InterCaribbean Airways Announces New Flights to Havana
interCaribbean Airways today announced that commencing on May 3, 2016 interCaribbean Airways will launch its new nonstop services to Havana's Jose Martí International Airport (HAV), from Providenciales (PLS), Turks & Caicos Islands.
With this new nonstop service to Havana from Providenciales, as well as connections from numerous cities in the Caribbean, interCaribbean makes the journey to Cuba, the fastest of any airline within the region.
Twice weekly service to Havana will be as follows:
Providenciales (PLS) to Havana (HAV) Cuba
Flight No Routing Effective Date Days Depart Arrive
JY310 PLS HAV May 1, 2016 Tue, Thu 4:30pm 19:20pm
Havana (HAV) Cuba to Providenciales (PLS) JY 311 HAVANA to PLS May 1, 2016 Wed, Fri 08:10am 11:20am
Connection flights from Antigua, Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Port au Prince, Haiti, San Juan Puerto Rico, Grand Turk and South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands are available.
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Seeing the demand for services to Cuba, interCaribbean Airways is pleased to launch new nonstop services and provides timed 45 minute connections to Cuba, from centrally located Turks & Caicos. With the USA easing entry to Cuba, we look forward to welcoming aboard those who wish to enjoy two destination trips, and increase trade and travel between our Caribbean Countries. Cuba is a beautiful country with so much to offer a visitor and one visit will not be enough.
"With People to People visits from the United States, and new categories of travel for USA citizens, interCaribbean is well placed to facilitate entry to Santiago, and now to Havana, as we serve two of the most important cities of the country", said Lyndon R. Gardiner, Chairman of interCaribbean Airways
$291,000 from contingency funds approved
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 4th meeting of the Cabinet last Thursday, 4 February 2016, at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All Ministers were present at this meeting Cabinet:
· Approved the appointment of Mr. Devon Williams as Chairman of the TCI Ports Authority Board with effect from 1 March 2016 for a period of 3 years;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to place a moratorium on grants of new business licenses to operate in the areas of private investigation and security guards and security services until the Government has reviewed the Private Investigators and Security Guards Ordinance 2009 and an appropriate regulatory regime is brought into force;
· Approved an increase in the taxi quota from 175 to 195 and in the number of VIP vehicles by 5 on Providenciales and directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication to produce a draft national transportation strategy;
· Approved a prevention and control strategy developed by the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services to enhance contingency planning to address and combat the spread of the Zika Virus in the event of the virus reaching TCI and agreed to provide $291,000 from contingency funds to enable the Ministry to implement measures set out in the strategy;
· Endorsed changes that were appended to the draft 2016/17 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure following the Cabinet meeting of 28 January 2016 for forwarding to the UK Government for approval;
· Agreed a timetable for the passage of the 2016/17 Budget Estimates and Supplementary Appropriations Bill through the House of Assembly;
· Agreed amendments to the organisational chart of the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency to include a new position of Director of Small and Medium Enterprises to enable implementation of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Ordinance 2015;
· Cabinet agreed to a request by Logwood Development Co. Ltd to release a portion of the funds held in escrow by Bordier Bank in relation to the company’s involvement in the West Caicos Resort;
Cabinet received as well the report on the recently concluded public consultation on building height and density and requested a presentation from the Planning Department on its recommendations and findings at its next meeting.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Latin Heath Ministers Hold Emergency Zika Meeting
Latin American health ministers agreed Wednesday on a public information campaign and boosted the number of medical workers to fight the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which poses the greatest threat to pregnant women.
The 14 officials — including Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro, whose country has been hit hardest by the virus — held emergency talks Wednesday in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Castro said regional leaders need to "exchange information, make alliances, and discuss what coordinated action we can take to control this epidemic."
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said her government will spare no expense in fighting the mosquito that experts say carries the virus.
"My entire government is working on fighting this emergency,” Rousseff said this week. “There will be no lack of funding. ... We will partner up with the U.S. government, with President [Barack] Obama ... in order to develop as quickly as possible a vaccine for the Zika virus."
A worrisome development intensified concerns this week when health officials in Dallas County, Texas, reported what appears to be the first Zika case in the U.S. transmitted through sexual contact.
The patient apparently was infected after having sex with an ill individual who returned from a country where the virus is present. It was later reported on Twitter that the infected traveler had recently been to Venezuela.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the top federal public health agency — confirmed the Texas case.
Source-VOA
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to visit TCI
The Turks and Caicos Islands Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will host four Parliamentarians from the Houses of Parliament Canada comprising:
Alexandra Mendes – MP – Liberal – Leader of the delegation
Todd Doherty – MP from Newfoundland
Senator Elizabeth Hubley – Liberal Senator from Prince Edward Island
Senator David Willis – Conservative Senator from British Columbia
Elizabeth Kingston – Secretary
His Honour the Speaker will host a reception in honour of the visiting delegation in Providenciales on Monday 8th February, 2016 at the Regent Palms Hotel. Additionally the delegation would make courtesy calls on His Excellency the Governor, The Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus W. Ewing, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sharlene L. Robinson. The team will also tour the Cheshire Hall Medical Hospital, Providenciales.
On Tuesday the 9th February the highlight of the visit will be an address to the House of Assembly by the leader of the delegation at 10:00a.m. The General Public is invited to this event.
The delegation will then meet with members of The CPA followed by a luncheon with present and former members of parliament, they will later tour the Cockburn Town Medical Center and then take a tour of Grand Turk. The delegation is scheduled to depart Providenciales for Guyana on 10th February 2016.
Obama Reaffirms Religious Liberty in First Visit to US Mosque
President Barack Obama, on his first visit to a U.S. mosque as president, says Americans "too often" conflate Islam with terrorism.
"We're one American family," Obama told Muslim-Americans at the Islamic Society of Baltimore. He said the entire Muslim community is often blamed for the "violent acts of a few."
He also said "inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslims has no place" in the country.
Earlier, Obama took part in a round table with Muslim-American leaders to hear their concerns.
“It will be an opportunity to do a couple of things. The first is to affirm the important role that Muslim-Americans play in our society and to affirm our conviction in the principle of religious liberty,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Tuesday.
Obama has previously visited mosques overseas.
President Barack Obama, on his first visit to a U.S. mosque as president, says Americans "too often" conflate Islam with terrorism.
"We're one American family," Obama told Muslim-Americans at the Islamic Society of Baltimore. He said the entire Muslim community is often blamed for the "violent acts of a few."
He also said "inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslims has no place" in the country.
Earlier, Obama took part in a round table with Muslim-American leaders to hear their concerns.
“It will be an opportunity to do a couple of things. The first is to affirm the important role that Muslim-Americans play in our society and to affirm our conviction in the principle of religious liberty,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Tuesday.
Obama has previously visited mosques overseas.
Sandals Foundation and the Bob Marley Foundation have officially launch the Women Helping Others
Two of the Caribbean’s most influential brands, the Sandals Foundation and The Bob Marley Foundation, are joining forces to address the chronic issue of gender inequality in the Caribbean with the introduction of Women Helping Others Achieve (WHOA). WHOA is a multi-year women's empowerment program designed to provide support, mentorship, education and skills training to help marginalized women across Jamaica and the Caribbean find inspiration and strength to transform their lives and, in doing so, positively impact their families and communities for generations to come.
According to Heidi Clarke, Director of Programs for the Sandals Foundation, gender inequality remains a pervasive problem in the developing world and its legacy is poverty, not only for women, but for families and ultimately entire communities. “Through WHOA, we have an opportunity to address and close the gender gap, which is essential to our region’s ability to break the cycle of poverty,” says Clarke. “It’s a paradox…two thirds of the world’s illiterate are female yet studies show that even just one additional year of education for women of reproductive age can reduce child mortality by 9.5%. This fact alone speaks volumes and I believe, together, we can touch so many lives through this wonderful relationship.”
Cedella Marley, eldest daughter of global legend Bob Marley and CEO of the Marley Group of Companies, is set to be the Good Will Ambassador for WHOA, using her family’s renowned philanthropic and social media muscle to raise awareness and drive fundraising efforts for programs empowering women in the Caribbean. “Equal opportunity is at the heart of my father’s legacy,” said Marley. “We are thrilled to join the Sandals Foundation to not only bring recognition to gender issues, but to create meaningful initiatives that address the obstacles facing Caribbean women and their children today.”
WHOA will be supporting existing as well as developing new programs across many industries and services including agriculture, education, community development and healthcare. Special attention will be given to programming aimed at youth, an obvious concern for mothers, critical to their own success. To that end, WHOA is committed to youth mentorship and sports opportunities in the Caribbean region.
The campaign will also feature a six week crowdfunding component which is being hosted at crowdrise.com/cedellamarley. Contributions made through the on-line platform will go towards needed funding of WHOA projects throughout the Caribbean. There is also added incentive for donors as each contribution of $5 or more enables a download code for the campaign song which i refreshed and modern version of Bob Marley’s famed “Could You Be Loved” re-recorded by Cedella which is at the forefront of the new fundraising campaign.
Donors will be eligible for unique prizes during the campaign, including a Grand Prize to the individual with the largest contribution. The Grand Prize consists of a 3 night, 4 day Luxury Included vacation for two to a Sandals or Beaches resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, roundtrip airfare for two to Jamaica, a tour of the Bob Marley Museum and Tuff Gong Recording Studios in Kingston, Jamaica and an invitation to meet a member of the Marley family (note restrictions apply)
The following organizations have pledged their support to the Sandals Foundation and the Bob Marley Foundation on the WHOA efforts and will be the beneficiaries of their collective fundraising efforts including: Antigua and Barbuda Youth in Agriculture Project in Antigua; The Reggae Girlz, Women’s Health Network and The Women’s Centre in Jamaica; P.A.C.E in The Bahamas; Sweet Water Foundation and Grenada Zero Hunger Initiative in Grenada; and The Barbados Agriculture Society in Barbados.
Civil Service in Action Committee Launched
The Civil Service Association which is a very vital organ of the public service and has an opportunity to play a very key role in making representations and doing other work on behalf of civil servants in government, was very active during the restructuring of the civil service in 2011/2012, but had since become dormant.
Given its importance, a new committee comprised of civil servants from across government has been established by the Office of the Deputy Governor to focus on developing several social community based programs in the civil service and as a first priority will be working towards the revitalization of the Civil Service Association (CSA).
The Committee which is called Civil Service In Action (CSIA), has already met on three occasions since its inception to develop plans to host a nomination and election process for the new President, Vice-President and Executive Board of the CSA.
On Wednesday January 20th, 2016 the Committee held an official handover meeting with the former Presidents and Vice-President of the CSA: the Honourable Dr. Rufus Ewing, Mrs. Louise Thomas and Mr. Jamell Robinson along with Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams.
Premier Honourable Dr. Rufus Ewing stated: “As a former President of the CSA I am passionate about this initiative and can attest to the true value of its existence. My government has committed over the years to investing heavily into the civil service and this initiative can only add to the great work that we have planned for the future.”
Commenting on the work of the new Committee, Deputy Governor Anya Williams said: “I am pleased that these committed civil servants have taken up the task of becoming members of the new CSIA and to working towards the revitalization of the Civil Service Association.
“Substantial improvements have been made in the civil service during the past three years and the CSA has a very vital role to play not only in making representation on behalf of civil service going forward, but also in assisting to shape policies and programs aimed at the betterment of the service through its representation as part of the Public Service Commission, in keeping with its constitutional remit. This is an initiative that is fully supported by my office and should be welcomed by all civil servants across government.”
Over the course of the next three months the Committee intends to hold public meetings with civil servants across government to discuss and emphasize the importance of reestablishing the CSA with the intention of hold an election in March 2016.
Clement Howell High get their hands dirty for World Wetlands Day 2016
Clement Howell High School assisted the Department of Environmental & Maritime Affairs (DEMA), the Turks and Caicos National Trust and the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) in celebrating World Wetlands Day 2016. 18 Students from the school brought along a willingness to get their hands dirty in order to assist with conservation efforts at one of Provo's most important wetland sites.
"DEMA and the National Trust were delighted to see just how enthusiastic the students were to assist with our on-going conservation efforts in the area. They demonstrated stewardship in an area that is often taken for granted and neglected and hopefully this would encourage the rest of the community to do the same!" said DEMAs Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Amy Avenant.
Red mangroves were planted along the site, which will hopefully grow to create a buffer between the road and the wetland. This would be important as the mangroves act as natural filters that improve the water quality, as so often polluted runoff flows straight into the wetland – a critical habitat for resident and migratory birds, and other fauna and flora. The mangroves also create a natural buffer for any materials (litter) that may find its way to into the wetland.
DEMA, the National Trust and TCRF would like to remind youth between the ages of 15 and 24 to participate in the International World Wetlands Day Photo Contest. The contest will run from 2 February to 2 March, 2016. The winner will win a free flight to a famous wetland of their choice courtesy of Star Alliance Biosphere Connections, and other prizes will be given to runners up. To enter the competition Young people are invited to take a photo that shows "people making a living from wetlands" Upload up to 3 photos on the World Wetlands Day website www.worldwetlandsday.org Other members of the public can participate by voting for their favourite photo and help contribute to the selection process.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February, and day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
WHO Declares Zika a Global Health Emergency
The World Health Organization has declared Zika to be global public-health emergency.
At a special meeting of researchers and health officials on the virus in Geneva Monday, the WHO said Zika is "public health emergency of international concern." But it stopped short of calling for travel or trade restrictions.
The WHO predicts the virus, which may be linked to neurological disorders in babies, could infect as many as 4 million people in the Americas this year.
No firm link has been established between the Zika virus and microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which babies are born with abnormally small heads. But it is hard to ignore a possible connection between the virus and this brain disorder, given recent events in Brazil.
Nearly 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly have been reported in the country since October, compared with 150 similar cases in 2014.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told VOA experts are not ruling anything out. But, he said, the surge in the number of microephaly cases and the Zika virus may just be coincidental in terms of time and place.
"One of the curiosities is why we have so many neurological cases in, say, the northeast of Brazil, but we have not had it in other places," he said. "So, we really need to understand what is existing that causes these microcephaly cases, for example, in children."
Zika gets its name from a forest in Uganda where the virus was first identified in 1947. The virus has spread worldwide, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also causes dengue and chikungunya disease.
Hartl dismissed fears that the Zika virus could pose a threat similar to that of Ebola, which caused more than 11,000 deaths in West Africa. He noted Ebola is transmitted person to person via infected bodily fluids and kills about 50 percent of its victims.
"Zika has never killed a person and it is transmitted by the mosquito," he said. "So, we know that there are those two fundamental differences at least. Let us say that Zika on its own would not be the consideration of an emergency committee. What is the concern to the international community is the possible link with neurological disorders."
In the absence of a vaccine, Hartl said governments must stop the disease at its source by removing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed and fumigating houses to kill the mosquito.
He said pregnant women, in particular, should protect themselves by sleeping under mosquito nets, using mosquito repellents, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Cuba’s Castro in France for historic visit
Cuba’s President Raul Castro began an official state visit to France on Monday, his first ever to Europe, which is being seen as a key step in rebuilding his island nation’s ties with the West.
The Cuban leader was welcomed under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris before being driven down a virtually deserted Champs-Elysees avenue, decked out in Cuban flags.
Police severely restricted access to spectators, and just a few groups of supporters of the Cuban regime were present.
Castro, 84, is on his first official trip to the European Union since taking over from his elder brother Fidel in 2006, and spent the weekend in the French capital on a private visit.
France has led the way in welcoming Cuba back into the diplomatic fold since it restored relations last year with the United States after they were broken off for more than half a century.
French President Francois Hollande, who was to hold talks with Castro later Monday, has described the visit as “a new stage in the strengthening of relations between the two countries”.
It builds on Hollande’s own state visit to Cuba last May, the first by a head of state from the West in more than half a century.
Castro is the second former pariah to be welcomed to Paris in a matter of days, after Hollande hosted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last week.
“This visit is important for Cuba’s image,” said Eduardo Perera, an international relations expert at Havana University.
“It will undeniably make Cuba shine on the international stage.”
Havana hopes the visit will allow Cuba to “widen and diversify its relations with France in all possible areas — politics, economics, trade, finance, investment, culture and cooperation,” said Rogelio Sierra, Cuban deputy foreign minister.