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National Energy Stakeholder Consultations Come to an End

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 26th October 2022 – The Government of St Kitts and Nevis through the Ministries of Environment, Energy and Climate Action has brought down the curtains on four days of engagements with regional and local stakeholders.

The talks began on Sunday 23rd October with Minister of Environment and Climate Action, The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke and Minister of Energy and Utilities, the Hon. Konris Maynard and their Permanent Secretaries, Sharon Rattan and Daryll Lloyd, who met with representatives from the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the St Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC) and Nevis Electricity Company Ltd (NEVLEC) to propose the way forward to manage a resilient energy sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Minister Clarke said the partnership between the Ministries of Energy and Environment will concretize the approach to renewable energy, and energy security, in addition to energy for the most vulnerable.

“Importantly, we are forging a new decisive and committed partnership between St Kitts and Nevis as we develop this national resource,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Utilities, The Hon. Konris Maynard said the proposals would provide decision-support to the Cabinet as it seeks to determine the appropriate energy pathway and renewable energy-mix which includes, solar, wind and geothermal, for the Federation.

Minister Maynard continued, “We are also pleased to discuss with NEVLEC the interconnection of the Electricity Grid in St. Kitts and the Electricity Grid in Nevis as an interconnection affords the Federation the opportunity to have One Grid thereby increasing the resilience of power supply across the two islands. This would mean that as St. Kitts expands its power-generation capacity, driven by renewable energy sources, Nevis can benefit. Similarly, as Nevis’ power supply expands to include renewable energy, St. Kitts can benefit.”

Following that meeting, the Cabinet of Ministers met with a delegation from the CDB thereby demonstrating its seriousness about aggressively pursuing energy and geothermal alternatives on both islands.

The representatives from the CDB then journeyed to Nevis to further their discussions with NEVLEC.

Closing out four days of engagements, SKELEC hosted an Energy Stakeholders National Consultation on Wednesday 26th October.

At this consultation, critical issues were raised by numerous regional and local stakeholders including engineers, financiers, environmentalists, and climate activists on creating the path for energy security.

Coming out of the discussions, it was determined that an Energy Task Force, among other things, will be established. This Task Force will ensure that the necessary support structures for the renewable energy project are in place.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, Sharon Rattan and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Daryll Lloyd, will spearhead the newly created Energy Task Force.

ENERGY TASK FORCE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

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Republic of China (Taiwan) Partners With Government of St Kitts-nevis in Support of COP27

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 26th October 2022 (SKNIS) – The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has partnered with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to provide technical support to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, as well as the Ministry of Energy, to allow their delegation to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference commonly referred to as COP27.

His Excellency Ambassador Michael Lin, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, met with Ministers, the Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke and The Hon. Konris Maynard on Wednesday 26th October 2022 to make the presentation. He wished the delegation much success and anticipates meeting the Team upon their return.

In response, Minister Maynard expressed satisfaction and requested that Ambassador Lin conveys to his government, the appreciation and interest in continuing to unite efforts between both countries so as to further the relations of cooperation.

This is the largest delegation to ever attend a UN Climate Change Conference. The delegation includes Ministers Clarke and Maynard and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Sharon Rattan; From the Department of Environment, Cheryl Jeffers, Conservation Officer; Derionne Edmeade, Environmental Education Officer and Nydia Taylor, Finance Officer; From Nevis, there are Sebastian Manners, Physical Planning Officer and Cordiesere Walters, Youth Development Officer.

COP27 will be hosted in Egypt from November 6-18, 2022.

H.E. AMBASSADOR MICHAEL LIN AND HON. DR. JOYELLE CLARKE WITH SOME MEMBERS OF THE COP 27 DELEGATION

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HISTORIC FIRST: DPP wins appeal against murder convict Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Murder convict Lindell Powell saw his 12-year prison sentence for two murders he committed in Westmoreland in January 2017 doubled Friday morning after the prosecution successfully appealed the “unduly lenient sentence”, which was handed down by Supreme Court Justice Bertram Morrison in December 2021.

Powell had pleaded guilty to the murders of Ida Clarke and Oral McIntosh and was sentenced to 12 years each on both counts. Justice Morrison had stated that the sentences were to run concurrently, and Powell would have been eligible for parole after serving 10 years.

However, the murder convict will now be spending significantly more time behind bars based on the decision handed down by the Court of Appeal on Friday.

He has now been sentenced to life imprisonment on both counts with the stipulation that he serves 20 years and seven months before being eligible for parole on the first count and 24 years and seven months before being considered for parole on the second. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Following the trial and sentencing in December 2021, the Director of Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewelyn served notice that she would appeal the sentence.

It marked the first time in Jamaica that the prosecution appealed a case.

The law to facilitate the groundbreaking move was enacted a month before in November 2021 and gives the prosecution limited scope of appeal in certain instances.

During the appeal process, the DPP had argued for a sentence of life imprisonment with eligibility for parole between 20 and 28 years.

The Court of Appeal heard arguments and submissions that ended on May 31. In handing down its decision Friday morning, the Court stated that “the sentences imposed by the learned judge are quashed…”

It also said the sentences are to be reckoned as having commenced on the date on which they were imposed which is December 2, 2021.

Powell had benefitted from a significant reduction in his sentence because of his guilty plea. But, Llewelyn had asserted that apart from being “unduly lenient” the judge had “misdirected himself” when he did not impose life imprisonment.

She also told the court during the appeals process that the judge “unwittingly strayed into the twilight zone of judicial arbitrariness”, when he acknowledged that the penalty for murder was life imprisonment, juxtaposed 15 years as the normal range – where the mandatory minimum in terms of eligibility for parole is 15 years – and then handed down a sentence of 12 years with parole after 10 years.

The DPP said it was a total misapplication of the law, given that the murders were committed with a gun.

“Having regard to the particularly egregious natures of the murders involved and despite the appellant’s guilty plea on both counts, a sentence of life imprisonment would have been appropriate,” Llewellyn told the court.

She also argued that the agreed facts showed that Powell had put thought into the murders.

The Court of Appeal will shortly make available its written reasons for arriving at its decision.

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House Speaker Pelosi’s home targeted in attack on husband Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked and severely beaten by an assailant with a hammer who broke into their San Francisco home early Friday, according to people familiar with the investigation.

Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force injuries to his head and body, according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing probe.

The attack was not random; the assailant specifically targeted the home, the people said. The assailant was in custody.

Pelosi was being treated by doctors for bruising, severe swelling and other injuries. Nancy Pelosi’s spokesman Drew Hammill said he was expected to make a full recovery.

“The Speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time,” Hammill said in a statement.

While the circumstances of the attack are unclear, the attack raises questions about the safety of members of Congress and their families as threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the deadly Capitol insurrection. The attack also comes just 11 days ahead of midterm elections in which crime and public safety have emerged as top concerns among Americans.

Police investigators work outside the home of Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Paul Pelosi, was attacked and severely beaten by an assailant with a hammer who broke into their San Francisco home early Friday, according to people familiar with the investigation. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

In 2021, Capitol Police investigated around 9,600 threats made against members of Congress, and members have been violently attacked in recent years. Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head at an event outside a Tucson grocery store in 2011, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was severely injured when a gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team practice in 2017.

Members of Congress have received additional dollars for security at their homes, but some have pushed for more protection as people have showed up at their homes and as members have received an increasing number of threatening communications.

Capitol Police, tasked with protecting congressional leaders, said Nancy Pelosi was with her protective detail in Washington at the time her husband was attacked. She’d just returned this week from a security conference in Europe and is due to keynote an advocacy event Saturday evening with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Capitol Police said the FBI and San Francisco police were also investigating. The suspect is in the custody of the San Francisco police.

Often at Nancy Pelosi’s side during formal events in Washington, Paul Pelosi is a wealthy investor who largely remains on the West Coast. They have five adult children and many grandchildren. The two have been married 59 years.

Earlier this year, Paul Pelosi pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence charges related to a May crash in California’s wine country and was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation.

President Joe Biden and lawmakers from both parties reacted to the assault with shock and expressed their well wishes to the Pelosi family.

“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “I spoke with Speaker Pelosi earlier this morning and conveyed my deepest concern and heartfelt wishes to her husband and their family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

“We have been to many events with the Pelosis over the last 2 decades and we’ve had lots of occasions to talk about both of our families and the challenges of being part of a political family. Thinking about the Pelosi family today,” tweeted Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Joe Biden has also been in contact with Nancy Pelosi.

“The President is praying for Paul Pelosi and for Speaker Pelosi’s whole family,” Jean-Pierre said. “This morning he called Speaker Pelosi to express his support after this horrible attack. He is also very glad that a full recovery is expected. The president continues to condemn all violence, and asks that the family’s desire for privacy be respected.”

The Pelosi home in the wealthy Pacific Heights neighborhood has been the scene of several protests in the past few years. After Nancy Pelosi was seen on video getting her hair done at a salon while many were shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, stylists protested outside with curling irons. Members of the Chinese community protested outside recently before Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan. And during debates over the federal stimulus package protesters scrawled anarchy signs in black paint across the garage door, along with “cancel rent,” and “we want everything.”

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Ministry Of Education Celebrates – National Robotics Team

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

The Ministry of Education and Sports under the leadership of the Honorable Daryll Matthew, celebrates the achievements of Teyanna Nathaniel (Team Leader), Ethan Bailey (Engineer), Deshini Charles (Programmer) and Leyla Reid (Designer) – four students who would have competently and skillfully represented Antigua and Barbuda at the 2022 FIRST Global Challenge held in Geneva, Switzerland. The focus of this year’s robotic challenge was, “Carbon Capture.”

As one of the highlights during its inaugural STEM Infused Summer Camp, the Ministry of Education would have enrolled our 200 students and afforded the opportunity for capacity building in the following areas – Computer Assembly, Coding, Photography, Videography, Graphics Design, Mobile App and Web Development, Esports, Robotics, 3D printing and Virtual and Augment Reality.

Having seen the enthusiasm of the students in the area of robotics, the Ministry would have invested a sum of Twenty-Seven Thousand Eastern Caribbean Dollars towards the realization of the team travelling to Geneva to participate in this year’s FIRST Global challenge.

The Ministry is committed to the needed curriculum transformation which creates the authentic learning experience for each student.

The Ministry also commits to building the needed skills for the future, so that the current students, the next iteration of the workforce, can be fully equipped to negotiate the emerging jobs.

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ABLP and UPP leaders to engage in discussions before an audience on 31st October and 14th November, 2022

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

The leaders of the country’s two main political parties will be hosted by the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in a public advocacy series.

The Antigua Barbuda Labour Party leader, Gaston Browne, and his counterpart in the United Progressive Party, Harold Lovell, will engage in discussions before an audience on 31st October and 14th November, 2022.

Director of Academic Affairs UWI FIC, Dr. Curtis Charles, said both guests will be quizzed on matters of national importance and asked to share their plans for advancing Antigua and Barbuda.

“We think we have two very thoughtful subject matter experts who will be asking the questions and then naturally we’ll open it out to the audience for like 30 minutes,” Charles said.

The engagements, which will bring the political leaders head-to-head, will be the first of their kind in Antigua and Barbuda.

The university’s director of academic affairs explained that events such as the public advocacy series are ways in which, historically, “we bring the community into the university”.

“We have to basically acknowledge the fact that there’s a major election. There are two major candidates, two major political parties and we are professors who are on both sides of the aisle, we have students who are on both sides of the aisle, we have faculty.

“So, it’s not something we can ignore, so, we really want to raise the discourse of what you will traditionally hear in a clip on television or a clip on radio in an ad. What we want to be able to do is to embed ourselves into the tradition of a university of research questions and deep, thoughtful answers.

“So, that’s the premise of bringing these leaders to campus,” Dr. Charles explained. POINTE XPRESS

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Rotary Club of Antigua donates to Andre Simon medical fund

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

At Thursday’s meeting, a donation was made to the Andre Simon Fund.

Dwayne Simon, brother of Andre Simon graciously accepted the cheque and thanked the Club for their timely financial assistance which was much appreciated!

Picture, President Ilean Ramsey presents cheque to Dwayne Simon!

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Designer, Kamel Secraoui crée un vélo-plancha et cuisine pour les sans-abri

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Designer et humaniste, Kamel Secraoui a conçu des bancs publics où inscrire dédicaces, citations ou mots doux, puis a installé une plancha sur son vélo, allant par les rues de Toulouse…

Designer et humaniste, Kamel Secraoui a conçu des bancs publics où inscrire dédicaces, citations ou mots doux, puis a installé une plancha sur son vélo, allant par les rues de Toulouse mitonner de savoureux repas pour les sans-abri.

C’est l’heure du déjeuner. Un arôme appétissant de courgettes et d’oignons rissolés flotte dans l’air. Pas de restaurant pourtant au pied des hauts murs de briques de Saint-Michel, ancienne prison à l’allure de château fort. 

Juste un vélo et, en remorque, une plancha en inox: Kamel Secraoui y apprête des croque-monsieur, avec du “vrai pain” croustillant.

Par l’odeur alléché, un groupe se forme. Sacs à dos ou besaces tombent des épaules, le temps d’une pause gourmande pour une dizaine de SDF venus là par le bouche-à-oreille. 

Son fox terrier en laisse,

Bénédicte, 50 ans, dont la vie de repasseuse à domicile a basculé après une violente agression, aime à s’y “réchauffer un peu le coeur”. 

“Y a du goût! Ça change” des habituelles distributions alimentaires, se délecte Mehdi, 46 ans. Licencié d’une déchetterie pour avoir refusé le vaccin contre le covid, il vit dans la rue depuis janvier, faute de pouvoir payer un loyer.

Créer du lien, partager

Kamel Secraoui, lui aussi âgé de 46 ans, entend “créer du lien avec des personnes qui n’ont pas l’habitude, qui ont peu d’attention” afin d’”humaniser la ville par des gestes simples, des moments partagés”.

Issu d’une famille de six enfants, dont le père kabyle était venu d’Algérie travailler à l’usine d’engrais AZF – qui a explosé en 2001 faisant 30 morts et plus de 8.000 blessés – ce fan du Stade toulousain naît le 28 mai 1976 dans la Ville rose.

Il grandit au coeur de la cité populaire du Mirail, inspiré par la générosité des femmes de son entourage: sa mère, deux soeurs, une grand-mère qui “n’était pas la plus riche, bien au contraire, mais le peu qu’elle avait, elle le partageait”.

Fondateur de l’agence KLD Design, sélectionnée pour plusieurs biennales dont Venise en 2018, il crée signalétiques, objets et mobiliers colorés destinés à des collectivités ou aux particuliers. 

Une cinquantaine de ses bancs aux lignes graphiques, baptisés “Naelou” – à partir des prénoms de ses enfants Naël et Lou – ornent ainsi parcs et trottoirs de différentes villes, ou jardins privés. 

Leur particularité: “via la page naelou.com, les gens envoient leurs messages qui y seront inscrits à l’emporte-pièce”, à raison d’un euro le mot, ou gratuitement quand c’est, par exemple, un cadeau d’une maison de retraite à ses résidents.

Connu sous le nom de Chat Maigre pour ses oeuvres de street art, le designer a défrayé la chronique en 2006 en égayant clandestinement un radar routier avec des legos. “Le préfet a fait enlever le radar et m’a convoqué. Il était étonné que des gens lui demandent de le remettre”, se souvient-il en riant.

Grand prix humanitaire

L’idée du vélo-plancha a surgi pendant le confinement: “Nous nous régalions de grillades avec ma famille et je pensais aux gens à la rue”. Il dessine, puis fabrique avec un métallier une plancha “hygiénique et fonctionnelle”.

Une association est née, le Plancha Social Club, qui a reçu récemment la médaille d’or du Grand prix humanitaire de France. Quelques bénévoles s’y sont impliqués, telle Halima Benaissa, 64 ans, médiatrice sociale à la retraite qui “aide, accompagne, discute” avec les convives. 

Animatrice au restaurant social de la municipalité, Houria Chikah, 49 ans, est là depuis le démarrage fin 2021. “C’est ludique, chaleureux et on prend le temps d’échanger”, apprécie-t-elle.

Si Kamel Secraoui rêve de rallier davantage de monde afin que le vélo-plancha ne soit pas tributaire de ses engagements professionnels et “tourne plus qu’une ou deux fois par semaine”, il n’entend pas s’arrêter là. 

Sa nouvelle idée: un concours destiné aux jeunes attirés par le graphisme, mais sans argent pour l’étudier. “Les meilleurs décoreront le métro de Toulouse, en partenariat avec l’exploitant Tisséo, et montreront ainsi leur talent.” 

Le designer connaît ce terrain: en 2008 il avait, en toute légalité, orné de stickers huit ascenseurs et une station. “J’aime la ville et la voir différemment, en couleurs”, explique Kamel Secraoui, désireux aujourd’hui de “donner vraiment le sourire, en partageant”. 

fpp/cha/ib

Le designer Kamel Secraoui, fondateur du Plancha Social Club, assis sur l’une de ses créations exposée à Launaguet, le 21 septembre 2022 en Haute-Garonne
• Charly TRIBALLEAU

Kamel Secraoui sur son vélo-plancha, le 26 septembre 2022 à Toulouse, dans le sud-ouest de la France
• Charly TRIBALLEAU

Kamel Secraoui sert à des sans-abri des croque-monsieur qu’il a préparés sur sa plancha-vélo, le 26 septembre 2022 à Toulouse, dans le sud-ouest de la France
• Charly TRIBALLEAU

Kamel Secraoui sert à des sans-abri des croque-monsieur qu’il a préparés sur sa plancha-vélo, le 26 septembre 2022 à Toulouse, dans le sud-ouest de la France
• Charly TRIBALLEAU

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Ministry of ICT Redesigning and Upgrading Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Official Website; Changes to Take Effect From November 1, 2022

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 27, 2022 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is in the process of redesigning and upgrading the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis official website, www.gov.kn

The official changes will take effect from Tuesday 1st November 2022, and are promised to give a cleaner, modern and professional design with easier navigation and access to government information. The critical government services will be highlighted and easily accessible via the new redesign.

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Ministry of Sustainable Development Empowers Employees Across Its Departments With Full Day Development Sessions

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 26 October 2022 – Employees across the various departments of The Ministry of Sustainable Development have been newly empowered to carry out their day-to-day mandate during an all-day Employee Retreat.

The theme for the event was “Catching the vision of transformation for the Ministry of Sustainable Development.”

The Ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary, Sherilita “Shez” Dore-Tyson said the purpose of the retreat was for the employees to come together and refocus in an effort to regain the public’s confidence as it aims to re-establish the standards and transform the Ministry to become what it was intended to be.

She reminded the employees that the Ministry was needed to specifically focus on guiding the government in developing the economy, resources, and the environment.

PS Dore-Tyson said, “Our Ministry has a very crucial responsibility, and that is to ensure that our country’s development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This means, therefore, that all of us are individually and collectively responsible to ensure that 10, 30, 50 years from now our children can live in a St. Kitts and Nevis that is socially safe, in an economy that is booming and filled with opportunities, and an environment where our air is clean, our communities are laid out properly, and our lands are used correctly.”

Sessions throughout the day were designed to re-educate the employees about their responsibilities, privileges and roles as civil servants. Additionally, more intrapersonal skills were explored through sessions on effective teamwork and networking.

Meanwhile, Minister of Sustainable Development, The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke boosted the spirit of the gathering when she mentioned that the Cabinet of Ministers will deliberate on rendering long-service awards and promote employees based on their technical skills and experience, notwithstanding their not being degree-holders.

The Ministry of Sustainable Development is made up of six departments including, Lands and Surveys, Physical Planning, Statistics, Urban Planning, and Economic Affairs and Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

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