En peligro de perderse la cosecha del café local en Puerto Rico

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

La portavoz de la Campaña Hacia una Recuperación Justa del sector agrícola de Puerto Rico, Elisa Sánchez, denunció en RADIO ISLA que la cosecha del café local está en peligro de perderse. 

Esto, luego de que los agricultores, junto al Departamento de Agricultura, le reclamaran al Departamento de Asuntos al Consumidor (DACO) para que revise el precio del café. Según Elisa Sánchez, los torrefactores comenzaron a pagar entre $12 a $14 cuando antes pagaban $22 por el almut, entiéndase el saco de café. 

Sánchez indicó que los torrefactores prefieren pagar mucho menos por el café del extranjero mientras los caficultores locales están a punto de perder sus cosechas y que el procedimiento con el DACO “es muy lento”. 

“Nuestro café se está madurando, nuestro café se está perdiendo. Hace hasta apenas unos días, nuestros beneficiarios no habían abierto sus beneficiados para comprar el café mientras nuestros caficultores ya tenían café que estaba ya maduro para la venta. Si tu no cosechas el café al momento que está maduro, se pierde. (Esto) ha creado una crisis para el sector, especialmente para el pequeño agricultor de la montaña”, expresó Sánchez.  

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Powell: Fed could keep lifting rates sharply ‘for some time’ Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a stark message Friday: The Fed will likely impose more large interest rate hikes in the coming months and is resolutely focused on taming the highest inflation in four decades.

Powell also warned more explicitly than he has in the past that the Fed’s continued tightening of credit will cause pain for many households and businesses as its higher rates further slow the economy and potentially lead to job losses.

“These are the unfortunate costs of reducing inflation,” he said in a high-profile speech at the Fed’s annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole. “But a failure to restore price stability would mean far greater pain.”

Investors had been hoping for a signal that the Fed might soon moderate its rate increases later this year if inflation were to show further signs of easing. But the Fed chair indicated that that time may not be near.

After hiking its key short-term rate by three-quarters of a point at each of its past two meetings — part of the Fed’s fastest series of rate increases since the early 1980s — Powell said the Fed might ease up on that pace “at some point” — suggesting that any such slowing isn’t near.

Powell said the size of the Fed’s rate increase at its next meeting in late September — whether one-half or three-quarters of a percentage point — will depend on inflation and jobs data. An increase of either size, though, would exceed the Fed’s traditional quarter-point hike, a reflection of how severe inflation has become.

The Fed chair said that while lower inflation readings that have been reported for July have been “welcome,” “a single month’s improvement falls far short of what the Committee will need to see before we are confident that inflation is moving down.”

He noted that the history of high inflation in the 1970s, when the central bank sought to counter high prices with only intermittent rate hikes, shows that the Fed must stay focused.

“The historical record cautions strongly against prematurely” lowering interest rates, he said. “We must keep at it until the job is done.”

Powell’s speech is the marquee event of the Fed’s annual economic symposium at Jackson Hole, the first time the conference of central bankers is being held in person since 2019 after it went virtual for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since March, the Fed has implemented its fastest pace of rate increases in decades to try to curb inflation, which has punished households with soaring costs for food, gas, rent and other necessities. The central bank has lifted its benchmark rate by 2 full percentage points in just four meetings, to a range of 2.25 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

Those hikes have led to higher costs for mortgages, car loans and other consumer and business borrowing. Home sales have been plunging since the Fed first signalled it would raise borrowing costs.

In June, the Fed’s policymakers signalled that they expected their key rate to end 2022 in a range of 3.25 per cent to 3.5 per cent and then to rise further next year to between 3.75 per cent and 4 per cent. If rates reached their projected level at the end of this year, they would be at the highest point since 2008.

Powell is betting that he can engineer a high-risk outcome: Slow the economy enough to ease inflation pressures yet not so much as to trigger a recession.

His task has been complicated by the economy’s cloudy picture: On Thursday, the government said the economy shrank at a 0.6 per cent annual rate in the April-June period, the second straight quarter of contraction. Yet employers are still hiring rapidly, and the number of people seeking unemployment aid, a measure of layoffs, remains relatively low.

At the same time, inflation is still crushingly high, though it has shown some signs of easing, notably in the form of declining gas prices.

At its meeting in July, Fed policymakers expressed two competing concerns that highlighted their delicate task.

According to minutes from that meeting, the officials — who aren’t identified by name — have prioritized their inflation fight. Still, some officials said there was a risk that the Fed would raise borrowing costs more than necessary, risking a recession. If inflation were to fall closer to the Fed’s 2 per cent target and the economy weakened further, those diverging views could become hard to reconcile.

At last year’s Jackson Hole symposium, Powell listed five reasons why he thought inflation would be “transitory.”

Powell indirectly acknowledged that history at the outset of his remarks Friday, when he said, “at past Jackson Hole conferences, I have discussed broad topics such as the ever-changing structure of the economy and the challenges of conducting monetary policy.”

“Today,” he said, “my remarks will be shorter, my focus narrower and my message more direct.”

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Resident British Commissioner to Antigua & Barbuda Lindsy Thompson responds to a report of no Antiguans among Chevening scholars this year

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
From left to right: Miss Jeniece St. Romain, Miss Malaeka Goodwin, Ms Lindsy Thompson, Miss Sharifa George. 2021 Scholars

Resident British Commissioner to Antigua & Barbuda Lindsy Thompson has responded to a report of no Antiguans among Chevening scholars this year.

She said on Twitter: Difficult news for our applicants this year. BUT future & repeat applicants take heart: has a strong record (8 scholarships in the past 3 years), some of whom succeeded on their 2nd/rd attempts. Stay tuned for this year’s coaching & mentoring for 22/23 apps!

@UKinCaribbean

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Valley Road North road project is now 70% complete

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
Photo by Traffic-TV 268

The contracting firm implementing resurfacing work under the Government of Antigua and Barbuda Second Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation project (SRIRP) on Valley Road North (VRN) has reported that seventy percent (70%) of the work is now complete.

Valley Road North is one of four roads earmarked for rehabilitationas part of the multi- road improvement initiative now underway. The other roads are Old Parham Road, Anchorage Road and Sir Sydney Walling Highway.

Oversight for the SRIRP is being provided by the Ministry of Works through the Project Implementation Management Unit (PIMU).

The PIMU is calling on road users and residents to exercise patience as the Government rehabilitates the twin island’s road network.

The project office is also urging road users to proceed with extreme caution especially when travelling within road work zones.

The project office is also asking that all road users respect and adhere to the traffic management measures being employed for public safety.

The contractor C.O. Williams Construction Company Ltd. acknowledges that there have been recent setbacks in the progress of work in the Jennings area and they plan to remedy the situation by conducting work over the weekend. It is expected that by mid-September, the section of road will be resurfaced and reopened to the normal flow of traffic.

The delays are mainly due to inclement weather conditions as well as the requirement for full depth excavation in the area. The patience and cooperation of residents is appreciated during this challenging time.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda was successful in obtaining financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards offsetting the cost of the Second Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project. The project is projected to end in 2023 -END

Project Facts: 

Project Contractor: C.O. Williams Construction Company Ltd.

All traffic interventions will be controlled by flag persons whenever necessary. Road users are advised to proceed with caution when travelling in the work zones.  For additional information, please contact the PIMU via email: [email protected] or call us: 562-9174/6 or 562-7782.

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Police arrest two and seize cash and bullets at a home in Golden Grove

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

TWO ARRESTED FOLLOWING SEIZURE OF CANNABIS, AMMUNITION AND CASH

Two people are now facing serious charges after the police seized ammunition, over 1.6 kilograms of cannabis and a wad of cash in both EC and US currency at a home in Golden Grove on Thursday.

Investigators executed a search warrant at a house in the area about 5am and made the discovery.

Police say the ammunition included both .38 and .45 calibre while over XCD$40,000.00 and over US$8,000.00 were found.

The search was carried out in the presence of both who were then taken into custody and are now being questioned. (State Media)

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Two in Chaguanas court for shooting offences

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo

Two men appeared before a Chaguanas magistrate on Thursday for multiple shooting offences, a police release said.

Nicholas Reid, 28, from Cunupia and Nevash Maraj, 20, from Las Lomas, were charged with several offences, including shooting with intent, possession of firearms and possession of firearms to endanger lives. They were charged with eight offences in total.

Reid was remanded in custody, and Maraj was granted bail of $350,000. The matter was adjourned to September 22.

The release on Friday said the two victims were in their vehicle in Chase Village on August 22 when another vehicle pulled up alongside and a man armed with a gun got out. The gunman shot at the victims several times and hit their vehicle.

The victims escaped to the Freeport police station, chased by the gunmen. At the station, the victims pointed out the attackers’ vehicle to the police, who chased it along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.

The two suspects were eventually intercepted and police found a Smith and Wesson revolver and three spent shells in the vehicle.

In a separate incident on Thursday evening, police in Petit Valley found a Glock pistol loaded with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition at a house on Simeon Road. Investigations are ongoing.

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House sits September 9

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

The Red House. Photo by Jeff Mayers

THE House of Representatives will hold one more sitting, on the day the current parliamentary session will end.

In Legal Notice 168, which was issued on Tuesday, acting President Christine Kangaloo declared that Parliament will prorogued at midnight on September 9.

On Friday, Parliament issued an order paper for a House sitting on September 9 at 1.30 pm.

Leader of Government Business in the House Camille Robinson-Regis said the purpose of the sitting is to tie up loose ends before the end of the current parliamentary session and the start of the new one on September 12.

Robinson-Regis said, “The main reason for the sitting (on September 9) is to carry over bills and the work of (parliamentary select and joint select) committees.”

The order paper for September 9 has a total of 18 papers and four committee reports to be laid.

The Opposition has 11 questions to the Government for oral answer on the order paper and has the option to file urgent questions on September 9 before the sitting begins.

Also on the order paper are four government motions for debate (including one in the Prime Minister’s name to approve the draft Elections and Boundaries Local Government and Tobago House of Assembly Order 2021), four bills for debate (one of which is the Whistleblower Bill), two bills relating to greater self-governance for Tobago (in committee stage) and seven private motions filed by the Opposition (debates on three of them were started in April, May and June respectively and none has been concluded).

The Senate is not scheduled to sit before September 9.

The first session of any new parliamentary term involves simultaneous sittings of the House and Senate.

Kangaloo also said allowance will be made for any MP or senator to attend the session virtually if necessary, once the Speaker or the Senate President has granted permission, owing to the ongoing covid19 pandemic.

Parliament officials said the opening of the new session on September 12 will be a ceremonial one. These feature an address by the President to a joint sitting of members of both Houses and a military parade outside the Red House.

The Parliament’s first priority early in the new session will be the 2022/2023 budget.

In July, the Prime Minister hinted that Finance Minister Colm Imbert could present the budget earlier than usual when the new parliamentary session begins.

For the last six years, Imbert has presented the budget in the first week in October. By law, it must be debated in both Houses before October 31, when the new financial year begins.

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Teixeira to write int’l community on Norton’s continued threats against GECOM Chair

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

See full statement issued by Governance Minister Gail Teixeira 

APNU/AFC Coalition and Leader of the Opposition Norton’s Vicious Attacks on Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh (Chair of GECOM) Must be Stopped

The recent threats by the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton on the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, may seem to be new, but in fact, Mr. Norton and his PNC/APNU/AFC Coalition have been attacking the GECOM Chair consistently since March 2020.

This coincides with when the Chairperson agreed to the recount of all the votes of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

These threats and verbal attacks expose a sinister plot to bully and intimidate a former Judge and the Chairperson of a constitutional body, the Guyana Elections Commission, one of the highest in the land which is established to protect the right of the Guyanese people to vote for a government of their choice in freely and fairly managed elections.

We should recall the threats to the Chairman’s life which were made on Facebook, seemingly over her handling of the March 2, 2020 elections, particularly the commission’s plans for a national recount. These were reported to the Guyana Police Force and the Cyber Crime Unit. One APNU supporter was charged under the Cybercrime Act.

Norton’s strategy has been exposed by non-other than Rickforde Burke on the December 3, 2021 programme of Sherod Duncan’s “In the Ring” where he is recorded saying: “…they are doing their level best to get a racist East Indian from the PPP to be installed as Chief Elections Officer. That’s what they’re doing and Claudette Singh is in bed with them. I think we should break up the Elections Commission. Bring everything to a halt. Grind government to a halt.”

Norton’s reckless statements such as “there are many things we can do to put the pressure on the elections commission and Claudette Singh…and so, we have left the door open. We hope we don’t have to close it and Claudette Singh will do the decent thing and resign,” and “…pressure her to resign or face unspecified action” need to be urgently investigated by the Guyana Police Force.

Madam Claudette Singh is a retired Judge and in other countries such as the USA, such threats are a criminal offence.

Clearly Mr. Norton, his party and the APNU+AFC Coalition have not deviated from these bullyism and intimidation tactics which we witnessed during the Granger administration.

Norton’s party’s legacy in particular, since its inception, has been one of bullyism, intimidation and violence. One should recall the misogynistic and racist attacks by Mr. Norton’s party and its supporters on four brave women during the five-months period of the post March 2, 2020 elections – Prime Minister Mia Mottley, US Ambassador H.E. Sarah Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissioner H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, and GECOM Chair retired Justice Claudette Singh.

It cannot be coincidental that these women were vilified and threatened for their forthright support for constitutional rule of law and democracy. Mr. Norton and his party cannot accept any person that opposes their interest and stands in their way for their thirst for power, more so women daring to stand up for what is right. This is evident even within their own party in his abhorrent treatment as the newly elected leader of his party of former General Secretary, Amna Ally, a woman who served her party loyally for 53 years.

It is this mentality of bullyism and intimidation against women, in particular, that should make all women intuitively know that this is all too familiar; these are the components of domestic abuse and violence. The defenders of women’s rights are silent; known outspoken civil society organizations and influencers are silent – unfortunately in 2020 and now again in 2022.

Retired Justice Claudette Singh has loyally served her country for decades, she has guarded her integrity and her adherence to the constitution and rule of law. These threats are unacceptable in any civilized society and must not be allowed to continue without consequences.

The only way that “bully boy” Norton and his supporters will understand that Guyanese are a decent, respectful people who will not accept such threats, is if they feel their rejection of this cowardly behavior. Norton should remember the public reaction, even amongst his supporters, to his refusal to shake the outstretched hand of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

There is no indication that this “bully boy” intimidation behaviour will stop. It is time for

i. the Guyana Police Force take action to investigate these threats;ii. leaders of civil society and women’s rights organizations in particular, should comeout and call fowl on the misogynistic bullying of a woman, an outstanding Guyaneseand the GECOM Chair;iii. the diplomatic and international community to make known their concerns regardingthe safety of Justice Singh, and the efforts by Mr. Norton to destabilize the electoralprocess as he and the APNU/AFC Coalition tried in 2020.

I shall also be formally writing the diplomatic and international community with regards tothe targeting and threats to Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the GuyanaElections Commission, and Norton’s dastardly plot to undermine GECOM and the electoralsystem in Guyana.

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Commander of U.S. Southern Command to visit Guyana

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)

U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), will visit Guyana Aug. 29-31 to meet with government and defense leaders for talks on the bilateral security partnership between the United States and Guyana.

Richardson is visiting Guyana ten months after assuming duties as SOUTHCOM’s commander and nearly five months after meeting with Caribbean defense and public-security leaders during the 2022 Caribbean Nations Security Conference in April in Bridgetown, Barbados.

During her two-day stay in Georgetown, she will meet with U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch, President of Guyana His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and Guyana Defence Forces (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess. Richardson will also join Guyana’s First Lady Arya Ali and Ambassador Lynch in welcoming participants of the Caribbean Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Conference, which Guyana will host August 29-September 1 in partnership with the Florida National Guard.

The United States and Guyana have a longstanding history of security cooperation. The defense partnership between the two countries includes collaboration against regional threats and challenges, capacity-building exercises, bilateral training, expertise exchanges, events fostering the inclusion of women in defense and security missions, and professional development engagements.

SOUTHCOM is one of the Department of Defense’s six geographically focused unified commands with responsibility for security cooperation with defense and public-security forces in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

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Over 100 affected by flooding in Kaikan, neighbouring villages

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), under the guidance of the National Flood Monitoring Taskforce, has responded to reports of inundation at Kaikan and other neighboring villages along the Cuyuni River in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), under the guidance of the National Flood Monitoring Taskforce, has responded to reports of inundation at Kaikan and other neighboring villages along the Cuyuni River in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

At least 100 persons residing along the Cuyuni River have been affected by the rising waters. Apart from Kaikan, communities such as Carboo, Rock Landing, Wenamu and Eteringbang were also affected. Flood Relief Supplies have been distributed to several areas via the Regional Authorities and the Guyana Defence Force, and more supplies are scheduled to be delivered there shortly.

The CDC has an assessment team in the Region working with the Regional Representatives to further assess the developing situation. Residents countrywide are encouraged to report all flood impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time. [Press Release]

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