CDB: Technical support, diversity critical in Caribbean’s shift to clean energy
As the Caribbean makes the shift to clean energy, governments need technical support to plan for and implement new technologies. In addition, sector stakeholders could accelerate the Region’s transition to renewables by building diverse partnerships and networks, and improving their engagement with the wider public. These were key themes in the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) presentations during the 2017 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami, Florida from October 18 to 20.
Tessa Williams-Robertson, Head of the Bank’s Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit, told participants at the Utility Leaders Workshop that Caribbean Governments have been focusing on improving efficiency in utility operations as they work towards reducing spending on electricity.
“In every case, governments are committed to reducing tariffs to consumers, recognising the dampening impact of high electricity costs on growth. Interventions that contribute to efficiency in utility operations are therefore welcomed, and recent reductions in the prices for lithium-ion batteries has everyone’s attention,” said Williams-Robertson.
She also mentioned that there were still development and planning challenges to be overcome as utilities and governments look at integrating battery storage into their electricity grids. This integration could improve the reliability of renewable energy supply, particular during periods of peak demand.
“Microgrids, the operational impacts of variable renewable energy and how battery storage may be integrated, and its potential value as direct replacement for baseload, are all being studied by several utilities and other stakeholders. However, guidance and technical support are needed for assessing and planning suitable solutions for individual electric grids,” Williams-Robertson told participants.
At the event sponsored by CDB and the Government of Canada, attendees also heard about developments in battery storage and got an introduction to a roadmap that could guide them through the design and implementation of projects integrating the technology. The presentation, designed to improve utility leaders’ understanding of how and when to invest in energy storage, was commissioned by CDB through the Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund.
The Bank also participated in the panel discussion, “Caribbean Energy Leadership and the Power of Networks.” During the session, Williams-Robertson called for diversity in partnerships and improved stakeholder engagement to drive the transformation of the Caribbean’s energy sector. She encouraged the audience to involve diverse groups in the process, including players who work outside of the sector, those in non-technical positions, and the youth, while communicating about energy in a more simple way.
While at CREF, CDB’s energy specialists held discussions with sector stakeholders, hosted delegates at their booth, and helped participants better understand how the Bank supports sustainable energy projects in the Caribbean Region.
CREF, now in its ninth year, is the largest annual gathering of the Caribbean energy market and brought together more than 500 representatives from academia, governments, utilities, multilateral institutions and investment companies.
China vows to continue lobbying for Caribbean
China says it will stand with small island states in the Caribbean which have been lobbying multilateral institutions that put restrictions on them in receiving concessionary loans and grants because of their designations as middle-income countries.
Zhang Run, the deputy director general at the Latin America and Caribbean Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Beijing, made the announcement at a briefing with journalists from the region.
China, a rising world economic power, said that in addition to lobbying multilateral institutions on behalf of small island states in the Caribbean, it will also continue to provide support for the region.
“I fully understand the concerns and China will continue to lobby on behalf of the Caribbean and will collaborate with multilateral institutions for more resources for Caribbean countries,” said Zhang.
Zhang, meanwhile, announced that China recently donated cash and hurricane relief items to Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda. Dominica received US$800,000 in cash and relief items and another US$3 million in assistance channelled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), while Dominica received US$500,000 in cash and another US$2 million through the UNDP.
Jamaica and other members of the Caribbean Community have, over the years, complained that the middle-income designation prevents regional countries from getting concessionary loans and other special treatment from multilateral institutions.
Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet had earlier this month promised to use “important meetings” in the United States to push the international community to rethink its policies regarding regional countries that are no longer eligible for concessionary loans and other forms of preferential treatment.
Chastanet, the chairman of the subregional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), who was leading a delegation to the hurricane-battered island of Dominica where he held talks with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said he hoped the visit later in the month by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to the hurricane-affected countries would also help provide an impetus for change.
Chastanet also said he hoped the visit would help persuade the international community that small island states are vulnerable and can have their economies wiped out by just one natural disaster, despite their designation as middle-income countries.
“I am convinced, and certainly in the discussions I had with him, that he (Guterres) would become a champion for our cause, and again I am sorry that it is the people of Dominica who have had to suffer to this extent in order for us to make that message known to everybody,” Chastanet said ahead of the UN chief's visit.
It is, however, not clear what was the outcome of subsequent discussions between the Caribbean Community and multi-lateral institutions in the United States.
However, Guterres, after viewing hurricane devastation in Dominica, said he would make a case for special consideration for mid-to-high income vulnerable states that have been “deprived” of concessional loans.
Dominica, as well as Antigua and Barbuda, which was also hit by a powerful hurricane earlier, due to their high per capita incomes, have advanced or “graduated” from the low-income least developed country (LDC) designation to upper-middle income.
“Most of the countries impacted are middle-income countries and because of that, they are deprived of the form of assistance or concessional loans that low-income countries can have access to,” said Guterres after touring the two hurricane-battered countries.
“The fact is that even though these countries have graduated as middle-income countries, they have a number of vulnerabilities that need to be taken into account if we want them to be sustainable as middle-income countries,” he added.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Janet Jackson not "banned" from NFL halftime show, but NFL won't speculate on "potential guests"
Calm down, Twitterverse. Janet Jackson is not "banned for life" from the Super Bowl halftime show.
Following the news that Justin Timberlake would be headlining the 2018 halftime show, Janet Jackson fans took to Twitter to decry the fact that JT was "allowed" back following the duo's infamous 2004 "Nipplegate" performance, while Janet has supposedly been "banned" from ever performing at the event again.
In a statement to ABC News, an NFL spokesperson insisted, "There’s no ban." As for those fans who'd like to see Janet join Justin onstage in February, he added, "We are not going to comment on any speculation regarding potential guests. There may be no guests."
The spokesperson added, "Along with Pepsi, we’re excited to have Justin Timberlake. Like the elite NFL players who can run, catch, and block, Justin can do it all -- sing, dance, act and entertain. He’s the ultimate global superstar who we know will put on an entertaining and unifying show that will appeal to the massive worldwide audience."
In 2004, Justin and Janet were performing Justin's song "Rock Your Body" when he tore a part of her costume off, exposing her breast, naked save for a strategically-placed pastie. It is widely believed that JT, as a white male, emerged unscathed from the incident, while Janet's career suffered. Based on the reaction from the Twitterverse, many fans agree with this viewpoint, and feel that Justin "owes" Janet an apology for his role in the debacle.
As one fan wrote, "Unless Justin Timberlake starts his set by introducing Janet Jackson with an apology and then continues watching quietly while she does 12 minutes of her catalog solo, the Super Bowl can keep this halftime show."
Source- ABC
JAY-Z all-star Tidal X concert raised $3.7 million for disaster relief
JAY-Z's star-studded Tidal X: Brooklyn charity concert raised nearly four million dollars to assist victims of the recent natural disasters.
The third annual show, held on October 17 at Barclays Center in New York City, featured over 40 performers, including Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, DJ Khaled, Chris Brown, Cardi B, Fat Joe, Remy Ma. Yo Gotti, Vic Mensa, A$AP Ferg, Iggy Izalea, and Donnie McClurkin..
The concert raised money to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes in Mexico. Organizations receiving funds include Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico, Greater Houston Community Foundation, Miami Community Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity in Puerto Rico, according to Variety.
Tidal, Jay-Z’s streaming service, has also sent more than 500,000 pounds of water, clothes and supplies to Puerto Rico.
Source-ABC
Boo 2! A Madea Halloween scares off Geostorm and The Snowman with $21.65 million debut
Boo 2! A Madea Halloween topped the weekend box office, easily crushing this weekend's other big releases, Geostorm and The Snowman, with an estimated $21.65 million haul. It becomes the eighth film in Tyler Perry's Madea series to top the $20 million mark in its debut. (TRAILER CONTAINS MILD PROFANITY)
Geostorm -- starring Gerard Butler, Andy Garcia and Ed Harris -- settled for second place, earning an estimated $13.3 million, followed by Happy Death Day taking third place, with an estimated $9.37 million.
Bowing in fourth place was Blade Runner 2049, hauling in an estimated $7.15 million.
The second of the weekend's new releases, Only the Brave -- starring Josh Brolin and Miles Teller -- rounded out the top five with an estimated $6 million take.
The Snowman -- starring Michael Fassbender, J.K. Simmons, John Voight and Val Kilmer -- posted a disappointing eighth place finish, earning an estimated $3.4 million.
Another debut, the Greg Kinnear and Renée Zellweger-led Same Kind of Different as Me, failed to crack the top 10, earning an estimated $2.56 million.
Here are the top 10 movies from Friday through Sunday, with estimated weekend gross ticket sales:
1. Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, $21.65 million
2. Geostorm, $13.3 million
3. Happy Death Day, $9.37 million
4. Blade Runner 2049, $7.15 million
5. Only the Brave, $6 million
6. The Foreigner, $5.45 million
7. It, $3.5 million
8. The Snowman, $3.4 million
9. American Made, $3.16 million
10. Kingsman: The Golden Circle, $3 million
Source-ABC
Man allegedly inspired by ISIS arrested in plot to bomb Miami shopping center
A Miami-area man has been arrested for allegedly plotting to plant a bomb at a Miami shopping mall, two people familiar with the matter told ABC News Sunday.
The man, Vicente Solano, was allegedly inspired by ISIS, as first reported by the Miami Herald.
Solano was caught up in an FBI sting operation, where he allegedly thought he was engaging with a like-minded radical but was actually in touch with someone working for the FBI, the sources said.
He never had access to any real, operative explosives because the device he was allegedly planning to use was inert, they said.
He will be charged with an offense related to use of a weapon of mass destruction, one of the sources told ABC News.
The Dolphin Mall was his alleged target, the Herald reported, adding that he was scheduled to have his first appearance in Miami federal court Monday to face a criminal complaint and affidavit.
Source-ABC
Senate's top Democrat is pushing a compromise health care reform bill
The Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, is pushing a compromise health care reform bill he says has bipartisan support.
The bill would prevent a spike in health insurance premiums, Senate Minority leader Schumer said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press.
But there's uncertainty about whether or not the compromise measure will come to the Senate floor for a vote. Speaking Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, said, "I'll be happy to bring a bill to the floor if I know President Trump would sign it."
However, the president has sent mixed signals on whether he would support a measure that extends by two years subsidies to help lower income Americans pay for insurance.
Source-ABC
RESULTS FOR MAJOR GAMES
It was a busy weekend in sports and no doubt many persons missed out on the big games, we here at RTC sports have the results of the games you may have missed in the NBA, NFL or NHL.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Brooklyn 116, Atlanta 104
Minnesota 115, Oklahoma City 113
New Orleans 119, L.A. Lakers 112
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Vancouver 4, Detroit 1
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Minnesota 24, Baltimore 16
Buffalo 30, Tampa Bay 27
Jacksonville 27, Indianapolis 0
Miami 31, N.Y. Jets 28
L.A. Rams 33, Arizona 0
New Orleans 26, Green Bay 17
Chicago 17, Carolina 3
OT/Tennessee 12, Cleveland 9
Dallas 40, San Francisco 10
Pittsburgh 29, Cincinnati 14
Seattle 24, N.Y. Giants 7
L.A. Chargers 21, Denver 0
New England 23, Atlanta 7
Source-ABC
Houston Astros going to World Series rallies the city after Harvey
The Houston Astros’ trip to the World Series to seek their first-ever title has become a rallying cry for the Hurricane Harvey-battered city.
The Astros dedicated their Game 7 win against the New York Yankees Friday to the city of Houston and its people.
The players wear a visible sign of their support for Houston on their uniforms, a patch that features the word "strong" between a drawing of the state of Texas and the Astros logo.
Just two months ago, much of the city of Houston was underwater after Harvey swept through parts of the state. The August storm dumped more than 20 trillion gallons of rain across Texas and Louisiana.
When thousands of Houston residents sought shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Astros players showed up to meet their fellow residents and cheer them up.
The Astros also offered tickets to people affected by Harvey and collected donations at Minute Maid Park. The Astros organization donated $4 million to relief efforts.
The team’s MVP pitcher, Justin Verlander, has pledged to donate his playoff share to people affected by Harvey.
Verlander, who was traded to the Astros days after Harvey hit, also made a $100,000 donation to his Wins for Warriors foundation to help military families affected by the storm.
"I want to help in more ways than just playing on the baseball field," he said.
Residents of Houston may not have imagined the Astros heading to the World Series just months after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, but a magazine predicted it three years ago.
After they defeated the New York Yankees, the Astros will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series.
Source-ABC
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WELCOMES A NEW CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER
The Department of Agriculture is extremely pleased to announce that a new Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has joined the complement of staff.
Dr. Shelley Tricia Bridgewater, a practising Small and Farm Animal Veterinarian for the past nine (9) years has actively been involved in the fields of Animal Production and Animal Science for more than 15 years. She is passionate about teaching and the development of the Agriculture industry. Dr. Bridgewater has used some of these acquired skills throughout the years to mentor students and lecture part-time in the areas of Swine Medicine, Poultry Production, Animal Genetics and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of the West Indies (UWI) for four (4) years. She has assisted in the writing of a Distance Learning Course manual for "Livestock Development in Small States" in the Livestock Programme at the UWI, St. Augustine Campus. She is currently a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Veterinary Association (TTVA) and a co-founding member of the Pork Producers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (PPATT).
With such a wealth of experience, the Director of Agriculture-Ms. Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh says that the new CVO is up to the challenge of taking the now developing Livestock Industry in Turks and Caicos Islands to a stage where it can be seen as a lucrative enterprise and where young persons can see Agriculture as a professional alternative. The Director also stated; "Over the last year the Department has offered outreach programs and training in crops and with the new CVO on board we plan to reach in the community and offer training in livestock and animal care."
She also iterated that a major responsibility of the Department is ensuring compliance with international trading laws with meat and meat products and movement of live animals all of which will be overseen by the CVO.