The Phoenix Newspaper - September 2023

Mexico set for first female president as top two parties choose women candidates

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THE VISION 2030 SPEAKS

Bartlett steps up muLtidestination tourism drive as Jamaica targets LATAM market-Page 6

MAN BEHIND SAUDI ARABIA

Page 4

For the very first time, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat down for an interview conducted entirely in English about his multi-billion-dollar vision for the Kingdom. His Royal Highness (HRH) spoke candidly with Brett Baier, host of “Spe-

cial Report” on the Fox News Channel with no question being off the table. From the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the 22-year anniversary of 9/11, to golf and tourism, it was an enlightening conversation. Being brutally honest, Baier explained that with the history of Saudi Arabia just mentioned, some

people may feel reluctant to visit. He asked the Prince what he would say to these people. His response was that Saudi Arabia is changing, and it is today the greatest success story of the 21st century. He said it would be their call if they wanted to miss that or not. The Prince, 38, and Baier took a stroll along a beach

after the interview on the island of Sindalah – one of 5 islands Saudi Arabis is developing in the Red Sea. HRH explained that currently there are a total of 22 islands under construction and more are going to be announced. continued on page 4

Four-time Olympic champion Biles qualifies for sixth Championships Page-20

Last year some 45,000 migrants crossed the English Channel and landed on the southern coast of the country, in search of better life chances.

Despite the government’s promises and rhetoric of taking control of it borders, the last two years have seen a steady increase in the number of migrants and a corresponding spiralling number of asylum cases needing to be processed. Brexit was supposed to tackle this. The Rwanda plan was supposed to address this. The latest government strategy is the arrival of the barge.

This large vessel will be able to accommodate about 500 people. The central concern however, is whether this latest strategy will significantly help to reduce the number of migrants crossing the Channel and, as the Prime Minister says. ‘stop the boats’, or simply be ignored by those seeking to enter the country.

Britain’s difficulties in significantly reducing the number of illegal migrants crossing the Channel, and simultaneously processing the back log of asylum seekers appear to be worsening. The government claims it needs to prioritise strategies that limit the pull factors attracting asylum seekers to Britain. The government is trying to make the crossing of the channel less attractive, because there are more than 50,000 people currently living in hotels after they made the final part of their journey in small dinghies across the English Channel. For the migrants, Britain seems like a soft touch. If they can get into this country they will be treated better than in France, Libya or Tunisia etc.

The government claims that part of its strategy must involve making Britain, in theory at least, less attractive to economic migrants entering the country illegally. To this end, the latest plan involves moving some asylum seekers onto a large residential barge on its southern coast, as part of plans to employ cheaper alternatives to hotels.

This should be a temporary accommodation while asylum claims are processed. This will represent a significant step down from the luxury hotels many were living in at the tax payers’ expense. The government argues that the Bibby Stockholm Barge will only house single men and provide basic accommodation, along

BRITAIN’S BARGE TO THE RESCUE

with healthcare provision, catering facilities and onboard security.

That the government needs to tackle the illegal migrants coming into the country, goes without saying. Making it increasingly difficult for those arriving in small boats to stay in Britain is a start.

The problem is, however, whether this barge is merely symbolic or the beginning of a genuine process of solving this problem. To address the issue of processing the 50, 000 asylum seekers, as well as the tens of thousands entering each

year, we might need more than 100 barges operating simultaneously.

The humanitarian side of the debate says we should process each person and then make decisions about who stays and who is returned. The more hardliners claim, that once the illegal migrants arrive, they should be returned immediately or certainly within a matter of days rather than months or years.

My suspicion is, that having one or even a few barges dotted around the country, might not prove to be an effective

deterrent, as desperate people determined to leave their own countries, risking their own lives to get to Britain, will continue to do. In the end, it might not be the case of either or, but rather a need for both.

More centres are probably needed to process the migrants as well as the simultaneous and significant increases in staff numbers, to process the both illegal migrants and legitimate asylum seekers and refugees. I would be very surprised if one barge could rescue this situation.

Mexico is to have two women from its main political powers competing for the presidency for the first time after former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum was chosen as the candidate for the country’s ruling party in next June’s election.

Ms Sheinbaum and opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez have insisted Mexico is ready to be led by a woman, but it will not be an easy path. On Wednesday night, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s Morena party announced that Ms Sheinbaum had defeated five internal party rivals – all men.

Mr Lopez Obrador has put women in important positions in his Cabinet and been a mentor for Ms Sheinbaum, even while being accused at times of male chauvinism. Mexico still has famously intense “machismo” or male chauvinism, expressed in its most extreme form in a high rate of femicides, but also daily in hundreds of more subtle ways.

Mexico has a strong “macho vote”, said Gloria Alcocer Olmos, director of electoral magazine Voice And Vote, adding that it is not exclusive to male voters.

Ms Alcocer Olmos noted that in June’s gubernatorial election in the state of Mexico – the country’s most populous jurisdiction – the race was between two female candidates “and turnout was the lowest in history”.

The same thing happened in the state election in Aguascalientes in 2021, she said. “What does that tell us?” she asked. “That the people are voting for women? The reality is that no, and the saddest thing is that women themselves are not voting for women.”

Such low turnout in the June 2 presidential election is less likely because so much is at stake, Ms Alcocer Olmos said. There is also the possibility that the Citizen Movement party, which controls Nuevo Leon and Jalisco – two of the most economically important states – could nominate a male candidate who would attract that macho vote, she said.

Another question is what former foreign affairs secretary Marcelo Ebrard will do. As Ms Sheinbaum’s closest rival in Morena he did not accept the results of the internal party selection process, claiming there were irregularities. Morena controls 22 of Mexico’s 32 states and Mr Lopez Obrador remains highly popular, giving Ms Sheinbaum a strong advantage.

But Ms Galvez has emerged from virtual obscurity, helped largely by daily public criticism from Mr Lopez Obrador, to become the consensus candidate of the largely directionless opposition. Aurora Pedroche, a Morena

MEXICO SET FOR FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT AS TOP TWO PARTIES CHOOSE WOMEN CANDIDATES

activist who supports Ms Sheinbaum, suggested another problem should one of the female candidates win the presidency.

Given the greatly increased power and responsibility that Mr Lopez Obrador has given the military during his administration “How are they going to accept a woman as commander in chief?” Ms Pedroche said. “That scares me.”

While Mexican women have advanced to positions of political power in public life – in part because of required representation quotas for public office –women suffer from high levels of gender violence. Femicides – cases of women killed because of their gender – have been a persistent problem for decades.

Ms Sheinbaum represents a continuation of Mr Lopez Obrador’s social agenda, but without his charisma to take on an opponent in Ms Galvez who has an ease of connecting with people that is more reminiscent of the outgoing president. Independ-

ent Ms Galvez is representing the Broad Front for Mexico, a coalition of the conservative National Action Party, the small progressive Democratic Revolution Party, and the old-guard Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, that held Mexico’s presidency without interruption between 1929 and 2000.

Ms Galvez caucuses with the National Action Party in the Senate but is not a member. Strategist Antonio Sola, who worked on the 2006 campaign of former president Felipe Calderon and later with one of the parties that helped Mr Lopez Obrador win, thinks Ms Galvez’s outsider image could help her.

With much of the world experiencing the end of a political era dominated by traditional candidates, the emerging figures are those who are “kicking the system”, he said.

For the very first time, Saudi Arabia Crown

Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat down for an interview conducted entirely in English about his multi-billion-dollar vision for the Kingdom.

His Royal Highness (HRH) spoke candidly with Brett Baier, host of “Special Report” on the Fox News Channel with no question being off the table. From the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the 22-year anniversary of 9/11, to golf and tourism, it was an enlightening conversation.

Being brutally honest, Baier explained that with the history of Saudi Arabia just mentioned, some people may feel reluctant to visit. He asked the Prince what he would say to these people. His response was that Saudi Arabia is changing, and it is today the greatest success story of the 21st century. He said it would be their call if they wanted to miss that or not.

The Prince, 38, and Baier took a stroll along a beach after the interview on the island of Sindalah – one of 5 islands Saudi Arabis is developing in the Red Sea. HRH explained that currently there are a total of 22 islands under construction and more are going to be announced. Sindalah will open next year, and that is just the beginning, because of the 1,150 islands in the Red Sea, Saudi’s aim is to develop half of them.

HRH wants the world to realize Saudi Arabia has so much to offer – that is isn’t just the desert which is what most people think. As an example, he shared that the Aging Winter Games in 2029 are going to be held on Snow Mountain. Yes, snow. These is snow in Saudi Arabia in the winter. And there are also valleys, oases, and those islands –tropical, mountainous, sandy – so many types to choose from.

He said to inspire the Saudi economy, they have to work in all sectors – from mining, manufacturing, and logistics to infrastructure, transportation, and tourism. Saudi Arabia only opened its borders to tourists in 2019 just 4 short years ago. HRH said: “If you want to have tourism, you need to develop your culture sector, your entertainment sector, and your sports sector, because you need to create a calendar.”

He explained that where tourism used to bring in 3% GDP to the country, it was now 7%, and

sports has gone from 0.4% GDP to 1.5%. As far as global visits go, Saudi Arabia ranks number 10 in the world for total global visits. In 2022, they reached 40 million visits from Saudi Arabia and globally.

The goal is to reach 100 million visits in 2030, perhaps even 150 million. According to the Tourism Minister, the Prince keeps setting a new goal. In his defence, HRH said that is because they keep reaching their goal so fast. Baier talked about how people were so excited when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in the soccer World Cup and wondered if that might change the dynamic and national identity of the country.

HRH admitted that he and his brothers watched the games to gether only hoping they did not suffer any humiliation and were happily surprised when they won. The country is spending tons on sports in the form of big names, lots of money, big teams, and new facilities.

Some are calling this sports washing, claiming the country is using sports to improve the nation’s image. HRH answered that by saying Saudi has had a 1% growth of GDP from sports, so he was now aiming for 1.5%. He said people can call it whatever they want – he has no problem with the term sports washing as long as he gets to that 1.5%.

While talking about sports, HRH was asked if he was a golfer. He re plied that he was a beginner, so not so good. Being the Crown Prince obviously takes up most of his time, so he doesn’t have much to put into practice, but he said he tries to do his best.

In wrapping things up, Baier asked HRH what he does when he wants to relax. His answer? Video games! He said he has been into video games since he was a child. In fact, there is a big video game part of his ministry.

The Prince responded that eS ports is the most important thing happening globally as the most growing industry on the planet, expanding 50% every year, so the PIF return on investment every year is 15 to 25% of profit. The industry is beating Hollywood today with something like 2 billion views on an eSport video which is bigger than a Hollywood movie. But when he’s outdoors,

THE MAN BEHIND SAUDI ARABIA VISION 2030 SPEAKS OUT

Survey

Reveals

Concerns

Over Government Net Zero Goals

THE NATIONAL ENVIRON

MENTAL Services Survey unveiled a startling statistic: just 11% of environmental services professionals in the UK believe that the Government will meet its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This concerning finding, among others, sheds light on the urgency for accelerated action and collaborative efforts to combat climate change.

The Survey, conducted in collaboration with experts and stakeholders nationwide, provides a comprehensive examination of the nation's most pressing environmental concerns. Through extensive data collection, valuable

insights, and unique perspectives, the survey aimed to gain a deep understanding of environmental challenges and drive effective solutions.

Among the survey's key findings was the surprising statistic revealing the lack of confidence in the Government's ability to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Environmental professionals, who possess critical knowledge and expertise, express concern regarding the ambitious goal set by the Government. This finding highlights the imperative for enhanced efforts and collaboration to address climate change and transition towards a sustainable future.

BARTLETT STEPS UP MULTI- DESTINATION

As Jamaica seeks to unlock the vast potential of the Latin American (LATAM) visitor market, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has emphasised the importance of multi-destination tourism and 'co-petition' to this initiative.

Minister Bartlett highlighted the issue during his address at the 'Keys to LATAM’ Conference, organised by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and Adtelligent Limited. The conference, held earlier at the Spanish Court Hotel, brought together industry professionals to explore business opportunities in the lucrative Latin American (LATAM) market.

Minister Bartlett underscored that a strong foundation existed for collaboration between Jamaica and Latin American countries, rooted in shared history, cultural ties, and geographical proximity. In this regard, the tourism minister revealed that he recently met with the Ambassadors from Mexico and the Dominican Republic to discuss multi-destination activities geared at collectively boosting tourism offerings

across the region.

“This post-COVID period is calling for collaboration and cooperation, removing the notion of competitiveness that has characterised our activities up to this point and replacing it with the notion of ‘co-petitiveness’ so that we ‘co-pete’ rather than compete,” said Minister Bartlett.

He continued: "As we strive to enhance our product and diversify our visitor base, it is imperative that we tap into emerging markets that hold tremendous potential, and Latin America, with its rich heritage, boundless passion, and growing economic influence, promises to be just that.”

With Latin America seeing an emerging middle class, which has increasing disposable income that has led to a surge in outbound tourism, Minister Bartlett explained that this demographic's quest for diverse cultural experiences presents a valuable opportunity for Jamaica to position itself as a preferred choice for Latin American travellers seeking unique and authentic experiences.

He underscored the immense economic potential and diversity of the Latin American re-

gion, boasting a population of over 650 million people and a combined GDP of over $5 trillion. "My Ministry is targeting just a small fraction of that with a goal of 250,000 visitors from Latin America coming to Jamaica over the next five years as part of our aggressive push to reengage this significant source market," the tourism minister emphasised.

Furthermore, Minister Bartlett detailed his recent rebuilding efforts in the region, leading a team of tourism officials on a three-country market blitz in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. He also alluded to upcoming trips to Columbia, Mexico and Panama. So far, engagements have included critical discussions with tourism stakeholders, representatives of local authorities, ministries of tourism, as well as major regional carriers such as Copa and LATAM Airlines.

The tourism minister expressed optimism that collaborative events like the 'Keys to LATAM' Conference have the potential to not only boost Jamaica's growth numbers but also expand the country's global footprint and stimulate travel demand for the island.

Business & Finance

ECO JOINS FORCES WITH GLOBALLY-RENOWNED BUSINESS GURUS

IT Firm Champions Justice with Windrush Experience Compensation Scheme Event

An innovative solutions business developing a range of world-first green technology has been chosen as the UK’s first exclusive partner by globally-renowned business gurus.

Eco has teamed up with Dr Ernesto and Martha Sirolli to join businesses in Italy, Switzerland and the USA in a network of companies working with the dynamic business leaders to bring innovations to market.

Eco’s mission is to make a profound and positive difference in people's lives and have a significant and sustainable global impact. The link-up with the Sirollis was formalised after Eco’s founder and Managing Director Eddie Black and Eco’s Group Opportunity Strategist Gary Robertson met with the duo at an innovators conference they hosted in Italy this summer.

Eddie said: “As soon as we met Ernesto and Martha and heard more about their approach to business and innovation we were blown away by their way of thinking, their knowledge, their ethos and their connections.

“We knew immediately that we wanted to continue the association in some form and we are over the moon that they have chosen Eco as a business they want to collaborate with in the UK to help make innovations happen. It’s an exciting and potentially transformative partnership for our business.

“We are committed to being at the forefront of the net zero revolution - and working in collaboration with businesses so they can do the same, creating a legacy which will make a difference now and for generations to come. By harnessing our expertise, resources, and innovative spirit, we aim to spearhead transformative initiatives that

address pressing environmental challenges, foster sustainability, and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.

“Through our collective efforts and partnerships, we aspire to leave a lasting legacy for future generations, inspiring others to join us on this journey towards a better, greener, and more equitable world.” Dr Sirolli, a highly-respected authority in the field of sustainable economic development, said: “We are delighted to be working with Eddie and the team at Eco.

“Innovation is now on the mind of every CEO of every company in the world.

“Technology is changing so fast that businesses must adapt or die.” The Sirollis’ work with Eco will initially focus on bringing innovations even further to the forefront of the business through their Boundary Rider programme.

A Boundary Rider is an Australian term for a cattle station employee, like a cowboy, whose duty is to check the outer perimeter - ie the boundary of the property - and to report anything out of the ordinary back to management. They can work independently, are resilient and reliable.

The Sirollis apply this methodology to an organisation where it is the job of a person, or a group of people, within an organisation, to be scanning the business and society horizon for innovations which have the potential to positively change the world, as well as transform their business.

Dr Sirolli said: “We offer corporations a tool to search within teams, the people with emerging strong entrepreneurial spirit.

“We focus on ‘intrapreneurship’ making sure the smartest people on the team are listened to. We then create a safe space,

what we can call an ‘innovation oasis”, and build a clear path to bring innovative ideas and practices to the attention of the senior management for evaluation and decisions.

“It offers businesses a riskfree, cost-effective, well-managed tool to empower action inside any organisation wanting an edge in competitive markets.”

The programme helps ensure winning ideas aren’t shut down like happens in many companies because of tiers of management who might have contradictory agendas.

It means instead that innovations are owned by those who are passionate about them, have ‘skin in the game’ and then the innovations go through a fasttrack and structured process to help deliver business success.

Dr Sirolli, founder of the Sirolli Institute, an international non-profit organisation, is also an author and among his titles is: How to Start A Business and Ignite Your Life - A Simple Guide Combining Business Wisdom With Passion.

He gave a TEDx talk: "Shut up and Listen" which has been translated into 35 languages and downloaded more than three million times since he first delivered it in 2012. The Sirrollis will be visiting Eco at its 3,000-square-metre self-built HQ at Annan, Dumfries and Galloway later this month to start the Boundary Rider programme.

Eco’s services include its EcoGoZero range of carbon mitigation strategies; dry ice cleaning; process solutions; design, build and fit out; IT and communications; and bespoke training systems.

SIAN Computers Community Initiative C.I.C, a revered community IT firm in Wolverhampton, is set to host a transformative eventthe Windrush Experience & Compensation Scheme Event.

SIAN Computers Community Initiative C.I.C Founder, Robert Allen, embarked on this crucial initiative after realising the uphill battle faced by many Windrush Generation individuals who struggled with the Windrush compensation process. Recognising the need for accessible support, SIAN Computers stepped up and secured a contract as a support service with We Are Digital (WAD), who work in partnership with the Home Office, to aid those seeking justice and compensation.

The seminar emerges from the shadows of the Windrush Scandal, an episode that left

British Caribbean communities grappling with injustice. Rooted in political missteps that unfolded in 2017, the scandal tragically subjected people to unlawful detention, denial of legal rights, and wrongful deportation. The scars of the 83 wrongful deportations by the Home Office are still deeply felt.

The event's significance deepens as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Windrush (1948-1971), a time when half a million Commonwealth citizens bolstered post-war Britain. Despite the announcement of a national Compensation Scheme in December 2018, only a negligible 5% of deserving individuals received restitution by November 2021. Heartbreakingly, 23 eligible individuals passed away before receiving rightful compensation.

At its core, the seminar as-

pires to raise consciousness about the Windrush Experience and the Compensation Scheme, actively supported by the UK Home Office and the City of Wolverhampton Council. Keynote speakers include the UK Home Office, representing a united front to rectify past wrongs, Jane Stevenson MP of Wolverhampton North East, The City of Wolverhampton Council adds its weight, and Windrush communities share poignant testimonies to clarify the scheme's objectives and dispel misinformation.

This poignant event, scheduled for Wednesday, 6th September 2023 at Grand Station, Sun Street, Wolverhampton, WV10 0BF stands as a beacon of support and justice for the Windrush Generation.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme, a symbol of reparative justice, endeavors to provide solace to those who suffered due to their inability to establish their lawful status in the UK – often dubbed the "Windrush Generation."

For further information on the Windrush Compensation Scheme, please contact Mr Robert Allen at SIAN Community Initiative C.I.C, 16 Broadway Collingswood Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England, WV10 8EB. Phone: +44 1902 651698 or cellphone 0797788093.

NYU STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS PARTNERS WITH NYU ABU DHABI TO LAUNCH ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME MBA PROGRAM IN THE UAE

The NYU Stern School of Business (NYU Stern), one of the world's premier research and teaching institutions, and NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), an exceptional liberal arts and research university, have announced the launch of the Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA Program.

With 54 credits, the One-year Full-time MBA Program mirrors its two-year counterparts, offering students the ability to complete a comprehensive MBA that blends knowledge and practical experience while benefiting from a shorter time away from the workforce. Experiential internship projects are integrated into the curriculum, with modules designed to provide hands-on learning experiences with local organizations.

The new Stern at NYUAD MBA represents a step change for business education in the MENA region and will help develop a pipeline of globally oriented problem-solvers in the UAE and beyond. It provides a unique opportunity for ambitious, early-career professionals to broaden their experience and take advantage of emerging private and public sector growth in the region.

NYU President Linda G. Mills said: "The establishment of the Stern at NYUAD MBA is truly a landmark occasion. The launch of this program –NYUAD's first professional degree offering, created in collaboration with NYU's Stern School -- is an important new stage in NYU Abu Dhabi's successful development, and a major step forward in fulfilling the vision that NYU and our Abu Dhabi partners have had for this groundbreaking institution from the beginning.

“It is also a wonderful example of the type of cross-school collaboration that we can expect to see more of in the coming years, and I have no doubt its impact will be felt both regionally and globally." Stern at NYUAD is scheduled to welcome its inaugural class in January 2025.

Distinctive features of the MBA program include spring and fall modules in Abu Dhabi and summer modules in New York City. Students will also benefit from industry expertise from a range of key UAE and global business leaders, ensuring graduates gain invaluable international exposure and have every opportunity to enhance their career prospects.

Commenting on this milestone, Raghu Sundaram, Dean of NYU Stern School of Business, said: "The introduction

of this full-time MBA to the MENA region is groundbreaking for students who want to earn an MBA from one of the world's leading business schools in just one year and build a career in a region that is seeing exponential growth. Through this pioneering collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi, we have a wonderful opportunity to educate the next generation of leaders and enhance the talent pipeline in the UAE."

Tamkeen, NYU's partner in UAE, has supported NYU Abu Dhabi's trajectory as a beacon of academic excellence, both locally and globally. The addition of a one-year full-time MBA program strengthens NYUAD's academic offerings and underscores the UAE's commitment to education as a national strategic priority and an essential enabler of economic, societal, and cultural advancement.

Mariët Westermann, NYUAD Vice Chancellor, expressed her enthusiasm for the MBA program, stating: "The partnership between NYU Stern School of Business and NYU Abu Dhabi marks a pivotal moment for education in the UAE, with far-reaching implications.

“As NYU Abu Dhabi remains committed to breaking new ground in global education, this collaboration is a remarkable milestone in our relentless pursuit of excellence, distinction, and service to society in the UAE and many other countries around the world. The Stern School's presence at NYUAD will help fuel the knowledge economy in this dynamic crossroads region, respond to the surging demand for global business leaders, and the opportunity to take international business education to the next level."

The Stern at NYUAD OneYear Full-time MBA Program will be led by Robert Salomon, Professor of Management at Stern since 2005, who will be the inaugural Dean of Stern at NYUAD. Rob is an award-winning scholar and educator who has been teaching and conducting research on globalization and global strategy for more than 25 years.

In 2016, he published Global Vision: How Companies Can Overcome the Pitfalls of Globalization. Prior to this appointment, Rob was Vice Dean for Executive Programs and Professor and NEC Faculty Fellow of International Management at Stern.

He held previous appointments as a Visiting Professor at the IESE Business School in Spain, and as an Assistant

Statia Records Better Than Expected Fiscal Performance

THE GOVERNMENT of St. Eustatius has announced that its financial performance for 2022 exceeded expectations, with a budget surplus of US$1.4 million.

This represents a US$2.1 million turnaround from the US$700,000 deficit recorded by the tiny Dutch Caribbean island in 2021. This improvement owes much to a better-than-projected US$7 million increase in revenue.

Professor at the USC Marshall School of Business. On successful completion of the MBA program, students will graduate with a fully accredited New York University degree, jointly conferred by NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi.

The major contributing factors included cleaning of balance sheet items, the release of earmarked reserves, and gains from the capital injection into the Statia Utility Company, STUCO – the electricity and water provider - for a completed underground electrical cabling project. In addition, the finance department has successfully resolved several errors pointed out by the auditor in 2022, providing a further boost to the government’s coffers.

PromotingExcellence

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting the positive and inspirational individuals and organisations in our communities, The Phoenix Newspaper presents Promoting Excellence - a closer look at our role models, entrepreneurs, community figures and success stories.

LONDON’S OLDEST STUDENT UNION CELEBRATES ITS 150TH BIRTHDAY

King’s College

London university has celebrated the 150th birthday of its student union – the oldest in the UK.

The King’s College

London Student Union (KCLSU) was founded in 1873 and today hosts over 350 student groups and societies and more than 70 sports clubs. Undergraduates, alumni, professors and university mascot Reggie celebrated the milestone on Guy’s Campus.

Syed Hassan, Vice President for Welfare and Communities at KCLSU, said: “We were the first student union in the coun-

try and it reflects how far we’ve come.

“There’s much more freedom of expression on campus now and the union has done so much for the students in representing the students’ voice.” The anniversary coincided with the start of KCL freshers’ week, which will see thousands of undergraduates meet their peers and discover the opportunities on offer.

One of those was Medicine student Asma Korey. She said: “I want to join a lot of societies. I want to join ISOC (Islamic Society) to meet people there and I just want to get to know my religion a little bit more.” Victoria Chu,

also a Medicine student said: “In London, there’s so much you can do.

“Even getting involved in sports societies – there are inter-uni activities –so yeah really looking forward to extra-curriculars.” As well as supporting over 50,000 students, KCLSU’s commercial outlets perform well, paying out £556,000 in student staff wages last year.

Senior Vice President (Academic) at KCL, Rachel Mills, said: “I love the fact we’ve got the oldest student union in the country and I think that shows that that King’s ethos of putting our community first was there right at the start.”

The Jamaican Howard University Affinity Network (JHUAN) have announced the award of $80,000 in scholarships to 20 students of Jamaican heritage attending Howard University.

The twenty scholarship awardees will be recognized at the organisation’s annual fundraising event, HUes of Blue, on Saturday, 16 September 2023. The event will be hosted by The Honourable Audrey E. Marks, the Jamaican Ambassador to the United States who is a leading advocate of the program since its inception.

JHUAN was birthed from the collaborative vision of Howard University’s 17th President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, and The Honourable Audrey E. Marks, who both sought to enhance support for Jamaican students. Entrusted with this mission, they appointed founding Chairman, Don Christian, to spearhead an organization dedicated to serving the Jamaican student community at Howard University. This encompassed offering scholarships, mentorship, and career development.

As the inaugural affinity group of its kind at Howard University, JHUAN has set a precedent, building on a legacy spanning over a century of Jamaican students attending Howard.

The primary intent of these scholarships is to bolster the trajectory of Jamaican students at Howard, granting them broader access and opportunities.

JHUAN President and Howard Board of Trustee Member, Don Christian, said: “As an alumnus who has benefited greatly from Howard University, it is important that we look for ways to support our academic institutions and pay it forward.

JHUAN TO AWARD $80,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS OF JAMAICAN HERITAGE

“As JHUAN continues to grow its financial support and broaden its impact, I am honoured as a Howard alumnus to support our Jamaican students who have navigated significant challenges to be able to pursue their studies at Howard.”

Since the launch of the scholarship program in 2018, 64 awards have been distributed totalling $254,000 over five years.

In 2023, scholarship applications increased by 50% while fundraising has grown at an average of 36% annually demonstrating the critical need for increased financial support.

JHUAN’s goal is to raise significant funds at the upcoming HUes of Blue fundraising event to be able to impact more lives. The $4,000 scholarships were

awarded to Jamaican-born students or those of Jamaican parentage with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and enrolled full-time at Howard University.

Scholarship recipients include Aaliyah Anderson (graduate student), Kathy Bedasse (graduate student), Damario Berry (junior), Nazarah Bridgewater (junior), Gabrielle Clarke (sophomore), Sarah Cole (sophomore), Alrick Davis (senior), Yashieka Fearon (senior), Aliyah Hamilton (junior), Paul Jones (sophomore), Lori-Ann Knight (junior), Huonna McCarthy (graduate student), Danielle McIntosh (senior), Ashley Medley (graduate student), Shamona Morris (sophomore), Jade Mullings (sophomore), Tabitha Norton (gradu-

ate student), Naila Scott (graduate student), LoriLee Stennett (junior), and Amanda Wright (junior).

JHUAN Scholarship and Mentorship Committee Chair, Joanita Ricketts, “Through scholarships, students will be able to ease the financial burden and focus more on academics.

“In addition to scholarships, JHUAN offers mentorships, workshops and webinars covering areas such as financial literacy and career planning. We hope that early exposure will help students gain a better appreciation for life after college and empower them to be better positioned for career success.”

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR NEW MUSICAL PREMIERING AT BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

The REcreate Agency and Spin Arts have announced the cast of the premiere production of The Good Enough Mums Club.

This poignant and hilarious new musical based on women’s own stories of motherhood opens at Birmingham Hippodrome on 25 October, prior to an Autumn tour.

It is produced, written, directed and performed by mums, with the passionate team behind it spending the last decade bringing this production to fruition.

The cast of The Good Enough Mums Club is Rebecca Bernice Amissah (A Strange Loop, Daddy) as Michelle, Joanna Kirkland (Dear Evan Hansen, The Witches of Eastwick) as Bea, Amy Ross (Wicked, Heathers) as Sophie, Jade Samuels (Jumprov, MAWA) as Chantel and Belinda Wollaston as Esme (JUDY!, MAMMA MIA!) with Gemma Atkins (MAMMA MIA!, Wicked) as Swing and Cartier Fraser (The Buddy Holly Story, The Best of Wham) as Swing.

With a book and lyrics by Emily Beecher and music by Verity

Quade, Chris Passey, The Good Enough Mums Club is directed by Sarah Meadows and Michelle Payne. Not perfect? Join the club!

From peeing on sticks to drooping tits, The Good Enough Mums Club is both a hysterical and heartbreaking show which shares the love and dispels the myths with enough wipes to mop the tears and clean away the snotty laughter.

When the Council threatens to close their local playgroup, five women thrown together by motherhood overcome their isolation, loneliness, judgement and perfectionism to discover that they’re stronger as a group than as individuals, and that sometimes, being good enough is best. Emily Beecher, an award-winning Co-Creative Director, writer, producer, performer, story consultant and proud single mama to Maisie, is the creator and Founding Mother of The Good Enough Mums Club - a musical that grew out of her experience with severe postnatal depression and postnatal psychosis.

At the prompting of her therapist, Beecher began to journal

her experiences while juggling the demands of a newborn. During 2014, a short community workshop version of The Good Enough Mums Club played to sold-out audiences.

In the following years the team reworked the musical by meeting mothers from all over the country - from a mosque in Birmingham, to a pub in Leeds, to a school in the shadow of Grenfell - collecting their stories to ensure the show represents a variety of experiences of motherhood. The Good Enough Mums Club is leading the way with its family-friendly working policies, which includes job shares, family friendly accommodation and children being welcome in the rehearsal rooms.

The Good Enough Mums Club is an Associate company of Birmingham Hippodrome. The production has been co-commissioned by The Lowry and Birmingham Hippodrome, with support from Arts Council England.

The Good Enough Mums Club will run at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio from Wednesday 25 October – Sunday 29 October.

old skool artists are coming over to UK and of course we are well in to get the exclusives.

We celebrate 25 years of Street Cred a true Birmingham legacy, a magazine that has been the eye of entertainment and letting you know whats hot and not whats not because that doesnt matter, if its in Street Cred you know its the top flavour.

Look out for the best places to go right here from Restaurants, to Bars and Concerts.

This is the lifestyle

Always cutting edge and representing the street culture positively!

Mark Dwayne

This innovative project will give artists the opportunity to create new, 8-10 minute performance pieces, that will reflect and celebrate the vibrancy of Black history and culture.

Performance pieces will be part of a touring showcase that will visit Derby, Birmingham, Nottingham, and end in Leicester, at 2Funky Music Café.

Successful artists will be awarded with a £500 fee to help them develop their artistry and rehearse their performance pieces, as well as an additional £200 per performance.

Tour dates include:

• 6th October – Derby, Baby People

• 13th October – Birmingham, Centrala

• 20th October – Nottingham, Can’t Stop

Won’t Stop

• 27th October – Leicester, 2Funky Mu-

sic Café

Artists must be 18+ and from the Midlands. All performance styles are welcome and previous art forms include: singing, rap, dance, spoken word, fashion, motivational speeches, and photography.

Midlands' music artists offered paid commission as part of showcase tour

OLIVIA RODRIGO ANNOUNCES 2024 GUTS WORLD TOUR

ulti-platinum, three-time Grammy award-winning artist Olivia Rodrigo announced her highly anticipated GUTS world tour in support of her second studio album, GUTS, which was released via Geffen Records to critical acclaim.

Produced by Live Nation, the massive global 2024 tour kicks off its 57-date run on Friday 23rd February in Palm Springs, CA at Acrisure Arena, with stops across North America and Europe, including Miami, Toronto, New York, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and many more before wrapping up with back-to-back shows

Mon Tuesday 13th August and Wednesday 14th August at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The Breeders, PinkPantheress, Chappell Roan, and Remi Wolf will join on select dates across the tour.

Following the incredible success of her 2022 debut tour The SOUR Tour, the GUTS world tour will be Olivia’s first arena tour, taking her to iconic venues around the world including Madison Square Garden, Kia Forum, Sportpaleis, The O2 and more. During this run, she will be performing multiple nights in various cities, including two nights in New York, Los Angeles, and London.

One of the most highly awaited albums of the year,

GUTS arrived as the follow-up to Rodrigo’s 4x Platinum 2021 full-length debut SOUR and features her No. 1 hit “vampire” and the new focus track “get him back!” Like “vampire,” GUTS’ second single “bad idea, right?” was named a Best New Track by Pitchfork, who hailed the latter as “one of the best pop performances of the year.”

Released last month alongside its B-movie-inspired video, “bad idea right?” also drew raves from the likes of Rolling Stone (who called it a “sugary headbanger”) and the New York Times (who praised the track as a “bright, kaleidoscopic head-rush of a pop song…” in its weekly column “The Playlist”).

MOTORS

SPORTS MARKETING GROUP TO SUPPORT FLATROCK MOTORSPORTS PARK AND MOTORCLUB

Flatrock Motorsports

Park and Motorclub have announced the Sports Marketing Group (SMG), a global sports communications agency, has been selected to support its international motorsport communication program and digital strategy.

SMG will provide essential international motorsport PR support to Flatrock while also overseeing its social & digital strategy as the newest world-class motorsport and entertainment venue in America moves closer to its official opening in 2024. Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub is set to become Amer-

ica’s newest premium racing facility, combining both a 2.67-mile F.I.M and FIA Grade II certified competition ‘Grand Prix’ track and a 3.50mile private members ‘Club’ circuit for members. These two courses can be connected to create an undulating 5.9-mile, 34-turn circuit situated in beautiful, rolling Tennessee countryside. Construction on the facility has been ongoing since last year, while the all-important paving process on the Club track commenced earlier this summer.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in London, with offices in Dubai, Dublin & Monaco, the Sports Mar-

keting Group’s operations span the globe working with rights-holders, brands, events and sports properties across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. Primarily operating within the motorsports industry - with a heavy presence in Formula 1 in particular - SMG has fast become the leading communications and marketing agency for motorsports promoters globally.

Its experienced team has participated in the successful race activation and promotion of a wide variety of Formula 1 races including the U.S., Singapore, Azerbaijan, Hungarian, Japanese, Qatar, and Saudi Arabian Formula 1

Grand Prixs amongst others. In 2023, SMG also helped broker the milestone co-title partnership for Alfa Romeo F1 TEAM STAKE – one of the biggest deals in F1’s recent history. Outside of Formula 1, SMG also works with other global racing series including the renowned Dakar Rally and ground-breaking Extreme E series, whilst also successfully brokering multiple partnerships in the flourishing world of e-sports.

Tim Chandler, Vice President Marketing of the Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub welcomed the news of the partnership with SMG: “We are delighted to welcome the Sports Market-

ing Group on board this extremely exciting project and look forward to utilizing the team’s wealth of experience in the world of motorsport to help tell the Flatrock story to a global audience.

“In doing so, the SMG team will prove to be an essential resource for our staff as we prepare for our opening in 2024. The arrival of this extraordinary racing and entertainment facility in the heart of Tennessee is one that is capturing the imagination of people across the country and we are now excited to continue spreading the Flatrock message far beyond alongside the SMG team.” Group Director of Commu-

nications at the Sports Marketing Group, Tom Cooney, commented: “We feel privileged to be working with Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub and to be part of such a thrilling project.

“We are delighted to support the Flatrock team and are looking forward to playing our part in helping to spread the message of this ground-breaking, state-of-the-art facility to a global motorsport audience. Our experience working with so many other international racing circuits puts us in an excellent position to deliver the necessary practical and strategic support required by such a major undertaking. We can’t wait to get started!”

BMW SET TO INVEST IN NEW ELECTRIC MINI PLANT

German car giant BMW has announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to prepare its Mini factory near Oxford to build a new generation of electric cars.

Production of two new electric Mini models is due to begin at the plant in Cowley in 2026.

The move is expected to safeguard the future of the facility, as well as that of another factory in Swindon.

More than 4,000 people currently work across the two sites. BMW will spend £600m on updating the Cowley plant, developing the production lines, extending its body shop and building a new area for installing batteries.

It also plans to build additional logistics facilities at Cowley and at the Swindon factory - which makes body panels for new vehicles. This will allow two next-generation electric designs, the Mini Cooper and the larger Mini Aceman, to be built at

Cowley alongside conventional cars.

A third electric model, the Countryman, will be made in Germany. The UK investment will be backed by funding from the government - understood to be worth £75m.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of UK industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, called the announcement a "vote of confidence" in the country's automotive manufacturing industry. "Not only does it secure the long-term future of the home of one of the world's most iconic brands, it also demonstrates once again our capabilities in electric vehicle production," he said.

"Investments such as this improve productivity and help deliver jobs, growth and economic benefits for the country." With the Mini brand expected to go fully electric by 2030, BMW's decision is vital to the future of the two UK factories.

The first electric Mini was launched at the Cowley plant in

2019. But last year, the company confirmed production of most of its electric cars would move to China, where the new models have been developed in partnership with Great Wall Motor.

At the time, BMW suggested that building both conventionally-fuelled and electric cars in the same factory was inefficient. Now, that plan has clearly changed.

Production of the new models will begin next year at Great Wall's factory in Zhangjiagang - with Cowley now expected to start building them as well in 2026. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said BMW's investment was "another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future".

Asked about speculation that the amount of government funding for BMW in relation to its Oxford plant is around £75m, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch told reporters: "I won't comment on the figure because that creates difficulties in future negotiations.

"What I will say is that we do provide some subsidy, very light subsidy, in the auto industry because it faces so much difficulty, and some of that is regulatory. So if we're asking manufacturers to transition to net zero, that creates additional costs which make it a little bit harder so we do have to factor that in."

This is the latest in a series of government-backed investments designed to promote the development of electric vehicles in Britain, ahead of a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered cars due to take effect in 2035. In July, Jaguar Land Rover's owner, the Indian group Tata, said it would build a giant "gigafactory" to produce batteries in Somerset, a project expected to benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds in taxpayer support.

Stellantis has just begun production of electric vans at its Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire; Nissan is expanding output of EVs at its Sunderland factory, while its partner Envision

AESC is building a gigafactory close by. Meanwhile, Ford is investing heavily in its Halewood plant, preparing it to build electric motors.

But there have also been setbacks for the industry in recent years, including the closure of Ford's engine plant in Bridgend in 2020 and Honda's Swindon factory in 2021.

In January, Britishvolt, which had been planning to build a battery factory near Blyth, collapsed into administration. The future of the site remains uncertain.

David Bailey, professor of business economics at Birmingham Business School, said: “The BMW announcement is great news, but remember the UK is playing catch-up. "We've been lagging behind in EV production. We're going to need a lot more if we are going to preserve a mass car industry in the UK." What is not yet known is where the batteries for the cars to be built at Cowley will come from.

That could yet become a critical issue. From next year, new rules will effectively ensure that cars with batteries made outside either the UK or the EU will face steep tariffs when shipped across the Channel.

BMW is one of a number of businesses lobbying in the EU and the UK for those measures to be watered down or delayed. "The Brexit trade rules mean that if you don't have enough local content in cars, there will be a 10% tariff on trade between the UK and the EU," Prof Bailey said.

"Now clearly that's a big hit for the likes of Stellantis and BMW. That needs to be revised quickly." He added that there was a lot of pressure "on both sides of the Channel" to change the trade rules. "I think the European Commission will move at some point, but probably too late."

Four-time Olympic Champion Biles Qualifies for Sixth Championships

Simone Biles will compete for her 20th world title at the upcoming World Championships in Antwerp.

The four-time Olympic champion won the all-around women's final at the US selection event to top qualification with a score of 55.700.

Biles, 26, will become the first woman to represent Team USA at six Artistic World Championships. In August, she made a return to competition following a twoyear hiatus to work on her mental health.

Biles marked her comeback by winning her eighth allaround title at the US Gymnastics Championships and

breaking a 90-year record. But at Tuesday's selection event, it wasn't her normal faultless display.

She fell on transition from high bar to low bar on uneven bars and was deducted half a point for pausing between two leaps on beam. On the floor, she went out of bounds twice and in her final apparatus vault, she over rotated her Yurchenko double pike.

Shilese Jones, who finished second on 55.300, would have pipped Biles to a qualification spot had she have not received a one-point deduction on her final apparatus, uneven bars. In 2021, Biles took a break from gymnastics after pulling out of five

Jamaica Rolls Out Its

Electromobility Roadmap

JAMAICA’S ENERGY ministry released the country’s first electric vehicle policy as part of the island’s push to increase energy security, diversify supply and decarbonise.

The roadmap’s main goals are the development of an enabling regulatory environment, deployment of efficient charging infrastructure, establishment of guidelines related to standards and batteries, training and public engagement. The policy highlights penetration targets established in the Strategic Framework for Electric Mobility, with 12% of electric vehicles being privately owned by 2030 and

TuneIn To Be Integrated In Additional Vehicles

THROUGH FAURECIA Aptoide's highly regarded technology that provides OEMs a personalised Apps Market solution, users in even more car brands will now be able to access and use the TuneIn application directly from their vehicle's infotainment system, as car manufacturers work on building a fully connected experience for their users.

TuneIn, the world's leading live audio service, is accessible in over 100+ countries and across more than 200 devices and vehicles.

of her six finals at the delayed Tokyo Olympics. She later explained that she had been experiencing 'the twisties' - a kind of mental block where gymnasts can lose their sense of space

in the air. Team USA will announce the rest of their World Championship squad on Wednesday, with the competition taking place in Antwerp from 30 September to 8 October.

With TuneIn available in vehicles through Faurecia Aptoide, more TuneIn listeners in more cars can access audio content from around the world, including on-demand live sports, news, music, podcasts, radio, and audiobooks.

Thijs van Herkhuizen, General Manager at Faurecia Aptoide, states: "We are delighted to announce our partnership with TuneIn as it exemplifies our commitment to enhancing the driving

experience.

“By combining our expertise with TuneIn's expansive audio content, we are delivering a seamless and immersive journey to drivers and passengers alike."

TuneIn CEO, Richard Stern, declares: "TuneIn is excited to be partnering with the highly skilled team at Faurecia Aptoide. This collaboration gives TuneIn and TuneIn Premium listeners access to personalized live and on-demand content while in their cars, providing a more seamless and integrated experience."

As the leading automotive Apps Market, Faurecia Aptoide brings OEMs and App Developers together to build the future of connected vehicles.

16% being public transport.

According to the ministry, Jamaica spends more than US$1.6bn a year to import petroleum-based fuel. The limitations and barriers highlighted in the policy – available here – are pricing, under-par road development and no dedicated funding.

In January, Jamaica Urban Transit launched the Caribbean nation’s first battery electric bus (pictured) for public transportation. That same month, power utility Jamaica Public Service began phase one of a program to replace its fleet with electric vehicles.

Food & Fine Dining

BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER RETURNS TO BIRMINGHAM THIS NOVEMBER

The highly anticipated BBC Good Food Show Winter, sponsored by Lexus, is back! It’s the place to go for a delectable feast of flavours, cooking inspiration, and festive cheer for food enthusiasts and families this winter.

This epic winter event promises a foodie extravaganza that will delight the taste buds and ignite culinary creativity in a winter wonderland! Kicking off on 23rd November, the four-day event is taking place at the NEC Birmingham and is the perfect opportunity to embrace the holiday spirit and discover a world of culinary wonders.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or love cooking at home, there is something for everyone. There will be a whole host of celebrity chefs and food experts sharing their secrets, cooking tips, and favourite festive recipes on the live cooking stages. Visitors can also witness mouth-watering demonstrations and engage in insightful Q&A sessions with them too. The show-stopping line-up in-

cludes best-selling author Nadiya Hussain, food writer Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie, actress and winner of Celebrity MasterChef Lisa Faulkner, and award-winning chefs Michel Roux, James Martin, The Hairy Bikers and Paul Ainsworth – to name a few! The Big Kitchen, sponsored by HexClad, is back this year, with nothing but the best chefs serving up delicious demos with seasonally themed recipes just in time for festive hosting.

HexClad’s Chris Baber will be taking to the stage at the start of each session to show the audience how to create quick, 10-minute dishes throughout the festive season. The Wild Kitchen, sponsored by Eat Game, will be serving up a selection of Christmas-themed showstoppers where game is the hero, inspiring visitors to create their very own Christmas Lunch masterpieces, as well as providing lots of recipe inspiration for healthy dishes into the New Year.

This year, there is also a brandnew Christmas Kitchen, dedicated to all things Christmas! Hosted by

Ruby Bhogal, get your Christmas fix with sweet and savoury recipes created live by the likes of Becky Excell, Calum Harris, Suzy Pelta, Nathan Anthony, and Suzie Lee. This year, Laithwaites Wine is on board as a partner and host of the BBC Good Food Wine Club Tasting Theatre and will be presented by wine connoisseur Grant Hedley.

A selection of English Sparkling Wines, Prosecco, Champagne, and classic wines perfect for the festive season will be available to taste across five daily sessions over the weekend. If wine isn’t your go to tipple, the Fabulous Food Finds Tasting Theatre will also be back this year. Guests can taste-test quality foods from hand selected producers at the show, that will electrify the palate: including Cheese Tastings, Coffee Sampling, and a sensational festive edition of Mystery Tasting. The Winter Workshops are the perfect place to come and get stuck in and learn how to make your very own winter treats, put your icing skills to the test and try

decorating sweet Festive Fancies, or perfect your knife skills for the dinner of the year and learn how to create festive cocktails to enjoy at home.

The Let’s Talk Good Food Stage is the place to discover the secrets of your favourite chef’s success plus an array of culinary tips and tricks. A delicious smorgasbord of talent will be gracing the stage including Maunika Gowardhan, Gennaro Contaldo, Greg Rutherford, Sam Way, Sally Abé, Paul A Young, Michel Roux, and Karan Gokani to name a few.

New for this year, Taylor & Colledge invites everyone to embark on a sensory journey like no other at The Flavour Experience, in sessions dedicated to the world of vanilla. Discover the secrets of vanilla during daily sessions led by renowned culinary experts including Suzy Pelta and Lisa Faulkner (Saturday only) and learn how to enhance the flavour of your bakes as you delve deeper into the essence of this extraordinary ingredient.

After taking in all the show has

to offer, it is time to indulge your appetite. Why not dine in style at the BBC Good Food Restaurant and tuck into the tastiest dishes inspired by BBC Good Food Christmas recipes that you’ll be desperate to recreate at home. Sit back and enjoy this full-service restaurant in the heart of the Show, where you can take the time to plan the rest of your day with fantastic food, refreshing drinks, and a great atmosphere. Booking is open now.

Show sponsor Lexus is delighted to bring back the fantastic Takumi Lunch Club. At Lexus, Takumi is central to their approach, and their Takumi craftsmen instruct everything they do. Lexus see this same pioneering human spirit in the world of gastronomy and the Takumi Lunch Club menu is inspired by Lexus Takumi Ambassadors Emily Roux and Michelin Star chefs Angela Hartnett and Michel Roux. It is the perfect place to sit, back, relax and take a break from all the shopping, whilst indulging in a beautiful meal.

BBC Good Food Show Winter

isn’t just about learning it is very much about trying and buying from the 100s of hand selected food producers and brands at the Show. The impressive array of artisanal food and drink from local and international producers to sample and buy includes new wines to discover from Yellow Tail, tasty alcohol-free aperitifs from High Point, Cookie Do’s ready to bake cookies, Cornish Cheese Co with the most divine blue cheese, Flower & White’s delightful marshmallow treats and Dipp’d tikka inspired dipping sauces, there is plenty for visitors to discover.

It’s the perfect place to get ahead of their Christmas shopping and pick up presents for loved ones at the Good Food market, stock up on Christmas essentials, and even purchase some early Christmas presents for themselves too! From picking up the perfect pan at HexClad to a handmade chopping board from Gia Homeware Christmas really can be completed at BBC Good Food Show Winter.

James McVey announces debut solo EP ‘Manabi’ featuring new

James McVey of The Vamps took an inspiring leap into the unknown with his debut solo track ‘Dancing On The Head Of A Needle’. Its raw, introspective acoustic pop received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans, and now James can reveal that there’s more solo music to come. He has just announces the November 10th release of his debut EP ‘Manabi’ and shares its second single, ‘Blood and Bones’.

‘Manabi’ is a Japanese word that translates as “learning through study” and that’s an apt summary of James’ journey throughout its creation - a process of self-discovery which, in turn, led to previously uncharted angles to his songwriting. The songs emerged during an enforced spell of silence as James recovered from career-saving

surgery to remove a polyp on his vocal chords. While unable to sing, he remained obsessed with writing musicand soon the most personal songs he had ever written emerged.

What’s more, he meticulously focused upon his craft, carefully finessing every single line to maximise their emotional impact. James says: “I was just focusing on what I actually wanted to say with the songs, and working out whether there was a real, tangible emotion I could convey – did it resonate with me?

“It took a long time to get there. I also remembered the innocence that I had when I first heard Damien Rice’s first two albums, and how I was blown away by those songs. I wanted to go back and capture that wide-eyed feeling for this EP.”

In contrast to the turmoil he described within ‘Dancing On The Head Of A Needle’, the new single ‘Blood and Bones’ sees James expressing his pure, heartfelt love for his wife Kirstie. It’s a song that needs little embellishment to make its impact, with James’ croon accompanied by stripped-back acoustic guitar and luscious vocal harmonies. It’s one of his favourite songs on the EP, and one that is testament to the devotion and gratitude he feels for her.

He adds, “When we’ve been flying through the hurricane that is my career, she’s been there. She’s sacrificed a lot of her time, she’s everything to me, and I’m so grateful for her guidance and stability.” She even helped, somewhat fortuitously, to shape the ‘Manabi’ EP.

On a trip to the States in 2022, she convinced a re-

luctant James to head out for breakfast, where they ran into the Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran, Sam Ryder, Camilla Cabello). They discussed potentially working together, leading to James visiting her in Wales where they co-wrote three of the EPs six tracks.

James wrote and produced all of the EP, calling on other select collaborators for specific songs in the shape of James Walsh of Starsailor and Alex Stacey (Ella Henderson).

As its title implies, the result is that ‘Manabi’ has been a learning experience for James, a process which taught him how to be a better husband, friend and artist. And the more you learn, the more you realise you’ll never quite have all of the answers.

James will celebrate the EP’s release by playing a special launch show in London at Hoxton Hall on November 10th. All ticket sales will benefit the mental health

charity Mind, who provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and

who campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health issues.

Iraina Mancini set for UK tour

Following the release of her critically acclaimed debut album Iraina Mancini will be hitting the road for an extensive run of UK shows this Autumn. With ‘Undo The Blue’ out now, Iraina and a full live band is now performing its songs at 14 venues nationwide through to 14th October.

Featuring the tracks “Cannonball”, “Undo The Blue”, “Do It (You stole the rhythm), Deep End and Shotgun. ‘Undo The Blue’ has already proven a hit with music lovers and media alike, with The Times’ 4* review praising Iraina as “a new heroine to make us swoon.. intoxicating”.

With all tracks on the album written by Iraina, it’s a record that also finds her collaborating with a who’s who of musical talents including Simon Dine (Paul Weller), Jagz Kooner (David Holmes, Primal Scream) and Sunglasses

For Jaws (Miles Kane), who have all produced the record along with additional production from Erol Alkan (The Killers, Duran Duran, Ride).

The album was released on Needle Mythology Records, the label founded by music writer, author and broadcaster Pete Paphides.

Teasing the release with the bluesy psych-pop bop of “What You Doin’”, this latest single also features appearances from Miles Kane and Kitty Liv (of Kitty, Daisy & Lewis).

Speaking about how it came together Iraina says: “I wrote [“What You Doin’”] about someone not being able to see what's right in front of them, and If they don't act soon, then you're not waiting around!

“It's got a lot of attitude and confidence. I love the live feel the song has, it was great to have Miles Kane (guitar) and

Kitty Liv

come down to the studio to jam on the track. Their parts added an extra sprinkle of magic to the song.”

Iraina has now taken her music out on the road for what will be her first major UK tour. Speaking about the run, she says: “I'm so excited to announce I will be finally taking my live show out on the road! It’s been such a joy recording my debut album, and now I get to bring it to life around the country.”

(harmonica)

KILLERSTAR - FEATURING KEY DAVID BOWIE COLLABORATORS - SHARE DEBUT SINGLE ‘SHOULD’VE KNOWN BETTER’

Tone Ska Orchestra, The Selecter featuring Pauline Black, and The Beat featuring Ranking Roger will be joining force for a historic performance at the New Irish Centre in Birmingham, on August 25th, 2023. The highly anticipated event promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans of the iconic 2 Tone ska movement.

The outdoor grounds on the Centre, in Kings Heath, will serve as the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary gathering of ska legends, with organisers saying: “We are thrilled to bring together these legendary ska acts for what promises to be an epic night of music and nostalgia.

“The 2 Tone Ska 50-piece Orchestra plus vocalists will be joined by The Selecter & The Beat featuring Rankin Jr. Representing the very essence of the 2 Tone ska movement, and we look forward to having them share the stage.”

“We can’t wait to bring Birmingham an event of two-tone ska, a genre that has strong roots in the city. The evening will be a true celebration of ska history and a night to remember for all fans.” The 2 Tone Ska Orchestra, a powerhouse 50-piece ensemble comprising some of the finest musicians, will provide a perfect end of evening performance with their dynamic

The 2 Tone Ska Orchestra, The Selecter And The Beat Play The New Irish Centre Outdoor Grounds

blend of ska, rocksteady and reggae.

An orchestra of this magnitude performing 2 tone & ska music is unprecedented and a spectacular unique show for all music lovers.

The Orchestral event will feature Special Guests The Selecter & The Beat ft Rankin Jr to get the evening off to the best possible start.

The Selecter will bring their unique brand of 2 Tone ska to the forefront. Fronted by the incredible Pauline Black, this influential group has been instrumental in shaping the ska and punk scenes since their formation in the late 1970s.

Expect a high-energy performance that will have the crowd skanking and dancing to their be-

loved hits.

The Beat featuring Rankin Jr will then take the stage, ready to deliver their signature fusion of ska, punk, reggae, and soul and captivate the audience with their timeless classics and new hits alike.

KillerStar is a new band led by Rob Fleming (vocals, guitar, synths) and James Sedge (drums) which features an array of David Bowie’s most trusted collaborators: Mike Garson on piano, Earl Slick and Mark Plati on guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey and Tim Lefebvre on bass, Emm Gryner on backing vocals, and Donny McCaslin on saxophone.

Collectively they have crafted a sound which fuses the scale of classic rock with sophisticated harmonies and elements of art rock. Today KillerStar share their debut single ‘Should’ve Known Better’ ahead of their debut album, which will follow on March 1st 2024.

KillerStar make a big first impression with ‘Should’ve Known Better’. It’s an epic song which is rooted in Rob and James’s love of timeless music from the early 1970s to primeval rock ‘n’ roll and sleek hard rock, but its synth textures and driving guitar driven intensity provides a contemporary edge too.

Rob’s voice – a vocal delivery filled with drama and convictionadds another distinctive element,

especially as it’s complemented by sophisticated, hook laden harmonies from Emm Gryner.

Mike Garson contributes beautiful avant garde piano, Gail Ann Dorsey provides driving, melodic bass lines that lock in with the powerful drums from James Sedge.

Rob says: “‘Should’ve Known Better’ contains all the flavours of what we’re trying to do. It has a rock vibe, but with hooks, ambient melodies and layered backing vocals throughout. We can all be amazed about what we do when we put our minds to it.”

‘Should’ve Known Better’ was written by Rob, who produced the track with James, before it was mixed by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Idlewild) and mastered by Joe La Porta at Sterling Sound. Collectively, KillerStar’s musicians have contributed to almost every era of Bowie’s vast discography, from the landmark ‘Aladdin Sane’ to the final goodbye of ‘Blackstar’. Although, while the KillerStar name references one of Bowie’s relatively deeper cuts, ‘Should’ve Known Better’ really doesn’t feel like an homage to The Thin White Duke. And that’s simply because

it was never intended to be one. Rob and James had recorded the first KillerStar demos independently, without any advance planning on who else would be involved.

Earl Slick says, “Since Bowie died, we’ve all gone off in different directions, but with this album we worked on new material and that was great.” As you’ll eventually hear on KillerStar’s eponymously named album, there are fleeting touches that recall classic Bowie moments, but really this is something altogether new and exciting.

Bowie chose these musicians for their unique style and ability, and that is what they have brought to the record: reunited friends and some new connections, all playing to complement the songwriting rather than to retread the iconic music they created alongside their visionary former leader. As Emm Gryner considers: “The Bowie alumni have a very special bond and we always will.

Simply Red announce special 40th anniversary celebrations with a 2025 UK & Ireland Arena Tour

Iconic soul and pop band Simply Red have earmark their forthcoming 40th anniversary by announcing an incredibly special UK & Ireland arena tour for September & October 2025, culminating in two nights at London's O2 Arena on October 9th & 10th, 2025.

"Simply Red are turning 40! We're looking forward to marking this special milestone with you all in 2025 on our UK tour" says Mick Hucknall. "Fans can expect to hear all their favourite Simply Red tracks from 1985 to the present and enjoy a memorable night celebrating the incredible journey that we've been on together over the past four decades."

Few bands have enjoyed the success and longevity of Simply Red. With over 60 million albums sold

worldwide, five UK #1 albums, 1.8 billion streams across streaming platforms worldwide, and over 1 million YouTube subscribers, Simply Red remain one of the UK's most successful and well-loved bands. Their 1991 classic Stars was the best-selling album for two years running in Britain and Europe, and all 13 of Simply Red's studio albums, including their latest release ‘Time', have been UK Top 10's.

Mick Hucknall formed Simply Red in 1985 working-class Manchester and enjoyed early success with first single ‘Money's Too Tight To Mention' and the Brit Award-nominated album ‘Picture Book' (the first of 13 nominations, and 3 Brit Award wins). This was followed by a decade of superstardom and global hits. Today Simply Red continue to sell out tours

across the globe.

Their live show is renowned for its exceptional quality, with Mick Hucknall long-established as one of the great vocalists of contemporary music.

To celebrate this impressive 40-year milestone, Simply Red head back out on the road in 2025, telling the musical story of Simply Red so far - from ‘Picture Book' to ‘Time', and everything in between.

The Unknown Soldier was created by Alison Ray MA, Artistic Director of Alison Ray Dance Company and was performed at Tacchi Morris Arts and the Bernie Grant Center in April this year to audiences who were captivated and interested by these stories servicemen and women from the UK, Caribbean and Africa. The Unknown Soldier is a compellingly captivating ode to the Black British War Veterans. Telling various stories of men and women of Black British Heritage who fought in WWI and WWII. The Unknown Soldier is an interdisciplinary performance that weaves the mediums of Dance, Text, live music, and Visuals to capture the participation of these brave men and women who were often hidden

from the British War Effort.

As these soldiers embark on their quest to fight in the War, the choreography uses various styles: African, Caribbean, Contemporary Dance, and the Lindy Hop and to foster a narrative of untold stories of these war veterans. The Live Music of the Berimbau and the Violin creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and ambiguity, of embarking on this journey to the unknown!

Alison Ray, MA, said, "The Unknown Soldier has been a work I have been interested in creating for decades since I was a child. Following the experience of going to Barbados and hearing the stories of Prime Minster Errol Barrow, who served in the RAF.

The Unknown Soldier

Inspirational Memoir "Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah" Chronicles Miraculous Journey of Faith & Self-Discovery by Irvine 'CalJah' Lewis - The Forgotten Generations

"Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah," an extraordinary memoir by Irvine 'CalJah' Lewis, which has achieved a remarkable #1 bestseller rank in the category of Angel on Amazon UK, has been captivating readers with its inspiring narrative of resilience and faith.

At forty-six, Irvine Lewis, a devoted family man, IT Systems Analyst, and gifted saxophonist faced a life-changing challenge when he suffered a stroke that revealed he had a brain tumor. Beating cancer, his battle wasn't over, next facing a life-threatening brain infection, leading to months in the hospital and a tough road to recovery.

"Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah" takes readers on a deeply emotional and introspective

journey as Irvine recounts his challenging time in the hospital, his encounters with fellow patients, the unwavering support of visitors, and the comforting power of prayers for his healing. Amidst the trials, Irvine shares intimate encounters with God, which introduced him to his true identity as CalJah, bringing meaning and purpose to his life.

Irvine's unwavering faith served as a beacon of hope throughout his ordeal, guiding him through the darkest moments and ultimately leading to experiencing a surprise healing that left many surprised. Possibly more importantly, this journey was also one of self-discovery, igniting a newfound love for life and a recognition of his true purpose.

Having achieved the remarka-

ble feat of becoming a #1 bestseller in the Angel category, "Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah" continues to resonate with readers, earning a place on Amazon UK's bestseller list even a decade after its release.

To celebrate the overwhelming success of "Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah" and to embrace the gift of life, Irvine 'CalJah' Lewis is thrilled to host a special book launch event in August. Titled "Celebrating Life," the event will give an opportunity for readers, community members, and the press to gather together, cherish life's beauty, and show gratitude for his miraculous recovery and the power of belief.

The book eloquently portrays Irvine's journey from illness to healing, offering readers a glimpse into the extraordinary

resilience of the human spirit. Irvine's story of selflessness, kindness, and the importance of valuing others will undoubtedly inspire readers from all walks of life.

"Irvine Lewis experienced a life-changing illness at the age of forty-six that changed his outlook on life," said Marcia M. Spence, Director of Marcia M Publishing House Ltd. "Over the last ten years, he has regained his health, independence, and love for life, leaving readers profoundly moved, inspired, and blessed by his incredible journey. His book is powerfully inspiring!"

For a heartwarming and uplifting read, "Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah" is available on Amazon UK and other major retailers worldwide.

His Excellency

Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, launched the country's new Energy Transition and Investment Plan during a Global Africa Business Initiative event in New York.

The plan marks Ghana's commitment to fighting climate change and fostering economic development in tandem. It details a credible pathway for how Ghana can achieve net-zero energy-related carbon emissions by 2060 through the deployment of low-carbon solutions across key sectors of its economy, including oil and gas, industry, transport, cooking, and power.

Ghana's government intends to use the plan as its main tool to engage the international community and investors for support with its energy transition. All measures suggested in the plan represent a USD 550 billion opportunity for the international community to invest in sustainable development in Ghana.

If the plan is achieved in full, it would generate 400,000 net jobs within Ghana's economy. The country's existing Energy Transition Framework previously set a target of net zero by

2070, but this new plan shows Ghana has increased its ambition and is targeting net zero by 2060.

Various sectoral changes and technologies are proposed in the plan. Four main decarbonization technologies – renewables, low-carbon hydrogen, battery electric vehicles and clean cookstoves – would cover over 90 percent of the targeted abatement by 2060.

Without pursuing the plan, under a business-as-usual scenario, Ghana's emissions are expected to rise from 28 Mt CO2e in 2021 to over 140 Mt in 2050, with the bulk of emissions growth coming from transport, driven by population growth, GDP per capita growth, and vehicle ownership.

By implementing this plan, Ghana and its partners can instead bring the country's energy-sector-related carbon emissions to net zero, while demonstrating that action against climate change does not need to come at the expense of economic development.

The Energy Transition and Investment Plan was developed by the Government of Ghana with technical support from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the

Republic of Ghana, said:

"This pioneering Energy Transition and Investment Plan maps out Ghana's journey to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 based on the latest data and evidence, ensuring that as our economy thrives, it does so in harmony with the environment.

“This plan is a testament to our dedication to fostering green industries, nurturing the evolution of cutting-edge low-carbon technologies, and propelling our nation towards a sustainable industrial revolution while giving equal growth opportunities to men and women."

CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, Damilola Ogunbiyi, said: "Ghana's commitment to a just and equitable energy transition has translated to an ambitious plan that builds a case for low-carbon and energy-efficient solutions across Ghana's entire energy system.

These solutions present a tremendous opportunity for partners and investors from around the world to contribute to climate action and sustainable development in Ghana."

The Solution Is...

the Unique Value of Strategic Real Estate Partnerships”

What if the vast acreage of land used as your childhood playground is now earmarked for real estate development, befuddling you, as all you ever saw was Farmer Joe’s bush land, good for nothing but playing?

In the dynamic world of real estate development, one of the most significant barriers to entry for aspiring developers is the lack of capital. The dream of transforming a greenfield into a thriving community can be hampered by the daunting costs involved. Be not dismayed! There is an innovative solution that addresses the start-up capital challenge and facilitates collaboration between key players for mutual growth – joint venture partnerships between property developers and land equity owners.

This article delves into the compelling advantages of real estate joint venture partnerships and the mutual benefits for each party. It highlights instances where land equity is the main asset contributed by landowners and why this solution is the ideal opportunity for those without capital for property development.

Property development ventures require a confluence of skills, resources, and expertise –experience is critical for success.

Land equity owners have the key item that activates the property development process - land. When both sides collaborate, the synergy created often results in a far more successful project than either party could have achieved alone. Real estate experts believe that these ventures possess the potential to amplify returns on investment when handled expertly.

Let us further explore the advantages of real estate joint ventures. There have been countless instances where land equity owners possess valuable property but lack the necessary funds to turn it into a thriving development. By teaming up with experienced property developers, these landowners gain access to the capital needed for construction, infrastructure, and other development costs.

A study by the Jamaica Real Estate Development Association (JREDA) revealed that joint venture partnerships are responsible for an impressive 30% increase in new development projects across the country over the past five years.

A second advantage is that Joint ventures distribute risk and reward more evenly for stakeholders. Property development inherently carries risks, such as changing market conditions and unforeseen project delays. In a

175th Emancipation Commemoration, A Defining Moment For The USVI

On the eve of the historic 175th anniversary of Emancipation in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), on Monday, July 3, Chair of the Commemoration Committee, Carol Burke, urged Virgin Islanders to recognise the historical significance of this milestone and to “capture a better-defined future for ourselves.”

by Khori Hyde

joint venture partnership, the burden of these risks is shared, allowing both land equity owners and property developers to weather challenges together. From the rewards point of view, when the project flourishes, investment stakeholders reap the benefits. This incentive structure aligns the interests of both sides and fosters a greater sense of commitment to the project's success.

Thirdly, successful property development involves navigating a complex web of regulatory frameworks, market trends, and construction intricacies. Property developers bring valuable industry knowledge and expertise to the table, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and in compliance with local regulations. On the other hand, land equity owners often possess a deep understanding of the local community and its needs. By combining these insights, joint ventures can create developments that resonate with the community and are financially sound.

With the mutual benefits and valuable input gained through years of experience, a positive result is likely to emerge where the development fosters a community-centric development.

Land equity owners are intimately acquainted with the preferences and requirements of the local community. By involving them in the development process, joint ventures can create spaces that align with the cultural and social fabric of the area. This not only enhances the overall quality of life for residents but also bolsters the project's market appeal.

In a real estate landscape where capital constraints often stifle innovation and growth, joint venture partnerships between property developers and land equity owners stand as a beacon of opportunity. These collaborations unlock the potential hibernating in idle lands and paves the way for inclusive and sustainable development.

For land equity owners in Jamaica, embarking on a joint venture partnership signifies a unique opportunity to unlock the

value of their land and capitalise on its potential. Those who choose to ignore this innovative business concept through partnership with a reputable developer, do so at their own peril owing to unnecessary exposure to risks.

One of the most obvious adverse outcome of parting with undeveloped land, is the missed financial opportunity with regards profit potential from developing the property. Additionally, once the property is sold, the equity owner surrenders a say in its future development. Of note, a novice equity owner may lack sufficient foresight to determine the growth prospects for the property. Without access to a developer's insights on current and future market trends that will influence property value there is doubt that the selling outright would optimise the equity owner’s net worth. Further, the costs associated with selling, such as real estate agent fees and taxes, could reduce the net proceeds from the sale and lead to longterm regret if the property becomes a successful development in which the equity owner could have had a stake.

As Jamaica's real estate market continues to evolve, embracing joint ventures could be the catalyst that propels the industry to new heights. With a proven track record of success and a plethora of advantages, joint venture partnerships offer a win-win solution for individuals who lack the capital to embark on property development journeys alone. As a hard reminder, not considering a joint venture with a developer before selling your prime Jamaican property could lead to missed financial opportunities to create generational wealth.

Have a think, that poor farmer who owns what you consider bush land, and who has been struggling to make ends meet, could have a cash cow asset through a real estate joint venture partnership. The lack of cash is no longer an impediment to accessing wealth. All one needs is a strategic alliance with the right real estate partner.

Burke, a community leader and former Virgin Islands senator, expressed her enthusiasm for the overwhelming momentum and widespread interest generated in the planning and preparation for the landmark holiday.

She noted that the significance of the Emancipation Commemoration has resonated not only locally but also regionally and nationally, demonstrating the profound impact and historical importance of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Noting that the 175th commemoration is an opportunity to “reshape and reset,” Chairwoman Burke emphasized that looking back should serve as both a reminder of the journey behind and an opportunity to pave the way for a brighter future.

She recognised the significance of the ancestral journey of which it have been a part and believes the future is not only about reclaiming the heritage of Virgin

Islanders but also about charting a new course that inspires and uplifts.

The Emancipation Commemoration features a range of events and programs designed to honour the heritage of the Virgin Islands and celebrate the hard-won free-

dom of its people.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church held a special service on Sunday to recognize its own 175th year of existence, intertwining the history of the church with that of the Virgin Islands.

“Knowing

Research reveals misconceptions about solar panels

Research just released revealed the misconceptions about solar energy - with many residents believing energy from the sun can only be produced in the summer months, is only available in the desert, and can’t be produced when its overcast. The findings reveal a lack of awareness of how solar energy works and that understanding has not increased significantly in the past two years.

Research revealed from Project Solar UK reveals 21% of Birmingham residents think that you cannot get solar energy if it’s overcast – a figure higher than the 15% who thought this statement was true when the research was first run in summer 2021. One reason that may be putting people off finding out more is that they have concerns about investing in solar panels, with residents thinking solar energy is more expensive than fossil fuels when in fact investing in this sun powered system can save money over time.

This figure was 19% back in 2021 – again underlining the need for further education around the costs and savings to be had with solar energy. There is also a misunderstanding around storing solar energy (which can be done simply through having a battery as part of a domestic solar panels set up) with 17% of residents thinking that solar energy can only

be stored if its above 20 degrees Celsius.

The figure is more than that reported in the previous piece of research when 10% stated that it could only be stored when above 20 degrees Celsius. Awareness of how the battery works is clearly low and an awareness raising exercise will need to be undertaken if people are to actively consider moving from gas and oil to energy from the sun.

Simon Peat, CEO of Project Solar UK, who commissioned the two sets of research, has worked in the solar industry for over a decade was not surprised by the results. “There is a lot of work to do to help people understand that we can all take advantage of the sun’s energy to help heat and light our homes and run our appliances,” he said.

“It’s concerning that even now 16% of people polled in Birmingham consider that you need to live in the desert to access the full benefits of the sun to create energy. We have thousands of examples of domestic installations where people who live in towns and cities that may be considered to be mainly overcast and not particularly sunny, have taken full advantage of solar panels and are saving money on energy bills and doing their bit for the environment.”

Habitat for Humanity, a U.S. nongovernmental organisation, is providing funding for architecture firms to make houses using 3D printers for families in need.

“Many local Habitat organisations are seeking alternative ways to increase affordable home production,” a spokesperson for the NGO said. “Habitat views 3D-printed home technology as an emerging technology that has the potential to increase our impact on affordable housing.”

So far, the organisation has helped build three 3D-printed homes — two in the United States and one in India.

Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions built the first 3D-printed house in collaboration with the Habitat for Humanity team in Chennai, India, in November 2020. The firm printed a 56-square-meter concrete home in 30 days but hopes to cut the building time down to closer to five days.

The technology limits building material waste, is 30% cheaper than other types of construction and can weather high winds and rain.

The 3D-printed house in India not only has “a smaller carbon footprint during the construction process, but also over the lifetime of the house,” Adithya Jain, Tvasta’s co-founder and chief executive officer, told Reuters.

A year later, the NGO funded Alquist, a Maryland-based

3D-printing company, in the construction of a 3D-printed house in Williamsburg, Virginia — the first in the United States. Habitat for Humanity also funded a third house in Tempe, Arizona, that completed construction in March. Alquist began building the Williamsburg house in July 2021 and completed it in December 2021, using a 3D printer for the exterior walls and traditional methods for the interior.

The house is powered by solar electricity and includes its own 3D printer, so the homeowners can make accessories such as doorknobs and light-switch covers.

“What you see,” said Alquist founder and CEO Zachary Mannheimer, “is four years of blood, sweat and tears of figuring out how to make this happen.”

The Habitat for Humanity funding allowed Candelaria Design — an Arizona archi-

tecture firm — to build the Tempe house using a 3D printer for the interior and exterior walls. The finished home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. President and CEO of Habitat Central Arizona, Jason Barlow, said: “If we can deliver decent, affordable, more energy-efficient homes at less cost, in less time and with less waste, we think that could be a real game-changer.”

Young People Celebrate Pioneering House Project’s Anniversary

Young people who have been part of the Wolverhampton House Project joined staff and their peers from across the country to celebrate The National House Project’s fifth anniversary recently.

The Wolverhampton House Project, a partnership between the City of Wolverhampton Council, The National House Project, Wolverhampton Homes and commercial partner Reconomy, was launched in 2019. It sees care leavers provided with an empty Wolverhampton Homes property which they can refurbish and then move into. Working with each other and specialists, they develop the skills and confidence to build a life for themselves after leaving care. Many are now living in their own flats or other accommodation that suits their needs,

and have developed the confidence to get jobs or continue with their education.

A total of 34 young people have been part of the Wolverhampton House Project so far, with 17 now living independently and 10 living in accommodation more appropriate to their needs. Some of

the young people travelled to Freight Island in Manchester where they joined 200 young people, staff, consultants, partners and fundraisers from across the UK to reflect upon the success of the national programme.

Councillor Chris Burden, the council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "Living alone for the first time is daunting for any of us, but particularly so for a care leaver, as they are likely to do this at a much earlier age than most young people and will be without the support of family members that many of us take for granted.

"The House Project has been a fantastic programme, allowing these young people to move into their own home while getting the help and support they need to live independently and to make their house a home."

U.S. NONPROFIT GROUP FUNDS AFFORDABLE HOMES MADE WITH 3D PRINTERS

The Dean of Worcester to retire after 16 years

REV. RODRIGUEZ RESPONDS TO THE NAACP’S "SO-CALLED TRAVEL ADVISORY" FOR FLORIDA

The Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, will officially retire on Friday 25 August, after more than 16 years in the post, and 43 years as a priest in the Church of England. His resignation was accepted by Queen Elizabeth II very shortly before her death.

Peter was installed as Dean of Worcester in 2007. Born and brought up in Kent, he studied in Oxford, Cambridge, and Rome, before he was ordained deacon in 1979, and priest in 1980. He served as a curate in Clapham in south London after which he was Priest-in-charge of St Mary, Tatsfield, in Surrey.

He was then Rector of Holy Trinity, Bath, after which he moved to Sussex to be the Principal of Chichester Theological College, and after that Rector of Lavant. He was Canon Chancellor of Chichester Cathedral from 1997 to 2007. He married Lynne in 1983, and they have three children and three (soon to be four) grandchildren. They are now moving to Kirkbymoorside in North Yorkshire.

During his time as Dean, the Cathedral has seen the completion of the restoration programme inaugurated in the 1980s, and the unveiling of a plaque by The Queen on her Diamond Jubilee visit; the restoration of the Edgar Tower; the restoration of the east and the west windows; the conservation of Christ in Majesty, the mediaeval sculpture in College Hall; a series of projects to do with the historic library; the refurbishment of the vestry in the song school; and the reme-

dial work following the collapse of a pinnacle in 2021. Perhaps the most striking project was the award-winning conversion of the medieval Undercroft to become a centre for the Cathedral’s learning programme and wider community use.

A project to re-landscape College Yard has also been launched. The Cathedral’s choirs have been restructured to give equal opportunities to girls and boys, and the Cathedral is now committed to a comprehensive and ambitious eco agenda.

Marking his retirement, Peter said: “To have been Dean of Worcester has been the great privilege of my life. My family and I have lived in the centre of an historic city, and at the heart of a beautiful county.

“I have had a small share in the custodianship of one of England’s great cathedrals and been surrounded by a wonderful team of people. I thank God for all that I have learnt during my time here, and I will continue to pray for the Cathedral under the leadership of a new Dean.”

Canon Edwards said: “The Cathedral has been greatly blessed by Peter in so many ways over the past 16 years. His ministry has brought superb preaching and public speaking, the counsel of a wise priest, and connections and engagement across the city and region.

“We pray for Peter and Lynne as they leave Worcester and enjoy their retirement.” The Vice-Dean of Worcester, Canon Stephen Edwards, has been appointed Interim Dean by the Bishop of Worcester, and will serve in the role until a new Dean

Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), issues the following statement in response to the NAACP’s "so-called travel advisory” for Florida:“We can only draw one reasonable conclusion from the so-called travel advisory issued by the NAACP for the State of Florida.

“The once venerable NAACP has fully surrendered its moral voice to brazen, partisan hackery. Rather than using

The World Jewish Congress, as part of its work with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund to fight antisemitism and promote Jewish life, praised the team for participating in a project at the San Diego Jewish Academy that memorializes children killed in the Holocaust. The German soccer club, commonly known as BVB, had trained for much of last week on the grounds of the San Diego Jewish Academy, as part of its U.S. tour.

“Football clubs have a unique ability to inspire positive social change,” said Cory Weiss, WJC executive director of communications strategy. “The World Jewish Congress is proud to work together with Borussia Dortmund to find new ways to el-

its platform to actually hold politicians to account, it is prostituting its influence to advance an insane political agenda.

“Instead of being ashamed of itself, the NAACP should just read the room: plenty of people of colour, beginning with Latinos, actually want their religious freedom, parental rights and dignity intact. They will not stand by while

BVB

politicians trade the future of their children on the altar of woke, political expediency.

“Many members of America’s Black churches and Latino churches thank God every day that they live in the free state of Florida.” Rev. Rodriguez is the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), the world’s largest Hispanic

PLAYERS

Christian organisation with U.S. churches and many additional churches spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora.

He stands recognised by CNN, FOX News, Univision and Telemundo as America’s most influential Latino/Hispanic faith leader.

MEMORIALISE

CHILDREN WHO SUFFERED IN THE HOLOCAUST

evate the voice of the Jewish community and ensure that our shared history will be used to build stronger future generations.”

The Dortmund club has previously cooperated with WJC on a range of programs, including the #WeRemember campaign and other initiatives to combat antisemitism. Alongside students from the academy, Dortmund team manager Edin Terzic and star players Mats Hummels, Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle and Marco Reus on Friday took part in The Butterfly Project, a “call to action through education, the arts and memorial making.”

By painting ceramic butterflies to display as symbols of resilience and hope, participants commemorate the 1.5 million children killed during the Holocaust. The

players, after chatting with the students and fulfilling autograph requests, painted butterflies for children originally from Westphalia, the German region where Dortmund is situated.

Cheryl Rattner Price, founder of The Butterfly Project, said: “When the players take their butterflies, they carry the message. It is a message for peace. “They help us amplify our message.”

Dortmund’s chief marketing officer, Carsten Cramer, added, “BVB supports the work of remembrance so that what happened is never forgotten. We will continue to fight against antisemitism.

“The butterflies are given a special place at the training ground in Dortmund as a symbol of support.” Leopoldo Kahn, the grandson of the former Jewish mayor

of Dortmund (Paul Hirsch), spoke at the event about his family history. Kahn is a former head of the Peru Jewish community.

In March 2022, more than 100 representatives of German professional football joined Jewish community leaders and experts to grapple with how professional soccer clubs can more effectively combat Jew-hatred. The conference, ‘Antisemitism and Professional Football: Challenges, Opportunities & Network,’ was held at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park and organised by the German Football League (DFL), the World Jewish Congress and the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

The conference was also supported by UNESCO.

SCHEDULE, DATES AND DRAW SET FOR AFCON 2023

ample firepower through the likes of Al-Nassr striker Sadio Mane and Chelsea newcomer Nicolas Jackson, while Egypt - the most successful team in Afcon history, with seven titles - are captained by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

The 34th edition of Afcon takes place from 13 January until 11 February 2024 and it will be the second time that the Ivory Coast will host the finals, having also welcomed Africa in 1984. Originally scheduled to be held in June-July 2023, the tournament was moved due to fears about playing it in the rainy season.

Despite the fact it will now be played in 2024, it has kept 2023 as part of its official title. The opening match will feature the hosts, nicknamed the Elephants, against one of the Group A opponents they are drawn against.

The top two teams and the four best-ranked third-placed teams from the six initial groups will advance to the round of 16, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place and the final to follow. The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the Ivorian capital Abidjan will host the final on 11 February.

This Nations Cup will feature 24 nations for a third time, after the competition was expanded in 2019 and although Ivory Coast are hosts, they still took part in qualifying, finishing second to Zambia in Group H. Those two nations are joined by a further 22 teams who also finished in the top two of their final qualification groups.

past two tournaments with the exception of Zambia, the 2012 champions, who are appearing for the first time since 2015, and Mozambique, making their fifth appearance and first since 2010. Central African Republic came closest to being the latest country to reach a maiden Afcon but missed out after losing their final fixture in Ghana, having been ahead.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's

Gabon were probably the biggest nation to miss out, having featured at three of the last four finals. The Afcon draw will take place in Abidjan on 12 October at 1900 GMT.

Based on the latest Fifa world rankings, the 24 teams have been allocated to four pots. Although Ivory Coast are currently ranked as the ninth-best nation in Africa, they have been included in pot one.

POT ONE - Ivory Coast (*50), Morocco (13), Senegal (20), Tunisia (29), Algeria (34), Egypt (35)

POT TWO - Nigeria (40), Cameroon (41), Mali (49), Burkina Faso (58), Ghana (60), DR Congo (64)

POT THREE - South Africa (65), Cape Verde (71), Guinea (81), Zambia (82), Equatorial Guinea (92), Mauritania (99)

POT FOUR - Guinea-Bissau (106), Mozambique (113), Namibia (114), Angola (117), The Gambia (118), Tanzania (122)

The teams will be drawn in six groups of four. Before the draw, the games in each group will already have been allocated to a set location, although this information is still to be confirmed.

Six stadiums in five cities will be used:

• Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (capacity 60,000)

• Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (capacity 33,000)

• Stade de la Paix, Bouake (capacity 40,000)

• Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo (capacity 20,000)

• Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro (capacity 20,000)

gal can call upon

All of the teams taking part have been involved in at least one of the

Normally star-studded affairs, Caf always makes sure to invite legends of African football past and present to their draws. Expect to see Ivorian heroes such as Kolo and Yaya Toure in attendance, both of whom played as the Elephants beat Ghana to claim a second Nations Cup title for their country in 2015.

Here's a guide to the approximate matchdays and cup dates that players could miss, depending on how far their country goes at Afcon, subject to scheduling changes and cup runs.

• Winter break: 15-28 January

Potential final club match: Weekend of January 6/7 (FA Cup third round)

• Minimum number of matches missed: One (Premier League)

• Maximum number of matches missed: Eight (four Premier League, FA Cup fourth round, Carabao Cup semi-final first and second legs, Champions League last 16 first leg)

• Possible return date: 27 January (group stage exit), 4 February (last 16), 11 February (quarter-finals), 18 February (semi-finals or final)

Italian Serie A

• Winter break: None

• Potential final club match: Weekend of 6/7 January (Serie A)

• Minimum number of matches missed: Two (Serie A)

Maximum number of matches missed: Eleven (Six Serie A, Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals and final, Coppa Italia last 16 and quarter-finals, Champions League last 16 first leg)

• Possible return date: 27 January (group stage exit), 4 February (last 16), 7 February (quarter-finals), 17 February (semi-finals or final)

•

Here's a guide to approximate dates in Saudi Arabia and the major European leagues.

Saudi Pro League

• Winter break: 29 December - 14 February

• Potential final club match: 28 December (Pro League)

• Minimum number of matches missed: None

• Maximum number of matches missed: Three (Saudi Super Cup semi-finals and final, Asian Champions League last 16 first leg). Due to the winter break, players will not miss any Pro League matches

• Possible return date: Saudi Super Cup games in January (group stage exit), 17 February (knockout stage exit)

French Ligue 1

Winter break: 21 December - 13 January

• Potential final club match: Weekend of 6/7 January (Coupe de France last 32)

• Minimum number of matches missed: Two (Ligue 1)

• Maximum number of matches missed: Eight (Five Ligue 1, Coupe de France last 32 and last 16, Champions League last 16 first leg)

• Possible return date: 27 January (group stage exit), 4 February (last 16), 7 February (quarter-finals), 16 February (semi-finals or final)

Spanish La Liga

• Winter break: 22 December - 1 January

• Potential final club match: Weekend of 6/7 January (Copa del Rey round of 32)

• Minimum number of matches missed: Two (La Liga)

• Maximum number of matches missed: Eleven (five La Liga, Copa del Rey last 16, quarter-final, semi-final first leg, Supercopa de Espana semi-final and final, Champions League last 16 first leg)

• Possible return date: 27 January (group stage exit), 4 February (last 16), 7 February (quarter-finals), 17 February (semi-finals or final)

German Bundesliga

• Winter break: 18 December - 11 January

• Potential final club match: Weekend of 16/17 December (Bundesliga)

Minimum number of matches missed: Two (Bundesliga)

• Maximum number of matches missed: Seven (Five Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal quarter-finals, Champions League last 16 first leg)

• Possible return date: 27 January (group stage exit), 4 February (last 16), 7 February (quarter-finals), 16 February (semi-finals or final)

Warwickshire

sprung a surprise on a lifelong Bears fan and esteemed cricket writer by presenting him with a special signed shirt to mark his 80th birthday.

Terry Wright – a former Wisden Cricket Magazine reporter – was handed the “T Wright 80” Warwickshire shirt by captain Will Rhodes ahead of the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Northamptonshire. He first watched the Bears as a schoolboy in August 1953 (taking three buses from Bentley Heath to the ground) and has been a regular face at Edgbaston ever since both in the members’ lounges and press box.

“Edgbaston has been a special, welcoming place to me for 70 years,” said Terry, who still covers Bears games for the website Deep Extra Cover, “and I feel very privileged to also have been able to report on the Club I love. I started playing cricket at school aged nine and immediately fell in love with the sport and the camaraderie.

“I knew fairly early on I wasn’t quite in the same league as Dennis Amiss –though I did play on the sacred turf here a couple of times – but I made lifelong friends playing for many years at Hockley Heath Cricket Club. I still get a

80TH BIRTHDAY SURPRISE FOR LIFE-LONG BEAR AND CRICKET WRITER TERRY

buzz coming to the ground now, all these years on, and to be presented with my own Bears shirt is amazing.”

The Club hatched a plan with Terry’s daughter Gemma, a former Junior Bear, to surprise him with a pitchside presentation of the shirt which had been signed by

the Warwickshire squad.

She added: “I just about managed to keep it a secret. There have been quite a few surprises for dad’s birthday and this was a perfect way to end the celebrations.

“It’s a lovely gesture by the Club and I can’t thank them enough for helping

Team England Equal Gold Medal Best After Games Silver Upgraded

ENGLAND have now matched their best haul of 58 gold medals in a Commonwealth Games after it was ruled their women's 4x100m relay silver will be upgraded.

The quartet finished second in Birmingham in August 2022, but race winners Nigeria have been disqualified following an anti-doping violation.

It means England retain the relay title won four years previously in Australia. Their tally of 58 golds equals the number England won at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.

to make it a birthday to remember. I know dad was bowled over!”

A range of membership options for the 2024 season are now available through the Warwickshire CCC website.

England's team of Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Daryll Neita ran 42.41 seconds to finish behind a Nigeria quartet that included Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha who has since been disqualified. Ashleigh Nelson

ran in the semi-final for England and will also receive a gold medal.

The Commonwealth Games Federation confirmed Nwokocha's individual and team results at Birmingham 2022 had been expunged, and that England would be promoted to relay gold, with Jamaica taking silver and Australia the bronze. Williams said of the outcome: "The news is very bittersweet, especially as the Games were at home in front of friends and family. We came in as reigning champions and it would have been great to get a gold medal at home.

"But I’m very happy to be double Commonwealth Games gold medallists in the relay." An unchanged overall medal haul of 176 is Team England's highest at a Games.

Afree training course has been launched to help residents further understand the impacts of climate change and what actions they can take personally to help tackle it.

The training, a collaboration between the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has been set up as part of the Games’ wider sustainability ambition to create a carbon neutral legacy for the region.

In alignment with The Carbon Literacy Project, the training aims to empower individuals so they know what they can do differently to create a positive impact and also influence others to take action. The course will be offered to all of the Birmingham 2022 volunteers but will also be made available to all West Midlands residents.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA,, said: “After a successful Commonwealth Games with sustainability at its heart, it is important that we continue to work together right across our region to strive towards a carbon neutral legacy.

“Given our own #WM2041 net

FREE CARBON LITERACY TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF COMMONWEALTH GAMES

zero commitment, I’m pleased to hear that we’re encouraging sign ups to our free Carbon Literacy course for Games volunteers and many others to take advantage of.

“By working together, we can further reduce our carbon footprint, inspire one another to make positive change and help tackle the climate emergency.”

Jess Fidler, head of sustainability for Birmingham 2022, said: “Birmingham 2022 set an ambition to be the first Commonwealth Games to create a carbon neutral legacy, so educating and empowering people to understand more about this important topic is an important part of that legacy.

“Climate Change can be an overwhelming topic and informing yourself is such an important first step. The course covers the science behind climate change, how it affects both the world and our region and how you can influence others to drive action and what you can do personally.”

Seven key pillars formed part of Birmingham 2022’s sustainability pledge, with the first aimed at addressing carbon and air quality, with cleaner transport options among its plans.

The other pillars include:

l Promoting a circular economy which encourages waste reduction

l Delivering new conservation initiatives

l Improving accessibility

l Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion beyond the Games

l Promoting social value through job growth and volunteering roles

l Ensuring human rights are abided by all contractors and suppliers associated with Birmingham

2022

Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council and WMCA portfolio holder for environment and energy, said: “This Carbon Literacy training is such a good opportunity for the West Midlands to build upon the carbon neutral legacy of the Commonwealth Games. Many people want to do something good for the environment, but they often don’t know how to make the most positive impact.

“This training means that residents of the West Midlands

and volunteers of the Games can gain valuable knowledge and understanding on environment issues and reducing carbon impact, allowing them to incorporate positive actions on climate change into their everyday routines. I hope that many residents will sign up for this course and will in turn feel informed on climate change, as well as empowered to take positive sustainable action.”

The course is spilt into four modules, the first three are selfled, e-learning modules with the

fourth and final session being an online facilitated workshop. Learners can complete these at their own pace, with no obligations.

Those who successfully complete the course will receive accreditation from the Carbon Literacy Project as being fully Carbon Literate.

World's Oldest Footballer Extends Stay In Portuguese League

THE WORLD'S OLDEST professional footballer at 56, has extended his stay with Portuguese second-tier side Oliveirense.

Ex-Japan striker, Kazuyoshi Miura, joined Oliveirense on loan in January from Yokohama and will continue with them on that basis for an undisclosed duration.

He’s played just 28 minutes of football this year, spread over three substitute appearances. Miura was named man of the match on the final day of the Portuguese season after a 26-minute cameo in a 4-3 win over Leixoes. The opposition manager said that the decision was offensive and

turned it into a "circus".

Miura, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, has been at Yokohama FC since 2005 - although he had a loan spell in 2022 at fourth-tier Suzuka Point Getters, who are managed by his older brother Yasutoshi, where he scored twice in 18 games. He has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia.

The Japanese football legend scored 55 goals in 89 games in an international career which ended 23 years ago. He has previously talked of playing until he is 60. Yokohama and Oliveirense have the same Japanese owners.

80th birthday surprise for life-long Bear and cricket writer Terry - Page 31

Schedule, dates and draw set for Afcon 2023 - Page 30