an incredibly varied fleet will be racing under the IRC, CSA and MOCRA rating systems, as well as Class40s racing under class rules. Rambler 88, Phaedo3 and Maserati will be gunning for course records, however, the winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy will be decided by the yacht with the best corrected time under IRC.

Monohull Record: 2011 George David, Rambler 100 40 hours 20 mins 02 secs.

George Davids Rambler 88 RORC/Tim Wright Photoaction.com

George Davids American Maxi Rambler 88 is back with an impressive crew line-up for another tilt at the race record, the overall win and class honours. New Zealands multiple Americas Cup winner, Brad Butterworth is part of an impressive afterguard including fellow Kiwi, Brad Jackson and Australian navigator, Andrew Cape. Virtually the entire crew are Americas Cup winners and stars of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Multihull Record: 2016 Lloyd Thornburg & Brian Thompson, MOD70 Phaedo3 31 hours, 59 mins 04 secs.

Lloyd Thornburgs American MOD 70 Phaedo3 has lowered the bar for the multihulls for the last two years and this year will be up against stiff competition from Giovanni Soldinis Italian MOD70, Maserati.

Phaedo3 has assembled a phenomenal crew for the race and multiple world record holder, Brian Thompson is joined by Volvo Ocean Race winners Robert Greenhalgh and Damian Foxall. Extreme 40 champion, Pete Cumming and the formidable talent of Michel Desjoyeux, the only sailor to have won the Vende Globe twice. Maseratis skipper, Giovanni Soldini is Italys most decorated offshore sailor and Maserati has been fitted with foils which can provide a speed advantage over Phaedo3. A fascinating contest for multihull line honours is expected.

Phaedo3, Lloyd Thornburgs MOD70 Rachel Fallon-Langdon

The winner of the Multihull Class will be the yacht with the best corrected time under MOCRA. Seven teams are entered including Shaun Carrolls Australian Modified Sea Cart 30, Morticia which is the smallest yacht competing in the entire fleet, and the head-turning all-carbon R-Six, skippered by Robert Janecki, which is the first ever entry from Belize.

IRC Overall for the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy Overall winners of the previous eight editions of the race have all come from IRC Canting Keel and IRC Zero. Amongst this years favourites are two Maxi 72s: Hap Fauths Bella Mente overall winner in the 2015 race, and current holder of the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, George Sakellaris Proteus.

Whilst the two Maxi 72s are firm favourites, the stellar cast racing in IRC Canting Keel and IRC Zero includes; Farr 100 Leopard and three Volvo 70s, Lionel Peans SFS II from France, Trifork skippered by Dutchman Bouwe Bekking and Green Dragon, skippered by Austrian Johannes Schwarz. The dark horse of the canting keel class is Maverick, skippered by Oliver Cotterell. The Infiniti 46 with DSS side foils was class winner for the RORC Transatlantic Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

In IRC Zero, the 182ft schooner Adela, skippered by Greg Perkins is the largest yacht taking part and making a RORC Caribbean 600 debut is Anders Nordquists Shamanna. The 115ft superyacht is the largest of nine Swans competing this year and boasts a crew including many of Maltas best sailors from the Calascione, Podesta and Ripard families. RORC Admiral and IMA Secretary General, Andrew McIrvine is a guest aboard Grant Gordons Maxi cruiser 72, Louise. Overall winner of the 2017 Cape to Rio Race, Stefan Jentzschs German Carkeek 47, Black Pearl is the smallest yacht in IRC Zero. South African Americas Cup sailors, Mark Sadler and Marc Lagesse form the afterguard.

Adela, the magnificent schooner is the largest yacht in the RORC Caribbean 600 fleet RORC/Tim Wright

With 17 yachts, the largest class competing this year is IRC One and a huge variety of yachts includes Giles Redpaths Lombard 46, Pata Negra, with RORC Commodore, Michael Boyd among the crew. Bernie Evan Wongs RP37, Taz will be proudly flying the Antiguan flag once again. Bernie is the life and soul of the race having competed in all nine editions as skipper.

The IRC Two champion, Ross Applebeys Scarlet Oyster is back attempting to win the class for the fourth consecutive race in a highly competitive field including; Ed Fishwicks Redshift on El Ocaso with a young, top-class crew including, 2012 Olympic Silver Medallist Luke Patience and Figaro sailors, Alan Roberts and Nick Cherry, as well as Volvo Ocean Race sailor, Nick Bubb.

Close racing is expected in IRC Three among four vintage Swans, including two Sparkman & Stephens designed Swan 48s, Jonty Layfields Sleeper X and Andrew & Mia Schells Isbjorn. Peter Hopps, skipper of the Sigma 38, Sam has competed in every edition of the RORC Caribbean 600.

Short-Handed Challengers A number of young talented Figaro teams are expected from Guadeloupe and James Healds British Swan 45 Nemesis will be racing Two-Handed. Five Class 40s will be competing including Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merrons Campagne de France which won the Class40 division in the 2016 RORC Transatlantic Race, Catherine Pourres Erendil, Peter Hardings Phor-ty, Mikael Rykings Talanta and Marc Lepesqueuxs Saint-Pierre & Miquelon.

Event details Notice of Race Entry list

Background: The 9th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday February 20, 2017. The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin and south to Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barths.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club

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Record Fleet for RORC Caribbean 600 - Scuttlebutt Sailing News

An artists rendering of the lagoon and sandy beach at Balmoral in northeast Houston.

An artists rendering of the lagoon and sandy beach at Balmoral in northeast Houston.

Image 5 of 19 | New York City, New York

Image 6 of 19 | Kanazawa, Japan

In an undated photo, Japanese couples look through a swimming pool at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, in Ishikawa prefecture, northern Japan. The museum, which cost over 10 billion yen, is a UFO-shaped modern complex which opened Oct. 9, 2004, bringing a rare contemporary expression in the heart of traditional Japan.

In an undated photo, Japanese couples look through a swimming pool at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, in Ishikawa prefecture, northern Japan. The museum, which cost over 10 billion yen,

Image 7 of 19 | Palm Desert, California

Duane Hagedon's 64,000 sq ft dream home is spread out on a ridgeline above the desert in Palm Desert, California. A tri-level swimming pool is seen in the rear part of the estate. Guy Dreier is the architect.

Duane Hagedon's 64,000 sq ft dream home is spread out on a ridgeline above the desert in Palm Desert, California. A tri-level swimming pool is seen in the rear part of the estate. Guy Dreier is the architect.

Image 8 of 19 | Turbuku, Turkey

Image 9 of 19 | Scottsdale, Arizona

Taliesin West of Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Drafting Rooms and Office Annex across Swimming Pool.

Taliesin West of Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Drafting Rooms and Office Annex across Swimming Pool.

Image 10 of 19 | Holland Park, London, United Kingdom

A 2010 photograph of an indoor swimming pool inside a home in Holland Park, London.

A 2010 photograph of an indoor swimming pool inside a home in Holland Park, London.

Image 11 of 19 | Matosinhos Porto, Portugla

A 1966 photograph of Leca Swimming Pool in Matosinhos Porto, Portugal.

A 1966 photograph of Leca Swimming Pool in Matosinhos Porto, Portugal.

Image 12 of 19 | Marbrisa, Acapulco, Mexico

A swimming pool at the Arango Residence, designed by architect John Lautner in Marbrisa, Acapulco, Mexico.

A swimming pool at the Arango Residence, designed by architect John Lautner in Marbrisa, Acapulco, Mexico.

Image 13 of 19 | London, United Kingdom

A photograph of a swimming pool adjacent to a bar area in London's Carlton Tower Hotel, designed by architect Charles Fowler.

A photograph of a swimming pool adjacent to a bar area in London's Carlton Tower Hotel, designed by architect Charles Fowler.

Image 14 of 19 | Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A view of the sea, pool and auditorium on Tenerife Island, Spain.

A view of the sea, pool and auditorium on Tenerife Island, Spain.

Image 15 of 19 | Singapore

A rooftop swimming pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore.

A rooftop swimming pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore.

Image 16 of 19 | Berlin, Germany

The swimming pool in Holmes Place Health Club has a view from the reception area.

The swimming pool in Holmes Place Health Club has a view from the reception area.

Image 17 of 19 | Acapulco, Mexico

Image 18 of 19 | Shanghai, China

Chinese people enjoy the sun on the one and only artificial beach of the city near the Bund on Aug. 05, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Chinese people enjoy the sun on the one and only artificial beach of the city near the Bund on Aug. 05, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Caribbean-style lagoon coming to Houston-area development

A northeast Houston subdivision will build a 1.5-acre artificial lagoon and sandy beach tailored to look like a Caribbean seashore thanks to patented technology from the Florida-based designer.

The project in Balmoral, a community in the works near Atascocita in northeast Houston, will probably be the second such lagoon in Texas; another in Dallas is expected to open sooner.

The technology comes from Florida-based U.S. Crystal Lagoons Corp, the U.S. arm of the company that built the world's largest swimming pool inSharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2015.

RELATED:Marriott Marquis Houston debuts Texas-shaped pool in grand opening

The shimmering clear water is produced by a proprietary technology for sonic water filtration, which Man said differs from conventional pool technology and uses 50 percent less water than a park of the same size. He said the lagoons uses a fraction of the chemicals of a conventional swimming pool, and sport 400 sensors measuring water parameters in real time.

At Balmoral, lagoon construction is expected to begin by late summer or early fall, and open to swimmers in summer 2018, said Jeff Sheenan, director of community affairs and amenity development for Land Tejas.

Home construction will start in late April or early May of this year, and people are expected to start moving into finished houses in the third quarter. When the project is completely built out, within 10 to 12 years, it will have 1,700 home sites, the developers said.

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Caribbean-style lagoon coming to Houston-area development ... - Chron.com

Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

How being early is the secret to the best Royal Caribbean cruise, from start to finish Royal Caribbean Blog (blog) We have spent years sharing tips, secrets and strategies on this blog about taking a better and more fun Royal Caribbean cruise, and we discovered there is one common thread among so many of our best tips: being early. There are plenty of ways to ... 6 Future Cruise Ships Coming to Royal CaribbeanCruise Fever 5 Ways to Navigate Caribbean TaxisCruise Radio (blog) Royal Caribbean cruise ship departs Florida after day delayChippewa Herald NEWS.com.au -Business Insider -Herald-Whig all 35 news articles »

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How being early is the secret to the best Royal Caribbean cruise, from start to finish - Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

MIAMI Florida immigration attorney Dahlia Walker-Huntington is warning Caribbean nationals with green cards who have been charged with a crime in the United States to postpone overseas travel.

In spite of a ruling from a federal court stopping the Trump administrations executive order banning travelers from seven predominately Muslim nations, Caribbean nationals living in the U.S. are nervous. The attorney spoke at a recent immigration forum at Holy Family Episcopal Church in Miami Gardens, Fla., and stated that non-U.S. citizens are still exposed to the bans negative implications.

Walker-Huntington stated that local law enforcement has been re-ordered to function as immigration agents by the Trump administration, a stipulation dropped during the Obama era.

Caribbean nationals who may have committed minor offenses in the past who now may want to travel or apply for citizenship are advised not to travel.

If you are a green-card holder and you were arrested, even if you were not convicted or even if the case was dismissed, do not travel, as you may be caught and be unable to return, she said.

Caribbean nationals who have green cards and who have been charged with crimes are more likely to be harassed than individuals coming to the U.S. for the first time.

Additionally, those holding green cards and spending more time outside the U.S. than inside may also face a higher chance of losing their green cards. Walker-Huntington that if they are unable to live in the U.S., they can apply for an entry-level permit that allows them to stay out of the country for a period of two years; they must continue to pay U.S. taxes during this time, however. Noncriminal undocumented individuals are now viewed as threats to U.S. national security and are to be repatriated quickly.

The new U.S. government is hiring some 10,000 more agents for Homeland Security and they will be looking for visa overstayers, as well. Walker-Huntington noted that new U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said that such individuals will no longer be subject to prosecutorial discretion, under which they would be released until their cases are heard; instead they will be forcibly detained for as long as two years.

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Green Card-Carrying Caribbean Nationals Warned Not to Travel Out of US - Atlanta Black Star

Forbes

Royal Caribbean CIO Sets Sail For Digital Innovation Forbes When Mike Giresi joined Royal Caribbean Cruises as its chief information officer 18 months ago, he did so after having been a CIO three times over, at Tory Burch, Direct Brands, and Godiva Chocolatier. He had depth of knowledge in retail, but not as ...

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Royal Caribbean CIO Sets Sail For Digital Innovation - Forbes

New York Times

Caribbean's Carnivals Tip Their Hats to Trinidad New York Times We Caribbean carnival devotees, counting down the days until the region's biggest bacchanal erupts on the streets of Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Feb. 27 and 28, have a dream. A dream that one day carnival will grace us with its life-affirming presence ... and more »

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Caribbean's Carnivals Tip Their Hats to Trinidad - New York Times

Over 2,000 passengers who thought they'd be sailing to the Bahamas this week were unexpectedly delayed at port after a Royal Caribbean cruise ship failed an annual Coast Guard safety inspection Monday.

The Majesty of the Seas was scheduled departure from Port Canaveral, Fla. late Monday but Coast Guard officialsordered the liner to remain docked on Valentines Day after inspectors found multiple safety infractions, including the vessels life preservers that were showing their age, according toFlorida Today.

"Yesterday, the U.S. Inspectors found 'multiple' safety concerns involving the ship's lifesaving equipment for its 2,700 passengers and 800 crew members, officials reported. Ultimately, they failed the inspection, Royal Caribbean said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

Over 2,000 passengers and 800 crew members are currently aboard the 13-deck vessel that has now been stuck at the port for over 24 hours. The ship was set to depart for a four-night excursion through the Bahamas, CocoCay and Nassau.

The ships major mechanical components, such as the engine and the hull, passed the inspection.

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New life jackets are expected to arrive on the ship Tuesday, at which point the Majesty of the Seas must undergo another inspection to be cleared for sailing.

Royal Caribbean is keeping the docked passengers entertained with food, shopping and shows onboard the static ship.

Still, several passengers who thought they'd be enjoying a romantic Valentine's Day trip have taken to social media to express their frustration with the line.

Jonathan Galed reached out to the cruise line via Twitter seeking more information on the delay.

Hey @RoyalCaribbean thanks for turning my Caribbean vacation into a docked shipyard stay, says Whitney Linn on Twitter.

Others remain optimistic. Chill out @RoyalCaribbean #majestyoftheseas passengers. There are worse places to be "stranded" & you're aboard a floating city of fun! posted Erica Bourdage.

A representative for Royal Caribbean Cruises was not immediately available for comment.

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2000 Royal Caribbean passengers stranded after ship fails life jacket inspection - Fox News