Science student observership at Cockburn Town Medical Centre
Science student and Grand Turk Native, Danielle Baptiste recently concluded a two-week observership at Cockburn Town Medical Centre. Danielle received first-hand insight into the daily operations of several departments. These included Laboratory, Dialysis, Radiology, Emergency, Outpatient and Inpatient along with sessions on Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
As part of her observership, she was required to conduct and present research on an area of choice. The enthusiastic learner selected Antibiotic Associated Encephalopathy, a medical condition associated with abnormal brain function due to its connection with antimicrobial resistance, which is a global health care concern.
During the presentation, the observer stressed the importance of understanding the neurotoxic effects of antibiotics, and explored several antibiotics associated with the medical condition. She also provided recommendations on management strategies and an algorithm for treatment of the condition.
Danielle is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience at Leicester University in England. We wish her all the best in her future career.
Bahamian Govt to incur loss in resort purchase
Although the government intends to purchase the Grand Lucayan resort, it does not plan to spend the near $100 million to renovate it, according to Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar.
D’Aguilar said the government is only interested in purchasing the hotel and finding a buyer.
“The government wants to buy it, hold it, continue to actively look for a seller to stabilize it and to sell it on,” D’Aguilar said.
“That’s what we are doing. The renovations, upgrade…that may change but right now I don’t think that’s the policy of the government.
“The prime minister has said many times, ‘I don’t want to be owning [and] running a hotel. I just don’t want it.’”
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced that the government has decided to purchase the property after Canadian real estate developer Paul Wynn, who had signed a letter of intent with the Hutchison Whampoa to buy the resort, pulled out of the sale.
D’Aguilar noted that two of the hotels that make up the three-piece property remain closed following Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
“It hasn’t reopened,” said the minister in a recent interview on the Peace 1075FM radio talk show “Hard Copy” with host Steve McKinney.
“Hutchison Whampoa has taken the insurance money and said they are not going to reinvest in it.”
Only Lighthouse Pointe reopened in 2016.
Wynn said that he thought the final purchase price negotiated, of $65 million, was too high.
He said it could take between $110 million and $120 million to fully open the Grand Lucayan.
D’Aguilar said the government cannot allow Hutchison to walk away from the property.
“I’ve heard a lot of noise in the marketplace that we should not buy it, that we should just negotiate a harder deal with Hutchison Whampoa,” he said.
“We have been back and forth with Hutchison Whampoa time and time again trying to drive a better deal. It’s nothing to them to say, ‘Look, we are going to stick to $65 [million] and if it has to close; it got to close.’
“The government of The Bahamas doesn’t have that choice. These are people’s lives. This is the economy and lifeblood of Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Tiger Woods: 14-time major winner says comeback has endeared him to new fans
Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods says he has never experienced such "warmth" from fans as he has this year.
Woods has had back surgery four times - most recently in April 2017 - and had previously questioned whether he would ever return to competitive golf.
But the 42-year-old American, who is in contention to be picked for September's Ryder Cup, says his comeback has endeared him to a new set of fans.
"I think people are more appreciative," said Woods.
"They've all gone through it - when you get to your forties you're feeling it.
"They know I'm at the tail-end of my career. I don't know how many years I've got left but I'm certain I'm not like I was when I was 22. At 42 it is a different ball game."
Woods, who made his latest comeback at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last November, made a remarkable return to form earlier this month at the US PGA Championships, carding a final-day 64 to finish second behind winner Brooks Koepka.
He will be back in action this week at the FedEx Cup play-offs in New Jersey and says fans can relate to his new vulnerabilities.
"I've struggled and I've had some back pain, I've been through four surgeries and I'm trying to work back and it's been tough, and people understand that," he said.
"This entire year has been so different. Go back to how everyone received me at Tampa [in the Valspar Championship in March] - that was very special.
"I hadn't received ovations and warmth like that."
Italy floods: Girl, 8, rescued after deadly flash flood
An eight-year-old girl with hypothermia is among 23 people rescued from flash flooding in the Pollino National Park in southern Italy.
At least 10 hikers died in the Calabria tourist spot after they were hit by a wall of water on Monday.
Rescuers looked for survivors into the night, with helicopters airlifting the injured to local hospitals.
Local reports say the eight-year-old was found in a state of shock by rescuers beside a dead body.
Officials believe the girl's parents are "almost certainly" among the victims, according to Pasquale Gagliardi, medical director of the regional helicopter rescue service.
He posted emotional photographs of the girl's rescue on his social media pages.
One was captioned (in Italian) "you'll make it, little one."
Nicki Minaj and Cardi B both called some people out ... while Madonna gave a bizarre tribute to Aretha Franklin.
The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards went down in New York on Monday night and if you missed the 2 hour and 45 minute show, we've got all the highlights for you right here.
After Katy Perry hammed it up while hosting last year's event, the star-studded show went host-less for 2018. Performances included Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Shawn Mendes, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Panic! At the Disco and Logic with Ryan Tedder. Jennifer Lopez was also getting honored with the Video Vanguard Award, which she accepted after a performance of her own.
Of course, some of the drama also started brewing before the event even began, after Minaj went in on fellow performer Travis Scott and baby mama Kylie Jenner on Twitter over album sales. While Stormi's parents haven't responded to her tweets, they did reportedly have their seats moved so they wouldn't be behind Nicki during the show.
First, Cardi B shut it down in her first appearance since giving birth to daughter Kulture in early July. The "Bodak Yellow" rapper looked incredible, sporting a short new 'do and killer curves in a velvet magenta dress that hugged every curve. Amber Rose also had all eyes on her as she donned a Catwoman-inspired look in red latex, all while brandishing a matching whip.
Ariana Grande and fiancé Pete Davidson stole the spotlight as they made their first red carpet appearance as a couple at the event. The two shared some PDA in front of photographers for their big debut, looking all kinds of adorable as they kissed for the cameras. Also swapping spit: Noah Cyrus, 18, and her boyfriend Lil Xan, 21.
Cardi B opened the show with a major fake-out for the audience, as she appeared on stage holding what appeared to be a swaddled up baby.
With no host, MTV brought out the two comedians to take aim at the entire audience. "This show is so big, they couldn't bring one comedian. They needed two," said Haddish.
Haddish then brought up Camila Cabello's multiple nominations, after totally butchering her name. Then came this shade bomb: "Those of you watching at home ... 'Hi Fifth Harmony!" It should be noted that Camila wasn't there for the diss, shaking her head at the joke.
Everyone was hoping Nicki would go in on a few members of the audience when she picked up the award for Best Hip Hop video. Sadly, for us, she didn't.
When Ariana Grande picked up her award for Best Pop Video for "No Tears Left to Cry," she first gave her man a few big kisses before hitting the stage.
She then thanked her fans, AKA her "friends on the Internet," for their support of her new record. She went on to give thanks to her family, friends and management before ending with this: "Pete Davison, thanks for existing. Love you."
Before accepting her Video Vanguard Award, Jennifer Lopez performed a medley of her greatest hits. She started with the green lasers, flying in to "Waiting for Tonight." She then sang "On the Floor," before ripping off her long dress to dance her infamous booty off to "Dance Again," "I Ain't Your Mama," "Booty," "My Love Don't Cost a Thing," "Get Right" and "All I Have."
She then came on stage to collect her golden moon person and got a standing O from the crowd, where A-Rod and her own children were watching.
Drones hunt cocaine farms in Colombia
The Colombian government has started to use drones to destroy the plants that produce cocaine.
Small aircraft loaded with herbicide are being sent to search for illegal fields of coca.
President Iván Duque has favoured the use of the unmanned aircraft to ensure that damage to neighbouring crops is kept to a minimum.
Critics have warned that the approach may be a technological fix to a problem that needs a political solution.
German Huertas, the drone company's director of operations, said the drones had eliminated about 90% of the coca on each acre (0.4 hectare) targeted during tests in the country's Narino province.
The trial has involved the deployment of 10 drones, each weighing 23kg (51lb) and carrying the plant-killing chemical glyphosate.
Jaguar Land Rover opening its first U.S.-based classic center in Georgia
Jaguar Land Rover Classic currently operates two of its Works Centres, one in Coventry, England and the other in Essen-Kettwig, Germany (pictured). Just in time for Pebble Beach, the English carmaker has announced that it will bring its first facility to the United States next year, having signed a deal to open the latest Works operation in Savannah, Georgia. To be located in the Crossroads Business Park near Gulfstream Aerospace, the facility will engage in the sales, service, and restoration of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles out of production for at least ten years.
The 150,000-square-foot Coventry site opened two years ago and is said to be the largest dedicated factory workshop of its kind (the largest unaffiliated shop is in the Philippines). Jaguar builds its continuation cars there, like the D-Type and XKSS, while Land Rover uses it to build the Defender Works V8. Shoppers can also buy vintage models off the showroom floor, a variation of the Certified Pre-Owned program called Works Legends, that come with a 12-month warranty. Or, Jaguar Land Rover will locate, restore, and maintain one of the classic company products that a buyer chooses. In the UK, a Land Rover Series 1 starts at around $90,000, a Jaguar E-Type starts at around $400,000.
BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS PUBLIC FORECAST 21ST AUGUST, 2018
GENERAL SITUATION: A WESTWARD MOVING SURFACE TROUGH ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY AROUND THE ISLANDS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT AS THERE REMAINS THE POTENTIAL FOR FUNNEL CLOUD AND WATERSPOUT ACTIVITY.
AREA: ALL AREAS
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY, HOT AND HUMID WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS….GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
HIGH TEMPERATURE 93°F 34°C
HEAT INDEX 106°F 41°C
LOW TEMPERATURE TONIGHT 78°F 26°C
SUNRISE: 6:46 AM SUNSET: 7:37PM
MOONRISE: 4:25PM MOONSET: 3:24AM WED
LOW TIDE: 9:59AM & 10:55PM HIGH TIDE: 4:26PM & 4:42AM WED
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: MID TO UPPER LEVEL TROUGHING IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN ACROSS THE AREA AND WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE SHOWERY ACTIVITY OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
Simone Biles wins record fifth US all-around title as comeback continues
Olympic champion Simone Biles became the first woman to win five US Women's Gymnastics Championships all-around titles and wore an outfit to show her support for survivors of sexual abuse.
The 21-year-old American is continuing her comeback after a two-year break.
In January she was among more than 100 gymnasts to say they were abused by ex-United States team doctor Larry Nassar.
Nassar received a prison sentence of up to 175 years after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct.
Biles said the teal leotard she wore during Sunday's event was the designated colour for survivors of sexual abuse.
"It is for the survivors," she told ESPN. "I stand with all of them, and I think it's kind of special to unite."
On Sunday, less than a month after returning to competition, she became the first woman since 1994 to win all four disciplines on her way to the overall prize.
Biles' total of 119.850 gave her a 6.55-point margin of victory over nearest challenger and reigning world champion Morgan Hurd.
"I've been back for only nine months. I'm so proud of myself," said Biles on Twitter
Virus outbreak affects hundreds at Sandals Bahamas resort
A debilitating stomach virus has spread like wildfire through the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort in Nassau, blitzing guests and staff members alike with severe vomiting, abdominal pains and diarrhea, in what some have described as the worst viral outbreak to occur on cruise ship or resort facility in The Bahamas to date.
According to the ministry of health, some 100 guests and visitors were admitted to hospital, experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The ministry of health and the Department of Environmental Health were dispatched to the property in an attempt to determine the exact cause of the illness and how to contain the spread to others guests and staff members.
The BHMAWU said it is working overtime to assist staff and visitors alike during the outbreak.
“The union is willing to assist with anything the management at Sandals wishes them to help coordinate during this crisis to ensure that the workers are safe, visitors are happy and that we can mitigate against issues like this in the future,” Ferguson said.