One-Minute reads ... News from around the region

Bahamas given 'all-clear' after storm passing

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday morning gave the all-clear for the entire country after the passage of Tropical Storm Isaias - but said there needs to be caution due to possible severe weather conditions.

According to NEMA, the hurricane warning has been discontinued for the islands of Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Berry Islands.

According to reports, Isaias damaged roofs and topped trees as it made landfall on Andros Island on Saturday morning. The storm also left widespread damage across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

In the Dominican Republic, two people were killed. In the first instance, a high-voltage power line fell, killing a 53-year-old man, and a five-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell and crushed his home.

Cayman Airlines adds Kingston, Miami flights

Cayman Airways has announced five additional repatriation flights for August.

On the weekend, the airline advised that two flights will depart Grand Cayman for Miami and three will fly to Kingston, Jamaica.

The airline also advised that additional repatriation flights may be scheduled for September, depending on the timeline set for border reopening.

The airline also reminded passengers to review entry requirements, including necessary travel documents, and airline policy before travelling.

Travellers to Jamaica will need to register in advance either on the website for returning residents or the website for non-Jamaicans and tourists.

While travellers from Cayman will not be subject to COVID-19 testing, they will undergo a health screening by Jamaican health authorities.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

LIAT CEO resigns

The CEO of the cash-strapped regional carrier, LIAT, Julie Reifer-Jones has resigned. In a letter sent to LIAT employees, Reifer-Jones confirmed her resignation.

According to the Antigua Observer, Reifer-Jones had tendered her resignation earlier, but in the letter she told employees that she had been asked by shareholders and the board of directors to stay on.

However, the appointment of an administrator by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, charged with reorganising LIAT, paved the way for Reifer-Jones' departure.

According to Reifer-Jones, the administrator, Cleveland Seaforth, was appointed administrator on July 25.

Reifer-Jones, who is from Barbados, was appointed LIAT's chief financial officer in 2008 and was subsequently appointed CEO in 2017, becoming the first woman to hold that position.

Cuba signs economic agreement with Spanish community

Cuba and the Basque Country - an autonomous community in northern Spain - have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in order to deepen cooperation ties.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, the agreement intends to expand collaboration in areas such as agriculture; heritage and culture; renewable energy and environment; science, technology and innovation; in addition to territorial development and gender.

It also establishes the actions of the Basque Agency for Development Cooperation (AVDC) in Cuba for the next four years, taking as its starting point the goals of the National Plan for Economic and Social Development of Cuba until 2030.

The agreement replaces the Basque Strategy for Cuban Development Cooperation, approved in 2007, since it is the intention of both parties to update the sectors of collaboration more than 10 years later.

Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment and the AVDC will meet at least once a year to assess collaboration actions in process and define future actions.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

5.3 magnitude earthquake strikes

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck near Port of Spain late Saturday.

According to the Seismic Research Centre at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus, the quake, that occurred shortly after 8 p.m. (local time), had a depth of 10 kilometres.

It was also felt in the towns of Point Fortin and Laventille to the south of here, as well as sections of Venezuela. There were no reports of damage or injuries.