Category Archives: Caribbean

Join the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas Tuesday, Aug. 2, for a free webinar as we launch a free multilingual ebook on journalist safety in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Experts on the topic will come together for a discussion on the current situation of violence against journalists in the region and measures to protect the press.

Speakers include:

The webinar takes place, in Spanish, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. US Central Time via Zoom.Registration is required.

Protection of Journalists: Safety and Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean, the ebook soon available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, is a compilation of articles produced over the course of eight months by members of the Knight Centers digital magazine, LatAm Journalism Review, and journalists from the region.

The four-part project focuses on: 1) coverage of protests, 2) reporting on violent conflict, 3) development of protection mechanisms, and 4) investigation and prosecution of violence against journalists.

The 15-story project, edited by Mexican journalist Javier Garza and coordinated by The Knight Centers Teresa Mioli, presents country case studies and never-before reported details of violence targeting press professionals. It includes guides on how to stay safe while reporting on protest and violent conflict. And, it looks at delays in setting up systems to protect journalists, as well as flaws in the offices meant to prevent impunity.

This is one of the most complete assessments of the risks journalists face and the systems designed to protect them, but from the perspective of the journalists themselves and how safe they are in their own countries," Garza said.

The project was made possible thanks to funding from UNESCOs Global Media Defense Fund.

We are grateful to UNESCOs Global Media Defense Fund for its support to enable us at the Knight Center to work on this project that has helped journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean with useful information about their safety and ways to fight against impunity, said professor Rosental Alves, Knight Center founder and director. We have helped journalists to understand many aspects of the problem of violence against the press in the region, but we have also highlighted the need for justice, the end of impunity.

Register today for this important webinar and join the discussion on journalist safety in the region.

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Knight Center to launch ebook on journalist safety in Latin America and Caribbean during webinar | Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas -...

2022 Atlantic hurricane names: See list, including supplemental names

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Here is the list of names for 2022, as established by the World Meteorological Organization.

Cheryl McCloud, Wochit

The Atlantic basin remained quiet again, with no tropical cyclones expected over the next five days, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters are watching three tropical waves, with one in the western Caribbean.

Your guide to preparing for the 2022 hurricane season in Florida

Track all active storms

Excessive rainfall forecast

A weak tropical wave brought thunderstorms to South and Central Florida Tuesday, with rain amounts ranging from 1 to 3 inches.

Scattered storms are forecast this afternoon over the same areas.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.

The next named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Danielle.

Hurricane season 2022: CSU, AccuWeather forecasters agree: Active hurricane season ahead. Here's what you need to know

WeatherTiger: The 2022 hurricane model power rankings: Who has the best spaghetti, who's off track?

Forecasters agreed earlier this year an active hurricane season is coming. Colorado State University meteorologists predicted 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationsaid 14 to 21 named storms will develop.Of the predicted hurricanes, three to sixcould be major hurricanes, packing wind speeds of 111 mph or higher.

Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 8a.m. July 27:

Tropical wave 1:A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic is located north of Cape Verde. It's moving to the west at 19 mph. It's embedded in dry Saharan air, which is inhibiting development.

Tropical wave 2:A tropical wave is located in the central Atlantic between the British Virgin Islands and Cape Verde. It's moving to the west at 15 mph. It's also embedded in dry Saharan air.

Tropical wave 3:Another tropical wave is located in the western Caribbean off the Yucatan Peninsula. It's moving to the west at 13 mph.

It's too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to the U.S. from the tropical waves.

Forecasters urge all residents to continuemonitoring the tropics and to always be prepared during what's expected to be an active hurricane season.

If you can't see any local weather warnings here, you'll need to open this story in a web browser.

See the National Hurricane Center's five-day graphical tropical weather outlook below.

Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look at ourspecial subscription offers here.

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NHC keeping eye on 2 tropical waves in Atlantic, 1 in Caribbean - Ocala

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. July 26, 2022:Google is putting the spotlight today on a Caribbean musical instrument the only acoustic instrument invented in the twentieth century.

Today, July 26, 2022, the Google Doodle celebrates the steelpan, a percussion instrument made of metal, created and influenced by Trinbagonians. Its the only acoustic instrument invented in the twentieth century, but has origins dating back to the 1700s.

It was a staple during Carnival and Canboulay, the annual harvest festivals celebrated in Trinidad, and is still used in contemporary music. On July 26th in 1951, the Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) performed at the Festival of Britain, introducing the steelpan and a new music genre to the world.

Todays Doodle was illustrated by Trinidad & Tobago-based guest artistNicholas Hugginsand composed by Miami-based musicianEtienne Charles and Lennox Boogsie Sharpe The other steelpan musicians who worked on the project were: Josanne Francis, Jonathan Castro andLuke Walker.

See and hear it HERE

Says Huggins of the project: When I was first approached to tackle such a culturally significant topic for this Doodle, I was a bit nervous because I wanted the story being told to be one that Trinbagonians worldwide would be proud of. I was also very excited because I love creating art that showcases Trinidad & Tobago and this Doodle will allow my country to be showcased on one of the biggest online stages.

Charles commented: First thoughts were those to contain my excitement to get to work with Boogsie on the music, as well as with Nick, Angelica and the whole google team. Then it was figuring out a process. Luckily, I had just finished a global steelband project, but this one was a collaborative composition with Boogsie and myself, so he recorded ideas into a phone and sent them to me. From there, I added my part to compliment and arranged the whole piece.

Nicholas says he hopes that people can take away the sense of the industriousness and creativity of the people of Trinidad & Tobago.

We are a small country on the global stage but the fact that we have given the world such a beautiful instrument is something to be held in the highest regard, he added.

Id like people to feel the magic in the steelpan, said Etienne. An instrument born out of Afro-descendant resistance in Trinidad. A symbol of community, artistic excellence, and scientific innovation. Hopefully this makes people more inclined to come hear pan in its birthplace and feel the energy that comes from it. Its really like nothing else.

HISTORY OF THE STEEL PLAN

When enslaved Africans were brought to Trinidad and Tobago by colonialists in the 1700s, they brought over their African heritage and traditions of rhythmic drumming with them. When slavery was abolished between 1834 and 1838, Trinidadians joined in on Carnival festivities with their drums. However, in 1877, government officials banned their drumming because they feared that the drumming would be used to send messages that would inspire rebellion. In protest of this ban, musicians started to pound tuned bamboo tubes on the ground as alternatives to mimic the sound of their drums. These ensembles were called Tamboo Bamboo bands.

Another ban came in 1930, when rival Tamboo Bamboo bands would cause disturbances during Carnival and other street festivals. These bands then looked to a new alternative to carry their rhythm: metal objects such as car parts, paint pots, dustbins, biscuit tins and thus the idea of the pan was born.

During World War II, Carnival was forbidden due to security reasons, and musicians began experimenting with the unique instrument to improve the sound quality. Overtime, dents were hammered into the surface of these objects, which played different notes depending on the size, position and shape. In 1948, after the war ended, the musicians switched to using the 55-gallon oil drums discarded by the oil refineries. In addition to changing the shape of the drum surface, they found that changing the length of the drum allowed complete scales from bass to soprano. This formed the basis for the modern version of the pan. The steelpan grew and developed into a legitimate instrument through the likes of pioneers and innovators such as Winston Spree Simon, Ellie Mannette, Anthony Williams and Bertie Marshall. Many of their innovations and techniques are still used today.

The steelpan is now the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, and is a source of great pride and true resilience for its citizens. Steelpans are now enjoyed in concert calls like Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and more. Whether in the UK or Japan, Senegal or the States, the steelpan is an internationally recognized instrument that reminds listeners of its island origins.

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Googles Doodle Spotlights On This Caribbean Musical Instrument - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

Nearly every island in the Caribbean is ringed with beautiful beaches, but theres more to a Caribbean vacation than sun and sand. Just inland from the coast on many islands youll find steep-sided mountains carpeted in lush rainforest, a less undeveloped and often unexplored side to what are, after all, tropical islands. In destinations like St. Lucia, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Belize and Panama, take the path less traveled to one of these beautiful resorts hidden among the palms and ferns:

Secret Bay, Dominica Secret Bay promises a six-star rainforest resort experience, and this Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel delivers with all-suite accommodations featuring private plunge pools, dining on sustainably sourced food in your private villa or the open-air Zing Zing restaurant, dedicated hosts for each room, and a setting that blends the serenity of the rainforest with a secluded beachfront location the best of both worlds. Of course, its not just the regions best rainforest resort; its one of the best resorts in the hemisphere, period.

Visit link:

9 Caribbean Rainforest Resorts to Try Right Now - Caribbean Journal

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Alicia Nicholls

Much of the trade policy world released a collective sigh of relief when on June 17 it was announced that ministers and delegates at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)s Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) had reached an agreement.

MC12 had been postponed for two years due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Negotiators worked late into the night two days after the initial deadline to achieve consensus on a narrow package of low-hanging fruit. Now that the dust has settled, this SRC Trading Thoughts assesses what was agreed to under the Geneva Package of agreements and decisions. Furthermore, it examines what this all means for Caribbean countries, all of which are WTO members with the exception of The Bahamas which is an observer and is currently in the accession process.

The WTO is the inter-governmental organization with responsibility for overseeing the multilateral trading system. Though global merchandise trade reached a record high in 2021, it has seen some challenging years and is likely to be subdued in 2022, according to UNCTAD. The COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and consequent western sanctions against Russia, has adversely impacted global supply chains and skyrocketed global inflation.

Like any institution, the WTO is not without flaws. However, despite the dysfunction of the two most visible parts of the WTO, other functions continue such as its Trade Policy Review mechanism.

Moreover, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the WTO Secretariat has compiled invaluable data and studies on Members trade-related pandemic responses, while the organisation continues to serve as a forum for Members to share and discuss trade-related aspects of the pandemic, climate change, among other issues. In a world with an escalating number of crises, each with its own trade impacts, the WTO is needed now more than ever.

Moreover, as small open economies, Caribbean countries are particularly invested in the success of the rules-based multilateral trading system and have consistently advocated the need to fix on-going issues, includingwith the WTOs negotiation and dispute settlement functions.

Indeed, in Geneva, Caribbean countries are widely regarded as having been pivotal to the success of the MC12 negotiations. The tireless work of the negotiators, including those from the Caribbean, should be lauded.

Main Outcome Document

In the main outcome adopted by Ministers on June 17, they, inter alia, reiterated their resolve to strengthening the rules-based multilateral trading system, committed to reforming the WTO and solving the current Appellate Body impasse by 2024.

It was also the first time there has been reference to climate change, broad environmental and gender issues in the main outcome document.

Critical to the global trading systems security and predictability is the WTOs compulsory and binding dispute settlement system (DSS) where Members can settle trade disputes in an orderly and peaceful manner. As the higher tier of the two-tier DSS, the WTO Appellate Body (AB) is the forum to which parties could appeal points of law following a panel decision. The AB has been dysfunctional since December 2019 when it lost its quorum owing to the US blocking the appointment of new judges to the Body.

Although the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Mechanism (MPIA) has gained some modest traction, it is only a temporary fix with just a handful of the WTOs membership having signed on and all with the recognition that the ideal solution would be a resumption of the ABs functioning.

WTO Members committed to conduct discussions to have a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all Members by 2024.

Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, which seeks to limit and not eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies, is only the second major multilateral trade agreement to be agreed under the WTOs auspices and its first with sustainable development at its heart.

The Agreement was over two decades in coming as the negotiations had begun in 2001 and only really picked up speed in 2015. It tackles Sustainable Development Goal 14 target 6 under the United Nations2030 Agenda.

The agreement prohibits subsidies contributing to illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, subsidies for fishing an overfished stock and subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

It, nonetheless, allows developing countries, including Least Developed Countries, to continue to grant or maintain these subsidies up to and within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for up to two years from the date of the Agreements entry into force.

A Fisheries Subsidies Committee will be established to monitor the agreements implementation and there will also be a Funding Mechanism. As countries washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea where overfishing is a threat to reefs and livelihoods, Caribbean countries would have wanted a more ambitious agreement.

There will be further negotiations on disciplining subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing. However, if comprehensive disciplines are not adopted four years after the Agreements entry into force the Agreement will lapse unless the General Council decides otherwise.

TRIPS Waiver

In 2020, South Africa and India had proposed a waiver to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) allowing countries to suspend patent and other IP protections on COVID-19 related products and technologies, such as vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, for the duration of the pandemic.

However, this proposal had been strongly resisted by some of the major developed countries with substantial pharmaceutical sectors who deemed the waiver unnecessary.

What was ultimately decided at MC12 was a waiver for eligible countries of certain procedural aspects of the TRIPS Agreement for COVID-19 vaccine manufacture only, and for up to five years. Within six months Members are to further determine whether to extend this waiver to the production and supply of diagnostics and therapeutics. The waiver has drawn significant criticism from several quarters including Medicins sans Frontiers (MSF) for not going far enough.

Extension of E-commerce moratorium

WTO Members have extended the temporary moratorium banning customs duties on electronics transmissions, such as streaming services, by another two years (until MC13 which is to be held December 31, 2024 latest). India and several other developing countries have increasingly objected to the moratoriums continuation, blaming it for lost customs revenues.

A South Centre research paper, which was subsequently critiqued, has found that in the period 2017-2020, developing countries and LDCs lost $56 billion of tariff revenue, of which $48 billion were lost by the developing countries and $8 billion by the least developed countries. Without any public data on the amount of tariff revenue lost by Caribbean countries to the moratorium, it is difficult to state empirically whether this continued moratorium would negatively affect the region.

Other noteworthy outcomes

Members have also made non-binding best endeavour commitments not to apply export restrictions on medical supplies and food.

Unfinished business and the way forward

The fact that any agreement was achieved is noteworthy as the expectations going into the Ministerial were indeed low. Since the WTOs birth in 1995, its membership has grown and diversified. Finding consensus among 164 members, and an increasingly more assertive group of developing countries, is a tall order.

What helped in MC12 is that regardless of the dysfunction most, if not all, WTO members realise the organisations importance and are invested in its success even if they disagree on how that success could be achieved. What also helped was having a Director General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is unwavering and committed to working with WTO members to find solutions to address the dysfunction.

To be sure, there remains much unfinished business coming out of MC12. For example, the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement must be ratified and the built-in agenda for the negotiation of comprehensive disciplines must be completed within four years if not the Agreement lapses.

Members have agreed to accelerate WTO reform and this requires renewed commitment to address longstanding and sensitive issues such as the effectivenessof special and differential treatment and the decision-making process.

While not as ambitious as many of us would like, the MC12 Geneva Package should be regarded from a glass half-fulland not half-empty perspective.

It invigorates new life and confidence in an organization which had been dismissed by some as moribund, and in the rules-based multilateral trading system which affords our Caribbean small States some semblance of equity in an international system where small States voices are not always equally heard. Now the hard work truly begins.

Alicia Nicholls is the Junior Research Fellow with the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. Learn more about the SRC at http://www.shridathramphalcentre.com.

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#BTColumn WTO MC 12 and the Caribbean - Barbados Today

Today is our last day on the Mariner, but what better way to end the cruise than in CocoCay?

Patty and I woke up at 10 a.m. this morning and headed to the Windjammer for breakfast. We were able to get a great table that overlooked the colorful entrance of CocoCay.

Also visiting CocoCay today was Allure of the Seas. We had a feeling the island was going to be busy, so we got off the ship as soon as we were done eating.

Our first stop during our (perfect) day at CocoCay was Chill Island, which you can get to quickly by taking a left once you get on the island. Here you can find tons of seats and umbrellas for sunbathing and relaxing by the sea. There are also daybeds here you can rent for a fee if that is more your style.

It was a very hot day (85 degrees but felt like 95), so I wanted to stop and get a drink at The Wacky Seagull. Someone ahead of me ordered a Miami Vice (also known as a Lava Flow); it looked so good that I had to get one too. Patty and I sat down and enjoyed the views while I savored my drink.

We started going towards the Oasis Lagoon so we could cool off in the water. There were multiple shops along the way for those that enjoy shopping. The Chill Grill is also near Chill Island. We decided to check out the food they offered, and boy were we surprised to see how much food they had!

The Chill Grill had burgers, tacos, hotdogs, sandwiches, fruit and various desserts. It was a much larger selection than Royal Caribbeans other private island, Labadee. Patty and I decided to split a cuban sandwich and ribeye cheesesteak sandwich.

I could hear the music bopping from the Oasis Lagoon, so I knew we were close! The lagoon was busy when we first got there, and it stayed that way most of the afternoon.

All the beach chairs were claimed by towels so it was hard to find an empty one to put our stuff down. Luckily, Patty didnt have to wait too long, as a couple decided to leave when she was near them. The seats were right by the lagoon and had the perfect view of the swim-up bar.

Celebrating the fact that we found chairs, I visited the swim-up bar and got myself a Bahama Mama. It helped me stay cool in the heat for sure. A lot of the group cruisers were hanging out here so it was fun to see them and chat. This was my first Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise, and I met lots of friendly people that have made my first experience memorable.

I love jamming to the music at the lagoon, so that makes this place my favorite spot on the island. The DJ does an excellent job of playing current and older pop songs to get people hyped and excited.

As I mentioned, we were worried the island was going to be busy since there were two cruise ships. This was not the case because the island is larger than it looks. There are many places to go and spend your day, almost like a resort. This was my third time at CocoCay, and every time I visit, I find new spots or things to do!

The heat was catching up to us, so we chose to head back to the ship and give ourselves plenty of time to shower and get ready for dinner.

I had heard from an employee that I can get a Johnny Rockets shake as part of my Diamond Plus status, so I wanted to go see if this was true. Johnny Rockets is only open from noon to 5 p.m., so I had to go before dinner. Turns out the employee was right, and I got an Oreo shake for free! I wish I wouldve known about this sooner.

We didnt want to forget to look at all of our professional pictures and buy some, so we did that since we were close to the dining room. We decided on our welcome aboard picture and another from a photoshoot.

Matt was sitting with his daughters at a table of eight, so he invited my mom and me to join them. It was a lovely dinner with great company!

Patty ordered the crispy coconut shrimp as an appetizer. We both got the cheese tortelloni as the main dish. I thought this was super good and different than how it has looked in the past. As I was eating it, it occurred to me that it tasted like mac n cheese, in a good way!

Dinner had two of my favorite desserts - the summer fruit pavlova and dark chocolate brownie. Both were a-ma-zing and I so wish I could bring home some leftovers (but there were none to be had).

The Farewell Variety Showtime featured both Adam Kario, the juggler and comedian from last night, and Jeffrey Allen, who had performed towards the beginning of this sailing.

Adam put on a great show and brought someone up to help him with an act, and that was fun to watch. The crowd even gave him a standing ovation. Jeffrey is an Elton John impersonator. While I did not know any of the songs he played, I could still appreciate his musical talent.

After the show, it was approaching 8 p.m., and it was time for the sunset. We made our way to the helicopter pad at the front of the ship. There were about 20 other people up there taking pictures of the sunset as well. It was beautiful for our last night at sea.

Since this is the last night of the cruise, we had to pack to leave. Patty and I are not light packers, so we had to dedicate a chunk of time to getting ready for tomorrow's long day back home.

There was still one more event I wanted to attend at 9:45 p.m. - The Battle of the Sexes game show. The host asked for five women and five men to come up on stage to represent each team. They then had to compete in certain challenges, like making a paper airplane and seeing who could throw theirs the farthest and choreographing a synchronized dance with a handkerchief. It was a fun show, but I had to leave early to finish up my packing.

Thats a wrap on our Mariner of the Seas group cruise. Thank you for following along with us! Our next group cruise is in December on Wonder of the Seas. In the meantime, happy cruising!

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Mariner of the Seas Live Blog - Day 8 - CocoCay - Royal Caribbean Blog

West Indies Chris Gayle catches a ball during a team training session in Chennai, India, Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

Associated Press/Kirsty Wigglesworth/File

The theme song for the SKYEXCH 61XTY tournament has been released ahead of the first running of the new 10-over (60 ball) cricket tournament, which gets underway on Aug. 24 in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The song is performed by Naomi Cowan, winner of the Jamaica Reggae Industrys breakthrough artiste of the year 2018 and 2019.

Cowan co-wrote and co-produced the song with Skorch Bunit and Cool Blaze under her independent label, 7th C Records.

A Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) media release last week said, Cowan has seen her profile grow rapidly around the world over recent years with her song Paradise Plum getting global plaudits and radio play.

The 6IXTY will see six mens teams and three womens teams compete for their respective versions of the Universe Boss Trophy as the unique cricketing carnival launches in 2022.

The trophy is named after T20 star Chris Gayle.

Cowan said, Ive always believed that the Caribbean has given the world the best in music and sport for many years.

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6IXTY tournament theme song released Caribbean Life - Caribbean Life News

Following his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, Johnny Depp has been lining up new projects, seemingly indicating that his career is picking up again after his legal troubles. One role that his fans would more than likely love to see him reprise is Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Theres been much speculation regarding whether Depp could return to the billion-dollar Disney franchise, and further alleged details on his relationship with the studio were mentioned during his recent trial. This includes the amount of money he was reportedly going to be paid for a sixth installment before Heards allegations came into play.

It would seem that Johnny Depp was set to take in a massive payday for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. During the defamation trial, his talent manager, Jack Whigham, said that the actor had verbally agreed to a $22.5 million deal to appear in the movie, per Insider. Such a figure does sound feasible, considering the success of the franchise and Depps status in it. Its much more realistic than the rumor that he was being paid $301 million to return for a single film, a notion that Depps rep quickly shut down.

Next to nothing is known about the specifics of the movie, aside from the fact that it wouldve likely been the final outing for the character of Jack Sparrow. The actor behind the famous pirate claimed during the trial that he had his own ideas for ending the Pirates franchise. At this point, it would seem that any concepts he had in mind wont see the light of day, because the star also confirmed that he has no interest in returning to the film series. That doesnt mean the franchise itself is dead, though.

In June 2020, it was reported that a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie is in the works, with Margot Robbie attached as the lead. Robbie responded to the Pirates rumors months later, only saying that it was still early days on the project. Earlier this year, veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that Disney has two PotC screenplays in its possession, one that stars Robbie and one that doesnt. When Bruckheimer was asked if Johnny Depp could return for the latter, he said not at this point and that the future had yet to be determined.

Today's best Disney+ deals

People had plenty of thoughts on Margot Robbies Pirates movie, and many were vocal about their desire to have Johnny Depp back in the main role. A petition to get Depp into the sixth movie has circulated online for quite a while now and even saw new life, thanks to the trial. Still, theres the debate revolving around whether he should be allowed to return to the series after everything thats transpired.

His former Pirates co-star, Greg Ellis, defended him amidst the lawsuits, saying that the Jack Sparrow actor had been mischaracterized. Kevin McNally also spoke out on whether the star should be allowed to return. McNally doesnt see any impediment for him coming back and said that hed never seen a hint of any dark side to his colleague. In addition, an ex-Disney exec believes the star could return at some point down the line.

As one of Walt Disney Studios most profitable franchises, its likely that the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise will return in one form or another. But even amid Johnny Depps legal troubles and assertion that hes done with the series, some are sure to continue speculating on whether hell return and get paid handsomely for it.

All five Pirates of the Caribbean movies are available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

Read this article:

How Much Johnny Depp Was Reportedly Going To Be Paid For Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Before Amber Heard Allegations Came Down - CinemaBlend

With COVID-19 restrictions largely lifted across the Caribbean, the summer Carnival season with all of its costumes, music and dancing has returned.

Hopes are high across the region for what is typically the biggest money-making event of the year, after many countries have seen declines in tourism due to the ongoing pandemic.

Among those hosting carnival festivities this summer with events scattered from June through August are Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados.

A celebration of Caribbean culture, festival-goers can expect large street parades and parties, with electrifying music, colourful costumes and dancing, and events centred around local food and drink.

While Carnival in Jamaica is typically held in the spring, it was staged later this year due to the pandemic and just wrapped on Saturday.

Carnival is being held a little later this year in many countries. Traditionally, they've been held in the days before Lent on the Christian calendar, but now many have moved them to the summer.This year, Trinidad, considered by many to be the birthplace of Carnival, went ahead with holding festivities at the end of February, before the start of Lent.

Carnival, and the tourism it brings, is vital to the local economy in Jamaica, with an estimated economic impact of $4.6 billion each year.

"Carnival in Jamaica is the largest economic impact event in Jamaica. So it's No. 1 in terms of what we have for the economy," said Kamal Bankay, the co-chair of the Carnival in Jamaica National Stakeholders Committee.

Jamaica reported more than 1.5 million visitors in 2021 a number that is expected to be higher this year, with the return of Carnival.

"Flights, hotels, ground transportation, food and beverage, events and when you sound them all up and what people are spending in Jamaica during the Carnival season, it's No. 1. Bigger than anything else," Bankay said.

Meanwhile, in Barbados, the summer festival known as Crop Over a celebration of harvest and emancipation held in late July and early August attracts thousands of visitors to the small island, with the final party, Grand Kadooment, attracting approximately 15,000 revellers alone.

Carnival brings in an estimated $150 million to that country each year, according to Anthony Layne, president of the Barbados Association of Masqueraders.

"This is the only sector that pulls in that money in such a short space of time," he said.

And in Grenada, preparations are well underway for Spicemas 2022, held from Aug. 3-10. Known as the Isle of Spice, Grenada's carnival is also a celebration of emancipation and the annual festival brings together costume design, food, rum and pageantry.

The go-ahead by the government to hold the event this year marks a new dawn, according to Kelvin Jacob, CEO of Grenada's Spicemas Corporation.

"The past two years were our downtime, and we used that time to re-evaluate our product," Jacob explained.

"Carnival is very important to our tourism. It's one of our biggest sellers and brings the largest set of people into the island."

Jacob, who has worked in carnival planning for more than 32 years, says that a lot of visitors to the island only visit Grenada because of Spicemas.

Also looking forward to a strong rebound in Carnival tourism this year is Ricardo Adams, chair of the Carnival Development Corporation for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

However, he said he wished organizers knew the festival known as Vincy Mas was happening sooner.

"We only knew we were having a full Vincy Mas around March of this year. And so in terms of the time allowed for us to prepare, it posed a bit of a challenge," said Adams.

Despite the hype surrounding Caribbean carnivals, COVID-19 is still spreading on the islands.

And in most Caribbean territories, there has been low vaccine uptake, with Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines having less than half of their populations fully vaccinated.

"There is a general concern about spikes in numbers, because entertainment events and carnivals are no different," said Bankay, of Jamaica. "[But] all the large events that are happening now are even bigger than Carnival events."

"We are living in a COVID-19 environment and life must go on," said Layne, from Barbados.

"You still have to be careful and you will still be concerned. We would still want all persons to take the necessary precautions and to do what is necessary to keep themselves safe."

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which oversees the Caribbean, COVID-19 cases in the region decreased by 5.2 per cent in the first week of July. But PAHO also cautioned that the Omicron subvariants BA.4and BA.5 were "driving new infections across the Americas."

Lynda Williams, president of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners, says particular caution must be taken with mass partying.

"COVID-19 hasn't gone anywhere. And although we think when we see numbers fall that the pandemic is over, that is not the case ... There are some new variants in BA.4 and BA.5 that are causing numbers to rise," she said.

"We just have to be very, very cautious."

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Summer carnival season returns to the Caribbean after 2-year pandemic pause - CBC.ca

After receiving the new Wonder of the Seas in 2022, the Royal Caribbean International fleet is set to grow further over the next years.

In addition to an extra LNG-powered Oasis-class vessel in 2024, the company will get a new three-ship class starting in 2023.

Heres the complete list of ships currently on order for Royal Caribbean International:

Ship:Icon of the Seas Debut Date: Fall 2023Capacity:5,600 guestsTonnage:200,000Status: Under construction in Finland

As the first vessel in a brand-new class, the Icon of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turk shipyard in Finland. Set to become one of the biggest of the fleet, the 5,600-guest cruise ship will debut in late 2023.

While further details about the LNG-powered cruise ship and its deployment are yet to be announced, Royal Caribbean revealed in April that the Icon is poised to debut in the Caribbean.

Ship:Utopia of the SeasDebut Date: Q2 2024Capacity:5,714 guestsTonnage:231,000Status: Under construction in France

Currently being built at the Chantiers de lAtlantique shipyard in France, the Utopia of the Seas is set to enter service in 2024.

Following the Wonder of the Seas, the 5,714-guest vessel will become the sixth in a series of ships known as the Oasis Class. Powered by LNG, the Utopia is also expected to assume the title of worlds largest cruise ship.

Ship:Icon Class IIDebut Date: Q2 2025Capacity:5,600Tonnage:200,000Status: Planned

Royal Caribbeans orderbook also includes a sister to the Icon of the Seas. To be built at the Meyer Turku shipyard, the LNG-powered vessel is poised to enter service in Q2 2025.

Ship:Icon Class IIIDebut Date: Spring 2026Capacity:5,600Tonnage:200,000Status: Planned

In 2019, Royal Caribbean firmed an order for a third vessel in the Icon series. Also being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard, the 5,600-guest ship will welcome its first guests during 2026s spring.

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Complete List: All The Ships Joining the Royal Caribbean Fleet Through 2026 - Cruise Industry News