The post Jamaica: Teen Pleads Guilty to 2 Murders, 5 Other Charges appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Canada has already sent weapons and non-lethal support to Ukraine, and has backed a number of sanctions, including supporting the removal of Russia from the SWIFT system for international bank payments.

“We are providing even more lethal aid to Ukraine, and we’ll be sending 100 Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapon systems and 2,000 rockets, which we will be working to deliver as quickly as possible,” Defence Minister Anita Anand said.

Canada imported C$289 million ($228 million) worth of Russian energy products in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.

Canada is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, but the vast majority comes from Alberta, far from eastern Canadian refineries owned by Irving Oil, Suncor Energy (SU.TO), Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) and Cresta Fund Management.

Eastern refiners import oil on the spot market when needed, as well as fuels to meet demand during maintenance shutdowns, said David Schick, a vice-president with the Canadian Fuels Association.

The Russian oil ban applies only to crude oil for now, but the government is looking at oil derivative products next, a government source said.

In 2021, shipments included naphtha and diesel to Valero’s Quebec refinery and deliveries of diesel and gasoline to a refinery in Newfoundland & Labrador, now owned by Cresta Fund Management, said Jim Mitchell, head of Americas Oil Analysts at Refinitiv.

Cresta is repurposing the idled Newfoundland refinery to produce renewable fuel.

Irving does not import Russian oil, a spokeswoman said. A Suncor spokeswoman said the company does not process Russian crude in any of its refineries. Valero and Cresta did not immediately respond.

Canada also played a role in restricting Russia’s central bank from being able to access its foreign reserves.

Trudeau said his government has asked the independent Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications regulator to drop Russian state-owned broadcaster RT, saying that “it is important that Canadians and people around the world be faced with accurate information.” Canadian cable operators said on Sunday they would voluntarily drop RT.

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the G7 group of nations would bring more sanctions against Russia.

($1 = 1.2673 Canadian dollars)

The post Canada to Supply Anti-Tank Weapons to Ukraine, Ban Russian Oil Imports appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

One of the five men was rescued from inside the pipeline four hours after the incident, and the company said they were searching for the body of the missing worker.

The government announced that an independent investigation has been launched to determine what the cause of the accident, and it will include experts from multinational energy companies.

“I want to give the assurance to the families that nothing will stand in the way of determining how this tragedy occurred,” Prime Minister Keith Rowley said in a separate statement.

The post Three Bodies Recovered After Trinidad & Tobago Pipeline Accident appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

MUMBAI, March 1 (Reuters) – Palm oil has become the costliest among the four major edible oils for the first time as buyers rush to secure replacements for sunflower oil shipments from the top exporting Black Sea region that were disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Palm oil’s record premium over rival oils could squeeze price-sensitive Asian and African consumers already reeling from spiralling fuel and food costs, and force them to curtail consumption and shift to rival soyoil , dealers said.

Crude palm oil (CPO) is being offered at about $1,925 a tonne, including cost, insurance and freight (CIF), in India for March shipments, compared with $1,865 for crude soybean oil.

Crude rapeseed oil was offered at around $1,900, while traders were not offering crude sunflower oil as ports are closed due to the Ukraine crisis.

The Black Sea accounts for 60% of world sunflower oil output and 76% of exports. Ports in Ukraine will remain closed until the invasion ends. read more

“Asian and European refiners have raised palm oil purchases for near-month shipments to replace sunoil. This buying has lifted palm oil to irrational price level,” said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm.

“They have the option of buying soyoil as well. But prompt soyoil shipments are limited and they take much longer to land in Asia compared to palm oil,” he said.

Soybean production in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay is expected to fall because of dry weather.

The post Palm Oil Becomes Costliest Vegoil as Ukraine War Halts Sunoil Supply appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The State Department under Trump sharply scaled back embassy staff in 2017 following a spate of “anomalous health incidents” that came to be known as “Havana syndrome.” The unexplained illnesses first affected U.S. employees in the Cuban capital and later cropped up in other parts of the world.

There have been no recent reports of incidents in Havana.

The drawdown all but halted visa processing for Cubans who in many cases seek to emigrate or travel to the United States to reunite with families. It coincided with Trump’s rollback of a historic rapprochement that his predecessor, Barack Obama, oversaw between the United States and Cuba, Washington’s old Cold War foe.

The two people familiar with the matter declined to be identified because they were not authorized to disclose details. One said the plan was expected to be announced as early as Thursday by senior U.S. diplomats in Havana.

A State Department spokesperson said the administration was committed “to exploring options to ensure appropriate staffing at U.S. Embassy Havana” while maintaining security. “These options could include sending both temporary and longer-term personnel,” the official added, declining to elaborate.

The Cuban government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It was not immediately known how many staffers would be added and how soon they would arrive, but the sources said they would focus on a huge backlog of visa requests. There were more than 90,000 Cubans on the “immigration waiting list” as of November, according to the State Department’s latest figures.

In the Trump era, the processing of Cubans’ visas had been transferred to the U.S. embassy in Guyana, where few Cubans could afford to travel.

Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere Brian Nichols told lawmakers during a Feb. 3 hearing that the administration would send “temporary duty consular officers to Havana in the not-too-distant future” but he did not offer any details.

REMITTANCES

Even with this week’s expected embassy announcement, the Biden administration is not likely to provide any further clarity for now on any plans for easing the flow of remittances to Cuba that were severely restricted under Trump. Money sent by Cuban Americans to families on the island had served as a financial lifeline for them.

“That decision is still on hold,” one of the sources said.

Nichols testified last month that recommendations on remittances were in the White House’s hands and “we await their decision.”

Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president, had promised during the 2020 election campaign against Trump to re-engage with Cuba’s government.

But the Biden administration slapped sanctions on Cuban officials and security force in response to Havana’s crackdown on protesters in July, and has since imposed further measures over Cuba’s prosecution of hundreds of jailed protesters.

Biden officials are mindful that any easing of restrictions on Cuba could lead to political fallout from conservative Cuban Americans. The latter make up a large voting bloc in south Florida and mostly backed Trump’s tough policies toward Cuba, helping him to win the important swing state last year.

But the resumption of visa processing at the embassy is less likely to spur a serious political backlash since a number of Cuban American lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, have backed the idea.

The post U.S. Set to Announce Increased Staffing at Havana Embassy to Process Visas appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The post Mexico: Reports of Cold Blooded Wake Massacre, Search for Bodies appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

By Chelcee Brathwaite and Nikolai Layne

A decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic reminded the Caribbean of their need for economic diversification. An area for consideration is the “orange” economy which, given the region’s rich cultural assets, presents endless opportunities. However, comparative advantage alone is not sufficient to fully capitalise on the sector’s emerging trends. In this SRC Trading Thoughts we explore how Web 3.0 can be leveraged in the orange economy.

An Economic Engine with Strong Susceptibility to Disruptive Innovation

The orange economy includes several linked activities which transform cultural, artistic and heritage-based ideas into creative goods and services whose value is determined by intellectual property rights (IPRs).

Pre-crisis forecasts indicate that the creative economy could account for 10% of global GDP before 2030. Previous estimates indicated that the orange economy generated 30 million jobs worldwide (employing a greater share of youth, women and minority groups in developing countries than in advanced economies) and contributed 3% of global GDP in 2013, with even bigger contributions in some Caribbean states (8% of St. Lucia’s GDP in 2012 and 5% of Jamaica’s GDP in 2007). UNCTAD found that the creative economy’s export trade growth averaged 7% between 2002 and 2015, demonstrating faster and more resilient growth than other industries even during the 2008 global financial crisis. The orange economy presents a unique opportunity for the Caribbean to leverage its dynamic cultural elements as a comparative advantage to achieve stronger economic growth and diversification, while contributing to several SDGs.

Creative disruption is prevalent in the orange economy, with digitization already significantly reducing costs for creating, accessing, and distributing creative works, and replacing physical products that embody these works with digital products. Dr. Keith Nurse attributes the growth of the digital creative sector to rapid techno-economic change, increasing commercialization of IP in the digital world, growth of social networking and synergies among value enhancing activities.

Leveraging Web 3.0 to Overcome Barriers in the Orange Economy

Web 3.0 is generally accepted as a new iteration of the world wide web that is based on the blockchain. Blockchains are supported by multiple layers of technological innovation which are critical to its decentralisation. Each layer underpinning Web 3.0 plays a critical role in processing data and distributing value in a frictionless way. Although the potential of such disruptive technologies cannot be fully conceived, what is evident is that leveraging areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, distributed ledger technology and digital identity can create an inclusive and connected environment where people, businesses and countries can participate and share resources.

Let’s briefly explore Web 3.0’s predecessors. Web 1.0 surfaced as the first stage of the internet in 1989 but was very limited in its capabilities with content shared in a read-only form and static pages hosted on ISP-run web servers. Web 2.0 (early 2000s) upgraded the read-only format to encompass both a read and write environment allowing users to interact with content. However, this environment became highly censored and centralised with permission requirements. Participation on multiple platforms meant that users were required to share personal information and data which could be exchanged or sold to other parties. Web 3.0 purports to remedy these issues by building an inclusive, secure, decentralised, permissionless, censorship-resistant and interoperable digital environment.

We cannot fully explore Web 3.0 here, but we highlight three developments beneficial for growing the Caribbean’s orange economy.

Smart Contracts

IPRs protect and promote creativity by allowing creators to earn recognition and financial benefit for their works. UNCTAD’s Deputy Secretary General, Isabelle Durant, found some developing countries lacked legal and regulatory frameworks and/or implementation capacity for systematic enforcement, collection and distribution of royalties. Another challenge is the applicability of traditional IP regimes in the digital realm.

Blockchain technology is a practical solution that can fill in the gaps that exist in traditional IP regimes with the use of smart contracts. Smarts contracts are self-executing contracts on the Blockchain network where the terms of agreement are structured by code and can be used for effective management or maintenance of patents, copyrights and trademarks. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are powered by smart contracts and are best understood as unique cryptographic digital tokens that are linked to creative goods like art, music and collectables. There are two practical considerations for NFTs in relation to intellectual property rights. The purchase of an NFT is the right to claim ownership for the NFT only. However, the author or creator of these digital assets owns the actual copyright to their work unless they decide to transfer ownership of the copyright to another party.

Examples of NFTs currently exist in the developing world and Barbados has a good illustration of how these assets can be distributed. Music artist, Shontelle Layne launched a project in 2021 using NFTs to directly connect with her fans. Her vision involved releasing music in the form of collectables via an online auction with the highest bidder receiving an NFT and special rights to her content. The owner of this unique NFT can redeem it for several exclusive items, including a cameo in the video for Shontelle’s song, “House Party” and his/her name included in the lyrics of another version to the song.

Asset Tokenization

The S4YE Coalition identified access to finance as a major impediment for entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the orange economy. The lack of tangible assets and weak IP frameworks to verify economic value of intangible assets, high uncertainty of market demand and a longer period for value generation, removes most traditional financing schemes from the reach of these entrepreneurs.

Asset tokenization is the process of fractionalizing ownership of physical assets through digital tokens. Security token offerings (STOs) are a means of asset tokenization combining blockchain technology with the regulatory approval of asset transferability in the securities market. This process provides support for the liquidity of assets whilst creating wider availability for finance. The tokenization of Orange Development Areas (ODAs) as geographical spaces which support economic and creative activities can attract domestic and international investment. ODAs are a perfect medium to assist entrepreneurs and MSMEs that seek to occupy spaces for the development and promotion of their goods and services. The inclusion of a governance protocol for the purpose of providing token holders with voting rights and setting parameters around various creative activities will add tremendous value. Additionally, tax benefits can be explored by the government to continuously attract investors. Ernst & Young cites some of the advantages of STO-based financing compared to traditional fundraising methods as the global reach to a digital distribution of tokens and quick realisation.

Metaverse

According to UNCTADStat, CARICOM recorded US$54million in exports of creative goods in 2015, accounting for 0.011% of global creative goods exports; the value of creative services exports are unknown. Greater efforts are needed to bolster the sector’s productive capacity, enhance their access to global markets and capture relevant data. Research found that creative MSMEs often lack resources and networks for marketing and building a brand in non-domestic markets where they face high entry barriers.

The metaverse represents a persistent virtual or augmented space which can be supported by blockchain technology and used to create a fair market environment. Although still in its infancy, the metaverse is open to any party interested in connecting or interacting in an inclusive environment for entertainment or enterprise purposes. A virtual world eliminates geographic constraints and reduces expenditures which exist in traditional channels for small islands to have an international presence. CARICOM member states can leverage the metaverse to establish a trade presence globally and display cultural and creative goods that are linked to real world assets. Privileges can be determined at a national level in relation to the real-world utility of these virtual assets outside of the metaverse. Barbados became the first sovereign nation to announce the development of an embassy in the Metaverse through an agreement with Decentraland. The aim of this strategic arrangement is to approach global diplomacy in a cost-effective way whilst building an efficient infrastructure to promote the island’s unique cultural aspects. In this form creative goods and services can be offered around the world without the traditional limitations of doing international business.

Concluding Thoughts

Emerging technologies offer solutions to several challenges even in areas beyond the orange economy. However, careful mitigation of risks and the development of an enabling environment will be key to unlocking the potential of Web 3.0 for the Caribbean and other developing regions. In our next piece, we address some of these risks and frameworks.

Mrs. Chelcee Brathwaite is a Trade Researcher at the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services, of the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus (Barbados) and Mr. Nikolai Layne is a Financial Strategist at Laissez Faire Associates.

The post Leveraging Web 3.0 to Boost Trade & Investment in the Orange Economy appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Pfizer significantly less effective in kids 5-11

© Getty Images

California, Washington and Oregon will end their school mask mandates after March 11, the states’ three governors jointly announced on Monday.

The announcement from three Democratic governors adds to a flurry of moves to lift mask mandates in schools and other mandates that remained for the broader public.

“We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health, and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said in a statement.

“While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we must still be mindful that many within our communities remain vulnerable. Many businesses and families will continue choosing to wear masks, because we’ve learned how effective they are at keeping one another safe.”

The moves come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued long-awaited guidance saying that masks were no longer recommended for about 70 percent of the country where the COVID-19 risk is relatively low, including in schools.

Republicans in particular have attacked school mask mandates, and the issue has been increasingly controversial.

========================================================

The post Pfizer Vax Less Effective in Kids, Mask Mandates End, Moderna Accused of Tech Theft, More appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, February 28, 2022 (MMS-SKN) — As part of the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union (NCCU) Limited’s year-long celebratory activities being held to mark its 50^th anniversary, members of the 50^th Anniversary Monthly Care Packages sub-committee on Friday February 25 presented care packages to four of the institution’s longstanding members.

“We are celebrating fifty years of our operations and as we mark our 50^th anniversary, our aim is to give back to our members using various categories in our membership,” observed Member Services and Human Resource Manager, Ms Julet Chiverton.

The Charlestown-based credit union, which is the oldest in the Federation, was registered on July 25, 1972. According to Ms Chiverton, fifty care packages will be given out in the year-long give-back to its members exercise, at four care packages per month save for the anniversary month of July when six care packages will be distributed.

The first care package presented for the month of February on Friday 25^th was to longstanding member and retired school principal Mr Vincent Anthony Jones at the office by Credit Administration and Securities Officer Ms Earther Scarborough, who was assisted by Senior Operations Assistant Ms Ador’n Manners.

One of the Care Packages Sub-committee coordinators Administrative Assistant in the Administration and Human Resource Department Ms Tamara Johnson, led members Business Development and Marketing Officer Ms Jaedee Caines, Information Communication Technology Officer Mr Kenroy Warner, and Accounting Clerk Ms Antonia Nisbett to Rices Village in Gingerland where Mr Warner presented a care package to another longstanding member, Ms Jenipha Freeman.

On their return to Charlestown, they stopped at Stoney Grove where another longstanding member, Mr James Dyer was presented with his care package by Ms Antonia Nisbett. The drive ended at Craddock Road where Ms Tamara Johnson made a presentation to Mr Adolph Liburd who had joined the Charlestown Credit Union before it was renamed the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union Limited in 1972.

The four recipients thanked the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union Limited for the care packages presented to them, and one of them Mr Vincent Anthony Jones said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to members, to the staff, and to management of the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union.”

He advised the staff to continue being friendly and efficient as in doing so the institution would attract more members and he prayed that in the next fifty years the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union Limited will be one to watch. He added: “I trust and hope that I will continue to be as good as I am, and I hope that management will continue to put structures in place to continue to improve this institution.”

Other members of the 50^th Anniversary Care Packages Sub-committee are the other coordinator Ms Patulia Huggins, General Manager’s Executive Officer, along with Senior Accountant Mrs Jacqueline Maynard-Liburd, Credit Control and Recoveries Officer Ms Candice Pinney, Administrative Assistant Mrs Erica Mills, and Internal Audit Assistant Ms Bethia Pogson.

According to Member Services and Human Resource Manager, Ms Julet Chiverton, care packages for the month of January were presented to pioneers of the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union Limited. In the coming months other categories will also include the first staff, and members of the clergy who are longstanding members of the Credit Union.

“In January we gave to pioneers,” said Ms Chiverton. “We gave back to our very first member, Mr Y. Fitzroy Williams of Hamilton Estate, and two other pioneers Ms Jeannette Grell-Hull of Budgeon Estate, and Mrs Jannette Claxton of Marian Avenue. Mrs Ruth Thompson of Brown Hill, the fourth recipient, is not exactly a pioneer, but is one of our elderly members.”

The post Nevis Co-Operative Credit Union Gives Back to Members as It Celebrates 50th Anniversary appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 27, 2022 (RSCNPF): The Police are investigating an incident at the ferry terminal in Basseterre after responding to a report that a man had drowned.

The Police received the report close to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Enquiries so far have revealed that 50-year-old Kenneth Percival of McKnight dived into the sea from the pier at the ferry terminal to retrieve the propeller of a motor vessel that had fallen off. When he did not resurface, the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard was called to assist. An Officer from the Coast Guard discovered Percival’s motionless body at the bottom of the sea.

Personnel from the Forensic Department visited and processed the scene.

Persons with information about this incident are asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at 465-2241, their nearest Police Station or call the crime hotline at 707. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The post POLICE INVESTIGATING FATAL INCIDENT AT FERRY TERMINAL  appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.