PM Browne says new minimum wage will be announced before the end of the year
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
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LETTER: Public Works Department we need RELIEF on All Saints Main Road ASAP
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
Dear Editor,
Let me start by saying I am an ordinary citizen like everyone else struggling to get by like most people in this country.
I know in some way or form we all pay taxes directly and indirectly in this country that we all call home.
For a few weeks i’ve noticed the Public Works Department for a few weeks in September have been patching roads all across the country. It quite obvious the government has no money to totally resurface the major roads across the country hence the constant patching.
Although the way in which the roads are engaged patched makes no sense whatsoever something is better than nothing. However, I am upset with the recent road patching the PWD conduct in September. I live on the eastern side of the island and to get to and from work every day I use the All-Saints Main Road. From the second week of September the PWD patched that particular road from Townhouse Mega Store right up Kennedys Hardware store and stopped there.
I drive a car like other not so fortunate person’s, and cannot afford a jeep or truck like the better off and elites persons in society. Starting from the elderly home past John I Martin Racetrack right up to BeLab Services is where the worst stretch of that road remains. I don’t know or want to believe it deliberate but I found it very strange that the worst section of All Saints Road has not been patched so that it can ease the pressure it put on person vehicles traveling on that said road.
Another thing I’ve noticed driving is that lots of the roadways including the newly built ones does not have proper drainage or if it does have drainage either it isn’t maintained properly or grass has overgrown where the water should be going into, hence the water settles on the roadways because it has no where to go. I think we can all agree All Saints Road from West Bus Station right out to English Habor needs to resurface totally, but this government clearly doesn’t have the money to do this therefore for the foreseeable future it seems to constantly patching roads will be the norm.
Myself like many others has to change suspension parts very regularly with these crater ridden terrains we call road surfaces, and just like food prices gone up the price of car parts has gone up putting extra strains on people already struggling with high cost of everything in this country.
I implore Minister Lennox Weston and the Public Works Department to please send a crew to All Saints Road to finish patching the road so it can ease the pressure it places on motorist’s vehicle suspension parts.
Dornell Joseph, Frustrated Motorists
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8th instalment of Showcase Antigua and Barbuda will take place on June 7th to June 9th, 2023
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) and Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) are excited to announce that the 8th instalment of Showcase Antigua and Barbuda will take place on June 7th to June 9th, 2023.
Antigua and Barbuda’s dedicated travel trade business to business event, is aimed at increasing business from the destination’s main source markets in the US, Canada, UK, Europe and the Caribbean.
The event will target tour operators and buyers from overseas markets for travel to Antigua where they will experience the destination and conduct business with on-island suppliers ranging from accommodation providers, airlines, destination management companies and more.
Minister of Tourism and Investment, The Honorable Charles Max Fernandez noted that “the uniqueness of our destination has to be relayed through the eyes of our travel partners first before it can be experienced by potential visitors. Herein lies the importance of our Showcase Antigua Barbuda platform.
It presents an opportunity for our travel partners to learn initially, experience intermediary and finally… position Antigua and Barbuda as the ideal vacation destination. Showcase Antigua and Barbuda 2023 is a must do for any Travel Partner who wants to stay ahead of the game”.
Travel partners will have the opportunity to engage in a full day of meetings with local suppliers and the opportunity to play and explore the destination.
Alex de Brito, First Vice Chairman of the ABHTA commented that “Showcase Antigua Barbuda continues to be a hugely beneficial platform for the members of the ABHTA. This year, we saw the introduction of two new elements, the Destination Roundtable and Experience Antigua and Barbuda day. Both additions allowed us to focus on strategizing on the growth of Tourism while exposing our visiting travel partners to the unique experiences offered by Antigua and Barbuda.
“Having the opportunity to present our product to travel partners from all across the globe, is an exceptional way to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda remain top of mind for the decision makers in travel. As we look ahead to 2023, and the delivery of another successful event. We wish to extend a special invitation to all our travel partners to come, visit and enjoy a unique experience on our shores.”
Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority also wants travel partners to continue to keep Antigua and Barbuda top of mind. James highlights, “Antigua and Barbuda have incredible new product offerings that will be coming on stream in 2023. We will continue to entice our trade partners with our beautiful twin island destination, by continuing to highlight our key pillars”.
Antigua and Barbuda Travel Trade partners and members of the ABHTA desirous of attending the event are asked to save the date June 7th to June 9th. More details on registration will be shared at a later date.
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Ex-Petrotrin workers to protest for refinery to reopen
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
The Petrotrin refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre – File photo
EX-Petrotrin Pointe-a-Pierre refinery workers staged their second protest in as many days on Sunday, demanding the restart of the refinery in the face of rising fuel prices.
Led by Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) Pointe-a-Pierre branch president Christopher Jackman, about two dozen ex-employees marched from Marabella to the main gate of the refinery.
They waved a national flag and carried placards which demanded the refinery be sold to Patriotic Energy and Technologies Co Ltd. They insisted Petrotrin’s closure, four years ago, was “a hostile takeover, not a restructuring.” The workers said refineries all over the world were profiting.
Jackman said the protest was triggered by statements by the Prime Minister about the lack of interest in the refinery, except from one entity. Dr Rowley also said it was not a budgetary item for the next fiscal year.
“That was a kind of dagger in the heart for former refinery workers, because here we are, still waiting after four years for an update on the status of the RFPs (request for proposals); for the refinery to be reopened; and for people to return to work,” Jackman told Newsday.
He called on Government to come clean on the RFP process and identify the interests. He maintained Patriotic had the expertise.
Countering Rowley’s claim that Petrotrin was a loss-making entity, costing the state billions annually, Jackman said the union made a freedom of information request on the cost by Paria to import fuel.
“We found it is twice as much as the so-called burden caused by the refinery,” Jackman said. “The Prime Minister’s statements are quite demeaning and insulting and unacceptable.”
He said while the refinery had issues, it was a profit-making asset and could add value going forward for the country in terms of employment, earning foreign exchange and to counter the increase in the cost of fuel which has the capacity to send everything up.
“This is a multi-billion asset rotting away four years now, and we have no clue as to the way forward. Refineries around the world are now making three times their regular profit, and according to OPEC, fuel prices are expected to skyrocket.
“We have a refinery here, but because of its closure, citizens are at the mercy of fluctuating prices. We no longer have fuel security. We want our refinery restarted now.”
He said protests will intensify, and the union will invite taxi drivers and fishermen who are also reeling from high fuel costs. Lake Asphalt workers, who are also feeling the brunt of Petrotrin’s closure because of the shortage of bitumen, will also be invited to join the union.
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Minor flooding in central, south Trinidad
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
In this file photo, a man walks alongside a woman who rides a bicycle through flood waters in Katwaroo Branch Trace in Penal following heavy showers. –
AS the country was under a yellow-level adverse weather alert on Sunday, some areas of central and south Trinidad experienced flooding.
These areas included Couva, Carapichaima, Claxton Bay, and Penal.
Councillor for Claxton Bay/Pointe-a-Pierre Shazeeda Nadia Khan Mohammed told Newsday it was mostly street flooding that happened in her area.
“Claxton Bay is under sea level, eh, so once the tide is high and rain falls, that’s what happens.
“Some persons got water on their premises but no losses or anything like that.”
She said the main cause of street flooding there is poor drainage along the main road.
Dr Allen Sammy, chairman of the Penal/Debe regional corporation, said there was minor street flooding, which subsided quickly.
Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram said a tree fell at Orange Field Road, but “we got the support of T&TEC (TT Electricity Commission) and fire services.”
He said the winds were strong in the morning which led to that.
He said debris will be cleaned on Monday.
“Other than that, we would have had some flooding in Ragoonanan Road West and in Kleinworth.”
Compared to previous instances of flooding, he said, it was not major, but a few homes were affected.
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UN Security Council Urged To Consider Deploying Armed Forces To Haiti
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News
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Amid a deteriorating security situation in Haiti, UN Security-General António Guterres called on Sunday for the Security Council to consider deploying armed forces to help the country address immense humanitarian concerns.
In a statement, Mr. Guterres announced that he has submitted a letter to the Council, containing options for enhanced security support to Haiti.
The move by the UN chief comes a week after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry sent out a request to the international community, for a “specialized armed force” to intervene in a country which has effectively ground to a halt.
in a statement released on Saturday, the US Government State Department said that it was reviewing the Haitian Government’s request, in coordination with international partners, to “determine how we can increase our support to help address Haiti’s fuel shortage and security constraints.”
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However, the composition of such an armed force has, so far, not been specified, and no commitments to send troops have been made by any UN Member States.
Last month, gangs blockaded the Verreux fuel terminal, Haiti’s main fuel port, leading to major gas and diesel shortages, and causing businesses and hospitals to shut down.
Potable water supplies have also been impacted, at a time when Haitians are facing a cholera outbreak, following three years without any cases.
The outbreak prompted Martin Griffiths, the UN’s humanitarian relief chief, to call on Saturday for emergency life-saving assistance funding, and warn that, if the spread of the disease is left unchecked, it could lead to “cataclysmic levels of despair for the people of Haiti.”
In his statement, the UN Secretary-General implored Haitians to “rise above their differences and to engage, without further delay, in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue on a constructive way forward.”
Mr. Guterres promised that the United Nations stands by the people of Haiti and that it will “support efforts to build consensus, reduce violence and promote stability in the country”.
SOURCE: UN News
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Results of the SVGCC Football Series
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG
It took a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome of the match between the Division of Technical and Vocational Education Teams 1 and 2 in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Football Series, and Associates Combined completed their matches with another victory at the Sion Hill Playing Field yesterday afternoon.
The lead switched from one team to the other, before the Division of Technical and Vocational Education Team 1 eventually clinched at 3-2 victory, with a goal each by Dravid Compton, Kyle Sam and Dario Fergus for the Division of Technical and Vocational Education Team 2, and a goal each by Brandon Delpeche and Kyle Alfonzo for the Division of Technical and Vocational Education Team 1.
In yesterday afternoon’s second match, despite not being at full strength, Associates Combined easily beat the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies Year 2 3-0 after goals from Kirtney Franklyn in the 7th minute, Jamaar Cropper in the 20th minute, and Jayden Da Souza in the 48th minute.
The Championship will continue on Monday afternoon at the Sion Hill Playing Field.
Related
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Alert: Flash flood watch in effect Loop Barbados
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Barbados News
[Update: 9:50 am, October 10]
The flash flood watch has been upgraded to a flash flood warning by the Barbados Meteorological Services.
This alert message is valid from 9:45 am Monday, October 10, 2022 and will be updated or terminated at 12 noon Monday, October 10, 2022 or sooner if conditions warrant.
A flash-flood warning is issued when rapid flooding due to heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time (generally less than 6hours) is occurring or is imminent in the warning area.
Explanation:
A favourable mid to upper-level environment has been enhancing convection around the island.
Maximum rainfall accumulations reaching up to 35 mm have been observed across eastern portions of the island, mainly St Philip and Christ Church. As the morningcontinues further accumulations of 25.0 to 50.0 mm are anticipated in heavy to violent showers.
Due to the saturated nature of the soils further shower activity is likely to cause flooding.
[Original story: 8:40am, October 10]
The entire island is now under a flash flood watch.
The Barbados Meteorological Services issued the weather alert minutes ago and it is valid from 8:30 am today, Monday, October 10, 2022 and will be updated or terminated at 12 noon today, or sooner if conditions warrant.
Reason
A favourable mid to upper-level environment has been enhancing convection around the island.
As a result, maximum rainfall accumulations of 20.0 to 40.0 mm in moderate to heavy showers are possible throughout the morning.
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Frappes russes massives sur les villes…
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles
Des bombardements russes meurtriers d’une ampleur inégalée depuis des mois ont frappé Kiev et d’autres villes d’Ukraine lundi, deux jours après l’explosion qui a partiellement détruit le pont de Crimée, les alliés occidentaux dénonçant aussitôt de nouveaux “crimes de guerre” et des attaques “aveugles”.
Au même moment, le Bélarus faisait craindre l’ouverture d’un nouveau front à la frontière nord de l’Ukraine en annonçant un déploiement aux contours non précisés de troupes conjointes avec son allié russe, et était accusé par Kiev de laisser utiliser son territoire pour des attaques de drones.
“Ils essaient de nous détruire tous, de nous effacer de la surface de la terre”, a réagi le président ukrainien Zelensky sur les réseaux sociaux lundi matin alors que les missiles frappaient les villes d’Ukraine, réclamant à ses alliés occidentaux une réponse “dure” face à la Russie.
Dans un bilan provisoire les services de secours ukrainiens ont fait état de 11 morts et 64 blessés à travers le pays.
Le Premier ministre ukrainien, Denis Chmygal, a indiqué que onze infrastructures importantes avaient été endommagées dans huit régions en plus de la capitale Kiev.
“Ils veulent détruire le système énergétique”, a estimé Volodymyr Zelensky, alors que des coupures d’électricité affectaient en fin de matinée de nombreuses régions ukrainiennes.
Selon la Défense ukrainienne, l’armée russe a lancé 83 missiles, dont 43 missiles de croisière, et 52 de ces missiles ont été interceptés par la défense aérienne.
Une demi-douzaine de déflagrations ont été entendues à Kiev, avec des frappes sur plusieurs quartiers dont le centre-ville.
“Il y a plusieurs frappes sur l’infrastructure critique de la ville”, a déclaré le maire Vitali Klitschko.
Deux missiles ont frappé peu après 8H00 du matin dans le centre, à moins d’une minute d’intervalle et à 300 mètres de distance. Dans le parc Taras Chevtchenko, c’est une aire de jeux pour enfants qui a été pulvérisée. Dans la rue voisine le missile a creusé un cratère, soulevé l’asphalte et détruit plusieurs automobiles. Un corps sans vie est visible sous une couverture thermique en aluminium. Les vitres des bâtiments voisins sont souflées.
Selon Vitali Klitschko, qui a appelé la population à se mettre à l’abri en cas de nouvelle alerte, 5 personnes sont mortes et 51 ont été blessées rien que dans la capitale ukrainienne.
“Je suis très choqué. Je suis arrivé à Kiev ce matin. Je marchais dans la rue… quand il y a eu les explosions”, a raconté Ivan Poliakov, un jeune homme de 22 ans.
“Il y a une université, deux musées, il n’y a pas de cible militaire ou du même genre. Ils tuent juste des civils”, s’est indignée Ksenia Riazantseva, une habitante du quartier.
L’Union européenne a estimé que ces attaques russes s’apparentaient à des “crimes de guerre” dont les responsables devront “rendre compte”, appelant par ailleurs le Bélarus à “ne pas être partie à l’agression brutale menée par la Russie”.
– “Attaques barbares” –
“Ces attaques barbares démontrent que la Russie opte pour une tactique de bombardements aveugles de civils”, a ajouté Peter Stano, porte-parole du chef de la diplomatie européenne Josep Borrell.
L’Otan a condamné des “attaques horribles et aveugles” contre des infrastructures civiles. L’alliance soutiendra l’Ukraine “aussi longtemps qu’il le faudra”, a affirmé son secrétaire général Jens Stoltenberg.
“Viser intentionnellement les populations civiles constitue un crime de guerre”, a également mis en garde la ministre française des Affaires étrangères Catherine Colonna.
Berlin a de son côté annoncé une réunion d’urgence virtuelle mardi des dirigeants du G7 et du président ukrainien Volodomyr Zelensky à 14H00 (12H00 GMT).
Le président russe Vladimir Poutine a pour sa part expliqué, lors d’une réunion de son conseil de sécurité, que la Russie avait lancé une campagne “massive” de bombardements “contre l’infrastructure énergétique, militaire et de communication de l’Ukraine”, en réplique à l’attaque “terroriste” du pont de Crimée.
Kiev n’a ni confirmé ni démenti son implication dans cette explosion survenue samedi matin.
Il a promis des répliques “sévères” en cas de nouvelles attaques ukrainiennes contre la Russie. Les frappes “ont atteint leur objectif”, a assuré le ministère de la Défense russe.
Dimanche, M. Poutine avait accusé l’Ukraine d’avoir organisé l’explosion qui a détruit une partie de ce pont qu’il avait lui-même inauguré en 2018 et reliant à la Russie la péninsule annexée en 2014.
L’ex-président, actuel numéro 2 du Conseil de sécurité russe réuni lundi, Dmitri Medvedev, a été plus loin, promettant d’ores et déjà que ces frappes n’étaient qu’un “premier épisode” et appelant au “démantèlement total du régime politique de l’Ukraine”.
– Changer le cours de la guerre –
Le ministre ukrainien des Affaires étrangères a en retour affirmé que la Russie menait ces frappes massives en désespoir de cause afin d’essayer de changer le cours de la guerre dans laquelle elle est en difficulté.
“Poutine est désespéré à cause des défaites sur le champ de bataille, et il utilise le terrorisme des missiles pour essayer de changer le rythme de la guerre en sa faveur”, a fustigé Dmytro Kouleba sur Twitter.
Le président bélarusse Alexandre Loukachenko a de son côté accusé Kiev de préparer une attaque contre son pays, ajoutant qu’en conséquence Minsk et Moscou allaient déployer des troupes russo-bélarusses, sans préciser leur localisation.
Il a aussi a accusé la Pologne, la Lituanie et l’Ukraine de préparer des attaques “terroristes” et un “soulèvement militaire” au Bélarus,
L’armée ukrainienne a accusé la Russie d’avoir lancé des attaques avec des drones iraniens depuis le Bélarus.
De son côté, la Moldavie a déclaré que “trois missiles de croisière lancés ce matin sur l’Ukraine par des navires russes en mer Noire” avaient violé son espace aérien.
Le président français Emmanuel Macron a fait part au téléphone à M. Zelensky de son “extrême inquiétude”, réaffirmant “l’engagement de la France à accroître son soutien à l’Ukraine (…) y compris en matière d’équipement militaire”.
Dénonçant des bombardements “inacceptables”, le chef de la diplomatie britannique James Cleverly a dit avoir assuré son homologue ukrainien Dmytro Kuleba du “soutien moral et concret” de Londres.
Les bombardements russes interviennent alors que la Russie enchaîne les revers depuis début septembre en Ukraine, perdant du terrain dans le Sud comme dans le Nord-Est du pays.
A Moscou, la Bourse chutait de près de 12% lundi à l’ouverture, l’indice principal Moex (en roubles) perdant 11,9% à 7H03 GMT, à 1.780,39 points, et passant brièvement sous la barre des 1.800 points pour la première fois depuis le début de la guerre en Ukraine le 24 février.
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Fraenk: ‘Voltallig en functionerend Advocaten Tuchtcollege’
Black Immigrant Daily News
The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online
PARAMARIBO — De Surinaamse Orde van Advocaten (Sova) concludeert dat advocaten nog niet goed weten hoe om te gaan met
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