CARICOM cholera-response project underway in Haiti
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is executing a project to improve sanitation infrastructure and to sensitize residents of a Cite Soleil community in Haiti in the practice of safe personal and community hygiene. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project is being undertaken in support of Haiti’s national strategy to combat the cholera outbreak.
The project will improve access to 25 toilet blocks and hand-washing stations for approximately 15,000 residents or 3000 families in the neighbourhood of Brooklyn, a section of Cite Soleil in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Additionally, an effective strategy for promoting proper hygiene practices is being developed as part of the cholera response activities. CARICOM is also providing medical supplies as part of its assistance to the government of Haiti in combating the cholera epidemic.
The WASH Project is a response to the request by the government of Haiti for CARICOM’s assistance in the area of sanitation and hygiene, as part of the National Strategy to combat the Cholera Epidemic in Haiti. The area of Cite Soleil was recommended by the designated National Water and Sanitation Agency (DINEPA) for assistance in this regard. The project is being carried out with funding support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as the implementing agency.
Director of the CARICOM Representation Office in Haiti, Ambassador Earl Huntley; senior project officer, CARICOM Haiti Support Unit, Lyndell Danzie-Black; CARICOM public relations consultant, Carlton James; IOM WASH project manager, Nicole Klaesener; and IOM community workers, participated in a ceremony on the premises of Radio Boukman, a community-based radio station, on 8 December, where details of the project were presented to the community.
A highlight of the presentation was a short video feature of a Cite Soleil community renamed “La Difference” due to its pristine environment, a transformation brought about and sustained by the youth of that community. It is hoped that the CARICOM WASH project, which will also assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the neighbourhood through a plastic bottle recycling project, will contribute to a similar transformation in the Brooklyn community.
The WASH Project is part of CARICOM’s continuing efforts to assist Haiti’s recovery efforts since the earthquake and the cholera outbreak. In addition to earlier and ongoing relief efforts, CARICOM, in collaboration with CARDI, has also provided approximately 40,000 kilos of seeds to the Government of Haiti. The seeds for corn, red and black beans were distributed to farmers in the region of Petit Goave.
The Community’s continued assistance includes advocacy on behalf of Haiti, in particular through the good offices of the CARICOM Special Representative, P. J. Patterson, with regard to the reconstruction of Haiti, but also by CARICOM heads of government and foreign ministers in their interface with external partners.
Caribbean News Now
KARTEL ORDERED TO PAY $15M TO TCI PROMOTER
POPULAR DEEJAY Vybz Kartel, who is facing two murder charges, has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay $15 million in damages to Jamaican promoter Alton Salmon for his failure to perform at a concert in the Turks and Caicos Islands in August 2009.
Salmon, who promotes his business under Abuka Entertainment, said because Kartel breached the contract, he suffered significant losses.
He said some of the tickets were presold and there was a riot at the venue on August 14, 2009, when people turned up and found out that Kartel was not going to perform.
After the suit was filed in the Supreme Court, the defendant Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was served on December 23, 2009 with the court documents in relation to the suit.
Artiste Failed to defend suit
Kartel failed to file acknowledgement of service or made any attempt to defend the suit.
A default judgment was entered against Kartel and the matter set for assessment of damages.
Supreme Court judge Martin Gayle heard evidence yesterday and assessed damages which totalled $15 million with interest.
For loss of profit Salmon was awarded US$127,736 at the exchange rate of J$89.15 to US$1.00.
Salmon, who was represented by attorney-at-law Romona Nelson, said his reputation was damaged and for loss of reputation, he was awarded J$100,000 with interest at three per cent from December 23 to the date of payment. Salmon was awarded US$32,263 for special damages.
The agreement was an oral one and Salmon said on July 15, 2009, it was agreed that he would pay Kartel US$18,000 to perform at the show. It was also agreed that he would purchase airline tickets and provide hotel accommodation for Kartel and his entourage.
Salmon said he paid Kartel a deposit of US$8,500 and the balance was to be paid at the end of the show. Salmon said he honoured the agreement but Kartel breached the accord.
DMX, Wife Tashera Book VH1 Reality Show ‘Couples Therapy’
Rapper DMX and his wife Tashera Simmons will try to work out their marital rough spots on VH1’s new reality series “Couples Therapy.”
The show will feature a total of five “celebrity” couples visiting the couch of nationally renowned relationship therapist Dr. Jenn Berman, including Linda Hogan (“Hogan Knows Best”) and Charlie Hill, Chris Nirschel (“The Next Food Network Star”) and Angelina Pivarnick (“Jersey Shore”), Kasey Kahl (“Bachelorette”) and Vienna Girardi (“The Bachelor”), and Reichen Lehmkuhl and Rodiney Santiago (“The A-List: New York”).
These five couples at a crossroads in their relationships will join together for 21 days as they undergo intensive relationship therapy. Under the guidance of Dr. Berman, the couples will participate in group and individual therapy along with relationship exercises out in the “real world” to see if they can rekindle the love they used to have for one another — or if it’s simply time for them to move on.
“Couples Therapy” is set to premiere with eight, one hour episodes in the spring of 2012 on VH1.
In-Vitro Fertilization: Just What Khloe (and Lamar) Ordered
After Octo-Mom, Nadya Sulema, did it, you’d think no one would want in-vitro fertilization.
Well, think again. Khloe Kardashian isn’t going to wait any longer to try to conceive a child naturally. She and husband, Lamar Odom, are moving along with the procedure.
“She is desperate for a baby with Lamar and will do whatever it takes,” a friend of the couple told Us Weekly magazine. “They have faith the IVF will work.” The reality star has even started consultations as well as consumption of pre-natal vitamins
The couple, which has been married for two years, has been very public about wanting to start/expand their family. Lamar has two children from a previous relationship.
Since nothing has been working for the couple, this is the route they’ll go. And Khloe seems especially desperate since her sister Kourtney, is expecting her second child with boyfriend Scott Disick.
“She’s thrilled for Kourtney, but she’s really sensitive,” another source said. “And it’s hard to see your sister get something you want so badly.”
Kobe Served Walking Papers by Vanessa Bryant
Vanessa Bryant filed legal docs Friday afternoon, citing “irreconcilable difference.”
Here’s what TMZ is reporting:
Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ … Vanessa — who stuck by Kobe after he was charged with sexually assaulting a Colorado woman in 2003 — decided to end the marriage because she believes Kobe has been unfaithful … again.
As one source puts it, “She’s been dealing with these incidents for a long time and has been a faithful wife, but she’s finally had enough,” adding, “This one is the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
And our sources say … Kobe “desperately” wants to win Vanessa back and will do “whatever it takes” to save their 10 1/2 year marriage.
According to the legal docs, Vanessa is asking for joint custody of their 2 daughters — 8-year-old Natalia and 5-year-old Giana — but Vanessa is asking that Kobe get visitation rights, which means she wants the kids in her care most of the time.
We’ve learned the couple has NO PRENUP, so 29-year-old Vanessa is entitled to half of the Kobe empire from the last decade.
She’s also requesting spousal support … which is typical in divorce cases. Kobe, who filed his response to the divorce minutes after Vanessa filed her petition, says he will pay her spousal support.
According to the docs, Vanessa is being repped by disso-queen Laura Wasser and attorney Samantha Klein. Wasser reps oodles of celebs, including Britney Spears, Angelina Joile, Maria Shriver and Kim Kardashian.
Kobe went to the Jay-Z concert Tuesday night in L.A. without Vanessa, and people who saw him there say he looked miserable.
Vanessa signed the divorce petition on December 1. Kobe signed his response on December 7.
TMZ
Snoop Sued by Lebanese Concert Promoter for Smoking in Beirut Club
A Lebanese promoter is suing rapper Snoop Dogg for “tainting his reputation” as a result of smoking pot in his Beirut club in 2009.
According to reports, Lebanese authorites are conducting a criminal investigation into the matter, which took place after a 2009 performance at Forum de Beirut.
The promoter says that the act was filmed and subsequently appeared in Snoop’s “That’s Tha Homie” video, from his album Malice in Wonderland.
Kalaouz has threatened to take further legal action if he is not compensated $280,000, in addition to an agreement that Snoop perform two shows in the Middle East.
Performing for his Lebanese fans shouldn’t be a big issue for Snoop, who enjoyed his time spent in the country.
“Where do you go if you wanna hang with the Snoop? Beirut, Lebanon. Where do all the party people go to have a good time? Beirut, Lebanon,” Snoop rapped.
Two security guards shot at the Royal Bank of Canada in Providenciales
Police in Providenciales have confirmed the shooting of two security guards at the Royal Bank of Canada this morning.
While investigations are in its embryonic stages an updated release from Police this afternoon, said during the course of Friday 16th December 2011, four (4) armed subjects robbed and shot two males who were making a deposit at the Royal Bank of Canada located on Leeward Highway in Providenciales. Police say the two males received life-threatening injuries and are receiving medical attention at The Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.
RTC News can further report that since that shooting incident, an appeal has been made by the Blood Bank in Provo through Radio Turks and Caicos for O negative and B positive blood.
Investigations have begun into this brazen crime. Police in Providenciales also reported that during the past twenty four hours, they responded to five reports of serious crimes namely one Robbery, two Burglaries, one Attempted Burglary and one theft.
The Police are seeking the Public's assistance in both the shooting incident and the other crimes. Anyone who may have any information as it regards to this or any other incident to please contact the Police on telephone # 999, 9464259, CRIME STOPPERS at 1-800-8477 or through a web tip on www.crimestoppers.tc Turks and Caicos on Facebook.
WFS and Flight Support join forces in TCI
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has extended its global presence by signing a strategic partnership agreement in the Turks and Caicos Islands with Flight Support Limited.
Flight Support, an inter-island aviation services company, provides ramp operations and all passenger services functions on behalf of Air Turks and Caicos, Air Canada, Bahamas Air, British Airways, Delta, Jet Blue, United/Continental, US Airways, and West Jet. It serves over 375,000 passengers a year carried on some 13,000 flights.
The new contract will see WFS North America provide management oversight of the ramp and passenger business of Flight Support. It will also provide
technical assistance, training and administrative support. The two companies are currently discussing expanding the agreement to become a full management contract in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Senior vice president of passenger terminal services, North America for WFS, Glenn Rutkowski, said: Having looked at the Flight Support operation, we have been extremely impressed with everything we have seen.
The operation in Providenciales is one of the best, if not the best, in the Caribbean and we are looking forward to developing this further through our new relationship. He said both companies are totally committed to the success of our new partnership, which will utilize the individual strengths of our organizations.
WFS is an industry leader that brings a vast amount of international experience and operational knowledge and support to airlines in the Turks and Caicos Islands. By combining this with the local experience and professionalism of Flight Support, we are confident customers will quickly see new benefits from our association.
Lyndon Gardiner, chairman of Flight Support, added: "We are committed to providing the very best in ground support services and are delighted about
the benefits this partnership will bring to our valued customers. We are confident that this unique combination of our local knowledge and the international experience of WFS will ensure the continued delivery of excellent services to our clients and the expanding tourism market in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is truly a unique opportunity for both companies and a huge benefit to the Turks and Caicos Islands".
Pieces of Legislation under the Road Safety Department came into effect on Friday, 16th December
H. E. the Governor Ric Todd on December 7, 2011 signed the following pieces of Legislation that came into effect on Friday, 16th December 2011:-
Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2011
Road Traffic Services Vehicle) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
Road Traffic (Public Services Vehicles Operator) (Licensing Fees) Notice 2011
Road Traffic (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2011
In accordance with regulation 3(3) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, the fees payable in respect of a License to operate
a public service vehicle will be as follows:-
Taxi-Cab $50.00
Omnibus $50.00
Private Charter $100.00
Private Transfer (reserved) $100.00
Private Transfer (resort) $100.00
In accordance with Part 1A Private Transfer Vehicle (reserved) Fare; Where the private transfer vehicle (reserved) is hired in respect of a particular journey, the maximum legal charges payable for the first hour or part thereof are as follows:
$120.00, and for each subsequent period of ½ hour or part thereof, $60.00.
In accordance with the Road Traffic (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2011, part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Road Traffic Regulations are amended by inserting under the heading B- Commercial Vehicles. The following fees are applicable
(a) On public service vehicles (i.e. designed or $700.00 adapted for the carriage of twenty or more passengers): PRIVATE CHARTER
(b) On public service vehicles (i.e. a luxury motor VEHICLE): PRIVATE TRANSFER (RESERVED) $550.00 (luxury motor vehicle) $750.00 (Limo)
(c) On public service vehicles: PRIVATE TRANSFER (RESORT) $5,000.00
In addition, Joseph B.A Swann, Acting Director of Road Safety, is reminding all Public Service Vehicle Operators that:
In accordance with Section 26 (3), an application for the renewal of a license granted under regulation 3 or 8 shall be made in the same manner
and form as an application for the grant of an original license and shall be made at least 60 days before the expiry of the license.
Mr. Swann is therefore appealing to ALL PUBLICE SERVICE OPERATORS to ensure that their Public Service Operators Licence and their Taxi(s) are
inspected and Licensed or renewed before 1st January 2012.
Failure to comply with these pieces of legislation will mean that those persons concerned, will not be permitted to operate their public service vehicles.
Fitch revises outlook on France to 'negative'
Ratings agency Fitch has affirmed France's top-notch AAA credit rating but has revised its outlook on the country to "negative" from "stable".
A negative outlook usually means a downgrade is possible in 12-18 months.
Fitch said the change in outlook was prompted by the heightened risk of government liabilities arising from the eurozone's debt crisis.
The agency also said it was considering downgrading ratings for Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Ireland and Cyprus.
"Following the EU Summit on 9-10 December, Fitch has concluded that a 'comprehensive solution' to the eurozone crisis is technically and politically beyond reach," the agency said in a statement.
The six countries already had a negative outlook.
Their ratings have now been placed in "credit watch negative", which means a downgrade is possible within three months.
'Greater risk'
The revised outlook on France comes in a week when senior French figures have criticised the economic situation in the UK, with Finance Minister Francois Baroin describing it as "very worrying".
And the French central bank chairman has suggested the UK's credit rating should be downgraded - ahead of France.
But Fitch said: "Relative to non-euro area 'AAA' peers, notably the US and the UK, the risk from contingent liabilities from an intensification of the eurozone crisis is greater in light of its commitments to the European Financial Stability Facility and the European Stability Mechanism, as well as indirectly from French banks that are less strong than previously assessed as reflected in recent negative rating actions by Fitch."
It also said that compared with other eurozone countries with a rating of AAA, it judged France to be the most exposed to a further intensification of the crisis, citing France's larger structural budget deficit and higher government debt burden.
Another agency, Standard & Poor's, warned earlier this month that France's rating could suffer over the eurozone crisis.