The 2015 Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Programme has been launched
The Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Programme has been launched, one that would see young entrepreneurs contribute to the development of the tourism product here in the TCI through a series of summer camps, organized by the Hospitality Adventure Committee, with support from the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association – TCHTA and the Chamber of Commerce.
At the launching of the pogramme on Wednesday 29th April, Executive Officer of the TCHTA, Ms. Stacey Cox, noted various aspects of the summer camps, including some new additions.
Intro:- “The programme has….{mp3}Stacey_Cox_new_additions{/mp3}
Outro:- ….experience next year.” 0:37
John Lawson from Caribbean Crusin’ in Provo, shared more on the Captain Water Camp experience.
Intro:- “The Captain Water….{mp3}John_Lawson_water_camp_experience{/mp3}
Outro:- ….become captains themselves.” 0:39
Through these summer camps, youth from throughout the islands have been able to secure various job placements within the workforce here in the TCI. One of the programmes that has gotten quite a bit of feedback, is the Lit’l Chefs and the Junior Lit’l Chef programmes for 15-17 year olds and 12-14 year olds respectively.
Cristian Rebolledo spoke about the importance of the Lit’l Chefs programme, which could see youngsters taking their skills to the international arena.
Intro:- “Everything is coming….{mp3}Christian_Rebolledo_little_chefs{/mp3}
Outro:- ….very good results.” 0:45
The Blue Haven Resort is a major part of the event. Ingo Reckhorn is the representative for sales and marketing at the Blue Haven Resort and Beach House and the Alexandra Resort and is very excited to be a part of such an important initiative for a number of reasons.
Intro:- “It’s such an….{mp3}Ingo_Reckhorn_important_initiative{/mp3}
Outro:- ….part of that.” 0:56
Very important for the Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Planning Committee, is the raising of funds for these summer camps and Mr. Reckhorn shared some of the main fund raising activities.
Intro:- “We’re starting the….{mp3}Ingo_Reckhorn_fund_raising_activities{/mp3}
Outro:- ….if they’re sold out.” 1:27
Ingo Reckhorn, is the representative for sales and marketing at the Blue Haven Resort, speaking at Wednesday’s press conference to launch the Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure summer camps.
This further reaffirms their mandate and commitment to the youth to provide programs and activities that lead to holistic development and empowerment of youths towards their full self- actualization and continuous participation in national development of the tourism product.
With support from the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association and the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce they will be hosting five summer camps:
July 18th – 25th Lit’l Chefs Camp 15yrs – 17yrs - This 8 day residential camp is a great way to expose your child to new foods, new recipes and new cooking techniques.
July 6th – 10th Junior Lit’l Chef Camp 12yrs – 14yrs - Culinary Day Camp is the opportunity for younger minds to come have fun with food, eat healthy and expand you culinary palate.
July 13th – 17th Spa Camp 15yrs – 18yrs - This day camp will introduce you to the world of Spa and give you an insider look at the best spas on island.
July 27st – 31th Junior Mechanics Camp 15yrs – 19yrs - A introduction to the exciting world of auto-mechanics with theory and hands on experience in the workforce.
July 6th - 10th Captain Water Camp Experience 15yrs - 19yrs - You will receive a "Nautical Passport," your guide to tracking your educational progress to becoming a Captain. Exposure to the Water Sport Industry.
The Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Committee is seeking your support in this venture through a sponsorship of at least one local student to attend this training initiative as there are a number of students who are interested but cannot afford it.
We will ensure that all marketing of this of this program will feature your kind support. Thank you for your interest in and contribution to youth development in the islands.
Please let them know if you would like to contribute toward sending a youth to attend one of these camps. I have attached a sponsorship letter for your review and the poster and registration which outlines the costs of each camp.
Their Taste of Tapas fundraising evening will be hosted on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Fire & Ice. $50.00 per tickets included complementary drink and tapas.
Please visit our website for further information and register form at www.tcihospitalittyadventure.com or call 649-941-5787.
Ben E King: R&B legend dies at 76
R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76.
King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing on hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.
After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961.
It returned to the charts in the 1980s, including a three-week spell at number one in the UK, following its use in the film of the same name and a TV advert.
The song has charted nine times on the US Billboard 100 over the years - King's version twice and seven times with covers by artists like John Lennon and Spyder Turner.
It was also sampled for Sean Kingston's 2007 number one single Beautiful Girls.
In 1999, the BMI announced that the song, written by King with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, was the fourth most-played track of the 20th Century on US radio and TV.
Earlier this year, the US Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry, declaring that "it was King's incandescent vocal that made it a classic".
King's other hits included Spanish Harlem, Amor, Don't Play That Song (You Lied) and Supernatural Thing - Part I.
The singer died on Thursday, his publicist Phil Brown told BBC News.
Fellow musician Gary US Bonds wrote on Facebook that King was "one of the sweetest, gentlest and gifted souls that I have had the privilege of knowing and calling my friend for more than 50 years".
He wrote: "I can tell you that Ben E will be missed more than words can say. Our sincere condolences go out to Betty and the entire family.
"Thank you Ben E for your friendship and the wonderful legacy you leave behind."
Born Benjamin Earl Nelson, he initially joined a doo-wop group called The Five Crowns, who became The Drifters after that group's manager fired the band's previous members.
He co-wrote and sang on the band's single There Goes My Baby, which reached number two in the US in 1959.
But the group members were paid just $100 per week by their manager and, after a request for a pay rise was turned down, the singer decided to go it alone. In the process, he adopted the surname King.
His first solo hit, in 1961, was Spanish Harlem, which was followed by Stand By Me.
Stand By Me, Spanish Harlem and There Goes My Baby were all named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and were all given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Source-BBC
Vaccination Week in the Americas 2015
The Primary Health Care Department, Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services joins the region in celebrating Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2015.
VWA began on May 30th, 2003 as an initiative taken by regional health authorities and heads of government to embark on an effort dedicating one week annually to heighten the focus on vaccination of vulnerable populations. The activities conducted during this week aids in strengthening a country’s national immunization programme. Vaccination week not only provide vulnerable groups with the opportunity to be vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs), but it also provides the opportunity to educate the public on the importance of vaccines.
Since its inception in 2003, more than 519 million persons regionally have been vaccinated. The Turks and Caicos Islands has been a part of this initiative since its inception in 2003 thus contributing to this figure. The theme for this year’s VWA is “Boost your power! Get vaccinated!” The theme focuses on the ability of the vaccine to boost the power of the immune system, offer protection against more than 20 different VPDs.
Vaccination week is being celebrated April 25th to May 2nd 2015. The TCI is focusing this year on all children age 6 months to 6 years. The department will be conducting a number of activities through-out the week in various communities across the TCI:
April 24th ………….. Vaccination activities in North Caicos
April 27th ………….. Health Matters Talk Show (pre-recorded) “The importance of vaccination”
Home visits in the Kew Town community (Provo)
April 28th ………….. Vaccination activities, Ona Glinton Primary (Grand Turk)
Home visits in the Five Cays community (Provo)
April 29th ………..... Home visits in the Bight community
Vaccination activities in E. L. Simons Primary (Grand Turk)
May 1st …………… Vaccination activities in the Blue Hills community
May 4th …….............. Vaccination activities in Calvary Christian School and home visits (South Caicos)
Do your part in keeping the TCI VPD free by boosting our power and getting vaccinated!
WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY & HEALTH OF WORKERS WEEK
During the week of April 26th to May 2nd, the Department of Employment Services within the Ministry of Border Control will join the rest of the world in observing World Day for Safety and Health at work and “Workers’ Day” May 1st, 2015 under the theme “BUILDING A CULTURE OF PREVENTION ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.”
A national occupational safety and Health culture is one which the right to safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where governments, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the highest priority is accorded to the principal of prevention.
In highlighting the importance of building and maintaining a culture of prevention on occupational safety and health (OSH), Minster of Border Control and Employment Hon. Ricardo Donhue Gardiner, noted “The commitment of employers, employees and interest groups alike must make use of all available means to increase general awareness, knowledge of hazard and risks, and understanding of their prevention and control. In this regard, stakeholder participation is essential to fostering lasting improvements in safety and health at work. Enabling the exchange of experience and good practice on OSH contributes to this purpose.
“Decent Work must be Safe Work. This is why, the ILO and its constituents must be leaders in promoting safety and health at work, consolidating what has been achieved, as well as sharing the principles of good practice on OSH in all sectors and workplaces. Together we must create the partnerships that are needed to bring about the changes we seek in building a culture of prevention on OSH.”
Commissioner of Labour, Michelle Fulford Gardiner stated: “This year we have scheduled a week of activities to commemorate this significant occasion in the world of work. We encourage each and every one of you to join in with us in this celebration. We all have our part to play in making a difference.”
The Commissioner further stated, “If the Turks & Caicos Islands intends to be at centre stage with the rest of the world, then, due care should be taken towards maintaining a healthy and sustainable workforce.”
Columbus Business Solutions, part of Cable & Wireless Communications, recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for its Disaster Recovery as a Service solution
Columbus Business Solutions, part of Cable & Wireless Communications, today announced it has been positioned in the renowned Gartner Magic Quadrant for its Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solution.1 Gartner Magic Quadrants are based on rigorous analysis backed up by a highly structured methodology. The evaluation was based on Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute.
Gartner Magic Quadrants are an essential, reliable source of information for CIOs and other C-level executives, when assessing technology and service providers for critical business decisions. Differentiation based on differing company size, level of complexity and strategies can make it challenging to compare vendor offerings. Gartner's Magic Quadrants solve these challenges by offering snapshots of markets and their participants. These documents enable companies to map vendor strengths against their current and future needs. The Magic Quadrant includes categories for leaders, challengers, visionaries and niche players.
"For years, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity solutions were seen as a major drain on most companies and we are focusing our efforts to change this perception and reality. It is a great honor for us to receive this recognition from Gartner that we believe confirms our ability to provide companies with superior disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, especially now that we have merged with Cable & Wireless to become the ICT leading provider in the Caribbean and Latin America. Anchored on Columbus’ modern fiber optic infrastructure and Cable & Wireless’ 140 years of industry experience and mobile leadership, we can protect our customers’ networks and secure their valuable data offering them top of the line support and customer experience” said John Maduri, President of Cable & Wireless Business Solutions.
With an impeccable track record and a growing list of highly satisfied users in the Caribbean and LATAM markets, Columbus Business Solutions’ Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solution is one of the most comprehensive managed solutions on the market. Thanks to the ability to failover and failback in mere minutes, companies never risk their data, applications, or business. This solution also scales to the organization and works on any timeline and features an easy-to-use, secure online portal that allows companies to manage and track real-time activity and system’s health, ensuring them that their most important information is secure.
Minister and Permanent Secretaries for the Ministry of Education attends UWI Annual Business meeting
On invitation from the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, the Deputy Premier with responsibility for Education, Hon. Akierra Missick, and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Cheryl Ann Jones, left the islands for Jamaica, On Thursday, 23rd April to attend the one day Annual Business Meeting of the University Council meeting today, Friday, 24th April.
The Turks and Caicos Islands was accepted last year as a Contributing Country to the University of the West Indies. Achieving this contributing status allows the Turks and Caicos to benefit from lower economic costs associated with school fees and also a voting member at UWI Annual Business Meeting.
The Deputy Premier and Permanent Secretary attended the farewell function in honor of Professor E. Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor who has retired after being at the head of the University for the past 10 years.
Following the Business Meeting today, the Deputy Premier and The Permanent Secretary will use the opportunity to meet and mingle with approximately twenty (20) Turks and Caicos Islands Scholarship Students who are studying at the University of the West Indies and other Universities in Jamaica.
UWI expert says big quake due, urges T&T to get ready
People in Trinidad and Tobago are not prepared for a catastrophic earthquake like the 7.9 magnitude one which has devastated parts of Nepal.
This is according to University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) seismologist Dr Joan Latchman who told the Express yesterday that there was need for people to start preparing.
Latchman said that citizens do not have the necessary emergency items packed and ready to move out in an event of a major earthquake. She said that the building codes for individual dwellings are also not up to date.
A Building Code Committee was established in 2012 by Cabinet to set guidelines and rules to assist people when an earthquake occurs “to make ourselves knowledgeable on how we can protect ourselves”.
As of yesterday the latest figures of the disaster in Nepal were an estimated 4,000 dead and 7,000 injured. Several aftershocks were reported.
There are severe shortages of food, water, electricity and there is a growing concern for the outbreak of diseases.
According to Latchman, the Caribbean is well primed for delivering one of its larger magnitude earthquakes.
She said, “Great earthquakes occur every 18 or so months and here in the Eastern Caribbean we tend to see our earthquakes of that size (greater than 6.1 magnitude) every one hundred or so years.”
Latchman said that Trinidad had limited data on earthquakes since the last major one occurred in 1766. She said scientists have been working for decades to establish a time frame in predicting earthquakes but with the complexity and limited data available this is proving difficult to establish.
Latchman said that everyone in the country should focus on preparing themselves for the likelihood of an earthquake.
Information on preparation, gathering the necessary safety items and equipment and what to do during an earthquake is available on the SRC website.
Acting Director General Augustus Forde, of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, said, “The Red Cross will be collecting funds as part of its relief efforts to be able to provide relief to those Trinbagonians in Nepal”.
Source-Trinidad Express
Pacquiao '100% confident' of beating Floyd Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao was greeted by thousands of fans in Las Vegas as he arrived before Saturday's super-fight against Floyd Mayweather.
Pacquiao, 36, will meet US legend Mayweather, 38, for the WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles at the MGM Grand Arena.
It will be the richest fight in history, with the two protagonists set to split in the region of £150m.
"Don't get nervous," Pacquiao said. "I'm excited and 100% confident."
Mayweather is favourite to successfully extend his unbeaten professional record.
But Filipino Pacquiao is not bothered about what the odds say.
"Any time I am underdog, I like that," he said.
"It means my killer instinct and focus is fully there. Other people are getting nervous for me but I am excited.
"This is the moment I believe he will experience his first loss."
Owing to promotional differences - Pacquiao is handled by the veteran Bob Arum, Mayweather by himself - Pacquiao snubbed the scheduled 'grand arrival' at the MGM Grand in favour of his own alternative.
A bizarre spectacle was staged at the Mandalay Bay Hotel for the benefit of Pacquiao's loyal supporters, many of whom have flown in from the Philippines especially for the fight.
The hour-long show cut between hip-hop and traditional Philippine singing and dancing, before Pacquiao took to the stage.
Afterwards, six-weight world champion Pacquiao seemed relaxed as he took photographs of his surroundings while being interviewed by the massed ranks of the world's media.
His trainer, Freddie Roach, revealed that Pacquiao had helped devise a strategy for a fight for the first time since they started working together 14 years ago.
"We have a very good game plan to win this fight," Roach told BBC Sport. "If a knockout comes, we'll be thrilled.
"At welterweight, Manny's really not that big a puncher. But his speed will overwhelm Floyd, that's what we're counting on.
"It will be very difficult for Floyd to win this fight just by running and at some point he will have to exchange.
"We've been working on throwing flurries of punches - because Floyd doesn't throw on the counter until you're done - before getting out of the pocket real quick.
"I've never seen Manny better than this, he's risen to the occasion. He knows the whole world is going to be watching and he knows he has to win this fight."
Meanwhile, Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez, who has fought Pacquiao four times and was beaten by Mayweather in 2009, picked the latter to prevail.
"Pacquiao needs to pressurise Mayweather and land punches with speed, power and accuracy," said Marquez, who had lost twice against Pacquiao and drawn once before knocking him out in shocking fashion in 2012.
"But Mayweather uses distance very well, is hard to hit and lands with counter-punches. Mayweather wins because he's got such a difficult style."
Source-BBC
British Actresses are among the nominees for Tony Awards
British stars Carey Mulligan, Ruth Wilson and Dame Helen Mirren are all up for best actress at the Tony Awards, the biggest honours in US theatre.
They go up against home-grown stars Geneva Carr and Elisabeth Moss, in a year where British talent is particularly well-recognised.
Three of the four best director nominees are British, while Bill Nighy and Ben Miles are in the running for best actor.
The awards will be presented on 7 June.
Musicals An American in Paris and Fun Home are the front-runners, each landing 12 nominations on Tuesday, showing two sides of the Broadway experience.
An American in Paris is a sunny, heavily-choreographed adaptation of the 1951 film; while Fun Home is a moody show based on Alison Bechdel's graphic novel about her suicidal father.
The nominations also ranged from 11-year-old Sydney Lucas in Fun Home to the 82-year-old Chita Rivera, looking for her third Tony.
British talent accounts for 24 nominations in total, with two West End transfers - Wolf Hall and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, up for best play.
Dame Helen is recognised for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Audience, which imagines the private weekly meetings between the monarch and eight of her prime ministers.
She already has an Olivier Award for the London production, and an Oscar for portraying the Queen on the big screen.
"I've studied the shape of her mouth," said Dame Helen. "I know her face probably better than anyone else does. But it's only my portrait," she said. "I can only surmise and imagine."
Ruth Wilson is shortlisted for her role in Constellations, the tale of a relationship playing out across alternate universes.
Her co-star Jake Gyllenhall missed out on a nomination, however, joining other notable omissions such as Larry David's Fish in the Dark; and Finding Neverland, the JM Barrie musical produced by Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein, with music by Gary Barlow.
Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy are both nominated for Skylight, a revival of David Hare's 1995 drama, in which they play mis-matched lovers, as is co-star Matthew Beard.
Director Stephen Daldry - best known for his work on the films Billy Elliot and The Hours - is also up for best director for the play.
Daldry, who also directed The Audience, said: "It is a fantastic day for British theatre on Broadway. I am personally thrilled for The Audience and Skylight, and delighted too for Wolf Hall and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"
The latter, which began life at the National Theatre, was nominated for best play, with British director Marianne Elliott also receiving a nod.
"It feels amazing," she told the BBC. "We had no idea when we first started how the hell this play was going to go down. We were taking big risks, we felt. We had no idea whether there'd be an audience for it. So to see it go to Broadway is quite amazing."
Curious Incident has six nominations in all, Skylight seven, while the RSC's double bill of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies has eight, including a best actor listing for Ben Miles, who plays Thomas Cromwell, and best director for Jeremy Herrin.
Other notable nominees included Bradley Cooper, up for best actor for his portrayal of Joseph Merrick in The Elephant Man; and Sting, who was shortlisted for best original score, despite his musical The Last Ship closing early.
Cooper, who will perform the play in the West End next month, said: "To be a part of a community that gathers together in a 13 block radius, eight shows a week, no matter what, in the greatest city in the world - for one sole purpose, to tell stories - I can't think of a better job to have. Thank you for letting The Elephant Man be a part of this season's story telling."
Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth - nominated herself for best lead actress in a musical - will host this year's ceremony.
Full list of nominees
Best musical
An American in Paris
Fun Home
Something Rotten!
The Visit
Best play
Disgraced
Hand to God
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Wolf Hall
Best musical revival
The King and I
On the Town
On the Twentieth Century
Best play revival
The Elephant Man
Skylight
This Is Our Youth
You Can't Take It With You
Best actor in a musical
Michael Cerveris - Fun Home
Robert Fairchild - An American in Paris
Brian d'arcy James - Something Rotten!
Ken Watanabe - The King and I
Tony Yazbeck - On The Town
Best actor in a play
Steven Boyer - Hand To God
Bradley Cooper - The Elephant Man
Ben Miles - Wolf Hall
Bill Nighy - Skylight
Alex Sharp - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best actress in a musical
Kristen Chenoweth - On The 20th Century
Leanne Michelle Cope - An American in Paris
Chita Rivera - The Visit
Kelli O'Hara - The King and I
Beth Malone - Fun Home
Best actress in a play
Geneva Carr - Hand to God
Helen Mirren - The Audience
Elisabeth Moss - The Heidi Chronicles
Carey Mulligan - Skylight
Ruth Wilson - Constellations
Featured actor in a musical
Christian Borle - Something Rotten!
Andy Karl - On The 20th Century
Brad Oscar - Something Rotten!
Brandon Uranowitz - An American in Paris
Max von Essen - An American in Paris
Featured actress in a musical
Victoria Clark - Gigi
Judy Kuhn - Fun Home
Sydney Lucas - Fun Home
Ruthie Ann Miles - The King and I
Emily Skeggs - Fun Home
Featured actor in a play
Matthew Beard - Skylight
K Todd Freeman - Airline Highway
Richard McCabe - The Audience
Alessandro Nivola - The Elephant Man
Nathaniel Parker - Wolf Hall
Micah Stock - It's Only A Play
Featured actress in a play
Annaleigh Ashford - You Can't Take It With You
Patricia Clarkson - The Elephant Man
Lydia Leonard - Wolf Hall
Sarah Stiles - Hand to God
Julie White - Airline Highway
Direction of a musical
Sam Gold - Fun Home
Casey Nicholaw - Something Rotten!
John Rando - On The Town
Bartlett Sher - The King and I
Christopher Wheeldon - An American in Paris
Direction of a play
Stephen Daldry - Skylight
Marianne Elliott - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Jeremy Herrin - Wolf Hall
Moritz von Stuelpnagel - Hand to God
Best original score
Fun Home - Music: Jeanine Tesori. Lyrics: Lisa Kron
The Last Ship - Music and lyrics: Sting
Something Rotten! - Music and lyrics: Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
The Visit - Music: John Kander. Lyrics: Fred Ebb
Best scenic design of a play
Bunny Christie and Finn Ross - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Bob Crowley - Skylight
Christopher Oram - Wolf Hall
David Rockwell - You Can't Take It with You
Best scenic design of a musical
Bob Crowley and 59 Productions - An American in Paris
David Rockwell - On the Twentieth Century
Michael Yeargan - The King and I
David Zinn - Fun Home
Best costume design of a play
Bob Crowley - The Audience
Jane Greenwood - You Can't Take It with You
Christopher Oram - Wolf Hall
David Zinn - Airline Highway
Best costume design of a musical
Gregg Barnes - Something Rotten!
Bob Crowley - An American in Paris
William Ivey Long - On the Twentieth Century
Catherine Zuber - The King and I
Best lighting design of a play
Paule Constable - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Paule Constable and David Plater - Wolf Hall
Natasha Katz - Skylight
Japhy Weideman - Airline Highway
Best lighting design of a musical
Donald Holder - The King and I
Natasha Katz - An American in Paris
Ben Stanton - Fun Home
Japhy Weideman - The Visit
Best choreography
Joshua Bergasse - On the Town
Christopher Gattelli - The King and I
Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Casey Nicholaw - Something Rotten!
Christopher Wheeldon - An American in Paris
Best orchestrations
Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliott - An American in Paris
John Clancy - Fun Home
Larry Hochman - Something Rotten!
Rob Mathes - The Last Ship
Special Tony Award
John Cameron Mitchell
Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award
Stephen Schwartz
Official mourning declared for victims in Nepal
Nepal has declared three days of mourning for the victims of Saturday's earthquake in which more than 5,000 people are now known to have died.
Prime Minister Sushil Koirala says the government is doing all it can but is overwhelmed by the scale of the catastrophe.
Rescuers are still struggling to bring aid to remote Himalayan areas.
Heavy rain is worsening the plight of hundreds of thousands of people camped out in the open.
The UN estimates that eight million people in 39 districts have been affected by the 7.8-magnitude quake - more than a quarter of the population.
More than 10,000 people have been injured.
Among the dead are 18 climbers who were at Mount Everest base camp when it was hit by an avalanche triggered by the quake.
In a televised address, Mr Koirala said: "In memory of the Nepali and foreign brothers and sisters and elders and children who have lost their lives in this devastating earthquake, we have decided to observe three days of national mourning from today."
Earlier, he said a lack of equipment and expert personnel meant the "appeals for rescues coming in from everywhere" in many cases could not be met.
Landslips and aftershocks in remote mountainous areas around the epicentre of the quake are hampering rescue and relief teams.
A government spokesman told the BBC that helicopters had been dropping tents, dry food and medicine to remote villages but they were yet to reach many isolated communities.
When helicopters have managed to land, they are often mobbed by villagers pleading for food and water, or to be evacuated.
Military aircraft from several countries including the US, China and Israel have joined the rescue effort.
A British RAF plane carrying aid supplies and troops is also on its way to Nepal.
Source-BBC