Welcome to the first issue of 2016.

We shall reach you towards the end of your winter (in most parts of the World) when many of us are looking forward to warmer and calmer weather. That said, the weather in 2015 has been nothing but predictable.

Large tracts of our globe have felt the effects of El Niño. El Niño tends to enhance the hurricane season in the Pacific, and depress the Atlantic hurricane season. In the U.S., the season of strongest El Niño impacts is December through March. El Niño has substantial influences in two regions of Africa. In East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, the primary impact season is October– December, when El Niño tends to augment the ”short rains” rainy season (the “long rains” season, which is much less ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation)-sensitive, is March-May), leading to wetter conditions. Over the last months on 2015, rain had begun to increase across much of the area, and some flooding was seen in Somalia.

This weather phenomenon, no doubt, would have been in minds of the world leaders during the November/ December 2015 UN Summit on Climate Change in Paris. After years of negotiation and lobbying, governments are finally taking Climate Change seriously and will work together to tackle it. Edwin Laurent gives us an insight of the summit (p.44).

Ever since we launched the magazine, during our extensive travels and interviews, a single question has been raised more frequently than any other – the question is, “What defines a Creole”. We have sought to get to the heart of a truly authentic and meaningful definition by asking our valued contributors their thoughts on this most intriguing of dilemmas. The insights we received were heart-warming, inspirational, and immensely edifying to say the least, and we hope you enjoy reading them (p. 6).

This issue is rich in features and fascinating stories. Our cover piece is on Bruno Mars (p.12), who as a young man has become known throughout the world for his eclectic style and ground-breaking music, reaching the top of Billboard charts in numbers and with speed only surpassed by Elvis Presley. Lenny Kravitz (p.18), is another talented musician. Lenny is a multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actor and arranger. How much do you really know about the man though? His trials and tribulations, and the new man he has become?

Ice-T is a well-known figure worldwide. Most people have heard of his exploits in music, and younger generations recognise him from television. Few people know his full story though (p.24). Kreol features Marcus Brown, Louisiana’s own actor & producer, who combines his strong Creole credentials with an undeniable Southern Charm (p.28). Also it has been a pleasure to include Michel Camilo, one of the most gifted jazz pianists in the world (p.34), one of the Dominican Republic’s greatest sons.

There is plenty more for you to enjoy in our Music, Culture, Fashion, Social, Books, Food, and new Genealogy sections

Happy reading,

Georgina Dhillon

Editor