CARIBBEAN-DEVELOPMENT-EU Commissioner calls for greater collaboration, pledges continued EU support to the region

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cana News Business

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St. Kitts Welcomes Inaugural Visit of Seabourn Venture

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 10, 2022 (SKTA) – Seabourn Venture, an ultra-luxury and modernized cruise vessel, made its inaugural voyage to St. Kitts today, 10 October 2022. The ship tendered at South Friars, where cruise passengers were ready to venture into the wonders of Sugar City.

Seabourn Venture launched in July 2022 is an excellent addition to the cruise sector.  The luxury vessel is designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and includes modern hardware and technology that extends the ship’s global deployment and capabilities.  It accommodates 264 passengers and 120 crew members, ready to create unforgettable memories while sailing through pristine waters.  In addition, the vessel has two custom-built submarines carried onboard, allowing passengers to explore underwater treasures.

Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr. Terrence Drew stated that it was a pleasure to welcome Seabourn Venture on its inaugural visit to St. Kitts.

“The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is grateful for this call and all future calls of Seabourn and its parent company, Carnival Corporation. The cruise sector has tremendous economic value and has over the years has sustained the livelihood of many of our nationals and residents. Our vendors, employees of attraction sites, taxi and tour bus operators depend on this fragile yet resilient sector to provide for their families. The importance of your visit cannot be overstated,” Prime Minister Drew said.

Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ellison “Tommy” Thompson also added that “the return of cruise vessels to St. Kitts post COVID-19 comes at an auspicious time with the destination’s recent campaign launch ‘Venture Deeper’.  St. Kitts is refreshed, re-energized, and ready to dominate the 2022-2023 cruise season. Our goal is to capitalize on our impressive brand image by offering impeccable guest experiences, thus encouraging greater spend on island.”

Cruise passengers partook in authentic Kittitian experiences by immersing themselves in the rich culture, history, cuisine, and adventures the destination offers.

The destination anticipates a fruitful 2022-2023 cruise season and is eager to welcome increased maiden cruise calls as the season progresses.

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Used-car dealers continue to facilitate illegal transactions Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Some local used car dealers and hardware store operators continue to facilitate cash transactions over the $1 million limit, which is against the law under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA.)

The revelation was made by Chief Technical Director of the Financial Investigation Division (FID), Selvin Hay on day one of the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services (JIFS) and Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) Annual Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing Terrorism Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Recounting a case of a used car dealer who was approached by a ‘scammer’ who wanted to purchase a vehicle that was priced at over $2 Million, Hay told the gathering that the dealer facilitated the purchase by accounting for the sale “on different receipts.” The transaction was flagged and became the subject of an investigation by law enforcement.

The dealership was searched and the evidence in the form of the receipts for the illicit transactions bore testimony of the deed, Hay told the conference.

“So, it is still happening with used car dealers, it is still happening with hardware [store] operators,” Hay said even as he called local financial services operators to beef up their Know You Customer Protocols and for law enforcement to beef up their intelligence gathering regarding these issues.

“Law enforcement needs to do more in terms of intelligence gathering because a lot of intelligence is on the ground that we are not capturing [and] we all have a role to play in this fight against money laundering,” he said.

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Bahamas to increase minimum wage, implement price controls Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The prime minister of the Bahamas has announced an increase in the islands’ minimum wage and temporary price controls on certain goods, including eggs, bread and diapers, amid a spike in inflation.

The minimum wage will increase from $210 to $260 a week. It will be retroactive from July for public employees and will go into effect January 2023 for the private sector, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced Tuesday night.

It’s only the second time in two decades that the Bahamian government has raised the minimum wage. The last occurred in 2015, with weekly wages rising from $150 to $210, according to the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce.

The price controls will remain in effect for six months and then be subject to review. The cost of living has long been high in the Bahamas, which imports many of its goods.

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Ronaldo to defend himself after improper conduct charge Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Cristiano Ronaldo will defend himself against an improper conduct charge brought by the English Football Association.

The Manchester United forward was charged following an incident with a fan after a game against Everton in April. Footage caught on camera appeared to show Ronaldo knocking a phone out of the hand of a supporter as he made his way to the locker room following United’s 1-0 loss.

He was later cautioned by police and last month the FA confirmed that the Portugal international had been charged with a breach of Rule E3.

“We spoke about that,” United manager Erik ten Hag said Wednesday. “He will not accept it.”

Rule E3 relates to the general behaviour of participants, stating they must not bring the game into disrepute “or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”

The case will be determined by an FA hearing.

Ronaldo returned to Goodison Park for the first time since the incident in United’s 2-1 victory on Saturday — scoring the winner, which was his 700th career club goal.

He could start when United hosts Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday after spending much of the season on the bench.

With speculation about Ronaldo’s long-term future, ten Hag said he is committed to helping the 37-year-old great rediscover his finest form.

“I want to support him as good as possible,” ten Hag said. “So we have a certain demand on players, what we expect from him in certain positions on the pitch and what I do, as with other players, is I want to get the best out of them.

“He is getting in better shape now and I am happy with that, so he can contribute more to the squad and I’m sure he will do.”

Ten Hag added Ronaldo’s physical condition has been an issue this season.

“In the start, it was definitely the case,” ten Hag said, “and it’s proven once again no one can miss pre-season.”___By JAMES ROBSON

AP Soccer Writer

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An open letter to the so-called guardians of our oil wealth

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Flashback- The fuel hose leads from the Liza Destiny to the Cap Philippe for the transfer of Guyana’s first million barrels of crude

Dear Editor,

My discourse today is an open letter to Glen Lall and all of his minions as it relates to oil deals with the Government of Guyana. So, let me start at the beginning, are those who claim to be safeguarding Guyana’s oil wealth aware of the fact that the deal struck some years ago was done by a legitimately elected Government?

Yes, the oil deal finalised between the then Government representative Raphael Trotman was legitimately done and legally binding between oil giant Exxon Mobil and The Government of Guyana. This cannot now be disregarded or glossed over. There can be no discussion on Guyana’s oil deal without taking this aspect of our history into account, this salient fact must be dealt with in any discussion.

This was a deal struck way before the no-confidence vote of 2018 and as such was legally in force. This was not a bogus deal as some may want us to believe, or should I say a deal signed between BK International and Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan. Everything in the oil negotiations and subsequent signing was done in an atmosphere of legality between the Government and the oil magnate. So, the latest hue and cry of Glen Lall and his associates crying shame on the PPP/C Government about a lopsided oil deal is ill-advised and misdirected.

If anyone is to be made accountable for the lopsided deal it is the PNC-led coalition now in Opposition and no one else. This is the cabal that lied to the people and in turn squandered our nation’s sovereign wealth. So this foolishness where some fly-by-night experts and pseudo-experts are coming forward to hypocritically petition on our behalf, they should stop the crocodile tears and ask themselves what agenda they are really championing. Are they championing the Guyanese cause for a better oil deal, or are they on a political mileage campaign, or like I said, looking for a job?

I believe it is the latter, while some are definitely getting their newspapers sold, others are crying desperately to get a job here. In either case, they need to think again. The new Black and Indian Christopher Columbuses of the day are exposing themselves rather than putting forward anything of worth. Where were Glen Lall and oil experts when the coalition was in power? Were they in the final stages of Alzheimer’s Disease? And the answer is, they were right here, in silent agreement with the PNC! These are the people who let the people of Guyana down.

So, in closing, when people go to the polls and vote a party into power, they are actually entrusting their future development in the hands of those individuals that form the Government. You are asking them to sacredly manage our resources so that our lives can be improved, not only for us but for our children also.

The people of this great country saw the need and this caused them to vote the PPP/C into Government. The people are quite satisfied with that party managing our affairs, so we have placed our country in their safe hands. The PPP/C as a caring and devoted Government has in these last two years demonstrated that they have the ability and wherewithal to govern fairly and equitably. They have a cadre of men and women who can take this country to greater heights of development and prosperity.

Respectfully,Neil Adams

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School screening programme to be introduced to detect health issues among students

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday announced that the Guyana Government will soon introduce a screening programme within schools that will help in detecting various health issues among students.

This initiative, which will first be piloted at a select institution and then rolled out countrywide, will cater for the screening of students at “critical points during their school year,” the health minister said.

He noted that het programme will look at areas of dental care, eyecare, and hearing as well as a number of “other parameters.”

“We see school health as a very important aspect of delivering healthcare in Guyana,” Dr Anthony expressed, noting that it is an area that has been ignored over the years.

In addition to the screening programme, the Health Minister said the government plans to encourage the formation of health clubs in schools.

“With these health clubs, we’ll be promoting and sort of reinforcing some of the things that they’ve been taught in school pertaining to health so that they can live and embrace a healthy lifestyle.”

According to the Health Minister, one of the goals is to get young people more physically active.

“Young people, in a lot of ways, have been sitting down and playing games, board games and video games and they’re not as active as they ought to be. So, we’re trying to encourage physical activity, football, volleyball, cricket and so forth.”

Another key area, the health minister noted, is nutrition. “We want them to choose the right foods, avoid fatty foods, avoid trans fats, avoid sugar sweetened beverages, avoid salt and so forth. So, in the health clubs, we’ll have programmes that are geared to teach some of these things.”

Dr Anthony made these disclosures at an event to hand over the Ministry of Health various packages of sports and hygiene equipment as part of the “Promoting Safe & Healthy Learning & Living Environments” Project supported by Canada and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Funded by Canada and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Government of Guyana, the project is already making a difference in the lives of children here. In Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo), for example, healthcare and community workers have been trained and are delivering Early Childhood Development services.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Mark Berman & UNICEF representative Nicolas Pron, spoke about the project’s goal to provide gender responsive programmes for health that caters to both boys and girls, and the benefits for vulnerable children, especially those in the hinterland and host/migrant communities.

It was also explained that the supplies handed over will support the expansion of school health clubs and boost adolescent health services across selected hinterland communities. Nearly 10,000 children will benefit from this aspect of the project. “I want to emphasise that this project is not only gender-responsive but we aim for it to be gender-transformative,” the UNICEF representative said at the event.

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GECOM awaiting response from APNU+AFC on information requested by Police

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Chairperson of GECOM Justice Claudette Singh

At the request of the APNU+AFC, the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh on 28th September, 2022 forwarded to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the General Register Office (GRO), the information sent by the APNU+AFC in relation to allegations of voters’ impersonation during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In this regard, the GPF has since requested that the addresses of the alleged persons to be provided.

Accordingly, the Commission takes this opportunity to inform that its Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh has since written to the Chief Scrutineer of APNU+AFC, Ms. Carol Smith-Joseph requesting that the APNU+AFC provide the necessary information so that the GPF can commence its investigation into the allegations of voters’ impersonation.

Whereas the Commission is committed to ensure that the concerns raised by the APNU+AFC are adequately addressed in a prioritized manner to ensure a resolution within the shortest time possible, it is of crucial importance to note that, notwithstanding GECOM is the custodian of the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB) which contains personal information of all registrants, the Commission cannot release such information to the GPF owing to legal confidentiality issues that might arise.

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Health Minister Says COVID-19 Remains A Serious Problem – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste has expressed concern regarding the high number of COVID-19 cases in Saint Lucia.

He told reporters on the sidelines of a parliament session on Tuesday that between August 12 and October 10, Saint Lucia recorded seventeen COVID-19-related deaths.

“Very clearly COVID-19 continues to be a very serious problem,” the Vieux Fort North MP asserted.

In addition, Jn Baptiste disclosed that medical professionals are reporting the usual increase in respiratory problems, especially around the rainy season.

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Regarding bivalent vaccine boosters, the Minister said the Saint Lucia government continues to work with the Pan American Health Organization to get the latest available medications.

“I do not know as of last week whether these boosters did arrive, but I know the Ministry of Health is attempting to access the latest COVID-19 medications,” Jn Baptiste told reporters.

But he said health officials are dissatisfied with the current COVID-19 vaccination rate.

Nevertheless, he said they hope Saint Lucians will see vaccination as an effective option in their general health care and not only in relation to COVID-19.

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Hot momma? All eyes on Rihanna’s loungewear release Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Whether she is walking on sidewalk grates in pin-thin heels or dancing at home in the latest Fall collection of Savage x Fenty loungewear, new mom Rihanna exudes sex appeal and self-confidence.

The billionaire singer is showing off her curvaceous post-partum bod, looking like a full-course meal and not a snack, as she flipped her long black hair and caught all her angles on Monday, October 10, in her teaser for the autumn loungewear release of her Savage X Fenty brand.

The 34-year-old beauty mogul, sported a grey booty shorts and a grey hoodie then spinned for the camera, which appeared to be facing up on the ground, while rocking to a club dance beat. Syncing her banter and moves, she had specific instructions – “if your hand’s busy texting, I’m mad at you. I only want you on your phone if you’re taking pictures of me”.

Also reminding us that a new season is approaching *wink, wink*, Rihanna captioned the video – “thottin just got cozy”.

The new loungewear line, which was unveiled at the end of August, contains several everyday staples – joggers, hoodies, boy shorts, tees, etc – that can be taken from the “sofa to the streets”.

“At the core, Savage x Fenty is about feeling sexy and confident,” Rihanna said in a media release. “The lounge collection is giving all of that with a chill, laid-back twist. I wanted to bring comfort and realness to everyday pieces that can be styled in whatever way lets you do you.”

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