Norway

Liberia’s Informal Businesses Make Strides Despite Covid-19 Interruption

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:20:01 +0000

Liberia’s Informal Businesses Make Strides Despite Covid-19 Interruption

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__1379.png

admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:20

Friday, June 17, 2022

Original Publisher

Business – FrontPageAfrica

Original Article

Liberia’s Informal Businesses Make Strides Despite Covid-19 Interruption

Monrovia – Liberians have once again shown how resilient they are, having weathered the civil war and Ebola. Though battered and bruised by COVID-19, they have stood strong, demonstrating a tremendous ability to withstand harsh times.

Ramatu Shariff, 55, a mother of eight boys, lives in Monrovia’s Clay Street making a living selling spaghetti, acheke (a cassava delicacy prepared with fish, sausage, and pepper sauce), and plantain chips off the front porch of her house, mainly to school children.

We found her home with three of her sons: the eldest, 37, who was quietly practicing his trade – repairing shoes; Abraham, 22, who served as our interpreter; and the last born, barely two years old.

She said the COVID-19 lockdowns halved her income.

Abraham was forced to drop out of school due to a decline in their household incomes. He used to travel to neighboring Guinea to buy sneakers to sell in Monrovia. He said COVID-19 wiped out his business.

“When COVID came, people were first scared of touching the shoes in case they contracted the disease. I eventually sold all my stock then and had to live off all my earnings and savings. I have nothing to use to rebuild my business,” he said with great pain in his eyes.

These are some of the stories we gathered from small informal business owners in Liberia about how COVID-19 impacted their lives, and their determination to pick up the pieces and forge ahead despite pandemic setbacks because this is how they feed and care for their families. Alternative livelihood opportunities are scarce, and recovery is slow.

In response to the COVID-19 lockdowns, UNDP Liberia undertook a rapid survey of 20,000 vulnerable street vendors and home-based informal businesses across 10 counties, randomly selecting 6,000 businesses which benefited from a one-off cash transfer to tide them over the loss of business. The cash transfers were funded by the governments of Canada and Norway.

UNDP further supported the government of Liberia to undertake a detailed digital Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) on informal businesses earlier this year. Conducted in collaboration with Crisis Bureau’s SURGE Data Hub, the survey covered more than 8,000 households in 11 of the country’s 15 counties where Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) thrive. Interim findings confirmed the importance of the informal business sector, affirming that 80 percent of the country’s population aged over 15 years are engaged in informal businesses.

More than 33,400 people in the counties of Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, Rivergee and Sinoe were interviewed between January and March 2022 about how COVID-19 had impacted their lives and businesses. The interviews were conducted by Liberia’s Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), with coordination oversight by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

“These early findings confirm the critical role of the informal sector in Liberia’s economy, particularly its potential for creating employment for the youthful population, and for the overall prosperity of the country,” said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Liberia. “Without the creativity, innovation and resilience of informal businesses, which provided a critical cushioning effect against COVID-19, life would have been absolutely devastating for most Liberians”.

In the coming weeks, LISGIS, working with UNDP’s SURGE Data Hub, a UNDP Crisis Bureau initiative, will further analyze the findings of the study to better understand the contributions of the informal sector to the Liberian economy, and develop a multi-vulnerability index based on the sector workers’ experiences during COVID-19. The analysis will be used to inform the government’s policies for green, inclusive post-pandemic recovery.

“The lack of solid data on the levels of informality in the economy has long been a cause of concern not only to the government, but also for our development partners,” said Hon. Samuel D. Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning. “Without this data, it is extremely difficult to make good policy decisions and design appropriate programmes for the sector,” the Minister concluded.

“Often, we need information on sectoral contributions to national income, but the information has not been easy to come by. The use of digital tools for data collection and analysis for the first time ever has enabled us to more reliably gauge the full extent and contribution of the informal sector, and the impacts of the pandemic on what is truly the largest sector of the economy numerically,” said Francis F Wreh, Director General, LISGIS.

Liberia has achieved a historic milestone by successfully completing the country’s first-ever comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment, using digital tools to collect and analyze highly detailed data about informal businesses.

The precise data collected about each respondent can be used in many ways including developing a registry of informal sector workers in the country; specifically targeting social protection payments down to a household and a specific person in the home, as well as developing initiatives that are driven by what people said they need as opposed to top-down prescriptive interventions. The data will also enable the government to compute the informal sector’s contribution to the GDP using primary data from respondents, as opposed to using guesstimates.

Africa

Business

Shipping Schedule: Week Starting June 11

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 21:00:01 +0000

Shipping Schedule: Week Starting June 11

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__12212.jpg

admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 21:00

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Original Publisher

Bernews » Business

Original Article

Shipping Schedule: Week Starting June 11

The Department of Marine & Ports Services has released the weekly shipping schedule for ship arrivals commencing on Saturday June 11th. On Saturday the Adventure of the Seas is expected, on Sunday the Norwegian Pearl will arrive, and on Monday the Oleander container ship, MY Bold superyacht and the Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship […]

(Click to read the full article)

Caribbean

Business

Kwagala wins European Union Human Rights award 2022

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 08:00:01 +0000

Kwagala wins European Union Human Rights award 2022

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__12013.jpg

admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 08:00

Friday, June 17, 2022

Original Publisher

Headlines

Original Article

Kwagala wins European Union Human Rights award 2022

A human rights lawyer and executive director of the Women’s Probono Initiative, PRIMAH KWAGALA, 34, is the 2022 winner of the European Union Human Rights Defenders’ award.

The award is given annually by the EU member states and the Embassy of Norway to recognize an outstanding contribution by a human rights defender who often works in difficult circumstances in Uganda. Yudaya Nangonzi attended the event at the residence of the ambassador of Belgium in Kololo last week.

An individual eligible for the award is nominated by another person or human rights organization active in the country. Out of the 85 nominations, only three people made it to the shortlist; Primah Kwagala, lawyer Eron Kiiza, and Yisto Kayinga Muddu.

Kiiza was recognized for taking on high-profile cases to court by defending human rights activist Nicholas Opiyo and novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija as well as leading a campaign against the continued degradation of Bugoma forest which generated public and legal debate against the Hoima sugar company last year.

Kayinga is a coordinator of the Community Transformation Foundation Network which strives for equal access to basic services and human rights protection based in Greater Masaka. Kwagala emerged a winner in recognition of her outstanding recent work to advance human rights, particularly the rights of women.

The panel cited the Covid-19 lockdown when she worked tirelessly to ensure the release of women that were unjustly incarcerated for curfew violations, including mothers who were seeking medical treatment for their babies.

In 2019, Kwagala also helped secure the repatriation of several women who had been trafficked to the Middle East and were trapped in difficult conditions. Speaking at the ceremony, the ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, Rudi Veestraeten, said it was a difficult process to narrow the shortlist to just three people but Kwagala stood out because her work has ensured that legal aid is extended to many indigent women.

“Women in Uganda face numerous challenges and the Covid pandemic has further exacerbated the situation. The state and its authorities need to urgently take part in the collective effort to respect and defend human rights for all Ugandans regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation,” Veestraeten said.

He said that far too often, some of the victims of violations are compensated during the process, and actions by the government are halted.

“The state agents responsible for violations need to be properly held accountable. We have so far seen none of this. The EU member states will continue to have these difficult conversations to chat a pathway to a situation of greater respect for human rights and a brighter future for all Ugandans,” he said.

EXCITING AWARD

While receiving the award, Kwagala acknowledged that she didn’t expect to emerge the overall winner. She said Kiiza and Kayinga were equally outstanding advocates of human rights, especially with Kiiza who has dominated the media over the Kakwenza case.

“This award is very exciting because being seen at the core of the fight for a right to dignity is heartwarming. We don’t receive any funding from the EU but people nominated us. This is applauding and means a lot to my team,” Kwagala, who joined the legal profession in 2010, said.

She added: “I was shocked because I work with very poor women. Who cares about them? Many a time, my peers in the legal profession wonder why I waste billable hours with people who are not going to pay me. They find it weird but I insisted that women deserve to be protected.”

Kiiza described her as a committed, knowledgeable, and hardworking lawyer who has women and young girls at heart.

“I missed the award but I am glad it went to the right person. Primah has impacted women and she deserved it. I encourage her to keep pressing for justice because not everyone has the money to pay for legal services in this country,” Kiiza said.

INSPIRATION

Kwagala comes from a lineage of strong women that have worked so hard to impact her life. She is inspired by her grandmother Kevina Nangobi whose desire to join formal education was cut short by her father.

“I always say my grandmother is the force that pushes me hardest. Born in the 1930s, she desired to study but her father sent only her brothers to school. She always told me that the only education she achieved was attending catechism classes at her Catholic church in the village. So, every time, she kept asking me to go to school and share my experience because she is illiterate,” Kwagala said.

She urged participants at the ceremony to level the playing field for a girl or woman by equipping them with tangible resources to enable them to lead independent lives.

nangonzi@observer.ug

{loadposition inarticle}

Africa

News

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

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__11962.jpg

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

Diaspora Ethiopians vow to rehabilitate war-victims

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 07:40:02 +0000

Diaspora Ethiopians vow to rehabilitate war-victims admin Wed, 02/23/2022 - 07:40

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Original Publisher

News – Ethiopian Press Agency

Original Article

Diaspora Ethiopians vow to rehabilitate war-victims

ADDIS ABABA- Diaspora Ethiopians who paid visit to war-affected areas recently voiced commitment to contribute financial and material support to peoples affected by the terrorist TPLF aggression in the Amhara and Afar states.

Approached by the local media, members of the Ethiopian Diaspora expressed dejection over the immense humanitarian and material damage that have been caused by the criminal clique.

Zelalem Tessema, from the UK, said he witnessed the humanitarian crisis in Afar State that has been triggered by the massive destruction and looting on public and private properties by the rebellious faction.

“During my visit to Chifra, in Afar State, I had seen a significant number of people displaced from homes and damaged institutions.

So, our team has promised to rebuild one of the destroyed hospitals which served more than 150 thousand people prior to the war.

” He lauded efforts the state government has done in restoring peace and enabling the public to resume daily lives.

Another Diaspora, Sewasew Sileshi, from Norway highlighted that TPLF has forced millions of Ethiopians to live under harsh conditions.

“Having visited the damaged schools and health centers, we decided to reconstruct the facilities with better quality.” Noting some members of the Ethiopian Diaspora were hijacked by the Western media lies, Sewasew avail them the opportunity to realize the objective reality.

“Until our visit to Amhara and Afar states, we were inclined to believe the disinformation that was carried out by the corporate media. In fact, the reality is absolutely different from what was said by the Western press.

” “We members of the Ethiopian community in Virginia agreed to mobilize 500 million USD and we have donated some materials that will support the injured soldiers.

We consolidate the support of our fellow citizens at home,” said Abel Gashe, a Diaspora residing in the U.S.

BY YESUF ENDRIS

The Ethiopian Herald 13 February 2022

Africa

News

On the Menu - January Light(er) Fare: Zesty Salmon with Tomatoes & Callaloo

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 03:30:01 +0000

On the Menu - January Light(er) Fare: Zesty Salmon with Tomatoes & Callaloo

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__11108.jpg

admin Mon, 02/21/2022 - 03:30

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

On the Menu - January Light(er) Fare: Zesty Salmon with Tomatoes & Callaloo

When seeking a light yet hearty dish, look to Italians. The culture has perfected straightforward cooking that highlights quality ingredients. Regardless of simplicity, they have maximum flavour. Many Italian dishes, especially from the south, are heart-healthy - no wonder the Mediterranean diet is loved by cardiovascular doctors worldwide.

Each week we get a delivery of fresh, never-frozen salmon at Butcher Block. However, we are always stocked with frozen Norwegian salmon of the highest quality whenever that runs out. At first glance, it may seem that salmon is the star of this week's recipe. However, tomatoes and callaloo make this one-skillet dish sing! The original recipe calls for spinach, but callaloo's heartier leaves allow for this to truly become a one-pot meal without the need for sides. And whether you're using plummy or salad tomatoes, the riper, the better. The natural sweetness of the fruit balances the herbaceousness of the callaloo and the spiciness of the chilli flakes.

Keep your resolutions and feel like you've had a cheat meal with this dish. The recipe yields four portions and takes just 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 pound skin-on salmon fillets divided into four equal pieces (four ounces each)

3 cups chopped callaloo, stems removed

3 cups chopped tomatoes

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

½ cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 medium-sized yellow (or white) onion, chopped (approximately ¾ cups)

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon Butcher Block Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salt, to taste (optional)

Method:

Place a skillet on medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the red pepper flakes, paprika, Butcher Block Italian seasoning, and cracked black pepper. Once the oil smells fragrant, add the salmon skin-side down. Cook for three minutes, flip, and cook for another three minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Add the garlic and chopped onion in the same skillet and at the same temperature. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Add chopped callaloo and cook for eight minutes. Add tomatoes and white wine and cook for five more minutes.

Add chopped basil and stir. Return the cooked salmon to the pan, cover with the callaloo-tomato sauce, reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for five minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Photos: Healthier Steps, Eat Well, & Pinterest

Caribbean

Living Standard

Job cuts loom at Kenya Airways

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 06:50:01 +0000

Job cuts loom at Kenya Airways

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__9904.jpg

admin Tue, 02/15/2022 - 06:50

Monday, February 7, 2022

Original Publisher

Business

Original Article

Job cuts loom at Kenya Airways

Struggling national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) is set for a fresh round of job cuts in a major restructuring plan linked to the Sh26.6 billion Treasury bailout that seeks to save it from collapse.

The airline will have to drop some of its routes, rationalise the frequencies of flights, operate a smaller fleet and maintain a lean workforce.

KQ chief executive Allan Kilavuka said the funds would strengthen their cash flow and speed up reforms on its route network, fleet and operations.

“It’s, however, important to mention that the financial support from government is also conditional on Kenya Airways and all other stakeholders, such as suppliers, bankers, shareholders and employees adhering to the agreed reforms to support the turnaround,” he said in a letter to employees.

Restructuring

“While the good news is that we have already taken some measures, including staff rationalisation and cost containment measures, we need to up the momentum for the next phase to ensure that the future of pour airline is guaranteed,” he added.

Mr Kilavuka said the restructuring will be guided by a US-based consultancy firm, Seabury Group.

“Seabury will conduct a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the business and business plans, support leadership in developing a comprehensive restructuring plan covering the network, fleet and required resources and implement the restructuring plan” he said.

Seabury has over the years been appointed by several airlines around the world, including India’s Jet Airways, German air Berlin Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle to advise on cutting losses, revenue growth, and debt restructure.

The Treasury sought to offer Kenya Airways Sh53.4 billion in direct budget support in the fiscal year that ends in June 2022 as well as the subsequent one, making it the largest corporate bailout.

The government is the largest shareholder in KQ with a 48.7 per cent equity share and its exposure to the airline also includes Sh84.81 billion of guarantees to creditors.

KQ has a fleet of 36 aircraft, 19 of which it wholly owns while the rest are leased. Embraer makes up the bulk of its fleet at 15. The airline flies to 56 destinations worldwide – 46 of which are in Africa.

The airline closed 2020 with a workforce of 3,652, having lost about 1,123 employees. Half of the airline staff left through resignations or voluntary early retirements.

Performance tracker

In a strategy aimed at safeguarding the success of the reforms at KQ, the Treasury said the airline’s board of directors would be placed on a performance tracker.

“This will involve implementing a tracker to monitor key actions and milestones in the restructuring process, such as trimming the network, rationalising frequencies and the fleet and addressing the high-cost structure, including the salary or wage bill with a clear measuring system,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani said in a report to the International Monetary Fund(IMF) last year.

Owing to its severe cash flow problems over the past three years, KQ has not been able to pay lessors and creditors’ due invoices, resulting in significant outstanding obligations.

The company had to negotiate moratoriums and waivers with lenders and lessors and has been dependent on cash injections from the budget. Even before the pandemic, this was negatively impacting KQ’s operations.

The airline posted a Sh11.49 billion net loss in the six months that ended in June — a 19.8 percent cut from the Sh14.33 billion loss it incurred in the preceding period. This took its accumulated losses over the years to above Sh127 billion.

Liabilities outstripped assets

KQ’s liabilities outstripped assets by Sh73.85 billion as at the end of June compared with Sh64.16 billion in June last year, keeping it technically insolvent.

Accumulated losses and revenue dip caused the company to breach the terms set by global financiers, underlining the airline’s debt distress.

KQ was privatised 24 years ago but sank into debt and losses in 2014 after a failed expansion drive, costly purchase of aircraft, and a slump in travellers after a major terror attack.

[email protected]ke.nationmedia.com

Africa

Business

Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl is dead

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 08:40:01 +0000

Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl is dead

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__10474.jpg

admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 08:40

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl is dead

Veteran Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl died on Monday at the age of 96. Her son, actor Lorenzo Lamas, made the announcement of her death in a verified Facebook post.

The cause of her death was not disclosed.

"I will remember her laughter, her joy, her dignity as she navigated the challenges that she faced," Lamas said. "Never an ill word about anyone crossed her lips," Lamas noted in the post.

He added, "Her ability to forgive left me speechless at times. She truly was a force of nature and as we got closer in my adult life, I leaned on her more and more as my life counselor and the person I knew that lived and loved to the fullest... Love you mom forever."

Lamas is best known to Jamaican audiences for his role as Lance Gioberti on the 1980's soap Falcon Crest, the grandson of Jane Wyman's character Angella Channing. The soap was popular in Jamaica during its run on the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation Television ( JBC-TV).

Arlene Dahl was also a favourite among movie fans. Locally, her films were shown on JBC-TV. In the 1980's JBC-TV's popular Thursday Afternoon at the Movies (TAM), which was hosted by veteran actress and broadcaster Leonie Forbes, aired several of Dahl's films. Among them were 1953's Jamaica Run co-starring Ray Milliand and 1952's Caribbean Gold with actor John Payne. Both films were shot on location in Jamaica.

Dahl was famous in Technicolor movies of the 1950s including Journey to the Center of the Earth and Three Little Words.

Dahl was married six times. One of her ex-husbands was actor Fernando Lamas, father of Lorenzo.

When her movie career ended, Dahl remained prominent in television, including a three-year stint in the soap opera One Life to Live in the mid-1980s. She also made frequent appearances on The Love Boat in the 1980s, and guest-starred on her son Lorenzo's series Renegade and Air America in the late 1990s.

Of Norwegian descent, Dahl was born in 1925 in Minneapolis, where her father was a Ford dealer. She was signed by Warner Bros, making her first credited appearance in the 1947 musical My Wild Irish Rose.

Caribbean

Entertainment

Two Squirrels culled on Bequia

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 04:10:01 +0000

Two Squirrels culled on Bequia

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__10358.jpg

admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 04:10

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Original Publisher

Searchlight

Original Article

Two Squirrels culled on Bequia

Two red-tailed squirrels were making a home for themselves in a field among coconut and mango trees in Bequia.

But both animals are now considered to be dead after the Forestry division took steps to cull them.

“…An exotic species in a very small island like Bequia could be potential for problems,” Director Forestry Fitzgerald Providence commented yesterday, and he noted that once squirrels get into a new environment they can take over.

The news of the presence of the red-tailed squirrel (Sciurus granatensis), which usually resides in a subtropical climate and countries across South and Central America, was brought to light when a Bequia resident made a post about them on Facebook.

Subsequently, around seven forestry officers travelled to the Grenadine Island on Wednesday December 1, to an area called Thomas Hill leading to Spring.

There they observed the squirrels in a field and “scurrying in and out of a tree.”

The report was of two squirrels, and two were observed on that day. A female squirrel was culled, and its carcass kept for the purpose of carrying out a necropsy.

Part of the reason for a necropsy would be to determine whether it was carrying any diseases, Providence explained, but added, “we didn’t pick up any known diseases that could come in with the squirrel at the time, but we’re following up in terms of the investigation.”

The sex of the other squirrel was not determined as it was only injured and no carcass was collected.

In terms of whether or not this squirrel may have lived, the Director noted that the animal has a high metabolic rate, and “the officer stayed around for a while to see if it will come back to feed, and they didn’t find that it came back. That means that it was probably seriously injured or died, it’s just that they didn’t see it at the time.”

The Forestry Division had written in a post one day after the culling that “the animals were brought to the island without an importation permit, veterinary and or health certificates. That introduction was an irresponsible and illegal act.”

“We tend to do some very irresponsible acts in terms of bringing in plants and animals without the proper certification or phytosanitary checks,” Providence said yesterday. He said while other invasive species such as the Norway rat and the Anolis Sagrei came into St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) by hiding away on ships and containers, “I can’t see a squirrel hiding on a ship or a boat and coming in without people noticing it.”

However, while they began some investigative work in Bequia last week, they were not able to uncover any information as yet as to who may be responsible for the presence of that species of the rodent family on the island.

The Director also noted that persons who look at the television may realise that there are concerns in the Florida Everglades with exotic species like anacondas that are causing problems.

“…Persons bring in animals as pets and then they release them into the wild because they either get too big for them or they can’t control them. So instead of calling the authorities and getting some guidance on them because they may have brought them in illegally, they just let them go in the wild,” Providence stated.

“We’ve not only had problems with these squirrels, but we have had turtles released in our streams, little pet turtles, and they get away then they eat all the aquatic animals in our streams and rivers, and then persons’ livelihoods are impacted.”

In the case of these squirrels, “persons were concerned they were eating all their young coconuts, and coconut water is a livelihood here in St Vincent. So if you have squirrels eating all the baby coconuts then you would have no coconut water. Also they were biting the mangoes…”

Providence described them as very energetic animals which always need to be feeding.

“…If we have squirrels eating up all the mangoes and also eating up all the coconut then the price goes up and then persons can’t enjoy the pleasure of having a coconut water,” he offered as an example.

Therefore, he emphasised, “persons should not bring in pet animals without the proper certification and permission to bring them in, and if they get out of control they must not release them into the wild because they can become a problem immediately and in the near future.”

Caribbean

News

Boozy Bartender Stories @ Spanish Court Hotel

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 14:10:01 +0000

Boozy Bartender Stories @ Spanish Court Hotel

/sites/default/files/imported_articles_images/node__10015.jpg

admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 14:10

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

Boozy Bartender Stories @ Spanish Court Hotel

Get in the spirit with the charismatic and spirited Maurice Blair, bartender at Kingston's Spanish Court Hotel. Kingstonian by birth, Blair was raised in Kingston as well as St Elizabeth. I install myself at the Skybar around the recently renovated pool bar and immediately wonder how Blair first entered this wonderful world of mixology.

"It's a world that I've always lived in," says Blair, who enjoyed seeing bartenders in action, whenever he got the chance. "I love to see a well-stocked bar, the colours and textures. Anywhere I have seen bartenders making drinks, I stop and watch to see how it all comes together. Seeing it on the shelf is one thing, but when you see the process it is another. For me, that was amazing, and I wanted to be a part of it."

As the youngest of seven children, Blair grew up in a house that was always fully-stocked. "Our house was always vibrant and happy. We had our times, but it was always pleasant and chirpy. My mother always had spirits in the house. There was a whole bar under her bed - gins, rums, a bottle of tequila at one point in time! She would take them out for specific occasions. You would just see a bottle appear not knowing where it came from. The first time I saw a bottle of Beefeater gin was when I saw her putting it back under her bed, always with a warning - leave my stuff alone, do not go under there. And no one did. My mum is an amazing woman! My father was an avid J Wray & Nephew white overproof drinker. He would have it with room temperature tap water. May daddy's spirit rest in peace."

After leaving Meadowbrook High [School] Blair set his sights on working on a cruise ship. "At the time, the only cruise ship I saw was a picture of a huge vessel parting beautiful blue water. The sign read: The best cruise ship in the world, Norwegian Cruise Lines. I imagined being a bartender on a cruise ship and even though I wasn't trained at the time I thought that I would work on a cruise ship one day."

Though that day never came, Blair was still able to realise part of his dream of becoming a bartender. "Instead of travelling the world, my guests travel to me. I travel the world through my craft! It opens a whole new world of discovery learning more about where they are from. I have a list of all the countries in the world and usually tick off the country of a person I have served. With each guest I am transported to another place and sometimes, you can bring people together around the bar.

"I got the surprise of my life two years ago when I served a lady at the Cabana Bar. It was just three of us - two guests and me. After hearing the lady speak, I became curious about where she was from. I also like to play the accent game. It is a major ice-breaker and is game-changing. People like that, you take genuine interest in them. We were trying to pick up the lady's accent. The other guest thought she was from the UK and Europe - Germany, Austria, Belgium - turns out she was from Malta - I have never met anyone from Malta! That night, I went home and checked Malta off the list."

"I love bartending and mixology! I love calling myself a bartender and I have a huge passion for it. I love my job. I do a lot of reading on my own time and discover new drinks, and the bartenders who make them. I learn about their persona."

Blair's career started in banqueting, in 2001, at various Kingston hotels. "Banqueting was like a foundation for me! It was there I learned about service." Routinely, I would go and stand in the bar to watch the bartenders at work, after completing banqueting service - I met the infamous Beefeater gin again! I was also in school and received certification in Wine Service and Catering from B & E School of Catering, located at Norwood Ave at the time. It was there that I discovered cocktails like the Mai Tai and Yellow Bird. They caught my eye."

I asked Blair how he landed at Spanish Court Hotel. "I was working somewhere and a friend of mine called me to work a function at Spanish Court Hotel. I had walked by and wondered what it would be like to work there. This was October, 2010. The function was in Valencia C - it was six of us and we were very experienced in banqueting. One of the managers, Lee-Ann Godfrey - I have a tremendous amount of respect for that lady. Godfrey briefed us for the evening. When the function was over she came back to the room and told us that we were amazing! I said it is just a pity it is just one function. To my surprise, Godfrey reminded me that it was not just one but three weeks of functions! I was excited. After the three weeks the restaurant manager asked if we could stay for Restaurant Week! It was crazy busy, but we did it! At the end of that week, I prepared my résumé and asked Godfrey if I could give it to her. She said yes and took my résumé. Then she asked me when I could start working at Spanish Court. I replied, 'My time is your time.' Godfrey replied, 'can you start tomorrow?' I accepted with hands raised in jubilation... I've not looked back!

I was put on the roster for the very next day. It began with a one-month internship, and it is just history from there. I enjoy being here. I like the diversity of guests that Spanish Court attracts. I've met some amazing people here right at this bar that have made an impact on my life over some incredible wine and cocktails!"

Blair continues to be inspired and wants to see more indigenous fruits used in cocktails and innovation in what is currently being offered. People like cocktails that are not as alcohol-forward. Now we tipple!

Mai Tai à la Maurice Blair. "I learned to make this when I was in school. When you are making a drink, proper ratios are what make the drink! It allows you to have consistency; that's why you should always use your tools."

Caribbean

Living Standard

Norway

Liberia’s Informal Businesses Make Strides Despite Covid-19 Interruption

Shipping Schedule: Week Starting June 11

Kwagala wins European Union Human Rights award 2022

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

Diaspora Ethiopians vow to rehabilitate war-victims

On the Menu - January Light(er) Fare: Zesty Salmon with Tomatoes & Callaloo

Job cuts loom at Kenya Airways

Related

KQ picks US-based Seabury to advise on restructuring

Kenya Airways ends monkey transport deal

Restructuring

Performance tracker

Liabilities outstripped assets

Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl is dead

Two Squirrels culled on Bequia

Boozy Bartender Stories @ Spanish Court Hotel

Norway

Liberia’s Informal Businesses Make Strides Despite Covid-19 Interruption￼

Shipping Schedule: Week Starting June 11

Kwagala wins European Union Human Rights award 2022

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

Diaspora Ethiopians vow to rehabilitate war-victims

On the Menu - January Light(er) Fare: Zesty Salmon with Tomatoes & Callaloo

Job cuts loom at Kenya Airways

Related

KQ picks US-based Seabury to advise on restructuring

Kenya Airways ends monkey transport deal

Restructuring

Performance tracker

Liabilities outstripped assets

Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl is dead

Two Squirrels culled on Bequia

Boozy Bartender Stories @ Spanish Court Hotel

Liberia’s Informal Businesses Make Strides Despite Covid-19 Interruption