Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association slams LIAT shareholders

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

President of the Leeward Islands Airlines Pilot Association Patterson Thompson is appalled and dismayed that the shareholder government of LIAT (1974) Ltd left out talks about severance to ex-employees at their recent meeting.

LIAT shareholders Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados, and St Vincent and the Grenadines made it clear that their discussion on August 2nd was primarily to decide on the creation of a new airline or a rebooted carrier, LIALPA expected the highly contentious issue of severance would have been discussed.

However, to their dismay, the topic never even came up at the virtual meeting.

“We are struggling and we would like some attention paid to our plight. It has been very difficult to survive in these times and we just find it very hard that our prime ministers did not address this from a collective point of view…,” Thompson said.

LIALPA also issued a statement on Monday, saying that they are appalled and dismayed that the unsettled issue of payment of owed entitlements to the terminated employees of the company was not discussed at the recently concluded virtual meeting.

“We find it disgraceful that discussions on a new entity could be addressed with such urgency, while over six hundred former employees who continue to face harsh economic conditions have not been given equal attention or any attention at all,” LIALPA said in the widely circulated document.

Nevertheless, LIALPA remains optimistic and hopeful that payment of the owed entitlements will be satisfactorily addressed at subsequent meetings of regional prime ministers.

“We have always advocated the importance of the airline for regional integration, tourism, and to regional economies,” LIALPA said.

The shareholder governments also agreed to engage the services of an aviation consultancy firm – as had been previously touted – to develop a long-term plan to ensure the sustainability of LIAT and the provision of affordable air transportation.

But LIALPA believes that a new study now may be superfluous in light of the several studies which have been completed in the past, the recommendations of which have never been implemented.

They are suggesting that perhaps these funds and efforts would be better used to relieve the plight of the former workers and their families.

“We strongly encourage the shareholder prime ministers and other regional leaders to emulate the Prime Minister of St Lucia the Honourable Philip Pierre in declaring in Parliament that he will pay all owed entitlements to former St. Lucian employees of LIAT (1974) Ltd,” the Pilots Association said.

Hundreds of LIAT workers were terminated more than two years ago when the Covid pandemic exacerbated the airline’s long-standing financial woes by grounding it for several months. – DNO

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Cierran la PR-942 en Gurabo por asesinato

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

La carretera PR-942 del barrio Celada en Gurabo se encuentra cerrada en lo que culmina la investigación de un asesinato reportado a eso de las 6:15 de la mañana del viernes.

Según el reporte preliminar, se recibió una llamada al Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 alertó a las autoridades sobre una persona tirada en el pavimento.

El cuerpo presenta múltiples heridas de bala.

La vía permanecerá cerrada mientras culmina la investigación. Se exhorta el uso de rutas alternas como la carretera PR-941.

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VIDEO: Cámara de seguridad capta el momento en que una casa explota en EE.UU.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

Una cámara de seguridad captó el aterrador momento en el que una casa explota en Evansville, Indiana (EE.UU.), matando a tres personas y dañando 39 viviendas en un barrio residencial.

Una mujer que vivía al otro lado de la calle donde se produjo el incidente publicó el video en redes sociales este miércoles, en el que se ve cómo vuelan los escombros incluso afectando el porche delantero de su residencia.

La causa de la explosión aún no se ha determinado, dijo este jueves el jefe de Bomberos de Evansville, Michael Connelly.

#Evansville
New:
A lengthier security camera video from ABK Alarms shows how fast Evansville firefighters responded to the scene of the house explosion. The nearest station was around the corner and they responded immediately after hearing the explosion. pic.twitter.com/EPdEEMrR6R

— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) August 11, 2022

Noticia original de RT en Español.

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Harbour Master condemns acts of violence after party brawl in Grenada Loop Barbados

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

The owners of the Harbour Master party boat have broken their silence on a brawl that took place on their vessel on Wednesday night between members of staff and Grenadian athletics star Anderson Peters.

In a statement on Thursday, the Harbour Master’s management said: “The recent violence on our ship involving Anderson Peters is disheartening to both our management and staff.”

“We emphatically declare that we do not condone acts of violence of any kind. We understand the public’s concern and the overall sensitivity of the situation.

“Currently, the full details surrounding the incident are still forthcoming, but we are working with the relevant authorities to gain a clearer understanding of what occurred.”

The Royal Grenada Police Force said on Wednesday night, Peters, 24, sustained minor injuries during an incident on the Harbour Master. The vessel was docked in Grenada for a party.

Police took several crewmen into custody to assist with their investigations. The men in custody are said to be T&T nationals.

Grenadians have expressed their outrage at the treatment of the two-time Javelin World Champion.

The Opposition New National Party (NNP) led by Dr Keith Micthell in a statement said:

“The New National Party registers dismay regarding an incident involving acts of violence meted out to our beloved double World Javelin Champion, Anderson Peters which occurred Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

We strongly denounce all acts of violence and submit that such should not be tolerated. Grenada is marked by its peaceful nature and without a doubt, we subscribe to the rule of law. We anticipate a swift judicial process and justice in accordance with the laws of Grenada.

The New National Party extends best wishes for a speedy recovery to Anderson Peters.”

The Grenada Olympic Committee says it is saddened by the news of what it says was the cowardly actions of some five persons who physically assaulted Grenada’s national sporting hero and icon.

The Committee says it joins with all of Grenada in condemning these barbaric actions and look forward to the relevant authorities taking decisive action against all the perpetrators.

The Grenada Olympic Committee adds that it stands ready to lend support to his recovery and looks forward to an expeditious resolution of the matter.

Prime minister Dickon Mitchell condemned the acts of violence as he wished Anderson a speedy recovery.

“As a Government, we unequivocally condemn violence of any kind and call on all citizens and visitors to maintain a posture of respect to differing perspectives and to opt for rational debate over extreme behaviour,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

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Quada Says Popcaan Not Paying His Unruly Crew Despite Making Millions

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Dancehall artiste Quada had much to say after learning that Popcaan made JM$22 million at his recent performance at Kingston Music Fest in Toronto, Canada, last weekend.

Quada was once part of Popcaan’s Unruly crew, and the two have collaborated on many songs like “Unruly Camp,” “Unruly State,” and “We don’t play/ Unruly Camp,” among others.

It seems that all is not well with the two artists as Quada threw shots at Popcaan after it was revealed by a Kingston Music Fest promoter that Popcaan was paid JM$22 million for a performance that lasted less than an hour on stage.

The Kingston Fest promoter Dwayne Hines was angry at Popcaan, who had bashed the event promoters for the shoddy organization of the event that led to persons being injured and the event experience being described as one of the worst in the city.

On Thursday, Quada dropped two Instagram Stories seemingly directed at Popcaan as he called out the artist for earning a high income but being a miser when it was time to pay his artists.

“A 1 artiste dis weh nah run back a nuh boy or gal!!! and nuh man cya tell me wah fi do or how fi do it!!!! Me a my own Don and own boss. Who nuh like that suck yuh muma till she dry,” the artist said.

“unuh cya tek back me glory weh father god set fi me. Nah stop shame unuh wid some good music and success,” the artist wrote on Instagram.

While the first story was ambiguous, the second story, however, went straight to the point.

“How tf a n****a can make 22M for a show and not even woulda share 100k with him crew weh a support him?” Quada wrote in an Instagram Story with laughing emojis.

Quada screenshot

The recent comments by Quada did not hint at the amicable parting he claimed occurred when he confirmed their split last year.

Last year, Quada confirmed that he is pursuing music independently through his music label Wellbad Entertainment and there is no bad blood with Popcaan. He said in an interview that he has always got love and respect for Popcaan and the rest of the Unruly outfit, but he is now focused on taking his career to the next level on his own.

This is not the first time Popcaan’s treatment of his artists and colleagues has come under scrutiny. In 2020, Urban Islandz reported on the beef between Popcaan, NotNice, and Jah Vinci. NotNice had shared that the men had been booked for a show in 2018 where NotNice was Popcaan’s DJ. However, the iconic producer claimed that he never got paid for the gig and ended up having to fund his own expenses for the entire month-long trip. NotNice also spoke about how the sleeping arrangements were terrible, with him having to share a chair with another individual while Popcaan had a separate room all to himself.

That later led to the breakdown in the relationship between Popcaan and NotNice, who stopped producing records for Popcaan. NotNice had claimed that out of the 5 shows they worked, three were sold out, so money was not an issue when the time came to pay them.

As for Quada being part of that deal, NotNice had accused Popcaan of being shady in the way he treated Quada, including blocking the artist’s song “Celebration,” featuring Jah Vinci voiced on NotNice’s track.

At the time, Quada had defended Popcaan and had refused to speak freely about the Unruly Boss. Now that he is no longer signed to Popcaan’s label, the artiste seems ready to speak his mind.

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Konya 2021: ook Tosh van Dijk uitgeschakeld

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

Tekst en beeld Ricky Wirjosentono  PARAMARIBO — De vijfde Islamitische solidariteitsspelen in Turkije zitten erop voor Tosh van Dijk. De Surinaamse

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Pluie d’étoiles filantes et soleil au zénith ce samedi

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

 Si le ciel est bien dégagé, la population pourra assister à une pluie d’étoiles filantes, nommées « Perséides », dans la nuit du 12 au 13 août.

Les Perséides sont des poussières résiduelles de la comète 109P/Swift-Tuttle qui décrit son orbite autour du Soleil en 133 ans et dont le dernier passage au voisinage de la Terre a eu lieu en décembre 1992 (prochain passage en juillet 2126). « Mais il n’est pas exclu qu’elles se manifestent les nuits précédentes et suivantes », explique Emile Bidoux, le président du Club de découverte des sciences astronomiques.

Les spécialistes annoncent un maximum de 100 à 110 météores par heure, au moment du pic, dans les conditions optimales d’observation. En réalité, il ne faut pas espérer voir plus de 50 à 75 météores par heure, prévient le passionné d’astronomie. « On aura de meilleures chances de les observer en regardant le ciel en deuxième partie de nuit car elles semblent émerger de la constellation de Persée, d’où leur nom, qui se lève vers minuit et passe au méridien de la Martinique à 6 heures du matin. À noter cependant que la Lune sera gênante. En effet, la pleine lune aura eu lieu le 11 août et dans la nuit du 12 au 13 août, 98% de son disque sera éclairé par le Soleil. Elle se lèvera à 19h21 le 12 pour se coucher à 7h16 le 13. Vers 1 heure du matin le 13 on pourra observer les planètes Mars, Jupiter et Saturne. »

Autre événement astronomique du 13 août, le Soleil passe au zénith de la Martinique à 12h09. On rappelle que ce phénomène qui ne s’observe que dans la zone intertropicale, c’est-à-dire entre les tropiques du Cancer et du Capricorne, a permis à Ératosthène, savant égyptien, de déterminer avec une bonne précision le rayon de la Terre il y a plus de 2 200 ans.

Etoiles filantes et Soleil au Zénith le 13 août.

– Photo DR

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Governor: Commission of Inquiry reforms still on track

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: The BVI Beacon

Despite a few delays in recent weeks, Governor John Rankin said yesterday that he has “no major concerns” with the government’s progress toward its commitment to implement a series of reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry report.

“As I’ve said before, as long as the failure to meet a deadline is for genuine reasons, and not for any unnecessary delay or frustration in implementation, then this is something we can manage,” Mr. Rankin said during a joint press conference with Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley.“Some report progress has been made in a number of areas. At the same time, there is still much to be done, more changes to be made, and difficult decisions to be taken.”

More details, he said, will be provided next month in his first quarterly review on the implementation of the COI recommendations. That report — which he said will be made public — will review “the overall assessment of progress and political culture exhibited in the day-to-day operations of the government,” he said.

Recent progress

Also during the press conference, the governor and premier touted recent progress toward several promised reforms.

This progress, they said, includes an arrest in the ongoing criminal investigation of the Elmore Stoutt High School wall project; appointments to lead a review into election officials’ discretionary powers; legislative amendments to give government auditors more teeth; a proposed new Jury Act, and many more.

Meanwhile, the governor added, the auditor general and her team continue to investigate Covid-19 grants, assistance grants, and the disposal of crown lands, among other areas.

The auditor general was recently granted more power to get that job done, Dr. Wheatley said, explaining that his government.

has amended the Audit Act to include penalties for public officers who impede her investigations.

“For a first-time misconduct, the penalties are up to 30 days suspension or demotion,” he said. “For a second time and subsequent misconduct, the penalty is dismissal.”

Welfare system

Also underway — with the help of an expert team provided by UNICEF — is a wholesale review of the territory’s welfare, benefits and grants system, according to the governor.

Dr. Wheatley provided further updates on this process, noting that a transitional grant programme was implemented last month after legislators gave up their power to disburse assistance grants. Now, such aid will be distributed instead through the Social Development Department’s Public Assistance Programme.

“The department dispatched social workers into communities, including sister islands, and commenced the use of a digital system to capture information needed for registration and enrollment of beneficiaries into the Public Assistance Programme,” the premier said. “The electronic registration tool developed with assistance from the World Food Programme is being piloted among transitioning beneficiaries.”

Register of Interests

Despite the largely positive updates, the governor also expressed concern about recent amendments to the Register of Interests Act 2006, which he said came to his desk yesterday morning.

Legislators said last month when publicly debating the Register of Interests (Amendment) Act 2022 that it would open the register to the public — thereby meeting one of the government’s reform commitments.

But yesterday Mr. Rankin raised questions about changes to the act made in a closed-door committee session in the House of Assembly.

“I am concerned that the effect of the amendments is to significantly restrict public access to the register, and, if so, that would run counter to a new culture of transparency and accountability towards which we are working,” the governor said.

Asked later to provide specifics about his concerns, the governor said the committee amendments restrict “what people can do with the information in the register.”

“Further steps are required in terms of greater transparency,” he added.

Later in the press conference, however, Dr. Wheatley said the amendments came as a result of high-level feedback and “robust debate” in the HOA. He also argued that the amended act is within the framework of the government’s proposal to implement the COI recommendations.

The register is not public yet, and the act awaits the governor’s assent.

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39-year-old female could face prison for road death Loop Cayman Islands

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cayman Compass

In the early hours of August 8, 20-year-old Aleiny Reve Villegas lost her life in a tragic, single-vehicle accident on Eastern Avenue. While family and friends mourn, members of the public wonder what will be the fate of the 39-year-old female of George Town who was arrested on August 10, 2022 on suspicion of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.

Consequences

The consequences under the Traffic Act for the 39-year-old, if convicted, could be imprisonment for ten years and an automatic disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a term of five years or such longer period as the court may order. The particulars of the offence will also be endorsed on the driver’s driving record.

In order for the court to get to that point, however, police must prove that the suspect was driving the vehicle on a road “dangerously or recklessly,” having regard to the manner of driving or to the defective condition of the vehicle, and by so doing caused the death of Ms Villegas.

Police gathering evidence

While police continue their investigation, one of the things they have reviewed was CCTV footage of the incident where it was observed that a small sedan was passed by the Honda Accord carrying Ms Villegas, just before the fatal collision. Police will therefore be appealing to the driver of that small sedan and any other person who may have witnessed the accident in order to gather evidence for the case.

Number of accidents alarming

The untimely passing of Ms Villegas adds to the high number of serious accidents that are reported in the Cayman Islands each year, with 2,633 motor vehicle accidents being attended by police officers in 2021, an increase of 466 vehicle accidents from 2020. This number may increase again in 2022 if the average of 51 motor vehicle accidents per week continues to be the norm.

Curbing the number of accidents

In order for serious accidents and road deaths to not become the norm, the behaviour of road users must change. This means drivers taking the decision not to drive if alcohol or other drugs are involved, not going over the speed limit or otherwise placing other road users in danger.

Authorities should also take a look into drivers’ licence qualifications in the Cayman Islands. In particular, they should examine the criteria for issuing drivers’ licences (minimum age for first time drivers’ licences, content of driving exam and requirements to pass the exam) and the process for transferring drivers’ licences from other jurisdictions to Cayman (as the jurisdiction that the driver is coming from may have lower driving standards than Cayman). Higher penalties for drivers may also need to be implemented, especially were drugs or speeding are contributing factors to an accident.

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New National Youth Commission appointed Loop Cayman Islands

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cayman Compass

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage (MYSCH) held a meet & greet of the newly-appointed National Youth Commission in the presence of several Caucus members on Monday, August 8, 2022.

Regarding the new Commission’s membership, this is comprised of 13 people, being Dr. Ruthlyn Pomares (Chairperson) – Registered Medical Practitioner, Cottrell Ellis – Psychologist, Dajsha Samuels-McLean – Attorney-at-Law, Monina Thompson – Youth Representative, Reon Porter – Youth Representative, Tashell Dawson – Youth Representative (Sister Islands), Natasja Levy – Layperson, Stephen Price – Finance Representative, Laila Shim – National Drug Council Representative, Camila Ferreira – Ministry of Education Representative, Mehr Petkovsek – Ministry of Social Development Representative, Alanis Linwood – Amor – Ministry of Youth Representative and Mellony Bryan – Waugh – Youth Services Unit.

Addressing the new Commission, Premier Panton said:

The PACT Government is determined to create a brighter future for Caymanian youth – a future where they are prepared, confident, capable and empowered to thrive in their own country.

The newly-appointed National Youth Commission will help identify and recommend necessary changes to create that brighter future.

In his remarks, Minister for Youth, Hon. Bernie Bush said:

I am encouraged by the interest, willingness to serve and attendance by each of you as we work to ensure that youth-related issues are highlighted and addressed at such a high level. Not only will the Commission help give our young people a voice on matters that affect their lives now, but it will also assist in shaping policies and programmes which directly and indirectly affect our youth going forward.

Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Ruthlyn Pomares, also offered her remarks.

Dr. Pomares said:

I am very encouraged by the tone and energy of the Meet & Greet. This was the first time that members had met as a body, and it is clear that everyone is as keen as I am to ensure that the work of the Commission is successful in meaningfully impacting Cayman’s youth.

Caucus members attending the event included the Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Bernie Bush; was Premier, Hon. G. Wayne Panton; Deputy Premier, Hon. Christopher Saunders; Minister for Health, Wellness and Home Affairs, Hon Sabrina Turner; Minister for Financial Services & Commerce, Investment, Innovation and Social Development, Hon. Andre Ebanks; Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Parliamentary Secretaries, Mr. Isaac Rankine, Ms Heather Bodden and Mrs. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks.

(Source: Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage)

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