Flooding in Penal/Debe

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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A man takes refuge under a vegetable stall along the SS Erin Road, Debe as heavy rains caused flooding on Monday. – Lincoln Holder

Heavy rainfall caused street/flash and residential flooding on Monday in several parts of Penal, Debe and Barrackpore, and other areas of the country.

Part of Lalbeharry Trace near Papourie Road in Debe was impassable. Some drivers waited for the water to subside while others took another route.

Livestock farmer Nathaniel Mungal, who lives nearby, said floodwater rose to knee-high within three hours from midmorning to midday.

Farmer Nathaniel Mungal shows the damage he suffered as his home was flooded at Lalbeharry Trace, Debe on Monday. – Lincoln Holder

The water entered his son’s home next door and damaged household items. Mungal’s son Anand Mungal, 20, was not home when Newsday visited.

Mungal said, “Right now, two fridges are floating inside the kitchen. The two wardrobes, the space saver – everything is water-soaked.

“We have a room with items we sell, like shampoo, conditioner and soaps. We lost what was in that room.”

He said he used to run a mini-mart at the side of his son’s home, but closed it after a similar flood about two years ago.

“I lost over $50,000 in that flood. It was a little higher than this. I never get compensated.

“I mind animals like pigs, ducks, and chickens. Right now, the pigs are making a lot of noise for food. But I cannot go through that floodwater to go and get feed for them. They have to wait.”

At Debe Trace, parts of the SS Erin Road were also flooded.

Nathaniel Mungal’s piglets wait to be fed. – Lincoln Holder

A summary of incidents reported as of 3 pm on Monday by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) said there were overall six incidents reported in the southwest region. There were street and residential flooding in Penal and Debe.

In the south-central region, the ODPM said high winds damaged eight houses at Pharaoh Avenue in Ste Madeleine during thunderstorms on Sunday.

The roofs of three of the houses have been repaired. The five others were severely affected.

Tarpaulins and other relief supplies, the ODPM said, are to be distributed based on a needs assessment.

Representatives from the Princes Town Regional Corporation’s disaster management unit and the National Commission for Self Help met affected residents.

No incidents were reported in the north-central region, east region, or Tobago.

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Flash floods, landslides in Diego, St James, Cocorite

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Drivers manoeuvre through floodwaters in Cocorite on Monday. – PHOTO BY JEFF K MAYERS

After Monday afternoon’s downpour and subsequent flooding in western Trinidad, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) released a summary of weather-related incidents affecting the public and localcommunities.

The Diego Martin Regional Corporation reported four landslides, at Woodbine Valley Road Extension, Upper Bournes Road, St James; Hillcrest, Upper La Puerta; and Freedom Street, Cocorite. Another landslide took place at Geoffrey Street, Ross Land, St James, where homes were flooded.

Flash flooding along the Diego Martin Highway near the new overpass and the Cocorite overpass was reported.

Giselle Hernandez was travelling from St James with groceries in hand when her taxi got caught in the flood. Near the Cocorite overpass, smoke started coming from under the bonnet and the taxi shut down. She got out with her groceries near John Street, took a few steps into the floodwater and fell into an uncovered manhole.

She did not identify any serious injuries but said her groceries washed away.

A passer-by helped her get out of the manhole and rising floodwater.

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Amalgamated Workers Union settles for 4%

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Amalgamated Workers Union president Michael Prentice signs the collective bargaining agreement at the CPO’s office on Monday. – Photo courtsesy Chief Personnel Officer’s office

THE Amalgamated Workers Union has accepted a four per cent wage increase offer from the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO).

A statement issued on Monday by the CPO’s office said CPO Dr Daryl Dindial and the union signed off on collective agreements for the periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019

The CPO’s office said Dindial and the union met in person five times, and also virtually over the last six months, to deal with several outstanding issues affecting workers represented by the union.

Some of the major items the parties agreed upon include a new job-evaluation exercise for workers, the alignment of rates of premiums and allowances enjoyed by other daily-rated workers and an increase of those rates, an increase in the rate of Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), the provision of technical and vocational training, and a one-time buyout for retirees in 2014 and 2015 at $4,000 per retiree.

The CPO acknowledged the leadership, intuition, and initiative displayed by the union’s executive during, what he described as, a very difficult negotiation process.

A photograph accompanying the statement showed union president-general Michael Prentice signing the agreement on the union’s behalf at the CPO’s office in Port of Spain.

Earlier this month, the CPO moved Government’s wage offer to public-sector workers for the period 2014-2019 from its previous two per cent position to four per cent. The only public-sector workers represented by the AWU are sanitation workers employed by the Port of Spain City Corporation.

The AWU also represents factory workers at the Bermudez Biscuit Company; funeral attendants and drivers at Belgrove’s Funeral Home; cooks and counter-staff at Royal Castle, clerks and cleaners at the East Side Plaza and New City Mall in Port of Spain.

Efforts to contact Prentice or other AWU officials were unsuccessful.

The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), Police Service Social and Welfare Association (PSSWA), the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) and the Public Services Association are among the trade unions which have rejected the CPO’s four per cent offer.

PSA president Leroy Baptiste opined that AWU’s members may have directed the union to accept the offer.

“Well that’s fine. That is entirely up to them.

“I wish the best for all workers. I wish for all workers that the negotiations could settle on behalf of all workers, that they would not be in a worse-off position than they were in 2013.

“In my view, four per cent means an effective cut in wages based on the inflationary pressures that have devalued the purchasing power of persons’ income.”

From the PSA’s perspective, the four per cent offer has been scrutinised thoroughly by all its internal organs as well as its membership.

Baptiste said, “The position of the PSA remains firm by way of the membership to reject outright that four per cent, as it reflects an effective cut in wages if we were to settle on that.”

Would the AWU’s acceptance of the four per cent weaken the position of other trade unions who are refusing to do so?

Baptiste said his arguments about the offer are not emotionally based.

“I am not begging. The argument is based on negotiating something that I have as my minimum responsibility to help my members maintain their minimum standard of living.”

Baptiste maintained that what public-sector workers would have been able to purchase in 2013, they will not be able to now, even if they accepted the four per cent.

He claimed governments exploit fear on different levels, including the fear that it could take a long time to settle negotiations.

“Workers are in a state of desperation. These workers in general work for very, very small wages.”

Against a background where people are working from paycheck to paycheck, Baptiste opined, “Any opportunity to get a piece of money, Some people will just jump at.”

He said governments exploit these situations in the hope that “will result in people saying ‘Hey take the thing and bring an end to that’.”

National Trade Union Centre (Natuc) general secretary Michael Annisette declined to comment on the AWU’s acceptance.

“I am in an emergency meeting right, right now discussing this.”

Asked if she had a comment on the AWU’s acceptance of the CPO’s offer, TT Unified Teachers Association president Antonia De Freitas said, “No.”

Fire Services Association president Leo Ramkissoon also declined comment.

“No words.”

Communications Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Clyde Elder was not concerned about AWU’s acceptance.

“I suppose each union having its own autonomy will do what they believe to be in the best interest of its members.”

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Carenage home on verge of collapse after heavy rains

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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The home of Simone Mundy at L’Anse Mitan Road, Carenage, after a landslide took part of the downstairs after heavy rains on Monday. – Joshua Labadie

A 48-year-old Carenage woman said on Monday she will risk spending the night in her home which is on the verge of collapse after heavy rains. She says she has nowhere else to go.

Simone Mundy told Newsday she was in Port of Spain, at about 1 pm awaiting transport to get home, when she got the call that a landslide took down a retaining wall and part of the downstairs of her two-storey home at L’Anse Mitan Road.

“I come home and see the whole thing collapse to the downstairs. You could see straight through the downstairs. I have no more wall, and the downstairs gone through.”

Mundy said she applied to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and is awaiting allocation. She said she suffered a landslide to the back of her home three years ago and nothing came out of it, although she requested assistance from government agencies.

Asked where she and her family, which include her daughter, husband and a friend who has been staying with her would sleep, Mundy said they have no choice but to stay in the house.

There was a landslide at Mundy’s neighbour and former national sprinter Patrick “Bullet” Delice’s home as well. The moving earth felled a mango tree and other trees, pulling down wires and blocking the main access to their homes.

In 2011, Delice survived a landslide which tore open part of his home. Delice, who represented the country in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics in the 200 and 400 metres said then that the landslide opened his bedroom wall, and had he been in bed at the time may have been dead.

In a video sent to Newsday on Monday, Delice complained of repeatedly asking for assistance to erect a retaining wall and to redirect water from undermining his neighbour’s home whenever rain falls. Monday’s incident, he said, is the culmination of neglect.

The heavy rains which caused flooding in many parts of Trinidad, reminded L’Anse Mitan residents of a major flood that swept away cars and businesses in 2007.

While the river water consumed part of the road on Monday, it only took bags of garbage that had not been removed from the overflowing bin.

Mundy recalled that incident which saw some of her neighbours losing their vehicles and livelihoods. She said what happened on Monday was not as bad as 15 years ago in terms of the volume of water, but then she was not affected as she is now.

She, like Delice, is hoping to get some assistance in clearing the landslide and taking steps to ensure that such instances don’t reoccur or, at the very least, the impact is minimal.

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Fun?railles de l’ancien s?nateur Yvon Buissereth aux Cayes

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Les locaux de la paroisse Saint-Michel ?taient remplis samedi dernier lors des obs?ques de l’?lu de 2006 au S?nat de la R?publique Aux premi?res heures de la c?r?monie, des jeunes portant des uniformes du coll?ge du d?funt, des amis et des proches ont d?pos? plusieurs gerbes de fleurs devant la d?pouille expos?e ? la paroisse. Des visages attrist?s, des personnes en pleurs et toute une famille d?sol?e ont dessin? un tableau sombre ? l’?glise Saint-Michel. Aucun s?nateur en fonction ni le Premier ministre Ariel Henry n’ont fait le d?placement pour assister aux fun?railles comme certains le pressentaient.

<>, a regrett? le r?v?rend p?re Marcel Louis dans son sermon de circonstance. Selon lui, la situation d’ins?curit? que conna?t le pays est programm?e pour des raisons mesquines dans l’objectif d’enfoncer davantage le pays. Il a pr?sent? le directeur g?n?ral de l’Entreprise publique de promotion des logements sociaux (EPPLS) comme une personne qui aime et qui a servi son pays tant dans l’?ducation que dans la politique. <>, a d?clar? le pr?tre.

<>, a invit? le p?re Marcel. Le leader catholique se dit persuad? que les citoyens du pays doivent prendre le chemin de la r?volte afin que la situation change. Marcel Louis a propos? une r?volution ? quatre niveaux. <>, a-t-il ?num?r?.

Tour ? tour, les filles du d?funt Yvon Buissereth ont t?moign? leur amour ainsi que leur compr?hension du combat que menait leur p?re. <>, s’est souvenue en larmes, Yves-Nick Buissereth. Elle a t?moign? sa fiert? d’?tre la fille d’un homme g?n?reux et aux innombrables qualit?s. Yves Ludgine Buissereth, une des sept enfants de l’ancien directeur d?partemental de la T?l?co, a fait savoir que son p?re a ?t? incompris par son entourage o? tout le monde condamne sans chercher ? comprendre.

<> ; s’est demand? la soeur de l’ancien s?nateur, Yvette Destillus. Mon fr?re aimait la vie, il aimait le bien, il qu?mandait pour payer l’?colage de plusieurs jeunes. <> s’est-elle indign?e.

Venu rendre un dernier hommage ? l’ex-s?nateur odieusement assassin?, l’ancien d?put? des Cayes et de l’Ile-?-Vache, Jean David G?n?st?, a affirm? que le parcours du s?nateur Yvon Buissereth va longtemps marquer l’histoire du d?partement du Sud, plus pr?cis?ment celle de la ville des Cayes. <>, a d?clar? M. G?n?st?, faisant l’?loge du directeur de l’EPPLS.

<>, a poursuivi l’ancien secr?taire d’?tat ? la Formation professionnelle.

<>, a lanc? Jean David G?n?st?.

<> s’est ?cri? l’ancien d?put? des Cayes et de l’?le-?-Vache.

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Injection de dollars de la BRH : , estime l’?conomiste Eddy Labossi?re

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Depuis le jeudi 25 ao?t 2022, la BRH commence ? mettre ? ex?cution son annonce d’injecter sur le march? local entre 100 ? 150 millions de dollars. 18. 5 millions sont d?j? inject?s, a annonc? la Banque centrale. Selon le docteur en ?conomie Eddy Labossi?re, intervenant ce week-end ? la matinale de Magik 9, cette mesure est un <>. <>, a fustig? le professeur Labossi?re, s’?tonnant de voir la BRH s’ent?ter ? proposer une solution qui n’avait pourtant pas port? ses fruits. <>, a analys? l’?conomiste, qui souligne que la BRH a pourtant d’autres instruments pour conduire sa politique mon?taire, comme la correction des r?serves obligatoires, le taux d’int?r?t sur les lignes de cr?dit pour r?soudre le probl?me de d?s?quilibre de la gourde.

Rappelant que les r?serves internationales de la BRH ne contiennent que 310 millions de dollars, Eddy Labossi?re a fait savoir que la mesure d’injection de dollars est inad?quate aux exigences faites par les institutions financi?res internationales. <>, a rench?ri l’?conomiste.

Le taux de r?f?rence, une aberration

Eddy Labossi?re a aussi r?agi ? la d?claration du gouverneur de la BRH, Jean Baden Dubois, qui admet que le taux de r?f?rence diffus? par la banque centrale n’est pas destin? ? fixer le taux ? la vente ni le taux ? l’achat du dollar dans le pays. Ce taux de r?f?rence, selon M. Dubois, est obtenu ? partir des prix du dollar pratiqu?s par les banques et les agents de change. Il est pond?r? par un coefficient retenu par la BRH pour le secteur informel. <>, a critiqu? l’?conomiste. <>, s’est interrog? Eddy Labossi?re, soulignant que <>.

<>, a estim? l’?conomiste. <>, a-t-il conclu.

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Mirago?ne: la manifestation contre la vie ch?re dispers?e par la police

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Des milliers de personnes ?taient ? nouveau dans les rues, dans le chef-lieu du d?partement des Nippes, ce lundi 29 ao?t pour continuer ? d?noncer la chert? de la vie, la raret? du carburant et l’ins?curit?. Ayant d?but? leur course au carrefour Lacroix, les manifestants qui ?taient emp?ch?s de se rendre au centre-ville par la police, ont pris la direction de Chalon, en passant par carrefour Desruisseaux.

La foule qui s’est renforc?e ? Chalon, a tent? vainement une nouvelle fois de se rendre au centre-ville, ? son retour de cette localit? de la premi?re section communale. Les policiers qui avaient entrecrois? leurs v?hicules ? proximit? du tribunal de paix de Mirago?ne, ont fait usage de gaz lacrymog?ne pour disperser la foule, alors que les manifestants s’approchaient les mains en l’air. Ce qui a provoqu? un vent panique ? Desruisseaux o? des riverains couraient dans toutes les directions. Contraints de rebrousser chemin, certains protestataires ont pris la direction de Berquin alors que d’autres rentraient chez eux.

<>, a temp?t? un manifestant.

Touch? par le gaz lacrymog?ne, le professeur Wilfince Mombrun critique, lui aussi, le comportement des policiers. <>, a martel? le psychologue visiblement en col?re, insistant sur le fait qu’il s’agissait d’une manifestation pacifique.

Apr?s la dispersion du cort?ge qui prenait la direction du centre-ville, les agents de la PNH ont intim? l’ordre aux citoyens de rentrer chez eux. <>, a lanc? un agent de l’Unit? d?partementale de maintien de l’ordre (UDMO), dans un porte-voix, depuis sa patrouille.

Apr?s avoir d?fait des barricades dress?es au carrefour Desruisseaux, les agents des forces de l’ordre se sont rendus ? Berquin, localit? de la premi?re section communale o? des centaines de protestataires s’?taient dirig?s en vue de poursuivre la manif. Mais la police a, une nouvelle fois, dispers? la foule ? coup de gaz lacrymog?ne. Environ dix personnes ont ?t? interpell?es ? Berquin, confirme la police des Nippes, via son porte-parole. Il s’agit de : Vitielo Dupervil, Kendy Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Michel, Kilton Pierre, Kenson C?n?, Ronaldson Succ?s, Ben Kenchily Oresca, Loukenson T?z? et Tegov Journal. Selon Astrel Calixte, ils sont accus?s d’avoir lanc? des pierres en direction d’une patrouille polici?re. L’officier de police indique au passage que la police n’a pas ?t? l?galement inform?e de la tenue de la manifestation.

Notons que ce mouvement de protestation fait suite ? une tr?ve de trois jours observ?e, apr?s le sit-in organis? jeudi dernier, dans le cadre la mobilisation lanc?e le lundi 22 ao?t par un groupe de jeunes de la commune, pour d?noncer la chert? de la vie, la raret? du carburant et l’ins?curit?. Pour l’occasion, les activit?s fonctionnaient au ralenti dans la Cit? de Fernand Hibbert. Elles ?taient au point mort au principal march? public de la commune. Des institutions qui fonctionnaient ont d? fermer leurs portes plus t?t que d’habitude. Des barricades ont ?t? signal?es un peu partout dans la commune, en marge de cette manifestation dispers?e par la police.

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Des J?r?miens exigent la d?mission d’Ariel Henry

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Des J?r?miens sont descendus dans les rues ce lundi pour exiger la d?mission d’Ariel Henry. Les protestataires en ont profit? pour protester contre la flamb?e des prix des produits alimentaires, la raret? et la hausse des prix du carburant.

<>, a scand? un manifestant dans la foul?e.

<>, a confi? Samuel Lindor, qui croit que l’?tat et les hommes d’affaires ha?tiens sont en train de berner la population.

? cause de la p?nurie, le gallon de gazoline qui se vend normalement ? 250 gourdes est pass? jusqu’? 3750 gourdes ce lundi ? J?r?mie. Le sac de riz se vend d?j? ? 3250 gourdes. Le prix minimum d’une course de taxis-motos est fix? ? 100 gourdes.

? noter qu’au cours de cette journ?e de tension, un bless? par balle a ?t? enregistr?, le march? public, le commerce, les banques et la circulation ont ?t? paralys?s. Les manifestants ont barricad? les routes avec des containers et pneus enflamm?s. Ils ont aussi prof?r? des menaces ? l’encontre du correspondant de Radio T?l? Caraibes, M. Franckel Maginaire.

Une autre journ?e de manifestation est pr?vue le mardi 30 ao?t 2022.

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Deyalsingh in Arima hospital with flu-like symptoms

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh during an event at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital in April. – FILE PHOTO/AYANNA KINSALE

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is in a stable condition at the Arima General Hospital after being admitted with flu-like symptoms on Monday night.

In brief release, the ministry said Deyalsingh first went to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope and covid19 was ruled out. He was then transferred to the Arima hospital for “further management and observation.”

In July 2016, Deyalsingh was briefly admitted to the Port of Spain General Hospital for observation after he complained of feeling unwell. He was discharged as his condition improved.

The news of latest Deyalsingh’s hospitalisation follows the disclosure that Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon is at home in isolation after contracting covid19.

The Prime Minister apologised for her absence during a media conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Monday, to announce a memorandum of understanding between Jamaica and TT on trade and settling trade disagreements.

In July, Dr Rowley caught the virus for a second time, and on both occasions worked while in isolation. Neither Rowley nor the Trade Ministry said whether Gopee-Scoon will do likewise.

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Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos’ Creates History, 1st Afican Album To Go Gold In US

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Wizkid’s album “Made In Lagos” has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

The Nigerian singer continues to set the trend as he earned a new milestone on Monday (August 29) as the only artist from the continent of Africa to earn a Recording Industry of America Association (RIAA) Gold certification for his album Made in Lagos.

The Nigerian Afrobeat singer-songwriter is a four (4) time Grammy nominated artist, and he won his first Grammy award for “Brown Skin Girl” for his credits on the track by Beyonce.

At the 64th Grammy awards held earlier this year, Wizkid was nominated for Best Global Music Album for Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition.

Wizkid was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Global Music Performance for the Platinum-selling track, “Essence” featuring Tems.

Wizkid earned his first United States RIAA Gold certification for the Grammy-nominated single “Come Closer,” featuring Canadian rapper Drake.

Earlier this month, he earned his second RIAA Gold certification on August 8th with Beyonce’s “Brown Skin Girl,” which features him and Blue-Ivy Carter.

In the meantime, Wizkid continues to make a name for himself with notable collaborations.

The artist is featured on Chris Brown’s “Call Me Every Day,” which was released on Brown’s ‘Breezy’ album. The song peaked at No. 103 on the Global Billboard 200 chart and also charted in several other countries, including the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Africa, and several charts in the UK, including the UK Singles and Hip Hop/ R&B chart.

The song also climbed the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 76, while it also dominated the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 20.

The singer also seemingly reacted to the new RIAA certification as he shared posts shared by fans announcing the album’s latest accomplishment.

Wizkid’s new EP, More Love Less Ego, was released on August 5th on streaming platforms. The project features 6 tracks with guest features from Vaito and Marickelz.

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