Porsche is the First Automaker to Use Gorilla Glass Windows

orsche announced Monday that it will be the first automaker to use 'Gorilla Glass,' panes of which will separate the insides of the new 911 GT3 RS from the outside.

'Gorilla Glass' is a common name for thin-film glass, which is a composite found commonly on mobile devices and televisions. It's made with a thin pane of glass, chemically treated so that its fine imperfections—visible only under an electron microscope—are partially filled in, boosting compressive strength, flexibility, and resistance to scratches and chips. Porsche's engineers used a similar material in the rear pane of the 918 Spyder Weissach, and now, the GT3 RS will use thin-film glass to cut weight from its rear and rear side windows.

How much weight? Porsche says the rear safety glass window on a base 911 weighs 5.8 kilograms (12.8 pounds), but that of the GT3 RS with the same dimensions comes in at just 3.7 kilograms (8.2 pounds).

Thin-film glass conveys other benefits, too. Traditional safety glass blocks about 70 percent of ultraviolet radiation, while thin-film glass can block 99 percent. Likewise, the thinner panes mean less optical distortion, which is especially important with how steep the windows in some 911s can be.

Porsche is also in pursuit of how to add better infrared insulation to thin-film glass and wishes to evaluate its uses for interior touch displays. The automaker does admit some ways in which the material falls short of traditional safety glass, namely its high cost due to limited demand in the automotive market for thin-film glass. An additional problem is that thin-film glass can at times be too flexible—windows you roll down can't be made of the stuff because they could flex at high speeds, and not seal correctly when rolled up.

But with Porsche announcing its exploration of thin-film glass for automotive applications, it may be only a matter of time before its competitors adopt the technology, maybe even rolling it out for use in mass-production or economy vehicles. Weight reduction is the final frontier of automotive engineering, and everyone should be pleased by its advancement.


FORECAST FOR THE BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FOR 14th AUGUST, 2018

WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND HUMID WITH FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

WINDS: ESE TO SSE AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NW BAHAMAS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES ACROSS THE EXTREME NW BAHAMAS AND EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SE BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NW BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY

WEATHER: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS, HOT AND HUMID WITH FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS EARLY. PARTLY CLOUDY TO FAIR AND WARM AT NIGHT WITH A SHOWER OR TWO.

WINDS: E TO SE AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NW BAHAMAS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES ACROSS THE EXTREME NW BAHAMAS AND EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SE BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NW BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND SE BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A SMALL NONTROPICAL, LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM LOCATED ABOUT 500 MILES SOUTH OF CAPE RACE, NEW FOUNDLAND, IS PRODUCING LIMITED SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO PREVENT SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS WHILE IT MOVE SOUTH-SOUTHWESTWARD AT 10 TO 15 MPH OVER THE CENTRAL SUB-TROPICAL OCEAN. FORMATION CHANCE THROUGH THE NEXT 24 HOURS TO 5 DAYS IS LOW AT ABOUT 20 PERCENT OR LESS. ELSEWHERE THE TROPICS REMAIN QUIET AND TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH THE NEXT 5 DAYS.


MAN SHOT IN AN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN KEW TOWN

Police are asking members of the public, to come forth with any information they may have in an attempted armed robbery, which occurred Monday, August 13, 2018. 

 

According to reports, shortly after 12 a.m. an armed masked man attempted to rob a Kew Town bar. A 57-year-old male received a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital.

 

Investigations are ongoing.

 

If you have any information please contact the Chalk Sound Police Station at 338-5901, 941-8082, 911 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477. 

 

ENDs.


THE PASSING OF WILLIAM 'BILL' HOWARD, PRESIDENT, WEST INDIAN AMERICAN DAY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION (WIADCA)

STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM 'BILL' HOWARD, PRESIDENT, WEST INDIAN AMERICAN DAY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION (WIADCA)
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (13 August, 2018) - The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) expresses its sadness at the sudden passing of William 'Bill' Howard, the president of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA).
 
Bill was a dedicated servant of the Caribbean American community and was committed to the continued development of the West Indian Day Carnival as an avenue to transmit the excitement of the Caribbean to millions of participants and viewers in the United States and beyond, provide a nostalgic and creative outlet for members of the Caribbean Diaspora - and those who travel from the region to be part of this spectacle – and advertise our carnivals and festivals in the Caribbean. We greatly appreciated Bill's commitment to enhancing the cultural, educational and leadership opportunities for Caribbean people.
 
Under his leadership the CTO and WIADCA established a productive working relationship which we will continue to nurture in his memory.
 
On behalf of the Chairman and the Council of Ministers, the Board of Directors, Staff and entire membership of the CTO, we offer condolences to Bill's family and loved ones, and to WIADCA, the organisation to which he devoted his considerable talent and expertise. His contribution will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
 
About the Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados, offices in New York and London and representation in Canada, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency comprising membership of the region's finest countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO's vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.
 
Among the benefits to its members the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution and research & information technology.

TCI Ministry of Health Host Mass Casualty Training

The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Human Services and Sports through its National Health Emergency Management Unit remains committed to providing a comprehensive approach to health emergency management in response to public health threats including natural and man-made disasters affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Ministry collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in hosting a Train the Trainer Training on July 18-20; the facilitator for this training was PAHO Regional Trainer, Mr. Peter Burges. Ms. Charlene Higgs and Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tannet were re-certified as Mass Casualty Management Trainers and Mr. Kenrick Neely, Mrs. Tammika Lall-Williams and Mr. Ajahmek Fitz-Henley were also certified as Associated Mass Casualty Trainers.

A Mass Casualty Management Training commenced the following week, July 23-28, 2018 on Providenciales which included thirty-three participants drawn from among the various response agencies. These included first responders such as Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Technicians, Health Care workers from Primary Health Care, Environmental Health, the Wellness Center, TCI Hospitals, as well as Personnel from the Ministries Mortuary Services. Other agencies represented included DDME, Immigration, Port Authority and TCI Hospitals Facilities Management and ADRA.

The Mass Casualty Management Course is a didactic multi-sectoral training course consisting of five days of lectures, field exercises, role playing and a final written desktop and field exercise designed to sharpen the response skills of mass casualty responders to effectively manage events.

The Turks and Caicos must be in a state of readiness for adequate responses to natural, man-made, chemical or radioactive events, stated Ms. Higgs Director of Health Disaster, Education and Training within the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Human Services and Sports.

For more information regarding Mass Casualty Training contact Ms. Charlene Higgs on 338-3064.

 

ENDS


The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) expresses apologies

Monday, August 13, 2018 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) expresses apologies to our Stakeholders and traveling public for all disruption of flight operations at the JAGS McCartney International Airport, Grand Turk.                                                                                        

This disruption of flight operations is due to inadequate Fire Service coverage. Due to the safety concerns, the facility was not able to accommodate Air Traffic at JAGS McCartney International Airport.

Currently all efforts are being made to restore safe flight operations.

The Airports Authority will inform the General Public once flight operations are able to resume.

 

“END”

 

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AUTHORITY

Is a statutory body that was established in 2006 following the split of the Civil Aviation Department into the Civil Aviation Authority and Airports Authority. TCIAA is mandated for the constructing, controlling and managing of airports; providing and maintaining runways, taxiways and terminals for the efficient operation of airports; providing facilities for Customs and Immigration services, and Health and Security checks; and for incidental and connected purposes.

 

For more information call 649.946.4420 or email: info@tciairports.com. Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tciairports or follow us on Twitter - @tciaa

 


"Don Kelbick's Drillz and Skillz Basketball Camp" success!

Day one of the "Don Kelbick's Drillz and Skillz Basketball Camp" was a huge success. Camp resumes tomorrow at 8am sharp!

Good luck to all campers as they aim to "Get Better!"


CERT Training Day 2

Day 2: Friday 10th August - Red Cross CERT Training on Grand Turk

On Friday 10th August, 2018 the Grand Turk Red Cross continued its CERT Training. Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Director-DDME and Mr. Mike Clerveaux, Hazard Mitigation Officer, made Presentations on the following areas:

(1) Dr. Virginia Clerveaux - Disaster Management Structure
(2) Mr. Mike Clerveaux - Search and Rescue


Medical Ethics Symposium at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre

Health care professionals across the country are invited to attend a Medical Ethics Symposium at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre main foyer with videocast to Cockburn Town Medical Centre under the theme “Informed Consent – Recommended Best Practices.” The event will be facilitated by Clinical Ethics Consultant, Professor Claire Horner, J.D., M.A.

The Symposium aims to support and educate healthcare professionals on best practices when soliciting informed consent, highlighting common challenges and pitfalls. The symposium will cover topics relating to the “when, how and why” of informed consent.

The event is open to all health care professionals in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Admission is free. Pre-registration is required for interested persons. Kindly submit your name, designation, organization/practice to TCI Hospital Education Manager, Jacqueline Moe-Cox via jcox@interhealthcanada.tcby September 7th, 2018.

Facilitator Background:

Professor Claire Horner, J.D., M.A.
Claire Horner is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine and a Clinical Ethicist at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. She earned a J.D. and M.A. in Bioethics from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed a two-year clinical ethics fellowship at the Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College. Her research interests include legal and ethical issues in reproductive ethics, particularly issues arising in embryo donation and gestational surrogacy, as well as Catholic health care ethics and clinical ethics consultation.


Aretha Franklin said to be 'seriously ill'

Aretha Franklin is "seriously ill", according to a person close to the veteran soul singer.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the Associated Press that Franklin was gravely unwell.

The 76-year-old cancelled planned concerts earlier this year due to health concerns and was ordered by doctors to rest for two months.

Last year Franklin indicated her plans to retire from touring following the release of a new album.

Separately, celebrity website TMZ has also reported that a "long-time friend was told a week ago 'prepare yourself, she's dying.'"