Usher Announces Official Title for Eighth Album, Flawed
Usher has finally decided on a name for his long-awaited, eighth album.
In a video with artist, Daniel Arsham, the singer announced that his project will be titled Flawed, adding that he's collaborating with Arsham for something that he describes as "amazing, incredible , [and] awesome." The set, which was previously rumored to be named after the singer's initials, is "coming," Arsham assures, though he doesn't say when.
The project will serve follow-up to 2012’s Looking 4 Myself, which spawned Usher's massive hit, “Climax.”
Perhaps Usher is cooking up more club bangers like his buzz track, "I Don't Mind," featuring Juicy J, which became his 13th number-one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart last year.
Lady Gaga, Sam Smith and The Weeknd Get Oscar Nods for Best Original Song
Lady Gaga and Sam Smith could find themselves halfway to an EGOT on February 28th. Both artists, already Grammy winners, have been nominated for Oscars for Best Original Song. Meanwhile, The Weeknd, who is nominated for multiple Grammys, has also received a nomination in that category.
Gaga's nod is for "Til It Happens to You," the song she co-wrote with Diane Warren for the documentary The Hunting Ground. Sam's is for "Writing's on the Wall," his theme from SPECTRE, which just won a Golden Globe. The Weeknd got a nod for "Earned It," from Fifty Shades of Grey. Surprisingly, "See You Again," from Furious 7, did not get nominated, despite topping the charts for 12 weeks and receiving a Golden Globe nod.
The Hunting Ground is about rape on college campuses. Gaga herself has spoken about being raped when she was 19, while Warren has said she was a victim of sexual abuse as a child. In a statement posted on Twitter, Gaga wrote, "This nomination lends a voice to victims and survivors all over the world. Thank you to THE ACADEMY for recognizing the movement of people who have come together around THE HUNTING GROUND and “Til It Happens To You” in the name of sexual assault. Diane Warren and I are simply honored to represent the voices of so many survivors.”
Warren released a statement saying, "I am so excited about this nomination for my song ‘Til It Happens To You.’ It means a lot to Lady Gaga and me that the song has been recognized by the Academy and has also resonated so deeply with survivors of sexual assault, giving a voice to this movement as well as comfort and empowerment to those who have experienced any difficult situation in their lives.” This is Warren's eighth Oscar nomination.
Sam Smith posted a photo of himself on Instagram doing a double face palm, with the caption, "This is my Oscar Nomination face. Unreal. Freaking out. Thank you Academy - Thank You Thank You Thank You." He also released a statement in which he said, 'I am sitting in a coffee shop with my mum and just found out I have an Oscar Nomination. Feeling very overwhelmed and just can't believe it. Better pick out a gown. Thank you to The Academy for this incredible honor and recognition."
The other nominations in the category are "Manta Ray," from the documentary Racing Extinction, and "Simple Song #3," from the movie Youth.
Other music-related nominations include the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, nominated for Best Original Screenplay, and Amy and What Happened, Miss Simone?, two documentaries about, respectively, the late Amy Winehouse and the late Nina Simone, which are up for Best Documentary Feature.
The Oscars will be handed out on ABC February 28. Chris Rock is the host.
Zika virus confirmed in Haiti
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has confirmed the first case of the Zika Virus in Haiti.
On Thursday, PAHO’s Communicable Disease and Health Analysis director Marcos Espinal who made the announcement also warned that there are many people who will contract zika without knowing it.
He also said there is no need for alarm.
“The zika virus isn’t a cause to go crazy. The diagnosis is for monitoring. The main thing here is to control the vectors (mosquitoes). The virus shouldn’t cause alarm among the population.”
He said the main thing in this situation is to focus on prevention and education, trash collection and control the vectors in the water.
Espinal told a conference in the neighbouring Dominican Republic that the disease can be confusing and recommends treating the disease like dengue, “because that one kills.”
Last month, health officials here set up an early warning system for detection in time of potential suspected cases of the virus.
The local transmission of Zika virus has been found in 14 Western Hemisphere countries and territories, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
Since the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transports the virus is found throughout the region, except in continental Chile and Canada, PAHO said it is likely that outbreaks will occur in other countries that have not yet reported any cases.
Source-CMC
TURKS AND CAICOS GOVERNMENT SIGNS $28M LOAN TO REFINANCE
The Turks and Caicos (TCI) Government yesterday, Wednesday, 13 January 2016, signed a new $28m loan agreement with the Royal Bank of Canada. The balance of the $170m UK guaranteed bond will be repaid from the sinking fund and other TCI Government cash resources. The $170m bond is due to be repaid on 22 February 2016.
RBC Royal Bank provided the most competitive proposal following the Government's Request for Financing Proposals in September 2015. The terms of the new loan are very attractive with interest at just 1.2% over Libor. It will be repaid in quarterly installments with the final payment being due in 2019, although the Government may also repay the loan early without penalty. It was not necessary to request a loan guarantee from the UK.
"The TCI economy has seen a major turnaround over the past three years and, with its BBB+ credit rating, 4.3% GDP growth and consecutive budget surpluses, this will allow the Government to retire its $170M UK guaranteed debt. This is a major accomplishment for this Government and all involved, and now we can invest in the socioeconomic development of our people and country to a greater magnitude and pace. This is indeed a proud moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands", said Premier Dr Rufus Ewing.
"This is the final piece of the jigsaw in the refinancing of our UK guaranteed debt taken out in 2011. The competitive terms achieved are a testament to the progress we've made. We are grateful to RBC Royal Bank for their commitment to TCI at this important stage in our recovery and we look forward to working with the Bank as we build on this platform", said Minister of Finance, Washington Misick.
"RBC is extremely proud to partner with The Turks and Caicos Islands Government with respect to this historic transaction and we look forward to exploring future opportunities," said Brian Knowles, Vice President Corporate Banking, RBC Royal Bank.
Governor Peter Beckingham also welcomed the agreement with RBC Royal Bank saying: "The signature of this agreement is a milestone for TCI. Repayment of the $170m bond will mark the end of the loan guarantee provided by the UK Government when TCI's finances were in poor shape, and another step on the country's move to a strong and resilient economy. I would like to pay tribute to everyone in Government, the House of Assembly, the public service and the private sector who have contributed to this achievement, as well a range of special advisers and the Chief Financial Officer from the UK. As the London Times are planning to bill in a special report on TCI next month, it is a major economic turnaround of which the whole country should be proud".
NEWS ITEM ON SUBTROPICAL STORM ALEX
NEWS ITEM ON SUBTROPICAL STORM ALEX ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION, AT 6AM THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY 2016.
... ALEX CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN...
... EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE AZORES TONIGHT AND FRIDAY...
AT 5AM EDT, THE CENTER OF ALEX WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 30.1°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 29.3° WEST OR ABOUT 560 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES.
ALEX IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST AT 18 MPH. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED BY THIS AFTERNOON. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF ALEX WILL MOVE THROUGH THE CENTRAL AZORES LATE TONIGHT OR EARLY FRIDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 70 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN STRENGTH ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ALEX IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE AZORES WITH STORM-FORCE WINDS THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.
THE NEXT NEWS ITEM WILL BE ISSUED AT NOON
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT THURSDAY
GENERAL SITUATION: A STATIONARY FRONT ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS WILL LIFT NORTH AS A WARM FRONT TONIGHT INTO EARLY FRIDAY CREATING UNSETTLED WEATHER OVER THE AREA WHILE A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO APPROACHES FROM THE WEST INCREASING THE WINDS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION DUE THE HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AND DANGEROUS MODERATE TO LARGE NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELLS.
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH WIDELY SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY ALONG THE FRONTAL ZONE THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS TONIGHT. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS. SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS TODAY BECOMING EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS TONIGHT IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS TODAY BECOMING EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS TONIGHT IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET TODAY BUILDING 4 TO 6 FEET TONIGHT IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY AND EASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE OCEAN.
TURKS AND CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND WARM WITH THE CHANCE OF FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS. MAINLY FAIR AND BREEZY TONIGHT
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS LATE OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET BUILDING 4 TO 6 FEET LATE BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 77°F 25°C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 63°F 17°C
SUNRISE: 6:57AM
SUNSET: 5:41PM
MOONRISE: 10:16AM
MOONSET: 10:35PM
HIGH TIDE: 10:47AM 1:22PM
LOW TIDE: 5:13PM 5:33AM FRI
EXTENDED FORECAST: A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BRIEFLY BUILD IN THE WAKE OF THE LOW AND A TRAILING COLD FRONT LATE SATURDAY WHILE ANOTHER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL DRAG A COLD FRONT INTO THE VICINITY OF THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY.
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 7 TO 10 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS.
WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 3 FEET OR LESS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS BUT UP TO 12 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELLS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: SUBTROPICAL STORM ALEX CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN AND IS EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE AZORES TONIGHT AND FRIDAY.
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.