Simona Halep, 2-time major champ, gets provisional drug ban Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after failing a drug test during the U.S. Open in August.

The ITIA announced the punishment Friday for Halep, a former No. 1 player who is currently No. 9 in the WTA rankings. She won Wimbledon in 2019, beating 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the final, and the French Open in 2018.

In a social media post, Halep called the news of her positive test “the biggest shock of my life,” adding: “Facing such an unfair situation, I feel completely confused and betrayed.”

“I will fight until the end to prove that I never knowingly took any prohibited substance,” Halep wrote, “and I have faith that sooner or later, the truth will come out.”

Halep, a 31-year-old from Romania, announced in September she was taking the rest of this season off after having nose surgery to improve her breathing. She considered retiring early this year after a series of injuries, but then said she felt rejuvenated after teaming up in April with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who used to work with Williams.

Seeded No. 7 at the U.S. Open, Halep lost in the first round to Daria Snigur of Ukraine 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 on Aug. 30. It was the first tour-level win of Snigur’s career.

Spokesmen for the U.S. Tennis Association and Mouratoglou declined comment.

The ITIA said Halep tested positive in New York for the banned substance Roxadustat, a drug approved for medical use in the European Union to treat the symptoms of anemia caused by chronic kidney failure.

Halep said she was told her test showed “an extremely low quantity.”

According to the EU’s medicines agency, which approved Roxadustat last year, it stimulates the body to produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, which has long been a doping product favoured by cyclists and distance runners.

During a provisional suspension, a tennis player is ineligible to compete in, or attend, any sanctioned events.

Under the World Anti-Doing Code, Halep faces a ban of up to four years for a positive test for a substance like Roxadustat. Athletes can earn a reduction in their ban, likely to three years, if they quickly admit an offense and accept their sanction.

Tennis authorities will handle Halep’s case and any ruling can be challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“Today begins the hardest match of my life: a fight for the truth,” Halep wrote Friday.

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Knutsford’s $84-million profit buoyed by removal of virus restrictions Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Luxury-bus service Knutsford Express is reporting significantly improved net profits for its first quarter ended August 31, 2022, buoyed by increased passenger travel following the removal of COVID-19 restrictions both locally and internationally, the company said.

Net profits for the period stood at $84.2 million, up from $15.2 million recorded in the first quarter of its previous financial year.

“The rebound of passenger travel, the continued growth of [the] courier business and the new rental income from the Drax Hall Business Centre resulted in the improved performance over the previous year,” the company said.

Knutsford Express acquired the Drax Hall holding in 2019, a year before the pandemic hit, as a means of diversifying its income stream and investments.

Revenue also grew to $415 million, a 78.5 per cent jump over the corresponding period last year when the company posted $233 million in revenues.

Knutsford Express said it implemented a number of initiatives to drive growth over the period of review, including smarter route planning and income diversification.

Its subsidiary, KE Connect Limited, has also been repositioned to make “… a greater contribution with its focus on the charter and travel market.”

Total assets also grew from $1,314 Million to $1,523 Million or 15.9 per cent, the company said noting its investments in technology and property contributed to the growth seen for the period.

Knutsford Express expanded its courier service in 2020 amid the pandemic’s impact on its core business.

At the time, diminished fares resulted in the company posting losses of $25.1 million, making the June to August 2020 period the worst quarter in its history.

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‘In sickness and in health’ Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Veteran reggae and gospel singer Dr Carlene Davis is advising men to be intentional about intimately supporting spouses who are battling breast cancer.

Davis, who has been cancer-free since a fight with the disease in the early to mid-90s, was speaking at The Jamaica National Group’s Power of Pink Pop-Up Session held on October 7, on the steps of its JN Bank Half Way Tree branch, smack in the middle of the busy St Andrew urban centre.

“My husband was the one who discovered the lump while we were on tour, and he stood by me every step of the way. Our love just grew stronger and stronger. I’m speaking to the men out there if it happens to your spouse or your partner, or your mother, [but] especially your wife, don’t run, don’t leave her,” the renowned singer, who holds a doctorate in pastoral counselling, beckoned. “That’s the time you need to stand with her because you made a commitment which says ‘in sickness and health’.”

She said “family and faith” were the pillars that supported her along her journey, and she also charged women to stand by their husbands should they be diagnosed with breast cancer, as although in rare cases- men can also develop the disease.

Saniah Spencer, JN Group’s Marketing Executive, who was at the event, encouraged both women and men to be vigilant about their health and to get tested.

“We are encouraging women and men to take the necessary steps to detect breast cancer as early as possible and significantly increase their chance of surviving the disease,” she advised.

She urged women, especially to: “Take the steps to do your breast examinations, get your mammograms done once you detect any abnormality or once you have reached the age of 40, and take time for self-care and express gratitude.

Spencer outlined that this year’s Power of Pink breast cancer awareness campaign is being held for the fifth year. This year’s theme, “Take the Steps”, seeks to educate and raise awareness about the benefits of early detection.

Dr Davis also encouraged women to be proactive.

“We know that there are many people who have not made it because of breast cancer, but I’m just grateful that He (God) has kept me to remind men and women that early detection is key. The earlier you get checked out, the earlier you can deal with it and live a long life,” she advised.

Lauding The Jamaica National Group’s efforts, Dr Davis noted that when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, there was limited information readily available on breast cancer.

“Back in the day when you heard the word ‘cancer’, you just think death. I’m going to be honest. I don’t feel that way today because look what the Lord has done. Right? He has kept me [for] 26 years cancer-free, and I know that it is because of my faith and family and the support of all the doctors that led me through as I did surgery, chemotherapy and all of that,” she said.

Beyond raising awareness through its campaign, Spencer revealed that The Jamaica National Group is also providing 500 Jamaican women with free mammograms, to which there has been an overwhelming response, as the offer has been fully taken up.

She noted that several JN member companies are conducting activities, including providing special offers to the public. Proceeds from the offers will go to the JCS and Jamaica Reach to Recovery.

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So, The (Legendary) British Conservative “Herd” Just Disgorged its 4th Prime Minister in 6 Years?

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

by Arvel Grant

So, The (Legendary) British Conservative “Herd” Just Disgorged its 4th Prime Minister in 6 Years?

I must  apologize  most emphatically, to my readers for suggesting that Liz Truss,  could lead her conservative Unionist  to a defeat at the hands of the British Labour Party at the next General elections in 2025.

Instead of “limping” to a defeat in 2 years, Liz Truss, lasted a very turbulent  45 days in office…

It is worth recalling  that,  the financial market,  which rules the City of London while acquiescing  fiscal and monetary policies, instructed Ms Truss,  to drop  her conservative make-belief policies, about unfunded  tax-cuts for the rich. In strict obedience to the supreme  majesty of market forces, Mis.  Truss dropped her fiscal make-belief plans and  fired her close friend and newly minted Finance Minister…

Nonetheless, confusion and political mayhem,  took over the Commons  during and immediately following the weekly Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Allegations ran wild,  that the Parliamentary Whip,  used bullying and strong-arm tactics in “man-handling” conservative members into voting for the Government,  on an opposition sponsored motion.

By Thursday morning,  An isolated  PM Liz Truss,  appeared on the steps of 10 Downing Street,  to announce her resignation after 45 days in office…

The UK  Monarch certainly cannot change British governments, but the financial market and  the City of London can.

So, as the market turns and the conservative leadership trembles,  some in the  British Conservative Unionist Party,  are reportedly plotting,  to replace  Liz Truss  with her defeated rival, Sunak.

Though popular at street-level, Sunak as British PM is   far from a certainty. There are several other possible  candidates (including other   people of colour, with acceptable conservative credentials…

If Sunak or another market-friendly  candidate of colour,   makes it  into the winners enclosure, the indomitable  financial markets  will be entitled to its fare share of complements.

And, the British Conservative Unionist Party,  will have pointed the way to more inclusive government at the level of Prime Minister…

Whether or not  the  British Labour party agrees, If a UK Government led by Sunak (or another market-friendly candidate) pleases the City of London, the Conservative could (yet) make it through the next general elections undefeated. They have a vast majority in the Commons and  2 years is a very, very long time in politics.

Of course, Boris Johnson’s friends are calling for him to make a return.  Comeback-kid? Or refurbished rocket?

Walk good until next time.

Arvel Grant, Political and Current Affairs Analyst.

(For more analytical pieces, visit: arvelgrant.com or [email protected]

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UWI announces valedictorians

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo: A cross-section of graduates during UWI St Augustine’s graduation ceremony in August 2017.

In a media release, UWI announced six students to represent their faculties as valedictorians of the graduating class of 2022.

The graduation ceremonies will take place from October 27-29 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. This marks the university’s first in-person graduation ceremony in two years.

The selected valedictorians are Ashleigh Lai, Reyshard Anthony Deokiesingh, Portia Naomi Gopaul, Kobe Sandy, Kiana Gajadhar and Patti-Anne Ali.

Valedictorians represent the best of UWI’s graduating class.

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Under UPP Administration, Lovell envisions a self-supporting prison with improved conditions for both officers and inmates

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
Prison

REAL NEWS: A self-supporting prison is a concept that Harold Lovell, Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), hopes will become a reality under a UPP Administration.

Lovell envisions that His Majesty’s Prison could become a production hub for goods and crafts made by inmates, as happens in other parts of the world. In this way, he says, the penal facility could help to support itself.

Under a UPP Administration, he says, a training facility would be set up for inmates, with the goal of them becoming entrepreneurs after having served their sentences.

Meanwhile, speaking about the conditions that forced a number of prison officers into a vocal protest on Monday, Lovell says he wants to see a total reform of the institution.

This will include not only the construction of a new corrections facility, but modern management of the way incarceration is handled.

The Political Leader admits that he was appalled to hear the challenges faced by the staff and, in some instances, the inmates at His Majesty’s Prison.

However, he notes that some of these issues are not unique to “1735” – as the Prison is commonly called – but are prevalent in other government departments, including the Fiennes Institute and the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, where workers have also downed tools.

Accordingly, Lovell promises that a UPP Administration would address these issues as a matter of urgency, improving conditions for employees.

He also acknowledges that the current condition of the Prison negatively impacts those serving time and even persons on remand. Those sent to the penal facility should be treated better than what now obtains, he says.

Meanwhile, because of new rules at the Prison, the complaining officers are being accused of taking industrial action.

Notwithstanding this, they insist that they are facing unsanitary conditions in the slow removal of garbage and solid waste; a lack of functional toilets; inconsistent running water; no drinking water; having only one working phone; and having to work multiple shifts but not being provided with meals.

The Prison, according to the officers, is grossly understaffed, with a ratio of 20 inmates to one officer. As a result, they say, they are overwhelmed to the point of being unable to function properly.

The officers have denied that their action is political.

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Sealys Welcomes New Top Cop’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ For Sexual Harassment – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia has welcomed this week’s declaration by the first woman to head the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) that she has zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Acting Police Commissioner Crusita Descartes-Pelius made her position known at a news conference.

The Acting Police Commissioner responded to a question regarding reports of a sexual assault investigation involving a senior police officer.

“I have no knowledge of this information. But what I can tell you, I have zero tolerance for sexual harassment,” Descartes-Pelius declared.

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Says She Has ‘No Knowledge’ Of Sex Assault Probe Involving Senior Cop Acting Police Commissioner Crusita Descartes-Pelius told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday that she was unaware of a sexual assault investigation involving a senior police officer.

She responded to a reporter’s question regarding the sexual assault allegations investigation.

“I have no knowledge of this information. But what I can tell you, I have zero tolerance for sexual harassment,” Descartes-Pelius declared.

Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia President Catherine Sealys said the stand gratified her.

“We are gratified, yes, and we are finally seeing some progress in that regard in that we have an ally in somebody who stands against any form of gender-based violence,” Sealys told St Lucia Times.

She observed that she and her organisation have advocated for gender equality and better services and support for women and children victims of gender-based violence.

“We have to recognise sexual abuse – sexual harassment as part of the menu of gender-based violence,” Sealys told St Lucia Times.

She said Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia looks forward to seeing how Descartes-Pelius will perform and how strong the new Acting Police Commissioner’s stand will be against gender-based violence.

“How strong she will be about ensuring that support services in terms of victims of gender-based violence who come to police stations to make reports, whether against a member of the public or the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force,” Sealys stated.

“We finally have a woman who appears to understand the consequences, the trauma and the technicalities of gender-based violence,” Sealys said regarding Crusita Descartes-Pelius.

Headline photo: Catherine Sealys (Stock image)

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La justice belge refuse la remise à la France de l’imam marocain Iquioussen

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Un tribunal belge a refusé vendredi d’exécuter le mandat d’arrêt européen ciblant l’imam marocain Hassan Iquioussen, réclamé par la justice française pour s’être soustrait à une mesure d’éloignement cet été, a annoncé…

Un tribunal belge a refusé vendredi d’exécuter le mandat d’arrêt européen ciblant l’imam marocain Hassan Iquioussen, réclamé par la justice française pour s’être soustrait à une mesure d’éloignement cet été, a annoncé à l’AFP son avocat belge Nicolas Cohen.

L’imam, arrêté en Belgique le 30 septembre, conteste son extradition.

Son avocat a notamment plaidé qu’il risquait “un procès inéquitable” en France, “à cause de l’ampleur de la polémique”, a-t-il expliqué.

Hassan Iquioussen, actuellement incarcéré dans une prison belge, a comparu vendredi lors d’une audience à huis clos devant la chambre du conseil du tribunal de Tournai (ouest), chargée de statuer sur le mandat d’arrêt (MAE).

Selon Me Cohen, le parquet s’est prononcé en faveur de l’exécution du MAE, ce qui laisse envisager un recours de sa part devant la cour d’appel.

Le tribunal de Tournai n’était pas joignable vendredi en fin de journée. L’ordonnance de la chambre du conseil devrait être communiquée lundi aux défenseurs de l’imam.

Fin juillet, le ministre français de l’Intérieur Gérald Darmanin avait annoncé l’expulsion de ce prédicateur du Nord, fiché S (pour sûreté de l’Etat) par les services de renseignement “depuis dix-huit mois”, selon lui.

L’arrêté d’expulsion lui reprochait “un discours prosélyte émaillé de propos incitant à la haine et à la discrimination et porteur d’une vision de l’islam contraires aux valeurs de la République”. 

M. Iquioussen était introuvable au moment où cet arrêté, qu’il avait contesté devant la justice, avait été définitivement validé par le Conseil d’Etat le 31 août.

Son avocate française, Me Lucie Simon, a jugé qu’il avait “respecté purement et simplement la loi française en quittant l’Hexagone pour la Wallonie”.

Conséquence logique, Me Simon a fustigé l’émission d’un MAE et contesté sa validité, estimant qu’il se fonde “sur une infraction” qui n’est, selon elle, “pas constituée”. “Pourquoi le rechercher ? Pourquoi vouloir le faire revenir ?”, s’était-elle interrogée début septembre.

L’argument a de nouveau été brandi vendredi par Me Simon et Me Cohen.

La “soustraction à l’exécution d’une mesure d’éloignement” reprochée à l’imam par un juge de Valenciennes (nord de la France) “n’est pas une infraction en droit belge”, a soutenu Me Cohen.

Or une des conditions de l’extradition est que “les deux pays incriminent le même comportement”, a-t-il ajouté.

Trois jours après l’arrestation de l’imam dans la région de Mons (sud de la Belgique), Lucie Simon avait dénoncé les “pressions” de l’exécutif français soulignant que son client faisait “confiance en la justice belge pour ne pas (y) céder”.

mad/am 

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Steve Bannon, ex-conseiller de Trump, condamné à quatre mois de prison

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Steve Bannon, qui fut un influent conseiller de Donald Trump à la Maison Blanche, a été condamné vendredi à quatre mois de prison pour avoir refusé de coopérer avec…

Steve Bannon, qui fut un influent conseiller de Donald Trump à la Maison Blanche, a été condamné vendredi à quatre mois de prison pour avoir refusé de coopérer avec l’enquête parlementaire sur l’assaut du Capitole.

Cet homme de 68 ans, figure du populisme de droite aux Etats-Unis, a immédiatement fait part de son intention de faire appel, ce qui suspend l’application de la sentence.

Il a donc pu ressortir libre du tribunal. Devant les caméras, il a assuré “respecter la décision du juge” mais a tout de suite glissé sur le terrain politique. 

“Le 8 novembre sera le jour du jugement du régime illégitime de (Joe) Biden (…) et l’on sait comment cela va finir”, a-t-il lancé en référence aux élections de mi-mandat, dans lesquelles les démocrates pourraient perdre leur contrôle du Congrès.

Citant plusieurs membres de la commission d’enquête sur le 6 janvier, chargée de faire la lumière sur le rôle de Donald Trump dans le coup de force de ses partisans, Steve Bannon a prédit qu’ils “seraient battus”. 

Refusant de répondre aux assignations de cette commission, il avait été reconnu coupable, en juillet, d’entrave aux prérogatives d’enquête du Congrès.

Les procureurs avaient ensuite requis six mois de détention, épinglant son “mépris” et sa “mauvaise foi” tout au long de la procédure. Ses avocats avaient demandé une peine de liberté conditionnelle ou d’assignation à résidence. 

Le juge Carl Nichols a finalement opté pour quatre mois de prison, assortis d’une amende de 6.500 dollars.

“Respecter le Congrès est une composante importante de notre système constitutionnel”, a-t-il justifié, en soulignant que Steve Bannon n’avait, à ce jour, toujours produit “aucun document, ni livré aucun témoignage” à la commission.

“L’enfer”

Féroce contempteur de l’establishment, Steve Bannon, qui a été banquier d’affaires ou encore directeur du site d’information de droite radicale Breitbart, est considéré comme l’un des artisans de la victoire de Donald Trump de 2016. 

Devenu l’un des puissants conseillers du président, il avait été écarté de la Maison Blanche en août 2017 après des violences d’extrême droite à Charlottesville, en Virginie.

Mais il était resté proche du milliardaire républicain et avait encore échangé avec lui le 5 janvier 2021, à la veille de l’attaque contre le siège du Congrès. Après leur conversation, il avait prédit un déferlement de “tout l’enfer” le lendemain à Washington. 

Pour connaître la teneur de leurs discussions, la commission d’enquête parlementaire avait assigné Steve Bannon à témoigner et à produire des documents.

Il avait refusé, invoquant le droit des présidents et des membres de l’exécutif à garder certaines conversations secrètes. 

Mais Donald Trump n’a pas invoqué ce droit et Steve Bannon, qui “était un citoyen privé le 6 janvier”, ne peut pas s’en prévaloir, a souligné le juge Nichols.

Lors de son procès en juillet, Steve Bannon n’a produit aucun témoin et n’a pas pris la parole. Les jurés l’ont déclaré coupable après moins de trois heures de délibérations.

Steve Bannon est par ailleurs poursuivi pour fraude par la justice new-yorkaise dans le cadre d’une enquête sur une levée de fonds pour construire un mur entre les Etats-Unis et le Mexique, l’une des principales promesses de campagne de Donald Trump.

Il avait déjà été mis en cause dans ce dossier par la justice fédérale, avant d’être gracié par Donald Trump dans les derniers jours de sa présidence.

L’ancien président fait lui-même l’objet de plusieurs enquêtes et la commission du 6 janvier a annoncé qu’elle allait l’assigner à comparaître. 

Ses membres, sept démocrates et deux républicains, doivent publier un rapport sur leurs travaux d’ici la fin de l’année, dans lequel ils pourraient préconiser d’inculper l’ancien président. La décision reviendra in fine au ministre de la Justice Merrick Garland, un homme prudent qui n’exclut rien.

chp/led

L’ancien conseiller de Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, à la sortie du tribunal fédéral de Washington, le 21 octobre 2022
• CHIP SOMODEVILLA

L’ancien conseiller de Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, fait une déclaration à la presse à la sortie du tribunal fédéral de Washington, le 21 octobre 2022
• CHIP SOMODEVILLA

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Linivèsité Oliwon Lakarayib ouverte au public pour la deuxième fois ce samedi 22 octobre 2022

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Linivèsite Oliwon Lakarayib, université ouverte à toutes et tous en hybride visant à une meilleure connaissance de l’histoire et de la géographie de la Caraïbe, ouvre ses portes sur YouTube ce samedi 22 octobre.

Projet pensé pour contribuer à une meilleure connaissance de l’histoire et de la géographie de la Martinique et des îles voisines, la deuxième édition de ” Linivèsite Oliwon Lakarayib ” se déroulera ce samedi 22 octobre 2022 de 9 heures à 17 heures au Cosy, espace de co-working, au 31 Rue Professeur Raymond Garcin à Fort-de- France pour les membres et invités de l’association Oliwon Lakarayib. Pour le public, les cours se dérouleront en ligne via la plateforme de streaming YouTube.

 

Des formats ludiques adaptés aux réseaux sociaux

Habituée des formats audio, audiovisuels ou même écrits via des podcasts, des videos, des articles, citations ou des focus, l’association aborde à chaque fois des thèmes précis et d’actualité ou raconte des événements peu ou mal connus, réalise des biographies et aborde des thématiques, au regard de la recherche scientifique. Le projet initial est né d’une forte demande sociale de mieux connaître son histoire et son territoire. L’équipe éditoriale d’Oliwon Lakarayib a débuté le projet en septembre 2019 et se compose de professeur.es d’Histoire et/ou géographie de Martinique et de Guadeloupe, à savoir : Ghislaine Artigot, Laury Belrose, Stephanie Belrose, Florence Beuze, Muriel Descas Ravoteur, Jean-Luc Farant, Nadine Guiose-Luilet, Fabienne Jannas, Elsa Juston, Elisabeth Landi, Bruno Magallon-Graineau, Jean-Michel Pozzo et Daniel Sigiscard.

 

Programme

Le programme de ce samedi est le suivant :

9h : Ouverture ; 9h15: ” Les villes, à l’heure de l’entre soi : de la mixite à la fragmentation ” par Bruno Magallon-Graineau ; 10h15 : ” 1492, et après dans les Caraïbes ? ” par Ghislaine Artigot ; 11h15 : ” Colomb, entre mémoires et histoire. ” par Fabienne Jannas ; 12h15 – 14h : pause ; 14h : ” La présence noire en France : être esclave, affranchi ou libre sur le territoire métropolitain au XVIIIème siècle. ” par Muriel Descas Ravoteur ; 15h : ” Penser le monde en terme de races au XIXème siècle ” par Elisabeth Landi ; 16h : ” Octobre 1962 ou quand la Caraïbe était devenue le centre du monde ” par Nadine Guiose-Luilet. L’évènement sera clôturé à 17 heures.

L’évenement sera à retrouver sur leur chaîne YouTube, accessible en cliquant ici.

 

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