 Welcome to the MTN Nightly, I'm Nisha Charles. This edition stomps stories. The Saint Lucia Parliament takes a significant step towards bolstering regional security. Saint Lucia secures additional flights from the UK market. Anticipation is high for Saint Lucia's Little Folk Tale at Carrot Festa, all that plus the latest in youth development, sports, and the NTN Nouvelle Arcoillon. A bill to incorporate the Carrot Festa Warrant Treaty in the laws of Saint Lucia has been passed. The treaty, which has been in existence since 2008, seeks to combat cross-border crime and enhance cooperation among law enforcement agencies and security in the Carrot Festa region. The treaty was developed in response to the deficiencies of the extradition laws in Carrot Festa member states. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shastney says it is meant to provide a more efficient system of surrender of persons among Carrot Festa member states. In the treaty, a Carrot Festa warrant, the warrant can be issued by a judge of the High Court for the arrest and surrender of a person who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offense for which the maximum penalty imprisonment for at least one year in the State Party that issued the warrant or has fled from justice after a custodial sentence has been imposed for that offense. Saint Lucia must designate a central authority to be responsible for the administrative transmission and reception of the Carrot Festa Warrant and other correspondence relating to the warrant according to the treaty. A central authority of the issuing State Party must make a request for the surrender of a person. When the request is received, Saint Lucia as an executing party state is expected to take necessary measures against the requested person in compliance with the laws of Saint Lucia. Hon. Shastney says provisions must be made in the law to empower a competent authority to arrest and detain someone under the warrant. The consent of an arrested person must be given to the executing authority in accordance with the laws of Saint Lucia. If an arrested person consents to be surrendered, the person must be surrendered within 48 hours of given consent. But if consent is not given, a decision in relation to the surrender of the person must be made within seven days of the arrest of the person. Saint Lucia signed on to the Carrot Festa Warrant Treaty on July 6, 2017. The integrating water, land and ecosystems management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States IWECO project, a five-year regional project that addresses water, land and biodiversity resource management as well as climate change continues to advance in Saint Lucia. Amanda Faye Clark tells us the progress. Here in Saint Lucia, the IWECO project will allow the application of existing proven technologies and approaches best suited for small island developing states to improve the management of fresh and coastal water resources, land resources and forests. One such initiative under the project is currently underway in Forseshack Souffre and is being facilitated through the Department of Forestry. Chief Forestry Officer Alfred Prosper says, plans are running full steam ahead on the land stabilization project as farmers and residents alike have appreciated the need to implement sustainable land use and agriculture practices in order to safeguard life, property and agribased livelihoods. The genesis of the initiative, he explains, is the widespread landslides and massive losses sustained by the Forseshack community after the passage of Hurricane Thomas in October of 2010. The project really came about to address what we call the poor biophysical conditions of the Souffre watershed, meaning the devastation in terms of massive soil erosion, massive soil loss, mutation of rivers. So these are the poor biophysical conditions caused indirectly by poor land management, unsustainable land management in terms of that watershed. And it really involves stabilization of the graded areas, river banks, etc. We currently have 17 persons employed and some of these persons are involved in the production of plants at our nursery because we have a nursery where we produce tree crops and forestry where we provide those trees to the farmers free of charge. We also do what we call farm assessments. So we not just go and walk to a farm or farmers holding and say, we're planting mahogany, we're planting mango, we're planting mahogany, sorry, coconuts, etc. We do what we call a farm assessment. So we actually go on the farm, we take the GPS position, we look at the farm activities happening, we look at some of the issues with regards to land management, soil erosion, etc. And we come with a recommendation and a plan for restoration, etc. So we've done almost 100 farms since the start of the project. Iweko is funded by the Global Environment Facility, Jeff. And the United Nations Environment Program is the lead implementing agency for the national and regional sub-projects. With the United Nations Development Program implementing some activities. From the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Amanda Fee-Clock reporting. Following high-level discussions with governments and tourism officials, Premium Carrier British Airways on Thursday, August 22 broke news of the introduction of two additional direct flights per week to St. Lucia. This comes as Virgin Atlantic Airways prepares to suspend services to the island in June of next year. Taking effect next summer, the no-tag flights will commence July 4, 2020 and will run throughout August 29, 2020. The flight offers three classes of service and will add an average of 600 additional seats weekly to facilitate travel to the island. Tourism Minister Hon. Dominic Fadie says, together with the additional flights, several other marketing initiatives are being explored as a means of infusing added life into the British market. The additional flights will bring British Airways' scheduled direct service from London to St. Lucia up from seven to nine flights weekly. Currently, St. Lucia is serviced by 14 direct BA flights that interconnect between London, Trinidad and Grenada. Regional carrier Liat has reduced fares to St. Lucia just in time for St. Lucia Roots & Soul, slated for August 23 to 25, 2019. With 40% off airfares until Sunday, August 25, fans can seize the opportunity to connect on the high-frequency inter-island carrier to be a part of the music festival. The highly anticipated performance of legendary British reggae and pop band UB40 is expected to bring additional excitement to year-long celebrations in commemoration of St. Lucia's 40th anniversary of independence. The highly decorated group featuring Ali Campbell and Astro will sound off at the upcoming third annual St. Lucia Roots & Soul Festival, thrilling audiences with the extensive repertoire of fan favourites. And speaking of thrilling audiences, Friday, August 23, 2019 will be very special for two young St. Lucia writers as their play, A Little Folk Tale, is performed at Carrifesta 14 in Trinidad and Tobago. GIS's Rodvara Lawrence reports. The cast of A Little Folk Tale has been rehearsing enthusiastically for St. Lucia's biggest night at Carrifesta 14. It's an even bigger occasion for the play's two young St. Lucia writers, 20-year-old Monique Auguste and 19-year-old Jesse Meyers. Their masterpiece, A Little Folk Tale, started as a secondary school project highlighting St. Lucia folk characters. We started off as an improv, I did in secondary school, in a theatre arts class and it was basically about this book that whatever you write in the book it comes to life. The play brings into focus four famous St. Lucia folk characters. Their stories passed down from generation to generation. The background stories of St. Lucia folk characters, the Laja Bless, the Supuyo, Pocma, and Tibolo. A Little Folk Tale became a theatre production at the South Arthur Lewis Community College. When Monique was asked to write a play for the school, she reflected on the secondary school research project and the many folk tales that excited her imagination over the years. It was at this stage Monique teamed up with Jesse Meyers, then a stage manager, to write and produce the play, now getting international attention at Carrie Fester 2019. We had a lot of fun writing the play. We mesh really well together. We have a very similar sense of humour, a similar writing style. So sitting down with Monique was always fun. It's a very exciting experience I would say and complain because like Jesse said, they started off as a very small project for Jammer Club. A lot of heart and effort was put into this and we really didn't expect any. We didn't expect it to go so far. Monique Ogiste and Jesse Meyers are hoping their exciting journey so far and the play itself will inspire young writers to explore their culture and to keep writing. One I would advise the young artists and writers to go out there and create content because the reason why I think this play was so well received was that it was kind of written with a young voice but it also bridges a gap between the older generation and I feel like sometimes we feel like we're not represented because of course our Nobel laureates and everyone before should replace but sometimes people find it difficult to identify so I would advise them to go out there, use your voice, don't give up. A Little Folk Tale was commissioned by the Cultural Development Foundation after director Draenia Frederick spotted its potential and cross-generational appeal. From the Government Information Service, I am Rog Varro-Lorens reporting from Carifesta 14 in Trinidad and Tobago. And this is the NTN Nightly. We have more from Carifesta but first, Ryan O'Brien has the sports. Hey, look at your breastfeeding. I give him both just now but I don't think I can breastfeed. Why won't you breastfeed? The thing is my breasts are so small. I don't think I will have enough milk for my baby. My dear, you can breastfeed. The size of your breast does not matter. The more the baby sucks on your breast, the more milk your breast will make. People say your breast will fall when you breastfeed. I don't mind to fall. Eventually all breasts will fall. Once you wear a supportive bra, it will help maintain the muscles of your breast while you breastfeed. Breast milk is very important for your baby's health. It is complete nutrition for your baby with the right nutrients. I did a lot of reading whilst I was pregnant and found out a lot of good things about breastfeeding. Really? Like what? You will lose the baby fat much easier when you breastfeed. The baby is more intelligent and the baby gets sick less. It is also cheaper and practical since you wouldn't have to buy artificial milk or boil bottles. Breastfeeding does all that? Hey, now you make me want to breastfeed. I want my baby to be healthy and smart. There's more. In addition, I saved a lot of money from not having to buy formula. Do you know how expensive formula is? No formula? How is that possible? The baby will go hungry? No. The breast is adequate for the baby's need from both to six months. The baby needs no other foods or liquids during that period. Is that so? My sister had a baby last year and my granny insisted she give the baby to a Roma and she was only three months. Nothing before six months. The nutritionist will guide you on how to introduce foods to the baby. Wow, I learnt a lot. I had no idea breastfeeding was that important. Yes it is. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby. Do it and you will see. You will also bond with your baby. I will, my girl. Nice talking to you. I'm happy to hear that. Also encourage your friends and family too. Welcome back. We join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sports. Welcome everyone to your update from youth development and sports on the NTN Nightly News. I'm Ryan O'Brien. President of the St. Lucia Football Association, Lyndon Cooper, says it was very important that Prime Minister the Honourable Alan Shastney and the President of the Federation of International Football Associations FIFA, Giovanni Infantino, told the FIFA-funded football facility at Granivier-Denri as it provides them with some knowledge on how the sport is being developed on island. I think the President of FIFA wanted to see what the investment was and now I think he is satisfied at where he thinks that small countries like St. Lucia are going to be. The visit itself is going to be a lot of dividends for us because the Prime Minister is their concave present, is the enterprise president, and they understand what the challenges are in order for us to be able to go to the game and to take the game to the next level. Cooper also revealed to the NTN Nightly News that the country can look forward to more success coming out of its youth program. At the end of the 15th team, we are going to take a second look at it simply because having their victories brought from a amateur study we would have to bring in the experts and all the consultants in order to erase the discrete of those boys so they could approach that game and the next round, which is sometime next year in 2017 from a more professional standpoint. This actual facility where we are standing right now, how much has that impacted on the success that we've realized so far? The first set of teams to train is the under 15 boys and those guys have been training for in excess of eight months and they actually began training on these three or four days as of January of this year and because we have the facility, we could have managed to have one or two teams trained uninterrupted. The SLFA president spoke during a brief visit to St. Lucia by the FIFA president recently. Staying with football, a contingent of 16 boys and five staff from the boys training center are currently in Grenada competing in the Caribbean Children's Charity Shield Soccer Tournament which ends on Saturday. The St. Lucia are competing formidably in the under 17 category having already reached the semifinal stage of the competition. Wang Sanson is a general manager of the BTC and it's one of the five member staff accompanying the wards in Grenada. I believe that this trip is much more than football. It's first of all a form of rehabilitation for the boys, education because we have taken them on a trip around the island where they visited all the historic sites in Grenada. So we're looking forward to participating in this tournament, being a very disciplined team in this tournament and if we don't win we would have achieved our ultimate goal which is rehabilitation of the boys. Meanwhile, organizer Trisha Brown spoke about the aims of staging such a tournament. The Caribbean Children's Charity Shield started in year 2014 in Barbados. It's actually a grassroots initiative which helps children from different stigmatized and marginalized football groups throughout the region and through this program and this competition we help children to develop and find their own self-image and through sports, through the game football we allow them to travel from country to country. The tournament was first held in Barbados in 2014, Trinidad and Tobago in 2015, Guyana 2016, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2017, and held in St. Lucia last year. And before we leave you, parents and guardians of students who will be attending the St. Lucia Sports Academy, formerly known as the Grosele secondary school, are invited to an important meeting on Saturday, August 24th, 2019 from 11 a.m. at the Finance Administrative Center. Transportation arrangements will see the following buses, M465 departing the Philip-Mars Legrand VFO at 10 a.m. and M538 departing from the Catholic Church by the square in Souffre at 10 a.m. Parents are encouraged to assemble at respective meeting points by 9.30 a.m. And with that, we have come to the end of your weekend update from youth development and sports. I'm Ryan O'Brien. Thanks, Ryan. The St. Lucia Chirofest the Roadshow was taken to San Fernando this week where an appreciative audience got to experience the very talent and creativity of St. Lucia dancers and musicians. Rajvaro Lawrence takes us behind the scenes with director Drenia Frederick as the cast prepares to perform the Napa Rima Bowl in San Fernando. Today, we're at Napa Rima Bowl and we're doing the first set of our contemporary pieces, which we call Ocean Crossing Journey of One and Reptide, which is based on the transatlantic slave period. The St. Lucia Chirofest the 14th delegation traveled an hour and a half to San Fernando on the island's west coast to tell the story of a people's resilience after the atrocities of slavery. It's a piece that we have taken from St. Lucia's story and adapted it where the slaves are rising out of the sand under the sea and they're going on this journey to reach the new world and it's a piece of triumph. Travelling and performing in another Caribbean island has been an enriching experience. Performers have had to adapt as they travel to different venues to be unique in its own way. Right now we're putting on our makeup and the dancers are sort of doing a sort of memory exercise. We already did our technical rehearsals earlier. We had 20 minutes on stage and I think that I must commend them. We had never performed in this space. It's almost like a state of the art theater. For the St. Lucia's, it's a learning experience. One they hope to energize a greater love for arts and culture in St. Lucia. We have discovered as we're going through Trinidad and performing at different places that there is spaces to suit every performance, the theaters. And what is even more striking is the way that they take care of these institutions. The St. Lucia cast is also inspired by the deep appreciation of audiences wherever they perform. You can see this general love for the arts and the audience is coming out to these performances. This is almost in the middle of the afternoon at six o'clock on a Monday and the place is almost filled. The cast hosted St. Lucia Night on Tuesday and the big performance that everyone's been talking about is slated for Friday. That is the staging of a little folk tape. All persons who applied for admission to the divisions of agriculture, arts, science and general studies and technical education and management studies of the St. Louis Community College for the 2019-2020 academic year are informed that they must collect their responses from the division to which they applied on Monday 26 August at 9 a.m. Picture identification must be presented in order to collect their responses. In cases where applicants are unable to collect their responses, a written authorization along with picture identification must be presented. Every effort must be made to collect the responses at the stipulated date and time. Further information is available on the website at www.salcc.edu.lc And stay with the NTN Nightly. Up next, Primers Hutchinson is here with the NTN Nouvelle en Croyol. Welcome back. We join Primers Hutchinson for the NTN Nouvelle en Croyol. Thank you very much. Destinations in England for this year I found a lot of hats. Later, I had a great discussion with the authorities of the British Airways, the government officers and the tourist affairs officers. The first time I said on the 22nd of September that the British Airways was going to have a trip to England for six weeks. The trip started on the 4th of July, the year 2020, on the 29th of August, the year 2020. The flight was offered three days of service and was also added 600 days. The flight took place every week to facilitate this trip. The Prime Minister, Alan Chastney, said that he was very excited to find a better flight and a better quality. He continued to find the tourist in England to visit this trip. Minister of Tourism, Dominic Fede. Congratulations to the British Airways for setting up such a long trip. Minister Fede, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit this trip in the Atlantic. I would like to thank you for taking the opportunity to benefit from this trip. I would like to thank you for taking the opportunity to visit the French Air Force and the French Airlines for providing the opportunity to travel to England. I would like to thank you for taking the opportunity to visit this trip in the Atlantic. Minister Fede, congratulations for setting up such a long trip. Minister Fede, congratulations for taking the opportunity to visit this trip. Gaini Settlesi, a specter who has started to visit San Fernando and Trinidad, leading elsewhere, including your Guancatiti Mampubliclati, as well as her performance. In addition, the group has performed various talents in front of dance and good music. They have performed a lot of different stories, such as the Slavage, Equicilius, Pepla, the Vector of Production, and the various performances and productions of cultural development. Settlesi, Trinio Fadrik, they have performed a lot of different things, such as the Slavage, the Tessoti, Abbas, and the Poetry of the Nèfla. Fadrik Avae, who is a member of this group, has done very well in terms of how to embrace these different places and how to perform. He also spoke of the ways of the Trinidad, which are the cultural and cultural aspects, and how to support these performances. He has established a very good way of performing the Settlesi, which is the Poetry of the Nèfla. I also did the Settlesi, which is part of the chain of research for Settlesi and Madi, which is a more strong way to perform later in the art episode. It is also a little folk tale that we want to use in the folklore. Because we had been involved in the novel, we also tried to focus on the revitalisation, which I consider vital in the work of the novel, the Coeur de la Fusor. We also did the audio and music show. Messi and Pell promised and here's a look at what's happening to us weather-wise. Fair to partly cloudy skies with a few scattered showers today. Tonight into tomorrow, partly cloudy skies becoming cloudy at times with widely scattered showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms, mainly over the northern Leicester Antelopes. Low-level moisture and instability will cause a few showery periods over the eastern Caribbean islands today. A tropical wave located a few hundred miles east of the Leicester Antelopes is expected to bring cloudiness, showers and possible thunderstorms over the eastern Caribbean islands from Saturday into Sunday. Another tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic is moving westward near 12 miles per hour or 19 kilometers per hour. Tides for castries have lower to 12 p.m. high at 8.58 p.m. Tides for view for day, low at 3.39 p.m. high at 10.05 p.m. Seas, slight to moderate with waves three to five feet or 0.9 to 1.5 meters. The sun will rise Saturday at 5.51 a.m. And that brings us to the end of the NTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7 p.m. with a repeat at 7 a.m. You can also catch up with us any time on the Saint Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I'm Nisha Trouse.