Black Immigrant Daily News

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Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) and the Centre for Adolescent Renewal & Education (C.A.R.E.) officially signed their annual commitment in support of youth development.

The official signing took place at the Bank’s Financial Centre on Bridge Street with the Executive Director, Dr. Karleen Mason signing on behalf of the institution.

Deputy Managing Director of Operations, Mr. Lyndon Arnold, signed the agreement on behalf of BOSL.

Both representatives expressed their respective organizations’ satisfaction with the relationship that has developed between them over the last few years.

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Dr. Mason expressed appreciation on behalf of the staff and the management of the institution, particularly in the context of the current economic climate.

Speaking on the partnership, which dates back well over sixteen years, she indicated that, “the bank’s generous donation has come at a time when maintaining a conducive learningenvironment for our trainees is increasingly more challenging. Appropriate tools, equipment and consumable materials are now more expensive, but essential for the trainees in order to develop their competencies for Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certification. This timely financial intervention is not only directly impacting the lives of our youth, but, by extension, the economic development of our country.”

The Bank and C.A.R.E., are institutions committed to the development of young people.Successful graduates of the C.A.R.E. programme are equipped to become employed orbecome entrepreneurs in their respective areas of skill.

SOURCE: Bank of Saint Lucia

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Las autoridades reportaron dos asesinatos en horas de la tarde y noche de ayer. Uno de ellos fue a las 6:53 PM frente a un supermercado en la calle Pedro Arzuaga en Carolina y el otro fue en el callejón Bulón en el barrio Monacillos, San Juan.

Según el reporte de la Policía, el que se produjo en Carolina cobró la vida de Luis Alexis Vargas Estrada, de 21 años y residente de ese municipio. El cuerpo baleado fue hallado en el interior de un auto Mazda Protege del año 2001. El cadáver presentaba múltiples heridas de bala en diferentes partes.  

La agente Carla Millán, adscrita a la División de Homicidios del Cuerpo de Investigaciones Criminales de Carolina, en unión al fiscal Jorge Umpierre, se hicieron cargo de la investigación.

Mientras, el asesinato que ocurrió en San Juan, fue a eso de las 9:54 PM. Los agentes se personaron al lugar y localizaron en el pavimento el cuerpo de un hombre el cual presentaba múltiples heridas de bala en diferentes partes y tenía las manos atadas. Este no ha sido identificado aún. El individuo fue descrito como de tez blanca, 30 años de edad aproximado, 5 pies 8 pulgadas de estatura, 160 libras de peso, pelo negro en trenzas y vestía un pantalón corto negro, abrigo rojo y chancletas rojas.

En la escena, se ocuparon múltiples casquillos de bala de diferentes calibres y un radio tipo scanner.

Al momento se investiga el móvil de los hechos. El agente Eric Ortiz, adscrito a la División de Homicidios del Cuerpo de Investigaciones Criminales de San Juan, en unión a la fiscal Ivelisse Maldonado, se hicieron cargo de la investigación.

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Dr Roodal Moonilal.

THE Government on Monday rejected allegations of spying made by Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal on the social media show Douglar Politics on Saturday. The show is hosted by Opposition Senator Anil Roberts.

Moonilal said, “Spying is their (PNM) priority and I will tell you about that now.”

He displayed what he claimed to be a cabinet note dated November 16, 2018.

Moonilal claimed the document spoke about the establishment “of memoranda of agreement and non-disclosure agreements with strict confidentiality provisions among government ministries, statutory authorities and other legal entities identified.”

He said one of the entities involved is the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

Moonilal alleged the SSA is run by political appointees of the Government.

“The National Security Council is staffed by politicians. I was a member of that for five years (under the former UNC-led People’s Partnership government).”

He also claimed the document showed private companies, including telecommunications providers, had to sign non-disclosure agreements to give information to the SSA.

Moonilal alleged this information could be given directly to senior government officials.

He said that information could include e-mails and banking information.

“This government is breaking the law. This is the workings of a dictator of the highest order”

In response, Communications Minister Symon De Nobriga said, “The UNC has made a concerted effort to take to social media at every opportunity it can to make the most outlandish comments which are at the heart of their perpetual campaign of misinformation.”

In this case, De Nobriga continued, “It comes just in time to try and turn the attention away from the recovery of the economy highlighted in our just completed Spotlight on the Economy.”

Describing the Opposition as nothing but a theatre of distraction and misdirection, De Nobriga said the population sees through the antics of its various actors.

“These social media shows are conducted without the immediate scrutiny and interrogation of the media which is the complete opposite of how this Government conducts its business.”

De Nobriga said, “In the absence of that scrutiny, any sense of decency has apparently been thrown by the wayside and it is a race now to see which one of them can make the most outlandish statement and have it reported.”

He said the average citizen did not have time to waste on the UNC’s theatrics.

“We saw the true nature of the Opposition in totality with their refusal to attend the regional showcase that was the Agri Forum and Expo, their boycott of all national independence celebrations, the comments of the Opposition Leader with regards to dismissing the independence struggle and their most recent no show at our Spotlight on the Economy.”

De Nobriga said it is unfortunate that every opportunity the Opposition has to contribute to a national conversation geared towards the best possible future for TT, they have “dragged the flag.”

He observed, “They excel in the bacchanal of their brand of representation.”

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Sharon Mangroo. – Marvin Hamilton

The turnout of staff and students from denominational schools varied on Monday.

CEO of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM) Sharon Mangroo said most teachers stayed away from classes, heeding the call of the TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA).

TTUTA had called on them to “rest and reflect” at the opening of the school term to express their dissatisfaction over outstanding wage negotiations.

“Generally, the staff turnout is very poor. It is under 50 per cent,” Mangroo said on Monday afternoon.

“As we speak, the information is updating. For example, in a school with 117 students, 49 were present. In a school with 502 students, 142 were present.”

Asked for her views on the call, the CEO added, “They do have a right to look after their interest in the way that they think is best.

“I am looking forward to the rest of the school year in which the teachers would also look after the students’ interests. It cannot be either or. It has to be both.

“We recognise the teachers have families as well.”

Chairman of the Presbyterian Primary School Board of Education Vickram Ramlal also said there were high student and staff absenteeism levels.

“There was an 80 per cent absenteeism of staff, and 91 per cent absenteeism of students from the 71 primary schools nationwide.”

Ramlal added that Grant Memorial Presbyterian School in San Fernando did not reopen because repairs were being completed. It is set to open on Wednesday.

Princes Town Presbyterian No1 and No2 primary schools, which occupy the same compound at Gopaul ByPass Road, were dismissed early owing to electrical issues.

The issues, Ramlal said, were rectified on Monday, and classes are to resume on Tuesday

On TTUTA’s call, he said the association is entitled to take whatever action it wishes to address members’ concerns.

Ramlal added, “With respect to industrial relations matters, we do not get involved. It is the teachers’ choice whether they want to stay home or not.

“We would have liked our teachers to come to school. But they have responded to a call from their recognised union. The union has their rights, and the teachers have their rights.”

General secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Vijay Maharaj said he was still collecting information on the staff and student turnout, but the overall turnout of the preliminary figures was high, he said.

Maharaj estimated that the staff turnout for secondary schools was between 78 and 80 per cent.

“(At) a school with 598 students, the turnout figure given to me was 456. The turnout of students is also good,” he said.

Maharaj added, “Of the 43 primary schools, I got feedback from about 20. They had a turnout of between 65 and 70 per cent of teachers. The students were a little bit lower, like 60 per cent maximum. The Tunapuna Hindu School car park was filled. Out of 25, there were about 23 who turned out to work.

He said he preferred to remain neutral on the association’s calls. He did not condemn or support the call.

“I would have liked them to begin school immediately. Teachers did come out on Thursday and Friday to prepare for Monday.

“Yes, they have suffered since 2013. They had not had a salary increase. I do not think that is fair at all,” Maharaj said.

Maharaj said teachers have been migrating from both primary and secondary and from government and denominational schools because of the low salaries.

“They are looking for jobs abroad. I am not condemning the fact that the teachers are suffering. I have almost 1,000 teachers in the Maha Sabha, and I know some of them are having difficulties financially and otherwise.

He expressed concern about any possible similar action during the week.

“Do not come in the middle of a week, or do it twice or three times a month. Obviously, I would be condemning it.”

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