THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LAUNCHES ITS FIRST OUTREACH PROGRAMME, “GROWING TCI: HAND IN HAND WE GROW”
As part of the Department of Agriculture’s mandate to promote public awareness on agriculture production, we cordially invite you to be a part of our First Agriculture Outreach Programme.
Come interact with the us as you learn:
- How to Start a Backyard Garden
- What agriculture inputs you need
- What is the cause of some of your gardening issues
- New planting ideas
- From other Backyard Gardeners
Venue: Downtown SMART Carpark, Providenciales
Date: Friday 3rd May, 2019
Time: 10 am - 2pm
For more information, you may contact us at:
The Department of Agriculture
16 Parade Avenue, Buttersfield Square
Providenciales
1(649)3385269
Boyz n the Hood"director John Singleton dies
Critically acclaimed director John Singleton has died at the age of 51 from complications following a stroke. His family removed him from life support today, April 29.
The filmmaker had initially checked himself into a hospital after experiencing pain in his leg, which was triggered by a recent flight from Costa Rica. He was then placed in a medically induced coma.
His family noted that Singleton suffered from hypertension, and that more than 40% of African-American men and women have high blood pressure. The family asked that everyone visit Heart.org to recognize the symptoms.
In a statement, his family said that Singleton "passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends." Details of a memorial service will be announced at a later time.
Born in South Central Los Angeles, California in 1968, John Daniel Singleton was best-known for his 1991 directorial debut, Boyz n the Hood, which examined urban and racial tensions through the eyes of three childhood friends growing up in South Central L.A. amid poverty and gang violence.
The coming-of-age drama, which received widespread critical acclaim, starred Cuba Gooding, Jr., Laurence Fishburne, and rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube. The film was later nominated for two Oscars -- Best Director and Best Original Screenplay-- which made Singleton the youngest filmmaker to receive nominations in those two categories. It also made him the first African-American to be nominated for best director.
After his initial film success, Singleton was tapped by pop icon Michael Jackson to direct the music video for “Remember the Time," which he followed up with his next film, Poetic Justice, starring Jackson’s sister, singer Janet Jackson.
Singleton’s other films included Higher Learning, a drama following the lives of three college freshmen; Rosewood, based on a true story of racial violence in Florida in the 1920s; a remake of the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft; the action film 2 Fast 2 Furious; and Four Brothers, starring Mark Wahlberg and Tyrese Gibson.
Singleton also dabbled in television. He directed episodes of such shows as Empire, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Billions. More recently, he co-created the hit FX series Snowfall, about the crack epidemic in 1980s Los Angeles.
Singleton is survived by his mother, Sheila Ward, his father Danny Singleton, and his children Justice, Maasai, Hadar, Cleopatra, Selenesol, Isis and Seven.
Source-ABC
Guaido declares 'final phase of Operation Freedom' in Venezuela
The leader of Venezuela's opposition, Juan Guaido, on Tuesday declared he was "beginning the final phase of Operation Freedom" after a dawn address in which he was flanked by men in military fatigues and armored vehicles in the capital Caracas.
Venezuela's Information Minister Jorge Rodríguez called Guaido's action a "coup" on Twitter, adding that the government is "deactivating a small number of traitorous military personnel."
"We call on the people to remain in maximum alert so that, together with the glorious Bolivian armed forces, we defeat this attempted coup and preserve peace. We will win," he said.
Guaido, who is head of Venezuela's National Assembly and has been recognized as president by dozens of other countries, has led months of protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro, yet Tuesday marked his boldest attempt yet to involve the military in the removal of the Venezuelan leader.
Speaking with opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez by his side, Guaido declared the "start of the end of the usurpation" in a video, which he said was filmed in a military airbase in Caracas, La Carlota.
Lopez, who is under house arrest, said on Twitter that he was released by the military.
"Our armed forces today, valiant soldiers, valiant patriots, valiant men connected to the constitution have come to our calling, we have come to this calling," Guaido said in the video.
Guaido has called for nationwide demonstrations on May 1, and said his announcement signaled the start of that protest a day early.
He later tweeted, "At this moment I am meeting with the main military units of our Armed Forces, beginning the final phase of Operation Freedom."
Guaido has spent the last few weeks visiting towns and cities outside Caracas, drawing large crowds in his bid to pressure Maduro to step down.
Juan Guaido made a dawn address flanked by men in military fatigues and armored vehicles in Venezuela's capital Caracas.
It is unclear whether Guaido's move will gain traction. "The situation is under control," Maduro's Communications Vice Minister Isbemar Jimenez told CNN on Tuesday. "All military garrisons support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro."
United States Sen. Marco Rubio, a vocal critic of Maduro, urged Venezuela's military to support Guaido on Twitter.
"This is the moment for those military officers in #Venezuela to fulfill their constitutional oath & defend the legitimate interim President (Guaido's) in this effort to restore democracy. You can write history in the hours & days ahead," he wrote.
Guaido emerged from obscurity when he was named president of the National Assembly on January 5. His arrival to the political scene has re-energized opposition to Maduro's government.
The 35-year-old has promised a transitional government and free elections to end the rule of the socialist Maduro regime, which has overseen the once-wealthy oil nation's descent into economic collapse and a humanitarian crisis.
Source-CNN
Apple defends removing parental control apps
Apple has defended its decision to remove a number of parental control apps from the App Store, citing security concerns.
Several app-makers complained to the New York Times that Apple had taken their products off sale when it launched its own similar tools.
But Apple said the apps were removed because they "put users' privacy and security at risk".
It said the apps had been given time to make changes to meet Apple's rules.
The latest version of Apple's iOS mobile operating system added Screen Time tools, which let people see how much time they spend using their favourite apps.
The tools also let parents control how much time their children can spend on apps and websites.
Some app-makers claimed Apple had removed their products from the App Store after Screen Time was launched, and said it was trying to limit competition.
However, in a blog post, Apple said it had taken action against apps that were using "risky" Mobile Device Management (MDM) to control children's smartphones.
Many corporations and organisations use MDM to control what employees do on their phones. It lets businesses keep an eye on what staff are doing, and even wipe their phones remotely.
Apple said it was not appropriate for family-focused time management tools to use MDM.
"MDM gives a third party control and access over a device and its most sensitive information, including user location, app use, email accounts, camera permissions, and browsing history," Apple said in a blog.
"It is incredibly risky - and a clear violation of App Store policies - for a private, consumer-focused app business to install MDM control over a customer's device.
"Contrary to what The New York Times reported over the weekend, this isn't a matter of competition. It's a matter of security."
The company said it had given a number of affected apps 30 days to submit updated software that did not break its rules. It said many of the companies did make changes and were not removed.
Source-BBC
Police launch new inquiry into Gosport hospital deaths
A new criminal investigation is to take place into the deaths of hundreds of patients who were given "dangerous" levels of painkillers at a hospital.
An inquiry found 456 patients died after being given opiate drugs at Gosport War Memorial Hospital between 1989 and 2000.
A review has since been carried out by Kent and Essex Police to assess if there was "sufficient new evidence".
Relatives have been told a "full investigation" will begin.
Three previous investigations into 92 of the deaths by Hampshire Constabulary resulted in no charges being brought.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Downing, head of serious crime at Kent and Essex Police, met relatives at a meeting in Fareham.
He said he hoped the investigation would be "some comfort" to them.
He said: "This investigation is not about numbers, it is about people - specifically those who died at the hospital and the loved ones they have left behind.
"This is a highly complex and emotive case that some family members have been living with for more than 30 years, and I would like to thank them for their continuing patience and understanding during this process."
In a statement read on behalf of the families, Bridget Reeves, whose 88-year-old grandmother Elsie Devine died in the hospital in 1999, said there had a been a "cover-up culture" surrounding previous investigations.
She said: "We challenged and we challenged when we saw the corrupt evidence that so-called experts had submitted but the CPS slammed the door shut in our faces.
"This immoral disaster was perpetuated by a club culture ... officials protected each other.
"Our loved ones were killed and our lives destroyed."
Ian Sandford, whose mother also died in Gosport, added: "Frustration doesn't even come near. They should have sorted this out a long time ago.
"All I want to hear is a good result."
Families were told the process would take up to nine months to decide whether charges would be brought.
The Gosport Independent Review Panel report, published in June 2018, found there was a "disregard for human life" at the hospital.
It also found an "institutionalised regime" of prescribing and administering amounts of opiate medication that were not clinically justified.
The report said the quality of previous police investigations had been "consistently poor".
It found whistleblowers and families were ignored as they attempted to raise concerns about the administration of medication on the wards, which was overseen by Dr Jane Barton.
Dr Barton retired after being found guilty by a medical panel of failings in her care of 12 patients at Gosport between 1996 and 1999.
Source-BBC
Cricketer jailed for five years for rape of woman
A "foul sexist" cricketer has been jailed for raping a sleeping woman.
Ex-Worcestershire player Alex Hepburn assaulted the victim at his Worcester flat after she had consensual sex with his then teammate Joe Clarke in 2017.
The 23-year-old was found guilty of rape earlier this month and sentenced to five years at Hereford Crown Court.
Judge Jim Tindal told him the sexual conquest "game" he had set up on a WhatsApp group, was "laddish" behaviour that "demeaned women".
He told Hepburn he had "arrogantly" believed his victim would consent, during the attack.
"You thought you were God's gift to women," he said.
"You did see her at that moment as a piece of meat, not a woman entitled to respect."
Hepburn was found guilty of one count of oral rape and cleared of one rape charge following a retrial at Worcester Crown Court.
The woman woke up after a night out on 1 April and wrongly believed she was having sex with Mr Clarke before realising it was actually Hepburn, the trial was told.
Hepburn posted rules of the "stat chat" game about many women he and Mr Clarke could have sex with on a WhatsApp group a week before the rape.
His bid to collect "as many sexual encounters as possible" as part of the game was "foul sexism", Judge Tindal said.
"It demeaned women and trivialised rape - a word you personally threw around lightly," the judge said.
"Only now do you realise how serious rape is."
In a victim impact statement, read to the court by prosecutor Miranda Moore QC, the woman said she suffered recurring nightmares in the form of "a repeat of the rape", which had also led to the collapse of her relationship with her then boyfriend.
Describing her ordeal as evil and a "heinous crime", she added: "I take off my hat to anyone who can hold down a healthy happy relationship, after being raped.
"I am flooded with guilt that I can't ever seem to escape."
The trial was told the woman met Mr Clarke in a nightclub before returning to his flat where they had sex.
He left his bedroom during the night to be sick and remained passed out in his bathroom.
Hepburn found the woman asleep on a mattress after arriving back at the flat "alone, drunk and frustrated" and he "saw a chance" and attacked her, the court heard,
The woman only realised it wasn't Mr Clarke when Hepburn spoke in an Australian accent.
Hepburn's barrister, Michelle Heeley QC, said her client had expressed "true remorse", adding: "He has lost everything: his career, his good character and ultimately his liberty."
Source-BBC
Trump sues Deutsche Bank and Capital One over Democrat subpoenas
US President Donald Trump has sued two banks in a bid to stop them handing over his financial records to Congress.
The lawsuit against Deutsche Bank and Capital One was filed after Democrat-led committees issued subpoenas for information on his finances.
His three eldest children and the Trump Organisation joined the lawsuit, which argues there are no legitimate grounds for investigating his business affairs.
Leading Democrats said they would not be deterred by the blocking attempt.
A Deutsche Bank spokeswoman told the New York Times: "We remain committed to providing appropriate information to all authorized investigations"
There was no immediate comment from Capital One.
The lawsuit was filed in New York on Monday and aims to block the banks from complying with the subpoenas issued by the Democrat-controlled Congress, which is investigating the Trump family's financial dealings.
Both banks are involved with Mr Trump's real estate projects.
The filing says the subpoenas "have no legitimate or lawful purpose".
"[They] were issued to harass President Donald J. Trump, to rummage through every aspect of his personal finances, his businesses, and the private information of the president and his family," it alleges.
It adds: "No grounds exist to establish any purpose other than a political one."
The filing also says that Democrats are hoping "they will stumble upon something they can expose publicly and use as a political tool against the President".
The House Intelligence and Financial Services Committees issued subpoenas to Germany's Deutsche Bank, which is one of the Trump Organisation's major lenders, and a number of other financial institutions earlier this month.
The committees are reportedly seeking documents and materials relating to the bank's longstanding relationship with Mr Trump and his family.
Source-BBC
REGISTER OF ELECTORS 2019/2020
ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT – TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – 2019/2020 REGISTER OF ELECTORS
Supervisor of Elections Published 2019/2020 Register of Electors.
Supervisor of Elections, Lister Dudley Lewis has commenced the publication of the 2019/2020 Register of Electors in accordance with the Elections Ordinance Revised Edition 2018, allowing Turks and Caicos Islanders the opportunity to view the Register of Electors from Friday March 29, 2019.
The Supervisor has arranged for the Register to be placed at the following locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Register is also issued for inspection at the Governor’s Office, Elections Department Grand Turk and Providenciales, Public Libraries and District Commissioner’s Officers.
The Register will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts at the following locations:
ELECTORAL DISTRICTS LOCATION
ED 1 Grand Turk North Shop Rite Grocery Store
Fulford’s Gas Station
IGA Smart Supermarket (Pond Street)
Sunny Food Store (West Road)
John Missick Bar (West Road)
IGA Smart Supermarket (West Road)
Things Galore Store (Over Back)
ED 2 Grand Turk South and Salt Cay Cee’s Food Centre
Do Do Rib Cage
Palm Grove Variety Store
Building Material (Do It Centre)
Sunny Foods (Back Salina)
Grand Turk Library
IGA Smart Supermarket (Back Salina)
Grand Turk International Airport
Grand Turk Liquors
ED 3 South Caicos Airport Terminal
District Commissioner’s Office
Sea View Marina
Super Value Supermarket
G & H Enterprises
Government Treasury
ED 4 Middle and North Caicos District Commissioner Office Conch Bar
Community Centre, Bambarra
Government Clinic, Lorimers
District Commissioner Office Bottle Creek
Kevin’s Enterprise
Digicel Store (Bottle Creek)
Community Centre (Kew)
Community Centre (Whitby)
Community Centre Sandy Point
ED 5 Leeward Providenciales Sand Castle Convenience Store
IBO Store Variety Shop
TCI Ferry
Rick’s Flamingo Café
ED 6 The Bight Providenciales Long Bay Express Gas Station
Rubis Gas Station
Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart
3 J’s Liquor & Pharmacy
Graceway Gourmet Supermarket
PTV General Office
Nell’s Gift Shop
ED 7 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill Lapels TCI Dry Cleaners
Providenciales The Library
Grant’s Gas Station
Cyliane Variety Store
The Post Office
Betty’s Store Kew Town
Black’s Store Kew Town
Chinson’s Grill Shack
Discount Liquors
Provo Discount Pharmacy
Building Material (Do it Centre)
ED 8 Blue Hills, Providenciales Keyse’s Variety Store
The Chicken Shack
Grace Variety Store
Quality Food Supermarket
Lapel TCI Dry Cleaners
G K Supermarket
North Side City Market
Carrington’s Store
Parker’s Variety Party Shop
ED 9 Five Cay’s, Providenciales Mackey’s Automotive
Kitch’s Restaurant
Hole in the Wall Restaurant
Gilly’s Café International Airport
Shallende’s Auto Parts
Walkin Service Station
Liz Bakery
Sunny Food Supermarket
Caicos Oil Mart
ED 10 Wheeland, Providenciales Froggie’s on the Beach
Frank’s Store 4 U
Tiffany Trading Convenient Store
Red Zone Variety Store
MARINE FORECAST ON 29-04-2019
MARINE FORECAST FOR THE BAHAMAS FOR 24 HOURS FROM 6AM MONDAY 29TH APRIL 2019 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 1000 UTC.
WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS AND MARINERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK RIP CURRENTS ESPECIALLY ALONG EASTERN SHORELINES IN THE CENTRAL & SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
GENERAL SITUATIONS: A DEEP LAYERED TROUGHING NEAR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS CONTINUES TO GENERATE SOME UNSETTLED WEATHER OVER THE ISLANDS TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT
FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
ADVISORY: EXPECT GUSTY WINDS & HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL COME INTO EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
FOR THE CENTRAL & SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: BREEZY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS
MOON
MOONSET: 3:11PM MOONRISE: 4:13AM TUE
TIDES
LOW TIDE: 10:04AM 10:19PM
HIGH TIDE: 4:10PM 4:26AM TUE
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: UPPER LEVEL TROUGHING IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS THROUGH WEDNESDAY WHILE WEAK HIGH PRESSURE IS BUILDING AT THE SURFACE.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATER
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
WEATHER: BREEZY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATER
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
WEATHER: BREEZY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
Turks & Caicos Islands Debuts at World Gourmet Summit 2019
The 23rd World Gourmet Summit, one of the most anticipated culinary festivals in the world, will for the first time include participants from the Turks & Caicos Islands in its 2019 edition. The World Gourmet Summit began on April 1, 2019 and continues through to May 12, 2019 across various restaurants and venues in Singapore. The Turks & Caicos Islands culinary team includes Culinary Ambassador Nikita Skippings, Lorraine Kenlock and notably two junior chefs Kevin Missick and Robinangel Simons who completed the TCHTA Hospitality Adventure Program. The Turks & Caicos Islands was extended an exclusive invitation to participate in the World Gourmet Summit which features a diverse curation of cuisines from around the world. The Turks & Caicos Islands chefs will have the unique opportunity to introduce the country’s native cuisine to an international audience.
Since 1997, the World Gourmet Summit has successfully grown into a globally recognized culinary event. Every year, a constellation of stars from the international and local culinary arena showcase a delectable spread of gastronomic experiences for a community of fine dining enthusiasts. Encompassing a series of dazzling events, including the gourmet golf experience, vintner dinners and special themed and celebrity dinners, the World Gourmet Summit is a spectacular annual gourmet expedition specially crafted for discerning individuals who appreciate fine wines and cuisines.
The culinary team from Turks & Caicos Islands is sponsored by the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival (which is underwritten by Grace Bay Resorts and The Wine Cellar).
Ramon Andrews, Director of Tourism stated, “The Turks & Caicos Islands is positioning itself as the culinary capital of the Caribbean and the preferred gourmet destination. Turks & Caicos is renowned for our pristine, white sand beaches, however increasingly, we are attracting travelers from around the globe for our cultural and diverse culinary experiences, top chefs, and food festivals. From the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, Turks & Caicos Conch Festival to the annual Lobster Festivals, our destination offers visitors an opportunity to savor the culinary adventures the islands have to offer. The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to sponsor and endorse TCI’s participation which will assist with promoting our destination on a global culinary stage”.
Nikheel Advani, Co-Founder of the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, was instrumental in securing Turks & Caicos Islands’ participation in this year’s summit. Advani commented, “This is the first time that the Turks and Caicos Islands culinary talents will be showcased on a global platform at one of the most prestigious gourmet events - The World Gourmet Summit! We will also have the opportunity to take two young Turks and Caicos Islands chefs - one from the Community College and the other from the Lit’l Chefs program - who will shadow the Turks and Caicos Islands Master and Guest Chefs - they will take part in all the culinary experiences the gastronomic event has to offer! We are truly honored to be invited to this event and are proud to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands internationally!”
Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association comments, “The TCHTA is proud to congratulate Kevin Missick and Robinangel Simons, on their selection to participate in the 23rd edition of the World Gourmet Summit along with talented local chefs. This will be the first time that the TCI participates in this prestigious culinary event, which presents an incredible opportunity for both students who got their start in our Hospitality Adventure Camps. The TCHTA is always looking for ways to develop local talent and their progress down the path to a culinary career has been remarkable. We’re incredibly delighted that they will be able to experience the culinary side of Singapore first hand and we look forward to seeing how they can apply that experience upon return.”
The origin of Turks & Caicos Islands’ involvement in this year’s World Gourmet Summit came after Peter Knipp, founder of the World Gourmet Summit, visited Providenciales in 2018 and expressed that he was extremely impressed with the culinary scene. During his visit he met with key industry stakeholders and subsequently an invitation was extended for Turks & Caicos to participate in the exclusive festival.
Chef Lorraine Kenlock, owner of Frenz Deck (the only farm to table dining experience in Providenciales), will participate as a special guest chef and Chef Nikita Skippings, Culinary Ambassador of the Turks & Caicos Islands, is designated as an international master chef. Both chefs will participate in a number of events including Chefs' A La Minute - Meet the Stars and the Opening Reception. The Opening Reception will include notable guests such as ambassadors various embassies and countries, WGS International master chefs and other talented chefs in the industry, media, and industry heavyweights. The chefs will be accompanied by Mary Lightbourne Deputy Director of Tourism, Nikheel Advani Co-Founder of CFWF, Murad Mohamad CFWF Committee Member, and Stacy Cox CEO of TCHTA.
The culinary team representing Turks & Caicos hosted a tasting event on April 8, 2019 at Crackpot Kitchen where invited guests were treated to a preview of the traditional dishes which will be served during the event including tropical scorched conch, stewed conch and dough and island fish and grits – each featuring a gourmet flair.
The Turks and Caicos Islands presence at the World Gourmet Summit is historic and presents a great opportunity for exposure and promotion of our culture and heritage through food. Islanders can follow Team TCI’s experience at the World Gourmet Summit by following the official hashtags #WGS #WorldGourmetSummit #WGS2019 #TCIWGS #TurksAndCaicos #WhyILoveTCI #TeamTCI.