Bahamian Shanty Towns Raided
Authorities arrested 35 people during a joint law enforcement operation in shantytowns and other areas in New Providence yesterday.
Officers attached to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Department of Immigration and the Royal Bahamas Police Force executed an island-wide sweep targeting “prolific offenders, wanted suspects” and other people believed to be associated with criminal activities.
Kirklyn Neely, who heads the Department of Immigration’s Enforcement Unit, said several people were detained for being in The Bahamas illegally, but he did not provide a figure.
Outside the House of Assembly, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said he had not received a briefing on the operation, but suggested the public should not be surprised by it.
“This is not the first time that officers would have operated in shantytown areas,” he said.“This is part of our overall crime strategy and we will go wherever we need to go to seek out those persons who are breaking the law and who are disrupting the normal flow of our society.
“You want to be safe don’t you? I want to be.”
The operations came about two weeks ahead of the government’s August 10 deadline for residents whose homes go against the building code to move.
Providenciales Landfills a blaze
Providenciales Solid Waste Disposal Site
The Environmental Health Department (EHD) is an arm of the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health. One of the functions of EHD is solid waste management which includes the solid waste disposal sites throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. On Wednesday July 25th 2018, the Director of Environmental Health was informed of a fire at the Providenciales dump site at the tire section. EHD contacted the Fire Department and Police for assistance to conduct the following:
•Extinguish the fire
•Provide EHD with an investigation report
EHD wishes to advise the residents of Providenciales especially those living in the Wheeland and Chalk Sound areas, that the department is addressing the current fire at the disposal site with the contractor.
We wish to assure the public that we are committed to safe-guarding public health while also creating an environment which is healthy and aesthetically pleasing to both residents and visitors.
SOURCE TCIG PRESS OFFICE
TCIG APPOINTS LEANDREA MISSICK AS EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to congratulate Leandrea Missick on her appointment to the position of Executive Administrator within the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Gaming.
Ms. Missick holds an Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Tourism Management from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree, majoring in Computer Information Sciences and a minor in Sociology from Barry University.
After graduating from the University, she returned home to the Turks and Caicos Islands where she was employed by Scotiabank (TCI) Ltd in Grand Turk as a teller in January 2012. During that time, each quarter she was awarded certificates of achievement for outstanding performance and 100% balancing ratio for top teller of the Branch, and at the end of the year she was awarded as top performing teller for all TCI branches.
In December, 2013, she was promoted to Personal Banking Officer and because of her outstanding performance in meeting the Bank’s expectations in executing the guidelines and polices, and reaching arrival targets set by the bank, she was further recognized, but it did not stop there. Earlier in the year, Leandrea was awarded Best of the Best nominee for the most outstanding performance in the Grand Turk Branch.
Comment on her new appointment, Ms. Missick stated; “In my previous employment, I have been able to interact with persons across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. However, I felt that the time came for me to give directly back to my country by taking advantage of the opportunity to join the Civil Service. I intend to carry forward the same energy, professionalism and commitment to foster the growth and development of not only the Ministry but the Service as a whole.”
Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams stated; “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Leandrea Missick to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service and to have her join our team in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Gaming. We hope that she will find her time in the public service to be most engaging and will take full advantage of the opportunities provided to her.”
SOURCE- TCIG PRESS OFFICE
RODNEY COX APPOINTED AS PRINCIPAL OF MARJORIE BASDEN HIGH SCHOOL
Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to congratulate Mr. Rodney Cox on his appointment to the role of Principal, Marjorie Basden High School.
Mr. Cox holds a Teacher’s Diploma in Industrial Arts (Technical Drawing, Metalwork & Woodwork) from Mico Teacher's College, Jamaica; a Bachelor of Education Degree in General Technology (Technical Drawing, AutoCAD & Woodwork) from University of Technology, Jamaica; and a Master of Science Degree in Leadership from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mr. Cox is a product of the Marjorie Basden High School (then Pierson High). After completing his Teacher Education training, he returned home to serve his Alma Mater. During his 26 years of service there, he worked as teacher of Industrial Arts, Physical Education and as coach of numerous sporting teams/events. He has served as the Head of the Technical Vocational Department for 9 years, then as Vice Principal for 10 years, and most recently as the Acting Principal for the Marjorie Basden High School.
Elated with his new appointment to Principal, Mr. Rodney Cox stated; “I am indeed honored to be given the opportunity to lead this esteemed organization. I made a decision years ago that I would remain and serve my community, despite the fact that many were moving on to what they considered greener pastures. I have dedicated many years of my life to the development of this organization. I have served in many capacities and under the leadership of other principals and vice principals, from whom I have learned a lot; and I have upgraded my knowledge and skills in the field of education during my time of service as well. I view this appointment as an opportunity to utilize this wealth of experience and knowledge gained through the years to expand upon the foundation laid by my forerunners, and leave a legacy worthy of emulation for those who will come after me.”
Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams stated; “I would like to congratulate Mr. Cox on his appointment to the role of Principal of the Marjorie Basden High School, which follows on from the promotion of former Principal Mr. David Bowen to the post of Education Officer within the Ministry of Education. Having dedicated over 20 years to the education sector and particularly to his own alma mater the Marjorie Basden High School, I am sure that this appointment is very special to Mr. Cox and look forward to great outcomes from him and from this noble institution going forward.”
SOURCE - TCIG PRESS OFFICE
Demi Lovato 'in Los Angeles hospital for suspected overdose'
Pop singer Demi Lovato is being treated in a Los Angeles hospital after a suspected drug overdose.The Los Angeles Police Department responded on Tuesday to a medical emergency in the Hollywood Hills, where the singer lives.
The 25-year-old was reportedly found unconscious and treated at the scene with naloxone, an anti-opioid medicine. She is currently awake and breathing at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a family spokesman has said.
Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support," the spokesman said. "Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy."
Lovato has struggled with substance abuse for years, and was feared to have relapsed in recent weeks. In a single released last month, Sober, she sings: "Mommy, I'm so sorry I'm not sober anymore. And daddy please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor."
The song ends with the lines: "I'm sorry that I'm here again, I promise I'll get help/It wasn't my intention, I'm sorry to myself."
The track release followed Lovato marking six years of sobriety in March this year. She was due to complete the North American leg of her Tell Me You Love Me world tour with a concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Thursday, but reports say that date has now been cancelled.
Serena Williams says she is being 'discriminated' against over doping tests
Serena Williams says she is a victim of "discrimination" as she is the most drug tested American tennis player.The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made the claim in a tweet on Tuesday, after doping officials visited her.
The American had previously expressed frustration about the volume of her tests earlier this month.
"Out of all the players it's been proven I'm the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so," said the 36-year-old.
An article published website Deadspin in June revealed that Williams had been tested out of competition by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) on five occasions in 2018.
It also claimed the player was not present when Usada officials visited her home on 14 June - Williams stated that the tester showed up 12 hours earlier than the agreed time. It was eventually marked as a "missed test" - three of those would result in a Usada doping violation.
At the time of publication of the Deadspin article, Williams had been tested more than twice as many times as other top American players - male or female.
"I never knew that I was tested so much more than everyone else," said Williams. "Until I read that article I didn't realise it was such a discrepancy with me as well as against the other players that they listed, at least the American players - both male and female."
Ebola outbreak in Congo declared over, but the risk can remain
The Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo officially declared on Tuesday that the country's battle against the Ebola outbreak has come to an end, according to the World Health Organization
The government of Congo declared an outbreak of Ebolahemorrhagic fever in May, the country's ninth recorded outbreak. According to the Ministry of Health, 54 cases of Ebola virus were recorded during the outbreak, including 33 deaths.
WHO provided guidance to the ministry to declare the outbreak over if no other cases were confirmed and two full incubation periods of 21 days each have passed, starting the day after the last Ebola patient was released from care. The last patient was released after blood-testing negative for the Ebola virus on June 12.
"Perhaps because of climate change, because of changes in reservoir animals or vectors, and because of human encroachment on animal populations, we're seeing more and more urban outbreaks of these kinds of high-threat pathogens -- and that poses a very different set of risks," a WHO spokesperson said.
However with the additional support from many other organizations -- including the United Nations, the World Food Program, USAID, the Wellcome Trust, the World Bank and several countries -- more funding toward the Ebola response was provided to WHO. Hundreds of health workers and supplies were shipped in and out of the affected areas.
President Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was smashed to pieces
President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood walk of Fame was destroyed by a man with a pickax early Wednesday morning, according to Los Angeles police officer Ray Brown.
LAPD said they have a man in custody and are currently questioning him. According to LAPD, a man turned himself in at the Beverly Hills Police Department Wednesday morning.
Trump's star has repeatedly been the target of vandalism and protests since the reality TV star's turn to politics. In April 2016, a Superman impersonator on Hollywood Boulevard said he had seen visitors make obscene gestures next to the star, deface it with paint, and allow a dog to relieve itself on the landmark.
"People often stomp with anger on the star, others kick their heels over the star, and some spit. The last time, someone put a sticker over the star," Francisco Javier, another street performer said at the time.
A street artist constructed a tiny wall around Trump's star in July 2016, and in October of that year, the LAPD arrested a man who they said vandalized the star with a sledgehammer and a pickax.
Ivanka Trump closes down her fashion brand
President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, has decided to close down her fashion brand.The move comes over a year after she split from the company to enter the White House as a senior adviser.
Ms Trump launched the brand in 2014, but after her father's election was faced with boycotts from shoppers.
Ms Trump had reportedly become frustrated by the difficulties posed by avoiding possible conflicts of interest while serving in the White House.A spokesperson for the company said the decision "has nothing to do with the performance of the brand and is based solely on Ivanka's decision to remain in Washington indefinitely."
After 17 months in her White House role Ms Trump said she did not know "when or if I will ever return to the business".
"But I do know that my focus for the foreseeable future will be the work I am doing here in Washington, so making this decision now is the only fair outcome for my team and partners," Ivanka Trump said in a statement.
The brand had already been dropped by several retailers such as the Nordstrom chain and - just last week - Canada's largest department store chain Hudson's Bay.
Ms Trump's company is private and does not release sales figures.
But according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited research from Rakuten Intelligence, online sales at Amazon, Macy's and Bloomingdales fell almost 45% in the year to June.
Facebook plans office in China
Facebook has secured a licence to set up an office in China in an apparent attempt to break into the lucrative market where its website is blocked.
The firm said it would be an "innovation hub to support Chinese developers, innovators and start-ups".
If the office opens, it would be the firm's first formal presence in China.
However, the office's registration has since been removed from the Chinese government website, suggesting possible complications.
China is the world's biggest social media market, but access to websites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube is blocked in the country.
Instead, Chinese users can only access domestic social media sites such as Weibo, Renren and YouKu, which the government can monitor.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has already made several attempts to charm Chinese officials, even going so far as to learn Mandarin.
The Facebook subsidiary has been registered in the southern China city of Hangzhou and financed with an investment of £30m, according to the details of the filing, which were seen by Reuters and the New York Times on China's National Enterprise Credit Information, before they were removed.