Black Immigrant Daily News

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The UN chief on Wednesday described progress between Russia and Ukraine on allowing the resumption of grain exports during UN-brokered talks in Türkiye, as a “ray of hope to ease human suffering and alleviate hunger around the world.”

Secretary-General António Guterres said that a “critical step forward” had been taken to allow the “safe and secure export” of millions of tonnes of grain via the Black Sea, but emphasized that no formal agreement has yet been signed between Russia and Ukraine.

The Government of Türkiye has been working with the UN to broker a deal for weeks, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, saw a major rise in prices of grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertilizer, together with major supply chain issues across the world.

Need for stability

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Much of the grain imported by developing countries comes from Ukraine, but since the invasion, the country’s Black Sea ports have been blockaded by Russia, including the crucial hub of Odesa.

“In a world darkened by global crises, today, at last, we have a ray of hope”, said Mr. Guterres, briefing correspondents at UN Headquarters in New York.

“A ray of hope to ease human suffering and alleviate hunger around the world. A ray of hope to support developing countries and the most vulnerable people. A ray of hope to bring a measure of much-needed stability to the global food system.”

The UN chief said that the UN had been represented at the negotiations in Istanbul, by Humanitarian Affairs chief, Martin Griffiths, and Rebeca Grynspan, head of the UN Trade and Development agency, UNCTAD.

“Since the war started, I have been underlining the importance of having Ukraine’s food products and Russian food and fertilizer fully available in world markets”, said the UN chief.

‘An agreement for the world’

“In the end, the aim of all parties is not just an agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, but an agreement for the world.”

He thanked Türkiye for it’s “outstanding efforts” convening the talks and saluted all participants for their work “to secure an agreement for our common humanity.”

“Today is an important and substantive step. A step on the way to a comprehensive agreement. We must also do more for struggling people and developing countries getting pummeled by a food, energy and financial crises not of their making.”

Importance of dialogue

He reminded that the war in Ukraine rages on, but the “hopeful news” from the Istanbul talks, “shows the importance of dialogue.”

Responding to questions from reporters, the Secretary-General said that he hoped the first meeting in Istanbul would lead to another, “very soon”, potentially next week.

Asked about the wider possibility of a peace deal being reached between Russia and Ukraine to end the fighting, Mr. Guterres said there was still a “long way to go”, although Wednesday’s developments were an extremely encouraging sign.

Source: UN News/ SLT

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Digicel Group Holdings Limited (Digicel) has announced the completion of the sale of Digicel Pacific Limited, its wholly owned subsidiary, to a subsidiary of the Australian telecommunications company Telstra Corporation Limited, with funding from the Australian Government, through Export Finance Australia.

The transaction values Digicel Pacific at up to US$ 1.85 billion, inclusive of a three-year, US$ 250 million earn-out, equating to approximately 8.3 times DPL’s adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of approximately US$222 million in the year ended March 31, 2021.

A payment of US$ 1.6 billion, before deduction for customary working capital and other adjustments, is payable to DGHL upon closing of the transaction and Digicel expects to achieve the maximum earn-out payment of US$ 50 million in respect of the first earn-out period which is based on service revenue performance for the year ended March 31, 2022.

Digicel has also reported that the Independent State of Papua New Guinea has agreed to enter into a binding international arbitration process to resolve the disputed one-time PGK 350 million (approximately US$ 99.4 million) exit tax and to waive a further PGK 50 million (approximately US$ 14.2 million) sought in respect of non-payment of the tax to date.

As part of this process US$ 99.4 million has been placed in escrow on closing pending the outcome of the arbitration which will take place in Singapore.

Digicel Pacific operates in six markets in the South Pacific including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Nauru.

There will be no change to the Digicel brand in the six markets and the current management team will remain with and continue to lead the business delivering best-in-class telecommunications services to Digicel Pacific’s valued customers throughout the region.

Commenting, Denis O’Brien, Digicel Founder and Chairman said: “Having established our Pacific operations as a business start-up in 2005, we depart with enormous pride in a team that has made affordable best-in-class communications available to more than 10 million people across six of the most exciting economies in the region. I am deeply grateful to all our colleagues who contributed to this success and in particular, to our 1,700 staff in the Pacific who I know will continue to represent the Digicel brand with pride under new owners Telstra. We wish them every continued success for the future”.

Meanwhile, Oliver Coughlan, Group Chief Executive, said: “Until 2020 I was privileged to serve as CEO of our Digicel Pacific operations over many years and to work with exceptional people at this highly performing, high growth business. They retain our appreciation and friendship. Post this transaction, Digicel is well positioned to support continuing growth in our well-invested networks in our 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America”.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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The Castries Comprehensive Secondary School has announced that registration for new students opens Friday, July 15. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the CCSS auditorium.

Parents must bring along their children, as well as

Source: Ministry of Education

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Black Immigrant Daily News

La Policía reportó el jueves una persona muerta en la institución de máxima seguridad del Complejo Correccional Las Cucharas de Ponce.

Según la Uniformada, fue localizado en una de las celdas el cuerpo de Edgardo Reyes Otero, de 37 años.

Al momento se investigan las causas de la muerte.

El agente Cottman Rosario, adscrito a la División de Homicidios del Cuerpo de Investigaciones Criminales de San Juan, en unión al fiscal Idelfonso Torres investigaron los hechos.

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