St. Kitts and Nevis gains significant boost to its plans for Education for Sustainable Development

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Caribbean News Service
Ambassador of Japan to UNESCO. Atsuyuki Oike, Deputy Permanent Delegate/Minister, Hirayama Naoko, and SKN Ambassador, David P. Doyle.

As part of spearheading technical assistance initiatives being pursued with UNESCO, the Ministry of Education was informed this week that a grant of US$90,000 will be deployed to St. Kitts and Nevis to enable the Ministry to develop an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework for the Federation’s education sector.

The funding is to be provided under the Japan-fund-in-trust for allocation to St. Kitts and Nevis to complete this project.

Only two Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Cape Verde Islands and St. Kitts and Nevis, have been selected for UNESCO technical assistance in the context of ESD for 2030. Both were identified as potential champions in the quest to adopt education for sustainable development.

Based on the quality of St. Kitts and Nevis’ ESD initiative plan submitted last year by Dr. Tricia Esdaille, Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Education, the feasibility of delivery within the 2023-2024 timeframe, and the expected impact of the output in the Federation, UNESCO, with the aid of the Japan-fund-in-trust, decided to favourably consider further technical assistance to Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to implement the ESD project.

The ESD project, as a dedicated country initiative, will include policy development and related training of policymakers; pilot school-level projects; training of educators; support for youth-driven project-based learning; and local community-level actions involving diverse stakeholders. The modalities of support will be determined with the corresponding UNESCO field office in Jamaica that will implement the national level activities with the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Education.

St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris David P. Doyle, today met up with the Ambassador of Japan to UNESCO Atsuyuki Oike, and his Deputy Permanent Delegate and Minister, Hirayama Naoko, to express the appreciation of Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education et al.

Ambassador Doyle asserted, “The Japan-fund-in-trust is very welcome and will significantly scale up St. Kitts and Nevis’ institutional capacity in developing an ESD plan applicable across all sectors of the Federation’s education and training framework.”

Ambassador Oike remarked, “The Government of Japan is proud to be associated with supporting this ESD initiative in St. Kitts and Nevis, which marks a tangible example of my government’s ESD technical assistance programme targeting LDCs and SIDS”.

Commenting on this development, Minister Hanley stated, “We are most appreciative of this timely and generous funding provided by the Government of Japan to develop a focused ESD policy framework, and importantly, one that can be adapted to the cultural, environmental and social characteristics of a small island developing state like St. Kitts and Nevis”.

The funds for the ESD project bring UNESCO fund-granted activities to the Federation to strengthen the national education policy framework to a total of US$136,000 for the current period. Two UNESCO-driven education projects are running concurrently across the Federation under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Education and the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO for the 2022-2023 cycles. These relate to developing frameworks for teachers’ professional standards and revising national accreditation policy and reforming the accreditation board.

As the key focal contact official on the ESD project going forward, Dr. Tricia Esdaille, greeted the news with joy, remarking “We are thankful for the ongoing support and technical assistance of UNESCO in bolstering our national efforts to advance ESD for 2030. With the additional aid of Japan-fund-in-trust, we are further heartened and empowered to carry out a programme of work that will result in the development of a national ESD policy framework and action plan”.

She went on to state: “We are working to map our national ESD activities and their contribution to the SDGs, particularly SDG 4.7 which focuses on education for sustainable development and global citizenship. We recognise the need to articulate clear ESD targets and outputs for St. Kitts and Nevis which speak to education as a national driving force for sustainability”.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the funding to be provided under the Japan-fund-in-trust over the next two years as it will not only allow us to develop national policy, it will also provide the necessary framework around which we can enact a National Working Group for ESD. It is our hope that the National ESD working group will advance curricula, informal learning opportunities and community-level action that will integrate education for sustainable development into diverse spheres of life and foster multisectoral ESD action through partnership, innovation and the sharing of information”.

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Lawyer In Vybz Kartel Case Surprised By Privy Council Ruling

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

A Jamaican attorney Oswest Senior-Smith says incarcerated dancehall artist Vybz Kartel’s murder appeal at the Privy Council should not be speculated on as

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Rihanna, ASAP Rocky Takes Son Milan Ahead of Oscars Performance

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Rihanna was spotted out and about in Milan with her boyfriend A$AP Rocky and their son, ahead of her big performance at the 2023 Oscars.

The Oscars will have a very special guest this year as Rihanna is primed to perform her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack at this year’s staging of the awards. On Thursday, Variety reported that Rihanna is booked to perform the Oscar-nominated song at the 95th Academy Awards ceremony.

Executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner reportedly confirmed the singer’s performance, the second public performance for this year on the heels of her successful Super Bowl Half-Time Show in which she announced her second pregnancy with partner A$AP Rocky.

The event to be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel will take place on Sunday, March 12.

The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences announced “Lift Me Up,” among several other nominees vying for Best Original Song. The other nominees are Diane Warren’s “Applause” from the film Tell It Like a Woman, Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick, N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan’s “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, and Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne’s “This Is a Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Rihanna’s return to music started with a bang, with her winning her first Academy Award and a nomination for the Golden Globes earlier this year.

The seven-time Grammy winner last month celebrated her nominations on Twitter with an ecstatic tweet, “God be showin out!”

Rihanna arrives in Milan for Fashion Week with her baby boy

In the meantime, Rihanna was spotted out and about in Milan, Italy, with her family. The singer was seen wearing a hoodie and oversized puffer jacket while her son wore an overall brown bodysuit. Rihanna was seen holding the baby and entering a waiting SUV. In the car, she is seen smiling with the baby, whose coat was removed to reveal his black and white striped shirt.

Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky was also in tow as he was seen walking with members of his entourage, one of whom carried a baby seat for his little one.

The family is said to be visiting Milan for the Milan Fashion Week.

The Oscars will be aired live on ABC on March 12, 2023 at 8:00?PM EDT.

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Boosie Badazz Breaks Silence About His Daughter Coming Out

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The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Boosie Badazz says that he loves his daughter, who recently came out, but he does not support her lifestyle for fear it might corrupt his other children

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Nicki Minaj Shoots Video With Skeng In Trinidad, Previews New Music

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Nicki Minaj shoots a music video with dancehall rockstar Skeng in Trinidad this week and also previewed a new song.

The Trinidad-born rapper has previewed a verse from a new song, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” which is set for release on March 3rd as she kicks off her campaign leading up to her next album. Nicki Minaj excited fans on Wednesday when she previewed a snippet of the song’s music video showing her rapping in front of a throng of skimpily-clad women dancing and bubbling. The song appears to be a sample of “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)” by Lumidee featuring Busta Rhymes, Fabolous. It was Lumidee’s debut single and was released in 2003.

The track peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is now gold certified in several countries worldwide. In the meantime, fans of Nicki Minaj reacted to the announcement of a new song which would be Minaj’s second track to be released for the year following her gift to the soca genre- “Shake The Place” with Machel Montano and Destra Garcia.

“Definitely gon recognize you when you come,” Winnie Harlow said.

Fans also reveled at Nicki Minaj spitting bars in her signature flow. “Only on the seas with the breeze #RedRubyDaSleeze/ Chinese on the sleeves/ These wanna be Chun Li’s/ Ni hao, who tf told b*chs they was me now?/ I know these b*tches was slow/ ion know these b*tches senile,” Minaj rapped.

Many fans also dug into the meaning of the lyrics with some musing that in the first line of the first verse, Nicki Minaj appeared to be throwing shots as she rapped that she did not do Cs (for cocaine) by only Breeze (for the Caribbean cocktail).

One line from the song also went viral, “Ion f**k with horses since Christopher Reeves,” which had fans’ minds blown as they googled and shared the meaning behind the lyric.

Nicki Minaj is fresh off her visit to Trinidad and Tobago, where she attended Carnival and promoted her latest soca song. The rapper has also teased that she will be visiting Jamaica for Carnival in April even as she shared love for controversial personality Foota Hype and was spotted hanging out with Skeng, whose song “Likkle Miss” she remixed.

Nicki Minaj shout out Skeng for making time to shoot a new music video with her in Trinidad. “S/o to [Skeng Don] for making that lil vid happen that we shot last night in TRINI! #RattyGang Beetham RastaCity 7family grung yktv Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier pon mi dress St. Laurent on the heel,” she wrote.

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Dancehall Artist Valiant Robbed In Antigua

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Dancehall star Valiant is a victim of theft in Antigua. Multiple sources confirmed with Urban Islandz on Thursday that the dancehall deejay was robbed in

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Exploring Time And Color With Bulby York

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Black Immigrant Daily News

NEWS AMERICAS, New York, NY, Fri. Feb. 24, 2023: – From learning about recording from the iconic King Tubby to being an engineer for the likes of Sly & Robbie and Winston Riley to working with pop icons like Rihanna and Britney Spears, Collin ‘Bulby’ York has been a central figure in Jamaican music for more than 30 years. With his latest album Time & Color, Bulby is drawing from his expansive career with a variety of Caribbean and Latin-American flavors and a roster of talent that spans decades.

Jamaican-entertainer-Collin ‘Bulby’ York’s Time & Color drops on his birthday, tomorrow Feb. 24th. (Rohjay Anderson image)

Set for release on his birthday, February 24th, Time & Color is a reflection of the range and scope of work he has produced over the years with names ranging from Reggae legends Beres Hammond and Ali Campbell (of UB40) to Panamanian artist El Maleante and new vocalist Stacey Mirander.

“This album is a reflection of my career, in both time and what I call ‘color,’” explains Bulby. “It features timeless music with ageless artists like Beres, Ali, Bounty Killer, Tanya Stephens, Admiral Bailey, and Richie Spice.” Most people think color is what they see, but I am referring to sound. How music colors what we feel and how we see the world. The kind of music we listen to even colors our identity.”

Time & Color features 13 tracks colored with the sounds of Gospel, Reggae, Dancehall, and Latin music. The latest single “Good Time” by Richie Spice is a feel-good bass-heavy roots Reggae single that is currently streaming on all platforms. The album also features spiritually uplifting songs from

Jahvinci and Stacey Mirander, a smooth lovers rock single from Beres Hammond, and a remake of a pop music classic with Ali Campbell and Bounty Killer.

Previously released singles on the album include dancehall singles “Queen” with Tanya Stephens and Malica, “Ignorant” with Admiral Bailey and Christopher Martin, and “Race to Waste Your Life” with Spragga Benz, and the pop tinged “Want her Love” with Maxi Priest.

Bulby’s 30-plus-year journey in music began when he started following his uncle, George “Dusty” Miller of the famous Firehouse Crew band, to King Tubby’s studio in the Waterhouse area of Kingston. Bulby learned the art of recording and engineering from the master and even helped Tubby build his state-of-the-art studio, assisting with rewiring and soldering. Bulby eventually created the Fat Eyes label with Lynford ‘Fatta’ Marshall and produced classic hits like “Stop Live Inna Di Pass” (also known as

“Memories”) by Beenie Man, “Suspense” by Bounty Killer, “Down By the River” by Morgan Heritage, and “Want You Back” by Singing Melody. He has engineered tracks for No Doubt, Chaka Khan, Cyndi

1

Lauper, Sinead O’Connor, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Sean Paul. He launched his own label Bulby York Music in 2016.

“To be honest, I can’t even remember all the albums I’ve worked on and all the people I’ve worked with,” Bulby chuckles. “I’ve been involved in music since I was very young. It’s been a long time and A LOT of

color!”

Time & Color is Bulby’s fourth studio album on the Bulby York Music imprint, following Epic & Ting (2016), Master Blaster (2018), and Heart Crafted (2020). Additionally, he has released juggling projects Padang Padang Riddim (2021) and Far East Riddim (2022).

Time & Color will be released on all platforms on Friday, February 24th.

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Young people from across the Commonwealth to raise ‘Flag of Peace’ to mark Commonwealth Day

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Caribbean News Service

Young people in countries across the Commonwealth will raise a “Flag of Peace” to celebrate and mark Commonwealth Day on March 13, 2023. The initiative is supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, the Royal Commonwealth Society and Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster.

To enable them to observe and contribute towards Commonwealth Day, the specially designed Peace Flags are being given to young people in Commonwealth countries around the world. The intention is to raise the flag on Commonwealth Day – 13th March 2023 – as part of efforts to promote 2023 as the Commonwealth Year of Peace across the family of nations.

Speaking on the initiative the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC said:

“Peace is one of the most important values on which the Commonwealth is built.

“It is fantastic that young people across our great Commonwealth family are uniting with us. It is our hope that by raising the Commonwealth Flag for Peace in each Commonwealth country on Commonwealth Day it will send a clear message – that our collective commitment to peace is unshakable.

“It is especially valuable that young people are participating in this event during Commonwealth Week, when we will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter – the bedrock of shared values and aspirations which unites members across borders.”

The Commonwealth Flag for Peace features a white dove of peace in the bottom right-hand corner of the Commonwealth flag, symbolising the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth, including co-operation on economic and social development, diversity, respect, friendship and the promotion of peace around the world.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust is helping galvanise youth across the Commonwealth to get involved in the flag raising ceremonies as part of the 2023 Commonwealth Year of Youth. A young person in each Commonwealth country has been selected to help raise the flag and take part in the ceremonies.

Chris Kelly, Chief Executive of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) said:

“We are delighted that members of the QCT Network will be raising the Flag of Peace in over 40 countries across the Commonwealth. QCT Network members are helping to transform their communities across the Commonwealth, and the Year of Youth is an excellent reminder of the change that young people can make for the benefit of society, and the need for us all to support them.”

The Royal Commonwealth Society is also supporting the initiative by incorporating the Peace Flag into the Commonwealth Day Service, to be held at Westminster Abbey, London.

A Peace Flag will be raised at Marlborough House, London, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, after the Commonwealth Day Service and further Peace Flags will also be raised in towns and cities across the UK on Commonwealth Day.

The Commonwealth Flag of Peace initiative will be delivered in partnership with the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster, in tribute to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This will be the first Commonwealth Day since her passing.

Download a Guide to taking part in the Flag of Peace.

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Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience in Grenada

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Caribbean News Service

The National Validation workshop for the “Enhancing Land Management and Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate Resilient Food Systems Project in Carriacou, Grenada” was held at the Mermaid Hotel Conference Feb. 10 in Hillsborough, Carriacou.

The workshop was facilitated by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management Support Office for the Caribbean (PISLM) in collaboration with the Government of Grenada through the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government (MCPA).

The workshop began with a brief opening ceremony with key remarks presented by the Permanent Secretary for the MCPA, Javan Williams and Executive Director of the PISLM, Calvin James. The workshop was attended by key stakeholders from within government, farmers association, individual farmers, and non- governmental organizations (NGO’s).

There were presentations to the stakeholders presented, on the different components of the project, the target sites that will see interventions, what the project outputs will be and who the beneficiaries are as outlined in the project Proposal. The project will take into consideration gender sensitivity. The stakeholders provided feedback, made changes and validated the proposal for onward transmission for approval to the GEF funding agency by end of month.

The Project start date is expected to be in September 2023 and end in 2026 with the potential for a second phase. The project will be implemented at a total cost of US$900,000.

This project will further build on project activities that will be implemented in Carriacou under the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS) SOILCARE project, also being undertaken as a joint venture by the PISLM.

In support of the CSIDS SOILCARE Phase 1 project activities in Carriacou, Steve Maximay Climate Smart Agriculture Marketing Expert with the PISLM visited Carriacou from the Feb. 8 to 10 to meet with key government personnel, farmers, the Carriacou Farmers Association, and conduct the necessary field assessment to design the Climate Smart and Marketing interventions for each demonstration site on Carriacou.

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Current NBA Players With Caribbean Heritage

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Feb. 23, 2023: The Caribbean has seen some of the world’s greatest athletes come from its many small countries. Legends like Usain Bolt and Tim Duncan have hailed from this stunningly beautiful region, but it isn’t just retired athletes that are from Caribbean nations. Many current athletes in a range of sports are from these coastal nations or have direct family that was born in the Caribbean.

This is certainly true in the National Basketball Association, where recent years have led to a massive surge in the presence of athletes with Caribbean heritage. This has led to a huge increase in the popularity of basketball across the region. While proud Caribbean residents don’t have one specific Caribbean team to wager on, they can bet on Caribbean NBA athletes on all sports betting apps. If you love the NBA or the Caribbean, let’s look at the top current NBA players with Caribbean heritage.

Al Horford

Al Horford #42, of the NBA, was born in the Caribbean. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Al Horford is one of the most successful Caribbean players of all time, and he is still going on. Born in Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic, Al Horford has risen to become a five-time NBA all-star and a well-rounded center that is still contributing for the Celtics, who have a very good chance at an NBA championship. Horford is the highest-paid Latin American basketball player ever and a legendary figure across the Dominican Republic. 

Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings was born in the Caribbean. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Buddy Hield is part of the new generation of Caribbean players that have made a massive impact on the league. Hield is a Bahamian born in Freeport and is now a serious impact NBA player as part of the Sacramento Kings r. After becoming one of the best college basketball players of all time, Buddy Hield was drafted sixth overall and has since established himself as one of the league’s best marksmen. He is a three-point sniper and has represented Bahama in international contests.

Deandre Ayton

Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns was also born in the Caribbean. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Another Bahamian star, Deandre Ayton is a young, rising talent that the Phoenix Suns selected with the first overall pick in 2018. Ayton was born in Nassau and quickly established himself thanks to his unmatched physical gifts and athleticism. Ayton has been a key part of the Suns establishing themselves as NBA Finals contenders and was instrumental to their playoff success. Now that Kevin Durant has joined his team, he has an even better chance to elevate his squad.

Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons is a Jamaican American. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Andre Drummond might not have been born in the Caribbean, but it is a big part of his identity. Drummond was born in New York, the son of two Jamaican immigrant parents, and he has gone on to carve out quite the NBA career for himself. He is a two-time All-Star who has led the league in rebounding four times. He is considered one of the greatest rebounders ever and is currently playing for the Chicago Bulls. His Jamaican heritage was a big part of his childhood.

Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors has Barbadian roots. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Andrew Wiggins is another player that wasn’t born in the Caribbean but has direct family connections to the region. Wiggins was born in Toronto, Canada, but his mother originally hails from Barbados. Wiggins has become an All-Star after falling short of expectations early in his career. Wiggins was picked first overall in the 2014 NBA Draft to massive hype, which he has started to reach. He is now an NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors and a key part of that stacked roster.

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