Terry Selver resigns
Former Collector of Customs, Terry Selver, has reportedly resigned from the Public Service.
In an article carried by the Sun Newspaper in Provo, it was stated that Selver gave notice of his decision to the Public Service Commission a few days ago.|
In August 2010, acting on the advice of the Public Service Commission, Governor Gordon Wetherell approved the transfer of Selver, Collector to a new position of Under Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Communications.
A government press release at the time, said the move provides an opportunity for Mr. Selver to broaden his experience whilst at the same time raising capacity in a Ministry which has become increasingly busy on a range of issues.
Stuart Taylor was moved from the Revenue Control Unit to replace Selver as Collector of Customs.
Tornado strikes airport
A SMALL tornado drew the attention of dozens of airport workers on Friday morning as it whipped up clouds of dust on the runway. Onlookers snapped photos of the silent twister as it gathered speed near a parked American Airlines plane.
Luckily there were no reports of damage to any aircraft or the runway following the remarkable sighting which lasted just 10 minutes.Brian Naqqi Manco, Caicos Pine Recovery Project Manager with the DECR, and his colleague Eric Salamanca were working at the airport when they spotted the weather phenomenon.
Brian told the Weekly News: “While making a site visit for plant listing and habitat assessment near the airport, we noticed what we thought was brown smoke coming up from the runway.
“After getting a more clear view, we realised it was a big ‘dust devil’.”As they watched, the blowing dust formed a more regular shape and grew in size and speed.“It was right next to a parked airplane, and the backhoes working in the area were quickly driven away,” he said.“There was no noise coming from it, but it continued to grow, and the dust was drawn all the way up to the clouds, at which point we realised it was a tornado.”The tornado formed a sleek funnel cloud with two ribbons of dust reaching up to the clouds.“It was not the type of funnel cloud one normally sees,” Brian said, “but an inverted shape, wider at the bottom than at the top.”The funnel cloud then lost its definition and “fell apart”, scattering the dust and debris all over the runway apron.
Several more times the dust leapt up from the ground “like a fire” and looked as if it would reform.“Finally, a gigantic tower of dust shot up into the air all the way to the clouds. It looked like Sauron's Tower from the Lord of the Rings film,” Brian exclaimed.“It only lasted a few seconds, and then dissipated. After that, several more little dust devils leapt up but it seemed the main event was over.”A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, pendant from a cumuliform cloud or underneath a cumuliform cloud, and often but not always visible as a funnel cloud.
Eric Salamanca, scientific officer with the government’s Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, explained: “Most tornadoes form from thunderstorms. You need warm, moist air and when these two air masses meet, they create instability in the atmosphere.“A change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere.”
In order for a vortex to be classified as a tornado, it must be in contact with the ground and the cloud base.And that is exactly what Mr Salamanca was able to confirm through a series of photographs he took at the scene.He said that the pair first saw the tornado at about 11.11am and it dissipated at about 11.16am.He told the Weekly News: “Although the vortex of the tornado was spotted near the parked American Airline plane there were no reports of damage.
“I went to the airport again this morning and asked the TCIAA if there was damage brought by the tornado and was told that there was none.”Brian added: “I’ve seen lots of waterspouts here and have suffered the effects of the relatively frequent tornadoes in North Caicos, but I had never been that close to one on land and had the opportunity to watch it.“In retrospect, it was probably pretty silly for us to stand there gawking at it, but it didn't get big enough to be destructive.“It was fascinating to watch and gave us a memorable reminder of the forces that really run the show.“Being close was enthralling, and it had one unanticipated effect: it made me momentarily thankful that I'm not as skinny as I used to be!”
Lil Wayne’s European Tour Not Cancelled, Says Management
Reports that Lil Wayne cancelled European tour dates because his U.K. visa application was denied are not true, the rap star’s management tells Billboard.com — because he never even filed a visa.
“No visa was ever filed, nor were there any tour dates announced, or tickets sold,” Wayne’s management says in a statement. “Lil Wayne is currently headlining his I Am Still Music Tour across the US and Canada with plans to extend the tour through North America this summer. We hope to bring the I Am Still Music Tour to the UK in the later half of the year.”
Reports of a European tour cancellation were sparked by U.K. newspaper the Guardian, which reported that Wayne had applied for a U.K. visa and was denied due to criminal history.
Wayne’s North American arena tour wraps with two dates in Canada and a May 1 headlining gig at Bamboozle fest in East Rutherford, N.J. The rapper will headline the Bonnaroo festival in Nashville, Tenn. with Eminem in June.
Ice Cube Directing Bow Wow In New TV Series
Rapper Bow Wow is bringing his acting talents to the small screen, via a new partnership with TV/movie director, Ice Cube.
Bow Wow, who stars in Tyler Perry's latest movie "Madea's Big Happy Family," has also had major roles in box office hits such as "Like Mike," "Roll Bounce," and "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift."
The rapper, who also starred in two Ice Cube produced flicks ("All About the Benjamins" and "Lottery Ticket") is re-teaming with the hit director on an upcoming, untitled sitcom.
Bow Wow told AllHipHop.com that longtime mentor/Atlanta mogul Jermaine Dupri will create the score for the series.
"I just spoke with JD yesterday and I got him doing the score and he is actually about to do the music for the TV show sitcom that I am doing with Ice Cube," Bow Wow told AllHipHop.com.
"I partnered with Ice Cube and he is producing my sitcom," the rapper continued. "I told JD when Will [Smith] had his own show ["The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"], Quincy Jones did all the music so it’s only right that he does mine. So I got him doing all the scores to the TV show. I speak to JD daily.
The untitled sitcom is still in the early stages, so while details were scant, Bow Wow said the deal had just been signed and writers were currently being sought for the television show.
"Once we get that we will have a name and we will definitely be filming this year, you’ll be hearing a lot about that," Bow Wow told AllHipHop.com.
Check out Bow Wow in Madea's Big Happy Family, which hits movie theaters on April 22nd.
Kimberly Elise Starring in African Film
Here’s an update for all you Kimberly Elise fans. The actress is starring in a Nollywood production called “Ties That Bind.”
If you’re thinking we somehow managed to spell Hollywood with an N, you’re wrong. Nollywood is the nick name for the Nigerian/African film industry.
Shadowandact.com is reporting that “Ties That Bind,” which is currently shooting in Ghana, is a multimillion dollar film production directed by Ghanaian director Lila Djansi and also stars Ghanaian actress Ama K. Abebrese.
Elise’s role in the film sounds like it’s in the territory of the one she portrayed in Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls.”
“Bind” is the story of three women who are bound together by one common tragedy-the loss of a child. The matriarchal trio meets in a small village and journey together to “redemption, love, life and forgiveness” while renovating a dilapidated clinic.
The film’s release date hasn’t been announced.
Kanye West's Track "Stronger" Labeled Best Workout Cut of 'All-Time'
Gold's Gym has announced the results of a nationwide poll that has crowned Kanye West's song "Stronger" the greatest workout song of all-time.
Gold's Gym hosted the first ever "March Music Competition" that allowed hundreds of gym members, celebrity trainers and fitness experts to vote on 64 of the best workout songs.
Songs that were in the running included the "Theme from Rocky," Eminem's "Lose Yourself," Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" and Guns N Roses classic song "Welcome to the Jungle."
Kanye's track, which was nominated by FOX NFL Sunday Analyst and former New York Giant Michael Strahan. The Giants walked out to West's tune "Stronger" during Super Bowl XLII, which was Strahan and company defeat the New England Patriots 17-14.
As a result of his winning nomination, Gold's Gym is donating $5,000 to the charity of Michael Strahan's choice.
"I was thrilled to hear that 'Stronger' won the March Music Madness Bracket Challenge," said Michael Strahan. "The song brings back great memories of Super Bowl XLII (The New York Giants came out to 'Stronger' before beating the New England Patriots 17-14) and is still on my iPod everyday in the gym. What's even more special is that I get to share this win with my friend Sammy Arthur, with the proceeds going to his charity, The Health & Humanitarian Aid Foundation."
Arthur admits 'finger rape' could tarnish Barbados
Former prime minister Owen Arthur today called for “quiet diplomacy” in the handling of the Sanique Myrie incident, warning that it must not be allowed to tarnish relations between Barbados and Jamaica.
“I do not want this matter pertaining to foreign relations appear as though I am castigating Barbadian officials, but just put it this way, that I feel the Foreign Ministry should understand the role of diplomacy in solving problems and that that is the first thing that you use,” Arthur said in an interview with the Nation Newspaper.
Arthur, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, suggested that Minister of Foreign?Affairs Senator Maxine McClean might have rushed to judgement on the matter when she stated publicly that Myrie’s claims that she was cavity-searched at Grantley Adams International Airport last month were unfounded.
Arthur believes Bridgetown has more to lose than Kingston, given its heavier dependence on regional exports, and further cautioned the Freundel Stuart administration that it cannot afford to have the matter “spiral out of control”.
The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) leader acknowledged that the matter of immigration had been a hot potato even when he was in Government but said he was careful not to support “bad treatment as an official position”.
CMC
Gunmen and cops trade shots at wake in Jamaica
Gunmen opened fire at police in St.Cathrine, Jamaica who attempted to shut down the wake of an alleged gangster here last night.
No one was injured in a subsequent shootout, which started about 8:00 pm and lasted several in the Hopeful Village community, said police.
"We went over there to close it down because they never had any permit. And before we could move man just start fire shot from in the bushes," said one police officer.
The men then escaped.
According to one of the cops who was involved in the operation, the wake was for Joel Jennings, otherwise called 'JJ', an alleged member of the notorious Klansman gang operating out of St Catherine.
Jennings was among two men killed by cops during a shootout in Spring Village, Old Harbour last month. Another alleged member of the gang was injured in the shootout.
A brother of Jennings was killed by police earlier this week. That incident again forced police to raise their threat level in anticipation of repeat retaliatory attacks by the gang.
Last month, the gang attacked the Spanish Town Police Station and several patrols in the vicinity. No cops were injured.
That attack was in retaliation for the incident in Spring Village and the killing by cops of Donovan Topping, an alleged enforcer for the gang in Manchester the day before.
Source: jamaicaobserver
New policy shows up ‘rogue pharmacies’
The new policy for a dispensing fee to be charged by private pharmacies, which came into force on April 1, has brought to light unlawful behaviour by some pharmacies.
Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, told the Barbados Advocate in an exclusive interview that some pharmacies have been charging for items that are on the drug formulary and should therefore be free of cost.
“They are charging not just the dispensing fee, but charging also for the medication. That is wrong,” he asserted.
In addition, there are some pharmacies using a fee structure that is not in accordance with what the Ministry of Health and the pharmacies have agreed. The minister was quick to stress, however, that these were the actions of a few “rogue pharmacies”.
“Let me say that the majority of pharmacies and pharmacists that we work with are very much true partners of ours and we will continue to work closely together to make everything work as smoothly as possible,” he emphasised.
However, he noted that those infringing the regulations were running the risk of giving not just the new fee initiative, but also their own industry a bad name.
He assured that he has called on the Director of the Barbados Drug Service (BDS) to thoroughly investigate every complaint received, noting that the BDS may opt not to do business with
persons found to be in breach of regulations.
However, he also highlighted the role patient and consumer awareness can play in reducing the incidence of being exploited by those few pharmacies.
“We are not going to be wielding a big stick and threatening anybody,” he said of the rogue pharmacies. “I believe in the power of education and I believe that an enlightened patient or consumer will be the greatest weapon that we have to use in any such challenges that we may face.”
He explained that if patients are aware of the drugs listed on the formulary, they can challenge a pharmacist who tries to charge them for it. Likewise, if they are aware of the cost of their medication they would be in a position to query the dispensing fee charged.
He pointed out that one benefit to the implementation of the dispensing fee noted thus far has been that members of the public are gaining a better appreciation of the actual cost of their medication.
“I think it’s going to start a behavioural change in the population. People perhaps will start to pay more attention to diet, exercise and start leading healthier lives,” he observed.
He said that his ministry is not looking for quick fixes, but is designing a system that is sustainable and will take the country forward. As such, they are currently working on improving the physical conditions of public pharmacies, as well as recruiting additional staff.
The minister also reported a slight increase in the number of persons filling prescriptions at government pharmacies, where they are not required to pay the dispensing fee. He however stated that this might simply be a “knee-jerk reaction” to the start of the new policy and suggested the situation will be monitored over the next three months, during which time he expects the numbers to level out.
He assured, “I’m not about being irresponsible and taking decisions that are construed to be penny wise and pound foolish. Whatever decisions we make, you can rest assured were made after deep and thorough consultation and looking towards the future.”
US military assist in disaster preparedness exercises
More than 150 United States military personnel and military and civilian officials from Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Canada, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and the Republic of Suriname are gathered in Trinidad to participate in the annual Fuerzas Alidas Humanitarias (FAHUM 2011) or Allied Forces Humanitarian Exercise.
FAHUM 2011 is conducted to enhance a nation’s response capabilities and interoperability with regional and international military forces and humanitarian assistance agencies.
This year’s two week exercise will simulate a catastrophic earthquake in Trinidad and Tobago, requiring assistance from outside countries.
“We have received great support from the host nation,” said Col John Mansfield, 60th Medical Group deputy commander and observer for the exercise.
“The Trinidad military has been superb in meeting our demands and needs. Our focus is to support the host nation.”
Fifteen volunteers from the 1st Engineer Battalion from the Trinidad military acted as patients for the first day of the exercise and the Emergency Room team treated them within the first 20 minutes.
“Once receiving life saving medical care, patients are transferred to civilian hospitals,” said Col. Mansfield. “The team is thinking about discharge planning prior to the completion of the facility. The facility cannot hold many patients because it does not have the in-patient beds to do so. This is why partnerships with the host nations are so important.”
“We are working in conjunction with the Ministry of Health in Trinidad, the Trinidad military, the US Embassy assigned here and several other agencies,” said Lt Col Michael Bruhn, deputy chief of Expeditionary Medical Operations Division at Air Combat Command.
“We started planning about a year ago and have coordinated with the Trinidad army and air guard to ensure rapid transport of equipment.”
The government of Trinidad will exercise and evaluate their ability to respond to a disaster, identifying areas of improvement in order to increase their readiness for a major hazard impact.
The Trinidad army is also providing base operating support to include fuels, meals, billeting and water.