O’Brien Chang seeks to clear air about poll on PM, other politicians Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Well-known public commentator Kevin O’Brien Chang has sought to provide an explanation about an informal poll that has been garnering some attention on social media looking at local politicians and their popularity ratings.

Chang in an interview with Loop News made it clear that he posts poll questions on the social media platform Twitter all the time, for fun and to generate debate.

Chang in the latest poll posed questions about who is the most liked and most disliked politician in Jamaica.

Both questions have generated thousands of responses combined with Twitter followers not being shy to state their preferences.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness was rated the most disliked politician and Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Lisa Hanna voted the most liked, just edging out Holness.

But, O’Brien Chang was quick to acknowledge that such polls were unscientific, lacked methodology, and are easily manipulated after the responses to both questions fluctuated wildly and with some persons suggesting motive or that the ‘polls’ were rigged.

Some social media users commented that the poll had backfired on O’Brien Chang after the question about “Which Jamaican politician do you dislike the most” showed Opposition Senator Peter Bunting registering 52 per cent among respondents after 500 votes. Prime Minister Andrew Holness had 11 per cent, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang 12 per cent and Opposition Leader Mark Golding 25 per cent at this stage.

However, after 1,331 votes, Holness was voted the most disliked politician with 45 per cent of the votes. Bunting had shrunk to 28 per cent, Golding 15 per cent, with Chang holding firm at 12 per cent.

For the question “Which Jamaican politician do you like the most” there was a similar trend where Holness was leading with 59 per cent after 513 votes were cast. Golding had 26 per cent, Lisa Hanna 12 per cent and Bunting four per cent at this stage. However, after 3,278 votes, Hanna had overtaken Holness with 45 per cent of the votes with Holness slipping to 41 per cent, Golding 12 per cent, and Bunting two per cent.

To underscore the unscientific nature of such polling, O’Brien Chang pointed out that in a span of just 16 minutes, 569 votes were cast for Hanna, pushing her from 12 per cent to 52 per cent.

Despite the lighthearted nature in which such polls are usually done, Hanna, told O’Brien Chang in a post: “Respectfully Kevin, having made the decision of not doing representational politics, I’d prefer not to be included in these polls”.

O’Brien Chang responded: “With all due respect ma’am you are still a politician until you resign as MP”.

“And you were not coming last in the likeability poll,” he added.

Hanna, the Member of Parliament for St Ann South East, and who for many years has consistently ranked among the most liked politicians in official public opinion polls, announced last week that she would not be seeking reelection when the next General Election which is constitutionally due in 2025 is called. She has won the seat four times for the People’s National Party.

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Govt providing opportunities for you to be best – Edghill tells Linden students

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Minister Juan Edghill with students at the Closing of Youth Culture Camp in Region 10

Young people across the country, and especially those in region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), who attended the National Youth Culture Camp during the August holiday inthe region, have been reminded of the many opportunities being made available to themfor their own development and advancement.

The reminder came from Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who delivered the featured address at the closing ceremony of the three (3) weeks camp held in each region of the county.

Minister Edghill told the youths that the government is providing opportunities forthem so that they can be the very best that they can be.

“The government has put aside money for young people, that people whohave creativity they could get a grant for culture and innovation to developthemselves to the highest level… This camp was designed to help you to discover for yourself and to help some of your guardians and your superiors discover talents.”

He went onto say, “Diamonds that people wear on their hands or as broaches, they are very expensive and very valuable, nicely polished and shining, but you don’t find them looking like that in the backdam, you have to have an idea to know that is a good piece of diamond, as it is in the rock. Then you take that diamond and you polish it and cut it, Queens and Kings, billionaires and noblemen use those diamonds, but when they were first discovered, they look like a piece of dirt, they look like nothing.

“Today, me addressing you, do you know how I see you, as diamonds in the rough, and once properly polished, once properly processed, you will be valuable, you will end up before Kings and Queens and Governments, the sky is the limit,” the Minister added.

Minister Edghill also noted his happiness at the fact that one’s circumstances no longerdetermined one’s value.

“How the world has it, only a special group of people or kinds of people could reach certain heights, I am happy today that in Guyana that no longer prevails, provision and opportunity have been created for young people despite where they live, what is their family name, if they come from two-parent family or single parent family, don’t matter what is their religion, or their colour, once they can do it, the road to success is laid out for you by the government.”

During the three weeks of the camp, participants were instructed in the subject area ofSocial Studies, learning about Guyana’s rich cultural history. They also learned differentart forms including, painting, sketching, dance, and drumming.

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Apply highest standard of diligence – Finance Minister charges BoS staff ahead of Census 2022 launch

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Finance Minister Ashni Singh being shown the layout of the Census 2022 by Chief Statistician Errol La Cruez and Deputy Census Officer Vanessa Profitt

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh has charged the staff of the Bureau of Statistics with applying a high standard of diligence in the execution of the Guyana National Population and Housing Census 2022.

The Minister delivered this charge while addressing staff of the Bureau at its Main Street Office last Friday, ahead of the launch of the Public Education and Information Campaign of the Census, set for Monday, August 22, 2022.

Minister Ashni Singh said, “This is an exercise of tremendous importance and I wantto wish you every success in its execution, I want to urge you to apply the higheststandard of diligence in ensuring its completion.”

Among those present were: Chief Statistician, Errol La Cruez; Deputy Chief Statistician, Maxine Bentt; Deputy Census Officer, Vanessa Profitt; and other staff of the Bureau of Statistics.

Minister Singh addressing the Bureau’s Census 2022 Staff

In acknowledging the magnitude of the work required for the planning and execution of theCensus, the Senior Minister further urged the team to make every effort to ensure universal coverage is achieved since it is imperative that every person in Guyana is counted.

Minister Singh declared that there is no statistical exercise more important than the Census.

“It is the Census data that will guide us in terms of where future services are needed. The babies of today are going to be the school-goers of five or ten years from now,” he pointed out.

The Public Education and Information Campaign for this census cycle will be conducted under the theme, ‘we Countin’ We’ and will be launched at the Eccles Recreational Park, Eccles, East Bank Demerara on Monday, August 22, 2022, at 10:00 hours.

His Excellency President, Irfaan Ali will deliver the Keynote Address.

Also making remarks will be the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Barnett, and Chief Statistician of the Bureau, Errol LaCruez.

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Caribbean Airlines Is The Official Airline Of The Caribbean Premier League 2022 – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

– Advertisement –

Caribbean Airlines is happy to return as the Official Airline of the Hero’s Caribbean Premiere League’s (CPL) T20 cricket Tournament, carded to take place from 31st August – 30th September 2022.

The airline last partnered with the CPL in 2019 and is delighted to come on-board once again as the designated air carrier keen to RE-connect the region through cricket.

Commenting on the partnership Caribbean Airlines’ CEO Garvin Medera said: “As the official airline of the Hero’s Caribbean Premier League 2022 (CPL T20), Caribbean Airlines is happy to RE-unite the fans and officials, for the region’s biggest sports party. With the lifting of travel restrictions and the ability to move freely, the excitement around CPL 2022 is tremendous.”

He continued: “Caribbean Airlines understands the value of sport in uniting the region and we look forward to sharing a real Caribbean experience with the talented players, enthusiastic fans and all travellers. ”

– Advertisement –

Jamie Stewart, Hero CPL’s Commercial Director who also commented said: “It’s great to be moving across the islands again in this, Hero CPL’s 10th year. Caribbean Airlines is our trusted long-term partner in ensuring that CPL players and crew arrive safely and on time, and we thank them once again for partnering with us.”

The Caribbean Premiere League is an annual T20 cricket tournament that simultaneously offers fans in the region a unique “carnival-like”, festive experience.

SOURCE: Caribbean Airlines

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2 Most popular phrases in Barbados this week of August 14, 2022 Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

August was shaping up to be an expensive month for vehicle owners as the fuel rollercoaster went up to a new peak, but in a matter of a week, the costly ride took Bajans for a loop de loop.

On August 8, the price of gasoline moved to $4.83 per litre, an increase of 11 cents, while diesel went up by 20 cents to $4.28.

But seven days later, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley called a last-minute press conference on Monday, August 15, to declare that the price on gasoline and diesel will be capped effective Friday, August 19. She said gasoline will be reduced from $4.83 to $4.48 per litre, while diesel will be priced at $4.03 as opposed to $4.28 per litre.

And like music to the ears of many, a straw to a drowning man and a lifeline to some Savings and Chequings accounts, drivers this week have been saying two things to their vehicles, gas tanks, and all in earshot who will listen.

What were they saying?

My gas light on (and it gine stand on)I not putting in gas before Fridee (Friday)

Many people this week across Barbados wondered, ‘How far can I get with my gas light on?’ and ‘How do I make this gas/diesel last til Friday?’

And now Friday is here!

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Fransman ingesloten voor ontvoering ex-vriendin

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

PARAMARIBO — Sean-Paul J., een 23-jarige Fransman, is ingesloten op verdenking van opzettelijke vrijheidsberoving en overtreding van de vuurwapenwet. Hij

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Nouveau carnage ? Croix-des-Bouquets

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Croix-des-Bouquets a v?cu une ?ni?me matin?e d’horreur, samedi 20 ao?t 2022. Les premi?res images, film?es par un policier ? bord d’un blind?, glacent le sang. D?vor? par les flammes, il y a un corps, c?t? passager, perpendiculaire ? une jeep incendi?.

>, dit une voix off. A environ une centaine de m?tres, un autre cadavre. Celui d’un homme, tomb? face contre terre, un casque de motard bleu tout pr?s. A moins de dix m?tres de lui,&nbs…

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Dancehall music influencing crime, most Jamaicans say

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

GLEANER: Despite strong public sentiment that dancehall music fuels criminal behaviour in Jamaica, an Anglican priest and human-rights advocate is insistent that proponents of that view are scapegoating the popular genre.

Father Sean Major-Campbell has described that perspective as misleading, arguing that blaming dancehall music for crime is a “course in obfuscation that leaves us with an anecdotal diagnosis of the problem”.

His views come against the background of an RJRGLEANER Group-commissioned poll showing that 41 per cent of respondents believe that dancehall music played a very big role in influencing criminal behaviour.

Thirty per cent of persons polled said dancehall had ‘somewhat’ of an impact; 11 per cent only a little; while 11 per cent said not at all.

Seven per cent of respondents were not sure.

Based on the results, the Don Anderson poll suggested that cumulatively, 82 per cent of all Jamaicans believe that there is a connection between dancehall music and the incidence of crime.

Fieldwork was done between July 16 and 26, during which 1,113 Jamaicans were interviewed. Anderson said that the dominant views were held primarily by older persons rather than younger ones aged 18 to 24.

Younger Jamaicans were less convinced that there was a direct connection.

Major-Campbell argues that Jamaica’s history of crime predates dancehall, noting that the country continues to be divided on its manifestations in society. He said that some people even use “religion to bless some forms of domestic violence”.

But Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, veteran owner of sound system Stone Love, is adamant that the contents of modern dancehall have contributed to crime.

He argued that some dancehall artistes who rose to stardom assumed the profile of crime bosses.

“They become dons in their own way, and we all know how dons operate,” Wee Pow said in a Gleaner interview.

However, dancehall promoter Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards argues that music, of itself, is not the driver of crime.

There are thousands of people who live in inner-city communities who listen to dancehall songs and are not violent, he noted.

“People who listen to Skillibeng’s Whap! Whap! in America and London, they are not going out there and doing any crime. Some of them don’t even know what that Whap! Whap! means. They just like that part of the song,” Edwards said.

A concerned Prime Minister Andrew Holness has specifically cited Whap! Whap! as a song that has a negative impact on society.

Edwards theorises that individuals are influenced by peer groups, family, and friends to carry out crime.

The dancehall promoter said that many artistes using offensive lyrical content are not lawless.

Elite sports personalities, lawyers, and other professionals who are fans of violence-laden songs listen in order to “energise themselves”, Edwards said, suggesting that the imagery was figurative.

Major-Campbell, who pastors Christ Church in Vineyard Town, St Andrew, said that crime is a far more complex problem.

“While we are readily repulsed by news of violent crimes, we have not been honest about our poor conflict resolution skills, an ugly history with police brutality, gang violence, and the lagging united political will to address social ills and a challenged justice system,” he said.

The Reverend Peter Garth, pastor of Hope Gospel Assembly, however, believes that music can be a turbo-charged motivator, emboldening listeners to transform metaphor into reality.

“Persons drink, persons become intoxicated, and if you have a desire to do certain things, it will be deepened when you stand up and listen to lyrics that are asking you to retaliate and use guns and all of that. It influences persons,” the clergyman said.

Garth called entertainer and convicted murder Adidja Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel, “a genius” but said people with his talent often had sanitised versions of expletive-riddled songs – proof, he said, that they could toe the line of decency.

Lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Donna Hope, took issue with how the poll question – ‘To what extent do you feel that dancehall music plays a role in influencing criminal behaviour?’ – was framed.

Hope argued that the question helped predetermine the answers.

“The outcome for this question that is already leading is going to be that more people are going to give a positive response and say ‘yes’ in various ways,” said Hope.

The academic said that three of the variables in the poll prompted respondents to say ‘yes’ to some extent.

“So ‘yes’ very much, ‘yes’ somewhat, ‘yes’ only a little, so already the question and the way the responses are structured are going to give you a positive response to this question,” Hope added.

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Police Week 2022 is off to a promising start

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

POLICE WEEK 2022 OFF TO A PROMISING START

Police Week 2022 is off to a promising start with one of the pre-events leading up to the official week of activities ending on winning note.

The inclement weather on Saturday poses no threat to the many hikers who turned out to compete in the inter-force relay hiking competition to McNish Mountain.

Part of the criteria is that a team comprising three members, must have a female police officer as part of the lineup.

Additionally, the first person to complete the climb will have the opportunity to raise the National Flag.

The race took off around 5:30 am from the South Mall at Ebenezer with almost a dozen teams taking part in the three-legged relay event.

In the final analysis, Commissioner Atlee Rodney demonstrated true leadership and fitness by leading his team to the finishing line, and capturing the first place position.

Rodney spoke on behalf of his winning team after the race. He said, ” When I look I saw one person ahead of me and one on my heels. Then I remembered my oath of office and my pledge to die for the flag. So I gave it everything I had”.

The final resulst are as follows:

FIRST PLACE: A-TeamCommissioner RodneyConstable Clint LivingstoneConstable Jewel Burnes

SECOND PLACE: B-TeamConstable Rodisha PollockConstable Brandon CharlesConstable Stephen Sergeant

THIRD PALCE: C-TeamCorporal Trudy KingConstable Kashawn GomesConstable Gilbert Rosado

The first place winners receive the Bragging Rights Trophy, along with individual trophies; and Day-Pass at St. Jame’s Club, a Six-pack of Gatorade and $150.00 cash each.

Second place winners receive individual silver medals, perfume, a Six-pack of Gatorade, and $100 cash each

Third place winners walk away with individual Bronze medals, a Camel Pack, a Six-pack of Gatorade, and $50.00 cash each.

The organizer of the event, Assistant Commissioner Samuel Joseph said he is extremely happy with the turn out.He further stated that the level of involvement he witnessed at the event signifies 2022 police week is off to a promising start.

ACP Joseph also expressed gratitude to his team; Senior Sergeants Lillieth Joseph and Shem Ralph; Sergeants Jamie Charles and Verlica Chatham, and Constables Raffiq Martin and Milton Jeremy for their support.

He also thanked the sponsors who contributed to the succes of the event.

Police Week this year will be celebrated from 4th to 11th September under the theme: “Overcoming The Challenges Together, Police 2022.”

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BREAKING: Antiguan authorities search superyacht, prevents it from leaving Falmouth Harbour

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
ALFA NERO 00006304

Antigua and Barbuda law enforcement operation on the ALFA NERO 

20th August 2022

The Minster of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable E.P. “Chet Greene” has issued the following statement.

An operation was conducted today at Falmouth Harbour led by officers of ONDCP and supported by a multi-agency task force comprising, the Police, the Defence Force and Customs.

The operation was to search the Super Yacht, Alfa Nero, which has been anchored in Falmouth Harbour since February this year.   The Yacht, and its Russian owner, ANDREY GURYEV, are on sanctions list issued by the US, the UK and the European Union.

In March of this year, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda advised all local companies not to transact any business with any persons, companies, or other entities, which appear on these sanctions’ lists.

Consequently, the Alfa Nero, was not provided with any fuel, except emergency supplies to keep it secure – both for the vessel’s sake, and for the safety of Falmouth Harbour as a whole.   Therefore, it could not leave Antigua and Barbuda.

On August 12, pursuant to a request under our Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), the Government of the United States sought the help of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, to conduct a search of the vessel and to interview its crew.

On 17th August, after the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecution had completed reviews of the MLAT request, and after further consultations with the US authorities, the DPP, Mr. Anthony Armstrong, made an application to the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda, which, on 18th August, issued an Order to board the Alfa Nero and to search and seize relevant material, as well as to question the crew.

DPP Armstrong met all the heads of the law enforcement agencies, prior to this morning’s operation, emphasizing that it was entirely under local control, although a request from the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to observe the operations, had been granted.

At the outset of the sanctions issued against named Russian persons, companies and property, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda announced that it joins the international community in ensuring that sanctions are respected in our jurisdiction.

Additionally, responding to requests from countries, such as the US, with which we have binding Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, is a legal obligation which must be upheld.

For the avoidance of any doubt, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda makes it clear that two other vessels, the Garcon and Halo, appeared on no sanctions list, and none of the US, European Union or the United Kingdom made any request under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, regarding these two vessels.

Therefore, those vessels departed Antigua and Barbuda on July 22nd.

Further information, regarding the operation connected to Alfa Nero, will be released, as appropriate, and consistent with maintaining the confidentiality of the investigation.

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