Connect with us

News

Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est to host World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2016

Published

on

London, November 25th, 2015 – World Travel Awards (WTA) has revealed Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est, Zanzibar, Tanzania, has been selected to host the Africa & India Ocean Gala Ceremony 2016.

Set to take place on Saturday, April 9th, 2016, the dazzling red-carpet ceremony will welcome hospitality leaders and luminaries from across the regions.

Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est, located on the north-western shores of magical Zanzibar, is set within stupendous exotic tropical gardens. The enchanting, luxurious and environmentally friendly resort has a total of 138 rooms, all with a private terrace and the majority with sea views.

WTA President Graham Cooke said: “Our Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony will be the first stage on our 2016 Grand Tour and it will be a pleasure to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania, for the first time.

“Zanzibar is famed and predominantly seen as a beach destination – with crystal clear warm cobalt-blue seas all year round and pure white sandy beaches. However, there’s far more to offer the discerning traveller.

“From diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, deep sea fishing and many other aquatic experiences, as well as the often forgotten cultural experiences on offer.

“WTA will showcase all this and more when we visit early next year.”
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

Commenting on the decision Andrew Cook, General Manager, Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est said: “Hosting the WTA Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2016 at Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est in Zanzibar is one of the proudest moments in the resort’s history.

“It is also an opportunity and endorsement for all in Zanzibar to showcase our offerings and reaffirm our country as a fast developing tourism destination in the world.

“We not only aim to showcase and educate our guests on our
Diamonds resorts but also with our authentic cultural interactions with the warm and vibrant local ethnic communities.

“Zanzibar is a progressive nation, bursting with local enthusiasm, talent and creativity.”
Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est is part of the Planhotel Hospitality Group.

Founded in 1997 in Lugano, the group has been operating in the tourism sector for over 18 years as a leading hotel management company for resorts and hotels in the Indian Ocean.

Planhotel is renowned worldwide for its unique combination of local tradition and Italian style in both its design and guest services, without forgetting its exemplary all inclusive formula.

WTA Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.
For more information on the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2016 head over to the official website.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Caribbean News

Local Beauty Queen, Activist and Model Selena Grant Graces the May Cover of Vigor Magazine

Published

on

Turks & Caicos’ rising star continues to blaze trails on the global stage

Providenciales, TCI – Turks & Caicos native Selena Grant, 24, is making headlines once again—this time as the cover star for the April 2025 issue of Vigor Magazine, an international publication celebrated for spotlighting fashion, culture, and emerging talent from around the world.

Grant, who first captured national attention in May 2024 when she was crowned Miss One Nation TCI, has since built a reputation as one of the country’s most multifaceted young women. In the past year alone, she has claimed 1st Runner-Up titles in both the Miss Universe Turks & Caicos pageant and the international Miss Global International competition. Her success on the runway, however, is only part of her story.

A dedicated community activist, Selena has contributed to humanitarian causes across the Islands, working with organizations such as United Way and Edward C Garland Yoith Centre and other outreach efforts. She also lends her skills to the medical field, currently serving as a lab apprentice at InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands.

Now, as the face of Turks & Caicos Fashion Week 2025, Selena is once again flying the national flag high. But this cover moment is not hers alone—it’s a shared triumph with the renowned model , runway coach, designer and photographer Kaye Cox, who not only photographed but also styled, directed, and retouched the entire shoot.

“I was incredibly honored to work with Kaye on this project,” Selena shared. “She’s a creative powerhouse and visionary. From concept to execution, every detail was hers—and I’m just so proud we could bring this vision to life together.”

Shot on the iconic shores of Providenciales, the editorial captures the essence of island elegance with a bold, high-fashion twist. The visuals, rich with cultural pride and artistic depth, immediately caught the eye of Vigor editors and landed both women their well-deserved spot on the cover.

This feature is another major milestone in Selena’s journey and a celebration of the brilliant women behind the lens and in front of it.

This marks yet another milestone in Selena’s modeling career and underscores her continued role as a cultural ambassador for the Turks & Caicos Islands.

From the stage to the studio, from the lab to the pages of an international magazine, Selena Grant continues to prove that beauty, brains, and purpose can go hand in hand—with women like Kaye Cox right there capturing it all.

Congratulations, Selena !

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Health Officials Re-launch Vaccination Outreach Programme against Measles

Published

on

By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Bahamas Information Services
 



NASSAU, The Bahamas –– Due to measles outbreaks in countries in close proximity to The Bahamas, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is taking no chances and officially re-launched its Community Vaccination Outreach Programme, to keep the public aware of the contagious disease.

A press conference was held on Wednesday, April 23 2025 at the Ministry on Meeting Street, during which health officials also discussed the immunization and vaccination status locally.

Present were the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Dr. Philip Swann, Acting Director, Department of Public Health; Dr. Jillian Bartlett, Senior Medical Officer; Nurse Gina Ferguson-Rose, National Immunization Coordinator; and Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The update coincided with observance of Vaccination Week in The Americas, April 26 to May 3, 2025 under the theme ‘Your Decision Makes a Difference. Immunization for All.’                                                                                                                                                             According to the Centre for Disease Control, the United States confirmed over 800 cases of measles this year, including a death in Texas, and cases in Florida, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Washington. This is compared to 248 cases for the entire year, 2024. In Canada during the first two months of 2025, there were 227 measles cases, with many requiring hospitalizations. Compared to 146 for the whole of last year.  Last week, Belize reported two cases.

“Which is one of the reasons the Department of Public health is having this press conference to alert parents of the danger and the need to ensure your child is immunized,” said Dr. Darville.

He noted that many of the confirmed measles cases in the US are in states that have direct flights to The Bahamas, which can result in possible imported cases.

“Secondly, the country’s current Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization rates are just under 85 percent which makes us very vulnerable as a nation,” he said.

Dr. Darville said he was pleased to report that “there are no reported cases of measles in the country and the Department of Public Health along with our partner PAHO, is launching a community based door-to-door programme to promote public awareness and education programmes about measles, mumps and rubella, and to immunized those children that may have been missed.”

He reminded the public that measles is a highly contagious disease and the rapid spread is of great concern to public health.  And, he reaffirmed that immunizations are free at the public clinics, urging parents and guardians to review their children’s immunization records.  If they have any concerns, contact the team at the newly reopened Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic or the EPI center at 341-1741 or 341-1766.

“Remember these vaccines have been around for decades. They are safe, effective and are provided free of charge at all public health facilities,” said Dr. Darville.

Dr. Swann reinforced the message that the measles vaccine is a vital tool in protecting public health. It prevents measles, a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death, especially in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.

“By achieving high vaccination rates, communities benefit from herd immunity, which helps shield those who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical conditions. The vaccine has played a key role in drastically reducing measles cases worldwide, contributing to efforts toward the potential elimination of the disease. Promoting widespread access to the vaccine is essential to safeguarding lives and preventing outbreaks,” he said.

He added, “We believe that combining these strategies can boost vaccination rates and help protect entire communities through herd immunity.”

Dr Swann advised the public that the Department of Public Health is re-launching its community programme. The first wave will be the teams of nurses and nurse extenders who will be wearing Vaccination Week in the Americas t-shirts. And, they would be in communities this week with a blitz being planned for the communities served by the Baillou hill Road and Fleming Street clinics this coming weekend.

Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands also stressed the importance of being vaccinated.

“The problem for us is that our vaccination coverage is dangerously low. What this means is that if a case of measles comes into The Bahamas, we are at a very high risk of that case spreading the diseases to the Bahamian population, particularly children.

“We run a very real risk of having a measles outbreak, which needless to say will also severely affect tourism.

“So, what can we do? The answer is simple. Ensure that we are vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. This will protect the children and prevent spread of this potentially very severe disease,” she said.

(BIS Photos/Mark Ford)

Continue Reading

News

Emailer Threatens Our Children; ‘Close Down the School’

Published

on

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, April 25, 2025 – Turks and Caicos national security leaders were deliberately vague about what led to their snap decision to shut down schools across Providenciales this week. The likely reason was to avoid panic after they were alerted to the dangerous and frightening prospect of what some anonymous sender planned to inflict upon the children, families and at least six private schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, has launched an active investigation following the receipt of suspicious emails to six schools earlier this evening.

At this stage, police intelligence has not confirmed the legitimacy of the threats. However, the police force is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.”

However, holding onto the precise threat spelled out in those ghastly emails, meant parents remained frustratingly clueless about what was so serious that it prompted school officials, to late on Wednesday night, ask them to not to drop their children to school.

Schools which were in session complied with the police statement, though we understand there was no direct communication with school administrations.

Magnetic Media also learned that those now infamous emails, dispatched to half a dozen schools including the International School, Precious Treasures, Provo Primary and British West Indies Collegiate, contained a bone-chilling threat to shoot at the schools this Friday, April 25, 2025.

“…you’ve been randomly selected for a shooting I recommend to have minimal damage done to close the school.  You will be given a 24Hr notice and a 12 Hr notice, God bless.”

There was no blessing obviously and thankfully, no violence.  Some of the schools targeted with the violent email are still on Easter Holiday.

“A joint meeting between education officials and senior police officers was convened promptly after the emails were reported. The RT&CIPF’s Intelligence Unit is fully engaged and working to trace the origin of the messages.

We understand that these messages may cause concern and wish to assure the public that everything possible is being done to protect our school communities,” informed the police press statement.

The statement came after 10 p.m. on Thursday April 23.

The sender, identified in the email as ‘Charles Millson’ and issued the threat to multiple schools via their staff accounts about 12 hours earlier, just minutes before 10 a.m. on April 23.  In the subject line: ‘Close Down the School.’

In this age of hyper-advanced technology, the email probably emanated from a phony account created to perpetrate this crime, which is in violation of the Summary Offences Ordinance, where ‘causing fear’ is cited as a crime and the Firearms Ordinances, which carries a weighty penalty of a 12-year minimum mandatory prison time for possession of an unlicensed gun and ammunition.

Authorities are expected to update the public on the progress of the investigation and its next steps. Students will remain home on Friday.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING