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Guyana’s doors open for transformative investments – Pres Ali tells Saudi investors

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
President Dr Irfaan Ali telling Saudi investors Guyana is open for investments

– country can tap into Saudi Fund for Development – Head of investment delegation

Making it clear that Guyana’s doors are open for investments that are of a transformative nature and will benefit the people of Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday headlined a Guyana-Saudi Arabia investment forum.

The Guyana-Saudi Arabia Investment Engagement was held in the dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Saturday. While President Ali led a team of his Cabinet Ministers and agency heads, the more than 60-person Saudi Arabian investor delegation was led by Deputy Minister for Investors Outreach, Badr Al Badr.

In his main address, President Ali stressed that his Government is ready to move the conversation forward. He noted that the presence of Al Badr and his team offers Guyana and the local private sector a chance to find partners and unlock Guyana’s full potential. He urged the private sector not to let the opportunity pass them by.

“Let me be very, very clear. This Government that I am in charge of, is not wedded to any preferential partner. Whether they are from East, West, North, South, North-East, North-West, or wherever. Our only objective is to get the best possible outcome for the people of this country because they deserve it. So, you are really pushing at open doors.”
“We cannot wait to catch up with anyone. If you want to be our partner, and you’re ready to be our partner, let us take the conversation forward. Let us not go in circular motions. Let us establish what is it we want to partner on and how we can support that partnership,” President Ali said.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Investors Outreach Badr Al Badr at the ACCC on Saturday

Guyana established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 2012. The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has sought to strengthen those relations and one of the announcements coming out of Saturday’s investment forum, is that land will be made available for the construction of a Saudi Arabian embassy in Guyana.

“Within the next quarter, we must have movement on this. We are ready. We are ready for you to have a permanent footprint here,” President Ali further said, adding that Guyana is also making progress in setting up an embassy of its own in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

In his presentation to the attendees of the investment forum, Al Badr gave the various selling points of the investors that came with him. He noted Saudi Arabia’s expertise in areas ranging from oil and gas to construction, as well as the fact that these companies are backed by assets and capital.

According to Al Badr, partnering with these Saudi companies, who bring with them “a strong and proven set of capabilities and assets”, can help local companies to grow bigger, faster and with great profitability.

“Our companies can also bring you a know-how in the introduction of technologies and supplies needed for your transition to becoming a major oil producer and for doing this in a way that minimises emissions and in place, new technology like carbon capture, utilisation of storage. They also have valuable know-how in navigating the complexities of dealing with major oil companies, major constructions, major distributors, and major surface providers.”

“In addition, we have investors in Saudi Arabia who are now a major patron, internationally, including Government-backed funds such as public investment funds. And we also have the Saudi Fund for Development. I believe there are so many projects that can be tackled by these Saudi funds for development,” he also said, adding that the Saudi Export-Import bank was also present among their delegation.

President Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips and other local officials with the Saudi Arabian delegation of investors

When it comes to the Saudi Arabian Development Fund, President Ali has said that Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has already been asked to engage with the Saudis on this.

President Ali urged that a project be developed around the fund.

It was only in February that Prince Adel Ahmed al-Jubeir was in Guyana, with the intention of further strengthening ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Guyana. President

Ali had hosted a working lunch for the Prince at State House.

The visiting Saudi Arabian Minister had led a delegation that included Counsellor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norah Mohammed Al Bassam; First Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdullah Al Muaiqil; Secondary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Naif Abdulaziz Alnuwaiser and three others.

Also in February, President Ali had hosted a meeting with another visiting team from Saudi Arabia at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, following the opening day of the inaugural International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana, which was held in Georgetown.

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Guyanese food producers already supplying Middle Eastern markets – Finance Minister

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh

On Saturday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh used the occasion of the Guyana-Saudi Arabia Investment Engagement, to give the visiting Saudi investors a perspective of the country’s economy, in particular, the state of its agriculture sector which has grown to the point that Guyana counts the middle east amongst its export markets.

According to the Finance Minister, Guyana aims to take its place as the food basket of the Caribbean through investments in mega-farms and also boosting the supply chain systems and transport networks, while promoting climate-smart agriculture.

“Our strategy is aligned with the Caricom agenda to reduce, by 25 per cent, the Caribbean’s food import bill by 2025. And this will require significantly ramped up food production within Guyana. Our target is not only the Caribbean market but in fact markets further afield.”

“And there are already producers of food commodities in Guyana, some of whom you may meet later, who are already supplying some food commodities to countries in the middle east, Europe and elsewhere,” Singh said.

The President Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government has been at the forefront of an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade. President Ali has said that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Months after assuming office, President Ali had charged the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry to assess and address the hurdles related to exporting food and agricultural products to markets within the Region. As such, concerns about barriers to trade in some Caricom markets were raised with the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) earlier this year.

The Ministry subsequently formed a National Working Group on Barriers to Trade against Exports from Guyana. According to the assessment of market access by the Working Group, most of the challenges found were related to technical measures including sanitary and phytosanitary measures. It also found several technical and administrative regulations that were all hampering the export of Guyanese products.

A section of the Saudi Arabian delegation of investors

When it comes to other sectors, including transport and infrastructure, Minister Singh noted that work has already been advanced on a number of key projects including the new US$261 million modern high-span bridge across the Demerara River.

“A US$190 million Linden to Mabura road, which is the first phase of the road that will link our capital Georgetown to the Northern states of Brazil, thereby unlocking the tremendous potential of hemispheric integration. A bridge across the Corentyne river to improve trade and access between Guyana and Suriname and transport infrastructure to improve access throughout Guyana.”

“In the area of housing and urban development, our plans include the development of a new city. Here again, is something you will recognise in Saudi Arabia. We’re not doing it on quite the same scale as you are doing it. Our scale is quite modest. But we plan to develop a vibrant, sustainable new smart city, that will be designed to be energy efficient, interconnected, and sustainable.”

Silica City, for which designs for the first phase are expected to commence this year, is a new city planned along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway that the Government envisions will, over the next two decades, grow to hold more than 12,500 households.

The new city is intended to be one of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation strategies. While the city will eventually grow to house more than 12,500 households, Housing Minister Collin Croal had explained that it will initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years. Additionally, a whopping 3800 acres of land have been earmarked for the new city.

Nor will Silica City be any ordinary city. According to the Minister, the city will be a smart one, powered by renewable energy and developed with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which speaks to building sustainable cities and communities, in mind.

Silica City is a development the PPP/C Government had initiated talks on prior to leaving office in 2015, but which was never continued under the succeeding A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government.

In his first year in office in 2020, President Ali revealed that Government had begun discussions on Silica City as a secondary city. He had explained that the Government was looking at an area on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway that would be connected to the new four-lane bypass road.

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375 youths were incarcerated within the last year and a half – Top Cop

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Deputy Commissioner “Administration” (ag) Calvin Brutus, along with other officials at the meeting (GPF Photo)

– meets with AmCham to collaborate on youth development

Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and senior members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday met with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham Guyana) with the aim of building partnership and encouraging Police-private sector collaboration, especially in the area of youth development.

During the meeting, Hicken expressed optimism that this partnership will aid the vision of GPF and create an atmosphere where other members, associations, and corporate units will come on board in assisting the Force in its long-term vision.

“In this phase of our lives, being mature already, it may be difficult to change the way we think but we are preparing the next generation that will grow up to understand that the Police are an integral and important part of the community,” Hicken asserted.
This partnership will help in the overall effort and commitment to mould and shape the future of our youths.

The Top Cop, a passionate advocate and champion of youth development, especially in vulnerable communities across Guyana, alluded to the plans and programmes that the Guyana Police Force has for youths – who are our future leaders.

He also encouraged Rajendra Singh and Matthew Phang – the AmCham representatives, to sell the vision of the Police Force, especially as it relates to community development and the creation of training and other opportunities for youths.

He added that within the last year and a half, approximately 375 youths were sent to prison in Guyana. “So if every year we put 375 youths in the prisons, then who will lead in the future?” Hicken questioned.

Discussions on youth development

He highlighted this to draw a nexus between what currently obtains and what the GPF is trying to achieve in terms of youth development and giving them a chance to have a better life and stay away from drugs and crime.

“This is not idle rhetoric and politics…this is caring for people genuinely out of concern for the stability of this country and understanding that we are on the cusp of real growth and major development. I say this passionately because I really believe we need to harness those vulnerable youths and school dropouts and channel them properly and this is exactly what we are doing as an organisation.”

Deputy Commissioner “Administration” (ag) Calvin Brutus, also emphasised the importance of youth development and went on to provide the AmCham representatives with a “needs assessment list” as well as an outline of the programmes that the Guyana Police Force intend to roll out as it relates to youth development, sports and youth empowerment.

Some of the focus areas that the Guyana Police Force will be targeting, in terms of youth development, are life skills, computer repairs, computer training, youth camps, a Cadet scheme, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programme, and the resuscitation of Scout and Youth Groups in every community.

According to Brutus, educational and capacity-building programmes will also be offered in a targeted way to vulnerable youths and young adults in a bid to mitigate against crime and provide a better life for the next generation.

Also present at the meeting was Lashaun Williams, a representative of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School who is keen to partner with the GPF in training, specifically in the area of home economics and teaching vulnerable youths how to cook with the aim that they might be able to not just learn a life skill but also earn an income.

Sheryar Hussain of the New York Police Department (NYPD) and a member of the Guyanese American Law Enforcement Association (GALEA), was also present at the meeting, and has pledged assistance to the Force in the areas of body cameras and traffic wands.

Prior to the meeting, he had presented 20 sports uniforms (cricket) to the Guyana Police Force.

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“I will hunt you like Police hunt thief” – ex-soldier allegedly tells injured girlfriend

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
James Rodwell Cadogan & the now injured Zenida April

Days after stabbing his girlfriend, former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), 26-year-old James Rodwell Cadogan, also known as “Roddie” of Haslington, East Coast Demerara has now taken his threats to another level by threatening to kill the woman if she survives.

Twenty-three-year-old Zenida April, also a GDF rank, remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital while her mother, 48-year-old Nevorn April, who was also injured by the ex-soldier, has been discharged.

It was reported that the former soldier and his girlfriend, who were living together, were having some issues prior to the stabbing. In fact, one day before that incident, the couple had a heated argument during which he threatened to stab the woman.

As such, the girlfriend went to stay with her mother and a report was made to the police about the threats.

However, on Tuesday, the two women along with a relative went back to the man’s Paradise, ECD, home. As the girlfriend and her mother entered one of the bedrooms, the ex-soldier locked the door, preventing the relative from gaining access.

Soon after, screams were heard and in retaliation, the relative forcefully gained entry into the house through a window and found the two women covered in blood.

The suspect had already made his way out of the house and escaped. The girlfriend was stabbed to her chest, neck, arms, and back while her mother was stabbed once to the shoulder.

Meanwhile, on Saturday the family released a recording to this publication purporting to be that of the suspect telling the injured woman’s mother that her daughter has to die and he will hunt her down “like Police hunt thief”.

“I gon tell you this morning, yah daughter got to dead. She is wicked and she is not a girl of she word. If you is not a girl of your word, you have to be a girl of the dirt. Me and you [the girl’s mother] reason, I tell you that let we go to this pastor and you say yes we gonna go but you never follow me.”

“I show she that the state I deh in, she is the only person that I thinking about that getting me holding a focus right now and now she gon bail? When I need she the most she gon bail?

Anytime she did come humble everything wudda good…I tell she don’t mek I got to hate she because if I hate she meh go hurt she, and she make me hate she,” according to the recording,” the alleged suspect was heard saying in the recording.

Further, the recording revealed “Me go tell you, anytime she survive this…hear what I will promise you, none ah ayo dese cyan’t find me. I is not no easy soldier. I know soldering…I promise you when you feel all is well, watch me. You’ll hear she in pain because the next time y’all would not be lucky”.

“Is the love and respect me have for you [the injured woman’s mother] mek me in do you nothing…I will hunt she like Police hunt thief, you will see, let she run, let she only recover. She going to de dirt, so start to save her burial money. I promise you,” the man was heard saying.

According to April, those voice messages came to her just after the man sent a message to her daughter pleading for her forgiveness.

“He’s claiming that he is sorry and he needs help. I need him to turn himself into the Police and the help will start there. He sent all those messages from his phone. I want him to know that the evil you do lives after you. He needs to ask for repentance earliest,” she said.

The family said it was only last month that they realised that Cadogan had an issue that kept getting worse, hence the daughter was planning to leave him.

So far, all the threatening messages were sent to the Police and the family said they are hoping that the man is arrested soon.

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SLOC Inc. Approves, Disburses EC$71,703.69 to Eight Members – St. Lucia Times News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

– Advertisement –

On Wednesday, 6 h July, 2022, the St. Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc. approved and disbursed cheques to eight members totaling EC$71,703.69.

Those sums approved were as follows:

 St. Lucia Basketball Association: EC$8,441.69 to assist with expenses associated with
preparing team for this year’s Caribbean Games.
 St. Lucia Amateur Body Building & Fitness Association: EC$14,345.00 for
participation in the 49th Central American and Caribbean Championship.
 St. Lucia Boxing Association: EC$5,000.00 to assist with administrative expenses.
 St. Lucia National Netball Association: EC$5,000.00 to assist with administrative
expenses.
 St. Lucia Rugby Football Union: EC$16,000.00 to assistance with Technical Director’s
expenses and upcoming rugby tournament.
 St. Lucia Aquatics Federation: EC$12,067.00 to assist with covering full cost for
Jayhan Odlum-Smith and Mikaili Charlemagne’s participation at the CCCAN meets with
excess going toward team expenses.
 St. Lucia Tennis Association: EC$5,000.00 to assist with administrative expenses.
 Volleyball St. Lucia: EC$5,850.00 to assist with expenses associated with training
programme and administrative assistant’s monthly stipend.

Last Wednesday, representatives from five of the eight associations – Basketball, Body Building, Swimming, Rugby, and Tennis — attended a brief handover ceremony held in the Jonathan Everett Conference Room, Olympic House, La Clery, Castries, to receive their cheques.

– Advertisement –

SLOC Inc. President, Alfred Emmanuel, reiterated SLOC Inc.’s commitment to assisting
national federations.

However, he reminded the national federations that accountability must be paramount.

“Our funders demand clear-cut accountability of us, and, as such, we require clear-cut
accountability from our members for the funds disbursed,” Emmanuel said during brief remarks.

“Disbursing funds is always a good thing, but those funds must be put to good use, which, at the end of the day, we would love to see results.”

Emmanuel also reminded national federations that standards set regionally and internationally must met by national federations: “We cannot be participants under the banner of universality. We have been participants under the banner of universality for far too long. The time has come when that has to come to an end.”

Emmanuel said SLOC Inc. has provided coaches with various coaching opportunities over the past two years, adding that coaches need to put in the required work and effort to help the athletes attain the set standards.

“Let me give everyone the assurance that once a standard is set and you have attained it, barring injury or indiscipline, you will be selected,” Emmanuel stated.

“But when standards are set and you do not meet them, I do not expect you to be bashing the SLOC because you were not selected.”

Headline photo: St. Lucia Aquatics Federation president, Eddie Hazell, left, receives a cheque for EC$12,067.00 from SLOC Inc. president, Alfred Emmanuel, last Wednesday.

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Hombre muere en accidente de auto en San Lorenzo

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

Un hombre murió en un accidente de tránsito a eso de la 1:00 de la madrugada del domingo, en el kilómetro 26.7 de la carretera PR-181 en San Lorenzo.

Según el informe de la Policía, José De Jesús Alfaro de 51 años ,conducía el vehículo Toyota Corolla, color blanco a exceso de velocidad, cuando perdió el control y dominio del volante, impactó un árbol, se volcó.

El agente Cecilio Ayala adscrito a la División de Patrulla Autopistas Caguas y el fiscal Darío Visseppó se hicieron cargo de la investigación.

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Old man found dead in his home with head injury | Loop Barbados

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Police are investigating an unnatural death at a residence in Colleton Gardens, St Peter.

According to the police report, police personnel responded around 12:25 pm.

Police Information Officer Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss told media, It was reported that an elderly man was discovered slump and motionless in a chair in his house with what appeared to be blood and a wound to his head.

Medical personnel were summoned and ambulance arrived and found no sign of life. A medical doctor later visited the scene and pronounced death.

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Trop de néo-titulaires affectés dans l’Hexagone

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Le Snes dénonce l’affectation des néo-titulaires dans l’Hexagone, essentiellement en Île-de-France.

“Cette année encore, des collègues néo-titulaires sont affectés dans l’Hexagone, essentiellement en Île-de-France”, dénonce le Snes, dans un communiqué. “Pourtant le Snes Martinique ne cesse de dénoncer les trop nombreuses suppressions de postes qui empêchent nos jeunes de mettre leurs compétences au service des élèves martiniquais”. Et d’ajouter : “C’est également le résultat de certains choix de l’académie. Cette dernière refuse le dialogue avec les organisations syndicales pour que le ministère de l’Education nationale revienne sur des situations sociales et personnelles graves”.

Le dialogue est définitivement rompu

Le Snes souligne que le dialogue qui existait est définitivement rompu puisque “l’autorité académique écarte d’un revers de main les réunions qui offraient de la transparence et un véritable espace d’écoute, permettant des avancées”. Que faut-il en déduire ? “Rien de bon sur le plan du dialogue social tant le modus operandi rappelle des pratiques jupitériennes d’un autre temps”, répond le Snes. Et le syndicat de poursuivre : “Quoi qu’il en soit, puisque le choix a été fait d’une individualisation tous azimuts, nous appelons tous les collègues ayant formulé un recours à demander un rendez-vous à la rectrice d’académie”. Le Snes précise qu’ils pourront être accompagnés de l’organisation syndicale de leur choix et que le syndicat sera à leurs côtés. 

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Euro féminin de football : les Bleues avec Wendie Renard, capitaine incontournable

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

C’est l’heure du grand saut pour les Bleues ce dimanche 10 juillet. Outsiders sérieuses à la victoire finale, les Bleues démarrent leur Euro à 21 h (15h, en heure locale) dans le groupe D, face à une équipe d’Italie sérieuse et collective.

L’équipe de France féminine de football, dans le groupe D, démarre enfin sa compétition ce dimanche, en Angleterre, à 21h (heure française, 15h, aux Antilles). Elle jouera ses trois matches de poule au Aesseal New York Stadium de Rotherham, à une vingtaine de minutes de Sheffield. 

La Martiniquaise Wendie Renard, nommée capitaine par Corine Diacre, s’est exprimée ce samedi (9 juillet), lors d’une conférence de presse en plein air, tenue avant l’entraînement.

« Le collectif a hâte de commencer la compétition. Dès le tirage au sort, on savait qu’on serait le dernier groupe à jouer donc qu’il y aurait énormément d’attente mais c’est comme ça. C’est à nous de jouer dès les premières minutes ». 

« Avoir confiance »

Pour elle, « il est important de bien entrer dans la compétition, de mettre du rythme et de l’agressivité ».

La défenseure centrale de l’Olympique Lyonnais âgée de 32 ans s’attend toutefois à un match compliqué : « C’est un match difficile parce que c’est une belle équipe en face, avec un collectif fort et des individualités de haut niveau. On sait à quoi s’attendre, c’est un championnat d’Europe. Le premier match est important parce que c’est lui qui vous donne de la confiance pour la suite. On doit juste se lâcher, jouer avec nos qualités, avoir confiance », a-t-elle lâché.
 

A LIRE AUSSI : Sandy Baltimore, du PSG à l’Equipe de France

Wendie Renard, le capitanat retrouvé

Alors qu’elle aborde sans doute son dernier Euro, la Martiniquaise s’impose, plus que jamais, comme la cheffe de file de l’équipe de France. La sélectionneuse Corine Diacre a dû se rendre à l’évidence, elle qui l’avait évincée du capitanat à sa prise de fonction en 2017, en ayant ses mots très durs à l’égard de sa joueuse : « Tant que je serai en poste, Wendie Renard ne sera plus capitaine ». 

Cinq ans plus tard, la joueuse martiniquaise, auréolée de nombreux titres en clubs mais pas encore en sélection, se présente à l’Euro le brassard vissé sur le bras et la confiance de tout un vestiaire. 

Leader naturelle des Bleues, la Martiniquaise n’a, en réalité, jamais cessé d’être le moteur et la ” taulière ” de cette équipe. Elle n’a jamais failli, restant toujours professionnelle, même dans les moments les plus difficiles de sa relation à Corine Diacre et sa mise à l’écart du capitanat. 

En décembre 2019, dans son autobiographie, Wendie Renard a pourtant confié l’avoir mal vécu. « J’ai beaucoup souffert de son désaveu et de sa brutalité ». En public, elle ne l’a jamais réellement montré.

À quelques heures du match face à l’Italie, la jeune génération autour d’elle sait pouvoir compter sur « Air France », solide dans le jeu mais aussi dans la tête.

Wendy Renard a retrouvé le brassard de capitaine après 4 ans.- AFP/Sylvain Thomas

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Ukraine: 15 dead from rocket attack on apartment building | Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News | Loop News

At least 15 people were killed when a Russian rocket hit an apartment building in the eastern Ukraine town of Chasiv Yar and more than 20 people may still be trapped in the rubble, officials said Sunday.

The Saturday night rocket assault is the latest in a recent burst of high-casualty attacks on civilian structures. At least 19 people died when a Russian missile hit a shopping mall in the city of Kremenchuk in late June and 21 people were killed when an apartment building and recreation area came under rocket fire in the southern Odesa region this month.

Russia has repeatedly claimed that it is hitting only targets of military value in the war. There was no comment on Chasiv Yar at a Russian Defense Ministry briefing on Sunday.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of the Donetsk region that includes Chasiv Yar, said the town of of about 12,000 was hit by Uragan rockets, which are fired from truck-borne systems.

The Ukrainian emergency services later said the death toll had risen to 15 and that an estimated two dozen people were under the wreckage. Rescuers made voice contact with at least three people trapped in the rubble, it said.

Chasiv Yar is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Kramatorsk, a city that is expected to be a major target of Russian forces as they grind westward.

The Donetsk region is one of two provinces along with Luhansk that make up the Donbas region, where separatist rebels have fought Ukrainian forces since 2014. Last week, Russia captured the city of Lysychansk, the last major stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in Luhansk.

Russian forces are raising “true hell” in the Donbas, despite assessments they were taking an operational pause, Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said Saturday.

After the seizure of Lysychansk, some analysts predicted Moscow’s troops likely would take some time to rearm and regroup.

But “so far there has been no operational pause announced by the enemy. He is still attacking and shelling our lands with the same intensity as before,” Haidai said. He later said the Russian bombardment of Luhansk was suspended because Ukrainian forces had destroyed ammunition depots and barracks used by the Russians.

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