TCI Top Model, Brielle Swann graces Times of the Islands magazine
Times of the Islands summer 2014 issue is set to hit newsstands today! On the cover and in an eight-page editorial spread is TCI’s newest Top Model, Brielle Swann.
Having being named the FACE of the Turks and Caicos on Friday, May 2nd by industry experts in Providenciales, the Grand Turks native took the plunge in her first of many editorial photoshoots to come. The shoot, which took place at the award-winning Point Grace Resort - was the most picturesque location with its turn-of-the-century British Colonial architecture, lush tropical foliage, fantastic vistas and lavish furnishings; made the perfect backdrop for the safari themed spread.
The 2014 TCI Top Model, donned in outfits by Courtney Robinson Couture, Rosetta Talbot, L’été Boutique, shoes courtesy of Shoe Gallery along garments sourced by the TCI Top Model organizers - provided the 5’9” Cockburn Town ethereal beauty with a fabulous array of stylish ensembles.
Published photographer Renau Destine of Double R Media, who was assisted by Galacty Vancela -photographed Brielle in and around the property, and on the Point’s white sandy beaches. On hand during the shoot was Courtney Robinson, Director of Production for the TCI Top Model Contest, who was also the shoot’s Fashion Editor.
The creative team also consisted of Kerietta Simpson, TCI Top Model Contest’s Head of Fashion and Grooming Fashion, who was the shoot’s hairstylist and makeup artist, transforming the Top Model, and Claire Parrish, Advertising Manager for Times Publishing.
This summer’s Times of the Islands magazine are on newsstands and in your favorite stores from today.
NEW SENIOR AND MIDDLE MANAGEMENT GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS
Deputy Governor Anya Williams has announced a range of new appointments within the Turks and Caicos Government, it was announced today, Tuesday, 17 June 2014.
In addition to new senior and middle management posts, TCIG has introduced a new Senior Management Understudy Training Programme. This is designed to support the development of progression and careers paths within the civil service.
Deputy Governor Williams said:
“I would like to congratulate these persons on their new appointments and would like to wish them much success as they carry out their new roles. The Management Understudy Training Programme, is a core component of our new succession plan to ensure that local people are provided with opportunities to progress within the civil service, by receiving the training and personal development to help them progress into these roles.
“As candidates for our 21st Century Manager Programme, our new colleagues will be given the opportunity for training internships, either in the UK or other Overseas Territories, just like Clyde Green, our newly appointed Rehabilitation Manager who is currently benefitting from an internship where he is reviewing the UK’s prison rehabilitation work.”
New Senior Appointments in TCIG are as follows:
· Director of Estates - Neroy Kennedy
· Water Engineer - Omowale Harvey
· Investment Services Executive (Aftercare) - Justin Misick
· Assistant Commissioner of Revenue (Legal) – Na-si-ya Misick
· Assistant Director of Planning – Tori-ono Williams
· Deputy Superintendent of Prison - Raymond Grant
· Assistant Superintendent of Prison - Meshelle Jennings Prison
· Rehabilitation Manager - Clyde Green (Mr.Green is currently in the UK on training and will take up his new post on completion.)
New Deputy/Understudy Roles:
· Deputy Director of Social Services - Tiffany Thomas-Brown
· Deputy Budget Director – Pe-shina Williams
· Assistant Accountant General - Sally Jean Astwood
· Assistant Accountant General - Ahmed Jones
Six cases of chikungunya confirmed in Cuba
Cuban health authorities confirmed six cases of the mosquito-born chikungunya disease Wednesday, the latest in a spate of Caribbean countries reporting the fever-causing illness in their backyard.
The health ministry said that most of the cases were linked to individuals who had travelled recently, likely to Haiti or the Dominican Republic.
In its statement, in state-run newspaper Granma, the ministry added that the patients were “progressing well.”
Chikungunya produces symptoms similar to dengue, including high fever, joint pain and skin rash.
The virus is carried by mosquitoes — most commonly the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are also responsible for dengue.
Since December when two cases were confirmed on the Caribbean island of St Martin, chikungunya has cropped up across the Caribbean.
As of early March there had been more than 8,000 suspected cases in the region, according to the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile health authorities in El Salvador Saturday said that the disease had appeared in the Central-American country.
Cuba’s ministry of public health gave notice it would “strengthen surveillance and control measures of travellers arriving from countries at risk of the disease, mainly in the Caribbean.”
It added that almost all of those who were infected on the island were linked to “illegal trade.”
In Cuba, the only Communist country in the Americas, individuals travelling abroad commonly import clothing, footwear and household appliances which they sell at home, and which is considered an illegal activity.
There is no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya, which has infected millions of people in Africa and Asia since the disease was first recorded in 1952.
Source-Associated Free Press
Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne announces his Cabinet
Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that his newly sworn-in Cabinet will eliminate work permit fees for CARICOM nationals.
In his inaugural address on Wednesday, which was observed as OECS Day, Mr Browne said his campaign promise would be fulfilled.
“It was suggested that we were dangling a carrot before the Caribbean brothers and sisters when we promised we would eliminate worker permit fees for CARICOM nationals. Well, there’s no need for any sort of dangling this evening”.
“Nevertheless, I announce this evening, OECS Day, that effective 26th June, 2014, no work permit fees shall be collected from CARICOM nationals who are being offered, duly advertised, and processed employment opportunities here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Mr Browne said.
He emphasized that his Labour Party administration “will deliver and I say to you tonight, promise made, promise kept”.
The CARICOM member states are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Source-DVN
FIFA denies blocking Maradona from Maracana
Diego Maradona is not a special guest of FIFA at the World Cup, though Gisele Bundchen could still be.
FIFA played down the latest broadside aimed by Maradona, one of the governing body's fiercest and most regular critics.
The Argentina great has claimed in the media that he was blocked from watching his country at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.
While FIFA dismissed reports that Bundchen could present the actual World Cup at Maracana on July 13, the Brazilian supermodel seems a candidate to bring the trophy on to the field before kickoff.
''I have seen a lot of confusion in the media around that,'' FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said Wednesday, confirming longstanding plans that FIFA President Sepp Blatter will present the trophy. He could be joined by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
Maradona played in two World Cup finals - receiving the trophy as Argentina captain in 1986 - but his privileges at this tournament seem to extend only as far as working journalist's accreditation.
He told Argentinian media that FIFA barred his access to the 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Police Demolished KB Homes in TCI Cricket
The Turks and Caicos Cricket Association 2014 Cricket Season continued on Saturday 14st June 2014 at The Downtown Ball Park Providenciales was highlighted by a Sparkling unbeaten Century from National Player Garvin Bruno followed by a Hat trick by Chabbie Charley as Police Demolished KB Home.
Batting first after winning the toss Police posted a massive 202 runs for 4 wickets from 20 overs
Garvin Bruno Top Scorer with 118 runs not out which was decorated with 16x4’s and 5x6 and Des-bourne Young added 32 runs 4x4’s 1x6.
Bowling for Kb Home Paul McKenzie took 2 wickets for 16 runs from 4 overs.
In reply, Kb Homes was dismissed for 115 runs from 16 overs Top Scorer was Mark Butler with 29 runs 4x4’s and 1x6 and Ajay Vyas contributed 22 runs 4x4’s.
Bowling for Police Chabbie Charley captured 4 wickets for 19 runs from 3 overs.
Man of the Match Garvin Bruno
Blast Kills 21 at Nigeria World Cup Viewing Center
A bomb blast at a site where Nigerian football (soccer) fans had gathered to watch the World Cup has killed at least 21 people.
Hospital sources said Wednesday that 27 others were injured in the blast, which took place late Tuesday in the northeastern town of Damaturu.
Scores of people had gathered at an outdoor viewing center to watch the match between Brazil and Mexico on large screens. So-called "viewing centers," where fans can watch the games for a small fee, are becoming a target for terrorists.
Witnesses say a bomb apparently hidden in a tricycle taxi exploded shortly after the match got under way.
There have been no claims of responsibility.
Juan Carlos signs his abdication
The reign of King Juan Carlos of Spain is in its final hours after he signed the bill formally abdicating in favour of his son, Prince Felipe.
Juan Carlos, 76, signed the bill at a ceremony in the Royal Palace in Madrid, which was attended by only 160 guests.
At midnight local time (22:00 GMT), Felipe, 46, will become king although the event will not be marked in public until Thursday morning.
The succession was endorsed by both of Spain's main political parties.
Before the signing, Juan Carlos sat with Queen Sofia and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia as the content of the law was read out.
After Juan Carlos had signed the document that will end his rule, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also signed the law. Moments later, the assembled guests applauded, the prince's two daughters joined the royal group and the national anthem was played.
Militants Attack Iraq's Main Oil Refinery
Sunni Islamist militants have attacked Iraq's main oil refinery, causing damage to the site in the latest stage of a surge that has included seizing territory across northern Iraq.
The militants clashed with security forces at the refinery Wednesday in Beiji, which is located about halfway between Baghdad and Mosul.
Militants took control of Mosul last week, and India's foreign ministry reported Wednesday that 40 Indian construction workers have been kidnapped from the city. A spokesman said India has not received a demand for ransom and does not know the location of the missing workers. He also said 46 Indian nurses are stranded in militant-controlled Tikrit.
On Wednesday also, PetroChina, the single biggest investor in Iraq's oil sector, is pulling some of its staff out of the Middle East nation, but production remains unaffected.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave a televised address vowing that his security forces would strike back against terrorism and described their earlier defeats at the hands of militants as a setback.
IMF in warning over Argentina ruling at US Supreme Court
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Argentina's legal defeat in its fight against hedge fund investors may have wider implications.
On Monday, a US Supreme Court ruling sided with bondholders demanding Argentina pay them $1.3bn (£766m).
The IMF said it was concerned about "broader systemic implications".
Meanwhile the ratings agency S&P cut Argentina's credit rating, warning the ruling made it more likely that the country would default.
"The Argentine government has limited capacity to pay the plaintiff creditors while servicing its current debt", S&P said.
S&P reduced the credit rating by two notches from "CCC+" to "CCC-".
The move theoretically makes it more expensive for Argentina to borrow money. However, the country has been unable to raise funds on the international market since its 2001-02 debt default.
Argentina's Economy Minister, Axel Kicillof, said the government was "starting to take steps" to restructure the debt under Argentine law - as a way of avoiding complying with the US order.