Ministry of Education Partners with UNICEF to Develop TCI Education Strategy
The Ministry of Education has partnered with UNICEF to review of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Five Year Education Development Plan and to develop an Implementation Plan.
UNICEF is providing technical support in the person of Mr. Geoffrey Thompson who is in Turks and Caicos since Sunday.
The development of the Five-year Education Plan is in line with the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Government prioritization of the Education sector and the need to develop a clear five-year strategy/implementation plan aimed at the review and development of the sector.
The Five Year Education Plan, in conjunction with the recent report on the National Consultation on Education, is aimed at improving the output from the sector over a specific period. The report and the plan will be used to develop a strategic plan complete with budget as well a logical and a performance assessment framework that will provide the Minister and the Ministry with a pathway towards the continuous development of the sector.
Mr. Thompson is scheduled to work with a locally convened committee to develop a realistic strategic plan for the Education Sector for the period 2014 - 2017.
The Strategic Plan is being designed to articulate deliberate clear strategies for the development of key agreed areas and reflect the recommendations and concerns reflected in the report on the National Consultation on Education and the Education Development Plan.
Geographical Information System Workshop - 28-29 October, 2013
In a continuous effort to upgrade the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands Geographical Information System (GIS), the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies will be hosting a two days Geographical Information System s (GIS) Workshop in Providenciales on 28th - 29th October, 2013 at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies Conference Room, Customs Complex, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
The purpose of this Workshop is to enhance the capacity of individuals associated with Disaster Management, and those with responsibility for Risk Reduction to develop and use GIS Applications in support of their roles and functions in each island. The workshop is also expected to enable them to provide critical and accurate data information if the need arises. Participants are being drawn from the several departments of government as well as the private sector.
The facilitators include Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana as well as other GIS Technical Experts.
The team is being sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Information System Workshop - 28-29 October, 2013
In a continuous effort to upgrade the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands Geographical Information System (GIS), the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies will be hosting a two days Geographical Information System s (GIS) Workshop in Providenciales on 28th - 29th October, 2013 at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies Conference Room, Customs Complex, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
The purpose of this Workshop is to enhance the capacity of individuals associated with Disaster Management, and those with responsibility for Risk Reduction to develop and use GIS Applications in support of their roles and functions in each island. The workshop is also expected to enable them to provide critical and accurate data information if the need arises. Participants are being drawn from the several departments of government as well as the private sector.
The facilitators include Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana as well as other GIS Technical Experts.
The team is being sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
SENIOR HAITIAN DELEGATION WELCOMED TO WATERLOO
His Excellency, Governor Peter Beckingham, received the high-ranking delegation of Haitian Officials that is visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands 22-28 October, at his official residence in Waterloo this morning, 24 Oct 2013.
Their discussion covered a variety of topics, including the prevention of illegal migration and building commercial links between the two countries.
The Haitian party included: Jacques Myrthil, Prime Minister’s Advisor; Jean Bertrand, General Director of National Archives; Fortune Dorlean, General Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jean Aly, General Director of the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety; Jean-Baptiste Saint-Cyr, General Director of the National Office of Identification; Marc Nelson, General Director of Ministry of Haitians living abroad.
Director for UK’s Overseas Territories will visit next week
Six international kite boarders will attempt the first ever non-stop 6,000km Atlantic Ocean Crossing departing from the Canary Islands in late November 2013
In late 2013, between November 20 and November 25, the six kite boarders will soar from the port of Fuert-eventura in the Canary Islands embarking on the first-ever, non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean bound for their official arrival destination, Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.
Following a South Atlantic route, their arrival here two to three weeks later (estimated between December 7 and December 15) coincides with the grand opening of this region’s premiere adventure destination, Blue Haven Resort and Marina. The new property is the ‘official arrival destination’ hotel for the Atlantic Kite Challenge.
Here the kitesurfers will be welcomed and feted with a three day celebration that will include beach volleyball competitions, cultural exhibitions and fairs, the music of local bands, delicious cuisine and the enthusiasm of regional kiteboarding groups, resort guests and locals.
“Our Beautiful by Nature islands have long been an incredible destination for kitesurfing and other adventure sports,” said Turks and Caicos’ Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing. “We have such incredibly clear waters around us and our Tourism industry has grown to accommodate discerning travelers of all walks of life with some of the leading hotels in the Caribbean on our shores. We are thrilled to be the final destination of the Atlantic Kite Challenge. We look forward to greeting the team here soon and celebrating this milestone for the sport.”
Crime & Incident Reports October 24, 2013 and Friday October 25, 2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of incidents reported between Thursday October 24, 2013 and Friday October 25, 2013 within the districts of Providenciales and North Caicos, including:
Discharging firearm/Possession of firearm/ Wounding with intent : A male while walking in the Glass Shack area on Thursday October 24th 2013 at approximately 9:15PM was pounced upon by a male brandishing a firearm. The said male with the firearm then discharged five rounds at the man who was walking. The male who was walking sustained a gun shot wound to his right leg. He was admitted to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where he was treated for a non life threatening injury and released. Investigations continue into this matter.
(2) Burglary: Preliminary investigations revealed that a grey television, a gold watch, a gold chain, a gold ring with Jesus face on it and a sum of cash were stolen.
(1) Attempted Burglary: Preliminary investigations revealed that nothing was stolen. The burglary was alerted to the presence of the home owner and fled the scene.
(1) Theft: Preliminary investigations revealed that a grey 15HP Yamaha out board engine was stolen. Investigations continue into this matter.
(1) Malicious Damage to Property: Preliminary investigations revealed that a vehicle front wind shield was damaged during the commission of this crime.
If you have any information about any criminal activity, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc
Fatal Boating Incident takes the life of a male
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force is continuing their investigations into the apparent drowning of a man off North Caicos.
A male contacted operators at the 911 Call Centre at approximately 12:01PM and informed the operator that a boat had capsized and that a man had drowned.
According to preliminary investigations, the victim and two another men were out fishing when the boat they were on capsized in the waters off Rock Cut shore, North Caicos.
The incident according to the report occurred some time after 10AM but the men were unable to call for help until some time after 12 noon. Maritime police officers were immediately dispatched to the area of the incident.
Special Constable Audley Astwood, press liaison officer, told our news desk last night that the men left on a fishing trip during the early morning hours on a boat on Thursday (October 24th,2013).
While out at sea, the boat capsized and the men started swimming for safety after failing to turn the boat back over. One of the men some time later was no longer able to swim, and the other two men carried him to shore. Once on shore, two of the males observed that the male that they were carrying, was no longer breathing and one of the males departed on foot to seek assistance.
Another man sometime later in another boat observed the two men on Rock Cut Shore and called 911 at approximately 12:51PM. At that time, another 911 operator was speaking to speaking to one of the men involved in the incident.
The victim was pronounced dead by a doctor in North Caicos before being transported to the morgue in Providenciales.
RTC NEWS spoke to the brother of the deceseased who confirmed that it is fact his brother Conrad Higgs.
Just yesterday, the Nations Report received a sympathy note from Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson:
We live in an age when death comes at a moment’s notice. But, no matter how often we are faced with loss, it never gets easier. Today, our country was rocked by the tragic news of the untimely death of Mr. Conrad Higgs. As a former teacher, a C.E.O. of TC Invest, and later an entrepreneur, Mr. Higgs was a pillar of the community.
He will always be remembered by his past students for his avant garde approach to teaching. His infectious chuckle and wry sense of humor were his trade mark as well. Conrad's countless stories will linger long within our memories.
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Our hearts are heavy with his untimely demise. We grieve with his family and pray God's guidance as they struggle with their loss.
GTBA Starts this weekend
The long awaited Grand Turk Basketball league returns to the Palm Grove basketball court this weekend with new pieces, mixed pieces and a few old ones joining the league.
The pre-season action starts this weekend starting at 8pm with the Salt Cay SALTINS taking on the DREAM TEAM followed by the defending champions the GOOD STREET STINGERS Vs the COOL CORNERS.
Vice President of the GTBA Corvin Ariza told us that a presentation of rings will be presented to the defending champions the Good street Stingers.
The VP told our Sports desk that they are watching the weather even although they would like to start tonight.
Looking at the roster, Ariza says that this will be an exciting season with the new teams entering the league.
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Clapper: Reports US tapped French phones 'false'
A senior US intelligence official has stated that reports the US collected data on French citizens' telephone calls are "false".
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper challenged recent reports in Le Monde newspaper detailing US surveillance programmes in France.
The newspaper reported US spies had hacked foreign networks, introducing spyware into millions of computers.
The report was based on leaks from an ex-US intelligence contractor.
"Recent articles published in the French newspaper Le Monde contain inaccurate and misleading information regarding US foreign intelligence activities," Mr Clapper said in a statement released on Tuesday.
"The allegation that the National Security Agency collected more than 70 million 'recordings of French citizens' telephone data' is false."
Mr Clapper said he would not discuss details of surveillance activities, but he did acknowledge "the United States gathers intelligence of the type gathered by all nations".
And he did not specifically contest allegations the National Security Agency (NSA) had spied on French diplomats in Washington and at the UN.
The statement from the US spy chief came after Le Monde reported details of Genie, an alleged NSA surveillance programme in which spyware implants were introduced remotely to overseas computers, including foreign embassies.
The details in the article are based on internal NSA memos from ex-NSA technical contractor Edward Snowden, through Glen Greenwald, the outgoing Guardian journalist who is feeding the material from Brazil, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.
It comes on the day US Secretary of State John Kerry was in London meeting foreign counterparts to discuss Syria.
The report claims bugs were introduced to the French Embassy in Washington (under a code name "Wabash") and to the computers of the French delegation at the UN, codenamed "Blackfoot".
The article suggests that in 2011, the US allocated $652m (£402m) in funding for the programme, which was spent on "spy implants". Tens of millions of computers were reported to have been hacked that year.
A document dated August 2010 suggests intelligence stolen from foreign embassy computers ensured the US knew ahead of time the positions of other Security Council members, before a UN vote for a resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran.
The US was worried the French were drifting to the Brazilian side - who were opposed to implementing sanctions - when in truth they were always aligned to the US position, says our correspondent Christian Fraser.
The intelligence agency quotes Susan Rice, then-US ambassador to the UN, who praises the work done by the NSA: "It helped me know... the truth, and reveal other [countries'] positions on sanctions, allowing us to keep one step ahead in the negotiations."
On Monday, Le Monde alleged that the NSA spied on 70.3 million phone calls in France between 10 December 2012 and 8 January 2013.
At a breakfast meeting with the US secretary of state on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius demanded a full explanation.
Referring to a telephone call between the French and US presidents, Mr Fabius told reporters: "I said again to John Kerry what Francois Hollande told Barack Obama, that this kind of spying conducted on a large scale by the Americans on its allies is something that is unacceptable."
Asked if France was considering reprisals against the US, government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem replied: "It is up to Foreign Minister Fabius to decide what line we take but I don't think there is any need for an escalation.
--BBC
Australia Firefighters Battle Hot, Windy Conditions
Authorities warned residents in Australia's most populous state to flee their homes as firefighters battle dozens of wildfires in what are expected to be dangerously hot and windy conditions Wednesday.
Since late last week, the fires burning across the mountainous bushlands in New South Wales have destroyed more than 200 homes and damaged dozens of others. So far, one person has been killed.
Conditions are set to worsen Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius as winds gust up to 100 kilometers per hour.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said that although the conditions could be "as bad as it gets," so far the fires have not worsened.
"For every hour that we get through today without any outbreak, without any serious run of fire, that's an indication we've got every prospect of keeping fires that little bit further away from people, from homes and communities that might find themselves in the path of developing large fires," said Fitzsimmons.
Officials say 59 fires are burning in the state, 19 of which are out of control. In some cases, fire crews are merging the blazes in an attempt to make them more manageable and steer them away from more populated areas.
Many area schools and nursing homes have been closed and residents have been told to evacuate their homes before conditions get worse. Local media reports say that some residents have decided to leave.
The blazes, which have a massive perimeter of 1,600 kilometers, have been extraordinarily intense and early in an annual fire season that peaks during the southern hemisphere's summer, which begins in December.