Antigua and Barbuda Elected to Chair Key United Nations Body at COP27 in Egypt

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 16—Ambassador Diann Black-Layne, Antigua andBarbuda’s Climate Ambassador and Director of the Department of Environment, waselected as co-chair of the agenda items related to the Adaptation Fund and theAdaptation Fund Board. She is co-chairing with Eva Schreuder from the Netherlands.

The Adaptation Fund is an international fund that finances projects and programmes ofdeveloping countries to help them adapt to the harmful effects of climate change. It wasestablished under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention onClimate Change (UNFCCC).

Antigua and Barbuda has benefitted from grant-based financing from the AdaptationFund, which funded the construction of the culverts (bridges) in communities along theMcKinnon’s Waterway. The international Fund has provided the funding to improve thedrainage in the area. The negotiations for the Adaptation Fund will focus onsignificantly increasing the amount of funds pledged to the funding institution.

The Adaptation Fund has been financing concrete, scalable interventions in Antigua andBarbuda since the country’s Department of Environment acquired accreditation in 2015as a National Implementing Entity to the Fund. Antigua and Barbuda was reaccreditedto the Adaptation Fund in 2020 and plans to apply for new projects in 2023.

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ABYSO Holds Brass and Woodwind Repair Workshops

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The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

St. John’s Antigua & Barbuda, Thursday November 17, 2022: As part of its sustainability strategy, the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) recently concluded its third capacity building workshop in the repair of brass and woodwind instruments.

The tropical conditions can be challenging for orchestral instruments and having ready access to trained repairers is critical to extending the life of these instruments. The ABYSO were delighted to have hosted master repairers from the United Kingdom, David Woodhead and Mark Mee Bishop, on Island for a two week long workshop where they serviced the Orchestra’s instruments but also mentored local trainees in aspects of instrument maintenance and repairs.

David started as a repairer at Phil Parker Ltd., London’s brass instrument specialist, in 1979. There he repaired the instruments of the professional orchestral and session players, soloists, students of the London colleges as well as those in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Glasgow. He has repaired instruments for everyone from school players to touring stars. David is a regular donor of brass instruments to the ABYSO.

Mark started repairing woodwind instruments in 2000, combining his interest in flute andsaxophone with engineering. He studied clarinet making at Newark College. In 2008 he wasasked to set up and manage the workshop at sax.co.uk’s London store in Denmark Street where he has worked on many top players’ instruments from around the world as well as passing on his skills to several repairers who have gone on to set up workshops of their own.

In addition to the ABYSO members who formally attended this training, the ABYSO also invitedthe Bands of the Royal Police Force, the Defence Force, the Boys’ Brigade and the Salvation Army to each nominate an apprentice from their ranks to undertake this training. Keeping wind bands alive and thriving in Antigua and Barbuda is important for the ABYSO but also for our traditional artforms like calypso and our marching bands which rely heavily on wind players. Survival is as much a function of developing players as it is a function of having the proper skill to maintain these instruments.

The workshops were a daily activity that afforded trainees the valuable opportunity to workalongside two of the most experienced repairers in the business. The Board of Directors of the ABYSO extends thanks to the Hodges Bay Resort and Spa for its sponsorship of the 2022 workshop as well as our Patrons, Their Excellencies Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams for their consistent support. The ABYSO welcomes this opportunity to again share an important capacity building resource to support wind bands across the Island.

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Jack Warner loses challenge against extradition

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Jack Warner.

Former FIFA vice president and government minister Jack Warner has lost his challenge to his extradition to the US  to face a barrage of fraud-related charges.

On Thursday, five Privy Council judges – Lords Hodge, Briggs, Hamblem, Burrows, and Sir Declan Morgan – delivered their decision on Warner’s challenge.

The Privy Council held the request for Warner’s extradition was not unfair.

He challenged the process by which the extradition proceedings against him were carried out and seeks to quash the authority to proceed (ATP) signed by the Attorney General in September 2015. This was after the US asked for the former football jefe to be extradited to face some 29 charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. The request was made on July 24, 2015.

Extradition proceedings at the magistrates’ court in Trinidad had been stayed pending his legal challenges.

After the 2015 general election, then-attorney general Faris Al-Rawi offered to allow Warner to make representations, but only on the condition the deadline for receipt of the ATP would be extended with his consent.

Warner refused to agree to the condition. His attorneys argued he was not given sufficient time to make representations, nor was he given disclosures of any evidence the US intended to use to secure his extradition.

The ATP gave the magistrate the green light to begin committal proceedings.

The Privy Council said, “…The offer by the new Attorney General was inevitably subject to agreeing a fresh timetable with the court. It was the appellant’s choice to decline that opportunity. The Attorney General did not act unfairly.”

Warner had also challenged the legality of the Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act, and the treaty signed between this country and the US.

Warner surrendered to Fraud Squad officers on May 27, 2015, after learning of a provisional warrant for his arrest.

After the ATP was signed giving the go-ahead for extradition proceedings to start, FIFA banned Warner from all football activities for life.

He and 13 other FIFA officials were indicted in the US. Warner was also head of Concacaf.

In the US charge sheet against him, Warner is accused of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery; and allegedly, from the early 1990s, he “began to leverage his influence and exploit his official positions for personal gain.”

He also allegedly accepted a million-dollar bribe from South African officials in return for voting to award them the 2010 World Cup, and allegedly bribed officials with envelopes of cash.

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Mitchell ‘not aware’ of any contract renewal issues in Tourism Ministry

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell. File photo/David Reid

TOURISM Minister Randall Mitchell says he is not aware of any issues within his ministry over retaining contract employees.

He was responding to questions from the media after a press conference at the Brix Hotel, Cascade, on Wednesday.

In October, contract employees in the ministry took to social media to say their contracts were not being renewed, so they were job-hunting.

Asked about this by Newsday, Mitchell said social media is filled with “trolls and mischief- makers.

“I can’t comment on what’s on social media. In fact, I try not to pay attention to social media.

“I’m not aware that many contract employees are not being renewed at the Ministry of Tourism of any of the entities that are under the Ministry of Tourism.”

He said the ministry has enough human capacity to continue efforts to boost tourism, adding that on Tuesday, the ministry trained many temporary workers for the cruise season.

“I’m not concerned about capacity at all.”

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Grenada PM ready to ‘sweeten’ trade ties with Trinidad and Tobago with honey exports

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The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell gives the feature address during the Trinidad And Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) president’s dinner and awards at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

GRENADA Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says he is happy that Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada are making significant progress in resuming importing and exporting honey between the two countries.

He was giving the feature address at the TT Manufacturers Association’s (TTMA) 2022 awards ceremony on Tuesday night at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.

Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee Scoon, left, and president of the Trinidad And Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Tricia Coosal presents Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell with a painting done by artist Kibwe Loreilhe during the (TTMA) president’s dinner and awards at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

Speaking before him, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said throughout her years in the ministry, one of the main topics she had to deal with at COTED (Council for Trade and Economic Development) was “the issue of honey.

“And I’m sure most of you know that.”

But she said that, for the first time, she will be “proudly going to COTED with good news about allowing the transshipment of honey, and working our way towards the imports of honey as well from the rest of the region.

“That’s good news!”

President of the Trinidad And Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Tricia Coosal, left, takes a photo with, from left, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Amery Browne, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, and Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell at the (TTMA) president’s dinner and awards at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

The Beekeeping and Bee Products Act prohibits the import and export and bees, bee supplies and bee products in section 9(b).

In 2018, then minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Clarence Rambharat said work was under way on removing these bans for Grenada, Guyana and possibly other Caricom countries.

Dickon teased that when he arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, he asked TTMA president Tricia Coosal for tea with “a little bit of honey” at the airport.

“And there was none available,” he said laughingly.

Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez demonstrates to Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell how the steelpan is played at the Trinidad And Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) president’s dinner and awards at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Port of Spain. Prime Minister Mitchell received a painting done by artist Kibwe Loreilhe from the TTMA as a token. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

He said on returning to Grenada, he will notify the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Joseph Andall of what Gopee-Scoon said.

“I’m happy that we are making progress, and I think, from a symbolic point of view, it’s one of the issues that I think, once resolved, will help to further sweeten the relationship between TT and Grenada.”

Grenada has won several international awards for its honey.

President of the Trinidad And Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Tricia Coosal, left, speaks with, from left, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Amery Browne, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, and Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell at the (TTMA) president’s dinner and awards at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Chief Secretary Farley Augustine speak during the Trinidad And Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) president’s dinner and awards at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

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Tobago Festivals Commission: All artistes will be paid

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The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Tobago

Soca artiste Marvin Lewis performs at the Republic Day 2022 cultural show at Roxborough Sporting Complex on September 24. Photo by David Reid

THE Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd (TFCL) has said artistes who performed during the inaugural Tobago carnival from October 28-30 will be paid.

But it urged them to exercise “a bit of patience and understanding.”

The commission’s attempt to reassure performers came days after entertainer Marvin Lewis called on the THA to find money to pay Tobago’s artistes.

In an emotional video posted on his Facebook page on Monday, Lewis, who performed at several events during the festival, also accused the organisers of disrespecting local artistes.

He said he was certain the foreign acts contracted to perform during the festival were paid. But Lewis claimed local artistes were struggling to pay their bills.

THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris, responding to Lewis’s concerns, told Newsday on Monday that artistes who were contracted to perform would be paid “as per the norm.

“If a contract was signed for his performance, as all others, the contracting entity would need to abide by those terms and conditions as set out by the artiste,” she said in a WhatsApp statement..

Burris also said the commission was responsible for executing the carnival.

On Thursday, the commission, in a statement, said it was in the process of ensuring relevant documentation was received from all suppliers and is “committed to honouring all agreements that were made for the Tobago carnival activities.”

The commission quoted its CEO John Arnold as saying, “All our suppliers and partners, certainly not least of all our local entertainers, are important to us, and we will make sure that they are given what they were promised. There is never any intent to disrespect anyone.

“Understandably there is a process to be followed and we just ask that a bit of patience and understanding be given to us as we continue to honour all payments.”

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New Chamber of Commerce being set up to boost trade between Guyana, Europe

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
European Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes

European Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes has revealed that works are progressing on the establishment of an EU-Guyana Chamber of Commerce as he expressed hopes to see increased private sector cooperation between Guyana and European countries.

“Guyana is a country of endless opportunities now and therefore I really want to bring more EU private sector to the country,” he said during a reception hosted by the EU on Wednesday evening.

In this regard, he announced that the EU-Guyana Chamber of Commerce should be established soon.

“We are really making good progress on establishing an EU-Guyana Chamber of Commerce…I have that ambition to do that. It should not be too long. I want to have a Chamber that provides quality support both to European countries that want to come here and Guyanese companies that have an interest in working with the EU,” he noted.

“Due to our shared values and our common interests and objectives for smarter and a greener and more inclusive economy, I think the EU is the natural partner for Guyana.”

“Guyana is one of the most exciting places to be and to do business in and I will pass that message loud and clear to…to everyone in Europe who still has not get that message,” the diplomat noted.

Guyana already has Chambers of Commerce with the USA and Canada. Talks are also ongoing regarding the establishment of a Guyana-UK Chamber of Commerce.

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Pierre Says Fundamental, Necessary Changes In RSLPF Beyond His Control – St. Lucia Times News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre disclosed on Thursday that it was beyond his ability to effect some changes in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

“Fundamental changes in the police force that are necessary are beyond my control,” Pierre explained.

The National Security Minister spoke during an appearance on the HTS programme ‘What Makes You Mad’.

Pierre told programme Host Stanley Lucien that the only change he could make in the police force is at the level of Commissioner.

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“Did you know, the last Commissioner complained to me that there were promotions in the police service at the highest ranks and he was not involved? So they were choosing his deputies and he said he didn’t know? That’s what happens. I mean, I know it shocks you. He – he is Commissioner of Police, and he can call and say I’m lying, he is saying that they chose his high command and he said that he wasn’t aware,” the Prime Minister disclosed.

“The Public Service Commission Chairman didn’t find it fit,” Pierre declared.

He indicated that it would seem normal procedure for the Minister of National Security to know what is happening.

“It doesn’t. The Public Service Commission has no right to tell me that,” Pierre observed.

“There are some organisations in the country that are more powerful than the Prime Minister. There is something called the Public Service Commission. The Chairman of the public service commission, you understand, he can easily say ‘I am not talking to the Prime Minister’ so you know, we have to be frank,” the Prime Minister declared.

Nevertheless, the Pierre explained that within his control is providing the police with resources, boosting their morale and speaking to them about unacceptable practices.

“But I have no disciplinary powers,” the PM told his audience.

However, he asserted that there has been a shift in the RSLPF, albeit a slow process.

“We only publicise the issue – we only publicise what’s not right, but the police – their rate of solving of murders is improving” Pierre said.

In addition, he pointed out that the forensic laboratory can now do many tests that used to be done overseas.

In this regard, Pierre asserted that there are incremental changes.

“It takes time, but the sad thing is that these things are not broadcast,” he said.

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Chris Brown Finally Clear Up “Under The Influence” Lyric Confusions

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Chris Brown stepped forward to clear up fans confusion over his lyric for one of his biggest songs, “Under The Influence.”

Chris Brown’s song “Under The Influence” has nothing to do with the cough medicine Robitussin, as some fans seem to think. Lyrics from the song went viral this week after some fans became aware of what the actual lyrics said.

The song “Under the Influence” was released three years ago but recently started trending after fans scrutinized the lyrics leading to it being No. 1 on the iTunes charts in early October. Earlier this month, “Under The Influence” became Breezy’s milestone 50th Top 10 entry on US Rhythmic Radio, and on Tuesday, the song stood at No. 8 on the Spotify Global chart with 3.1M streams yesterday.

Well, the song continues to trend and has formed many threads of discussion online as fans debate whether the lyrics are really “Fu**in’ Robitussin” or “Fu**ing, rubbing, touching.”

On Twitter, there is a lengthy discussion Q&A where Ricch asked, “So Chris Brown ain’t say Fu**ing robitussin? He said fu**ing, rubbing, touching?”

Chris Brown also cleared up the confusion as he let fans know he’s been watching the discussion.

“They been messing up lyrics lately on these music platforms … YALL BEEN HAVING A FIELD DAY WITH UNDER THE INFLUENCE,” he wrote in an Instagram Story.

He added, “It’s fu**king Robitussin,” and “Your body light weight speaks to me.”

Fans were shocked at the singer’s clarification. In the meantime, the R&B singer released the official video “Under the Influence” three weeks ago, and the song already has 27 million views. The audio-only version had more than 104 million views.

In the meantime, the artist has also announced his next tour, named “Under the Influence,” beginning next February. Brown is also being celebrated online for his latest Grammy nominations, announced on Tuesday. The artist was nominated for Best R&B Album for his project Breezy.

Chris Brown previously won a Grammy for Best R&B album at the 54th Grammy awards in 2012.

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Déserts médicaux: internes et étudiants en médecine de retour dans la rue

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The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

“Blouse blanche, colère noire”: internes et étudiants en médecine ont manifesté jeudi contre la quatrième année d’internat pour les futurs généralistes, une réforme qui va aggraver le manque d’attractivité de la profession sans…

“Blouse blanche, colère noire”: internes et étudiants en médecine ont manifesté jeudi contre la quatrième année d’internat pour les futurs généralistes, une réforme qui va aggraver le manque d’attractivité de la profession sans réduire les déserts médicaux, selon ses opposants.

Plusieurs centaines de personnes se sont rassemblées dans l’après-midi à Paris devant le Panthéon, avant de prendre la direction du ministère de la Santé, a constaté un journaliste de l’AFP.

Les manifestants ont défilé dans une forêt de pancartes sur lesquelles on pouvait lire “Adieu mes rêves” ou encore “Etudiants mal formés, patients mal soignés”.

“Futurs médecins, pas des larbins”, entendait-on dans les rangs de la manifestation organisée à Nantes, qui a rassemblé 300 personnes selon la police. Un autre cortège a eu lieu à Lyon, rassemblant 700 manifestants selon la préfecture, derrière une longue banderole “Blouse blanche, colère noire”.

Réunis à l’appel d’une vaste intersyndicale, les manifestants protestaient contre l’ajout d’une quatrième année d’internat en médecine générale, qui doit être effectuée “en priorité dans des zones où la démographie médicale est sous-dense”, selon le projet de loi de financement de la Sécurité sociale (PLFSS).

Avec cette 4e année d’internat, et donc “cette 10e année d’études médicales, près d’un étudiant sur deux remet le choix de la médecine générale en question”, estime Yaël Thomas, président de l’Anemf (étudiants en médecine), citant les chiffres d’une récente enquête.

“La réforme introduit le doublement des stages ambulatoires sans doublement des maîtres de stage”, qui sont aujourd’hui 12.000, déplore pour sa part Raphaël Presneau, président de l’Isnar-IMG (internes en médecine générale). Autrement dit, “des internes vont se retrouver seuls dans leurs locaux, supervisés par des médecins qui pourront se trouver à 20 km d’eux”.

“Ce sera une année de plus payée au statut étudiant, qui plus est non-encadrée. C’est dangereux pour les médecins et pour les patients”, fulmine dans le cortège parisien Camille Fuilla, 23 ans, stéthoscope autour du cou, en 5e année d’études à Bordeaux.

“Marre de colmater les brèches”

A Nantes, Carolane Seiller, future généraliste de 27 ans, brandit une pancarte “Un médecin mort ne soigne pas !” pour dénoncer les risques psychosociaux pesant sur sa corporation. “On commence tous à en avoir un petit peu marre de colmater les brèches du système alors qu’on n’a jamais été responsables de ces brèches-là”, relève-t-elle.

Les concernés prennent déjà leur part de l’effort, assure Valentine Silva, 24 ans, interne en troisième semestre de médecine générale: “Dans ma promo, on est 140 médecins généralistes en formation: les deux tiers, même plus, ont pour projet de s’installer dans la campagne ou dans des déserts médicaux. Dans nos stages on va partout, on est sensibilisés à ça”.

Pour préparer la relève avec les futurs médecins, “il ne faut pas qu’on les envoie au casse-pipe au fond d’un désert médical et qu’ils soient dégoûtés”, déclare dans la manifestation lyonnaise le Dr Michel Tille, de la Confédération des syndicats médicaux français (CSMF) du Rhône. Lui plaide pour des maisons médicales “bien placées, dans des villes avec au moins un collège”, où les jeunes médecins pourront trouver du soutien auprès de collègues.

Contre une quatrième année “qui risque d’accroître l’anxiété des étudiants”, les représentants de la profession jugent plus utile d’accompagner l’installation par des aides au transport et au logement.

“Nous sommes 90.000 généralistes: nous ne sommes pas assez, et nous ne le serons pas avant un certain temps”, fait valoir Elise Fraih, président de ReAGJIR, qui regroupe les jeunes installés et remplaçants.

Devant la fronde, le ministre de la Santé, François Braun, a lâché du lest en annonçant un amendement au PLFSS pour permettre que certains stages se fassent à l’hôpital, et pas seulement en ville.

“Une avancée”, concèdent les syndicats, qui la jugent toutefois “largement insuffisante”. D’autant que l’amendement gouvernemental n’a pas été retenu dans la version du budget de la Sécu votée par le Sénat, et devra être de nouveau présenté en deuxième lecture à l’Assemblée.

Le gouvernement devrait user de l’article 49.3 de la Constitution devant les députés en début de semaine prochaine sur ce texte.

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Déserts médicaux: les internes redescendent dans la rue
• Olivier FENIET

Manifestation d’internes et d’étudiants en médecine contre la quatrième année d’internat pour les futurs généralistes, le 17 novembre 2022 à Paris
• Christophe ARCHAMBAULT

Manifestation d’internes et d’étudiants en médecine contre la quatrième année d’internat pour les futurs généralistes, le 17 novembre 2022 à Paris
• Christophe ARCHAMBAULT

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