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Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar –

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar wants citizens to “guard (TT’s) democracy” amidst a number of crises facing the nation on its 46th anniversary as a republic.

Persad-Bissessar issued her annual Republic Day message on Saturday with a stark message to the nation.

“”Today, as we mark our 46th year as a Republic, we do so amidst great turmoil and uncertainty.

“Our nation faces serious challenges which require concerted and united efforts from all citizens to overcome,” Persad-Bissessar wrote.

“As we celebrate this significant occasion, it is important to remember that our nation’s greatest strength is in our diverse talent.

The former PM noted TT’s move to place supreme power in the hands of the people and their representatives 46 years ago, replacing the Queen of England as head of state with the President.

“While we have faced challenges over the 46 years, our citizens have always shown their resilience, strength, and determination through the diverse skills they possess.

“From the cricket field to the theatre screens, from academia to culinary delights, Trinbagonians have ensured our Republic has shone brightly on the world stage.”

However, the Persad-Bissessar added, as the country reflects on its progress after 60 years of independence, “we must also take note of the many challenges that currently face us.

“We are witnessing a cost of living crisis, increasing lawlessness, and the total decay of good governance in our country.

“In the last two years, besides lofty promises from the current administration, there has been no improvement in the lives of citizens, and indeed, life has become increasingly harder for people,” she said.

“It must be noted that recent reports from the CSO and the Central Bank have shown that we are indeed in serious economic trouble.

“We feel it every day. Families are struggling to make ends meet, food prices continue to rise and the Government has not produced a single policy or idea to create jobs, growth or prosperity.”

She said the Opposition recognises that as MPs, they have a sacred duty to work towards improving the lives of each and every citizen and to protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy.

“Our rights as citizens of a free democratic nation are enshrined in the 1976 Constitution, and it is our duty and responsibility to work together to build our nation and to always guard our democracy. In unity, there will always be strength.

“So, as we mark the 46th anniversary as a Republic, I give the country the commitment that while this Government has abdicated its responsibilities and abandoned the people of this nation, we in the Opposition will be your voices, as we fight for a brighter future for all, and to restore our beloved TT to greatness.”

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Premier Wayne Panton has assured the public that the government is fully prepared and all emergency services are available to provide assistance as necessary as the island braces for the effects of Tropical Depression 9.

The Cayman Islands has been placed on a Hurricane Watch as the storm is expected to start affecting the territory late Sunday. The system is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane as it moves towards Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands.

Flooding is expected in low-lying areas on Grand Cayman.

At the same time, the premier has urged the public to make preparation.

“I urge everyone to monitor official communication channels, including Radio Cayman, to track the development of this storm system, as storms are unpredictable and can change course at any time,” Panton said in a statement.

“Please ensure that you have ample supplies to provide for yourself and your loved ones through the storm and 48 hours thereafter. Important provisions include prescription medications, baby supplies, non-perishable food and drinking water. Be prepared for potential loss of power,” the premier said.

He added: “I ask that you remain calm. Preparation and caution are key to remaining safe. Please conclude your preparations as quickly as possible and plan to be safely sheltered by Sunday afternoon.

“To allow the public to make final preparations, we have today authorised for supermarkets, hardware stores, and home depots to be open for business on Sunday, 25 September 2022 from 6am to 4pm.

For emergency assistance at any time, please call 911. The Mental Health hotline will remain open at 1-800-543-6463.

Visit weather.gov.ky, caymanprepared.gov.ky, gov.ky and Radio Cayman for up-to-date information on Tropical Depression 9, which will be named Hermine when it becomes a Tropical Storm.

“Be reminded that forecasts and models can change quickly, thus it is critical that we prepare for the worst and pray for the best,” Panton said. “I thank you for your attention. I trust you will be well prepared and above all, stay safe. God bless each of you and our beloved Cayman Islands.”

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The tropical storm watch that has been in effect for Jamaica is being discontinued with immediate effect, as conditions associated with a tropical storm are no longer expected in respect of Tropical Storm Ian.

“Over the past several hours, the tropical storm has drifted a bit to the south, taking it farther from the coastline and placing the island outside of the projected range of tropical-storm-force winds,” the Met Service said.

At 2pm, the centre of Tropical Storm Ian was located near latitude 14.2 degrees North, longitude 75.8 degrees West, or about 435 kilometres (270 miles) south-southeast of Kingston, or 405 kilometres (251 miles) south of Morant Point, Jamaica.

Ian is now moving towards the west near 26 km/h (16 mph), and this general motion is expected to continue through Saturday night. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Sunday, followed by a north-northwestward turn on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 75 km/h (45 mph) with higher gusts; however, significant strengthening is forecast during the next few days.

The Met Service said Ian is expected to become a hurricane late Sunday evening while south-west of Jamaica and moving farther away towards the Cayman Islands. Jamaica is currently well outside of the range of tropical-storm-force winds, which extend outward up to 95 km (60 miles) from the centre.

“On its forecast track, the centre of the tropical storm is forecast to remain south of Jamaica and continue moving westward away from the island through Saturday night and Sunday morning. Ian will then pass near or over the Cayman Islands on Sunday night and early Monday before approaching western Cuba on Monday.

“While the tropical storm remains over the west-central Caribbean, it will continue to produce a large area of showers and thunderstorms that could impact the weather over Jamaica through Monday. Locally, heavy rainfall could produce flash floods mainly over low-lying and flood-prone areas of southern and eastern parishes and residents are urged to remain alert,” the Met Service said.

Small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are reminded to remain in safe harbouruntil wind and sea conditions have returned to normal, the Met Service advised.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

It looks like the Opposition’s drawing a line in the sand on having a “clean” voters’ list before they will participate in any election – local or national!! Now, on the surface of things, who can quarrel with such a request?? But in our dear Mudland – as we Guyanese should know – very few things “on the surface” have to do with what’s really going on – or going down!! Is it the mud?? The problem’s about– as far as your Eyewitness can tell – what’ll satisfy the Opposition.

Their main objection is that for a country with a population of our size, the voters’ list is outta whack at 90+ percent of our 758,000!! Meaning that 90% of Guyanese are over 18 years?? Can’t be!! And in this inflated list, the PPP could do a lot of hanky-panky!! But who are the Guyanese on the VL? All of us know that the “excess” names are primarily due to Guyanese who’re there legally but have since migrated. Now, several of our Caricom neighbours, like Barbados, have a higher percentage of voters to adult population than us – but they don’t kvetch. That’s understandable, however, they never had a party like the PNC, which rigged elections for 28 years, and have rigging on their mind.

But you gotta hand it to the PNC in the “having no shame” category. This isn’t “pot calling kettle black”; this is the cauldron calling karahi black!! Imagine that the same list was the base in 2011 when the PPP – in office – was checkmated at the polls by the PNC, and barely clung on to the presidency by the hair on their chinny-chin-chin. Three years later – with all the opportunity to do whatever the PNC think they do to rig – the PPP LOST the elections to the PNC coalition!! And now they claim the PPP rigged from the OUTSIDE!??!But one may say, ‘Why not use records from the Immigration Dept to flag all those migrants who’ve departed legally and then remove them from the list??’ Well, two things: that wouldn’t take care of the “backtrack” – and who might just outnumber the “legals”!! Then there are the Courts, who’ve pointed out that it’s unconstitutional to strike any Guyanese citizen from the list. This’ll prevent them from voting – just because they’re migrated – even though Guyana allows dual citizenship!!

Your Eyewitness suggests that since it appears that Pres Ali might meet LoO Norton on the matter, they should agree on what was done in 2007. If you can’t raise the bridge – lower the river!! Don’t change the Voters’ List – which the Courts’ll knock down – update the current National Register of Registrants’ Database (NRRDB) through HtH registration.

The Voters’ list is extracted from this!!

…Europe’s mess

Now that QE II’s funeral’s over (whew!!) maybe Europe’s gonna deal with Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons if the Ukrainians – armed to the teeth by the US via NATO – increase the gains they’ve made recently. Now, quite early in the day, your Eyewitness had suggested that the Ruskies’ move into the West via Belarus was just a feint – while they concentrated in the South West towards the great prize of the port of Odessa.

But with Ukraine developing spunks, looks like Putin isn’t about to lose face to have someone like Zelensky – who was literally a comedian before he became president – stare him down. The trillion-dollar question, of course, is how far Putin’s gonna go? But that means really how far will the WEST go to have Putin save face – and Russia not be treated like a “shithole country”. The former KGB boss has signalled that he’s backing the referendum with Ukraine’s western provinces to join “Mother Russia”.

Best let that be!

…in cricket

How sweet it is!! Your Eyewitness isn’t one to gloat – well, not too much!! So he won’t dwell too long about predicting that our Warriors would start their winning streak on Wednesday night.

But he’s saving his “black tongue” for the elections!!

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