Who are the Jews of Jamaica and the Caribbean?

Ainsley Henriques will present the story of the Jews of Jamaica during Shabbat services on line at Hollywood Temple Beth El of West Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, September 12. Services start at 10:30 AM (PDT) and the presentation will begin at 12:00 noon. Members of the Jewish community of Jamaica will be joining in on the presentation. The service and presentation will be live streamed on Facebook, while zoom access will be for members and guests of the two communities.

Speculation on the Jewish heritage of the now popular Hamilton, of history and of Broadway, has given rise to curiosity on the Jewish presence in the Caribbean. Our guest presenter, Ainsley Henriques, will stimulate our curiosity even more. Henriques is Jamaican Jewrys premier spokesperson, historian and genealogist. As a businessman, he founded the Jamaica Export Trading Company to market Jamaican goods and sat on the World Spice Council and serves as the Israeli consul in Kingston.

This is the oldest, continuously-operating, Jewish community in the Western Hemisphere, dating back 365 years. Henriques estimates 300,000-400,000 Jamaicans have some Jewish ancestry. In 1700, it was the largest such community in the hemisphere. Historians have noted that the sure-fire indication of a vibrant Jewish community is the presence of a cemetery, and the oldest gravestone surviving is from 1672.

This special Shabbat has been coordinated by Carmen Fraser, of Hollywood Temple Beth El, and Terry Hall, of the United Congregation of Israelites of Kingston.

This is part of a series of special presentations on the question Who are the Jews, and to date, it has covered the stories of the Jews of Iran, of the Greek Islands, of Morocco, and Yemen. Each service had included Shabbat liturgy and melodies that reflect that communitys heritage. Several more are being planned.

Access to the live streaming is on https://www.Facebook.com/htbel/live and will be posted on You Tube the following day on Temple HTBEL You Tube Channel :

Hollywood Temple Beth El, 1317 N Crescent Heights Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, is now operating services on line through the High Holy Days. Information can be found on. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rosh-hashanah-and-yom-kippur-services-brought-right-to-your-door-tickets-117615153089

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Who are the Jews of Jamaica and the Caribbean? - Patch.com

Geoff Lee is the Executive Chef of Mana Poke, the Caribbean owned Hawaiian inspired restaurant where healthyeating and exotic, adventurous flavors harmoniously co-exist.

Geoff spent his youth between Spanish Town in the parish of St. Catherine, and Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica. Ever sincehe was a young man, he had an incredible passion for cooking. He always enjoyed preparing food but never thought to explore it as a profession. Initially, only his family and friends usually reaped thebenefits of Geoffs home cooking, but having first hand sampling of his dishes, they pushed him to expand his knowledge of cooking and have a shot at becoming a chef.

So, It was with his familys prodding that Geoff left Jamaica to attend culinary school at the George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. In Canada, he worked under the tutelage of some amazing chefs that helped pave the way for him to excel in the culinary field.

Becoming a chef has not only taught me about the culinary world butIve gained a wealth of knowledge about becoming a business owner and what it is to manage, said Geoff. The cooking always came natural andI find it to be the easiest part of being a professional chef. Where it becomes interesting is the business side of becoming a chef, this has been the most challenging part of thejourney thus far.

Geoff has been recognized for his exceptional cuisine by collecting a number of accolades in the culinary industry. He was Indulge Magazines featured chef in the fall of 2019, named Miami New TimesReaders ChoiceBest Chef 2019 and was the featured chef at the SOBE Food & Wine Taste Jamaica 2020.

When asked about his current role as the Executive Chef at Mana Poke and why the focus on Hawaiian gastronomy, he mentioned he was inspired by Asian fare andappreciates and enjoys Japanese food,particularly sushi. The flavors are clean, the poke bowls are filling without being heavy, its healthy and delicious. Poke is also a very flexible canvas to work with if everI decide toincorporate a Jamaican spin he added.Photo via Manapoke.com

Geoffs favorite dish at Mana Poke is the Lava Tuna bowl which features spicy tuna, shaved red onion, house picked jalapeno peppers, spicy mayo, wasabi peas, crunchy shallots and more all on a bed of fresh arugula or sushi rice.

When Chef Lee is not busy building healthy and delicious poke bowls, you can find him on a football (soccer) field or rooting for his beloved Manchester United

In addition to poke, Geoff is passionate about his Jamaican roots and makes an amazing jerk pork dish. His secret? It sounds simple, however jerk pork requires a good amount of cooking knowledge like heat management, timing and other techniques to achieve a good end product. Of course, I love spicy food and jerk is where its at!

Mana Poke has three South Florida locations (Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, and Ft. Lauderdale Beach).

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Caribbean Chef Stands Out with Hawaiian Cuisine - Caribbean News - caribbeannationalweekly.com

MADRID, SPAIN After more than a month of successful summer reopenings in popular destinations like Costa Mujeres, Palladium Hotel Group will resume operations in Riviera Maya and the Dominican Republic this fall. Reaffirming the companys commitment to guests wellbeing, Palladium Hotel Group also launched the free medical care insurance, Stay Safe Plus, created to protect guests against any unforeseen circumstances of the current health emergency. The hotel group's health and safety protocols are certified by SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification services company.

Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa, and TRS Yucatan Hotel, all located in the Riviera Maya, will officially reopen on October 2. Grand Palladium Palace Resort, Spa & Casino, Grand Palladium Bvaro Suites Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa and TRS Turquesa Hotel, all located in Punta Cana, will welcome guests on November 19. Also in Punta Cana, TRS Cap Cana Hotel will resume operations on December 18. Santo Domingos Dominican Fiesta will reopen its doors on September 4.

We are very excited about the reopening of our hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic this fall. Every step we take to reopen our hotels involves hard work to ensure the safety of our guests and a seamless travel experience. In addition to comprehensive protocols and booking flexibility, we have launched Stay Safe-Plus, our free health insurance implemented precisely to boost confidence in travel," said Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Americas at Palladium Hotel Group."

With hotels opened in the Americas since July, the hotel group continues to innovate the travel experience while incorporating the ever-evolving national public health protocols. Opened since July 1 are Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa, and TRS Coral Hotel, which recently received the prestigious 2020 Travelers Choice awards by TripAdvisor. Costa Mujeres, a destination that continues gaining international demand for its privacy and exclusivity, offers guests looking to enjoy socially-distant vacations a private retreat with over 365 acres surrounded by the sea, and over 3,280 feet of coastline. Perfect for active travelers looking to enjoy the outdoors, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre is the first and only of Nadals facilities in North America. The centre offers tennis programs developed by Nadal and his technical team for players of all ages and abilities. Each tennis program is personalized and run by coaches from the Rafa Nadal Academy of Movistar.

Also welcoming guests since July 1 is Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa. Other Caribbean properties that resumed operations since July 10 are Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa. Palladium Hotel Group also reopened Grand Palladium Imbassa Resort & Spa in Brazil on August 6.

Palladium Hotel Group continues to prioritize the health and safety of their guests with new cleanliness protocols and employee training. The new protocols put in place include rigorous cleaning, disinfection, and hand sanitizer dispensers in all areas, expansion of medical services, social distancing and capacity control, high level of food safety standards, and more. Staff is equipped with infrared thermometers to conduct temperature checks, especially in entrance areas and closed spaces such as restaurants, gyms, spas and childrens areas. To ensure a safe vacation, the company has adapted to the new normal and created an online check-in and check-out process to minimize contact. The hotel group is also disinfecting the air and placing atmosphere purifiers. Another way Palladium Hotel Group continues to innovate is with their Pure Rooms, perfectly designed for people with allergies the room goes through a seven-step sanitizing process, creating a healthier and allergen-free environment.

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Palladium Hotel Group announces new Fall openings in Mexico and the Caribbean - Travel Daily News International

Compiled By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Sept. 4, 2020: Here are some of the top business and finance news making headlines across the Caribbean this week.

Regional

Moodys projects total remittances to the Caribbean and Latin America will decline by about 4% this year as immigrants in the US Diasproa cope with higher unemployment.

In LAC, Central America and the Caribbean are the most economically vulnerable to the decline in remittance inflows, says Moodys associate analyst Gabriel Agostini. Mexico is the regions largest recipient with nearly $40 billion in remittances last year. While remittance inflows to Central America and the Caribbean are nominally smaller, they are substantially higher in relative terms representing nearly 10% of GDP for each region.

The report also quantifies the impact on remittances under an alternative scenario that contemplates prolonged pandemic and a delay in the US government extending income support measures. Under this downside scenario, US remittances to LAC countries could fall by 10% relative to last year.

According to Moodys, this higher level of unemployment in the US limits the prospects for improvement for remittance flows in the near future which depend on the economic growth of the United States and the income support measures that they played a major role in replacing lost income this year. Additionally, the legal authorization of immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean in the United States and their level of education will also influence the speed with which remittances recover.

Regional Contest

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has launched the Pivot Movement to harness the most innovative ideas for Caribbean development and create a plan for the future of the region. The Movement includes acrowdsourcing contestand an event.

Pivot Search is the crowdsourcing platform to receive new development ideas. It runs from September 2 to September 18, with a $5,000 cash prize. Along with partners Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA), Singularity University and Destination Experience, IDB will also host The Pivot Event, a virtual conference, between October 15 and 30, 2020. General Manager of the IDBs Country Department Caribbean Group (CCB), Therese Turner-Jones said, The Pivot Movement is a vehicle for Caribbean transformation driven by ideas. It gives anyone anywhere the opportunity to help shape the future of our region. We are creating an innovative space where pioneering minds will discuss moonshot ideas to drive a more resilient and secure future for all Caribbean people. Individuals can request an invitation to the Pivot Event and get further details about how to submit ideas for The Pivot Search via the websitewww.caribbeanpivot.com.

Guyana

Guyana this week received US$46M for its third 1M barrels of oil entitlement. The total amount US$46,046,937 was deposited into its Sovereign Wealth Fund being held in a United States Bank of America account, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat told Stabroek News. The news comes as Guyana parliament approved a $11.2B budget for 16 constitutional agencies in its first sitting in over a year.

Trinidad and Tobago

Economist Marla Dukharan says if there is no meaningful macroeconomic intervention in the T&T economy, the country runs the risk of depleting its foreign exchange (FX) reserves.

In her report titled: Trinidad & Tobago Balance of Payments Risk: Why T&T could be heading to default and a balance of payments crisis by end-2022 Dukharan said that a countrys Balance of Payments account captures all the foreign currency transactions a country makes with the rest of the world, which includes but is not limited to imports, exports, remittances and foreign direct investment.

She argued that the net effect of all these foreign exchange transactions is reflected in the change to the level of FX reserves held at the Central Bank if we earn foreign currency, FX reserves increase, if we lose foreign currency, FX reserves decline.

Jamaica

Money transfers to Jamaica reportedly grew 14 per cent for the June quarter, reflecting a recovery from the initial onslaught of the pandemic, the Bank of Jamaicas preliminary estimates show. For the month of June alone, remittances were up 42 per cent, the central bank governor said last week. Due to the crisis caused by the coronavirus, and the initial fall-off noted in remittances, money inflows were last projected to decline to US$1.9 billion this fiscal year, down from US$2.3 billion pre-COVID. The bulk of the remittances are transacted via six remittance companies, led by Western Union.

Bermuda

Cruise ship operator NCL Corporation Ltd has listed another $1.2 billion of debt on the Bermuda Stock Exchange.This is in addition to $1.94 billion of debt listings it made on August 13. The company, which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, is a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, and raised capital in July to bolster its finances during the prolonged suspension of cruise voyages resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Its voyages are currently suspended until the end of October.

Antigua & Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda government Monday confirmed that it had turned down a request from the British carrier, Virgin Atlantic, for a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG), describing it as outrageous. The governments Chief of Staff Lionel Max Hurst, speaking on Observer radio here, said that the Gaston Browne administration could not agree to the MRG, which in that case is an air services agreement entered into between an airline and a government. Last week the Antigua and Barbuda government agreed to write off EC$8.5 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) in debt owed to the country by LIAT, which is now undergoing a restructuring plan led by St Johns.

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has indicated that the EC$1,000.00 stimulus packages started in April 2020 in an attempt to alleviate the financial burden placed on citizens because of the temporary shutdown and the continued halt of our tourism industry will be extended for persons still unemployed as a result of the pandemic. According to Prime Minister Harris, over $22 million had been paid for the three month period, April June 2020. Harris said that the Social Security Board expects close to 3,000 unemployed contributors to benefit from the September extension of the EC$1,000.00 stimulus package.

Turks & Caicos

THE TCI has lost more than 9.2 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to a lack of tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic, making it the nation most affected in the world, according to a recent study conducted by visa service provider ESTA.

The findings reported by the TCI Weekly News, show that the TCI suffered the sharpest blow to its GDP compared to other tourism dependent nations in the world. This colossal depletion in revenue which amounted to some $94 million was due to the Covid-19 pandemics impact on the global tourism industry.

Cayman Islands

Local workers withdrew almost $310 million from their pensions in May, using governments COVID-19 emergency withdrawal measure, according to statistics from the Department of Labour and Pensions, according to the Cayman Compass.

There are a total of more than 73,000 private pensions in the Cayman Islands, and according to officials, more than 34,000 applications were received in May to withdraw money from those pension funds. The emergency-withdrawal measure, which allowed workers to access their private-sector pensions up to a certain amount, was made possible through changes to the Pensions Law. It was one of the initiatives implemented by Premier Alden McLaughlin to assist employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of local borders.

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Caribbean Business And Finance Report - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

How well prepared is the Caribbean to respond to the politically led emergence of vaccine nationalism, an approach likely to see countries with advanced bio-pharma facilities initially restrict the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine?

At present about 100 vaccines are being developed around the world. If proven to be effective, one or more may play a role in either eventually eradicating or addressing the worst effects of the disease.

However, at present only two such candidate vaccines for equitable distribution have been included in a collaborative coronavirus related initiative known as COVAX, involving the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other global partners. One is being produced by Astro Zeneca in the UK and the other by Moderna in the US. Both are presently being tested in clinical trials on thousands of volunteers around the world for efficacy and safety, with the results expected sometime later this year.

COVAX is also evaluating vaccine development elsewhere and supporting the building of manufacturing capacity and procurement with the overall objective of having two billion doses available for fair distribution globally by the end of 2021.

The scheme is meant to work by encouraging wealthier nations to make a commitment to fund and buy vaccines, thereby creating a critical mass of orders from suppliers in a way that ensures that low and middle income countries can receive the vaccine at lower prices.

In the last few days, however, it has become apparent that the financing of the scheme may be in trouble as some wealthy countries have decided to adopt a go it alone approach by sourcing their vaccine requirements independently. This, they say, is because they believe they can obtain the vaccine more rapidly and cheaply outside of the multilateral scheme that the WHO has developed.

In a statement, the US has suggested something more. It said that it would not join due to the groups association with the WHO. The United States will continue to engage our international partners to ensure we defeat this virus, but we will not be constrained by multilateral organisations influenced by the corrupt World Health Organisation and China, Judd Deere, a spokesman for the White House told the Washington Post.

Other countries pursuing a less political but unilateral path include Japan, the UK and Turkey, while others including Germany and the European Commission remain supportive.

The likelihood now is that a small number of wealthier nations able to finance their own requirements will see most of their citizens vaccinated as soon as a viable product becomes available, while poorer nations struggle to obtain enough vaccinations for at-risk citizens and their wider populations.

For the Caribbean and other regions like it, all of this is far from helpful at a time when it is becoming apparent that achieving a gradual return to normality is proving much harder than anticipated.

Although the early introduction of measures to control the spread of COVID-19 meant that by the end of June most nations in the region had largely halted the domestic spread of the virus, a mix of social indiscipline, the sometimes lax enforcement of public health requirements, the human desire for social contact, and the importation of the disease by some visitors and returnees have meant that several countries are now seeing increasing rates of infection.

If the pandemic has proved anything, it is that to again see growth almost every economy in the region will have to find a way to ensure the safe and full return of tourism.

A recently released International Labour Organisation (ILO) COVID-19 related report makes clear that up to half a million Caribbean workers in direct, indirect and induced employment in tourism face the prospect of job losses, reductions in working hours, falling incomes, a higher incidence of informal employment if the virus is not eradicated soon.

Three linked problems now face the region. How to resuscitate the wider economy and tourism in particular without visitors contributing to the renewed spread of the virus; how to obtain sufficient supplies of any vaccine that might become available next year; and how to address the complex logistical problems associated with developing national vaccination programmes.

The latter issue has been little discussed. Despite the regions relative success in delivering a vaccination programme during the H1-N1 2009 flu pandemic a recent paper for the Tony Blair Institute suggests that substantial logistical challenges now face every country in delivering national vaccination programmes.

Apart from indicating the need for early resolution of issues including regulation and logistics, who will have primary access, and the development of electronic immunisation records for all citizens, the papers author expresses concern that efficient vaccine delivery will requires radical, fast and global approach at a time when international leadership is lacking.

The implication is that despite it being important for social, economic and public health reasons to vaccinate every Caribbean citizens as soon as a vaccine becomes available, this may not be possible if primary access is determined by something akin to a bidding war and the WHOs COVAX initiative is only able to meet a limited amount of the demand from developing countries.

There remain in addition many other imponderables and hard to answer questions. Will Chinas promise of universal access to its candidate vaccine and a loan fund of US$1bn to support access to it for the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean occur in time to ensure economic recovery? Can the Caribbean successfully combine with partners in the African Caribbean and Pacific group of nations (the ACP) to maximise buying power? Will Cubas clinical trials of its candidate vaccine Soberana 1 prove successful, and its plans to build manufacturing capacity to produce enough vaccine to protect its population, be extended to the rest of the region? And above all, what will any vaccines cost be to already heavily indebted nations?

The danger now is that the closer the world comes to achieving one or more proven vaccines, the more likely it is that availability will become the subject of divisive national and international politics and that wealthy countries vie to be the first to produce and roll out a fully tested and safe vaccine, then protect their citizens, and after that seize the global financial opportunity.

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THE VIEW FROM EUROPE: Why vaccine nationalism should concern the Caribbean - Barbados Advocate

A tropical wave moving west through the eastern Caribbean Sea is expected to strengthen into a tropical depression in the coming days, the National Hurricane Center announced in a special advisory Sunday.

The wave is one of a quartet of storms that are brewing in the Atlantic, but, because of its location and organization, it poses the greatest imminent threat to land in North and Central America. Currently named Disturbance 1, it was given a 80 percent chance of developing into a named storm in the next five days by the Hurricane Center.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea are beginning to show signs of organization, the center wrote at 12:10 p.m. Sunday. Recent satellite-derived surface winds also indicated that a broad low-pressure system has formed in association with the wave.

Disturbance 1 was carrying a disorganized cluster of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon while it moved west at 15 to 20 mph, according to the Hurricane Center.

There is another disturbance with a high chance of formation as of Sunday afternoon a low-pressure area off the eastern seaboard, near northeast Florida. The Hurricane Center gave the disturbance a 70 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone by the end of next week.

The system isnt expected to pose a threat to Florida, however, according to the Hurricane Center. It most likely will move parallel with the eastern United States while developing, then veer into the open Atlantic Ocean next week.

The Hurricane Center said Sunday that it is also monitoring two other tropical waves Disturbance 2 and Disturbance 4 that have a low chance of formation in the next five days. Both are slow-moving systems in the eastern Atlantic, near the coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands. Their chance of development over the next five days is less than 30 percent.

If all four storms are to grow strong enough to be declared tropical storms or hurricanes, they would be named Nana, Omar, Paulette and Rene.

Together with researchers at Colorado State University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an extremely active hurricane season in the Atlantic this year that would see 11 named storms between June 1 and Nov. 30. This season has already had 13 named storms and is threatening more all before Sept. 10, which is recognized by scientists as being the climatological peak of the storm season.

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Disturbance in Caribbean Sea expected to strengthen into tropical depression - Tampa Bay Times

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) The Guyana government has reinstated a 12-hour curfew as Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries continue to implement measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has infected thousands of their nationals and killed more than 300 others.

Georgetown said that the 6:00 pm to 6:00 am (local time) curfew goes into effect as of Tuesday, making exceptions only for detailed essential workers including parliamentarians, healthcare officials, the disciplined forces and the Guyana Revenue Authority, among others.

In addition, the Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F Correia Airports will remain closed to all incoming international flights, with some special exceptions, and the government warned that as part of measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, charges will be imposed on individuals who fail to wear face masks in public spaces

It said that the measures are to remain in full effect until September 30. Health authorities said that as of Monday, the country had recorded 1,306 positive cases, including 41 deaths.

In Suriname, the Dutch-speaking Caricom country has, for the second time in four days, registered four COVID-19 deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 71.

Health officials said that 25 new cases were recorded, bringing the total to 4,034 with 823 being active cases.

The authorities said 145 people are being cared for in various hospitals and that the number of patients in the different intensive care units is 18, while over the past 24 hours, 67 people have recovered, bringing the total to 3,140.

The number of positive people in isolation is 684, while there are now 92 people in quarantine, who are not positive.

The Ministry of Health in The Bahamas has confirmed that there have been 50 additional cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,217.

New providence continues to lead the islands in the archipelago in the number of cases, recording 1,378, followed by 552 in Grand Bahama, 67 in Abaco and 53 in Bimini.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed the unfortunate death of a 77- year-old male of New Providence on Monday, bringing the death toll to 44.

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Caribbean islands respond to record COVID deaths - NYCaribNews

The U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and law enforcement partners seized 225 kilograms of cocaine and apprehended three suspected smugglers following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast in the Caribbean Sea, on August 24.

Two suspected smugglers are Dominican Republic nationals and one is Colombian, while the seized cocaine has a wholesale value of approximately $6 million.

The interdiction is the result of an international, multi-agency law enforcement effort in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard, Campaign Martillo (a joint, interagency, 20-nation collaborative counter narcotic effort), and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF), and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Puerto Rico.

During a routine patrol in support of Joint Interagency Task Force Souths mission to detect attempts to transport contraband into the U.S. and partner nations, the USS Kidds (DDG 100) helicopter crew sighted a suspicious go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The USS Kidd, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer operating with U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 401 onboard, coordinated with the Coast Guard Seventh District to interdict the suspect vessel.

The helicopter crew observed the suspected smugglers jettison multiple bales into the water as the go-fast continued to evade capture. The USS Kidd successfully interdicted and boarded the go-fast with the assistance of the CG LEDET 401. The USS Kidds crew and CG LEDET 401 apprehended the suspected smugglers and recovered eight jettisoned bales from the water. The seized contraband tested positive for cocaine.

The Coast Guard Cutter Resolute (WMEC-620) embarked and transported the suspected smugglers and seized contraband to San Juan, Puerto Rico Saturday, where awaiting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-HSI, and DEA special agents received custody.

These cases are part of the CCSF, a multiagency OCDETF strike force comprised of federal and state law enforcement including the DEA, DHS, ICE, FBI, USCG, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety.

The Coast Guards efforts under Operation Unified Resolve contribute to the interagency results achieved locally under Operation Caribbean Guard. Operation Caribbean Guard coordinates daily efforts between the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Commonwealth and Territorial law enforcement partners, who are working diligently to deter, detect and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Read the bulletin at the U.S. Coast Guard

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Coast Guard and Partners Seize Cocaine and Apprehend Suspected Smugglers in Caribbean Sea - HSToday

In Pirates of the Caribbean, Davy Jones wreaked havoc on the high seas, but the legends surrounding the real ship Flying Dutchman are very different.

What's the true story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise's most mysterious ship, The Flying Dutchman? Fans of the franchise are familiar with the onscreen story of The Flying Dutchman, but the legends surrounding the real Dutchman are even more intriguing. The Flying Dutchman makes its first appearance during Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The ship's captain is Davy Jones, the octopus-faced spurned lover of the sea goddess Calypso. Like The Dutchman, the lore of Davy Jones struck fear into the heart of many sailors for centuries, and some believed Jones to be the Devil himself.

The Pirates of the Caribbean films take place as the Golden Age of Piracy is drawing to a close. The first three films, The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest, and At World's End, borrow from nautical legends surrounding Davy Jones, his infamous Locker, and The Flying Dutchman. The movies chronicle the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann as they face threats from the cutthroat Captain Barbossa, the ever-looming presence of the East India Trading Company, and the impending extinction of pirates. The movies are reminiscent of the swashbuckling adventure films of Errol Flynn, complete with elaborate swordplay. They also rely on the supernatural superstitions embraced by sailors for hundreds of years. The fourth film On Stranger Tides focuses on JackSparrow's search for the Fountain of Youth, and the fifth film, Dead Men Tell No Tales,features Jack partnering with Will and Elizabeth's son to find the Trident of Poseidon.

RELATED: Pirates of the Caribbean: Why Disney Originally Hated Depp's Jack Sparrow

According to nautical legend, the real Flying Dutchmancarried spices and silk between the Netherlands and the East Indies during the 17th century. Its captain was Hendrick Van der Decken. While en route to Amsterdam, Van der Decken took a shortcut around the Cape of Good Hope, and The Dutchman sailed into a storm. By some accounts, Van der Decken was a victim of bad luck who realized his mistake too late. Others painted him as a drunken or insane tyrant who tempted fate and challenged an angel.In another version, Satan offered Van der Decken a chance at salvation if he could secure the love of a woman. The captain could make landfall every seven years until he achieved this task. The fate ofThe Flying Dutchmanremained the same: the ship was lost at sea and superstitious sailors claimed the ghost ship could be seen hovering above the waves or emerging from underneath, and it was a harbinger of bad luck.

In the Pirates franchise, The Flying Dutchman's original purpose was to ferry those who died at sea to the afterlife. Calypso entrusted Jones -- once a great sailor -- to serve as captain of the ship, promising that after a decade at sea, Jones could make port and reunite with Calypso. After his first 10 years of service, Jones returned to land, but Calypso wasn't thereso the abandoned captain abandoned his duties and roamed the seas, searching for souls to harvest, preying on dying sailors. He promised them that 100 years of servitude on the ship was preferable to the possibility of eternal damnation. Jones goes so far as to call on the sea monster the Kraken to destroy ships to recruit crew members. Unlike the real legends, The Flying Dutchman's fate is essentially the result of a bad breakup.

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies use the folklore surrounding Davy Jones and The Flying Dutchman but creates its own canon. One story shares a few similarities to the tale of The Flying Dutchmantold in the second and third movies of the franchise with Jones as the captain instead of Van der Decken. The Jones known to sailors was determined to make it round the Cape even if it meant that he and the crew would die trying. As a result, the Devil took the helm, and the ship was doomed to sail the seas for eternity. Jones' decision to tempt fate and invoke the name of Satan led to The Dutchman's curse. In the films, Jones' choice to shirk his responsibilities and defy Calypso caused him and his crew's transformations into half-men, half-sea-life.

MORE: Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Why Disney Is Rebooting The Franchise

All New Curious George Animated Movie Added To Peacock In September

Jennifer has been working as a freelance writer for eight years, contributing to BuddyTV, TVRage, Hidden Remote, Gossip On This, and PopMatters. She prefers binge-watching old episodes of The Office (British and American versions) to long walks on the beach. She's still holding out hope that Happy Endings will get a revival.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Original Flying Dutchman Ship Explained - Screen Rant

Jack Sparrow contrives much of his reputation in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, but he and Cutler Beckett actually share a significant history.

InPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Cutler Beckett remarks that he and Jack Sparrow have both left their mark on one another, but a full explanation for what that means is only found in material outside of the films. ThePirates of the Caribbean series followsCaptain Jack Sparrow anda rotating motley crewof adventurers as they facethreats both historical and supernatural. By virtue of its setting and time period, and as a form of contrast to its lawless leads,the franchise features many characters with some level of connectionto the British aristocracy.

Beckett is introduced inDead Man's Chest as a Director for the East India Trading Company who, in his vengeful quest to eradicate piracy, seeks out the power of the titular Dead Man's Chest. He had made opportunistic use of supernatural forces before, in material outside of the films, namely when forming a brief alliance of convenience with the undead pirate captain Jolly Roger. Beckett in a sense replaces the disgraced Norrington as the primary governmentalvillain, and in that capacity serves as a counterpart to Davy Jones, who succeeds Barbossa as the primary pirate villain.

Related: Pirates of the Caribbean: All 5 Ships Captained By Jack Sparrow

When describing his old adversary inDead Man's Chest, Beckettsays of Jack that "we've each left our mark on the other." In the case of Jack, this is a very literal reference to the "P" brand that Beckett had seared onto his skin to mark him as a pirate, whereasJack's corresponding mark on Beckett is more figurative.As established in prequel novelPirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom, as a young man, Jack worked for the East India Trading Company after being recruited by Beckett. Although not wantonly rebellious, Jack eventually defied Beckett on principle by refusing to reveal the location of the lost island of Kerma and freeing a shipful of slaves. In retaliation, Beckett branded Jack and scuttled the ship that would become theBlack Pearl, butbecause the consequences of Jack's exploits fell on the head of his immediate superior,Beckett's reputation was tarnished to the point that his social mobility was arrested and his aspirations for a noble title were frustrated. His "mark" was being weighed down by Sparrow's insubordination and his own inability to control him.

The question of social mobility isn't unique to Beckett in thePirates of the Caribbean films. Most centrally, Elizabeth's love for Will inThe Curse of the Black Pearlis complicated by his lower standing, and her ascension to the role of Pirate Lord inAt World's End could be seen as evidence of herbenefiting fromthe greater equality offered by the films' grungily idyllic pirate society. However, as is very rarely the case, Beckett had a specific individual that he could blame for his social stagnation, and his vendetta against Jack Sparrow brought a hateful spin to his lifelong fascination with pirates that would have far-reaching consequences.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: What The "Mark" Was That Jack Left On Beckett - Screen Rant

Due to the effects of COVID-19 routine B1/B2 in-person interviews remain suspended. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv, or 246-623-9832 or 246-6239833 to request an emergency appointment.

For more information visit theNonimmigrant Visas page.

TheConsular Sectionof the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, hastemporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement forindividuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 12 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The Secretary has temporarily extended the expiration period to 24 months. This policy is in effect until December 31, 2020. This change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications whilelimiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff. At this time, you must be a citizen and passport holder of Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis to qualify. Please review the list of criteria below to find out if you may be eligible for the Renewal Interview Waiver program.

Please visit our Global Support Services(GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including adirectory of nonimmigrant visa categories.

By U.S. Embassy Bridgetown | 2 September, 2020 | Topics: Messages for U.S. Citizens, Non Immigrant Visas

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Renewal Interview Waiver Updates | US Embassy in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS - US Embassy in Barbados

Royal Caribbean's fifth Oasis Class cruise ship is scheduled to be floated out on Friday of this week.

Photo by PO-ND

Ouest France reports Wonder of the Seas is under construction at theChantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and will be floated out on Friday afternoon.

Following her float out, she will be transferred to BasinC on Saturday morning, weather permitting. The shipyard scheduled the move for 7am local time in order to take advantage of the high tide.

The future largest cruise ship in the world will move from Basin A, where she has been under construction since the beginning, and move to Basin C, where work on the interior of the ship will take place for six months.

Wonder of the Seas has no operational engines yet, so tugs will move her the 450 meters. The move should not last more than an hour.

Space for Wonder of the Seas in Basin C is available due toMSC Virtuosa moving out of the area.

Delivery of Wonder of the Seas has been rescheduled to 2022 due to the impact of the current health crisis.

When Wonder of the Seas does debut, she is scheduled to begin sailings from China.

Continue reading here:

Wonder of the Seas to be floated out on Friday - Royal Caribbean Blog

KEY FIGURES

5.5M CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES IN LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN AS OF 9 AUGUST

REGIONAL: COVID-19

Cases are referenced from PAHO/WHO 9 August COVID-19 Report - https://bit.ly/2O25YQw

As of 9 August, PAHO/WHO report 5,519,857 cases and 218,708 deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as 3,740,226 recovered cases.

KEY FIGURES

$5.9B IN REMITTANCES TO GUATEMALA FROM JAN-JUL 2020, 1.4% MORE THAN JAN-JUL 2019

CENTRAL AMERICA: COVID-19

PANAMA

A group of mostly Haitian migrants stranded in Darin, near the eastern border with Colombia, damaged emergency camps in protest, setting fire to shelter tents and the camps medical station. Protesters are threatening to burn more camps in Darin, home to some 2,000 migrants, if they are not transferred to the western border with Costa Rica to continue their journey, despite the border closure due to the pandemic.

The violence forcibly displaced local families as well. Authorities detained 12 migrants over the fires and announced they will deport any migrant detained for disorderly conduct.

GUATEMALA

The Central Bank reports that remittances totalled US$5.9 billion from January to July, a 1.4 per cent increase from the $5.8 billion sent during the same period in 2019, despite the ongoing pandemic. Remittances increased slightly in June and July following drastic declines from March to May. Remittances are a major source of foreign income in Guatemala, especially for rural families; 2019 remittances totalled $10.5 billion, just under the $11 billion in exports.

KEY FIGURES

3.1M STUDENTS IN BOLIVIA AFFECTED BY SUSPENSION OF SCHOOL YEAR DUE TO COVID-19

SOUTH AMERICA: COVID-19

BOLIVIA

The Government suspended the rest of Bolivias school year over the COVID-19 pandemic and its threat to the health of students and faculty, affecting some 3.1 million students, 88 per cent of whom are in the public system. The Government said they could not guarantee free and universal education as most rural areas do not have adequate internet access. The UN in Bolivia is expressing concern over the measure and is urging the Government to find formal alternatives to keep schooling on track and guarantee the right to education.

PERU

The Government is exempting qualified foreign medics and nurses from validating their degrees in Peru a bid to provide overrun health services with additional staffing and support.

The exemption will allow those among the 830,000 Venezuelans in Peru with qualified degrees support medical workers, who account for 7,000 cases and 200 deaths. Those qualified will be able to earn income outside a battered informal economy that has prompted many who are unable to earn livelihoods to return to Venezuela.

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Latin America & The Caribbean - Weekly Situation Update (3-9 August 2020) as of 10 August 2020 - Bahamas - ReliefWeb

At the beginning of 2020, the US passport enjoyed a relatively high ranking on the Henley Passport Index, an annual report that ranks the strength of passports based on how many countries it grants holders visa-free access to. A person with US citizenship could gain visa-free access to 185 countries.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed that. Now, the US passport is rapidly losing some of its status. In July, CNN reported that the US passport is about as powerful as the Mexican one, which is currently ranked 25th in the world and allows visa-free entry to 159 countries.

For US citizens looking to explore secondary passport options, Caribbean countries present an appealing opportunity. Of the 13 Caribbean countries, it's possible to obtain citizenship for the cost of $150,000 or less in five of them: St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda.

The Dominican Republic offers the next-most-affordable option for people seeking second passports; permanent resident status there can be obtained through an investment of $200,000 in a local business.

For comparison, as of November 2019,obtaining an EB-5 immigration visa to the US could set you back by about $1.8 million.

Jennifer Malin, an attorney and citizenship-by-investment expert based in St. Kitts and Nevis, told Business Insider that since the beginning of the pandemic, she has seen has an increase in interest from US citizens exploring second citizenship options.

"There's recently been an increase in applicants that are applying, particularly because they lowered the price for a family of four, and many of the citizenship programs have made changes to their programs that are more beneficial to applicants," Malin told Business Insider. The amount was reduced to $150,000 from almost $200,000 in July 2020.

Paddy Blewer, Public Relations Director with Henley & Partners, told Business Insider that one of the first steps in obtaining a passport via a citizenship-by-investment program in the Caribbean is proving that you have the capital to make that investment. Applicants will also have to go through a rigorous background check.

The result, Blewer said, is that applicants tend to be wealthy.

"Almost certainly the people that acquire alternative citizenship are quite wealthy because you're talking about having at least just over a hundred thousand us dollars to make this investment, at the very least," Brewer said. "The reality is, is it may well be more because it won't necessarily just be for you. So it very quickly racks up into early six figures."

The whole process takes two to three months.

Citizenship by investment is not the only way to get a second passport, however. You can also become a citizen through descent, marriage, and naturalization.

Here's everything you need to know if you're thinking of getting second citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda. Note that the US and each of these five Caribbean countries allows dual citizenship, which means you do not have to give up the passport of one country in order to become a citizen of the other.

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How to get a second passport in the Caribbean - Business Insider - Business Insider

HAVANA (Reuters) - Havana was once dubbed the Paris of the Caribbean for its beautiful architecture, vibrant arts scene, and flourishing nightlife. Now it even has its own Eiffel Tower.

Jorge Enrique Salgado explains how he built a replica of the Eiffel Tower on the roof of his home in Havana, Cuba, August 6, 2020. Picture taken August 6, 2020. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

The illuminated four-meter (13-ft) high replica by Cuban blacksmith Jorge Enrique Salgado lights up a corner of the otherwise dimly-lit Arroyo Naranjo southern residential district of the capital.

Salgado, 52, an accountant who learnt metalworking from his father, says he has never been to Paris. But he had seen the Eiffel Tower in films and photos and when his son asked him to make an antenna to capture the Wi-Fi signal of a nearby park, he hit on the idea of making a model.

Home internet service is not widely available in the Communist-run island, but Wi-Fi hotspots have been rolled out in parks and plazas nationwide since 2015.

In the end, the project took on a life of its own and they never installed the antenna because they felt it would ruin the aesthetic of the model that took months to build. Cuba has also rolled out mobile internet over the last year and a half.

To make the tower, my son downloaded plans, models, photos and other details via the internet, said Salgado. I realized the original tower was built piece by piece so thats what I did.

Salgado said he bought and salvaged pieces of iron railings to built the tower on the roof of his home, using car halogens to light it up, in a country where it is often difficult to find material.

We based our lighting exactly on the original, said his son, Enrique Salgado, who helped him build the replica.

The enthusiasm in the neighborhood for his Eiffel Tower has kindled hopes he could make a living from the passion project and he is now working on a slightly smaller model to sell.

I never thought of dedicating myself to this, never, said Salgado. (But) it would be an honor to be able to live off this.

Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien

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Havana, the 'Paris of the Caribbean,' gets its own Eiffel Tower - Reuters

LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN: COVID-19 CRISIS OVERVIEW

Latin America and the Caribbean now accounts for nearly 30 per cent of global COVID-19 cases, despite having less than a tenth of the global population. The severity of the pandemic is threatening hard-won gains made in the last ten years and creating critical multidimensional humanitarian needs. Middle- and highincome countries that do not traditionally receive multilateral assistance are requesting support, as many of their citizens are now turning to government help to survive. The situation is likely to worsen as countries re-open to mitigate the economic downturn amid strained healthcare systems.

5.1MCONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 AS OF 5 AUGUST

8KCASES PER EVERY 1 MILLION INHABITANTS AS OF 5 AUGUST

ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS

Projections from the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) indicate that the COVID-19 crisis will trigger a 9.1 per cent contraction in regional GDP, the region's worst recession in a century, potentially causing 45 million more people to fall into poverty and 28 million more people to fall into extreme poverty by the end of 2020. This projected impact stands to put millions of people at risk of undernutrition.

FOOD INSECURITY

The COVID-19 crisis is exacerbating existing food insecurity, particularly for people in Central America dealing with recurring climate shocks and in people in Haiti with limited food access due to pre-pandemic mobility restrictions. WFP estimates some 16 million people with acute food insecurity in 2020, up 269 per cent from 4.3 million people in 2019 and the highest relative increase in the world.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Women are suffering exacerbated social and economic gaps that have reduced economic resilience and increased care demands at home, where they are more exposed to violence during confinement.

113WOMEN IN POVERTY FOR EVERY 100 MEN

50%+MORE GBV REPORTED IN SOME COUNTRIES

Many indigenous peoples live in remote areas with poor access to quality healthcare and information, prompting growing calls to address health response gaps, especially in the Amazon region.

49K+CASES REPORTED IN INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN THE REGION (6 JULY)

170KINDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN BRAZIL-COLOMBIAPERU AMAZON AREA

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Latin America & The Caribbean - Monthly Situation Snapshot - As of 6 August 2020 - World - ReliefWeb

*Trigger warning: Some mention of violence towards gay men.

June has become a celebratory month for both LGBTQIA+ Pride and Caribbean-American Heritage. This year, the annual NYC Pride Parade and several Caribbean awareness organizations had to cancel their events due to the impacts of the Coronavirus. Despite the cancellation of many major parades, both communities have found ways to celebrate themselves during the month of June. As many people across the nation continue to march for Black Lives, recently, a spectrum of identities within the LGBT+ Caribbean community have come into view, and it is important to acknowledge how these communities clash.

One of the many taboos in the Caribbean is having open discussions about the LGBT+ community. West Indian families are very much silent about the topic and express their homophobia, transphobia, and heteronormative feelings about different sexualities in ways that can be marginalizing. Often, West Indian communities condemn their own family members, calling them derogatory names, and these individuals are usually unable to feel truly welcomed in public spaces. West Indian people are also in denial of their stigmatizing of the LGBT+ community, where verbal and physical abuse, as well as discrimination of one's sexuality is pertinent in the culture. Many are pressured to conform to the subjective representations of "masculinity" or "femininity" because of religious and cultural expectations. This creates a complete dismissal of transgender, transsexual, bisexual, queer and intersex persons, whose different gender and sexuality identities are confronted by heteronormative beliefs of West Indians.

One of the many reasons Caribbeans celebrate their heritage is because of the wide range of music across cultures. Caribbean music is fundamental to how people survive, work, and feel liberated on the day-to-day. West Indian culture is highly appreciated for its Dancehall music. For many Caribbean countries, Dancehall has become economically central, with people using the genre to create new fashion styles, events, and dance forms. However, it is also a genre that promotes extremely homophobic lyrics. Our most beloved Dancehall artists, such as Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Sizzla and Vybz Kartel have all been lyricists for the burning, drowning, and violence against gay men. The notorious 1988 song by Buju Banton, "Boom Bye Bye" advocates for the brutal shooting of a gay man in the head in its lyrics.

Many Eastern Caribbean countries continue to enact discriminatory laws against LGBT+ people. Countries such as Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & St. Nevis, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and St. Lucia have had several reports of discriminatory legislation called "buggery laws,'' that negatively impact the LGBT+ population. Laws implemented were originally fostered by British colonialists, prohibiting consensual same-sex marriages and public relationships. Even so, West Indian culture has traditionally always been ingrained with heteronormativity. Law enforcement tends to dismiss harassment and sexual violent cases, often asking people if they are "straight" first before helping them.

The clash between Caribbean cultures and LGBT+ communities have created a segway for Caribbean organizations to step forth and diminish the stigma and violence against people. Non-profit organizations such as The Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), located in Queens, NY have empowered the voices of LGBT+ people of Caribbean origin. CEP was founded by Mohamed Q. Amin, who is an Indo-Caribbean Guyana native and gay rights activist. After a troubling violent hate crime shook the queer community in Richmond Hill, Queens, he created CEP to bring hope and to advocate for the inclusion and equality for all West Indian gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ people in NYC. CEP has worked to equalize spaces for queer people to receive medical, food, immigration, and mental health resources through several GoFundMe pages and services. Also, their organization has expanded, receiving recognition from Dominique Jackson of the popular Netflix show POSE, who spoke in their storytelling campaign series, "My Truth, My Story" that documents stories of LGBT+ people from the Caribbean. The storytelling series goals are to liberate and unshackle survivors from living in silence and fear, while providing a space for them to speak their own truths and educate others within the Caribbean diaspora.

The first Pride Parade occurred in 1970 in New York City, and was often recognized as the initial stage of the LGBT+ rights movement. This year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Pride and despite the political climate of our nation, a united community of people walked together with their masks on, safely advocating for Black lives and Queer liberation. CEP partnered with API Rainbow Parents, GAPIMNY, Barkada NYC, Sige!, and Q-Wave and joined hands with them to celebrate LGBT+ people and give recognition to people of Caribbean heritage and other cultural backgrounds.

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June, A Month of Many Celebrations: Caribbean Heritage and LGBTQIA+ Pride (Opinion) - Skidmore News

Pirates of the Caribbeanhas truly stood the test of time. With five movies under its belt and two more on the way, there are plenty of stories to be told. One of those movies will be a continuation of the current series while another will star Margot Robbie in a female-fronted reboot.

RELATED:Pirates Of The Caribbean: 5 Things The Reboot Can Improve (& 5 Ways It Can Fail)

Fans have high expectations when it comes to these movies sincePirates of the Caribbeanis still one of the most beloved movie franchises out there today. However, it hasn't necessarily gotten better through its run. Viewers are definitely looking for some particulars in the next sequel and spin-off.

Fans asked and they shall receive: Margot Robbie is going to star in the reboot, which will not be connected to the main storyline. It's about time that a female pirate lead steps into the spotlight in a franchise that hasn't had too many women characters before.

There's also no reason that the sequel movie can't focus on a female character, pirate or otherwise, especially with some options available. Carina, Barbossa's daughter, or perhaps even Elizabeth (the Pirate King herself!) couldreturn after her brief cameo in the fifth movie.

Many fans are not clamoring for the return of Captain Jack. He has certainly run his course, having starred in all five movies. The character has really gone downhill over time. While he started the series as a smart man who was ten steps ahead of everyone around him, he descended into a drunken pirate who was barely along for the ride.

RELATED:Pirates Of The Caribbean: 5 Ways To Reboot The Franchise (& 5 Reasons It Should Be Left Alone)

There are plenty of other leads that can take his place, the most obvious being Will, who is poised to command the sixth movie with a resurrected conflict against Davy Jones. When it comes to Jack,audiencesmay have simply had their fill of the captain.

Pirates of the Caribbeanis iconic for a reason, as it knew how to write memorable characters. With Jack (the captain and the monkey), Pintel, Ragetti, Barbossa, Will, Elizabeth, Tia Dalma, and many more leading the way,lovable characters abound, even when they'retechnically bad news.

Both new movies have the opportunity to create new characters, whether they're comedic relief or serious members of the crew. It would be refreshing after all these years to fall in love with a new crew of pirates or even some fresh bad guys.

Technically,Pirates of the Caribbeanbegan asa dark story. It had cursed skeletons, wayward pirates, and plenty of gray skies on the sea. But the movies only got darker and darker. A lighthearted take (with a visually pleasing aesthetic) would serve to revive the tired franchise.

When Margot Robbie's crew sets sail, that would be the best chance to see a totally fresh take on the pirate world. Here's hoping that she can do for pirates what she did for Harley Quinn and have some fun on screen. Hopefully, the sixth film willalso be a bit lighter.

Many longtime viewers are already fan-casting who would be the best additions to the series, with names ranging from Karen Gillan to Florence Pugh. If there's one thingPirates of the Caribbeanhas always been good at, it's all-star celeb cameos for the best roles.

Whether it's Javier Bardem as a villainous captain or Bill Nighy as the legendary Davy Jones,the franchise didn't pull punches when it came to casting. The new movies have the potential to add more exciting names to a long list of hits.

Viewers have gotten attached to the central characters who make upPirates of the Caribbean,especially the original trifecta of Jack, Will, and Elizabeth. It would simply be painful to watch them get unhappy endings after all these years.

RELATED:Pirates of the Caribbean: 5 Characters Who Got Fitting Endings (& 5 Who Deserved More)

Since Will is poised to star in the next sequel now that Davy Jones has possibly returned, it would be terrible to watch the former meet an untimely demise or get cursed again. He already got a happy ending, being reunited with Elizabeth and Henry, so the next movie should not resort to forced drama.

Many talented actors and fantastic characters have contributed to the series over the years, but the cast has not always been the most inclusive. Zoe Saldana made a splash in the first movie as Anamaria and no one could forget Naomie Harris's turn as Tia Dalma, but the franchise needs to create moreopportunities for diversity.

There are so many phenomenal actors of color who could seamlessly join the sixth film's cast, and the same can be said for the spin-off. Fans can't wait to see who gets cast next.

It's not exactly a secret thatPirates of the Caribbeanmovies became long, convoluted, and way too wacky. With so many supernatural and fantastical elements, it was easy for the series to go overboard.The next movies need to rein it in and bring back the excitement ofThe Curse of the Black Pearl's action-adventure status.

The spin-off has the potential to put together a straightforward and acclaimed movie about female pirates on the open sea, while the mainline sequel should stick to what the series does best: Character-driven adventures. Although Davy Jones was supernatural, it was really when they began adding too many villains andplot threads that the franchise crossed a line.

Pirates of the Caribbeanhas never taken itself too seriously and the actors seemed to have plenty of fun on set. While they cast many popular actors in major roles, they also brought on some fan favorites in cameos. Namely, Keith Richards and Paul McCartney stood out as Jack's family members.

RELATED:Pirates Of The Caribbean: 5 Best Rivalries (& 5 That Make No Sense)

It was a fun nod to Jack's rock-star roots and inspiration, and the new movies should keep the gag going. These cameos never got in the way of the movie, so it would be a nice touch to see who stopped by the set for a day of dress-up.

The Curse of the Black Pearlfeltlike it could have been made in the Golden Age of Hollywood. The swashbuckling spectacle had the perfect mix of practical and special effects.

The movie magic was just that magical. But the movies went on to feature more and more CGI, until they transformed into indistinguishable blockbusters. The next movies should go back to the roots of the first one, taking care to portray the setting as realistically as possible while toning down the over-the-top effects or story beats.

NEXT:Pirates Of The Caribbean Reboot: 5 Actresses We Want To Join Margot Robbie (& 5 We Don't)

Next 10 Movie Flops That Shouldve Been Hits

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Pirates Of The Caribbean 6: 5 Things We'd Want In A New Movie (& 5 That We Don't) - Screen Rant

Avast ye, landlubbers here be pirates.

Disneys Pirates of the Caribbean movies were a gamble (a movie based on a theme park ride?) on top of a gamble (a pirate movie in the year 2003, really?) on top of a gamble (Johnny Depp doing a Keith Richards impression?) that became a worldwide sensation and defined the mid-2000s. The Curse of the Black Pearl was soon followed by back-to-back entries with Dead Mans Chest and At Worlds End. The iconic characters, the rich mythos, the sweeping score, and the swashbuckling sword fights grabbed audiences by the rigging back then and never quite let go.

I guess you could say weve chosen the pirates life.

While the fourth and fifth films, 2011s On Stranger Tides and 2017s Dead Men Tell No Tales, sizzled out stateside, they still brought in that box office booty around the world, meaning that the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is far from the depths of Davy Jones Locker. Based on reports from this year, a direct Pirates 6 sequel is in the works, and newly revealed side-quel starring Margot Robbie on the horizon. WIth all the good movies now on Disney Plus now (and without much else in theaters), this was the perfect time to, take the helm and set sail to plunder the rich expanse of this franchise.

What treasures shall we find in these pirate-infested waters? Grab your cutlass, hoist the colors, and lets find out.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: News, reviews, and how to watch the movies - Polygon

With no end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, the current climate is impacting revenue well into the future. Haitian American Carl Napoleon, CEO and founder of Carnival Jumpers, says that even though governments have not announced final decisions on 2021 events, many of his clients have decided not to risk it. People have already begun canceling bookings for 2021. Theyre sad about not celebrating with their friends, but COVID has them leery about going anywhere, let alone a large event like Carnival.

Out of necessity, the industry has already begun rethinking what Carnival will look like down to roadand how to keep the spirit alive. Despite the obvious losses, many see the Caribbeans tenacity shining through. Kelvin Jacob, CEO of the Grenada Spicemas Corporation (which runs a festival of the same name), sees virtual experiences as an opportunity.

Grenada has become innovative in its quest to keep the excitement about Carnival sustained into 2021, with virtual events throughout the festival period," says Jacob. The events have already begun with live virtual Carnival City shows held every Thursday via YouTube and Facebook, showcasing local artists and their music, to culminate in a virtual Grand Concert on August 9.

For others, COVID-19 has been a reason to turn inwardand reconsider who Carnival is really for. Jules Sobion, CEO of Caesars Army and creative director of Rogue Mas, is thinking about a Carnival thats solely about the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Our Carnival is a very sensory product, so I think its difficult to apply social distancing measures, especially on the road or in the ftes," says Sobion. "My vision for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival in 2021 would be totally localwith the borders closed, unless a vaccine is foundwhich will give the country the opportunity to rethink, re-strategize, and repackage our holistic cultural product.

Missing Carnival has ultimately left many, like Trinidadian blogger Marissa Charles, founder of Global Carnivalist, reminiscing on how much of the experience they once took for granted. I feel like there are certain aspects of Caribbean culture that I took for granted and appreciate much more now," she says. "I genuinely miss the freedom of a Carnival parade, being in a crowd without feeling paranoid about COVID, and the sense of community that Caribbean culture provides. Being unable to celebrate ourselves month after month has been devastating.

Even without a physical presence, the message of Carnival is still clear: The Caribbeans greatest strength is in its unity. It is this togetherness, and commitment to tradition, that Sobion feels will get islands through this challenge. This is a time for metamorphosis for the entire industry and all of its stakeholders. Lets all come together and use this pandemic as the proverbial cocoon, in which we will transform from our old way of life and emerge into something new and beautiful for the entire world to see.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

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What a Year Without Caribbean Carnival Means for the Region - Cond Nast Traveler