Journey to freedom for Caribbean peoples continues

Journey to freedom for Caribbean peoples continues

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s five Caribbean diplomatic allies — Belize, Haiti, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — will celebrate Emancipation Day and Haiti’s independence from France on Sunday (Aug. 1).

Last year, on July 31, an inaugural ceremony entitled “Our Caribbean People’s Journey to Freedom,” was held at The Diplomatic Quarter in Shilin District’s Tianmu to mark the historic moment when slavery was abolished by the United Kingdom on Aug. 1, 1834. Haiti won its fight for independence 30 years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1804, in what has been described as “the only successful slave revolt in human history.”

This year, the following statement has been released by the five Caribbean countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan. It reiterates the idea that the Caribbean people’s journey celebrates survival, resilience, and the forging of a youthful Caribbean civilization where, despite tremendous challenges, the value of shared heritage is greater than the value of individual strides:

In recognition of Emancipation Day and Haitian Independence Day 2021, “Our Caribbean People’s Journey to Freedom” is intensified by the “urgency of now." Let us continue to sever the shackles that enslaved while we embrace the ties of justice, integrity and democracy that bind.

Video: Donovan Peoples-Jones continues to make plays at training camp

The Cleveland Browns are hoping to have a more explosive offense in 2021. Last year, en route to the playoffs, the offense came alive as the season went on but lacked big-play ability at times.

As a rookie, Donovan Peoples-Jones was a part of last year’s success but hopes to be even more so in 2021. Last year, he made the most of his 14 receptions turning them into 304 yards and two touchdowns.

With the return of Odell Beckham Jr. and the drafting of Anthony Schwartz, Cleveland added two dynamic weapons to go along with Peoples-Jones, Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins at the receiver position.

So far in training camp, Peoples-Jones has been making a lot of plays as Beckham has sat out most of the team drills. In this video clip, the second-year receiver runs a great route and hauls in a great pass from Baker Mayfield:

DPJ continues to make plays in camp. (Video credit: Browns) pic.twitter.com/fIqGjfl6Ao — Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) July 31, 2021

Mayfield’s eye manipulation, ever so slight, holds two defenders to the flat and the Michigan product called for the ball right out of his break. Mayfield keeps the ball slightly inside to avoid Troy Hill in underneath coverage and his receiver did the rest.

It will be interesting to see how receiver snaps go this season with everyone back but the second-year man made some big plays last year and has continued to do the same in training camp this year.

Peoples Bank earns record net income of $8.3 million in first six months of 2021

Noninterest expense grew from $19.8 million through June 30, 2020, to $21.3 million through June 30 of this year.

“We have learned lessons during the pandemic like everyone else, and are responding to shifting customer expectations around service. We are continuously reviewing our physical footprint needs as we work towards greater operational efficiency. We also are looking to further leverage digital investments to reduce the need for physical space as we scale, and to further deploy digital solutions where possible,” Bochnowski said.

The bank has grown assets by $107.4 million or 7.2% during the second quarter. Its interest-earning assets grew by $106.5 million or 7.6% to $1.5 billion.

“Like many financial institutions, we saw deposits grow significantly since the start of the pandemic. While PPP forgiveness has had a benefit to our customers and the bank, it has created significant liquidity on the balance sheet,” Bochnowski said.

Peoples Bank grew its loan portfolio by $4.6 million or 0.5% to $971.2 million at the end of June 30. The bank originated $178.1 million in new commercial loans during the first six months of the year.

It grew its securities portfolio by 15.4% to $473.9 million by the end of the second quarter.