STAR Newspaper - 26 May 2018 by STAR Publishing

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, may 26, 2018

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What A Way To Set A Record!

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02 LOCAL

A-M u s i n g s Musings are thoughts, the thoughtful kind. For the purpose of these articles, a-musings are thoughts that might amuse, entertain and even enlighten.

Memories By Michael Walker

t’s amazing, don’t you think, how memories pop up uninvited for no reason at all, sometimes when you least expect them. I was working in my garden, well it’s not really a garden, it’s a clearing in the forest with a view of ‘our’ lake, when scenes of fifty years ago flashed through my mind. It might have had something to do with the heat wave we are experiencing. Scandinavian summers are magnificent; after a long, very cold winter, spring dashes in and out for a quick visit and before you know it the trees are green and the grass needs cutting twice a week. I almost have one foot on the plane and will be returning to Saint Lucia in a few days’ time after hopping around the world for several weeks. It’s hard to believe but I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures of the Caribbean where the wind always blows off the Atlantic, at least up on the hill where we live. But as I was saying, memories of yore flooded my consciousness and took me back to the time when Saint Lucia was not our home, in 1971; it was our destination of choice as far as vacations were concerned. I began to wonder what made the island so special for us. We had two young children, so security was clearly an issue. We always (when I say ‘always’ I mean every year for almost ten years, multiple times each year) stayed at the Halcyon Days Hotel in Vieux Fort where security seemed to work well under the excellent stewardship of Richard Michelin, who I believe now manages the Royal in Rodney Bay. The hotel was safe and secure. Crime and violence were never an issue,

never worth even a second’s thought. The beach along the Atlantic was a mess of seaweed most days but a pleasant 15-minute stroll past the end of the runway brought us to the magnificent sands opposite the Maria Islands where again we felt perfectly safe and secure. A further option was the old doubledecker bus that ran a regular schedule to and from the Beach Club on the other side of town. Then there was the language: most people spoke a language that greatly resembled English, and I don’t mean Kwéyòl. Saint Lucia was exotic but similar. We felt at home, much more so than in West Africa where we had previously spent much of our time. In hindsight, the hotel, for all its charm and convenience, was a bit of a shambles when compared to today’s institutions, but we loved it. The rooms were spartan but we always enjoyed room 115 on the ground floor with direct access to the lawns, the flowers, the beach and the pool. The kids loved playing table tennis. We struggled with tennis or golf in the heat. Each day we would take a long walk up the coast until we could walk no further. It really was a peaceful paradise on earth. The evening rush up the staircase to the dining room was always exciting and the meals were a daily surprise. The service was clumsily charming. It all seemed so ‘genuine’. It was, after all, the Caribbean. The weather was insignificant; it was always great. Once a week (we always stayed for at least three weeks) we would take a trip to some place outside the hotel with Rudolph, our regular bus driver, until he was run down one night, by a mad motorcyclist, as he was changing a tyre at the roadside. It was all so long ago . . .

UWP Congratulates BLP

may 26, 2018 THE STAR

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he United Workers Party extends congratulations to Mia Amor Mottley and the Barbados Labour Party on their historic and landslide win at the polls in Barbados on Thursday. This unprecedented clean-sweep of 30-0 at the polls is a clear indication of the unequivocal support for the BLP’s commitment to serve the people of Barbados according to the best principles of transparent governance, and to build a better life for all. The UWP is proud of the manner in which the democratic process was allowed to run its course in Barbados and wishes Mia Amor Mottley, the Barbados Labour Party, and the people of Barbados all the best as they now write another chapter in the history of their country.

MAYOR TO VENDORS: BETTER CONDITIONS COMING SOON

ffering an up-beat and optimistic message, Mayor Peterson D. Francis committed to better conditions and brighter days ahead for vendors plying their trade within the City of Castries. The pronouncements by Mayor Francis came as he delivered the opening remarks at the launching of a three-day training session for vendors. The training, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism through the OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project, aims to sensitize vendors with a particular focus on the activities relevant to the redevelopment of Castries and the Central Market. The workshop will also focus on building the skills of vendors in Tourism Product Development and Marketing; Environmental Health and Food Safety; Sanitation and Hygiene; Quality Standards, Product Presentation, Labelling, Business and Product Quality and Customer Relations. Speaking at the ceremony, His Worship Peterson D.

Mayor Francis delivered apologies to Castries vendors.

Francis urged vendors to take advantage of the opportunities while highlighting that his overall goal is to revitalize Castries to bring economic benefits to all vendors. Mayor Francis, furthermore, took the opportunity to reaffirm support for city vendors following a recent disagreement over the removal of hazardous stalls and other items from the city sidewalks. “I will use this occasion

through you to apologize to the affected vendors. My sincerest apologies. We have a keen interest in you and what you do, and have always worked in your interest”. Mayor Francis has agreed, as a result, to waive vending fees for one week and has guaranteed vendors that the CCC will offer great improvements in the coming months for the benefit of both vendors and the wider public.

Two more Homicides and One Road Fatality recorded this Week P olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Bernard Edmund of Diamond, Soufriere as a result of an incident which occurred on Wednesday May 23, 2018, about 3:00 p.m. at Diamond, Soufriere. Bernard Edmund, a fiftyseven-year-old, sustained injuries about the body as a result of an altercation with a known individual. Bernard Edmund was conveyed to the Etangs Wellness Centre via ambulance and was later pronounced dead by a medical practitioner. A post mortem examination was scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2018. One individual is currently in police custody in relation to this incident and investigations will be continued. Police are also

investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Kacy Laurent of Barre Denis, La Croix Maingot. Kacy Laurent allegedly sustained a stab wound to the abdomen during an incident that occurred at La Croix Maingot about 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018. He was thereafter conveyed to the Victoria Hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. On Thursday May 24, 2018 about 4:00am, Kacy Laurent succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by a medical practitioner. An individual was taken into police custody in relation to this incident. These are the eleventh and twelfth recorded homicides for the year 2018. Police also recorded one road fatality this week.

Dane Maximin was involved in a vehicular accident which occurred on Wednesday May 23, 2018 about 5:10 p.m. on the La Croix/Garrand road in Babonneau Dane Maximin, a nineteenyear-old resident of Garrand, Babonneau, was found lying motionless on the road near a drain. He had been riding the motorcycle with registration number PJ1668 which appeared to have collided with another vehicle. A medical practitioner pronounced him dead on the scene. The body was thereafter transported to the Victoria Hospital Mortuary. A post mortem examination was scheduled for Thursday May 24, 2018. This is the ninth road fatality recorded for the year 2018.

THE STAR

may 26, 2018

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LOCAL

SLHTA Congratulates National Tourism Public Speaking Winners T

he Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association, sponsor of the National Tourism Public Speaking Competition, is pleased with the performance of the students who took part in this year’s competition. Ten students competed in the event which is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries. It was held on Wednesday May 16 at the Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort. SLHTA CEO, Roderick Cherry commended the students for their impressive display of oratorical skill, and also lauded the Ministry of Tourism for the high level of the competition. “We wish to congratulate not just the winners but all the participants in the completion. It took courage and dedication to get this far and they deserve to be applauded. Hats off to the Ministry of Tourism for organising yet another successful event, one that the SLHTA was extremely proud to be associated with. We look forward to continue promoting and developing opportunities for the youth and students to give them a better chance of gaining careers within our industry and other sectors,” said Roderick. The aim of the competition is to provide students aged 14–17 with an opportunity to air their views and offer practical suggestions regarding the development of Saint Lucia’s vital tourism sector. The theme of this year’s competition was ‘Year of Wellness and Rejuvenation – Enhancing St. Lucia’s Tourism Offering’. Inspired by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s decision to declare 2018 ‘The Year of Wellness and Rejuvenation in the Caribbean’, the students were asked to envisage themselves as a future tourism minister and articulate how the Department of Tourism and other industry stakeholders could use Saint Lucia’s unique natural and restorative attributes to promote wellness and rejuvenation, and use this as a tool to market the island. They were then given the option of speaking on one of four topics: social media, tourism awareness, climate change and building a more resilient Saint Lucia. Following what turned out to be a keenly contested event, Shine Savory of St. Joseph’s Convent emerged the victor. She was rewarded with a trophy, courtesy of the SLHTA. Shine will serve in the capacity of Junior Minister for Tourism 2018-2019 and will be eligible to participate in the Caribbean Tourism Organisation 2018 Tourism Youth Congress scheduled for this October in the Bahamas. Ulyssia Lewis of the Choiseul Secondary School was the second-place winner. The SLHTA gifted her with a tablet. Chloe Doncien of the Choiseul Secondary School placed third. SLHTA’s Finance and Administration Officer, Yola St. Jour was a member of the judging panel. She said the students gave their best and are all worthy of praise. “They spoke eloquently and some certainly have the potential to become excellent orators. The competition showed that our youth have great

potential that needs to be developed and nurtured, which is precisely what the SLHTA and the Tourism Enhancement Fund are committed to doing,” said Yola.

Shine Savory emerged the winner of the SLHTA-sponsored public speaking competition.

04 LOCAL

may 26, 2018 THE STAR

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Is The SLP Still At War With The Chastanets? unusually worked-up Fortuna Belrose spoke of mouths like Claudia Eleibox toilets ever open to “SLP shit.” It was hard to determine, based on what bellowed from their t Jude Hospital has, since speakers, which was more important: getting the hospital June 6, 2016, become a operational or getting Allen heavy tug-of-war rope Chastanet’s party out of office in the hands of the incumbent two years after its 11-6 victory United Workers Party on one at the polls. side and the St. Lucia Labour Meanwhile a WhatsApp Party on the other. Both sides insist that politics has nothing to message was appealing to “generals in the fight for do with their related activities. our health” to come out in a But it’s hard not to see the “peaceful protest,”not in rallies and counter rallies as red or yellow but rather in anything other than a political white to indicate the purity campaign destined to further divide the egregiously polarized of their intentions. Before the scheduled House meeting on citizens of this country. Tuesday a small group had On Sunday evening, both gathered near Constitution parties hosted public rallies Park, some wearing the in Micoud and in Vieux Fort, ostensibly non-partisan perfect opportunities for uniform. Their purpose? To tell platform speakers to serve Prime Minister Allen Chastanet supporters their favourite to “let Saint Lucia go.” When brands of divisive goolash. questioned by this reporter, (Referring to the other side, an

A nation irrevocably divided is destined to fall.

however, the demonstrators revealed they were just regular citizens hanging around. As for their white tees, they wore them

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“because we want to.” The fairly peaceful demonstration turned into something else when declared

UWP supporters arrived on the scene. Some claimed they had seen the earlier mentioned WhatsApp appeal and decided

that “these SLP people were coming to try to take out our prime minister so we come to support him.” Before long typically Looshan insults were flying across Laborie Street into Constitution Park and back. When I asked a woman in white if she planned to continue demonstrating until the St. Jude situation was settled, she answered with a non sequitur: “The only thing that can fix this country is if we riot!” I remain uncertain what she meant by “we.” As I left the scene with several of the demonstrators, my mind turned to Kenny Anthony’s pre-election declaration of “war against the Chastanets.” I also wondered why St. Jude is generally considered “the patron saint of lost causes.” A Saint Lucia at war with itself may well answer that question.

Saint Lucia setting New Records in 2018 S

aint Lucia’s tourism sector is enjoying robust growth. First quarter figures show the island continuing a strong growth trend, building on a record-setting year of 2017. Stay-over arrivals increased by 9.5% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period last year, with March 2018 registering a 17.8% increase over March 2017. Year-to-date, Saint Lucia has registered 355,821 cruise passenger arrivals, an increase of 13.5% over the same period last year. The berth extension at Pointe Seraphine is credited,

in part, for the significant increases in cruise passenger arrivals, as the island’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels has expanded. The mega vessel MS Eurodam 2008 and the Freedom Class vessel Anthem of the Seas made their first port calls at Castries in January 2018. On May 16, 2018, Saint Lucia welcomed another Freedom Class Vessel from Royal Caribbean—the Freedom of the Seas—which has a capacity of 6,000 and follows a 21-day port call schedule. The Island has also experienced a resurgence in the yachting sector with a 25% increase in yacht arrivals across all ports of entry, namely

IGY Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay and Soufriere. “We have run an aggressive and focused marketing campaign over 2017 and into 2018: working to establish our new branding, running targeted media buys and social media campaigns to increase awareness and we are starting to see the benefits of this marketing push. We believe that this year we will see even greater growth as we continue to refine our marketing,” stated Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Executive Chairperson Agnes Francis.

THE STAR

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may 26, 2018

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may 26, 2018 THE STAR

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Is a Land Dispute at the Heart of Last Week’s Desruisseaux Killing? Keryn Nelson

t was hard to tell whether the suffused stillness on Wednesday afternoon had anything to do with the horror that overtook Desruisseaux five days earlier or whether most of Elias and Muriel Louisy’s neighbours were at work. The elderly couple, 76 and 73 respectively, having lived several years in the UK, had returned home over 30 years ago. For some time they had successfully operated a disco called Black Beauty. Now, like the home closest to it, the entertainment centre was cordoned off by yellow caution tape placed there by police investigators. From talking with various people I encountered this week, it appears the couple were well known in the community. One elderly gentleman who lives just five minutes from the Louisy residence acknowledged, “Yeah, we knew them well. And for him to die that way . . . it just is not right.” His wife did not speak but the way she shook her head and the look in her eyes spoke depressing volumes. Not far from where I had talked with the shocked couple a man stood at the doorway of

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Desruisseaux was the setting for a deadly home invasion last week.

a tiny wooden shop crammed with various consumer items. A plus-sized woman sat behind the counter. The man told me he was simply passing through; that he did not live in the community. As for the presumed shop attendant, she let me know she was in no mood to talk about what had happened to the Louisys or possible reasons for it. I approached another woman standing idly near a larger shop that offered a clear view to the Louisy residence. When I told her why I had come to Desruisseaux she understandingly nodded her head and asked me to hold on while she attended to something inside a neighbouring house. She re-emerged seconds later and invited me to follow her into the shop and then inside a room that appeared to be a seamstress’ workshop, judging by the bulky sewing equipment propped up on a long table and the two or three desks on which were large spools of thread and related paraphernalia. She sat on a chair while she talked to me about the Louisy couple. Every Friday morning around 9 o’clock, she said, they would leave for Castries. But on the morning of May 17 she and her work colleague (she referred to her as “the worker”) heard loud barks coming from the Louisy residence. Then came the chilling sound of a woman screaming in distress. Said my source: “From the time the dogs started barking it seemed the person was there. I heard the noise like something was happening although I didn’t really know what.” Her colleague wanted to investigate

but my source, the shopowner, thought it safer to seek help. “People are saying I am bad because I did not immediately try to see what was happening. But that’s not true, I called to people. I told them to come because something was happenning. They came right away. They looked all under the bush. When something happen like that, and I don’t know what is happening, I have to go and call for help.” The rescue party encountered Mrs Louisy desperately running out of her house covered in blood and yelling for help. Upon entering the residence, my source recalled, they were shocked at the sight of Mr. Louisy lying on the floor. “When I saw the man, only his hand was moving. Everywhere there was blood. His head was swollen.” Her own hands moved instinctively to her head then subconsciously down to her waist when she said, as for Mrs. Louisy: “People say a piece of her head was chopped off, but I did not see that.” No one in the rescue party seemed to have any idea who in the community might’ve committed so horrible a crime.

I asked about the Louisy’s neighbours; how they were coping with the tragedy. “The worker, she went to the hospital but yesterday she came back home. She already had so much going on and when that thing happen her heart started hurting. Some people, when they see blood they fall sick.” She paused, placed both hands on her chest, as if to reassure herself it was pumping normally. “I did not jump,” she went on. “That can happen to anybody, not him [the butchered Mr. Louisy] alone.” My seamstress source described Mr. Louisy and his wife as introverted. “These people are not people that really come out of their house. The only time you will see them is if they come and buy fish or bread, or they going to town.” Since my visit to Desruisseaux, members from Mr Louisy’s family, who also live in the area, have publicly claimed the incident may be related to long-running land disputes. Mr. Louisy’s neice, Roseline, said on TV: “We have a lot of land and he [the deceased] told me that the people on the land, they don’t

want to understand that the land is his and they always telling him they will kill him.” My seamstress source had earlier hinted at the dispute. However, she did not believe it was related to the land disagreements because, she reasoned, “So long that land giving trouble. Not now, when the man get old, the man cannot even bend down well, they would come and do that!” At the time of writing, Muriel Louisy was in stable condition at the reportedly unstable St Jude hospital in Vieux Fort. The police say three suspects have been taken into custody. According to my main Desruisseaux source, the men have all had encounters with Elias Steve Louisy over land ownership. On Wednesday afternoon, a relative of the Louisy couple and a UK resident contacted me to express her gratitude for my professional interest in the matter: “Thanks much, but we also want justice for our uncle. He did not deserve that.” It’s a cry too many times heard in Saint Lucia—to small avail.

THE STAR

may 26, 2018

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may 26, 2018 THE STAR

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BANANES BAY IS UNDERGOING SURGERY!

The many ‘sea houses’ will be removed as part of redevelopment plans.

Joshua St. Aimee

he notion that ‘the more things change, the more they remain the same’ is apparently not one that Mayor Peterson Francis is prepared to have associated with him. Since his assuming the role of Mayor of Castries, there have been drastic changes. The popular pastime of “whipping

it out” in public is fast coming to an end. Parking meters are on island awaiting related legislation. The Saturday City Night—a street party aimed at generating revenue and keeping the city alive after dark—is rapidly growing. Meanwhile vending in the city is undergoing an overhaul, regardless of its possible cost to the mayor. Then there is the proposed redevelopment of the Bananes

Bay area. Referencing the area in January, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said: “It is an eyesore to members of the public. What’s worse is that it’s the first thing cruise visitors see as they come into Port Castries.” Mayor Francis was on board: “You can count me in. This plan will tie-in nicely with the upgrading of the Castries market and the general redevelopment of the city.” Work on the area

SAINT LUCIA WINS “BEST ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN” AWARD

aint Lucia has been recognized as the “Best Island in the Caribbean” by Global Traveler at its sixth Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards. Global Traveler is a monthly publication that attracts some 300,000 readers and connects with U.S.-based frequent, affluent, international travellers who have an average net worth of $2 million. The awards cocktail took place on the rooftop of Sofitel Los Angeles, Beverly Hills. This award marks the destination’s second ‘Best Island in the Caribbean’ honour in the 6-year life of the Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Saint Lucia having won the inaugural award in 2013. Saint Lucia registered a record-setting year in 2017, with year-to-date numbers for 2018 improving over the same period last year. First quarter

figures for 2018 show a 17.8% increase in stay-over arrivals and a 13.5% increase in cruise arrivals over last year’s record. Remarking on the Global Traveler award, Minister for Tourism Hon. Dominic Fedee stated, “This is an award of recognition to the hard work and dedication of every hospitality worker and to every Saint Lucian. It is the Saint Lucian story and its majesty which continues to attract visitors to the destination, making it a world-class holiday and business destination for travellers.” Global Traveler also highlighted Saint Lucia as a ‘dream come true’ port of call for cruise visitors. The award survey was conducted in the Global Traveler magazine through an insert in subscriber copies, as a direct mail questionnaire, online and

in emails. Saint Lucia beat nine other destinations for the top honour: Aruba, Grand Cayman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Bahamas, Curaçao, Nevis, Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We believe Saint Lucia is a unique Caribbean destination which offers something to every traveller and this award is in recognition of our destination’s appeal. We will continue to find creative ways to present Saint Lucia in the marketplace as we seek to increase market penetration, awareness and visitor arrivals,” stated the Executive Chairperson of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Agnes Francis. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the Leisure Lifestyle Awards and the Wines on the Wing awards.

These boulders have succeeded where no-parking signs had failed!

overlooking the harbour has begun, albeit little, but the changes are already visible. The containers and parked vehicles normally parked there have been replaced with forbidding boulders, evidently more effective than no-parking signs. The plans include green spaces, park benches and restaurants. Also in the pipeline is the relocation of the fishermen and residents near the water. This may turn out to be a dicey

undertaking, given the numbers likely to be affected. Romule Lagon, a fisherman originally from Martinique, has been operating from the Bananes Bay area for 40 of the 60 years he’s lived here. On Monday he told me he was “not quite ready to let go but it’s government land and you can’t prevent them from doing what they want to do. Plans for the area were in the works for many years, and I was aware of that. But nobody

did anything until now.” As far as housing is concerned, he doesn’t have an issue. “It won’t affect me as much as it will others,” he said. I’m living just a minute away, but others have nothing. They live, sleep and work here.” Nevertheless, he believes what the government is seeking to do is “a good thing, because right now we have no bathrooms, no running water, no nothing. It will be better for sure.”

Saint Lucia Government Congratulates First Female Prime Minister of Barbados and her party

s Barbados ushers in a new government, overwhelmingly backed by the people, the Government of Saint Lucia congratulates the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) on its landslide victory. The party’s leader, Mia Mottley, has beeen sworn in as Barbados’ eighth, and first female, prime minister. According to reports from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Barbados, the BLP won all 30 constituencies. Prime Minister

Honourable Allen Chastanet, also Chairman of the Organisation for Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), said that this was a historic day, not just for Barbados but also for the Caribbean. “The people of Barbados have spoken and delivered to Mia Mottley a highly impressive and extraordinary victory and on behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia we congratulate the prime ministerdesignate and her team,” said Prime Minister Chastanet. “I personally congratulate Mia on this achievement and recognize

that she has made history in Barbados and the Caribbean, joining an elite group of first female leaders in our region. “I have no doubt that Ms. Mottley will continue to work for the good of the people of Barbados and the region and we look forward to working with the new administration to advance the causes of the Caribbean and strengthen the bond between our countries. We wish the BLP team much success and continue to wish the people of Barbados much prosperity.”

THE STAR

LOCAL 09

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may 26, 2018

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

We are the largest retailer in the region, offering many opportunities for growth and development and are looking for a talented and dedicated individual to become part of our dynamic team.

by Michael Walker

new inter-active series of programmes from IETV to engender pride in our nation by promoting literacy and local general knowledge. The series can be viewed on channels 118 (FLOW), 102 (Karib analogue), 32 (LIME) and on NTN.

THE COMPANY Come build your career with Unicomer Group! A dynamic and fast paced retail organization spanning 24 countries, with over 1000 stores and 16000 talented and engaged retail professionals across Latin America, the Caribbean and USA. Unicomer Group is the owner of established brands within the Caribbean, including, Courts, Optical, Ready Finance, Radio Shack and Lucky Dollar.

1. The streets of this community are arranged a. in a haphazard fashion. b. in neat, parallel lines. c. in no particular order. 2. Seafarers are served by a. a single jetty. b. numerous jetties. c. no jetties at all.

By the sea.

5. The sea is probably a. The Caribbean Sea. b. The Atlantic Ocean. c. Choc Bay.

8. The yachts in the top lefthand corner are anchored in a. Anse la Raye Bay. b. Canaries. c. Rodney Bay.

6. The community is called

3. The waterfront is comprised of

a. Micoud. b. Dennery. c. Gros Islet.

a. a rocky shoreline. b. a pebbly beach. c. a sandy beach.

7. The cut at the bottom lefthand corner leads to

4. The road along the waterfront is

a. Rodney Bay Marina. b. The Castries Harbour. c. Canaries waterfront.

9. The road that disappears off in the top right-hand corner leads to a. The Causeway. b. Grand Anse. c. Gros Islet. 10. There are quite a few small craft onshore a. along the waterfront. b. along the cut. c. alongside the jetty.

a. a simple dirt track. b. a paved road. c. non-existent.

Answers: 1 b, 2 a, 3 c, 4 b, 5 a, 6 c, 7 a, 8 c, 9 a, 10 b.

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THE CANDIDATE

Temporary Shutdown of Hill Twenty Treatment Plant to affect Babonneau Residents

he Water and Sewerage Company Inc (WASCO) regrets to inform customers in the entire Babonneau area, as well as Upper Monier, Morne Citron, Desrameaux, Ti Dauphin, Ravine Macok, Malgretoute and Laborne, that they will experience a water interruption for two days starting Monday May 28, 2018. The interruption is necessary in order to undertake the final phase of the water improvement project which commenced in 2017. This included the laying of a new ten-inch pumping line from Hill Twenty Treatment Plant to the La Croix water tank,

THE POSITION

that will provide residents with an improved and more reliable supply of water, once completed. To complete this project, it has become necessary for WASCO to temporarily shut off the Hill Twenty Treatment Plant on Monday May 28 and Tuesday May 29 to allow for the connection of the newly installed pumps and some other upgrade works at the Hill Twenty Treatment facility. WASCO therefore urges residents in Babonneau to conserve and store as much water as possible ahead of the planned outage. In addition, WASCO will employ

all available options, including trucking water to residents at higher elevations and those who are routinely more adversely affected by prolonged interruptions. The works on the Hill Twenty Treatment Plant are expected to be completed on Tuesday May 29, 2018. However, WASCO advises that customers at higher elevations will not receive a supply immediately after the completion of the works. For further clarification please feel free to contact Cherry Ann Williams, Communication and Marketing Officer at WASCO, on 286 9862 or 457 3972.

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may 26, 2018 THE STAR

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The Transformative Power of Politics Peter Josie

ast week I wrote that politics has the power to transform a people and society for better. Two events last Sunday served as further proof: the opening of the half-done St. Jude hospital to visitors who wished to see for themselves the costly mess, and the opening of a spanking new road at Dugard and La Coureville, in the Micoud South constituency. I decided a follow-up article on the transformative power of politics was necessary, given

the two events. I was persuaded to extend my earlier thesis after witnessing the design and civil engineering works that went into the road project as compared to the rehabilitation works at St. Jude Hospital. During the road handingover ceremony, the usual speeches from government officials and contractors were delivered on cue. I’ve listened to so many of these over the decades that I pay scant attention, except to matters of cost over-run delays, and so forth. Instead I seek out members of the recipient community to hear firsthand their comments on the new project, how it will impact their

Taxation: 2 jurisdictions removed from EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions

he EU Council has removed the Bahamas and Saint Kitts and Nevis from the EU's list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. The EU’s list is contributing to ongoing efforts to prevent tax fraud and promote good governance worldwide. It was established in December 2017. “Having fewer jurisdictions on the list is a measure of the success of the listing process," said Vladislav Goranov, Minister for Finance of Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council presidency. “As jurisdictions around the world work to reform their tax policies, our challenge for the rest of the year will be to see that their commitments have been correctly implemented.” The list is contained in annex I of conclusions adopted by the EU Council in December 2017. The Bahamas and Saint Kitts and Nevis have made commitments at a high political level to remedy EU concerns. EU experts have assessed those commitments.

The EU has responded positively to tax reforms by The Bahamas and St. Kitts and Nevis.

As a consequence, the two jurisdictions are moved from annex I of the conclusions to annex II, which cites jurisdictions that have undertaken sufficient commitments to reform their tax policies. Implementation of their commitments will be carefully monitored by the working group responsible for the listing process ('code of conduct group').

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, without discussion. As a result, seven jurisdictions remain on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions: American Samoa, Guam, Namibia, Palau, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands. Whereas the list is revised at least once a year, the code of conduct group can recommend an update at any time.

What secrets remain buried within the walls of the controversial St. Jude project?

lives. Besides, I had used that earlier mentioned route for at least forty years, when bananas were “green gold”. At the opening ceremony two young men from the community delivered words of appreciation to the prime minister and his team. Both lauded the PM for so soon delivering on his promise while campaigning for office in 2016. By all I heard, naming the road after the prime minister was a community decision. After the ribbon-cutting, the largely partisan crowd held an impromptu motorcade which ended near the La Coureville basketball court, the venue for a scheduled UWP rally. The motorcade became a ceremony of sorts with all the tooting of horns and flag-waving, reminiscent of election campaigns. The chairs on a makeshift stage at the basketball court were soon occupied by government ministers, leading supporters and other invited friends of the party. The ever-popular “Champagne”, one of the Hewanorra Airport Red Caps, was the event’s master of ceremonies, and did not disappoint. Clearly Champagne enjoys the rough and tumble of politics, Saint Lucia-style. The meeting proved a powerful show of UWP team effort, with the crowd

loudly applauding at every opportunity, especially the government’s pledges to focus on transformative political change, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education and national security. Assurances of the development of a brand new hospital at Vieux Fort, to replace the engineering nightmare that is St. Jude, were repeated by several speakers. It became clear that right-thinking Saint Lucians also want a proper accounting for the millions already spent with little to show that’s useful. Based on all that has been spoken and published so far, certain questions force themselves upon the public conversation. These questions demand to know what, where and why things went so awry, and where the buck stopped. In an incisive and thoughtful response, nothing must be allowed to be swept under the carpet. No additional expenditures should be undertaken unless the following questions are fully answered by the former prime minister and minister of finance: • Why were there no approved drawings and plans for the new additions which the Labour government undertook at St. Jude? • How many contracts were awarded without the approval of Cabinet or the Department of

Planning and who signed and approved payments of these contract awards? • How many times did workmen demolish badly constructed walls and flooring at St. Jude hospital and at what cost? • What do foreign experts opine regarding the acceptability of St. Jude hospital as a top medical facility, if it is completed along the lines in which the Labour government left it? • Why didn’t the former prime minister and MP for Vieux Fort spend more effort ensuring the completion of the St. Jude hospital reconstruction project? • Why is the opposition Labour Party creating such a smokescreen around St. Jude and healthcare, and why are they trying so hard to divert the public’s attention away from the real issue of accountability of wasteful expenditures? What is Labour trying so hard to hide? It is my ardent wish and prayer that the UWP government closely investigates the St. Jude construction money trail in order to lay bare the mistakes made and by whom. The wheels of justice grind slowly, they say. We can only hope that the transformative political process here grinds more quickly and that in due time each shall receive his or her just desserts.

THE STAR

may 26, 2018

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WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN FOR MARIJUANA?

Left to right: Bernadette King, Aaron Alexander, ‘Brother Rock' and Andre Decaires.

regarding this administration's intentions regarding the cannabis law reform,” adding, “The cannabis movement one are the days of is getting mixed signals the passiveness of this regarding the intentions of this Council, we shall not be quiet!” That was the assurance administration.” Decaires noted that the given by Mr. Aaron Alexander, reformation of cannabis laws chairperson of the Mobilization was a campaign promise by the Committee in the Iyanola government. He believes the Council for the Advancement government dropped the ball of Rastafari (ICAR). He spoke by not facilitating a visit by the on Wednesday at a joint press CARICOM Cannabis Commission conference between the in September of last year. Cannabis Movement and the While the Cannabis Movement Council. awaits a favourable response, Chairman of the Cannabis ICAR is currently undertaking a Movement Andre ‘Pancho’ mobilization drive. Decaires pointed out that “Reconciliation, Rastafari prime ministers Gaston Coming Together, For United Browne and Ralph Gonsalves We Stand” is the theme. have indicated their intent to Referencing the drive, Mr. reform cannabis laws in their respective territories while Saint Alexander said: “The focus will be geared towards raising the Lucia remains uncommitted. awareness of the organisation Decaires announced: “We, in the cannabis movement and the and sensitizing members towards the Council, with the whole Rastafarian community, are asking the honorable prime ultimate goal of bringing our membership back home.” minister Mr. Allen Chastanet Getting the youth on to make a public statement

By Joshua St. Aimee

board is a major goal of the organisation. ‘Brother Rock', chairman of the Elder Council, acknowledged the need for a change in strategy. “We have a little problem with the youth in the Rastafari community,” he said. “Our plan is to create a lot of the things that will interest the youth to bring them in. We need to develop the interest of the youth to make them part of ICAR.” Mr. Alexander also stated that the education of the youth is vital, as many deaths have been caused by lack of knowledge. “The youth are a major concern for us. Right now, the issue of mixing the herb with other substances is a serious one. We have to put programmes in place to help educate and guide them. They need to know that they should not be mixing their herb with any other substances.” The mobilization drive begins on Sunday May 27 and concludes in June with a grand rally in Castries on 22nd.

COMMENT 11

THE FUNNIES!

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12 comment

may 26, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

STAR Reporte Denied Entry T House Session A

reporter for this newspaper was prevented from entering the chamber during a recent House session. So far as we can tell, she has never been named a media terrorist. She featured no large body parts that might scream bomb in certain minds. Keryn Nelson is very much on the slim side, and not at all menacing. But for the cop at the door she represented cause for pause, mainly on account of her jeans. “You have to look like a dane,” he advised Keryn. Presumably he meant to say “like a dame,” doubtless with the image of our former governor general in mind. The cop’s female colleague—who was dressed like a man in trousers and shortsleeves—was less concerned about Keryn’s outfit. But she worried what the Speaker might say. To be safe, she left the reporter with her fellow officer while she sought guidance from someone more informed. At which point the male cop further cautioned the 26-year-old: “When you come to the House you should dress more ladylike.” Before I sat down to write this dispatch, I checked the definition of ladylike. This is how my first dictionary defines the word: “Behavior that seems appropriate for a polite, civilized

girl or woman is sometimes called ladylike.” Another definition: “The adjective ladylike is an old-fashioned way to describe how a dignified or proper woman acts.” (I plan later to investigate what separates ordinary women from those considered “dignified” and “proper.” I suspect it has less to do with conduct than with location, location, location—not to say who’s looking!) My prized OED offers the following defintion: “Ladylike involves having the distinctive manner and appearance of a lady. It implies refinement and abiding by socially acceptable modes of feminine behavior, including, by implication, sexual behavior.” I wondered for a moment or two how the way Keryn was dressed on the recalled occasion might’ve implied prohibitive behavior not normally associated with our House cads. Then again, I’ve lived long enough, and seen enough, to know the way females are perceived (objectified?) has little to do with their garments and almost everything to do with a beholder’s imagination. A woman covered from neck to toe in layers of opaque fabric can have on certain individuals

the same effect a woman dressed for a night of fishing at Mercury Beach might have on others. It occurred to me that one of the House cops had determined the content of Keryn’s character by the color and cut of her clothes that left uncovered only her hands and face. Inquiries at the Speaker’s Chambers indicated there was indeed a House dress code. It was not readily available from the House’s morality police but with a little effort I was soon perusing the sought after document. A kind soul had emailed it to me. It turned out not to be a dress code per se. It identified itself as “Stranger's Code of Conduct during a Sitting of the Parliamentary.” What followed this declaration is enlightening, on more than one count. It set right those among us who truly believe ourselves shareholders in the business of government, albeit operated by individuals accountable to we the people. The very first paragraph of the “Stranger’s Code of Conduct” underscores that we are not all created equal: “Admission to the public galleries during any sitting is a privilege extended by parliament, and strangers attending must conform to established forms of behavior

and dress.” So much for the claim that parliament is “our House.” How can it be, when the hired help— representatives-caretakers— consider us “strangers”— defined as “persons whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar . . . persons who do not know, or are not known in, a particular place or community . . . persons who do not belong to or are kept from the activities of a group.” As for the clothes to be worn by those who would enjoy the extended “privilege,” the Code demands they not only dress according to “established forms” but that they also “must at all times be dressed tidily.” Established forms? Tidily? Evidently it is up to the cops at parliament’s door to determine whether strangers and our lawmakers share the same idea of sartorial elegance. All the same, in the mid-70s, lawmakers and seated privileged strangers alike were taken off guard when, in the middle of an MP’s contribution to a heated debate, the normally soft-spoken if acerbic House Speaker bellowed at the sergeant-at-arms, right forefinger pointed at the public entrance to the House chamber: “Stop that man!” That man turned out to be none other than the day’s premier political drama queen George Odlum at the height of his fame, and answerable to no man. The cops at the front door had meekly permitted him to enter the public gallery in full costume—U.S. Army greens, black boots, cloth cap in hand—as if indeed he was a law unto himself and by

several cuts above the day’s widely scorned Rastas who wouldn’t dream of polluting the sanctity of the House with their untidy dreadlocks. Poor Brother George never got even the opportunity to bow to the chair before he was led out like a shorn blackface wether by the very cops that seconds earlier had welcomed him. Only a few months later, in 1997, Mr. Wilfred St. Clair Daniel—a casualty of the year’s general election and no longer House Speaker—was among a group of fawning born-again at a posh New York bistro several yards from the U.N. headquarters in New York waxing dithyrambic about Saint Lucia’s new foreign affairs minister, the honorable George Odlum. Oh, but back to our reporter and her interrupted maiden venture into our masters’ chamber. The cops at the door never mentioned the key words— “established forms of behavior and dress.” Neither “tidily.” What arrested their attention were Keryn’s not lady-like jeans. As if to further confuse, the verboten items mentioned in the Code are: armhole tee shirts, slippers, short pants, displayed signs and banners, apparel with obscene prints and track pants. Male strangers are required to “remove their hats upon entering the chamber.” The Code mentions none of the items worn by Keryn. Neither, for that matter, the U.S. Army fatigues that in 1996 had gotten George Odlum ejected. I am informed that the items of clothing not permitted in the House are also disallowed at our public buildings. I should add that to the best of my

Education Minister Gale Rigobert: Obv created equal. Neither blouses. Besid uniformed bouncers at the public entra about transparency than earli

knowledge no male has been denied entry to the attired in jeans and shirt. Meanwhile, women engovernment ministers are routinely turned away whatever reasons, “showed too much.” One is le rules were laid down by male lawmakers for the out of control horny male officials. But then it sho knowledge that what a woman wears never was libidinous attention. That cause has always resid

THE STAR

may 26, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

COMMENT

er To on!

obert: Obviously not all pants are ses. Besides, it would seem the ublic entrance are more serious than earlier presumed!

entry to the public gallery because he was , women en-route to appointments with urned away because their clothing, for h.â&#x20AC;? One is left to wonder whether the stiff kers for the protection of women against ut then it should by now be common s never was the cause of unwanted always resided in her attacker!

STAR reporter Keryn Nelson outside the House. She never quite made it to the public gallery, thanks to the vigilant morality police posted at the entrance.

14 LOCAL

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may 26, 2018 THE STAR

Critical Desilting Works begin at John Compton Dam

n keeping with the Government of Saint Lucia’s plans to build a resilient Saint Lucia, the essential desilting work on the John Compton Dam (JCD) is finally starting. The Water and Sewerage Company Incorporated (WASCO) is spearheading the JCD Rehabilitation project which will see the construction of a Sediment Disposal Area (SDA). The dam was commissioned in 1996 and, over

the years, flood waters caused by hurricanes have deposited large volumes of sediment into the JCD reservoir and covered the lower intake of the water supply. Speaking at the ceremony on Monday May 20, 2018 in Tet Chemin, Millet to mark the commencement of the project, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives, Honourable Ezechiel

Joseph, stated that the project was “long outstanding”. He noted that numerous other timelines for the desilting of the JCD had never materialized. The project has in fact been under discussion for almost eight years. Minister Joseph said that the present Cabinet of Ministers from the outset showed its commitment to the works at the dam and advised the WASCO board to present options.

“I am here today with the support of a Cabinet and a prime minister and parliamentary representative who understand the impact of water,” stated Minister Joseph. “I am sure, with your continued support, we will be in a position to deliver.” Chairman of WASCO, Mr. Francis Denbow, explained that the project was divided into two phases and will be done with a loan secured from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for US$10,167 million. The first component includes the preparation and construction of the SDA and the building and repairing of access

Left to right: WASCO Chairman, Francis Denbow; Minister of Agriculture Hon. Ezechiel Joseph; Minister for Tourism Hon. Dominic Fedee and Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet.

roads which will be done by local contractor, Mega Contracting Inc. The second component will include the dredging of the reservoir and installation of pipes to the SDA downstream. Mr. Denbow explained: "The sediment disposal area can only be worked upon during the drier months of the year. “The preliminary works in the sediment disposal area must first start for the dredge to operate in the ensuing rainy months to despatch the sediment to the SDA. One needs to understand that a dredge cannot operate throughout the year in the absence of rainfall as the reservoir water level could be significantly reduced if it is not continually replenished. “It must also be borne in mind that we extract almost 9 million gallons of water per day from the dam which capacity has reduced from the original 660 million imperial gallons to a current 300 million gallons on account of the siltation caused through past ferocious weather events, deforestation and climate change." The harsh reality, as explained by Mr. Denbow, is that almost two thirds of the dam is filled with silt that has displaced almost 400 million gallons of water storage capacity. Parliamentary Rep. Hon Dominic Fedee, thanked the residents of the community of Tet Chemin for understanding the importance of the project. He noted that the WASCO team and the contractors have consulted with residents on the environmental, economic and other impacts. The labour force for the project is to be largely sourced from the community. Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet, also Minister for Finance, explained that he was pleased with the current arrangement with the CDB regarding the loan. He noted that the loan did not require a government guarantee because of the revenue stream with the dredging fee. “CDB clearly understood what we were saying and acquiesced that they would not require a guarantee and the loan would now be specifically to WASCO,” explained the prime minister adding that this is in keeping with the government’s policy of having dedicated revenue streams to support loan arrangements and not overburden the taxpayers of the country. The Roseau watershed and JCD reservoir provide water security for approximately 93,000 residents of Castries, Gros Islet, parts of Anse La Raye and Babonneau.

THE STAR

ANOTHER BIG VICTORY . . . FOR TEO AH KHING!

he Preakness Stakes, first run in 1873, is a well-established sporting event in the US that predates the equally appreciated Kentucky Derby. During its 145-year decorated history, there were three years when the race was not held (namely 1891-1893); hence it is not considered the longest running sporting event in America. That distinction goes to the Kentucky Derby. It is held every third Saturday in May and the Pimlico race course in Baltimore serves as its home. With more than 134,800 in attendance, the 143rd edition took place on May 19, 2018. Coming off a historic performance a few weeks ago, Justify, jockeyed by Mike Smith, came into the day

Will Teo ah Khing’s race track victories justify Allen Chastanet’s demonstrated faith in the Malaysian?

as the favourite. Rain created sloppy track conditions and the sky was covered with a blinding fog. With ecstatic fans

screaming from the top of their lungs, the race came down to the wire with Justify, Bravazo and Good Magic galloping

rapidly neck to neck. In dramatic fashion, Justify came out on top, winning the race by just half a length. The winning owners received $900,000 of the $1.5 million dollar purse with second to fifth receiving $300,000, $165,000, $90,000 and $45,000 respectively. Absent at the winner’s press conference this time around was Saint Lucia’s prime minister but the China Horse Club’s Mr. Teo Ah Khing certainly was on hand to say after the race: “Today was like the longest race in my life, waiting for 20 seconds for the official results felt like waiting for years!” It is a feeling many here are familiar with, if in different circumstances involving Teo Ah Khing! ---Joshua St. Aimee

Vendors Encouraged to make the Castries Market ‘a Buzz’

aint Lucia’s Minister responsible for Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Honourable Dominic Fedee, made a special appeal to vendors of the Castries market on Tuesday May 22 during the opening session of a five-day workshop aimed at boosting skills and techniques to improve visitor spending. “I cannot over-emphasise the importance of this workshop to you, as it is just the start of the many plans the government has for upgrading the Castries market, and ensuring that you are at the centre of the change we would like to see happen,” the Minister said. Referring to dismal figures that demonstrate Saint Lucia receiving less than the average amount spent by tourists in at least six Caribbean destinations, Minister Fedee told the vendors that they could be key players in helping tourists spend more on the island, if they simply changed their offerings at the market, and

LOCAL

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may 26, 2018

made it a unique place with ‘a buzz’. “Let us present the market as an experience, a destination, a place to taste and soak up the best of Saint Lucia,” said Fedee. Given that tourists are increasingly in search of “experiences” when they travel, the Minister encouraged the vendors to look for new opportunities to showcase Saint Lucia’s food, culture and way of life. “You can generate more revenue by differentiating, by dreaming, by aspiring," the minister added. Also speaking at the opening of the vendor training programme was Minister for Local Government and Culture, Senator the Honourable Fortuna Belrose. In her brief remarks, Belrose told the vendors that they represent the “faces of Castries”. “Revamping the city of Castries is a priority for the government, and your role is significant because you are selling the city for us. You are not simply selling products and souvenirs but you are helping us build a culture of resilience,”

stated Belrose. The minister encouraged the vendors to take the training seriously and be ready to implement what they learn so that Saint Lucia can see more growth in the Industry. Congratulating the vendors and echoing the sentiments of Minister Belrose was Honourable Guy Joseph, Minister for Economic Development, Housing, Urban Renewal, Transport and Civil Aviation. Once again, he advocated his motto that “every Saint Lucian should be developed” when projects and plans are executed in the country. “This initiative is meant to build us, to make us grow and to make our lives better,” Joseph told the vendors. Reminding them that the world is continuously changing and that travellers have many countries to choose from, Joseph said, “We must upgrade Saint Lucia; we must step our game; we must not remain stagnant.” The minister pledged his continuous support for plans to upgrade Castries and its

surroundings by touting another favourite proposition that the Saint Lucia government should invent “an authentic Saint Lucian avenue” where allnative/100 per cent Saint Lucia products can be available to visitors. Mayor of Castries, Mr Peterson Francis also addressed the vendors, urging them to ‘keep an open mind’ to the training exercise, noting that it was only the beginning of a process to enhance the market. The vendor training programme was organised by the Department of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, through the OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project (ORTCP), as part of efforts to support the upgrade of the Castries market and surrounding areas. The workshop will focus on Tourism Product Development and Marketing; Environmental Health/Food Safety; Sanitation and Hygiene; Standards; Business Development; and Customer Relations. The ORTCP is funded by the World Bank.

Prime Minister expresses Sorrow over Cuba Plane Crash

rime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet has reached out to the Government of Cuba following the deadly plane crash in Havana on Friday May 18 that claimed the lives of over 100 people. The prime minister spoke to the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Saint Lucia, His Excellency Jorge Francisco Soberon Luis, and expressed deepest sympathies on behalf of the Government and the People of Saint Lucia. Shortly after take-off from the Jose Marti airport, the Cuban state airways Boeing 737 crashed, killing all but three people on board. “The Cuban people and the Saint Lucia people have an immensely close bond and it is with deep sorrow that we

view the images coming out of Havana over the last 24 hours. It is a very painful time for the region. As a Caribbean region we want to express solidarity with the Cuban people as they go through this difficult time,” stated Prime Minister Chastanet, also Chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). “I know the entire OECS is thinking about the impact of this crash on the people of Cuba, and we in Saint Lucia also express our deepest condolences to the Cuban president, Miguel DíazCanel, the Government of Cuba and Cuban people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families who must be suffering immense grief at this time. We pray for their continued strength.”

ICAEC WORKS ON RAISING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISLANDWIDE

he Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean (ICAEC) Saint Lucia Branch is fulfilling its mandate to continuously raise the standard of the accounting profession in Saint Lucia by conducting a series of workshops and seminars. The Institute advises that in accordance with International Auditing Standards, auditors should not prepare the financial statements that they will be auditing. It is the client’s responsibility to prepare the financial statements. To this end, on Wednesday May 23, 2018 the Institute held a halfday workshop with the aim of providing its members and the public with training on the preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The workshop was facilitated by the council members of ICAEC and was well attended and received by accountants from a broad cross section of the industries in Saint Lucia. The workshop covered areas concerning the presentation and disclosures required for IFRS-compliant financial statements and their implications, demonstrated with practical examples of questions and interactions. The Institute intends to carry on providing more guidance on IFRS and other professional development areas to keep members updated.

16 health

Sleep is Nature’s Recharger for Tired Minds and Bodies

KIM’S KORNER L

ast week we discussed the best sleeping position. But what about those who have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep? It is estimated that approximately 30% of people worldwide suffer from one or more of the symptoms of insomnia— difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking early. Insomnia can disturb the sleep cycle and affect the body’s natural circadian rhythm (internal time clock), leading to lack of energy, poor concentration, mood swings and fatigue. Insomnia can be either acute, lasting anywhere between a few days and a few weeks, or it can be chronic, lasting for a month or longer. There are many reasons why we may experience insomnia but the most common causes are: • Medical conditions: cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, gastroesphageal reflux, chronic pain. • Medications: some prescription and over-thecounter drugs can affect sleep

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patterns. Did you know that some allergy medicines, weight loss products and cold medications contain caffeine and other stimulants? • Stress, anxiety and depression, worry and stressful living can cause our minds to be overactive. • Travel: jet lag, the result of travelling to different time zones, affects our circadian rhythm. • Illness: even something as straightforward as a cold can affect our sleeping patterns. Coughing, sneezing and a stuffy head can leave us counting sheep all night. • Environmental factors: light, noise and temperature can make it difficult to drift off to sleep and also wake us during the night. • Working day and night shifts: like travelling, working shifts can affect our body’s natural time clock. • Using electronic devices just before bedtime. • Snoring and sleep apnoea: snoring is most annoying for

the person lying beside you but sleep apnoea can affect you both. Although snoring is a symptom of sleep apnoea, it is not the only symptom; it is an obstructive sleep disorder which causes you to stop breathing while sleeping. The long-term effects of insomnia can be debilitating and it is important to find a solution. There are many interventions available to treat insomnia including temporary measures like medication but these can be addictive. Before relying on medication, consider natural ways and lifestyle changes that can improve sleep time and quality: • Adopt a regular routine: try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including weekends. • Avoid daytime naps as these can interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle and our circadian rhythm. • Do not use electronic devices or phones before bedtime. Electronic devices emit a blue

light that affects the sleepinducing hormone melatonin. • Avoid nicotine and drinking coffee four hours before bedtime; both are stimulants that can make falling asleep difficult. • Limit your alcohol intake. It can interfere with sleep quality and cause waking during the night. • Do not eat a heavy meal within three hours before bedtime. However, if you are hungry, a light snack may stop you waking up during the night. • Develop a relaxing routine before bedtime. Take a nice warm bath or shower, listen to soothing music or read a book (not on a tablet or phone). • If your mind cannot switch off because of worries and tasks, make a list and revisit when you wake up in the morning. • Ensure that your bedroom

is dark and quiet. If you are disturbed by external noises, consider earplugs or a fan. • Do not watch TV in bed; keep bed for sleeping. • Exercise can help to relieve anxiety and endorse a feeling of relaxation but experts recommend avoiding exercise late in the evening. Leave at least 3-4 hours between exercising and preparing for

bed. • Meditation and breathing exercises can help promote relaxation. The following breathing routine has been shown to be very effective: exhale completely; breathe in through your nose for a count of 4; hold your breath for a count of 7; exhale through the mouth for a count of 8. Repeat the process three more times. Kim Jackson is a UK-trained physiotherapist with over 20 years' experience. She specializes in musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, including back pain and sciatica, stroke and other neuro conditions plus sports physiotherapy, having worked with local, regional and international athletes and teams treating injuries and analyzing biomechanics to improve function and performance. She is registered with the Allied Health Council and is a member of PASL. She currently works at Bayside Therapy Services in Rodney Bay, www.baysidetherapyservices.com

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Share the Drama, Share a Heineken at 2018 UEFA Champions League Viewing Party T he 2018 UEFA Champions League Final is already upon us, and there’s no better place to catch the action than at the biggest viewing party this side of the Atlantic, compliments of Heineken. In fact, for 2018 Heineken Saint Lucia is hitting you up with not one, but two viewing parties: one in Castries and the other in Vieux Fort. Real Madrid and Liverpool, two football titans, will compete in the final of the European Cup today, Saturday May 26, to decide who will be awarded the coveted Champions League trophy. The defending champion and 12-time winner Real Madrid is bidding for its third successive title while Liverpool is seeking the sixth in its history.

Last year’s viewing party set the bar for what’s going to happen this year with Heineken.

EMPLOYEES GET THEIR DAY AT CIBC FIRSTCARIBBEAN

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is hosting the final. Ukrainian must-trys for football fans, we are told, include borshch (a beetroot-based soup). However, for the purpose of the viewing party in Saint Lucia, Heineken is indeed the preferred brew.

eam members of the Saint Lucia operation of CIBC FirstCaribbean were feted by management on Thursday May 17, the bank’s Employee Appreciation Day across its 17 territories. The objective of the day is to voice and demonstrate appreciation for the dedication of the approximately 3,000 professionals staffing the bank across the region. Director Southern EC Islands & Country, Ladesa James Williams led off the celebration of staff in Saint Lucia with a visit to all branches, accompanied by Bridge Street Branch Manager Smerna Pompelis and Human Resource Officer Elaine Borton. Managers followed the example by treating their direct support staff with fruit baskets, breakfast, flowers and small treats. In her expressions of thanks to the branches Mrs. Williams delivered tokens, calling them “a small memento of management’s appreciation for your hard work and commitment to delivering value and often exceeding the expectations of clients”. She added: “In you, the bank has much to be thankful for, due in great part to your commitment to delivering excellence every day.”

In fact, the tagline for the 2018 UEFA Champions League viewing party in Saint Lucia is “Share the Drama, Share a Heineken.” The viewing party in Castries takes place at the Derek Walcott Square while the Vieux Fort viewing party will unfold at the Daher Mall. Both events start at 12 noon, ahead of kick-off time for the match, with pre-game music, fun, excitement, giveaways and, of course, cold Heineken on special at these free events. Heineken is also treating 150 special guests to its exclusive VIP lounge. Guests will include avid sports and football fans, winners of various Heineken promotions, customers and the press who will all enjoy the game, inclusive of food and drinks. “This is the eighth year that Heineken Saint Lucia has been hosting these viewing parties and we have seen the event grow bigger and bigger

each year. So this time around we decided that we would throw in a second viewing party to afford football fans and some of our loyal Heineken customers in the south the opportunity to also share in the excitement, seeing that these games are best enjoyed with friends,” says Mind-Luquiana Chicot, junior Brand Manager, global brands at WLBL. The Heineken viewing parties caters to persons 18 and over and therefore no minors are allowed. So, whether you are someone who never walks alone or you find yourself chanting “Hala Madrid!” at the drop of a ball, all are welcome to share in the thrill, when Liverpool and Real Madrid look to crown themselves European champions. And it all comes together with Heineken, enjoyed responsibly, of course, and proud sponsor of the UEFA Champions League through to 2021.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE is hereby given that the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Elks City of Castries Co-operative Credit Union Limited will be held at the Finance Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine, Castries, on Saturday June 02, 2018 at 2pm. OPEN SESSION

AGENDA

1. Credit Union Prayer 2. Prayers 3. Welcome Address – President 4. Fraternal Greetings 5. Feature Address 7. Vote of Thanks CLOSED SESSION

Employees at the Rodney Bay CIBC branch have fun at their employee day celebrations.

At the country level, each branch was also rewarded with an activity of the staff’s choice. Team Rodney Bay opted for Sunset cruise with massages on board. The Soufriere branch also spent team time on the water with a catamaran cruise. Team Vieux Fort selected an after-work lime at Hewanorra Gardens, while the Bridge Street staff enjoyed a buffet lunch served at the branch, using the

catering services of a business client of the bank. Each department also received brand-decorated cakes, while individual team members were presented with personalized mugs and other treats. Contract workers, such as guards and courier personnel, also received branded mementoes from branch managers.

1. Call to Order 2. Ascertainment of Quorum (Rule 40) 3. Apologies for Absence 4. Reading and confirmation of minutes of the last A.G.M and matters arising 5. Adoption/Confirmation of Reports: (a) Board of Directors (b) Treasurer (c) Auditor (d) Credit Committee (e) Supervisory Committee i. Appointment of Returning Officer 6. Elections to: (a) Board of Directors (b) Supervisory Committee

2. Appointment of Auditor 3. Resolutions if any 4. Other Business 5. Adjournment REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD ………………………… Sherane Long, Secretary

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Kudoru no Match for Calypso W

hile some of the most popular calypso sounds may be sealed in the vinyl at corner shops in Castries or only in the memories of those who experienced the origins of Saint Lucian calypso in the 1940s, the Take Over Tent insists that the art form is still very much alive today. Every Saint Lucian scandal, social imbalance and controversial political decision has been preserved raw in the notes of calypso and even with the now colossus Dennery Segment (Kudoru), calypso remains “the voice of the people”. However, the only calypso that I can sing from the top of my head is from the Mighty Pelay’s Christmas collection. For most of my life the popular local musical waves have always leaned more to soca and now kudoru. Internationally, the latter has become what Saint Lucia’s music is all about. On Wednesday May 23, at a press launch for the “Herbie and Friends” show—which was held last night (Friday)—the tourism minister Mr. Dominic Fedee recalled hearing some Dennery Segment music at a bar in Toronto. He was proud to the point of goose bumps, he claimed. But for me, and others my age, calypso recalls Calypso Monarch shows with our parents, a long time ago when calypso still was big. On the other hand, on Wednesday, Cecile Charles, the manager of Take Over Tent, insisted, “Our productions have actually brought in a lot of younger persons. A lot of the performers that have come through the school system became tent members.” Last night’s “Herbie and Friends” at the Anse la Raye Fish Fry featured calypsonians, some from the Anse la Raye Primary School. And contrary to what some may think, some popular local soca artists are heavily involved in calypso tents. Cecile Charles cited the winner of last weekend’s Soca Switch, Kisha, as a member of

There is no separation between Calypsonians, such as Papa Invader (pictured), and Soca Artists; they are all creative musicians in their own ways.

TOT as well as Ambi, Ricky T and Alpha. To calypsonians, the Dennery Segment does not represent a threat. As Charles said: “Calypso is calypso. Now you have that thing about calypsonians and soca artists, like there is a big difference; there isn’t.” He explained that paramount artists such as the late Mighty Pelay, the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener never identified themselves as separate from those who sang soca. “They were musicians,” said Charles. In turns out that many “meccas” of the Dennery Segment started out in the calypso arena, including the “Bad In Bum Bum” singers, Surbance and Mighty. Charles said, “Yes they have grown and they are making waves which we are very proud of. What we hope doesn’t happen is that persons from outside take advantage of

it and we are not able to benefit as we’re supposed to.” Charles noted that if not handled properly, Saint Lucian artists would suffer. However, Dominic Fedee was able offer some assurance to Saint Lucian musicians: “We have said a lot as policymakers over the years about the state of the music industry and the state of the culture sector in general. And I think that we’ve paid lip service to it and we haven’t given the art form the level of support and investment that we should and we’ve failed our country over the years.” He added that the present government will now focus more on investing in “our own festivals, our own people, our own culture”. This year the Take Over Tent will offer Calypsos touching a little bit of everything, especially modern day romance. ---Claudia Eleibox

THE STAR

US expels Venezuelan diplomats as election row escalates

he US has announced the tit-for-tat expulsion of two Venezuelan diplomats in a row sparked by Washington’s criticism of President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection. The two Venezuelan diplomats were declared “personae non grata” and directed to leave the US within 48 hours, according to a statement from State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. The expulsion was ordered in response to the Maduro regime’s decision to expel two US diplomats earlier this week, the statement added. Maduro announced on Tuesday the expulsion of the two top diplomats, Todd Robinson and Brian Naranjo, following the Trump administration’s trenchant criticism of last Sunday’s controversial presidential

elections. Maduro made the announcement at his confirmation ceremony in Caracas, accusing the men of interfering in the election and giving them 48 hours to leave Venezuela. Maduro said the expulsions were “in defence of the dignity of the homeland”, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. “The accusations behind the Maduro regime’s decision are unjustified,” said Nauert’s statement. “Our Embassy officers have carried out their official duties responsibly and consistent with diplomatic practice and applicable provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” she added. Socialist leader Maduro won another six-year term on Sunday in an election derided

by opposition groups and many in the international community. On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence called the elections “a sham” and the White House announced a series of new sanctions targeting the Venezuelan government. Maduro has continued the huge social welfare programmes and price control policies of Venezuela’s late leader Hugo Chavez, who steered the country toward socialism. Many Venezuelans saw Chavez as the champion of the poor. Chavez’ hand-picked successor, Maduro won the 2013 presidential election. Under the two leaders’ rule, the oil-dependent country has endured political tumult and economic misery, including food and medicine shortages, and hyperinflation.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and EvalYouth, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNWomen, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), are committed to engaging with youth and young people with expertise and interest in the area of evaluation, thereby building a cadre of emerging evaluators for the United Nations and its partners. Under this new collaboration: • Young and emerging evaluators are invited to register on UNV’s database of UN Volunteer candidates. • UN agencies will recruit youth UN Volunteers to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation capacity of their own country and regional offices. • UNV will leverage its database to vet candidates, recruit the UN Youth Volunteers, deploy them with UN agencies and other partners, and support the youth UN Volunteers’ assignments, development and learning. This collaboration aims

Pirate attacks grow in South America and Caribbean

irate attacks around South American and Caribbean waters are growing, and violence is increasingly used during robberies committed on vessels at anchor, a report showed on Wednesday. The Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) non-profit group recorded 71 incidents in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2017, a 163 percent increase over 2016. OBP said the majority of the attacks occurred in territorial waters, with around 59 percent of incidents involving robbery on yachts. Anchorages in Venezuela, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Colombia and Saint Lucia were the regional hot spots during 2017, it said. “We have observed a significant increase in violent incidents and anchorage crime, particularly in the anchorages ---CNN of Venezuela and the recent violent incidents off Suriname in the first part of this year,” said the report’s lead author Maisie Pigeon. In late April a pirate attack

Call for Persons aged 18 to 29 years to serve as UN Youth Volunteers on Monitoring and Evaluation nder the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN reform agenda, monitoring and evaluation capacities are more important than ever to achieve UN system effectiveness and to strengthen the capabilities of countries in the achievement of their own localized SDGs and national development policies. UN Youth Volunteers, who receive a monthly living allowance and a benefits package, can be impactful resources to support these monitoring and evaluation efforts. UN Volunteers can contribute to national SDG monitoring, evaluation and reporting; support monitoring and evaluation of UN Development Assistance Frameworks and Common Country Assessments; assist with innovative forms of data gathering; provide analysis and support communications efforts; contribute to the development of training programmes on monitoring and evaluation, including building capacities of national and local stakeholders; and engage local stakeholders and marginalized groups, particularly in deep-field and remote locations.

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to ensure youth voices are included in evaluations, national evaluation capacities are enhanced through skills development and experience, and that the UN evaluation function is enriched through the contributions of motivated and well-supported UN Youth Volunteers. When applying for this new programme, you may also be selected for any of the assignments offered globally by the UN organisations participating in this partnership. Young people with a commitment to the values of the United Nations and with some experience in monitoring and evaluation are encouraged to apply. Candidates must comply with the following: • Be between 18 and 29 years of age • Have up to two years of relevant work experience • Be fluent in English or another working language of the United Nations (preferably French or Spanish). For additional information about applying to become a UN Youth Volunteer, please refer to the UNV website. For more information about EvalYouth, please visit its website. The deadline for recruitment is June 1, 2018.

off the coast of Suriname left at least a dozen fishermen from neighboring Guyana missing and feared dead with three separate bodies found in what was described by Guyana’s President David Granger as a “massacre.” In a separate incident in May a fishing boat captain was shot dead after his vessel was attacked off Suriname while the rest of the crew survived. OBP could not give a total economic cost for attacks in Latin America and the Caribbean but said ship stores and crew belongings reported stolen were estimated to have totaled nearly $1 million in 2017. The cost of piracy in East Africa reached $1.4 billion in 2017, down from $1.7 billion in 2016 and $7 billion in 2010 during the peak of attacks by Somali gangs. Since then, the presence of international naval forces, the deployment of private armed guards on board vessels

and defensive measures by ship captains has curbed activity. OBP said there were 54 incidents in 2017 versus 27 in 2016 after a surge of attacks in the first quarter of 2017. “There are now a wide range of threats to shipping near the Horn of Africa that have been complicated by the conflict and instability in Yemen,” said Phil Belcher, marine director with association INTERTANKO, which represents the majority of the world’s tanker fleet. Piracy risks remained elevated in West African waters, with 97 incidents recorded in 2017 versus 95 in 2016, with the total cost estimated at $818.1 million in 2017 versus $793.7 million, OBP said. “Kidnap-for-ransom continues to plague the region, which is a trend that has unfortunately continued from 2016,” OBP’s Pigeon said. ---Reuters

NATIONAL INSURANCE CORPORATION VACANCY

INSPECTOR The National Insurance Corporation is seeking to fill the position of Inspector to complement its team of Inspectors at its Head Office in Castries. Summary of Duties: To undertake activities to ensure that Employers comply with the relevant provisions of legislation governing the operations of the National Insurance Corporation Core Responsibilities The successful candidate will be required to: • Conduct audits in accordance with the approved audit program. • Advise employees and employers of their NIC responsibilities and provide assistance to them where necessary. • Verify operating status of employers. • Represent the NIC in court as required, in cases relating to matters of compliance.

• Ability to work with little supervision and to function effectively in a team environment. • Ability to interpret the financial statements of contributing companies and to negotiate payment agreements with employers. • Excellent oral and written communication skills • Coaching, counseling, negotiating and conflict resolutions skills. • Must be self driven and results oriented with excellent interpersonal skills. • Must demonstrate sound work ethics. • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite. Other Requirements: • A valid driver’s license.

Qualifications and Experience • At least an undergraduate Degree in Accounting or equivalent discipline. • At least 3 years working experience in accounting, auditing or related field.

Application Procedure: Applications along with a detailed Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of qualifications and two referees, should be addressed to: The Human Resource Manager Position of Inspector National Insurance Corporation Francis Compton Building Waterfront Castries

Knowledge, Skills and Qualities: • Ability to interpret the NIC Act and Regulations.

Deadline for submission of applications is May 31, 2018.

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THE CHIEF TREE INITIATIVE – EAT HEALTHY TO BE HEALTHY

he Chief Tree Initiative was unveiled at the Union Orchid Garden in Castries on May 15, 2018. The project—the brain child of Ms. Petra Auguste of Gros Islet—was developed to address the growing incidence of childhood obesity, diabetes and hypertension in preschoolers in Saint Lucia. One of the main components at the unveiling was the launch of ‘Chief Tree Appears’. The book, authored by Ms. Auguste, features a main character called Chief Tree, whose tag line is ‘Eat Healthy to Be Healthy’. Findings of a survey which was undertaken in nine randomly selected preschools using three hundred students were presented. They demonstrated that the Chief Tree character, books, jingle, video and smocks had an overwhelming positive

ability to change students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices as pertains to food choices, inclusion of local fruits and vegetables in their diets and interest in their health and wellbeing. The project was conducted in collaboration with the St Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers (SLNRWP) with funding from the Global Environmental Facility, Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (GEF SGP UNDP) and technical assistance from Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). In addressing the audience, Ms. Auguste stated, “The initiative was created as a sustainable motivator to mitigate against diabetes, hypertension and childhood obesity in Saint Lucia. The research was based on the eating habits of children aged from two to five years in addressing non-communicable diseases. What would we be able do if those same

Petra Auguste, creator and author of ‘Chief Tree Appears’.

children could have the power to ask for something healthy as opposed to something unhealthy? We know through characters like Barney and Dora and SpongeBob, Pepper Pig and so on, that these characters do have an impact on our children. I, along with my graphic artist, came up with this character that we called “Chief Tree” to assist in encouraging food behavioural changes in children.” In addressing attendees, Mr. Giles Romulus, National Coordinator of GEF SGP UNDP said “Chief Tree is an important project to us because it fits within the over 80 projects we have in Saint Lucia, particularly those that focus on reducing chemicals. We want to see healthy Saint Lucians, we want to see a healthy world, and we cannot do that if we continue to use toxic chemicals.” At the conclusion of the event Ms. Auguste stated, “It is of paramount importance that we get stakeholders’ support because we realize Chief Tree has deep roots, it can have many branches, and can bear fruit, which will be beneficial, not just locally, but regionally and internationally.” Many individuals and groups attended the event, including representatives from the Taiwanese, Brazilian and French embassies, government ministries and local schools. In the next few weeks Ms. Auguste will be embarking on a book-signing tour throughout the island to bring the initiative and its benefits to local communities.

SLP CONGRATULATES BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY

he Saint Lucia Labour Party expresses congratulations to the Barbados Labour Party and its leader Hon Mia Mottley on their resounding victory at the polls on Thursday May 24th 2018. The people of Barbados have overwhelmingly put their future in the hands of the Barbados Labour Party and look forward to a progressive development agenda in what will be a be an uncharted era of governance. SLP Political Leader Hon Philip J. Pierre was in Barbados and got a first-hand appreciation of the support and enthusiasm for the BLP. The Saint Lucia Labour Party wishes Prime Minister Mottley well and looks forward to the stewardship of Barbados’s first female Prime Minister. The BLP won all 30 seats.

THE STAR

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Mia Mottley Elected First Female Prime Minister of Barbados

he Barbados Labour Party (BLP) attacked the previous government on its policy of high taxation and focused on the cost of living, during the campaign. The BLP has won the country’s 2018 General Elections claiming all 30 seats in the country’s House of Assembly and unseating the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), which has governed the country since 2008. The crushing victory for the BLP means that its political leader Mia Amor Mottley will be sworn in as Barbados’ first female prime minister since the country gained independence from Britain in 1966. Mottley, 52, becomes Barbados’ eighth prime minister and the fifth female head of government in the Englishspeaking the Caribbean, joining the likes of the late Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica, Janet Jagan of Guyana, Portia Simpson Miller in Jamaica and Kamla Persad Bissessar in

Trinidad and Tobago. The result brings the Caribbean island’s controversial election day and campaign to a decisive end with the BLP securing the broadest electoral victory in the country’s history and with a mandate which allows them to make changes to the constitution and implement other reforms promised during the campaign. On election day there were a series of complaints with multiple citizens stating that they were unable to find their names on the voters’ list with some having to seek to go to the courts to have their names added to the list of Register of Electors at the last minute. Citizens were also forced to wait into the wee hours of Friday morning for the result after a delay in the counting of ballots. Ahead of the vote, Barbadian pollster, Peter Wickham, predicted a five per cent swing away from the

Prime Minister Mia Mottley led the BLP to a complete victory over the DLP.

incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP), well over the two per cent needed for a change of government. “The historic reality is that we have small swing elections and big swing elections. 2013

was clearly a small swing election; this one is likely to be a big swing election, largely because the two follow in sequence. So, even if I were to set aside any poll data and say, ‘Let’s look at it purely in terms

of history,’ we are looking at a swing in excess of five per cent, bearing in mind that the swing needed to change the government is less than two per cent,” Wickham told online newspaper Barbados Today. The final result, however, produced a 10-15 per cent swing in favour of the BLP, which saw the DLP losing all 16 constituencies it held in the Assembly. Mottley assumes office at a difficult time for the Caribbean country. The Barbadian economy has struggled since 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis. Weak growth and sizeable state budgetary deficits have also increased its debt to GDP ratio over the last few years and led to several international credit rating agencies repeatedly downgrading its economic outlook. The BLP attacked the Freundel Stuart-led government on its policy of high taxation and

focused on policies to reduce the cost of living during the campaign, promising to bolster public services such as garbage collection, public transportation, and infrastructure improvement. The government has also come under attack for failing to contain effluent bubbling up from sewers along south coast roads that lead to many of the island’s prized beaches and famed tourist resorts. Though Stuart announced the election less than a month ago, the BLP has been in campaign mode since the start of 2018. Frustration over the longstanding DLP-BLP duopoly has caused a host of new political parties to spring up in the island of some 285,000 people with a record number of 135 nominees registering to contest the election. ---teleSUR

Harvey Weinstein charged with rape and other abuse charges in sexual assault cases H arvey Weinstein was arrested and charged with rape and other abuse charges Friday, months after allegations of sexual violence and harassment toppled the once-powerful Hollywood mogul. Weinstein,66, was charged with rape, criminal sex act, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct for cases involving two women, according to the New York Police Department. The charges stem from accusations by two women. After his arraignment on Friday morning, Weinstein’s bail was set at $1 million, and he will wear an electronic monitoring device at all times. He will also face other travel restrictions, and has surrendered his passport. “Today’s charges reflect significant progress in this active, ongoing investigation,” Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, said in a statement after the arraignment. “I thank the brave survivors who have come forward, and my office’s prosecutors who have worked tirelessly on this investigation.”

Vance also urged other survivors to contact them. Weinstein was charged with three felonies—rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree and a criminal sexual act in the first degree—“for forcible sexual acts against two women in 2013 and 2004, respectively,” Vance’s office said Friday morning. In the complaint, a New York Police detective stated that in 2004, Weinstein forced a woman to engage in oral sex with him, physically shoving her head downward. The detective also said that in 2013, Weinstein kept a woman in a room against her will “and engaged in sexual intercourse with informant by forcible compulsion,” even though she had “clearly expressed her lack of consent to the act.” Weinstein made no comment as he walked into the 1st Precinct police station in Manhattan at about 7:30 a.m, to surrender to authorities. About an hour later, he left the police station in handcuffs, to be driven to court. “The NYPD thanks these brave survivors for their

courage to come forward and seek justice,” the police department said in a statement Friday morning after Weinstein walked past of crowd of journalists outside a Manhattan police station. The disgraced producer’s walk into the courthouse was a grim inversion of the red carpets he’d walk at the height of his power. Handcuffed and silent, he ignored a lineup of reporters snapping photos and shouting questions. His arrest came months after Vance’s office reportedly launched an investigation into allegations of sexual assault. Police officials said the arrest and charges stemmed from a joint investigation between the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Law enforcement officials did not immediately identify the two women who Weinstein is charged with attacking. Lucia Evans, a one-time aspiring actress who has said Weinstein sexually assaulted her in 2004 at his Manhattan office, told the New Yorker on Thursday that she was pressing charges against Weinstein, saying: “At

a certain point, you have to think about the greater good of humanity, of womankind.” In November, New York police officials said the accusations made by actress Paz de la Huerta, including that Weinstein raped her twice in 2010, were “credible.” “We have an actual case here,” said Robert Boyce, chief of detectives for the New York City Police Department. Weinstein had been a powerful force in the entertainment world until last year’s series of investigative stories from the Times and the New Yorker that detailed accusations of sexual misconduct made by several women. Since then, scores more have come forward to claim Weinstein used his status to sexually assault and harass them. The revelations sparked a broader reckoning with sexism in Hollywood that has since touched other industries. Authorities in several cities have also launched criminal investigations into Weinstein, including in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and London.

Weinstein’s charges follows the rise of the ‘Me Too’ movement where numerous females accused Hollywood professionals of sexual crimes.

Federal prosecutors have also started an investigation into the sexual-abuse allegations, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Weinstein’s attorney Benjamin Brafman said in a court filing that Weinstein was the “principal target” of a federal probe. He also wrote that Weinstein “did not

knowingly violate the law” and the allegations that Weinstein forced himself on women are “entirely without merit,” the Associated Press reported. Brafman declined to comment on Thursday, before Weinstein surrendered. ---The Washington Post

22 international

Roman Abramovich, Meghan Markle and her prince, en route to 'happily ever after' Where do you get your Money? P

rince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot at Windsor Castle on Saturday in a royal wedding like treated as a ‘new applicant’ for no other, mixing British pomp he billionaire Russian and African-American culture in a UK visa, it is understood. owner of Chelsea football front of a celebrity congregation Under new rules to stamp out club is effectively banned and cheering crowds. ‘dirty money’, the oligarch— from Britain until he can show The new Duke and who is close to Mr Putin—will his money is clean. Duchess of Sussex exchanged have to demonstrate that his Other super-rich oligarchs vows in St. George's Chapel in a fortune is above board. in Britain also face being caught historic ceremony, sealed with a Mr Abramovich is worth up in the clampdown on foreign kiss, which brought the biracial £9.3billion. Technically, he cash deemed ‘not conducive to US TV star into the heart of the will need to show that at least public good’. British monarchy. £2million of his investment in It follows months of As more than 100,000 the UK is from legal sources. tensions between the UK and people packed the sun-baked He has held UK visas for Russia in the wake of the Windsor streets and millions many years, but the rules poisoning of former spy Sergei watched worldwide, Queen were tightened in 2015, after Skripal and his daughter in Elizabeth II and the royal family he obtained his most recent Salisbury. were joined inside by stars 40-month visa. The government blamed Roman Abramovich will have to prove his wealth including Oprah Winfrey, Serena Mr Abramovich, Britain’s Russia for the attack, with is legitimate after the Williams, Elton John, George 13th-richest man who bought Theresa May describing the UK launched a war on Clooney and David Beckham. Chelsea in 2003, was last incident as ‘despicable’ and oligarchs. The couple held hands in the UK in early April. His expelling a number of Russian throughout and exchanged Tier 1 investor visa has since diplomats. ‘unfair and unfriendly’ approach expired and has so far not been vows in a Church of England Last night Britain’s tough to Russian businessmen. service modified to reflect the renewed. stance on foreign money The crackdown means Mr bride's heritage and strong sparked a furious backlash from Abramovich, who is away from By Sam Greenhill and Jason sense of independence. the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin’s Britain and missed his club’s FA Firebrand US pastor Groves for the Daily Mail spokesman condemned the UK’s Cup win on Saturday, is being Michael Curry delivered a full-throttle address invoking slaves and the power of love, and a gospel choir sang classics "Stand By Me" and "This Little Light of Mine". Markle began her walk down the aisle alone with her FUEL SURCHARGE COST ADJUSTMENT 10 bridesmaids and page boys walking behind her flowing, Applied to Bills for May 2018 white, silk dress designed The fuel surcharge cost adjustment is the cost of fuel at the current price less the average cost of fuel by Clare Waight Keller at the in the twelve months preceeding 1st January, 2018 (the base price) divided by the total number of kwhs French fashion house Givenchy. sold. Her father had been due to meet her half-way but, after he Current price of fuel EC$ 7.1677 / gallon pulled out due to heart surgery, Average price for 2017 EC$ 6.2342 / gallon Harry's father, Prince Charles, stepped in to escort her to the Amount of fuel used (April 2018) 1,681,150 gallons altar. Markle's mother, Doria Cost of 1,681,150 gallons at EC$ 7.1677 per gallon EC$ 12,049,979 Ragland, looked visibly moved during the wedding. Cost of 1,681,150 gallons With the words "I will", at EC$6.2342 per gallon EC$ 10,480,625 33-year-old Harry, and US former actress Meghan, 36, Current cost of fuel less cost at base price EC$ 1,569,354 declared they would love, comfort, honour and protect Electricity Sales (April 2018) 29,994,307 units each other. Archbishop of Canterbury 1,569,354 Justin Welby declared them Fuel Surcharge Cost Adjustment: ----------------- x 100 (5.2) cents / unit 29,994,307 husband and wife—sparking 2018 huge cheers from crowds Tariff FSCA Cost watching on big screens Rates per Electrical Unit EC$ EC$ EC$ outside. Domestic 1-180 0.680 (0.052) 0.732 The newlyweds later >180 0.730 (0.052) 0.782 toured Windsor in an open Commercial/Hotel/Industrial Low Tension all units 0.830 (0.052) 0.882 topped carriage, waving and High Tension all units 0.790 (0.052) 0.842 smiling to the thousands of flag-waving well-wishers lining Streetlighting all units 0.825 (0.052) 0.877 the streets. The Tariff Rate and the FSCA are computed in accordance with the Electricity Supply Act No. 10 of 1994, as amended by Act Nos. 12 The bride's father, Thomas and 13 of 2006. Note that since the average fuel price in April 2018 is greater than the average fuel price for 2017, there is a Fuel Markle, followed the wedding Cost Adjustment (FCA). Ian Peter on television and voiced regret Chief Financial Officer he was unable to attend, TMZ

may 26, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, leaving Windsor Castle after their wedding on May 19, 2018 to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by Harry's father. the Prince of Wales.

reported. "My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there," he told the US celebrity news website. For the evening reception at nearby Frogmore House, attended by 200 close friends and family, Meghan changed into a sleek lily white, halterneck, silk crepe gown by Stella McCartney. On her finger she wore an emerald-cut aquamarine ring formerly owned by Harry's mother Diana, a gift from her new husband. In another of the numerous personal touches, the prince hand-picked flowers for Markle's bouquet from their home at Kensington Palace. Her five-metre veil also contained floral designs from her native California and all 53 Commonwealth countries. "You look amazing," Harry told his bride as she arrived. He and his brother Prince William —his best man—wore the blue doeskin frockcoat uniform of a major in the Blues and Royals, the regiment Harry served with in Afghanistan during his 10 years in the British army. The couple grinned during Curry's dramatic address about the power of love, in which he quoted civil rights icon, Martin Luther King. "I'm talking about some power. Real power. Power to change the world," the AfricanAmerican preacher intoned. There were no political leaders among the 600 guests but many celebrities. Some of Markle's former co-stars in the US hit television series "Suits" attended, as did Harry's ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas. The newlyweds kissed on the chapel's West Steps after the wedding, before starting

their procession, to the delight of the crowds. Hundreds of street parties and public screenings were held around Britain where the wedding is a welcome respite for a country still burdened by austerity and divided over Brexit. Revellers also packed into bars to watch as far afield as Sydney, Hong Kong and Markle's native Los Angeles, for what is likely to be the last big British royal wedding for a generation. In Windsor, thousands of fans bagged their spots by dawn, bearing rugs and picnics, Union Jack flags and patriotic paraphernalia, and the bubbly was flowing freely. The Queen hosted a lunchtime reception at the castle, where Elton John performed, Charles and Harry made speeches and the guests ate pieces of lemon and elderflower cake. "She's got her own voice, a personality, and I think all that made a huge impression on everybody," said Shrabani Basu, a Commonwealth historian. The couple met on a blind date in July 2016 and had a whirlwind romance, crisscrossing the Atlantic as she continued filming "Suits" in Toronto. Harry was scarred by his mother Diana's death in a Paris car crash in 1997 when he was just 12, and he had to mourn in the full glare of the world's media. His wedding featured a hymn used at Diana's funeral, at which he and William had walked behind her casket. Sixth in line to the throne, Harry is one of the most popular royals, while Markle, a divorcee, is seen as a breath of fresh air for the monarchy.

---Agence French Presse

THE STAR

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