The SVG Sailing Association has completed its second 7-week sailing program

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association has completed its second 7-week sailing program for sailors at Petit Bordel, Blue Lagoon Marina, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island.

Over 70 new and experienced sailors took part in the event which included camps, clinics and racing events organised by the Association’s Coaching team.

The program taught sailing skills within the communities with the aim to have fun, but also to discover talent to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines at regional and international competitions, and to gain vocational qualifications for careers in the yachting industry

At Blue Lagoon, Mayreau and Bequia the objective was to work to encourage better techniques, help with rigging, and to develop new racing tactics.

At Petit Bordel, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island the Programme provided the opportunity for participants to practice basic sailing skills.

This year’s programme was supported by Barefoot Yacht Charters, the Bryan Adams Foundation, Kestrel Worldwide Shipping, and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association will next hold a Fun Regatta at Blue Lagoon Marina on 10th September.

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The Leeward islands are the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 Champions

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

The Leeward Islands Under-19s held on with one wicket remaining, to win Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 Championship in a roller coaster three-day final against Barbados at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex here in St Vincent and the Grenadines last Saturday.

Left-handed allrounder, Nathan Edwards was unbeaten with 11 off 55 balls in over 90 minutes as he played a defensive masterclass for to help Leeward Islands hold on in their second innings on 51-9 to avoid being dismissed and denied Barbados Under-19s the title in dramatic fashion.

On last Saturday’s final day of the 3-day match, the Leeward Islands Under-19s resumed their 1st innings on 172-4, 107 runs behind Barbados Under-19s 1st innings total of 279-8 declared.

Before being dismissed in the 98th over, the experience of overnight batsman, Carl Bowen-Tuckett shone through in a crucial and composed innings of 68 off 200 balls with two boundaries to anchor the Leeward Islands Under-19s ahead of his team declaration on 250-8 to enable the team to earn key batting points for scoring 250 and facing 98 overs.

Although Barbados Under-19s held a 29-run lead, the Leeward Islands Under-19s had closed the points gap due to accumulated fast bowling and batting points accumulated.

That small lead on 1st innings for Barbados Under-19s became insignificant when Edwards trapped opener, Achilles Browne without scoring with the second delivery. Medium pacer, Chamiqueko Landerfort took 4-16 off 6 overs with 1 maiden as Barbados collapsed to 76-9.

In the final analysis, to win the match the Leeward Islands Under-19s were required to chase the 106 to win or just bat out the final session. On the other hand, Barbados Under-19s had to get all 10 wickets.

The Leeward Islands Under-19s started to wobble   When fast bowler, Johan Layne took a wicket in the first over of Leeward Islands Under-19s run chase started to wobble. Left-arm, leg-spinner, Nathan Sealy seemed to bowling Barbados Under-19s to victory with an inspired spell of 6-10, but one final twist occurred.

Sealy dropped Edwards at first slip off left-arm, leg- spinner, Devon Stevenson, a wicket which would have won Barbados the title. In the end Edwards and last man Onaje Armoy survived the final stages to win the championship for the Leeward Islands.

Edwards had a great all-rounder tournament. He scored 133 runs at an average of 44.33 and took 12 wickets at 15.25.

The final scores: Barbados Under-19s 279-8 declared, and 76-9, the Leeward Islands Under-19s 250-8 declared and 51-9.

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Serena Williams defeats Danka Kovinic

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

 American, Serena Williams extended her US Open farewell with a gritty opening win on an entertaining night packed with hope and celebration in New York last night.

Williams, who is set to retire after the tournament, won 6-3, 6-3 against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic .

A near-capacity 25,000 crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium willed on their idol, who responded in typical determined style.

Williams, 40, will play Estonian second seed, Anett Kontaveit  in the second round tomorrow.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, who is one short of Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record, is also playing in the doubles alongside older sister Venus, adding another exciting element to what she hopes will be a long goodbye this fortnight.

Her first assignment was beating Kovinic , ranked 80th in the world, and there was a thunderous noise when she took the first of three match points to ensure her singles career was not over yet.

Williams jumped on the spot when Kovinic’s  backhand return hit the net, then twirled ecstatically in the centre of the court before blowing kisses to her adoring fans when she returned to her seat to soak in the occasion.

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Barbados Royals Women and Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots Men were crowned champions in the inaugural SIXTY Championship

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Barbados Royals Women and Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots Men were crowned champions in the inaugural SIXTY Championship after two thrilling matches at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis last weekend.

The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, lifted his own trophy as the Patriots won the inaugural Men’s Title.

Gayle was dropped twice in one over before he hit the winning runs to see his team over the line.

The scores: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 85-3 off 9.4 overs, Trinbago Knight Riders 64-6 off 9.3 overs.

Barbados Royals Women’s Shakera Selman produced a magical spell to claim 3 wickets in the penultimate over to stun Trinbago Knight Riders Women and help her team become the first to lift the Women’s SIXTY trophy with a 15-run victory.

The final scores: Trinbago Knight Riders Women 50-6 off 9 overs, Barbados Royals Women 65-6 off 9.2 overs.

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BFA shows support for regional blind football workshop Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

The Barbados Football Association (BFA) last week showed its support for diversity in football by donating goal bars, nets, and protective barriers to a regional blind and visually impaired football workshop hosted by the National United Society of the Blind (NUSB) in partnership with the Blind Football Committee of Barbados.

In addition to equipment, the BFA sent three representatives – Kent Hall, Head of Coaching Education, Fitzgerald Carter of the Talent Development Scheme, and referee Tricia Forde – to the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) to attend the three-day workshop as part of a collective knowledge-building exercise and to assist in generating awareness about blind and visually impaired football.

The workshop, supported by the Paralympic Association of Barbados, various national disability organisations, and the International Blind Sports Federation, was attended by a diverse group of disability sports stakeholders from Jamaica, Guyana, St Vincent, Grenada, and Barbados, with world-class international blind sports facilitators delivering both classroom theory sessions as well as hands-on practical activities. The Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith was in attendance and delivered the feature address.

Newly-appointed BFA Technical Director Emmerson Boyce also visited the workshop to gain further insight into the developmental initiative.

“The BFA is really pleased to be able to lend a hand in whatever way we can to assist to develop diversity in football,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to see participants from all over the region coming together and bringing awareness to the unique sporting needs of the blind and visually impaired, and I personally am very much looking forward to seeing this aspect of the game grow exponentially over the years to come.”

BFA Head of Coaching Education Kent Hall echoed these sentiments, and said the workshop was an invaluable experience.

“I went into the workshop curious and just generally wanting to be supportive,” he said. “But, I came out of it feeling not only more knowledgeable about this particular niche of the sport, but also with a greater understanding of people and communication. It was really inspiring and this experience will certainly change the way I coach. We thank the National United Society of the Blind Barbados for welcoming us to be part of such a wonderful learning opportunity.”

Chairperson of the NUSB Sports Committee Pedro Belgrave said he was thrilled with the turn out of participants and thanked the BFA for their donation and support in helping to generate much-needed awareness.

“This workshop is an important step in developing not only blind and visually impaired football, but also in our mission to bring more sports to the Caribbean for people with disabilities in general,” he said. “I want us to be able to shine in all areas and to reach the full potential of what is possible – it is my genuine wish that we can send a Barbados football team to the next Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024. We thank all involved this week for their support and in helping to get the wheels in motion towards realising that goal.”

BFA President Randy Harris said providing assistance to workshops of this nature emphasizes the Association’s firm commitment to playing a vital role in developing the game at all levels in Barbados.

“The BFA’s main focus is always going to be guiding the development of football, and this of course includes areas like this that may sit on the peripheries of day-to-day operations,” he said.

“We are intentionally continuing to explore new landscapes for football development, and we thank the National United Society of the Blind Barbados for extending the invitation to us to participate and to continue to be a part of the wider conversation for the progression of sport in Barbados.”

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Worl’Boss Settling Down: Vybz Kartel Engaged & Dedicating EP To Fiancee: Exclusive

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Vybz Kartel’s upcoming EP announcement has left fans more curious than ever as the artist has been promoting a track for the project with the photo of an unknown woman whom he confesses his love for.

The EP True Religion is scheduled to release on September 30th, but while fans are excited about new music from the Gaza Empire boss, many are also curious as to who the woman is as Vybz Kartel has shared her photo with a snippet of the soundtrack “True Religion” in the background.

Vybz Kartel was previously thought to be in a relationship with Tanesha ‘Shorty’ Johnson. The two are not married, however, despite sharing three lovely boys, two of whom have kicked off their music careers.

Despite the new confirmation that the artist is now engaged, there has long been speculation that things were not working out between him and Johnson, who was his muse for the 2020 album To Tanesha where the artist appeared to address some of the pains from their relationship.

Vybz Kartel’s management exclusively confirmed with Urban Islandz that the mystery woman posted up with the artist is his fiancée Sidem Öztürk.

Last week, Kartel shared several photos of Öztürk and one with him hugging her from behind in what looks like a photo taken for family members on visitation at Horizon Adult Remand Center.

Vybz Kartel / courtesy

According to the deejay’s representative who spoke with us exclusively, “True Religion” is a song dedicated to Öztürk, who is now engaged to Vybz Kartel. The two have been together since 2015. “When he was at Horizon initially and their relationship has blossomed since then,” the rep said. The song does sing about forgiveness before one can love again, giving an idea of the artist’s state of mind.

While few details were shared about the EP, the artiste’s management, however, disclosed that there is a title track coming called “Like Royalty,” which homages Öztürk and will be “the sound of the EP, which is also a dedication to Sidem.”

Kartel and Öztürk were first linked together in 2018, but many Gaza fans directed hate at the artist’s new flame, with some calling her a “snow bunny” even though Öztürk’s social media accounts disclosed that she is actually of Middle-Eastern descent, specifically Kurdish heritage and from Turkey. Her latest updates since then show that she resides in the United Kingdom.

At the time, Kartel had put the haters on blast for disrespecting his lover. “Shes white? Lol come offa mi page wid simple minded ignorant rubbish,” Kartel had written at the time.

Urban Islandz understands that the artist will address the backlash he received from some Gaza fans for his decision to be with Öztürk in a track called “interracial.”

“Songs like “interracial” have the “same vibe as well. Cool and deadly reloaded,” the rep said.

Meanwhile, Gaza fans who have kept their eyes peeled for updates on possible features with other dancehall artists will need to wait a little longer.

“No, there are no features as yet. Let’s wait and see nuh…the EP will do the talking. Just wait and see, artistically it will not disappoint,” his rep told us.

Vybz Kartel is well-known in the dancehall world in Jamaica and is also famous among even hip hop and rap icons. The artist is also the inspiration for a new generation of artists like Skillibeng and Masicka whom he collaborated on “InfraRed.”

The artists have often shared their appreciation and the lessons they have learned from Vybz Kartel.

Vybz Kartel also appears to be keeping up with the movements in the local dancehall scene as we’re told he’s the biggest fan of his sons, Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi, who have not only grown up in the time since he’s been away, but they are also now fulling running his Adidjaheim Records Label.

They also recently launched their separate label, Uptown Gaza Records, as the brothers continue to pursue music as a duo or solo.

In the meantime, among Vybz Kartel’s favorite young artists aside from his sons are Skirdle Sparta, the son of his friend Tommy Lee Sparta, and Jahshii. The artist also keeps up with Skillibeng, Squash, and Chronic Law, who are all past the ‘young artiste stage’ but still among his top 10.

Vybz Kartel is presently awaiting the outcome of his Privy Council appeal. The artist is challenging his murder conviction on several grounds of facts and law and is represented by attorney Isat Buchanan.

The dancehall legend has also been receiving much public support from artists like Dexta Daps and Busta Rhymes.

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iCreate more than doubles second-quarter profit Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

iCreate Limited has reported a net profit of $6.4 million for the quarter during the quarter ending June 2022, representing an increase of 154.8 per cent against the $2.5 million generated in the comparative period of 2021.

The company said the positive performance came from a mix of new business clients and existing opportunities from the iCreate pipeline that closed in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the six-month year-to-date profit was $16.5 million, up from $4.4 million for 2021.

Revenue was $34.5 million for the quarter, a 123.4 per cent increase over the second quarter of 2021 and $80.9 million for the six months, 239.1 per cent above last year.

All divisions performed well, noted the company led by President and CEO Tyrone Wilson.

Wilson confirmed that the growth in Q2 is a result of the diversification strategy, noting that iCreate has

“Good management around our costing enabled us to deliver the 20 per cent profit margin,” Wilson said.

“There has been a noticeable increase in the demand for digital creative and design training, especially among large institutions,” he added.

iCreate Institute is well positioned to meet this demand and will continue to aggressively push business growth across our other divisions, including digital marketing and advertising, the company said.

In the meantime, iCreate Limited said it plans to expand its market share in these segments to become Jamaica’s leading digital training and marketing entity.

It said it is actively working on several mergers and acquisitions and other joint venture collaborations and expect continued strong revenue growth while closely managing cost efficiencies.

Wilson thanked shareholders, directors, team members and their client base for the continued support “as we chart the way forward towards an expanded digital and creatives group of companies.”

The iCreate head also applauded the solid advances made by the leadership team.

“The core leadership team with Declan Tully as the Chief Revenue Officer has been doing a fantastic job in creating the synergy between the different business segments,” he noted.

Total assets were $128.9 million up from $75.6 million on December 31, 2021. Assets include $38.6 million, which is also carried in liabilities, relating to funds set aside for the investment in Visual Vibe Limited.

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Shooting in Gray’s Farm

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN PRE-DAWN SHOOTING IN GRAYS FARM

A man is now in hospital with a bullet still lodged in his right leg after being attacked at the top of Christian Street in Grays Farm early Tuesday morning.

The man told police he was on the road about 3:30 when he heard a loud explosion and felt a sharp pain in the right leg.

Police were called and found the man suffering from a gunshot wound on the gallery of a home in the area.

Two bones are reportedly broken in his right leg and he requires emergency surgery. A motive has not yet been determined for the gun attack.

Police have launched an investigation and are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477).

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Cremation for man who drowned in Princes Town flood

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

The funeral of the 40-year-old ambulance driver who drowned while trying to drive through floodwater in Princes Town on Thursday is set for Tuesday.

An autopsy on Monday at the San Fernando General Hospital mortuary confirmed Annan Boysie had drowned.

The funeral is set for 1 pm at Boysie Boodoo Funeral Home and Crematorium in Penal. The body will be cremated.

Boysie, who worked with Amalgamated Security Services Ltd, was on his way to his home in Princes Town at around 5. 30 pm on Thursday along M1 Tasker Road near Cedar Hill Estate Road.

Boysie tried to drive his Isuzu van through the floodwater, but the van was swept away into a river on the southern side of the road.

Boysie was found unresponsive in the back seat.

He previously lived in La Costena Development in Sou Sou Lands, Penal. He was not married and had no children.

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In-depth review to be conducted on gas supply agreement submitted by ExxonMobil

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Artist’s impression of the gas-to-shore project

An in-depth review will be conducted on the gas supply agreement from oil giant ExxonMobil for the gas-to-shore project, with the Government going out to tender for a consultant to conduct the review and provide legal and commercial advisory services.

In a recently published Request for Proposals (RFP), the Natural Resources Ministry invited companies to submit proposals for providing advisory services to the Government for the gas-to-shore project.

One of these services is to do an in-depth review of the gas supply agreement submitted by ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the operator in the Stabroek Block where the gas will be supplied from.

According to the RFP, the consultant will be expected to – considering the existing legal and contractual framework and best practices, as well as the Guyana context – “conduct an in-depth review of the submitted gas supply agreement submitted by the Stabroek contractor (as prepared in accordance with AIEN standards) and provide detailed legal opinion, comments and advice to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Gas to Energy Task Force, with the primary objective of executing an agreement that provides the best project outcome for the country.”

A gas supply agreement governs how much gas Exxon will be providing to the Government of Guyana, for use in the gas-to-shore project. So far, it is agreed that the project will bring approximately 120 million cubic feet per day of natural gas onshore. The project will include a gas processing plant, a Natural Liquid Gas (NGL) facility and a combined cycle power plant.

Meanwhile, Government also wants the consultant to provide legal and commercial advisory services. This includes providing advice on ways to strengthen the legal and commercial framework, as well as providing support to the Government in its negotiations with Exxon.

The consultant will also be tasked with “evaluating the associated financial models, economic analyses and cost estimates and reports to ensure consistency with the heads of agreement executed on June 30, 2022 and to ensure financial optimisation of gas profiles as it relates to determination of daily gas value and take or pay obligations.”

With a timetable to deliver rich gas by the end of 2024 and the NGL plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the project off the ground. As such, during the first half of this year, Exxon was expected to source the materials and pipelines, so that they are available for when construction starts later this year.

The scope of the US$900 million gas-to-shore project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil. It features approximately 220 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The pipeline would be 12 inches wide, and is expected to transport per day some 50 million standard cubic feet (mscfpd) of dry gas to the NGL plant, but it has the capacity to push as much as 120 mscfpd.The pipeline’s route onshore would follow the same path as the fibre-optic cables, and will terminate at Hermitage, part of the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) which will house the gas-to-shore project.

The Guyana Government has invited interested parties to make investments in the WDZ, which would be heavily industrialised, and for which approximately 150 acres of land have been allocated. Those lands were previously used by the Wales Sugar Estate.

The other component of the project is the construction of a combined cycle power plant that would generate up to 300 megawatts (MW) of power, with a net 250MW delivered into the Guyana Power and Light grid at a sub-station located on the East Bank of the Demerara River.

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