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RORC Nelson’s Cup Series set for Antigua

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

Antigua – 13th to 24th February 2023

Deep into the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere, Antigua is blessed with warm trade winds and ocean swell.

The RORC Caribbean 600 is a bucket-list offshore event for thousands of Corinthian and professional sailors,­­ and for 2023 and beyond, the desire for more boats to participate in a variety of races has led to the creation of the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series.

The 11-day programme features all the hallmarks of racing with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, including professional race management and memorable social events.

Between 13th & 24th February 2023, the RORC, supported by the Antigua Yacht Club will organise the inaugural RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, followed by the 14­­­th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600.

Six Races are scheduled, with a full social programme ashore. Racing under IRC, MOCRA and One-Design Rules, competitors can take part in all or part of the Series.

For boats competing in the RORC Caribbean 600 Race, there is no additional entry fee for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series.

Teams wishing to compete in just the inshore racing will have a nominal entry fee.

Some of the most successful teams in recent years have already entered the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, and about 80 boats are expected for the 600-mile offshore race.

Early entries for the six-race series include proven winners on the world stage of offshore racing, including RORC Vice Commodore Eric de Turckheim’s NMYD54 Teasing Machine (FRA), Niklas Zennström’s CF-520 Rán 8 (SWE), Ker 46 Daguet 3 – Corum (FRA), skippered by Frederic Puzin, and RORC Commodore James Neville’s HH42 Ino XXX (GBR).

The Series will have a variety of racecourses tailored to give all entrants an equal chance of winning after IRC time correction.

The smallest of the early entries is Pogo 12.50 Kai (GBR), which will be raced Two-Handed by Tim Knight & Tony Harris.

A significant number of local Antiguan boats are expected to take-up the challenge of racing against some of the world’s most accomplished teams.

All travel restrictions have now been removed for Antigua & Barbuda for many months, resulting in an international fleet set for a spectacular regatta.

Realistically the 2023 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series is unlikely to have a huge entry.

However, the RORC are committed to growing the Series and there is only one inaugural regatta.

The Notice of Race for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series has been published and on-line entry is open. More details and downloads at: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/

2023 Nelson’s Cup Series + RORC Caribbean 600

13th to 24th February 2023

Monday 13th February 2023 – Skippers Briefing + Welcome Drinks

Tuesday 14th February – Race Day One (2 races scheduled) + Daily Prizegiving

Wednesday 15th February – Race Day Two (2 races scheduled) + Daily Prizegiving

Thursday 16th February – Lay-Day/Reserve Day

Friday 17th February – Antigua 360 – Race around the Island

Saturday 18th February – RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party + Antigua 360 Prizegiving

Sunday 19th February – Lay-Day

Monday 20th February – Start of the 14th RORC Caribbean 600

Friday 24th February – Final Prizegiving

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Contrasting evidence presented in Paria enquiry

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Paria and Heritage attorneys Jason Mootoo (left ) and Senior Counsel Gilbert Peterson at the CoE into the Paria diving tragedy. – SUREASH CHOLAI

There was contrasting evidence in the Paria Commission of Enquiry as lawyers sought to determine whether procedure was followed during the changing of a faulty riser which resulted in the death of four divers on February 25.

Gilbert Peterson, SC, who represents Paria and the Heritage Petroleum Company, showed surviving diver Christopher Boodram an account by Paria’s HSE officer of the toolbox meeting which took place on the morning of the incident.

Peterson said, “In that list of 16 steps, there is no mention of any activity involving the removing of the barriers, the mechanical plug, or the inflatable plug.”

CoE Chairman Jerome Lynch, KC, took Boodram through the Land and Marine Construction Services Ltd (LMCS) method statement, which was attached to the work permit governing the job. “I can’t recall seeing this document but you have to remember I wasn’t there every day. I have no recollection of seeing this document at all.”

Lynch read through sections of the document.

“Paragraph 56 said to manually remove the migration barrier from the line – that’s the plug, the metal one with the bolts on; and paragraph 57 said manually deflate line plug and remove from the line. Paragraph 58 said manually install the blind flange on riser by positioning end flange on newly installed slip-on flange and securing with fasteners. Paragraph 59 said the chamber crew to demobilize and return to exterior, 60 said disengage air supply and allow chamber to flood, and 61 said unbolt the 50-inch flange at the top of the chamber stove-pipe.”

He asked Boodram whether this was his recollection of what was to happen on that day.

“Yes sir, this is what I was told. This is the topic we had on that day, excluding the flood, well we had to flood the chamber when we were leaving, including the flooding of the chamber, but the removal of the chamber and thing would have been done, providing the 25th went smoothly, on the 26th.”

Lynch asked, “Did anyone say to you that under no circumstances must that plug was to be removed, from LMCS or from Paria, at any stage.”

Boodram replied, “No Sir, on the contrary, that was the plan, to remove the plug.”

Lynch said Boodram had testified that it took an hour to two hours for that process to occur.

“During that two-hour period, did anyone from Paria or LMCS say, do not remove that plug?”

To which Boodram replied “No Sir.”

Lynch said the work permit document also had attached a lift document and job safety analysis (JSA) document, which were together in a series of documents supplied by Paria.

“Do you remember if this document at all was shown to you on the day you were going to carry out this work?”

Boodram said he could not remember seeing the document attached to the work permit, but it was read to him by LMCS’ safety officer.

Peterson asked Boodram if he knew , between the method statement and the PTW for the day, which one actually dictates what workers were supposed to do on the day.

Boodram replied, “the method statement is, in my view, the one you would work with and go to, because the method statement is what you would use to obtain the contract.”

When Peterson asked if Boodram accepted that the PTW took precedence over the method statement, Boodram said, “Which part in the PTW say that you could not take out the plugs? There was nowhere stating you should not have done it.

“If there was a ‘must not’ do something, it would have been bold, as it is here – bold in writing that all steps below shall be carried out to full compliance with Paria PTW system. When Paria at any time found that the job was going out of their PTW, they would have stopped the job, that’s what they had officials there for.”

In response to questioning from Seaman and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union counsel Nyree Alfonso, Boodram said when he used a tank to get air from while escaping the pipe, it was not lodged anywhere in the pipe, as he was able to swim over it. He said he did not believe camera footage which showed the pipe was blocked.

The CoE was adjourned until Thursday at 10 am.

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Trinis in Japan celebrate World Cup win over Germany

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Fans celebrate at Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, as Japan’s national football team won against Germany in the World Cup in Qatar, early Thursday. – AP Photo

Japan-based Trinidad and Tobago nationals are celebrating the nation’s historic and first-ever FIFA World Cup victory against Germany.

Japan produced the second major FIFA World Cup upset in Qatar when they clawed back from a goal down to steal a historic 2-1 victory over title-favourites Germany 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium, in their opening Group E clash, on Wednesday.

After Japanese Daizen Madea’s opening goal early in the first half was ruled out for offside, German attacking midfielder Ilkay Gundogan converted a penalty which Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda conceded, in the 33rd minute.

The score remained 1-0 at the half but at the resumption, Germany continued to dominate but Japan also pressed for the equalizer.

The Blue Samaurai were soon rewarded as Ritsu Doan slotted past veteran German custodian Manuel Neuer in the 75th minute to level the score.

Just eight minutes later, Takuma Asano shocked the globe when he rifled past Neuer, in a tight angle, to send them 2-1 up. So it would remain until the end of regulation and stoppage time.

The emotional win for Japan saw them pick up their first victory against Germany. Their record against the Germans is now one win, one loss and one draw. This was also Japan’s first time coming from behind to win a World Cup match.

In Japan, TT nationals celebrated the nation’s achievement on social media.

“An amazing game. An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. I’m extremely happy I get to be a part of it all,” Kosi Regis, from Yamagata City, Yamagata.

“I am beyond elated for Japan! I was cheering so hard from my apartment. To see all their hard work and that big turn-around in the second half was just amazing,” said Kassie Hernandez, who lives in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Najja Forbes from Yokohama City added, “As a Trini living in Japan I’m happy that Japan won.”

The shocking result follows Tuesday’s first major upset which saw Saudi Arabia down a Lionel Messi-led Argentina 2-1.

Both results broke the hearts of die-hard fans but were also welcomed by others, who say the unpredictability of the FIFA World Cup is what makes it one of, if not, the most viewed sporting competition globally.

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Felix Acknowledges Differences Over Who Should Lead UWP – St. Lucia Times News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Choiseul-Saltibus MP Bradley Felix has acknowledged differences within the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) over who should be the leader amid reports of infighting.

The UWP says it is regrouping after being voted out of office at the July 26, 2021, general elections, which the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) won by a landslide.

“Yes, there are differences in terms of who should be political leader, but that is natural. That is what you call democracy,” Felix told reporters.

“People will not always favour one individual,” he explained on the sidelines of Tuesday’s House of Assembly sitting.

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However, the former government Minister noted that the upcoming UWP convention would settle such matters.

“It’s not the first time we have had that sort of, you know, fighting as to who should lead,” Felix declared, adding that it was democracy at work.

Nevertheless, he declared that the UWP was united in its conviction that the SLP administration was committing many errors and not ruling the way the party had advertised.

Felix said the UWP would be ready whenever elections are called, whether next year or when constitutionally due.

As to whether he would contest the party leadership, his response was: “Well, if my name comes up, we will see how that goes.”

“You must always be prepared for anything,” Felix declared when asked whether he was ready.

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Single-dose HPV vaccine now available in Barbados Loop Barbados

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine is now available in Barbados in a single-dose schedule.

This announcement from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MHW) comes following the conclusion by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) that a single-dose Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)vaccine delivers solid protection against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, which is comparable to the 2-dose schedules.

The conclusion was made following a meeting of SAGE in April 2022, to look at evidence from an updated systematic review on the immunogenicity, efficacy and effectiveness of single-dose vaccination schedules compared to no vaccination and to multi-dose schedules.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in women in Barbados, and results from persistent infection in the cervix with high-risk strains of the HPV.

In 2014, the HPV vaccine was introduced into the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) targeting children at the eleven-plus age range as the risk of HPV infection is considered high among the adolescent and young adult population.

This vaccine is not mandatory but is given with the consent of a parent.

In addition to the reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with the HPV, the adoption of this new schedule will help to reduce the cost of the HPV vaccine campaign.

HPV vaccine is administered at all polyclinics at no charge to patients. It may also be accessed in the private healthcare sector, through some paediatricians and general practitioners.

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Employee Kills Six At US Supermarket – St. Lucia Times News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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An employee at a Walmart supermarket in the US state of Virginia shot dead six people and injured four others, police say.

Officers were called to the scene late on Tuesday after the gunman, who has not been named, opened fire on colleagues at the branch in Chesapeake.

He later turned the gun on himself and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The motive is still unknown. Police are not searching for anyone else in connection with the attack.

The first call to police was made at 22:12 local time on Tuesday (03:12 GMT Wednesday) and officers arrived at the supermarket within two minutes.

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They entered the building two minutes after that, and the scene was declared safe an hour later once it had been cleared and all the victims had been located.

Processing the crime scene would likely take several days, Police Chief Mark Solesky told a news conference, adding that the investigation was being carried out with the help of the FBI.

He did not identify the attacker, saying their next of kin had not yet been informed.

An eyewitness, who was wearing a Walmart uniform, described what happened in footage that circulated on social media shortly after the attack.

He said he had left a staff room, which a colleague then entered before quickly opening fire. “Sadly we lost a few of our associates,” he said.

One woman told WAVY-TV that her brother, a 20-year-old employee, was shot and wounded just 10 minutes after signing on for work.

But she said her sibling was able to talk to relatives and send texts – saying this was “comforting”.

Ms Jeffrey said her mother was not hurt but was in shock.

In a statement, Chesapeake Mayor Rick West – who was unable to attend Wednesday’s news conference because of a Covid-19 diagnosis – said the city was “devastated” by the shooting.

“We’re really shaken by the news,” he said. “We will support each other throughout this time.”

Walmart said it was “shocked at this tragic event” and was “working closely with law enforcement”.

Mark Warner, a Democratic senator for the state of Virginia, tweeted that he was “sickened by reports of yet another mass shooting”.

Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas, also a Democrat, added that she was “absolutely heartbroken”.

She wrote on Twitter: “I will not rest until we find the solutions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country.”

The shooting comes just days after a gunman opened fire at a LGBT nightclub in the US state of Colorado, killing five people and injuring 17 others.

And earlier this month, three American Football players were shot and killed at the University of Virginia.

SOURCE: BBC News

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Barbados signs landmark deal with Mastercard Loop Barbados

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

On Tuesday, Barbados signed a contract with MasterCard International Inc, making it the first country in the Caribbean to be part of their Tourism Insights Tool Platform.

Signing the contract was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Francine Blackman, as well as representatives from the entity who will have responsibility for overseeing the project, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jens Thraenhart and BTMI’s Director of Marketing, Robert Chase.

According to MasterCard Vice President, Principal Data and Services, Latin America and Caribbean, John Munoz, Tourism Insights uses machine learning algorithms and human expertise to capture timely and useful data by MasterCard users, that can be analysed to help track trends and investigate emerging or growing markets, which can be used to increase visitor spend and gain an edge in the very competitive tourism industry.

Munoz, commended Barbados for signing on to the platform, stating: “Barbados is the first country in the Caribbean to adopt the Tourism Insight platform. Barbados is joining Paris, London, Madrid, Seville, Greece, New York and Tokyo…. So please feel free to feel proud of this being the tip of the spear and leading the tourism ecosystem in this digital era.”

Permanent Secretary Francine Blackman, noted that signing on to the platform was important as it would allow for the Ministry to utilise the modern tool to find unseen patterns that would assist in making evidence-based policy decisions.

“This Tourism Insight Tool gives the BTMI a 360-degree view of travellers such as consumer profiles, preferences, behaviours and spending patterns. Barbados tourism marketers will gain insights into the products and tourist attractions that are of the most interest.

“With this information, Barbados will be better able to determine the windows of opportunity for marketing campaigns, developing marketing campaigns, as well as understanding the levels of satisfaction within its industry products and services, … all with the intention of spurring greater revenue growth,” Blackman explained.

Dr Thraenhart added that in partnering with MasterCard’s platform, Barbados can become a smart and data-driven destination.

“I think having partners like MasterCard helping us and supporting us, makes it possible to move in that direction. This is, I think, extremely important as we’re coming out of COVID-19 and making sure that we recover in a way that not just looks at pure advertising but really understands the audiences in order to meet the demands of a very competitive environment,” the BTMI CEO stated.

The CEO along with the Director of Marketing, Robert Chase stressed they were very excited to leverage the data to help increase visitor spending that would benefit all players in the industry, as the BTMI seeks to build an inclusive and bottom-up tourism marketing environment.

The Tourism Insights Tool initiative falls under the Ministry’s National Tourism Program, Component two, which is aimed at enhancing Barbados’ tourism industry by strengthening digital marketing.

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Cédric Chaillot fait appel de sa condamnation à 20 ans de réclusion criminelle

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

R.L.

Avant les 10 jours légaux, le Foyalais de 38 ans récemment condamné aux Assises a interjeté appel de la décision de la Cour.

Il avait 10 jours pour faire appel et il a saisi cette opportunité. Le 14 novembre dernier, Cédric Chaillot avait été condamné à 20 ans de réclusion criminelle pour « violences avec armes ayant entrainé la mort (de Daniel Duville) sans intention de la donner et pour port d’arme, le tout en récidive ».

Le Foyalais de 38 ans avait été reconnu coupable à l’issue de 4 jours d’audience mais les jurés n’avaient pas retenu la qualification de meurtre à son encontre. Les faits qui lui sont reprochés se sont produits devant l’ex-discothèque Le Maximus au Lamentin, le 26 juillet 2019. Ce soir-là, à la suite de coups de feu, un jeune de 23 ans avait perdu la vie.

 

L’acquittement avait été plaidé pour le meurtre

Cédric Chaillot a toujours contesté être à l’origine du tir mortel, tout en reconnaissant avoir fait feu mais à terre. Lors de son interpellation, deux mois après les faits, l’arme retrouvée sur lui n’était pas celle qui a tué Daniel Duville.

 

A lire aussi
Assises : l’arme retrouvée sur Chaillot n’est pas celle qui a tué Daniel Duville

 

À l’audience, son avocat, Me Eddy Arneton, avait plaidé l’acquittement pour le meurtre. Pour les faits de port d’armes, reconnus par l’accusé, il avait souhaité une peine qui n’aille pas au-delà de 10 ans.

L’affaire sera donc à nouveau examinée en appel.

Cette semaine, Cédric Chaillot, incarcéré à Ducos, a été transféré vers une prison de l’Hexagone.

 

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Mondial – Droits LGBT+: l’Allemagne défie la Fifa

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Un bâillon mimé par les joueurs, une ministre qui arbore en tribune le brassard “One Love”, l’affirmation que les droits humains ne sont “pas négociables”: avant d’entamer son Mondial contre le Japon, l’Allemagne a défié mercredi la Fifa et ses menaces de sanctions brandies pour…

Un bâillon mimé par les joueurs, une ministre qui arbore en tribune le brassard “One Love”, l’affirmation que les droits humains ne sont “pas négociables”: avant d’entamer son Mondial contre le Japon, l’Allemagne a défié mercredi la Fifa et ses menaces de sanctions brandies pour empêcher le port du brassard inclusif durant le tournoi.

Dans cette compétition, la question des droits des personnes LGBT+ est au centre de l’attention, avec des critiques en Europe occidentale, visant aussi bien la Fédération internationale de football (Fifa) que le Qatar, où relations sexuelles hors mariage et homosexualité sont passibles de poursuites pénales.

Arguant que “la provocation n’est pas le bon chemin”, que les droits des homosexuels sont “un processus”, ou regrettant les “leçons de morale” venues d’Occident, Gianni Infantino a clairement exprimé son rejet du brassard inclusif “One Love” que voulaient porter les capitaines de sept sélections, Allemagne, Angleterre, pays de Galles, Pays-Bas, Belgique, Danemark et Suisse.

Lundi, il a remporté une première manche: ces pays ont reculé devant la menace de “sanctions sportives”. La Fifa n’a pas donné de détail sur lesdites sanctions mais dans un entretien au site anglophone The Athletic, le directeur général de la Fédération danoise Jacok Jensen a raconté que, ce jour-là, “la situation s’est encore aggravée lorsque la Fifa a demandé à l’Angleterre une réunion d’urgence” juste avant son match contre l’Iran. 

‘Suspension’

“Ils ont clairement fait savoir qu’il y aurait des sanctions sportives et au moins un carton jaune si un joueur portait le brassard” et que “le capitaine aurait pu se voir infliger une suspension de plusieurs matches”, a raconté le responsable.

Et de fait, l’Anglais Harry Kane s’est présenté lundi sur la pelouse contre l’Iran avec le brassard fourni par la Fifa, frappé d’un coeur et aux messages beaucoup plus consensuels.

Mais, mercredi, depuis les tribunes du stade Khalifa, Gianni Infantino a assisté à la rébellion allemande quand les joueurs, dont le capitaine Manuel Neuer, se sont ostensiblement mis la main devant la bouche, signe universel de silence imposé, sur la traditionnelle photo d’équipe précédant le coup d’envoi.

L’équipe d’Hans Flick était soumise à une autre pression que celle de la Fifa, venue de la maison. En Allemagne, de nombreuses voix se sont en effet élevées pour appeler les joueurs de la Mannschaft à ne pas céder à l’instance du football mondial. L’enseigne de supermarchés REWE a ainsi indiqué ne plus vouloir prolonger son partenariat avec la Mannschaft après la décision de ne pas porter le brassard “One Love”.

Les Allemands ont bien préparé leur affaire. Alors que les équipes étaient dans le tunnel pour entrer sur la pelouse, les commentateurs de l’ARD prévenaient les téléspectateurs que quelque chose allait se passer. Et, au moment de la photo officielle, les joueurs faisaient le geste qui restera un des moments forts de la compétition quoi qu’il advienne.

Elections

Pendant ce temps, en tribune officielle, la ministre de l’Intérieur en charge des sports Nancy Faeser, installée juste à la gauche de Gianni Infantino, a enfilé le fameux brassard inclusif “One Love”, avant de tweeter la photo sur les réseaux sociaux. Et de remettre une veste couvrant le bandeau.

Concomitamment, la fédération allemande a envoyé un communiqué cinglant sur les réseaux sociaux pour affirmer que “les droits humains ne sont pas négociables”, une expression utilisée dans la matinée par le porte-parole du gouvernement à Berlin. “Nous interdire de porter le brassard, c’est nous interdire de parler. Notre position est claire”, selon le texte.

Sollicitée par l’AFP, la Fifa n’a pas réagi à cette mutinerie allemande.

Mais quelle que soit la suite du feuilleton du brassard, il laissera des traces dans les relations entre la Fifa et les fédérations européennes concernées, qui n’ont pas accepté ce qu’elles considèrent comme de l’autoritarisme.

“Il y a une élection présidentielle à la Fifa. Il y a 211 pays affiliés à la Fifa et j’ai cru comprendre que 207 pays soutenaient l’actuel président (Infantino). Le Danemark n’en fait pas partie”, a déclaré Jesper Moller le président de la Fédération danoise. “Je ne suis pas seulement déçu. Je suis en colère. Je n’ai jamais rien vécu de tel.”

bur-ng/ep/gk

Le président de la Fifa Gianni Infantino (G), la ministre de l’Intérieur allemand Nancy Faeser (C) et le président de la fédération allemande de football, Bernd Neuendorf, lors du match du Mondial entre l’Allemagne et le Japon, le 23 novembre 2022 à Doha
• INA FASSBENDER

Les joueurs allemands Thilo Kehrer (G) et Jonas Hofmann présentent le brassard “One Love”, contre la discrimination et pour la diversité, le 21 septembre 2022
• ANDRE PAIN

Le brassard anti-discrimination “One Love” porté par le capitaine anglais Harry Kane pendant un match de Ligue des nations contre l’Italie, à San Siro, le 23 septembre 2022
• Marco BERTORELLO

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University couple turns pain into purpose Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

When Norval Mendez took the microphone at the N.C.B. Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) last Saturday, no one could anticipate the powerful testimony of struggle and triumph that would follow.

“You see my standing here now, I was half this size when I attended the first YES staging in 2017,” shared Mendez. “I barely had the money to purchase lunch when I started out at University [of the West Indies, Mona Campus], and it affected my mental well-being. Thinking about how I was going to find the funds to purchase my next meal derailed my focus from my studies.”

But Mendez shared that he didn’t allow the despair he was feeling to control the outcome of his life. As an N.C.B. Foundation tertiary scholar, he was given the opportunity to participate in the inaugural YES.

“After attending the summit, it sparked so many ideas. I wanted to be the change and so I set out on a path to find sustainable solutions. In any situation in life, you have two choices; you can either succumb to the issues you are facing or be the game changer,” continued Mendez.

Mendez along with his now wife Claudine, who is also an N.C.B. Foundation Scholar, found a purpose to launch a food pantry in 2017, in response to food insecurity issues facing university students. The initiative started out by collecting food donations and distributing them to students and has since been adopted by the GraceKennedy Foundation, as the GK Campus Connect Food Bank at the Students’ Union at the UWI, Mona Campus.

Five years ago too, they also established a digital solutions agency, DigiTalawah, providing digital marketing services to start-ups, small and large businesses looking for a boost online awareness.

The couple offers software development, app development, business email set-up, social media management and website security.

However, Mendez credits his soulmate, Claudine, as a major driving force behind their innovative ventures. “I could not have done any of this without the support of my wife, who has kept me grounded and given me hope when things get tough,” he expressed.

When he invited her to the microphone, she captivated the audience with the sheer strength of her belief in their dreams and aspirations.

“I believe in him because he is the type of person that is always persistent and will work to overcome every adversity. His willpower is such an inspiration and I know as a team we will do great things,” stated Claudine.

The Mendez family is grateful for the start they received from the suite of supporting N.C.B. Foundation programmes, which included the flagship Scholarship and Grants programme and the Level Up Grant Programme.

The Mendez’s were a part of 200 participations attending the second staging of the Youth Empowered Summit (YES) held on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

The hybrid event facilitated in-person and online engagement with past beneficiaries of the suite of N.C.B. Foundation programmes including the CSEC National Bursary Programme; Scholarship & Grant Programme; Amber HEART Coding Academy Partnership; Level-Up Grant Programme and Grant A Wish Programme.

Attendees were engaged in discussions with powerhouse financial expert Kalilah Reynolds; mental health coach Krystal Tomlinson and digital mogul Alicia Lyttle on how to comprehend, manage and improve their mental health, wealth, and digital skills. The discussions were moderated by the youth ambassador and N.C.B. Foundation board director, Emprezz Golding.

N.C.B. Foundation has invested over $1 billion in education to date and now focuses on playing a critical role in enabling Jamaica’s digital transformation by expanding the pool of digital producers. The Youth Empowerment Summit is one of many initiatives through which the Foundation supports young Jamaicans in tandem with its mandate.

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