Montserrat Census Shows 10 Percent Population Growth
BRADES, Montserrat (GIU) — The Department of Statistics has released the official 2011 Census data, which shows that Montserrat’s population has grown by 10 percent since the previous census in 2001.
“On May 12, 2011, the usual resident population of Montserrat consisted of 4,922 persons, 51.7 percent of whom were male and 48.3 percent female. The total number of usual residents was 10.2 percent or 457 more persons than the 2001 Census. This suggests that the population who reside permanently on Montserrat, grew on average by 45 persons per year. The growth in 2011 contrasts the decline that was observed in the previous intercensal period 1991-2001, when the 2001 usual resident population was less than half of the 1991 count,” a statement from the department read.
”Where we usual residents found? Most of Montserrat’s usual residents, that is 4,843 persons, occupied private dwellings in May 2011. The remaining 79 persons were found in collective living quarters at the Homes for the Elderly and Her Majesty’s Prison. The population living in these collective housing units or ’non-private’ dwellings fell by more than 50 percent when compared to Census 2001.
”The usual resident population of Montserrat was centred in Look Out. Usual residents numbered more than 600 persons or 13.6 per cent of the population in the 2011 Census. The majority of residents living outside of Look Out were located in Brades/Shinnlands (9.1%) and St Peter’s (8.9%).
”What has changed since 2001 Census? As in the previous Census, the island was divided into 22 geographical areas called Enumeration Districts. The populations in 11 of the Enumeration Districts grew at rates above the national average (10.2%) between 2001 and 2011. Barzeys showed the strongest growth in its population (+297%), followed by St John’s/Mongo Hill (+86%). The populations of St John’s North, Brades/Shinnlands and Olveston remained relatively stable between Censuses. The populations in the other Enumeration Districts decreased, with strongest declines in Happy Hill (-62%) and Isles Bay (-54%). ”
Montserrat Census Shows 10 Percent Population Growth courtesy of Caribbeannewsnow.com
American Eagle is reportedly planning to cease its operations in Puerto Rico next spring as part of efforts to cut $75 million in costs as it navigates through bankruptcy.
American Eagle employs some 150 people on the island, who were alerted to the looming shutdown by the Association of Flight Attendants, according to press reports.
American Eagle, American Airlines, and parent company AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy in November.
AMR Corp. has delayed a planned spinoff of its regional airline, American Eagle. The holding company for that airline, AMR Eagle Holding Corp., the parent of San Juan-based Executive Airlines, which operates American Eagle’s flights in the region, also filed for bankruptcy.
American Airlines and American Eagle have been paring service through San Juan in recent years. American Eagle has slashed its workforce in its Caribbean hub from 500 to 150 employees over the past decade.
American Eagle has implemented deep cuts in its flights from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in recent months, dropping from 70 daily flights to roughly two dozen.
The carrier’s direct flights from its San Juan regional hub include Tortola, Santo Domingo, Fort-de-France, Punta Cana,, St. Lucia, Pointe-a-Pitre, St. Kitts, Antigua, Dominica , Santiago, Grenada, La Romana , Barbados, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
MTV The Real World To Film 27th Season In St Thomas USVI
Set to take place in the capital of the US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, MTV’s “The Real World” begins production this month on the 27th season of the network’s longest running hit reality series. The upcoming season will once again bring together seven strangers who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey together as they work hard and play harder. The roommates will not only experience what a ‘real world’ paradise has to offer, but they will reside in a custom decorated home that is the perfect backdrop for fun in the sun. “The Real World: St. Thomas” is slated for premiere Summer 2012 on MTV.
“The US Virgin Islands—long a spring vacation spot for young people—has beautiful weather and a laidback Caribbean culture, making it the perfect environment for this year’s seven strangers to get to know each other and figure out their lives,” said Jonathan Murray, Creator and Executive Producer of ‘The Real World’ and Chairman of Bunim/Murray Productions.
“As a U.S. Territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands is an excellent choice for Season 27 of ‘The Real World.’ The roommates, and MTV’s viewers, get to experience the splendor of the Caribbean lifestyle, while MTV’s production expenditure is reinvested into U.S. economy,” said Commissioner of Tourism, Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “Viewers of the show will get an opportunity not only to see the roommates settle into their new lives on St. Thomas, but also to follow their cultural experiences across the other islands that comprise the USVI – St. Croix, St. John and ‘the fourth Virgin’ – Water Island.”
MTV The Real World To Film 27th Season In St Thomas USVI Courtesy of Caribwall.com
Trinidad One Of The Top 10 Places To Celebrate Carnival
Coming in at # 3 in The top 10 places to celebrate list compiled by Reuters is Trinidad and Tobago’s annual carnival celebration. According to Reuters it’s vibrant history and French roots set the tone for Trinidad and Tobago’s most significant celebration each year: Carnival. The Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday draw the Caribbean destination’s population to the streets to show off elaborate costumes that groups take months to create. Bands compete against one another for the title of Band of the Year as individuals vie to become Calypso Monarch, one of the greatest honors in the country.
UN: Duvalier Must Face Charges for Human Rights Abuses
Former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier must face charges for human rights abuses, the United Nations said today.
The world body voiced its concern over reports that Duvalier would not face charges on series human rights violations that took place during his 15-year rule in Haiti.
“The High Commissioner has consistently reminded Haiti of its absolute obligation to investigate these well-documented, serious human rights violations and to prosecutor those responsible for them,” said Rupert Colville, a spokesperson for the High Commissioner.
Duvalier returned to Haiti in January 2011 following 25 years of exile in France. Soon after, the UN’s Human Rights Commission offered Haitian authorities help in prosecuting the crimes.
Some reports have quoted Haitian judicial officials saying Duvalier would only face charges of financial corruption rather than human rights abuses.
“We are extremely disappointed at reports that Mr Duvalier may not be charged with any human rights crimes, despite numerous complaints by victims to the prosecutor,” he said. “It is clear under international law that there is no statute of limitations for such crimes, and the UN human rights office has provided technical assistance and legal advice stressing this point.”
Michel Forst, the Independent Expert on human rights in Haiti for the UN, also voiced his concern about the potential not to bring human rights charges.
“This would be a very serious blow to the credibility of the process of judicial reform in Haiti,” he said.
The government of Antigua will look to repurchase two parcels of land around the country’s airport compound from a company owned by jailed Texas financier R Allen Stanford, according to Prime Minister Dr Baldwin Spencer.
Spencer said he had instructed the Antiguan Airport Authority to hold talks with company officials towards negotiating a reasonable sales price for the two parcels of land.
Stanford purchased 25.59 acres of government land around the airport compound in 2003 at a concessionary price of around $0.40 per square foot.
“Given the national interest at stake and the imminent commencement of construction works, I expect that the necessary cooperation and good faith on both sides will allow a settlement of this matter in the shortest possible time,” the Prime Minister said.
The country recently broke ground on a new terminal at VC Bird International Airport, a joint project with the Chinese government. It is slated for completion in 2013.
Travel and Leisure Names St. Vincent One Of The Hottest Destinations For 2012
Travel and Leisure Names St. Vincent One Of The Hottest Destinations For 2012. A string of 32 islands just south of St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has long been an under-the-radar getaway for the jet-setting elite. But recent developments—including a $240 million airport set to open on St. Vincent next year—are making the region accessible to a broader audience.
Built on volcanic black sand, the new Buccament Bay Resort(St. Vincent; 877/502-2022; doubles from $1,024, all-inclusive, three-night minimum) has 90 light-filled villas that gaze out on a secluded white-sand beach. Twenty miles south, tiny Mustique remains a playground for the likes of Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger (and was a runner-up honeymoon pick for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge).
A handful of new villas are now available to rent from the Mustique Company(villas from $7,000 per week), including the four-bedroom Mimosa, a contemporary affair with a pebbled infinity pool, private chef, and dedicated utility vehicle for exploring the isle. A more affordable option is the four-bedroom Liselund, on a hillside overlooking the sea. Nearby, the 44-year-old private-island resort of Petit St. Vincent(doubles from $1,050, all-inclusive) has reopened after a top-to-bottom makeover: 22 stone-walled, thatched-roof cottages are done up in earthy tones and driftwood palapas now line the beach. There’s also a waterside restaurant and a tree-house-style spa, where an open-air hot-stone massage is the perfect end to the day.
US Congress Drops Bid To Restrict Travel and Remittances To Cuba
US Congress Drops Bid To Restrict Travel and Remittances To Cuba.
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — A bid to restrict travel and remittances to Cuba proposed by congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL.) was dropped from the spending bill currently under discussion in the US Congress, following protests by organizations and Cuban-Americans in the United States, who overwhelmingly and strongly expressed their support of unlimited travel to the Caribbean nation.
The bid, introduced as a rider attached to the spending bill, aimed at returning travel and remittances to Cuba by Cuban-Americans to the level set by former president George W. Bush in 2008, when it only one trip was allowed every three years for “family reunifications,” while there would also be a cap on remittances of $1,200 per year and a tighter definition of “family.”
In exchange — pressed by the far-right and anti-Cuba legislators who backed Diaz-Balart’s bid — the Congressional leadership also agreed to drop a measure by Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) that would have eased a requirement that Cuba pay cash in advance when buying US goods permissible under the economic blockade imposed by Washington on the Caribbean country for almost 50 years.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — JetBlue Airways, Puerto Rico’s largest carrier, on Monday celebrated inaugural service to the US Virgin Islands with twice-daily flights between San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) and St Thomas International Airport (STT) and once-daily flights between San Juan and St Croix International Airport (STX).
The carrier’s network now boasts 70 destinations across the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, including 11 destinations served nonstop from San Juan.
To celebrate, flights are on sale through December 31, 2011 for as low as $39 for travel January 5 – February 15, 2012. What’s more, for customers looking for an entire vacation package experience, complete with air, hotel, wheels and more, JetBlue Getaways is offering $100 off any vacation for bookings made by December 31, 2011.
“Since our inaugural service to the Commonwealth nearly a decade ago, Puerto Ricans have consistently made JetBlue their carrier of choice,” said Scott Laurence, vice president of network planning. “It is thanks to their loyal support we’ve been able to maintain steady growth on the island, adding even more destinations for visitors and residents of Puerto Rico alike. We are pleased to add this newest service to the beautiful US Virgin Islands.”
“We’ve worked diligently at the Department of Economic Development and Commerce to transform flight access to the region, and JetBlue’s new service is a direct result of this stratagem,” said Jose R. Perez-Riera, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. “It’s key to Puerto Rico’s economic development that we have the support of a renowned airline like JetBlue, which continues to expand. The carrier’s growing presence is central for overall air traffic growth in Puerto Rico.”
“On behalf of the people and government of the US Virgin Islands, we are delighted to welcome JetBlue to the Territory,” said US Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism, Beverly Nicholson-Doty. Read the rest of this entry »
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Tuesday December 6, 2011 - Thousands of regional travelers could be left stranded due to an apparent sick-out by pilots at regional carrier LIAT.
The action comes a day after the management sacked Captain Michael Blackburn, the head of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA).
LIAT has confirmed that pilots who were scheduled to work this morning have called in sick, a move that has implications for its entire network.
Passengers throughout the Caribbean have been asked to call toll free numbers for flight information.
“As a result of this action by the pilots, passengers are advised that there are likely to be cancellations or rescheduling of flights today,” the airline said in a short statement.
“LIAT will provide further updates throughout the day.”
The Antigua-based airline has not given the reason for Blackburn’s dismissal; however, reports were that this may be linked to comments he made on a local radio station relating to the flight operations department.
Blackburn has declined to comment on his firing. He said he has sought legal advice on the matter.
Chairman of the LIAT Regional Grouping of Trade Unions, Senator Chester Humphrey said members were “deeply disturbed by this development” and the sacked pilot would “receive empathy and solidarity from all trade unions within the LIAT system.”
Grenada is among four Caribbean islands which could be in the route of a proposed inter-island fast ferry that would travel between Trinidad, Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia and Barbados — promising service to all the islands in one day.
The subject was discussed between the five countries during the recently-held CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development in Guyana.
Grenadian Trade Minister Joseph Gilbert said he was “very optimistic that the Trinidad-based ferry service could come on stream as early as the middle of next year.”
Reports from Cadiz said requests for proposals on the type and design of the ferry have already been issued by the as-yet-unnamed investor backing the project.
“The proposed ferry would have a capacity for about 300 passengers and would be able to carry ‘roll-on, roll-off containerized cargo as well as motor vehicles,” Gilbert said.
The Grenada-Trinidad leg would take about two hours.
Anya Ayoung-Chee Tribe Special Section “The Runway” For Tribe Carnival Mas Band
Anya Ayoung-Chee Tribe Special Section “The Runway” For Tribe Carnival Mas Band. Tribe and Anya Ayoung -Chee, the 2011 Project Runway winner have collaborated for Carnival 2012. The collaboration was announced during an exclusive welcome home party for Anya Ayoung-Chee, which was attended by Will Smith, Brian Lara and Dwight York.
The collaboration showcases Ayoung-Chee’s presentation of a section called The Runway in Tribe’s Carnival 2012 potrayal titled Take Me To…
