 Welcome to the NTN Nightly, I'm Nisha Charles. This edition stops stories. A delegation from US government development finance institution is exploring investment opportunities in St. Lucia. The commercial division of the High Court has recorded another successful year. The educational notes from St. Lucia Jazz linger across the island. All that plus the latest in youth development, sports, and the NTN Nouvelle Aquarium. A high-level delegation from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC, the United States government's development finance institution, is in St. Lucia on official business. This visit stems from the meeting Prime Minister, Hon. Alan Shastney attended with US President Donald Trump on March 22 to discuss trade, energy investment, and security. The delegation is here with the purpose of exploring investment opportunities in energy and other critical sectors. General Nouvelle reports. Accompanied by Prime Minister, the Hon. Alan Shastney and Cabinet Ministers, the delegation visited specific sites marked for development, including the proposed site for the Southern Port in View Fort, the Castries Port, and the Kulisak Bay. General Manager of Bukhai Terminal Glenda Duvales and the Bukhai Team have commenced the development of Kulisak with a beach beautification project at the Overseas Oral Beach. I've been looking for a project since I got here to be able to give to the community. And when I saw this beach, when I saw the beach, I saw people actually swimming on the beach from the community, and it was terrible. It's just messier. I was scared people were going to hurt on the pipe, so I said, what is it going to take to get it cleaned up and make it beautiful for the community? And with a lot of hard work from the employees from the Bukhai Terminal, we did this all the work ourselves. This is what we came up with, and we're looking to expand on this project and beautify more beaches across St. Lucia. So look for us to be around, putting up picnic tables and volleyball courts. The project encompassed a volleyball court, a small gold soccer pitch, and a concrete cricket pitch for sports enthusiasts. Picnic goers were gifted eight outdoor concrete tables and seats, along with two barbecue pits. The beach has also been equipped with toilet facilities and receptacle bins. Bukhai Terminal's operations manager, Hubert Palmfield, provided insight into the inception of the project. 2017, the director at the time moved on to bigger and better things, and Glenda, who had been to the island for Bukhai on previous trips, gladly accepted the offer to work on the island. And I was driving her back from this hill, you see there, to her office, and she looked to the left and saw this beach, all messy with old tires and steel, and she said, who owns this beach? I said, Bukhai owns the land, and then I explained the rule of law where the queen's chain is concerned. And she said, this is a beautiful beach, we need to clean it up and make it look nice. As a matter of fact, why not make it a community project? And that was the brainchild, that's how it started. The project commenced in 2017 and was completed just in time for St Lucia's 40th Independence Anniversary. For the Government Information Service, I am Janelle Norville. The commercial division of the Registry of the High Court has been in operation from January 19, 2016. The commercial court has reported a steady increase in the number of filings over the last three years, from 44 cases in 2016 to 100 cases in 2018. The division believes this success will boost St Lucia's economic growth and development by increasing investor confidence to embark on new ventures because of the efficiency of the justice system. More from Glenn Simon. The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council has been instrumental in undertaking a number of reforms which has led to increased efficiency and competitiveness in the economy. In 2014, under the ease of doing business agenda, there was a need to reform the settlement of commercial disputes in St Lucia. Thus, the NCPC was given the lead role in the establishment of the commercial court. Director of the NCPC, Fiona Hingson, explained the impact of the court in a short space of time. From a finance perspective, we have observed that significant amount of funds have been freed up due to the quickest settlements of disputes. We also observed that settlement of disputes which is measured by the enforcement of contract indicator that has led to an improvement for the whole bank is of doing business ranking for St Lucia. Former registrar of the High Court, Sharon Gardner-Hippolett, stated that prior to the establishment of the commercial court, matters of a commercial nature fell in a queue in order of priority alongside divorce cases, land disputes, adoption, probate cases, traffic matters and the like. The whole point of this court was to be able to take these matters out and to give them separate priority and this I think has augured well for the business community. I was looking at the statistics for the last couple of years and we have grown tremendously from 44 cases being filed the first year to 83 or 6 I think the second year and then last year we filed over 100 cases. She noted, this figure gets even more impressive when expressed in terms of the dollar value which goes through the court. From the 44 cases filed in 2016, over EC 7 million dollars went through the court. While in 2017, with 84 cases filed, this figure was just under 50 million EC dollars. This year, well not this year 2018, the figure was over a hundred million dollars and when you think that a hundred million dollars is going through a court that has been there for three years, you think wow we really are delivering quality of service that has allowed for the unit to be able to grow that has inspired confidence in persons to be able to file their claims there and to realize that judgment is being given in a speedily fashion. A legal officer is now attached to the commercial division to assist the judge in delivering decisions in a timely fashion. The former registrar pointed out that matters are usually dealt with within a 14 to 21 day period with judgments being delivered between three to six months. This type of positive results builds investor confidence and it's a very positive impact on the ease of doing business climate for St. Lucia. For the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, Glenn Simon reporting. St Lucia on Wednesday 22nd May joined the global community in observing the 26th anniversary of International Day for Biological Diversity. The observance brings focus to biodiversity as a foundation for transforming food systems and improving human health. The United Nations proclaimed May 22nd as the International Day for Biological Diversity to help increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year's observation is being held under the theme our biodiversity, our food, our health. St Lucia's focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity is the Department of Sustainable Development within the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development. The Minister responsible for that portfolio, the Honourable Dr. Gil Rigorbert, noted the crucial role that plants, animals and microorganisms play in providing sources of food and medicines for millions of people around the world. The Agriculture Minister, Honourable Ezekiel Joseph agrees. Sustaining the balance of biodiversity that is the plants, animals and microorganisms within our environment ensures a sustainable food source, healthy water supply and the preservation of our resources for future generations. My ministry has taken steps to diversify our agricultural production and create niche products which support and complement our tourism product. Activities for International Day for Biological Diversity 2019 kicked off with a community education and sensitization campaign to raise awareness of the preparation of the sixth national report detailing the status of the country's biodiversity and to highlight St Lucia's progress towards meeting national conservation targets. According to the Agriculture Minister, St Lucia is currently focusing on seven key crops which when used correctly can result in self-sufficiency and sustainability within the country's agricultural sector. As we observe our 26th anniversary as a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, under the theme our biodiversity, our food, our health, I challenge you to explore ways in which you can do your part to conserve and protect our unique biodiversity. The Department of Sustainable Development will continue to collaborate with local and regional partners to raise awareness of International Day for Biological Diversity through a biodiversity lecture series during the week of May 22nd and a food and health fair in collaboration with the OECS Secretariat. And this is the NTN Nightly. Rhino Bryan is up next. The world's climate is changing and that affects all of us. Storms are becoming increasingly intense. Periods of intense drought and heavy rain stress farm animals and destroy our crops. Higher average ocean temperatures kill our coral reefs and change the migratory patterns of fish. St Lucia contributes only 0.0015% of global greenhouse gas emissions but is doing its part along with countries around the world to reduce the emissions that are warming our world and changing our climate. These efforts are called mitigation. But decades of emissions have already changed the climate and the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere today will increase average global temperatures even more. We need to adapt, that is, do everything we can to prepare for and respond to the actual and expected negative effects of climate change and everyone has a role to play. We need to protect our crops, build homes that withstand storms and keep our drains and waterways free of garbage to help us recover or bounce back from climatic events. Learn more about the Government of St Lucia's National Adaptation Plan and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your fellow St Lucia's. Welcome back. We join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sports. Welcome once again to your update on youth development and sports on the NTN Nightly News. I'm Ryan O'Brien. The secondary schools under 15 40-overs cricket tournament continued on Tuesday May 21st with four completed matches at a gruselier playing field. Castries Comprehensive Secondary defeated Witbutai Secondary by 16 runs. Castries Comprehensive Secondary batting first May 203-9 in the allotted 33-overs with Joshua Seepal leading the scoring with 51 with 7-4s Vishal Singh 37 and Jabhan Emilyen 20. Balling for Witbutai Secondary, Maki Stanislas took 3 for 27 and Nikke Leo 2 for 49. In reply, Witbutai Secondary dismissed 487 in a 30-second-over with Kallej Duplis in making a defiant 72 and Dante Paul 11. Jideh Lui was a chief destroyer for Castries Comprehensive, picking up 6 for 17 with his leg spin. He was supported by Vishal Singh with two wickets. At the wind playing field in Monipo, Antipod Secondary totally outplayed Miku Secondary, winning that encounter convincingly by 237 runs, thanks to an outstanding all-round game by Runet Island's under 15 player Royce Paul and steady bowling by Runet Island's female player Zadia James. Antipod Secondary batting first May 251 with Royce Paul Topps going with 68 and Christian Cadet making 56. The wicket tickets for Miku Secondary were a curve on Edward with 4 wickets, Elijah Charles 3 wickets and Alexis Charles 2 wickets. In reply, Miku Secondary had no answer but an offspin of Royce Paul who finished with standard figures of 7 wickets per 3 run in 4 overs and left arm seamer Zadia James 3 for 11 as Miku Secondary had only managed 14 all-out in 7 overs. At the Larissus playing field in the Marguer Valley, Granivier Secondary defeated Klendon Mason Memorial Secondary by 30 runs. Granivier Secondary batting first made 94 in 15.3 overs with Nikuan Henry making 17. All in for Klendon Mason Memorial were Kuan Estefan took 3 for 28, Katron Rigabet took 8, Kelly Deemar took 12 and Kirlan Severed took 19. In reply, Klendon Mason Memorial dismissed for 64 in 16.2 overs with Kirlan Severed making 16. All in for Granivier Secondary Joshua Plutcher playing 3 for 10, Theo Edward 3 for 15 and Jolani Joseph 2 for 15. Another PI playing field suffered comprehensive Secondary defeated PI Secondary by 172 runs. Two-frey comprehensive batting first made 267 for 7 in their 35 overs with Kevin Gassi top scoring of 61, Fibard Sylvester 35 and 33 each to John Modes and Riga Alfred. All in for PI Secondary, Issa Henry took 2 for 21 runs and Josh Monero 2 for 31. In reply, PI Secondary bowled for 95 in 19.4 overs with Eden Brown 13, the only batsman to reach double figures. All in for Two-Frey Comprehensive Secondary, Caleb James picked up 2 for 8, John Modes 2 for 21 and Kevin Gassi 2 for 28. Their collaboration between the Ministry of Development and Sports, the Ministry of Education and the Saint Lucia Football Association has paid huge dividends for the development of female football in Saint Lucia. That's the view of Cyrus Seapal, Education Officer for District 1. Mr Seapal made the comments after witnessing the finals of the Inter-District Primary Schools Football Tournament held at the sub-plane field recently. Mr Cooper did pledge support that this will be in the first instance a four-year sponsorship program and then Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Education, we do value this partnership and understand that if we cannot do it on our own there are a number of things that we may want to do but we cannot do it on our own. So we do value this partnership with the Football Association and then we will grab the opportunity to ensure that our students are given the opportunity, they are given the time for them to shine and then from there we can develop their skills and as I said prepare them for the future. The Saint Lucia Football Association has assured both ministries that this initial collaboration will extend over four years. An entirely new executive now serves the Barbano-Yufan Sports Council after an election process held at the Community Multipurpose Center on Saturday. Incoming President of the Barbano-Yufan Sports Council, Juna Delice has committed to building effective community partnerships for youth development. This pledge made shortly after he and six others were elected to serve under Council's Executive. His deputies, First and Second Vice President are Amari Arthur and Sherwin Alexander respectively, General Secretary Neil Francis, Treasurer Neil Marius, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Hyanna John and Public Relations Officer Desi and Clement before casting their votes. Representatives raised concerns and desires for youth development in their community. A new president explained how he would address this matter. Well one of the things we want to look at is the holistic development of individuals. As you know in Barbano we possess a lot of talent but for our talent to take it to the next level we need to develop some of those young persons. We also need to empower the households because if a household is empowered you cannot get the maximum potential from it. It's obvious that Barbano stands out. What we want to do to take it to the next level is to take the talent that we have especially young sportsmen and empower them. Immediate past President Berger-Oguiz, who did not seek reelection, expressed her confidence in the Council's newly elected team led by Delice. So the leader that they have been able to vote for him today which is Junior Delice, he has been a youth advocate for years. I remember when he came to live in Barbano he had that whole perception that you know youth work is done I'm done and for me being a teacher and I always said I'm being a teacher you're able to actually gather much more within the school and I felt it was necessary as a past president to bring him on board as a volunteer on my council and I'm proud today to state that I'm reaffirming that his responsibility in youth work is not done today shared great testimony of that so he being the leader of that new force and we have persons that are 18 persons who are suffering and I mean these are fresh minds these are the type of persons that we want to really come in within the community and see the change that they want to see. Saturday's election was preceded by a youth forum where Barbano's youth were engaged in activities that covered topics including team building, community voluntarism, leadership and the frameworks that support youth work in St Lucia. In my duty today was pretty much successful we started off with the youth symposium where we brought in a few presenters namely we had Patrick Marfere who's attached to the mystery of youth and sports he spoke about the history of the NYC and more so he actually had a presentation on leadership basically speaking about it and how they now can be sort of a leader within their own community and we also had Mr. Stever Satash from the Volunteer St Lucia chapter which spoke on volunteerism. National Youth Council General Secretary Ray Jan Montout also briefly attendees prior to the election on the roles and responsibilities of each executive force he says the Barbano Council recently struggled with cohesion within its executive after Saturday's youth forum is optimistic this will be a thing of the past. What we have noticed specifically towards the Barbano Youth and Sports Council it's been a difficult process because you're dealing with not only persons of different personalities but persons who come from very different communities within Barbano. The council also and this is a problem we're seeing across different branches we on the National Youth Council and have sometimes have to come into different councils and try to um how should I say dissolve certain personal issues that may come about in in the councils but so far we're from what I'm seeing and especially the different workshops that have gone before me I think that we should probably see a difference in this new council. Saturday's election was facilitated by the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Youth Development and Sport the new Barbano Youth and Sports Council will serve a two-year term in office that's your update on new development and sports for today I'm Ryan O'Brien. Thanks Ryan. The curtains have come down on Saint Lucia Jazz 2019 but the sustaining of interest in the music art form continues with a donation of instruments to the Saint Lucia School of Music and Marsha's Sacred Heart Youth Orchestra. Here's Anise Antoine. To celebrate the culmination of the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz music program events company Saint Lucia and an employee of a long-standing sponsor of the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Steinway & Sons have partnered to gift participants in the program with two musical instruments. The Saint Lucia School of Music received a Roland Phantom x8 action keyboard and the Marsha Sacred Heart Youth Orchestra received an acoustic guitar. Ministering the Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries with responsibility for Culture and Creative Industries, Fortuna Bell Rose. We focus on the development, the base, widening the base, broadening the base and in the last two years we've been focusing on broadening that base of jazz so that you have more youngsters playing, more youngsters excited, more people excited, more families excited, ultimately more citizens really excited about the Jazz Festival and so we have this little legacy piano that has been left with the School of Music so they can continue the good work that they've been doing in terms of instilling the values and the right culture and attitudes you know around music and so that's why we're here and we're happy to make this presentation. This is one in many that will be coming as time rolls on. The two entities were also recognized for their participation in the St. Lucia Jazz in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center each having appeared at major venues for this year's festival. Richard Payne is the director of the St Lucia School of Music. This is very much a sort of testimony to a strengthening relationship between the St Lucia School of Music and the events company of St Lucia. We've had a historical relationship as far as jazz has been concerned and in this particular case this year we are a very strong educational component and so this again this is really an example of that strengthening of that relationship and we look forward to making it even bigger and better in the future and of course our thanks remain to the government of St Lucia which has supported the St Lucia School of Music in the 31 years of our existence and we look forward to again continued support. The ceremony took place on Wednesday May 22nd 2019 at the events company St Lucia headquarters. From the government information service I am Anisia Antoine reporting. And stay with the NTN Nightly up next Primers Hotchinson is here with the NTN Nouvelle Aquéon. I was in my neighborhood it was a very dark night I decided to go for a drink by a bar on my way from the bar I felt the stink to my right leg and when I looked back I knew it was a full snake. You happen to be in an area where there are snakes and you are bitten by a snake this is what you do you call for help and try to reach the Victoria Hospital within one or three hours you will be seen immediately. My uncle at the time was a police officer called the arm Victoria Hospital and told them that we're coming down for a snake bite. It is the only facility on the island which has a protocol and a treatment plan where you can be treated adequate. We call them before you go there so they can prepare for you. And rest assured that they are adequate supplies of antivenom with doctors who have been trained in the treatment protocols of the snake bite. Welcome back we join Primers Hotchinson for the NTN Nouvelle Aquéon. Primers Hotchinson. Welcome back to the NTN Nouvelle Aquéon. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Primers Hotchinson. Winds will be blowing from between the east and east southeast near 20 miles per hour or 31 kilometers per hour with fair to partly cloudy skies with a few brief showers. Weak unstable conditions in the lower atmosphere over the northern lesser Antilles will bring some showers over that area during the forecast period. A tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic is moving westward near 15 miles per hour or 24 kilometers per hour. The tide for castries was low at 1231 p.m. and is high at present. The tide for V4 Bay was low at 158 p.m. and will be high again at 812 p.m. The sea is a slight moderate of waves 3 to 5 feet or 0.9 to 1.5 meters. The sun will rise Thursday at 5.35 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 anytime on the St Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I'm Nisha Tross.