Punishing Heat Wave Sets Records Across Asia
Record-high temperatures and severe drought are causing misery for hundreds of millions of people in Asia.
“In Southeast Asia this heat wave joins the historical ones of 1960, 1983 and 1998, but as for duration, intensity and affected area it is definitely the strongest heat wave for Thailand, Laos and Cambodia,” said Maximiliano Herrera, a prominent climatologist who investigates world temperature records.
Last year’s India heatwave officially killed 2,422 people — the country's highest heat-related death toll in more than two decades.
This year, more than 150 deaths in India are blamed on the heat over the past two weeks.
“I am afraid the heat will persist and increase for the next weeks and unfortunately the death toll will surely rise,” Herrera told the press.
In India’s richest state of Maharashtra, the worst dry spell in four decades has not only destroyed crops but caused death of livestock, seen reservoirs go dry and affected output at hydroelectric and thermal power plants.
In Malaysia, hundreds of schools have been ordered closed and the country’s farmers are losing their vegetables.
To the north, in Thailand, a record low rice yield is predicted for the dry season.
Vietnam, usually the world’s second biggest coffee exporter, has seen its robusta crop in the central highlands wither amid the worst drought there in at least three decades.
“The first three months of this year have been so warm that 2016 is almost certain to be the hottest on record,” predicts the Times of India.
Some scientists remain cautious about attributing partial blame to climate change for the current spike in temperatures, as the time frame represents a relatively limited chunk of data.
Cambodia saw a national all-time record high of 42.6°C set in Preah Vihea province on April 15. That was two days after its neighbor to the north, Laos, set its own national all-time high temperature of 42.3°C at Seno.
Dozens of Thai weather stations have broken or tied their all-time record maximum temperatures this month.
The thermometer has been reaching 46.0°C in several towns in Myanmar, still shy of the national record high of 47.2°C at Myinmu observed on May 14, 2010.
J$550m allocated as contingency for weather-related risks
Contingency funding of $550 million has been allocated for weather-related risks in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure.
To be used specifically for natural disasters and infrastructure rehabilitation, this allocation is in keeping with the Fiscal Responsibility Framework Regulations, contained in the Financial Administration and Audit Act (FAA Act).
In the meantime, another contingency provision of $100 million has been provided to support the proper functioning of the Public Investment Management System (PIMS).
This will be done by providing the fiscal space required to support key pre-investment actions, such as feasibility assessments; process reviews; cost benefit analysis; socio-economic and environmental assessment; and other technical studies.
The objective is to improve the quality of the final project design and ultimately the execution rate of public investment projects.
The allocation will also provide the Government’s counterpart funding for multilateral/bilateral grants, which may be recommended for implementation during the course of the financial year.
Torrential rain kills six in Haiti, including children
Torrential rain in the impoverished Haiti killed six people over the weekend, including four children, authorities said yesterday Tuesday.
Three of the children — aged two, six and eight — were part of the same family and lost their lives when their house in the capital Port-au-Prince collapsed, according to the Interior Ministry.
Another family member in the house at the time, a 41-year-old adult, also died.
In the community of Delmas, the downpours caused a section of a wall to collapse, killing a 36-year-old man and a seven-year-old girl in a house below.
The rain also sparked flooding, with authorities saying water mixed with waste seeped into 4,612 houses in the communes of Port-au-Prince, located north of the capital, authorities estimated.
The severe lack of proper infrastructure to deal with downpours regularly causes damage in the capital.
The absence of an efficient system of trash collection was another deterring factor which also complicated matters, some of the structural housing are poorly assembled and are built without permits.
With the weather not expected to improve before today Wednesday, officials are urging the population to exercise caution.
Haiti is hit by storms every year from June to November but the absence of urban planning means that heavy showers during the country's first rainy season from April to June takes its toll on the poorest parts of the population.
Walt Disney cruise ship rescues fugitives off coast of Cuba
A Walt Disney Co cruise ship has rescued three fugitives off the coast of Cuba who were wanted in New Orleans.
US Marshal Amos Rojas Jr said in a news release that last Thursday, the Disney Fantasy cruise ship found the fugitives clinging to a capsized boat. He says all three were wanted for violating their supervised release on federal credit card fraud charges in New Orleans.
Twenty-six-year-old Luis Rivera-Garcia, 23-year-old Juliet Estrada-Perez and 23-year-old Enrique Gonzalez-Torres were turned over to authorities in Florida.
The fugitives were Cubans who were from the United States. Rojas says authorities believe the three may have been fleeing to Cuba to avoid prosecution.
Hon. Sharlene Cartwright made a statement on the Young Lady being Missing
Meanwhile, Shadow Minister & Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Sharlene Cartwright in a statement added that "My Party is deeply saddened by the rapid evolving headlines over the past week of a young lady being missing, discovery of a dead body and now confirmation of the body: that of the missing 26 yr old Dominican National, Yuneiry Veras in Providenciales.
We had hoped that she would have been found alive but are grateful for this closure for her family and friends. We wish to offer our deepest and sincerest sympathy to her family and friends and to say to you that it is our prayer that God comfort you all during this experience.
Providenciales and Turks and Caicos Islands are losing their identity and are not what we knew them to be. We accept that things can and will change with expansion in population and other areas of development but there are certain things that we cannot and must not accept and these type of crimes can never be allowed to become commonplace in our societies. The senseless loss of a young life is a great tragedy and a further indication of the little value that some seem to place on human life. As a woman, I condemn this act against this young woman and call on all women to exercise great caution recognizing that women have fallen prey to violent and deadly crimes in recent history.
I however wish to remind us all that we all have a part to play in fighting crime which has waged a war against us. It is up to us, as well as the Police as to whether this matter will become a cold case or not. We are grateful that the Police has already opened a homicide investigation and we join them on calling on the people of this Island to lend any assistance you can to investigators. We say to those of you who may have seen or heard something to come forward and do not dismiss anything as irrelevant or immaterial. I am a firm believer in the integrity of Crime Stoppers and its commitment to protecting the identity of callers and I encourage use of the call Crime Stoppers tip hotline 18008477. Your identity is protected and your assistance is greatly needed and appreciated.
I will never weary of calling for greater resources and modern crime fighting initiatives for the Police but equally I will never weary in calling on the people of this country to fulfill its obligation in this important partnership of People/Police.
I have recently released a 12 Point Crime Plan and know these initiatives will do much to aggressively tackle crime. We cannot allow crime, especially of this nature to affect our peace of minds, our means and way of life, and our reputation. We must do what we can to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islands is a safe place to live and do business."
TCI HOSPITAL CELEBRATES 6 YEARS
The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is celebrating six years of service to the Country today.
This year, there focus will be based on community service.
To commemorate the six year anniversary, the IHC held a brief ceremony under the theme ‘Partnerships for Community Service’, which was held at the hospital yesterday Monday April 25th, 2016.
Congratulations were extended by some members of the public while others criticised the hospitals healthcare systems.
RTC News will share highlights in a subsequent newscast.
Mary Lightbourne appointed as Turks and Caicos’ Deputy Director of Tourism
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to congratulate Mary Lightbourne on her successful appointment as the new Deputy Director of Tourism.
Lightbourne is no stranger to the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board as she brings with her 23 years of a diverse track record of work experience, of which 15 were spent at the Tourist Board taking on progressively responsible roles. She was previously employed as the Registrar of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and most recently employed with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government in a senior-level position as the Head of Secretariat to the Minister of Education.
Lightbourne holds a Master’s of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management and Development from American Intercontinental University, and a diploma in Tourism and Travel Agency Management from Cambridge Tutorial College, UK. Lightbourne is not only academically motivated but also civic minded, evident through her involvement with the Rotary Club of Grand Turk where she has held the position of President.
Director of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Ralph Higgs said the tourism team welcomes Lightbourne’s capabilities and experiences, “Her appointment is consistent with our commitment to ensure the continual growth of our tourism industry and to guarantee the Tourist Board’s longevity.”
Lightbourne commented that she is grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board as Deputy Director, “I am excited to showcase my leadership skills and augment my participation in marketing the number one tourism destination. I look forward to working with the entire tourism team to make my contribution to the growth of the vibrant tourism industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
As Deputy Director, Lightbourne will be based in Grand Turk and will oversee the administration of the Grand Turk Office. Her portfolio also includes tourism statistics management, quality assurance, strengthening the cruise industry, and assisting with the development and implementation of the tourism marketing strategy, with special emphasis on Grand Turk and the surrounding Islands.
Guilty Plea
51-year-old John Spencer Missick plead guilty on Thursday last, 21st April 2016, to Burglary in connection with a report that was made on Monday 8th February 2016.
On that day, a complainant made a report to police that shortly after 5 pm he arrived home and found Mr. Missick entering the bushes from the laundry room. Upon confronting him, it was observed he had in his possession beach towels and laundry detergent. Upon making checks, the complainant noticed that the items were stolen from his laundry room.
Police later arrived on the scene, arrested Mr Missick and then formally charged and cautioned him.
Mr. Missick was sentenced to two years’ probation.
During his probation period he must reside in North Caicos, report to the Bottle Creek Police Station every Thursday and must work (one hundred) 100 hours of Community service as stated by the courts.
Police found a lifeless body in Provo
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are continuing their investigations and hopes to confirm to RTC News whether the lifeless body of an unidentified female found earlier (Saturday 23rd April 2016) in the North Western area of Providenciales is that of Yunery Veras.
Just last week, Police issued a Missing Person’s report along with posters plastered at many business establishments in Provo for the 26 years old woman, of brown complexion by the name of Veras.
PRO Kevin Clarke told our news desk that at Around 1:04pm, while on patrol in that area of Pirate’s Cove on Tom Lightbourne’s Drive made the discovery of the body.
Steps are being taken to ascertain the identity of the female.
A post-mortem examination was conducted and public should know the exact cause of death sometime this week or early next week.
RTC News spoke with a variety of Dominican nationals in Providenciales who expressed not being recorded, most stated that while they do not know the missing woman hope that she can be found alive and expressed prayers to the family and friends.
Officers of the RTCIP are asking anyone with information as it relates to the discovery to please contact the police on 338-5901 or Crimestoppers 1-800-Tips while the investigations are ongoing.
STAFF OF TCI REVENUE DEPARTMENT UNDERSTUDIES THE OPERATIONS
The team of eight (8) officers from the Revenue Department recently returned from St. Kitts and Nevis on a one-week professional attachment at Inland Revenue Department from April 18th to April 22nd 2016.
This initiative afforded the officers with the opportunity to understudy that jurisdiction's tax operations, develop an understanding of best practices utilized in the various functions of tax administration, enhance capacity building and professional development and forge information sharing and networking relationships.
The team was led by Assistant Commissioner of Revenues, Mrs. Hilda Caley and Mr Ferique Bruce and comprised of two (2) Senior Tax Officers; Brendalee Williams and Khyla Callender, three (3) Tax Officers; Nycaine Cunningham, Natasha Ewing & Lekensay Missick and Carmaine Ariza, Application Support Officer from the Accountant Generals Office.
The attachment commenced with introductions at the opening meeting and presentations from both IRD St. Kitts and TCI Revenue Department. The day concluded with a discussion on SIGTAS and other IT tools. On day 2, officers were assigned to understudy their respective work functions in the morning and regrouped to discuss Program Management and Intelligence, which continued into day 3 when they observed Business Licence Processing and held discussions with the Accountant General.
The Staff visited Nevis Sub Offices on day 4 and concluded on day 5 with an overview and closure meeting with management of the St. Kitts' Inland Revenue Department.
H.E. Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams stated; "I was happy to fund and support the program from the Professional Development Fund, which seeks to improve efficiency and service delivery across Turks & Caicos Islands Government. These programs create opportunities for exposure and information sharing geared at promoting about innovation and change in TCIG's Public Service.
"This is the second such initiative to take place in the Turks and Caicos Islands Revenue Department whereby 8 other officers during the month of March were also able to benefit as well from a similar experience at the Inland Revenue Department in Jamaica. As we seek to build capacity across the civil service and to improve efficiency in our core customer centered departments, these types of initiatives are imperative to our organization."
She added; "We extend our gratitude to the St. Kitts & Nevis Inland Revenue Departments for facilitating this program and we look forward to future partnership opportunities."
The Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mrs. Athenee Basden also expressed gratitude stating; "The Turks & Caicos Islands Revenue Department continues to undergo reform in an effort to strengthen capacity, tax administration and compliance in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The opportunity afforded to the Staff is invaluable and we will continue to support these initiatives."