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Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 04:50:01 +0000

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

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admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 04:50

Friday, June 17, 2022

Original Publisher

The Citizen

Original Article

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

Dar es Salaam. Parliament’s Budget Committee wants all government vehicles to be converted to use compressed natural gas as part of efforts to cut massive spending on fuel.

The advice comes at a time when fuel prices are rising due to disruptions in the global supply chain, fuelled by Western nations’ sanctions on key producer Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

Locally, Dar es Salaam residents are currently paying Sh2,994 and Sh3,131 for a litre of petrol and diesel respectively. The current prices for petrol are, however, Sh745, or 33 percent, more than they were in June last year when a litre fetched Sh2,249. They are also Sh1,058, or 51 percent, higher than they were in June 2021 when a litre of diesel fetched Sh2,073.

Presenting the Sh41.48 trillion Budget for the financial year 2022/23, the Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba outlined a number of cost-cutting measures that the government seeks to undertake during the coming year.

And responding to the Budget yesterday, the Budget Committee said by converting government vehicles to the use of natural gas, the government will see the resource [natural gas] being put to effective use before it become obsolete as the world was increasingly shifting to other renewable resources.

“The committee recommends that all government vehicles be converted to use natural gas just like the way it is for trucks operated by Dangote Cement. This will reduce importation of petroleum products and improve the country’s balance of payment,” the committee said.

Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Nominated-CCM) shared similar sentiments, noting that the Mtwara-Dar es Salaam natural gas pipeline was under-utilised at less than 10 percent of its capacity, suggesting maximising utilisation in order to reduce dependence on oil imports that adversely affect the lives of citizens.

“We should build the natural gas economy through increased use in transport and transportation and accelerating commencement of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Lindi,” he said.

In its views, the Budget Committee also wants the government to undertake a re-evaluation of its Double Taxation Agreements with Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, India, South Africa and Zambia in a deliberate move to align the agreements with Tanzania’s current development needs and ensure that they [the agreements] do not leave loopholes for tax evasion.

“Though these treaties are beneficial to the country, the challenge we see is that they could be used as conduits for tax evasion whereby a businessman or an investor may use them in an attempt to access indirectly the benefits of a tax agreement between two jurisdictions without being a resident of one of those jurisdictions (treaty shopping), said the committee’s chairman, Mr Daniel Sillo.

The Committee is also advising the government to make necessary amendments to the law that formed the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (Tasac) with a view to streamlining the agency’s tasks so that it does not get into a conflict of interest with clearing and forwarding agencies.

As things stand, Tasac, which is a regulator for marine transportation, also engages in activities of clearing and forwarding thereby creating a public outcry from private operators. “We need to amend the law to limit Tasac’s clearing and forwarding role to only sensitive cargo of the government, including arms, government documents, minerals and mining equipment. Issues pertaining to clearing and forwarding must remain a preserve of the private sector, he said.

It is the view of the committee that the government will issue a tax amnesty to companies in the tourism sector after their operations were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic during the period between 2019 and 2020.

The Committee believes that if the government makes a critical analysis of the buildings that have been built across the country’s major urban centres, it could potentially collect up to Sh100 billion per year in property tax.

Some MPs like Mr Jerry Silaa (Ukonga-CCM), said the government is a business partner contributing no capital in businesses, urging that it should prepare friendly tax procedures, educate taxpayers and stop fighting with the businesspeople.

“Small scale businesses tax regime has been given a 3.5 percent turnover which is not a small amount. These are those with Sh500,000 to one million capital, hence telling them to buy Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) machines spending Sh500,000 could be hardly executed,” he said.

“When is the government going to see that it is its responsibility to provide EFD machines to traders for free in order to enable the country to make tax records that will ultimately benefit the government,” he added.

According to him, putting the two percent withholding tax to small scale miners will increase the 6.1 percent royalties and inspections fees to eight percent, something that will increase smuggling and benefit some of the smuggling destination countries.

But Ms Zulfa Mmaka Omar (Special Seats-CCM) commended the government for scrapping the 40 percent tax chargeable for procurement of EFD machines.

“This has been the center of complaints among traders who will now be encouraged to purchase and use machines for strengthening their businesses,” she said.

Mr Twaha Mpembenwe (Kibiti-CCM) said Ngorongoro residents are fellow citizens who shouldn’t live in troubles as the government is determined to amicably address their concerns.

“A similar controversy was staged by a neighbouring country between 1977 and 1978 in its efforts to grab our land. Without mentioning the country’s name, I would like to warn neighboring countries trying to interfere with Tanzania’s internal affairs to stop doing that with immediate effect,” he said.

Africa

News

Bwengu Solar Photovoltaic Project to add 50MW to national grid

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 03:20:01 +0000

Bwengu Solar Photovoltaic Project to add 50MW to national grid

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admin Thu, 02/24/2022 - 03:20

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Original Publisher

Business | Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi

Original Article

Bwengu Solar Photovoltaic Project to add 50MW to national grid

QUANTEL Renewable Energy Limited and its partners – Frontier Energy of Denmark and Vidullanka PlC of Sri Lanka – have disclosed that their Bwengu Solar Photovoltaic Project in Mzimba will add 50 megawatts of solar power to the national grid. They say this will contribute towards ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy […]

The post Bwengu Solar Photovoltaic Project to add 50MW to national grid appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Africa

Business

True reflections

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 18:40:01 +0000

True reflections

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admin Tue, 02/22/2022 - 18:40

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

True reflections

Released by Elektra Records in May 1982, True Democracy by Steel Pulse is one of reggae's classic statement albums.

Recorded in Denmark and produced by Karl Pitterson, it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. David Hinds, the band's lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter, recently told the Jamaica Observer that plans for a tour marking the milestone have been put on hold due to COVID-19.

Hinds wrote all but one (Your House) of the nine songs on True Democracy which captured the British band at its creative zenith.

"It has most certainly held up after 40 years. I believe it's because of the initial impact it had when it first came on to the market. It was the freshest product that echoed the political energy of its time," said Hinds. "Therefore, packed with that kind of synergy and sentiment, the music-loving population had no other choice but to respond in a positive way towards its contents."

True Democracy was Steel Pulse's fourth album, following Handsworth Revolution, Tribute to The Martyrs, and Caught You which were released by Island Records.

Most of the band's members including Hinds, keyboardist Selwyn Brown and Alphonso Martin were born in the United Kingdom to Jamaican parents. Many of their songs reflected the racial and social indifference they faced in that country.

Hinds notes that the commentary on True Democracy is still relevant.

"People can still draw the parallel of what was happening back then during its release, and compare it to what's happening in today's society, right now. Songs like Blues Dance Raid was about police brutality and prejudice. That hasn't stopped or changed when one thinks of the amount of black lives that have been lost, murdered, unarmed, by policemen," he stated. "You take Rally Round The Flag (Worth His Weight in Gold); it became a form of a national anthem for many of us that are advocates for freedom, democracy and self-pride. Then there's A who's Responsible, although the purpose of writing that song was pertaining to a particular incident at the time, the core ingredients still resonates when you think of children being gunned down in the confines of their classrooms... unfortunately, it has been incidents like these that have kept True Democracy subconsciously at the forefront of our minds. And let's face it, all the grooves on the album are timeless," Hinds added.

The talented Pitterson produced Handsworth Revolution and Tribute to The Martyrs for Island , which was also home to Bob Marley and The Wailers whose 1978 album, Kaya, he also produced.

Pitterson had cut ties with Island when he met Steel Pulse on tour in New York in 1981. He seemed the perfect choice to produce their next album, but with the band having no record deal, there was a problem getting funding for production.

"So, when the tour ended, we teamed up with Karl and recorded five demos, hoping that a major record label in the USA would have accepted us... but it wasn't to be. That equated to, 'no money, no album'," Hinds recalled.

"But Jah was on our side. The news had reached Scandinavia about Steel Pulse. Apparently, there was a small record label over there that had a freshly built recording studio. They were curious to hear what a reggae band would sound like in there. We jumped on that opportunity by taking a boat from England to Denmark."

Hinds remembers the recording sessions at Feedback Studio in the city of Aarhus taking only 25 days. He said Pitterson pushed him and his bandmates to produce what is still considered their best work.

"After 40 years, I still remember the recording session as if it were yesterday. The last song to be recorded was A Who's Responsible. But the last track to be voiced was ' Rally Round'. It was already voiced before, but Karl was not satisfied with the delivery. He was not satisfied, at all! Problem... I disagreed with him," said Hinds.

"Then after a few days of deliberating I took his advice and decided to give the vocals another shot. As the years rolled by I became so contented within myself that I took his advice that day, because what I had previously laid was like and chalk and cheese."

True Democracy was eventually picked up by Elektra Records. It was a big hit in Jamaica where the band performed on major shows like Reggae Sunsplash.

They recorded two more albums for that company - Earth Crisis and Babylon The Bandit. The latter won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1987.

Caribbean

Entertainment

Ex-Zim Cricket Star Keith Dabengwa Appointed Denmark National Team Coach

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 01:10:01 +0000

Ex-Zim Cricket Star Keith Dabengwa Appointed Denmark National Team Coach

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 01:10

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Original Publisher

Diaspora | NewZimbabwe.com

Original Article

Ex-Zim Cricket Star Keith Dabengwa Appointed Denmark National Team Coach

By Sports Reporter

FORMER Zimbabwe cricket team all-rounder Keith Dabengwa has been appointed head coach of the Denmark national cricket team.

The 41-year-old, who last played in Zimbabwe’s domestic cricket circuit for Tuskers five years ago replaces English coach Ruan Louw.

The Denmark Cricket Association said in a statement that Dabengwa has since begun his duties in preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.

“The association has hired Kieth as a replacement for Ruan Louw. Unfortunately, Ruan only managed to be in the country for a few months before, for personal reasons, he wanted to resign and travel home to England. The union obviously had a nice dialogue with Ruan, so both he and we could move on quickly,” the Danish cricket board said in a statement.

The Denmark Cricket Association said Dabengwa is also working with former South Africa fast bowler Alfonso Thomas ahead of the upcoming assignments and is getting assistance from South Africa legend and former India coach, Gary Kirsten.

“Kieth is already started now, and together with Frederik Klokker, the final preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, which will be played in Desert Springs in Spain, are in full swing,” said the Danish association in a statement.

“Alfonso has a lot of relevant competencies and he looks forward to being involved in our efforts to deliver a positive result in Spain.

“We also have interesting support from Gary Kirsten. Gary and Keith are conducting a series of video sessions to inspire us in the final face before leaving for Spain. The team leaves on October 13 and returns on October 22. More info about the team and the tournament will follow soon.”

A product of Baines Junior and Milton High School in Bulawayo, Dabengwa made a name for himself in local cricket as a left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner.

Dabengwa played three tests and 37 ODIs for Zimbabwe in an international career spanning five years between 2005 and 2010.

After playing his last match for Zimbabwe in a One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh in Chattogram 11 years ago, Dabengwa alternated between playing for Matabeleland Tuskers in the domestic circuit and clubs in the United Kingdom.

He has been based in Denmark since 2016 when he moved to Copenhagen season to take up a Player/Coach position with the oldest cricket club in the European counter – Kjøbenhavns Boldklub.

Dabengwa had previously played for Scottish club Ferguslie Cricket Club since leaving Zimbabwe five years ago.

He will take charge of his first match as Denmark national team coach on October 15 when they take on Italy in an ICC World Cup qualifier at the Desert Springs Cricket Ground in Almeria, Spain.

The post Ex-Zim Cricket Star Keith Dabengwa Appointed Denmark National Team Coach appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.

Diaspora

News

La “plus grande éolienne du monde” par une entreprise chinoise

admin — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 12:40:01 +0000

La “plus grande éolienne du monde” par une entreprise chinoise admin Sat, 10/09/2021 - 12:40

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Original Publisher

The News Newspaper

Original Article

La “plus grande éolienne du monde” par une entreprise chinoise

Le chinois MingYang Smart Energy vient d’annoncer le développement d’une éolienne offshore plus puissante que la Haliade-X proposée par General Electric. Le MySE 16.0-242 aura une capacité nominale de 16 MW et devrait entrer en service en 2024.

Ming Yang Wind Power Group Limited est le plus grand fabricant privé d’éoliennes en Chine. Il y a quelques jours, la société a annoncé le développement l’une des plus grandes éoliennes offshore au monde avec une capacité nominale de 16 MW. Baptisée MySE 16.0-242, cette géante de 242 mètres de haut sera équipée de trois pales de 118 m capables de balayer une zone de 46 000 m² (l’équivalent de six terrains de football).

Selon l’entreprise, une seule turbine MySE 16.0-242 pourra générer 80 000 MWh d’électricité chaque année, suffisamment pour alimenter environ 20 000 foyers par unité. Niveau performance, c’est 45 % de plus que le modèle MySE 11.0-203 de la société, grâce à une augmentation de seulement 19 % du diamètre de la turbine et de la surface balayée. Chacune de ces éoliennes résistantes aux typhons, qui pourra être ancrée au fond de la mer ou sur une base flottante, aura une durée de vie de 25 ans.

Un premier prototype complet sera construit en 2022 pour être opérationnel d’ici 2023. La production commerciale devrait commencer au premier semestre 2024.

Une seule rotation de cette éolienne fournit de l’électricité à un foyer pour deux jours

La turbine Haliade-X de Generel Electric, la plus grande du monde, a récemment bénéficié d’une mise à jour la faisant passer de 12 MW à 13 MW. « Ses pales de 107 mètres de long seront en mesure de générer 4 % d’énergie de plus qu’auparavant », assure GE qui cite des chiffres ébouriffants sur son éolienne. Avec son mât de 248 mètres de haut et ses 38.000 m2 de surface balayés par les pales, cette dernière a ainsi battu un record de 312 MWh en une seule journée, ce qui signifie qu’une seule rotation peut alimenter un foyer britannique pendant deux jours ! Si l’on rapporte ce chiffre à la consommation d’électricité d’une maison de 50 mètres carrés en France (30 kWh), cela représente 8,3 secondes de fonctionnement.Bien entendu, c’est un record et la turbine ne tourne pas à pleine puissance tous les jours ni tout le temps. Cette version améliorée du prototype, qui fonctionne avec succès à Rotterdam depuis novembre 2019, sera installée dans les deux premières phases du parc éolien de Dogger Bank au Royaume-Uni, avec un total de 190 unités installées à partir de 2023. Il deviendra plus grand parc éolien offshore du monde. La production en série de la plate-forme Haliade-X débutera au second semestre 2021 à l’usine de GE à Saint-Nazaire, en France.

Un monstre de puissance

Grâce à ses proportions dantesques, l’engin offrirait également des performances 45% plus élevée que son prédécesseur MySE 11.0-203 ; sa puissance nominale de 16MW lui permettrait de générer 80000MWh d’électricité par an dans des conditions optimales. De quoi alimenter plus de 20.000 foyers selon le communiqué.

Au cours des 25 ans de services prévus pour cet édifice, il devrait permettre d’éviter l’émission d’1,6 millions de tonnes de CO2 dans l’atmosphère, par rapport à une production équivalente à partir d’une centrale à charbon.

MingYang Smart Energy revendique également une conception novatrice. Elle serait apparemment conçue pour pouvoir être montée soit sur des fondations sur le plancher océanique, soit sur une structure flottante. De plus, toute l’électronique et le transformateur ont été déplacés dans la nacelle afin d’en faciliter la maintenance.

La Chine continue donc à progresser sur l’éolien offshore. Si l’on se fie aux conclusions du dernier Global Wind Report, qui dresse chaque année un état des lieux, le pays fait en tout cas partie des plus actifs en la matière; il aurait installé à lui seul 55% des 93 GW d’éolien construits dans le monde en 2020. On peut donc raisonnablement s’attendre à voir fleurir des colosses encore plus grands et plus puissants dans les années à venir.

Toujours plus puissants

Le nouveau modèle proposé par MingYang Smart Energy sera le plus puissant du monde une fois opérationnel, mais il sera talonné par d’autres modèles capables de rivaliser. Le constructeur danois Vestas a notamment introduit en février dernier une éolienne offshore géante de 15 MW. Le premier prototype de ce modèle, baptisé V236-15,0 MW, devrait être installé en 2022, tandis que la production en série est prévue pour 2024.

Le fabricant d’éoliennes Siemens Gamesa a également annoncé en mai 2020 qu’il travaillait au développement d’éoliennes d’une capacité allant jusqu’à 15 MW, la plus grande au monde en construction à l’époque. Le prototype devrait être prêt à la fin de cette année 2021, avec des turbines disponibles dans le commerce courant 2024.

Rappelons également que la société General Electric (GE) est toujours à l’origine de la plus grande éolienne au monde en fonctionnement, la Haliade X qui tourne depuis fin 2019. Le modèle a récemment bénéficié d’une mise à jour ayant permis d’augmenter sa capacité de production (de 12 MW à 13 MW). GE a également récemment signé un contrat pour la livraison d’éoliennes Haliade-X 14 MW pour le parc éolien offshore Dogger Bank C, au Royaume-Uni.

Africa

Fin du pass sanitaire au Danemark, les premiers !

admin — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 12:30:01 +0000

Fin du pass sanitaire au Danemark, les premiers ! admin Sat, 10/09/2021 - 12:30

Friday, September 3, 2021

Original Publisher

The News Newspaper

Original Article

Fin du pass sanitaire au Danemark, les premiers !

Pionnier dans l’introduction du pass sanitaire, le Danemark a levé ce mercredi 1er septembre l’obligation de ce laissez-passer dans la quasi-totalité des lieux publics. Cette décision intervient quelques jours avant la levée de l’ensemble des restrictions en dépit de la propagation de la quatrième vague en Europe. « C’est un jour un peu particulier », concède Éric Poezevara, restaurateur à Copenhague. « On ne va pas le regretter, mais je trouve que c’était vraiment très bien de l’avoir mis en place. Cela a été le point de départ de l’espoir. »

Le « coronapass » – qui, comme en France, certifie d’un test négatif ou d’une immunisation contre le virus, soit par vaccination complète, soit parce qu’on a déjà contracté le Covid-19 – n’est donc plus nécessaire aux portes des salles de sport ou des salons de coiffure, mais restera obligatoire pour entrer dans les boîtes de nuit. Ce sera l’un des derniers lieux du pays soumis à cette règle sanitaire, étant donné que les musées et les salles de spectacles (avec moins de 500 personnes) en été déjà exemptés depuis le 1er août 2021.

Ainsi, avec 71,6 % de sa population entièrement vaccinée, conjuguée à la suspension du pass sanitaire, le pays scandinave de 5,8 millions d’habitants devrait bientôt retrouver un quotidien similaire à celui d’avant la pandémie. « L’épidémie est sous contrôle, nous avons des taux de vaccination record », a assuré vendredi dernier le ministre de la Santé, Magnus Heunicke.

La fin du « coronapass »

Lancé en catimini début mars pour la réouverture des zoos, le pass sanitaire danois avait été progressivement étendu, devenant le corollaire de chaque étape de la réouverture du pays. Avec 71,6 % de la population entièrement vaccinée, le pays scandinave de 5,8 millions d’habitants devrait retrouver bientôt un quotidien similaire à celui d’avant la pandémie.

Le « coronapas », qui certifie d’un test négatif ou d’une immunisation contre le virus, soit par vaccination complète soit parce qu’on a déjà contracté le Covid-19, ne doit plus être présenté à partir de mercredi que dans les boîtes de nuit, qui rouvrent ce jour.

Il disparaît des salles de sport ou les salons de coiffures mercredi et n’était plus obligatoire depuis le 1er août dans les musées et salles de spectacles avec moins de 500 personnes.

Le 10 septembre, date choisie par l’exécutif pour lever toutes les restrictions, après avoir déjà relégué le masque aux oubliettes mi-août, il ne sera plus du tout requis.

« L’épidémie est sous contrôle, nous avons des taux de vaccination record », a assuré le ministre de la Santé, Magnus Heunicke, justifiant la levée des restrictions.

Avec environ un millier de nouveaux cas par jour, le Danemark n’est « pas sorti de l’épidémie », a-t-il toutefois prévenu.

Pour l’OMS, le Danemark « champion de la couverture vaccinale » a les moyens d’assouplir les règles grâce à la qualité de son système de dépistage et au séquençage.

L’entrée au Danemark reste, elle, toutefois sujette à la présentation d’un passeport sanitaire et/ou d’un test négatif.

Paris risqué ?

Il faut dire que les chiffres sont encourageants dans ce pays de 5,8 millions d’habitants, avec 72% de sa population intégralement vaccinée. En outre, les plus de 85 ans sont 96% à être protégés et le taux d’incidence a été baissé à 102 pour 100.000 habitants, contre 179 en France.

Du fait de ces résultats, les autorités locales ont levé progressivement les restrictions, jusqu’au 10 septembre, date à laquelle les Danois retrouveront effectivement « le monde d’avant. » A l’antenne de BFMTV, Yannick Crozier propriétaire d’un restaurant appelé « La pétanque » à Copenhague, fait état de la situation locale.

« Ça fait un petit moment que les choses vont beaucoup mieux, le mois dernier on n’avait plus besoin de masques et hier plus besoin de contrôler les coronapass. On reste prudents, j’ai des amis malades dernièrement, le virus est là mais je crois qu’il y a plus de 72% de vaccinés, il y a peu de malades en réanimation, c’est une situation assez positive », estime-t-il.

Cependant, le pari pris par les autorités danoises peut s’avérer risqué. Toujours à notre antenne Hélène Rossinot, médecin spécialiste de santé publique, estime que toutes les conditions à une levée quasi-totale des mesures restrictives ne sont peut-être pas réunies.

« Ils ont une vaccination qui est très élevée, certes, mais ils ne sont pas non plus à 90% de la population. On va voir ce que ça donne chez eux, c’est très bien que les personnes très âgées soient vaccinées. Nous on a du mal encore à aller chercher ces derniers pourcentages dans les territoires », conclut-elle.

Une campagne de vaccination plus rapide

Si la levée du pass sanitaire au Danemark a été aussi précoce, c’est également grâce à une campagne de vaccination qui a été particulièrement rapide. Selon les derniers chiffres communiqués par les autorités sanitaires, au moins 71,5% de la population danoise est complètement vaccinée contre le Covid-19, et 96% des personnes de plus de 85 ans est protégée face au virus. En France, 66% de la population est dans cette situation.

Le gouvernement danois reste cependant prudent en ce qui concerne l’évolution future de la situation sanitaire, dans un contexte où « de nouveaux variants apparaissent » et « menacent le contrôle de l’épidémie ». Si le pass sanitaire s’apprête brusquement à quitter la vie des Danois, les autorités ont davantage de mal à abandonner le masque. En France, le gouvernement a fixé la fin du pass sanitaire au 15 novembre prochain. Les autorités se réservent le droit de prolonger l’échéance « si le Covid-19 ne disparaissait pas de nos vies », s’est inquiété le ministre de la Santé, Olivier Véran.

Africa

SVG reports 99 new COVID19 cases for October 4

admin — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 20:50:01 +0000

SVG reports 99 new COVID19 cases for October 4

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admin Fri, 10/08/2021 - 20:50

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Original Publisher

Searchlight

Original Article

SVG reports 99 new COVID19 cases for October 4

Ninety-nine (99) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from five hundred and seventeen (517) samples processed on Monday October 4th, 2021, resulting in a positivity of 19.1%. One (1) imported case was detected in a fully vaccinated passenger from Denmark. Two (2) other cases were detected on exit screening. All other cases are contacts of known positive cases and persons seeking care.

There are currently twenty-three (23) patients admitted for COVID-19 at the Argyle Isolation Facility. Twenty-one (21) are unvaccinated and two (2) patients are fully vaccinated. Twenty-one (21) patients are admitted to the COVID-19 wards at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Nineteen (19) patients are unvaccinated, and two (2) patients are partially vaccinated.

Three (3) new recoveries were noted over the reporting period. One thousand and four hundred (1400) cases are currently active and thirty-three (33) persons with COVID-19 have died. Three thousand nine hundred and sixty-five (3965) cases of COVID-19 and two thousand, five hundred and thirty-two (2532) recoveries have been recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since March 2020.

In view of the confirmed presence of the Delta, Mu and Gamma variants in the community and the significant increase in the number of new infections, transmission, severe COVID-19 disease and deaths, strict enforcement and compliance with all protocols and recommendations by everyone is strongly recommended. The correct and consistent use of masks, avoidance of crowds, physical distancing, proper hand sanitizing and immunization with available vaccines have all been proven to significantly reduce the risk of being infected, getting sick and or dying from the COVID-19 virus.

Caribbean

News

Gun Resembling Lego Toy Sparks Backlash In US

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 02:30:01 +0000

Gun Resembling Lego Toy Sparks Backlash In US

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admin Fri, 07/23/2021 - 02:30

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Original Publisher

St. Lucia Times News

Original Article

Gun Resembling Lego Toy Sparks Backlash In US

A US gun company is facing a backlash for producing a pistol that looks like a children’s toy made of Lego. Culper Precision said its customised Glock weapon, named Block19, was developed to “highlight the pure enjoyment of the shooting sports”. But Danish toymaker Lego has written to the company demanding that it stop producing […]

This article Gun Resembling Lego Toy Sparks Backlash In US appeared first on St. Lucia Times News.

Caribbean

News

Businessman Bali Vaswani advises a more planned approach to economic reopening

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 06:10:01 +0000

Businessman Bali Vaswani advises a more planned approach to economic reopening

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admin Tue, 07/20/2021 - 06:10

Friday, July 9, 2021

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

Businessman Bali Vaswani advises a more planned approach to economic reopening

Jamaica is being cautioned to take a measured approach to relaxing COVID-19 measures. The caution comes from Bali Vaswani, chairman and CEO of ganja store Kaya Herb House, which is dependent on the tourism industry for growth.

He said the country could adopt protocols enacted in Copenhagen, Denmark; where an app is used to grant access for cinemas, bars and entertainment events.

In Jamaica, churches and cinemas are being allowed to operate at 70 per cent capacity, even though less than ten per cent of the island's population is vaccinated.

He told the Jamaica Observer's Caribbean Business Report:"I personally had the opportunity in the past few weeks to see how the protocols are working in Copenhagen in which there was an app which showcased three things: a digital vaccine card, all COVID-19 test results and a simple secure health certificate which showed a person has been tested within the last 72 hours to be able to go to cinemas, bars, events, among others, without masks."

"You know exactly where everybody stands which could be easily done parish by parish, especially the tourism corridor where most workers and visitors have been vaccinated or tested within the last 72 hours."

Vaswani said that although Jamaica is "at a very delicate stage in terms of the recent reopening of the entertainment industry, which is very important to our business and the industry, we still need to ensure that the protocols work in terms of higher engagement of Jamaicans getting vaccinated along with wider testing availability."

There is a risk, he said, that "the country going back to stricter measures, which would have a negative impact on most businesses and as most of us overnight and we have to be able to adapt and make operations on the front line and understand changes can happen more frequently."

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Akumu confident ahead of Champions League clash

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 08:30:01 +0000

Akumu confident ahead of Champions League clash admin Sun, 02/28/2021 - 08:30

Sunday, February 28, 2021

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Nairobi News

Original Article

Akumu confident ahead of Champions League clash

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu asserts the 'underdog' tag will not affect his side in the Caf Champions League clash against Wydad Casablanca. Cheifs will meet the Morrocans, who are seasoned contenders in this competition, on Sunday in a clash to be played in neutral Burkina Faso owing to coronavirus-led challenges. “Wydad Athletic are a good side, they've been in the competition and they are still there, I don't know for how many years, but they have been there and have been doing well,” he told Chiefs media. “They are a semi-finalist or quarter-finalist team because every time they are there. On our side, maybe we will look like underdogs but that's a good sign because maybe they don't know us, and we don't know them, so that's another good thing. “For us, we will just go there, play our game the way we know, and do our best to get maximum points. The game is played on a neutral ground is even better because it's a place we don’t know and they are also not familiar with. That’s a good part about it.” Chiefs began their Group C campaign with a 0-0 draw against Guinean champions Horoya at home on Tuesday. That left the Soweto giants third on the standings and Akumu says that does not take away their Champions League ambitions despite their domestic woes. “It’s very important to get three points. We have ambition in the group stage of the Champions League,” said Akumu. If you see back in the PSL we are not doing that good, we are not collecting the points needed but this is the only trophy we have and looking forward to. It will be so good for us and the whole Kaizer Chiefs fraternity if we can get the three points it will give us a boost. I believe we can do that. “I think the spirit is there and everyone is eager because we didn't get maximum points in the last game which was the first game we played in the group stage. But coming to this now, we believe and trust that we prepared well, and we are ready for the game.” After the Wydad match, Chiefs’ next Champions League assignment is hosting Petro Atletico on March 6. Akumu is one of the most experienced Kenyan players in African football. He's featured for Kenyan bigwigs Gor Mahia, before enjoying stints in Denmark at Randers, Sudan club Al Khartoum, and Zesco United with whom he won the Zambia league title and featured in the semis of the Champions League.

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