RTC Director – Page 627 – Radio Turks & Caicos

Keyshia Cole Arrested on Suspicion of Battery

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Keyshia Cole has been arrested on suspicion of battery after an alleged altercation early Friday morning in Los Angeles.

A spokeswoman for the LAPD confirms that Cole was arrested around 5 a.m. after someone initiated a private person’s arrest. The 32-year-old was booked on suspicion of battery and released from custody Friday afternoon.

Police did not release any further details about the incident.

TMZ, meanwhile, reports that Cole allegedly assaulted a woman she encountered at the condominium of a man she is reportedly dating.

An email message sent to Cole’s publicist was not immediately returned.

Cole’s second album, 2007’s Just Like You, produced the songs “Let It Go,” ”I Remember” and “Heaven Sent.”

by RTC Director

Alma mater rejects Nicki's offer to speak to young girls

Nicki - whose highly sexual video for Anaconda has been criticised in some sections of the media - wanted to do it because of the positive experience she had herself at the educational facility, but she was told she wasn't welcome.

Revealing the snub in a series of Twitter posts, she wrote: "That school changed my life and I wanted to pay it forward to the students there now. I was really looking forward to it ... I guess I'm not good enough ... I wanted to go back to my HS and speak to the students but the new principal declined. No need for me to inspire them, I guess. Smh (sic)"

Her follower @JorianTM tweeted her the message: "@NICKIMINAJ wooow that's so unfair. Did he give any reason why? (sic)". To which Nicki, 31, replied: "It's a WOMAN. And not really (sic)".

Many of the pop star's fans posted messages of support following her revelation.

User @RayYoWTF posted: "Does she not know how much Nicki impacts this generation?"

While @ACminaj95 credited Nicki with motivating him to go to university, tweeting: "Because of Nicki's drive, I applied to two universities. Like I never thought I'd be at that point in my life. (sic)"

Following her posts, the New York City Department of Education has made the decision to investigate Nicki's claim.

by RTC Director

World basketball body eases headgear ban

Basketball's governing body has relaxed rules banning players wearing headgear after criticism it discriminated on religious grounds.

FIBA says it launched a two-year trial before possibly deciding on permanent rule changes after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Existing rules prohibit "headgear, hair accessories and jewellery," and allow only a five-centimetre headband to control hair and sweat.

Muslim and Sikh players said this was discrimination and were supported by the United States Olympic Committee and India's government.

FIBA says it will send member federations details on how to apply for exceptions in domestic matches.

Players in FIBA 3x3 events can ask approval for headgear that does not threaten their own or opponents' safety.

FIBA says it will review next year whether to allow "tests at the lowest official international level."

by RTC Director

No US combat mission against IS in Iraq

President Barack Obama has told an audience of US troops their comrades fighting Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq will not have a combat mission.

Mr Obama said he would not commit "to fighting another ground war in Iraq".

But he said the US had the "unique abilities" to respond to IS, including air support for Iraqi and Kurdish fighters on the ground.

The US has already undertaken 162 air strikes against IS in Iraq since mid-August.

But Mr Obama's new strategy allows similar attacks in Syria, and calls on a coalition of 40 countries to confront the militant group.

The president's reassurance to soldiers at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, came a day after a top US general suggested he would recommend US ground troops in the fight against IS if the international campaign of air strikes failed.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Martin Dempsey confirmed that under the current plan, US military advisers would help the Iraqi army to plan attacks against IS, also known as Isil and Isis.

The jihadist group controls large areas of Syria and northern Iraq. It has between 20,000 and 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria, according to CIA estimates.

by RTC Director

Cuba to send doctors to Ebola areas

Cuba is sending 165 health workers to help tackle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, officials say.

Doctors, nurses and infection control specialists will travel to Sierra Leone in October and stay for six months.

The announcement comes as the World Health Organization says new cases in West Africa are increasing faster than the capacity to manage them.

More than 2,400 people have died from the virus in recent months and some 4,700 people have been infected.

The death toll remains highest in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

World Health Organization (WHO) officials say the number of people affected is likely to be much greater than current estimates suggest.

In Liberia WHO experts say there is not a single bed left to treat patients with Ebola.

But the world football association, Fifa, says it is joining forces with the United Nations to turn the country’s national stadium into a large-scale Ebola treatment unit.

Dr Margaret Chan, director of the WHO, said: “If we are going to go to war with Ebola we need the resources to fight.

“I am extremely grateful for the generosity of the Cuban government and these health professionals for doing their part to help us contain the worst Ebola outbreak ever known.”

‘Health diplomacy’

She added: “Cuba is world-famous for its ability to train outstanding doctors and nurses and for its generosity in helping fellow countries on the route to progress.”

Through a global medical programme, doctors have been deployed to a range of countries, from Algeria to South Africa.

And many consider this medical help to be a central part of Cuba’s international relations.

One of Cuba’s most extensive efforts is an eye surgery programme in Venezuela where thousands of cataract operations have been performed.

Hundreds of Cuban medical workers were sent to Haiti during the earthquake in 2010.

The country also trains thousands of overseas medical students, many of whom return to their home nations to work.

Source- BBC News

by RTC Director

PREMIER INTERVENES AT CARIBBEAN AVIATION DAY AT CTO STOIC 2014 IN USVI

A century after the first scheduled commercial flight in St. Petersburg, Florida back in 1914, Commercial Aviation remains a main area of focus, especially in the tourism dependent states of the Caribbean.

Day two of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (STOIC) was Caribbean Aviation Day, and the discussions, led by Mr. Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President of International Air Transport Association (IATA), touched on many hot issues, including safety of aircraft, cost of operations, cost of fuel and the impact of Government imposed taxes. Mr. Cerda said that despite the success of commercial airlift to the Caribbean, there is demand for increased capacity but that the factors listed above made it expensive for airline operation and that Governments need to commit to improving infrastructure, removing the barriers to inter-regional connectivity and to reviewing excessive taxation levies to ensure the sustainability of airline operations in the future.

The Premier made several interventions during this meeting, especially on the subject of "Aviation being the engine of economic growth and social development across the Caribbean." Premier Ewing gave his view on the challenges of regional Governments in relation to air transport taxes to support airport developments, and that even though Governments support and believe that reduction in air transport taxes will increase passenger arrivals and hence job creation and revenue, such taxes are ring fenced for repayment of loans for airport developments. These real issues, the Premier said, present challenges to Governments who in principle supports air transport tax reduction to remain competitive.

Mr. Cerda also spoke to the topic of One Stop Security (OSS), which proposes that the regional states operate as one Caribbean Territory and would allow passengers to be screened to a global standard at the originating airport and connect without being re-screened, to which the Premier made further intervention. Premier Ewing, in addressing the matter said that there are indeed benefits to OSS, as the removal of restrictions for intra-regional travel would facilitate passenger transit throughout the region and enhance the travel experience in the region while also reducing the cost of inter-regional travel so that the Caribbean can complete globally, but said that there are also very real concerns that must not be taken for granted. The Premier raised the matter of the cost of technological infrastructure and training for the maintenance of border control and security. These advancements, the Premier said, while enhancing security controls and creating better passenger travel experiences are cost-prohibitive, especially for the Governments facing the economic challenges of small island developing states.

The second Caribbean Aviation Day (first being held in Barbados in 2007) ended with stakeholders’ commitment to improving collaboration between airports, airlines and Governments, and to exploring ways that the industry can assist Governments in reducing dependency on air transport taxes, which would ultimately increase the competitiveness of the region and increase revenues for airports and Governments, alike.

by RTC Director

GOVERNOR WELCOMES TURKS AND CAICOS CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW

The cross party review of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Constitution was welcomed by His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham today, Wednesday, 17 August 2014.

His remarks came the day after the first public ’town hall’ meeting on the Islands’ capital Grand Turk was convened by the Constitutional Review Committee chaired by Daniel Malcolm.

“I am very pleased that Islanders have this opportunity to have their say about the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011,” said Beckingham.

“I would encourage everyone to attend the public meetings on this very important subject to ensure that they have the opportunity to make their input, and I look forward to receiving the report in due course.”

The Committee welcomes private meetings with Churches, Civic Groups and other associations. Appointments can be made with the Commission by contacting Tracey Parker, on +1 649 338-3759, or +1 649 232-1472 or emailing tiparker@gov.tc.

The Committee invites and welcomes written submissions before its deadline of Tuesday, 30 November 2014. Submissions can be emailed to: tcicrc2014@gov.tc, tcicrc2014@gmail.com, or hardcopies dropped off at the House of Assembly, Grand Turk, the Office of the Premier, Hon. Hilly Ewing Building, Providenciales or the District Commissioners’ Offices throughout the Islands. The Committee is required to complete all consultation and to produce a final report by Saturday, 15 November 2014.

The committee members are chairman Daniel Malcolm, secretary Tracey Parker, Don Hue Gardiner, Akierra Missick, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Sean Astwood, Carlos Simons and Ashwood Forbes.

by RTC Director

Ministry of Health Educates TCI on Caribbean Wellness Day

Ministry of Health is promoting Caribbean Wellness Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). This day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in September throughout the Caribbean Region.

It is geared at increasing awareness and promoting activities to address the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continues to severely impact the health, economy and development of the region.

The theme “The Heart of a Healthy Workplace is a Productive Workforce” helps to recognize the threat posed by NCDs, CARICOM Heads of Government outline key strategies to prevent, control and reduce NCDs through the life course.

This includes the need to increase physical activity in the entire population, especially in the workplace.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services joins CARICOM in their efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle and eradicate NCDs. The Ministry recognizes that all individuals have a responsibility when it comes to healthy living and want to encourage individuals to make a least one lifestyle change. These changes can include but are not limited to:

Walking, running or swimming for 30 minutes a day
Reducing your salt intake
Eating five servings of fruit and vegetables
Not smoking
Reducing your alcohol consumption

An invitation is extended to all of Government, Private Sector and Faith Based Organizations to join us by being a part of our Corporate Competitions which will be held on October 4, 2014 in Grand Turk at the Parade Grounds and October 18, 2014 in Providenciales at the National Stadium starting at 10.00 am. Activities will include Hula Hoop Competition, three leg race, sack race, needle and thread and tug-a-war, just to name a few.

Research has shown that there is evidence that a healthy lifestyle can prevent diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, strokes and up to half of all cancers. Add life to your life by making lifestyle changes.

by RTC Director

TCI Greening the Economy Project - Helping people and nature thrive

The Turks and Caicos Islands are both a living and working landscape and a place of unique beauty and rich wildlife. However without care, the very beauty and nature that supports life in the TCI, draws tourists and attracts business, is at risk. The TCI Greening the Economy Project aims to ensure that people, business, and nature, thrive over the long term.

We want to hear the views of the TCI community to help organisations and government develop their thinking about how best to integrate the environment into strategic decisions.

This is your opportunity to highlight what matters to you and what you think are the priorities for looking after the TCI environment. You can have your say by:

Taking part in our short survey which you can find online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JHNQ5BG.

The survey will be open until midnight on Sunday 12th October.

Dropping in to meet us at the times and locations below.

The drop in events will give you the best opportunity to respond in-depth and see what others have said. You can come for as long or as little as you want, by yourself or with others, and at a time that works for you. Everyone is welcome.

Provo

Date:	8th October
Time:	12:30 – 18:30
Venue:	National Environmental Centre, Lower Bight Road, Providenciales

Grand Turk

Date:	10th October
Time:	12:30 – 18:30
Venue:	Dillon Hall, Saint Mary’s Anglican Church

We look forward to hearing your views!

by RTC Director

Youth Department kicks off Youth Week 2014 by promoting leadership

The Department of Youth Affairs confirms arrangements for the Turks and Caicos Island’s (TCI) annual Youth Week 2014 commencing on the 21– 27 September 2014.

This year’s theme, “Serving Youth, Inspiring Bravery,” is the essence of promoting youth leadership and development in the TCI.

Director, Department of Youth Affairs Ms. Jasmine Parker said; “Festivities will encompass much of our youth’s time with structured programs such as panel discussions, guest speakers, career guidance, group sports, and more.”

Approximately 100 students will take place in a Youth Conference on 22 September 2014 themed ‘Bringing out Youth Talent and leadership”

We’re also excited to be collaborating with Miss Teen Universe this year, as we are encouraged to further promote our youth.”

Youth Week Schedule: Sunday, 21^st September – Saturday, 27^th September

GRAND TURK

Date: Sunday 21st September

Event: Church Service

Description: Opening of youth day Church service

Venue & Time: New Testament Church 3:30pm

Participants: All Schools, Uniforms Groups and community invited

Date: Wednesday, 24^th September

Event #1: Paint the Classroom Day

Description: Bring paints to school paint (Paint your Classroom day)

Venue & Time: H. J. Robinson High School, Grand Turk 2:00pm

Event #2: Scavenger/Treasure hunt (All Island)

Description: Youth on island hunt learning History, island Culture and past events

Venue & Time: Emancipation Square Clock Tower 4:00pm

Participants: All Schools and community invited

Date: Thursday, 25^th September

Event: Speak out Speak Off primary, Community College

Description: Discussion on youth day theme Serving Youth Inspiring Bravery.

Venue & Time: Community College Auditorium, the Ridge Grand Turk @ 10: 30am

Participants: Community College Students

Date: Friday, 26^th September

Event: National Youth Day Holiday and Celebrations

Description: Youth day, Pray for the Nation by youth on Radio Turks and Caicos, Youth Got talent, all community and country representation, past and present students, Horse race. Music by Band Boys V6

Venue & Time: Library Tennis Court Yard 4:00pm

Participants: All Schools and community invited

Date: Saturday, 27^th September

Event: Youth Funfest@ Governors Beach Music by Band Boys V6

Venue & Time: Governors Beach 3pm

Participants: All Schools and community invited

SOUTH CAICOS

Date: Monday, 22^nd September

Event: General Devotion

Venue & Time: 9am New Testament Church of God