Ministry of Health Holds Awareness Session on Chikungunya Virus
The Ministry of Health and Human Services will facilitate two one-day workshops for health professionals on the Chikungunya virus on 11th and 12th February, 2014. The Ministry is taking a proactive approach to increase education and awareness about Chikungunya in light of the outbreak that occurred 12th December, 2013 on the island of Saint Martin and subsequently spread to neighboring Caribbean islands. The workshops are scheduled as follows:
Providenciales: Tuesday, 11 February, 2014
Venue: Occasions Conference Facility, Airport Road
Time: 9:00am – 1:15pm
Grand Turk: Wednesday, 12 February, 2014
Venue: LIFE Centre
Time: 9:00am – 1:15pm
Workshop objectives are:
1. To raise awareness and improve health care capacity for early detection, adequate management, and monitoring of suspected cases of Chikungunya.
2. To strengthen the surveillance systems for the Chikungunya Virus.
Chikungunya, similar to dengue, is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is a common mosquito in the Caribbean region including the TCI. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with Chikungunya than with dengue. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to ten days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare. There is no vaccine or treatment for Chikungunya.
These workshops are a part of a series of public health measures implemented by the Ministry of Health and Human Services to heighten awareness and increase surveillance at all health care facilities. The public is also encouraged take measures to prevent mosquito breeding in and around their homes and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
TCI Officers get Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) Training
Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies Dr. Virginia Clerveaux and Hazard Mitigation Officer Ms. Rikardia Pardo are participating in an Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) Assessor Training Course at offices of the British-Consulate General in Miami, Florida.
At the end of the course which runs from February 10th to 12th 2014, they will also participate in an Overseas Territories Disaster Managers Work Group meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, February13th, 2014.
The purpose of the training is to provide Emergency Management, Preparedness, and Homeland Security personnel with information that will assist them in assessing their jurisdiction’s system as well as other applicant programmes systems for Disaster Preparedness and Response using the Emergency Management Standard by (EMAP).
The main objectives of the course are to:
· Obtain a basic understanding of EMAP.
· Explore the need and application of standards, examine the Emergency Management Standard by EMAP.
· Gain an understanding of the accreditation process and explore the roles and responsibilities of an Accreditation Manager, Assessor and Assessor Team Lead.
On completion of the training course all participants will complete an open book paper exam. On passing the exam, participants will become eligible to serve as an Accreditation Manager if appointed to do so by their programme for the accreditation process. Participants who pass the exam will also have the option of becoming voluntary assessors for EMAP.
Harbor Boys defeated the Steelers in PABA
The PABA continued last weekend in Providenciales.
On Friday night the Harbor Boys defeated the Steelers 51-43. Jonathan Paul of HB Boys scored 23 points, 6 rebounds & 5 steals.
Steelers Wesley Cherry had 13 points on the boards and 5 Rebounds at the end of that game.
The Flyers defeated the Knights 82-61 in the second game. Chad Campbell of the Flyers had 13 points & 11 rebounds. The Knights Alvarado Hall scored 25 points; he caught 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.
In the final game on Friday night, the Stallions defeated the Spartans 85-40. Stallions Ray Harris dunked 18 points, grabbed 8 rebounds had 4 assist and 2 steals.
Spartans Dondre Taylor could have only responded with 13 points and 2 rebounds.
On Saturday night the Predators defeated the Steelers 57-42.
Elliot Johnson had 15 points & 13 rebounds for the Predators while teammate Randy Rigby scored 12 points, 5 rebounds & had 4 steals.
The Police continued their dominance on the boards when they defeated the Knights 82-52.
Saundro Germain scored 18 points, had 8 rebounds and 2 steals for the Police while Alvarado Hall scored 11 points and could only steal 7 rebounds for the Knights.
The talk of the town was the Flyers & Harbor Boys game. The Flyers fought long and hard and eventually defeated Harbour boys 59-57. Alvardo Parker scored 10 points had 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and created 2 steals for HB.
Cameron Henry scored 14 points and 6 rebounds for the Flyers at the end of the buzzer.
Games will continue this weekend at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Providenciales.
DEMA SECURES GOVERNOR’S OFFICE GRANT TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR OFFICERS
The Department for the Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) has been successful in its application to the Governor’s Office for $10,000 of funding for two projects that will help build the technical capacity of DEMA officers it was confirmed today, Wednesday, 29 January 2014.
The first of the two projects will see a DEMA officer attend a week-long Port State Control training conference in Southampton, UK. The conference is offered annually by The International Chamber of Commerce Crime Services and presents the latest developments to the major conventions, regulations and codes related to shipping and maritime affairs. Such training is essential to officers working within maritime law enforcement.
The second project will see the Governor’s Office pay for the equipment and certification necessary for ten DEMA officers to receive a full-day’s open-water training on lionfish control. Lionfish (Pterois spp.) are native to the Pacific Ocean but have recently been introduced into the Caribbean region, and have had a severe impact on the marine environment. The training, which is also being subsidised by the course providers Aqua Scene TCI and the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF), is an important step towards the development of a strategy to control lionfish numbers in TCI waters.
“These two projects will provide DEMA with additional technical capacity as it seeks to continue to safeguard TCI’s natural resources,” commented Director of DEMA, Kathleen Wood. “It has become increasingly clear that lionfish are causing real environmental problems in the region given their high rate of reproduction and aggressive consumption of marine resources. We are pleased to be able to equip our officers with the expertise necessary to address this issue. In addition, the Port State Control course will help keep us abreast of the latest advances and developments in maritime law enforcement. We are grateful to the Governor’s Office for funding the work, and for Aqua Scene TCI and TCRF for providing their time and expertise.”
Commenting on the grant of the funding, Governor Peter Beckingham said: “I am delighted that we have been able to assist DEMA by funding these two important projects as they continue their valuable work protecting and enhancing TCI’s natural environment.”
TCI TOP MODEL PRESENTS OFFICIAL LINE-UP OF EVENTS FOR 2014
The 2014 TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza (TCITM) is proud to release our line up of events for this year’s Extravaganza – The Dollhouse. Mark your calendars now, as this year’s events will be an Extravaganza of phenomenal proportions!
The TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza is the Turks & Caicos Islands preeminent event for Fashion, Beauty, Arts and Entertainment. It is an event that is designed to give those persons residing in the Turks and Caicos Islands interested in careers in the fashion, arts and creative industry an opportunity and the platform to debut, by showcasing their talent with the hope of launching an international career.
In the run up to the event, All aspiring models (and Contestants) attend workshops on: the fashion industry and modeling, interview & networking skills, personality & self esteem, fitness & healthy eating, branding, being a spokesperson & ambassador, public speaking & presentation, and life in the media from local industry experts. What is more, they undergo professional photo shoots and portfolios complied of their best photographs. TCITM’s intention is to groom talent with the view of shaping a well-rounded individual who is desirous about being apart of the creative industry.
Owing to the TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza, the event has launched the fashion careers of Top Model winners Davia Chambers (2009 who signed a modeling contract with New York’s Ikon Model Management); Ashley Smith (2010 – who modeled for the Russell Simmons's Diamond Empowerment charity events among others in Florida); Raynelis Howell, TCI Fashion Designer of the Year (2010) who has showcased at Islands of the World Fashion Week; Washanda Registre (2012 – who signed a modeling contract with the internationally acclaimed Wilhelmina Model Management) and Samentha Etienne (2013) who graces the cover of the American publication UPTOWN Weddings & Travel 2014 edition along with making history by being featured in a two-cover edition of Times of the Islands Summer 2013 issue.
The Dollhouse, the fifth installment of the 2014 TCI Top Model Contest has planned three (3) spectacular events that will see contestants, models, sponsors and patrons decked out to the nines for what is expected to be grand social affairs.
EVENT ONE:
Date: Saturday, March 22nd 2014
A DOLL’S WORLD @ REGENT SPA – THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT FOR TCI TOP MODEL 2014
The Regent Palms Resort,
Grace Bay, Providenciales
Time: 4PM
Admission: $25.00
ABOUT the event: The ‘Reflecting Pool’ at the Spa at the Regent Palms Resort will come alive with fashion, music and all things fabulous as the Contestants for the 2014 TCI Top Model Contest make their official debut to The Media, Proud Sponsors and Guests! The event will also see a parade of fashions offered at Regent Palms Resort, a surprise guest fashion designer, along with vocal performances by Donessia Gardiner and Jermell Williams.
What to expect: A Doll’s World @ Regent Spa promises to be ‘a day where Beauty is Personified’ - one, not likely to be lost on all in attendance!
EVENT TWO:
Date: Saturday, April 19th, 2014
A DOLL’S LIFE, AN AFTERNOON ON REGENT STREET
Location: Regent Street,
Grace Bay, Providenciales
Time: 4PM
Admission: OPEN to the Public (FREE!!!)
ABOUT the event: Regent Village is proud to be known as the quintessential destination for high-end shopping, fine wine and dining – where that level of sophistication cannot be found elsewhere on Provo, let alone the Turks & Caicos. With that in mind, where else would you expect TCI’s equivalent to ‘Fashion’s Night Out’ in the late afternoon, but on Regent Street – the uber sexy address on world famous Grace Bay!
What to expect: Appearances by the 2014 TCI Top Model Contestants, a fashion show featuring area retailers, the second annual Salvation Army TCI Challenge, fabulous cuisine, live entertainment, amazing music, prizes, surprises and the most magnificent afternoon party of your lives!
EVENT THREE:
Date: Friday, May 2nd 2014
THE DOLLHOUSE: 2014 TCI TOP MODEL CONTEST & FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA
The Williams Auditorium
Downtown, Providenciales
Time: 7:30pm (Doors Open)
8:00pm (Show Time)
Admission: $100 VIP
$50 Gen Admin
$10 More @ The Door
Sky Lounger (Two Boxes. Each seats 10 - 12. Call for pricing information)
ABOUT the event: The TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza is an event where beauty, fashion and drama collide to create an evening of true opulence and glamour. This hotly anticipated event is expected be more extravagant than before, with a bevy of prizes, stand out performances and guest appearances.
What to expect: The 2014 TCI Top Model Contestants compete to become the Face of the Turks & Caicos Islands, TCI Top Model 2014; fashion models parade, a Top Designer and Boutique showcase, and Top Talent perform. Come out in all your finery, as elegance is a must. Ladies pour on the glamour. Gents put on the suit. Take your seat, relax and get ready to be entertained and enthralled.
The Organising Committee of the 2014 TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza looks forward to greeting each and everyone for what is expect to be a grand time had at all of our official events!
Thailand Elections End Amid Protests
Opposition protesters in Thailand forced the closure of hundreds of polling stations across the country on Sunday in an attempt to disrupt the vote.
The main opposition Democrat Party boycotted the elections, and protesters obstructed voting by blocking the distribution of ballots and preventing voters from entering polling stations in several constituencies.
Results from the vote are not expected for weeks, with the winning party unable to form a new government until polls are held in the disrupted districts.
Despite the uncertainty of the poll, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said holding the vote was the right way to resolve the political unrest in the country.
"At least I think at this election it is very important that people come out to vote for their right to democracy. So I think it is important that people would still like to see the election because the election is the right way under the democratic process."
Protests and violence erupted three months ago, when the prime minister sought to grant amnesty to her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Bangkok's urban middle class and royalist elite are opposed to the amnesty and have responded to its proposal with calls to oust the government.
Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, remains very influential in Thailand, even though he was convicted of corruption. He lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai.
Protesters say the vote should not have been held before widespread reforms took place, while Prime Minister Yingluck insisted the election was the only legitimate way to end the political stalemate.
The election commission had called for the vote to be delayed, citing fears of violence that has killed at least 10 people since November.
The Thai army increased its presence in the capital to prevent further unrest during the elections and a state of emergency has already been declared.
The military, which has staged 18 coups in the past 81 years, has said it will not interfere in the political situation unless absolutely necessary.
300 sent home from NHC, says Kellman
Three hundred workers have been sent home from the state-owned National Housing Corporation (NHC), says Minister of Housing and Lands Denis Kellman.
Stating he was not involved in the retrenchment process, the minister said last night that the lay-offs were regrettable but in an organisation comprising 664 people within the current economic crisis, it had to be done.
“It’s regrettable that we had to lay off people . . . but every year when you report having such a large deficit and when your capital projects even sometimes cannot bring in the money that you spent or even to help cover the expenditure for overheads, one must ask ourselves, ‘Can we allow a lame foot to take us to our grave’?” he asked while addressing a St James Central branch meeting of the Democratic Labour Party at Welches Primary School.
“I am told that 300 staff members were from the NHC and the criteria would have been last in, first out, and discretion would have been used where possible,” he added.
Kellman said Government must now find ways to bring outstanding construction projects such as Sugar Point Pier, the Pierhead Marina, Andrew’s Sugar Factory, the waste-to-energy plant and Four Seasons Resort on stream quickly so that those displaced workers would be the first-call employees.
He also said to retrenched public sector workers last night: “If you were not a good worker before, you have to understand that you cannot expect the recommendation to suit.”
He said, however, that politicians must continue to help people get jobs but workers should, in turn, do their part to help the Government at this critical time.
“Now that we find ourselves in a little bind, give us a little elbow room so that we can develop something a little better for you, and instead of being temporary, that we can create some permanent work for you.”
Stating that the NHC had taken on a lot of debt and it had to try to reduce it, he promised this was not the end of the relationship with the 300 workers.
“We now have to try to see how we can find alternatives ways of re-employing them or encouraging other persons to re-employ them. Just because they have been given a paper saying to go home, that is not the end of the story,” he said.
By:RJ
Source-National News
Porsche board members face 1.8bn euros lawsuit
Porsche's chairman Wolfgang Porsche and board member Ferdinand Piech are being sued by seven hedge funds over its failed takeover bid for Volkswagen.
They are seeking 1.8bn euros ($2.4bn; £1.5bn) in compensation.
Porsche has been accused of misleading markets in the run-up to its takeover bid for VW in 2008.
Porsche initially dismissed speculation it was seeking to takeover VW, but later revealed it that owned or had positions on almost 74% of VW shares.
Some investors had bet against Volkswagen shares, expecting them to fall in the absence on any firm takeover bid from Porsche.
However, Porsche's disclosure of an increased holding triggered an unprecedented stock market squeeze on VW shares as investors rushed to buy them to cover their short positions.
Porsche, which has earlier faced similar cases, has denied any wrongdoing.
"Porsche SE and its supervisory board members will defend themselves with all available legal means," the carmaker said.
Porsche's attempt to take over Volkswagen eventually failed as it fell short of acquiring the required 75% stake.
The global financial crisis and the slump in the automotive sector made it difficult for the carmaker to raise enough money to buy the remaining stake.
Nevertheless, it accumulated large amounts of debt in the process and was sued by investors who accused it of misleading them.
In a dramatic turnaround of events, the firms agreed a deal in 2009 under which Volkswagen agreed to take over Porsche.
Volkswagen acquired a 49.9% stake in Porsche in 2009.
In 2012, the firms agreed another deal, under which Volkswagen bought the remaining 50.1% stake in Porsche for 4.46bn euros plus one VW common share.
Source-BBC
Seattle Seahawks thrash Denver Broncos
The Seattle Seahawks utterly dominated Super Bowl XLVIII, thrashing a badly misfiring Denver Broncos 43-8.
Marshawn Lynch's one-yard touchdown run and Malcolm Smith's 69-yard interception return helped Seattle into a deserved 22-0 lead at the break.
Percy Harvin returned the second-half kick-off 87 yards for another touchdown to all but end a horribly one-sided affair in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It was the first Super Bowl staged outdoors in a cold-weather state.
Pre-match fears of an 82,500-strong crowd having to endure sub-zero conditions proved groundless, with the temperature at the roofless MetLife Stadium just outside New York hovering around 7C (44F).
The week leading up to biggest annual event in the US sporting calendar was also dominated by talk of whether Denver's top-rated offence - led by veteran quarterback Peyton Manning - could be contained by Seattle's number one-ranked defence.
In Superman's New-York inspired Metropolis, when an apparently unstoppable force meets an immovable object, they surrender.
And that is exactly what Denver's attacking line-up did when they ran into a hard-hitting, rampant Seattle defence.
Despite winning the National Football League's Most Valuable Player award for an unprecedented fifth time following a record-laden regular season, and already owning one Super Bowl winner's ring from his time with the Indianapolis Colts, 37-year-old Manning has long been accused of choking when it really counts, in the play-offs.
He has now lost 12 of 23 post-season games - more than any other player in NFL history.
And Manning's third appearance on the sport's biggest stage seemed to begin with the kind of nervy performance most would have expected from his opposite number, second-year quarterback Russell Wilson.
The opening play from scrimmage ended in high farce as the snap sailed over Manning's head and into Denver's endzone. Rather than risking giving up a touchdown, running back Knowshon Moreno fell on the loose ball to concede the two points awarded for American football's equivalent of an own goal.
Seattle extended their lead to 8-0 courtesy of a pair of Steven Hauschka field goals before Manning threw the first of two costly interceptions.
Under pressure from the blitzing Seattle defence, his wild pass sailed straight into the grateful hands of Kam Chancellor, part of the Seahawks' feared secondary which has been dubbed the "Legion Of Boom".
Chancellor's team-mate Marshawn Lynch, known as "Beast Mode", then bulldozed his way into the endzone for the game's first touchdown.
Just when it looked like the Broncos were getting their act together offensively, Manning was again picked off.
Under huge pressure on 3rd & 13 on Seattle's 35-yard line, the veteran's throwing arm was hit as he released his pass. Linebacker Malcolm Smith gobbled up the wobbling ball and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown.
Even the choice of songs in the spectacular, pyrotechnic-filled half-time show was cruelly ironic for the Broncos. After Grammy Award-winner Bruno Mars performed one of his biggest hits, Runaway Baby, the Red Hot Chili Peppers followed with Give It Away.
At least Denver's head coach John Fox had an extended break in which to rally his troops and work out how his offensive line could better protect Manning and give him more time in which to find his targets through the air.
But his teamtalk was blown to smithereens immediately when Percy Harvin evaded at least three tackles to return the second-half kick-off 87 yards for a touchdown.
Jermaine Kearse further humiliated the Broncos when he received Russell Wilson's pass, spun 360 degrees to evade a pair of converging defenders, and trotted into the endzone for a 23-yard score.
The Broncos eventually got on the board with the final play of the third quarter, Manning's well-judged 14-yard pass caught in the endzone by Demaryius Thomas.
Manning found Wes Welker on the two-point conversion attempt, but it was little consolation for Denver, who have now been beaten in five of their seven Super Bowl appearances.
And Seattle rubbed salt into their wounds when Doug Baldwin caught Wilson's short pass and ducked under more woeful tackling for yet another touchdown, sealing a 43-8 victory.
Smith, who recovered a fumble in addition to his interception return for a touchdown, was named Most Valuable Player but, in truth, this was the ultimate team performance by the Seahawks.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (completed 34 of 49 passes for 280 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, as well as losing a fumble) said: "We knew they were fast. It was still a matter of us doing our jobs better and we didn't do that.
"I think we played a great football team. We needed to play really well in order to win and we didn't come anywhere close to that."
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (18 of 25 for 206 yards and two passing touchdowns) said: "We been relentless all season. Having that mentality of having a Championship day every day.
"We believed that we could get here. At the beginning of the season I told our guys, 'Hey, why not us?'
"We had the talent. We had the coaching. We have the best fans in the National Football League. We wanted to win it all."
US says it addressed significant threats in the Caribbean during 2013
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says it addressed significant threats, while “optimising resources and building partnerships” in the Caribbean last year.
In its review of fiscal year 2013, CBP said its efforts were possible through “collaborative operations and partnerships with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, which have become an integral part of CBP’s procedures within the Caribbean, in order to generate reductions in illicit activity throughout the area,” it said in a statement.
“Throughout the year, the men and women of CBP played a decisive role in ensuring our nation’s security and prosperity,” said Acting Commissioner Thomas S Winkowski.
“From border security to travel facilitation and trade enforcement, these numbers illustrate CBP’s combined efforts in 2013 to accomplish its critical mission,” he added.
CBP officers and agents in the Caribbean seized over 31,962 pounds of narcotics, with an estimated street value of about US$320 million, and seized about US$3.5 million in unreported currency in fiscal 2013, which runs from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013.
Winkowski said the CBP Office of Air and Marine (Caribbean Air and Marine Branch) played a “major role in the determent of illegal activity throughout our coasts, through the coordinated use of integrated air and marine forces to detect, interdict and prevent the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs and other contraband in the area.”
CBP Agriculture Specialists also seized more than 16,677 prohibited plant materials, meat, animal byproducts and soil and intercepted nearly 3,140 pests.
Source-CMC