Both the Premier - Dr. Rufus Ewing - and the Leader of the Opposition - Sharlene Cartwright Robinson - presented their Christmas message to the nation during the weekend of December 25, 2015. You may listen to Dr. Ewing's address via this link. The Hon. Mrs. Robinson's message to the nation can be viewed here.
What a blessing it is to have made it this far in 2015. It is only by God’s grace and mercy we are alive and at our station in life. I am indeed grateful for the gift of life and for the privilege to address you from this platform another year and so it is with a heart of gratitude and one filled with hope that I greet you our residents and visitors alike.
As this year draw near its end, it is more innate than customary that we begin a period of reflection. This year has seen many challenges and while many are struggling to find cause to celebrate or to be cheerful, I wish to call us to reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas.
If we were to allow ourselves to be stuck in what was a difficult year for many and if we were to dwell on the lack of material things or the past hurts, losses and disappointments in 2015, then we would be robbing God of the gratitude and thanksgiving that He deserves. I offer you the following thoughts: whatever you have been through and are going through, you have made it this far and not without God’s grace and mercy and whatever you anticipate for the new year, God is already there ahead of you. This is enough to be thankful for and enough to encourage us to trust Him with our past and more importantly our future.
And as we reflect on this time of year, let us not miss the true reason we pause to celebrate. It is all about Jesus and what His birth signified. His birth, the greatest gift and expression of love, signaled an opportunity for man to be reconciled back to God. His very birth offered eternal hope, peace and joy. In these times, we ought to want to pause from all of the hustle and bustle to delight ourselves in this reality. As we celebrate, while we reflect on the birth of Jesus, let us also seek to emulate the life that He led: one of peace, love and giving. Throughout His time on earth, He delighted in being around and meeting the needs of people especially the disadvantaged. Let us do what we can to minister to those in need: not just in an encouraging word but in real deeds. Let us give lovingly, cheerfully, and for no praise from men, but for the glory of God.
In our time of reflection, with thankful and grateful hearts, let us give God the praise that is due Him for keeping us to this time, for the tests and challenges that did not kill us but can and will serve to make us better, for the gift of life, family and friends and for the gift of His Son, the Promise that brings us hope in this time.
During this season, give your family some quality time, give praise and celebrate in a place of Worship, give to those less fortunate and in all be sure to give God all the glory.
On behalf of the PDM Party: our officers, members and families, and with grateful and thankful hearts, I extend to you a very Merry Christmas and a Christ filled New Year. In this New Year, it is our prayer that you will embrace the new possibilities and beginnings that it will bring and remember that whatever our struggles and challenges in life and wherever we might find ourselves, there is still the opportunity to start anew, to change our attitude and outlook.
This is a time of reflection, sharing, hope and new possibilities.
In the words of an unknown author, “May you have the spirit of Christmas which is peace, the gladness of Christmas which is hope and the heart of Christmas which is love.”
And from my heart to yours, may the Christ of Christmas fill your hearts and homes.
Again I wish for you a very Merry Christmas and a Christ filled 2016.
The holiday season is upon us and as always signals rebirth, renewal. Despite the turmoil of the world at large and the continuing disappointments here at home we will now pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Let us reflect for a moment on why this yearly event is the most important holiday in the history of mankind.
Christ was and is the Son of the Creator who came to save mankind from itself. Jesus taught us to turn from greed and to reach out in humility to each other. This is a lesson for the whole world and for the Turks and Caicos Islands who have been on a different path for a dozen years.
We look forward to the Christmas season here in Middle Caicos. The Christmas tree lighting will signal once again that rebirth, that renewal here on the mother island. We will celebrate Christmas with our families and friends. Christmas renewal will become nourishment for our souls and holiday meals nourishment for our bodies.
Christmas should refocus our attention on our children and grandchildren who we must instruct in the lessons of Jesus so that they will carry on to lead us properly in the future. God knows we and they must turn away from greed to seek our own humility.
The New Years resolution most important for the people of the TCI is to consider what has gone before for an entire generation of 20 years. Children have been born, grown and had their own children during that period.
Then during that same period we have moved from honest government serving all the people to government and leadership which began by mocking an honest leader for his Christianity. Then went on to teach our youth examples of greed and lust. Our children have inherited the wind !
2016 is the season to look outside the box. To stop being taken for granted and return to our roots. It is the healthy roots planted and grown by the PDM that gave TCI potential prosperity. Prosperity first side tracked now stalled. Prosperity can only be realized under an honest government capable of repairing the damage.
Monuments of the failures of greed and lust are everywhere in both faulty concrete and self serving policies. People need only to open their eyes. Worshiping the Golden Calf not only turned us away from the 10 commandments given to Moses but from the humble important lessons of Christ.
2016 is an election year. A year to resolve to return to a people's honest thoughtful government and finally begin the process of TCI rebirth, then rebuilding.
May all the people of the TCI have a joyous Christmas and a honest and hopeful New Year.
- David TapferThe Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to congratulate Ms. Ludwina Fulford on her successful appointment as the new Director of Culture within the Ministry of Tourism.
Ms. Fulford graduated in the top five of the 2001 graduating class of HJ Robinson High School in Grand Turk. She went on to successfully complete a Certificate and Associate Degree in Business Studies from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and later received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations and a Master’s Degree in Management from the Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She was an employee of Scotiabank TCI for the last seven years as both Personal Banking Officer and Business Banking Manager.
“Ms. Fulford in addition to her academic strengths is also clearly a civic minded individual, which is evidenced through her involvement in the Rotaract Club of Grand Turk where she has held several positions throughout the years including Sergeant at Arms, Fund Raising Director, Club Services Director, President, Assistant District Rotaract Representative and Immediate Past President,” stated Deputy Governor, Anya Williams.
“She performed exceptionally well in the recent recruitment exercise and we look forward to her joining our team and progressing cultural initiatives here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Ms. Fulford added; “I am indeed grateful to be appointed as Director of Culture. It has always been my desire to work in the Public Service, assisted by the TCI Government with my studies, the Civil Service was always my first choice for employment.
“The Culture Department by its very nature dictates an inter sectorial approach to the fulfillment of its mandate. It is, therefore, my intention to embrace the contributions and involvement of both the public and private sectors. As an advocate of a cooperative approach, I am committed to fostering team spirit and unity among my staff and all other stakeholders in Culture.”
The Lands Division under the Attorney General’s Chambers wishes to advise the general public of the recruitment of Mrs. Michele Grey as Deputy Chief Valuation Officer within the Valuation Department.
Michele Grey, who was elected a professional member of the RICS in 2008, is a Chartered Valuation Surveyor with a wealth of experience in property valuation and property tax assessment. She also has an MBA in International Business, a BSc (Hons) in Estate Management and a Diploma in Land Economy and Valuation Surveying.
Prior to joining the valuation team, she worked at the National Land Agency (NLA) Jamaica where she assisted with the management of a property portfolio numbering over 180,000 parcels of land. She has led numerous valuation projects for road expansion and portfolio valuations and was integral in the ongoing property revaluation exercise. She served as co-chair of the NLA’s Welfare Committee and was a member of the Procurement Committee.
She has been on the executive council of the Association of Land Economy and Valuation Surveyors (ALEVS) for the last three years as chair of the Event Planning and Fund Raising Committee and treasurer of the Association. She coordinated several training courses, some in collaboration with RICS, geared towards continuing professional development for Valuers and the wider surveying profession.
The Department of State (State) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborate closely on adjudications related to the K-1 visa classification, as they do in many other immigration matters. As directed by the President, and in light of the evolving security environment, State and DHS are undertaking a review of the K-1 visa process.
K-1 Visa Process
What is the K-1 visa? The K-1 visa permits certain foreign national fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens to travel to the United States and marry their petitioning U.S. citizen sponsors within 90 days of admission to the United States.
What is the process for obtaining a K-1 visa? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must first approve a Form I-129F petition. If the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. At that time, State conducts an in-person interview with the foreign national fiancé(e).
What kind of screening do K-1 applicants undergo? K-1 fiancé(e) screening includes input from interagency partners, including the Intelligence Community (IC) and law enforcement and immigration agencies. It incorporates information based on fingerprints and facial recognition. At each step of the process, the foreign national fiancé(e) is screened against a variety of law enforcement and national security databases, including the terrorist watchlist.
What happens when the foreign national fiancé(e) arrives in the United States? The foreign national fiancé(e) has 90 days to marry the U.S. citizen petitioner. After the marriage, the foreign national is eligible to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. At the time of adjustment to LPR status, the applicant is again subject to screening against law enforcement and security databases, including the terrorist watchlist.
Review of the K-1 Visa Program
Given the use of the K-1 visa by one of the San Bernardino shooters, the U.S. Government launched a review of the K-1 visa category, led by the Departments of State and Homeland Security. These agencies already have formed a working group to scrutinize each step of the process for potential improvements, including:
Retrospective background checks and future process improvements – Each agency will run retroactive checks of various subsets of K-1 visa applicants to identify possible patterns of abuse of this visa category, and inform further process improvements.
Review K-1 visa adjudication practices worldwide – Both agencies will review adjudication practices of petitions and of visa applications, to ensure that the highest level of consistent standards is being met.
Interviews – Each applicant for a K-1 visa is interviewed by a consular officer overseas, and USCIS conducts interviews on a discretionary basis for individuals who have entered the United States and are seeking to adjust status to permanent residence. The working group will review both interview processes and assess whether risk criteria can be applied to flag particular applicants.
Social Media – The U.S. government already employs social media vetting in certain immigration benefits programs. The working group is committed to expanding use of social media vetting and is examining appropriate opportunities, in conjunction with interagency screening partners, to do so across the range of visa programs, including the K-1 program.
Information Collection – The working group will evaluate whether there is additional information USCIS or State could collect in the application process that vetting/screening partners could utilize.
Thursday 17th December 2015 – Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel Business is extending its Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio with the launch of another innovative solution, Digicel CareClip, which caters to those who require assisted-living but want to maintain their independence. This launch was made possible through its partnership with Motech Electronic Devices Limited which offers a unique line of assisted living and health solutions.
Digicel CareClip is an easy to wear device that gives the wearer peace of mind by way of an advanced fall detection technology that triggers a two way communication between the wearer and the care agent. Digicel CareClip also features a panic button that can trigger alerts so that emergency contacts are notified immediately. The caregivers also benefit as they have the reassurance that their loved ones will be supported – no matter where they are – as they can monitor their safety 24 hours a day from any place and any device through the online web portal or the Android mobile app which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. While its primary use is in the healthcare sector, Digicel CareClip is also very well suited in the lone worker area where the safety of staff while working alone or during evening hours is a concern.
Chief Operating Officer for Digicel Business, Martin Carroll, said; “With Digicel CareClip, those who require assisted living and those who care for them will have the peace of mind that they are benefiting from the latest technology that monitors their movements and alerts the necessary caregivers in case of an emergency. Digicel Careclip is also a great product for enterprises in the care and health services sector to expand their offering with innovative Digicel solutions.”
Chief Executive Officer of Motech Electronic Devices Limited, Paul Flavin, said; “We are delighted to be working with Digicel and its partners in the Caribbean, Asia Pacific and Central America on the CareClip solution. Digicel has always been known for its innovation and deep community engagement and we see the mobile care service as a perfect marriage of the two – a robust mobile service that ensures the safety of the users in the community”.
Kingston, Jamaica – Monday, December 14, 2015:
With Christmas just around the corner, telecommunications company, Digicel, is adding the sleek, sexy DL1000 handset to its suite of DL smartphones.The launch of the DL1000 follows closely behind its predecessor – the DL910, which has been flying off the shelves since its release in July.
Supported by the popular Android OS (Lollipop), the shiny new DL1000 comes in a variety of colours and features 1GB RAM processor, 8GB ROM, a 5.5 inch screen and a 10 megapixel camera with flash – all perfectly packaged in an aesthetically appealing and fresh design. Fully loaded with a range of well sought-after and useful apps like Sportsmax, My Digicel, Loop, Digicel Space and Digicel Top Up, the best value handset makes the perfect Christmas gift for young people on the go who want style, functionality, affordability and superfast 4G speeds.
John Delves, Chief Commercial Officer, Digicel Group comments; “The DL1000 smartphone is all about ensuring that even more customers have access to the amazing experience of 4G. So it’s about accessibility, style and affordability. Importantly, with video streaming becoming the fastest-growing phenomenon in mobile, the 5.5 inch screen delivers a bigger and better streaming experience for customers – it’s becoming like your own TV in the palm of your hands.”
Since its introduction to the market in 2013, the Digicel line of smartphones has been dubbed as sleek, fun and affordable and continues to empower even more people to do more, play more, listen more and share more.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Wednesday urged the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to join a successful year for multilateral diplomacy by delivering trade deals which will drive global economic growth and uplift the poor.
Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator A.J. Nicholson made the call in his address, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to the plenary session of the Tenth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
“2015 has been a good year so far for multilateralism”, Senator Nicholson told the conference. “The decisions taken on Financing for Development, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and most recently, COP21, give us hope that the world community can collectively find solutions to pressing global issues. CARICOM hopes that this meeting in Nairobi will take meaningful decisions which will signal that the multilateral trading system, embodied in the WTO, can do the same” he added.
Mr. Nicholson said CARICOM hopes the Conference will adopt, among other things;
The WTO is an international intergovernmental organization dealing with the formulation and implementation of international trade rules. It also deals with the arbitration of trade disputes between members. The WTO’s business is conducted through the Ministerial Conference, held every two years. The current conference ends on Friday 18 December.
See full Statement delivered by Senator Nicholson:
CARICOM STATEMENT
DELIVERED BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE, SENATOR THE HONOURABLE A.J. NICHOLSON, Q.C., ON BEHALF OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY AT THE TENTH WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE, NAIROBI, KENYA 16TH DECEMBER, 2015
Madam Chair,
On behalf of the Caribbean Community, I wish to say that it is indeed a pleasure to be here in Nairobi, the first WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in the great continent of Africa. We would like to thank and commend our hosts, the Government and the people of Kenya, for their very warm hospitality and excellent arrangements for this Conference. The fact that the WTO is also celebrating its 20th anniversary gives special meaning to our presence here this week.
CARICOM has been a strong supporter of a rules-based multilateral trading system. We joined the consensus to launch the Doha Work Programme, commonly known as the Doha Development Round. This Round promised that issues of particular concern to developing countries, including small and vulnerable economies and least developed countries, would be at the heart of our work and decisions.
Our countries engaged fully in the Doha negotiations in Geneva and with the close involvement of our capitals. We emphasised the principles of special and differential treatment and less than full reciprocity. At the same time, we recognised that we would be required to undertake new commitments once agreement was reached. In this context, we are pleased that five of our Member States have already ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement, adopted at the Bali Ministerial Meeting.
CARICOM continues to support the Doha Development Round. We regret that after 14 years of negotiations, we have not been able to reach an agreement which would have delivered the development dimension which brought us to the negotiating table. We recognise that it may be necessary to discuss, post Nairobi, appropriate ways in which we can address the issues in the Doha Agenda, in order to achieve successful outcomes. In this effort, it is vital that we preserve and secure the progress achieved over the past years, particularly those contained in our Ministerial decisions and negotiating texts which relate to special and differential treatment, less than full reciprocity, special measures and flexibilities for small and vulnerable economies and least developed countries.
Madam Chair, 2015 has been a good year so far for multilateralism. The decisions taken on Financing for Development, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and most recently, COP21, give us hope that the world community can collectively find solutions to pressing global issues. CARICOM hopes that this meeting in Nairobi will take meaningful decisions which will signal that the multilateral trading system, embodied in the WTO, can do the same.
We hope, therefore, that we will be able to adopt, inter alia, decisions relating the G90 proposals on Special and Differential treatment provisions including those related to small, vulnerable economies and least developed countries; agricultural issues, including the Special Safeguard Mechanism, which was proposed by the G33 in November, 2015; Fisheries Subsidies; the Work Programme on Small Economies; and special measures for least developed countries.
Finally, CARICOM wishes to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Liberia on their accession to the WTO. We wish to recall that one of our Member States continues to pursue its accession negotiations. We urge the WTO Members to recognise that as a small, vulnerable economy, it should not be called upon to make concessions beyond its level of development and vulnerablity.
While Chikungunya and Dengue are still sporadically occurring in our community, Zika virus, also a mosquito-borne disease which was first identified in Chile in February of last year, has since spread to Brazil, Columbia and the Caribbean.
Earlier in November 2015, the Caribbean Public Health Agency confirmed five cases of the Zika virus in a territory of the Caribbean Community. No cases of Zika have been detected in the TCI.
The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bite mostly during the daytime. The same mosquito is also responsible for Dengue and Chikungunya.
The most common symptoms of Zika virus are mild and are: fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes (conjunctivitis).Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Zika.
If you suspect you have Zika, please see your health care provider!
To relieve fever and pain associated with the virus, it is recommended that persons drink lots of fluids and take pain relievers such as paracetamol. Aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided.
In order to protect yourself from mosquito bites use insect repellents on exposed skin, when weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes in your home, sleep under a mosquito bed net. It is even more critical for women who are pregnant to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
A link between mothers who had Zika virus in pregnancy and an increased incidence of microcephaly in infants born to them is currently being investigated. Microcephaly is a condition where the size of an infant's head is smaller than normal, because of slowed or incomplete brain development.
The Environmental Health Department has enhanced its vector control activities to reduce mosquito breeding sites in addition to stepping up fogging. Members of the public are urged to eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes by keeping your surroundings clean. Cover or turn over containers. Tightly cover drums and rain barrels as well as boats and wading pools. Get rid of or cover old tires. Properly dispose of all garbage and refuse. Clean rain gutters and make sure they are flowing properly. Inspect your home and yard weekly.
Call the Environmental Health Department at 649-338-2143 or 649-338-2145 to treat large bodies of stagnant water on or around your property.
The MOHAHS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
