18 Recruits Join Law Enforcement Ranks In St. Thomas
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: The Virgin Islands Consortium
18 Recruits Join Law Enforcement Ranks in St. Thomas
NewsAmericasNow.com
Italie: Meloni prend ses fonctions, l’UE prête à “coopérer” avec elle
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles
Une page se tourne en Italie dimanche avec la prise de fonctions de Giorgia Meloni, avec laquelle l’UE s’est dite prête à “coopérer”, au lendemain de la prestation de serment du gouvernement le…
Une page se tourne en Italie dimanche avec la prise de fonctions de Giorgia Meloni, avec laquelle l’UE s’est dite prête à “coopérer”, au lendemain de la prestation de serment du gouvernement le plus à droite du pays depuis 1946.
La passation de pouvoir entre Mario Draghi, à la tête de l’exécutif depuis février 2021, et la dirigeante du parti post-fasciste Fratelli d’Italia se tiendra à 08H30 GMT au palais Chigi, siège du gouvernement à deux pas du parlement, et sera suivie du premier conseil des ministres (10H00 GMT).
Cette étape essentiellement protocolaire sera marquée par la remise symbolique par l’ex-président de la BCE à Mme Meloni de la clochette utilisée par le président du Conseil pour réguler les débats en conseil des ministres.
Samedi, l’Union européenne, rétive face à l’arrivée au pouvoir de l’extrême droite, s’est dite prête à “coopérer” avec le gouvernement Meloni, un accueil marqué par les félicitations des ses trois grandes institutions: Ursula von der Leyen pour la Commission européenne, le président du Conseil européen Charles Michel et de la présidente du Parlement européen Roberta Metsola.
Mme Meloni a remercié les dirigeants européens, se disant “prête et impatiente de travailler ensemble”.
“Meloni, début européen”, titrait dimanche le quotidien La Stampa. “Meloni: au travail, avec fierté”, écrivait le Corriere della Sera.
Dette et inflation
C’est au palais romain du Quirinal que Mme Meloni, benjamine de ce gouvernement, et ses 24 ministres – dont seulement six femmes – ont “juré de respecter la Constitution et les lois” devant le président Sergio Mattarella.
La Romaine de 45 ans, qui a remporté une victoire historique aux législatives du 25 septembre, a réussi à donner de la respectabilité à son parti post-fasciste Fratelli d’Italia pour accéder au pouvoir exactement un siècle après Mussolini, dont elle fut une admiratrice.
De nombreux défis l’attendent, essentiellement économiques, à commencer par l’inflation et la dette dont le ratio est le plus élevé de la zone euro après la Grèce.
Elle dispose avec ses partenaires de coalition, le dirigeant populiste de la Ligue antimigrants Matteo Salvini et le chef déclinant de Forza Italia Silvio Berlusconi, de la majorité absolue tant à la Chambre des députés qu’au Sénat.
La composition du nouveau gouvernement reflète le désir de rassurer les partenaires de Rome, inquiets face à l’arrivée au pouvoir en Italie, pays fondateur de l’Europe, du chef de gouvernement le plus eurosceptique depuis la Deuxième Guerre mondiale.
Mme Meloni a ainsi nommé aux Affaires étrangères, avec le titre de vice-Premier ministre, l’ex-président du Parlement européen Antonio Tajani, tandis que Giancarlo Giorgetti, un représentant de l’aile modérée de la Ligue, déjà ministre dans le gouvernement sortant de Mario Draghi, hérite du portefeuille de l’Economie.
– “Vous n’êtes pas seul” –
La tâche de Mme Meloni s’annonce toutefois ardue d’autant que sa coalition montre déjà des fissures.
MM. Salvini et Berlusconi renâclent à accepter l’autorité de Giorgia Meloni, dont le parti a remporté 26% des voix aux élections, contre 8% pour Forza Italia et 9% pour la Ligue.
Elle-même atlantiste et favorable au soutien à l’Ukraine face à la Russie, Mme Meloni a dû affronter cette semaine les propos polémiques de M. Berlusconi, qui a affirmé avoir “renoué” avec Vladimir Poutine et imputé à Kiev la responsabilité de la guerre.
Mme Meloni a rectifié le tir en affirmant que l’Italie fait “pleinement partie et la tête haute” de l’Europe et de l’Otan.
Un message bien reçu à Washington, Kiev et à l’Otan dont le secrétaire général Jens Stoltenberg a adressé ses “félicitations” à Mme Meloni. Le président américain Joe Biden a dit samedi avoir “hâte” de travailler avec elle.
Le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky s’est dit sur Twitter “impatient de continuer la coopération fructueuse”. “Vous n’êtes pas seul!”, lui a répondu Mme Meloni : “L’Italie sera toujours aux côtés du courageux peuple ukrainien qui se bat pour sa liberté et une paix légitime”.
Tandis que l’extrême droite et les conservateurs européens se réjouissaient d’un jour “historique”, le chancelier allemand Olaf Scholz a félicité Giorgia Meloni en italien.
Les deux autres grandes capitales européennes, Paris et Madrid, on gardé le silence. Mais Emmanuel Macron, qui se rend dimanche à Rome où il rencontrera le pape et prononcera un discours sur la paix, pourrait en profiter pour rencontrer Mme Meloni, même si aucun entretien n’est prévu à ce stade.
glr-cmk/thm
Montage photos de Giorgia Meloni, du parti Fratelli d’Italia, et de ses partenaires de coalition Matteo Salvini (g), chef de la Ligue, et Silvio Berlusconi, chef de Forza Italia
• Miguel MEDINA
Italie : Giorgia Meloni et son gouvernement prêtent serment devant le président italien
•
Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni waves as she leaves the Quirinal Palace after the swearing-in ceremony of the new Italian Government in Rome on October 22, 2022.
• GIUSEPPE LAMI
NewsAmericasNow.com
NBA: Dallas écrase Memphis, les Celtics toujours invaincus
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles
Les Dallas Mavericks de Luka Doncic se sont largement imposés face aux Memphis Grizzlies de Ja Morant (137-96), samedi en NBA, tandis que les Boston Celtics continuent sur leur lancée en ce début de saison, avec une troisième victoire en…
Les Dallas Mavericks de Luka Doncic se sont largement imposés face aux Memphis Grizzlies de Ja Morant (137-96), samedi en NBA, tandis que les Boston Celtics continuent sur leur lancée en ce début de saison, avec une troisième victoire en autant de matches, en battant l’Orlando Magic (120-126).
Finalistes de conférence Ouest la saison dernière, les Mavericks ont pu compter sur un Doncic en feu pour remporter leur premier match cette saison. La star slovène a inscrit 32 points, pris 7 rebonds et offert 10 passes.
Fraîchement recruté de Houston, Christian Wood a ajouté 25 points et 12 rebonds pour assurer la victoire des Mavericks face à des Grizzlies trop imprécis (9 sur 33 à 3 pts), où Ja Morant a été contenu à 20 points.
Pour les Celtics, tout va comme sur des roulettes. Après un match plutôt serré, les finalistes NBA de la saison dernière ont fini par prendre le dessus sur le Magic, portés par un Jayson Tatum intenable, affichant 40 points, 8 rebonds et 2 contres au compteur.
La star des Celtics devient le premier joueur de l’histoire de la franchise à marquer 100 points lors des trois premiers matches de la saison.
Derrick White s’est également illustré (27 pts), et Jaylen Brown a inscrit 12 points et pris 9 rebonds.
“Nous ne sommes pas encore prêts”
En bas de classement, les Sixers ont enchaîné de leur côté une troisième défaite, s’inclinant face aux San Antonio Spurs 114-105.
Après avoir perdu face à Boston et Milwaukee, les hommes de Doc Rivers pouvaient espérer se relancer face à une franchise de San Antonio en reconstruction.
Mais, malgré les 40 points et 13 rebonds de Joel Embiid, les Sixers ont souffert défensivement, en laissant six joueurs des Spurs marquer 11 points ou plus.
“Nous ne sommes pas encore prêts”, s’est lamenté Rivers. “Franchement, nous ne sommes tout simplement pas prêts. Nous ne sommes pas encore prêts à gagner. On le sent et nous avons donc beaucoup de travail à faire.”
A Chicago, les Cleveland Cavaliers, particulièrement adroits derrière le cercle (16 sur 27) ont dominé les Bulls (128-96), grâce notamment à leur recrue Donovan Mitchell (32 pts).
Enfin, Giannis Antetokounmpo a marqué 44 points et pris 12 rebonds pour permettre aux Bucks de l’emporter face aux Houston Rockets (125-105).
– Batum en vue –
Du côté des Français, Nicolas Batum a été le plus en vue, s’illustrant avec les Clippers, vainqueurs des Sacramento Kings (). Le vétéran a inscrit 7 points, pris 5 rebonds, offert 3 passes et réussi 1 contre et 2 interceptions. Sur le banc, Moussa Diabaté n’est pas entré en jeu.
Killian Hayes a de son côté marqué 5 points et offert 2 passes dans la défaite des Détroit Pistons face aux Indiana Pacers (124-115).
Ousmane Dieng (Thunder) a joué 7 minutes pour une ligne statistique vierge, alors que la franchise de l’Oklahoma a perdu face aux Denver Nuggets (122-117) d’un Nikola Jokic en mode triple-double (19 pts, 16 rbds et 13 passes).
Enfin, toujours blessé à la cheville, Frank Ntilikina (Mavericks) n’a pas encore joué cette saison.
mb/jde
Jayson Tatum inscrit un panier pour les Celtics face au Magic, le 22 octobre 2022 à Orlando
• Douglas P. DeFelice
Le Français Nicolas Batum (c) réussit un dunk pour les Los Angeles Clippers face aux Kings, le 22 octobre 2022 à Sacramento
• Thearon W. Henderson
NewsAmericasNow.com
TTSPCA extends adoption drive by a week
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Tishara and Ashton Menzies with their adopted dog, Logan, at the TTSPCA adoption drive, Mucurapo, on Saturday. – SUREASH CHOLAI
Twelve shelter dogs and four cats were adopted on Saturday from the kennels of the TT Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in Mucurapo.
There are now 84 dogs and 38 cats left to be adopted and the society has extended its adoptions drive until October 29.
Chairman of society Sita Kuruvilla said, “We have some animals there for over a year. Once we’ve had them for a while and we think they’re adoptable, they just stay, as long as they can cope with staying in the shelter. Some dogs don’t like the shelter – it’s too noisy, confined. Some dogs do really well and we can find them foster homes.”
Kuruvilla said if dogs get on well with each other they go to the pet run to exercise otherwise “our volunteers come in on the weekend and walk the dogs.”
The society has dogs of many breeds: dalmatians, huskies, retrievers, shepherds and malinois among many others. Dogs are all spayed, neutered and vaccinated, to ensure puppies do not face the same hardships as their parents.
Among those who adopted a dog on Saturday was Anthony Damien.
“I adopted a quiet, mixed, medium-sized, short-breed dog. He is of a very quiet temperament. I have a dog that’s a bit lonely and I want to get a companion for her. Because the dog is quiet, it’s aligned with how my current dog is.
Volunteer Sarah De Freitas grooms a dog before he leaves with his new owner at the TTSPCA adoption drive, Murcurapo, on Saturday. – SUREASH CHOLAI
“I have an aged parent, so having a dog with a quiet disposition, it’s easier for my aged parent to deal with. I don’t want a dog who is too effervescent and jumping and that sort of thing. It gets to be a bit more challenging to manage.”
Damien said he chose a rescue instead of a breeder’s dog, because “there is obviously a genuine need to take care of these animals. So, at some point, we just have to step up and do the right thing.”
One volunteer at the shelter, Sarah DeFreitas, said she had to bathe and blow-dry the adopted dogs before they went to their new homes.
“On average, it takes an hour. If you do like two shampoos, then a condition, then blow dry.”
She has been doing a pet grooming course, so she came to the society to practise what she learnt. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
Andre Mora was also at the shelter offering his locally-produced medicated soap for animals with sensitive skin. Soaps cost no more than $40, and he has his own line of tick and itching powders.
New owners also received dog and cat chow, canned meat and $50 coupon to buy Purina products online.
To adopt a dog or cat it costs $300 to offset the costs of neutering and vaccination.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Lawyer calls out ex-AG’s advisers in Nelson deal
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Israel Khan, SC. –
The two senior counsel who advised former attorney general Faris Al-Rawi on the indemnity agreement with convicted King’s Counsel Vincent Nelson are being asked to publicly come clean on their roles in the drafting of the controversial settlement.
The call comes from Senior Counsel Israel Khan who said his request is being made in his personal capacity. Khan is president of the Criminal Bar Association.
At a media conference last week, Al-Rawi admitted to his role in forging an indemnity agreement between the Government and Nelson but said he did not advise himself on preparing it.
He said the arrangement was made after the AG’s Office hired two senior counsel in 2017 when Nelson came forward with the information of the alleged criminal conspiracy to defraud the State.
He named Douglas Mendes, SC, and Gilbert Peterson, SC, as the two attorneys who assisted the Government to prepare the indemnity agreement.
Douglas Mendes, SC –
Both men declined to comment when contacted by Newsday immediately after their names were called.
On Saturday, Khan said the agreement was ab initio ultra vires (beyond one’s legal power from the beginning) the Constitution and those who assisted or advised cannot now hide behind the shield of lawyer/client privilege.
He said nowhere in the Constitution, or under any statute, is the attorney general, or any other minister, authorised to enter into an indemnity agreement in order to facilitate a potential witness under whistle-blower legislation to give evidence against alleged bribe takers.
“This is the prerogative of the DPP who would request the police to take the necessary witness statements and the DPP will decide on what sort of leniency he will plea bargain with the witness.”
In addressing both men, Khan told them by now they knew Al-Rawi named them as his advisers on the indemnity agreement”
“I doubt very much that both of you knew that the massive inducements will be hidden from the DPP and Parliament and, most of all, that Vincent Nelson will use this agreement as the basis of pleading guilty and giving evidence against his co-accused for bribery and corruption.”
Khan had two questions for Mendes and Peterson.
“Were there legal retainers for giving the advice, if you did give the advice or was it pro bono (free of charge) work?
“Did any of you have sight of this indemnity agreement in order to give the advice or was it done via a telephone conversation?”
Gilbert Peterson, SC. –
Khan pointed out that the Law Association in its statement on Friday held the view the signing of the agreement was “highly unusual and simply wrong,” but he said he was of the view it could be “an illegal act.”
He said it was no business of the former AG to bargain with a potential witness, pay millions to his lawyers, and make promises the agreement will be “kept secret.”
Khan pointed out the agreement was not revealed to the judge who accepted the plea deal between Nelson and the State in 2019 or at his sentencing in 2020.
It is for this reason he wants his colleagues to come clean on circumstances surrounding the indemnity agreement.
Khan also said it was because of the inducements provided by the agreement that led the bribery and corruption charges against former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC, and ex-UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen to “go down the drain.”
“Speak out. Be sagacious,” he urged them.
Opposition: Law Association’s response lacks courage
On Saturday, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the Law Association wasted the opportunity to use their weight as protectors of the rule of law and promoters of the administration of justice to firmly call out members of the fraternity “who have been found wanting and to publicly denounce their conduct.”
She said the “long overdue statement” was “pusillanimous,” or lacking in courage and resolution, and simply repeated what is already known.
“It truly is a chilling moment for the democracy of Trinidad and Tobago when the LATT will not vigorously defend the constitutional rights of citizens from persecution.”
On October 10, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, made the shocking announcement of the decision to discontinue the case against Ramlogan and Ramdeen.
In announcing the decision to discontinue the corruption case, Gaspard said Nelson was not willing to give evidence in that matter until his civil claim for an alleged breach of an indemnity agreement with the Government for his testimony came to an end. Former AG Al-Rawi signed the agreement on behalf of the Government.
Nelson, 64, is now suing the State for over $96 million for loss of earnings after being expelled from a prestigious UK firm; loss of insurance benefits; the $2.5 million fine he was ordered to pay when he pleaded guilty; and additional sums if the UK authorities make demands on him for alleged unpaid taxes.
Information provided to the police by Al-Rawi, as of July 2021, Nelson’s attorneys – his UK solicitors and his former TT attorney Roger Kawalsingh – were paid a little over $8.4 million.
On Friday, after a two-week silence, the Law Association posed five questions to Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, to answer on Al-Rawi’s role in events that precipitated the collapse of the case against Ramlogan and Ramdeen and the signing of the indemnity agreement between Nelson and the State.
In its statement, LATT admitted it was not in a position to determine if there “has been corruption, misfeasance in public office or politically motivated prosecution of any public official, politician or attorney.”
“High public office holders must operate within and respect the boundaries of their respective offices,” it further noted.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Boy, 10, survives bullet to head
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Dimitri Laksingh, 10, shot in head with pellet gun. –
A 10-year-old boy is being hailed as a “medical miracle” after he survived a bullet to the head.
Dimitri Lacksingh was injured by a classmate who was playing with relative’s gun.
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon, at Lacksingh’s Sookram Avenue and Mon Desir Road, South Oropouche.
He and his nine-year-old classmate of Rousillac Hindu School went to Lacksingh’s home where they found an unsecured pellet gun (Nitro Piston 10-shot gas charged rifle) and began playing with it. They had been dismissed from school early after the school hosted Divali celebrations.
Police said Lacksingh who was familiar with the weapon was showing his classmate how to operate it, unaware that the safety was off. As the other boy tried to operate the weapon, he pulled the trigger, discharging one round which struck Lacksingh’s head.
With the bullet lodged in his head, Lacksingh ran out of his home, bleeding from the wound to his head screaming, “I get shot. Oh God, I go dead.”
One of his uncles, Damion Singh, said the family immediately began thinking funeral, expecting the worse.
On Saturday morning, however, Singh said the family was rejoicing because by some “medical miracle,” after an emergency surgery and two days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the San Fernando General Hospital, he was alive and talking.
“I spoke to him this morning, He is walking, he is talking and he is out of the ICU. He has all his senses. It is a miracle. We thought he was going to die, especially after hearing how the nine-year-old boy (Jomol Modeste) from Chaguanas died,” Singh told the Newsday.
He said the entire incident is tragic and did not think the nine-year-old who pulled the trigger should be held accountable for Dimitri’s injury.
“It was negligence. If anybody is to be blamed it is the gun owner. He has had guns and gun-licence for 20-25 years. But it was loaded, with the safety off and not properly secured.”
Police have seized the weapon and also confiscated the owner’s gun licence. No charges have yet been laid although statements have been taken.
Singh said he was not at the family’s home when the incident occurred and his brothers who are farmers, and hunters, were in the nearby garden. Dimitri’s mother died several years ago.
“I got the news around 1.30 pm on Thursday that there was an accident and upon further enquires heard Dimitri got shot by an air rifle.
“It is my understanding they came from school early and were playing with the gun inside the house. He was showing the other boy how to operate the weapon when it was discharged.
“Dimitri was aware, he was conscious, he ran outside and alerted neighbours and a cousin who called the police and ambulance. Police responded immediately once they heard gun shot.”
He was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where emergency surgery was done to remove the bullet.
“Some shrapnel, fragments were removed. Doctors did not remove the bullet.”
Singh said because of the location of the bullet, doctors are very sceptical about removing it.
“It is in a very critical part of the brain, doctors don’t really want to go further as it may cause excessive bleeding. The bullet is hollow and just bigger than a match grain. I don’t know if he may have to live with it in his brain.
“He is young and healthy, my one concern is that if it remains it does not have any lasting damage.
“We just want to thank God he is alive. There is a little swelling on the face from the surgery but that should go down soon.”
Singh warned licenced firearm users to ensure their weapons are secured and to warn family members of the dangers.
“We hear so much about gun-related incidents but when it hits home, it is a different story.
“Thank God that gun only discharged one round at a time or we would have been telling a different story today. Oh God, I don’t even want to think about it,” he said.
Oropouche police are continuing investigations.
NewsAmericasNow.com
NBA: Dallas écrase Memphis, les Celtics toujours invaincus
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles
Les Dallas Mavericks de Luka Doncic se sont largement imposés face aux Memphis Grizzlies de Ja Morant (137-96), samedi en NBA, tandis que les Boston Celtics continuent sur leur lancée en ce début de saison, avec une troisième victoire en…
Les Dallas Mavericks de Luka Doncic se sont largement imposés face aux Memphis Grizzlies de Ja Morant (137-96), samedi en NBA, tandis que les Boston Celtics continuent sur leur lancée en ce début de saison, avec une troisième victoire en autant de matches, en battant l’Orlando Magic (120-126).
Finalistes de conférence Ouest la saison dernière, les Mavericks ont pu compter sur un Doncic en feu pour remporter leur premier match cette saison. La star slovène a inscrit 32 points, pris 7 rebonds et offert 10 passes.
Fraîchement recruté de Houston, Christian Wood a ajouté 25 points et 12 rebonds pour assurer la victoire des Mavericks face à des Grizzlies trop imprécis (9 sur 33 à 3 pts), où Ja Morant a été contenu à 20 points.
Pour les Celtics, tout va comme sur des roulettes. Après un match plutôt serré, les finalistes NBA de la saison dernière ont fini par prendre le dessus sur le Magic, portés par un Jayson Tatum intenable, affichant 40 points, 8 rebonds et 2 contres au compteur.
La star des Celtics devient le premier joueur de l’histoire de la franchise à marquer 100 points lors des trois premiers matches de la saison.
Derrick White s’est également illustré (27 pts), et Jaylen Brown a inscrit 12 points et pris 9 rebonds.
“Nous ne sommes pas encore prêts”
En bas de classement, les Sixers ont enchaîné de leur côté une troisième défaite, s’inclinant face aux San Antonio Spurs 114-105.
Après avoir perdu face à Boston et Milwaukee, les hommes de Doc Rivers pouvaient espérer se relancer face à une franchise de San Antonio en reconstruction.
Mais, malgré les 40 points et 13 rebonds de Joel Embiid, les Sixers ont souffert défensivement, en laissant six joueurs des Spurs marquer 11 points ou plus.
“Nous ne sommes pas encore prêts”, s’est lamenté Rivers. “Franchement, nous ne sommes tout simplement pas prêts. Nous ne sommes pas encore prêts à gagner. On le sent et nous avons donc beaucoup de travail à faire.”
A Chicago, les Cleveland Cavaliers, particulièrement adroits derrière le cercle (16 sur 27) ont dominé les Bulls (128-96), grâce notamment à leur recrue Donovan Mitchell (32 pts).
Enfin, Giannis Antetokounmpo a marqué 44 points et pris 12 rebonds pour permettre aux Bucks de l’emporter face aux Houston Rockets (125-105).
– Batum en vue –
Du côté des Français, Nicolas Batum a été le plus en vue, s’illustrant avec les Clippers, vainqueurs des Sacramento Kings (). Le vétéran a inscrit 7 points, pris 5 rebonds, offert 3 passes et réussi 1 contre et 2 interceptions. Sur le banc, Moussa Diabaté n’est pas entré en jeu.
Killian Hayes a de son côté marqué 5 points et offert 2 passes dans la défaite des Détroit Pistons face aux Indiana Pacers (124-115).
Ousmane Dieng (Thunder) a joué 7 minutes pour une ligne statistique vierge, alors que la franchise de l’Oklahoma a perdu face aux Denver Nuggets (122-117) d’un Nikola Jokic en mode triple-double (19 pts, 16 rbds et 13 passes).
Enfin, toujours blessé à la cheville, Frank Ntilikina (Mavericks) n’a pas encore joué cette saison.
mb/jde
Jayson Tatum inscrit un panier pour les Celtics face au Magic, le 22 octobre 2022 à Orlando
• Douglas P. DeFelice
Le Français Nicolas Batum (c) réussit un dunk pour les Los Angeles Clippers face aux Kings, le 22 octobre 2022 à Sacramento
• Thearon W. Henderson
NewsAmericasNow.com
Commissioners to visit Paria facility during diving probe
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
As part of their fact-finding mission, the members of the Commission of Enquiry probing the deaths of four divers at Pointe-a-Pierre will visit the scene of the incident on November 22.
The commission has invited interested parties who wish to attend to make an application in writing to the secretariat before November 11.
At the last public hearing in September, commission chairman Jerome Lynch complained about a lack of basic tools, such as pens, paper and internet.
On February 25, Fyzal Kurban, Kazim Ali Jr, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry and Christopher Boodram were sucked into a 36-inch underwater crude oil pipeline while doing maintenance work at Sealiner riser on Berth Six, Pointe-a-Pierre at Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd. Boodram was rescued.
The men were hired by private contractor LMCS Ltd to do work on the Sealiner riser.
Public hearings are scheduled between November 21-24; December 5-8; December 12-15 and January 9-13, 2023.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Activist vies for post of PNM party leader
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Junior Barrack nominee for the post of PNM political leader in the upcoming PNM internal elections at Woodfoord Square, Port of Spain. – ROGER JACOB
He may be a self-proclaimed recluse, but Junior Barrack believes democracy should be allowed to work, which is the main reason he is running for the post of political leader in the upcoming PNM internal elections.
“I am a consummate democrat, so I have no significant thought of revolution. But if you have a democracy, you should allow the democracy to work. If it’s not working for you, once there is free voting, it means you are not making the kind of effort required to let the democracy work for you.”
The father of two said he enjoyed reading and listening to interesting podcasts, but he did project management work in TT and was the managing director of his family business, Barrack Construction Ltd, in Barbados.
He told Sunday Newsday he started getting involved in activism in the 1980s while living in Morvant. He claimed he saw the police, under then commissioner of police Randolph Burroughs, arresting people on the block and later heard they were killed in altercations with the police.
He had also heard stories of women in squatting communities who were raped as they returned home from work at night, of children who were molested when their parents were out working, and homes being demolished while the residents were at work or school.
“It swelled in my chest that something must be done. You have to say something. Somebody has to stand up for the people who are so treated in society.
“So I got involved in voicing my opinions in Woodford Square, and was part of the University of Woodford Square Association.”
Around 1987, he and a group of his associates, including the late radio talk-show host Ricardo “Gladiator” Welch and late MP for Laventille West Morris Marshall, decided they were going to join the People’s National Movement (PNM) and influence it so it would “work for people of African descent.”
Barrack said when Welch changed his mind and joined the National Alliance for Reconstruction, the rest of the group felt they could not return to the PNM. Since they wanted “positive change,” some members turned to the United National Congress (UNC). He was appointed a temporary senator and served from January 1992-October 1995.
He got engaged in many social development programmes, including squatters regulation, advocating for a public holiday for Shouter Baptists, and giving the Orisha marriage rights.
“I am proud of my work in the UNC, because it brought about the Baptist holiday and the Orishas got a marriage act which made their marriage ceremony legal in TT.
“I have been involved in significant levels of social and community development work over the years. My work is extraordinarily successful, if I do say so myself.”
But he said he left the UNC when its political leader Basdeo Panday “lost his way” and began aligning himself with people who were not interested in the development of black people.
“The reason why I’m running in this election is because the PNM’s base is being disrespected by the leadership.
“This is not a game. This is a very serious matter. That is the same principle that caused me to break with Panday and resign by letter.”
He recalled he joined the PNM after meeting brothers Roger and Ronald Boynes. He said he was the personal assistant to Roger, who was then Minister of Sport, and later adviser to Ronald when he was chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.
He said Ronald, who is also running for political leader of the PNM, influenced him to join the party, which he did in 2002.
“Ronald Boynes is really development-oriented, and he truly wants regional development. It was incredible the kind of work we were able to put out. And the documents were adopted for the national community.”
As a PNM activist, he also organised marches that, he said, ensured the development and improvement of the Bon Air housing development and 26 other communities.
He now had a strategic development plan for the party that could be used for national development called Survival and Prosperity. It was based on basic individual interests, how to go about developing the nation and preparing the country for natural disasters.
General council must have say in national affairs
Barrack, 63, said he was motivated to run when, earlier this year, the party’s general secretary ignored a proposal for a programme of activities for the UN’s International Decade for People of African Descent, even after it was well received by the party’s general council and the secretary was ordered to release it.
“It is an incredible document, in the sense that it addresses the problems of the African community in a fundamental way. It is not like the PM’s proposal of crime being a public health issue. Saying that is an insult to the African community when there are proposals on the table that would address the problem properly.
“I am calling on the general secretary and the Prime Minister to release the report of the committee for the International Decade for People of African Descent to the general council members. And if he does not do that by Sunday evening, I would release it myself.”
He said the move proved to him that the PNM structure was “not on track” and the leadership did not care about its members. When that happened, the party’s base got disgruntled and temporarily looked elsewhere, causing the PNM to lose elections. However, he said, when the PNM structure worked well, it worked for its members and, by extension, the people of TT.
“The PNM is hijacked. It is a small group of cronies that does not even allow the general council to function in the policy-making division. No important national decisions are brought before the general council, not even as a rubber stamp. The people on the council only know what is taking place when they see it in the press.”
Asked if he agreed with some analysts that Dr Rowley would have to step down for someone else to gain the position, he said it “could be true,” because the PNM had a culture of reverence for the current leader. However, he would continue to make his case on the issues and fight for the members who were “suffering.”
“My job is to say what I know in the most effective way possible. I am not pulling any punches. If he (Rowley) wins, that is because the people did not believe me. or they believe there is something about him that is better for them than I am putting forward.
“That is their democratic right. If they feel to vote him in, he is the leader. I will follow.”
NewsAmericasNow.com
Artist Dermot Louison dies at 89
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
One of Dermot Louison’s painting entitled Fete. –
Artist Dermot Louison has died at the age of 89.
His works, which portray slices of rural Trinidadian life, have inspired generations of artists.
A biography written for an exhibition at Horizons Art Gallery in Mucurapo said Louison was born into a middle-class family in Woodbrook in 1933, and spent his early childhood days in Cascade and St Ann’s, Port of Spain. He received his primary-school education at the St Ann’s RC School and his secondary education at the Tranquillity Government School.
He developed a strong interest in art at an early age, and largely self-taught, though he also attended the Sir John Cass School of Art in London from 1957-1959. During this time he travelled extensively in Europe.
Louison trained as an electrician at the United British Oilfields (UBOT, later Shell) from 1949-1955.
In 1956, he migrated to England on the Italian steamer Franca C (now the MV Doulos Phos) as part of the Windrush generation. He quit his job as an electrical engineer and began painting, with his first exhibition being at the Tate Gallery, London in 1958, exhibiting a portrait of Sir Winston Churchill.
In one of his later exhibition bios, Louison wrote, “I travelled to England in the 1950s as part of the hopeful #Windrush Generation. I found that life in London was not for me. I missed my hobbies as an open-air painter who painted while exploring the rain forests, villages and communities of my island, Trinidad. I also avidly did spear fishing during deep dives and hunted during the relevant seasons. My life among the poor classes of my island, coming out of colonialism, was inspiration to me to continue to record the culture of our Caribbean island.”
He developed into a professional artist after his return to Trinidad in 1959. He held many successful exhibitions both locally and within the Caribbean, and was an inspiration to many up- and-coming artists.
TT Art Society president Keiba Mottley said Louison had a large body of work produced over the years, which many upcoming and emerging artists were familiar with.
“Through his work he captured traditional and sometimes quintessential themes of TT that have always resonated really well with me, because it reminds me of my childhood and happy times. We can all be inspired by his work and his legacy.
“I didn’t meet him in person, I would have learned about him in art school, and more recently following his page on social media.”
Art Society immediate past president Peter Sheppard said Louison’s work depicted the lifestyle of TT.
“Through his work he captured or documented a way of life of our people in TT, through a very unique painting style which you could tell was his work. Similar to the American painter Norman Rockwell, he observed and documented the quirks of our daily lives. He captured the things that exist and existed, he captures rural landscapes, the modest houses that were built, their colours and hues, the things you find around the house, whether it’s a fowl in the yard, a KLIM tin with a plant in it, chickens or something, and that is something I also observe and paint in my paintings, and I admired that in his work.
“It’s important that artists have their mark. We’re physically here for a very short time, but we create work that lives on forever and tells a story that transcends generations. That’s the responsibility of the artist, and that’s a very fortunate responsibility to have, because who else is documenting these things we take for granted that bring us happiness and joy around our homes?”
Sheppard said Louison was supportive of other artists in that he would attend their exhibitions.
“It’s sad news when that light goes out, and we’re losing a lot of those lights in our visual and performing arts, and people just kind of go unnoticed. Louison has left his mark, and it’s a very significant mark, on our artistic landscape.”
Artist Jackie Hinkson said his memories of Louison date back to the 1950s, when he would go to the Public Library, now the Eric Williams Memorial Library, and see his works hanging on the wall.
“Decades later, in the 1970s, we would exhibit together at the Art Creators Gallery in St Ann’s, and we would chat when we met at the Deltex Art Shop in Pembroke Street.
“I generally noticed his pleasant quiet manner. He wasn’t fond of making himself a public scene at his exhibitions. I strongly suspect that it was because his life and experiences were inextricably intertwined with local things, hunting and fishing and country parlours, and that’s why he focused on that in his painting.
“I got the impression he knew a world different from the busy urban one and picked it, and that’s why in his work there’s this strong nostalgia for those days, that type of intimacy that was not strongly urban. He became extremely skilful at portraying those scenes of our lives, and that is why people loved his work.”
Louison’s work generally fell into the categories of sailing and marine vessels; landscapes and seascapes; country and village scenes; culture; people and figures; buildings and houses; portraits, drawings and illustrations; folklore; and commissioned works.
His work can be viewed at https://www.artpal.com/artemetagroup.
NewsAmericasNow.com
