Panos Caribbean launches ‘1.5 To Stay Alive’ Selfie
Panos Caribbean has launched the ‘1.5 To Stay Alive Selfie Video Challenge’, as part of efforts to amplify Caribbean voices on climate change.
The challenge comes ahead of the international climate change negotiations set for Paris, beginning the end of this month, and is counted among the ‘1.5 To Stay Alive’ campaign activities being rolled out across the region.
The campaign is to raise awareness, build momentum and enhance popular support in favour of the Caribbean’s negotiating position in the lead-up to and during the Paris negotiations, which constitute the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
It highlights the need for 1.5 degrees Celsius as the target for a cap in increases in global temperatures, in the best interest of small island developing states, such as those of the Caribbean, who stand to be overwhelmed by super storms, sea level rise and coastal inundation, among other climate change impacts.
“The video challenge gives Caribbean people a chance to say, in their own words, why the 1.5 degrees Celsius target is important to them and, in doing so, speak directly to key actors at COP21,” said Petre Williams-Raynor, Senior Programme Officer with Panos Caribbean, the organisation handling media outreach for the campaign.
“The hope is that these key actors will not only hear and respond, but also that in rising to the challenge, Caribbean people will get more acquainted with information on climate change and determine what they can do, in their own spheres of life, to make a difference,” she added.
Once created, selfie video makers are encouraged to —with #1point5ToStayAlive —post them to
www.facebook.com/savethecaribbean or send them via e-mail toinfo@1point5.info.
Meanwhile, Saint Lucia Minister of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science, and Technology Dr. James Fletcher has himself spoken to the importance of the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.
“The message is 1.5 to stay alive,” he said at the campaign launch in Castries last month. “The Caribbean needs a legally binding global agreement that keeps temperature increases below 1.5degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100.”
According to Fletcher, also patron of the ‘1.5 To Stay Alive’ campaign, the region also wants the new agreement anticipated to come out of Paris, to provide adequate, predictable and accessible climate financing to support adaptation, mitigation and other climate change-related needs in poor and vulnerable countries, including small island states.
The ‘1.5 To Stay Alive’ campaign is a joint effort of Panos Caribbean; the Saint Lucia Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology; the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre; the Regional Council of Martinique; and the Caribbean Development Bank.
House approves DNA Bill
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday passed the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Evidence Act with four amendments.
Minister of National Security Peter Bunting piloted the Bill, which is a critical weapon in the fight against crime.
It provides for the compulsory taking of DNA samples from suspects and convicted people.
The Bill outlines and establishes procedures for collection, retention and preservation of DNA samples, provides for the destruction or the retention of DNA profiles, and also establishes offences and penalties for breaches of the Act.
These include falsifying any profile, swapping DNA samples or DNA profile with intent to deceive, and tampering with a container or package containing DNA samples of profiles.
The legislation also provides for the keeping, maintaining, and operating of a consolidated forensic DNA databank, to be known as the National DNA Register, for the purposes of forensic investigation and human identification.
The DNA Bill is the third major piece of path-breaking legislation that has been put forward by the Ministry of National Security in the last three years.
The other pieces of legislation are the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act 2013, popularly known as the Anti-Lottery Scam and the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) 2014 Act, otherwise called the Anti-Gang Legislation.
The 'Allegiant' Trailer Is Here, and It's Going to Be Awesome! But Will It Follow the Books?
Sci-fi heroine Beatrice Prior is returning to our screens next year in Divergent Series: Allegiant, the third installment of the Divergent series, and, if the trailer is anything to go by, it promises to be one of the most exciting movies in the franchise so far.
We've got explosions. We've got a love story. We've got guns, and we've got some serious humanity-saving missions to complete. What more could one ask for?
The original movie, Divergent, was released in 2014. The follow up, Insurgent, was released this year. So far the movies have been huge box office successes, grossing $288.9 and $297 million respectively.
Although there are only three novels, the final, also named Allegiant, will be split into two separate films. This is a tactic we've seen in recent years with big hitters like The Hunger Games and Twilight, who also took the same route of splitting the final novel into two parts.
The series is set in a dystopian reality years in the future, where humans are separated into factions based on virtues. Tris, who doesn't fit into any one group, is known as a 'divergent.'
In the penultimate movie, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) will enter protective custody by an agency called the Burea of Genetic Welfare, after venturing into the world beyond 'the fence.' With the threat of Chicago being destroyed and everyone they know being killed, they will be responsible for saving the city.
Since viewing the new trailer, some fans of the original series of novels by Veronica Roth, have expressed concern on social media that Allegiant is going to deviate from the original plot.
Charlie Sheen reveals he's HIV positive in TODAY Show exclusive
It's a hard three letters to absorb. It's a turning point in one's life/blockquote>
Sheen said he made the announcement to end a smear campaign and extortion efforts.
"I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and of sub-truths and very harmful and mercurial stories that are about me, threatening the health of so many others that couldn't be further from the truth," he said.
Sheen said he's trusted the diagnosis with people he thought he could confide in, but has paid out upwards of $10 million to keep the illness a secret.
"What people forget is that that's money they're taking from my children," he said about the "shakedowns" he has experienced. "I trusted them and they were deep in my inner circle, and I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason."
He said appearing on TODAY will help put a stop to those payouts.
"That's my goal. That's not my only goal. I think I release myself from this prison today," he said.
Sheen said he was diagnosed roughly four years ago, but doesn't know how he contracted the virus.
"It started with what I thought was a series of crushing headaches," he said. "I thought I had a brain tumor. I thought it was over."
He also insisted it was "impossible" that he knowingly transmitted the virus to others. While he admitted to having unprotected sex with two people since the diagnosis, both were informed ahead of time and have been under the care of his doctor. But Sheen dismissed the idea that he engaged in high-risk behaviors.
"You're talking about needles and that whole mess? No, definitely not," he said.
HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS, which has no cure. But "Charlie does not have AIDS," said the actor's physician, Dr. Robert Huizenga, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
While an HIV-positive diagnosis used to be considered a death sentence, and there still is no cure, medical advancements have helped turn it into a manageable illness. However, antiviral drugs must be taken for a lifetime.
Sheen revealed he takes four pills every day, and his doctor said the main battle facing the actor is not related to HIV, but relapsing into substance abuse problems or entering into depression related to his diagnosis.
"We're petrified about Charlie. We're so, so anxious that if he was overly depressed, if he was abusing substance, he would forget these pills and that's been an incredible worry," he said. However, he said Sheen has been vigilant about his regimen.
"Magically, somehow in the midst of incredible personal mayhem, he's managed to continue to take these medications," Huizenga said.
Sheen said he hopes by going public with the diagnosis, it will help dispel the stigma of HIV.
"I have a responsibility now to better myself and to help a lot of other people and hopefully with what we're doing today others will come forward and say, 'Thanks, Charlie,'" he said.
Sheen said he told ex-wives Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller about the diagnosis when he found out. He also shared the news recently with his oldest daughter.
"It hit her hard, but she recovered. She's tough like her dad," he said.
"I said, 'I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but it didn't seem like you could do anything for me and I didn't want to burden you with all the stress.' But she was a rock star about it."
Sheen's personal announcement Tuesday renewed a spotlight on Sheen's troubled history with drug addiction, pornography and prostitutes.
Sheen rose to become one of Hollywood's best-known actors through a series of memorable movie roles including "Wall Street" and "Red Dawn." In more recent years, however, his public persona was shaped by a public meltdown during his 2011 feud with the creator of "Two and a Half Men," the television series that helped him become the highest-paid television actor at the time. In the end, Sheen was fired from the show.
He told Lauer that his behavior at the time had little to do with his diagnosis.
"I wish I could blame it on that," he said. "That was more of a (ste)roid rage. This was on the heels of that."
Sheen admitted that period was not one he looks back fondly on.
"There's a lot out there I'm not proud of. You can only hear 'winning' in the streets so many times," he said. "I've pissed off a lot of really good opportunities."
But he said he's entering a more thoughtful and reflective phase in his life.
"I'm approaching a time of more of a philanthropic approach in my life," he said. He admitted that paying off people to keep quiet about his condition, as well as other factors, has hurt his bank account.
"It's not great. It will be great again. I'm a survivor. I've been up, I've been down, I've been rich, I've been poor," he said. "It's another chapter in my life but it's not commerce driven. It's socially driven."
He said he doubts his HIV positive status will have an impact on his future career, pointing out a conversation he is having with the chairman of Sony, who he said is "excited about doing a show again."
He also said he has several films lined up.
"Thus far, there's been no resistance," he said.
Sheen wouldn't predict how the general media will respond to his interview, but expected his comments at least will dispel some of the myths written about him.
"I would have faith that it will be a lot more forgiving and a lot more supportive than some of the garbage I was reading in the last couple of days. Frankly, I don't think it can get worse that that," he said about tabloid stories that insisted he was intentionally infecting others with HIV. "I just thought, 'Wow. Damn. That's just as far from the truth as anything could be.' They're going to reveal a whole lot of proof because it's just not there. It does not exist."
After hearing some of the encouraging reaction people on social media have had to his announcement, Sheen said he'd gladly "ride this wave of support."
"If there was one guy on this planet to contract this that's going to deliver a cure, it's me. It's me. Seriously," he said.
"I'm not going to be the poster man for this, but I will not shun away from responsibilities and opportunities that drive me to helping others."
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Here’s what former 007 Pierce Brosnan thought of ‘Spectre’
Since the release of “Spectre,” we’ve heard our fair share of opinions about the quality of the latest James Bond movie. But here’s the two cents you’ve been waiting for: from former 007, our turn-of-the-millennium Bond, Pierce Brosnan.
While talking with Brosnan about his thriller “No Escape” in anticipation of its DVD release next week, HitFix asked him about “Spectre,” which has topped the U.S. box office in its first two weekends in stateside theaters.
“I was looking forward to it enormously,” said Brosnan, who played Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002. “I thought it was too long. The story was kind of weak — it could have been condensed. It kind of went on too long. It really did.”
The Irish actor also acknowledged recent Bond films’ tendency to take some cues from the gritty Jason Bourne franchise — movies that have resided much more in the real world than the invisible car or exploding pens of Brosnan-era 007.
“[‘Spectre’] is neither fish nor fowl. It’s neither Bond nor Bourne. Am I in a Bond movie? Not in a Bond movie?” Brosnan said. “But Daniel, in the fourth go-round, has ownership of it. He had a nice looseness to him.”
Daniel Craig’s predecessor continued with his praise for the current Bond actor: “He’s a mighty warrior, and I think he found a great sense of himself in this one with the one-liners and a nice playfulness there. Just get a tighter story, and he’ll have another classic.”
As for Craig’s much-circulated comment that he’d rather “slash my wrists” than do another Bond movie, Brosnan said, “I think the guy was just fairly banjaxed by playing it. By the time you finish making a Bond movie, you don't want to hear the name, see the name or have anything to do with it because you just want to go to ground.”
Craig did make that comment when speaking to TimeOut London just four days after finishing the eight month-long shoot for “Spectre,” and he’s since clarified: “Maybe I’ll make another one. I don’t know.”
Brosnan has hope we’ll see Craig play the MI6 agent once more: “Give him another year off here, and he'll be ready to rock and roll for sure.”
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/heres-what-former-007-pierce-brosnan-thought-of-spectre#giDH4GRYkZei1u8J.99
AP holds one day meeting in HOA
The Appropriations Committee met in the House of Assembly yesterday to review the Supplementary Budgets presented by various departments through the Ministry heads.
RTC understands through our affiliate MM that the Government is pulling some $1.2 million dollars in funding from major projects.
When our news member arrived yesterday at the House of Assembly, we were greeted with the PS Susan Malcolm & team in the hot chair being fielded questions by the Committee members about estimates for Estate & Public Works Department.
Hon John Phillips, Governor's Appointed male held no punches in speaking about the conditions of the House of Assembly.
A few members in the gallery were surprised by the question fielded after noting that half of the building was operational on air-conditioning and the other half was not, with members in some offices using fans as while completing their respective tasks.
Mark Macaulay of Public Works along with PS Malcolm responded by informing the members that the Gov't skill set was not sufficient to handle that specific project and consultants would be given the project to execute
One member of that Committee opposite accuses the government of abandoning their own plans for national development. Hon Sean Astwood calls the items which have been scraped this financial year, much needed projects which will now see severe cuts in much needed areas.
We'll have more from the Appropriations meeting in a later newscast.
Beckingham responds in 12-storey development verdict
Meanwhile HE Governor Peter Beckingham yesterday issued his comment in connection to the Supreme Court decision to halt construction on a the 12-storey development in Grace Bay; which noted that the CJ Margaret Ramsay-Hale after reviewing the evidence ruled that that the project was essentially being fast tracked and missed vital steps outlined in the Planning Ordinance.
Governor Beckingham said, and I quote: "I understand that the Government are considering their next steps on this, and will be issuing a statement shortly. They will of course need to take legal advice from the Attorney General."
Approval had been given since February for construction of the building but condo hotel owners in the area filed a complaint and yesterday learned in that judgment handed down by the Chief Justice that they have won the case against the Minister of Infrastructure and Planning, the Planning Department Director and the Governor.
RTC awaits the Government's position on the matter in light of the recent occurrence.
Supreme Court shuts down construction plans for 12 storey building
Owners of the Tuscany and Venetian resort condos on Grace Bay filed a complaint about the proposed 12-storey development planned for next door to their properties, and today a judgment was handed down giving them victory in the case.
Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay Hale agreed with the argument put forth by Tuscany and Venetian and ruled for their legal costs to be covered by respondents in the case and stated in the ruling that there was a breach.
Those respondents are: The Governor, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Planning and the Director of Planning.
From the judgment the case was won by the Venetian and the Tuscany owners because there was insufficient public consultation and the applicants challenged the authority of Cabinet or Planning Department to alter the planning ordinance in the way that they did.
In her grounds for the ruling, the CJ says while the Director of Planning and the Minister, who is in this case Hon Amanda Misick are given certain authorities, those need to be thoroughly executed by ensuring among other things that people who will be impacted by the proposed zoning changes are informed and given opportunity to make representation before any plan is submitted and approved by the Governor.
This proper process, according to Ramsay-Hale, did not happen. When it comes to the consultation on this zoning change to go with taller buildings in Provo, the Chief Justice outlines that the consultation must come at a point when there is an opportunity to influence the proposal and not when the decision has already been made. The town hall meeting held by the PNP Administration was described as a ‘sham’ as it appeared the plan was already approved before having public input.
The case today determined that a notice by the Department of Planning to amend the Development Manual to make the 12 story or 150-ft height legal was rescinded and called ‘void’ and of ‘no effect’ by the Chief Justice in her ruling.
FortisTCI promotes Shernelle Capron
Shernelle Capron, a Grand Turk native and former FortisTCI (the Company) accounting apprentice, has recently been appointed Manager of Financial Services. This promotion is the latest by the Company and became effective on November 1, 2015.
CFO and Vice President of Finance and Human Resources Ruth Forbes said, “Shernelle’s promotion comes as no surprise to her colleagues or the Company. We will continue to support and encourage her growth and development and anticipate great achievements in her new role as Manager. On behalf of the entire FortisTCI family, I extend compliments to her on this milestone.”
Shernelle joined FortisTCI on August 2, 2011, under the Company’s Accounting Apprentice Program, which gives individuals the opportunity to obtain professional certification.
Shernelle, who worked her way through the ranks, most recently carried the title of Supervisor of Financial Services.
In her new role as Manager of Financial Services, she will be accountable for company-wide accounting and financial reporting functions.
Press_Release_-_Shernelle_Capron_Promoted_to_Manager_of_Financial_Services_-_FINAL.pdf
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2016/17 VOTERS REGISTER ONGOING
Supervisor of Elections Mr. Lister Dudley Lewis has advised that voter registration is a continuous process and the current Electors Register is being updated and a new register is to be published on March 31, 2016.
Individuals who are not on the current register but wish to be included in the new Register of Electors have until November 30, 2015 to contact the Elections Office with the relevant documentation.
Registration for the election's register is an ongoing process however, under the Elections ordinance; an updated register is due on March 31.
Mr. Lewis encourage new persons to apply to be included on the Register especially those who have turned 18 years old since 1st March 2015, also those persons who are over 18 and did not apply to join the register earlier in 2015.
Persons after November 30 who attain the age of 18 and anyone who has been granted status as a Turks and Caicos Islander after November 30 who apply will be added to the register provided it is not less than 30 days before the date of the poll.
He noted "Eligible voters on the present Register of Electors do not need to re-apply to be included in the new one, they will be automatically included unless they notify the Elections Office that they
have changed their name or place of residence, or no longer meet eligibility criteria. This includes being resident in the TCI for at least 12 out of 24 months".
During this process individuals do not have to wait for the approval of status cards by Ministry of Border Control to submit voter registration applications. The Supervisor encourage persons to complete and submit applications in conjunction with status cars applications.
Potential new electors should complete a voter registration application form. Those who have already obtained the status Card, but did not submit an application form are being encouraged to prepare and submit it before the deadline November 30th.
Application forms for inclusion on the TCI Register of Electors may be collected from the Elections Office in Grand Turk (Waterloo Plaza, above Scotia Bank) or Providenciales Butterfield Square) or the District Commissioner's Officers in Salt Cay, South Caicos and Middle and North Caicos.