Benjamin Netanyahu, le “roi Bibi” en voie de retrouver sa couronne

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

A la tête du gouvernement israélien pendant de nombreuses années et surnommé “Bibi”, Benjamin Netanyahu considère que protéger son pays de ses ennemis est…

A la tête du gouvernement israélien pendant de nombreuses années et surnommé “Bibi”, Benjamin Netanyahu considère que protéger son pays de ses ennemis est la mission de sa vie.

A l’issue des législatives de mardi, le Premier ministre le plus pérenne de l’histoire d’Israël et ses alliés ont remporté la majorité des sièges au Parlement, ce qui devrait lui permettre de revenir au pouvoir.

Dans la campagne pour ce scrutin, le cinquième en trois ans et demi, Benjamin Netanyahu a fait, comme à son habitude, l’unanimité sur un point: son énergie infatigable au service d’une volonté intacte de gouverner.

A 73 ans, cet homme aussi adoré qu’abhorré a parcouru le pays à travers la “Bibimobile”, camion entièrement vitré et ultrasécurisé inspiré du véhicule du pape.

Pour la première fois depuis 2009, M. Netanyahu ne concourrait pas en tant que Premier ministre sortant, ayant été détrôné en juin 2021 par une coalition hétéroclite mise sur pied par le centriste Yaïr Lapid avec l’objectif assumé de le chasser du pouvoir.

Il ne raccrochera jamais sa veste de lui-même, affirme Aviv Bushinsky, son ancien porte-parole et fin connaisseur du Likoud, son parti.

“Il fera tout ce qui est possible pour former une coalition, même les choses les plus folles”, dit M. Bushinsky à l’AFP. “Il pense avoir reçu une mission de Dieu pour sauver le pays”.

Malgré son inculpation pour corruption dans une série d’affaires –allégations qu’il nie– “Bibi” peut compter sur un vivier inébranlable de supporteurs.

Colonisation

Voix rauque et cheveux argentés inamovibles, Benjamin Netanyahu, père de trois enfants, est profondément marqué par l’héritage de la droite israélienne.

Né à Tel-Aviv le 21 octobre 1949, il tient ce bagage idéologique musclé de son père Benzion, ex-assistant de Zeev Jabotinsky, leader de la tendance sioniste dite “révisionniste”, favorable au “Grand Israël”.

À l’opposé du processus de paix israélo-palestinien des années 1990, qu’il a contribué à enterrer, M. Netanyahu prône une vision d’Israël comme “Etat juif” avec des frontières s’étendant jusqu’à la Jordanie, d’où ses déclarations en faveur de l’annexion de pans de la Cisjordanie occupée et de mesures favorisant un boom des colonies.

Pendant la dernière décennie, où il était au pouvoir, les colonies en Cisjordanie ont dépassé les 475.000 habitants –une hausse de 50%–, vivant en parallèle de 2,9 millions de Palestiniens, une présence accrue qui menace la création d’un Etat palestinien viable selon l’ONU.

Au tournant des années 1970, le jeune Netanyahu effectue son service militaire dans un commando d’élite. Mais c’est surtout son frère aîné, Yoni, qui se fait remarquer dans les rangs de l’armée.

En 1976, Yoni, commandant de l’unité chargée de libérer les otages d’un vol Tel-Aviv/Paris en Ouganda, est tué pendant l’assaut israélien.

“J’ai cru que ma vie était terminée”, écrit dans son autobiographie publiée ce mois-ci Benjamin Netanyahu, qui fera de la “lutte contre le terrorisme”, qu’il associe souvent aux Palestiniens ou aux Iraniens, l’un des fils conducteurs de sa carrière.

Ses admirateurs voient d’ailleurs en lui l’incarnation du nouveau “Roi d’Israël” pour sa défense arc-boutée du pays face à l’Iran et à son programme nucléaire, perçu comme le nouvel “Amalek”, l’ennemi mortel des Hébreux dans la Bible.

Soldat, diplomate, Premier ministre

Alors qu’il tient des propos durs vis-à-vis du leadership palestinien, il a conclu des accords de normalisation en 2020 avec des pays arabes (Emirats arabes unis, Bahreïn, Soudan, Maroc) sous l’égide de Washington.

Orateur né, il est aussi diplomate de carrière, en poste aux Etats-Unis, pays où il a étudié, puis ambassadeur à l’ONU dans les années 1980.

En 1996, à 46 ans, il triomphe du doyen Shimon Peres et devient le plus jeune Premier ministre de l’histoire d’Israël. Il restera trois ans au pouvoir.

Il fait une pause politique puis finit par revenir à cette passion en prenant la tête du Likoud, jusqu’à redevenir Premier ministre en 2009 jusqu’en 2021.

“Soldat, j’ai combattu pour défendre Israël sur les champs de bataille. Diplomate, j’ai repoussé des attaques contre sa légitimité dans des forums internationaux. Ministre des Finances et Premier ministre, j’ai cherché à renforcer son pouvoir économique et politique parmi les nations”, écrit M. Netanyahu dans sa biographie. 

Et de conclure qu’il a “aidé à sécuriser l’avenir de (son) vieux peuple”.

bs/cgo/rm

L’ambassadeur israélien à l’ONU, Benjamin Netanyahu, le 2 octobre 1985 à New York
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Benjamin Netanyahu (3e g) lors de son service militaire dans un commando d’élite en 1976
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L’ancien Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu vote à Jérusalem, le 1er novembre 2022
• RONALDO SCHEMIDT

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Deux sommets ce week-end

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Handball. Pré-Nationale – 8e journée

L.E.

En attendant la trêve de la semaine prochaine où sera joué le trophée des champions on embraie ce week-end avec une 8e journée de Pré-Nationale dominée par deux très gros sommets. Entente MEG – Réveil Sportif au féminin et USC Citron – Etoile de Gondeau au masculin. 

Chez les dames c’est Entente MEG – Réveil Sportif
qui dominera l’actualité. Le 3e recevant le 1er pour le second test
match de la saison après MEG – Arsenal du 21 octobre dernier.
Sera-ce la 1ère défaite des Gros-Mornaises ou la 2e des
« Samaritano-Trinitéennes » ? Anecdotique le résultat
pour ces deux équipes qui, sauf a

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Songbird Karen Smith to be remembered at Florida concert on Nov 20 Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

A concert under the patronage of Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair, will be held later this month in Florida in the United States to honour the late Jamaican songbird Karen Smith who died September last year from cancer.

The concert dubbed, “Fall Musik Fest and Remembering Karen Smith”, will take place at Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 20 beginning at 5 pm.

Mair said he was delighted to be amongst a diverse group of musicians who are giving their time, energy and support to this worthy cause as he reflected on Smith’s legacy.

“I don’t think anyone would disagree with me that Karen was an extraordinary talent, possessed with a mellifluous voice. She was always congenial and what better way to enshrine her memory than to stage this concert with this group of musicians to include her daughter,” Mair said.

The concert will feature entertainers including tenor Bunny Rose, saxophonist Melton Mustafa, vocalist Jamie Wilmot, pianist Dr Kathy Brown and Smith’s daughter, Courtni Jackson.

Rose, who is well-known on the hotel circuit, said he is excited to remind people of Smith’s legacy. He explained that she was instrumental in introducing many talented Jamaican musicians to the world stage.

“Karen had been a part of the annual event bringing up Jamaican entertainers. She had always been the star of this event and we want to honour her by keeping that aspect. Many people came just to see her,” Rose said.

The emcee for the event is Sophia Nicholson.

Meanwhile, the proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Howard Thurman Centre for Empowerment and Learning, which is an outreach arm of the Holy Family Episcopal Church.

The Howard Thurman Centre is committed to empowering people of all ages through programmes that seek to develop them physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Tickets for the concert will be available at the church and online at www.eventbrite.com or via URL:bit.ly/3Smrezc

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December 8 reopening for Chapelton Community Hospital – Morgan Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The Chapelton Community Hospital which has been closed for years, is to be reopened on December 8 after undergoing upgrading and expansion.

The facility will be formally opened by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Clarendon North Central, Robert Morgan, made the announcement during his 2022-2023 Constituency Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (November 2).

Morgan, who is Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for information, thanked several key stakeholders for contributing to the project.

“I want to thank Beverly Nichols, who grew up in Blackwoods. She went overseas and she made something of herself, but she did not turn her back on her community. She donated over $100 million for the rehabilitation of the Chapelton Community Hospital,” he informed.

The minister also expressed gratitude to Tufton, the Health Ministry, and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund “for helping to match that $100 million”.

“So now we know that the people of Clarendon North Central will finally get their hospital,” he added.

The beneficiary communities include Chapelton, Rock River, Mullett Hall, Summerfield, Crawl River, Pennants, Frankfield and Crooked River.

Morgan also announced that the Mocho Health Centre is to be upgraded by the Health Ministry, and stated that Clarendon North Central “is going to have a lot of developments over the next couple years”.

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Three held in connection with La Romaine robbery

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Police on patrol along the Claude Noel Highway, Shirvan. FILE PHOTO –

The police have arrested three men in connection with a robbery at a businessman’s home in La Romaine on Wednesday.

Southern Division police received information that the suspects were in a silver Aqua car heading for north Trinidad after the robbery at Sunset Cove at around 3 pm on Wednesday.

The victim is the owner of a jewellery store on High Street in San Fernando. Four gunmen robbed him of an undisclosed number of personal belongings before leaving in a car.

Port of Spain Task Force police spotted a car that matched the description of the getaway car on the Beetham Highway.

They chased it and intercepted the car at the John John traffic lights, and arrested the three male occupants, 19, 26 and 41, all from Laventille.

Investigations are ongoing.

Newsday visited the victim’s address on Thursday, but no one appeared to be at home.

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Tributes pour in for late Rev Colin Sampson

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Workers cleaning the guttering of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Port of Spain using this articulated boom lift. – SUREASH CHOLAI

FORMER dean of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Port of Spain, the Rev Colin Sampson, died on Thursday after a short illness, reportedly at the age of 67.

A message on the Anglican Church website said, “We have been advised that the Rev Canon Colin Sampson died today. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

“Please keep the family of Canon Sampson in your prayers. May he rest in peace.”

On Monday the diocese said Sampson had been hospitalised and asked well-wishers to keep him in their prayers.

An entry on Wikipedia said Richard Ian Colin Sampson (born 1955) was educated at Codrington College, Barbados and ordained in 1980.

He began his career as a curate at the cathedral, of which he ultimately became dean. He held incumbencies in Point Fortin, Chaguanas and South Caicos, served as chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers in Trinidad, and was rector of St Patrick’s Church, Tobago, before he became dean at Holy Trinity.

The current dean of the cathedral, the Rev Shelly-Ann Tenia, told Newsday his passing meant the loss of a colleague who would be dearly missed. She said he had a heart condition.

“He was an exceptional priest and a brilliant preacher. The church has lost a soldier. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Sampson’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends and well-wishers on Facebook. Friends remembered Sampson’s days as a member of the choir at St Mary’s College, Port of Spain, and someone whose conversation brought a smile to the faces of his friends.

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San Fernando businesswoman shot, wounded in robbery

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo

Southern Division police were searching for a man who shot and wounded a 52-year-old businesswoman early on Thursday during a robbery.

The victim, who lives at Bobb Street in La Romaine, was shot in the right shoulder.

A police report said at around 1.15 am, she returned home after going out. She got out of her car to close her front gate, and a gunman confronted her and announced a robbery.

The woman was startled and fell to the ground. She heard an explosion and felt a sharp pain in her shoulder.

The gunman robbed her of her handbag, containing $3,500 and fled by running along the street.

She was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital.

The police said the gunman was of African descent, slim built, and about six feet tall. He was wearing dark-coloured clothing and hadan orange bandana over his face.

PC Gosine is leading the investigation.

Anyone with information can call the San Fernando police station at 652-1771 or the nearest police station.

People can also call the police at 555, 999 or Crime Stoppers at 800-TIPS (8477) or report via the TTPS app.

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Princes Town man disqualified from driving pleads guilty to driving car

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo

A Princes Town man has pleaded guilty to driving while being disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence.

On Wednesday, Kenyatta Antoine, 42, appeared before Princes Town magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine in the First Court.

After he pleaded guilty, the magistrate fined $3,000, or, in default, he will serve three months’ jail with hard labour.

Princes Town municipal police said Antoine was driving a Mazda car along the M1 Tasker Road, Princes Town, at around 9. 15 am on Tuesday.

PC Rebeiro, who charged Antoine, and other police were in an exercise led by ASP Guzman.

Rebeiro also slapped him with three other charges – driving without a valid insurance certificate, resisting arrest and failing to give a fingerprint impression.

Antoine, of Princes Town, pleaded not guilty to these three charges.

The magistrate granted him $28,000 surety bail to cover the charges.

She also ordered him to give the police his fingerprints to allow them to check his criminal record tracings.

The matter was adjourned to February 28, 2023.

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Holy Trinity Cathedral launches 200th anniversay celebrations

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Holy Trinity Cathedral 200th anniversary committee member Kyle Young, head tour guide Kathryn McConnie, Dean Shelley-Ann Tenia, National Trust council member Mark Franco, and committee head Dr Phaedra Pierre. – Paula Lindo

The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port of Spain has begun a year of celebrations of its 200th anniversary which will take place in May 2023. The theme of the celebration is Historical Voice! Theological Choice! Culturally Rejoice!

At the media launch at the cathedral on Tuesday, dean and rector of the cathedral The Very Reverend Shelley-Ann Tenia said the planned events will commemorate the hope, heritage, and cultural richness embodied by the cathedral.

Planning committee chair Dr Phaedra Pierre said the celebrations, which would cost approximately $1 million, fell into five major categories: social outreach, publications, cultural expressions, memorabilia, and the grand finale.

Social outreach activities will include a blood drive, which will begin in Tobago on November 9, with further drives throughout Trinidad; a youth chat, which took place on October 19; and Glimpses of the Cathedral – a video programme hosted by various members, old and young, on the 25th of each month; and a food bank through which the diocese hoped to distribute 200 hampers, among other initiatives. Committee member Kyle Young appealed to people to give blood as it was urgently needed.

“We are looking for partners to work with us to collect and distribute 20 hampers, so invite other organisations to match us and plant seeds and do home gardens so we can start by feeding people and then teaching them to feed themselves.”

Pierre said the cathedral will be releasing a 200-page coffee-table book, centred around the theme of the celebrations, as part of its publications.

“For those who don’t want to read such a long tome, we will also be releasing a series of shorter booklets called Snippets, documenting the history of the cathedral from its inception to our most recent additions. We will also be having essay, poetry, and art competitions in our schools.”

The cultural expressions category will include a spoken-word contest, an arts festival and pop-up market.

Pierre said many different types of memorabilia would be available, including bookmarks, a boxed set of postcards, T-shirts, a four-port USB hub, Anglican rosaries, magnets, mugs, a bicentennial plate, with the highlight being an art collection, all branded with the 200th anniversary logo.

“We have asked 12 artists to give us their interpretations of the cathedral, and these have already started coming in. These will be offered in a box set of limited-edition prints, with only 200 sets being produced. We’re also hoping to have an exhibition when Hayes Court reopens. The memorabilia will be available at a range of prices, so there will be something for everyone.”

The grand finale of the celebration will take place in two parts – with a gala dinner on June 2, 2023, and an anniversary service on June 5.

Tenia said repairs were still being done on the Cathedral itself, and the diocese was awaiting the $10 million promised in the last budget.

“The totality of the repairs was last estimated to cost $60 million, and we are awaiting a new estimate. We’re currently putting in place further protective works as, with the rainy season, previous cracks have been widened and more water has been coming into the building. I also don’t think people realise how many earthquakes we’ve had this year, and this has further widened the cracks. In addition, the termites who were living in the ground have emerged to escape the water and are making mas with their friends who were there before. There is also wood-rot present.”

Tenia said the cathedral is looking at removing stained glass, woodwork, and the organ, to place them in storage for protection.

Head cathedral tour guide Kathryn McConnie said Holy Trinity was established in 1801 as a little wooden church on the corners of Prince and Frederick Streets until it was burnt down in 1808. She said the present structure was built between 1816 and 1823, and had many stories and important structures such as the slave altar, the presidential entrance, the rose window, baptismal font, labyrinth, and garden of peace.

TT National Trust council member Mark Franco said the cathedral is a grade one listed property under the trust. He said the intention of a grade one listing is to preserve the property in its originally-constructed state as far as possible.

“The heritage tourism market globally is estimated at U$57 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow annually by 3.8 per cent to 2030. In order to offer a healthy and interesting tourism experience, we must provide buildings that are well maintained, serviced and interpreted. In the 2021/2022 budget statement, the Finance Minister proposed to provide a 150 per cent tax allowance of up to $1 million on corporate sponsorship to heritage properties under the oversight of the National Trust. It is anticipated this will encourage the maintenance and restoration of heritage properties throughout the country.”

Pierre said every contribution from corporate entities and individuals counted towards the restoration of the cathedral.

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14 oil blocks to be auctioned as royalty & corporation tax set at 10% – VP

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo today announced that the government has decided to auction 14 blocks that range from 1000sqkm to 3000sqkm per block, with the majority being closer to 2000sqkm.

During a press conference, he revealed that 11 will be in shallow areas while three in deep areas.

The Vice President also said there will be a minimum signature bonus of US$20M per block in the deep areas and US$10M for shallow areas. “We’re not restricting how many blocks you will bid for but we’ve decided to limit the award [at] three [for any company],” Jagdeo said.

“Each bidder will be required to put up a work programme,” he added.

Dr Jagdeo also disclosed that government has settled on a new fiscal regime which will now govern not only the contracts that will be signed with the successful bidders but will govern all of the subsequent Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) that will be signed for any other exploration that is already taking place.

In this regard, he said the 50/50 profit sharing formula will be retained while royalty will go to 10% and corporation tax, also 10%.

He also noted that the maximum for any given year for cost oil will be 65%.

The Vice President also noted that there will be more stringent relinquishment clauses.

Jagdeo said the bid round will be launched soon and will likely last for about five months.

During a recent visit to Guyana, Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy Vice President Shreiner Parker noted that while Guyana will get interests from around the globe when it goes out to auction its oil blocks, getting the financial terms of the blocks right would be very important. He had given the example of Brazil.

“In recent years, they’ve had unsuccessful bid rounds. Even though Brazil is an extremely important source of offshore production globally, they were unable to attract the interest that it wanted, because the fiscal regimes were too onerous. And they were asking for too much.”

“So, the balance that Guyana will have to strike on these new blocks is understanding that we’re no longer going to have the Stabroek fiscal regime. We are a petroleum province. Yet at the same time, we cannot expect that it’s a guaranteed success and that every hole poked into the ground will produce oil. So, getting that fiscal regime correct is going to be paramount to attracting interest globally,” Parker had said.

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