PNM open to leadership challenge in internal election

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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PNM leader and prime minister, Dr Keith Rowley at a public meeting, Mt Hope/ Mt Lambert Community Centre on Friday. – SUREASH CHOLAI

THE Election Supervisory Committee (ESC) of the People’s National Movement (PNM) is not ruling out the possibility that the leadership of its political leader, Dr Keith Rowley could be challenged when the party holds its internal elections before the end of the year.

The question is whether the challenger would succeed, chairman of the ESC Anthony Roberts said on Saturday, as he announced the dates for the election at a news conference at the PNM’s Central Regional Office, Chaguanas which also serves as the ESC headquarters.

When the question was put to Roberts about the interest the internal polls will generate and the possibility of a challenge to the leadership, he said that would not be surprising as it happened during the 2018 internals.

“You feel that can’t happen in the PNM?” he responded.

“It happened the last time we held the election. He had a challenger, and now that person (the challenger) is a senior member of the Cabinet.”

Pennelope Beckles, who lost the leadership vote to Rowley, is now an elected MP and the Planning and Development Minister in his Cabinet.

Anthony Roberts, (seated, second from left) with other members of the PNM’s Election Supervisory Committee at the Central Regional Office in Chaguanas on Saturday. From left are UTC executive director, Clarry Benn, Samantha Felix, secretary, and Senator Renuka Sagramsingh- Sooklal. – YVONNE WEBB

“So we are confident in the way we operate our business. This is about the business of the party and the best persons must run the affairs of the party,” Roberts said.

“Maybe that is why the PNM is here so long. We guarantee you, there would be no confusion or bacchanal in the way we do our things.”

Roberts announced three days of voting have been set aside on November 26, 27 and December 4. December 4 is also the date of the party’s convention.

Asked if the internals will take place before or after local government elections, which the Prime Minister said is constitutionally due this year, Roberts said only Rowley can make that announcement.

“But I like the question.”

Roberts said all 15 positions are up for grabs. The political leader will be elected to serve a four-year term, while the other positions will be valid for two years.

Nomination day is October 10 and Roberts said he expects it would generate a lot of interest.

“We are going to do it professionally and ensure that everything is above board.

“Everything is above board in the way we do our things within our business in the PNM.”

Nomination forms will be made available to all 41 constituencies including Tobago, over this weekend, Monday for the latest, Roberts said.

“The constituencies will be collecting nomination forms and thereafter, you have to get it in by 4 pm on October 10, at this venue.”

The United National Congress (UNC) recently held its party internal elections, which saw the return of Kamla Persad-Bissessar as its political leader.

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Ministers praise Nestle’s work-from-home policy

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Head of the Nestle Anglo-Dutch Caribbean region, Josue De La Manza, from left, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein at the opening of Nestle’s renovated head office and launch of a plant-based factory in Valsayn on Friday. – Photo courtesy Nestle

Two government ministers have praised a leading manufacturer for its work-from-home policy even as the Prime Minister has said the public sector is not ready for a similar working arrangement.

Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein on commended Swiss food and beverage producer Nestle on its policy for at work and work from home for its staff. The ministers attended Nestle’s launch of a new factory of plant-based products and the reopening of its renovated head office in Valsayn.

Gopee-Scoon, praising Nestle for launching the factory, was most impressed by the company’s ability to establish a sustainable work-from-home policy which will allow 40 per cent of staff at the head office to operate remotely.

She said the occasion, which signals the beginning of a new era for Nestle, also reflected a post-pandemic working environment.

“It combines the experiences of a traditional workspace with evolving virtual realities. This scenario demonstrates the company’s aspirations to adapt and evolve as it moves forward into the future.”

Gopee-Scoon said that TT is “now moving from the acute phase of the pandemic into the endemic phase of covid19. The resiliency of the manufacturing sector and its ability to adopt innovative business strategies and models to ensure economic growth are necessary. This ability has clearly been exhibited by Nestle in their operations and in the initiatives being launched today.”

Hosein also applauded Nestle for the new factory and establishing a seamless interface which would allow a percentage of its staff to work from home. The minister also commented the company for hitting a new milestone with the launch of the plat-based factory.

He said, “I am especially pleased that despite the challenges of the pandemic, you were able to open this new plant based production line at your factory which in turn will expand the locally-produced options available for consumers. special congratulations also on your re-designed and modernised head office – the brainbox where ideas become reality.”

The plant-based factory will manufacture Nature’s Heart almond milk, in the first instance. Head of the Nestle Anglo-Dutch Caribbean region, Josue De La Manza said the company recognised that growth and development cannot happen if there is no investment, change, risk-taking or thinking outside the box.

Head of the Nestle Anglo-Dutch Caribbean region, Josue De La Manza, from left, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein sample Natures Heart almond milk at the launch of a factory line of plant-based products at the Valsayn facility on Friday. – Photo courtesy Nestle

In his feature address, he added the newly refurbished facility caters for 60 per cent of the staff on site, thus reducing carbon footprint.

“Our head office has a no fixed workspace policy and our productivity tools are portable to allow staff to work anywhere on the property. We are truly mobile.”

He added the vision is to make the new factory the manufacturing hub for plant-based beverages anywhere in the Caribbean.

On Monday, journalists asked Dr Rowley, given the fuel price increases of $1 per litre for super and premium gasoline, and 50 cents per litre for diesel, if government is reconsidering a work-from-policy for the public sector.

Rowley said, “I don’t know that we are sufficiently prepared for that to be a major initiative, largely because it requires certain technical infrastructure and a certain level of discipline.

“Some people not even working in the office, so we have to be careful how we talk about that.”

He said in the private sector, and if it “happens to be useful” to the public sector, the government would not be opposed to such a change, but “we have not really embarked upon that as a major initiative.

“We still expect people to be at the workplace.”

During the height of the pandemic, the public servants worked remotely through the lockdowns and most services were done online.

The PNM’s manifesto for the 2020 general election listed reduced traffic and the implementation of work-from-home practices as reasons to vote for the party.

It said, “The PNM will support and facilitate remote working and work-from-home (policies) in both the public and the private sector. The reduced burden on the working population will have a positive influence on community and family life.”

At Friday’s event, Gopee-Scoon also noted that over the years, TT’s non-energy sector has risen to the occasion and is expected to grow by 2.5 per cent in 2022.

“Within the non-energy sector, manufacturing remains an important and dynamic catalyst in our economy. It is a major contributor to our gross domestic product at approximately 20 per cent with a value of $26.3 billion. It generates significant foreign exchange and employs over 52,000 persons.

“This sector exported $7.4 billion in 2020 which rose to $10.8 billion in 2021. The food and beverage sub sector, where Nestle is categorised, has increased by 28 per cent from $1.13 billion to $1.44 billion over the equivalent period January to June 2021 and January to June 2022.”

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Cox defends closure of Riverside homeless shelter

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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A resident leaves the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza carpark when it was closed on September 1. – SUREASH CHOLAI

SOCIAL Development and Family Services Minister Donna Cox defended the decision to close the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons (CSDP) at Riverside Plaza carpark in Port of Spain on September 1.

In her contribution to the budget debate in the House of Representatives, Cox said, “The venue had outgrown its original purpose, and thus as a result, it became necessary to relocate the residents.”

In 1991, she continued, the CSDP was established as a component of the continuum of care for socially displaced persons and was envisioned to be a cumulative effort among public, private, and nonprofit entities to address social displacement, through the engagement of street dwellers and provision of of 52 temporary shelters; transitional housing and services and finally, permanent housing.”

But subsequent task forces and inter-ministerial committees over the years determined the CSDP was not fit for purpose and should be closed.

Cox dispelled a narrative being advanced by the UNC and other people that homeless people at the CSDP were thrown out on the street when it was closed.

She related accounts of different homeless people at the centre who refused to be relocated when it was closed.

In each case, Cox said the names she was giving were not the real names of these people, so as to protect their identity.

“Ms Ramlogan stated that she is not homeless but has a house in Borde Narve and comes to the street to hang out.”

Cox said a man named Edward Collier did not want to be relocated unless “he and his girlfriend (who also lived at the CSDP) can be accommodated in the same home and room.”

After saying many people who were living at the centre who declined placement in other facilities were unemployed, Cox said many of them “were using the facility as a hostel.”

She added that in one case a man” decided that he wanted to get married as his girlfriend was also at the facility.”

Cox said the ministry is now “meeting with relevant stakeholders, acquiring and outfitting a suitable venue to be used as a temporary assessment centre and the voluntary engagement of street dwellers throughout the country.”

In the long term, the ministry is looking at establishing or upgrading facilities in Carapo, Arima and Port of Spain to assist in the accommodation of socially displaced people who need rehabilitation services.

Cox said, “It is incorrect, if not a bit unfair, for persons to say that people have been left on the street. This has never been the case. We cannot force anyone to accept our services.”

Later in the sitting, Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit claimed the budget continues to “diss the public of TT.”

She rejected all of Cox’s earlier statements and what she said was a narrative that the UNC did not care about people.

“The UNC has always focused on people-centred governance.”

Mohit accused the PNM of showing “callous disregard for the poor and vulnerable.” She claimed a basket of basic food items under the UNC that cost $341.99 while now cost $648.97 under the PNM.

“Under a UNC government, the people of this country could have lived.”

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Young: Announcement soon on Atlantic LNG

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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ENERGY Minister Stuart Young said an announcement will soon be made with respect to negotiations for a restructured Atlantic LNG (ALNG) which have been ongoing for the last two years. He made this statement during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Representatives on Saturday.

In January, Government and shareholders in ALNG have reached a heads of agreement (HoA) that will guide the company’s restructuring.

Sources told Newsday at that time, the objective of the HoA is to restructure ALNG so its shareholders would own certain percentages in the new entity as opposed to having ownership in its four trains. In the current arrangement, Government, through NGC, only has shares in trains one and four.

While the HoA may not immediately address issues concerning train one, which is currently shutdown, sources said a restructured ALNG, could allow Government through the NGC to access a portion of the revenues from trains which it currently has no shares in.

Train one has been shutdown since November 2020

On Saturday, Young said, “Very soon. we will be able to tell the population the benefit that decision has for the future of TT.”

He added, “The only country in the world that is renegotiating LNG trains’ ownerships’ structure future is TT. We are at the forefront of setting precedent globally.”

He recalled the decision to shut down Train One ” was as result of difficult negotiations we were in at a time, where we were a minority shareholder in a four train facility.”

Young was confident the population would be satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations for a restructured ALNG.

“That I can guarantee.”

The Prime Minister and Young discussed the restructuring of ALNG with BP and Shell executives in separate meeting sin London and in the Hague in September.

He was also confident that TT would see the benefit of Government’s successful negotiations with Venezuela to delink the Manatee field from the Loran field and for the former to be developed by Shell.

The Manatee field is located on TT’s side of its maritime border with Venezuela. The Loran field is located on the Venezuelan side of this border.

With Manatee possessing approximately 2.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Young said this would be the largest single investment in natural gas in TT for over a decade.

He added that gas from the Manatee field would greatly assist the energy sector and the economy for years to come.

Existing shareholder arrangements in ALNG (per cent)

Train One: Shell – 46, BP – 34 , NGC – 10, CIC – 10 Train Two: Shell – 57.5, BP– 42.5

Train Three: Shell – 57.5, BP – 42.5

Train Four: Shell – 51.11, BP – 37.78, NGC – 11.11

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Leerkrachten binnenland al op hun posten

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

door Samuel Wens SIPALIWINI — Het ministerie van Onderwijs Wetenschappen & Cultuur streeft ernaar om de basis, inclusief voj-scholen, landelijk op 3 oktober

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Guerre en Ukraine : revivez…

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

MONDE

Vendredi 23 Septembre 2022 – 18h51

Le président ukrainien Zelensky était l’invité exceptionnel de l’émission de Cyril Viguier sur TV5 Monde. – Photo DR

Les menaces de Vladimir Poutine, la mobilisation russe, l’armement, les céréales, la reconstruction… Ce vendredi 23 septembre 2022, le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky a répondu à une interview exclusive de Cyril Viguier, réalisée à Kiev, en partenariat avec “France-Antilles France-Guyane”, ” Nice-Matin “, “Ouest France” et ” 20 Minutes ” et diffusée sur ” TV5 Monde “.

$Le président ukrainien a accepté de répondre, dans le cadre de l’émission “Face aux territoires” de Cyril Viguier, aux questions de plusieurs médias, dont France-Antilles et France-Guyane, dans le cadre d’un entretien exclusif qui s’est déroulé à Kiev, vendredi 23 septembre 2022, sept mois après le début de la guerre en Ukraine. et alors que la Russie a annoncé la mobilisation de 300 000 réservistes. L’émission retransmise par TV5 Monde était organisée en partenariat avec Nice-Matin et 20 Minutes et s’est conclue par un dialogue avec Alain Delon, que Volodymyr Zelensky a remercié pour son soutien.

Retrouvez l’intégralité de l’émission :

Des échanges souriants entre Volodymyr Zelensky et Alain Delon

En fin d’émmision, un entretien enregistré entre le président ukrainien et Alain Delon, qui apporte son soutien à l’homme et au pays, a été diffusé.

“Je n’ai jamais été un acteur aussi génial que vous”, lance l’ancien acteur Volodymyr Zelensky au moment de commencer son échange avec Alain Delon. “Je ne serai jamais un président aussi génial et méritant que vous”, lui répond l’acteur français, dans un échange ponctué de sourires. “Je suis très heureux que vous souteniez l’Ukraine, c’est très important pour nous lorsque les gens célèbres s’engagent”, poursuit le président ukrainien. Ce dernier fait ensuite un parallèle entre le cinéma et la guerre. “Au cinéma la tragédie dure une heure et demie ou deux heures, et prend fin. Cette guerre, nous avons le sentiment qu’elle est infinie. Nous espérons beaucoup qu’elle prendra fin.”

Alors qu’Alain Delon a lu quelques vers du poète ukrainien Taras Chevtchenko, Volodymyr Zelensky affirme que les “Ukrainiens aiment la littérature française”. Il rend aussi un hommage au “grand acteur” Alain Delon. “Nous sommes fans d’Alain Delon. Il est une vedette et un symbole”. “Je suis très reconnaissant à Alain Delon pour sa position ferme et forte.”

L’extrait de l’entretien entre Alain Delon et le président Zelensky :

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St. Kitts and Nevis Government to Take Actions to Create a Sustainable Medicinal Cannabis Industry

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 28, 2022 (SKNIS) – The St. Kitts and Nevis Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew-led Government of St. Kitts and Nevis says his administration intends to take the necessary actions to create a sustainable medicinal cannabis industry.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew, speaking during an interview with SKN Newsline on Wednesday, September 28, said there is much work to do in this regard because as it stands presently, St. Kitts and Nevis is well behind when it comes to establishing a cannabis industry.

“Antigua is ahead, St. Vincent is ahead, Jamaica is ahead, and we know that people travel to these countries because they would have an industry that is well-controlled, well-monitored and so forth that allows for the use of marijuana. And so, we will be on that path, and we will see a lot of action in that area within the first year,” Dr. Drew said.

The Prime Minister added, “We have a marijuana commission in place and that commission would start functioning in earnest to get us there. We will then move to expunge the records of those who have criminal records for possession of marijuana. We think that that should not be used as a means to limit people’s advancement in their own lives and so we will put the necessary legislation in place to get us there.”

Moreover, Prime Minister Dr. Drew made it clear that his administration will ensure that it is the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis who benefit first and foremost from the establishment of this industry.

He noted, “At this point in time, we are not looking at any outside people necessarily coming in and dominating this industry. This industry is for our people to develop. We will not make that mistake, and therefore we will, of course, meet those who are involved in this industry, and we will work out ways of how we can make sure that they are a part of the industry… I would say at this time, the goal is and what we will do is to make sure that the local growers are protected [and] our people are protected within that industry.”

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Flash flood watch downgraded; J’cans not out of the woods just yet Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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

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NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

The Meteorological Service is reporting that the Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of eastern and central parishes was downgraded this afternoon to a Flash Flood Watch, effective until 5 pm on Sunday.

“A trough continues to generate unstable weather over Jamaica and the central Caribbean,” the release stated.

The Meteorological Service on Friday issued a flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Mary, Portland, St Thomas, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, and Manchester.

The Met Service said the trough across Jamaica, is being induced by post-tropical cyclone Ian and a weak frontal system, is currently generating unstable weather conditions across the island

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The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

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KC beat Calabar again while JC whip St Mary’s College 10-0 Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Defending champions Kingston College (KC) continued their good early season form with a convincing 3-0 win at Calabar High on matchday 14 of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition on Saturday.

KC with their fourth consecutive win consolidate the top spot in Group A with maximum 12 points, two ahead of Waterford High, which won 5-0 at Meadowbrook High to move to 10 points.

St George’s College are third with nine points as they brushed aside Ardenne High 3-0.

KC, having whipped Calabar 5-1 at Sabina Park on the opening day of the season on September 10, went to Red Hills Road and delivered another spanking victory with Dujuan “Whisper” Richards scoring all three goals.

The striker scored in the 20th, 33rd, and 49th minutes, three clinical strikes of the highest order.

First, he collected a ball just inside the box and was allowed to turn and fired a lethal left-footer past goalkeeper Ramiesh McKoy.

Richards doubled KC’s advantage by shrugging off the last defender and again beating the advancing goalkeeper. He saved the best for last with a thunderous shot from 35 metres that whistled past a bewildered McKoy in goal and rattled the back of the net.

“I am happy for the three points,” said KC coach Raymond Watson. “Three goals, three points, and you couldn’t ask for more as we created a lot of chances, and defensively I thought we were ok so I am very pleased.”

Calabar coach Andrew Price said his team played well despite the defeat.

“I think it’s a much-improved performance than it was in the first game and I thought we played well,” said Price. “I think the difference in the game was their talisman, he is a quality player and we should have played much closer attention to him, we gave him too much room, and a player of that quality you can’t give him that type of room.”

Over in Group B, Jamaica College (JC) secured the day’s biggest victory by whipping St Mary’s College 10-0 in their return-leg fixture to regain the top spot through goal difference over St Catherine High. Both teams are on 13 points.

JC have now scored 23 goals against St Mary’s College as the 30-time champions won 13-0 on matchday one.

Cedar Grove Academy secured their first win in schoolboy football with an upset 2-1 victory over the visiting St Jago High.

St Jago remained in third spot with six points.

In Group C, Haile Selassie clipped Charlie Smith 2-1 and took a stranglehold on the group with 13 points, two points ahead of Charlie Smith in second spot.

Edith Dalton James, which drew 1-1 with Bridgeport High, are third on six points.

Jonathan Grant defeated Dunoon Technical 3-1 to consolidate second spot in Group D with 10 points.

St Andrew Technical High School lead the group with 13 points.

Excelsior High clipped Kingston High 2-1 in Group F to be on 13 points two ahead of Campion College, which edged Clan Carthy High 1-0.

Saturday’s results

Group AArdenne 0 St George’s College 3Calabar 0 KC 3Meadowbrook 0 Waterford High 5

Group BCedar Grove Academy 2 St Jago High 1St Mary’s College 0 JC 10

Group CCharlie Smith 1 Haile Selassie 2Bridgeport High 1 Edith Dalton James High 1Vauxhall High vs Tivoli High

Group DDunoon Technical 1 Jonathan Grant 3Spanish Town High vs Tarrant High at Prison OvalSTATHS vs Norman Manley High

Group EHydel vs Papine at Duhaney ParkKingston High vs Mona High

Group FClan Carthy High 0 Campion College 1Jose Marti vs Cumberland HighKingston Tech 1 Excelsior High 2

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