Cops kill one in Sea Lots shooting

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo –

One man is dead after a shooting in Sea Lots on Thursday night.

Police said members of the Port of Spain Gang Unit were driving along Production Avenue, Sea Lots, at around 7.30 pm when they saw two men sitting on stools near a shop.

On seeing the police both men got up and shot at them. The police took cover and shot back, wounding one man, while the other ran away. Police took the wounded man to the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he was declared dead.

They said he was identified only as Joseph. Police found a Glock 19 pistol.

Later on Friday, CCTV footage surfaced which contradicted the version of events given by the police, as it did not appear to show the men pointing guns at them.

Sources said members of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) were contacted and visited Sea Lots to interview witnesses.

All police-involved shootings are investigated by a first division officer, tht is, an officer at the rank of assistant superintendent (ASP) and above.

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Mother of beaten teen: I am not sending my child back to that school

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

The mother of beaten student Vidya Lal shed tears as she speaks to the media at Jenny’s on the Boulevard on Friday. Photo by Angelo Marcelle

Vidya Lal, mother of the Carapichaima West Secondary School student who was beaten – along with a maxi driver – on Monday says she will never send him back to that school ever again.

She said she wants justice for her son and for those responsible for hurting him to be held accountable.

After school finished, students of both the Carapichaima West and East Secondary schools planned to beat up 16-year-old Rasheed Lal.

The driver of the maxi he was in, Varindra Singh, tried to intervene but was beaten along with Lal. Both suffered several injuries.

Lal said her son is in a lot of pain, cannot raise his arms and several parts of his body are blue-black and swollen.

She said at around 1am on Thursday, an ambulance was called to their home because her son could not breathe well.

To date, she said only the vice principal of her son’s school had contacted her.

“Nobody saying or doing anything for my child. We have to do everything for ourselves.

“I’m a single mom and I need help and I need justice.”

Her son is a US citizen, so she made a report to the US embassy, which told her it will investigate.

She said the issue stemmed from an earlier incident at Carapichaima West, in which a male student was trying to hit a female student, and his son blocked and protected her. This, she said, angered the male student, who hit her son in the face. Rasheed returned the blows.

Brother of beaten maxi taxi driver Narindra Singh, Carapichaima West Secondary PTA President, Michelle Omar-Leiba, mother of beaten student Vidya Lal, CPMTT President, Clarance Mendoza and Route 3 maxi Taxi President, Vickash Kissoondath, speak to the media at Jenny’s on the Boulevard on Friday. – Photo by Angelo Marcelle

Lal was then called to come to the school and overheard the other student tell her son: “This not over.” and that he would be waiting for Rasheed after school.

After school, a group of about seven students pulled Rasheed out of the maxi he was in. This was when the driver tried to assist.

Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media and show the two on the ground being repeatedly kicked and beaten.

Lal said one of the students told Rasheed he was fighting on behalf of his cousin.

“This was very unfair, because it wasn’t one on one – it was a gang.

“They didn’t want to beat my child, they wanted to kill my child. Because it could never be all these children for one child and the van (maxi) driver.”

She hailed Singh as a hero, adding that, unfortunately, Rasheed is blaming himself for everything and has even been crying.

“I’m so grateful for him. If (it) wasn’t for him, my son would have been dead.

“My son is taking it like it is his fault.

“It’s nobody’s fault, because nobody knew this was going to happen.”

Carapichaima West Secondary PTA President, Michelle Omar-Leiba consols the mother of beaten student Vidya Lal, as they speak to the media at Jenny’s on the Boulevard on Friday. – Photo by Angelo Marcelle

Asked by Newsday if she had seen the video of the incident, she said, “I saw little pieces. I don’t really want to look at the video, because it’s too much. I can’t take it. I don’t want to look at a video where my child is being beaten like that.”

She said Rasheed, a form four student, has never been in a fight before.

The incident is under police investigation.

Asked by Newsday what outcome would make her feel safe to send Rasheed back to this school, she said, “I am not sending my child back to that school. Never. After I saw what happened…he’s out of school for now.

“If they could do it now, just imagine when they (get) older what is going to happen. What they going to become? They will be killers? They will be murderers? What they will be?”

Calls and messages to Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and the Carapichaima West Secondary School all went unanswered up to press time.

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UN Security Council Approves Haiti Sanctions To Quell Gang Violence – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a sanctions regime for Haiti, targeting gang leaders and those who finance them, in the hope of easing months of violence and lawlessness which has fuelled a major humanitarian crisis.

Criminal gangs have been blocking access to the main fuel terminal in the capital Port-au-Prince, bringing critical services to a standstill, as Haiti grapples with a widening cholera epidemic, amid political and economic meltdown.

‘Catastrophic’ hunger

“Catastrophic” levels of hunger have been recorded this month for the first time, in the gang controlled Cite Soleil neighbourhood, and 4.7 million people are facing acute hunger, with many losing access to jobs, markets, health and nutrition services.

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Resolution 2653, drafted by the United States and Mexico, is the first sanctions regime adopted since that of Mali, just over five years ago. It establishes a committee which will be responsible for designating the individuals and entities to be sanctioned.

Enemy of the people

The resolution specifically sanctions notorious gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, an ex-police officer who is reportedly the most powerful gang boss in the country, known by his alias “Barbeque”.

He heads the so-called “G9 Families and Allies”, and the annex notes that he has engaged in “acts that threaten the peace, security and stability of Haiti”, having planned or directed acts that amount to “serious human rights abuses.”

Asset freeze, travel ban, arms embargo

Sanctions include an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, against those engaging in or supporting criminal activity and violence, involving armed groups and criminal networks.

Designated activity includes recruiting children, carrying out kidnappings, trafficking, murder and sexual and gender-based violence.

Crucially, the resolution also designates the obstruction of humanitarian assistance to and inside Haiti, and any attacks on personnel or premises, of UN missions and operations.

Speaking in the Council chamber following the vote, US Ambassador and co-pen holder on Haiti, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the unanimous vote represented “an important step to help the Haitian people”, and was “truly reflective of Council consensus.”

‘Clear message’ to the gangs

She said the Council was “sending a clear message to the bad actors, that are holding Haiti hostage. The international community will not stand idly by, while you wreak havoc on the Haitian people.”

She said clear measurable and well-defined safeguards were also in place to review the effectiveness of the targeted sanctions, but the challenge now remained of restoring security and alleviating the humanitarian crisis.

Non-UN force in the pipeline

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield reminded that the US-Mexico are working on a resolution which will authorize a “non-UN international security assistance mission” to address security issues to facilitate humanitarian aid. This was not only in response to a request from the Haitian Government, but also an option suggested by the UN Secretary-General, she added.

SOURCE: UN News. Headline photo: Stock image.

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Statement From the Office of the Premier Regarding the Payment of an Honorarium to Frontline Workers on Nevis

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, October 20, 2022 (NIA) –The following is a statement from the Office of the Premier regarding the payment of an honorarium to frontline workers on Nevis:

The Nevis Island Administration has been made aware through Media reports of the decision of the Federal Cabinet to pay an honorarium to frontline workers on St. Kitts.  An announcement was made on Thursday, October 20, 2022, that the honorarium fixed at EC$2,000 would be paid on October 21st, 2022.

The 24-hour timeframe of the media reports has not allowed the Nevis Island Administration the opportunity to determine the complete list of eligible workers on Nevis and their payment.

The Nevis Island Administration is committed to ensuring that all frontline workers who actually worked and assisted during the Covid-19 pandemic are provided with this token of appreciation. Once the lists are complete, the Administration shall ensure that eligible workers receive their honorarium and shall provide additional information shortly as to payment.

The Nevis Island Administration is grateful for your patience in the circumstances.

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SKN Consulate in Toronto Launches Citizenship by Descent Drive

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

Basseterre, St. Kitts, 21st October 2022 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs et al): The Saint Kitts and Nevis Consulate in Toronto, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, and the High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, has launched a Citizenship by Descent Drive. The Drive, which will run from Thursday, 20th October 2022, will be geared towards first, second, or third-generation Canadians ages of 18-39 of Kittitian and Nevisian heritage. At the end of the Citizenship Drive, applicants will have a chance to win an all-inclusive vacation from December 24th – 31st, 2022.

The Citizenship by Descent Drive aims to encourage youths in Canada to become citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis by Descent and steep themselves in the islands’ idyllic stunning natural beauty, rich history, and culture, while contributing to national development with their different skill sets. This citizenship drive also includes an information session to educate all applicants about the benefits of becoming a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis the Honourable Dr. Terrence Drew said during his first press conference that the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to capitalizing on the goodwill of the nation’s youth by implementing the necessary policies and opportunities in the Federation’s mainstream centred around our young people. Saint Kitts and Nevis is widely regarded as the region’s best-kept secret.

Saint Kitts and Nevis abides by the rule of law and shares rich cooperation built on shared values, multilateral and security collaborations, and strong people-to-people ties, including through tourism. The SKN Consulate will post all details of this contest on its website and all other relevant Government social media channels.

About the Contest

1. All interested parties must complete the application process, and all successful applicants will be entered into a draw to win a trip for two to the Federation

2. During the application process, all applicants will be informed about, and encouraged to join St Kitts and Nevis Youth Council in Canada.

3. Raffle entry ends on 20th November 2022

4. The Draw to pick the lucky citizen will be on 22nd November 2022.

5. The winner must be available to travel December 24th – 31, 2022

6. The winner must agree to be video/photographed by Trucapo media

Contest / Raffle prize arranged by the Ministry of Tourism

· Flight provided by Air Canada · Four days at the KOI Resort in St Kitts

· Three (3) days in Nevis provided by Nevis Tourism Authority

· TruCapo will capture photography and video

· *Experience Sugar Mas 51, INCL: Playing mass, Queen of the band, Calypso Monarch competition*

· *Activities and historical sites, Scuba diving, The Rain Forest Trek, zip lining, The St Kitts Scenic Railway, Nevis Hot Springs, Historic Nevis Bath hotel, Historical Museum, and many more*

Citizenship benefits

1. No personal income tax

2. Possession of a St. Kitts-Nevis Passport

3. Visa-free travel to over 100 countries worldwide, including the UK and European Union

4. Free to reside in St. Kitts-Nevis for any length of time

5. Dual Citizenship permitted

6. Residency is not required as a condition of Citizenship

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St James police yet to ID dead woman fished from sea Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

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

54 minutes ago

NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

The police in St James are still working to identify the semi-nude body of a woman found floating in the sea near Reading in the parish on Friday morning.

The body was reportedly only clad in underwear.

“The body has not yet being identified, hence we can’t confirm as yet,” one senior police investigator told Loop News.

The police were called to the scene by residents who spotted the body floating in the water shortly after 9am.

The body was subsequently fished from the water by members of the Marine police.

While the police do not yet have a positive ID on the woman, speculation is rife among social media users that body is that of a popular social media influencer.

More information later.

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Photos: Lee-Chin joins esteemed PSOJ Hall of Fame Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Business tycoon Michael Lee-Chin is the PSOJ Hall of Fame inductee for 2022.

Lee-Chin is the 28th recipient of the prestigious honour awarded by The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).

He received the citation at the PSOJ Hall of Fame Banquet in a packed Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Ballroom on Thursday.

“Even though the best may still be yet to come, Michael has already indelibly changed the landscape around him. His lasting legacy was undoubtedly shaped by the values instilled and the lessons learned from the land of his birth. He continues to lead by being a living example of his own words: ‘Our behaviour today will be our history tomorrow. Make sure it’s well written,” the citation read in part.

In the citation where Lee-Chin is referred to as a “titan of Jamaican business”, the PSOJ noted that from his humble roots, he grew to become one of the most successful businessmen in Jamaica and Canada.

Lee-Chin joins the esteemed list of 27 distinguished inductees honoured by the PSOJ.

The list includes the 2019 recipient, Founder and CEO of Island Grill, Thalia Lyn, 2018 recipient ICD Group Chairman, Joseph M. Matalon and 2017 recipient, the former Sagicor Group Chairman and current Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Richard Byles.

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Law Association breaks silence on Nelson indemnity deal

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Vincent Nelson, KC –

The Law Association (LATT) has finally broken its silence on the controversial dropping of the criminal prosecution of former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC, and ex-UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen.

And it has questions for Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, on the role of his predecessor, Faris Al-Rawi.

On Thursday, LATT’s council sat for almost four hours. It issued its statement late on Friday.

The association came under heavy fire this week for not speaking out on the collapse of the case, although several other groups of attorneys and senior attorneys had already publicly expressed their outrage over the affair.

In its statement on Friday, the association said: “It is our respectful view that the Attorney General should say whether there was any participation, or involvement by the former attorney general in the actual collection of evidence for the purposes of prosecution.

“It is also our view that the signing of an indemnity agreement in 2017 was highly unusual and made more worrying because it appears that Mr Vincent Nelson KC continued to be the recipient of financial benefits from the Government after it was signed; moreover, the alleged agreement appears to contemplate additional benefits to the proposed witness.

“These are only some of the serious issues which concerns LATT and the general public and it is absolutely essential that the current Attorney General, in his role as the guardian of the public interest, breaks his silence and issues a full and unambiguous statement on these matters…”

The association said it was not in a position to determine (in the absence of the full response requested) whether there had been corruption, misfeasance in public office or politically motivated prosecution of any public official, politician or attorney.

However, it said it “maintains that the absence of any robust explanation to the public will encourage speculation of wrongdoing or covering up wrongdoing.”

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Customs Division seizes cocaine bound for Florida

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

The Customs and Excise Division head office at the government campus in Port of Spain. PHOTO BY JEFF K MAYERS –

Officers from the Customs and Excise Division found and seized a quantity of cocaine on Wednesday.

A media release on Friday said officers seized a kilogram of cocaine that was to be shipped to Orlando, Florida via a shipping company.

Earlier this week it was reported that Trinidadians Kerry Keller, 26, Joel Medina, 31 and Dion Harry, 22, were arrested in St Vincent and the Grenadines for the possession of cocaine and ammunition.

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First Citizens opens new branch in Tobago

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Tobago

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, fifth from right, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, fifth from left, and First Citizens Group CEO Karen Darbasie, fourth from right, at the opening of the new First Citizens branch on Wednesday at Milford Road, Tobago. Also present are Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe Lambeau/Lowlands assemblyman Wane Clarke, First Citizens Group Deputy CEOs Jason Julien and Professor Sterling Frost ORTT, Sana Ragbir- General Manager Retail and Commercial Banking and Kurt Headley – Head Retail Banking. –

First Citizens has opened its newest branch at Claude Noel Highway, Milford Road, Tobago, further enhancing access to its services for residents and visitors.

The newest addition to the First Citizens footprint, which was ceremonially opened by Group CEO Karen Darbasie on Wednesday, replaces the former Canaan branch and will provide customers with digital and in-person customer experiences.

Darbasie said she was proud to open the island’s biggest branch and offer new services such as the institution’s first drive-thru ATM.

“As an organisation, we are pleased to present to the people of Tobago, 15,000 square feet of cutting-edge, convenient and comfortable banking real estate,” she said.

On hand to mark this momentous occasion with First Citizens was the Prime Minister, who said, “Today, First Citizens equals success, success for the people. Today we are proud of the fact that we are here in Tobago leading the cutting edge of banking.”

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, also reminded guests that, “First Citizens demonstrates to us how we can desire more, excel and still maintain our indigenous roots.”

In a press release, First Citizens said it has attained accolades such as 2021 Bank of the Year Trinidad and Tobago from LatinFinance and The Banker Magazine, and stands poised to continue to develop its rich legacy of financial growth and sustainable investments in people and communities. First Citizens said it remains committed to building rewarding and sustainable relationships through a highly engaged team, versatile and secure technology, and innovative financial services.

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