RelatedCROSQ Urged To Adopt Standards Management System For Micro Enterprises FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan has called on the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), to explore adopting a standards management system, tailored for micro enterprises.He said the need for such a system is critical, as Small Island Developing States are largely dominated by micro businesses that do not have the level of specialisation nor human resources to implement an ISO 9001 system.“Yet, those businesses are expected to produce the same standard and quality and export to the European Union (EU), for example, and compete with large transnational corporations. If CROSQ is going to be relevant to us, it must develop, adapt and adopt standards that are applicable to the vast majority of micro enterprises that dominate the small island states of CARICOM,” he asserted.Mr. Budhan was addressing the opening of the 17th CROSQ Council Meeting at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, today (October 19).The Permanent Secretary pointed out that even while the Ministry continues to encourage businesses to be ISO certified, it faces the challenge of small enterprises being able to meet these standards, because of their size.Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary noted the increasing loss of preferential treatment and competition that developing economies face, and that in light of this, CARICOM nations must focus on increasing the competitiveness of their export sectors, through improved products, enhanced service, economic efficiency and greater standardisation.He said it is now imperative that CARICOM engage other nations in the global economic arena. “The European Partnership Agreement, for example, gives regional manufacturers and service providers access to some 27 markets of the EU. Conversely, their products will also have access to our markets. It is incumbent on exporters to be capable of satisfying technical and quality requirements of their customers abroad, as well as the health and safety and environmental rules of the importing nations,” Mr. Budhan emphasised.He argued that quality requirements, which are essential to trade, are usually embodied in standards, and that exporters can derive great benefits from obtaining ISO certification, including increased market share; more profit margins; significantly reduce documentation; improve organisation efficiency and reduce cost incurred by conformity assessment procedures that are necessary to enter new markets.Chairman of CROSQ, Dianne Lalla-Rodrigues said that the face of global trade is changing, with the intensive and extensive movements of persons and goods and services, and that this is further enhanced by the various trade agreements that CARICOM has signed with developed nations. In most cases, she noted, these nations have fully developed regulatory and business systems.Mrs. Rodrigues said these systems have become increasingly important as tariffs are eroded and developing nations are faced with the task of building their own systems with very limited human and financial resources, even as governments face serious challenges in maintaining their revenue streams.”CROSQ is one of the region’s responses to these challenges in building crucial business support systems and regulatory systems,” she noted.The Organisation’s mandate is the establishment and harmonisation of standards to enhance the efficiency and improve quality in the production of goods and services in CARICOM, to protect the consumer and the environment, and to improve trade within the Community and with other states. RelatedCROSQ Urged To Adopt Standards Management System For Micro Enterprises CROSQ Urged To Adopt Standards Management System For Micro Enterprises CommerceOctober 20, 2010
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USFS Gives Rock Creek Mine Partial Approval
Stay Connected with the Daily Roundup. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox. Email Opponents and proponents of a proposed copper and silver mine in Sanders County are both celebrating after the U.S. Forest Service announced it would issue only a partial approval for the project in an upcoming Record of Decision.Conservation groups say that the decision to withhold a full development permit for the Rock Creek Mine proves that a massive industrial project should not be developed beneath a wilderness area for fear that it will dewater the land above. But officials with Hecla Mining Company, the Coeur d’Alene-based mining company heading up the project, said that a phased approval has always been part of the plan.In a letter dated Oct. 31, Deputy Regional Forester David E. Schmid announced that the final Record of Decision would only approve phase 1 of the Rock Creek Project, allowing the construction of a mine adit and an environmental evaluation of the site, which is located near Noxon.“While models and estimates of groundwater conditions can be developed based on the best available information, actual knowledge of underground conditions may not be fully known, or knowable, until underground operations are underway and additional data can be collected,” Schmid wrote.Upon completion and evaluation of phase 1, the Forest Service would consider approving phase 2, the actual development of the mine.In a press release, a coalition of conservation groups called the partial approval the “latest in a series of setbacks” for the project. In October, the Clark Fork Coalition, Earthworks, Montana Environmental Information Center, Rock Creek Alliance and Save Our Cabinets asked the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to cancel Hecla’s permits for Rock Creek and the nearby Montanore Project because of a “bad actor” provision in state law. The coalition of groups stated that Hecla should not receive permits until one of its executives, CEO Phillips Baker, is held responsible for the environmental cleanup of a mine he previously oversaw in eastern Montana.“All the evidence to date shows that these mines cannot be excavated under the Wilderness without lasting harm to the overlying streams and the fish and wildlife that find refuge there,” said Bonnie Gestring, northwest program director for Earthworks. “That’s something the agency simply can’t ignore.”“This mine would be a disaster for the small population of grizzly bears that inhabit the Cabinet Mountains,” said Andrea Santarsiere, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. “We are glad to hear that the Forest Service is taking a step back to consider the damage this mine may cause.”But Hecla officials, who stand by their claims that the mine will not damage the wilderness above, read the letter differently. Luke Russell, vice president of external affairs for Hecla, said the mining company always expected the Forest Service to issue their approval in phases.“It’s business as usual for us,” he said.Russell said Hecla officials remain hopeful that a final Record of Decision will be released in early 2018.Hecla was founded in 1891 and currently operates mines in Idaho, Alaska, Mexico and Quebec, Canada. In 2015, Hecla expanded into Montana when it purchased the Revett Mining Company, Inc., which owned the Troy Mine and the Rock Creek Project, and Mines Management, which owned the Montanore Mine project south of Libby. Hecla shuttered the Troy Mine but has vowed to develop Rock Creek and Montanore. The two mines could produce more than 500 million ounces of silver and 4 billion pounds of copper in their lifetime. The two deposits are separated by about 7,000 feet of earth and a fault line, suggesting that at one time it was actually one ore body.
#WorldEnvironmentDay: UN urges efforts to reduce plastic pollution
Plastics, an ideal material for the packaging industry, has become a major environmental concern. Today, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is celebrating World Environment Day, urging people to reduce single-use plastic products.Concerned about the piling plastic waste threatening marine and human life, the UNEP decided to hold the celebrations under the theme of beating plastic pollution. “Our world is swamped by harmful plastic waste. Every year, more than eight million tons end up in the oceans,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday.According to a study by the University of California and Santa Barbara, researchers estimated that 8,300 million tons of virgin plastics were produced from 1990 to 2015, of which 6,300 tons of plastic waste was generated. Only nine percent of this waste was recycled.Nearly 12 percent of this waste was incinerated, and 79 percent is piling up in landfills or littering the natural environment. Today, around 300 million tons of plastic are manufactured annually, but only less than 14 percent of the total amount gets recycled.A vast amount of non-recycled plastic often ends up in rivers or dumped into the ocean. A study published in the science journal Environmental Science and Technology claims that the 10 rivers carry 93 percent of that trash are located in Asia and Africa.Tali Dex gi drive/promenade in St. Louis, Senegal. PIC COURTESYThe UNEP is promoting bio-degradable alternatives to plastics, reducing plastic use, and ensuring large-scale recycling of plastic.“We’ve become over-reliant on single-use or disposable plastic. We buy one million plastic drinking bottles every minute and use roughly 500 billion disposable plastic bags every year,” said Erik Solheim, head of the UNEP.“In total, some 50 percent of plastic is single-use,” he added.UNEP first celebrated the Day in 1974 to raise awareness and generate political action around global environmental issues including ozone depletion, desertification, and global warming. India is hosting this year’s environment day.
Cohen: Auburn should hire Butch Thompson as baseball coach
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Mississippi State pitching coach Butch Thompson is a candidate for the Auburn head coaching job.STARKVILLE — John Cohen acknowledged the possibility that his pitching coach, Butch Thompson, may not be with the team when Mississippi State’s season starts in February of 2016.Thompson has been the center of rumors surrounding the head coaching vacancy at Auburn.“Nobody deserves to have that type of opportunity more than a Butch Thompson,” Cohen said. “We’re cheering for him. We don’t want to lose him. I’ve told many people at Auburn, you’d be crazy not to hire this guy. But I’m going to be the happiest guy in the world if you don’t.”Cohen and Thompson talked in right field for about five minutes after Mississippi State concluded its Bulldog World Series on Wednesday. Thompson has been with Cohen since 2009. He became associate head coach in 2012.“We’re all cheering for Butch,” Cohen said. “Butch has been like a brother and we want what’s best for him and his career and his family. We’ll see what happens.”Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration Time 0:00Loaded: 0%0:00Progress: 0%0:00 Progress: 0%Stream TypeLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1ChaptersChaptersdescriptions off, selectedDescriptionssubtitles off, selectedSubtitlescaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedCaptionsAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modal window. The Video Cloud video was not found. Error Code: VIDEO_CLOUD_ERR_VIDEO_NOT_FOUND
Seven race card at Thurles today
There’s a 7 race card at Thurles this afternoon where the first is off at 2.20.The feature is the Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase at 4.05Named after the former proprietor and manager for many years, the Molony family have continued where he left off and their 2 mile 2 furlong race has attracted a field of four including the Gigginstown-owned Duca De Thaix, the highest runner of the quartet trained by Gordon Elliott who also runs stablemate Cubomania. Jetz, who only got as far as the first fence when parting company with Robbie Power at Naas last time, represents Moone trainer Jessica Harrington while the field is completed by the John Nicholson-trained Benruben.
Intermediate Hurling Final 2018 – The Commentary
Listen back to Niall Canavan and Conor Hayes on commentary from Duggan Park as Oranmore Maree defeated Kilconieron to win the 2018 Intermediate Hurling Championship… Audio Playerhttps://download-galwaybay.sharp-stream.com/2018%20IHC%20final%20Oran%20Maree%20v%20Kilconieron.mp300:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume..print WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Email
DESPITE HISTORIC DECLINES IN TEEN PREGNANCY AND BIRTH RATES, THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE
Despite historic declines in the rates of teen pregnancy and births in the United States and a 34.1% decline in the teen pregnancy rate in Jackson County, the US teen birth rate is still higher than that of many other developed countries.In order to focus attention on all the progress that has been made and spotlight how much work is yet to be done, the Jackson County Department of Public Health (JCDPH) joins other organizations across the country in participating in National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. Throughout the month of May, JCDPH encourages teens to prevent pregnancy by practicing abstinence or participating in safer sex. To learn about safer sex, JCDPH offers family planning services, emergency contraception, STD testing, and HIV testing in a teen-friendly, safe, and confidential environment. Services are available for no cost or on a sliding scale fee. Parental permission is not required.While May is a critical time to consider teen pregnancy and how it impacts individuals and the community as a whole, it is important to note that this issue is one to focus on year-round. Call the Health Department at 828-587-8289 to learn more or to make an appointment today. Visit our website at http://health.jacksonnc.org/teen-heath.
Landslide Closures
Landslides have impacted several recreation sites including the Ferebee Memorial Recreation Area on the Nantahala Ranger District. (USFS photo by Nate Dewhurst)Franklin, NC – August 25, 2019 – Several landslides on the Nantahala Ranger District have temporarily closed US 19/74 and the Nantahala River in the Nantahala Gorge in Swain County.Crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation are clearing debris from US 19/74. Their operations are expected to continue into Tuesday. A detour has been established. Westbound vehicles will take NC 28 West to Steccoah then NC 143 South to Robbinsville then NC 129 South to Topton and US 19/74. Eastbound traffic goes in reverse. Follow @NCDOT_Westmtn on Twitter (twitter.com/NCDOT_Westmtn) for traffic updates.All river rafting and kayaking operations on the Nantahala River have been temporarily suspended. Debris from the landslides has entered the river making passage extremely hazardous.Visitors should avoid these areas to ensure their own safety and that of crews assessing and clearing debris. Follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nfsnc) or Twitter (twitter.com/NFsNCarolina) for updates and photos.
Building a World-Class Workforce Skilled Up for Tomorrow
View SHRM’s new commercial featuring CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., in conversation with IBM’s Ginni Rometty at www.shrm.org/work. Today’s companies have a people shortage, exacerbated by a skills shortage. This is probably the most critical problem facing employers today, and we know it’s not going to get better.The U.S workforce is shrinking due to decades of dropping birth rates and Baby Boomers entering retirement. To staff up, we can hire from untapped talent pools and poach talent from our competitors, but that will never be sufficient to fill the highly skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.It’s critical, therefore, that those we currently employ, as well as those coming up through the U.S. education system, are prepared for the transforming demands of work in a climate that is dividing businesses even more starkly into winners and losers.Gone are the days when business competitors were in the same region, or even nation. Now the contest is global. American workers’ skills need to be on par with emerging powerhouse economies across Asia, Europe and the Americas, and they need to stay there.It’s time for HR to lead the conversation about skilling up the American workforce. The tools are out there to build world-class workplaces that proactively keep employees at the top of their game—if only employers will use them.A new survey conducted by SHRM, as part of its role in the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, found that just two-thirds of American employers offer educational assistance to some or all of their employees, and only about one-third of employees take advantage of it.At the same time, there is a wellspring of partnership opportunities that match educational institutions with employers, but only 42 percent of companies take this opportunity. And only 29 percent of employers work with local or federal government agencies to get skills-based training grants to skill up workers.In SHRM’s latest television commercial, which launched yesterday, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty urged American companies—and HR professionals in particular—to be agents of change. To adjust overly prescriptive hiring requirements. To be willing to accept people without four-year degrees. To pursue public-private partnerships with schools and offer apprenticeship programs.As an employer, “The biggest thing we have to do is drive a culture of skills,” Rometty said.I couldn’t agree more. Let start those conversations today.
Appeals court upholds contempt against Creasy Springs homeowner
(AP) – A Columbia homeowner jailed for 10 days for contempt of court for not complying with an order to remove structures from his property could find himself behind bars again.The Western District Court of Appeals upheld on Tuesday the contempt ruling against Seth Reynolds for failure to abide by a 2017 court order to remove a shed, fence and satellite dish.The Columbia Daily Tribune reports Reynolds was denied a variance in 2015 to the county’s setback and easement regulations after construction was complete.Circuit Judge Jodie Asel ordered Reynolds jailed indefinitely until the structures were gone. He was out on bond pending his appeal.Reynolds argued he was unable to demolish the outbuilding because of the cost and difficulty. The county argued he was financially capable of doing so.