RED CROSS PARTY FRIDAY
Each year, TCI Red Cross designates the Month of May as Red Cross Month in which a number of activities geared towards public awareness and fundraising are held.
These activities will culminate on Friday June 3rd with the Annual Red and White Party at Bohio Dive Resort 8:00pm. Come and dance to the music of the Police Band and Techno Sound.
Tickets can be purchased from Red Cross Thrift Shop on Hospital Road, Red Cross Volunteers or call 232-2167. Contribution is $20.00.
Funds raised go towards our work in the area of disaster preparedness and response. Today marks the start of the hurricane season and we wish to urge all residents to begin their hurricane preparations now. Sandbags are available at the Red Cross Office on Hospital Road especially for those living in flood prone areas.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the business and wider community of Grand Turk for their contributions and general support of all of our activities and we look forward to your continued support.
REGATTA 2011..we made it happened
Regatta 2011 has passed and can be recorded as one of the most challenging celebrations in its history: inclement weather, poor air transportation, selfish initiatives by some members of the community to jeopardize the week end celebrations, just to name a few. Despite these obstacles, the committee persevered and we are grateful for the support garnered from civic minded individuals who remain patrons to community activities. To those persons who came from near and far we want you to know that we appreciate and acknowledge your support by your presence, gifts or sponsorship.
We embarked upon an ambitious schedule of events and we are delighted to report that
most of them were successful. Some highlights were:
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The emerging of both Little Miss Regatta and Miss Regatta was a first time event and seemed to be well received by the audience. Miss Straudia Forbes
who represented ‘Caicos Oil’ is the newly appointed Miss Regatta and Miss Kayanna Gibson, Little Miss Regatta 2011 respectively.
Miss Phara Jean, who was formerly crowned as the 2011 Miss Regatta was
asked to surrender her title due to circumstances unknown to the committee.
We humbly apologize to the general public for this unfortunate situation.
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The community of South Caicos was aroused by the rhythm of ‘We Funk
Junkanoo Band’ and many joined this parade as they danced through the
streets and ended at Regatta Village.
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‘Uncle Archie’s Dive’ this was THE KODAX moment of all times. He revoked his “PROCLAMATION”, written in 2008, which give authority to his nephew Kenval Hamilton to continue this legacy. He was clad in his unique apparel and was not deterred by the absence of the wharf which would have given him a deeper dive. However, we anticipate that next year with the reconstruction of the wharf that will solve many problems.
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The ‘Opening Ceremony’, was the first of its kind and set the stage for the day’s activities. This included greetings from Mr. Norman Saunders and Mr. Alden Durham, a pantomime by students of the Iris Stubbs Primary School and a sail past in the harbour by one of the visiting yatchs. Miss Emily Malcolm brought the welcome, Rev. Clifford Lewis offered a prayer and Mr. Bill Clare chaired the event.
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The crowd expressed the usually excitement as five speed boats vied for first place in the 85horsepower boat race. Mr. Andrew Parker retained his first position with Mr. Daniel Forbes, in second and Mr. Ron Hall, third.
Generally, the comments received about this year’s effort are encouraging and many have expressed the sentiment that it reminded them of Regatta many years ago. The true spirit of Regatta was strongly eminent.
The 2011 Committee through this media expresses thanks to all who supported the Regatta and would like you to know that you will be acknowledged in a more personnel way.
Thanks, is also being expressed to the few, but hardworking and dedicated members who have served this pass year. Your efforts were appreciated and have not gone unnoticed. The invitation is also extended to all who are willing to join us as we continue and plan for Regatta 2011.
Mubarak deemed too ill for hospital transfer
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is too ill to be transferred to that country's Tora prison hospital, Egyptian prosecutors said Tuesday.
The prosecutors concluded that the hospital couldn't accommodate Mubarak's needs after the former president was examined by a medical team.
It was not immediately clear if another prison facility in the country will be able to house the deposed leader.
Mubarak and his two sons are currently facing a criminal trial for the deaths of protesters and wasting public money, according to the Egyptian general prosecutor's office.
Mubarak, who was forced from office in February, is expected to be charged with consenting to a plan to kill protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square on January 25. He allegedly ordered police officers to use live ammunition while they fired into a crowd.
The former president, who denies the charges, could be executed if he is convicted of ordering any killings, Egyptian Justice Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz al-Juindy said earlier this month.
Mubarak has been held in a military hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh since mid-April, after complaining of heart palpitations and blood pressure problems. But Aly Hassan, a judicial analyst affiliated with the ministry, recently said Egyptian courts can proceed with a case if a defendant is in poor health.
"In previous cases, suspects appeared in court with life-support machines, so Mubarak's health now does not mean that he is paralyzed," Hassan said. "If he has heart problems and doctors indicate improvement, then he can appear in court for several hours."
Mubarak stepped down as Egypt's leader on February 11, after an 18-day uprising against his nearly three decades of iron-fisted rule. He and his family, as well as former officials in his government, have been under investigation ever since.
Mubarak's attorney, Farid El Deeb, told CNN Monday the former president is "very sad and sorry" about the allegations made against him, but has no regrets.
El Deeb denied that Mubarak gave any kind of authorization to use force or live ammunition against demonstrators calling for his removal.
The attorney also claimed Mubarak is now in "very bad health," suffering from a serious heart problem and a resurgence of colon cancer.
MACKA WINS BIG
Macka Diamond is the proud recipient of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) Best Female International Rapper/DJ for 2011. The Dancehall artiste (who also wears the hat of that of Author and Actress) is overwhelmed and said “even though there were indicators that I could have won, I simply did not think about it and so it took me completely by surprise.” A pleasant surprise it must have been for Macka who also performed her popular Hoola Hoop and Cow Foot tracks to a very receptive audience at the awards.
The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) celebrated its 30th year last weekend May 28th, 2011 at the National Academy of the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Considered to be the only awards show to recognize the contributions of Caribbean and World music for over 30 years, IRAWMA was founded by entrepreneur, publisher and TV personality Ephraim M. Marting. The nominees included Trinidad’s 2011 Soca Monarch and Road Monarch champion Machel Montano, controversial and popular Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, Taurus Riley, Jah Cure, Gramps Morgan, Queen Ifrika, International Reggae musician duo Sly and Robbie, JW Blaze, Shakira, Daddy Yankee and many more. Past nominees, winners and award recipients for this prestigious event have included Sean Paul, Jamie Foxx, Mamedou Diabte, Wyclef Jean, India Irie, Enrique Iglesias, Alison Hinds, Awilo Longamba and Beenie Man just to name a few.
Previous IRAWMA have been held in U.S. cities New York, Miami and Atlanta as well as the city of Montego Bay in Jamaica and has been broadcasted on major TV networks such as MTV and B.E.T.
Known to be hard working and persistent, an award such as this could not have come at a better time in Macka’s career. The DJ has successfully traversed other career paths within the entertainment industry that too few Jamaican artistes have gone. She debut in a film titled, “Redemption of Paradise” taking on a lead role back in September 2009 and has also released two books to date, an autobiography entitled, “Grown and Sexy” and what is said to be the first official Dancehall novel titled, ‘Bun Him’ which is ironically the title of one of her popular songs with Dancehall artiste Blacker.
Education axes 30 paraprofessional posts
Thirty education posts are to be axed as part of cost-cutting measures, the Education Minister announced today.
In a statement this evening Dame Jennifer Smith said that in line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT), all paraprofessionals and educational therapist assistants assigned to public schools with one-year contracts are being notified that their contracts will not be renewed for September.
“This decision affects those persons whose role is to assist teachers or provide support to persons who have special needs. The total number of persons affected is thirty out of a total of 150 paraprofessionals and educational therapist assistants.
“The BUT Agreement requires that the Ministry advise these persons of their status no later than June 1 in any year and we have complied with this requirement.
“However, as parents will be aware, we must still provide the necessary services to students as required. This means that if necessary, we will contact those qualified individuals if needed.
“I think the public will agree that while paraprofessionals provide a much needed service, there is also room for improvement. To that end, we plan to establish a clear qualifying standard for paraprofessionals, while also instituting a programme to ensure those who wish to upgrade their skills. I think we can all agree that those who can do so must.
“There should be full agreement that those who teach our children must be qualified and certified.
“Prior to the end of June, information regarding staff cost reductions in the Department of Education and Ministry Headquarters will be released.”
HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS
Today marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season which is predicted to be once again above average. We at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) would like to remind the public that regardless of any predictions, it only takes one major storm to significantly impact the lives of the people who reside in these Turks and Caicos Islands.
We would like to also remind residents of the very near misses of the 2010 hurricane season where Hurricane Earl - a Category 4 Hurricane - passed to the east of Grand Turk and Hurricane Tomas a Category 1 passed directly over East Caicos. In these cases we are talking about a matter of miles between the inclement weather experienced and Tropical Storm to Hurricane force winds.
We would like to encourage persons who may have not done so thus far to begin all preparations for the Hurricane Season in earnest; to ensure that minor repairs to homes and businesses are done, and that your insurance policies are current and include flood damage. Persons with vehicles are also asked to check their insurance policy to confirm whether it covers hurricanes and floods or whether there is an additional charge. It is also desirable to commence plans for purchasing or repairing hurricane shutters; the key being taking personal responsibility for your safety. This in turn will produce a more prepared TCI.
PDM meets TCIG
The Peoples Democratic Movement leader Doug Parnell met with executive members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
Matters on the PDM leader agenda included:
1. The economy including taxes, new investment, and potential attraction of new industries to Turks and Caicos.
2. The Constitution and the UK visit including a discussion on the delegation and agenda for direct UK talks.
3. Government finances including its current state, getting an understanding of how the total borrowings are broken down, monthly repayments, and the dealing with the looming 2016 DFID deadline.
4. Civil Service issues including a response on the concerns raised by our party.
Other matters included was the general functioning of the Government and the return to elected representation through the milestones laid down by OT Minister Henry Bellingham.
TCI to get assistance in responding to TB
An expert in the handling of tuberculosis today begins a week long engagement with health care providers in the TCI aimed at helping the country better handle any future outbreak of the disease. Dr. Ward Schrooten will provide technical assistance in the areas of surveillance, treatment, management and containment of the disease. His services have been made available to the TCI through PAHO, the Pan American Health Organisation.
Dr. Schrooton will meet with Ministry of Health primary care staff and InterHealth Canada clinical staff who are involved with diagnosis and or treatment of tuberculosis.
The meeting will:
- Review tuberculosis cases and current systems for surveillance and contact tracing
- Discuss screening, diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis cases, and
- Discuss mandatory requirement for the protection of patient information and confidentiality
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Judith Campbell, in welcoming the support said:
“We will be able to review our response to recent cases of TB in the Turks and Caicos Islands including the H.M. Prison, and examine ways to further strengthen our systems and procedures. We are indeed grateful to PAHO for arranging this assistance and to CAREC to which Dr. Schrooten is attached.”
Tuberculosis is a disease of the lungs whose main symptoms are a chronic cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss. It is highly contagious and, left untreated, can be deadly.
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY
The World Health Organization (WHO) selected "The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" (WHO FCTC) as the theme for World No Tobacco Day, today; Tuesday, 31 May 2011. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the world's foremost tobacco control instrument and the first treaty ever negotiated under the auspices of WHO. It is an evidence-based treaty, widely embraced by more than 170 Parties; it also reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health and provides new legal dimensions for cooperation in tobacco control.
Tobacco use is the number one preventable epidemic that the health community faces and the leading preventable cause of death. This year, more than 5 million people will die from a tobacco-related heart attack, stroke, cancer, lung ailment or other disease. That does not include the more than 600,000 people – more than a quarter of them children – who will die from exposure to second-hand smoke. The annual death toll from the global epidemic of tobacco use could rise to 8 million by 2030. Having killed 100 million people during the 20th century, tobacco use could kill 1 billion during the 21st century.
World No Tobacco Day 2011 was designed to highlight the treaty's overall importance, to stress Parties' obligations under the treaty and to promote the essential role of the Conference (treaty's central organ and governing body) and WHO in supporting countries' efforts to meet those obligations.
The WHO FCTC and the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an international framework convention on tobacco control and confers legal obligations on all its Parties – (countries - and the European Union that have formally acceded to it.)
Among these obligations are those to:
Protect public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.
Adopt price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco.
Protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke.
Regulate the contents of tobacco products.
Regulate tobacco product disclosures.
Regulate the packaging and labeling of tobacco products.
Warn people about the dangers of tobacco.
Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
Offer people help to end their addiction to tobacco.
Control the illicit trade in tobacco products.
Ban sales to and by minors.
Support economically viable alternative to tobacco growing.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services have recognized "The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" (WHO FCTC) obligations that all countries must fully implement the treaty to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. To this end, “a 100% Smoke Free Environment Policy” have already been drafted and a number of meetings with internal and non-governmental stakeholders have been conducted to sensitize and encourage interest and buy-in to such a vital policy. We do welcome and acknowledge the support and participation of the public throughout the process in implementing a 100% Smoke Free Environment within the TCI.
Please join us in the effort to promote „World No Tobacco Day” today and everyday in the TCI. A smoke free policy will improve our health, strengthen our tourism-based economy and help keep the TCI Beautiful by Nature.
National Heros day today
James Alexander George Smith McCartney (30 June 1945–9 May 1980) also known as J. A. G. S. McCartney was a politician from the Turks and Caicos Islands. He was the island territory's first Chief Minister and held that position from August 1976 until 9 May 1980, when he died in a plane crash over New Jersey.
McCartney was born in Grand Turk to an accomplished Jamaican barrister, Harvey O. B. Fernandez McCartney and a Sunday school pianist, Sally McCartney, née Taylor of the Turks and Caicos. He was named after a prominent Jamaican barrister and distinguished legislator, James Alexander George Smith (1877–1942).
J.A.G.S. McCartney was the leader and founder of the People's Democratic Movement (PDM), a grassroots organization established to address the many social and economic ills that had been pervasive throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. A central goal of his was the attainment of self-determination for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. McCartney had particularly sought to mobilize the youth in the political process. A charismatic, dynamic and visionary figure, McCartney was determined to usher in a new Constitution that would foster and safeguard the rights of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, create new opportunities for citizens and advance the Country. Assuming office at age 31, McCartney remains one of the world's youngest democratically elected leaders in history.
National Heroes Day, a holiday will be celebrated today Monday May 30th,2011.