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Antigua US$200M bond back on track

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

The Antigua & Barbuda government says “within a couple of weeks” it will have a new subscriber for a US$200 million bond it was forced to withdraw from the international market earlier this year. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR NEWS UPDATES.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne also told Parliament that he had not sought to deceive the population when he had earlier announced that the bond had been oversubscribed.

“The fact that we had a subscriber for the full amount and that there is yet another one that will be subscribing for the full US$200 million would have suggested, Mr Speaker, that we would have had at least two entities that would have covered twice the amount of the bonds that were issued,” Browne said.

“Clearly, we did not lie to the people of Antigua & Barbuda. It was oversubscribed and what we are seeking to do here is to get the best deal,” he added.

Browne told legislators that the bond was initially withdrawn after the original subscriber, whom he did not name, had sought a higher interest rate.

“We had a subscriber who after the deal was concluded decided to seek to increase the bond interest rates from about six per cent as effective yield to in excess of nine per cent. Mr Speaker, my Cabinet is a very responsible Cabinet and we deemed it was too expensive to be borrowing US$200 million at approximately 10 per cent and, accordingly, we have withdrawn the bond.” The funds were to be used to construct a hotel at Morris Bay.

“In the next couple of weeks, we should have a new subscriber with a better interest rate,” he added.

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Tobago Miss Universe/Trinidad and Tobago aspirants to know fate by end of next week

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Tobago

A Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe aspirant is interviewed by the screening panel at Shaw Park on Saturday. File photo/David Reid

The Tobagonians who auditioned for the Miss Universe/Trinidad and Tobago beauty pageant last weekend will know by the end of next week if they have been selected for the next leg of the competition.

Stephen Jones, executive director of Crowns & Sashes, said the results of the auditions are usually announced a week after the adjudication process.

He added the team has not yet decided on how the results will be released.

“The details of that in terms of how we do it, whether it’s by a press conference, launch event, social media post, I can’t say that just yet because the team has to decide that,” Jones told Newsday.

Trinidad’s auditions are scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando from 10 am-6 pm.

Twelve young women from the island auditioned for the competition on Saturday at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex.

But Jones said his team also interviewed several young women at a beach on Sunday.

He said the women had heard about the auditions but could not attend because they were either at work or engaged in other activities.

Jones said the committee also got phone calls from three women who expressed a desire to be at the Trinidad auditions.

“So we are expecting a big turnout. We have about 30-something girls registered online for the Trinidad auditions and it is open.”

Reflecting on Saturday’s auditions, Jones said, “The quality of young women, very high calibre. So we remain very committed to journeying with the community in Tobago over time so that we could develop some more programmes even outside of the pageant season.

He suggested life skills workshops and other initiatives aimed at “going into the communities and seeing what are the gaps that we can help to fill.

“But all of the women that we interacted with did have something very positive to offer and contribute, and we were very, very happy about that.”

However, Jones said competitions like the Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago can be tough.

The women vying to be selected must be between the ages of 18-28, a stipulation of the Miss Universe organisation. They must also be unmarried, without children and exude confidence.

The Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago beauty pageant is being held after a five-year hiatus, but a date for the competition has not yet been set.

The winner of the competition will represent this country in the Miss Universe pageant later this year.

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Chamber Executive Director Addresses ‘Price Gouging’ Claims – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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The Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture has responded to consumer claims of price gouging by some business establishments, declaring that without the evidence, he could not debate any instance.

Brian Louisy spoke on Tuesday during Good Morning Saint Lucia on Hot 7 Television.

The private sector official told programme Host Shannon Lebourne that the business community he represents has no benefit and interest in price gouging.

“They have customers who are loyal. They have a duty and they demonstrated their commitment to that duty during COVID when businesses were closed. The supermarkets, the ti boutiques 

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were putting themselves and their staff at risk and opening up, not sure what’s happening with the pandemic – who’s infected, and they were serving and providing services,” Louisy observed.

“Why would they turn around now and be unfair to the people?” The Chamber Executive Director stated.

He expressed the view that the price changes have happened a lot, and the price increases have been occurring at a ‘fast and furious’ pace.

As a result, Louisy said people see prices change.

“And they are shocked – like a lot of us, and they think that there’s something untoward happening. But if we look at television, we look at the news, we would see globally that inflation has grown at its highest rate in the last 40 years in the US, in Canada, in Australia, in the UK, in Europe,” he told Good Morning Saint Lucia.

In addition, Louisy explained that the price increases are passed on to consumers.

“It’s really a case of push inflation and because we have a global economy we are feeling it fast and furious,” the Chamber Executive Director stated.

Headline photo: Brian Louisy (Stock image)

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COVID-19: 9 muertos y 388 hospitalizados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

El informe preliminar de COVID-19 del Departamento de Salud (DS) reportó el miércoles 9 muertos y 388 personas hospitalizadas.

El total de muertes atribuidas es de 4,647.

Hay 352 adultos hospitalizados y 36 menores. El monitoreo cubre el periodo del 27 de junio al 11 de julio  de 2022.

La tasa de positividad está a 29.94 por ciento.

Se reporte 9 defunciones adicionales a causa del COVID-19. Unas 352 personas están hospitalizadas; 316 adultos y 36 pediátricos. Al medio día se ofrece una actualización completa de los datos que incluye el status de vacunación; https://t.co/8KaFLZcGta

— Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico (@desaludpr) July 13, 2022

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Proveen razón para explosión de subestación eléctrica en Santa Isabel

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

El presidente de la UTIER, Ángel Figueroa Jaramillo, afirmó en RADIO ISLA que los empleados de Luma Energy estaban esperando una explosión en la subestación eléctrica en Santa Isabel. 

“En la subestación de anoche, de Santa Isabel, yo no voy a decir que fue falta de mantenimiento porque los focos visuales que tú ves que en lo que publiqué se ve personal de Luma esperando qué va a pasar en algo que hicieron. Fíjate que el personal estaba allí, y tú los veías observando, cuando tú prendes el breaker y esperas a ver qué pasa“, dijo Jaramillo en este medio. 

De hecho, el alcalde de dicho municipio, Billy Burgos, afirmó que un breaker fue lo que provocó la explosión en la subestación y confirmó que la empresa energética le devolvió el servicio eléctrico a los sectores que se quedaron sin luz como a eso de las nueve de la noche.

Todo esto luego de que se reportara una explosión en la noche del martes en dicho municipio. Según la empresa energética, alrededor de 6,000 clientes estaban sin luz. Según la empresa encargada de la transmisión de distribución de energía eléctrica, la situación de la explosión en una subestación en Jayuya fue resuelta. 

Escucha los detalles aquí 

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“En Santa Isabel no hubo una explosión… Hubo un desperfecto en el equipo que causó esa chispa”, dice la gerente regional de Luma

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

La gerente regional de Luma, Belmary Torres, aseguró en RADIO ISLA que lo ocurrido en Santa Isabel ayer “no fue una explosión… Fue una chispa”. 

Torres afirma que no se tienen teorías preliminares sobre qué ocurrió en Jayuya o Santa Isabel. “En Santa Isabel no hubo una explosión (…) Vamos a llamarle entonces una chispa. Hubo un desperfecto en el equipo que causo esa chispa”, dice Torres.

Nota relacionada: Reportan explosión en subestación de LUMA en Santa Isabel tarde en la noche

Una explosión en una subestación de LUMA Energy se registró en la noche del martes en Santa Isabel. Según la empresa encargada de la transmisión y distribución de energía eléctrica, la otra situación de explosión en una subestación en Jayuya “fue resuelta”.

Nota relacionada: Luma Energy reacciona tras explosión de subestación en Jayuya

La funcionaria además negó que sean ciertas las denuncias de diversos alcaldes que dicen que la compañía no trabaja fuera de horas de oficina. “Esa es su opinión”, dice. Al pedirle que abundara, la funcionaria se despidió porque tenía “otro compromiso”.

Luma Cerrando con broche de oro en el día de hoy! Otra subestación fuera!
Según nos informan es personal de Luma en una subestación en Santa Isabel. pic.twitter.com/odKRMnKsHx

— Angel Figueroa Jaramillo (@jaramilloutier) July 12, 2022

Escucha los detalles aquí

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UPDATE: Lucian arrested in connection with $3million in cocaine | Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

[Update: 3:00 pm, July 12]

Titus Alfred, a resident of Victoria Street, Dennery, was formally charged on July 12 with Possession of a Controlled Drug to wit: Cocaine and Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply, contrary to the Drug (Prevention of Misuse Act).

On Sunday, July 10, 2022, a joint police operation involving officers attached to the Drug Unit, Special Services Unit and the Police Marine Unit, resulted in the interception of cocaine, valued at about three million dollars.

The intelligence-driven operation was conducted at Lanse Cork Beach in Dennery.

One hundred blocks, with a combined weight of 116 kilograms of suspected cocaine, were seized and one individual was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Alfred was to escorted to the District Court for a bail hearing, today, Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

[Original story: 7:21 am, July 12]

A police operation conducted by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has landed one man in custody after the discovery of a very large quantity of what is believed to be cocaine.

The incident occurred on Sunday, July 10, in Dennery, St Lucia.

Details surrounding the incident are still coming in, however, the suspect is expected to make a court appearance today (July 12) to answer to charges.

Meanwhile, an investigation is also ongoing into the discovery of about five kilos of cocaine at the General Post Office on Friday, July 8.

Information received is that the drugs were destined for England.

There are no further details at this time.

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NGC: MPs were consulted on Wrightson Road pipeline works

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

THE National Gas Company (NGC) said MPs were included in its consultations about pipeline works that will take place in the vicinity of Wrightson Road and Dock Road, Port of Spain this month and next month.

The company made this comment on Tuesday in response to claims by Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee that opposition MPs were not consulted about the works.

In a statement earlier in the day, NGC said the pipeline work along Dock Road would happen from July 11 to 29, 7 am to 5 pm. Traffic along Wrightson Road is not expected to be affected by this work.

The pipeline work along Wrightson Road will be done in two periods, August 5-8 and August 13-15. In both of these periods, the work will happen overnight and on weekends from 7 pm on Fridays to 4 am on Mondays.

In a statement, Lee described the times when the pipeline works will be done as inconsiderate to members of the public who use Dock Road and Wrightson Road daily.

He called on Energy Minister Stuart Young to ensure the plan set out by NGC for these works is changed” so commuters would not be impacted. “

In a brief response to questions from Newsday on Lee’s claims, NGC said the MPs for the areas affected by the works were consulted.

Those MPs were Young (Port of Spain North/ St Ann’s West), Keith Scotland (Port of Spain South), Adrian Leonce (Laventille East/Morvant), Fitzgerald Hinds (Laventille West) and Saddam Hosein (Barataria/San Juan).

NGC said this point was highlighted in its earlier statement about the pipeline works.

“We also consulted with the businesses and business chambers of the areas impacted starting at Maritime Plaza, up to and including Radisson Hotel. These were done over several days with regular updates with them as to project start date.”

NGC promised to continue to engage MPs, business chambers and general public “of the areas that the works are being implemented in,on a regular basis.”

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ROADS FROM HELL – San Francique residents demand action

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

San Francique residents, their MP Davedranath Tancoo and councillor Doodnath Mayrhoo set up a press conference in the street near a landslip to highlight the deplorable condition of roads in the area on Tuesday. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

OROPOUCHE West MP Davendranath Tancoo and Avocat/San Francique North councillor Doodnath Mayrhoo called on Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan to ensure that a longstanding landslip at Santa Cecelia Trace in San Francique is fixed.

They warned Sinanan that if no relief came to residents affected by the landslip, there could be protest action on his doorstep.

Addressing the media at the site of the landslip, with some of the residents around him, Tancoo said, “This government continues to mamaguy the people of South Trinidad.”

He opined that Santa Cecelia Trace was perhaps “the worst part of the roads of our network, we already have a bad network throughout Trinidad and Tobago.”

Tancoo compared the state of the road to the sea conditions at the Dragon and Serpent’s Mouths at the northern and southern ends of the Gulf of Paria respectively.

“We have nowhere to pass. Vehicles have been stranded, embanked. People have had to come and push off vehicles when they were stuck on the roadway. It is absolutely unacceptable.”

Tancoo recalled that since Sinanan visited the area in May, nothing had happened to date.

Tancoo also showed copies of letters between the Rural Development and Local Government Ministry and the Siparia Regional Corporation about one house along Santa Cecelia Trace which had suffered structural damage because of the landslip.

He claimed there was an attempt to classify that house as a ruinous structure so the Works and Transport Ministry would not have to compensate its owners for damages caused by the landslip.

San Francique residents walk through a damaged portion of Pluck Road on Tuesday. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

According to Section 176 of the Muncipal Corporations Act, an engineer assigned to a local government corporation can classify a structure which is unfit for use or occupation. Such structures are defined as ruinous. Directives can subsequently be given to the owners of such structures to demolish, secure, repair or rebuild part or all of that structure.

Tancoo and Mayhroo said the road where the landslip had occurred falls under the purview of the Works and Transport Ministry and not the Siparia Regional Corporation.

Tancoo wondered how Government could want homeowners whose properties have been damaged by the landslips to pay property tax.

“What tax are you going to come and charge them?”

Tancoo lamented the difficulties faced by residents to get access to any kind of public transport because of the deterioriating condition of the road.

“How are they going to compensate people who now have to travel, walk half a mile this way or that way to get a taxi?”

Tancoo also expressed concern about businesses in the area which have lost customers because of the poor condition of the road.

“These are professionals, business people and home owners who have been victimised because of the Government’s insincerity. They are abandoned.”

Tancoo was convinced that reasonable efforts by the residents to appeal to Sinanan for help were either exhausted or very close to that stage.

“It is clear that the minister is not taking on the normal protest, the appeals and begging of the community.”

The deteriorating condition of the road rules out options such as blocking it or burning tyres on it, as forms of protest

Tancoo said, “The only thing that would make sense is to take the protest to the minister to incovenience him to wake him up so he does his job.”

Mayhroo agreed.

Discussions will be held with the residents to determine whether they should protest outside of Sinanan’s home or his office in Port of Spain.

“Mayhroo said there were 50 residents “who are marooned in their homes because they cannot get out with their vehicles.”

He was concerned that if any of the residents along the trace required urgent medical attention, help would not reach them in time.

When contacted, Sinanan was unfazed by Tancoo and Mayhroo’s threats of future protests.

“At the end of the day, Mr Tancoo and Mr Mayhroo are politicians. They are doing what they have to do.” Sinanan said there are processes and procedures which guide the works that his ministry undertakes. “We are doing what we have to do.”

Sinanan said the PNM will not repeat a situation which happened under the former UNC-led People’s Partnership coalition government where proper procedures were not followed and there were issues with contractors not being paid.

He identified Pluck Road as one of a few roads in the San Francique area which the ministry has responsibility for and for which there is a work programme. The ministry is not responsible for the maintenance of traces. Sinanan said those types of roads are managed by local government corporations.

When he visited Santa Cecelia Trace in May, Sinanan said work to repair the road and others in the area would begin soon.

Sinanan acknowledged residents’ plight. But he said fixing deteriorating roads was not a simple process.

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WATCH: Saint Lucia Upgrading Vocational Training For Marginalised Youth – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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A sod-turning ceremony took place Monday for a new building complex in connection with a project to upgrade vocational training for marginalised youth in Saint Lucia.

It’s a building for the catering and hospitality section of the Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education (C.A.R.E).

An India-UNDP partnership is funding the project.

More from Rehani Isidore:

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Source: Office of the Prime Minister/ SLT

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