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ADB Provides $100,000 to Marshall Islands For Drought Relief

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ADB Provides $100,000 to Marshall Islands For Drought Relief Efforts

MAJURO, REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS (20 May 2013) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a $100,000emergency grant to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to help fund drought relief efforts in the northern areas of the Marshall Islands.

On 19 April 2013, the Government declared a state of emergency for the northern islands, which was later elevated to a state of disaster on 8 May, in response to the persistent drought which has exhausted rainwater supplies and made groundwater from wells unsafe to drink. Water scarcity has also contributed to outbreaks of water-borne disease.

About 5,000 people on the northern islands of Ailuk, Aur, Lae, Maloelap, Mejit, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, and Wotje are experiencing the severe drought which is also contributing to food shortages, said Ayumi Konishi, Deputy Director General of ADBs Pacific Department. We are working with our development partners to provide life-saving support to affected people.

Very dry weather is expected to continue in Marshall Islands until at least July 2013. Even when rain returns to the affected areas it could take up to 12 months for food crops to recover, resulting in continuing food insecurity. Replenishment of groundwater and rainwater reserves will take several months.

ADB approved the grant under its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund.

The Marshall Islands consists of small low-lying atolls and islands spread over an 1,800 square kilometer area of the Pacific Ocean. This makes the country extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. The last severe drought faced by the Marshall Islands was in 2007.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members 48 from the region. In 2012, ADB assistance totaled $21.6 billion, including cofinancing of $8.3 billion.

ENDS

Scoop Media

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ADB Provides $100,000 to Marshall Islands For Drought Relief

U.S. Virgin Islands environment head arrested for drug trafficking

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Federal agents have arrested the top enforcement officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands environment agency on drug trafficking charges after he was allegedly caught with a cache of cocaine on a government patrol boat.

In a statement issued late Saturday, the U.S. attorney's office in the three-island U.S. Caribbean territory said Roberto Tapia was ordered held without bail pending a Tuesday hearing. He is the director of environmental enforcement for the Virgin Islands' Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. islands' district court alleges federal agents observed Tapia using one of the department's boats in a drug trafficking conspiracy. They allege Tapia was armed, uniformed and possessed a bag containing more than seven kilograms of cocaine when arrested Friday.

The case is being investigated by several local and U.S. agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard and a public corruption task force.

On Sunday, acting Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard Sr. said it was a "sad day" when any law enforcer is accused of breaking the laws that they are sworn to uphold.

"I can assure the public that ours is a policy of zero tolerance for any violations of law by those in our law enforcement divisions zero tolerance," Querrard said from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tapia has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. It wasn't immediately clear if Tapia would be paid while on leave.

During a U.S. House committee hearing last month, DEA administrator Michele M. Leonhart told lawmakers that officials were concerned about upticks in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the corrupting influence it can have on local law enforcement officials in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

"Traffickers have targeted these islands and you've got also corruption issues within local law enforcement that has caused problems, compromises of the investigations. It's just harder for these hard-working, very dedicated officers and agents to do their jobs," Leonhart said.

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U.S. Virgin Islands environment head arrested for drug trafficking

American Peter Uihlein wins Madeira Islands Open

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SANTO ANTONIO DA SERRA, Portugal (AP) -- American Peter Uihlein won the Madeira Islands Open on Sunday in his 16th European Tour start for his professional title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a two-stroke victory.

Uihlein, the former Oklahoma State star who won the 2010 U.S. Amateur, birdied four of his last eight holes to finish at 15-under 273 at Santo da Serra.

''I'm just thrilled,'' Uihlein said ''To do it playing well on the back nine, coming down the stretch, is sweet. ... I just knuckled down I guess. It was all putting that did it today, I was just trying to free up and they started to roll in so it was nice.''

The 23-year-old Uihlein earned a European Tour exemption through next season. His father, Wally Uihlein, is the chief executive golf apparel and equipment manufacturer Acushnet.

''You grow up quick out here and that was the main reason I came over,'' Uihlein said. ''It's been a good process so far and hopefully I can keep going.''

He has three top-10 finishes in seven European Tour events this season.

Denmark's Morten Orum Madsen had a double bogey on the 18th for a 67 to tie for second with Chile's Mark Tullo. Tullo, the third-round leader, had a hole-in-one on No. 4, but had four bogeys in a 71.

Scotland's Craig Lee closed with a 71 to finish three strokes behind Uihlein.

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American Peter Uihlein wins Madeira Islands Open

Bay Harbor Islands toll booths going electronic

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In about a year, driving into or leaving Bay Harbor Islands via the Broad Causeway will no longer include hitting the brakes to pay the toll.

The town is a step closer to joining the all-electronic SunPass system and eliminating the current cash and Baypass tollbooths from the causeway that connects Bay Harbor Islands to the mainland.

At its Monday night meeting, the council unanimously voted to approve an agreement between the town and Florida Turnpike Enterprise that outlines how the new electronic tolls will work. The council also gave the green light for the citys staff to request bids from contractors to build the toll gantry.

Town Manager Ron Wasson told The Miami Herald he anticipates that the toll will remain $1 for vehicles with a SunPass, and slightly higher about 20 to 25 cents extra for vehicles without the pass. Through the Toll-By-Plate system, non-SunPass holders can still drive on the Broad Causeway and will get a monthly bill in the mail.

According to the approved agreement, eight cents from every transaction will go to Florida Turnpike Enterprise and the rest will go to Bay Harbor Islands.

While the Broad Causeway is part of State Road 922, the town maintains and operates the causeway.

Drivers who frequently use the Broad Causeway will have the option to connect their SunPass to a program that allows them to pay a $250 flat annual fee instead paying the $1 toll each time. This service can be provided in person at the Bay Harbor Islands town office, 9665 Bay Harbor Terrace.

The town has budgeted $1.6 million for all electronic tolling equipment, including cameras and software, Wasson said. In addition, in 2011 the town budgeted slightly more than $189,000 for the SunPass gantry construction, according to meeting records.

In other decisions Monday, the dais also voted in a new mayor. Robert Yaffe replaced Isaac Salver as mayor. According to Bay Harbor Islands laws, the mayor and vice mayor are voted in by the rest of the council each year.

It took several nominations to settle on a mayor. First, Vice Mayor Jordan Leonard nominated Yaffe, who initially declined, saying that he recently started his own law practice. The council unanimously voted for Salver. Then the meeting broke into a short break, during which staff members and several officials on the dais listened to an audio recording of the mayoral nomination and voting process that took place prior. When the meeting was reconvened, the town attorney said the council will repeat the process of voting in a mayor because it is unclear whether there was a second supporting Yaffes nomination of Salver for mayor. Newly elected Councilwoman Kelly Reid nominated Yaffe, who declined for a second time. Reid then nominated councilwomen Stephanie Bruder and Solange Rousselot, both of whom declined. For the third time, Yaffe was nominated, and this time he accepted.

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Bay Harbor Islands toll booths going electronic

Drug charge for Virgin Islands environment officer

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KINGSTON, Jamaica Federal agents have arrested the top enforcement officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands environment agency on drug trafficking charges after he was allegedly caught with a cache of cocaine on a government patrol boat.

In a statement issued late Saturday, the U.S. attorney's office in the three-island U.S. Caribbean territory said Roberto Tapia was ordered held without bail pending a Tuesday hearing. He is the director of environmental enforcement for the Virgin Islands' Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. islands' district court alleges federal agents observed Tapia using one of the department's boats in a drug trafficking conspiracy. They allege Tapia was armed, uniformed and possessed a bag containing more than 15 pounds (seven kilograms) of cocaine when arrested Friday.

The case is being investigated by several local and U.S. agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard and a public corruption task force.

On Sunday, acting Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard Sr. said it was a "sad day" when any law enforcer is accused of breaking the laws that they are sworn to uphold.

"I can assure the public that ours is a policy of zero tolerance for any violations of law by those in our law enforcement divisions zero tolerance," Querrard said from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tapia has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. It wasn't immediately clear if Tapia would be paid while on leave.

During a U.S. House committee hearing last month, DEA administrator Michele M. Leonhart told lawmakers that officials were concerned about upticks in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the corrupting influence it can have on local law enforcement officials in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

"Traffickers have targeted these islands and you've got also corruption issues within local law enforcement that has caused problems, compromises of the investigations. It's just harder for these hard-working, very dedicated officers and agents to do their jobs," Leonhart said.

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Drug charge for Virgin Islands environment officer

Wood Islands liquor store opens

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Saturday marked the first day of operation for the new liquor store at the Plough the Waves Centre in Wood Islands.

The P.E.I. government closed the provincially-run liquor store there last year. It was leasing space from the Wood Islands Development Corporation.

Officials with the corporation were concerned about the impact on other private businesses in their building and the loss of jobs.

The corporation applied to the Liquor Control Commission to re-open it as an agency store.

Sylvain DeLafontaine is the administrator of the Wood Islands and Area Development Corporation and now also the operator of the Wood Islands Liquor Store.

We have a visitor information centre here, we have also a little restaurant, a little diner and a candy store,`` he said.

"The liquor store was bringing in people that also would overflow onto these businesses. We wanted to maintain that patronage in order for these businesses to continue thriving.

While the liquor store will have the regular offerings, it will also feature displays on local wines and spirits.

The store will be open three days a week until June 21 and then seven days a week for the rest of the season.

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Wood Islands liquor store opens

FSX – TOM3103 767-300ER Menorca – Doncaster Departure HD (Balearic Islands X, REX) – Video

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FSX - TOM3103 767-300ER Menorca - Doncaster Departure HD (Balearic Islands X, REX)
Flight Sim X flight from Menorca to Doncaster Sheffield airport as Thomson 3103 on a First Choice branded Level-D 767-300ER. Please ignore any out of place a...

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FSX - TOM3103 767-300ER Menorca - Doncaster Departure HD (Balearic Islands X, REX) - Video


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