Nunez-Tesheira sends PNM election committee legal letter

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Karen Nunez-Tesheira

CHAIRMAN of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Election Supervisory Committee Anthony Roberts has responded to a pre-action protocol letter from a legal team representing Karen Nunez-Tesheira.

The letter, from attorney Egon N Embrak, expresses grave concern about the risk of ballot boxed being tampered with ballot-box tampering while they are being transported and stored and votes are counted and tabulated, in the course of the three-day elections exercise. It threatens legal action if these issues are not addressed before the internal elections .

PNM members are expected to vote for 35 of the 39 challenged candidates over three days: November 26 and 27 and December 4.

In the past, PNM internal elections were a one-day exercise when ballots were cast and counted on the same day.

Nunez-Tesheira is one of three candidates challenging Dr Keith Rowley for the post of political leader. The others are Junior Barrack and Ronald Boynes.

She noted that while the party’s constitution is silent on completing the election process in one day, it has been the staple practice and time-honoured custom and convention that votes are counted and tabulated in the presence of appointed representatives in one day.

This exercise, she submitted, was even more critical, considering the increased risk of tampering with the ballot boxes when the elections are spread over multiple days and constituencies, requiring the back-and-forth transportation and handling of the ballot boxes during that time.

She said the PNM internal elections should represent something of a microcosm of general elections, which are conducted and completed in one day.

Roberts told Newsday on Thursday, he has acknowledged receipt of Embrak’s letter and has asked for time, until next Tuesday, to respond, as the matter has been referred to the committee’s legal team.

In the October 14 pre-action protocol letter, Embrak gave Roberts until October 19 to respond.

Roberts said he responded personally to Embrak, but the matter has been referred to the committee’s legal team.

In a previous letter to Roberts, which was shared with the media on October 7, Nunez-Tesheira first broached the issue of transparency and fairness in the unprecedented nine-day period for the elections and handling of the ballot boxes during that protracted time.

She is questioning what will happen with the ballot boxes at the end of each day’s voting, whether they will be moved from one location to another for safekeeping, and if so, by whom.

Embrak has threatened legal action if these specific concerns outlined are not addressed before the elections.

He is also seeking rectification of the lack of proper and timely communication of electoral requirements and the denial of Nunez-Tesheira’s request for the preliminary list of registered voters.

He said his client is demanding transparency, integrity, accountability and objectivity in the electoral process, in a manner that can be deemed fair.

Nunez-Tesheira also told Newsday she was promised a copy of the registered voters list and her team was scheduled to collect it later on Thursday.

She said the intention was not to stall the elections, but to have the issues addressed, especially the storage of the boxes.

“In any event, it does not leave a good feeling.”

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Autopsies on dismembered men set for Friday

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

MURDERED: Josiah Charles. Image source: TTPS

AUTOPSIES on the dismembered remains of two Chaguanas men are expected to be done on Friday.

The remains of Josiah Charles, 27, of Circular Trace, Enterprise, and Makell Simon, 31, of Soldado Road, Lange Park, were taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Wednesday where they were identified by relatives, then returned to a Couva funeral home for storage.

The remains were found in a shallow stream in Mon Plaisir Road, Cunupia on Monday afternoon.

A severed arm belonging to one of the men was found several metres north of the stream on Tuesday afternoon.

It was originally thought the autopsies would be done on Thursday, but sources said they had not been contacted by the centre to bring the body parts.

Police said while the men were dismembered, it is still possible to gather evidence and determine a cause of death, as the extent of decomposition was not too advanced.

“We can still make certain observations and assessments on what happened with these men.

“For instance, we can see if there were gunshot wounds or any other injuries that can indicate what happened so reasonable assessments can be made,” said a senior police source.

No motive has been established for the murders and Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region III police are continuing enquiries.

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100-million dollars spent in preparations for construction of the New Port in Kingstown

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has already spent 100-million dollars to prepare for construction of the New Port in Capital, Kingstown.

That’s according to Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Camillo Gonsalves who was speaking on NBC’s Face to Face Program yesterday.

The Minister said the Contractor has been actively involved in the preparation phase of the Port Modernization Project.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PORT-PREP.mp3

Minister Gonsalves said the construction phase of the Port Project will begin in earnest next year.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PORT-WORK.mp3

Sellhorn Engineering from Germany and Aecon Construction Group will be involved in the construction of the Port.

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Government to implement measures to ensure that Police Vehicles are better taken care of

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says the Government will implement other measures to ensure that Police Vehicles are better taken care of.

In response to a question in Parliament on Monday, the Prime Minister said they are looking at the possibility of hiring skilled drivers to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police force.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/POLICE-VEHICLES.mp3

The Prime Minister said greater efforts will be made to deal with the misuse of vehicles.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MISUSE-VEHICLES.mp3

The Prime Minister was responding to a question from Opposition Senator Shevern John on the method used for the distribution of Police Transport to the various districts.

Parliament has been suspended until Tuesday October 25th at 9am.

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Barbados’ Glow-In-The-Dark coin wins award Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

The Central Bank of Barbados’ limited-edition Glow-in-the-Dark $1 coin is the Best New Commemorative or Test Circulating Coin for 2022.

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) made the announcement on Tuesday during the 2022 Excellence in Currency Awards for Coins which formed part of the Coin Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The Bank issued the $1 coin in December 2020 as a tribute to the island’s essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It features the same design as the regular $1 coin but the flying fish is painted light blue, and the painted area glows in the dark.

Made by the Royal Canadian Mint, it was the first glow-in-the-dark circulation coin to be issued in the Caribbean.

Octavia Gibson, Director of the Central Bank of Barbados’ Currency & Payments Oversight Department, was present to receive the award.

“This is a significant honour for us here at the Bank. We’re happy that our commemorative coin has been recognised on the international stage by a highly-regarded organisation, IACA. I’m proud that I can bring this award back home to the people of Barbados, especially those front-line workers for whom it was designed,” she said.

Other finalists in the Best New Commemorative or Test Circulating Coin category included the South African Mint and South African Reserve Bank (SARB) with their 5 Rand Coin which celebrates the centenary of SARB and Monnaie de Paris with the Silver EUR100 which commemorates the 20-year anniversary of the Euro.

The judges assessed the entries on the basis of innovation, uniqueness of features, integration of features, and how effectively the coin highlights a significant event.

The Central Bank and the Royal Canadian mint are the producers of the winning coin.

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Campaign targeting 16,000 students as it tackles violence in schools Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The Ministry of Education and Youth is looking to target 16,000 students from areas declared Zones of Special Operation (ZOSOs) for behavioural changes with its ‘Just Medz It’ initiative, which is aimed at ending violence in schools.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign at the Douglas Orane Auditorium at Wolmer’s Boys’ School in St Andrew on Wednesday, Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams described the campaign as “a national call for action”.

“The campaign is a national call for action for every single Jamaican and organisation to support our effort to engender and sustain a culture of discipline and peace in our homes, our schools and our communities,” Williams said.

Just Medz It is a year-long, multifaceted campaign aimed at addressing the current issue of increasing violence in schools. The programme will seek to equip students with violence prevention strategies to resolve differences.

The initiative will see the improvement of school infrastructure by teaching and incentivising strategies for resolving conflict peacefully, providing psychosocial support to students and parents, utilising the creative arts to maximise school engagement, and introducing character education programmes, among other strategies.

“We have to preserve our schools as safe places for our children,” Williams said.

Education and Youth Minister Fayval Williams (third left) with students from Denham Town, Calabar, and Gainstead High Schools at the launch of the ministry’s violence prevention initiative, ‘Just Medz It’, on October 19, at Wolmers’ Boys’ School in St Andrew. (Photo: JIS)

She said, too, that the ministry would consolidate its human and financial resources to support the programme.

Several government agencies, such as the Safety and Security School Unit, the Guidance and Counselling Unit, the Health and Family Life Education Programme, and the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, will have major roles to play in the Just Medz It initiative.

“We will engage non-government organisations, private sector, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, to partner with us in our effort to rid violence in the home, in the school, and our communities,” she said.

The minister said that they will be developing a benchmark to track the progress of the initiative.

“We will monitor and evaluate as we go along,” she said.

At the launch, senior parliamentarians Justice Minister Delroy Chuck and Opposition Spokesman Julian Robinson, in whose constituency the programme was launched, endorsed the initiative.

Chuck acknowledged that the level of violence in school has become a very serious problem.

“That is why the Ministry of Justice is working not only with the Ministry of Education in the schools but we are working with the churches and the communities and the home to really stem that cycle of violence,” he said.

Chuck pointed out that his ministry has a number of initiatives aimed at keeping the peace and restoring justice in the schools and the communities.

Julian Robinson told the gathering, which was mostly of students from schools across the Corporate Area, that he supports the initiative because it is heartbreaking what violence does to the family of the victim and the abuser.

“A few weeks ago I faced the mother of Michelle Campbell, the girl who was killed at Kingston Technical, in Bull Bay. I would regard it as the most difficult visit I have had as an MP because I didn’t know what to say to the mother, and when I examined the impact that incident had, it has torn apart two families – the family of the victim and also the family of the perpetrator,” he said.

Robinson said the initiative is long overdue.

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Reggae Boy Andre Blake earns third MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News
Loop Sports

1 hrs ago

Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake celebrates after an MLS football match against the Toronto FC, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum).

NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

Reggae Boy Andre Blake was named Major League Soccer ‘s Goalkeeper of the Year and his Philadelphia Union teammate Jakob Glesnes was named Defender of the Year.

Blake earned the season-ending honours for the third time, the most of any goalkeeper in league history. He also won in 2016 and 2020.

The Jamaican goalkeeper led the league in shutouts with 15 and the Union conceded just 26 goals, fewest by an MLS team in a 34-game season. He saved 79.4% of the shots he faced.

Glesnes, who is from Norway, became the Union’s first player to start every game and play all 3,060 minutes for two consecutive regular seasons. He was the only Philadelphia player to play every minute this year.

He’s the first Union defender to win the year-end honour. He helped the Union become the league’s only team to allow fewer than 10 goals at home this season. Philadelphia was 12-0-5 at Subaru Park.

The Union, who got a first-round bye in the playoffs, host FC Cincinnati on Thursday in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

FC Dallas forward Jes?s Ferreira was named Major League Soccer’s Young Player of the Year on Tuesday.

The awards are voted on by current players, team technical staffs and the media.

Blake had 64.1% of the vote, followed by New England’s Djordje Petrovic with 4.97% and Miami’s Drake Cellender with 3.95%.

Glesnes won with 26.10% of the vote, followed by Philadelphia teammate Kai Wagner with 14.57% and NYCFC’s Alexander Callens with 13.20%.

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Gerrard under more pressure after Villa lose 3-0 at Fulham Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News
Loop Sports

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Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard looks dejected after the English Premier League football match against Fulham at Craven Cottage in London, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP).

NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

LONDON (AP) — Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard was taunted by Fulham fans after his team’s 3-0 loss in the Premier League on Thursday.

“Sacked in the morning,” sang sections of the Craven Cottage crowd after strikes from Harrison Reed and Aleksandar Mitrovic, as well as an own goal from Tyrone Mings.

Gerrard said before the match that he was confident he could turn Villa’s season around. But defeat leaves his team just above the relegation zone, level on points with 18th-place Wolverhampton.

A miserable night also saw Villa reduced to 10 men when Douglas Luiz was sent off in the second half for a head butt on Mitrovic.

Fulham dominated from the start but had to wait until the 36th minute to find the breakthrough. Villa were unable to successfully clear from a corner and the ball fell to Reed at the edge of the box. The midfielder took a touch before firing the ball past Emiliano Martinez.

Any hope Villa had of mounting a comeback evaporated in the space of six second-half minutes.

First, Luiz was sent off after referee Michael Oliver reviewed video footage of his clash with Mitrovic.

Then, Matty Cash handled Mitrovic’s shot in the box, leading to a penalty, which the Fulham striker converted.

Fulham wrapped up the scoring when Mings turned a Neeskens Kebano ball across the box into his own net in the 83rd minute.

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Scotia appoints new CFO and senior legal counsel Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The Scotia Group has announced the appointment of two of its senior banking executives – Gabrielle O’Connor and Maia Wilson – to vice president roles within their respective areas.

O’Connor, who has been named VP, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, formerly held the role of senior manager finance and chief accountant.

An experienced finance professional with over 20 years of experience in the banking and investment brokerage industry, she joined Scotiabank in 2011.

She replaces Michelle Wright, who held that position up until August 2022 and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for Scotiabank’s Caribbean North and Central region.

Gabrielle O’Connor

O’Connor is a CFA charterholder and a fellow of both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ). She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Manchester and a Diploma in Business Administration (Honours) from the University of Technology.

Wilson, who formerly served as the Bank’s Director, Legal Counsel and Assistant Company Secretary at the Bank – has been appointed to the role of VP, Senior Legal Counsel & Company Secretary for the banking group.

A seasoned Attorney-at-Law with over 15 years of experience, Wilson is qualified to practice law in Jamaica, and England and Wales joined the Scotia Group in 2017. Wilson holds an LLB, from Kingston University in the United Kingdom, and completed her Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School, London. She qualified as a Solicitor in England before returning to Jamaica to pursue her Certificate of Legal Education from Norman Manley Law School.

Wilson’s and O’Connor’s appointments became effective on October 1 and 10 respectively.

Congratulating both team members, Audrey Tugwell Henry, President, and CEO of the Scotia Group expressed confidence in their leadership and said they are “well-primed to continue the execution of the Bank’s strategic objectives for their respective areas during what is now a pivotal and exciting period in the Bank’s history.”

She further noted that their appointments exemplify “leadership and succession planning in action” as their predecessors have purposely mentored both in preparation for an eventual transition. “Along with the Board of Directors and Senior Management, I want to wholeheartedly congratulate Gabrielle and Maia on their promotions. Both ladies are highly regarded in their respective fields and across our local banking footprint. I look forward to their continued sterling contributions as we build the bank for every future.”

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THA Minority Leader: Infrastructure Secretary boldfaced, arrogant over stage in sea

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Kelvon Morris

THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has described as “arrogant, bold-faced and disrespectful” Infrastructure Secretary Trevor James’ response to the Environmental Management Authority’s (EMA’s) concerns about a stage being built in the sea for next week’s Tobago carnival.

Earlier this week, the EMA said the stage was one of several infrastructural projects the THA was undertaking without the requisite certificates of environmental clearance (CEC).

The stage is being built at Rockly Bay, Milford Road, Scarborough,

James told the media on Monday, “What we are trying to do is host a carnival in a few weeks…we at the assembly are trying to execute these works in short order and sometimes as a state agency, we believe it might be challenging to go through every single step that is required. If that has to be done, then we won’t be able to accomplish all that we set out to do.”

He said, however, that his staff at the division had contacted the EMA and the Division of Environment and discussions were taking place.

James said he was not aware a CEC was required to construct the stage.

At a news conference on Thursday at his office in Scarborough, Morris said having served on the board of Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Co Ltd (eTecK), he has had some experience in addressing coastal projects.

He recalled eTecK had to hire an international firm to help deal with coastal erosion at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Lowlands.

The firm, he said, spent between six months and a year evaluating current flows to create a design that ensured no undue harm would be caused by the measures.

“So sometimes it may look as simple as just putting down boulders, and we may feel that it is no big deal. But when you affect the natural coastal flow in one area, it then causes a lot of destruction and environmental harm in other areas.”

He said the coastal erosion currently taking place in Lambeau might have been because of action taken previously in dealing with the Scarborough port.

Referring specifically to the stage in the sea, Morris said, “We are now seeing a secretary so arrogant, so boldfaced, so disrespectful that even in the face of the lawful authority saying to you, ‘At least there is a process, let us go through the process, let us give you the clearance,’ and you are saying, ‘No, I don’t care. We have a carnival to treat with and by hook or crook we putting down the stage. So I don’t care about the law’….This is the same division dealing with issues of breach of process.”

Morris said Tobago must not be destroyed for a carnival.

“The carnival would come and go, but whatever we do here, we will have to live with. Is a carnival worth the destruction of Tobago?”

He said while Tobagonians would like to have a good carnival, “If we don’t have the stage out in the sea, would that stop the carnival?”

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