TCA Sports Minister attendance at CACSO Games 2018 – Barranquilla, Columbia
A spectacular opening ceremony marked the start of the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games attended by the Honourable Edwin Astwood, Minister of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services. The Central American and Caribbean Games are organized by CACSO and is known as the first ancient, regional games recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Turks & Caicos Islands was represented at the opening ceremony by Godfrey Been and Kevano Handfield, the flag bearer.
Mr. Steve Stoute, President of the ODECABE /CACSO Games, congratulated the local organizing committee for bringing the CACSO games to Barranquilla after 72 years and stated that they represented the best and indeed the largest of the CAC games ever. He also welcomed all Associate Member Countries who were participating for the very first time and added "I'm sure in the next few weeks we will be inspired by great performances, we will witness the expertise of personal best achievement, we will see records broken".
The official event was held at the Roberto Melendez Stadium in the host city of Barranquilla, Columbia with 37 participating countries and territories. A total of 6,000 athletes will compete across 40 categories of sport. The Turks and Caicos' team comprises eight athletes who will be competing in the following areas: High Jump, Long Jump, 400m, 100m, 200m, 4x1 relay and 4x4 relay.
During the games, Honourable Astwood met with a number of Columbian and CACSO Officials, Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Columbia, Mr. Alex Char, Mayor of Barranquilla, Mr. Steve Stoute, President of the CACSO Games and Mr. Baltazar Medina, the President of the Olympic Committee of Columbia. Minister Astwood also met and networked with other Caribbean stakeholders with the aim of building stronger relationships.
Hon. Astwood noted: "I am delighted that our Turks & Caicos Islands athletes can be part of such a grand sporting event, we know that this group of now seasoned athletes will perform well, and also expose millions of new persons to the TCI. This also takes us one step closer in participating in the Olympic Games, which is the ultimate for all athletes and the countries they represent. Not just because of sporting glory for the country but because of its ancient legacy and the underlying message that it spreads of all human as one irrespective of boundaries and nationalities."
The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) was formed in 2003 comprising NOCs of the Caribbean region in order to benefit from collective undertakings and sharing of resources. Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA) and similar overall sporting organizations from those countries that do not and currently cannot have National Olympic Committees (NOC) because of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Rules, was invited to become members of CANOC.
These games are designed to provide a step between sub-CACG-region Games held the first year following a Summer Olympics (e.g. Central American Games) and the Continental Championships, the Pan American Games, held the year before the Summer Olympics. A small steering committee was established in 2013 to advance the agenda of Turks and Caicos Island's eligibility in Olympic affiliated events and to secure CACSO approval. The TCI was able to qualify with Athletics, Football, Basketball, Sailing, Rugby, Swimming, Cycling, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
The Goal under the leadership of the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) is to now gain affiliate membership with the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), and International Islands Games Association (IIGA). Such affiliation will allow the TCI to compete in Olympic affiliate games and provide our sports teams and athletes alike an opportunity to prove to the IOC that a small dependent territory like the TCI has what it takes to compete at the Olympic level. With a showing of our continuous development in sport, we hope to lobby on behalf of all dependent territories, through the British Olympic Committee (BOC) for a change in IOC policy to allow dependent territories to become associate members.
This is indeed a great achievement for Turks and Caicos having obtained Associate membership into the Central American and Caribbean Games and for our athletes to be afforded such an opportunity to participate under the flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Minister responsible for Sports was accompanied by his Deputy Secretary, Ms. Tamera Howell-Robinson, Director of Sports, Mr. Jarrett Forbes and his Executive Administrator, Mrs. Darlene Clerveaux-Forbes of the Ministry of Health, Agriculture Sports and Human Services
World Breastfeeding Week Celebrated in the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services joins the rest of the world in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, which is observed every year from August 1st-7th.
The theme this year is "Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life". Breast milk is the foundation of life, containing essential nutrients for babies to give them a healthy start. World Breastfeeding Week is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and highlights that breastfeeding is a universal solution that levels the playing field, giving everyone a fair start in life.
Recognizing the importance of breastfeeding in saving lives of infants and young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), jointly developed the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding, to revitalize the worlds' attention to the impact that feeding practices can have on the nutritional status, growth and development, and the very survival of infants and young children.
In November 2016, the Primary Health Care Department within the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and TCI Hospitals to begin the implementation process for the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Since then, the team has continued the path to BFHI certification by conducting a 40-hour training of trainer workshop for health practitioners. This has led to continuous ongoing training of staff by the certified breastfeeding trainers. The next step is to set a date for BFHI accreditation.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global effort launched by the WHO and UNICEF to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
In commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, the Primary Health Care Department will be embarking on a week of activities from 30th July-3rd August, 2018. The activities planned to recognize this important week on the health calendar will include breastfeeding information, promotional breastfeeding items and breastfeeding educational talks in person and on the radio.
The public is therefore invited to come out and support their local Primary Health Care clinics during the upcoming breastfeeding promotional activities on their normal Child Health Clinic days.
For additional information, please contact Mrs. Lakeisha Wilson, Nutritionist on 338 5470.
Minister for Home Affairs Attends CANTO 2018
Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication Hon. Vaden Williams attended the 34th CANTO Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition at the Hard Rock Megapolis in Panama City, Panama from 22nd – 24thJuly, under the theme "Guiding Digital Adoption to Lead the Global Market".
CANTO is recognized as the leading Trade Association of the ICT Sector for shaping Information and Communication in the Caribbean. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of 8 telephone operating companies, CANTO has now grown to over 125 members in more than 35 countries.
The opening ceremony took place on Sunday with a number of speakers including Mr. Julian Wilkin, CANTO's Chairman who welcomed all the delegates to the event.
Day One of the Conference featured a Ministerial Breakfast and Round-table sponsored by Cable and Wireless. The theme for the Round-table was "Winning the Future – Preparing for the Digital Economy and Assessing the Caribbean Readiness Today". Is the Region doing enough to catch up? Both Minister Williams and Acting Director General Kenva Williams participated as panelists along with Hon. Andrew Wheatley, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Jamaica. Hon. Melford Nicholas, Minister of State and Information Antigua and Barbuda. Hon. Vincent Byron, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Legal Affairs and Communications St Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Marlon Penn, Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion BVI.
Ministers expressed the view that Governments were well on the way via their unique development paths aided in some instances by CARICOM initiatives but continued dialogue was necessary.
Disaster Recovery following last year's hurricane season and the fact that it provided an opportunity to improve on ICT infrastructure was also discussed.
There was also a focus on Disaster Mitigation and Recovery – Exploring the Risk and Vulnerabilities of Operations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Impact of Internet platforms on the Caribbean ICT Eco Systems, Federal Communications Commission Trends and its Impact on the Region, Key Spectrum Requirements for WRC 19, Key Spectrum Requirements for WRC 19 – Action Plan for the Caribbean, A Regulatory Reset for the Digital Economy, Data Protection/Cybersecurity Trends and Prediction and Technology – The Disruptor and Enabler by Mr. Jay Saunders of TCI. Other member states participating in the Conference were Bahamas, Barbados, Montserrat and Suriname.
Hon. Williams was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Clara Gardiner and Executive Administrator, Ms. Karen Higgs, Acting Director General of the Telecommunications Commission Mr. Kenva Williams, Mrs. Rochelle Emily Gardiner and Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Pedro Ariza.
CDB project on climate resilient road transport sector expanded to include Dominica
Tiger Woods likely playing in first three FedEx Cup events
Tiger Wood's golf schedule promises to be busy over the coming weeks, as he has committed to play the first two FedEx Cup playoff events and is virtually assured of qualifying for the third.
The PGA Tour announced Tuesday that Woods has entered the Northern Trust (Aug. 23-26) and Dell Technologies Championship (Aug. 31-Sept 3). Woods has not qualified for the season-ending playoff series since 2013.
At 47th in the Fed Ex Cup standings, he has easily qualified for the first two events, which take the top 125 and then the top 100 players. The BMW Championship, which is Sept. 6-9, is for the top 70.
If he were to play all three events, it would be the first time since returning in 2018 from his fourth back surgery that Woods, 42, plays three consecutive weeks.
With the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone this week, followed by the PGA Championship at Bellerive in St. Louis, Woods is looking at perhaps playing five of the next six tournaments. The PGA Tour takes a week off following the BMW Championship before the Tour Championship in Atlanta, which is for the top 30 players.
The Ryder Cup follows a week later in France, and Woods is expected to be one of captain Jim Furyk's at-large picks.
LeBron James opens school for underprivileged children
NBA superstar LeBron James has proved he's a role model both on and off the basketball court by opening a school for underprivileged children. The I Promise School will house 240 at-risk third and fourth-grade students in James' hometown Akron, Ohio.
The school is a joint venture between the LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools. "We just want everything for them," he said. James will serve as primary donor to help form the extra-curricular goals of the school. The school's board will oversee the curriculum development.
Mr. James hopes the school will help kids who are falling behind in education and struggling at home. The former Cavs star missed 83 days of school in the fourth grade because his family did not have a car. Several other families offered care and support, and the following year he started playing basketball.
"School didn't mean anything to me," he said. "There were just a lot of empty days, empty nights and just kind of a no-future thought process. "It was mentally challenging. No kid at eight, nine should have that stress... so I know exactly what a lot of these kids are going through."
Students will also be provided with meals during the day, as well as services to help them deal with stress, or parents who are struggling to make ends meet.
The school will also provide services to families, which include job placement assistance for parents and an on-site food bank from which parents can take food to prepare at home.
Haitian pastor wants shanty residents up first for land purchases in Bahamian Shanty Towns
President of the League of Haitian Pastors Pastor Jean Paul Charles said he has asked the government to give shantytown residents first preference to purchase land in those communities.
Shantytown residents have until August 10 to leave those communities. Once the deadline passes, those communities are expected to be demolished. Pastor Charles said the league has visited the 11 shantytowns on New Providence identified by the government on a weekly basis to meet with residents and hear their concerns.
Asked about those residents who intend to take the government to court, Charles said, “I know people said they would take the government to court but I don’t think that will make any difference. I think the government would do what it is willing to do.”
Charles said he hopes the “the government gives the Haitians who live in those places the first preference if they want to buy that piece of land and to rebuild it, up to code, properly”.
“We asked the government and they said they would look into that and get back to us,” he said. Haitian Embassy First Assistant Secretary Karl Henri Chatelier reportedly made a similar suggestion on ZNS.
He said that leasing the land is another option the Bahamian government can undertake instead of evicting those residents.
But the Ministry of Foreign Affair said his comments were out of line and that he had interfered in the domestic affairs of The Bahamas.
North Korea working on new missiles, US officials say
North Korea appears to be building new ballistic missiles despite recent warming ties with the Trump administration and pledges to denuclearise, reports say.
Unnamed US officials told the Washington Post that spy satellites had spotted continuing activity at a site that has produced ballistic missiles.
Reuters quotes an official as saying it is unclear how far the work has gone.
Donald Trump met North Korea's Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June.
After the first meeting between sitting leaders from the two countries, the two men pledged to work towards denuclearisation. Mr Trump later said North Korea was "no longer a nuclear threat".
But Mr Trump was criticised at home for making concessions without securing any firm commitment from Mr Kim to end the nuclear and missile programmes.
These are not the first reports that North Korea may be continuing its weapons programme, casting doubt on the real impact of the summit in Singapore.
Trump repeats Giuliani defense: 'Collusion is not a crime'
President Donald Trump on Tuesday embraced a line of defense offered by his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, that "collusion is not a crime," even though he continued to deny any alleged ties between his campaign and Moscow during the 2016 election.
"Collusion is not a crime, but that doesn't matter because there was No Collusion (except by Crooked Hillary and the Democrats)!" Trump tweeted.
For months, Trump has insisted that there was "no collusion," but his Tuesday morning tweet hints at a potential expansion of his defense amid the ongoing special counsel investigation. Speaking to CNN's "New Day" on Monday, Giuliani said he wasn't sure if collusion was a crime.
The President has repeatedly denied that there was any collusion between his campaign and Moscow, and he told the New York Times in December that "collusion is not a crime."
Legal experts, however, have repeatedly said that anyone found collaborating with Russia on the 2016 election could be charged with other crimes, such as conspiracy, and special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation has not concluded.
Final hikers rescued from Indonesian volcano, after devastating earthquake
More than 600 stranded hikers have been successfully rescued from Mount Rinjani on Indonesia's Lombok Island, two days after a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the popular tourist destination.
The final six hikers were brought down from the mountain Tuesday morning, confirmed National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, following a massive combined rescue effort involving almost 200 Indonesian police, military and medical personnel.
The hikers had become trapped on the mountain's numerous hiking routes after the earthquake, which struck early Sunday, unleashed a series of landslides blocking their path back down to safety.
The toll of the earthquake, which killed 16 people and left hundreds of others homeless, is still being counted across the rest of the popular tourist spot.
During a visit to the island Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced each damaged property would receive 50 million rupiah ($3468) in aid to help them rebuild, according to state news agency Antera.
"The provincial governor will announce the total amount of everything (damages), and the aid will be allocated in the form of cash to let the residents build their damaged houses on their own," the Indonesian president said.
Early estimates indicated more than 1,000 homes had been damaged or destroyed by the earthquake.