MIAMI, Florida (September 2^nd, 2024) – C&W Communications, the operators of Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business and BTC, is pleased to announce the broadcast of the 2024/25 season of the English Premier League (EPL) across the Caribbean via ESPN and ESPN 2.

This year, football fans will be treated to even more action with the launch of a dedicated channel, ESPN Extra, which will feature approximately six live ‘prime’ matches per round, pre- and post-match studio shows, rebroadcasts of games, press conferences, fantasy football segments, archive matches, and other magazine-style programming.

In addition to ESPN Extra, live Premier League matches will also be aired on the existing ESPN Caribbean and ESPN 2 channels. Depending on the scheduling, matches may air simultaneously across these platforms.

As a special bonus, all television customers will enjoy a ‘freeview’ of the ESPN Extra channel until September 15. Following the freeview period, customers will have the opportunity to subscribe directly to the ESPN Extra channel and more information is available at www.discoverflow.co.

“We are thrilled to offer football fans across the Caribbean unprecedented access to one of the world’s most popular sports leagues. With ESPN Extra and the enhanced coverage across ESPN and ESPN 2, our customers will have front-row seats to experience the absolute best of the Premier League, right from their homes,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, C&W Communications.

“This is more than just sports; as we did this summer with the World Relays in The Bahamas and the recent Men’s ICC T20 World Cup, it’s about delivering an unparalleled entertainment experience and ensuring that fans across the Caribbean never miss a moment of the action.”

ESPN Extra is available to television subscribers in Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, BVI, Cayman, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, and Turks & Caicos.

MORANT BAY, September 5, 2024 – Approximately 100 families in St. Thomas are now better able to rebuild or repair their homes, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

This, after the Ministry of Labour and Social Security distributed cash grants to affected residents in the parish under the ‘Rebuild Jamaica’ initiative on Tuesday (September 3).

Through the $1-billion programme, persons whose homes suffered minor damage from the hurricane will receive grants of $50,000, while those experiencing severe damage will receive $150,000. Persons whose homes were completely destroyed will receive grants of $400,000.

Speaking during Tuesday’s (September 3) handover ceremony at Morant Villas Hotel, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said although St. Thomas was not as badly hit as Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, there are still persons in the parish who were significantly affected by the Category Four weather system.

In this regard, he said Rebuild Jamaica is indicative of the Government’s lasting commitment to Jamaicans, while urging the recipients to activate the funds quickly and use them to “build back stronger” and more resilient.

Mr. Charles also encouraged the beneficiaries to use the grants for the intended purpose, pointing out that, “if you know that you are getting a cheque to help with your house, use your money to rehabilitate your house”.

“I expect… everyone to demonstrate integrity… to show honesty… [and] I expect that it is not going to just be about you but it’s going to be about your community,” he added.

In his remarks, Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Louis Chin, said the ceremony was “a reminder that, in the face of hardships, we all must unite to recover and rebuild”.

“To the receivers, I offer my deepest empathies and support. We recognise the challenges you face and we are committed to helping you to overcome them,” Councillor Chin stated.

Greetings were also brought by Member of Parliament (MP) for St. Thomas Eastern, Dr. Michelle Charles.

Councillor for the Trinityville Division, Dean Jones, who also attended the ceremony, represented St. Thomas Western MP, James Robertson.

The Rebuild Jamaica tour, which began in Kingston on August 5, has, to date, made stops in St. Catherine, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. The tour continues in Portland on Wednesday (September 4).

Partners on the initiative include the World Food Programme (WFP), Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Jamaica Red Cross, Food For the Poor, Social Development Commission (SDC), and the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA).

CONTACT: MICKELLA ANDERSON-GORDON

JIS REGIONAL OFFICE

MORANT BAY

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

September 5, 2024 – The CARICOM Secretariat says it is “profoundly saddened” at the passing of a stalwart of our Community, Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal, on 30 August 2024.

In an illustrious career devoted to public service, Sir Shridath blazed a trail of excellence in diplomacy, law, academia and politics, earning respect and admiration in his homeland Guyana, elsewhere in the Caribbean Region, and across the Commonwealth of Nations.

He was a leading advocate of regionalism, and contributed practically to its advancement, notably in high-level service to the legal fraternity, institutions of higher learning, and as Chairman of the West Indian Commission which produced the 1992 seminal report, “Time for Action”. An astute negotiator, he was appointed by Heads of Government to lead the CARICOM Regional Negotiating Machinery in negotiations in the external trade arena.

Included among his well-deserved accolades is the Region’s highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean Community, which he received in 1992 in the first conferral of the award, for his sterling contributions to the Region.

The Secretary General and staff of the CARICOM Secretariat join the Region and the international community in mourning his loss, and in lauding his life marked by committed service and excellence.

Meanwhile, Chairman of CARICOM, Hon. Dickon Mitchell said the “pivotal contributions” to regional integration and development, by Sir Shridath  who was as an eminent jurist, Minister of Government and Attorney-General in his native Guyana; Chancellor of the University of Guyana and The University of the West Indies; and Chief Negotiator for CARICOM on External Trade Relations, must be celebrated

“His influence extended beyond our shores to the international arena, where his decisive leadership as Commonwealth Secretary-General impacted outcomes on global matters including the ending of apartheid in southern Africa. Further, his deep intellectual interest in regional development issues led to significant publications, which are an invaluable legacy for the young people of our Region,” the Chairman said.