Round Island School Visit and Cutting of Ribbon of the Newly Renovated Science Lab
On Tuesday, January 12th 2016, the Deputy Premier, and Minister of Education the Hon. Akierra Mary Deanne Missick, and a team from the Ministry of Education including the PS Jones, DS Cox, Director Howell, and Education Officers Kennedy and Bowen, continued their school visits, which took them to the Islands of Middle and North Caicos. The Minister of Border Control and Employment Services, the Hon. R Don Hue Gardiner who is also the Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Middle and North Caicos accompanied the Education team on their visits.
The visits, including stops to the 4 campuses managed by the Ministry of Education, including Doris Robinson Primary School in Middle Caicos, where the team took the time out to commence designing phase 2 of the recreational field for that school. In 2014, the Ministry of Education, successfully completed the capital project of preparing the site on the school's compound for a playfield and recreational area. Phase 2 2 will entail the installation of turf and new playground equipment.
While, on the Island of North Caicos, the team, were able to meet with the Principal of the Charles Hubert James Primary School, and assess the new location for the canteen that will be constructed at that site, and while at the Adelaide Olmer Primary School in Bottle Creek, the team were delighted to see the students actively using their new playground which was constructed last year. The Minister of Education had an opportunity to speak with students and discuss other projects that they would like to see take place on their campuses, to make their experience in the Twin Island schools even better.
Commenting on the visit, Deputy Premier Missick said "it is always a good day when I can visit the students and staff of our schools on the twin islands of Middle and North Caicos. Today was an exciting day which allowed the Ministry to have the Blessing and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the newest Science Lab in the Turks & Caicos Islands, and the Blessing of the New Playground at Adelaide Olmer Primary School. The renovated science lab at the Raymond Gardiner High School, is a state of the art science lab, that will provide the students at that school the full opportunity for creative hands-on learning in the area of science. I must thank the Contractor Mr K Higgs on delivering such an amazing project, the detail and construction is not only supreme, but the layout of the lab will encourage group learning and experimentation, and I almost want to go back to high school so that I could utilize the lab functions. Similar lab projects are underway already for Marjorie Basden High School and Clement Howell High School, and I look forward to their completion, and celebrate with the students who will have modernized facilities for hands on learning."
Middle and North Caicos Member of Parliament, Hon Gardiner said "Seeing the renovated science lab at Raymond Gardiner High School, has giving me pause to reflect on how far this school and the communities of Middle and North Caicos have come. RGHS as it is called now, opened in 1973 as a junior school, where science was not taught, and students who had to transfer to high school in Grand Turk had to repeat the 3rd form in order to undertake learning in the science subjects. I am happy that my Government saw it fit to fast track the renovating of this lab, and I encourage the students of Raymond Gardiner to continue to make use of these facilities and appreciate the greater access to creative hands-on learning that is now provided by this lab."
The Ministry of Education, wants to also thank the Minister Amanda Missick, and her team at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, and the team at SPPU for diligently working to ensure that these projects be completed and delivered on time. Both the Labs at RGHS, the Playground at AOPS and new bathrooms at the Doris Robinson Primary school, were completed by the commencement of the academic year 2015/2016.
TCIG Appoints Deputy Contract Performance Manager
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services is pleased to announce that Mrs. Natalie Danclar-Rodney has accepted the position of Deputy Performance Contract Manager in the Contract Performance Management Unit effective Jan 11, 2016.
As part of the terms and conditions of the Contract Agreement between TCIG and InterHealth Canada, the Government established a contract performance management unit within the Ministry of Health which has the responsibility on an ongoing basis to monitor the implementation of the contract agreement by the service Provider – Interhealth Canada.
The Premier, who also holds the portfolio as Minister of Health, stated that; "The Government remain committed to build the capacity of this unit to ensure that all parties to the agreement complies with the terms and conditions of the Contract, and that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to enjoy the efficient medical coverage at a sustainable financial cost"
Mrs. Danclar-Rodney graduated from Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business in Trinidad with an in EMBA and has a Law Degree from University of London. Mrs. Danclar-Rodney is a practicing attorney-at-law. Prior to accepting this position, she worked for Petrotrin and BG Group in Trinidad in the role of contract manager, supple chain consultant and legal advisor. Mrs. Danclar-Rodney brings experience and a proven track record of success in the contract and project management area, which will be invaluable in meeting the departmental goals and objectives.
The Director of Contract Performance Management Unit, Mrs. Brenda Heartwell stated, "I am confident that Mrs. Danclar-Rodney will be an excellent match for this position and a strong asset to the Contract Performance Management Team."
David Bowie producer Tony Visconti performs tribute concert
David Bowie's long-time producer Tony Visconti has celebrated the musician's life at a tribute concert in Canada.
About 900 people packed into Toronto's Opera House on Tuesday to pay tribute to the pop star, who died on Sunday.
They heard the band Holy Holy, featuring Visconti on bass and former Bowie cohort Woody Woodmansey on drums.
"There is no better way to work through grief (than) through music," Visconti told the audience, before playing a selection of Bowie's biggest hits.
They also performed the 1970 album The Man Who Sold The World in its entirety.
"This is some of the best music that's ever been written," said Visconti - who was Bowie's producer throughout his career, starting with the 1969 album Space Oddity right up to his swansong Blackstar, which was released last week.
Before the show, Visconti told fans that Monday, when he had learned of Bowie's death, had been one of the worst days of his life.
"We actually had to talk about whether we were going to perform more on this tour," he said.
"[But] music is magic. It's better than any pill to take, It's better than any drug."
The sold-out crowd signed a book of condolence before the show; while many had painted a lightning bolt across their face, mimicking the cover of Bowie's 1973 album Aladdin Sane.
"This is some celebration," said Visconti later.
10 Poachers apprehended near South Caicos
10 Poachers, and their vessels were apprehended on Sunday, 10 January, after Enforcement Officers from the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) and reacted to a tip-off from the TCI's Marine Police Air Patrol.
The men were apprehended at Whale Breakers, approximately 24 miles south of South Caicos on at 1:30pm on Sunday. They were found to be in possession of illegal spearguns, breathing apparatus, as well as just over 200 lbs of illegal catch, including Parrot Fish and Nassau Grouper.
"I would like to thank all officers involved in this successful operation. Every time we seize a boat and put poachers in jail we send a strong message. This is important because the illegal fishing will not stop until poachers understand that it is not worth the risk - they will lose money and go to jail." Said DEMA Director, Dr John Claydon.
The Poachers will face charges for the following contraventions to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance:
Taking marine product without a license;
Taking marine product using breathing apparatus;
Possession of spearguns;
Taking marine product by use of a speargun;
Use of unlicensed vessels;
Possession of Nassau Grouper during the closed season; and
Possession of parrot fish; and
The Turks & Caicos Nassau Grouper season is only due to resume on the 28th of February 2016 and it is considered a serious offence to fish for or be in possession of Nassau Grouper during the closed season. Similarly, the Fisheries Protection Ordinance prohibits the catching of parrot fish at all times. The individuals will remain in custody until they are processed by the Court this week.
Oil price slide may force new Russian budget
Tumbling oil prices could force Russia to revise its 2016 budget, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned.
He said that the country must be prepared for a "worst-case" economic scenario if the price continued to fall.
Oil was trading at less than $32 a barrel on Wednesday and has fallen by 70% in the past 15 months.
Taxes from oil and gas generates about half the Russian government's revenue.
The 2016 federal budget that was approved in October was based on an oil price of $50 a barrel in 2016 - a figure President Vladimir Putin has since described as "unrealistic".
Government departments have been ordered to cut spending by 10%, repeating a policy imposed in 2015, Reuters reported.
Pensions and pay for government workers will be protected from the cuts, which could save as much as 700bn roubles (£6.3bn; $9.1bn).
Finance minister Anton Siluanov said that the Russian budget could only be balanced at an oil price of $82 a barrel.
Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev warned that Russia faced a long period of low commodity prices with oil at $15 or $20 a barrel.
"The biggest risk is that there will be low prices for a long time - that is, for years, for decades," he said.
Mr Medvedev also said that high interests rates were holding back economic growth in Russia.
The Bank of Russia held rates at 11% last month, with governor Elvira Nabiullina warning of "high volatility" in global markets.
A year ago the central bank shocked markets by increasing rates from 10.5% to 17%.
Inflation stands at 15% in Russia, but the bank hopes it would fall to 4% by next year.
Source-BBC
PABA LEAGUE HEATS UP ON THE COURT
The PABA league returned with four games last weekend.
On Friday night, the Kings defeated the Sonics 72-69 while the Hustlers suffered yet another defeat after losing to the Predators 86-66.
In the second game, the Police arrested the Knights 72-61 and the Harbor Ballers maintained a perfect record improving to 7 wins 0 loss as they defeated their fellow south Caicos league players the Hustlers 69-63.
The high school league returned on Tuesday on the heels of a successful national tournament with the British West Indies Collegiate Spartans suffering a loss to the much improved Maranatha Blizzards in a nail biter 46-43.
In game two the Edward Gartland Youth center outplayed the Wesley Methodist Sting Rays in an exciting 30-29 game.
The Paba games will continue on Wed evening January 13th,2016, when the Stallions will try gallop over the Spartans and the Predators prey on the Steelers.
Games will begin at 7 pm and RTC Sports will have more on these and other games at a later date.
Fifa sacks secretary general
World football's governing body Fifa has dismissed secretary general Jerome Valcke.
The Frenchman, 55, was provisionally suspended from football for his alleged involvement in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets.
He was released from his duties on 17 September after being accused of a series of Fifa ethics code breaches.
Appointed in 2007, the former right-hand man of Fifa president Sepp Blatter has denied any wrongdoing.
"The duties of the secretary general will continue to be assumed by the acting secretary general, Dr Markus Kattner," read a Fifa statement.
Fifa's ethics committee said on 7 January that it had decided to open "formal adjudicatory proceedings" against Valcke after studying a report submitted by its investigatory chamber.
Valcke has also been accused of being party to a potential £6.8m ($10m) bribe paid to Jack Warner, the former head of the North and Central America football governing body Concacaf, in return for his vote and backing to South Africa's successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
Fifa's ethics committee has already recommended that Valcke should be banned from all footballing activities for nine years.
Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini were both suspended for eight years in December following a Fifa ethics investigation.
Valcke has now been sacked twice by Fifa.
He joined the organisation in 2003 as director of marketing and TV, but was dismissed in 2006 over a scandal involving its long-time sponsorship partner Mastercard.
He was found to have negotiated with Mastercard's rival Visa in violation of the former company's right of first negotiation, which cost Fifa $90m (£61.3m) in a settlement.
Source-BBC
Obama tasks Biden with 'moonshot' bid to cure cancer
The United States will launch a "moonshot" effort to cure cancer, President Barack Obama declared Tuesday, assigning his deputy Joe Biden to lead the effort.
Comparing the scale of the challenge to the successful US mission to put an astronaut on the moon, Obama said the drive would receive the same effort as clean energy research.
"For the loved ones we've all lost, for the family we can still save, let's make America the country that cures cancer once and for all," Obama said in his final State of the Union address.
Last year, Vice President Biden's son Beau -- a politician and former military officer aged only 46 -- died after suffering a stroke caused by brain cancer.
The tragedy touched many Americans, and Biden -- after shutting down speculation that he would make a run for the White House -- has since emerged as a champion of cancer research.
"It's personal for me," Biden said in a statement issued as Obama was using his address to name him the leader of the national fight.
"But it's also personal for nearly every American, and millions of people around the world. We all know someone who has had cancer, or is fighting to beat it. They're our family, friends, and co-workers."
Biden vowed to find ways to boost public and private funding for cancer research and treatment and to reorganise the effort, declaring: "This is our moonshot."
"Over the next year, I will lead a dedicated, combined effort by governments, private industry, researchers, physicians, patients, and philanthropies to target investment, coordinate across silos, and increase access to information for everyone in the cancer community," he said.
"Here's what that means: The federal government will do everything it possibly can -- through funding, targeted incentives, and increased private-sector coordination?to support research and enable progress.
"We'll encourage leading cancer centers to reach unprecedented levels of cooperation, so we can learn more about this terrible disease and how to stop it in its tracks."
Biden described cancer as a growing threat to wider populations and already the leading cause of death worldwide.
He said that more American patients would be allowed into clinical trials of new potential remedies, and more community doctors will be involved in cutting-edge research.
Work on the project was to begin immediately.
On Friday, Biden will visit the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine to talk to American experts.
The following week, he will head to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland -- an annual get-together for billionaire investors and world-class scientists seeking funding.
"That is the history of the journey of this country. If there’s one word that defines who we are as Americans, it's 'possibility'," Biden said. "And these are the moments when we show up."
Source-AFP
Dom Rep women cautioned to avoid pregnancy due to ZIKV threat
Women in the Dominican Republic have been urged to avert pregnancy due to the threat of the Zika Virus.
Altagracia GuzmanPublic Health Minister Altagracia Guzman issued the warning due to the possibility that women infected with the virus could give birth to children with neurological and microcephaly deformations.
She said part of the first three months of pregnancy is vital to the formation of the foetus and the disease in that period poses a high risk.
Guzman said she agrees with a Brazilian doctor who recommends that women avoid pregnancy as long as the virus is present.
Hundreds of cases of children born with microcephaly (small head), have been reported in Brazil, where their mothers contracted Zika during pregnancy.
“Every woman of childbearing age and (those who are) sexually active must use mosquito nets because they have the possibility of having a pregnancy if it’s not planned”, Guzman said.
Health authorities here have been on alert for the possible arrival of the Zika virus, and have introduced prevention, control and vigilance measures.
“We are actively watching out to detect cases as early as possible and the measures that we are emphasizing are about vector (mosquito) control, eliminating breeding areas, to reduce contagion levels,” said Raquel Pimentel, general director of the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Division.
She said that the National Epidemiological Vigilance System (SNE) is working at full capacity given that the Dominican Republic has close contact and receives travellers from some of the countries where cases have already been reported.
Pimentel added that the Zika virus is present in the Americas region and clarified that the risk of it moving from one place to another was not determined by the distance between countries but by migration and an increase in the number of cases, “so as long as they are increasing in other countries, this enhances the risk of it affecting the country”.
TCIG ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF WILBUR CALEY AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ROAD TRAFFIC
The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Wilbur Caley as the new Deputy Director of the Road Safety Department within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication.
Mr. Caley is a former TCIG employee having dedicated over 10 years of service from 1983-1994 to the Customs Department, rising up the ranks from a Trainee Customs Officer to the post of Sub Collector of Customs at the time of his departure in 1994. Mr. Caley then ventured into the insurance industry for the last twenty years, where he last held the position of Managing Director of British Atlantic Financial Services up to December 2014.
As the Deputy Director of the Road Safety Department Mr. Caley will along with the Director of Road Safety, share the responsibility for the administration of the Road Safety Department and the enforcement of the Road Safety Ordinance throughout the TCI. He will be directly responsible for the daily oversight of the Providenciales office and will oversee and advise on policy and strategy to ensure the effective delivery of the enforcement of the Road Safety Code.
Mr. Caley stated; "I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the TCI Civil service and to work in the Road Safety Department. My aim is to insure that the TCI motoring public and in particular the motoring public in Providenciales and North Caicos is given the service they deserve in an environment of fairness and transparency.
"There are a number of traffic related issues that we will seek to address over the short, medium and long term. No effort will be spared in our quest to build safe driving conditions and streets that will make the public proud."
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is pleased to welcome Mr. Caley back to the TCI civil service and wishes him all the best in his new role.