Category Archives: headline

Matamba: Police Kill Colombian Gang Leader Who Walked Out of Cell

By Vanessa Buschschlüter BBC News  One of Colombia’s most wanted fugitives has been killed by police, the country’s president has announced. Juan Castro, better known as Matamba, had escaped from La Picota maximum-security jail in the capital, Bogotá, in March. CCTV footage showed him calmly walking out of his cell dressed in the uniform of […]

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WHO Worried About China, World Covid-19 Statistics: 6.3m Deaths, More than 1m in US

China: Why is the WHO concerned about its zero-Covid strategy? By Wanyuan Song BBC News Published 17 May Related Topics Reality Check Image source, Getty Images The World Health Organization (WHO) has said China should rethink its strict Covid strategy aimed at halting the spread of the virus. While many countries are now relying on […]

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Nevis Dept. of Physical Development & Environment to Hold Orientation for Developers

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (May 26, 2022) — As part of its Public Awareness Campaign, the Department of Physical Planning and Environment announces a  Developers’ Orientation Session. The session is open to person who are stakeholders in any development including: home owners and prospective homeowners, bankers, insurance agents, architects, surveyors and contractors. During this session information […]

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Brazil: Black Man Allegedly Gassed to Death in Police Car Trunk

BBC- The death of a black man who was forced into a police car trunk where a gas grenade was set off has sparked outrage in Brazil. Police stopped Genivaldo de Jesus Santos, 38, in the street in the north-eastern city of Umbaúba, Sergipe state, on Wednesday. Video footage showed two officers holding down the […]

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Dept. of Labour to Host Career Fair 2022 for Students; Registration Open

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (MAY 26, 2022) — The Department of Labour in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) will be hosting Career Fair 2022, for 4th and 5th Form students from July 11 to 15, 2022. The theme is “Skills Development and Opportunities for a Brighter Future” It will be held. The fair will highlight skills […]

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'I cannot believe it': Murugappan family to return to Biloela

The Murugappan family said they "cannot believe" they will finally be returning home to the Queensland community of Biloela, following years in community detention.

The Murugappans are currently processing their new bridging visas in Perth and will return to the outback community in early June, following intervention from interim Home Affairs Minister Jim Chalmers allowing the family to return to Biloela.

"Finally, everything is here. I cannot believe it," Priya Murugappan said.

"My prayer is that this government will make a change to the lives of every single refugee who comes here. All refugees are survivors.

"They need hope. I had the support of Nades (her husband) and we had the support of the people of Bilo. But many others don't have that support."

Biloela locals Angela Fredericks and Bronwyn Dendle, who are behind the Back to Bilo campaign, said they were notified by the interim home affairs minister of the news.

Fredericks said while she supported the decision of the government to issue new bridging visas to the family, the Murugappans are still fighting for permanent residency.

"We have spoken with Priya and Nades and they share our overwhelming sense of joy and relief at this news, and we all welcome the decision to issue the entire family with bridging visas," Fredericks said.

"But this family will never be safe until they have permanency in Australia."

Fredericks said the move back to Biloela would mark "the end of a long, painful chapter in their lives", and called on the Albanese government to reform Australia's treatment of refugees.

"We sincerely hope that the newly elected Labor government will recognise what the international community already knows: that Sri Lanka is not safe for Tamil people," Fredericks said.

"We hope that the new government can acknowledge the distress that prolonged detention and uncertainty has caused for many Tamil people in Australia, and grant them the safety and security that only permanent protection can bring.

"We cannot wait to welcome our friends back home to Bilo with some warm hugs, happy tears, and a very big welcome home party."

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Chalmers said he used ministerial intervention to bring the Tamil family back to their home in outback Queensland, notifying them of the news this afternoon.

The decision is the latest development in a years-long battle over the family's residential status in Australia, although it does not grant them permanent residency.

"Today, in my capacity as interim Minister for Home Affairs, I exercised my power under section 195A of the Migration Act 1958 to intervene in the case of the Murugappan family," Chalmers said in a statement.

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"The effect of my intervention enables the family to return to Biloela, where they can reside lawfully in the community on bridging visas while they work towards the resolution of their immigration status, in accordance with Australian law."

"This decision will allow them to get 'home to Bilo', a big-hearted and welcoming Queensland town that has embraced this beautiful family."

Chalmers said the Labor government would continue to support Operation Sovereign Borders, which states any asylum seeker arriving in the country by boat will be turned away and not resettled in Australia.

The attempted deportation of the Murugappan family was one of the most contentious issues of the previous government.

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https://twitter.com/JEChalmers/status/1530055375680319488

The case had been in and out of court for years, with the previous immigration minister declining to intervene in their favour.

Labor promised during the campaign if it won the election the Murugappan family could return home to Biloela, ending a long legal battle to remain in Australia.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said earlier today the return of the Murugappan family would be "a great day for humanity."

"I know how much the community wants this family returned to Biloela," she said.

Western Australia's Deputy Premier, Roger Cook, said the deportation of the Murugappan family was a "horrible chapter in Australian public life" the public would be "delighted" to but behind them.

There were 'happy tears' as the Murugappan family watched the election results unfold.

"This family required compassion and care given the trauma and the treatment they received in detention… so I'd be delighted to see that family returned with the Biloela community," Cook said.

"They are so thankful for the care and compassion they've received despite the poor treatment they've received from the Australian government."

"I've met the Murugappa family on a number of occasions you could not meet a group of more humble and sweet people."

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The family have been living in immigration detention on Christmas Island since 2019, after they were removed from their home in Biloela, Queensland by Border Force officers in 2018.

Stocks in US gun makers rise following horror Texas school shooting

The stock prices of a number of prominent US firearm manufacturers have risen in the days following the mass school shooting in Texas that has since claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers.

Smith & Wesson Brands has risen almost 10 per cent in the past five days, mirroring the success of other manufacturers such as Ammo Inc (up 12.6 per cent), Sturm Ruger (up 5.64 per cent) and ammunition maker Olin (up 23.5 per cent over the past month).

While restrictions – some as even-handed as background checks – have yet to be announced, investors are attempting to catch firearm stocks at a price they believe is cheap.

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A study from 2019 found that a "statistically significant" spike in gun sales occurred in the months immediately following every single mass shooting event.

A rise in stock prices is investors anticipating a boom in gun sales prior to any restrictions being introduced.

How American politicians will tackle the fallout from one of the worst school shootings in more than  a decade remains to be seen.

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A bipartisan group of 10 senators led by Democrat Chris Murphy is discussing what they can do to curtail mass gun violence, with current suggestions including expanded background checks or "red flag laws" that would prevent some customers from legally purchasing firearms.

It is uncertain if the group can come to consensus, and even if they do, winning enough votes from Republicans could prove difficult, as most do not want to see changes in the nation's gun laws. 

Democrats would need 10 Republican votes to overcome a filibuster and get a bill through the 50-50 Senate.

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"Odds are against us, but we owe it to parents and kids to try," tweeted Murphy, who has been an advocate for stricter gun control since 20 children and six educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Murphy, who gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor Tuesday as the news broke of the Texas shooting, has said he wants to start with proposals that are doable.

"There is a common denominator we can find," Murphy said.

"There is a place where we can achieve agreement."

Additional reporting by the Associated Press