World News

Elite Island Resorts has launched an exclusive 5-day expert led “Caribbean Choir” singing workshop series for guests with celebrity and professional vocal coach Mike King. Mike is one of the UK's leading contemporary vocal coaches, musical directors, choir leaders and arrangers. He has been involved in the music industry for 20 years, including signing a record contract at the age of 17. He has worked as a vocal coach on The Voice UK, helped smash a Guinness World Record by conducting 5,000 singers at Wembley Arena and directs choirs worldwide. He has worked with various international artists including multi-GRAMMY® winning singer Angelique Kidjo, GRAMMY® winning producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Rihanna), Mark Ronson, Boy George, Lily Allen and Florence Welch.

The free of charge workshops will consist of five morning vocal training sessions with Mike and a performance on guests' penultimate night before returning home. For each Caribbean Choir workshop, 25 places will be available and included free of charge in the price of the stay.

“Caribbean Choir” is a new addition to the all-inclusive wellbeing menu that already includes “firsts” in the Caribbean: floatfit®CARIBBEAN aquabase®, Colour Me Calm Club, Silent Cinema and Sketch Workshops. All activities on the free of charge wellbeing menu are exclusive to Elite Island Resorts. The first in the series of Caribbean Choir workshop will take place at The Club Barbados Resort & Spa May 1-11 2018 with further dates being finalised both for 2018 and 2019 on Barbados and at other Elite Island Resorts locations on Antigua and St. Lucia.

Paula Whitehead, MD Europe, Elite Island Resorts said “We are delighted to add yet another free of charge option to our growing wellbeing menu. We believe in offering non-boot camp mind and body choices for our guests, particularly activities where the benefits continue after they return home and it's easy for them to continue their new skills or habits learned – from simple mindfulness to core floating HIIT workouts. Singing is good for you, inclusive in its experience and a skill that can be continued back at home. Its physical and mental health benefits are increasingly recognised and we're delighted to be offering a chance to try it with an expert in a Caribbean setting”

Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, has studied the developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years. He found that the health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. “Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting. Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being. Psychological benefits are also evident when people sing together as well as alone because of the increased sense of community, belonging and shared endeavor."

GraceKennedy Limited will host four university students from the Diaspora for a month-long professional and cultural internship that is designed to immerse them in the Jamaican culture.

Cleveland Douglas of the UK-based Imperial College, Tianna Thomas of Brock University in Canada, Menelik Graham from Princeton University in the USA and Matthew Robinson of Georgetown University, USA  will be hosted by GraceKennedy in Jamaica from July 5 to August 7, 2017.

GraceKennedy partners with public and private sector entities to give the interns a taste of Jamaica and for the first time Caribbean Airlines will be on board as a sponsor this year.

“A big part of the success is the support we receive from our partners. We are excited to announce that Caribbean Airlines has agreed to come on board this year as the official airline partner. This will ensure that our Birthright Interns start their cultural immersion from the minute they board the flight,” said Caroline Mahfood, Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation.

“Caribbean Airlines is in the business of connecting people, and we are pleased to partner with GraceKennedy on this internship programme, which will promote positive business acumen, as well as foster a sense of homecoming for the University students.” Stated Dionne Ligoure, Caribbean Airlines Head of Corporate Communications.

The GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme is a cultural and professional internship designed to reconnect 2^nd and 3^rd generation Jamaican university students living in the USA, Canada and the UK with their proud Jamaican heritage. The programme started in 2004 and after a break in 2008, it was reinstated in 2014 with four interns arriving in Jamaica in July 2015. There were more than 48 applicants this year and the panel was impressed with the high quality of the submissions.

“GraceKennedy is committed to anchoring the roots of these students, many of whom have never been to Jamaica before. Coming in contact with the dynamics of their parents or grandparents’ culture first hand helps to foster strong connection between Jamaica and the Diaspora, and empowers these young people to think differently about themselves, their heritage and their contribution to the world,” said Mrs Mahfood.

The votes have been tallied, and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has again been named “Favourite Tourist Board in Canada” by Canadian travel agents in Baxter Travel Media’s annual Agents’ Choice Awards. This is the twelfth consecutive year that the JTB Canada team has received this honor.

In his thank you letter to Canadian agents, Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, thanked agents for again voting for the Jamaica Tourist Board and added: “This award is a testament to how hard everyone is working as a team to deliver an exceptional product. We have a great team in place who offer outstanding service to travel agents, who in turn offer an unforgettable Jamaica experience to their clients.”

“It is such an honor to receive this award for the twelfth consecutive year,” said Philip Rose, Regional Director for the Jamaica Tourist Board in Canada. “Travel agents are one of our most important partners. In fact, in 2016 we saw 54% of Canadians book their Jamaica trip through an agent. The JTB Canada team regularly works and meets with Canadian travel agents, providing them with the tools they need, product updates, and hosting them on familiarization tours on the island so they can best sell Destination Jamaica.”

Baxter Travel Media is the publisher of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier, two of the top travel trade publications in Canada. The Baxter Travel Media Awards are the largest travel agent survey of its kind in Canada, with more than 5,500 agents voting in various categories.

Brand USA – the nation's destination-marketing organization – will be creating personalized, video welcome messages for international travelers who are considering trips to the United States. The messages are the centerpiece of Brand USA's “One Big Welcome” project.

“We want to have real people talk briefly about their favorite U.S. places as they invite prospective USA visitors to come to those places,” said Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA's president and CEO. “These documentary-style messages can convey the warmth and authenticity of actual people – not actors – from all parts of our vast, diverse country.”

Brand USA plans to launch the project at IPW, a five-day exposition staged yearly by the U.S. Travel Association. The event, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., this year, June 3-7, allows more than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations – representing destinations, attractions and accommodations throughout the United States – to interact with 1,300 travel buyers from 70-plus countries.

IPW attendees who stop by Brand USA's exhibition space can create their own video welcome messages with an on-site production crew, June 5-6. After the videos are edited into short segments, Brand USA will share them with media outlets during IPW and post them on a variety of digital and social platforms.

Also, those who have made individual welcome messages will be encouraged to share them on their personal social-media feeds, using this hashtag: #VisitTheUSA.

Following IPW, through the summer, Brand USA will invite its destination partners and other travel-industry partners to produce additional video messages that welcome prospective travelers to the United States. Participants will draw on their own experiences and recommendations for places to visit – whether it's a local eatery, a popular nightspot, or even a favorite historical attraction.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has appointed Julie Cunningham, Wholesale Finance Director at AF Blakemore, as its new Vice President.

Julie Cunningham (formally Bevan), is a Chartered Management Accountant who has a wealth of commercial experience across a number of organisations, including AF Blakemore, Midland Recruitment Solutions and Poundland. In addition, she has also spent six years as a self-employed financial consultant and headed up many high-level projects on behalf of the Co-op, Holland & Barrett, M&S, Homeserve and the RAC.

Her current role is at AF Blakemore where she holds the position of Wholesale Finance Director and sits on six Divisional Boards. Julie has expertise in defining, implementing and managing strategy, and has recently qualified as a Six Sigma yellow belt to manage lean process projects to ensure efficiency.

Julie, who will be the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s first female Vice President, was officially appointed in April. Commenting on her recent appointment, Julie said: "I am delighted to be taking on the position as Vice President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce. I want to work closely with members to raise the profile of our local Chamber on both a regional and national level. The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has ambitions moving forward for first-class business support, so this is a very exciting time to be part of the organisation.

“The Chamber has many new initiatives this year, one of which is around Young Chamber and the support of school students in the area. I am passionate for the increased interaction between young people and businesses so we can develop the next generation to support a growing economy. I look forward to my next year as Vice President and hope to meet lots of Black Country business people during this time to understand their business needs.”

Adrian Wright, President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, commented: “I have worked very closely with Julie over the past twelve months and she shows real care and passion for the Chamber. I am delighted that she decided to stand for the position and her appointment certainly illustrates where the Chamber is heading. Julie has fantastic knowledge and experience in the business environment which is invaluable to the Chamber moving forward. I am looking forward to the next year as President with such a capable colleague by my side.”

Waitrose has marked the first anniversary of its premium range, 'Waitrose 1', by starting to export it to both India and China.

The retailer now exports the range to more than 30 territories in response to high demand since it first launched in May last year. Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the Caribbean and the UAE are among those territories now receiving the range.

Waitrose first started exporting to China in April 2016 introducing customers there to its other sub-brands, including Waitrose Duchy Organic and essential Waitrose. Last month it became the first supermarket to export English wine to China.

Shoppers in China will now be able to add Waitrose 1 chocolates and shortbread to the growing list of products available. Waitrose 1 tea, coffee, maple syrup, pasta and olives will now be available to customers in India. More products are expected to be available to both markets in the future.

While biscuits and coffees remain the retailer's best sellers abroad, it is British favourites that are becoming increasingly popular. Waitrose 1 cheeses including, Cheddar, Red Leicester, Stilton, Caerphilly and Wensleydale as well as sausage rolls, Lincolnshire sausages and Aberdeen Angus Steak Pies are now being exported.

The supermarket is also exporting Waitrose 1 sloe gin and mince pies to the likes of the Cayman Islands and ice cream and salted caramel profiteroles to Barbados.

Daniel Armstrong, Waitrose Business Manager, International, said:

"Waitrose 1 has quickly become one of our most in demand ranges with its quality and provenance really appealing to the international market.  We expect it to only continue gathering momentum, especially in both India and China where our products are establishing a growing reputation.”

Discover Dominica Authority has launched its summer campaign, ‘Meet Me In Dominica, Summer 2017’. The campaign invites the region to the Nature Island of the Caribbean for a summer of adventure, nature and events for singles, couples and families.

Dominica’s Tourism Director, Colin Piper remarked that “Dominica is the destination of choice when thinking of adventure, and with 2017 labelled as the Year of Adventure, Dominica has positioned itself to embrace visitors from the region and beyond for an unforgettable experience in Dominica”.

He further commented that “collaboration is key in the sustainability of tourism, as such a number of properties and tour operators have come onboard with the DDA, to offer exciting specials and activities all in an effort to ensure that every day of your vacation is a day spent outside enjoying the Nature Island.”

The Summer Campaign runs from June 1 – August 31, 2017.

Marketing of the campaign has commenced throughout the region with the major component being digital. “With our consumers seeking up-to-date and immediate information, our digital components of the campaign will seek to strategically target the right audience”, Piper stated.

Meet Me In Dominica, Summer 2017 comes on the heels of a successful Jazz ‘n Creole Festival held in Dominica over the last week, and opens up the doors to Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival to be held from October 27-29, 2017.

Hannah Cockroft completed a clean-sweep of world records in the T34 events, after lowering the 1500m best with a scintillating performance in Nottwil on the second day of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

In her first 1500m race since 2014, Cockroft pushed magnificently to lower Mel Nicholls’ former world record (4:01.79) to 3:50.22. With only fellow Briton Paige Murray (Job King) in the race, it was almost a solo effort by the ‘Hurricane’ as she sealed the set of world records from 100m upwards.

Also a winner in the earlier 100m in a rapid time of 17.40 (0.6), Cockroft commented on the 1500m:

“That’s too far! Mel’s time has stood for a long time and we knew I’d worked on a lot of distance in training, so it would be a good test of my fitness. The thought was that if I could hold a good speed over 1500m, I can hold an even better speed over 800m. So it is nice to hold the full set (of world records).

“I was holding a good speed all the way around and it was pretty consistent so it has given me a confidence boost heading back to the 800m. Maybe I can push a little harder in that now.”

After breaking his own world record in the T42 200m yesterday, Richard Whitehead was close to another one in the T42 100m, but he was just 0.06 second outside the mark with a time of 12.17 (0.6). His current best stands at 12.13 which he set in Leverkusen last year, so to be running these times at the beginning of June has given him a great deal of confidence heading into the final block of training before the World Para Athletics Championships.

After encouraging displays in the 200m and 800m on Friday, Richard Chiassaro returned to the track with intent, and took a significant chunk off his previous T54 1500m time; recording 2:52.11 which was also his first ever European record. This revised his best by a superb seven seconds, and coming just a week after his first sub three minute 1500m.

Despite technical issues in the original race meaning it had to be rerun just over an hour later, it did not seem to faze the athletes. After working well with eventual winner Brent Lakatos (T53), Chiassaro commented upon his personal best in the 1500m:

“Yes I’m well happy with that. I wasn’t expecting to come out again and do that time – it is now two or three second below the world record. When the world records are set, people work together so it’s nice to be able to work with each other to achieve this. I can’t draft like that in the UK so that was a good learning experience and to be able to pull for 600m is a positive sign.”

The hugely talented London band 'Saloon Star' will headline their first ever Beach festival, 'Loving the Beach Festival', taking place at Blackpool Sands, Devon, on Saturday 8th July.

Michael Smith, co-owner of The Venus Company, comments: “We have toyed with the idea of a beach festival for many years, because Blackpool Sands is an ideal venue. We have been extremely fortunate to have secured 'Saloon Star' as well as two superb local bands, 'Mafia 4' and 'Three Bags Full.”  Michael continues: 'Loving the Beach Festival is perfect for all the family and, as well as a wide repertoire of music, there will also be lots of other entertainment.”  Tickets must be bought in advance and are available from Eventbrite, simply search for Venus Loving the Beach Festival.

'Saloon Star' plays everything from swing and country to blues, funk, reggae and pop with some rock thrown in for good measure. They will be hitting the stage for the first of their three sets at 5pm by which time the crowd will be well and truly in the party spirit, having already enjoyed the sounds of 'Mafia 4' and 'Three Bags Full'.

The music sets run from 12 noon until 11pm but the festival runs all day, with food available from 8.30am until 8pm and a host of activities throughout the day to keep the whole family entertained. Those wanting to enjoy the 'royal treatment' can snap up one of the limited number of VIP tickets currently available and add a fabulous 3-course menu of locally sourced produce to their experience.

All the festival goers will be able to enjoy one of Britain's most beautiful beaches as well as delicious local food and drink available from Venus café and takeaway* and the Bays Brewery drinks tent. Children will love the traditional Punch & Judy shows and treasure hunts and demos from charities supporting the event: RNLI, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Marine Conservation Society and the Devon Wildlife Trust.

Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Tuesday (May 30) launched the Destination Assurance Councils (DACs) for six resort areas, which are tasked with ensuring that the quality, standards and integrity of Jamaica’s tourism product are maintained. The launch took place at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston.

The Destination Assurance Councils, which replace the Resort Boards, are expected to identify the needs of the industry and monitor the progress of developmental initiatives in resort areas. This is in keeping with efforts to ensure that Jamaica provides the attractive and secure tourism product which is marketed to its visitors.

In his address, Minister Bartlett called on the DACs to play their part in ensuring that the Jamaican experience is safe, secure and seamless for our visitors, adding that “people travel for the experience, so we need to make it special so that it leaves a positive impact on the visitors and creates an ambiance that doesn’t leave them second guessing the quality of the destination.”

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett urges members of the Destination Assurance Councils (DACs) to play their part in ensuring that the Jamaican experience is safe, secure and seamless for the country’s visitors. He was speaking at the launch of the DACs for six resort areas, which have been tasked with maintaining the quality, standards and integrity of Jamaica’s tourism product. The launch took place on Tuesday, May 30, at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston.

Minister Bartlett said the Ministry, its agencies and the DACs will focus on enhancing the tourism sector in Jamaica by way of their pooled expertise, noting that “the aim of the partnership is to improve standards, the physical development of the resorts and engage with citizens to ensure that Jamaica is viewed as favorable to visitors, facilitating growth in the sector.”

The Pike Place Market's new MarketFront, a .75-acre, 30,000-square-foot public terrace and plaza that will expand the western flank of Seattle's historic Pike Place Market, will mark its official grand opening June 29 The MarketFront Grand Opening will include a ceremony led by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, live music by local musicians, and tasty bites served by new MarketFront vendors.

MarketFront will open panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, create space for 47 new day stall tables for farmers, crafters and artists, as well as 12,000-square-feet of commercial and retail space for artisan purveyors and 40 low-income housing units for seniors. The site's location on the western edge of the market will provide future access to the central waterfront development and create a vital link from the west to the market and downtown Seattle.

The site is within the 9-acre Market Historic District and was part of the Friends of the Market's original plan for Pike Place Market. The MarketFront will complete the district, created in 1971, and will connect to the main arcade via the Desimone Bridge.

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Following on from a truly outstanding meeting with Minister of Health DR.the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP and H.E. Seth George Ramocan High Commissioner  and Chairman Paul Harrison  and team members  of Adopt a Clinic and all the members of Adopt a Clinic campaign, a meeting took place that can only be described as captivating really lighting the flame and laying the foundation for what's to come.

The coming together of professionals and specialist from all industries varying from Barristers, Directors Solicitors and so much more setting in motion the first steps towards the long term goals with short term objectives. Across the board were great suggestions from Fund raising strategies, marketing campaigns & our target audience, as well as the long term vision cast by the Minister of Health going “above and beyond what  this team stands for and represents everything that Jamaica is."; united ,vibrant & ambitious.

“We launched our website http://adoptaclinicjamaica.co.uk which went down extremely well with everyone. Easily accessible and simple to use showing clearly all the clinics we are adopting as well as what is needed. We want the public to know exactly what they will be supporting, keeping everyone up to date with what's happening within the clinic. The agenda is simple to play our part in improving the quality of the health care throughout all of Jamaica. “Out of many one people” I’m sure we have all heard this before! Harrison says, "We at adopt a clinic believe that together we can truly have a major long term impact within the communities in Jamaica."

“ ’Faith without works is dead’ - we aren’t only believing we are taking action ,many members from the team are travelling to Jamaica and visiting these clinics to have first-hand experience of the current state of these clinics and will be having regular follow ups speaking to the employees and locals on their experience In addition members of the team will also be visiting the Jamaica55 Diaspora Conference promoting the need to support Adopt a Clinic as well as officially launching this campaign throughout Jamaica.

CEO Marland Pinnock of Printexpert.co.uk, a family owned business, is the Deputy Chairman for Adopt a Clinic. Marland and his wife Kuldip Pinnock have fully supported the campaign and are strongly involved wherever a difference can be made especially for such a good cause. With their full team of experts on design and printing, along with Chairs expertise from PKMedia ltd.com Paul Harrison Director and Chairman of adoptaclinicjamaica.co.uk.

Marland said, “The Adopt A Clinic initiative is something close to my heart, born and raised in rural Jamaica  I understand how crucial these clinics are is in some areas the nearest hospital is 2-3 hours away making clinics as important as hospitals in rural Jamaica. I strongly believe if we come together we can make a difference to the lives of many people in Jamaica. As little as £3.00 per month can make a huge difference. This campaign is running in all 14 Parishes of Jamaica (County & Town) giving individuals the opportunity to raise funds for their local clinic, allowing them to check on progress and ensuring donations are getting spent on the clinic of their choice. What makes this campaign truly unique is you can choose to give back to where you come from.“

Honourable Christopher Tufton was very pleased with the presentation by the Adopt a Clinic team and commended H.E. Seth George Ramocan.

The youngest team member is 24 year old Jerome Lancaster Regional Vice President ACN  who is the executive board member of Adopt a Clinic and has sponsored for £5,000 the Sea Forth Health Centre Wyatt Scheme Seaforth  St Thomas which is from his Mothers place of birth , VP Lancaster has taken up the challenge to encourage business leaders to take the lead and become a one of the 55 team leaders who will be responsible for raising a minimum of 5k through your business, organisation or your community group, raising funds over the  period of your choice, between 1 to 3yrs.

Other senior Business leaders, including Kingsley Shipping Director Morrison said that this project is also close to his heart and has taken up the challenge to sponsor £5,000,  Fyffes Pen Health Centre Clinic in St Elizabeth  and to be one of the 55 leaders in the Adopt a Clinic is a worthy cause to help to increase the standard of the Clinic and a monthly report and a  picture will be placed on the adopt clinic, with the improvements of the clinic for all to see. HC also reminded us that " all of the 55 team leaders will also have a plaque placed in the Clinic with the words of thanks from their Sponsor and of course  at any time any one of the supporters of Adopt a Clinic  are visiting Jamaica, whatever your donation you can pass by the clinic to say hello to your new adopted family, and all of this can be arranged by  the Adopt the clinic team via Ministry of Health.

Harrison said that it is time to pass on the  baton and to involve our young people as they are our future and good Health is something that we all wish to maintain for a  good standard of life.

Honourable Christopher Tufton closed the meeting with his appreciation to HC and the team Adopt a Clinic and to the family and  Friends of Jamaica  for taking up this great mantel in  supporting  this amazing project.

Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, will send observers to support Lesotho’s National Assembly elections scheduled for 3 June 2017, the Commonwealth Secretariat announced today. This follows a formal invitation from the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho and consultations between the Secretary-General and a broad range of stakeholders during her maiden visit to the country in April.

Prime Minister Bethuel Mosisili announced the elections in March following a no-confidence vote in parliament and the collapse of the coalition government. During the Secretary-General’s mission to Lesotho, political parties agreed to sign a pre-election peace pledge. The Christian Council of Lesotho has since facilitated the signing of this pledge which reaffirms commitment to conduct peaceful elections and to accept the results “when declared free and fair by duly authorised independent observers”

“These elections are crucial for the people of Lesotho, and it’s our hope that they’ll help deepen democracy and consolidate political stability,” said Secretary-General Scotland. “When I visited Lesotho last month, my aim was to encourage political parties, the media and all relevant stakeholders to support peaceful and credible elections. A small but strong group of Commonwealth observers will be present to observe the elections and to work in partnership with Lesotho and other stakeholders towards strengthening and embedding electoral democracy by sharing best practice.”

She continued, “As underscored during my visit, the responsibility for conducting credible and peaceful elections falls on all concerned - from the election management body, to political parties, especially their leaders, civil society, security agencies, the media and the electorate. Each stakeholder has a constitutional duty and responsibility to ensure a credible process and a peaceful outcome.”

Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, former Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group, which will consider the pre-electoral environment and election preparations. On election day, the group will observe the voting process, vote-counting procedures and the announcement of results, according to international standards for democratic elections, to which Lesotho has committed.

As with all Commonwealth Observer Groups, it will function with impartiality and independence, and will conduct itself according to the standards set out in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

The Group will submit its final report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will in turn share it with the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Independent Electoral Commission, Lesotho’s political parties, relevant civil society organisations and eventually with all Commonwealth governments. This report will then be made public.