Barbados firemen join the rest of the world in observing International Fire Fighter's Day
Members of the Barbados Fire Service are joining the international fire and rescue community in observance of International Fire Fighter's Day with a number of planned events.
The events began yesterday Sunday April 28th, with a church service at the Orange Hill Church of God, Orange Hill, St. James.
On Thursday, May 2, firemen will host a hazardous material simulation exercise in Queen’s Park, The City beginning at noon. They will then host a picnic and fun day at Brandon’s Beach, Brandon’s, St. Michael on Saturday, May 4.
International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is a time where the world’s community recognize and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.
International Firefighters’ Day is observed each year on 4th May. On this date firefighters who have died while serving their community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety are remembered.
The work and dedication of these men who everyday risk their lives in providing this valuable service can and should not go unnoticed.
Extra medics in Guantanamo Bay for hunger strike
The US has reinforced medical staff at Guantanamo Bay to try to handle a spreading hunger strike by prisoners at the detention facility.
About 40 nurses and other specialists arrived at the weekend, camp spokesman Lt Col Samuel House said.
He said that 100 of 166 detainees were now on hunger strike, with 21 of them being force-fed through a tube.
The inmates are protesting against their indefinite detention. Most are being held without charge.
The hunger strike started at the US facility in Cuba in February and has grown rapidly in recent weeks.
Although such actions are frequent at Guantanamo, the current protest is one of the longest and most widespread.
Guantanamo officials deny claims that the strike began after copies of the Koran were mishandled during searches of prisoners' cells.
Violence erupted at the prison on 13 April as the authorities moved inmates out of communal cellblocks where they had covered surveillance cameras and windows.
Some prisoners used "improvised weapons" and were met with "less-than-lethal rounds", camp officials said, but no serious injuries were reported.
Nearly 100 of the detainees have reportedly been cleared for release but remain at the facility because of restrictions imposed by Congress and also concerns of possible mistreatment if they are sent back to their home countries.
The military detention centre opened in 2002 to hold suspects captured in counter-terrorism operations after the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US.
Mexico probe of bistro 'closed by official's daughter'
Mexican authorities are investigating allegations that the daughter of a government official used her influence to close a restaurant.
Andrea Benitez is said to have prompted a raid after not having been offered a table on Friday night.
Both the federal attorney-general for consumer protection, Humberto Benitez Trevino, and his daughter have since apologised for the episode.
It caused outrage in Mexico and became a trending topic on social media.
Mr Benitez called his daughter's behaviour inappropriate and said he "immediately suspended the operation", as soon as he heard of it.
"She exaggerated the situation and authorities of the Profeco (the initials in Spanish of Mr Benitez' office), who depend on me, overreacted because she is my daughter," he said in an official statement.
On Monday, legislators demanded sanctions against Mr Benitez.
"The Congress' presidential commission should take up the matter and apply the Federal Bill for Public Servants, in which direct sanctions are suggested," said Lizbeth Eugenia Rosas Montero, from the leftist Democratic Revolution Party (PRD).
On Twitter, Mexicans used the hashtag #LadyProfeco to poke fun at Ms Benitez and posted humorous remarks and photos about the episode.
"I always wondered why certain restaurants in #MexicoCity were "clausurado" [suspended] and others weren't. #LadyProfeco makes it abundantly clear," tweeted one user.
Many also demanded charges of traffic of influence against Ms Benitez.
The restaurant Maximo Bistro, in Mexico City, opened normally on Sunday, but Profeco officials suspended two licences.
Correspondents say Mexico has become more sensitive to abuses of power by the wealthy and well-connected.
Last year, the head of a powerful union was heavily criticised after posting photos of a Europe trip in which she appeared in five-star hotels, private jets and yachts.
The daughter of President Enrique Pena Nieto was also lambasted in 2011, after she retweeted an aggressive comment directed at critics of her father.
'Problems' as Maracana stadium reopens in Rio
Rio's world-famous Maracana stadium has reopened after nearly three years of renovations to prepare it for the World Cup finals in 2014.
Workers who helped with the renovation and their families were treated to an exhibition match between teams of stars past and present.
But leading newspapers reported problems with the new facility.
The reopening follows controversy over delays, costs and the future privatisation of the site.
The renovation was completed four months behind schedule.
Days before the test event, seats were still being installed and pavements laid near the venue.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes were among the 30,000-strong crowd watching the friendly between teams captained by Ronaldo and Bebeto.
But the Jornal do Brasil said Saturday's visitors "needed patience to deal with the many problems" at the venue, arising from the rush to complete it.
It highlighted uneven flooring with small gaps and holes, flooding in the VIP area and a dysfunctional lift, and said some staff had tried to prevent journalists taking pictures of the affected areas.
Workers were still finishing building a stadium wall, and ticket offices, turnstiles and gates were not working, said another paper, the Folha de Sao Paulo.
Cocaine found on Caribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Friday confirmed that a quantity of cocaine had been found on one of its planes that was due to depart for the United States.
It said that the drugs were found in the cargo section and placed among chilli peppers on flight 480 bound for Florida.
CAL communications manager Clint Williams told reporters “I can confirm some drugs were found” adding that they were discovered during the routine check of the airline.
Media reports said that while the name and address of the person to whom the package had not been disclosed, but that a man was being sought by the authorities.
The quantity of cocaine and the street value have not been disclosed.
Crown Land Unit publishes names of applicants for residential scheme
The Crown Land Unit in the Attorney General’s Chambers today (Monday 29th April), published the names of 88 applicants for Crown Land within the Residential Scheme No. PLS001, North West & North Central in Providenciales. The publication of the names of applicants is a requirement of Schedule 2, Part A of the Crown Land Ordinance 2012.
Under the ordinance, the applications are placed on file and made available for viewing to the public, and their written comments received. Applications for PLS001, North West and North Central Providenciales represent the reopening of Crown Land allocations after a three and a half year suspension following the assumption of British Rule in 2009.
Residential Scheme No. PLS001 consists of 104 parcels of sizes between 0.22 and 0.38 of an acre. It is located in the fast-developing area adjacent and to the immediate West of the Millennium Heights Housing Development. Prices range from between $13,050 and $18,000 with a 25 per cent TCI Belonger Discount applied.
The Unit has advised that interested parties may view the applications at the Crown Land Unit, Providenciales between today Monday April 29, 2013 and Tuesday May 7, between the hours of 2:00pm – 4:30 pm.
Written comments regarding any of the application must be received by May 10, 2013 for it to be considered and should be sent to the Director of Crown Land, Crown Land Unit, Government Compound, Grand Turk or via e-mail to tcilandinfo@gov.tcor by Fax to (649) 946 1145.
2 persons Charged in separate incidents for Carrying Ammunition
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have laid a charge of carrying ammunition against a Cathy Sulledge-Davis of the United States in an incident which took place on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Providenciales International Airport.
Mrs. Davis appeared before the Chief Magistrate on April 26, 2013 where in accordance with the strict guidelines set out in the Firearms Amended Ordinance, she was remanded into custody pending a sufficiency hearing to be held in the Supreme Court on Friday June 07, 2013.
She was however granted leave to apply for bail in the Supreme Court, at which time she was released on four thousand dollars cash bail.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, pressed charges against Mr. Horace Avery Norrell Jr. in an incident which took place on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Providenciales International Airport.
He too appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate Court on Friday April 26, 2013 where he was arraigned. And in accordance with the strict guidelines set out in the Firearms Amended Ordinance, he was remanded into custody pending a sufficiency hearing to be held in the Supreme Court on Friday June 07, 2013.
However today, Monday, Mr. Norrell, was granted leave to apply for bail in the Supreme Court, where he was released on four thousand dollars cash bail.
Both Cathy Sulledge-Davisand Horace Avery Norrell Jr. were said to be heading out on international flights.
Again, Police say the incidents were un-related.
Police continue to appeal to persons in the community who either suspect or know of anyone in possession of an illegal or imitation firearm; or ammunition, DO NOT approach or try to apprehend them. Call the Police on 911
If you have any information about the location of any illegal firearm or ammunition, 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.tcor on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
Pine Cay Project Announces Sciences Grant to H. J. Robinson High School, Grand Turk
The oldest and the only government high school on Grand Turk, the H. J. Robinson High School, with a student body of 415 students from forms 1-5, is the recipient of $11,171 (eleven thousand, one hundred and seventy-one dollars), thanks to the Pine Cay Project.
The Pine Cay Project in announcing the sizeable donation, said the grant would allow the purchase of advanced equipment for the school’s science laboratory.
The new equipment will permit the delivery of science instruction, which includes interactive learning experiences, using state-of-the-art scientific technology.
Examples of the types of new equipment to be acquired include oxygen gas sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, photosynthesis tanks, barometers, radiation sensors, and measures for temperature, pH, gas pressure, and voltage. To make maximum instructional use of the new equipment, the school expects to deliver specialized training to current science teachers.
In announcing the grant this morning (Monday), one of the members of the project, Dr. Carlton Mills, said the high school’s application to Pine Cay Project stated that the new equipment would improve students’ knowledge and understanding of basic and advanced science through tactile, hands-on learning activities.
And while this is the first time that H. J. Robinson High has asked the Pine Cay Project for any kind of help, it has always been Pine Cay Project’s desire to extend its philanthropic arm to any of the schools on Grand Turk, especially with their focus on English and Maths.
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Also commenting on the new learning opportunities, was the Chair of the Pine Cay Project, Elizabeth Pickman. “With these new instructional tools, the students of H. J. Robinson High School will be able to convert their learning of scientific concepts and skills to deeper scientific understanding. These opportunities will permit the emergence of capable, committed young scientists,” Pickman said.
Residents of Pine Cay formed Pine Cay Project in 1989 for the purpose of improving student learning across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over the past 10 years, Pine Cay Project has awarded approximately $600,000 in grants to TCI schools, the TCI Community College, the Turks and Caicos National Museum, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (for its summer environmental science program), and other organizations.
Pine Cay Project has recently made a series of grants to TCI schools to create or improve their science labs.
Members of the Pine Cay Project board include George Bunting (Baltimore), Marie Landel (Boston and Paris), Elizabeth Pickman (Washington, DC), David Rochat (Chelsea, Vermont), Terry Smith (Buffalo, New York) Beverly Plachta (Pine Cay), and Dr. Carlton Mills and E. Jay Saunders (Provo).
Crown Land Unit publishes names of applicants for residential scheme
The Crown Land Unit in the Attorney General’s Chambers today (Monday 29th April), published the names of 88 applicants for Crown Land within the Residential Scheme No. PLS001, North West & North Central in Providenciales. The publication of the names of applicants is a requirement of Schedule 2, Part A of the Crown Land Ordinance 2012.
Under the ordinance, the applications are placed on file and made available for viewing to the public, and their written comments received. Applications for PLS001, North West and North Central Providenciales represent the reopening of Crown Land allocations after a three and a half year suspension following the assumption of British Rule in 2009.
Residential Scheme No. PLS001 consists of 104 parcels of sizes between 0.22 and 0.38 of an acre. It is located in the fast-developing area adjacent and to the immediate West of the Millennium Heights Housing Development. Prices range from between $13,050 and $18,000 with a 25 per cent TCI Belonger Discount applied.
The Unit has advised that interested parties may view the applications at the Crown Land Unit, Providenciales between today Monday April 29, 2013 and Tuesday May 7, between the hours of 2:00pm – 4:30 pm.
Written comments regarding any of the application must be received by May 10, 2013 for it to be considered and should be sent to the Director of Crown Land, Crown Land Unit, Government Compound, Grand Turk or via e-mail to tcilandinfo@gov.tcor by Fax to (649) 946 1145.
Cholera Awareness Campaign gets underway today
The Ministries of Health and Human Services and Education, Youth, Culture and Sports will be launch its Cholera Awareness Campaign, while at the same time Announce the of Winners in the Primary Schools' Public Service Announcement Competition.
The launch of the Cholera Awareness Campaign gets underway today Tuesday April 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ianthe Pratt Primary School in Providenciales
The Project is sponsored by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and is part of the Cholera Risk Reduction and the Cholera Awareness and Hygiene in Schools Programme.