Category Archives: Caribbean

THE BAHAMAS Host team won the gold medal in the U12 division with a 3-0 shutout win over Cuba. With the win, they advance to represent the Caribbean Region at the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Seriesin Branson, Missouri.

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas claimed three medals at the inaugural Babe Ruth Caribbean Region Championships and Invitational.

The teams took gold in both the U16 and U12 divisions, and won an additional bronze in the U12 division at the conclusion of the five-day tournament at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The Bahamas Host team won the gold medal in the U12 division with a 3-0 shutout win over Cuba. With the win, they advance to represent the Caribbean Region at the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in Branson, Missouri.

The team, managed by Javier Bowe, opened tournament play with a 6-5 win over Cuba followed by a 2-1 win over Aruba and a 4-0 loss to the Bahamas Tournament team.

They recovered from the pair of losses and ended the tournament with three consecutive wins, 7-0 over Puerto Rico, 7-4 over Aruba in the semifinal and the win in the final over Cuba to finish the tournament with a 4-2 record.

Antwon Bain was named MVP while Chishard Thompson Jr was the winning pitcher and was named the top defensive player.

Thompson pitched four shutout innings with eight strikeouts and gave up just a single hit. Bain went 2-3 with an RBI, Alijah Butler was 1-2 and Kamdyn Miller went 1-3.

The Bahamas scored all of their runs in the third inning when Leslie Sands Jr scored on a wild pitch, Thompson scored on a sacrifice fly from Ralph Burrows and Bain drove in the third run.

Bain was also named the best hitter of the tournament after hitting .500 (7-14) with four runs and five RBI.

The Bahamas Tournament team won the bronze medal with an 8-0 win over Aruba. They finished with a 6-1 record.

Cavian Roberts surrendered just a single hit en route to the win and totalled five strikeouts on the afternoon.

At the plate, Trae Neymour went 2-3, highlighted by his 2-run in the park home run, two RBI and two runs, Jordan Archer was 1-2 with one RBI and one run and Marlon Bostwick Jr went 2-3 with two RBI and scored a run.

Javan Smith won the top defensive player award after he finished the tournament with 16 strikeouts.

Offensively for Bahamas Tournament team, Kaizen Dorsett had a .588 (10-17) batting average with seven RBI and six runs over the course of the tournament.

The team had the number one seed in tournament play after five consecutive wins, 20-0 over the Cayman Islands, 6-0 over Puerto Rico, 4-0 over Bahamas Host, 5-0 over Cuba and 3-2 over Aruba. They lost 7-2 to Cuba in the semifinals before the bronze medal win.

In the 16U Division, The Bahamas, managed by Greg Burrows Jr, won 13-6 over team USA in yesterdays final and finished the tournament with a 6-2 record.

The bats for team Bahamas came alive in that final with five home runs to power the gold medal game. Rashawn Pinder hit two home runs, Breyas Dean added two home runs and Andru Arthur added another home run.

Pinder finished 3-4 with a game high five RBI and two runs, Dean went 2-3 with two RBI, Arthur was 2-4 with two runs and two RBI, Chad Delancy was 2-5 with two runs and two RBI and Dionton James was 1-4 with two RBI.

They opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Netherlands. On day two they lost to Puerto Rico 4-2, but followed with a 20-0 win over Aruba. On day three, they followed with a 6-2 win over St Maarten and a 9-4 win over the USA in the second half of a double header.

In Sundays semifinal, The Bahamas suffered a 15-13 loss to the USA relegating them to a bronze medal elimination game against Puerto Rico. They avenged an earlier loss to Puerto Rico with a 7-0 win to advance to the gold medal game.

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Bahamas claims 2 gold, bronze at Babe Ruth Caribbean Region Championships and Invitational - Bahamas Tribune

Last week in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, an increase in violence against civilians was driven by gang attacks in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, and Jamaica. In Mexico, armed suspects shot and killed a journalist and his daughter in Tamaulipas state, while members of the Union of People and Organizations of Guerrero (UPOEG) self-defense group clashed with military officers in Guerrero state. In Honduras, suspected members of pro-government militias from Nicaragua killed a member of the political opposition at the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. In Haiti, a supporter of the Fanmi Lavalas was shot and killed after attending an anti-government demonstration.

In Mexico, targeted attacks against journalists continued last week. Unidentified armed men shot and killed a journalist and injured his daughter outside his house in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas state, on 29 June. The journalists daughter died at the hospital a day after the attack. The victim worked for a local newspaper reporting on agricultural and communal issues and had denounced the involvement of state authorities in corruption schemes (Animal Poltico, 30 June 2022). Following the attack, journalists protested and called for justice in Reynosa and Tampico cities. This attack contributes to the 180% increase in violence in Tamaulipas over the past week relative to the past month, as flagged by ACLEDs Subnational Surge Tracker. Elsewhere, in Morelos state, a police officer physically assaulted a woman journalist as she tried to approach a group of government officials to request an interview. In the first half of 2022, ACLED records an increase in attacks against journalists in Mexico, which have resulted in 12 journalists being killed more than double the number of journalist fatalities from targeted attacks recorded in the same period in 2021.

In Tabasco and Campeche states, violence against civilians increased last week. In Tabasco, gang attacks resulted in six civilian deaths. Meanwhile, in Campeche, police officers arrested and beat a man to death in Isla Aguada, Carmen municipality. The incident triggered a demonstration by residents who assaulted local government officials and blocked a bridge, demanding the police take responsibility for the killing. These trends contribute to the 100% and 233% increases in violence in Tabasco and Campeche, respectively, over the past week relative to the past month, as flagged by ACLEDs Subnational Surge Tracker.

In Guerrero state, members of the UPOEG self-defense group clashed with military officers in Marquelia municipality. The clash resulted in a UPOEG member being injured and seven others being arrested, including the UPOEGs coordinator. The arrests were followed by two consecutive days of demonstrations, with truck and bus drivers blocking roads and clashing with police in Acapulco while demanding the release of the prisoners. Additionally, in Chilpancingo municipality, Los Ardillos and the Los Tlacos gang members clashed, resulting in three cargo trucks being burned, while armed suspects killed a community commissioner and another man. According to local authorities, the recent violence recorded in Chilpancingo is related to an ongoing conflict between Los Ardillos, Los Tlacos, and a third unidentified criminal group for the control of extortions and drug trafficking routes (El Universal, 2 July 2022). These trends contribute to the 123% increase in violence in Guerrero over the past month relative to the past year, as flagged by ACLEDs Subnational Threat Tracker.

In Honduras, suspected members of Nicaraguan pro-government militias killed a Nicaraguan political activist last week and abandoned his body in El Paraiso department, at the border with Nicaragua. Though local media report that the victim was killed during a robbery, relatives of the activist reject this narrative, claiming that his body was found with all his belongings and putting the responsibility on President Daniel Ortegas regime for the killing (Artculo 66, 28 June 2022). The victim had fled Nicaragua after the regime accused him of killing a government supporter during the 2018 anti-government demonstrations; days before he was attacked, he was seen attempting to leave Costa Rica for the US (Infobae, 2 July 2022). Local organizations and representatives of the Costa Rican government denounced threats by regime supporters to Nicaraguan political activists abroad (CNN, 9 November 2021). ACLED has recorded several targeted attacks against opponents of Ortegas regime outside Nicaragua since ACLEDs coverage started in 2018, mainly reported in Costa Rica.

Elsewhere, gang violence intensified last week in Francisco Morazn and Corts departments following clashes and attacks related to gang rivalries. In Francisco Morazn, a clash between the Barrio 18 gang and MS-13 resulted in three reported fatalities, while in Corts, members of MS-13 attacked a group of unaffiliated civilians during a party, killing five. Police speculate that the latter attack could be in retaliation for the killing of an MS-13 member by the Los Aguacates gang that occurred the day before or could be in regards to disputes over the control of local drug markets (La Prensa, 28 June 2022). This violence contributed to the 37% increase in violence in Honduras last week relative to the past month flagged by ACLEDs Conflict Change Map, which first warned of increased violence to come in Honduras in the past month.

In Haiti, armed assailants shot and killed a former political prisoner and member of the Fanmi Lavalas party in Delmas commune, Port-au-Prince, last week. The attack occurred hours after the victim participated in an anti-government demonstration denouncing increasing insecurity and demanding former President Jean Aristide replace current President Ariel Henry, to lead a transitional government (Gazette Haiti, 28 June 2022). Elections for a transitional government have been postponed indefinitely while Henrys government names a new electoral council and negotiates the conditions for a fair election with his political opposition (Reuters, 8 February 2022). The UN has reported the lack of security and political conditions to hold an election in 2022 (UN, 13 June 2022).

Meanwhile, police arrested the leader of the Base Pilate a member of the G-9 gang alliance in Port-au-Prince on 26 June, along with a former police officer who was with the gang leader at the moment of the arrest. The arrest sparked demonstrations where Base Pilate gang members barricaded roads in Port-au-Prince for two consecutive days. Reports also indicate that gunshots were heard during the unrest (Haiti Standard, 27 June 2022).

In El Salvador, clashes between law enforcement and gangs drove an increase in violence last week. In Santa Ana department, three police officers were killed by members of the Barrio 18 Sureos in the La Realidad community. Elsewhere, clashes between police and gangs throughout the week resulted in three gang members being killed and several others arrested. This violence contributed to the 122% increase in violence in El Salvador over the past week relative to the past month that is flagged by ACLEDs Conflict Change Map. President Nayib Bukele stated that authorities must work to find those responsible for the killing of the three police officers and that he will intensify the war against gangs (Infobae, 30 June 2022). Local organizations have reported the arrest of more than 43,000 suspected gang members since the government declared a state of siege on 27 March, denouncing some of the arrests as arbitrary (France 24, 29 June 2022).

In Jamaica, violence against civilians and clashes between gangs continued last week, leading to the 33% increase in violence in Jamaica last week relative to the past month flagged by ACLEDs Conflict Change Map, which first warned of increased violence to come in the country in the past month. Attacks by unidentified armed suspects recorded throughout the week resulted in at least eight people dead, most of them occurring in Kingston. Meanwhile, in Saint James parish, armed men shot and killed a member of the Prekeh Gang.

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ACLED Regional Overview - Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (25 June-1 July 2022) - Mexico - ReliefWeb

Wages are on the rise, with average hourly earnings jumping 5.2% in the 12 months through May.

Employee compensation, of course, is a major part of corporate costs. And rising costs can depress a companys earnings. You might want to think twice about buying the stock of a company whose wage costs are cutting into profit.

Wage inflation is a big risk to earnings, especially for labor-intensive businesses, Bank of America strategists wrote in a commentary. They ranked S&P 500 companies by how labor intensive they are, measured by number of employees per $1 million of sales.

Here are the top 10. The statistic next to the name of the company is its number of employees per $1 million of sales.

1. Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Royal Caribbean Group Report, the cruise company: 55.3.

2. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) - Get Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Report, the cruise company: 53.5

3. Robert Half (RHI) - Get Robert Half International Inc. Report, a recruiting firm: 27.9.

4. Hilton Worldwide (HLT) - Get Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Report, the hotel company: 24.5.

5. Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH) - Get Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Report, a technology consulting company: 17.9.

6. Darden Restaurants (DRI) - Get Darden Restaurants Inc. Report, a restaurant owner, including Olive Garden: 16.9.

7. EPAM Systems (EPAM) - Get EPAM Systems Inc. Report, a software engineering company: 15.7.

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8. Starbucks (SBUX) - Get Starbucks Corporation Report, the caf chain: 12.6.

9. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) - Get Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. Report, the fast-casual restaurant chain: 12.5.

10. Carnival (CCL) - Get Carnival Corporation Report, the cruise company: 11.4.

Morningstar analyst Jaime Katz assigns the company no moat and puts fair value for the stock at $80. It recently traded at $34.

As travel constraints and hesitancy surrounding covid-19 continue to recede, consumer behavior about travel and social distancing have returned to normal for Royal Caribbean, paving a path to positive profits for the business, Katz wrote in a commentary.

With virus restrictions largely in the rearview mirror, Royal should see modest pricing gains as it digests bookings paid for with future cruise credits and takes new reservations, Katz added.

On the cost side, some health protocols and cruise resumption costs could inflate near-term spending, which could temper profitability until 2023.

Morningstar analyst Joshua Aguilar gives the company a narrow moat and puts fair value for the stock at $88. It recently traded at $78.

Robert Half will remain as one of the leading global staffing firms in a highly fragmented industry, he wrote in a commentary. The company places skilled professionals in accounting, finance, and information technology.

Further, we think its hold on small to mid-size businesses will persist, given its ability to fill open roles quickly, and the willingness of these businesses to sign exclusive contracts, Aguilar said.

We believe this will yield greater profitability for Robert Half, despite operating in a highly cyclical industry.

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Royal Caribbean Probably Doesn't Want to be on This List - TheStreet

Published Jun. 30

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico A storm that has hurled rain on the southern Caribbean and the northern shoulder of South America was expected to hit Central America as a tropical storm over the weekend and eventually develop into a hurricane over the Pacific, forecasters said Thursday.

The fast-moving disturbance known merely as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two has been drenching parts of the Caribbean region since Monday without ever meeting the criteria for a named tropical storm.

On Thursday, it was blowing past the northernmost part of Colombia and was centered about 600 miles east of Bluefields on Nicaraguas Atlantic coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

It was moving west at 20 mph and was projected to hit the Nicaragua-Costa Rica area as a tropical storm by late Friday or Saturday.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph right at the edge of tropical storm force, through with ragged wind circulation, apparently due to its rapid advance westward. The Hurricane Center said that pace should be slowing.

The storm was expected to drop 3 to 5 inches of rain on parts of northern Colombia, then 4 to 8 inches on Nicaragua and Costa Rica, posing the threat of flash flooding.

Venezuela and several Caribbean islands closed schools as the storm approached over recent days.

Forecasters also are watching two other disturbances in the tropics. One is in the western Gulf of Mexico and was expected to move onto the southern Texas coast later Thursday. The other is several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands and is showing little chance of strengthening, forecasters said.

Times staff writer Chris Tisch contributed to this report.

IT'S STORM SEASON: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane.

RISING THREAT: Tampa Bay will flood. Here's how to get ready.

DOUBLE-CHECK: Checklists for building all kinds of hurricane kits

PHONE IT IN: Use your smartphone to protect your data, documents and photos.

SELF-CARE: Protect your mental health during a hurricane.

PART 1: The Tampa Bay Times partnered with the National Hurricane Center for a revealing look at future storms.

PART 2: Even weak hurricanes can cause huge storm surges. Experts say people don't understand the risk.

PART 3: Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it?

INTERACTIVE MAP: Search your Tampa Bay neighborhood to see the hurricane flood risk.

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Caribbean storm likely to gain force, hit Central America - Tampa Bay Times

Captain Jack is back!

The original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland has reopened to throngs of enthusiastic fans and a few technical hiccups.

The ride, which debuted in 1967, was closed for refurbishment on March 14 and was originally scheduled to reopen in summer 2022, and then July 1. Accordingly, Disneyland dropped the rope today and fans were there en masse to experience the revamp.

First impressions are that little has changed beyond maybe some sound improvements and a bit of cleanup. Thats notable since the attractions main attraction, Johnny Depp in the form of Captain Jack Sparrow, has been through a few things during the closure. Questions have swirled about Depps future as a franchise star and, while the jury is still out on another Pirates film or whether hed even want to do one Disney could have easily taken this opportunity to excise the star from the classic ride, but it didnt. And fans seem pleased.

Five years ago ahead of the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Depp himself popped up in full Captain Jack costume and makeup at several points along the rides path to surprise fans. No such luck today.

The ride reportedly reopened an hour late today with a 45-minute wait. One reason the ride seemingly closed was for park officials to rework the area around it for better crowd flow around the attraction, which frequently creates bottlenecks outside the gates.

By midday today, the line snaked back through new Orleans Square toward the Haunted Mansion and then back across to the other side of Pirates in front of the Riverboat Terrace dining area, cutting part of the square in half. Its unclear whether that was a function of reopening-day crowds or continuing issues with the area outside the ride.

The reopening was plagued, however, by temporary closures. Beyond the morning delay, Pirates was closed and reopened at least twice before 2 p.m., according our monitoring of the parks official app. Fans reported four temporary closures during that time.

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Pirates Of The Caribbean Ride At Disneyland Reopens With Captain Jack Intact, Plus Long Lines & Temporary Closures - Deadline

Ahoy there! Disney has released a new Loungefly ear headband inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests and fashionable pirates can find this hidden gem at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom. Just follow your map and shop at the red X! (Disclaimer: the Emporium is not actually labeled with an X on the park map. We just cant resist a pirate joke.)

The ears themselves are gold sequins while the bow is red velvet. A yellow-gold trim lines the inside of the bow. These ears certainly feel like buried treasure with the plush fabric and glittering materials.

A brass skull and crossbones sits at the very front of the design.

The headband is red pleather and has a small metal plate indicating that these ears are Disney X Loungefly. The gold sequins wrap around the back of the ear as well.

All in all, these cute ears are worth sailing the high seas for and the gold sequins are enough to tempt any old pirate. If you arent satisfied with gold, take a look at bejeweled ears instead!

Let us know what you think of the Disney X Loungefly ears in the comments below!

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.

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New Loungefly Minnie Ear Headband Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean Sails into Walt Disney World - WDW News Today

Jacksonville, Fl. The Buresh Bottom Line: Always be prepared!.....First Alert Hurricane Survival Guide... City of Jacksonville Preparedness Guide... Georgia Hurricane Guide.

STAY INFORMED: Get the * FREE * First Alert Weather app

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***** ALWAYS CHECK & RE-CHECK THE LATEST FORECAST & UPDATES! *****

REMEMBER WHEN A TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE IS APPROACHING: Taping windows is *NOT* helpful & will not keep glass from breaking.

Realize the forecast cone (cone of uncertainty) is the average forecast error over a given time - out to 5 days - & *does not* indicate the width of the storm &/or damage that might occur.

Tropics:

* The active tropical wave - 94-L which came off the coast of Africa last Wed. continues swiftly westbound. The wave still has the potential for some development upon approach to the Caribbean... or while over the Caribbean. The low latitude track makes the intensity/organization forecast uncertain, but it does at least appear the recent persistent upper level high will remain intact across the Atlantic & U.S. (Lower 48) which would result in a rather straight forward forecast track (slightly north of due west).

So the question then becomes one about shear & the possible land interaction as it relates to intensity. The GFS & European long range global forecast models continue in remarkable agreement with some land interaction with S. America (north/northeast coast of Venezuela) followed by a landfall over Central America late this week/weekend. Ultimately, how significant the interaction is with South America is going to help determine how quickly the storm can organize then strengthen once into the more favorable zone of the Western Caribbean. Indications are that the system will be moving swiftly to the west & its time over warm water may be rather limited. In any case, it looks like a tropical storm or even hurricane could impact Central America - centered on Honduras or Nicaragua, possibly even as far south as Costa Rica - Fri. into Saturday.

Such a track would imply no impacts on NE Fl./SE Ga. ... or any of Florida... as well as not any of the Gulf Coast. It is worth noting early season African waves are often a harbinger of an overall active Atlantic hurricane season.

A pair of tropical waves are on either side of 94-L. The leading wave is over the Caribbean & is being shredded by strong shear but still will produce some gusty/heavy squalls otherwise little development... the second wave is over the East moving into the Central Atlantic which forecast models have only recently started to recognize. It looks like this wave may be over the SW Atlantic & in the vicinity of the Bahamas *perhaps* about July 4th/ plus or minus a day or two. This is a feature to keep an eye on though conditions in the long range appear rather marginal at this time.

* A good deal of storminess (convection) continues tucked over the far SW Caribbean. Proximity to land should preclude much if any surface development.

* A weak trough of low pressure is stretched across the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Some low pressure may ultimately try to develop within this trough near the Gulf Coast of Louisiana or Texas by mid to late week as the system drifts west/southwest.

Wind shear analysis shows winds out of the west at more than 50 mph! over parts of the Southern Gulf & N. Caribbean:

The location of development of tropical systems in June since 1851 generally favors the NW Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico & far Western Atlantic:

Saharan dust is spread west each year from Africa by the prevailing winds (from east to west over the Atlantic). Dry air - yellow/orange/red/pink. Widespread dust is indicative of dry air that can impede the development of tropical cyclones. However, sometimes wanna be waves will just wait until they get to the other side of - or away from - the plume then try to develop if other conditions are favorable. In my personal opinion, way too much is made about the presence of Saharan dust & how it relates to tropical cyclones. In any case, weve already has a couple of dust plumes spread west to the Caribbean & Gulf with the peak of Saharan dust typically in June & July.

2022 names..... Alex was the first name on the Atlantic list (names are picked at random by the World Meteorological Organization... repeat every 6 years... Bonnie is next. Historic storms are retired [Florence & Michael in 18... Dorian in 19 & Laura, Eta & Iota in 20 & Ida in 21]). The WMO decided - beginning last year - that the Greek alphabet will be no longer used & instead there will be a supplemental list of names if the first list is exhausted (has only happened three times - 2005, 2020 & 2021). The naming of tropical cyclones began on a consistent basis in 1953. More on the history of naming tropical cyclones * here *.

East Atlantic:

Mid & upper level wind shear (enemy of tropical cyclones) analysis (CIMMS). The red lines indicate strong shear:

Water vapor imagery (dark blue indicates dry air):

Deep oceanic heat content over the Gulf, Caribbean & deep tropical Atlantic:

Sea surface temp. anomalies:

SE U.S. surface map:

Surface analysis centered on the tropical Atlantic:

Surface analysis of the Gulf:

Caribbean:

GFS wave forecast at 48 & 72 hours (2 & 3 days):

Atlantic Basin wave period forecast for 24, 48 & 72 hours respectively:

The East Pacific:

Celia is weakening & will soon dissipate. No impact to major land areas.

West Pacific IR satellite:

Global tropical activity:

Cox Media Group

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Talking the Tropics With Mike: Tropical wave headed for the Caribbean - WOKV

For over 30 years, the IUCNs Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC) implements and executes projects alongside Members and allies mostly from countries in the region, either in specific local communities and indigenous peoples or in work areas that include more than one country or even terrestrial, coastal or marine zones.

ORMACC demonstrates a consolidated trajectory in terms of biodiversity, forest governance, water governance, institutional strengthening, skills development and empowerment of peasant, indigenous and local organizations, political advocacy within the national and regional biodiversity framework, climate change, water resources, disaster risk reduction and protected areas, local environmental management and local development, coastal management, adaptation to climate change based on ecosystems, small donations management, and productive environment-friendly initiatives (for example, forest management, eco- and ethno-tourism, community restoration works, water management, agrosilvopastoral practices, etc.).

IUCNs work in this region covers 7 countries in Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) together with Mexico, in addition to the Caribbean, which spans insular states and European overseas territories.

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Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean - IUCN

Photos: OECS

The business environment in the OECS region is being boosted by strengthening the voice of the regions private sector. The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) through its Competitive Business Unit (CBU) with support from the European Union (EU) launched the Project for the Revitalisation and Sustainability of the OECS Business Council on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. This project falls under the OECS - EU Regional Integration through Growth, Haramonisation and Technology (RIGHT) Programme.

The deceased Honourable Sir K Dwight Venner, the former Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), viewed the private sector as playing a more substantive role in the economic affairs of the region and therefore commissioned a private sector body called the OECS Business Council (OBC) which was established in July 2015.

Kareem Guiste, Head of the OECS Commissions Competitive Business Unit noted the importance of the private sector to the OECS economic affairs and regional integration agenda.

At the regional level, the need for private sector participation in the processes for policy, regulatory and legislative formulation and implementation is imperative, and the goal is to improve private sector representation and participation in relevant discussions of the organs of the OECS.

Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Barbados, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Luis Maia, believes that there is a collective responsibility to develop sustainable solutions for economic resilience in the OECS region.

We are of the view that by fostering a structured dialogue among all stakeholders, including the private sector, from formulation to implementation to boost sustainable investments and economic stability.

President of the OECS Business Council, Gordon Charles, noted that with the authority to represent common concerns of the regions business sector, the OBC will be in a better position to advocate for the collective interests of the private sector at the policy and negotiation level.

The OECS private sector has lacked a unified voice to represent its collective issues, concerns, priorities and development goals. We need a strong, unified private sector presence in the development and implementation of policies that impact them.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has, as its core mandate, the responsibility to stimulate economic opportunities and growth through private sector development. In this regard, the public-private dialogue in policy formulation and implementation is essential to the OECS regional integration agenda.

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Caribbean: Creating The Right Business Environment In The OECS - Black Star News

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Yohan Blake and Oblique Seville lead a strong 64-member Jamaica team named to compete at the 2022 World Athletics Championships from July 15-24, 2022. Also included as first-timers are 800m champion Navasky Anderson and Adelle Tracey, who will compete in both 800 and 1500m.

Tracey, an American-born middle distance runner, who also represented Great Britain, recently received her official status as a Jamaican athlete. Tracey, who spent a part of her early childhood in the parish of Manchester, will join newly crowned national champion Chrisann Gordon Powell and eight-time national champion Natoya Goule in the 800m.

Meanwhile, Fraser-Pryce, Thompson-Herah, Jackson and Kemba Nelson, will contest the 100m with Briana Williams listed as an alternate. Fraser-Pryce, Jackson and Thompson-Herah will take on the 200m with Natalliah Whyte named as the alternate.

Seville, Blake and Ackeem Blake will run in the 100m. Jelani Walker is listed as the alternate. However, Andrew Hudson, who won the 200m at Jamaicas national championships last weekend misses out as he remains ineligible to compete for Jamaica until July 28, four days after the championships end in Eugene, Oregon.

In his stead, Akeem Bloomfield will compete in the 200m alongside Rasheed Dwyer and Yohan Blake.

Candice McLeod, Stephenie-Ann McPherson and Charokee Young will compete in the 400m with Stacey-Ann Williams named as the alternate. Jevaughn Powell, Nathon Allen and Christopher Taylor will take on the mens event.

Demisha Roswell, the fastest Jamaican woman over 100m hurdles this year, is named as an alternate to national champion Britany Anderson, Megan Tapper and Danielle Williams. Damion Thomas is the alternate in the 110m hurdles that will be represented by Olympic champion Hansle Parchment, Rasheed Broadbell and Orlando Bennett.

There is also good news for Andrenette Knight, the fastest Jamaican woman over the 400m hurdles this year. Knight, who has run 53.39 this season, is the alternate in the event that Janieve Russell, Shian Salmon and Rushell Clayton will compete in at the championships.

For the first time ever, Jamaica will have two female high jumpers at a world championship as NCAA champion Lamara Distin and Kimberly Williamson, were both selected.

Chanice Porter has been selected for the long jump while defending champion Tajay Gayle has been selected along with NCAA champion Wayne Pinnock. Gayle injured his knee at the national championships and is in a race against time to prove his fitness.

Shanieka Ricketts, Kimberly Williams and Ackelia Smith will represent Jamaica in the triple jump while Jordan Scott will compete in the mens event.

Danielle Thomas-Dodd and Lloydricia Cameron will contest the shot put for women. Samantha Hall competes in the discus while national champion Traves Smikle, world championship silver medallist Fedrick Dacres, and Chad Wright are set to compete among the men.

Jamaica will field strong 4x100m relay squads at the championships as Fraser-Pryce, Thompson-Herah, Jackon and Nelson will form the core of the team along with Olympic gold medallist Williams and Remona Burchell.

The mens squad is comprised of Blake, Blake, Seville, Jelani Walker, Kemar Bailey-Cole and Conroy Jones.

The 4x400m squads will be comprised of McLeod, Young, McPherson, Williams, Roneisha McGregor and Natalliah Whyte while the mens squad will include Powell, Allen, Taylor, Karayme Bartley, Javon Francis and Anthony Cox.

Junelle Bromfield, Tiffany James, Akeem Bloomfield and St Jago High School runner Gregory Prince will form the mixed relay team.

Sprintec head coach Maurice Wilson has been appointed technical director of the contingent and he will have Paul Francis, Bertland Cameron, Lennox Graham, Julian Robinson, Marlon Gayle, Reynaldo Walcott, Lamar Richards and Gregory Little as his team of coaches.

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U-23 Sunshine Girls improve to 4-0 at Caribbean Games with 64-34 victory over Barbados - sportsmax.tv