Canadian trade mission visits Caribbean countries

Saturday, January 24, 2015 | 9:21 AM    

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – A trade delegation from Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Canada is visiting the Caribbean in a bid to further develop partnerships with regional entrepreneurs, and clients.

The delegation will be here from January 25-31.

The trade mission, organized with the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (PEI and Tourism), Innovation PEI and the High Commission of Canada to Barbados, consists of 13 companies with expertise in the areas of Agriculture, Professional Services, Information and Communication Technology, Education and Training and Renewable Energy.

The visit is also made possible through the active cooperation of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and its local partner, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Chambers was formalized with a view to fostering increased trade development and investment opportunities between Barbados and Prince Edward Island, through promotional activities, business exchanges and the sharing of best practices.

This MoU was renewed in 2013, and a second renewal is scheduled for Thursday, to serve as a further testimony to the commitment that Barbados and PEI have to strengthen this economic partnership.

The initiative has led to the forging of several partnerships across the public and private sectors, the exchange of the Chambers’ best practices and increased commerce and trade between the two jurisdictions.

Senior Trade Commissioner at the High Commission of Canada to Barbados, Marc Parisien said PEI and Barbados not only share a longstanding history of commercial ties, but also a belief in education and innovation as essential catalysts for economic growth. Commenting on this upcoming visit, stated:

“Over the past several years, Prince Edward Island has been very active in building a successful and globally competitive environment for its businesses, focussing on the well-being of its citizens.

“Working together with Barbados, one of its most important international business partners, and other Caribbean jurisdictions, the province offers to the region products, services and know how relevant to island environments, while giving access to global markets”.

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Canadian trade mission visits Caribbean countries

NFL commissioner visits domestic violence hotline headquarters

September 27, 2014: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell arrives at the headquarters of the National Domestic Violence hotline in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Austin, TEXAS –  Facing criticism about the handling of recent abuse cases, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spent three hours Saturday night visiting the headquarters of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and getting an up-close look at the realities victims face.

Hotline CEO Katie Ray-Jones, whose organization has received a multiyear, multimillion dollar pledge of assistance from the NFL, described the private meeting as “emotional” for Goodell.

“At one point he was physically moved to tears as he heard stories from our advocates about what women were encountering, that we took today,” Ray-Jones said.

Hotline officials had invited Goodell to visit the facility, which is housed in a non-descript, unmarked building in suburban Austin.

“Doing the work, as they say,” was all Goodell would say when as he and several league officials walked into the building. He gave a brief wave to cameras when he stepped out of his limousine.

When he left, Goodell was flanked by two hotline staff members and refused to answer questions.

Goodell and the league have been heavily criticized over how they handled the recent suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who punched his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in the face in an elevator.

The league was criticized as not acting quickly or emphatically enough when handling domestic violence cases and Goodell has said he mishandled the Rice case.

Goodell met with 11 former players this week and was told the league must act immediately when someone is accused of domestic violence.

The hotline was created in 1996 and receives about 70 percent — just over $3 million — of its budget from the federal government and the rest from private donations.

The hotline web page said that as of 2013, the service had helped more than 3.4 million people on issues of domestic violence or dating abuse.

Ray-Jones said the hotline has seen an 84 percent spike in calls since the Rice video punch video was made public, but also noted that tens of thousands of calls go unanswered because the hotline doesn’t have enough staff.

Goodell didn’t listen to specific calls, but heard the stories related from the victim advocates.

Ray-Jones said Goodell did not discuss any specific policies the NFL may put in place for domestic violence.

“He mentioned they are very committed to understanding the issue further, and that he has a team of advisers who will continue to inform him on those policies,” Ray-Jones said.

Initially, Goodell suspended Rice — who has since married Palmer — for two games. After criticism, Goodell announced new stiffer penalties for future domestic violence cases. After video of the punch was released, the Ravens cut Rice and Goodell suspended him indefinitely.

League and Ravens officials said they requested the video from law enforcement but were denied. ESPN and others have reported that the Ravens had a detailed description of the video shortly after Rice was arrested.

After the AP reported that the video was sent to NFL headquarters, Goodell announced that former FBI Director Robert Mueller would lead an internal investigation. That probe is ongoing, and there is no timetable for its completion.

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NFL commissioner visits domestic violence hotline headquarters

Dancehall visits 106 and Park

Entertainment

Simone MorganWednesday, September 04, 2013

LAST Friday’s edition of BET’s hip 106 and Park show had a strong dancehall flavour.Beenie Man and Cecile premiered their song Thug Life, while singer Wayne Wonder and singjay Mr Vegas pitched their latest projects.Beenie Man also performed Rum and Red Bull, Dude, Who Am I and King of the Dancehall to enthusiastic response.“It’s a great feeling to be the king of anything but to see the youths taking the music to the level where it’s supposed to be is a great feeling. I’m still here helping them and keeping the authenticity of dancehall music alive,” the 41 year-old deejay told 106 and Park hosts Bow Wow and Angella Simmons.Beenie Man addressed the growing ties between dancehall and hip hop, a trend that started in the 1990s with deejays Shabba Ranks and Super Cat and singer Patra.“The music is much different than when I started years ago. The new acts are merging dancehall and hip hop. This is great, as it gives us more work to do, in that, instead of playing two phrases we sometimes now have to play seven,” he said.“The future of dancehall looks bright… it is gettting bigger as the rappers are sampling our music and this is good,” Beenie Man added.Wayne Wonder and Mr Vegas, who had hit songs in the United States just over 10 years ago, spoke about their respective releases.Wonder described his new album, My Way, as “another journey of Wayne Wonder music… a continuation.”Mr Vegas explained the concept behind Fruit Juice, his single with Snoop Lion and his appearance on the remix of Beyonce’s Standing on the sun.BEENIE MAN… the future of dancehall looks bright

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Dancehall visits 106 and Park

Bolt visits FIFA president

Sport

Wednesday, August 28, 2013 | 10:44 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Sprinting legend Usain Bolt visited football’s headquarters FIFA on Wednesday ahead of the IAAF Diamond League meeting Weltklasse Zürich Thursday evening at the Letzigrund Stadium in Switzerland.He was greeted by FIFA President Joseph S Blatter and Fuleco, the official mascot for the next FIFA World Cup. Blatter presented Bolt with a FIFA No 9 shirt and an invitation to Brazil 2014.“For years, he has dominated speed events,” said the FIFA President. “I’m very proud that this great gentleman is here today. He also showed again recently that the 4x100m is very important to him, which proves that he is a team player, just like in football,” said Blatter.Bolt who recently turned 27 said he was pleased to visit the Home of FIFA for the first time. “For me, it’s an honour to be here today,” he said. “I follow football and today I saw the World Cup Trophy for the first time.”FIFA invited the IAAF Diamond League organisers to hold their pre-meeting press conference with Bolt, in the auditorium of the home of FIFA, where all the football governing body’s important media events take place.Bolt, meanwhile — already an all-time great in his sport — would like to follow the footsteps of legendary figures in other disciplines. “I would like to become a legend,” he said, “like Pele, Maradona, Muhammad Ali or Michael Johnson.”

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Bolt visits FIFA president