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Government of Grenada renews insurance (CCRIF SPC)

The Government of Grenada has renewed its insurance policies with the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility Segregated Portfolio Company (CCRIF SPC).

CCRIF SPC, which provides parametric insurance coverage against natural hazards such as hurricanes and earthquakes, has been operating since 2007, with Grenada being a founding member.

Grenada currently holds 4 policies: Tropical Cyclone, Excess Rainfall, Earthquake and the Caribbean Ocean and Aquaculture Sustainability Facility (COAST).

With the existing policies expiring on 31 May 2023, the Government has elected to renew coverage effective 1 June 2023 for one year with Gross Premiums amounting to US$1.5 million.

Tina Turner Passes

Singer Tina Turner, whose soul classics and pop hits like The Best and What’s Love Got to Do With It made her a superstar, has died at the age of 83.

Turner had suffered a number of health issues in recent years including cancer, a stroke and kidney failure.

She rose to fame alongside husband Ike in the 1960s with songs including Proud Mary and River Deep, Mountain High.

SENATOR TIM SCOTT JOINS REPUBLICAN NOMINATION

Senator Tim Scott has become the latest Republican to join an increasingly crowded 2024 race for US president.

Mr. Scott, 57, who has represented South Carolina in the chamber since 2013, promised to revive America’s “culture of greatness”. He is the first Black Republican Senator from the south in more than a century.

With about $22m (£18m) in cash on hand, he enters the fray with more campaign funds than any of his rivals.

ICE CUBE THREATENS TO SUE

Ice Cube has threatened to sue persons who attempt to use artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate his voice.

O’Shea Jackson Sr, aka Ice Cube, debated using AI to recreate fake tracks and artist voices.

During an appearance on the Full Send podcast, Cube made his stance clear.

“I don’t wanna hear an AI Drake song,” he said, referring to the AI-generated Drake songs that appeared on YouTube and TikTok last month. “Yeah, I don’t wanna hear that bull****. He should sue whoever made it.”

Podcast host Kyle Forgeard then asked Ice Cube what he would do if he was in a similar situation. He went on to state that

“I think AI is demonic [and] I think AI is going to get a backlash from organic people.”

In recent months, several artists including Drake, The Weekend, and Frank Ocean have been affected by AI-generated tracks.

CIBC FCIB Becomes COOP-BANK

FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited (FirstCaribbean) and Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited (GCBL) announced that the sale of FirstCaribbean’s business in Grenada, to Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has received approval from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

The banks further announced that the process of transferring FirstCaribbean’s clients to Grenada Co-Operative Bank Limited is expected to be completed by 14 July 2023.

The two banks will shortly begin communicating to clients about the plans and dates for the withdrawal of services from CIBC FirstCaribbean and the transfer of client information to GCBL, as part of the transition process.

CXC Papers Leaked?

On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) launched an investigation following concerns that the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC®) Mathematics Paper 02 was leaked, prior to the administration of the examination on that day.

CXC® has been in constant contact with regional Ministries of Education since this information came to light.

CXC® has now concluded its investigation. The security measures which CXC® has put in place have led to locating the country as Jamaica and the examination centre where the leak originated. In discussion with the Ministry of Education and Youth, the matter will be dealt with following CXC’s security protocols.

As a result of the breach and the compromise of the examination, as well as consideration for the mental health and wellbeing of candidates, timely release of results, and matriculation requirements, CXC® has determined that for this examination, the modified approach will be used to award fair and valid grades.

Carriacou Fish Center Coming to Carriacou

Working together to revolutionise the fishing industry in Carriacou and Petite Martinique is the promise made to the fishermen of the twin-isle parish by MP Tevin Andrews, Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government.

Speaking at the official sod-turning ceremony for the construction of a new fish centre in the community of Windward, Minister Andrews recalled visiting the present fish centre during the 2022 general election campaign and noting its rundown condition. He promised then that once elected, it would be one of the first major infrastructure projects to be undertaken.

At the new fish centre, there will be improvement in the storage and ice facilities, and as Windward is considered the fish capital of Carriacou, enhancement work will also be done on the 2 jetties in the area.

Creative Affairs Office Reinforced

The Grenada Office of Creative Affairs is proud to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tracy Baptiste as the new Operations Manager, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing implementation capacity and driving excellence in the creative sector. Mrs. Baptiste’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment following the recently concluded National Cultural and Creative Industries Conference–Unleash, where industry stakeholders convened to shape the future of Grenada’s creative sector.

Mrs. Baptiste, who previously served as the Administration Manager at Digicel Grenada Ltd., brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. As Operations Manager, Mrs. Baptiste will work closely with Mr. Orlando Romain, Advisor for the Creative Economy, to execute the office’s strategic vision and oversee the seamless implementation of key initiatives.

In her capacity, Mrs. Baptiste will assume a multifaceted role, encompassing responsibilities such as planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, financial management, supervisory management, and relationship management.

Angela Versus Antigua

The Ministry of Tourism in Antigua and Barbuda is in talks with the attorneys of Angela Bassett after her representatives demanded that the government in St Johns stopped the use of her photographs for promotional purposes, and end any dissemination of information about appointing her as a Tourism Ambassador.

The government announced that Bassett was appointed Tourism Ambassador of the country, following discussions with her while on vacation in Antigua and Barbuda, but her attorneys have asked the Ministry of Tourism to hold out on the initiative.

The Hollywood actress also indicated however that she wants to make sure she and her team fully understand what the Tourism Ambassador scope and activities will mean, and they look forward to continuing the conversation.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR CARRIACOU

The implementation of local government for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs should be done within the third quarter of this year, as the Ministry of Legal Affairs drafting team continues to work on the legislation.

This was confirmed by Minister for Legal Affairs and Labour Senator the Hon. Claudette Joseph, who is leading a team on an official visit to Carriacou. Minister Joseph, who met with Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government Hon. Tevin Andrews, said that her drafting team is working assiduously to ensure that local government is implemented.

AIR PEACE TO ACQUIRE LIAT

In related travel news, Antigua’s Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne has announced that Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, is set to acquire a 70 percent stake in LIAT 2020.

The intention is for LIAT 2020 to be operated purely on a commercial basis.

According to the Prime Minister, efforts are currently being made to establish the air operating certificate (AOC) for LIAT 2020.

He emphasizes that the revamped LIAT will not function as a regional bus, operating unprofitable routes.