Jamaican track and field administrators and fans are worried as they await the results of the B sample test of a senior athlete.
The Jamaican athlete is among the 31 athletes from six sports and 12 countries at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China who returned a positive sample during a retesting by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Unconfirmed reports are that the athlete, who cannot be named until the outcome of the B sample is known, tested positive for methyl-hexa-namine.
If the B sample proves positive, the effect of this could have far reaching implications for the country and other athletes
News about the adverse analytical finding broke weeks ago and since then there has been heavy speculation especially on social media on the matter.
US Takes Steps to Further Cut Off North Korea from US Banks
The United States is taking further action to cut off North Korean access to the U.S. financial system, calling the North a "primary money-laundering concern."
U.S. banks and other financial concerns are already barred from directly doing business with the North. The steps announced Wednesday would require them to be extra vigilant by keeping banks in third-world countries from gaining access to the U.S. system on North Korea's behalf.
"The United States, the U.N. Security Council, and our partners worldwide remain clear-eyed about the significant threat that North Korea poses to the global financial system," senior Treasury official Andrew Szubin said Wednesday. "The regime is notoriously deceitful in its financial transactions in order to continue its illicit weapons programs and other destabilizing activities."
State Department spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday that the North uses state-controlled financial institutions and front companies to hide transactions that support building weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
Also Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council strongly condemned three recent failed ballistic missile launches by North Korea last month and in April.
The council said the repeated attempts to fire ballistic missiles are "grave violations" of previous resolutions that increase world tensions and contribute to North Korea's development of missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
The council said it regrets that the North is diverting resources to building missiles when the North Korean people have "great unmet needs."
US Immigration Data Shows Numbers Up, Many from Asia
Legal and illegal immigration to the United States has risen over the past two years, reaching levels not seen since the beginning of the 21st century — and the greatest number of them are coming from Asia, not Latin America.
The findings appear in a year in which U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump is promising to build a wall on the Mexican border to keep illegal immigrants from entering the United States.
New findings by the Center for Immigration Studies show more than three million legal immigrants came to the United States in 2014 and 2015, which is a 39 percent rise over the previous two years. The survey measures the flow of people in and out of the United States, including those on long-term visas.
The CIS said in a statement Wednesday that factors influencing immigration may include the healthier economy, cutbacks in enforcement of immigration laws, and the nature of the U.S. legal immigration system, which provides options for long-term temporary visas for students and guest workers.
The center analyzed U.S. government data collected in its monthly Current Population Survey and found that the jump in immigration was due to a jump in immigrants from East Asia, South Asia, and Latin America — excluding Mexico.
Experts say that, regarding legal immigration, there has been a rise in the number of long-term work visas issued to Indians and Chinese. Meanwhile, the largest share of illegal immigrants was from Central America, which may mean they are part of the large numbers of unaccompanied children that began crossing U.S. southern borders illegally in recent months.
Experts unconnected with the CIS numbers say many illegal immigrants are in the country because they had legal visas but stayed after the visas expired. The rise in immigrant numbers suggests that more people may be overstaying their visas than in past years.
Lawyers file appeal after court subpoenas PNP officials
ATTORNEYS representing Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and three People’s National Party (PNP) officials in the long-standing Trafigura matter yesterday filed an appeal seeking to halt the proceedings after High Court Judge Justice Lennox Campbell ordered that subpoenas be issued for them.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn, QC, yesterday explained that the subpoenas were issued after Simspon Miller, Robert Pickersgill, Phillip Paulwell, Colin Campbell, and businessman Norton Hinds failed to appear in court.
The witnesses were required to give sworn testimony regarding the investigation by the Netherlands Government into the payment, in September 2006, of $31 million to an account bearing the name CCOC to which certain members of the PNP were signatories.
The Trafigura scandal rocked the then governing PNP after it emerged that the party accepted the money from the Dutch firm which, at the time, had an oil-lifting agreement with Jamaica.
The PNP had said the money was a donation, but Trafigura said it was payment on a commercial transaction. The party has since said the money was returned.
Three Opposition politicians in Antigua on corruption charges
The leader of the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) Harold Lovell and two other former ministers have been charged with corruption in connection with three buses donated to the former administration.
Lovell, along with former education minister Senator Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro and former health minister Wilmoth Daniel have been summoned to appear in court next Wednesday on charges of larceny, fraudulent conversion and corruption.
It’s alleged that they converted the buses, valued at more than EC$600,000 (US$222,222), to their personal use and had the vehicles registered in their names.
But the UPP says the charges are politically motivated, and accused the ruling Antigua Labour Party (ALP) of attempting to deflect from its “dismal failures to deliver on any of the promises that it made to the electorate”, as it approaches its two-year anniversary in office.
“The charges reflect a poor attempt to cover up the political policing practised by the Gaston Browne administration, in full collaboration with the Commissioner of Police,” the UPP said in a statement.
6th Annual Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament
This year’s 6th Annual Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament team made Cheque Presentations to two important charities in Providenciales.
The Edward Gartland Youth Centre and the TCI Sailing Association, both were recipients of cheques in the sum of US $25,000.00 each.
This brings to total donated thus far by the WCGFT to $163,000.00 added Desmond Wilson, PR Sales & Marketing.
During the presentation, Wilson thanked their sponsors and organizers who were key in the efforts to give back to the Youth of the TCI Community.
We look forward with great anticipation to next year's event. He also thanked the media for covering this event so well.
Flow has announced the rebranding of its cutting-edge Advanced Video Services (AVS) to Horizon from Flow.
The rebrand will bring a refreshing upgrade to an already innovative TV product says Flow marketing reps.
The Company rolled out Horizon from Flow yesterday in Jamaica and across its other Caribbean markets, in the coming week the Turks & Caicos will benefit from Horizon.
The new brand was unveiled just days after it was announced that Liberty Global (LG) had acquired Flow’s parent company, Cable and Wireless (C&W).
It is likely the first of many upcoming positive changes for the residential quad-play provider – all of which will share the ultimate goal of revolutionizing the customer experience.
Horizon from Flow offers customers unparalleled control when accessing its vast array of content, including a diverse range of blockbuster movies and TV series on its Video on Demand platform (VOD), with convenient features such as the ability to rewind live TV and the cloud Personal Video Recorder (PVR).
The cloud PVR allows customers to access their favourite programs when they want and how they want, across multiple platforms. This benefit gives customers the ability to customize their viewing experience – meaning they can watch their favourite content whenever and wherever it fits into their schedule.
In addition, Flow will continue to offer customers the best, most in-demand content in the region – including access to coverage of the Premier League, Manchester United, the upcoming Rio Olympics, NFL and Caribbean’s Next Top Model.
“At Flow we understand that our customers demand a convenient, personalized TV experience that fits their lifestyle,” said Niall Merry, CWC’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“Now that we are a part of the Liberty Global family, we have an opportunity to bring even more benefits and enhancements to our product and services, and by rebranding Flow’s AVS to Horizon from Flow, we are aligning ourselves with a leader of innovative video entertainment.
We couldn’t be more excited about what this means for the future of TV in the Caribbean – this is what our customers have been waiting for.”
The rebranding will not affect any of Flow AVS’s already existing features; Horizon from Flow will continue to offer customers’ favourite programmes, and will still host all of its compelling features like VOD and PVR. Instead, by rebranding the product,
“Horizon from Flow will stand up to the standards set by its counterparts, and will be tailored to the unique Caribbean audience.” Added Merry.
The TCI is in the final preparations to offer customers Horizon from Flow.
CED partnering for improved programs for Small Business
The Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), along with the two Chambers of Commerce and the European Union’s COSME program, has been working to develop a “virtual business incubator” that can be used to provide mentors for local entrepreneurs and to assist them to access capital from venture capitalists and angel financiers.
CED and Chamber officials travelled to St. Maarten from May 17 – 20th, to work with the EU-COSME consultants to finalize and then launch the first step in the process, a web portal.
The new Carib Connect web portal provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors and academics to register on the site to share information, search for possible investor partners and to engage in peer to peer mentoring amongst small business owners. Carib Connect also provides various self-help tools for local entrepreneurs and links to other support services.
Sophia Thomas, who represented the CED at the meeting commented “The new Carib Connect web portal gives small business owners in the Overseas Territory a new opportunity to network with investors and mentors and to access a range of tools and techniques to assist them to launch a new business, sustain their current business or to expand.
I encourage all entrepreneurs in TCI and anyone with business expertise to sign up to Carib Connect at http://www.caribconnect.bidx.net and log in to the web portal to experience the opportunities”.
The launch of the web portal is just one of several initiatives where the Chamber, CED and COSME are cooperating to support small business. Other projects include:
• A business survey that will allow the TCI to compare its business environment with more than 185 countries in the World Bank’s annual Doing Business report.
• An OCT wide certified Management Consulting Association to allow TCI consultants access to more consulting opportunities globally.
• An OCT College web portal to provide opportunities for Colleges and Universities to assist small businesses with training and advice.
The CED is a not for profit organization dedicated to assisting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and is currently funded in part by the TCI Government, Chambers of Commerce and the Bankers Association. The CED is seeking private sector sponsors to help fund their ongoing work and is encouraging individuals with business expertise to volunteer their time with the CED, both in person at the CED offices in Graceway House and through the Carib Connect web portal.
National Cancer Survivor Day
National Cancer Survivors Day is observed on the 5th of June, this day has been approved to nationally celebrate with persons who have beaten the odds and are surviving cancer.
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells, which can invade and spread to different parts of the body. Cancer can have severe health consequences, and is a leading cause of death. The most common types of cancer in men are Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer while breast, colorectal, lung, uterine cervix, and stomach cancer are the most common among women.
Each year because of improved screenings and advanced treatment, more and more people are beating cancer. But, that doesn’t change the importance of being a cancer survivor and the hard fight that it takes to conquer and put cancer in its place is notably recognized.
Hon. Lillian Misick president of the TCI Cancer Foundation stated “that cancer survivors are strong and courageous”.
Changing or avoiding key risk factors, especially tobacco use, could prevent more than 30% of cancer deaths. Studies have shown that tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22% of cancer deaths per year. Early detection, precise diagnosis, and effective treatment help increase cancer survival.
“We honor and salute cancer survivors and their families who have supported them along the way, it was not easy but, you made it, you have proven that there is life after cancer” stated the Hon. Premier and Minister of Health Agriculture and Human Services DR. Rufus Ewing who also acknowledged the efforts of the Cancer Society for their assistance in providing cancer prevention and awareness information for our communities.
Modification of one’s diet is another important approach to cancer control as studies have also shown that there is a link between being overweight and obese to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. A diet that is high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers. Regular physical activity (exercise) and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will significantly reduce cancer risk.
Alcohol use is a risk factor for many types’of cancers these includes, cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast. The risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. The risk substantially increases if the person is also a heavy smoker.
The Ministry of Health Agriculture and Human Services and by extension the National Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit celebrates with persons who have overcome and survived cancer.
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) will be hosting its first annual 'Job Readiness Fair' at the Dillon Hall, Grand Turk and the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex, Providenciales from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesday, 8 June and Thursday, 9 June respectively.
These events will be open to all members of the community and in particular, persons seeking information on career opportunities within TCIG. Staff from the Deputy Governor's Office and the Human Resource Management Directorate will be on site providing advice on how to apply for jobs, interviewing tips and the recruitment process amongst other topics of interest.
Additionally, there will also be staff on hand from the various TCIG Ministries to provide advice and guidance specific to their respective Departments. These include but are not limited to Immigration, Customs, Education, Public Works, Health, Environment, Home Affairs, Finance and the AG's Chambers.
Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams stated; "With the approval of the most recent budget, TCIG has approximately one hundred and fifty (150) new and/or vacant posts to fill across Government. This Job Readiness Fair is being undertaken to increase interest and public awareness of careers within TCIG as well as to provide persons residing in the TCI with every opportunity for gainful employment."