IDB approves loan for Jamaica's fight crime
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$20 million loan for Jamaica to strengthen community actions that seek to reduce crime and violence, especially among at-risk youths.
In spite of advances in prevention efforts Jamaica continues to suffer from high crime and violence, the Washington-based financial institution stated.
The IDB noted that the homicide rate remains among the highest in the hemisphere and one in three Jamaicans has lost a family member or friend to crime.
The programme, called Citizen Security and Justice Program III, focuses mainly on individual and community risk factors in urban, marginalized areas, addressing problems such as the use and tolerance of violence as a way to exert control and resolve disputes, the lack of economic opportunities, especially for youth, and the lack of channels for alternative dispute resolution.
"The idea is to promote a culture change that facilitates a more peaceful co-existence and community governance, through interventions that provide knowledge and opportunities," the IDB stated on Wednesday.
Another component aims to improve access to community-based justice services, complementary to the formal court system, and to strengthen the capacity of Jamaica's Ministry of Justice to manage and monitor these services.
The programme which will include rigorous monitoring and evaluations, contains specific targets to lower murder rates in targetED communities and improve security perceptions.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The residents of South Caicos are invited to their town hall meeting on “Chikungunya Virus” hosted by the Environmental Health Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Human this evening June 26, 2014 at the Regatta Village commencing at 6:30p.m.
The Ministry of Health is continuing activities to prevent further spread of these illnesses through public education and enhanced vector control activities throughout the TCI.
To protect yourself and your family, the Ministry of Health and Human Services will be advising persons at the meeting on the following precautions that can be taken
Meetings will also be held for the Bight, Providenciales- Monday June 30th, 2014 at Ianthe Pratt Primary School, 6:30pm and the final meeting will be held for the Kew Town community in Providenciales- Tuesday July 1, 2014 at Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex, 6:30pm
A MEETING OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
A MEETING OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY which was scheduled for this week, WILL now BE HELD IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (HON. N.J.S. FRANCIS BUILDING) FRONT STREET, GRAND TURK ON MONDAY 30TH JUNE, TUESDAY 1ST June, and on WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY 2014.
RTC will have live coverage as the committee looks at the budget proposals for 2014/2015.
Valedictory Services, and Graduation & Prize Giving Ceremonies
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services cordially invites the general public to the Valedictory Services, and Graduation & Prize Giving ceremonies for students completing public primary and high schools in the country. The schedule for the various ceremonies throughout the islands is listed below.
1.High Schools- Valedictory Services - Sunday June 29th 2014: Grand Turk - HJ Robinson-Salem Baptist Church 3:00 p.m.- Speaker: Rev. Mark Christmas
South Caicos -Marjorie Basden -New Testament Church of God-3:30 p.m. Speaker: Bishop Clayton Harris.
North Caicos -Raymond Gardiner-Church of God of Prophecy 3:00 p.m. Speaker: Pastor A. Banzie
Providenciales-Clement Howell-Paradise Baptist Church 3:30 p.m. Speaker: Pastor Pedro Williams
High Schools Graduation Ceremonies
Monday, 30th June 2014 HJ Robinson -Yellow-man & Son's Auditorium, 6:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Angela Musgrove
Theme: Unlocking Our Potential, Creating a Path that Leads to Success
Tuesday, 1st July 2014-Marjorie Basden -South Caicos Community Centre, 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mr. Nixon Dickenson
Theme: We Design Our Future through the Power of Choice.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 Raymond Gardiner - Horse Stable Beach 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Ruth Forbes, theme: We've Only Just Begun.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014 Clement Howell -Williams Auditorium,5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Ms. Anya Malcolm
Theme: Celebrate your Achievements; Embrace your Dreams
2. Primary Schools Prize-Giving Ceremonies
Theme: Recognizing Achievement – Promoting Excellence
Monday, 30th 2014 -Grand Turk- H. J. Robinson High Auditorium 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 1st July 2014- South Caicos -Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014-North Caicos & Middle -Horse Stable Beach 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014- Providenciales -Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex 10 a.m.
Mary Fulford wins Miss Teen Summa Jam
The Organizers of the popular annual Grand Turk festival T I Summajam continued last night, Thursday, June 26th, at the library Tennis Court where contestants took part in the Miss Teen Grand Turk.
3rd runner up was Makayla Tucker wearing the sash of Cash Wiz TCI, 2nd runner up was Royshana Robinson of Herzog Construction, 1st runner up was Shaniqua Wolfe wearing the sash of GQ Car Rentals & Sales & taking home the grand prize was Mary Fulford proudly donning the sash of TCI Lotto games.
However this evening, the Miss Grand Turk 2014 Pageants will take to the runway where they will be vying for the coveted crown:
Miss Grand Turk Pageant
Contestant Sponsor
Colea Coalbrooke Other People’s Affairs
Delricia Wilson Grand Turk Liquors
Raynell Smith Paradise Events
Dixie Smith(former winner) Osprey Beach Hotel
Kathia Rock E and R Supermarket
Wadeline Filsaime Wally’s Restaurant
Olivia Smith Margaritaville
Bethsada Jean Faboutique Fashions
The festival will commence at 8:00 p.m. this evening.
Integrity Commission Deadline
The Integrity Commission is reminding Specified Persons in Public Life that the deadline for filing their Section 25 Declarations is in 3 days, June 30, 2014.
During the recent public education sessions held throughout the islands, the Commission provided sufficient opportunities for Specified Persons in Public Life to collect blank Declarations Forms. The Commission has subsequently e-mailed Declaration Forms to these persons.
These Forms may be collected from the Office of the Commission at Franklyn Missick's Building, Church Folly Road today, in Grand Turk between the hours of 9am to 4 pm. These Forms can also be e-mailed to you upon your request.
The Commission has also concluded the following arrangements to receive completed Declaration Forms directly from Specified Persons in Public Life, who resides here in Grand Turk. The Commission is advising residents in the capital that they should submit their completed Declaration Forms personally at the Commission Office before 4:30 pm on Monday June 30,2014.
The Compliance Officers, will be travelling to the family islands to personally receive the completed Declarations Forms in NORTH CAICOS, this morning JUNE 27, 2O14 between 10:00 am-2:00pm at the DC's Office.
Then tomorrow Saturday June 28, 2014, the Officers will visit SOUTH CAICOS on Saturday, at 10:00am- 2:00pm at the DC's Office and in PROVIDENCIALES, on Mon June 30 through to Wed July 2, 2014 between 10:00am and 4:00pm at the DECR Environmental Centre.
Director of the TCI Integrity Commission, Eugene Otuonye informed our newsroom a week ago that failure, without reasonable cause, to file Declaration is a criminal offence, punishable with an imprisonment for 1 year or a fine of $15000 or both, in addition, the Commission is obligated to publish the fact of such failure in the Gazette.
CBMP and Scotiabank host HIV Regional Testing Day across the Turks and Caicos Islands today
Today Friday 27thJune 2014 Scotiabank TCI, through its Bright Future Program, will host the 7th annual HIV Regional Testing Day across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Residents can visit any one of the testing sites where trained personnel from the Ministry of Health and Human Services will conduct free and confidential screenings and provide counselling on taking precaution to stop the spread of HIV.
Cecil Arnold, Country Head, Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd told RTC News yesterday that “Scotiabank is proud to contribute to the health of our communities by partnering with the CBMP and opening up their branches to host clinics for HIV Regional Testing Day.
Scotiabank’s support of this program is part of the Bank’s Global HIV Strategy launched in 2011, which works to fight the stigma and discrimination of this life-threatening disease by promoting awareness and education.
Dr. Allyson Leacock, Executive Director, Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership said. "I congratulate Scotiabank for their committed involvement in this important HIV prevention initiative now in its 6th year,”
Ms. Leacock added “Our unique collaboration creates a powerful response to fighting the spread of HIV and raising awareness on the importance of preventing the disease in our region. We would also like to thank the ministries and departments of health who provide valuable support to facilitate testing and counseling.”
Clinics will be held at all Scotia Centre Branches today, between 9am & 4pm. We urge everyone to out and get tested.
Clean Russian Athletes Can Compete
Russian athletes who can prove they are untainted by the country's doping scandal were Thursday given the go-ahead to compete at the Rio Olympics but as neutrals and not under their national flag, the IAAF said.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council decided last week to maintain the suspension of Russia after findings of drug test violations, including ignored positives and altered test results.
But clean athletes have now been offered an olive branch -- under certain conditions.
"If there are any individual athletes who can clearly and convincingly show that they are not tainted by the Russian system because they have been outside the country and subject to other effective anti-doping systems, then they should be able to apply for permission to compete in international competitions, not for Russia but as a neutral athlete," said an IAAF statement.
England women win Pakistan ODI series with record total
England women made their highest one-day total and secured the series against Pakistan with an emphatic 212-run win at New Road.
They hit 39 fours and 11 sixes in 378-5, with 132 made in the final 10 overs.
Openers Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont scored maiden ODI centuries in a stand of 235 and Natalie Sciver struck six sixes in a 33-ball 80.
Anya Shrub-sole took 4-19 as Pakistan were bowled out for 166 in the 48th over, despite Bismah Maroof's 61.
England, who won the first ODI by seven wickets at Grace Road on Tuesday, will attempt to complete a series whitewash in the final match at Taunton on Monday.
Messi eyes Copa crown after goal-scoring milestone HOUSTON, USA (AFP)
Lionel Messi's goal-scoring exploits at the Copa America Centenario have rewritten his country's record books and left Argentina on the brink of their first major title for 23 years.
But if Argentina are to avoid a fourth straight defeat in a major final when they take the field in New Jersey on Sunday, the chances are they will have to do something they have never done before in the Messi era: score.
In three finals dating back to the climax of the 2007 Copa America, when Messi lined up in an Argentina side that was beaten 3-0 by Brazil in Venezuela, the Albiceleste have failed to find the back of the net.
Another shutout followed in the 2014 World Cup final, which ended in a 1-0 loss to Germany, before an agonising defeat on penalties to Chile in last year's Copa America following a 0-0 draw.