Latest news with #Kingston
CTV News
6 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Wanted federal offender has ties to Timmins, Iroquois Falls
Tyler Doskotch, 23, is a white male who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 160 pounds. He has the word 'Success' tattooed on his left jawline and 'MTO' under his right eye. (Supplied) The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad is asking for the public's help to find a federal offender wanted on a Canada-wide warrant as a result of a breach of his statutory release. Tyler Doskotch, 23, is a white male who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 160 pounds. He has the word 'Success' tattooed on his left jawline and 'MTO' under his right eye. Doskotch was serving a two-year sentence for robbery, assault with intent to commit robbery, break and enter, violating probation, threatening to kill animals and failing to attend court. He is known to frequent Kingston, Ottawa, Toronto, Timmins and Iroquois Falls. Anyone having contact with Doskotch or who has information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the ROPE Squad at 416-808-5900, toll-free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE), Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 911.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Political consultant, Ed Mitchell, dies at 77
May 30—KINGSTON — Longtime political consultant Ed Mitchell passed away Thursday at the age of 77, following a short illness. A complete story of Mitchell's life, including comments from family and close friends, will appear in the Sunday editions of the Times Leader. — Bill O'Boyle
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Opening of its Newest Location in Kingston, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce the opening of its 23 rd Heal Wellness, located in Kingston, Ontario. Heal Wellness (" Heal") is a fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies quick serve restaurant (" QSR"). The Grand opening will be steps away from Queen's University at 324 Princess St, Kingston, Ontario, this Saturday May 31 st, 2025. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: "This opening represents our 13 th location operating in Ontario, with more in construction and scheduled to be open throughout 2025," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "We have seen tremendous growth with Heal and the rest of the Happy Belly's portfolio of emerging brands culminating in our 56th restaurant across both corporate and franchise locations. This ongoing rollout reflects our disciplined blend of organic growth and strategic acquisitions." "With each new restaurant open our national footprint expands. We have had significant growth these past 12 months and we have both feet firmly on the gas driving towards more growth, more units, more happy franchisees. Heal's first-mover advantage in our chosen markets has enabled us to experience breakaway growth with multiple units now under construction in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and site selection in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Supported by 130 units already secured under development agreements stretching coast to coast we have set the stage for continued, predictable expansion." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: "Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we remain focused on growing through both internal launches and targeted M&A. With 531 retail locations under contract—spanning projects in development, under construction, or already open—our franchise pipeline is robust. By carefully selecting the right partners and prime real estate, we will maintain momentum and achieve our disciplined growth objectives through 2026." We are just getting started. Neighborhood Kingston, Ontario has a vibrant mix of university students, young professionals, and active families who prioritize health and convenience. Home to Queen's University, the city attracts a steady flow of students and faculty seeking quick, nutritious meals between classes and study sessions. Kingston's picturesque waterfront trails, parks, and bike paths draw fitness enthusiasts year-round, creating consistent demand for wholesome, on-the-go options. With few specialized health-food venues currently available, we anticipate a modern smoothie concept such as Heal will quickly become a community favorite, benefiting from strong foot traffic in downtown shopping districts and busy hospital and office precincts. About Heal Wellness Heal Wellness was founded with a passion and mission to provide quick, fresh wellness foods that support a busy and active lifestyle. We currently offer a diverse range of smoothie bowls and smoothies. We take pride in meticulously selecting every superfood ingredient on our menu to fuel the body, including acai smoothie bowls, smoothies, and super-seed grain bowls. Our smoothie bowls are crafted with real fruit and enriched with superfoods like acai, pitaya, goji berries, chia seeds, and more. Franchising For franchising inquiries please see or contact us at hello@ About Happy Belly Food Group Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada. Happy Belly 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Sean Black Chief Executive Officer Shawn Moniz Chief Operating Officer Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on
Coin Geek
2 days ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
Jamaica's largest bank pushes digital payments initiatives
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... The National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ) is forging ahead with plans to improve the state of digital payments for the Caribbean nation. According to a report by the Jamaica Observer, the NCBJ, Jamaica's largest commercial bank, has unfurled a raft of initiatives to improve digital payments adoption. The bank shared the plans at an investors' briefing, underscoring the need to reduce cash usage in the island nation. The bank says it is building its digital payment solution to bolster its existing network. While details around the payment network remain under wraps, there is rising speculation that the bank will lean on blockchain. Outside the incoming payment network, the NCBJ confirmed a collaboration with the state-backed infrastructure company TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH). Under the collaboration, the NCBJ will support TJH in processing digital toll gate payments on Jamaican highways. Before the collaboration, commuters paid toll gate fees in cash or with a pre-funded T-Tag. However, using NCBJ's Point of Sale terminals, road users can simply tap their cards at the toll booth for seamless access, with the bank confirming a spike in transaction volumes. 'We have seen a significant increase in transactions—almost three times the current transaction since that launch,' said Danielle Cameron Duncan, NCBJ's vice president of the payments and digital channels division. On the retail and merchant side of things, the bank is keen on extending the scope of its digital payments. A subsidiary is inching toward rolling out a virtual Visa card (NASDAQ: V) for the Lynk mobile app, a digital wallet designed to process Jamaica's central bank digital currency (CBDC) transactions. Last year, the bank unveiled the ePOS specifically for its growing SME customer base, allowing mobile devices to operate as a retail payment processor. For NCBJ, the results of its concerted digitization effort have led to a 10% spike in revenue for the commercial bank. The government is matching the pace of the private sector A series of government initiatives is backing the private sector's push toward digitization. Firstly, the Jamaican government is making a major play with CBDC, predicting that 70% of citizens will use the offering. Jamaica has launched a digital marketplace to spike CBDC adoption levels while the Finance Ministry offers a raft of incentives for merchants and customers using the offering. SMEs are at the core of the digitization effort, with the country turning to organizations like UNESCO to trigger adoption levels. Thailand's citizens kick against the suspension of digital wallet scheme Elsewhere, Thai authorities have paused their digital wallet project designed to distribute funds to citizens, but the fallout from the suspension is triggering a wave of concern for regulators. Thailand's citizens are voicing support for the continuation of the scheme following a recently concluded survey. The opinion poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), revealed insights into the leanings of the general populace. In 2024, the Pheu Thai-led coalition government unveiled a plan to distribute $14 billion in digital money to citizens in the Southeast Asian country. Originally designed to be distributed in four phases, the Thai government has halted the distribution of funds after only two phases. In September 2024, welfare cardholders and disabled citizens received 10,000 baht (US$286) each. Early in the year, the authorities launched the second phase, distributing the same amount to elderly citizens. However, the third stage involving fund disbursements to citizens between 16-20 has hit a stumbling block. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra disclosed that the delay in proceeding with the scheme stems from difficult economic conditions in Thailand. However, the Prime Minister adds that the government will resume disbursing funds for the third and fourth phases of the initiative. Yet, the outrage has reached deafening levels, with 57.25% of respondents pushing for the government to maintain the original timelines for the initiative. Only 7.63% supported postponing the third phase of digital money handouts to 2026, while 1.22% of respondents backed disbursement in 2027. However, the fourth phase, comprising recipients between 21 and 59, received the most significant backlash over the planned delays. A staggering 62.98% of respondents are backing fund distribution in 2025, while only 8.47% support a delay till 2026. Despite the concerted calls for the government to continue the digital money initiative, many surveyed respondents say the project should be abandoned. They hinge their reason on a rising economic crisis facing the Southeast Asian country and the need for the government's decisive action. Authorities turn to digitization to prop up an ailing economy Since Thai authorities unveiled plans to distribute digital money to its citizens, several government-backed initiatives have cropped up. Early in the year, the Ministry of Finance rolled out a digital currency pilot project in Phuket to improve tourists' experience and trigger transaction volumes. There are plans for a Thai government-backed stablecoin offering amid a wholesale interest in digital bonds. Thailand has its sights on a raft of regional collaborations in its quest to integrate emerging technologies into its local economies. Watch: Peer-to-peer electronic cash system—that's micropayments title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Jamaica hails 'constructive dialogue' as US eases travel advisory
KINGSTON, May 29 (Reuters) - Jamaican officials on Thursday hailed the United States' decision to lower its travel advisory for the Caribbean nation to "Level 2" from "Level 3," two months after Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the island and pledged to reconsider the guidance. The U.S. State Department said it had reissued the advisory after a periodic review, and now recommended tourists "exercise increased caution." The prior advisory had recommended citizens reconsider travel, citing violent crime rates. However, the U.S. said that due to crime, government personnel remained prohibited from traveling to many neighborhoods on the island. The advisory warned of high crime rates and uneven levels of emergency services and hospital care. Tourism is a key economic driver and provider of jobs across the Caribbean as in Jamaica, where according to government data some 4.75 million visitors last year flocked to its white sand beaches, picturesque waterfalls and rum distilleries - bringing in around $4.35 billion. This year, the government aims to draw in 5 million tourists and $5 billion. "Jamaica remains one of the most vibrant and welcoming destinations in the world, and we are pleased that our progress is being recognized," Jamaican Prime Minster Andrew Holness said on social media, hailing the new travel advisory. "We have maintained open and constructive dialogue with our international partners, including the United States, and this outcome demonstrates the value of that collaboration," Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith added in a statement. During his visit in March, Rubio had pledged to re-evaluate the advisory as he and Holness announced the launch of joint security programs aimed at combating gang activity, including setting up forensic labs and anti-recruitment initiatives. Rubio also pledged to engage with local authorities over U.S. accusations that Jamaica, among other Caribbean countries, are engaging in human trafficking by hiring medical personnel from nearby Cuba on a labor export program. Caribbean leaders reject these accusations and say they engage in fair labor practices.
