It’s the countdown to the Olympic Games and British Airports Authority estimates that around 235,000 people arrived through London’s Heathrow Airport on 16 July alone.

 

As officials and athletes started their main arrivals for the Games, opening on 27 July, warnings went out to motorists to avoid central London and for commuters to plan their journeys carefully during the Olympic period.

 

Caribbean High Commissions in London were preparing their individual meet-and-greet plans at Heathrow Airport as their remaining athletes flew into London before moving to their designated training camps around the UK.

 

As the international media focused on the first of the Heathrow peak days, reports indicate that the tour buses carrying some Australian and American officials and athletes could not find the direct 45-minute route to the Olympic village.

 

Australian sailor Elise Rechichi told Britain’s Daily Telegraph about their three-hour journey: “Buckingham Palace on the way to the Olympic Village. Not the most direct route, Monopoly tour maybe!”

 

New York’s Daily News followed US hurdler Kerron Clement and a group of athletes who tweeted their way through an alleged four-hour journey: “Athletes are sleepy, hungry and need to pee. Could we get to the Olympic Village please?”  

 

A UK government statement said about the 16 July arrivals: “We are not complacent about the challenges ahead, but we can take encouragement from how things went.”

 

New Caribbean-American Miami directory

 

Compilers of a newly published directory say they have identified South Florida’s top 100 “most accomplished Caribbean Americans”.

 

The list of luminaries, backed up by an awards event, has been created by a group in the area called ICABA, which stands for Identify – Connect – Activate the Black Accomplished.

 

Attorney Marlon Hill, managing partner at legal firm DelancyHill, led a steering committee which identified the directory’s choices.

 

He told the Florida ceremony: “The story of the Caribbean immigrant is one of America’s untold legacies.

 

“It is one filled with cultural traditions, unbounded faith and entrepreneurial success. This event and book signify more than just our business accomplishments.

 

“It celebrates our indelible mark on South Florida and a bright future for our culture here in America.”

 

Those named included doctor and health campaigner Dr Nelson Adams III of the Bahamas, Urban League President Germaine Smith-Baugh of the US Virgin Islands, veteran Haitian human rights champion Marleine Bastien, Trinidadian academic Dr Anthony Bryan, Miami Airport executive Miguel Southwell of Antigua and Jamaican exporter and businessman Patrick Cha-Fong.

 

The list of those honoured spans multiple professional categories.

 

Canadian-Trinidadian relations

 

Canada and Trinidad and Tobago have been marking 50 years of co-operation.

 

Canada was one of the first countries to establish bilateral relations with the newly-independent Trinidad and Tobago in 1962.

 

With bilateral trade in goods between the two countries currently worth US$270m, the countries also share interests in crude oil production and co-operation.

 

To serve Trinidadians working in Alberta’s oil industry, Trinidad has just appointed a consul to the area in western Canada, as well as a counsel to Montreal.

 

Trinidad and Tobago, which has one of the Caribbean’s largest defence forces, is a member of Canada’s Military Training and Assistance Program, which also works on Caribbean disaster management strategy.