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Governor General H.E Sir Rodney Williams along with the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Indonesia Paul E.Ryan welcomes Ambassador Tatang Budie Utama Razak and Mrs Marita Tatang Budie Utama Razak to the island of Antigua and Barbuda during their official visit. In the meeting, which was held at the Government House, Ambassador Tatang Budie Utama Razak […]
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The Police Administration is so far pleased with the manner in which the celebrations for Police Week 2022 are progressing.
It started with several pre-events in mid-August; including a hiking competition to McNish Mountain, followed by a netball match at the YMCA, a fitness jam through the streets of St. Johns, and a road race from the All Saints Fire Station to the Police Recreation Grounds.
The week of activities officially starts on Sunday 4th of September with a divine church service at the Swetes Wesleyan Holiness Church. There, Rev. Dr. Olson Daniel and his congregation warmly welcome Commissioner Rodney and members of the police force, along with His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams and the Honorable Prime Minister, Gaston Browne to the newly renovated sanctuary. Other government officials, dignitaries, and specially invited guests were also present at the church service. Following the service, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams received an Eyes-Right Salute at the Irene B. Williams Secondary School during a march-past parade. The members were later treated to a brunch at the Police Headquarters.
The celebrations continued on Monday 5th September with an Open Day and Exhibition at the headquarters of the police. At this event, the general public got the opportunity to interact with police officers in their working environment; such as the traffic and narcotics department, fire department, and the Forensic Evidence Recovery Unit-FERU. Also partnering with the police in this event were the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, the Medical Benefits Scheme, the Emergency Medical Services-EMS, mobile network providers, the Police Cooperative Credit Union, and MASA (Medical Air Services Association) Assist.
The week of activities continues with an Inter-Force Shooting Competition on Tuesday 6th September at the Sir Wright F. George Police Academy, and the Police Queen’s Pageant that was postponed on Saturday due to inclement weather will now take place at the Antigua Recreation Grounds, starting at 8 pm.
On Wednesday 7th September will be visits to the sick and shut-in in various communities during the day, and also the Police Calypso Monarch Competition at the Antigua Recreation Grounds at 8 pm. Then, on Thursday 8th September, Veteran’s Cocktail at the Sir Wright F. George Police Academy at 5 pm. On Friday 9th September, House March-Past and Sports Day at Police Recreation Grounds at 10 am. On Saturday 10th September, starting at 10 am, there will be a shooting competition at Crabb’s Rifle Range.
Then, at 8 pm, the Police Drama Group will be performing before a general audience, a show written and directed by Mr. Owen Jackson entitled, “School Call Eeeen”. The celebration ends with a beach picnic and fun day at Ffryes Beach on Sunday 11th September at 10 am.
The Police Administration and the Police Week Organizing Committee express thanks to the general public for their continued support and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable police week. The theme for this year’s police week is “Overcoming The Challenges Together, Police Week, 2022.
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Attorney General Reginald Armour. File photo/Jeff K Mayers
THE OFFICE of the Attorney General has written to former police Gary Griffth’s attorney Larry Lalla saying his client and all those affected by the finding of the Firearms Users Licence (FUL) audit report will be given the chance to respond before the Prime Minister lays it, or a summary of it, in Parliament.
The AG’s letter, signed by director (legal) Tenille Ramkissoon, was issued to Lalla on Tuesday in response to Lalla and another of Griffith’s attorneys Avery Sinanan SC, who last week threatened legal action if the report is laid in Parliament before their client was given a sufficient chance to comment.
The AG’s office wrote, “Although it is proposed that the audit report or any summary thereof will eventually be laid in Parliament, it is not proposed that same be laid until and unless the matters stated below are actioned, by reason of which it is not proposed to lay the audit report or any summary thereof in Parliament at this time.”
Ramkissoon said that “consideration is further being given to having that person (or body of persons) report back to the Honorable Prime Minister or such other persons as the Honourable Prime Minister may direct…”
“The Attorney General is of the opinion that fairness and the law demand that before there be any publication of the report or its summary, all persons who may be adversely affected by the findings therein should be afforded the opportunity to comment and make representations on any such specific findings.”
The letter added that the report will not be laid in a manner “as to prejudice its value as an investigative audit report.”
Later on Tuesday, Lalla told Newsday via a Whatsapp voicenote that while he appreciated that his client’s name will “not be unfairly tarnished and besmirched” by the executive report being laid in the Parliament, he is concerned that letter appears to assume “investigatory powers” onto the Prime Minister.
“The letter seems to indicate that the Prime Minister is going to control the further investigation that takes place in relation to that report,” Lalla said.
“The Prime Minister does not have that power; that investigatory power lies with the police, and only in a dictatorship would a Prime Minister arrogate such power onto himself.
“So, that misplaced power originating out of the Attorney General’s office, that misplaced attention rather, ought to be corrected.”
The FUL audit report is believed to include a summary into an investigation into the issuing of firearms users’ licences at the police service’s firearms department and other operations and practices relative to firearms users’ licences, completed by retired ACP Wellington Virgil, retired ACP Raymond Craig, retired Inspector Lennard Charles, and others.
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From left, executive director of the Caribbean Supermarket Association Curtis Mohammed, chairman Rajiv Diptee, co-founder Vernon Persad, and vice chairman Vasant Bharath pose for a photo during the formal inauguration of Caribbean Supermarket Association (CSA) at Krave Restaurant, Tarouba Link Road, Marabella. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
The Caribbean Supermarket Association (CSA) has been formed to help Caricom governments understand the importance of food security.
President of the Supermarket Association of TT and now chairman of CSA Rajiv Diptee said, “This is a private sector-led initiative where we are seeking to find solutions within the value chain to ensure that food security remains a critical priority and create import substitutions strategies for how we see a reduction in the food import bill and make the prices of goods and services more accessible.”
Speaking at CSA’s launch on Tuesday at Krave Restaurant, Marabella, he said the groups formation came as the economy was in a situation where challenges with shipping costs and foreign exchange were still present and persistent.
Former trade minister Vasant Bharath, now vice chairman of CSA touched on TT’s $5 billion import bill.
“Unfortunately, what has happened in the last three years has prompted every government in the Caribbean region to look very seriously at this whole issue of food security and import substitution.
“You only have to take a cursory look at any supermarket in TT and their shelves are packed with probably 85 per cent of imported produce coming out of the Caricom region.”
He said there was too much of TT’s foreign exchange being used to develop other countries while there were many opportunities regionally.
“I think we have a golden opportunity because of the commitment expressed by the Caricom heads over the last three months that they want to make this happen. And this is a commitment that they made publicly and in Trinidad two weeks ago when they were all here.”
He said, though the commitment is present, there are some obstacles to overcome, such as cross-border issues which include finance issues, insurance for farmers, access to market and its facilities.
Bharath added that there was also the issue of goods coming from some islands not being allowed to enter or be cleared in other islands. He explained that if an island wants to grow more rice, not only are the necessary resources needed, but the yields to produce should be able to compete with the market that it was imported from.
“Otherwise, despite the duties that you would pay to bring those produce in, if your yields are not high as theirs then we are not competing equally.”
He said there were major issues surrounding the initiative and another prominent one was transportation.
He added that he was happy to be a part of the CSA because it was a private sector organisation that would continue to “light the fire” to ensure that the Caricom governments stick to the commitments made.
Outgoing president of the National Gas Company (NGC) compressed natural gas (CNG) Curtis Mohammed will serve as the executive director of the CSA. He is set to retire next month. Vernon Persad of Persad’s ‘D’ Food King is also a co-founder of the association.
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Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley –
THE Prime Minister travelled with Proman CEO David Cassidy from Zurich, Switzerland, to the company’s office in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Tuesday, said a statement posted on Dr Rowley’s Facebook page.
“They both met with the leaders driving the energy company’s global projects with a view to exploring opportunities for further development in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Rowley was accompanied by Energy Minister Stuart Young.
Rowley and Young received detailed presentations surrounding Proman’s technology and innovation approach and its applicability to the local industry.
“Future projects, including proposals related to upstream gas projects and proposals related to carbon capture utilization and storage, featured heavily at today’s talks.”
Rowley will travel to London on Wednesday to meet with executives from BP on Thursday morning.
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Trinbago Knight Riders surround teammate Anisa Mohammed after she took the final wicket against Barbados Royals to win the Women’s CPL final in Warner Park, St Kitts. Photo courtesy Trinbago Knight Riders
ASSISTANT coach of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) women’s team Merissa Aguilleira said the family atmosphere and camaraderie within the TT franchise is something she has never experienced before. That unity propelled TKR women to the inaugural Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) crown, on Sunday.
TKR defeated Barbados Royals by ten runs in the final at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts.
The TKR men’s franchise have called themselves a family for years.
Aguillieira said she experienced similar cohesiveness.
“TKR I think is the first team that I got to experience where you felt like everyone appreciated you, they care about you, they want the best for you and they are looking after you,” Aguilleira said.
“I think TKR is a family. All of us came together, we started to gel. We had dinners, meetings (and) game nights. You just felt love…everyone is for you.”
TKR have used the slogan ‘We are TKR’.
Aguilleira said the TT franchise operates in that fashion as all members of TKR play their part to make you comfortable.
The TKR men’s players were cheering on the TKR women during the final.
Aguilleira did not realise the men’s players were there initially, but was glad they took the time to support the women.
“We really supported each other and seeing the men out there (was special). I told the players when I heard them started to support I did not even realise they were there and just looking at them and seeing (Kieron) Pollard and (Nicholas) Pooran, the coaches, the CEO (managing director Venky Mysore), everyone just there cheering them on. I think that was something that you would have never experienced. It would last a lifetime…that is a memory you would cherish.”
Aguilleira said the men’s players are usually the “superstars” and the women will cheer for them, so it was pleasing to see the roles reversed.
Trinbago Knight Riders coach Robert Samuels, left, assistant coach Merissa Aguilleira, second from left, technical staff Shayne Cooper, right, and another member of the technical staff with the Women’s CPL trophy in St Kitts. Photo by Trinbago Knight Riders
Aguilleira said other franchises can “pattern” TKR’s system.
Recapping the title winning run, Aguilleira said it was collective effort by all the players.
“One thing I must say the effort from all the players (was exceptional). It was extremely well done. We asked the girls to give it their all and they did.”
Two of TKR’s senior players led the way in Sunday’s final as captain Deandra Dottin and vice-captain Anisa Mohammed delivered quality performances.
Dottin struck 59 off 62 deliveries and Mohammed grabbed 3/16 in 3.4 overs.
Aguilleira, a former West Indies women’s captain and wicket-keeper, was glad the experienced players delivered.
“We asked the senior players to try and step up and someone put up their hand in order to get us over the line and that is exactly what Anisa Mohammed and Deandra Dottin did.”
Speaking more about the team atmosphere, Aguilleira said, “I think everyone put out a good effort and I want to commend the entire team for what they did.”
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Several subjects sat by students in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) recorded declines in their overall pass rates.
CSEC mathematics and English language are among them.
This was outlined by Director of Operations at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), Dr Nicole Manning, at a press conference in St Lucia on Monday, to release the results of the 2022 CXC exams.
Manning explained that this year’s exams faced challenges, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a deferral of the exams by three weeks to facilitate student preparations.
Starting with the results for CAPE, she advised that in Caribbean Studies, there was a reduction in the performance of students who achieved grades one and two.
However, the passes for candidates who attained grade three were stable, while there was increase in the number of students attaining grades four and five when compared with the 2021 sitting.
In Communication Studies, 92 per cent of the Caribbean candidates passed those exams. This, according to Manning, represents a reduction from last year’s pass rate.
She said there was also a reduction in the number of students attaining grades one and two in the subject, but stable in grade three and increases in the number of people attaining grades four and five.
“In Information Technology Unit One, we saw a reduction for both grades one and two, an increase for grades three onwards to five, and an overall reduction for Unit One,” Manning outlined.
However, for Unit Two in that subject area, there was a 96 per cent increase in the number of students passing the exam, with the number of candidates achieving grades one and two increasing when compared to last year’s preliminary data.
For Food and Nutrition Unit One, there was no candidate across the Caribbean who achieved a grade one pass, representing a reduction.
In contrast to Unit Two, there is a four per cent increase in the number of students passing with grades one. Overall, the pass rate for that unit has risen by 97 per cent, Manning stated.
CAPE Law was one of the subjects where student performances remained consistent, with Unit One having an “overall all-time high” pass rate of 93 per cent, Manning reported.
In CSEC, there was a regional reduction in passes for English A.
While not providing the regional pass rate for the subject, Manning said there was stability relative to the 19 per cent of students who sat the exams achieving grades one.
At the same time, the number of Caribbean students receiving grades two and three declined.
The performance of regional students in Mathematics declined to 37 per cent, Manning informed.
“For Mathematics, we saw a reduction for grades one and two, but stability at grade three,” she advised.
For English B (Literature), there was an increase in students attaining passes of grades one and two, and a reduction of passes with grade three.
But there was an overall increase in passes from 63 per cent last year to 72 per cent in 2022.
The pass rate for Biology for the 2022 CSEC exams is 78 per cent, while the pass rate for Chemistry declined to 59 per cent.
“While we saw an increase in grades three (in Chemistry), we saw a reduction at grades one and two,” Manning disclosed.
“Now, Chemistry, of course, like Biology… is a very practical and hands-on subject. So, we are looking as we go back to face-to-face for some improvements in this area, because those components where we saw the reduction, I believe would have been major alignment with the fact that candidates would have been out,” she explained.
Physics declined to 64 per cent this year, in comparison to the 67 per cent pass rate recorded last year.
There was a 69 per cent increase in the pass rate for Principles of Accounts, while Principles of Business also recorded an increase of 80 per cent.
Social Studies also had a decrease in both overall performance rate and the number of students attaining grades one, two and three when compared to previous years.
Students were expected to receive their results at approximately 6pm Monday.
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Registrar and CEO of CXC(R) Dr Wayne Wesley wishes all students who wrote their exams during the May/June 2022 sitting “all the best” and wants them and their parents to understand these grades are not the end all and be all for their academic journey and ultimate success.
He said:
“I want to say to our students that regardless of the grade you receive, it is only a moment, a time and it does not define your final destiny.
“Whatever you achieve now, it is preparing you for greater things to come.
“This initiation is igniting within you a passion for greatness, one that you will only achieve with constant dedication and commitment to your purpose in life.”
He told the students who received their final grades on September 5, unless they requested an early return on September 2, that in many instances their parents and guardians were denied some of the opportunities that they are afforded now in these 21st Century times, and therefore, she should remember to show their gratitude and make the most of their available chances. He urged, for many education is also a way out.
Dr Wesley said “some of us as we grow, our parents did not benefit from the education that we received” but they have supported you. Therefore, “It is moments like these that you must capitalise on in showing that you’re born for greatness.
“Education represents the key for transformation for most of us, your dreams, your aspirations is important to be fostered, to be nurtured and despite setbacks, knowing that every setback is a greater setup, is a setup for a greater come back.
“And you can achieve despite what is happening around us. COVID-19 tested us, our resolve, our resilience, but we stood in moments of great difficulty in ensuring that the region did have an examination to sit.
“I wish you all the best!”
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Le second suspect des attaques de dimanche au Canada était toujours introuvable mardi malgré la mobilisation de centaines de policiers et une intensification de la traque dans la communauté autochtone frappée par le drame.
Le village épicentre des agressions, qui ont fait 10 morts et 18 blessés, est resté en alerte plusieurs heures mardi, avec le déploiement de nombreuses forces de l’ordre qui pensaient que le suspect pouvait se trouver sur les lieux.
Les journalistes de l’AFP sur place ont vu de nombreux véhicules de police et un hélicoptère survoler la zone, complètement interdite d’accès. Mais quelques heures plus tard, l’alerte a été levée.
La police est à la recherche de Myles Sanderson, soupçonné, avec son frère Damien Sanderson, d’être responsable des attaques à l’arme blanche de dimanche, dont le motif reste obscur.
Alors que Myles Sanderson est toujours introuvable, la police a demandé mardi aux habitants de rester “prudents”. Cette grande chasse à l’homme se déroule dans une zone rurale immense du centre du pays, représentant trois fois la taille de la France.
“Myles est armé et dangereux”, rappellent les forces de l’ordre dans un communiqué. Ces dernières ont par ailleurs précisé qu’il était âgé de 32 ans, et non 30 ans comme indiqué les jours précédents.
Connu des services de police et de la justice, ce suspect, qui pourrait lui-même être blessé, était déjà recherché depuis mai dernier pour ne pas avoir respecté son contrôle judiciaire. Il avait été condamné à près de cinq ans d’emprisonnement, notamment pour vol.
Lundi, son frère a été retrouvé mort, portant sur le corps plusieurs blessures par arme blanche, à proximité des lieux des crimes de la veille. Les circonstances de sa mort restent à éclaircir, mais il pourrait avoir été tué par son frère, selon la police.
Le Premier ministre canadien Justin Trudeau a répété mardi que le maximum de moyens étaient employés “pour pouvoir mettre un terme à cette situation”. Et enfin “permettre aux gens de faire leur deuil sans crainte” après cet “événement horrible et traumatisant”.
– Peur –
Les meurtres ont touché d’abord cette communauté autochtone à James Smith Cree Nation, puis la ville voisine de Weldon, dans la Saskatchewan.
Mardi, dix patients étaient toujours hospitalisés et trois restaient dans un état critique, selon les autorités sanitaires.
“Nos vies ne seront plus jamais les mêmes”, a raconté à l’AFP Ruby Works, 42 ans qui habite à Weldon. “Les gens ont peur de sortir de chez eux”, a poursuivi celle qui pleure la mort de son ami de trente ans, Wes Peterson, tué dimanche.
Aujourd’hui, les gens “s’enferment. Ils ont peur. Ils pourraient revenir et recommencer”, glisse-t-elle avant de confier qu’elle-même ne pourra pas dormir “tant qu’ils ne l’auront pas attrapé”.
D’après la police, certaines victimes ont été ciblées quand d’autres ont été frappées au hasard. Mais la grande majorité d’entre elles sont autochtones.
– “Déjà assez souffert” –
Sur les réseaux sociaux, de nombreux membres de la communauté crie (l’une des Premières nations du Canada), dont sont issus la majorité des victimes, exprimaient leur tristesse et leur effroi. Et les messages appelant Myles Sanderson à se rendre se multipliaient.
La communauté a déjà connu des épisodes de violence. L’an passé, quasiment jour pour jour, une fusillade y avait fait deux morts.
Au Canada, les autochtones représentent environ 5% des 38 millions d’habitants, et vivent dans des communautés souvent ravagées par le chômage et la pauvreté.
Selon les derniers chiffres officiels, 50% de la population de la communauté a moins de 24 ans et le taux de chômage y est de 24%. Plusieurs responsables ont également pointé du doigt les problèmes de drogue et d’alcool ainsi que des difficultés liées au traumatisme générationnel causé par un siècle d’abus, notamment dans des pensionnats créés pour les autochtones.
Darryl Burns, dont la soeur a été tuée dimanche et qui connaissait les deux suspects, a expliqué aux médias locaux que les frères étaient des “produits des pensionnats” – même s’ils ne les avaient pas eux-mêmes fréquentés – et “avaient beaucoup de colère”.
“La bataille que nous menons ici n’est pas entre nous… La bataille que nous menons ici est contre l’alcoolisme et la consommation de drogues”, a-t-il ajouté.
Ces dernières années, le Canada a vécu une succession d’événements d’une violence rare pour le pays.
En avril 2020, un tireur s’étant fait passer pour un policier avait tué 22 personnes en Nouvelle-Ecosse. En janvier 2017, six personnes avaient péri et cinq ont été blessées dans des attaques contre une mosquée de Québec.
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The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) believes that the government of Antigua and Barbuda must provide citizens and residents with significant relief from the heavy burden of the very high cost of living and stop playing politics with price of gas and diesel at the pump and give meaningful reduction to reflect the true realities of the energy sector!
Anthony Stuart, DNA’s Candidate for All Saints West and spokesperson on Finance, Statutory Bodies, and Government owned entities including WIOC said, “the cost of a barrel of crude oil on the world market today is about US$90.00 representing a decrease of about US$50.00 from a high of US$140.00 at the peak of the Russia/Ukraine war. Towards the end of May/beginning June 2022, the Government increased the price at the pump by 25% or EC$5.00 per gallon over March 2022 prices which represents a ratio of about EC$1.00 increase at the pump for every US$10.00 increase in the cost of crude oil on the world market.”
Stuart, who has been keenly studying and following developments in the global energy sector further said, “the refining cost has also fallen steeply while the transportation logistics have greatly improved resulting in a reduction in shipping costs.”
In a passionate plea to the government Stuart stated, “the cost of crude oil on the world market of US$90 today for a barrel was the same average cost in 2021 with near similar refining and shipping costs when the price for a gallon of gas was EC$12.50 and a gallon of diesel was EC$12.20. Back then, the government collected EC$47.5 million in consumption tax; therefore, the reduction in the price of gas and diesel at the pump from tomorrow, September 7, 2022, should follow the same ratio as the increase of EC$1.00 for every US$10.00 which the government imposed in May and therefore, should cause a decrease in the gas price to no more than EC$12.50 and diesel price to no more than EC$12.20.”
The DNA is not persuaded by Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s subsidy argument which is designed to justify the government’s unconscionable refusal to provide relief to the people. Stuart opined, “talk by the Prime Minister about the government paying WIOC millions in subsidies monthly for the last several months is a big, fat, smoking red herring because there have been price adjustments at the pump for almost every shipment since March 2022; I therefore call on the Prime Minister and his government to exercise the transparency they always tout and release the price build-up on every price adjustment as was done with the first price increase at the pump in March 2022.”
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